What good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36 Are you a people pleaser? Do you care that people like you? Does it bother you if people don’t like you? People-pleasing can be a technique to feel that we belong, gain influence, or get others to fix a problem for us. Let’s get started! Read Exodus 32:1. Why were the people concerned? What did they want Aaron to do for them? What did they say about Moses? With Moses out of sight and out of mind, they reverted to their old idol worship ways. While Moses was…
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Letting Go Of Entitlement
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36 Do you have a hard time trusting God’s heart when it comes to what is happening in our lives? It is usually our perception of how things should be that makes us have a hard time trusting God. When we have expectations, we make assumptions about what we should receive or what we shouldn’t have to experience. Let’s read Luke 15:11-24. Jesus wants everyone to know that God’s love, hope, and grace are for everyone. It doesn’t belong only to those who think they deserve it. In this…
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God’s Way
There’s a right tie to hold on and another to let go. Ecclesiastes 3:6 Do you struggle with doing things God’s way? Do we complain about it? Let’s look at Numbers 20. The Israelites are complaining, yet again, about the lack of water. Moses is tired of complaining. Can you relate to this? This time around, with them complaining, is no different than the first time. So Moses knows what to do. Pay attention to verse 8. Now, look at verse 10. What does Moses do here? Did Moses follow God’s instructions? No, he struck the rock twice. Moses messed up here. He spoke…
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Letting Go of Following Feelings
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 Feelings! We all have them. What do we do with them, though? Do we let them drive how we handle situations? Our feelings are not wrong. God created us to have feelings. They are neither good nor bad. They are tools to help us learn how not to behave impulsively and act out without taking responsibility. Let’s read Proverbs 4:23. The Hebrew word for heart is leb. It is a combination of our minds and our desires. The wisdom in this verse is to guard…
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Only Jesus Satisfies
But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 What is your go-to thing to find satisfaction for a moment in your life? Mine is a diet coke or chocolate with caramel. You know the time in your life where things are just hectic and you are hungry, but you don’t have time to stop and eat. Or how about the times where you need time to stop, but it won’t. What is the one thing that you grab to help you through that time? That is what I am talking about. …
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Walking In The Wilderness
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 Have you ever camped in the mountains in the ruggedness of it all? No electricity, no heat, no lights at night? You have to learn how to cook over a campfire—NO comfy couches or chairs. You have to make or own entertainment because well you have to tv and not data for your phone. I don’t know if many of us would last. We would complain and grumble and go back home. How about life in general. …
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Jesus My Friend
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends since I have told you everything the Father told me.” John 15:13-15 Kindness! We all want to receive kindness. Yet there are times when we are kind to others; there is a rejection. For example, have you ever went to shake someone’s hand, and they turned and walked away. Or try to give a gift to a friend and they decline…
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Those Who Remain In Me
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15: 5 Do you know what is important to God? Here is a slight hint, it’s what he repeats. This is the time that you really want to pay close attention to these moments. Jesus wants us to understand something significant than an intriguing illustration. So let’s zone in a little deeper to the vine, the gardener, and the branch and see what the outcome is. IT is the fruit produced. The fruit is good for us. It gives us nutrients that our bodies need. And it tastes,…
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Mary And Martha: Part 5
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, yes and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 What will it take for you to follow God? The week of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the cross and Resurrection, Mary, Martha, and Larazus were probably there that week. They were there on the day of His crucifixion. They were also there on His resurrection appearance over the next forty days. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were also part of the 120 who gathered for prayer for ten days. On the day of Pentecost, they were, also, part of that wondrous outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They were apart of the early church. Are you listening…
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Mary and Martha: Part 1
“If any man is thirsty, let Him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'” John 7:37-38 Mary and Martha, two sisters who are very different from one another. They are two disciples. These two ladies show us much about pure worship and the kind of worship Jesus takes delight in. Let’s read John 10: 38-39. This is where we are introduced to Mary and Martha. What are your thoughts about Mary? What are your thoughts about Martha? How does Mary act toward Jesus? She was so hungry to learn more about Jesus. She…