Good Morning Forever Family!

We have all been at a place where we have tried to do things in our own strength and seen it fail. The wonderful news is that we don't have to. Praise be to God who gives us the empowerment of the Holy Spirit!

It's Time To Give Up
I have to admit that I'm one of those people that thinks the dishwasher is a miracle. —Clarence Thomas

There are two ways to split logs for a fire. One is the “character building” way (as countless fathers have told their sons), which is swinging an ax over your head until your arms fall off, slowly accumulating a small pile. It’s exhausting and back-breaking. The other is by using a motorized log splitter. You can do it four or five times faster and save yourself a lot of effort.

We forget that we have access to an amazing power in Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is miraculous, I daresay… easily the difference between an ax and a log splitter:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

Think about this! This is not the time to try to explain away the clear meaning of His words. Jesus promises us that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to do anything and everything that the Father wants to accomplish through us. It’s not up to us to gird our loins and “git ‘er done.” The key is to allow the power of the Spirit to do it through us.

If you are tired of swinging an ax for God, working your hardest for Him (and if you think you’ve already built enough character this way!), it’s time to give up. Quite frankly, He doesn’t need your help anyway. God’s design is a walk of faith, not works. Faith in Jesus opens up a new way of obedience, where we are empowered by His Spirit in us, as we allow Him to work through us.

Lord Jesus, I believe that I have access to amazing power through Your Spirit within me. I’m tired of trying to do this in my own strength for You. I want to be used for Your glory, but I want to do so in Your strength through me alone. Thanks.

Living Like God Intended By Pete Briscoe

Good morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
We all need strength and power for our journey. God wants to give us all we need to do all things.

How You Get Power To “Do All Things”

A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. —John Steinbeck

When I first began a relationship with my wife, I wasn’t dependent on her. But we fell deeper in love, we got married, we made a commitment to become dependent on one another, and over time it became more and more natural to become dependent on one another.

Love is the motive we have not only for getting married, but also becoming dependent on Christ. True love is like that—it draws us together in a way that makes separation and independence seem impossible. Through our love for Christ, we become dependent on Him. As we immerse ourselves in His unconditional love, allowing Him to accept us just the way we are, a new strength to walk with Him is found within:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)

Being dependent on Christ is how we get power to “do all things.” We’re equipped for obedience by being attached to Him, relying on Him for everything. What a relief! It’s not up to us!

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Source. May Your love become so real that it just naturally overflows, moving me to do “all things” through You who gives me strength. Thank You for empowering me through Your love for my tasks to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Living Like God Intended By Pete Briscoe

Happy Wednesday forever family! Today let us learn the joy of obedience in Christ! Have a blessed day!

The Key To Joyful Obedience
A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down. —Robert Benchley

Being loved and empowered by God leads us into obedience to whatever He asks of us. We don’t just begrudgingly submit to His commands like He is some far-off tyrant. We don’t have to obey to earn His favor or acceptance, or be fearful or tentative when our efforts fall short. That’s not the way He designed it to work. It’s actually joyful!

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:6)

In our human terms, we don’t normally equate love with obedience. But that’s just how God set it up. Since He loves us so much, we are hardwired to return that love by joyfully obeying Him. We know where true joy is—not in our independent efforts, but in a dependent relationship with Christ. If we have experienced His unconditional love, we will love Him back, and if we love Him, we will naturally follow His lead.

Father, I yearn to walk in obedience, but it gets tough when I look at You as some sort of killjoy. I resist when I feel like I have to perform to earn Your love. Shower me with an experience of Your unconditional true love. May that love empower me to serve in heartfelt joy!

Living Like God Intended By Pete Briscoe

Good morning Church family and Happy Tuesday! May God bless you abundantly today. Let us continue with this short devotional from YouVersion on how important it is to depend on God. 

Skipping The Middle Part

Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks. —Isaac Watts
Jesus loves the Father and lived His entire earthly life fully dependent on Him—and He calls us to do the same. Our love for God should lead to dependency on God. And that dependency leads naturally to obedience.

Our love for Him → dependency on Him → obedience to Him.

But we tend to skip that second part. We skip the dependency, faith, and trust—trying instead to please God by obeying Him in our own strength rather than by faith.
Acting in our own strength is called independence—and it’s the exact opposite of the moment-by-moment dependence that Jesus modeled while walking this earth. As believers in Christ, we’re called to follow His lead, displaying a dependent faith worked out in obedient action as we trust Him!

James puts it to us this way:
But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. (2:18)

The bottom line is this: Our dependency on Christ is displayed by our deeds.

True faith will display itself!

Dear God, I love You! Break the independent desires of my flesh. Give me the wisdom and faith to depend on You with increasing trust. Then, God, I ask that You would enable me to follow You in joyful obedience into any work that You have prepared for me to do.

Living Like God Intended By Pete Briscoe

Good morning church family!
This weeks we wanted to share with you this little devotional from YouVersion. May God bless your time with your family and friends. We love you and wish you a wonderful day!

If Christ Was Dependent On God, Why Shouldn't We Be?
Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair. —Gilbert K. Chesterton
When my kids were little, they were totally dependent on me for everything; Food, shelter, love, all of it. They could do nothing without my provision. When we think of dependent people, Jesus probably isn’t even on the list. But He was. Big time.

The granddaddy of all the passages that teach that Jesus was dependent on the Father during His time on earth is John 14. It’s a beautiful picture of the dependence of a son on his father… of the Son on the Father, showing the intimacy Jesus and the Father share.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him… The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:6,10)

Consider the implications of this mystery. Jesus is the revelation of the Father to us. When we get to know Jesus, we get to know the Father. When we see the work of the Son, we see the Father’s work as well—because Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus.
That’s not just theology. That’s a dependency on the Father that Jesus modeled over and over, showing us a new way to live.

Dear God, stun me with the reality of Your truth. Touch my soul with the spiritual reality that the Son is in the Father, the Father is in Son, and that through Jesus only, I can come to the Father in the same way. I praise You and thank You for what You have done. I bow in awe and worship. Amen.

Living Like God Intended By Pete Briscoe

Christmas is so much more beautiful when we celebrate and remember why Jesus came. Hallelujah! He has come to save us from sin and restore us to the Father. Here is a little devotional from Alistair Beggs that shares on this. 
THE CHRISTMAS SERVANT

Hello everyone Doug here this morning and I would like to share this small devotional with you concerning the Christmas season from  ,David Jeremiah  Daily Devotional: Slowing Down Christmas -
But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth hush and be silent before Him. - Habakkuk 2:20, AMP
 Recommended Reading: Psalm 46 - GOD THE REFUGE OF HIS PEOPLE AND CONQUEROR OF THE NATIONS - To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.  A Song for Alamoth.
46 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God ;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
 
Lots of terms describe busyness—the rat race, the daily grind, the hamster cage, the treadmill, the vicious cycle. This time of year we call it the Christmas rush. But let’s make time for the Christmas hush—contemplative, meaningful, quiet time when we can ponder the wonderful story of Jesus and write on our hearts every word.
How can we do this amid the shopping, cooking, and entertaining that jumbles our schedule? Christmas is a perfect time to slow down—at least for a night or two. Perhaps for a day or so. The lights, candles, and decorations provide a tender atmosphere. Soft music helps. All our electronic devices—even our phones—have off buttons. The covers of our Bibles still open, and so is the listening ear of our Lord.
In the busyness of the Christmas season, make room for Him in your schedule through prayer and time in His Word. That’s what makes the Christmas season truly meaningful. That’s the Christmas hush.
I want to slow down Christmas and enjoy and feel the bliss in knowing this Son, this baby Jesus was sent for you and for me. - Sandie Heckman

Good morning Forever Family!
Wow! I can’t believe how close we are to Christmas. How are you holding up! Me at present I am doing well, making room for Jesus in every area of my life. It is a challenge, but I am determined to put him first as we approach Christmas Day! This devotional by Pastor Allen Jackson, really strengthened my resolve to continue to seek and put Him first as I go forward. May God give you strength and grace to remember to make room for Jesus in all the hustle and bustle this Christmas season. 

Perpetual Vacancy
Luke 2:6-7 (KJV®)
The days were accomplished that she should be delivered. She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Today all we do to find a hotel room is enter a place and date and hit “Check Availability.” Not long ago you needed a map and a telephone book to find lodgings along your route. You’ll have to check an antique store for those! But none of those tools were available to Joseph and Mary. With Mary in the last stage of her pregnancy, they had set out on a long journey. When the birth was imminent, they stopped to find a place to stay. The innkeeper told Joseph that he didn’t have a room for them, but they could sleep with his animals. I’ve often wondered about that man. Did he ever realize that he had sent the Messiah to be born in his barn instead of his very best room? Let’s determine never to make the same mistake. Let’s keep our spiritual eyes open.

THINK ABOUT IT
Let’s never miss out on an opportunity to invite Jesus into our homes because we can’t make room for Him.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for when Jesus has found no room in my overbooked life. Help me realign and reprioritize my life to make ample room for Jesus in every area and aspect. May I always honor Jesus first in my life and allow Him to order the rest. In His name, amen.

Good morning church family!

Many people feel the weight of overwhelming sadness, uncertainty, fear, anxiety and depression. It’s almost become the norm. When Jesus promised his followers a rich and satisfying life, surely this couldn’t be what he intended.  We as believers need to stand on the Truth that is found in God's word. I know this for certainty. A peaceful mind and heart are experienced as a result of recognizing that an all-wise and loving God has a purpose in our life.

"We know that all things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes."

I remember that my life before my decision to follow Jesus was full of anxiety, sadness, fear and uncertainty. once I made the decision to trust Him, everything began to changed! In addition,  when our feelings start to get the best of us, we have to constantly remind ourselves of truth. We have to choose faith over feelings. We have to trust that the promises God made are true.  
When we choose faith over feelings, we trust that God has more in store for us. We trust that there is more beyond our current situation and feelings. We trust that God cares for us and truly wants what’s best for us. choose Him today!

let me remind you that when we go opposite to where things were meant to be, we will eventually meet up with the consequences. Because we can ignore reality, however, we can't ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. therefore, peace of mind is resting on His promises, and on the fact that He has a plan for you.

Good morning everyone . Rise and shine on this beautiful day and this beautiful season of Hope as we approach the Christmas season.. Doug here with some thoughts on Sundays sermon from Erica. What a beautiful sermon it was to help us to refocus our eyes on the hope of Christ.

 Hope is usually defined as a desire for something, accompanied by the anticipation of receiving it. If our expectation isn’t fulfilled, it’s easy to become discouraged. We have an enemy who wants to steal our hope. As the father of lies, Satan tries to keep us focused on our circumstances so we will doubt God’s love and care for us.   
So at times we may feel desperate and abandoned, but emotions are not reliable. As children of the heavenly Father, we’re never in hopeless circumstances because He promises to work everything for our good (Rom. 8:28). But His concept of “good” doesn’t always match ours. Too often we set our hopes on the things of this world, whereas God prioritizes our spiritual well-being.

Disappointment and discouragement are the result of setting our hopes on the wrong aspiration. This doesn’t mean we can’t have dreams and expectations. But we should hold them loosely, with an attitude of submission to God and trust that He’s still working for our good when they don’t come to fruition.  Our expectations for this life are temporary, but we have a living hope in Christ that’s unfailing and eternal.

Christmas is a great Reminder that God loved us so much that He sent His son as a gift to all of mankind . He is our Hope for today , for tommorow and forevemore . So dont be blinded by your circumstances , keep your eyes on Jesus and He will see to it that you make it through anything you might be facing today .   Have a great day everyone  Love yas !!!

Good Morning,
Hope you all slept well and are ready for a fresh new day ahead! His mercies are new this morning.
Yesterday morning Erica shared with us part 2 of our Christmas series "Anticipating Christmas" and what an encouraging message it was! She helped us to realign our hearts and caused us to point the compass of our hearts on the real hope and peace that this season is truly all about which is the birth of Jesus.
This season can be such a difficult time of year for so many people. Whether it brings back painful memories, or it causes stress because some don't have money to buy gifts for the people they love, or maybe some are alone and have no one to share this season with, it can be a difficult season for so many. But the amazing and good news is that Jesus is the reason for the season and His birth and allowing the true meaning of Christmas to reset the tone for our hearts and minds over these next few weeks can make all the difference in our lives and others.
God brings us hope, peace, joy, love, and a sense of anticipation for the celebration of Jesus's birth. Rather than looking at what's not done or what we may not have we can hold up the compass of our hearts and be guided by our True North which is Jesus and allow Him to change our hearts about this wonderful and joyous season. He is the greatest Gift we can ever receive and the best Gift Giver we ever could have.
May we serve and love from that place as the next few weeks unfold. So many don't know Him and we get to deliver the Good News this Christmas through our love and service!
God bless!

Your giving compass

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.””
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 NIV

Pastor Mona asked a very important question on Sunday:

What is your compass when it comes to living a generous life?

Fear as our compass:

Our natural human response is often to protect and to guard our resources. It is an instinct we might have developed for many reasons.

At its base it is sometimes a fear of lacking.

We ask ourselves, will I have enough?

• Will I have enough time?

• Will I have enough energy?

• Will I have enough money?

This then becomes the compass that leads our ability to be generous.

God as our compass

When we understand that God not only has the power to supply all our needs but that He longs to supply our needs, this gives our hearts rest.

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, you lack nothing!

 So that:

You will abound in every good work.

God wants to give you all that you need to be generous with your time, your effort and your finances.
He calls us to take that step of faith and obedience.
He does not force you to but calls you to walk this generous abundant life.

Love you guys❤️

May God bless you and keep you as you walk in His leading.

Good morning Everyone , Doug here with some thoughts on Pastor Monas Sermon on Sunday about Giving. Here is a Devo I read that helps us to understand that when we give  we are growing in Christ.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8

True giving must be expectant. You are dealing with God, and He is able to give back. Many people get nervous about this. They say, That is giving in order to be given to. That is selfish giving. I would grant that it is possible to view giving to God selfishly, but there is nothing wrong with recognizing that you will be benefited by your giving, because the Word everywhere tells us that. If you do not give, something happens to you. The boundaries of your experience are narrowed and reduced and you become a tight, stingy, Scroogelike person.
But, on the other hand, those who learn to give, and give for right reasons, become generous, gracious, godly-minded people. That is what Paul is talking about here. God is able to give back. It is not wrong for you to give with that recognition in mind, for everything we have ultimately comes from Him. When you eat a loaf of bread, you ought to remember the steps in producing it: the snowy flour, the mill, the field of wheat, the rain, and the Father's will. Therefore, everything comes from His hand.

If you give in order that you might have more to give, you are right in line with God's program. Yet your motivation should not be to spend on yourself. If you give so that there will be more for you to enjoy, then you are giving for wrong reasons. A lot of Christians are being taught that today. God delights to give, but His return is not always, by any means, material return. That is what the next verses show us: You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).


Paul is saying that if you give according to the law of harvest, God will give back. And this is the form it will take: It will awaken gratitude in those to whom you give. In our church we have had the joy on many occasions of witnessing people publicly giving thanks, sometimes with tears running down their faces, for the way others have responded to their physical or material needs. I am delighted at that. It is a wonderful repayment for our giving, isn't it, to see people helped, blessed, and moved to give thanks for that.

Lord, indeed I have received much at Your hand. I did not deserve it, but it was given to me in Jesus Christ. May that free giving on Your part stimulate me to meet needs around me. Help me look for places to give, knowing that it increases my joy and delights Your heart.

See you all tonight love yas !!!

Good morning everyone!
Yesterday we heard part 1 of our new series called "Anticipating Christmas" where Pastor Mona shared all about God's generosity and how that should cause us to live a life much the same! Please enjoy this devotion by Pastor AnthonyMurray  that goes along well with the sermon we heard.
" "You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." — John Bunyan.
The first attribute we must know about God is that God is a giver. You need to recognize and know that. Let me repeat- God is a giver. As detailed in the Bible, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”- John 3:16. The first thing God did was give. God had to help me see that He is a giver, so I could see Him in His likeness and image, and by this, I understand that if God is a giver, I must be a giver. This is something you must understand, so you can see God in His image and likeness and, in return, see yourself as a giver.
God wants us to be a blessing to others. It pleases Him when we can do something nice for someone. Rendering help to others isn’t to get something back in return, but to help them, because we are blessed to be able to do so. By being a blessing to others, we are pleasing God, and in return, God blesses the things we do. The Bible tells us that when you give generously, God will bless you in all that you do. Blessing others pleases God, and He shows this to us by rewarding us.
Daily Reflection
What can you give to someone today? Smile, hug, and love on purpose and do it because you are grateful to God.
Scriptures for the day:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16.
Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. - Deuteronomy 15:10
Prayer:
Lord, I come to you today, grateful for your generosity. Teach me to be generous. I pray that I can learn to be more like you and to be giving and to have the desire to help others. Help me do what pleases you. Amen."

Hello Friends,
Does anyone here enjoy being wrong? (Some of you are reading this thinking, "I wouldn't know; I've never been in such a situation". This devo is especially for you lol). As human beings, we generally detest correction, whether it's from a boss, parent, friend, spouse; you name it, we hate it. I'll put my hand up first to say that my hesitancy to admit wrongdoing has caused me more harm at times than the wrongdoing itself. Well, it's often no different in our relationship with God. Too often, rather than humbling ourselves to our Heavenly Father's correction, we justify, get defensive, make excuses, or even do the Jonah and run the other way! And all too often, we get hurt and we hurt others before coming to a place of surrender. This need not remain the case for us. We heard on Sunday that it is the mindset of rejection which so easily leads to rebellion and a heart that is unwilling to hear correction. Trying harder to obey God is never the answer. Understanding and resting in the depth of Christ's love for us is. Proverbs 3:12 says: "For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights".  Do you know that, if you are a child of God, the Lord not only loves you, but He delights in you? His correction comes becomes of His great love, not in spite of it, and with it always comes an invitation to greater freedom than we even thought possible. Let's take a moment with our Heavenly Father now, before carrying on with the day, to allow Him to correct anything in our hearts that is not in line with truth. No defenses, no excuses, no promises, just honesty before the One Who created us, loves us, adopted us, and is shaping our hearts ever more into the likeness of His Son, if we will only let Him in. 

Good morning everyone!
Sunday Doug shared about how the spirit of rejection is an oppressive spirit that robs us of joy and peace. He also shared about how when we are oppressed it means that we are under mental pressure/distress. The spirit of rejection wants to affect our moods and emotions and prevent us from experiencing the freedom God so has for each of us.
Rejection capitalizes on our feelings and emotions and brings our pain center stage and causes us to be led by what we feel rather than what is true in our new nature and what He has for us today.

When we have lived a life of pain, rejection, abuse, addiction etc...it affects our belief system and how we view God, others, and even ourselves. We need to allow the Truth of God’s Word to renew, change, and transform the way we think and BELIEVE. Our belief system and  mindset has to change, but we have a choice to make. Will we believe God over the lies? Will we choose faith over fear? Will we make a commitment to set out on a journey and process healing with God? Or will we choose to keep believing the lies and stay stuck?

The amazing the thing is that our freedom comes in Christ and His power...not in our own...we simply have to have faith like a child and believe He can do this in us. One step at a time we can go on a healing journey and walk out of the rejection mindset and it's effects on our lives. He is faithful to do what His Word says it will do. Choose today to keep taking those steps forward into freedom.

Have a great day!

Ash
 

But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God. John 1:10-13  NLT

Hello everyone , Doug here with a small devotion that ties into the Adopted not Rejected theme we have been looking at the past several weeks. 

THE RIGHT TO BECOME A CHILD OF GOD
Isn’t it ironic that the world does not recognize her Creator? Don’t ever underestimate the power of sin to deceive and blind the soul. It so darkens the mind of man that he can’t even see He who made him.
To all who recognize Jesus and believe in Him as the Savior of life, He gives them the right to become children of God. We have no right to claim to be children of God apart from a personal relationship with Christ. He alone has the authority and ability to make us children of God.

BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY
No one can become a child of God through human effort. We are not children of God as by-products of human passion. We are not born Christians and we do not become Christians as a result of our efforts, no matter how sincere we may be.
Our acceptability by God is solely determined by Him. He alone can save us. He alone can forgive us and purify our hearts and make us acceptable to Him. He alone can impart the righteousness of Christ upon our souls and make us a part of His family. He alone can change us from slaves of sin to servants of God. He alone can open the doors of heaven and let us in.
You are a child of God if Jesus is your personal Savior. You are born into God’s family through the blood of Jesus shed for you at Calvary. There is no other way that you can belong in God’s family. He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one can come to the Father except through Him.

You can rejoice knowing you are accepted by God , He has given you everything in Christ , Even sonship ...You are A child of the King.

Have a great day everyone see you all tonight at Prayer.

Good Morning Church!

I hope you all slept well and that you are ready for a new day! Yesterday we heard part 4 of our sermon series called "Adopted Not Rejected" by our brother Doug. I believe God touched many hearts yesterday and that He revealed many things to us. Thank you Lord for yesterday's message.

One of the things Doug talked about was  when he talked about healing the broken mindset of rejection and healing the broken lens of how we see and regard authority figures. I don't know about you, but my own experience with authority figures was not great growing up. Authority figures in my life weren't really safe for me and I couldn't really trust or count on them. They were a source of pain really. And as a consequence, my experience left me with an unhealthy fear of authority to the other extreme. Regardless, my view, my lens of authority was broken and there are still remnants of that today. It affected how I view authority today, and even how I view God. Now don't get me wrong, God has been healing those areas of my life for years now, but there are still broken areas that He is going after and healing for sure.

Doug talked about how rejection has a close friend that is a subtle destroyer which is rebellion. As we learned yesterday, rebellion is deeply tied to the root of rejection because rejection
communicates a narrative that God and people do not love you and then rebellion comes along and lies to us and tells us to get away from authority figures and makes us think we don't need them. It causes us to do life on our own and it brings our pain and hurt right to the forefront of our minds and hearts and fools us into thinking we can take matters into our own hands and we know that when we do that it doesn't lead us down a healthy road. We know by looking at Scripture that God is the ultimate authority and that He is NOTHING like the authority we experienced in our childhoods or in those events that hurt us and brought us pain. God wants to be our ABBA Father and restore the broken lens of how we view authority and heal our hearts of the pain we have went through. He doesn't want us to walk with heads down or be on guard protecting ourselves from further pain and hurt. He wants to show us that He can restore us and bring us back to that place of trusting Him, and not ourselves to see us through to our tomorrow's.

No matter what, God is our ultimate authority and if He has some healing to do in your heart today when it comes to this area, bring it to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to bring to the surface the pain and rejection you felt and experienced growing up or even as an adult. He can heal, because that is his job.

Have a wonderful day Church.

You are loved and fully accepted in Him.

Ash

We are three-part beings—spirit, soul, and body. When we make Jesus Lord of our lives, our spirit receives healing from spiritual death. But there are still two areas of our makeup that need Christ’s healing touch—our souls (mind, emotions, and will) and our physical bodies.

For any area where our soul is sick, the Word of God is the answer to nourishing our minds into a balanced and healthy state. Thoughts of fear can be replaced with thoughts of faith. Thoughts of lack can be replaced with thoughts of provision. Thoughts of failure and depression can be replaced with thoughts of peace and joy. When fear and negative thoughts rise in your mind, recognize that they aren’t from God, and, by faith, choose to replace them with the precious promises of God’s Word.

Many times, it’s not what happened to us, but how we respond that matters. Jesus doesn’t want us to go through life carrying old wounds; He wants to heal us. The Spirit of God is always with you and will never leave you. You can draw from His strength through every painful circumstance and find your healing. Your job is to saturate your mind and heart with the promises found in His Word—to build up your faith by believing and standing on these promises.

We are often asked questions like this… Is It God’s Will to Heal Me? Can I really be healed? Well, the answer to that question is yes. Let’s start from the beginning.

When God first created the world, He pronounced it good. Sin, sorrow, sickness, pain and death were nonexistent. Mankind and God enjoyed perfect fellowship, and the Garden of Eden was a place of joy, purpose, abundance, and peace. When Adam and Eve sinned, everything changed for us. God said, “Cursed is the ground for your sake” (Genesis 3:17). Roses began to grow thorns, fellowship with God was broken, and man, who was born to live forever, began to die. It was tragic, but God had a solution.

He sent His son, Jesus, to live on the earth in human form. God’s own son gave Himself to be the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, and through His sacrifice, anyone who repents of sin and believes in Him can be restored back to God. But there’s more than just being able to be in fellowship with our heavenly Father. When Jesus defeated Satan on the cross, He bought back everything God intended for us from the beginning.

In spite of your failures, you can now come into God’s presence, knowing your sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, and confidently ask for whatever you need. There’s healing in the Word of God. You’ll still have to deal with things like disease, lack, and fear. The difference is, the unbeliever faces the storm without Christ, but as a believer you go through the storm confident that all will be well because Jesus is on board. Our step now is to trust Him with His plan!

When we keep our mind on our problems, we create anxiety and stress. But when we keep our minds on the promises of God, we create a lifestyle of peace.

Good morning forever family!

Even though no one likes to hear that life will bring pain, it is reassuring to live with reality in mind.

Jesus said that in this life there will be trouble but that he has overcome the world.

I love how Michael explained on Sunday how this scripture that says that God won't give you more than you can handle is often taken out of context. How it refers to sin and temptation and not suffering.

God will sometimes allow suffering in our life that is more than we can bear.

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Note here that he does not say that we have overcome the world, but that He has overcome the world.

This is our hope, this is how we can lean into the pain, knowing that God is sovereign and that ultimately has control and victory.

In great moments of suffering, I believed that I would walk away destroyed and would be defeated and I remember the sweet reassurance of the Holy Spirit showing me that not only was I going to survive this moment but that I would come out stronger.

And that is why we come to a place of acceptance in the pain. Knowing that God will produce something wonderful and eternal out of this pain.
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‭-‬17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Love you guys and have a wonderful day! 

Good morning everyone , Hope you had a great rest and ready to start your day just focusing on the Lord. Doug here this morning with todays thoughts on Sundays sermon from Michael Frat.

Sunday was a great message on the fact that pain and suffering is and will be a part of our lives until we die. It's not easy to accept nor is it easy to make the choice to endure it while still praising God in it.

Yet we see the saints of old in all the stories the Bible tells us accepting what came into their lives because they knew that God was sovereign and He always had a plan to use it for their Good and the Good of others. Michael spoke about How Paul went through much but in suffering , through pain , through hunger and through beatings and jail God was able to use Him for His glory. Paul through it all was still able to sign songs of praise from a cell , was still able to witness to those around Him , and was still able to make a difference no matter what situation he found himself in because He knew God was still with Him.

Jesus himself did not escape pain and suffering , matter of fact because of you and I he chose to embrace it . He knows all about pain and suffering.  Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

I find so much comfort in knowing the God of the universe  Sees me , is by my side and knows exactly what I'm going through. So my prayer is that despite what you may be facing today , despite the hurt and pain, you choose to embrace what God has allowed into your life , without question knowing He's in control.

Psalm 50:15   Call on me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Depend on the mercies of God today ,  He is faithful and will cause you to honor Him but their are choices that must be made and one of those choices is to embrace pain and suffering because like Michael said there is Joy on the other side of all of it...

I love you all have a great day...

Good morning church family!

I am absolutely loving this series on adoption vs rejection.

As Pastor Mona has been preaching about the topic, I have begun to see so many areas in my personal life were rejection really holds me back.

God is love and His greatest commandments center around love, the gospel’s foundation is in His love.

For God so loved the world...

Rejection :

• isolates, 
• keeps you far away, 
• and separates you from others

No wonder the enemy of our soul works so hard to work with rejection in our lives.

The wonderful news is that we no longer have to be bound by rejection, Jesus has broken the power of sin and death for us. He has given us the Holy Spirit and empowerment to break free from this bondage.

The starting point of knowing who we are is knowing whose we are.

We belong to the most important person in the universe.


I love that quote she shared from SJ Hill :
You weren’t made to find your identity in the stuff you do. You were made to be in relationship with God. The Father doesn’t define your life by what you do, He defines your life by who He created you to be for Himself. He doesn’t want your efforts as much as He wants you.

It’s easier sometimes to just do stuff. But our greatest work is coming close to Him. To see ourselves, and our world in the light of His presence.

Only in His light can we grow! 

Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ a NLT‬‬

love you guys and have a wonderful day!❤️