LifeHouse Church: Recent Episodes
LifeHouse Church, OH
Life can be complicated. We want to help. Find answers for life through messages at LifeHouse Church in Van Wert, OH.
There is no progress without discipline. And many times, what begins as an "ought to" becomes a "want to." ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "Pre-Decide"
Nothing causes us to depend on God more than pushing through our inadequacies to help other people. When we serve in a ministry we take personally, we experience God’s power and faithfulness. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "It's Personal"
It’s one thing to believe and enjoy practical teaching. But gaining knowledge is not enough to grow our faith —applying it is. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "Practically Speaking"
We’ve all heard stories of people—or we know people—who have what appears to be unshakable faith. They have a confidence in God that informs what they do. Where does faith like that come from? ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "Unshakable"
In seasons of change, it's good to remind ourselves who God is and who we are. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "Keeping Your Soul Sane"
There's a question you can ask yourself that will bring inescapable clarity to just about every relational decision you'll bump up against. But a word of warning: it's not for the faint of heart. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "The Relationship Question"
Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets // Maturity Question with Lead Pastor, Matt Braun by LifeHouse Church, OH
Sometimes an option we're considering creates tension inside of us. When that happens, it can be tempting to ignore the discomfort or brush by it. But instead of doing that, we need to pay close attention to it. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "The Conscience Question"
Your life is more than random, disconnected events. It's a story being written. Whether it's a thoughtful response or an emotionally fueled reaction, we write the stories of our lives one decision at a time. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "The Legacy Question"
The easiest person to deceive is the person in the mirror. But when we do the hard work of being honest with ourselves, we’re on our way to not selling ourselves on a potential regret. ____________________________
Find out more during this message, "The Integrity Question"
We never know what or who hangs in the balance of the decisions we make. But we do know that our decisions determine the direction and quality of our life.
If the Christmas story is a myth, our hope may be in vain. But if Luke, the author who documented the birth of Jesus, is telling us the truth...then we have something to celebrate. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Luke's Story"
Do you remember as a child what it was like enduring those days before Christmas? It was the anticipation that made Christmas, Christmas.
That same dynamic is what made the first Christmas so extraordinary. For generations, men and women had been waiting anxiously for the birth of their Messiah, with no assurance that they would live to see him. And like us, they probably wondered, Is this really going to happen? After all, God has been silent for years. Has he forgotten about us?
Do you have those same doubts? Do you feel like God even knows you exist? Do you wonder if it’s worth it to follow Christ? ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Your Story"
Do you remember as a child what it was like enduring those days before Christmas? It was the anticipation that made Christmas, Christmas.
That same dynamic is what made the first Christmas so extraordinary. For generations, men and women had been waiting anxiously for the birth of their Messiah, with no assurance that they would live to see him. And like us, they probably wondered, Is this really going to happen? After all, God has been silent for years. Has he forgotten about us?
Do you have those same doubts? Do you feel like God even knows you exist? Do you wonder if it’s worth it to follow Christ? ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Zechariah's Story"
Being grateful for someone is an emotion we can all relate to. But gratitude is not just an attitude, it's something that needs to be expressed. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Give Thanks"
Many times we give money in response to a felt need or a tragedy - it's emotional and the results are measurable. What would it look like to become someone who was not only an intervention giver, but a prevention giver as well? ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "An Ounce of Prevention"
No one wants to be average. You may not want to be extraordinary, but you probably want to stand apart from the crowd. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about three behaviors that have the power to make you anything but average. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Do What You Know"
No one wants to be average. You may not want to be extraordinary, but you probably want to stand apart from the crowd. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about three behaviors that have the power to make you anything but average. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Now and Later"
No one wants to be average. You may not want to be extraordinary, but you probably want to stand apart from the crowd. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about three behaviors that have the power to make you anything but average.
As children, many of us were taught to say our prayers. As we get older, we wonder, why should I pray? How should I pray? Does praying even work? Those questions deserve grown-up answers. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Help Me See"
As children, many of us were taught to say our prayers. As we get older, we wonder, why should I pray? How should I pray? Does praying even work? Those questions deserve grown-up answers. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Lead Us...Not!"
As children, many of us were taught to say our prayers. As we get older, we wonder, why should I pray? How should I pray? Does praying even work? Those questions deserve grown-up answers. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Give Us"
Have you ever wanted to make a difference . . . like, a big one? Well, here's your chance! And we've made it as simple as we know how. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Give"
We all want more. Even though we’re thankful for what we have, something inside us wants a little more from life. But we don't have to go on a Wild Goose Chase to find it. Believe it or not, there is a path that can lead us to the more we are looking for. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Wild Goose Chase"
Technology and the use of it, while helpful, can definitely be a hot topic! People have a lot of thoughts when it comes to the use of technology. However, there does seem to be one thing about technology that most people have in common. Whether you are married, living at home with your parents, a college student, or a single adult with roomate, whomever you live with “They’re the ones on their phone too much!” But this series isn’t about THEIR relationship with THEIR phone, it’s about YOUR relationship with YOUR phone, tablet, tv, etc. Together we are going to begin to assess our relationship with our phones and how it affects us and those around us. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "How to Win With Technology"
Technology and the use of it, while helpful, can definitely be a hot topic! People have a lot of thoughts when it comes to the use of technology. However, there does seem to be one thing about technology that most people have in common. Whether you are married, living at home with your parents, a college student, or a single adult with roomate, whomever you live with “They’re the ones on their phone too much!” But this series isn’t about THEIR relationship with THEIR phone, it’s about YOUR relationship with YOUR phone, tablet, tv, etc. Together we are going to begin to assess our relationship with our phones and how it affects us and those around us. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Social Media"
We all believe exercise is good for us, but we don't always head to the gym or go on a run. To actually get in shape, we have to exercise. We have to get off the couch and do it. And isn't it easier when we have someone to keep us accountable? The same is true of our faith—we can only get so far on our own. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Gently Used!"
Technology and the use of it, while helpful, can definitely be a hot topic! People have a lot of thoughts when it comes to the use of technology. However, there does seem to be one thing about technology that most people have in common. Whether you are married, living at home with your parents, a college student, or a single adult with roomate, whomever you live with “They’re the ones on their phone too much!” But this series isn’t about THEIR relationship with THEIR phone, it’s about YOUR relationship with YOUR phone, tablet, tv, etc. Together we are going to begin to assess our relationship with our phones and how it affects us and those around us. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "The Whole World in Your Pocket"
We all hate to lose. But winning something significant always involves losing something less significant. If you choose to lose, it opens the door to remarkable things in following Jesus. ____________________________
Find out more during this special message, "Connecting the Dots"
Originally, "baptism" was not a religious concept. Yet over time, baptism has become an exclusively religious idea. If you are a follower of Christ and baptism is still on your "to-do" list, this message may be the nudge you need to finally go public. (Lead Pastor, Matt Braun)
What's really going on around us involves more than what is seen. Actuality is difficult to perceive. There's an ongoing conflict between two forces contending within two realms shaping our singular reality.
What's really going on around us involves more than what is seen, a conflict between two forces, contending within two realms, shaping our singular reality. So what does that mean for us today?
What's really going on around us involves more than what is seen, a conflict between two forces, contending within two realms, shaping our singular reality. So what does that mean for us today?
What's really going on around us involves more than what is seen, a conflict between two forces, contending within two realms, shaping our singular reality. So what does that mean for us today?
What's really going on around us involves more than what is seen, a conflict between two forces, contending within two realms, shaping our singular reality. So what does that mean for us today?
Our heavenly Father's rules aren't designed to put us in good standing with God. They're a reminder that we're rule-breakers and we need someone we don't deserve: a Savior.
When your heart is broken and your dreams can't come true, that's the time to lean in, look up, and reach out.
If you don't want the next time to be like the last time, do something different in the meantime.
If becoming the right kind of person is key to a great relationship, how do you do that? Is there something you can do to prepare? Does it just happen? Sure, we're supposed to love others, but what does that really mean?
In relationships, we often believe if we find the right person it will make everything right. So we ask ourselves, "Is this the right person for me?" Maybe we need to be asking a different question ...
When Jesus died, hope died along with him. No one was planning to keep this new movement going, because, after all, it seemed Jesus wasn’t who he had claimed to be. Immediately following the crucifixion, there were no Christians, because there was no Christ. But then something happened .........
We all have embarrassing moments we can laugh about--later. There are shameful moments that we would give anything to undo. But while our pasts remind us, do they need to define us?
It's human nature to assume the worst about God when circumstances are at their worst. But God is near to us even when times are difficult. So why can't we feel that sometimes? What makes it hard to believe?
When you leverage your power and resources for the benefit of those with less power and fewer resources, you're not far from the kingdom of God. So how do we do that?
From an early age, we learn quickly to look for loopholes in the rules. We try to figure out what we can get away with and still be okay. We tend to take this same mindset into our relationship with God, but it doesn’t work. When we opt for loopholes and workarounds, we find ourselves in a category no one wants to be in: hypocrites. So how do we avoid this?
Jesus reminds us that when we focus too much on the letter of the law, we may forget why the law was written in the first place. So why was the law written in the first place?
Just like Peter's experience with Jesus, we have to face fear, insecurity, and prejudice head-on. So how do we do that?
Your wiring affects what you say, how you listen, & how others hear you. And we want to help you improve your communication & your relationships.
If you've ever said the wrong thing or said the right thing the wrong way you know how quickly your big mouth can make a big mess. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Your wiring affects what you say, how you listen, & how others hear you. And we want to help you improve your communication & your relationships.
If you've ever said the wrong thing or said the right thing the wrong way you know how quickly your big mouth can make a big mess. But it doesn't have to be that way.
We all believe exercise is good for us, but we don't always head to the gym or go on a run. To actually get in shape, we have to exercise. We have to get off the couch and do it. And isn't it easier when we have someone to keep us accountable? The same is true of our faith—we can only get so far on our own.
There are a lot of things you need to do this year. There are a lot of things you can and will do. But what’s one thing you must do? Maybe just as importantly—what might keep you from doing it?
There's good news at Christmas time. But what about you? Are you good news? What if you're the only good news someone gets?
There's good news at Christmas time. And it's good news because we're not good. So what is that good news?
If it's not good news, you may have the wrong version. It's not a good story. It's good news. So what is that good news?
During a major epidemic, first century Christians acted in such a way that people outside the faith couldn’t ignore them. It’s not enough to believe correctly. We must act on what we say we believe. But how?
During times of crisis, there is something Christians should be doing above anything else. Doing it won't answer why bad things happen, but it will demonstrate where our hope lies. So what is that something?
How do you free your mind from dichotomous thinking to see life as a learning laboratory and not as a pass-or-fail exam?
You can choose to believe God is aligning circumstances around you to do something in you and through you. But how?
God, what do you want me to do next? God, am I following your plan? These can be frequent prayers for people who want to know God's will and fulfill it. But what if living out God's plan for you has less to do with a specific decision and more to do with how you approach whatever comes your way?
We often wonder what it will cost us to follow Jesus. We may even ask, "Is it really worth it?" What will it cost us at work, in our relationships, in our finances? But what if Jesus wants more for us if we will just trust him and go "all in"?
We all have a picture of who we think God is. These pictures and beliefs have been shaped by things we have learned and experienced along the way. But what if you have been given an inaccurate picture of who God really is?
There is more to your circumstance than meets the eye. Your current circumstances are a chapter. They are not the full story. So what is the full story?
While we don't always choose our circumstances, we do have the ability to choose our responses. But the response that has the potential to reverse the natural course of things isn't natural at all. What is that response?
Is there something you wish you'd been doing all along to prepare for what is happening now? How do we put the lessons we're learning into practice now?
The best way to predict your future is to pay attention to where you're headed. How do we change course when we realize that we've chosen a path that leads us to what's appealing instead of what's ultimately satisfying?
We all start out life with great intentions. But our intentions aren't good indicators of our destinations. In face, our direction trumps our intention every time. That's why we all need to follow someone we trust. Someone who can make our lives better and make us better at life. If not Jesus, then who? And if not Christianity, then what?
Nobody gets lost on purpose. But we often find ourselves in places we never intended. If there's a disconnect between what you hope to be true in the future and the direction you're headed now, could it be time to take a closer look at your path?
We're all going to end up somewhere in life, but often there's a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path that we choose. So how can we avoid choosing a path that's guaranteed to get us where we don't want to be?
At some point, we all face a choice of whether to remain in the shallows of faith or journey to the depths. The truth is we can't do both. We either settle for the shallows or take the plunge to grow deeper. So what is the one choice required to deepen our faith?
Many of us have viewed faith as something we do alone. We might have said that it’s private. But there’s a limit to our faith growth when we go it alone. There’s a deepening to our faith that we only experience together. When it comes to consistently growing our faith, “we” is greater than “me”. Who’s spurring on your faith and whose faith are you spurring on?
Moving out of the shallows starts with feeding ourselves spiritually. But if we stop at that first step, we’ll be left spiritually fat rather than spiritually fit. How do we prevent that from happening? The next step involves a spiritual workout that’s unique for each of us.
No one strives to be shallow. But how do we grow deeper? The journey starts with a step that each of us can only take for ourselves.
Consider for a moment: How might your life change if you decide to talk to God in a consistent way during the second half of this year?
None of us is promised another day, so leverage the time you have with purpose. Want to know how?
A game isn't over at halftime. And 2020 isn't over halfway through the year either. What midyear adjustments can you make right now that will impact the rest of the year so it's not too late to finish strong?
Does grace seek to understand or to be understood? And what might our relationships look like if we chose to be genuine & empathetic?
We all know people who see the world differently than we do. Choosing to interact with curiosity instead of criticism can bring greater understanding. Want to know how?
Loving one another creates a hunger to understand one another, which allows us to better love one another. Want to know how?
If God has promises for us, why is it that life can be so difficult? Why do we face tragedy and suffering? How do we trust in God's promises when faith meets despair and joy meets loss?
So if God has promises for us, what are they? Even more important, what's the greatest promise he has for us?
We've all had people make us promises. We've all made promises to others. Some promises are big and some are small. Some are kept. Others are broken.
Following Jesus’ crucifixion, his followers expected what anyone expects after someone dies: that they would remain that way. But one of Jesus’s followers, John, gave an eyewitness account which summarized the main event surrounding Christianity: Jesus rose from the dead. In this seventh and final sign that John documents, he makes the case that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be.
At different points in our lives, many of us wonder why a good God would allow bad things to happen. And without a clear response, that dilemma could cause us to question God’s existence altogether. The gospel writer John documented an occasion where Jesus not only brought his friend Lazarus back to life, but demonstrated how God can exist in the midst of a world of evil and suffering.
There are many products we buy, use, and put our confidence in without having all the information or fully understanding how they work. In the Gospel of John, we see a man begin to follow Jesus based on limited information. This man, who was born blind, said he only knew one main thing—and that one thing was enough to make him curious about who Jesus really was.
Perhaps one of the most famous signs performed by Jesus is feeding over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Those that followed Jesus thought he was finally getting to the point of what he could do for them. They were more enamored with the signs instead of what the signs were pointing to.
Just outside of Jerusalem, Jesus performed a miracle that changed a man’s life forever. For 38 years, this man was unable to walk. But when Jesus said, “Get up,” the man was healed. However, it’s what Jesus said next that made this miracle a clear sign of who Jesus really was.
In order to demonstrate who he was, Jesus performed a number of miracles—which the apostle John referred to as “signs.” The first of those signs was at a joyous occasion where Jesus turned water into wine. The second sign was in the midst of a heartbreaking circumstance in which a father desperately asks Jesus to heal his dying son.
The first of Jesus' miracles that John documents is when Jesus--with a nudge from his mother--attended a wedding and turned water into wine. It was the first sign of many that gives evidence of who Jesus is.