“Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind” Romans 12:2 (ESV)“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Paraphrase: “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” God is far more interested in changing your mind than in changing your circumstances. Nothing la

Living Out the Word of God James1:21NKJV 10-11-2026 James1:21NKJV 21. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James chapter 1 1:1- Describes who James is and who he is writing to. 1:2-8- Gives hope through trials. 1:9-11- The difference is not in earthly possessions 1:12-18- Loving God even through trials 1:19-20- Strength through trials. 1: 21-27- Living out the word of God

Living Generously Acts 20:35 (NCV) “I showed you in all things that you should work as I did and help the weak. I taught you to remember the words Jesus said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” The word “blessed” (μακάριος) means: pertaining to being happy, with the implication of enjoying favorable circumstances—which pertains to God’s blessing. Happiness is based on living generously. Biblical Emphasis on Giving The word believe / believer / believing is used 27

MOVING FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY: GOD IS FOR US! The last few verses of Romans 8 form the pinnacle of the book. These five rhetorical questions give the clearest description in the New Testament of what it means to live by grace. Grace can be summarized in one sentence: God is for us. Romans 8:31–39 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not a

From Ordinary to Extraordinary: POSSESSING YOUR FUTURE Joshua 1:1–11 (ESV) After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now terefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and t

What Deuteronomy 6 Teaches Us About Loving God and Raising Faithful Families Most of us have a junk drawer full of manuals we never read. We figure things out on our own, look it up online, or just guess. But when it comes to life, faith, and raising our families, there is a manual that actually works. It has been there all along. What Does Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Actually Mean? Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is part of what Jewish tradition calls the Shema, one of the most important passages i

FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY: SUCCEEDING IN SPITE OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Genesis 39:23 (NLT) “The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” Things don’t always go as planned. Many circumstances in life are uncontrollable. Character, not circumstances, determines what we do with our lives. Joseph’s Three Major Difficulties He was rejected at home. Genesis 37:4 (NLT) – “But his brothers h

MOVING FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY: THE TRUTH ABOUT BEING GREAT IN GOD’S EYES 1 Samuel 16:1–7 (NLT) Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the Lord repl

MOVING FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY: IT’S YOUR CHOICE! Hebrews 11:23–27 (ESV) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of

MOVING FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY The Life and Prayer of Jabez:1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (NIV84) Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. God never meant for you to live just average. You are unique — on

Staying Steadfast: What Nehemiah Teaches Us About Doing the Work When It Gets Hard Life has good days, bad days, and a whole lot of ordinary days in between. The question is not whether hard times will come. The question is whether we will keep going when they do. The story of Nehemiah offers a powerful picture of what it looks like to stay committed to what God has called you to do, even when everything around you pushes back. What Does "Steadfast" Really Mean? The word stea

The Living, Transforming Power of the Bible “‘Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” (Jeremiah 23:29 ESV) Your respect for God can be measured by your respect for the Bible. When the Bible is open, God is speaking. The Bible: A Sword with Two Edges (Hebrews 4:12–13) The Roman sword had two edges. God uses it to wound us so that He might heal us. Hebrews 4:2 (NKJV) – The word did not profit them because it was not mixed

Jesus Is Too Good to Keep to Yourself: A Simple Guide to Sharing Your Faith Sharing the gospel can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you've been a Christian for decades or are just beginning to explore your faith, the call to share the good news of Jesus belongs to every believer. Here's a practical and encouraging look at what it means to pray, go, tell, and trust God with the results. Why Every Christian Is Called to Share the Gospel Jesus gave a clear c

America’s 250th Birthday and the Importance of the Revival of the Church 2 Chronicles 7:13–14 (The Living Bible, Paraphrased) If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust swarms to eat up all of your crops, or if I send an epidemic among you, 14 then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. God’s 3-Fold Conditional

Destroying the Weapons of Self-Destruction Through Christ and His Word Shame You cannot be joyful and happy and feel ashamed at the same time. Uncontrolled thoughts In Christ You must learn how to control your thoughts. Compulsions Compulsions are those inner drives, inner desires, your lusts. Fear Hopelessness Hopelessness keeps you from keeping on. Bitterness Bitterness is a cancer that will eat you alive. Insecurity Romans 7:24 “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me

Five Truths of Joyful Happiness Joyful happiness is that feeling from the Holy Spirit’s fruit of joy in you. Don't look for happiness—create it. Happiness is not a goal; it's the result of right thinking, right living, and right acting. My habits create my happiness. Happiness based on happenings or circumstances is temporary, but happiness built on Spirit produced habits is long-lasting. Paul starts with relationships. It is impossible to be truly happy while your key

Faith Activated: Seeing From God’s Point Of View Faith is the key to living the Christian life. Faith is the key to miracles. Romans 1:17 (CSB) For in it (the Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. Hebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. God wants to reward you

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ Galatians 2:16 (NKJV) “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Ch

Believer’s Baptism You know how you end up has a lot to do with the way you begin. While baptism does not save us, it is necessary to obedience, and obedience is necessary to joy, growth, and fruitfulness in the Christian life. Acts 8:26-39 Christian Standard Bible The Conversion of the Ethiopian Official 26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.[a]) 27 So he got up and went. The

Remembering the Sacrifice, Embracing Our Purpose Introduction Memorial Day is more than a holiday; it is a sacred moment to reflect on the price of freedom. It reminds us of those who gave their lives in service to their country. As believers, we draw inspiration from their example and honor their memory with lives of purpose, sacrifice, and spiritual commitment. Freedom always has a cost. John 15:13 (ESV) – Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life fo