The gsLIVE Podcast: Recent Episodes
gracespring Bible Church
We now enter a transitional part of the book of Genesis. While Genesis 1-11 focused on God’s perfect Creation devolving into chaos due to the introduction of sin into the world, and the repetitive downward spiral of humanity’s rebellion against God, Genesis 12 demonstrates God’s intervention to continue to fulfill His Genesis 3:15 promise of a coming Redeemer who would crush the head of the serpent.
We now enter a transitional part of the book of Genesis. While Genesis 1-11 focused on God’s perfect Creation devolving into chaos due to the introduction of sin into the world, and the repetitive downward spiral of humanity’s rebellion against God, Genesis 12 demonstrates God’s intervention to continue to fulfill His Genesis 3:15 promise of a coming Redeemer who would crush the head of the serpent.
We now enter a transitional part of the book of Genesis. While Genesis 1-11 focused on God’s perfect Creation devolving into chaos due to the introduction of sin into the world, and the repetitive downward spiral of humanity’s rebellion against God, Genesis 12 demonstrates God’s intervention to continue to fulfill His Genesis 3:15 promise of a coming Redeemer who would crush the head of the serpent.
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
The world in which we live can be best characterized as that of growing chaos and confusion, showing up in growing numbers of those experiencing anxiety and depression, suicides, mass shootings, drug use, racial tensions, climate crisis, and polarizing political views. This is just the fruit of the lingering effects of the human philosophies of existentialism, postmodernism, and post Christendom in America, reinforced by 24-hour social media and news cycles. Our world has gotten caught up in changing definitions of marriage, sexuality, gender, and personhood. While political correctness hopes to ensure people have the right to ‘live in their truth’, the polls show that people feel the weight of this chaos. What has added to the confusion is that traditionally held places in which truth could be sought are now no longer available. So what is the answer?
As we turn our hearts to the Christmas season, we remember the beauty of the birth of Christ and the
panorama of the many characters surrounding the miraculous events of this history-defining moment.
For believers, we realize that the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ. Through His birth and life, our hearts
expand to see the many gifts that our Father lavishes upon us - the gifts of joy, worship, belief, and salvation.
During this series, slow down and focus on the reason for the season; the long awaited birth of the perfect
Savior who provides us with every good gift that we need.
As we turn our hearts to the Christmas season, we remember the beauty of the birth of Christ and the
panorama of the many characters surrounding the miraculous events of this history-defining moment.
For believers, we realize that the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ. Through His birth and life, our hearts
expand to see the many gifts that our Father lavishes upon us - the gifts of joy, worship, belief, and salvation.
During this series, slow down and focus on the reason for the season; the long awaited birth of the perfect
Savior who provides us with every good gift that we need.
As we turn our hearts to the Christmas season, we remember the beauty of the birth of Christ and the panorama of the many characters surrounding the miraculous events of this history-defining moment. For believers, we realize that the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ. Through His birth and life, our hearts expand to see the many gifts that our Father lavishes upon us - the gifts of joy, worship, belief, and salvation. During this series, slow down and focus on the reason for the season; the long awaited birth of the perfect Savior who provides us with every good gift that we need.
Gratitude in the Bible means ‘extending favor towards’ or ‘giving grace and kindness as a response’. This is different from the world’s definition which emphasizes gratefulness for something that is received as clearly benefiting the recipient. Yet biblical gratitude is a positive response to experiencing God’s goodness and grace, in both the good and difficult realities of life. This is reinforced when the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12-13 that he has found the secret of being content, no matter the circumstance. There are so many ways to express gratitude. One of the ways we do this as a local church is asking for our people to give above and beyond in tangible ways (groceries) and missional ways (CFC mission offering), a way of declaring our gratitude for our Lord blessing us in ways so that we can be a blessing to others. Let’s exercise this ‘thankful’ muscle this month in ways that demonstrate our gratitude for all He has done for us!
Gratitude in the Bible means ‘extending favor towards’ or ‘giving grace and kindness as a response’. This is different from the world’s definition which emphasizes gratefulness for something that is received as clearly benefiting the recipient. Yet biblical gratitude is a positive response to experiencing God’s goodness and grace, in both the good and difficult realities of life. This is reinforced when the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12-13 that he has found the secret of being content, no matter the circumstance. There are so many ways to express gratitude. One of the ways we do this as a local church is asking for our people to give above and beyond in tangible ways (groceries) and missional ways (CFC mission offering), a way of declaring our gratitude for our Lord blessing us in ways so that we can be a blessing to others. Let’s exercise this ‘thankful’ muscle this month in ways that demonstrate our gratitude for all He has done for us!
Gratitude in the Bible means ‘extending favor towards’ or ‘giving grace and kindness as a response’. This is different from the world’s definition which emphasizes gratefulness for something that is received as clearly benefiting the recipient. Yet biblical gratitude is a positive response to experiencing God’s goodness and grace, in both the good and difficult realities of life. This is reinforced when the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12-13 that he has found the secret of being content, no matter the circumstance. There are so many ways to express gratitude. One of the ways we do this as a local church is asking for our people to give above and beyond in tangible ways (groceries) and missional ways (CFC mission offering), a way of declaring our gratitude for our Lord blessing us in ways so that we can be a blessing to others. Let’s exercise this ‘thankful’ muscle this month in ways that demonstrate our gratitude for all He has done for us!
Gratitude in the Bible means ‘extending favor towards’ or ‘giving grace and kindness as a response’. This is different from the world’s definition which emphasizes gratefulness for something that is received as clearly benefiting the recipient. Yet biblical gratitude is a positive response to experiencing God’s goodness and grace, in both the good and difficult realities of life. This is reinforced when the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12-13 that he has found the secret of being content, no matter the circumstance. There are so many ways to express gratitude. One of the ways we do this as a local church is asking for our people to give above and beyond in tangible ways (groceries) and missional ways (CFC mission offering), a way of declaring our gratitude for our Lord blessing us in ways so that we can be a blessing to others. Let’s exercise this ‘thankful’ muscle this month in ways that demonstrate our gratitude for all He has done for us!
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since. Make no mistake that the Church of Jesus Christ has been ‘called out’ by God to be a ‘redemptive movement’ throughout this world. In the same way Jesus came to bring good news to those who were spiritually bankrupt, bring healing to the broken, freedom to those held captive in a variety of ways – emotionally, socially, spiritually –, and comfort that there is hope in the midst of mankind’s broken condition (Isaiah 61:1-2), the Church, at its inception, was created by Jesus to join Him in continuing the mission that He modeled for us. The ‘ekklesia’ is built on a conviction that Jesus died as the only Savior for sinners and that He had risen from the dead, proving that He was who He said He was (I Cor. 15:3-4). And as our risen Savior, He continues to function in the place of authority at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), providing the marching orders He has for us both personally as His gifted ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-20), as well as collectively, where we function as the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In the Greek New Testament, the word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as ‘church’ (I Cor. 15:9; I Peter 2:9). Ekklesia literally means ‘a gathering of people around an idea’. But over the years, people began to identify the church more as a place that you went to for religious services rather than a group of people ‘called out by God’ for a specific mission. Our English word ‘church’ comes not from the Greek ‘ekklesia’, but from the German word ‘kirche’, which meant, ‘a sacred place where you gather for religious purposes’. This change in thinking changed the fundamental way that people related to the church, prioritizing the gathering place over the mission. It has been an uphill battle ever since.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
This series is designed for us to spend time learning about the ‘ways of the Kingdom of God’ from the King Himself, Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus (Matthew 5-7),covering a variety of topics that reflect the character and nature ofKingdom living. If there is a word I would like to encourage you to consider through this series, it is the word ‘PERHAPS’. This word is often what is needed to invite God to do the miraculous.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Peter Scazzero wrote in the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally unhealthy. This guide is a companion piece to our eight-week sermon series with the hopes of helping us to focus deeply on our emotional health. We will work through different exercises and opportunities to focus on emotional health and spiritual maturity. The hope is to provide you ample space to do the heart work of finding pieces of yourself that God wants to grow.
Easter is one of the most important times of the year for believers. In the seasons of the church, what begins with Advent and the holy waiting for Jesus’ birth culminates in the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two events are hinge points of the Gospel. Jesus’ journey to the cross and subsequent death for the sins of mankind provides the perfect sacrifice of atonement. This spotless lamb, led to the slaughter, provides hope for the world. In the darkness of his death, we sit in the somber realization of the weight of our sin. His resurrection brings hope because it not only proves that Jesus is who He said He is, but because we serve a risen savior who defeated death, hell, and the grave to restore us to the Father.
Easter is one of the most important times of the year for believers. In the seasons of the church, what begins with Advent and the holy waiting for Jesus’ birth culminates in the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two events are hinge points of the Gospel. Jesus’ journey to the cross and subsequent death for the sins of mankind provides the perfect sacrifice of atonement. This spotless lamb, led to the slaughter, provides hope for the world. In the darkness of his death, we sit in the somber realization of the weight of our sin. His resurrection brings hope because it not only proves that Jesus is who He said He is, but because we serve a risen savior who defeated death, hell, and the grave to restore us to the Father.
Easter is one of the most important times of the year for believers. In the seasons of the church, what begins with Advent and the holy waiting for Jesus’ birth culminates in the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two events are hinge points of the Gospel. Jesus’ journey to the cross and subsequent death for the sins of mankind provides the perfect sacrifice of atonement. This spotless lamb, led to the slaughter, provides hope for the world. In the darkness of his death, we sit in the somber realization of the weight of our sin. His resurrection brings hope because it not only proves that Jesus is who He said He is, but because we serve a risen savior who defeated death, hell, and the grave to restore us to the Father.
As we journey to Corinth together as a church, we will continue to work through the process of spiritual formation. We are always being formed into the image of something. Our hope is that through interacting with God’s word and others, this formation shapes us to look more like Christ as we focus on being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did.
As we journey to Corinth together as a church, we will continue to work through the process of spiritual formation. We are always being formed into the image of something. Our hope is that through interacting with God’s word and others, this formation shapes us to look more like Christ as we focus on being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did.
As we journey to Corinth together as a church, we will continue to work through the process of spiritual formation. We are always being formed into the image of something. Our hope is that through interacting with God’s word and others, this formation shapes us to look more like Christ as we focus on being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did.
As we journey to Corinth together as a church, we will continue to work through the process of spiritual formation. We are always being formed into the image of something. Our hope is that through interacting with God’s word and others, this formation shapes us to look more like Christ as we focus on being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did.
As we journey to Corinth together as a church, we will continue to work through the process of spiritual formation. We are always being formed into the image of something. Our hope is that through interacting with God’s word and others, this formation shapes us to look more like Christ as we focus on being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did.
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
Life can be overwhelming at times, can’t it? Polarization with loud voices from different sides clamoring for your heart. Confusion can set in, leading to chaos both internally and externally. “Which side am I to take?” “Which preference am I to embrace?” It is one thing when those polarizing voices call to us from culture, but it is quite another when they turn contentious within the Church of Jesus Christ. Is unity even possible today? Have churches become so homogenized that they can’t embrace diversity of opinion or preferences within their midst? What hope is there?
For over 1500 years, the church at large has seen opportunities for reflection and wonder in the story of Jesus through seasons of the year. These seasons typically start with Advent and end after Pentecost with ordinary time. Sometimes the church calendar can be seen as legalistic or ritualistic, but joining with the overall body of believers for over a thousand years in remembrance of Jesus can be a beautiful exercise. While we won’t follow the other parts of the calendar for this coming year, Advent is a time of beauty and reflection as we await the coming of Christ. For 400 years, the people of Israel waited after the last words of the prophets for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a season of desperation coming to fruition through a season of hope as Christ is made known as Emmanuel, God with Us.
For over 1500 years, the church at large has seen opportunities for reflection and wonder in the story of Jesus through seasons of the year. These seasons typically start with Advent and end after Pentecost with ordinary time. Sometimes the church calendar can be seen as legalistic or ritualistic, but joining with the overall body of believers for over a thousand years in remembrance of Jesus can be a beautiful exercise. While we won’t follow the other parts of the calendar for this coming year, Advent is a time of beauty and reflection as we await the coming of Christ. For 400 years, the people of Israel waited after the last words of the prophets for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a season of desperation coming to fruition through a season of hope as Christ is made known as Emmanuel, God with Us.
For over 1500 years, the church at large has seen opportunities for reflection and wonder in the story of Jesus through seasons of the year. These seasons typically start with Advent and end after Pentecost with ordinary time. Sometimes the church calendar can be seen as legalistic or ritualistic, but joining with the overall body of believers for over a thousand years in remembrance of Jesus can be a beautiful exercise. While we won’t follow the other parts of the calendar for this coming year, Advent is a time of beauty and reflection as we await the coming of Christ. For 400 years, the people of Israel waited after the last words of the prophets for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a season of desperation coming to fruition through a season of hope as Christ is made known as Emmanuel, God with Us.
For over 1500 years, the church at large has seen opportunities for reflection and wonder in the story of Jesus through seasons of the year. These seasons typically start with Advent and end after Pentecost with ordinary time. Sometimes the church calendar can be seen as legalistic or ritualistic, but joining with the overall body of believers for over a thousand years in remembrance of Jesus can be a beautiful exercise. While we won’t follow the other parts of the calendar for this coming year, Advent is a time of beauty and reflection as we await the coming of Christ. For 400 years, the people of Israel waited after the last words of the prophets for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a season of desperation coming to fruition through a season of hope as Christ is made known as Emmanuel, God with Us.
As we journey through this guide, we will be taking time to understand our Generosity Type Profile. While these types won’t encapsulate everything about you, we hope they can help shed light on how God has wired you to be generous with your time, talent, and treasure. Each week, you can take a look at the type track in order to see opportunities for growth, challenges for growth, and disciplines to help you embrace generosity more fully. Take a few minutes to take the assessment here and then read about each of the types in the profile section. Each week, we will then provide an additional resource to engage with the work of generosity in our hearts and minds.
As we journey through this guide, we will be taking time to understand our Generosity Type Profile. While these types won’t encapsulate everything about you, we hope they can help shed light on how God has wired you to be generous with your time, talent, and treasure. Each week, you can take a look at the type track in order to see opportunities for growth, challenges for growth, and disciplines to help you embrace generosity more fully. Take a few minutes to take the assessment here and then read about each of the types in the profile section. Each week, we will then provide an additional resource to engage with the work of generosity in our hearts and minds.
THE GIFT OF GENEROSITY As we journey through this guide, we will be taking time to understand our Generosity Type Profile. While these types won’t encapsulate everything about you, we hope they can help shed light on how God has wired you to be generous with your time, talent, and treasure. Each week, you can take a look at the type track in order to see opportunities for growth, challenges for growth, and disciplines to help you embrace generosity more fully.
As a local church body, we are encouraging our people to cooperate with the Lord as we find ourselves moving towards those dry spaces He is calling us to address. We have chosen this acronym L.I.F.E. to remind us of the four currents we believe that God has given gracespring to impact our region with the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Love the marginalized.
Ignite gospel imagination.
Forge healthy families.
Empower servant Leadership.
As we are heading that direction, our prayer is that we find ourselves daring to go deeper in our walk with the Lord: Ankle deep, Knee Deep, Waist Deep, and In the Deep. Let’s dare to be used by God in the vision He has given each of us to address the dry places He is directing us towards.
As a local church body, we are encouraging our people to cooperate with the Lord as we find ourselves moving towards those dry spaces He is calling us to address. We have chosen this acronym L.I.F.E. to remind us of the four currents we believe that God has given gracespring to impact our region with the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Love the marginalized.
Ignite gospel imagination.
Forge healthy families.
Empower servant Leadership.
As we are heading that direction, our prayer is that we find ourselves daring to go deeper in our walk with the Lord: Ankle deep, Knee Deep, Waist Deep, and In the Deep. Let’s dare to be used by God in the vision He has given each of us to address the dry places He is directing us towards.
As a local church body, we are encouraging our people to cooperate with the Lord as we find ourselves moving towards those dry spaces He is calling us to address. We have chosen this acronym L.I.F.E. to remind us of the four currents we believe that God has given gracespring to impact our region with the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Love the marginalized.
Ignite gospel imagination.
Forge healthy families.
Empower servant Leadership.
As we are heading that direction, our prayer is that we find ourselves daring to go deeper in our walk with the Lord: Ankle deep, Knee Deep, Waist Deep, and In the Deep. Let’s dare to be used by God in the vision He has given each of us to address the dry places He is directing us towards.
As a local church body, we are encouraging our people to cooperate with the Lord as we find ourselves moving towards those dry spaces He is calling us to address. We have chosen this acronym L.I.F.E. to remind us of the four currents we believe that God has given gracespring to impact our region with the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Love the marginalized.
Ignite gospel imagination.
Forge healthy families.
Empower servant Leadership.
As we are heading that direction, our prayer is that we find ourselves daring to go deeper in our walk with the Lord: Ankle deep, Knee Deep, Waist Deep, and In the Deep. Let’s dare to be used by God in the vision He has given each of us to address the dry places He is directing us towards.
When reading through the Bible, the vision in Ezekiel 47 captured my imagination (Ezekiel 47:1-12). It is the picture of a trickle of water coming from the Temple that caught the attention of this prophet. The angel invited him into the water, beginning ankle deep, but then becoming knee deep to waist deep, and then swimming in the deep the further East that he traveled, away from the Temple. The waters had the power to bring life from death. Trees grew on the banks of this river, providing fruit for feeding and leaves for healing.
Nothing about this vision makes logical sense. Rivers don’t flow from temples, and they don’t become deeper and wider the further from the water source. Yet what a glorious picture of transformation, that everything those waters touched turned to LIFE! I see this as a powerful picture of the Church of Jesus Christ. In a time of so much dryness and spiritual darkness, the Church has the refreshing, energizing, and replenishing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Are you open to the vision that God has for you? We talk about vision all the time as a culture. Organizations have a mission, vision, and values. We call poor moves short-sighted or lacking vision. But what if the Creator of the universe wants to bless His children with a clarifying vision that helps them live life in a new and revolutionary way? We have been created to be loved deeply and to love others deeply. This guide will serve as a baseline idea for how to seek God for personal vision, sustain that vision through life’s challenges, and clarify the vision that God has given us into a lifetime of faithful service. Join us as we follow God’s leading in hearing His vision for our lives.
Are you open to the vision that God has for you? We talk about vision all the time as a culture. Organizations have a mission, vision, and values. We call poor moves short-sighted or lacking vision. But what if the Creator of the universe wants to bless His children with a clarifying vision that helps them live life in a new and revolutionary way? We have been created to be loved deeply and to love others deeply. This guide will serve as a baseline idea for how to seek God for personal vision, sustain that vision through life’s challenges, and clarify the vision that God has given us into a lifetime of faithful service. Join us as we follow God’s leading in hearing His vision for our lives.
Are you open to the vision that God has for you? We talk about vision all the time as a culture. Organizations have a mission, vision, and values. We call poor moves short-sighted or lacking vision. But what if the Creator of the universe wants to bless His children with a clarifying vision that helps them live life in a new and revolutionary way? We have been created to be loved deeply and to love others deeply. This guide will serve as a baseline idea for how to seek God for personal vision, sustain that vision through life’s challenges, and clarify the vision that God has given us into a lifetime of faithful service. Join us as we follow God’s leading in hearing His vision for our lives.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so we can have an impact on the world around us.
Summer of Intentionality: God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so we can have an impact on the world around us.
Worship. In the modern church, we talk about worship a ton. We were created in the image of God, and we were created to be worshipers. This certainly encompasses the songs we sing on Sunday mornings, but it’s so much more.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so
we can have an impact on the world around us.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so
we can have an impact on the world around us.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so we can have an impact on the world around us.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so
we can have an impact on the world around us.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so
we can have an impact on the world around us.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so
we can have an impact on the world around us.
God has given us a new identity when we embrace the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. This not only impacts our hearts and minds, but our communities, and our neighbors. Christ moves in us so
we can have an impact on the world around us.
The way that we live our lives matters. God has created us to be people who embrace rhythms and who are led fully by Him. When we create intentional margin in our lives we are opening our hearts and minds to His pathways and allowing ourselves to walk more closely with Him. Through this resource guide we will be providing different opportunities for you to both internalize and practice rhythms of intentional margin in your life.
The way that we live our lives matters. God has created us to be people who embrace rhythms and who are led fully by Him. When we create intentional margin in our lives we are opening our hearts and minds to His pathways and allowing ourselves to walk more closely with Him.
The way that we live our lives matters. God has created us to be people who embrace rhythms and who are led fully by Him. When we create intentional margin in our lives we are opening our hearts and minds to His pathways and allowing ourselves to walk more closely with Him.
The way that we live our lives matters. God has created us to be people who embrace rhythms and who are led fully by Him. When we create intentional margin in our lives we are opening our hearts and minds to His pathways and allowing ourselves to walk more closely with Him.
The way that we live our lives matters. God has created us to be people who embrace rhythms and who are led fully by Him. When we create intentional margin in our lives we are opening our hearts and minds to His pathways and allowing ourselves to walk more closely with Him.
The Lord’s prayer prompts us to think about six different aspects of our relationship with God. We look at the words and see God’s character, kingdom, provision, forgiveness, guidance, and protection. Have each member of the group write these six aspects out. We will be focusing on hearing God and responding this week through a contemplative prayer exercise. It might feel awkward, but it will be rewarding. For the next 5-10 minutes have your group work through the following prompts: Plant your feet on the ground, open your hands, breathe deeply. Begin with silence. Sit in God’s presence. Try to clear your heart, soul, and mind. Set an anchor point prayer - “Jesus, here I am.” “Be still and know God.” - when you get distracted. It draws you back to the heart of the prayer. It’s the key to coming back home. After a few minutes of silence, ask God a simple question: “Which of these six areas are you prompting me to meet you?” Wait and listen. After a few minutes of listening, ask God this question: “How do you want to answer this feeling in my heart about that area?” Wait and listen. Take time to write some notes about what you sensed the Lord was sharing with you. End with a prayer for gratitude, thanking God for who He is. After your prayer time ask the following questions: What did you sense the Lord was sharing with you? What area did you sense the Lord was speaking to you? How can you grow in seeking God for His answer in prayer this week? Are there situations in life that confirm your need to find Him in this area? Pray for each other surrounding these thoughts.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or 43 any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Ephesians 5:22-6:9
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Heavenly Father, illuminate your word to my mind and heart today as I spend time with you. Teach me your ways and bind your principles to my heart so that I can see you more clearly, trust you more deeply, and walk with you more faithfully. Amen.
Heavenly Father, illuminate your word to my mind and heart today as I spend time with you. Teach me your ways and bind your principles to my heart so that I can see you more clearly, trust you more deeply, and walk with you more faithfully. Amen.
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands– remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
Heavenly Father, illuminate your word to my mind and heart today as I spend time with you. Teach me your ways and bind your principles to my heart so that I can see you more clearly, trust you more deeply, and walk with you more faithfully. Amen
Heavenly Father, illuminate your word to my mind and heart today as I spend time with you. Teach me your ways and bind your principles to my heart so that I can see you more clearly, trust you more deeply, and walk with you more faithfully. Amen.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
Try this group activity to help see our need for the Gospel: Before you begin, share that this is a safe space and that we will be answering questions AND asking for no one to respond to give advice or make comment about what is shared. We are not looking for advice, but for our weaknesses to be able to sit in the open with our communities and to have space to be felt – only asking Jesus to help us. Ask everyone in the group to share a physical weakness they have had this last week (headache, a cold, etc…) After each person shares, everyone in the group responds, “Lord Jesus, help us.” Ask everyone in the group to share a relationship weakness (broken relationship, family problem, conflict, etc…) After each person shares, everyone in the group responds, “Lord Jesus, help us.” This one might be a little more difficult, but ask each person to share a character weakness – focusing on more low-medium level character flaws. Before you begin sharing, spend time in silent prayer and have each person ask Jesus to show them one thing He likes about them and one character weakness they can share in vulnerability. Go around the circle and have each person share one thing that God enjoys about them and one thing that they believe God would like them to work on in their character. Everyone responds by saying, “Lord Jesus, help us.” Exercise adapted from “The Other Half of Church” by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
The Holy Spirit works in remarkable ways through our lives when we open ourselves up to His work. He is our advisor, counselor, gives us gifting and power, and walks with us in our day to day life. When we embrace Him, we trust that God’s plan for our life is better and bigger than anything we could imagine. This week, read 1 Corinthians 14:6-25, and then each day work through some of the responses below regarding how the Holy Spirit gifts us and how we can be more mindful of Him.
God has not only adopted us to become sons and daughters, but He’s given us a family of brothers and sisters who belong to Him as well. Part of that adoption includes walking into new giftings He has given us to be used in our communities. We need all of these gifts working together to experience the fullness of community that God has given to us. This week, read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, and then spend time each day considering the following responses about how your gift works in your community.
One of the biggest reasons that God has gifted us is to show love to our friends, family, and neighbors. Jesus summed up the law by saying that we should love God and love our neighbors. Each and every gift has a hardwired opportunity to be used for loving people when we are connected to the Father. This week, read 1 Corinthians 13, then take time each day to walk through the head, heart, and hands responses regarding the way you’ve been gifted.
In order to see His unique design for my life, I have to be connected to the Holy Spirit and to the community around me.
Each day this week we will spend time responding to God in three different ways regarding our spiritual gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and think about the common good that God calls us to be a part of as well as what His mission is on the earth. Then use the prompts below to journal and process through these responses as you grow in the giftings that God has given you.
Whatever giftings you have been given, share those by serving others with the hope of building them up
Whatever finances you have been given, sharing what you have is an extension of God’s grace to others
Whatever you are good at, do it well for the glory of God, and do it somewhere that is strategic for the mission of God
Our Spirit-empowered faithfulness to the mission produces effectiveness in carrying out the mission
God can use whatever we have to accomplish more than we could ever dream provided that we trust him with it
The glory of God’s Name is to be on display in the lives of those who call on God’s Name
The cross of Jesus is God’s central means of reconciling a sinful people to His sinless self
Vision is important. Proverbs tells us that without vision, people perish. As we embrace this season of vision at gracespring, there’s a good opportunity to think about the vision for your life
COURAGE DOESN t COME FROM LOOKING AT WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU, BUT FROM SEEING THE ONE STANDING BESIDE YOU.
Turn the page by recognizing that some of life's toughest trials provide a platform for God's greatest triumphs
Turn the page by recognizing what you have been given as a blessing intended to bless the world
Turn the page by recognizing that living for the glory of man fails in comparison to living for the glory of God .
Turn the page by recognizing the truth of an innovative God who specializes in making something out of nothing.
Turn the page by allowing the words of Scripture to do what God has intended for them to accomplish in the hearts and minds of the reader.
Turn the page by pressing through the skepticism and allowing yourself to see that every story in the Scriptures whisper the name of Jesus.