Does it sometimes feel like you're far away from God's love? Life happens all the time but in the midst of trials and challenges we can be assured that God's love covers all. Let's dive in.
Scripture: Romans 8:31-39
Song: Echo Tauren Wells
https://youtu.be/Z8agqyGIaD8?si=0x_EAPcXiwRUi-qv
Hey guys, this week's episode is a little different but I felt led to share this so here we are.
I hope this encourages you and when it does, share this with someone else needing encouraging words.
Let's admit it - forgiveness is hard (for me anyways)...
Because sometimes I don't want to forgive an offense and just allow the emotions to fester. But that isn't what God wants... God commands us to forgive, to be tenderhearted and kind.. hard right? Let's talk about it.
God gives grace to all people - the most amazing example being the grace He gave us through Christ dying for us.
But what do we do with grace after that? We live in it and give it away. Let's talk about it.
Intercession is an essential part of our faith. We cannot keep coming to God to pray for the things that we want to see happen in our lives but we have to make it a point to also pray for others. Plead with God for other people - that God's will be done in their lives and that they would know Christ. Because believe it or not, someone was pleading for you.
Scripture reference: Joshua 2:12-13
12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Things are happening around us all the time, so much so that it can cause us to fall into fear. But fear is not what God has given us, let's talk about.
In the midst of trials and tribulations, we have to choose gratitude. God says specifically in His word that we ought to Rejoice always and give thanks in all things, let's talk about .
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
Sometimes, not knowing can stir up anxiety but in the case of believers, it should stir up excitement.
God's word says that He has such great plans for us- to prosper us and give us an expected end. This is something we should look forward to.
God wants us to honor Him with everything, especially money! Let's talk about it
Scriptures:
1 Timothy 6:17-18
2 Peter 1:3
God sometimes challenges us with the very thing He blessed us with - our wealth, our jobs, our ministry, our families, etc.
He wants to know our hearts are really for Him, and not to walk away sad when He challenges us like the rich young ruler.
Scripture: Matthew 19: 16-22
Preparedness - a state or condition of being completely ready for something, especially some kind of disaster
Are you completely ready? - Matthew 25: 1-13
Readiness should be a state that everyone who believes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ remains in.
How to stay ready:
1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Read the word
4. Coming together in fellowship
5. Sharing the gospel
What are your thoughts on this topic?
Jonah received an assignment from God but ran away and fell asleep while in disobedience. As Jonah's story continues, we see that he is swallowed up by a fish as a consequence of his disobedience but later flips the script and repents.
His act of repentance causes him to be rescued by God and an entire nation to be saved. That's the good news! There is a flip side - when we choose to be obedient, we reap the fruits of it - salvation, hope and good rewards.
Prayer: God, wake me up to the things that I have been disobedient in and help to move forward in obedience. I ask that you forgive me for neglecting what you said and doing my own thing. Help me to walk in your perfect way, in Jesus name, amen .
Jonah received an assignment from God but ran away and fell asleep while in disobedience. Are some of us like Jonah?
What things has God told us to do that we simply didn't and got comfortable in? What is God calling you to do right now?
Scripture reference: Jonah 1: 1-6
Prayer: God, wake me up to the things that I have been disobedient in and help to move forward in obedience. I ask that you forgive me for neglecting what you said and doing my own thing. Help me to walk in your perfect way, in Jesus name, amen .
So most cars/phones have GPS systems nowadays. We use them often to get us to places we've never been before. Most times getting where you have to go is pretty easy using the GPS, even if it leads you to unconventional places...
What about when our spiritual GPS, Holy Spirit, leads you to unconventional places? Do you panic or simply trust the GPS?
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Did you know that worship is an important tool in our faith? Let's dive in.
It acts as
1. A Gateway - 1 Sam 16:23
2. A Safe Space - John 12
3. A Battlefield - Joshua 6:1-21
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Settle definition -
3 Reasons why you should never settle:
1. God has more for you -
Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
2. You have to Grow: Fulfillment comes with more -
Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
3. You will be held accountable- Matthew 25:14-30
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Check out this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMTat2jPcrI
We all struggle with worry, fear and anxiety... especially me! But God's word has given us an antidote to conquer and overcome it. Let's talk about!
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT - ”Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.“
Action Steps according to Phil 4:6-7
1. Pray- about everything
2. Say - what you need. Be like a child asking your Father. Children are almost never afraid to ask
3. Thank- God for what He did previously. Keep a journal of gratitude so you can look back and remember.
4. Experience- His peace. When we do all these things and engage God in this space - His peace guards us.
Lastly, amidst all the worrying and fear, REMEMBER
Exodus 14:14 -
”The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”“
God’s got your back!
EXTRA READING:
Psalms 8
I recently got a performance evaluation at work... and that got me thinking what does a performance evaluation look like for a believer? Is it similar to the ones we get on our jobs? How are we graded?
Jesus tells just how He evaluates us in John 15. Let's talk about it.
Performance Evalution: a process used by organizations to give employees feedback on their job performance and formally document that performance. (according to Google)
Can we take the challenge and evaluate ourselves this week? Share your scores on whichever platform you're listening on.