Journey Church Colorado: Recent Episodes

Journey Church Colorado

Journey Church Colorado weekly teaching, including messages from our weekend services. Find out more at JourneyColorado.com

Are you living in the moment, or does your mind often wander to the regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow? We’re diving into what it means to fully embrace today—trusting God to provide and guide us one day at a time. What if the secret to achieving your goals, deepening your fait, and experiencing true joy lies in living with purpose in each moment? We'll discover how daily disciplines can help us “Win the Day.”

Are you tired of simply knowing what needs to change but not seeing any transformation?

As we explore the book of James, we'll see how real change comes from more than just listening—it requires action.

What would it look like if we actually did what we believe, even in the small, everyday things?

Doing the right thing, right now, can transform our lives and the lives of others. It’s time to move from "I know" to "I’m doing.

We're talking about what it looks like to trust God when things are hard.

Can I find any treasure in this trial?

If life is tough right now, you’re not alone. There is hope.

Ever wonder what it looks like to actually live out your faith day to day?

James doesn’t sugarcoat anything—he shows us how our faith should impact the way we live, treat others and deal with life’s challenges.

From controlling our words to being patient when things are tough, we’ll see how practical and relevant his advice is.

"How do I connect?"

Since the pandemic we have become acutely aware of the challenge of loneliness in all of our lives.

If we're not careful, when life gets hard we can isolate and retreat. In isolation, we don't have counter-voices of reason and encouragement in our lives.

God has made us to live in community. We need friends.

We have to ask ourselves, "who am I following and where is that leading me?" In order to follow Jesus, we have to learn to discern his voice. We'll learn how to recognize his voice amidst the noise of our modern daily lives.

Who are you following?

Where is that leading you?

Is this the LIFE you want?

Leave sin, bad habits, and hang-ups behind to live a better, deeper LIFE with Jesus. We are going to take a look at what a life following Jesus really looks like.

How do you step into...

What is next in your family?

What is next in your career?

What is next in your relationship with your spouse?

We'll look at how to build a community that helps us make better decisions about what is next, and then helps us take our next, brave steps in God’s big story of our lives.

We all feel a little foggy about the future. There is uncertainty and anxiety about what's coming around the corner.

You may be asking, "What do I do God?" "What is your will?"

How do you know what to do next?

We're kicking off a new series about how to seek God for what's next in your life.

As we continue in our summer teaching series, we will look at the wisdom of friends. Since the pandemic we have become acutely aware of the challenge of loneliness, and the writer of Proverbs has specific wisdom to help us build more and better friendships.

Do you find yourself questioning your purpose?

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your weaknesses?

Do you feel like there's something wrong with you?

We'll discover how facing these lies can lead to a deeper understanding of God's plan and purpose for our lives. Through the teachings of John 8 and 2 Corinthians 12, we'll explore how embracing our weaknesses allows Christ's power to work in us.

We all know proud people who love themselves way too much. But there's a difference between being an egotistical person and being proud of who you are. There's also a difference between being humble and being insecure. So how do you strike that delicate balance? Keep an eye out for warning signs of pride—and look for wise ways to seek humility.

Words have power. Every word you speak has the power to either give life or bring death. We'll explore the profound impact of our words and how wisdom in speech can lead to fulfillment and joy. Discover the four key characteristics of wise words and learn how to stop indulging in the fruit of folly and start savoring the fruits of wisdom in your daily life.

On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at accepting advice?

Maybe you're pretty receptive and open to feedback, or maybe you default to suspicion and would rather pave your own path.

Here's the truth: advice is a wise thing to pursue. And wisdom helps you know when and from whom it's worth receiving.

In a world of Amazon Prime and Instagram, it's pretty clear—we don't like to wait. Instant gratification is the name of the game. But, if we want results that truly last, it's wise to spend time developing discipline now so you can reap the rewards later.

How did I end up here?

Why didn't they see this coming?

Have you ever asked those questions?

We're talking about the ONE AREA we should focus on and the habits we should adopt to guard against a crash.

It's all about making BETTER DECISIONS with FEWER REGRETS.

Many of us probably know the lyrics to the children’s song, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so," but what about the fine print?

Aren’t there exceptions to Jesus' love?

What if I go too far?

Cross a line I can’t come back from?

Or walk away?

Doesn’t that void Jesus' love for me?

In this new series we will look at three specific examples when it seems that Jesus' love would have an expiration date.

Many people have been burned by other church members or church leaders, and the pain often leaves them feeling confused, hurt and isolated. But church can also be a place of hope, comfort and reconciliation. It is never too late to start fresh with God and his people.

Forgiveness is about coming to God with the fullness of your feelings and trusting Him with them. It's an inner work between you and God. Sometimes, this inner work leads to repentance and reconciliation with others. What God desires above all, is reconciliation with you.

Everyone has experienced hurt — betrayal, abandonment, rejection, loss. You can't build your wall high enough or thick enough to avoid getting hurt.

If we are not careful, our hurt can shape us. Sometimes we've held on to hurt so long that it becomes our identity. God wants to heal us because hurt holds us back from everything that he wants us to have in our life.

What do you do when everywhere you turn it feels like pain keeps piling on?

What do you do when it feels like you can't just catch a break?

What do you do when your circumstances seem unfair?

We're continuing to teach through the words of Jesus on the cross. His words offer the path to the real peace we’re looking for. This week, we're teaching about suffering.

We are all chasing that feeling.

The feeling that “all is right with the world.”

Less stress.

Stillness.

Contentment.

Whatever you call it, we are all Chasing Peace.

But what if the way we are thinking about peace is all wrong?

Through the words of Jesus on the cross, he offers us the path to the real peace.

The bad news is that we are each in a spiritual war for our family. The good news is God gives us supernatural help to win this war. This week we are going to talk about how we can access God’s help each day as we battle for our families.

And if you missed either of the first two weeks of our Let’s Talk Family series, I encourage you to go back and listen for practical help for your marriage and your parenting.

Let’s Talk Parenting! We'll discover the wisdom you need to unlock parenting according to God’s pattern. When to discipline, how to build a Christ-centered home vs. a child-centered home, and how to raise Godly kids in today’s world. We'll explore these crucial aspects of parenting and gain Biblical insights on how to navigate this journey!"

Throughout this series, we're discussing all things family — marriage, parenting, grand parenting, boundaries, in-laws. Each week, we’ll dive into a different aspect of the family and talk about the things that matter most to us. We'll share Biblical wisdom on strengthening your most important relationships by growing in your connection with God. Discover the key to a more connected and fulfilling family life.

The power of simple choices, decisions and hopes planted in the right soil is nothing short of miraculous.

What do we do after the seed has been planted?

We are all looking forward to the harvest, but the speed of the seed is frustrating.

Between planting and harvesting, what do we do in the middle?

You plan to get up early to read your Bible, but then you only get two hours of sleep.

You decide to make a commitment to give, but then the next week your car breaks down and you have a huge expense.

You start a fast, but then your boss invites you to Elway's.

You start exercising, and then you tear a muscle.

You have great intentions, but then life happens and circumstances get in the way.

The tomorrow we hope for starts with the seeds we plant today. Sometimes we let our circumstances get in the way of sowing the right seeds.

We all encounter moments in life that are filled with potential.

Potential is exciting. It’s alluring. But potential doesn't just happen.

What we hope for tomorrow starts with the seeds we plant today.

That is the power and principle of a seed. Seeds must be cared for, seeds take time to sprout and grow. Seeds are small, but inside them they carry incredible potential for exponential growth.

This time of year, it seems like many people are focused on deciding what their New Year’s resolution will be. Let’s be honest though, while many may set a resolution, few actually complete them. This year, instead of setting unrealistic resolutions, let’s learn together how we can take simple steps to make lasting and eternal investments.

Life is full of waiting. As we enter into the Christmas season, you may be feeling hopeless and asking God, "what's next?"

What do you do while you are waiting on God?

There’s a lot we can learn from the book of Hebrews about finding hope.

We're wrapping up this teaching series talking about LEGACY.

Do I really have an impact?

What will people remember about me when I'm gone?

Do I really matter?

What story am I telling with my life?

You might be carrying deep pain right now. You might be bearing a challenge you never thought you would. So many of us carry the weight of suffering — wondering if this is a punishment from God.

You may be suffering right now, but that doesn't mean God doesn't love you.

Sometimes when life is prospering and going really well, it is easy to see that God is with you. But, it's a lot more difficult when things are challenging, overwhelming and painful to say, "God is with me."

God is with you. He will help you bear this burden. Take every day and use those moments to be faithful to God.

Based on the book of Ecclesiastes, we're looking from the perspective that our days are numbered and we’re all going to die.

Based on those two sobering thoughts, we are asking ourselves this question, “How would my life look different if I chose to live with the end in mind?"

This week we will continue looking through the lens of our own mortality by exploring our purpose in life. Someone said, “What matters most is not the number of days you’ve been given, but how you use them.”

Spoiler: You’re going to die someday. And you’re not the only one—everyone will. Encouraging, right?

But how would life look different if you chose to live with the end in mind?

The biblical book of Ecclesiastes has a lot to say about living life backwards. Starting at the end will help us reconsider what it means to “live well” today.

Have you ever judged another person ... either their actions, their choices or behaviors?

We've all judged people for their behaviors, choices and lifestyle. Judging people is never really about right or wrong, it's about the power it gives us. Judging gives us a sense of superiority and makes us feel better about our own shortcomings.

What we can do is to try to be more like Jesus in the way that we respond to the sins of others. You can still disagree with someone's lifestyle choices and behavior and still love and respect them.

We all intuitively know that knowing is different than doing. Knowing is different than believing.

You know you should eat healthy.

You know you should exercise.

You know you should save money.

The difference is in the doing.

What do you know that you're not doing? What area in your life is Jesus calling you to take the next step?

So many of us are living our lives on autopilot — doing the same things we've always done over and over, expecting a different result. Sometimes we sense something is wrong, but we just don't fully see it.

Do you ever ask yourself, why do I keep going back to the same self-defeating behaviors? Am I willing to follow Jesus into something new?

This week we're teaching around the question, “Who touched me?” from Luke 8. It’s all about coming out of the shadows and expressing our need for help. Our need for God.

When Jesus approaches the paralyzed man, he asks him, "Do you want to get well?"

We may think the obvious answer is "Are you kidding me? Of course the paralyzed man wants to get well." But Jesus is asking, "Do you want to get well... really?"

Sometimes we say we want healing, but our actions don't line up.

Where are you looking for healing?

Are you willing to try something else?

Are you willing to lean into the words of Jesus?

One of the first questions Jesus asked when he began his ministry, “What do you want?” How would you answer that question? What do you truly want in life? How we answer this question determines the course of our time on earth.

Sometimes we get to these places where we feel like we can't move forward because it's too difficult.

We get right to the edge of breakthrough, and then we stop, quit or get stuck. When we step into uncharted territory, sometimes the only way out is through.

Risk taking is not the same as being reckless, but it does require a level of uncertainty to step out. We'll explore the space between certainty and uncertainty, where courage and faith become essential.

What happens when life gets interrupted?

We all have a plan on how we think our lives should go. Then life interrupts and we find ourselves in uncharted territory — somewhere we didn't expect to be.

We all face transitions. New seasons and stages that upset our routines, comfort and peace of mind.

Sometimes God calls us beyond our capacity to understand or our ability to handle. He calls us into these inconvenient, difficult places.

We'll walk through the story of Joseph's life to see how he navigated life’s uncertain twists and turns.

Are you going through a significant change?

We all face transitions. New seasons and stages that upset our routines, comfort and peace of mind.

Maybe, you find yourself in UNCHARTED territory, paralyzed by anxiety about what the future holds.

Maybe you've looked around and asked yourself, what is going on in the world? In my community? In my neighborhood? In my kid's school?

How can we get back to better?

How can we work for the peace and prosperity of our community?

We could complain, dismiss or retreat — but there's a better way. God has placed you here to make a difference. We'll talk about how to leverage our influence and reach our communities.

It's our friends that determine the direction and quality of our lives.

We don't just get friendships — we build them. They are not built by chance, but by choice.

We're talking about habits that will help us get back to better, next steps to overcome the feeling of loneliness and ways to develop great relationships.

We're only as happy as our family is healthy. When there is strife, disappointment, contention, uncertainty and your family just isn't where it should be, you can feel unsettled.

Every family has a culture, and that culture is either by design or by default. We drift if we don't set the tone for what we want our family to be like.

Let's talk about habits that will help us get back to better in our marriages, close family relationships, with our kids and with our parents.

Have you drifted? Settled?

Do you need to make a comeback?

Maybe it’s time to GET BACK TO BETTER.

Better decisions.

Better habits.

Better family.

Better friends.

A better future.

We've kicked off a new teaching series that will help you get back on track to a better life with God.

Have you ever questioned God’s goodness? As we look around our world today, I’m sure most of us have at some point. As we continue our series God Is…we will see that God is, despite our circumstances, indeed good.

This holiday weekend we will celebrate what it means to be a citizen of America, but as followers of Jesus, we are more than that — we are citizens of heaven.

We'll talk about what it means to be a citizen of heaven and how we can have hope no matter what is going on around us.

GOD IS... IN CONTROL. God has the power and the wisdom to make any decision. Nothing can stop God from bringing about His purposes. In all situations, God is in charge.

Which leads us to this big question, "If God is control, why did He ___________?"

What comes to mind when you think about God?

Over the summer, we are going to dive into some of the big characteristics about the nature of God laid out in Scripture.

We are seeking to answer "what is God really like?"

We all have opinions and perspectives on this, but what does the Bible have to say?

Have you ever been so frustrated at a situation that you wanted to throw something? Have you felt angry and resentful at God for a situation you feel stuck in?

Sometimes things don't turn out the way we hoped they would — getting laid off from a job, a loved one passing away, going through a divorce, stress, isolation — it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stuck waiting for better days.

A large section at the beginning of the Bible is dedicated to the story of a man who faced repeated difficulties and had to trust and wait on God. Through all of the highs and lows of Joseph's life, he learned that God was working everything for good.

We'll see how God is using the difficulty in our lives to shape us and prepare us for something so much more.

The insidious trap of comparison has the potential to hold us back from the life God wants us to experience. Sometimes we ask ourselves, "Why don't I have as much as they have?" "Why don't I have the opportunities they have?" "The talents they have?" "The looks they have?" Comparison views life as a competition. It exaggerates the blessings of others and minimizes your own. Comparison crushes contentment.

Do I believe that God is holding out on me? Is Jesus enough for me? Or am I constantly looking for Jesus plus something else? We need to fight for contentment over comparison.

Traps are the ideas, attitudes, mindsets, behaviors, activities, sins that are easy to get into but difficult to escape from. They hold us back from the life God wants us to have. How do we avoid these traps?

This week we are talking about the trap of apathy — the trap that keeps us from making an impact in our world. The trap that keeps from stepping forward into action to make a difference. As followers of Jesus we don't have the luxury to stay in the trap of apathy. We are called by our savior to escape the trap of apathy and make a difference in the world.

Guilt. Shame. Apathy. Busyness. Comparison. Entitlement.

We all have stuff that holds us back from experiencing all life can be. Ideas and behaviors that can TRAP us.

So enticing, offering life but draining the joy from us.

It’s time to break free.

The Resurrection was the best moment in history, and every year we get to take a Sunday to remember and celebrate this moment.

But now that it's over, where do we go from here?

How do we make the Resurrection moment into a movement?

We'll dive into an understanding that the Resurrection didn't just change history, but it also paves the way to change us.

Have you ever felt like you’ve messed up so bad there’s no coming back? Felt like there’s no chance of restoration. No hope of redemption?

The story of Peter tells us otherwise. Despite his mistakes, we see in Scripture that Jesus is all about the comeback. He is in the business of restoring and healing and giving second chances.

What does it look like to live a godly life in a godless world? As we wrap up our teaching series THRIVING IN BABYLON, we'll read through the story of Daniel in the lions' den and see how we can stand firm and love well in an ever-changing culture.

We are constantly put in a position where we have to choose between culture and God. What are we supposed to do when we don’t know what the right answer is? How do we honor Jesus when there’s not an obvious right answer? We'll talk about how we can make decisions in wisdom, truth and love.

We're kicking off a brand new series of talks around what it looks like to live for God and stand up for what you believe in a world that seems increasingly hostile to biblical faith.

Followers of Jesus today face a dilemma. In a world that seems to reject everything we believe, how do we walk closely with God without caving to pressure or alienating those we hope to reach with our message?

We are going to spend a few weeks studying the life of the prophet Daniel, who persevered in a corrupt culture that closely resembles our own — and emerged as an influential force in God's redemptive plan.

What do you do when you are praying for good things and you feel like God is not answering? We'll tackle how to persevere when you feel like Jesus is saying "no."

Do you feel anxious, exhausted and overworked?

Are you painfully busy?

Frequently drained?

Tired in spite of a night’s rest?

We live in a culture that is always pursuing more — success, devices, possessions, square footage, experiences.

But there is a better way.

Sabbath is this resistance against that pace and push in our lives.

Many of us say we follow Jesus, but what does it practically look like to follow in THE WAY of Jesus and become more like him?

We do this by adopting practices from Jesus’ own life — very simple habits that we can practice regularly to help us be with Jesus and become more like him.

This week we are tackling the habit of serving. You are never more like Jesus than when you are serving.

The church always talks about the Bible and how important it is to read, but why? What does it offer us and why is it such a vital part of developing our faith?

We'll look at the role Scripture can play in our life and how we can continue to live more like Jesus by following in His way of leaning into Scripture.

We are in the middle of our sermon series “The Way” where we are diving into the different habits that Jesus displayed for us so that we might learn from Him, lived how He lived, and look more like Him. We'll look at how we can grow in our faith and worship God through the spiritual discipline of generosity.

Life is full of promises and excitement, but what happens when that excitement turns to problems and disappointment? Society tells us to move on to something better, but Jesus tells us something else. How can we lean into His strength so that even in the midst of struggle, we can push past the problems and eventually experience the payoff?

One of the habits of following Jesus is worship, but what does it really mean to worship? Is it simply singing songs at church or is it more than that? We'll talk about what worship truly is and how we as believers can be true worshippers.

Many of us say we follow Jesus, but what does it practically look like to follow in THE WAY of Jesus and become more like him?

During his time on earth, Jesus modeled the importance of COMMUNITY and growing in our faith alongside other believers.

COMMUNITY isn’t always easy to find but it is how we were designed to live. Together we'll learn about the importance of finding our people.

Many of us say we follow Jesus, but what does it practically look like to follow in THE WAY of Jesus and become more like him?

We do this by adopting practices from Jesus’ own life — very simple habits that we can practice regularly to help us be with Jesus and become more like him.

Prayer is one of the most talked about habits of Jesus, but for many of us, we have a hard time understanding what that looks like. We'll look at the practice of prayer and how Jesus modeled this for us.

Many of us say we follow Jesus, but what does it practically look like to follow in the way of Jesus and become more like him? Over the next 8 weeks we are going to look at the different habits of Jesus and how we can practice them.

Over the course of this next year, we will all encounter transitions. Some transitions will be smooth sailing and others will feel like we are in the middle of a storm.

How can we navigate those transitions? What does Jesus promise us in the midst of these transitions? We'll look at how we can be ready for whatever comes our way in 2023.

Christmas is an annual reminder that Jesus came to earth to invite us to be a part of His family. No matter your past, the choices you have made, or your doubts, there is a seat at the table for you.

Reconciliation is hard, but it is at the heart of Jesus. He modeled it for us and His Word teaches it to us. What if this is the season for reconciliation?

We’ve all had things said about us that we’ve carried with us through life. We can often let our past control our identity and how we see ourselves. But what if there’s freedom from that?

What if it’s the season to let go of the labels and instead live in the truth that Jesus came to set us free and calls us His forgiven and loved children.

Were you hurt by someone?

Are you carrying around offense?

We're tackling how the Christmas season can be a time to let go of our offense and find a way to forgive.

How do you decipher when God is calling you to take a leap of faith?

Is fear getting in the way?

This week we're tackling the tension between taking a risk or playing it safe.

How do you respond in moments of crisis?

What is your first response?

Do you panic? Or turn to God in prayer?

God is our anchor of hope. During times of crisis, when we hold on, His blessings are abundant.

We're tackling how to anchor ourselves in hope and not despair.

Do you have doubts?

Do you ever find yourself thinking…”Is this God stuff real?”

Do you struggle with holding onto faith when you see evil in the world?

Do intellectual objections hold you back from believing?

What about when you pray and nothing seems to happen?

Trouble believing that God is good when bad things happen in your life?

You’re not alone. We're tackling the tension between faith and doubt.

Everywhere we turn, there’s something vying for our attention. We live in a world full of distractions and we are encouraged to pursue all avenues and find what makes us happy. But if we aren’t careful, the distractions become consuming and we forget to focus in on where God is calling us.

Do you fear missing out? Are you afraid of falling behind? Is your schedule maxed out?

We are all tempted to do more, buy more and experience more but Jesus teaches us otherwise.

Jesus calls us to live with margin so we can be generous and obedient followers who build His Kingdom.

Through this teaching series we are going to learn that some things aren’t problems to be solved, but are tensions to be managed.

What is the true purpose of relationships, particularly in marriage? Is it to make the other person happy? Is it to get to a place of contentment? We'll look at the specific design and purpose God has for our relationships.

Do you ever feel like you're not making a big enough impact? Leaving an impressive enough legacy? Living a life of value and purpose?

In a culture of comparison and pressure, it’s easy to always strive to do more and be more but what if God is calling you just be faithful with what He has put in your hands? What if He is asking you to find glory in the ordinary?

God is an architect and He is building something.
God has plans. Big plans for the world. God has big plans for you!

You are part of his BIG story. We discover our part in that story by becoming an archeologist. What is buried within? What needs to be built? Designed?

Discover who God has shaped you to be in his BIG story.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to feel free? To feel like we don’t have to earn our way into good things? Don’t have to earn our way into forgiveness and eternal life with God?

Sometimes we forget this freedom is already offered to us.

So how do we embrace it? Guest speaker, Steve Cuss looks at the Gospel and shows us what freedom it truly offers.

Is your mind swirling with worry? Guilt? Anger? Sadness? Disappointment? Shame?

Are you going OUTTA YOUR MIND?

We'll talk about how to help our mind focus on what’s true and how we can find peace.

Depression is a real challenge for many people, and it has existed since the beginning of time. When you dig into Scripture you can find examples of people who felt depressed, hopeless, and discouraged even in the midst of following God and serving Him.

So, if this challenge has been around forever, what are we supposed to do about it? What encouragement and help does Scripture give us? What should we do when we are depressed?

Do you ever feel trapped in your own head? Do you catch yourself thinking “WHY DO I FEEL THIS WAY?” Do you ever tell yourself… “Snap out of it!” “I’m the only one dealing with this." “It will always be this way”

We can all stumble and get lost in the wilderness of tangled emotions. We can all think “I’m going OUTTA MY MIND!” But there is hope. There is a way out. We can win the battle of our minds and find peace.

We are finishing up our series on Sermon On The Mount where Jesus tells us how to weather the storms of life. Storms will come our way no matter what, so how can we prepare?

During one of His teachings, Jesus tells the religious leaders, “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life.”

But what does that really mean? How can we enter through the gate? Is it by tithing? Reading the Bible? Praying? Going on mission trips?

Watch as we discuss what it really takes to secure eternal life.

“Christians are so judgmental.” Have you heard that phrase before? Maybe someone has said it to you before.

We'll look at what our role is as followers of Jesus when it comes to telling others the truth and how we can best guide others in their choices.

How do we respond when we are insulted? How do we respond when something is taken from us? How do we respond when life isn’t fair? We'll wrestle through how to deal with the difficult people and situations in our life.

We all want to make an impact with our faith, but what does that look like? We don’t have to be on a stage, on the cover of a magazine, or at the top of of the ladder to make an impact. True impact comes when we allow God to change the inside of us, so that those closest to us see the change on the outside.

Lust is a sin that culture tells us is no big deal — but the wounds it leaves are all around us. Protect yourself from lust and pursue the life God has for you. Scotty shares the truth about lust and how to do whatever is necessary to deal radically with this problem.

John 6:35 is one of the great "I AM" statements in the ministry of Jesus. "I am the Bread of Life" — a very simple truth, but it's the gospel in a nutshell.

This statement follows one of Jesus’ most famous miracles — feeding of the 5,000. This miracle is not just about providing, it is designed to say something about Jesus and what he can offer us. Jesus did not come to meet our earthly desires; He came to change our desires.

This holiday weekend we will celebrate what it means to be a citizen of America, but as followers of Jesus, we are more than that — we are citizens of heaven.

We'll talk about what it means to be a citizen of heaven and how we can have hope no matter what is going on around us.

Pressure has a way of unleashing what has always been beneath the surface. What comes out of us, is in us. This is a very simple statement but most of us think that the problem is out there.

All of us are good at monitoring our behavior when we are trying to get a job or when we are trying to get a date, but Jesus is calling us to monitor our heart. Do you allow your anger to control your mouth and your mood?

We'll see how Jesus peels back the layers in our understanding of anger—it's not just about our behavior, it's about our thoughts, motives and actions.

The Bible tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. What does that really mean?

More importantly, how can we intentionally influence the next generation to be leaders who will keep their eyes fixed on Jesus?

Do you ever feel like all people do anymore is argue? Insist on sharing their opinions? Demand that others agree with their perspective?

What even happened to “peace”?

Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers...”

In a world absent of peace, constantly looking for a fight, see how we are to be peacemakers.

We all know how important it is to have a pure heart, but what does that really mean? In a world full of brokenness and sin, how do we keep our heart pure and see God through a clear lens?

We are all searching for satisfaction. It seems like most of the places I pursue it leave me empty or at the very least relieved for the moment.

This teaching goes through a promise Jesus makes in the Sermon on the Mount about being full and fulfilled.

If you feel like you're always chasing contentment, you don't want to miss this message.

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t live up to God’s standard or do what he’s calling you to do? Not only do we have everything we need to live a godly life, but we can live the life he has called us to live now.

Meek is not a word we use a lot. It's not a characteristic in our culture we typically want to be associated with.

Most of the time, our response, especially in conflict, is to either fold or fight. Often our idea of meekness is to fold over and become a doormat—nothing of substance or backbone.

But Jesus calls us to a different way. Meekness is not weakness, it's strength under control.

Sermon on the Mount is the most important teachings of Jesus all in one place. It’s Jesus manifesto for a whole new way of living.

We are jumping into a really hard topic. Owning your stuff. Exposing your weaknesses. Admitting your mistakes. Sometimes that feels impossible but it’s where we find the help we need.

Are you happy?

We are surrounded by a culture that tells us we are in control of our own happiness. It tells us that getting more money, a bigger house, a better promotion or a spouse will lead to happiness, but the Bible tells us otherwise.

We'll talk about what it truly means to be happy and how can we get out of our own way to allow God to come in and be our only source of strength and happiness.

Jesus enters into our lives, the good and the messy, so we can experience his resurrecting power not only today but in the future. Jesus wants us to come to him, just like Mary and Martha did, bringing our pains and our hurts to him so he can comfort us, cry with us and bring healing that only he can bring. Easter is a great reminder that Jesus is the resurrection and the life and all that come to him can experience life and be set free.

We will look at what it means to be humble, how Jesus modeled this humility, and how we can take our next step in being humble followers.

The last couple of years have been challenging for us as a people. We have been through a lot together, from the pandemic to racial riots to political division—this season in the life of our culture has been very challenging and confusing. It can feel like everything is shifting.

We are kicking off a new teaching series through The Gospel of Matthew. Studying the book of Matthew will help us gain a fresh perspective on Jesus, get our eyes fixed on Him and remind us of some truths that we can hold on to as the storm ranges around us.

In the city of Antioch, followers of Jesus were first called Christians because of what they did. In his message, Mike Linch will show us how we too can live up to the name we carry as Christians.

The book of Revelation is all about Jesus. There are seven letters in the first three chapters of Revelation to seven churches. These letters are both timeless and timely. These letters are to specific churches about specific situations that we too can find ourselves in.

We can walk around going through the motions when we actually feel spiritually dead on the inside. In Revelation 3, in the letter to the Church at Sardis, we find believers who are in the same place.

We'll look at what Jesus had to say to the Church at Sardis and to us today about having true assurance in our salvation.

In being obedient to God, sometimes we have to go ALL IN before we can fully understand everything. In those moments of faith, we can trust that if we walk in obedience, He will take care of the rest.

Choosing to be ALL IN doesn’t mean that God is always going to ask us to leave where we are. Sometimes it might mean that He will ask us to stay—to press into where we are at in life, the people that surround us, and the opportunities He has put in front of us.

As followers of Jesus we are called to be ALL IN when it comes to so many areas of our life, but what does it mean to be ALL IN with our money? How can we be people who live open handed when it comes to our finances? We'll look at some of the myths that surround money, giving, and how we can be Kingdom builders with our finances.

We have been talking about what it looks like to go ALL IN for God and where He is calling you.

But, what excuses are stopping us from really going ALL IN?

God meets us in those excuses and how despite everything going on in our lives, we can still go ALL IN for Him.

How do we go from sitting on the sidelines watching Jesus to being a devoted follower of Jesus?

Do you ever wonder what it looks like to truly go ALL IN with your faith?

God called Abraham (Abram at the time) to be "ALL IN" on a life he could not yet see—to a path that was uncertain. Have you given God your "yes" with your life? Do you allow Him to do with your life what He wishes to do? Or do you seek to only give Him control of some of your life?

Jesus tells us that the most important thing to do is love Him AND love our neighbors. In a culture that shies away from caring for one another, how do we practically love our neighbor in our everyday life?

Does your life seem cluttered? Do you feel overwhelmed? Are you having a hard time staying focused?

Life is full of choices, voices, and distractions, so how do we know what really matters?

We’ll be talking about how to simplify our lives around the most important thing and find the power of a prioritized life.

Most of us go into the new year with goals, hopes, and dreams for what’s going to come over the next 365 days, but how often do we struggle to find success with these things?

It is important as believers to desire growth and change in our lives, but how can we implement that change in a way that is sustainable and really makes a difference?

We are all waiting for love, but it can only be found in one place - in one Person. The story of Christmas is that God sent Jesus to step into our mess and call us into a life with Him. He is waiting, with arms open wide, to welcome you home.

In seasons of waiting we can often find ourselves searching for joy, but where can true joy be found?

While the world may be in chaos, Jesus came so we can experience peace with God, each other, and all circumstances.

Christmas is a giant annual reminder of what it looks like to wait. When we are waiting for hope, we need to reminder that while we are waiting, God is working.

We can all agree that our world has strayed from its old ways, but more specifically, what has happened to us as believers? As the church? What has happened to civility, community, and commitment?

When we choose to surrender to God's plan for our life, the fruit that comes from our obedience will be plentiful. The only life worth living is one of true and total surrender.

As a society, we are addicted to busy and are always in a hurry, but that is not the best way to live. Busy sabotages the way we follow Jesus and we need to learn that there is power in simplicity.

It's impossible to be a follower of Jesus and not bring your money under His leadership, and God's way to handle money always begins with giving.

In a culture that has an insatiable desire for more, how can we be rich? What does it look like to let humility, gratitude, and generosity lead us through life?

Ultimately we have have the same purpose - to know Jesus and make His name known - but how we live out that purpose can look different for each one of us. No matter what, your gifts, passions, and experiences all contribute to discovering your purpose.

When trying to answer the question, "What's my purpose?" it's important to figure out what your passions are. What do you love? What do you really care about? What are those God given passions in your life?

All of us have questions that are rattling around in our head—no matter what stage of life you find yourself in. "What am I going to do with my life?" "Does my life matter?" "Is this God's will for my life?" All these questions leading up to one ultimate question that we all ask, "what's my purpose?"

We are going to talk about how God has shaped us to help us discover our purpose, because it's all something we are longing for.

Anger is not a sin, but what we do with anger can be a sin. So, what do we do when the soundtrack running through our head is, "I'm Angry"? How can we release that anger and allow God to take care of the rest?

What do we do when the soundtrack running through our head is saying, "You're Not Good Enough"? If we start by looking at God's reality we see that He calls each one of us loved, chosen, holy, and without fault. We must look to His Word and see what He says and believes about us.

Your life is always moving in the direction of your thoughts, so what do you do when the soundtracks running through your mind aren't edifying, true, and honoring to God? How do you take captive every thought and transform your life?

As followers of Jesus, we are inviters. We are people who hold the door open and invite people to the table of God. If you think back to the moment to the person who invited you to begin your journey, what a difference that made in your life. You might have the opportunity to be that from somebody—that your personal invitation of opening the door to the table of God might be the turning point of their life. What a huge privilege and opportunity for all of us.

As followers of Jesus, we have been called to live differently. So, how do we do this in a world that is constantly shifting under our feet asking us to change our opinions and the ways we do life?

The life of following Jesus is hard and we were never designed to do it alone. It's vital we find our people so we have encouragers and supporters to walk through life with.

The church isn't just an organization you are a part of, it's a family you belong in. We are called to be on a mission everywhere we go as a representative of Jesus and His love for His people.

This thing called church is complicated and complex, but when we look at who Jesus was and what He stood for, one thing is obvious - the core value of the church is love.

The Bible doesn’t ignore, deny, or overlook the dark sides of its heroes. It’s honest and raw about their flaws and failures. But it also gives us hope and a path to redemption. To a way back.

David has been told he will be crowned king. He defeated Goliath, and continues to win battles and find favor in the eyes of the people. It seems like his moment to take the crown should be here, but when presented with the opportunity to take control, he chooses to submit to God's will, God's timing, and God's way.

While we know the story of David and Goliath ends with victory, David had to step up to the battle line without knowing how it was going to end. We all have giants we must face, but how can we enter into each day ready to fight?

Holidays encourage us to stop, celebrate, and remind ourselves of things that matter. Today we specifically celebrate our freedom and remember those who have served our country. As we walk through life, there is power and importance in taking time to stop and remind ourselves what God has taught us through the years.

Before stepping up to the battle line and facing Goliath, David slays the giant of complacency. In order to leave our mark and make a difference in this world, we must find the battle God has called us to even when it might cost us something.

In waiting to see God's plan unfold for his life, David models to us how important our attitude in a season of waiting is. God has already prepared the way, He is just preparing us for what's to come.

David might have felt overlooked and under-qualified to be named king, but God said otherwise. God had David's heart and that was enough.

David was known for discovering and serving God’s purpose; God wants that same thing for you. He has given you a purpose and placed you strategically for such a time as this.

Have you ever found yourself deep in discouragement wondering HOW DID I GET HERE? Oftentimes in the midst of waiting for a breakthrough, if we aren’t careful, our feelings and inner voice can begin to steer us from truth and the steps we need to take to find healing. In the story of Elijah we see how we can seek healing in the midst of discouragement.

In 1 Kings 17, the brook Elijah had been drinking from dried up and he found himself in a place of dependance. When we find ourselves in the dry brook, we need to remember sometimes God is using a dry brook to strengthen us and refine us for what's next.

We all have needs, but are we willing to get needy out loud? It may cost you something, but oftentimes getting honest about where you are at and asking for help may be the first step to healing.

If Jesus invited you to sit down at a fire pit with Him, where would He give you a do-over? Jesus is never surprised by our mess ups, and just as He offered Peter grace when he sinned, He does the same for us.

In Matthew 14 we read about Peter stepping out of the boat to follow God’s voice. How is God calling you to be a water walker and step out of the boat?

In order to be a disciple of Jesus, we must give up control of our life, embrace God’s will, and imitate Jesus. When we do these things, we will discover true life.

In Luke 5 we read about a moment when Jesus asks Peter to do something a little dangerous and Peter begins to let fear and doubt in. So many of us want to resist God instead of resisting fear…we push away God instead of drawer closer to Him.

One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, “Do I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive?” because Jesus wants to resurrect us. Jesus is the door to eternal hope, healing, and life.

God clearly intends for us to understand that He was from the beginning, is our King today and will be victorious for all of eternity.

God is for us. In fact, He loves you just as much on your worst day, as your best day.

When you find yourself sitting in the space between despair and hope, remember, God is there holding your hand, whispering, “I have a plan.”

While it’s easy to hear the name Judas and cast judgement, the harder, and more beneficial thing to do, is search for the Judas in me.

We are in such an in-between time - we still yearn for a face to face meeting with Jesus, despite the Spirit being here. But there are rustlings of a new world coming where we will no longer have to substitute one for the other.

The truth is that we are never more like Jesus than when we are serving. It’s a simple way for us to bring a taste of heaven to earth.

Not one of us can come to know Jesus, unless we are willing to crucify our old lives and begin to live in obedience to God.

Experience the story of Jesus in a new way with our Road to the Cross 8-day devotional.

In John 15, Jesus tells us that in order to bear fruit, we must remain in Him. This means dying to ourselves on a daily basis and allowing Him to prune us so we can bear fruit that will last.

The world tells us there are many options out there that all end up leading to God, but truth isn’t found in concepts, ideas, or feelings, it is found in Jesus and His Word. Scripture is clear - Jesus is the only way to the Father. When we believe in Jesus for salvation, submit to Him as our king, and surrender to His word we will have life and have it abundantly.

The local church is our house. Each member belongs and is called to use their giftings and talents to serve the church and those around them.

Jesus was scandalously obsessed with sinners. He walked with them, listened to them, prayed for them, and even ate with them. He is all about the lost becoming found.

As the Israelites are about to enter the Promise Land, Joshua gives the people a challenge - “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Every home has a culture by design or by default. It requires work to create that design, but it will always be worth it.

Revelation 12:11 tells us that we can beat Satan with two weapons - the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Your testimony holds power and is worth sharing. You never know who needs to hear the way God has worked in your life.

Some things only come about by prayer. Mark 9 tells us about a father who cries out to Jesus for healing for his son. Life is heavy and exhausting, and the best thing we can is go to our Father. When we believe and run to Jesus, we can trust that He will heal and restore all things.

When we aren't someone first choice, what does that mean? God might be teaching us, protecting us, or preparing us. In those moments, lean into God and ask for His leading. You might not be everyone's first choice, but you are always God's first choice.

“Is this God’s will?” This is a question we often find ourselves asking as we seek guidance and direction in our life. While there are some things God has set in motion and laws in Scripture we are called to follow, much of God’s will for our life includes the freedom to choose. God’s voice isn’t always in a dramatic moment. Often it is in a gentle whisper, so we must get close and lean in to hear it.

We ask God questions and want to hear from Him, but often we aren’t putting ourselves in a position to be able to hear His voice. In a world full of distractions, we can often miss what He is saying to us. God is always speaking, we just have to put ourselves in a position to hear it.

At the beginning of each calendar year, Journey Church dedicates 21 days as a time of praying and fasting in order that we may seek God together. As you practice seeking God, we believe He will move on your behalf like you’ve never seen before. You will see how the power of prayer and fasting can impact your relationships, work, family, finances, and other key areas of your life.

Christmas is the enormous annual reminder that God is with us, that he keeps his promises, and that he understands. He has been speaking to his people for thousands of years through days of darkness and uncertainty, and has always spoken to his people and told them that as they wait and hope, they can trust in him.

Through the story of the prodigal son, we can see what it looks like to find your way home during this Christmas season.

We have all experienced what it feels like to be in uncharted territory. In Joshua 3, as God asks his people to step foot in the Jordan River, we see what it looks like for God to lead the way through the unknown. Not only is God with us, he also goes before us to make a way. Our job is to be obedient to His calling, take that step of faith, and trust he is with us.

All too often we get distracted with everything going on around us and we miss the big picture. Romans 10:9 reminds us that if we believe we will be saved. While we can easily become fixated on what’s happening around us, it’s important to be reminded of the correct perspective: your faith starts with believing.

In the series Bumping Into Jesus, we are looking at these seemingly random encounters people have with Jesus where their lives are changed forever. In John 8 we read the story about a woman who was caught in the act of sin. When everyone wanted to punish her, Jesus offered her grace. We are reminded that not only are we offered grace through him, but we must also show that same grace to others.

As we look at these seemingly random encounters with Jesus, we see that one everyday moment with Jesus can change someone’s eternity. In John 5 we read about a man who was seeking healing through going into a pool, but found his healing through the power of Jesus. Through Jesus, we see the importance in letting love and compassion guide our opportunity to share the Gospel.

In the Bible we find multiple stories that tell of everyday encounters where people bump into Jesus and their lives are eternally changed because of it. In John chapter 2 when Jesus turns water into wine, we see that when Jesus is invited in, he will be involved in the everyday moments of our lives and show us that he is more than enough.

In the book of James, we are reminded how short life is and the importance of pursuing God’s will for our time here on Earth. The problem isn’t our human desire to plan; the problem is not involving God in the planning. In trying to be in tune with God’s will we must do these things: pursue obedience, pursue humility, pursue eternity, and pursue grace. When you ask God to guide you and show you the way, you will not be led astray.

James tells us that what really matters is our actions and how we apply what we are learning. As believers, we so easily become consumers of the Word, but we have to actually do something with what we learn. We can’t just gain more knowledge to build our faith, we have to use it and change our lifestyle and behavior. It’s not what we know that makes the difference, it’s what we do with that knowledge.

In the book of James, we are told to be careful with our tongues because our words have the unique power to script and steer our lives. We have a tendency to complain, gossip, criticize, speak rudely or sarcastically, but if Jesus is the Lord of our lives, he needs to be the Lord of our lips. The words we speak can be weights to tear people down or foundation blocks they build their lives on. We must choose our words wisely.

As we continue in our series called Scattered, through the letter of James, we see how to be wise with our wealth. The Word makes it clear that it’s impossible to be financially bound and spiritually free and James tells us there are some unhealthy tendencies that come with wealth- hoarding, cheating, and extravagant indulgence. Having your financial house in order unlocks generosity and allows you to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Everything that comes to our hands comes from God, so we must be prayerful and attentive to how we handle our wealth.

In week two of the series called Scattered we are reminded of the power of prayer. James tells us that when we feel scattered, prayer is something we can hold onto. We can pray for direction when we don’t know what to do. We can pray for correction knowing that we need God to correct and rebuke us so we can be refined. Prayer is also a powerful tool for confession and healing so that we might ask God for forgiveness. Don’t let prayer be the last resort, let it be your first response.

Right now as a society, we are scattered, dispersed, disrupted, and everything seems to be going in all different directions, but God is going to use this season for our benefit.

At the beginning of the book of James, we're assured that we will face trials of many kinds, but guaranteed that it is for the refining of our hearts. James reminds us that God will use trials for our good as he refines our hearts. What you are going through right now—that wilderness won’t be wasted.

Journey's Consistency Project is an opportunity for the people of Journey to commit one month to re-engage in the spiritual practices of Scripture reading, praying, and expressing gratitude.

Every choice we make lines up and knocks down another choice—one domino at a time. Each domino has enough force when it's tapped over, to knock down the next domino twice its size. Each choice has the successive power to make a bigger and better choice along the way. We want to encourage you to consistently seek after God.

Because of what this season has looked like, there are going to be a lot of long standing mental and emotional effects that we all experience. We have experienced shock and sorrow that can lead to struggle which we often attempt to soothe with unhealthy choices. Moving forward, in order to set ourselves up for success we must first build a strong foundation of connection and relationships. After you have that solid foundation, we must build a frame of purpose and routine. Last, we must find the beauty that comes from balancing trust and self-control.

A lot of us carry around the weight of our past mistakes believing that they disqualify us from being used by God, but God uses broken people to do His work. In the Bible, Paul comes from a past that is full of brokenness to the point of murder, but this only further propels Him towards the work God does in and through him. You are not what you have done. Instead, you are who God says you are, and He wants to use you if you will say yes.

Journey's Consistency Project is an opportunity for the people of Journey to commit one month to re-engage in the spiritual practices of Scripture reading, praying, and expressing gratitude.

Every choice we make lines up and knocks down another choice—one domino at a time. Each domino has enough force when it's tapped over, to knock down the next domino twice its size. Each choice has the successive power to make a bigger and better choice along the way. We want to encourage you to consistently seek after God.

In the book of Acts, we read about the growth of the church that is a result of a group of people acting with boldness to proclaim the message of Jesus. It is not God’s intention for a small group of people to do the work of the church. Instead, His intention is that we all are a part. Each person has a responsibility to use their gifts and abilities to help the church grow. No matter the fear and trepidation, we want to live our lives in reckless abandon for the Gospel. We need to grab a hold of the call Jesus has on our life and continue to move forward because heaven is our reward.

This world is full of opportunity, and while there are lots of different missions to chase, ultimately our priority should be to take part in the mission of reaching the lost. The book of Luke tells us that as a follower of Jesus, we are called to do 3 things: go into the world, be a witness of Jesus, and proclaim the Gospel. In order to be a witness for Jesus we need to have experienced Him, but also share the experience with others. Even when we feel inadequate, God will empower us to share our experiences and the truths of the Gospel with others. As a church, rather than being a local institution, we must be a gospel-centered movement. We must not just go to church, we must be the church through living out the mission God has given us. Through being connected to Jesus and having fellowship with others, we can be a church that boldly proclaims the truth and empowers people to take their next step with Jesus.

This Consistency Project is an opportunity for the people of Journey to commit one month to re-engage in the spiritual practices of Scripture reading, praying, and expressing gratitude for the 31 days in August. Every choice we make lines up and knocks down another choice—one domino at a time.

This a simple way to connect with God for one month, with the hope that it will become a powerful habit you keep practicing for the rest of the year. 2020 has not been easy, but let’s make sure we keep growing in our relationship with Christ. That’s why our theme for the Consistency Project is our identity in Christ.

We live in a world where it seems like everyone is easily offended. Scotty is teaching a new message on being offended, being a jerk, growing up, getting over it, and learning to forgive.

We're continuing in a brand new teaching series called WHAT NOW?

When the path you were on is now no longer an option or your circumstances have radically changed, it can leave you wondering WHAT NOW?

For the next few weeks, we're going to talk about what it looks like to find fresh vision and direction for your life from God.

We are starting a brand new teaching series called WHAT NOW?

When the path you were on is now no longer an option or your circumstances have radically changed, it can leave you wondering WHAT NOW?

For the next few weeks, we're going to talk about what it looks like to find fresh vision and direction for your life from God.

”Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’” - Mark 2:27

During this Co-Vid 19 pandemic season, there are a lot of us who can’t wait to get our lives back to “normal”. We are racing to get back to normal, but what if “normal” wasn’t working? Could it be that one of the gifts God has given us during this time is the understanding that how we were living wasn’t the best for us? What if God has allowed us to slow down and gain a new perspective? In this season, let’s begin to seek God and allow Him to show us a better way to live.

From the very beginning of time, God has not just encouraged us to stop and rest—He has commanded it. Sabbath, or “Shabbat” in Hebrew, literally means to “stop." “Sabbath” is a resistance to the pace and push of our lives. A statement that declares, ”This is enough. STOP and appreciate it.” It is a resting, a worshipping of God, a remembering of what God has done, and a resisting to the cultural pressure to “go, go, go."

”Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” - John 15:4

Simon Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. He was the owner and operator of a fishing company before he met Jesus. He was a guy that was in control, successful and street-smart. Then Jesus invited Peter to another direction in life. This experience for someone like Peter can be painful, from control expressing itself in self-effort to lack of control resulting in dependance upon Christ. Yet even though it was painful, Jesus always wanted to re-direct Peter’s pain into something that benefited him, and Jesus wants to do the same with us. But first we must give Jesus the raw material of our pain. We need to give him the control we’ve been addicted to—dependance from us to Jesus.

As God allows us to travel through the painful process of being in control to allowing Him the control in our lives, it is imperative that we simply begin to act and live as if we actually believe He loves us, He is good, and we are safe wherever He directs us.

”Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’.” - Luke 10:37

During this Co-Vid 19 pandemic season, there are a lot of us who can’t wait to get our lives back to “normal”. We are racing to get back to normal, but what if “normal” wasn’t working? Could it be that one of the gifts God has given us during this time is the understanding that how we were living wasn’t the best for us? What if God has allowed us to slow down and gain a new perspective?

For example, maybe God in this time has exposed our lack of compassion for serving others in need. He’s revealed how much of our life revolves around ourselves and our little world…and that when we see someone in need, they are viewed more as an interruption than an invitation. Maybe God is opening our eyes to see that a better way is seeing other people as God sees them.

”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28

We're kicking off a brand new series of messages called A BETTER WAY! Many are racing to get back to normal but what if normal was broken?

If this season has done anything helpful, it has exposed some of our harmful habits. (Hurry, Focus, Priorities, Loving our Neighbor, Selfishness, Greed, etc.).

What if there is A BETTER WAY? What if Jesus wants to point us to a better normal?

”And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Over the past couple months, life has been turned upside down for almost all of us. The pandemic has led to a season that has required things of us we never expected. For some, life has ramped up, and for others life has come a boring halt. We have been living differently, and in a lot of ways we are tired. We are feeling dry, depleted…EMPTY. Along with all the empty streets, stadiums, schools, offices, and bank accounts…our souls are empty too. The weight of uncertainty and the mundane of the messy middle has left us depleted.

Today we learn about a widow who is facing a personal crisis. Put yourself in her shoes. Maybe you can even relate to her situation because you are experiencing a personal crisis of your own. Just like the widow, crisis can lead us to a place where we feel empty, and when we feel empty we can be blind to what we have. We focus so much on our scarcity that we don’t see the supply that God has provided for us.

”Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.” - Hebrews 12:16-17 (NLT)

When we look at the culture we live in, one word that can describe it is “instant”. We value looking for instant relief. We want things…and we want them NOW. In what ways do you see this desire for “instant” in the world we live in? Today we take a look at a real-life situation between two fraternal twin brothers named Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:27-34.

In this story, we understand that Esau sold his birthright for an instant bowl of stew. This was a very unwise decision on Esau’s part because a birthright was everything to a firstborn son…double-portion of the family inheritance, future tribal leader, and one’s ultimate destiny. Esau sacrificed the FUTURE for the IMMEDIATE.

If we are honest, we can find ourselves in the place that Esau was. In other words, when we are running on “empty” in life, we might not be the best decision makers. When we are on empty, it clouds our decision-making.

”May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to fully understand. Then you will be made complete with all fullness of life and power that comes from God.” - Ephesians 3:19

We are excited to kick off a brand new collection of messages called EMPTY. That may be the theme for 2020—empty streets, empty stadiums, empty shelves, empty schools, empty bank accounts, and if we're not careful...empty souls.

The weight of uncertainty and the mundane of being in the messy middle can suck the life out of us. We don't know about you, but as the days of lockdown have turned to weeks and now months, we can begin to feel a little empty.

Through this series, we'll take a look at how we can refuel our souls when we're running low.

”In one’s heart a person plans their course, but the Lord determines their steps.” - Proverbs 16:9

We can have trust issues with God revolves around His direction in our lives…the “where”. Sometimes our prayer can become…”God, where do I go from here?” In the journey of life, there will be times when we will wonder where God will take our life in a month, a year, or over the course of many years. When was there a time (or times) where your prayers revolved around God’s direction in your life? How did those moments feel when it came to trusting God?

Key Verses: Genesis 12:1-9, Proverbs 16:9, Hebrews 11:8-10, Numbers 23:19

There are areas where trust is easy for us to give, but there are also those areas in our lives where we have trust issues. Maybe we’ve been hurt or betrayed by others. Maybe we have a tough time believing what others tell us, or we have a tendency to keep people at a distance. Maybe you are having a tough time trusting God in this season.

In the Old Testament, there is a powerful story of a man named Joseph who had to wait on God’s timing. His story is told in Genesis 37-50. As the story unfolds, we become aware that it was 22 years (17 years old to 39 years old) from when Joseph was sold into slavery from his brothers until he is re-united with them. There are a lot of struggles and painful things Joseph had to go through during those 22 years…but the bottom line is that all of Jewish history hinges on Joseph being faithful to God all these years of waiting.

”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

We are so excited to kick off a brand new collection of sermons called TRUST ISSUES. It's all about learning to trust God even when the circumstances of our lives are challenging. Even when God doesn't make sense. Through this season, we want to get better. We want to forge a confidence in God that will last a lifetime.

Maybe you are having a tough time trusting God in this season. No matter what, the bottom line is that trust is needed in every relationship—especially when it comes to God. Why? How we trust God can either develop or stunt our spiritual growth. We can either be paralyzed with fear, or we can use this season as an opportunity to learn what God is doing in our lives. God wants you to trust Him, and He knows that you will come out of this season better if you do.

Key Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6, Exodus 16, Luke 11:3, Joshua 1:9

”[Jesus] is not here. He is risen, just as he said.” — Matthew 28:6

Today we celebrate one of the greatest miracles recorded in human history…the Resurrection. Jesus defeated death and robbed the grave! The Resurrection reminds us that God is faithful to His promises and that in the midst of the darkest moments, it’s not over. It’s never over. God has and always will come through.

Key Verses: Matthew 28:1 - 7

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” — Matthew 21:10-11

The events of Palm Sunday are a lesson about expectations. The people of the time expected Jesus would gather an army to overthrow the Roman Empire and set up a new government. But Jesus never said he would do that. And when it became apparent that this was not going to happen, DISAPPOINTMENT took hold.

In five days, the people went from CELEBRATION to CRUCIFIXION, But when the people were disappointed and abandoning Jesus, he was accomplishing his greatest work. What looked like defeat was actually leading up to the greatest victory in history. The truth is that when it seems like we can’t see God’s hand working around us, we need to trust His heart.

Key Verses: Psalm 119:105, Psalms 69:1-3, Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. — Luke 5:13

As humans, when there is a moment of crisis or need, we can be temped to pull back and live with a mindset of scarcity and necessity. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to press in, be generous, and meet needs. As we navigate this “new normal” during the Coronavirus pandemic, let’s be a people who don’t recoil, but reach out to the needs of others.

One of the greatest takeaways we can learn from the leper is his posture of belief. “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (v. 12) How can we, as followers of Jesus, exemplify this posture of belief while everything around us feels chaotic and fearful?

Key Verses: Luke 5:12-16, 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 11:24-25

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do still have no faith?'" Mark 4:39-40

It’s in the middle of the storms we face in life that our faith is tested most. Never let the presence of the storm cause you to doubt the presence of God. Four key points that are important for us to remember when we face a storm:

Storms are real.
Storms reveal some things about us.
Jesus is with us in the middle of the storms we face.
Our storms will serve a purpose.

Key Verses: Mark 4:35-41

“I’m signing off in my own handwriting — Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.” - Colossians 4:18 (MSG)

We come to the end of Paul’s written letter to the Colossian church. Paul gets the opportunity to share his final thoughts for these people he so desperately wants to stay focused on Christ. Through these last words, Paul reminds us to stay prayerful, stay wise, and stay connected to other followers of Jesus.

Paul asks the church to not only be prayerful, but also to be wise in the way they act toward “outsiders”. He asks the church to “make the most of every opportunity” because people are watching our lives . . . and we represent Someone bigger than us. Paul also challenges their conversations because how we say it matters.

Key Verses: Colossians 4:2-6, Colossians‬ ‭4:7-18

Message notes online, watch the video, or share the podcast at: https://journeycolorado.com/messages/

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:17

We start to dive into the second half of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossian Church. The first part of the letter has been very heavy with theological (study of God/Jesus) meaning, proving the point that Jesus is FIRST and Jesus is ENOUGH. Now as we take a look into the second half of the letter, Paul begins to outline practically how we live out a life of following Jesus.

Three key things we can incorporate into our lives that help us follow the “whatever you do” challenge Paul gives are: 1. Be Intentional (Having well-thought out spiritual decisions and habits that prioritize Christ.)

Be Present (Being where your feet are and investing in those God has placed around you.)
Be Obedient (Not ignoring God’s promptings in your life through the Holy Spirit, but acting upon them.)

Key Verses: Colossians 13-14, Colossians 3:15-25, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Message notes online, watch the video, or share the podcast at: https://journeycolorado.com/messages/

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” - Colossians 3:2-3

In part 3 of the Colossians teaching series, we take a look into the second half of the letter. Paul begins to outline practically how we live out a life of following Jesus.The Apostle Paul not only implores us to “take off” the sin that damages, but he also challenges us to “put on” new behaviors (v. 9-10). If following Jesus isn’t changing the way we think and behave, then we really aren’t following Jesus. But if you are, it’s a daily, conscious decision to “take off” the old way of living and to “put on” the new way. What is one thing that Jesus is challenging you to “take off” in your life? What is one thing Jesus is encouraging you to “put on”?

Key Verses: Colossians 3:1-10, 12-14

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And Jesus is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything Jesus might have the supremacy.” – Colossians 1:16-18

The book of Colossians is written by the Apostle Paul around 62 A.D. from a prison in Rome. He is writing this letter with a purpose from prison to a church in the city of Colosse (modern-day Turkey). Epaphras, the planter of the Colossian church, travels over 1,000 miles to visit Paul seeking advice concerning issues his church is facing, and the letter of Colossians is what Epaphras brings back.

In the letter, Paul’s overarching theme is that Jesus is first in everything, and that Jesus is enough. 2,000 years later, we are continually challenged with our need to let Jesus have first place in our lives, and to trust that He is enough. Is Jesus First in your life? Is he an important priority or the priority? What gets my first and my best?

Key Verses: Colossians 1:13-22

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

There is a lot of bad information out there when it comes to marriage. Many people are going into marriage with a tainted view and unrealistic expectations. Also, we’ve seen a lot of unhealthy marriages modeled to us. We need to spend hours in books and on the road when it comes to getting a driver’s license, but nothing is required to obtain a marriage license. We need to come back to a basic understanding of what marriage is and isn’t, and daily choose to keep pursuing God’s standards of the marriage relationship.

Here’s the bottom-line — marriage is a COVENANT! It’s a covenant made between a man, a woman and God for a lifetime. You have been called to defend your covenant partner and you have been called to defend your covenant marriage.

Key Verses: Genesis 2:21-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Malachi 2:14-16

“He must become great; I must become less.” John 3:30

In a study, the number one regret of patients who were in hospice, that looked back on their life said, “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself and not the life others expected of me.” Another way to translate this is, I wish I would have lived more free than fake. There is a brevity to life because we don’t know when our life will end. How can we become to live more free than fake?

Know your LANE. Know what MATTERS. Know your PLACE.

Key Verses: Ephesians John 3:22-30, Psalms 139:14-16, Matthew 6:19-21, Mark 10:43-45

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by brining us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it game him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5

Scotty continues in part four of the message series, “Focus on This.” The big idea behind this series is if we would focus our attention on a small number of habits. then that would make an enormous difference in our lives. What should we focus on? Often times there are a number of little habits that we could focus our attention on, and they would have the power and potential to change a lot of other areas in our life. What is the ONE thing that would change everything?

Today’s message focuses on finding your people. You were formed for God’s family. When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become His children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family. You can’t fulfill God’s purposes by yourself. You are called to BELONG, not just BELIEVE.

Key Verses: Ephesians 3:20-21, Exodus 2:23, Philippians 3:13-14, Ephesians 1:5, Hebrews 10:23-25, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 12:15

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’ He said to them, When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…Give us each day our daily bread.'” Luke 11:1-3

Scotty continues in part three of the message series, “Focus on This.” The big idea behind this series is if we would focus our attention on a small number of habits that would make an enormous difference in our lives. What should we focus on? Often times there are a number of little habits that we could focus our attention on, and they would have the power and potential to change a lot of other areas in our life. Spiritual habits can have a domino effect on your life in how we grow. What is the one thing that would change everything? Today’s message focuses on incorporating prayer into our everyday life. “Prayer should be our FIRST RESPONSE, not our LAST RESORT.”

Key Verses: Ephesians 3:20-21, Philippians 3:13-14, Luke 11:1, Matthew 3:14, 1 John 1:9

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4

Scotty continues in part two of our new message series, “Focus on This.” We become what we are focused on, and what we focus on becomes our future. What you feed thrives, and what you starve dies. Therefore, one area to focus on this year is feeding yourself from the Word of God. The Word of God is nourishment (food) for our soul. The SPIRIT of God uses the WORD of God to make us like the SON of God.

Key Verses: Ephesians 3:20-21, Philippians 3:13-14, Matthew 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2-3, Hebrews 5:12-14

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

We are kicking off the new year with a new series called, “Focus on This.” When the new year rolls around, we all begin to think about making changes, but where do you start? We ask the question . . . “What ONE thing could change everything?”

Key Verses: 3:12-14, Hebrews 12:1, 1 Peter 4:10, Hebrews 10:23

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Luke 2:8-9

We are kicking off part three of our teaching series, Christmas at Journey, with guest speaker Geoff Surratt. This series is about finding peace and a calling in the middle of the craziness of the holiday season! This message takes a closer look at characters that often get overlooked—the shepherds.

If you look through the Bible, especially the context of the Old Testament, you will see that shepherds play a key role in the beginning to the end of the Bible. Adam and Eve’s son Abel was the first shepherd. Moses, the man who delivered the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. King David, the second king of Israel, and before he became king, his role was a shepherd. Often, Jesus refers to himself as the “Good Shepherd.”

Why should we pay attention to what a shepherd does? Because they are always there for their sheep. They don’t run away or abandoned their sheep. Shepherds know their sheep, they lead their sheep, they provide for their sheep, and they protect their sheep. Have you had someone in your life who has filled the role of shepherd? Someone who has been there for you, cared for you and walked with you.

Key Verses: Luke 2:8-15, John 10:14, John 10:2-4, John 10:10-11, Psalms 23:1-3, Isaiah 40:11, John 10:7-9, Psalms 23:4

“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; you prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” Luke 1:13-14

We are kicking off part two of our teaching series, Christmas at Journey, talking about finding peace and a calling in the middle of the craziness of this season! This message takes a closer look at a character that often gets overlooked, and his name is Zechariah. If you’ve ever felt forgotten or like God is silent, this message is for you.

If you are in the “waiting room of life” right now, asking “what is next for me,” here are a few key points for what it looks like in the moment of waiting on God:

Waiting is never wasted when we are waiting on God. God is working while we are waiting. We are waiting with God. Who we become while we are waiting is an important as what we are waiting for. You are not forgotten. Key Verses: Luke 1:5-25

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18

We are kicking off a new teaching series for Christmas talking about finding peace and a calling in the middle of the craziness of this season! This message takes a closer look at a character that often gets overlooked, and his name is Joseph.

The subtitle for this message is “an inconvenient calling.” We hate to be inconvenienced, and we are always in a hurry, always busy, always have plans, and we feel inconvenienced when someone gets in our way. We don’t like to be inconvenienced when we feel like something is standing in our way. All of us have plans, we have directions. We have plans for our life, a picture of what our lives are going to look like, and we sometimes try to have plans for God, “I would like for you to do this on this timetable.” But often times that picture we have for our lives is interrupted by inconveniences and sometimes God cuts in, and sends us down a different path. Sometimes God calls us to something beyond our capacity to understand and our ability to handle on our own. Sometimes God has a calling on your life that is bigger than you can carry on your own, and it’s inconvenient. It will be a blessing someday but right now it can feel like a tremendous burden.

Key Verses: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:12-13, Matthew 2:19-23

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” Acts 2:46

Scotty teaches a message called TRIBE – Welcome to Church. We all want to feel like we belong, to be needed and known, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. That’s what CHURCH should be—this idea of belonging to a tribe that is pursuing Jesus together.

We can see in the Bible what the Church looks like when it’s alive and thriving, and at Journey Church, we want to be a part of that! We want to see the same characteristics at Journey that God was doing when the Church originally started, and we believe it can happen. So we simply ask…”Why not us?”

Key Verses: Acts 2:41-47 and Acts 1:8

“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” – Luke 4:18b

Jesus came to set the captives free. There is captivity that goes far beyond bars. What is our captivity? For most of us, it’s the lies that bind us not the ties that bind us. Our primary captivity is the lies we’ve come to believe about ourselves, and these are insidious. We do have an enemy who is seeking whom to devour, and his primary tool in that destruction is deception. His primary purpose in deceiving us, is to deceive us about our own story and about who we really are. If the enemy can plant deceptive lies inside our own story then we self destruct.

Key Verses: Luke 4:14-21, Luke 8:40-48, John 21:15-17

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

The Bible is one big story. Even though it is a collection of 66 books written by 40 authors over the span of 2,000 years, it is tied together by one unifying theme. It’s the story of a God who loves us so much. Though we have drifted away from Him because of our sin, He pursues us through a sacrificial love and did everything He could to pave a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him, promising us eternity in Heaven through Jesus, the cross, and the resurrection. There is no greater story that has or will continue to be told, and God has invited us, through His Son Jesus, to be a part of this story.

Key Verses: Ephesians 2:8-10, John 1:11-13, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

In part 3 of the MONEY TALKS teaching series, Pastor Scotty gives practical tools about how to give, save, and live with our money in the way God intends for us. Our money talks to us, and about us – and it is impossible to be financially bound and spiritually free.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Luke 12:34

When it comes to the “junk drawer” of financial advice, there are a lot of great principles to consider. Some of the words of wisdom that Pastor Scotty mentioned in his message are:

Look for a money mentor or coach. Opposites attract in marriage…work together to win by getting on the same page now. Teach your kids to give, save, and live (in this order). Pass it on to the next generation. Take small, consistent steps. It’s about the marathon versus waiting for a miracle. Ask what the “more” is for. In other words, seek to be generous. Key Verses: Luke 16:13, Matthew 14:13-20

In part two of the MONEY TALKS teaching series, Pastor Scotty gives practical tools about how to give, save, and live with our money in the way God intends for us. Our money talks to us, and about us – and it is impossible to be financially bound and spiritually free. The hard reality is for many of us, we are where we are financial because that is where we want to be.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Luke 12:34

We keep consuming our lives with more⁠—homes, cars, clothes, travel and toys. Often ignoring our condition, we simply think we can take care of it later, but we need to honestly ask ourselves this question: “Do we own our money, or does our money own us?” God wants us to get to a place where we can truly say to our money…”You’re not the boss of me!” Key Verses: Luke 12:34, Luke 16:13, Luke 15:11-17, Proverbs 6:1-11, Matthew 7:13, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 20:21, Proverbs 22:7

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

We kicked off a new teaching series called Money Talks — handling money God’s way. We’ll be talking about debt, saving, margins, budgeting, giving generously and finding financial peace.

Our money says a lot about us and the Bible has a lot to say about money. So many of us have anxiety around our finances and our identity can easily be wrapped in our possessions and wealth too. How our culture handles money simply isn’t working.

There are over 2,300 verses in the Bible that speak about money, possessions, and wealth. Our money talks to us and about us, especially spiritually. It’s impossible to be financially bound and spiritually free. The freedom we experience in life and in our relationship with God can be directly influenced by how we steward our finances. In the end, it’s not about what God wants from you, but it’s about what God wants for you.

Key Verses: 1 Timothy 6:6-12 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“What we embrace as truth and what believe in faith will affect the way we live our life.” But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

We are in part 3 of the teaching series called Chasing Holiness. As we wrapped up last week on what holiness should look like in our lives, this week we dive into the benefits of holiness. When we encounter God’s holiness it will lead to freedom and blessings in everything that is important to you. It will lead to an unsatisfied appetite for more of God and a lifetime of pursuing it. You will discover your purpose, your position will not matter and it will lead to godly success and promotion. And finally it will lead to future generational blessings. Key Verses: 1 Peter 1:13-16; 2 Corinthians 6:15-16; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Chronicles 13:14; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Holiness is not about perfection, it is about purpose. I am called to holiness because I have been set apart for a life that God has for me. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

We are in part 2 of the teaching series, Chasing Holiness. A huge step in chasing holiness is developing habits of holiness. “The cost of good habits are today, the cost of bad habits comes tomorrow.” Habits of holiness can revolve around 4 different areas. Our MOUTH (what we say). Our EYES (what we see). Our HANDS (what we hold on to). Our FEET (where we go). Which of these 4 areas would you say trips you up the most? To be holy is to belong to God. “Holy” or “Holiness” is not a word we hear often in our culture, yet it is used over 700 times in the Bible. The definition of “holy” is to be “separate, altogether different, set aside for God for a specific purpose.” Key verses: 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 51:3-4; Matthew 5:29; Philippians 2:13; Psalm 139:23-34; 1 timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 12:1-2

Holiness always produces humility because we realize ALL we do is a result of Gods grace & work in our life. “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 To be holy is to belong to God. “Holy” or “Holiness” is not a word we hear often in our culture, yet it is used over 700 times in the Bible. The definition of “holy” is to be “separate, altogether different, set aside for God for a specific purpose.” God has called everyone who claims to be a Christian to chase holiness—no exceptions. Along our faith journey, we will have hills and valleys, but it is a forward-direction that God is calling us to. It is a mindset of continuous striving based on a loving relationship with Jesus—which ultimately leads to a life that looks more and more like Jesus along the way. Key verses: Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 12:14; Isaiah 6:3

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29

It’s not uncommon that we often feel the weight of life. Sometimes this pressure we feel is of no fault of our own…but there are also times where the pressure we feel has been brought on by ourselves. Jesus encourages us to come to him, and that He will give us rest. But in order to experience this, He said we must learn from him.

Many times we can learn from what Jesus did do, but there are also a lot of things we can learn from what Jesus didn’t do. If we can be teachable and learn from the things that Jesus didn’t do, then some of the life pressures we have placed on ourselves will be lifted.

• Jesus was never in a hurry (Luke 8:40-50) • Jesus never chased anybody (John 13:21-30) • Jesus never condemned any one. (John 3:16-17 and John 8:1-11)

“God lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” Psalm 40:2 NLT

In part three of our teaching series, “You Asked For It,” this week’s topic is on depression. Depression is currently the most diagnosed and medicated illness in the world. Some stats say that 1 in 4 people battle depression, and that 1 in 5 people are on medication for it. There is no easy fix, yet there is hope.

At Journey, we believe that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to admit you are struggling, are broken, and in need of help. Sickness, like depression, is not a sin. It’s a true and real battle. Have you or someone you’ve known battled depression? Have you ever felt like the Christian community has misunderstood or ignored the issue of depression?

“Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” – 2 Timothy 2:23-24

In part two of our teaching series, “You Asked For It,” this week’s question, “how do I handle difficult people?” As we live life, it will be inevitable that we will have to deal with difficult people and humbly, we could be the difficult person ourself. There is nothing fun about having to navigate these types of relationships, but Jesus teaches and models for us how we can deal with difficult people. In the end, difficult people don’t have to drain our lives, but by implementing certain principles, we can approach them with grace and wisdom.

Matthew 9:36, Acts 3:6-7, Mark 1:35-37, Galatians 6:7-8, Luke 5:31, Ecclesiastes 7:5, Proverbs 15:31-32, Judges 8:1-2, Matthew 15:13-14

“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6

We are kicking off a new teaching series today called “You Asked For It,” based on the questions we’ve collected through the year from people in our church. This week’s question: why am I so stressed? How do I handle the stress and burden of life. We are a busy culture, so many of us are trying to manage the expectations and demands of our life, and often we feel overwhelmed and depleted.

Comparison kills contentment and leaves us prideful or bitter. “You’ll never experience God’s purpose for your life while distracted by God’s purpose for someone else.” – Andy Stanley

You can’t win chasing the wind. “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday not to who someone else is today.” – Jordan Peterson

Ecclesiastes 4:4-8, Proverbs 14:30

“After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10

We are wrapping up this series called Doors, and it’s all about discovering God’s will for your life. The idea is that we stand before doors everyday and we have to make a decision, do I go this door? Or do I go through that door? We knock on the door, jiggle the handle to see if there might be a new opportunity for us.

Hear from four special guests who tell their personal stories connected through the nonprofit organization Musana. Musana is a nonprofit committed to seeing rural communities in Uganda develop using sustainable solutions that give hope and dignity to the most vulnerable. Through these powerful testimonies we see each of them stepping through an open door to follow God’s will for their lives.

What open door is God calling you to step through? Take your next step.

“Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5: 17

We all have decisions we have to make. Do I take the job? Do I move? Should I major in this or that? Do I stay? Is he the one? What do I say to her? What does God want me to do? Pastor Scotty Priest continues in this new teaching series called DOORS, it’s all about discovering God’s will for your life.

In part 2 of this teaching series, Scotty gives seven practical questions to determine God’s will in your life: 1. What does the Bible say about the issue? 2. What do you sense God leading you to do? 3. What do wise, trusted Christians think you should do? 4. Does this fit your giftedness and passions? 5. What do you want to do? 6. what doors have opened or closed? 7. Which path requires more faith and could bring more glory to God?

2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:5, Proverbs 11:14, 1 Peter 4:10, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 19:21, 1 Corinthians 10:31

“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:7-8

We all have decisions we have to make. Do I take the job? Do I move? Should I major in this or that? Do I stay? Is he the one? What do I say to her? What does God want me to do? As we kick off a new teaching series called DOORs, it’s all about discovering God’s will for your life.

Pastor Scotty Priest jumps into part one of the new teaching series. Your first step, you have to settle the ultimate question: God’s will or my will? God’s primary will for your life is not about your circumstances . . . it’s the person you become. Life will never make sense until you discover your purpose. The more you get to know the moral will of God and the sovereign will of God, the easier it will be to find God’s will for your life.

Ephesians 5:17, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 30:21, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 4:25-27, James 4:17, 1 Peter 4:2, 2 Corinthians 6:2

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

Over and over, the Bible points to the simple seed as inspiration for living the way of Jesus. In this practical one-week teaching on Seedology, Pastor Scotty reminds us that the power of simple choices, decisions, and hopes planted in the right soil is nothing short of miraculous.

Genesis 8:22, Proverbs 20:4, Galatians 6:9, John 12:24, Psalm 126:6

“God’s Kindness leads you toward repentance.” Romans 2:4

Part eight, the last message in our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Cory Bragg preaches on repentance, which simply means to change the direction of your life and thinking. Throughout this series we have gone through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

In today’s message from Luke 13:1-9, Pastor Cory shows us that this passages teaches us that “borrowed time is temporary” and “God is for you.” What could God do in your life if you gave something to him for one year? This one year could be a milestone in your life that turns into someone else’s marker 100 years from now. Give something to God for one year.

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16

Part seven of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Jamie Heiner preaches from the passage where Jesus predicts His death. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

In today’s message from Mark 8:27-36, Pastor Jamie reminds us to look out for the prosperity of others. We need to seek God’s perspective not our own through spending time in the Bible, spending time in prayer, and then stoping, reflecting and listening. To gain life we have to lose our life, to gain prosperity we have to look for the prosperity of others.

Revelations 12:11, Romans 12:2, James 1:2-4, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:7, Matthew 16:16-19, Ephesians 4:16

“We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, safe and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 In a stand alone message from special guest speaker Michelle Jones, she teaches that God is still good through the winds and waves of life, that He is a God of faithfulness and He is our anchor of hope. Michelle along with her daughter Ashley, share their inspirational story of loss. Even through great loss, they witnessed God’s gracious hand of protection and provision in their lives. During the rocky waves of life, hold on. When we invite the Lord in, and hold on, His blessings are abundant. Before a captain lowers his anchor, he monitors the wind and the direction of the waves. The captain points his boat towards the waves, because he knows that if he doesn’t, the waves are going to come and overtake his boat. Michelle encourages us that whatever waves you’re facing, to point towards those waves, putting your anchor down, and trusting in His goodness. Psalm 71:14, Romans 15:13

“…The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.” Matthew 13:24-26

Part six of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Russ Stutzman preaches on the parable of the weeds. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

In today’s message from Matthew 13:24-43, Pastor Russ explains that Jesus decided a long time ago that the wheat and the weeds would live together. How do we live a successful Christian life when we are asked to live among weeds? We do so by remembering our role. We are to be a witness, to love God and people, to respond with mercy and grace, to allow Jesus to change us from the inside out, and to trust in God’s protection and plan.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'” Matthew 25:23 Part five of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Molly Polletta preaches on the parable of the talents. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In today’s message from Matthew 25:14-30, Molly Polletta explains that we can respond to Jesus’ calling on our life by living a life of love. Responding to Jesus is doing what what God asks us to do. Mark 12:30-21, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Philippians 2:3

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him . . ." Luke 15:11-32

Part four of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Rod Olson preaches on the parable of prodigal son. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

In today's message from Luke 15:11-32, Rod Olson explains that God is teaching us three things throughout this parable. First, Jesus redefines who God is, He is a father who initiates love. Second, Jesus redefines what sin is, "normal rebellious sin" shown through the younger son, and "self righteous sin" shown through the older son in the story. Third, Jesus redefines salvation, obey God in faith and find true joy, love and grace!

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundations on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25

As we start part three of our teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Scotty Priest preaches on how our actions make all the difference. Throughout this series we will going through the parables, the stories that Jesus taught, and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

In today's parable from Matthew 7:24-27, we learn that we are responsible for our decisions. "We get to where we should be the same way we got to where we shouldn't be." We took one step in the wrong direction over and over again, and then we have to walk it back out the opposite way. Jesus doesn't offer us a fix, but he does promise us a new direction. It is what we "do" that makes all the difference. You can know all the spiritual truths, but it is what we act on that makes all the difference. You only really believe what you act on, "unapplied truth is like unapplied paint" it doesn't do anyone any good.

"Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables." Matthew 13:34

As we start part two of our new teaching series on the parables of Jesus, Pastor Scotty Priest preaches on the idea of prayer and how to petition God in prayer. Throughout this series we will be talking about the parables, the stories that Jesus taught and what we can learn from them. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Parables take these enormous spiritual truths and boil them down to something we can grab a hold of and apply to our lives.

Luke 11:5-8 and Luke 18:2-8

The theme through these two stories is persistence, the idea of consistency and the tenacity of asking our heavenly Father for what we need. God always responds to our "shameless audacity." God is great not just because nothing is too big for Him; He is also great because nothing is too small. It's not our job to answer but it is our job to ask!

"Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables." Matthew 13:34

We are so excited to kick-off the summer with a new teaching series on the parables of Jesus. Over the next several weeks we will be talking about the parables, the stories that Jesus taught and what we can learn from them.

A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Parables take these enormous spiritual truths and boil them down to something we can grab a hold of and apply to our lives.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy wen t and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heave is like a merchant looking for the pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

Today's story is about priorities and what matters most in our lives. We have to chose between the immediate or the ultimate. "I will prioritize what I value most over what I want now." Most people never discover what the value until it's too late. We make sacrifices in joy for the things we make a priority.

"Your past informs your story, it does not define you." Part 3 of our message series, Outsiders, Underdogs, and Long Shots. Pastor Scotty Priest teaches on the life of Paul, and how God's grace allows us to "turn the page" from our past, and for God's purpose in our lives. In Christ . . . you are forgiven, valuable and unconditionally loved.

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you don't let your past die, it won't let you live. Don't let your past disqualify you for your future. "You are not what you have done. You are who God says you are."

1 Corinthians 15:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:1, Jeremiah 31:34, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:37-39, Isaiah 43:18-19.

As we start part 2 of our teaching series, Outsiders, Underdogs, and Long Shots, Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes that God has a time for each of us. From birth to death, your life is a gift and God has given you a purpose for this one life that you have.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

However, it is possible that we can waste key life moments if we don’t realize that God has placed us in this slice of history for a reason. It is tempting to think that what we are doing doesn’t matter. But what we are doing IN THIS MOMENT matters. What we are saying IN THIS MOMENT matters. This is your time, and timing is everything. Don’t miss it because God has you here “for such a time as this”.

Esther 4:12-14, Acts 17:26

As we start our new teaching series, Outsiders, Underdogs, and Long Shots, Pastor Scotty Priest preaches that God wants to make a difference in and through us, but so many times we can believe God doesn't want to use us. We all come up with excuses for why we couldn't or shouldn't be used by God. One of excuses can be, "I'm not qualified, nobody believes in me."

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

"God is not looking for the obvious choice. He is looking for the open child. God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called. Availability trumps ability."

1 Samuel 16:1-13, Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 22:1-2

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Our guest speaker, Pastor Shawn Lovejoy, preaches a stand alone message on fear. One of the most repeated commands in the Bible is: “Do not be afraid.” There are stressors in our life that are affecting us, and fear has taken its grip on our lives. it could be fear of pain, failure or loss. Whatever it is, God desires for us to not be discouraged or paralyzed by our fears because we stop dreaming. We begin to hinder the “great” things God has for us because we settle for just the “good” things. You could be one courageous next step away from all that God has for you in the next season of life. Courage is essentially refusing to allow our fears to paralyze us. What are you dreaming? What is your Jordan? What is your first step to cross it? Matthew 28:5-6, Joshua 1:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:7

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 — What side of the comma are you on?

Pastor Cory Bragg leads us into Easter week with a stand alone message on Palm Sunday. We celebrate Psalm Sunday which represents Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem a week before his resurrection.

We know what this week represents for Jesus, however, most of the people present during this triumphal entry would miss the fact that Jesus, the Savior of our world, was among them.

The very name of Jesus represents an invitation for all of us to come into a relationship with the Savior who has secured our eternal life in heaven.

Luke 2:11, John 3:16, John 12:11-19, John 14:15

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-25

Pastor Scotty Priest preaches on “High Risk Prayers,” a stand alone message leading us into the Easter season.

The big idea behind today’s message is that sometimes there are some very scary prayers that we pray, but they have enormous returns. There is a big risk putting ourselves out there before God and praying these kind of things, there is a lot of trepidation and nervousness, but it can lead to a massive new direction in our lives.

Luke 22:42, Isaiah 6:8

“When you take it all in and settle down, pleased and content, make sure you don’t forget how you got there—God brought you out of slavery in Egypt. Deuteronomy 6:12 (MSG)

As we celebrate our 3 year Anniversary of BUILD, Pastor Scotty Priest reminds us how we got here, and the important things along the way.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12, John 10:10, Mark 10:52, Ephesians 2:19, Mark 10:45, Matthew 28:19-20

As we finish our teaching series, How to Live, a six-week study through the book of Philippians, Pastor Scotty Priest finishes in chapter 4 of Philippians preaching about anxiety.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8

"The mind is a battlefield. Anxiety and worry are both attacks on the mind that distract us from serving the Lord." God doesn't want us to be in debilitating anxiety about the future. "Worry never made anything better."

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19

As we continue in our teaching series, How to Live, a six-week study through the book of Philippians, guest speaker, Rick Lawrence dives into Philippians chapter 3.

"When we taste the goodness in His heart, everything else seems like . . . garbage."

Some of the greatest words ever said were embedded in Philippians 3. "For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him." Philippians3:8b-9a

During our live sermon two video clips were played from the hit TV series "The Good Place" and the movie "The Horse Whisperer." Due to copyright reasons, these videos are not available in the above recording, but you can view them below.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves . . ." Philippians 2:3

As we continue in our teaching series, How to Live, a six-week study through the book of Philippians, guest speaker, Pastor Blake LaMunyon talks about choosing the path of humility.

It's "better to be humble than to be humbled."

Surrendering our wants in needs gives room for humility to take root in our lives. To choose the path of humility, we must follow Jesus' example of descending to humility through choosing the path of sacrifice, taking on the role of a servant, willingly submitting to others, and encountering seasons of suffering. Suffering is the manifestation of God's grace and favor.

Acts 16:32, Acts 16:37, Acts 20:24, John 13:14, Luke 9:23, John 16:33, John 3:30, Luke 22:42, 1 Peter 3:18

" . . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11b

As we continue in our new teaching series, How to Live, a six-week study through the book of Philippians, Pastor Scotty Priest dives into the first chapter of Philippians explaining the difference between happiness and joy.

It is grace every single day that sustains us. Joy versus happiness: happiness is external and joy is internal. Happiness is based on circumstances and joy is based on Christ. Happiness is based on chance and Joy is based on a choice.

Joy is about refocusing on what matters most. It's about looking around and seeing challenging situations hard circumstances. But joy is not dependent on those things. In challenging situations, we need to refocus on what really matters. Am I living a life worthy of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus?

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Philippians 4:11, Deuteronomy 30:19, Philippians 1:9-14, Philippians 1:21, John 16:35

"The gospel is bigger than any barrier. Jesus takes strangers and makes them family."

As we start our new teaching series, How to Live, Pastor Scotty Priest sets up this new series by teaching the context for why Philippians was written. A letter doesn't make sense without knowing the audience of who it was written to.

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

"You before me equals a really good we. Happy couples put each other first."

As we finish our marriage teaching series, You. Me. We., Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes how to love one another through mutual submission. "It's Mutual" is the centerpiece and foundation for Christian married couple. It's a dance back and forth of honoring and submitting to one another, and often we forget that our choices lead, feelings follow.

The best marriages are a mutual submission contest. "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . . . Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. . . Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." Ephesians 5:21-28

Genesis 2:24, John 13:34

As we continue in our marriage teaching series, You. Me. We., Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes how to fight fair.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh, Genesis 2:24.

Relationships are a lifetime process that require work. In times of conflict, I will fight for unity, not for personal victory because I don't win if we lose.

We all bring in to a relationship our box of hopes, dreams and desires and we place them on our spouse in the basket of expectations. But what we really need is God to fill us up, we need a relationship with God to meet our deepest needs, so that marriage can fill in all the rest of the gaps. A companion in life that can chase after the will of God together.

James 4:1-2, James 1:19-20, Proverbs 18:2, Psalm 141:3, Ephesians 4:26-27, Romans 12:21

As we start our new Sunday teaching series, You. Me. We., guest speaker Pastor Mike Linch emphasizes how to invest in your marriage.

God's way to a successful marriage focuses on what husbands and wives put into it, not on what they can get out of it through a process of sowing and reaping. "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6

"We" will never be greater than "me." The extent you're willing to grow yourself, is the extent your relationship will grow. The challenge: I'm willing to get out this relationship what I'm willing to put in it. The temptation after marriage is to focus on what I can get out of the relationship rather than focusing on what I can put into the relationship.

2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 6:7, 1 Peter 3:7a, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Luke 10:27

As we finish our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, in part 4 of our series, Uphill Habits, Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes Habit #4: The Habit of Community.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

We are created to live in relationship, regularly connecting with people. We need each other to grow and propel us forward. Do you have people in your life who love you enough to tell you your blind spots? Find a group who will encourage and challenge you.

Proverbs 4:25-27, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 27:17

"I am the church and I am here for the world"

As we continue in our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, in part 3 our series, Uphill Habits, Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes Habit #3: The Habit of Sacrifice, "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship" Rom 12:1.

Our sacrifice means giving up one thing for something else we believe is worth more. Where am I sacrificing? What do I need to let go?

"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, is sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. but if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal." John 12:24-25 MSG

Isaiah 26:8, Proverbs 4:25-27, Romans 12:1, Gal. 2:20

As we continue in our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, in part 2 our series, Uphill Habits, Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes Habit #2: The Habit of My Words. "If Jesus is Lord of your life, He needs to the Lord of your lips." Our words are poison or fruit, we get to choose. They have the unique power to script and steer our lives.

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Psalm 143:3, James 3:1-12, Proverbs 4:25-27; 18:21, and Isaiah 26:8.

"Most people have uphill hopes, but downhill habits."

For the first message kicking off our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. "A productive life begins with a prepared heart."

Theme verse: "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we eagerly wait for you; for your name and your renown are the desire of our souls" Isaiah 26:8

In Part 1 our new series, Uphill Habits, Pastor Scotty Priest emphasizes habit #1: The habit of first, and the power of priority.

We're not talking about new year's resolutions, but we are talking about setting our lives in a direction towards God for this year that could make all the difference.

Proverbs 4:25-27; Haggai 1:2-7