Proverbs 4:23  //  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. “Technology is opening a new world of leisure time. One government report projects that by the year 2000, the United States will have a 30-hour work week and month long vacations as the rule.” - Walter Cronkite Margin Margin is the space that exists between our LOAD and our LIMITS. Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)  //  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” God’s plan for supernatural margin and rest is sabbath. Sabbath means to cease. If you work on the Sabbath, God’s just not going to help you. Joy & Delight Sabbath is a commandment. Exodus 20:8-11  //  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. The Ten Commandments have consequences and blessings Sabbath is a witness. Exodus 31:14-17 (NIV)  //  “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’” “If I can just catch my breath” Sabbath is a blessing. Mark 2:23-28 (NIV)
 //  Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” 27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Sabbath is a blessing, not a burden. Divert daily. Withdraw weekly. Abandon annually.

Mission - The purpose and direction of our lives. Shadow Mission - Allowing our lives to center around something unworthy, dark, or selfish. King Xerxes Esther Mordecai Haman Susa, Capital of Persia 470 BC Israel is in Exile Esther 1:1 NLT  //  These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. Esther 1:22 NLT  //  He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases. Esther 2:1-5 NLT  //  But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made. 2 So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments. 4 After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti.” This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect. Esther 2:12 NIV  //  Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. Esther 2:17 NLT  //  And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. 18 To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone. Esther 3:15 NIV  //  The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered. Esther 4:11-14 NIV  //  “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Career - advancing yourself Calling - serving God 4 Key Questions: Who plays the role of Mordecai in your life? What is the position God has called you to? What resources do you have? What is the spiritual need you see? It’s not your fault. It is your time. Esther 4:15-16 NIV  //  Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Where does shame come from? Our mistakes Other people’s words or actions Romans 8:28  //
 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. God can step into the places we’d rather forget Shame was never God’s design for us Genesis 2:21-25  //
 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed.“This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. Shame makes us hide Genesis 3:6-8  // 
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. That’s what shame still does today: You can’t let them see that You can’t let God see you like this You can’t let people know what you’ve done The enemy does his best work with the secret parts of our lives Genesis 3:9-10  //
 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Because the first step toward healing is honesty Psalm 32:3-5  // 
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night, your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Genesis 3:21  // 
And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. God covers what shame exposes Hebrews 9:22  //
 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. The shame we carry, Jesus has already paid for God can turn your shame into a testimony He doesn’t waste your shame; He redeems it. Romans 8:28  // 
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. You see this throughout Scripture: Moses killed a man: God still used him to lead His people. Peter denied Jesus: God still used him to build the church Paul persecuted the church: God used Paul to preach the gospel Stop hiding & start healing Bring shame into the light Let God rewrite the story

Shadows: The dark parts of our lives that follow us around. “Your shadow is the accumulation of untamed emotions, less-than-pure motives and thoughts that, while largely unconscious, strongly influence and shape your behaviors. It is the damaged but mostly hidden version of who you are.” – Peter Scazzero Doubt is a common characteristic of God’s children. Just because we doubt doesn’t mean we’re out with God. Why are young people leaving church? – Barna Survey Churches are unfriendly to those who doubt 35% said Christians were too confident in their answers. 25% said the church demonizes everything outside of the church. 36% said they could not ask their most pressing questions. Where does our doubt come from? Questions you can’t answer Situations that seem unfair Hurts you can’t resolve Your faith is a journey, not a destination. Matthew 4:12 
//  When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Matthew 11:2-7, 11  //  When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. When following Jesus isn’t what we expect, we start to doubt. “Are you the one?” Matthew 11:5  //  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Isaiah 35:5-6
 //  Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 61:1
 //  The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners Doubt Is Not the Opposite of Faith Faith isn’t the absence of questions; it’s the decision to trust in the middle of them. Bring Your Doubts to Jesus, Not Away from Him\ “How long, O Lord?” Remember What You’ve Already Seen Don’t Let What You Don’t Understand Cancel What You Do Know Matthew 11:4 
//  Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: Romans 10:17
 //  Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. The strongest faith isn’t a faith that never doubts. The strongest faith is a faith that grows through your doubts. Our faith is based on the person and work of Jesus.

Pride = Self over God. Pride is dangerously destructive and difficult to detect. – Craig Groeschel Micah 6:8  //  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Humility says – I want grace more than I want to be right John 8:12  //  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Pride blocks the light of Jesus in our lives because it moves our focus to SELF. 2 Chronicles 26:3-5 NIV  //  Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem.  He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. 2 Chronicles 26:16 NIV  //  But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God… Pride distorts our vision 2 Chronicles 26:21 NIV  //  King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house—leprous, and banned from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. Proverbs 16:18  //  Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 8:13  //  To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech Get Honest about areas of pride Listen to Others 2 Chronicles 26:5  //  He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. Humility James 4:6  //  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humility = God over self Pride says I can, humility says God can Remember Hosea 13:6 NIV  //  When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me. James 4:10 NIV  //  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less often.  

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)  //  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The sermon on the mount In Scripture, the heart refers to the core of a person's being The source of decision-making (how you choose and act) The center of intention (what motivates you) The seat of affection (what you love and value) Matthew 6:21  //  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Malachi 3:10-12 (NIV)  //  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Acts 20:35  //  It’s more blessed to give than to receive 2 Corinthians 9:6  //  If you give bountifully, you shall receive bountifully 2 Corinthians 9:10  //  God gives seed to the sower Luke 6:38  //  When you give it shall be given back to you Matthew 6:21  //  Where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is also 4 things I believe God wants us to know today Money is not the root to all evil. It is the “love of money” that is the root to all evil. There is no such thing as tithing your time. Tithing is not an Old Testament principle; it’s a believer’s principle Matthew 23:23  //  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Tithing has tremendous benefits How to become a consistent tither (where do you start)? Put this in your heart Put God at the top of your budget Take a stand

Where does my confidence come from? Insecurity Judges 21:25  //  In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Judges 6:1  //  The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Judges 6:6, 11-17  //  Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” 17 Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” Judges 6:21-23  //  Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” Judges 6:36-40  //  Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. Judges 7:2-4, 7  //  The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 4:1 12:1 400:1 Judges 7:16  //  Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.  Insecurity focuses on what I am not. Judges 6:12  //  When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Security is an inheritance, not earned Confidence from anything temporary is temporary We look for confidence in SIGNS and in COMPARISON Moving Goalpost Syndrome It’s not about how much confidence you have, it’s about what you’re confident in. Insecurity wants proof, but God gives peace. My weakness is God’s opportunity. 2 Corinthians 12:10  //  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Courage Fear of Failure Fear of Insignificance Fear of Failure: What will happen if I try? “I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” - Mark Twain Fear of Insignificance: What won’t happen if I don’t try? Joshua 1:5-9  //  No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Be Strong and Courageous Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. - William Shakespeare Greatness vs Fame Discouraged Acts 4:29  //  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 1:8  //  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Courage > Integrity > Humility Courage is rooted in humility. Numbers 12:3  //  Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 34:9  //  Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses. Philippians 1:20-21  //  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the absence of self. A million little yeses. If God answered all of your prayers, would it change the world or just change you?

Luke 24:13-16  //  Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along the way with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:30-33, 35  //  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem…[And] the two told [the disciples] what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. Are you aware of the adventure? Or are you just awaiting the arrival? God will often disrupt “here”, to get you going “there” “Arrival” is on the way. Genesis 28:16-17  //  When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 32:1-2  //  Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim. Who I am today, is made on the way. Joy is on the way Psalms 120–134: Songs of Ascents The miracle is on the way John 2:1-9  //  On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. You’re not waiting for a miracle, you’re walking towards it! Jesus is on the way Just because you’re not “there”, doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t here. IF JESUS IS HERE…THEN YOU’RE ALREADY THERE.

Butterfly Effect You are one decision away from an entirely different life. If you were guaranteed not to fail, what would you do with your life? Genesis 37:5-8, 18-20 (NLT)  //  One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” 3 Types of People: 1. In the Game Genesis 37:19  //  “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 2. Hate the Game Genesis 37:20  //  “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. … Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” People dissatisfied with their life will try to get you to hate yours. 3. Watching the Game Genesis 37:20  //  “…Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” Good or Bad Success Success = Obedience Genesis 42:6-15  //  Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” 8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 10 “No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.” 12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 13 But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.” 14 Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Genesis 45:4-8  //  Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt You have no idea how long your dream may take. You have no idea how God is orchestrating the pieces of your life for His glory.

Today’s Goal: lift our vision. Before we chase our dreams, we have to catch God’s dream. “Moses spent forty years thinking he was somebody; forty years learning he was nobody; and forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody.” - D. L. Moody Exodus 3:1-12  //  Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” God’s Dreams Come From God’s Heart Exodus 3:7  //  “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” Matthew 1:21  //  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Galatians 5:1  //  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. What is at the center God’s Heart? PEOPLE! Luke 2:10-11  //  “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 19:10  //  “...For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” What dream from God’s heart has He placed on yours? God’s Dream is Bigger than My Life Exodus 3:10  //  So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. What will God’s Dream Do? stretch you beyond your comfort zone challenge your assumptions about what you’re capable of require God’s power God’s Dream Requires Surrender Exodus 4:20a  //  So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. …” Psalm 73:26  //  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Question to Ponder: Does God have your “YES” Exodus 14:21-22  //  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Vision: the ability to see clearly. God speaks in dreams and visions. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)  //  Where there is no vision, the people perish. Acts 2:17  //  “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Proverbs 29:18 (MSG)  //  If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. What do you do when God lets you down? What do you do when your dream dies? Dream > Pray > Who We Become 2 Kings 4:8-37  //  One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” 11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” She replied, “I have a home among my own people.” 14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” 17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. 18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out. 22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.” 23 “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.” “That’s all right,” she said. 24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” “Everything is all right,” she said. 27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.” 28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?” 29 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.” 30 But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” 32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out. God has a way of OVERRULING our OBJECTIONS Hebrews 11:1  //  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith is seeing from God’s point of view.

I’ve never broken a bone I’m the youngest of two sisters I’m an incredible runner   When I feel God I know He’s real and He is happy with me If I don’t feel God, He’s not working and I start to doubt Him Feelings are not accurate indicators of God’s reality Esther 2:5-7  //  Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. Esther 4:11  //  “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” Just because God seems silent does not mean: God is not working Esther 4:14b  //  And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? God is not in control Job 38:4-5  //  Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
 Who stretched a measuring line across it? God is not for you Romans 8:31-32  //  What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? I don’t know WHAT but I know WHO God is moving - are you watching? God is speaking - are you listening? God is prompting - are you noticing? We don’t want to wait so we: Distract Settle Go to other “sources” It’s not an activity issue; it’s an awareness issue Isaiah 55:9  //  “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Lie: God isn’t speaking, isn’t active. Truth: He is speaking, am I listening?

I'm left handed I am the better looking location pastor My favorite condiment is mayo John 8: 31-31 (ESV)  //  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” I am not qualified I am too far gone to be used by God I am who He says I am   God doesn’t call the qualified — He qualifies the called. Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV)  //  While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 16:15-18 ESV  //  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Failure doesn’t define me Peter tries to change the plans (Matthew 16:21–23) Walking on water (Matthew 14:28–31) Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:69–75) John 21:3-11 (ESV)  //  Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. God’s restoration has no boundaries John 21:15 - 19 (ESV)  //  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Your history doesn't hinder your purpose Acts 2:14–41 What does God say about you You are loved – (Jeremiah 31:3) You are never alone – (Hebrews 13:5) You are forgiven – (1 John 1:9) You are chosen – (1 Peter 2:9) You are God's child – (1 John 3:1) You have a purpose – (Jeremiah 29:11) You are strong in Him –  (Philippians 4:13) You are not condemned – (Romans 8:1) You are God's masterpiece –  (Ephesians 2:10) You are protected –  (Psalm 91:2)

I am one of eight siblings My dad taught me how to drive I love the Michigan Wolverines   I played college basketball at SEU I can do basic car repairs and maintenance I love cheese   God doesn’t care about my every day life God cares about people but not me personally God cares about every part of your life.   Googling For God Who created God? Why does God allow suffering? Why does God hate me? Question of the day: Does God care??? God cares about every part of your life. “God is perfectly and thoroughly, always and forever good, and everything He does is for our good. I promise you that God does not lie awake at night trying to find ways to disappoint us or harm us or crush our dreams or our faith.” - Jeff Holland God Cares About Who Are Psalm 139:13  //  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:16-18  //  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7  //  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Psalm 8:3-4  //  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? God Cares About What You Face Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)  //  As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” Jesus said they were going to the other side Jesus was with them Jesus was at peace I can trust Him I’m not alone I don’t need to worry GOD CARES!! God Cares About Where You’re Going Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)  //  The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Romans 8:28 (NIV)  //   And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Thank God for caring about who you are. Talk to Him about one thing you’re facing. Ask Him to guide where you’re going. 1 Peter 5:7  //  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. God cares about every part of your life.

I love my family I love our church I love the Philadelphia Eagles   I was once on The Price is Right I have been to Antarctica I can speak 7 languages   My feelings are the best guide for decision-making. If it feels right, it is right. The heart needs to be led by God, not followed. Follow Your Heart Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)  //  “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” If you want to change your life, change your habits. If you want to change your habits, let God change your heart. Psalm 139:23-24  //  Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 2 Samuel 11:1 (NLT)  //  In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. … However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Psalm 36:2  //  In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. Cognitive Bias Psalm 36:2  //  In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. 5 Indicators of Self-Deception Judgmentalism Defensiveness Cynicism Manic Cheeriness Addiction to Distraction 2 Samuel 12:7  //  Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! ...” What problem am I denying? What sin am I rationalizing? What issue am I hiding? Watch for what others have tried to tell you. Watch for what you rationalize. Watch for where you’re most defensive. You cannot change what you won’t confront. Psalm 51:10, 12  //  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ... Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 139:23-24  //  Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Hebrews 11:2, 39  //  Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation...All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. We want OUTCOMES but God is more concerned with our OUTLOOK YOU control your outlook GOD controls the outcome Outcome faith: Disappointment Arrogance Envy James 1:2-4  //  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Outlook faith: Positivity Humility Contentment HEARING the Word…not the world Romans 10:17 (NKJV)  //  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. SPEAKING the Word…not my words Joshua 1:8 (NIV)  //  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. DOING the Word…not my ways James 2:17 (NLT)  //  So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Hebrews 11:40  //  For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Revelation 1:1-3, 9-11  //  The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the sufferingand kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s DayI was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus,Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” Ἀποκάλυψις Apokalypsis To Disclose or Reveal Local Global Personal Revelation 2:1-7  //  “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Playground or Battleground Hypnagogia Ephesians 6:10-17  //  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5  //  For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Stronghold: A prisoner locked by deception. Living life by something that is not true. Stronghold: Anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger or more powerful than our God. John 8:44  //  “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” When we believe a lie, we empower the liar. 3 Realities You Need to Believe: Satan is real. 2 Corinthians 11:14  //  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. Satan’s goal is to destroy us. John 10:10  //  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy… The devil responds to a higher authority. 1 John 4:4  //  …the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 3 Weapons You Can Use: The Name of Jesus. Luke 10:17-19  //  The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Philippians 2:10  //  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. The Blood of Jesus. Revelation 12:11  //  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony... The Word of Jesus. John 8:31-32  //  Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 3 Things to do Everyday: Commit myself to God. James 4:7-8  //  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Close any open doors. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11  //  If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. Ephesians 4:26-27  //  In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 5:11  //  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Confront the enemy in prayer. 1 Peter 5:8-9  //  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.

Doctrine Application 1-3 Who we are 4-6 How we should live Identity determines behavior Walk in Love Walk in the Light Walk in Wisdom Walk in Mutual Submission Walk in Love Ephesians 5:1  //  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Walk in the light Ephesians 5:8  //  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Walk in Wisdom Ephesians 5:15  //  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Walk in Mutual Submission Ephesians 5:21  //  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Submit: to give over or yield to the power or authority of another; to come underneath. Synonyms: resign, agree, obey, bow, comply. Ephesians 5:22-24  //  Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Submission: to trust and come underneath their leadership. Ephesians 5:25-28  //  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. What does mutual submission look like in a marriage? When I submit, I’m not saying, "You’re better than me." I’m saying, "I trust the God who called you to lead." What does mutual submission look like in communication? What does mutual submission look like in Intimacy? What does it practically look like for a husband to love his wife as Christ loved the Church?