New Life Wichita: Recent Episodes
New Life Wichita
All of us come into long term romantic relationship and marriage with hopes, dreams and desires. The problems begin with those as they evolve into something different.
Sometimes when we don't feel love in a relationship, the issue may not be effort. The issue may very well be translation because we are speaking two different languages.
At some point in every relationship, there is a gap between what we expect and how people behave. We either believe the best or assume the worst. People who stay in love always do one over the other.
Most of us are not very good at monitoring our heart, but we are really great at monitoring our spouse's behavior. Yet your ability to stay in love has much more to do with the condition of your heart than it does with the behavior of your partner.
Is it possible for two people to fall in love and stay in love forever? It is, but falling in love requires a pulse. Staying in love requires a plan. Let us help!
Death Defying King. Doubt didn't disqualify Thomas — it set the stage for a personal encounter with the risen Jesus.
Death had the last word because death was the consequence of sin--but not anymore. Jesus, God's final King, crushed both sin and death and invites us to reign in life through Him.
Jesus's kingdom is not advanced by force, but over time through transformed lives. We are invited to participate in its expansion...the world and the next generation need it more than ever.
The fight of faith: The fight of faith is about becoming more like Jesus, not about defeating enemies.
People all over the world claim to be Christian based on a belief that Jesus is the ultimate king. Yet too often, we find ourselves living in and even justifying our defiance of the very King we supposedly swear allegiance to.
The term "Christ" was originally a royal title meaning "Anointed One" or "King", not a name. Jesus did not primarily come to die; He came to reign. The message of the Gospel is not just about personal salvation, but about aligning our life with the reign of Jesus as King.
The church and most Christians have focused on "faith in Jesus for personal salvation," but Jesus didn't just come to save us but to align us with His rule and reign as a King.
Outside of your family, there is no greater investment in the world than investing in the local church. For many of us, our stories would be much more complicated and painful had it not been for the impact of the local church...even in ways we may be unaware...and who needs our investment the most in the local church now is the next generation.
With the limited time we have, how can we know that we are investing wisely? Do we have a plan for investing our time in things that matter most? The compounding effect of focused time is what will make the biggest difference in the success of our lives.
Some of us step into this new year with excitement and fresh vision, while others enter with questions and uncertainty. We don't all begin the year on the mountaintop. And even in the moments when God feels distant, we never walk alone.
We feel like there's never enough time, which affects us and those we love. But there is a very specific, simple solution.
We wear watches, we glance at the clock, so we don't lose track of time and yet, there never seems to be enough time. Time is our most valuable asset, but more important than knowing what time it is is knowing what to do with our limited time before it runs out.
The lineage of Jesus is full of people with stories that would make anyone blush and maybe even vomit a little. Including the likes of decisions made by King David and Lot's daughters. But in spite of jaw-dropping choices people made, God's purposes marched forward. He wants to do the same with YOUR life!
Rahab is one of a few people in the lineage of Jesus who wasn't Jewish--she was a Canaanite. Not to mention, she was a prostitute. However, neither of those things kept her from being used by God in an incredible way, just like He wants to do with us...
The Christmas Story as introduced by Matthew seems like the opposite of Good News as he highlights the embarrassing, scandalous members of Jesus' lineage. Yet we discover it shows how good the news truly is because of what it means for us, no matter what our background.
Jesus said, "My power is perfected in weakness." Your area of weakness is where the Holy Spirit wants to show up in a big way!
Most Christians have heard the term "The fruits of the Spirit," but they mistakenly see it as something produced by their effort rather than something only God can produce in and through them.
The Christian life isn't about how to live better. It's about learning to walk according to God's Spirit.
Religion is our attempt to work our way in good with God. That somehow, following all the rules gets me in with God. But if rules are the route to God, we are in big trouble because nobody can agree on the rules! And besides, whatever the rules are, we all know we fall short.
Do you have many sins or just a few?Before you answer "somewhere in the middle," today's message will challenge you to get off the fence. Because how we see our sin directly impacts how much we love Jesus.
You were created and brought into this world by the creator of the Universe with a calling and purpose for your life. But if we're honest, even if that's true, we're not that interested. We just want heaven on earth and heaven when we die. Don't we?
If we think about all the things that concern and worry us most, the root of it tends to come down to our focus being on our personal survival in maximum peace, pleasure, comfort and style. Yet, we never seem to be able to achieve it once and for all. Jesus offers us an alternative that will ultimately help us achieve what our heart most desires.
One of the most frustrating, distressing things in life is when our personal life, and the world in general, feels like it's spinning out of control. If we get this one thing right, everything else will take care of itself.
Enemy Embrace: There will be people who will consider us their enemies. We are called not to return the favor.
Shooting for the over-under-reaction.Our actions rarely tell the whole story, but our reactions most certainly do, especially when we feel afraid, hurt, or wronged. Jesus instructs us to leverage our reactions for good, but how?
Depending on the demographic, 27% to 48% of Americans believe in Reincarnation. This includes 31% of mainline Christians. The problem is: Most who believe in Reincarnation somehow attach Jesus. The problem is you can't drag Jesus into it. He will not take sides with you. Here's why.
Baptism is a big deal for anyone who claims to follow Jesus. There's a reason we do it and a reason we do it the way we do it.
People today are searching for meaning, purpose, and a sense of identity. While many are open to Jesus, they're hesitant when it comes to the church. Maybe it's time for the church to rediscover its essence. Because Jesus didn't promise to build a denomination or brand. He came to build a movement!
"Who do you say I am?" This is the question Jesus asked his followers, and one that still speaks powerfully to us today.
The dilemma we face when it comes to armed conflict, war, and dealing with evil is: Is it the God of the Old Testament or the God of the New Testament? Is it eye for eye and tooth for tooth, or is it love your enemy?
Jesus showed us there is a very unique relationship between stress, worry and prayer. If we want to drastically reduce our felt levels of stress, then there's something we must do.
In this message, we explore how worship paves the way for all of us to answer God's highest call for our lives: sharing the message of Jesus with the world!
As hard as it is to believe, finding peace under pressure actually has more to do with perspective than it does circumstances. This message explains how.
Data shows we are the most stressed-out generation in history, and it's only going to get worse for the Next Generation if we don't learn how to handle stress better.
Mad About You.
For most of us, our tendency is to feel others deserve judgment while we deserve grace, mercy and comfort. In the end, what's most concerning to God gets overshadowed by what's more concerning to me.
The God of "Bring Back," Not "Payback"
God will often let us experience exaggerated consequences of our decision to tell Him "Thanks God, but no thanks" NOT to pay us back, but to bring us back.
Trying to Outrun God.
We all run from God at some point. There is a conflict between what we want and what we perceive God wants for us, and our response is "thanks, God, but no thanks." In this message, we discover the reason why we do that and the irony that in our running, we run away from the very thing we desire most. Listen in!
There has to be an explanation! Saying Jesus was a "good teacher with some devout followers" just doesn't explain what happened a few days after his execution, let alone his impact globally over the past 2000 years. So, what really happened?
On the surface, Christianity seems like a lot of wishful thinking at worst and equally valid as other world religions at best. But unlike every other religion, the foundation of Christianity is not the teachings of a man or just "faith." It all rises and falls on an event.
Why couldn't Jesus do what you and I do and simply say, "I forgive you?" We forgive people all the time, but we've never had to die for someone to forgive them. So, why? Why did He have to die?
Why would God come to live among us as one of us? He was never married. He was never a parent. He didn't have a job. He didn't serve as a role model for any of the roles we play. So why? Why did he live among us as one of us?
The order for most Americans when it comes to money is first to spend it, then pay bills, pay taxes, save it, and if anything is left over, give it. The end result for most is feeling like there is never enough. The good news is that God offers a permanent solution, but it requires us to get first things first.
In times of personal financial crisis, we WANT God to show up in our financial world! Here's how to make sure God always stays involved in the arena of your finances to where you have all that you need when you need it...and more!
Money already feels tight, so we tend to feel there is more to lose than gain in giving. The question is: how can we leverage money now so that in the future, our return is greater than we could ever imagine and can never be lost?
Being "rich" is far more than a number. It's a state of mind... It's learning to see everything we own and possess as it really is... To see it through the lens that the world will never show us.
We live in a culture that rewards busyness and belittles rest. However, busyness is not the problem; mis-prioritized values are. This affects our relationships with family, friends, and God. We desire to be known. To truly experience God, we must ask ourselves: What are we seeking?
Life can often feel overwhelming, pulling us in many directions. This busyness may rob us of connection and intimacy with those who matter most. How might this also affect our relationship with our heavenly Father? It may be time to reevaluate our priorities and perspective to experience God in meaningful ways. Listen in!
How can you hear what God has to say? The answer is... the Bible! The Bible is an incredible tool for listening to God's voice. But finding the right time and place to read it can be difficult. In this message, Chad outlines several strategies and tips for spending time alone with God's word so that you can hear from God in your daily life. Listen in!
We live in a culture that sees gratitude as important but practiced in less significant ways. What would it look like to respond to gratitude in awe of what we've been given? In this message, you'll see that true gratitude has the power to change!
If we could see what God sees, we would be more inclined to do as God says. What a huge difference that would make in our complex, complicated lives. One of the greatest ways God speaks to us is through His written word. How do we use the Bible as a tool through which God can speak to us? Listen in to learn more!
There are times in our lives when we want God to do something... now. It can be easy to treat God like a vending machine. But what if the real challenge is in our listening? Imagine experiencing God in a life-altering way by getting to know our Heavenly Father instead!
Almost every religious system argues that what happens to you in the afterlife hinges on your good works. It's no surprise that some of us approach God the same way. There is a part of us that believes that our standing with God hinges on our good works. This means we underestimate the significance of what Christ did on the cross and overestimate the significance of our good works and deeds. But what would it look like if we changed our paradigm? We might experience God in more authentic ways!
The struggle for almost everyone who believes in God is not knowing where they stand with Him. The good news is that there is a standing invitation in which we can know with certainty where we stand and enter into something with God that seems and feels impossible, but it is the thing God desires most: Intimacy.
Distrust broke intimacy with God, and as soon as sin, sorrow and death entered the world, it resulted in our constant struggle with God. But God, in His relentless pursuit of us, took the initiative to do what only He could do: restore what was broken, and it is not based on our faithfulness. It's based on His.
Genuine relationship can only be had when there is freedom to choose, and from day one, God has given us the freedom to choose. Our problem is that a lie broke and continues to break the intimacy between us and our Heavenly Father.
Experiencing God. Intimacy is to be fully known and to know fully without the fear of rejection, but how many of us genuinely experience that with God? Could it be that we're too afraid, too busy, or too disinterested?
Discomfort & Indifference. When we see someone we care about making bad decisions, we can confront them or hope someone else does. We often say nothing, but we should ask ourselves: are we really being kind, or are we letting fear, discomfort, or indifference keep us from what love requires?
Fear is a byproduct of our ability to think about what might happen in the future, and it can protect us from harm. However, living with too much fear can cause us to be self-absorbed, distracted, and overly protective. But the good news is: You don’t have to be afraid even when there’s something to be afraid of. Fear does not have to control us!
Anger. Could something deep inside us be the source of both war and peace? Through James, the brother of Jesus, we see a connection between wisdom and peace. How we view, handle, and channel our emotions, particularly anger, is crucial.
Envy causes us to compare and compete with others in an unhealthy way. It brings arrogance when we're winning and discouragement when we're not. It's like chasing after the wind. How do we stop envy from controlling us?
When it comes to guilt, many of us either wallow in it by reliving the past or deny it by making excuses. Guilt causes us to be out of balance. How do we stop guilt from controlling us?
Fear. Anxiety. Guilt. Anger. What is the primary emotion that competes for control of your life? Today, we begin a brand new message series that deals with the emotions and voices within us that compete for control. First, let's look at the heart.
What do you think Jesus believes is the biggest threat to us today? It's easy to believe that the church's greatest threat comes from outside the church. Unfortunately, the church's greatest threat is from within. The good news is that Jesus never intended it to be this way. In this message, you'll discover what it means to be the church of Jesus. You'll learn that it's a movement of Jesus in our community, for our community, and for the world.
Have you ever felt the wonder and awe connected to what God has done in the world? Towards God's love and grace towards you? Have you lost that sense of wonder and awe? It's time to get it back. It matters!
What we call "church" didn't begin as a place or a building. It started as a movement envisioned and launched by Jesus. Those who accepted his message were bold, confident, and courageous but were never rude. We should take note and continue to follow their example! In this message, we explore more!
For us as Christians, sometimes, the easiest thing to do is nothing. But we have the honor and responsibility to provide for the next generation what we wish the previous generation had provided for us. This may require us to inconvenience ourselves for something greater than ourselves because what God wants to do in and through us is a big deal!
Jesus's death was a final payment for my sins and yours. But when the church first began, a natural question surfaced right away: What shall we do to live out Jesus's transformational teachings and commands? It was clear then (as it should be today) that the answer was not to become jerks in his name. Listen to learn more!
God's name has been stamped repeatedly by Christians on behavior that He finds despicable. When the church (or a church) loses its way, people get hurt, and the movement of Jesus suffers. So, how did the church drift so far, and what should the Jesus movement really look like? Listen in, and you'll discover that it was never about a building but something more significant than that!
Heaven will not be equal, and we should not want it to be. What we live here determines what we will have there, and ultimately, Heaven is not our final destination. In this message, we wrap up our series on Justice & Judgment for All.
Jesus believed in justice. We can believe there's a Hell because Jesus believed there was one. But how could a good God send people to Hell, and if people go there, what would it be like? In this message, we'll look at these questions and more!
Jesus promised to bring justice, and contrary to what most believe, Heaven and Hell will not be the same experience for everyone. What we do in this life doesn't just determine when and where we go; what we do determines what it's like when we get there. What we learn from Jesus is that every day matters!
If God is supposed to be so good, why is there SO much injustice in the world? Why is there so much injustice in MY world? Will this ever be made right, and if so, how?! Join us as we start a brand new message series: Justice & Judgment for All.
Imagine if you had a lost child and no one was willing to search for them? There is something of immeasurable value lost to God, and we've been invited to join the search!
We tend to confuse our assumptions about how our life plans will go and God's actual plan for our lives. So, what should we do when our hopes and dreams don't come true?
Our natural response to when we do wrong (a.k.a sin) is to cover up and conceal. The lie we believe is that more sin will lead to freedom...which it never does. The good news is, God provides the better and only real option if we're to truly be free.
Some degree of deconstruction is inevitable for everyone. Situations or circumstances may change how we view faith. However, deconstruction doesn't have to be destructive because faith is the active process of engaging with God in real and authentic ways.
God loves us, wants the best for us and wants to make His will for us clear. The key is, we must move beyond our ability to interpret circumstance and ask more fundamental questions.
Eventually, we all face fear, loneliness, exhaustion, anger and rejection. If we don't know how to respond, we not only hurt ourselves, but the people around us...usually the ones we love the most.
A person who's unable to forgive themselves for decisions in the past eventually transfer those feelings of "I don't like me" to God and others. But how do we break free?
We have all been hurt, wounded or betrayed. Time does not heal all wounds. Forgiveness is not for the benefit of the offender, rather it's for our benefit. So, how do we get there?
To forgive someone who has hurt us feels like doing THEM a favor! They owe us! Why should we do THEM a favor by forgiving them? There is a very important reason why.
Jesus taught an essential lesson about love: that our love of God is incomplete without the love of our neighbors. Our neighbors are every single human being and as such, they are worthy of our love. When we forget this, we risk losing our own humanity and dehumanizing.
The cost of doing the right thing the wrong way reveals itself when we compromise what's important for what's immediate.
We all look back at certain decisions we made and we think "what was I thinking?!" From the temptations of Jesus, we learn how to stop piling onto the list of regrets in our lives.
Just like Jesus, one of the greatest temptations we all face is to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way. But what's the big deal when it's such a small thing?
Culture constantly tells us to "live our truth" and "follow our heart." And yet, how many times have we lived our truth and followed our heart only to have it end in regret? To where we look back and ask ourselves, "What was I thinking?!" Maybe culture has gotten it wrong. Is there a better option?
Even when our words are accidental, they can still hurt someone. There is a right way and a wrong way to handle it if they do.
The words spoken to us, at us, over us and about us have shaped us for good or for bad. Just like the words WE speak have the power to shape others. Some words weigh much more than others.
The Bible documents God's redemptive activities in the world, culminating in the arrival of His final King.
We have no idea: When we come up with an idea, we are reliant on our resources. But when God calls us to something, we are reliant on His, and that makes all the difference.
Even for those us who believe in God, we sometimes think “God, you’re smart. But you’re not as smart as I am.” Yeah, we may never say not say it, but if we’re honest, sometimes our choices say it for us…and so do the consequences.
Sometimes it might feel like God is simply about behavior control. But the truth is, God wants something for us that is so much bigger and better.
Jesus never called his followers "Christians." He called them to something far simpler yet more demanding that centers on one question.
We all try to get around rules. Loophole Christians as, "How close can I get to sin without actually sinning?" But Jesus intended something far better, and for the sake of the next generation, it is time for us to remember.
It's easy to be a church of truth or a church of grace--to be conservative or liberal. But when churches take either of those routes, we have lost Jesus' Way, and deep down, we know something is missing.
Jesus calls his followers to love the way he loved. But we've forgotten: there's a tension in the WAY he loved -- it was messy, inconsistent, unfair, and confusing. So, what does the Forgotten Way of loving like Jesus look like?
The New Testament has something surprising to say...the Forgotten Way of how followers of Jesus should treat people who don't believe in or follow Jesus.
Why is it Christians can be seen as power-hungry, politically motivated, quarrelsome, hateful, hostile and disputatious? Is this really what Jesus intended for His followers?
What Does It Even Mean? For millions, the term "Christian" has come to mean many things, few of them good, and we owe the world an apology. But what does it even mean to be a "Christian"? It's time for us to forget "Christian" and remember the Forgotten Way.
Experiencing life as God desires us to experience it requires us to determine the best experiences He hopes for us to have in the midst of our limitless options. This weekend, we discover the top 5.
Experiencing life as God desires us to experience it requires us to unlearn some things and unbelieve some lies.
In America, our inclination is to cram everything into our schedules and to take nothing out. Our days are numbered, yet we live as if we had unlimited time. When we live that way, we set ourselves up for burnout, regret and we hurt the next generation.
Jesus notices the bent over and broken, the tired and exhausted, and meets them at their point of need.
Hard moments and difficult seasons come and go in life. This is guaranteed. When we find ourselves in a slump, needing support, we can find help among God's people.
Generosity in every aspect of your life has the potential to set you free. Being bold means being generous.
Sometimes life doesn't go as we planned. Finding the hope God has for us in difficult times.
Jesus Christ Superstar? In a culture obsessed with celebrity, Jesus calls us to a different kind of stardom. What is this star quality that can bring unity to our divisions and hope to our despair?
No matter what God has done for you, in you or around you, you have the potential to drift right back into the same mess He saved you from. Here's how to prevent that!
If we will let Him, God wants us to get a clear picture of what should be and could be, but can't be apart from Him. Then, we must go after it with all our might.
Whether we realize it or not, people are watching us. The question is, are they seeing a "light" or just a shade of gray?
Many things can totally derail us from ending up where we set out to end up. Here are the 3 key distractions we must be ruthless about watching out for.
We only allow ourselves to be influenced by people we respect. The same is true of others. So, the question is, are we living a life worthy of respect?
If we will let Him, God wants us to get a clear picture of what should be and could be, but we can't be apart from Him. With Him we then can go after it with all our might.
When you pursue a God-given vision, there will be opposition and people will try to discourage and dissuade you.
Whenever you step out, take action and begin to do something about a vision, there is risk and sacrifice involved, then in that moment, something happens in our heart and soul.
Our way is to begin with activity and end with prayer. God's way is to begin with prayer and end with activity.
If you have a vision for your life, it dramatically reduces the chances of regret and dramatically increases the chances of looking back and being successful.
Maybe you wandered away from the church. Maybe the church pushed you away. But despite everything you've experienced, you sense a light out there. Why?
The Christmas season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But what do you do when the magic and wonder of the Christmas season feels out of reach?
It's been 2000 years since Jesus. Seriously, what is God waiting for? Why doesn't He do something to end pain and suffering? What is going on?
All us know what it feels like to hurt or to be hurt and to end up in a debt-debtor relationship because they "owe" us or we "owe" them a debt that can never be repaid. This is a glimpse of the debt-debtor relationship we have when it comes to God...us having a debt we can never repay on our own. So, in Jesus, God has stepped in to do what we could never do for ourselves, if we are willing to accept it.
God, because he's a loving heavenly Father, disciplines his disobedient children not to pay them back, but to win them back. At some point, He will let us have our way...and as a result, the pain and complications that come with it. So...how can we avoid that?
What David gave his life for and his primary passion towards was God. But how did he sustain that for a lifetime? David's view of God was what enabled him to sustain a long term, passionate perspective of God...but what was that view and how did he discover it?
There's something in me and you that feels we need to earn our way into God's acceptance, but what we learn from Moses is that, even before the law, being under God's blessing and protection came down to one thing, and it wasn't about doing or saying the right things. It is much simpler. The question is, will we do it?
Have you ever been responsible for cleaning up a mess that was so big you didn't even know where to begin? God faced a similar problem, and just like us, He had to start somewhere...so do we. The question is: will we trust Him?
From day one, the preeminent question for every human has been: Is God Trustworthy? Consistently, when we decide He's not, we choose us over Him. In the end, we hurt ourselves, others and the next generation. We end up hiding and blaming. So, what are we to do so we don't ruin our potential to experience all that God wants for us?
From day one, the preeminent question for every human has been: Is God Trustworthy? Consistently, when we decide He's not, we choose us over Him. In the end, we hurt ourselves, others and the next generation. We end up hiding and blaming. So, what are we to do so we don't ruin our potential to experience all that God wants for us?
Ta Biblia (The Bible): 66 books written by over 40 authors over a period of 2000 years on 3 different continents in 3 different languages...but it is all telling one singular story. A story about God's pursuit of humankind and of you!
When it comes to family, actions speak louder than words—they echo into the next generation. Your children and grandchildren may forget what you say, but they’ll never forget what you do.
All children—you and me—long for the approval of their parents…especially their fathers. Every parent wants to be approved by his or her child—to be a hero. As that desire grows, so does a parent’s insecurity. What are we to do with all of this?
When it comes to family, the only thing we all have in common is: conflict. Family conflict is like no other because when you win an argument in your family, you don’t really win anything. The conflict is never fully resolved. What if there was a way to resolve family conflict by dealing with it at its source?
In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul drew from Jesus’ use of power what is perhaps the most powerful relational teaching of all—an instruction that changes everything in family dynamics. It all comes down to asking a simple question that can change every relationship for the better.
Family is messy and complicated. Most of us want to do better than what we grew up with...but how?
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus addresses and evaluates some local churches. He identifies what they’re doing good and what they need to work on…and he warns them about what will happen if they don't get their act together as a local church. It’s a warning with implications for us as well.
Our 3 big problems are sin, sorrow, and death. This is the same problem faced by everyone else in the world, and Jesus has given us our marching orders, giving us the chance to do something about all three!
The marching orders given by Jesus, that have been passed down through generations, calls for us to make something, and if we don’t do it, no one else will. It’s up to us to carry them out!
For all of us "good" people who aren't running from God, we need to ask ourselves a question - if we believe we have surrendered to God's purposes in our lives, have we also surrendered to God's purposes in the world?
Being disciplined is never fun. But sometimes it's only after a season of brokenness that we begin to see life more clearly. Is that why God disciplines us? Not to pay us back, but because He actually loves us?
You know God wants you to do one thing...make a particular decision...move in a certain direction. But you resist and do the opposite...you run the other way. Jonah resisted and found himself in a nightmare situation. Where has your resistance taken you?
If we build relationships through conversations, then prayer is perhaps the most powerful relationship-building tool we have to connect with God personally. But what if prayer isn't what we've always thought it to be?
What do you hope people will say when they describe you? When someday, they tell your life story? The one thing most of us want the most could ruin it all.
We know what personal relationships with other people look like, but can we really have that kind of relationship with God? Jesus said we not only could but should. But how?
Why would God command you to do something He knows you can’t do? So that he can help you achieve the impossible.
When we've reached our limits in various aspects of life...what do we do when love requires more than we have to give?
You were created to be a conduit of God's resources, not a collector, and the next generation is watching. The more you invest in the things that matter to God, the more your heart will be changed toward those around you and towards God, and in the, you will become rich!
Following Jesus' crucifixion, his followers expected what anyone expects after someone dies: that they would remain that way. In this seventh and final sign that John documents, he makes the case that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be.
New Life's Lead Pastor Chad Pickering and his wife Shauna journeyed to Poland and into Ukraine to deliver desperately needed Trauma Kits and resources. Heartbreaking stories were heard as they spent time with and served refugees, as well as Territorial Defense members inside of Ukraine. Today they share this firsthand account of what is happening on the ground, what was done and thoughts on where we go from here.
With great discovery comes great responsibility, but our tendency is to keep it all to ourselves. This must change for the sake of others and the next generation!
One of the reasons people have rejected Christianity is because they don't even understand it, and the reason they don't understand it is because Christians have made it complicated. But the amazing thing is, no matter who you are or what your past, it’s not complicated. Everyone gets in the same…simple…way.
Why is it we feel somewhat safe talking about church or even about God…but not Jesus? How could I not speak boldly if there is a sovereign God who is active in this world and has invited me to participate with Him?
Fishing for men was never to be something where we just go out on our own and try to compel people to believe what we believe. It’s a partnership!
What did the early Jesus followers see and hear that was so huge that it would cause them to go from being cowards to ready to die? The biggest question about Christianity is “did something happen in history?”, because if it did, then the only way for someone to know is if someone tells them.
Jesus invites us to something much bigger than just “believe”. Rather, when we choose to follow Him, he wants to turn us into something we’re not…something awesome!
From the beginning, God designed men to play a specific role in the home. Some are afraid of it, some don’t want it, and many don’t know about it.…but if we embrace it, we will win in the relationships that matter most.
When people have to stand and talk about you when you’re gone, what do you want them to say?
Chances are your greatest sexual regret can be traced back to a decision where your body wanted something that deep down, there was a voice trying to point you a different direction. How can I avoid future sexual regret?
Everybody else takes their cues from everybody else. Being like everybody else just makes you average, worried, in debt, bored and dissatisfied with what you have. There’s a better option.
What if our attempts to do what we want, when we want, with whom we want, we end up losing freedom rather than being truly free? What if it's a trick?
It's My Life! I'm free to do what I want, when I want, with whom I want...as long as I'm not hurting anybody. This is what we tell ourselves, especially as Americans. But what if in reality, it's impossible? But what's the alternative?
One of the biggest barriers to belief in God is that we don't want to need anyone. But what if that autonomy is an illusion?
It could be that you're caught between doubt and despair because you've believed in a god that doesn't exist...
Do you ever wonder how you can trust Jesus if it requires you to believe everything in the Bible is true? What if the Bible isn't the foundation of the Christian faith?
Once upon a time Americans believed religion offered solutions. Today, religion is viewed by many as the problem...and they may right.
"You get to Heaven by being a 'good person'". Most people believe this. But if that's true, how good is good enough? If there's life after this life, you should know the answer now, before it's potentially too late.
Most of us want to hand a better world into the hands of the next generation, and there's only ONE way we can do that.
If we’re dead to sin, if sin isn’t our master, how do we live that out? Living as a slave to sin takes no initiative on our part. What does it look like to live without sin as master over our mouths, our eyes, our minds, our insecurities, our appetites?
We all want to do what’s right all the time, but we sometimes we end up doing what we don’t want to do. It seems unavoidable. If we can’t even live by our own standards, how are we supposed to live by God’s?
It’s difficult to solve a problem when you don’t understand what’s wrong to begin with. Many of us have been trying to solve the problem of “us” for a long time. Some of you have lost friends, family, or jobs because you couldn’t solve you. Some of you have paid someone good money to solve you. But what if the real problem is that you don’t know what the problem is?
All of us have been impacted by divorce, either our own or someone very close to us. It is most often painful and messy to the level of our soul. It’s an indication that what Jesus said was true, but what exactly did he say and how should it impact our view of divorce and remarriage?
Paul commands us to enjoy what God has provided and to be rich, but what does being rich look like?
Jesus taught that there is a way to use money that creates a joy and reward that reaches beyond this life. But there is also a part of His teaching that seems a little ominous, and it is something we need to know.
Perspective is everything. How we “see” areas of our lives will determine our behavior and how much stress or joy we feel. This is especially true with how we see money. Maybe if we got a new perspective on who actually owns the money, it would change how we see it, use it and feel about it.
Comparison is being caught in the trap of constantly asking, “Does she have more than me? Are they better off? Is he smarter, funnier, richer?” We preoccupy ourselves with these questions, but God has a better plan…and a better question…a question that will free us from the comparison trap once and for all.
God is the creator of the universe. He’s big, smart and powerful. He orchestrates time and everything that happens in it. And he has told us to call him…Dad? God’s opinion of us may provide something we haven’t yet found comparing ourselves to others.
We’ve all heard of a win-win outcome. Yet, we are daily engaging in a lose-lose activity, and we may not even realize how destructive it is. Being rich-er or smart-er or funny-er may feel like a short-term win, but for ourselves, our families, and our marriages, comparison is a game with no winners.
Why do I do what I do? Do you have times you look in the mirror and wonder “why am I the way I am?” Do you sometimes feel a barrier to understanding and relating to others in your life?
If you’ve ever felt this way, you don’t want to miss this Sunday as we help you understand you and those around you, possibly like never before!
The Easter story hinged on two unlikely characters who acted with boldness in the face of great personal risk. Their actions set the stage for us to have confidence that the biggest event in history did in fact happen. The event that changes everything.
We all want to be friended, followed, linked, and mentioned. We all want to be recognized, admired, sought after, and envied. We hunger for approval. We want applause. We want to be known. But what do you do when there is no amount of “known” that will satisfy your appetite?
There’s a sin that is so common to the human experience, it’s the gateway to all other sins. It promises to make us bigger, better, and more important, but only makes us smaller and meaner. It strips us of our capacity to connect with others. It stands between us and God. So, what is “it” and how do we kill it?
What is Heaven like? Whatever you can imagine—Heaven is better. In Week 3 of One Minute After You Die, we expand on what Heaven is like and how what God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond anything we can imagine.
Is Hell real? To not accept the reality of Hell is to miss the grandeur of the Gospel. What you believe about eternity determines how you live today. In this message, we explore the reality of Hell and its purpose.
What you believe about eternity determines how you live today. In this message, we get a glimpse at life after death and what awaits one minute after you die.
Originally, “baptism” wasn’t a religious concept. Yet over time, baptism has become an exclusively religious idea - one that even rouses deep emotion and controversy. In this message, we unpack baptism, from its birth with John the Baptist to its modern equivalent. If you’re a follower of Jesus and baptism is still on your “to-do” list, this message will clarify some important things that may be the nudge you need to finally go public.
We all have mistakes in our pasts—financial, professional, academic, relational. Unfortunately, we tend to learn from our mistakes in the areas that matter least and repeat our mistakes in the areas that matter most. Sometimes that’s because we avoid owning our part of a mistake. It’s easier to blame others.
But once you’ve taken ownership of your part of a mistake, what do you do with the part owned by others? How do you get past the stuff other people have done to turn your life upside down?
We learn from our mistakes in the areas that matter least. We repeat our mistakes in the areas that matter most. Too often, we look at our pasts and our decisions don’t even make sense to us. We end up asking, “What was I thinking?” But how do we restart and avoid getting stuck in cycles of repeated mistakes that take our lives down the wrong paths?
One reason history repeats itself is that we don’t own our parts of our history. And the reason you don’t own it is there’s nothing to own—it wasn’t your fault! But to truly restart, you must look back and own your part in order to move ahead. Your best bet for a successful future is to own your share of the past.
Many of us don’t like to follow directions. But there’s a price to pay for rushing into a situation without knowing what we’re doing. We get things wrong, and by the time we work to undo everything we messed up to redo it correctly, we’ve wasted more time than if we’d just followed the directions to begin with.
There are a lot of things you need to do this year. There are lots of things you can and will do. But what’s one thing you must do? It’s different for everybody.
Even if surrounded by incredibly difficult circumstances (which we are), Christmas is a reminder that we can find hope in difficulty, and we have something to celebrate.
The offer of Christmas is even better than we imagine, and sometimes, we miss or forget what's really being offered.
Christmas is a reminder that God is active in our world, that he keep his promises, and neither your faithfulness nor your hope in God is in vain.
When was the last time you said something encouraging to a co-worker? Your spouse? Your family? When was the last time someone said something encouraging to you? Which comments are you most likely to remember?
Do you tend to be trusting or suspicious of people? Do you assume the best or worst about people? How do you respond when what people promise is different from what people deliver? How do you respond to those gaps? One of the Bible’s most famous verses states that “love always trusts.” Always??!! Really??!! What do I do with all my suspicions?
What kind of person do you become when you don’t get enough rest? Are you more or less productive? Taking a nap can be one of the most spiritual things you do today!
The concept of “confession” conjures images of a veiled priest sitting in a confession booth ready to absolve you of your sins. Protestants have it a little easier; they can go directly to God and ask for forgiveness without involving a middleman. Regardless of the religious system, the outcome tends to be the same - a relieved conscience. However, “confession” doesn’t necessarily result in life-change. What happens if “confession” simply provides a license to sin again?
There's something in us all that longs for certainty, but only one thing is certain: uncertainty! But, what and who we focus on can make all the difference!
Holding a grudge is a guilty pleasure. We all love to think about how we would have just the right words to say at just the right time to make our enemies feel small in front of all the right people. But what if holding a grudge is more sinister than we think? What if the grudge is less about the other person and more about us? What if there is a better way to handle these kinds of situations?
Your doctor can prescribe you the best medicine, but it does no good if you don’t take it. You can own the top-rated running shoes, but they do nothing if you don’t exercise. You can gather all the nutritional information regarding the foods you eat, but it does no good if you don’t adjust your diet. Application is the only thing that makes a difference.
Have you ever wondered: “Does prayer work? Am I doing it right? Is it making a difference?” You’re not alone.
This is the prayer that works and will make a difference...every...time.
There is something in us, especially men, that drifts toward isolation, independence, and autonomy. In many ways, we see it as a life goal, but if we attain it, it has the potential to destroy everything we love and hope for the most.
Work. Family. Hobbies. Fitness. Housekeeping. Socializing. Sleep. Church. With only 24 hours in each day, we simply can’t fit everything in. There’s not enough of you to go around and what we choose to “cheat” matters more than we know. There is a solution, and strangely enough, the solution is similar to the problem.
Every one of us will wrestle/are wrestling at some level with this dilemma. If you have ever had something you placed your hope in come crashing down around you, you know: Pandemic, marriage, career, wealth, health, engagement, academic, athletics. If you have ever thought, “Why even try? What’s the use? What’s the point?” then you know this dilemma.
Uncertainty is God’s favorite environment. It seems that’s when he gets the most accomplished.
Here’s the question we must each answer for ourselves as we face our personal, national and global uncertainty: Is it possible that God is still active, still accomplishing his purposes when there is no indication of his activity? Active in your world and the world? When everything seems to be going backwards? Dark?
You always have something working against you when making personal decisions: you. Personal decisions are emotional, yet emotionally charged environments aren’t ideal for decision-making. When it comes to making decisions, we have a real problem: It’s next to impossible to hear the voice of wisdom when emotions are raging.
When it comes to temptation and decision-making, we all look for loopholes. We ask, “Is there anything wrong with this? Is it illegal? Will it hurt anyone?” But it’s a bad idea to assume that if something is not wrong, it’s right. In no area is this more important than decisions related to our sexual expression. There’s no area where we’re more prone to self-deception.
How do we respond to the unrest and injustice around us? Why aren't we further along? It's no surprise that Jesus set the example for us. Because this is a time to build a better tomorrow and not tear it down. It all starts with you and me.
Scripture says God has determined the number of your days. You can make more money and you can make more friends, but you can’t make more time. You can count your money and your friends, but you can’t count your time. In light of that truth, knowing what to do with your time matters. It’s vital that you use your time wisely.
Solomon, the third king of Israel, wrote more about wisdom than any other biblical writer. In his writing, he laid out three kinds of people who lack wisdom. Eventually, people in each of these categories need wisdom . . . but they may not find it.
Every day brings new questions. Should I stay? Should I go? Buy it? Sell it? Start it? Stop it? Did you know there's a question that makes it easy to determine the answer to all the other questions? It's true. All you have to do is ask it!
You're not perfect and God knows that. Spoiler alert: He wants a relationship with you anyway. And it's not just Heaven someday when you die, it's so much better than that!
Boyfriend god, the god whose presence is always felt…a god that is so close, you feel him all the time. So, when you don’t feel him, you assume he’s not there or doesn’t care. That god does not exist.
On-Demand God, the God who responds to fair and selfless requests the way we would; like a genie in a bottle, does not exist. While we have permission to ask God to ask God for anything, God has the right to say “no” to our requests. God my not give us what we ask for, but he will give us what we need: sustaining grace.
Body-guard God…the God who doesn't allow bad things to happen to good people…the God that will protect you from all things harmful, does not exist. Your personal circumstances do not (necessarily) coincide with God’s feelings about you. God’s apparent inactivity in your life is not a reflection of his existence, presence or activity in the world…or your world.
We all have problems. Problems we know of, and an ultimate problem we may not. What if God offers the solution to it all?
There was once a version of Christianity that was awe-inspiring. Once upon a time . . . Jesus stood against the injustice of an empire and the hypocrisy of the temple. He introduced God as Father. He taught his followers to love their enemies and forgive everyone. Jesus never wrote a word or traveled farther than he could walk. But he taught a way of thinking, believing, and behaving that, though it was foreign and seemingly impractical, changed the world forever. Jesus isn’t finished changing the world.
Is our version…your version of Christianity worth the price paid for it? What does that version look like? The New Testament records that early Christians didn’t fear loss or even death. They were humble because their confidence wasn’t in themselves; it was in Jesus. That faith in who Jesus was and what he had done for them freed them to boldly love others. Does our faith look like that?
With danger and uncertainty in the world…with division, violence, terrorism and mainstream and social media filled with stories that feed fear…in an election year with a nation that is utterly divided, filled with anger and angst and divisive rhetoric, it’s difficult not to be anxious and afraid, to take sides and to operate out of fear. But Jesus offers us another option.
We all have wish lists. But there are some wishes that, if we keep them front and center, they will make our lives better, our relationships richer and our faith journeys more exciting.
Making a promise is easy. Keeping a promise is much harder. Yet, despite our sin, God keeps his promise…a promise that the door will always be open to a relationship with him. So, what’s keeping you from taking God up on his promise?
In life, we tend to experience labels. Many times we battle internal labels, but some of us get public labels that we hate. One of the most significant people in the lineage of Jesus had a label that she carried for the rest of her life, and in spite of that, we discover that regardless of what our labels, our pasts or our reputations might suggest, God is able to do something big through us all, if we are willing.
Do you have any famous ancestors in your family tree? Do you have a few questionable characters in your family tree? Are you one of them? The great news is, Jesus family tree is full of them!
If you’ve ever felt you could never be good enough to be good with God, you’re right! But we learn from the lineage of Jesus that has never been based on our merits, but Gods!
The most wonderful time of the year? Maybe it isn't. Maybe life just sucks. We get it and you're not alone.
Jesus never called his followers “Christians.” He called them to something far simpler yet more demanding that centers on one question.
We all try to get around rules. Loophole Christians ask, “How close can I get to sin without actually sinning?” But Jesus didn’t mean for his followers to game the system. He intended something far better.
Wherever Jesus went, he was followed by tax collectors and sinners- all the worst people in his society. The religious leaders complained. They assumed he condoned their sin. But Jesus never worried about being found guilty by association. Instead, he fully embodied God’s truth and God’s grace. Christians should too.
Jesus calls his followers to love the way he loved. But there’s a tension in the way he loved - it was messy, inconsistent, unfair, and confusing. So, what does it look like to love like Jesus?
By the third century, despite incredible persecution and “religious cleansing” by Rome, Christianity had grown into the official religion of Rome. How did such a hated, powerless people become so influential?
When we judge nonbelievers, we lose our influence. Can you imagine where we’d be if we’d never abandoned love as our primary influence? Let’s decide together that we’re going to work to love one another better and we’re going to stop judging outsiders.
The idea that Christians can be quarrelsome, hostile, and disputatious isn’t surprising. How is it that people—people devoted to Jesus—sometimes feel driven from Christianity? Why are there Christians on all sides of cultural and political issues, arguing with non-believers and fellow Christians alike? Is this really what Jesus intended for his disciples?
Are we going to be content just being Christians, or are we going to be disciples (followers)? Can you imagine what your workplace and community would be like if you loved the way Jesus calls us to love? Can you imagine what would happen in our nation—in our world—if Christians everywhere began living like disciples? What if for the next three to six months, Christians (you!) committed to love the people around them like Jesus?
We all want to win. After all, winning is better than not winning. In a game a win is defined, but life is not a game. And winning in the most important areas of our lives isn’t always clear. So, how do we win?
Names are powerful. We tend to think it’s just about identification, but we know that isn’t true. There’s something powerful that happens when we learn to carry the right name.
Jesus invites us, He won’t force us, but we have no idea what we will miss out on if we don’t get in.
Wouldn't it be great to have a faith without doubts? Yet most believers wrestle with doubt at some level. We face circumstances that don’t add up. We see suffering and injustice in the world. Doubt grabs our minds and emotions. We wonder if we’re just making excuses for a God who isn’t really there or, who isn’t there in the way we assumed. Jesus commanded: “Doubt not.” But when he said that, he didn’t mean for us to quit feeling doubtful. One question posed by Jesus has the power to help you move past your doubt.
Perhaps the most popular commandment among those who don’t follow Jesus is “judge not.” It’s the command Christians are most often accused of violating. It’s also one of the most misunderstood of Jesus’ commands. People size each other up all the time. We all do it. This command from Jesus has the power to change all of your relationships.
The future is uncertain and sometimes scary, and most of wish we could obey this command! Is it possible? It is. This one truth can help you to live free of worry.
We assume that our sin makes God angry. But Jesus gave us a new reason not to sin, and it's better than fear or guilt. After the resurrection, the early church couldn’t go back to embrace a Temple Model: sacred men in sacred places with special interpretations of sacred texts. Instead, they now had one new commandment: love one another as Jesus had loved them. Jesus gave his followers another commandment related to the love one another command: sin no more. But how are we supposed to do that when we are so imperfect?
Thou shalt not fear. We all want to keep that commandment, but too often it feels impossible. Life can be scary. Believe it or not, there's a way to live without fear . . . even when there's something to be afraid of.
While Christianity draws many roots from the Old Testament, the early days of the New Testament church were marked by radical decisions that would set it on a new trajectory. These decisions continue to shape and challenge the church today.
Jesus was irresistible. People from all different backgrounds were drawn to him. But as the early church was forming, there was a tendency to go back to their familiar old religious traditions rather than live by Jesus’ new covenant. Sometimes we do the same.
Did you walk away from church or your faith because of something about the Bible? Were you raised on a version of Christianity that was eventually dismantled by academia or the realities of life?
Maybe it’s time to consider a version of Christianity that relies on something entirely different...something far more reliable. Maybe you walked away unnecessarily. Maybe it’s time to reconsider Jesus.