When you root yourself in the local church, you begin to grow in ways you didn’t imagine possible.  But just like with your money, you won’t see growth until you invest! I can't believe it's been a whole season of episodes!  Thank you for those that have joined me in this journey.  I hope it's encouraged you along the way.  We'll be back soon for Season 2!   MUSIC //  Build My Life is written by Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Matt Redman, Pat Barrett

How many of you feel burdened?  Like there’s no wind in your sails?  Like you’re dragging your bike instead of rolling down the hill on fresh, fully pumped up tires?  One of the biggest mistakes we can make is try and do God’s work without God’s strength.   Let's pump up those tires.   MUSIC //  I Surrender is written by Matt Crocker.

If someone reads this who doesn't understand my title structure...they'll think this is a conspiracy theory podcast. Habits are crucial to life, but the problem is, most of us don’t even realize what most of our habits are!  It’s critical to examine our habits.  Good habits can advance our progress, enable us to grow in unique skills, solve complex problems, become who God created to be! BUT Bad habits always put you at a disadvantage, no matter your intentions.  Your habits are pulling you closer to God’s intention for your life or farther away, there is no neutral.  MUSIC //  Anything Is Possible is written by Brandon Lake, Dante Bowe, Hannah McClure, & Michaela Gentile

How easy is it to believe lies about yourself?  Even if others aren’t saying them to you, how quick are you to say them to yourself? How do we combat this?  Here’s another reframing of how we set defenses around ourselves.   MUSIC // You Keep Hope Alive is written by Anthony Skinner, Jess Cates, and Jon Reddick

Do any of get frustrated at how hard it is to really memorize God’s word.  To be able to recall it at a moment’s notice.  Like we noticed Jesus did when tempted by Satan, he had God’s word internalized and could recite it back. Can we do that?  It might be easier than you think.   MUSIC //  The Blessing is written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, and Steven Furtick

So many of us don’t realize we're in a war for our minds, a war over our thoughts.  Why?  Because our thoughts have power!  Today, I'll teach a little tip I've learned to keep a right mind.   MUSIC // Holy Spirit is written by Bryan and Katie Torwalt

How many of us actually know where we are in our journey?  Are we farther along than we think?  Or maybe we’re not even heading in the right direction! We can’t get to where we want to go without knowing where we are.   MUSIC // Alleluia is written by Chris Quilala, Ian McIntosh, Jeffrey Kunde, and Jeremy Riddle

Many of us fail to set our priorities and to set ourselves up to win. Instead, we live our life reactive instead of proactive.  It's time to turn that around!   MUSIC // When You Walk Into the Room is written by Bryan Torwalt and Katie Torwalt

How many of us feel as if we only see what’s right in front of us?  We fail to see what’s farther ahead?  We forgot to fix our eyes on the big picture, to remember God’s promises.  That’s fixing our eyes on the unseen.    We can’t base everything off of our physical vision, we need more.     MUSIC //  Give Me Faith is written by Chris Brown, London Gatch, Mack Brock, and Wade Joye

Prayer is not something we do once when we feel anxiety or want to present our concerns before God.  It’s not a box we check off.  No, prayer needs to be a regular rhythm in our lives.  We need the power of persistence in our prayer!   MUSIC //  Here Again is written by Amy Corbett, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick

How many of us have ever been in a waiting season? Maybe you feel like you’re in one right now?  Some of the unfortunate realities of this pandemic, like isolation and lack of community, are only magnifying this problem.  Let's ask God to reveal to us His pace in this season.   MUSIC //  Written by Chris Davenport and Joel Houston

Many times we treat our lives like some of us treat our cars.  We push through, ignoring little signs or just not taking the time to identify what we’ll call “maintenance issues”.  It’s because a lot of us don’t take the time, to slow down, stop, and “check our engines”.   MUSIC // Greater Things is written by Jacob Sooter, Jonathan Smith, & Mack Brock

The comparison trap is something we all know to avoid.  Yet we all still fall for it!  Why is this?   MUSIC //  Who You Say I Am is written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

How many of us as we start our day imagine God doing great, miraculous things? Do we really live expecting God to show up?  Have we become too accustomed to the mundane?    MUSIC //  Miracles is written by Chris Quilala, Dustin Smith, Joshua Silverberg, Stuart Garrard

Focus on Jesus to bring Him delight!  Look up to him expecting real life change.  Expect a transformed heart, transformed desires.  He longs to grant us these things.   MUSIC //  Nothing Else is written by Cody Carnes, Hank Bentley, and Jessie Early

Not only does getting distracted destroy our productivity and keeps us from God’s important work, it also ruins our worship.  What do you mean Ethan?  Good question!  Tune in to find out :)    MUSIC //  Rest On Us is written by Brandon Lake, Elyssa Smith, Harvest Bashta, Jonathan Jay, Rebekah White, Tony Brown

Everyone sets up defenses and safeguards in our physical lives.  Think of security systems, firewall’s, and car alarms.  So why do we neglect spiritual and emotional security?   MUSIC // Surrounded is written by Elyssa Smith.

Body language is important, maybe more so than you think.  Show your body that you’re in control!  God gives us the power to overcome our initial emotions.    MUSIC // See A Victory is written by Ben Fielding, Chris Brown, Jason Ingram, & Steven Furtick

You are meant for more.  Let's fight the temptation to get distracted from God's purposes together!   MUSIC // Champion is written by Brandon Lake, Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger, & Tony Brown

There’s no such thing as a small decision.  Every decision adds up, faster than you think!  Today, Ethan discusses how to get better at making small, positive decisions.  Listen in to get compound interest working in your favor!     MUSIC //  First Love is written by Austin Davis, Elyssa Smith, Kari Jobe, & Steffany Gretzinger