The Reset: Resting to Reset
Life can leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Even Elijah, one of God’s most powerful prophets, faced a moment when he needed to reset. After a dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled in fear and exhaustion, asking God to take his life. But instead of rebuking Elijah, God met him with rest and provision. This passage in scripture reminds us that rest is a holy response to life’s challenges. When we pause, God can refresh our bodies and renew our attitudes, helping us regain perspective and strength. Resetting isn’t just about doing more or trying harder—it’s about resting in God’s presence so He can work in us.
Jesus Over Everything: Good Things
In Luke 10:38-42, we see a meaningful encounter between Jesus and two sisters, Mary and Martha, that illustrates an important truth about our priorities. Martha’s intentions were good—she wanted to serve Jesus by preparing her home and providing hospitality. But in her busyness, she became frustrated with her sister Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening intently to His teaching. Martha’s frustration led her to ask Jesus to correct Mary, but Jesus gently corrected Martha instead, reminding her that only “one thing is needed.” Mary chose what was better by prioritizing time with Jesus over her duties, setting an example of devotion above distraction.
Jesus Over Everything: Success
True success, according to the Bible, is not about fame or fortune but about faithfully following God. For instance, someone might be a CEO, achieve financial prosperity, or gain widespread recognition—but if they neglect their relationship with God, that success is ultimately empty. On the other hand, a person who lives humbly, serves others, and seeks God’s will may not receive worldly accolades but is truly successful in the eyes of God.
Jesus Over Everything: Money
Money plays a significant role in our daily lives, from providing for basic needs to offering comfort and security. However, it also has the potential to become an idol when we prioritize it above God. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both God and money.
Jesus Over Everything: Comfort
Following Jesus often means stepping outside our comfort zones. In Matthew 19:16-22, we see the story of the rich young ruler, who was challenged to choose Jesus over his possessions and personal comfort. His reluctance highlights a truth we all wrestle with; comfort and security can be barriers to fully following Jesus.
Jesus Over Everything: Culture
In a world where cultural pressures can distract us from God's truth, we need to prioritize Jesus above all else. This discussion will explore the impact of culture on our faith and provide practical steps to keep Jesus at the center of our lives.
When In Rome: Romans 14
Romans 14 addresses the issue of Christian liberty and how believers should handle differing convictions within the church. Paul emphasizes that Christians should not judge each other over disputable matters, such as dietary choices or observing certain days as holy. Instead, they should act in love and avoid causing their fellow believers to stumble in their faith. The chapter underscores the importance of personal conviction guided by faith, respect for others' beliefs, and the overarching principle of unity within the body of Christ.
When In Rome: Romans 12-13
Romans chapters 12 and 13 emphasize the practical aspects of Christian living. In chapter 12, Paul urges believers to live sacrificially, love genuinely, and use their gifts to serve one another. He calls for humility, patience, and peace, promoting a life transformed by the renewal of the mind. Chapter 13 focuses on the Christian's relationship with governing authorities, the importance of love as the fulfillment of the law, and the urgency of living in the light of Christ’s imminent return.
When In Rome: Romans 10
Romans chapter 10 is a profound part of Paul's epistle to the Romans, emphasizing the accessibility of salvation through faith in Christ. Paul expresses his heartfelt desire for the salvation of Israel, highlighting that righteousness and salvation come through faith, not the law.
When In Rome: Romans 8
Romans 8 is one of the most profound and theologically rich chapters in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul addresses the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, emphasizing the themes of freedom from condemnation, the indwelling of the Spirit, adoption as God's children, and the assurance of God's love.
When In Rome: Romans 5
Romans Chapter 5 is pivotal in Paul's letter, emphasizing justification by faith and its profound implications. It begins with the assurance that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers have peace with God. This peace signifies a restored relationship, ending the dissension caused by sin. Believers also gain access to God's grace, which empowers them to stand firm in their faith.
When In Rome: Romans 2
In Romans 2:1-3:20, Paul really gets into how we're accountable to God, no matter if we're Jewish or not. He's all about breaking down the idea that following rules or sticking to certain traditions can save us. Instead, he hammers home the point that everyone messes up, and we all need God's goodness to get back on track.
More Like Jesus: Patient with Others
Patience isn't just about waiting idly; it's about enduring, persisting, and remaining steadfast in the face of challenges. It's about extending grace and understanding to others, even when it's difficult. Through this discussion, we'll explore what it truly means to embody patience in our relationships, trials, and walk with God, recognizing that it's not always easy but incredibly rewarding.
More Like Jesus: Respond Rather Than React
Drawing from the example of Jesus's silence, we dive into the concept that our response is not always required and that silence can be a powerful tool in communicating trust in God's plan.
More Like Jesus: Eyes on Eternity
In Colossians 3:2, we are urged to "set our minds on things above, not on earthly things." This call challenges us to evaluate where our priorities lie and how we orient our lives toward eternal values. It's easy to get entangled in the temporary pleasures and distractions of this world, but we're reminded of the importance of daily renewal and focusing on what truly matters for eternity.
More Like Jesus: Joyful in Every Season
This season we’ve been discussing what it looks like to become “More Like Jesus.” In this discussion, we’d like to dive into what it means to find joy in every season and how we can grow to become more like Jesus along the way. Life's a rollercoaster, isn't it? Sometimes it feels like we're soaring high, and other times, we're plunging into the depths. But here's the thing: no matter where we find ourselves, God calls us to embrace joy, just like Jesus did.
More Like Jesus: Fasting
Just as prayer deepens our connection with God, fasting serves as a powerful tool in our spiritual lives. This discussion is a continuation of our desire to become More Like Jesus in prayer. Maybe you are asking what is fasting. Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is the practice of denying your physical body voluntarily and intentionally abstaining from food or a certain type of food in replacement for intentional time spent with the Lord.
More Like Jesus: Prayer
We would all agree we want to be more like Jesus every day, but the challenge many times can be where do we start? Together, we're diving into the transformative power of prayer. Tonight, we begin by exploring Jesus' model of prayer – from seeking God's presence to relying on His power to overcome temptation. Reflect on your own prayer journey and join the conversation on aligning with God's will, seeking daily provision, experiencing forgiveness, and relying on His strength for the challenges we face. Let's embark on this exploration of prayer's impact on our spiritual lives in the year ahead.
We Are The Church: Generosity (Pt. 2)
True generosity begins with cultivating a generous attitude of the heart, extending beyond mere financial contributions. Throughout this time together, we will dive into critical points including the biblical principles of sowing and reaping, the idea that generosity precedes personal prosperity, real-life examples illustrating the impact of generosity, and the transformative potential of generosity within both the church and the wider community. We will also examine how generosity often leads to God's favor. GENEROSITY DOESN’T START WITH MONEY… IT FIRST IS AN ATTITUDE OF THE HEART.
We Are The Church: Generosity
True generosity begins with cultivating a generous attitude of the heart, extending beyond mere financial contributions. Throughout this time together, we will dive into critical points including the biblical principles of sowing and reaping, the idea that generosity precedes personal prosperity, real-life examples illustrating the impact of generosity, and the transformative potential of generosity within both the church and the wider community. We will also examine how generosity often leads to God's favor. GENEROSITY DOESN’T START WITH MONEY… IT FIRST IS AN ATTITUDE OF THE HEART.