From the Crowd to the Feet of Jesus: A Call to Personal Surrender
On Palm Sunday, we often focus on the spectacle of the Triumphant Entry—the palm branches, the shouting crowds, and the king on a donkey. However, as we dive into John chapter 12, we find a deeper story about moving from a "crowd mentality" to a life of personal revelation and surrender.

The Magnitude of the Moment
During the Passover festival, the population of Jerusalem would swell to over a million people as pilgrims traveled from across the Roman Empire. Within this massive sea of people, a crowd of tens of thousands gathered to meet Jesus. They shouted "Hosanna," a very intentional and culturally familiar term meaning "Save us now". By using this word, they were publicly recognizing Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and their Savior.
Jesus responded to this welcome not as a warrior king on a stallion, but as a peaceful king riding a young donkey. This choice was a fulfillment of prophecy and a symbolic declaration that He was coming in humility and peace.

The Danger of the Crowd
It is easy to get "lost in the crowd" and depersonalize our faith. In a large group, it is tempting to do just enough to get by, assuming that if the person next to us is shouting or praying, our individual response doesn't matter. But every move of God starts somewhere specific. This massive crowd didn't appear out of thin air; it was sparked by an event that happened six days earlier in a small town called Bethany.

The Revelation in the "House of Pain"
Bethany literally translates to the "house of the afflicted" or "house of pain". It is significant that Jesus chose to stay there, in the midst of affliction, at the home of Lazarus—the man He had recently raised from the dead.

While the crowds were drawn by the news of the miracle, it was Mary’s response to Jesus that put an "exclamation point" on the story. She took a 12-ounce jar of expensive perfume, worth an average annual salary (roughly $75,000 today), and poured it on Jesus' feet. To those without revelation, this act seemed "excessive" or "too far". Judas, for instance, saw Jesus only as a "meal ticket" or a "genie in a bottle" and viewed the act as a waste.

Sacrifice vs. Surrender
The difference between Mary and Judas—and between the crowd and the individual—is revelation. Mary recognized Jesus as more than a friend or a miracle worker; she saw Him as her Savior.

We often call our giving or our service a "sacrifice," but there is a higher perspective: it is only a sacrifice if you don’t have a revelation of who Jesus is. When you truly see Him for who He is, the act of giving everything back to Him is simply surrender.

Your Individual Response
As we look at our own lives and our "Heart for the House," we are challenged to move beyond being mere observers of the story. In the biblical account, people laid down palm branches (their livelihood) and outer garments (their social status). Today, our "palm branches" might be our paychecks or our time.

Our goal is not to just be a face in the crowd, but to take individual and unique ownership of the revelation God has given us. Whether you are experiencing joy or standing in your own "house of pain," Jesus is looking for a heart that is ready to move from the crowd to His feet in total surrender

From Thirsty to Finished: Finding True Fulfillment in the Cross
In the final hours of the crucifixion, Jesus uttered several short statements that, while seemingly practical, carry a weight that can transform our faith journey. Two of these statements—"I am thirsty" and "It is finished"—provide a profound contrast between the humanity of Christ and His divine authority.

The Cry of the Soul
When Jesus said, "I am thirsty," He wasn't just reacting to the physical dehydration caused by His immense suffering. He was expressing a spiritual thirst. For the first time in eternity, the Son was separated from the Father, leaving His soul in a void of emptiness and isolation.

Today, we often experience our own version of this thirst. Culturally, we use the term "thirsty" to describe someone fishing for compliments, attention, or affection. We "dip" our lives into social media, promotions, or new relationships, hoping these things will fill the hole in our souls. But just as chocolate milk or a sports drink cannot truly quench a deep, physical thirst, these worldly solutions only leave us more dehydrated.

The Symbolism of Purity
Interestingly, the Roman soldiers offered Jesus sour wine on a hyssop branch. In the Old Testament, hyssop was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to doorframes, symbolizing purity. The soldiers used a tool of purity but dipped it in the "sour wine" of the world. We do the same when we take the pure potential God has given us and try to validate it through worldly success. The truth is, only the blood of Jesus can truly quench the thirst of the human soul.

Paid in Full
The transition from "I am thirsty" to "It is finished" is the transition from lack to total completion. When Jesus shouted, "It is finished," He used the Greek word Tetelestai, a term used in ancient accounting to mean "paid in full".
This was not a cry of defeat; it was a declaration of dominion over life, death, and the grave.

Because it is finished:

• Your debt is settled. No one can come back and claim a lien on your life or your future.
• Your identity is new. You are no longer obligated to your past sins or old patterns.
• Your victory is secure. You can walk boldly and confidently because the price has been paid once and for all.

If you find yourself struggling with the same old mountains of discouragement or fear, remember that it isn't "unfinished business"—it is simply a need for a new revelation that the work is already done.

It is finished. You don't have to be thirsty anymore.

Have you ever been in a room full of people and yet felt completely alone? Loneliness is one of the most disappointing, heavy, and deflating experiences we face this side of heaven. Whether it stems from the loss of a loved one, a struggling marriage, or a career where you feel misunderstood, the "spirit of loneliness" is a primary tactic used to make us feel overlooked and unvalued.

In a recent message, we explored the third and fourth statements of Jesus on the cross to discover how He intentionally addressed our isolation.

A Son’s Responsibility in Agony
While hanging on the cross, beaten beyond recognition and publicly humiliated, Jesus’ focus remained outward. Seeing His mother, Mary, and the disciple John, He said, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to John, "Here is your mother."
This was not just a touching moment; it was a fulfillment of Jesus’ cultural and spiritual responsibilities. As a good Jewish man, He ensured His mother was taken care of even as He was dying. More importantly, He was demonstrating a divine principle: God takes the isolated and places them in families.

The Purpose of the Local Church
Jesus didn't just want Mary to be cared for; He wanted her—and us—to be in relationship. This is why we believe so strongly in the local church. It is the vehicle God uses to bring people who would otherwise be lonely into life-giving families. Whether through "Hub Groups" or "Connect Track," the goal is to "do life together" so that no one has to walk alone.

The Price Paid for Your Peace
Perhaps the most profound moment on the cross was Jesus’ fourth statement: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

Jesus allowed the Father to turn His back on Him so that the Father would never have to turn His back on you. He took on the weight of all human loneliness and forsakenness so that you wouldn't have to carry that cross yourself. If you are still carrying the weight of isolation, you are carrying something that Jesus has already paid the price for.

Moving Beyond "Lonely Speech"
We often justify our loneliness by looking at others whose situations seem "worse," or we fall into "lonely speech"—internal narratives like "Nobody understands me" or "Nobody values me." To move past this, we must practice vulnerability.
It is easy to pretend we have it all together, especially in church, but you will never move past loneliness until you are willing to be known.

Three Truths to Remember
If you are navigating a season of isolation, hold onto these three promises:

1. Jesus SEES you: He sees the situations where you feel overlooked or misunderstood.
2. Jesus KNOWS you: He knows the things you are embarrassed to share or can’t quite put into words.
3. Jesus CARES for you: He was so focused on your well-being that He made sure you were "covered" and "spiritually protected" even during His final breaths.

Don't believe the lie that you have to carry this alone. Stop and receive the love of the Father today. You are not forsaken; you are part of a family.

11: Embracing the "Weird Space" Between Promise and Possession
Have you ever felt like you were stuck in an awkward middle ground? You aren’t where you used to be, but you haven’t quite arrived at where you’re going. At Mercy City Church, as we celebrate 11 years and one week of ministry, Pastor Matt recently shared a powerful message about this exact season.

He calls it the "Size 11" space. Just like a child whose feet are too big for a size 10 but not yet a size 12, life can feel clumsy and weird when you are in transition. You might feel like you should be moving faster, but your "heel keeps coming out of your shoe".

Understanding the Number 11
In biblical themes, the number 11 often represents disorder, chaos, and judgment. While most of us try to avoid chaos at all costs, Pastor Matt challenged us to see it differently: Disorder is not always dysfunction. In fact, disorder can be an invitation from God to move toward a "higher function or flourishing".

Sometimes, God allows our natural rhythms to be disrupted so that we are forced to step supernaturally into a season of promise.

The Shift: From Manna to Provisions
Looking at Joshua Chapter 1, we see a generation that had wandered the wilderness for 40 years, living off "manna"—miraculous food they didn't have to work for. But to enter the Promised Land, the command changed. Joshua told the people to "prepare your own provisions".

What was once a miracle (manna) was becoming their new ordinary, and God was calling them to a new level of maturity.

To possess the promise, they had to prepare five specific "provisions" in their own hearts:
1. Perspective: You must change your point of view. Your circumstances won't change until you change in the midst of them.
2. Priorities: You have to decide if what God wants for you is more important than what you want for yourself.
3. Preferences: You must let what you want most (the promise) trump what you want now (comfort).
4. Personality: You cannot let your own pride—or the difficult personalities of others—lock you out of the rooms God has called you to enter.
5. Pain: You have to embrace the "no pain, no gain" reality of growth. As Pastor Matt put it, "A promised land is not a handout".

Moving Forward
Whether you grew up with nothing or have faced deep dysfunction in your past, the "disorder" of your current season doesn't have to define your story. It is time to stop wandering around the promise and start walking in it.

Don't settle for your past. Prepare your provisions and get ready to run.

Conquering Spiritual Containment: Moving From Limitation to Expansion
Have you ever felt like your life was fenced in? Perhaps you feel smaller than you know you were meant to be, or as if there is an invisible ceiling holding back your potential. This feeling is what we call spiritual containment. While we often blame our location, resources, or circumstances for our limitations, the truth is that the most significant fences are the ones we build within ourselves.

The Battle Between Two Kingdoms: We are currently in an age-old kingdom battle between light and darkness. The Bible tells us we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear son, but while our spirits are born again, our minds often lag behind. Isaiah prophesied that of the "increase of God's kingdom, there shall be no end". Because God’s kingdom is always expanding, you will often feel a divine pressure to grow. However, the enemy seeks to fence you in and limit you through distractions, offenses, and bitterness.

The Weight of Your Words: The primary tool used to build these fences is the power of the tongue. As Proverbs 18:21 states: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit". The Message Bible puts it even more bluntly: "Words kill. Words give life. They’re either poison or the fruit you choose".

Every word spoken over you or by you can act as a brick to build or a bulldozer to destroy. Often, negative words or labels spoken over us in childhood—especially by authority figures like parents or teachers—act like "open apps" running in the background of our lives, draining our energy and holding us back from our true calling.

Breaking the Label: The Story of Jabez In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we find the story of a man named Jabez. His mother named him Jabez because she "bore him in pain," literally meaning "Source of My Suffering". Imagine introducing yourself that way every day: "Hi, I'm 'The One Who Causes Pain'". This label was his identity, yet the scripture says Jabez was "more honorable than his brothers" because he refused to let that label define his destiny.

He prayed a daring, five-part prayer that changed his life:
1. "Oh, that You would bless me indeed": He asked for the blessing that makes one rich and adds no sorrow, providing the divine favor and material provision needed to be a blessing to others.
2. "Enlarge my territory": This was a cry for capacity. Jabez wanted his life to be bigger and more expansive for the sake of the Kingdom.
3. "That Your hand would be with me": He recognized that he couldn't do it alone and needed God’s divine power and authority to lead the way.
4. "That You would keep me from evil": He sought protection from the traps of the enemy, knowing that character and integrity outlive accusations.
5. "That I may not cause pain": Essentially, he asked God to help him not be a "Jabez"—to break the cycle of his name and become someone who brings life instead of suffering.

Closing the Apps Through Forgiveness: To move into this wide-open life, we must deal with the wounds of the past. Forgiveness is the key to closing the "background apps" of your life. Many of us carry baggage from our parents, but we must realize that most parents simply "did the best they could with what they had". When you refuse to forgive, you actually risk repeating the same history you hated. Forgiveness isn't condoning the pain; it is releasing it to God, the righteous judge, so you can be free to grow.

A Call to Spacious Living: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians with a powerful invitation that remains true for us today:
"Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way" (2 Corinthians 6:11-13, MSG).
Growth never happens by default; it only happens by design. If you want to see expansion in 2026, you cannot simply "hope" for it; you must have a plan to "grow for it". God loves you exactly as you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay contained.
Just as God changed Jacob (the deceiver) to Israel (a prince) and Simon (a hollow reed) to Peter (a rock), He is ready to change your name and identity today. It is time to surrender your control, throw down your old limitations, and press into the expansive destiny God has for you.

Baptism is more than just a religious ritual—it's a significant milestone in your walk with Christ. As we explore what baptism truly means, we'll discover how it serves as both a declaration of faith and a catalyst for spiritual growth.
What Does Baptism Represent in the Christian Faith?

In Acts 16:31-33, we see a powerful example of baptism's significance. After Paul and Silas were miraculously freed from prison, the jailer and his entire household immediately got baptized after receiving salvation. This passage highlights two key truths:

• Baptism is the immediate next step after receiving salvation
• When one person takes this step of faith, it can inspire others around them to move forward in their faith journey

Baptism isn't just about "checking a box" on your spiritual journey. It's about making a genuine heart change and demonstrating your commitment to follow Christ.
Why Do Some People Hesitate to Get Baptized?

Many believers struggle with the decision to be baptized. Some common hesitations include:

• "I was baptized as a child, so I don't need to do it again"
• Pride and shame that prevent taking this public step
• Fear of what others might think
• The belief that it's "too late" to get baptized

These hesitations often stem from misconceptions about what baptism truly represents. The key questions to ask yourself are: When did you start living for the Lord? Have you been baptized since that moment?

When we take steps of true obedience rather than just going through religious motions, those around us are impacted—just like the jailer's family was saved because of his decision to follow Christ.

God's Invitation Through Baptism

God is the God of invitation. Every interaction we have with Him is an invitation to draw closer, and every opportunity to be obedient is an invitation to trust Him more. Baptism is a perfect example of this divine invitation.

Romans 10:9 tells us that declaring Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation. But God prescribes baptism as the next step. In fact, the Great Commission instructs believers to "go and tell the world, and then baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit."

By giving us this next step, God helps us learn obedience—it's like practice for saying yes to the things He invites us to do.

What Happens When You Get Baptized?

Have you ever noticed that people coming up from the baptismal waters almost always have huge smiles on their faces? Often, it's like a touchdown celebration—hands raised, tears of joy, high-fives, and hugs all around. God seems to let us experience a special type of joy when we're baptized.

Think about it like this: Have you ever done something special for a child just to bring them joy? That's similar to how God feels when we experience the joy of baptism—it's a gift from Him.

How Does Baptism Impact Your Spiritual Life?

Baptism serves as a springboard for your personal ministry. Jesus modeled this—after His baptism, His personal ministry exploded. Baptism is practice for being public with your faith. Without saying a word, you're declaring, "I love Jesus and the Holy Spirit lives in me."
People who say yes to baptism often gain a special type of boldness—another gift from God. Even if you don't consider yourself someone with a public voice, baptism can help you live confidently, unashamed of the internal change God has worked in you.

Is Baptism Just a One-Time Event?

What happens on baptism day is meant for a lifetime. Many baptized believers think, "This day is not for me. I've already been in the water. I just get to sit on the sideline and celebrate what God is doing in others."

But baptism is just the beginning of declaring every single day that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. It's not just one day—it's a lifetime commitment.

Romans 12:6-8 reminds us that God has given each of us different gifts for doing certain things well. After baptism, how are you living your life every day? Everything God works through you privately should be a declaration publicly.

Your public ministry isn't limited to church platforms or programs—it's in your home, workplace, school, and everywhere you go. It's ministering to anyone other than yourself.

What If Following Your Calling Feels Difficult?

Following your calling isn't always easy. There will be days when you don't feel confident or ready to declare that everything you do is for Jesus. Comfort cannot be your compass—your calling must be.
When you were baptized, you were anointed to walk in your spiritual gifts. Unlike talents or strengths (which are worldly things), spiritual gifts come from God. When the Holy Spirit breathes on them, they create Kingdom impact.
The enemy wants to convince you that it's easier to stay in your comfort zone—to sit in your seat rather than serve, to receive rather than teach. But God has activated you on the day of your baptism, and perhaps you need to be reactivated.

When Should You Get Baptized?
The gospel of Jesus Christ is:

• Inclusive - It's for everyone, regardless of background, appearance, or culture
• For right now - Don't go home and think about it; the enemy will talk you out of it
• For right here - You don't need to travel somewhere special; baptism can happen wherever you are

Don't let excuses hold you back. Whether you're 47 and feel you should have been baptized long ago, or you were baptized years ago but walked away from Jesus—today can be your day.

Life Application
This week, I challenge you to examine where you stand with baptism:

• If you've never been baptized, what's holding you back? Have you heard God inviting you to take this next step?
• If you have been baptized, reflect on that experience. Did you have a genuine experience of making an inward decision that Jesus is your Savior, followed by the outward expression of baptism? Did you respond to God's invitation, or did someone else make that decision for you?
• How are you living out your baptism daily? Are you using the gifts God has given you to serve others and advance His kingdom?
• When you feel discouraged or afraid to step into your calling, what scripture can you speak over yourself? Consider memorizing Isaiah 61:1-3 as a reminder of God's anointing on your life.

Remember, baptism isn't the end of your journey—it's just the beginning. God has invitations for you every single day to know Him better and trust Him more. Will you say yes?

Understanding Faith: When Words Fail Us
Sometimes in our spiritual journey, we find ourselves at a loss for words. We struggle to articulate our thoughts, our prayers seem to fall flat, and we wonder if we're even being heard. This experience is not only common but deeply human.
When Communication Breaks Down
Communication is fundamental to our relationships - both with each other and with God. Yet there are moments when our words become jumbled, unclear, or simply inadequate. These moments of verbal confusion might feel frustrating, but they can actually be opportunities for deeper connection.
In these spaces of broken language, we're reminded that faith isn't primarily about perfect articulation. God doesn't require eloquence to hear us. Sometimes the most authentic prayers are the ones that come out imperfectly.
Beyond Words: The Language of the Heart
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
This beautiful truth reminds us that when our words fail, the Holy Spirit translates our heart's intentions. Our stammering, our confusion, our inability to express ourselves clearly - none of this hinders God's understanding of what we truly need.
Finding Peace in Imperfection
There's a freedom that comes with accepting our limitations. We don't need to have everything figured out or perfectly expressed. God meets us in our confusion and speaks to us in ways that transcend language.
Sometimes the most profound spiritual experiences happen in silence, in wordless contemplation, or even in the midst of our verbal stumbling. These moments strip away pretense and bring us face-to-face with the reality that faith is about relationship, not performance.
How Can I Connect With God When Words Fail?

• Embrace silence as a form of prayer
• Journal thoughts that are difficult to express verbally
• Use creative expressions like art or music
• Rest in God's presence without the pressure to speak
• Remember that God understands your heart beyond your words

Learning from Biblical Examples
Throughout scripture, we see examples of people who struggled to find words. Moses claimed to be "slow of speech." Jeremiah felt too young and inexperienced to speak for God. Even Jesus, in his most anguished moment on the cross, borrowed words from the Psalms rather than creating his own.
These examples remind us that even the spiritual giants of our faith sometimes struggled with expression. What made them remarkable wasn't their eloquence but their willingness to show up authentically before God.
Community Support in Times of Confusion
When we find ourselves unable to articulate our thoughts or feelings, community becomes especially important. Others can help give voice to what we cannot express, pray on our behalf, and remind us that we're not alone in our struggles.
This is one of the beautiful functions of the church - to be voice for the voiceless, to stand in the gap when others cannot stand for themselves, and to remind each other that God's understanding far exceeds our ability to communicate.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to embrace the moments when words fail you. Instead of becoming frustrated or giving up on prayer altogether, try sitting in silence before God. Allow yourself to simply be present, without the pressure to formulate perfect prayers or articulate clear thoughts.
Consider these questions:

• When was the last time I felt unable to express myself to God? How did I respond?
• Do I believe God understands me even when my words are jumbled or inadequate?
• How might embracing wordless prayer change my relationship with God?
• In what ways can I support others who struggle to find words for their faith?

Remember that authentic relationship with God isn't built on eloquence but on presence. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply showing up, even when the words won't come.

Celebrating God's Goodness: Why, How, and What We Celebrate

Celebration might seem like an unusual core value for a church, but it's fundamental to creating a welcoming environment where people feel loved, seen, and valued. A place of celebration is one where people look forward to coming, not out of obligation, but anticipation. It's a place where everyone can come as they are and feel accepted.

Why Do We Celebrate? You Attract What You Celebrate

The word "celebrate" means to acknowledge, honor, or praise publicly. While we often think of celebrating only good things, sometimes we inadvertently celebrate the negative by constantly acknowledging, honoring, and talking about what's going wrong in our lives:

• How sick we always are
• How much difficulty we're experiencing
• How betrayed we feel
• How our family is the worst

When we focus on these negative aspects, we tend to see more of them. People don't want to be around constant negativity - we all know those people who drain our energy with their pessimism. Instead, we should purpose in our hearts to celebrate the good things, to declare by faith what we're believing for even when we don't see it yet. We should choose to focus on what we're for, not what we're against, and celebrate the best in people rather than focusing on their worst qualities.

How Celebrating Changes Our Perspective

When we start praising and celebrating positive things, we see more of those things. Our perspective changes, and we begin to experience more of God's goodness.
God wants us to expect good things. When disappointment happens or doors close, we can see it as an opportunity for God to do something better. Every "no" becomes a chance for God to go above and beyond.
Scripture reminds us that:

• The Lord determines our steps
• We can trust in Him
• He has good plans for us, not to harm us
• God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him

How Do We Celebrate?

In our culture, we naturally celebrate birthdays, weddings, and sporting events. At sporting events, we can get crazy and enthusiastic without judgment. Yet when we show the same enthusiasm in church, people sometimes think it's weird.
Celebration happens in moments of overflow - when we're overjoyed or overflowing with excitement. These values shouldn't be hidden inside us; they should be evident to everyone around us. As the Bible says, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."

Why Is Spiritual Celebration Sometimes Uncomfortable?

It's interesting that celebration is comfortable in natural settings but can feel uncomfortable in spiritual contexts. We'll jump and scream at a sporting event without hesitation, but many feel self-conscious about expressing the same joy in church.The problem is that many of us never reach that place of overflow. We come to church on Sunday empty because we haven't taken time during the week to refill - to spend time in God's presence, to think of His goodness, to celebrate what He's done.

Celebration is:

• A gift
• A choice
• An act of thanksgiving
• Both personal and corporate

Praise is an expression of celebration, and celebration is an expression of praise. They go hand in hand through cheering, clapping, singing, jumping, dancing, and even crying.

Who Do We Celebrate?

1. We Celebrate God

In Psalm 103, David was overwhelmed with celebration of who God is. Interestingly, this psalm wasn't written after a great victory but after David was confronted about his adultery and murder. Even in his darkest moment, David chose to celebrate God's goodness, mercy, and forgiveness rather than sitting in shame and guilt.

2. God Celebrates You

The God of the universe celebrates you. He delights in you. Psalm 103 tells us:

• He forgives all our sins (not just past sins, but ongoing)
• He heals all our diseases
• He redeems us from death
• He crowns us with love and tender mercies
• He fills our lives with good things

God doesn't show favoritism. He is "compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." He doesn't constantly accuse us or remain angry forever. He doesn't deal harshly with us as we deserve.

3. We Celebrate People

When we truly understand how God celebrates us, we can genuinely celebrate others. We celebrate when people serve, when they give, when they give their lives to Jesus.
God doesn't hold our past against us or say, "You really messed up, now your calling and purpose are done." He wants us to move forward, but sometimes we refuse to let ourselves be forgiven. We sit in our pity, shame, and condemnation while God is saying, "Let's get moving."

Life Application

What kind of life could you live if you would let yourself be forgiven? If you would fully experience God's forgiveness? It's not until we receive God's forgiveness that we can extend it to others. It's not until we realize that God celebrates us that we can truly celebrate others.
This week, challenge yourself to:

• Make a "Good Things List" or "Celebration List" - Write down the things God has provided for you, no matter how small.
• Start your day by giving God the hard stuff and actively looking for good things to celebrate throughout your day.
• Ask yourself: What past sin or mistake am I still holding onto that God has already forgiven? Can I accept that God has removed it "as far as the east is from the west"?
• Consider: Am I celebrating the negative in my life more than the positive? How can I shift my focus to what God is doing rather than what's going wrong?
• Practice celebrating others this week - acknowledge, honor, and praise the good you see in the people around you.

Remember, it's a celebration circle: I celebrate Him, He celebrates me, and we celebrate everybody together. That's who we are as God's people.

Prayer, Praise, and Worship: Positioning Your Heart for Transformation

Week six of our "To the Core" series brings us to a crucial value: prayer, praise, and worship. As we've examined these core values that should overflow from believers, we've covered servanthood, evangelism, discipleship, generosity, and community. Now, it's time to slow down and consider how prayer, praise, and worship position our hearts for transformation.


Why Should We Slow Down in Our Spiritual Journey?
When we begin to see success and momentum in our spiritual lives, we often believe that if some is good, more must be better. But there's wisdom in knowing when to slow down. It's not about how many people we reach or how many locations we launch if we're not slowing down to see individuals and be with people.


Maturity is measured by how we respond and take on new levels of responsibility. As we grow, we become more like Christ and less like ourselves. Every time we feel challenged, it's an opportunity to deny our flesh and lean into the things of God.


Does Prayer Really Change Everything?
Many of us have heard the phrase "prayer changes everything," but is that actually true? While I can't say with certainty that prayer changes everything external, I know without doubt that prayer changes one thing: me.


Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts because from it flow the issues of life. The reason I pray is not primarily to change my external circumstances but because I know prayer will change me. The reason I clap my hands, sing out loud, and lift my hands in worship is because these actions help posture my heart.


I'm a different husband, a different leader today than I was ten years ago because of prayer, praise, and worship. That's why the enemy fights nothing as fiercely as he fights our prayer life - he knows that if we're in prayer, our hearts will change and God will be our God.


Why Is Prayer Considered Spiritual Warfare?
Prayer, praise, and worship are work - they require effort and commitment. But even more than work, they're warfare. When the Spirit of God is at work, the spirit of darkness will also be at work, requiring spiritual warfare.


This type of positioning requires more than just warfare; it requires death - doing away with our old desires, wants, and dreams. Psalm 37:4 tells us that when we seek the Lord first, He'll give us the desires of our heart. This doesn't mean God will bring us material things we want; it means He'll change our hearts to desire what He desires.


What Does Prayer Position Us For?
Prayer, praise, and worship position us for three important things:


1. To Show Mercy
Contrary to popular belief, mercy is not weakness - it's power. There's nothing more powerful than taking an enemy and making them family, releasing to them an inheritance. If you're struggling to give mercy, it's likely that you've yet to fully receive mercy yourself. Matthew 10:8 reminds us that we can only freely give what we've freely received.


2. To Open Our Ears
There's nothing more immature than putting your fingers in your ears and turning away to pretend you can't hear. Yet many of us do exactly this with God. When He calls us to tithe, serve, stop gossiping, or turn our hearts, we often respond with "I can't hear you." Then we wonder why God isn't speaking to us.


If you're not hearing God, ask yourself: Am I maturing? If you feel you're maturing but still struggling to hear God, keep asking, knocking, and seeking (Matthew 7:7-8). Also, consider ways to position your heart that would cause you to take your fingers out of your ears.


3. To Soften Our Hearts
Prayer may not change everything around us, but it changes us. Some of us pray for God to change our workplace, but He's trying to change us so that when we show up, everything is different because we're there.


Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises: "I'll give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I'll take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender and responsive heart."


Life Application
This week, I challenge you to intentionally position your heart through prayer, praise, and worship. Set aside specific times to pray, even if it means sacrificing something valuable like sleep. During worship, consider lifting your hands the entire time as a way of crucifying your flesh and demonstrating that your focus is on God, not those around you.


Ask yourself these questions:

In what areas of my life am I putting my fingers in my ears when God is speaking?

Am I praying for God to change my circumstances, or am I allowing Him to change me?

How can I position my heart this week to show more mercy, open my ears to God's voice, and soften my heart?


Remember, you might not be able to change everything around you, but through prayer, praise, and worship, you can allow God to change you. And when you change, everything around you begins to look different.

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Building True Community: Lessons from the Early Church
In Acts chapter 2, we witness something remarkable - the formation of the local church. This wasn't just a random gathering of people; it was God's divine plan from the beginning. The chapter shows us a powerful sequence: the Holy Spirit is released, a crowd gathers, and then community forms.


When the Holy Spirit moves, things happen organically at first - it's beautiful and exciting. But for sustainable growth, there must be a shift from organic to organized. This is how the early church developed, and it's how healthy churches still grow today.


What Does Biblical Community Really Mean?
Community can be defined as "a group of people having a particular characteristic in common." For Christians, our common characteristic is our love for Jesus and our response to the gospel. While the world pushes for division and highlights differences, the kingdom of God emphasizes what we have in common.


Community is also "a feeling of unity with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals." This is why relationships naturally form around shared values and purposes. When we separate ourselves from those common interests, relationships inevitably change.


What Did the Early Believers Commit To?
Acts 2:42 tells us: "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship and to sharing in meals, including the Lord's Supper, and to prayer."


Notice it says "all the believers" - not just some, not just when they felt like it. When we exclude ourselves from this "all," we set ourselves up for disappointment and spiritual stagnation.


The word "devoted" is crucial here. It means being:



Steadfast

Consistent

Intentional


Many claim devotion but lack consistency. If your time away from the community of believers is more consistent than your time together, you're not as devoted as you might think.


Why Don't We See God's Power Like in the Bible?
It's not because God has changed. He's the same God. What's different is our level of commitment to connection and community. Our lack of devotion limits what God wants to do among us.


The early church demonstrated two types of devotion:



Personal devotion - unity within yourself and with Jesus

Public devotion - unity with the body of believers


There will be no community without personal unity, and no community without corporate unity. God commands His blessing where there is unity (Psalm 133:1-3).


Four Commitments the Devoted Make to Community
1. The Apostles' Teaching
The early believers learned from those who walked with Jesus and were set in places of authority. In today's world of "TikTok theology" and "YouTube prophecy," we must remember that where God plants you is where you grow.


When you're planted in a local church, that's where you receive your primary spiritual nourishment. Other resources can supplement, but supplements alone won't sustain you. Some believers aren't growing because they're consuming content from everywhere except where they're planted.


2. Fellowship
The early believers shared life with one another, offering mutual support both naturally and spiritually. This wasn't just sharing the good times but supporting each other through difficulties.


When you say yes to Jesus, you don't board a cruise ship - you board a battleship. Life may become more challenging because the enemy now sees you as a threat. That's why we need fellowship - to strengthen each other in Christ as we move in the same direction together.


3. Sharing in Meals
The early church practiced uncommon hospitality and unity, always with the remembrance of Christ. When they gathered - whether for meals or other activities - they did so in ways that honored God.


This goes beyond just eating together; it's about sharing life in a way that reflects Christ. Would people know you follow Christ by how you interact with others, speak to your family, or behave when no one is watching?


The goal isn't perfection but progression - looking more like Jesus today than we did last week.


4. Prayer
Prayer was central to the early church - not an afterthought. Both private and public prayer were essential parts of their lives.


Many Christians today lack confidence in prayer because they don't know how to pray. That's why learning to pray together is so important. As we become more confident in prayer, we become more consistent.


The Results of True Community
Acts 2:43-47 shows us what happened when the early church committed to these four practices:



A deep sense of awe came over them all

The apostles performed many signs and wonders

They shared their possessions with those in need

They worshiped together in the temple and in homes

They enjoyed the goodwill of all people

The Lord added to their fellowship daily


This last point is crucial. When a church is healthy, people are being saved, lives are being transformed, and the community grows naturally.


Life Application
This week, evaluate your commitment to biblical community by asking yourself:



Am I devoted (steadfast, consistent, intentional) to learning from the teaching where God has planted me?

Am I genuinely sharing life with other believers, both in good times and difficult ones?

Do my social gatherings and daily interactions reflect Christ's presence in my life?

Is prayer central to my life, or merely an afterthought?


The challenge is to identify one area where you can strengthen your commitment to community this week. Perhaps it's joining a small group, establishing a consistent prayer routine, or inviting someone from church into your home for a meal.


Remember, we don't pursue community for its own sake, but because it's through authentic biblical community that God's power is most fully displayed and experienced. As we commit to these four practices like the early church did, we create the environment where God can work in extraordinary ways.

Generosity: The Heart of God's Kingdom

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be generous? Generosity isn't just about money—it flows directly from the heart of God. When we understand God's incredible generosity toward us, our perspective on giving changes completely.


What Does True Generosity Look Like?
Generosity is more than an action; it's a reflection of who God is. Think about it: "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16). God didn't give sparingly—He gave generously, offering His first and His best in Jesus Christ.


Most of us want to be known as generous people. If someone asked whether you'd prefer to be known as stingy or generous, you'd likely choose the latter. Yet many of us struggle to live generously, especially when it comes to our finances.


Why Do We Struggle with Financial Generosity?
For some, it's simply an obedience issue. You know what God is asking, but you haven't taken that step yet. For others, there's a misconception about ownership. We think, "It's my money—I worked hard for it."


But here's a perspective shift: Where did you get the breath in your lungs to go to that job? Who gave you the ability to work? Everything we have ultimately comes from God.


When we hold our money with clenched fists, we can never allow God to use it as He desires. And interestingly, we also can't open our hands to receive more from Him.


How Are Our Hearts and Money Connected?
Jesus said something profound in Matthew 6: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This reveals a spiritual principle—your heart follows your money.


When you invest your treasure in God's kingdom, your heart naturally follows. You become more invested in seeing lives changed, people saved, and the kingdom advanced. But when your treasure doesn't go toward God's kingdom, neither does your heart.


God doesn't want your money—He wants your heart. And He knows that our finances often grip our hearts more than anything else.


What Does the Bible Say About Giving?
The Bible teaches the principle of tithing—giving the first 10% back to God. Some might think, "If I gave 10% of my income, I'd have to rearrange everything!" That's exactly right, and that's part of the invitation.


We rearrange many aspects of our lives as followers of Jesus—the music we listen to, the shows we watch, the words we speak. Our finances should be no different.


The beautiful truth is that God can do more with your 90% than you can do with your 100%. It's similar to how parents manage finances for their children. God isn't calling you incapable; He's simply saying He's better at managing resources than we are.


How Can We Develop Trust in God's Provision?
Generosity ultimately comes down to trust. Do we believe God is trustworthy? Do we believe He's our provider? Do we trust that our church will use our giving to advance God's kingdom?


Creating a budget can help tremendously. Instead of wondering where your money went, tell your money where to go. Include God in that budget—not giving Him leftovers but giving Him first, just as He gave us His best.


What's the Long-Term Impact of Generosity?
Think about sitting under a shade tree on a hot day. You enjoy the shade, but you didn't plant the tree. Someone years ago put a seed in the ground, and now you benefit from their foresight and generosity.


In the same way, when you give to your church, you're planting seeds that will provide "shade" for people you may never meet. Your generosity today creates a legacy of changed lives for years to come.


As 2 Corinthians 9:6 reminds us: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."


The harvest of generosity isn't always more money in your pocket—it's souls being saved, lives being transformed, and God's kingdom advancing.


Life Application
This week, take some time to evaluate your perspective on generosity. Ask yourself these questions:

Am I holding my finances with clenched fists or open hands?

Do I truly believe that God can do more with my 90% than I can with my 100%?

What one step can I take this week to grow in generosity?

Beyond finances, how can I be more generous with my time, talents, and words?


Challenge yourself to take a concrete step toward greater generosity this week. Whether it's beginning to tithe, increasing your giving, or creating a budget that prioritizes God's kingdom, remember that you'll never regret living a generous life for the kingdom of God.


When we give generously, we're not just supporting a church or ministry—we're investing in eternal impact. And one day, we'll see the full harvest of that generosity when we meet those in heaven whose lives were changed because we chose to give.

Daily Discipleship: What It Really Means to Follow Jesus

Are you truly a disciple of Jesus, or have you been deceiving yourself? Many of us think we're disciples simply because we attend church on Sundays, but true discipleship goes much deeper than that.

Discipleship isn't about perfection—it's about pursuit. The true mark of discipleship is understanding our deep need for Jesus in a way that makes us desperate enough to pursue Him every single day, while being confident enough to carry Him everywhere we go.

What Does Real Discipleship Look Like?
When we say "discipleship," we often think we're all talking about the same thing. But just like a couple who both say they value "intimacy" while meaning completely different things, Christians can use the word "discipleship" while having vastly different definitions.

Sunday morning church attendance is not discipleship. Sunday mornings are about coming together in unity as the body of Christ, getting marching orders to take to the world we're called to reach Monday through Saturday. It's about exalting Jesus together, not about being discipled.

If you only come to church on Sunday mornings, you're not a disciple. Some of us have convinced ourselves that we're more spiritually fit than we actually are—we've set up a spiritual mirror that makes us look better than reality.

How to Be a True Disciple of Jesus
1. Meet with Jesus Daily
Disciples of Jesus meet with Jesus daily. Not occasionally, not when it's convenient, but daily.

If you watch CNN or Fox News every day but don't meet with Jesus daily, you're not a disciple of Jesus—you're a disciple of the news. If you scroll social media feeds daily but don't meet with Jesus daily, you're not His disciple.

Why is it so hard to meet with Jesus daily? Because the enemy knows that's the only way for you to become who you're called to be. Many of us approach our relationship with Jesus like we're the boss, telling Him when we'll show up rather than allowing Him to set the meeting time.

Jesus said, "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Notice it says "comes"—present tense—not "came." You're not living on yesterday's bread or yesterday's word, but on the word He's speaking right now.

2. Be Marked Daily by Your Encounters with Jesus
Disciples of Jesus are marked daily by their encounters with Him. You may not feel transformed after every meeting with God, but slowly and surely, your life changes.

Many people stop showing up because they don't feel God changing them every day. But even when you can't put your finger on what has been marked, something changes. We overestimate what can happen with small changes in a week but underestimate what can happen with small changes over a year.

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Every day, God has new mercy and something fresh for you—you just have to show up.

3. Move Daily to Make Other Disciples
Disciples of Jesus move daily to make other disciples based on how they've been marked in their daily meetings with Jesus.


The biggest lie we believe as Christ-followers is that showing up to church on Sunday makes us "okay." God isn't looking for your presence in a seat—He's looking for your life to make a difference.

Many Christians say, "I need deeper revelation," but what they really need is deeper application of the revelation they've already received. Jesus said, "Therefore go..." (Matthew 28:19). That means get up and move!

If you're really meeting with Jesus daily:

You will move toward other people and help disciple them
You will start to tithe
You will start to serve
You will lead others
You will take next steps

You don't have to lead a church or small group to disciple people. You just have to move toward Jesus and take somebody with you.

Life Application
As you consider what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus, ask yourself these three questions:

When is my meeting time with Jesus daily? It doesn't have to be for an hour—start with five minutes. Read the verse of the day, listen to one worship song, and pray on your way out the door. Just start somewhere and set a consistent meeting time with Jesus.

What are the most recent marks of my daily relationship with Jesus? Not from 10 years ago—what about the last 10 days or even 10 hours? If you go more than three days without hearing something from God, slow down and check your alignment.

What has discipleship movement looked like for me in the last month? How have you been with Jesus, and how have you led others to Him?

The challenge for all of us is simple: GO. Whether you're going toward Jesus at your current church or somewhere else, the important thing is that you're moving. True disciples don't just sit—they pursue Jesus daily, are marked by Him daily, and move daily to help others do the same.

Are you ready to stop pretending and start being a true disciple of Jesus?

Sharing the Gospel: How Every Believer Can Be an Evangelist

When we think about evangelism, many of us immediately feel uncomfortable. The word itself can sound intimidating, conjuring images of street preaching or going door-to-door—activities that might feel far outside our comfort zone. But what if evangelism isn't meant to be a one-size-fits-all approach? What if it's actually designed to work through your unique personality and experiences?
What Does Evangelism Really Mean?
Evangelism is simply sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructs his disciples to "go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone." This command wasn't just for the disciples—it's for all believers.
The term "evangelism" refers to the spreading of the Christian gospel through public preaching or personal witness. It involves two key components:

Sharing what Jesus did for humanity
Explaining how Jesus has impacted your personal life

You can't evangelize without talking to people. Whether in a crowd, a small group, over coffee with a friend, or at the end of your driveway with a neighbor—evangelism requires connection.
Is Evangelism Only for "Gifted" People?
Many of us have been led to believe that evangelism is only for those with specific personalities or spiritual gifts. We see charismatic speakers who can easily lead crowds to Christ and think, "That's not me."
But here's the liberating truth: evangelism looks like you. It looks like your personality, how God wired you, and the unique gifts He's given you. You don't need to mimic someone else's style or approach.
God has equipped each of us to share the gospel in our own way. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, whether you're eloquent or simple in speech—you have a story to tell about what Jesus has done in your life.
Three Important Truths About Evangelism
1. Evangelism is Both Personal and Corporate
We are called to evangelize personally, and as a church, we provide opportunities for people to receive Jesus. That's why we consistently give people the chance to say yes to Jesus during our services.
Once someone says yes to Jesus, they need support to navigate their new faith journey. That's why we have resources like the "I Said Yes" table and Foundations Class—places where new believers can ask questions without judgment and receive guidance.
2. Evangelism is for Everyone, and God Wants to Use Everyone
There are no exceptions to who can receive salvation—it's available to everyone regardless of background or past mistakes. Similarly, anyone can share the gospel. You don't need theological training or years of Christian experience.
You can get saved today and evangelize tomorrow by simply saying, "Yesterday I met Jesus and my life has changed." All you need to know is who Jesus is, what He did, and how it impacted your life.
However, it's important to note that it's hard to evangelize if we don't genuinely love people. Self-assessment is crucial: Are we being critical? Are we judging others? Are we holding unforgiveness in our hearts? Our motivation for evangelism should be love, not obligation.
3. Evangelism is Seed Sown and Watered, but God Brings the Increase
One of the most freeing realizations about evangelism is that you're not responsible for someone's "yes." Your job is simply to share the good news—the Holy Spirit does the convincing.
Some people get discouraged when they share their faith and don't see immediate results. But evangelism is often a process. You might be planting a seed that someone else will water, or watering a seed that someone else planted. God sees the bigger picture and knows the perfect timing.
A Biblical Example of Evangelism
In Acts 8, we see Philip being led by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip approached the man, used scripture as a connection point, and explained the good news about Jesus. The eunuch believed and was immediately baptized.
This story shows us that evangelism can be as simple as:

Being led by the Holy Spirit
Finding a connection point
Sharing the good news about Jesus
Leading people to their next steps

How to Receive Salvation
Romans 10:9 gives us a clear path to salvation: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Notice that salvation doesn't require us to "clean up our act" first. Jesus accepts us as we are, and then begins the process of transformation. It's by believing in our hearts and openly declaring our faith that we are saved.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to share your faith with at least one person. The Holy Spirit may already be bringing someone to mind. Don't overthink it or feel pressured to have all the answers. Simply share what Jesus has done in your life and how it has changed you.
Ask yourself these questions:

What barriers have been keeping me from sharing my faith? Fear? Lack of knowledge? Not feeling "qualified"?
How am I doing at loving people the way God loves them? Am I being critical or judgmental?
Who is one person in my life who needs to hear about Jesus, and how can I naturally share my faith with them this week?

Remember, evangelism is for everyone, and everyone can evangelize. You don't need special training or a particular personality—you just need to be willing to share the story of how Jesus has changed your life. The gospel is for everyone, and God wants to use you to share it.

Serving from the Core: How Kingdom Leadership Differs from Worldly Leadership

Have you ever encountered something that looked good on the outside but was completely rotten on the inside? Just like fruit that appears fine until you cut it open, our lives can sometimes present a polished exterior while hiding a corrupted core.

What truly matters isn't what's visible on the surface, but what overflows from within when life "cuts us open." The question becomes: if someone were to see your true core, what would they find?

What Does It Mean to Live from the Core?
The core is "the part of something that is central to its existence or character." While all Christians should display the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), there are also core values that should define who we are as believers.

At the heart of these values is servanthood. Jesus himself said, "I must be about my Father's business," showing us that our purpose is tied to serving God's purposes. This servanthood should be at the core of who we are as Christ-followers.

How Does Kingdom Leadership Differ from Worldly Leadership?
In Mark 10:35-45, we find James and John asking Jesus for positions of honor in His kingdom. When the other disciples became indignant at this request, Jesus called them together and explained a fundamental difference between worldly and kingdom leadership:

"You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else."

Jesus concludes with this powerful statement: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Three Ways Kingdom Leadership Differs from Worldly Leadership
1. Access to Authority Is Different in God's Kingdom

In the world, authority comes when you impress someone, earn a degree, or "arrive" at a certain position. The world teaches us to be aggressive, to operate with a "dog-eat-dog" mentality where you climb up by pushing others down.

But in God's kingdom, you access authority by lifting others up. The world says you access authority when you serve yourself; the kingdom says you access authority when you serve others.

2. Kingdom Leaders Access Authority Through Servanthood

Kingdom leaders aren't always the most gifted, talented, rich, educated, or qualified. They're simply people who:

See a hole and fill it

Identify a need and meet it

See a problem and find a solution

The need that you see is often the call God has placed on your life. When you see a need and feel it, you've answered the call. Instead of expecting others to solve problems, kingdom leaders step up and say, "I'll solve it."

3. Kingdom Authority Comes Through Serving Everyone

Jesus said we must be "a slave to everyone." Not just those who can do something for us, but everyone—including those who can never repay us. True kingdom service has no strings attached.

Romans 12:6-8 reminds us that God has given each of us different gifts for serving well. Whether your gift is prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, or showing kindness—whatever you do, do it well and in a way that serves others.

What Does Your Service Say About Your Relationship with God?
Joshua 24:14-15 challenges us to "fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly." The way we serve speaks volumes to our spouses, children, and community about our relationship with Jesus.

Joshua declared, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." This wasn't a half-hearted commitment but a wholehearted dedication to serving God differently than the culture around him.

Life Application
The way you serve tells a story to those around you. If we cut you open today, what would be at your core? Would it be rotten, or would it overflow with the fruits of the Spirit and a heart of service?

Here are some questions to consider this week:

What does the way I serve say about my relationship with Jesus?
Am I accessing authority God's way (through serving) or the world's way (through self-promotion)?
What needs do I see around me that might be God's call on my life?
Am I serving everyone or just those who can do something for me?
How can I serve "differently" than the world this week?

Make a commitment today to serve wholeheartedly and differently. Don't rot on the vine—discover how God designed you to serve and step into the fullness of what He has for you. As you serve others, you'll unlock access to the authority of God's kingdom in your life.

Finding Purpose Beyond Comfort: Lessons from Jonah and Uganda

In the story of Jonah chapter 4, we find a prophet who was more concerned with his own comfort than with the people God called him to reach. After reluctantly delivering God's message to Nineveh, Jonah sat on the east side of the city, waiting to see what would happen. God provided a leafy plant to shade him, which made Jonah very grateful. But when God arranged for a worm to destroy the plant, Jonah became angry enough to wish for death.

This ancient story reveals a timeless truth about our human tendency to prioritize personal comfort over God's heart for people.

Why Does God Disrupt Our Comfort?
God sent Jonah to the east side of the city - the direction of the sunrise, representing new mercies and the possibility of a new mindset. Yet Jonah refused to embrace this new perspective, choosing instead to settle in the temporary comfort God had provided.

Many of us do the same. We enjoy God's blessings but forget why He provides them. The truth is, God doesn't provide comfort so we can be comfortable; He provides comfort so we can comfort others.

What Matters More to God: People or Comfort?
The first key lesson is clear: God cares more about people than comfort. People are the currency of the kingdom. Everything we have, everything we are, is for the sake of people.

Sometimes God will even send discomfort to disrupt our normal patterns. While we often think disruption comes from the enemy, it's frequently the Lord saying, "I want to disrupt your rhythm so I can do something new." Discomfort causes us to change, to see things differently, to gain a new perspective.

God may temporarily ease our discomfort (like the plant for Jonah) only to reveal a new level of growth He wants to take us to. We're never supposed to settle in comfort - we should always be growing, taking next steps, and moving forward.

How Does Our Focus on Comfort Blind Us to Others' Needs?
The contrast between Jonah's concern for the plant versus God's concern for Nineveh is striking:

Jonah cared about the plant because he cared about his comfort

God cared about the people, so He cared about the city

Many Christians, especially in America, have developed a theology that suggests God's primary goal is our comfort. But this is backward. God's goal isn't for us to be comfortable; His goal is for us to deliver the comfort we've experienced to others who are afflicted.

As one pastor put it: "God doesn't come only to comfort the afflicted. He also comes to afflict the comfortable."

What Can We Learn from Christians in Developing Nations?
A team from Mercy City Church recently traveled to Uganda and witnessed firsthand how Christians there pursue God with passion despite living in constant discomfort. They met people who trust God for their daily bread and daily life, seeing Him come through in amazing ways.

One team member shared about meeting a woman named Doreen who had been kicked out of her home in the slums. Despite her circumstances, her neighbors immediately took her in and offered her food - people who had very little themselves were quick to share what they had.

Another team member described meeting a woman who, despite living in terrible conditions with her two children after fleeing an abusive husband, repeatedly said, "But I have hope. I have faith in God." This woman had so little materially but was spiritually rich.

How Does Comfort Affect Our Spiritual Growth?
We've embraced comfort so much and called it godliness that we're missing God Himself. The goal of our Christian life isn't simply comfort for the afflicted - it's also affliction for the comfortable places in our lives.

This doesn't mean everything has to be painful or that we shouldn't enjoy God's blessings. But it does mean we should continually step out of our comfort zones to serve others.

When asked what the greatest gift the African church could give to the global church, one leader simply said: "Hunger." This spiritual hunger for more of God is what drives transformation - both personally and in our communities.

Life Application
The message from Jonah's story and the Uganda experience challenges us to examine our relationship with comfort and our priorities as followers of Christ. Here are some questions to consider this week:

Where are you allowing God to stir up discomfort in your life? Are you resisting or embracing it?
What areas of comfort might God be calling you to sacrifice for the sake of others?
How might your focus on personal comfort be blinding you to the needs of people around you?
In what ways can you use your resources (time, money, skills) to provide comfort to someone who is suffering?
How hungry are you for more of God? What practical steps can you take to cultivate greater spiritual hunger?

This week, challenge yourself to intentionally step out of your comfort zone in one specific way to serve someone else. Remember, God doesn't provide comfort so we can be comfortable; He provides comfort so we can comfort others.

Mercy for Everyone: Lessons from Jonah's Anger
The Book of Jonah is often reduced to a simple story about a man and a fish. But there's so much more to this powerful biblical narrative than most people realize. In fact, the fish is actually the smallest part of Jonah's story.

What Was Jonah's Mission?
In Jonah chapter 1, God calls Jonah to preach to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. This was unusual because Nineveh wasn't a Jewish city. At this point in the Old Testament, Yahweh was considered the God of the Jewish people specifically, not everyone. This helps explain why Jonah ran in the opposite direction when God called him to preach to non-Jewish people.

After Jonah boards a ship heading to Tarshish, God sends a storm. The sailors discover Jonah is running from God and throw him overboard at his own request. Rather than letting Jonah drown, God sends a fish to swallow him.

What Happened Inside the Fish?
In chapter 2, Jonah spends three days inside the fish, where he repents and acknowledges God's mercy. After the fish spits him onto the beach, Jonah still has to travel about 100 miles to reach Nineveh.

When Jonah finally arrives and preaches his message of judgment, something unexpected happens: the entire city repents, from ordinary citizens to the king himself. In response to their repentance, God decides not to destroy Nineveh.

Why Was Jonah Angry About God's Mercy?
This is where the story takes a surprising turn. Instead of celebrating this successful mission, Jonah becomes furious. The text says this change of plans "broke Jonah to pieces" and he became "hot with anger."

Jonah prays: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That's why I ran away to Tarshish. I knew that you were a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord. I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen."

God responds with a profound question: "Is it right for you to be angry about this?"

When God's Mercy Offends Our Sense of Justice
Jonah's reaction reveals a common human struggle: what happens when God's mercy offends our sense of justice? What happens when we think judgment needs to come, but instead God gives mercy?

The truth is that God doesn't operate according to our expectations or sense of justice, but His own. As Isaiah reminds us, His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Jonah knew God was compassionate and merciful, yet he refused to reframe his expectations to align with God's reality.

What Are the Key Truths About Mercy?
1. Mercy Is For Everyone
Mercy is not getting what we deserve. The Bible tells us that "the wages of sin is death" and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The fact that we're alive and breathing is evidence that we're currently receiving God's mercy.

But what happens when mercy is displayed in someone else's life—someone we don't think deserves it? We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions and everyone else by their actions. When our actions are out of line, we justify them by our good intentions. But when someone else's actions are out of line, we judge them without understanding their heart.

2. Mercy Is Offensive
By its very nature, mercy can be offensive. When someone who deserves punishment doesn't receive it, we can feel offended. The Greek word for offense is "skandalon," which represents an animal trap. When we believe others deserve what we don't, it's a trap that leaves us disconnected.

The rebellious tend to be offended when the religious flourish, but the religious also tend to be offended when the rebellious flourish. When someone else becomes the enemy, we tend to excuse and avoid the dysfunction living within us.

There are two ditches we can fall into: rebellion and religion. What's in the middle? Relationship. And how do we walk the narrow road? Through repentance. Repentance is necessary for both the rebellious and the religious.

3. Mercy Is Available
Here's the good news: mercy is available to everyone. But here's the challenging part: we cannot live in the "mercy for me, but not for them" camp.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy" (Matthew 5:7). James 2:13 adds, "There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful to you when he judges you."

God isn't withholding something from us when He calls us to reconcile with others. He's saying, "I want to be with you so badly. Go deal with what's blocking our relationship."

How Do We Receive God's Mercy?
God's mercy is always being poured out, but we often approach Him with closed hands, holding onto our offenses and the people who have wronged us. What God's mercy demands is that we let go of both our superiority ("I got this right and they didn't") and our inferiority ("How could God ever forgive me?").

The Bible promises that "anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." That includes the religious, the rebellious, you, and me. God's mercy is ready to be poured out if we're willing to open our hands and release what we've been carrying.

God: The Father of Second Chances
Life is full of second chances. Whether it was repeating a grade in school, retaking your driver's test, or gathering the courage to ask someone out again after rejection - we've all benefited from another opportunity to try again.

But second chances aren't just part of our natural lives; they're central to our spiritual journey as well. God is truly a Father of second chances, and understanding this aspect of His character can transform how we view Him and how we treat others.

Why Do We All Need Second Chances?
The reality is simple: whether you consider yourself a sinner or a saint, at some point, you're going to need another chance. It might be your second chance, your seventy-second chance, or even your six-hundred-and-eighty-second chance. The number doesn't matter - what matters is that God is always ready to offer another opportunity.

In Jonah chapter 3, we see this principle clearly demonstrated. After Jonah initially disobeyed God, ran away, and ended up in the belly of a fish, God didn't give up on him. Instead, He spoke to Jonah a second time, giving him another opportunity to fulfill his calling.

What Are the Key Attributes of God as a Father of Second Chances?
Looking at Jonah chapter 3, we can identify three essential attributes of God the Father that reveal His heart toward us:

1. He Is a Father Who Gives Second Chances
"Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time." This simple statement reveals so much about God's character. After Jonah's dramatic disobedience, God didn't disqualify him. Instead, He gave him another opportunity to obey.

This is a powerful reminder that if you're not dead, God's not done with you. He's not done pursuing you, speaking to you, leading you, or calling out to you. No matter how far you've gone or how many times you've failed, God is always ready to give you another chance.

2. He Is a Father of Unique Mercy
God's kingdom is not a "one-size-fits-all" operation. He knows that the mercy you need is different from the mercy I need. In Jonah 3, we see God showing up differently to Jonah (the saint) than He did to the people of Nineveh (the sinners).

The people of Nineveh were given a message, some space, and time to work things out. Jonah, on the other hand, received a swift correction and redirection. Both approaches were merciful, but they were uniquely tailored to each recipient's situation.

This reminds us that God meets us in the middle of our mess - whatever that mess might be - with exactly the kind of mercy we need. He knows how He wired you, and He loves you uniquely.

3. He Is a Father Who Has Made Up His Mind About You
When the people of Nineveh repented, the Bible says God "changed His mind" about destroying them. But this doesn't mean God is fickle or inconsistent. His mind was already made up about loving them - what changed was how they positioned themselves to receive His mercy.

You can never change God's mind about you. Ephesians 1 tells us that "even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes." Before the foundations of the earth, you were on God's mind because you were in His eye.

There's nothing you can do to make Him not love you. His mind is already made up. He loves you in your sin and in your righteousness. He loves you as a saint and as a sinner.

How Does God See Us Differently Than We See Ourselves?
Many of us think God is rigid, exacting, and unforgiving. But that's not the truth. God always interacts with His sons and daughters based on how He sees us, not how we see ourselves.

Remember Jonah's name means "truth" or "faithfulness." Even when Jonah ran in the opposite direction, God still interacted with him based on the truth of who he was. In the same way, you might interact with God based on how you see yourself, but God always interacts with you based on how He sees you - through His Son Jesus.

Mercy in the Mess: Finding God's Presence in Your Darkest Moments
Life is full of consequences - some good, some challenging. Whether we take responsibility for our actions or not, consequences happen, and often we can't stop them. But what happens when we find ourselves in a mess of our own making? Does God abandon us? Does He punish us? Or is there something deeper happening?

The story of Jonah offers profound insights into God's character and how He responds when we run from Him. Far from being just a Sunday school tale about a man swallowed by a big fish, Jonah's experience reveals God's heart toward people - even when they're running in the opposite direction.

What Happens When We Run From God?
Jonah was given a clear assignment from God: go to Nineveh and warn the people to repent. Instead, Jonah literally ran away. But as we discover, you can't actually run from God. He knows exactly where you are, and He will go out of His way to find you.

When Jonah found himself in the belly of a great fish, it appeared to be punishment. But this was actually God's mercy in action. The fish wasn't a punishment - it was protection. God allowed Jonah to be in a space where he couldn't keep running.

Sometimes in our lives, we feel trapped or stuck. We think God has punished us or left us, but God has actually allowed this circumstance to get our attention. We blame others or circumstances, but in God's sovereignty, He has us in a place where we can finally hear Him.

What Can Jonah's Prayer Teach Us About God's Character?
In Jonah chapter 2, we find Jonah's prayer from inside the fish. Through this prayer, we discover three powerful truths about God that apply directly to our own struggles.

1. Mercy Isn't Just Rescue - It's Presence in Dark Places
Jonah assumed God would remove His presence because of his disobedience. He says, "O Lord, you have driven me from your presence." But to his surprise, God was still there: "I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me."

This reveals something profound about God's character. He doesn't abandon us in our messes - even self-inflicted ones. God is Yahweh Rohai, "The Lord is my shepherd." Like a good shepherd, He doesn't leave His sheep. If one goes missing, He goes on a rescue mission to find it.

When we're in our lowest places, God doesn't wait for us to clean up our act before He comes near. His presence finds us in our darkness and brokenness. He doesn't wait until we have it all figured out - He meets us right where we are.

2. We Often Remember God After We're Broken
Jonah says, "As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord." How often do we wait until we're already in a mess before turning to God? Whether we're actively running from Him or just trying to handle life on our own, we often don't cry out until we've hit bottom.

If God were like us, He might say, "You only come to me when you need something." But God isn't like that. Jonah was in the lowest place without hope, yet when he remembered the Lord and cried out, God responded.

This teaches us that we're never too low or too far away to reach out to God. He's never out of reach or earshot. You don't have to get everything figured out before coming to Him - you can reach out from your lowest point.

God is Yeshua - "the one who saves." It's who He is and what He does. Even in the Old Testament, God's plan was always salvation and redemption because He loves people and wants relationship with them.

3. God Hears Prayers Even From the Depths
Jonah didn't respond with timidity or shame. Instead, he declared: "I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone."

Not only does God hear our prayers from the depths, but He responds. It was in these moments of praise that Jonah's situation began to change. When Jonah took his eyes off himself and his circumstances and focused on God, things turned around.

Praise changed Jonah's situation. It wasn't easy - it was a sacrifice. He gave up his own opinions and feelings to praise God despite his circumstances. When we take our eyes off what's right in front of us and look up to God, our perspective shifts. Where we feel trapped, God can show us a way out.

God is Jehovah Shammah - "the God who hears." He hears your prayers not because you're good enough, but because that's who He is. You're never disqualified from His attention.

What About Your Detour?
When the fish spit Jonah onto the beach, it represented a fresh start. God didn't punish him by taking away his assignment - He simply put Jonah back on track after a detour.

Many of us have been on detours. We've run from what God called us to do, perhaps because it was scary or we didn't feel qualified. We've wandered so far that we assumed God stopped listening or seeing us. But that's not who God is.

The good shepherd doesn't abandon His sheep. The God who saves doesn't give up on His people. The God who hears doesn't stop listening. His calling on your life doesn't change, and His purpose for you remains intact - even after a detour.

Life Application
Where do you find yourself today? Are you running from God? Are you stuck in a dark place of your own making? Are you on a detour from God's purpose for your life? Or are you ready for a fresh start?

Whatever your situation, God is there. His presence is with you. His mercy knows no end. Not because of anything you've done, but because that's who He is. God is Yahweh - "I am who I am" - unchanging and faithful.

Here are some questions to reflect on this week:

In what areas of my life have I been running from God or trying to handle things on my own?
Where do I feel stuck or trapped right now? How might God be using this situation to get my attention?
What would it look like for me to offer a "sacrifice of praise" in my current circumstances?
Do I truly believe God hears my prayers, even from my lowest points?
What detour have I taken from God's purpose for my life, and am I ready to get back on track?

Remember, God's character doesn't change based on your performance. He is who He says He is - a God of mercy who pursues you even in the mess you've made. Will you cry out to Him today?

To the Ends of the Earth: What Happens When We Run From God's Call

Have you ever felt like you've gone too far from God? Perhaps you believe you've disconnected yourself so much that God won't reconnect or engage with you anymore. Many of us expect good things for others but not for ourselves. The truth is, God will go to the ends of the earth for you. No matter how far, how disconnected, or how dysfunctional you feel, God is coming for you.

The book of Jonah perfectly illustrates this truth. In this ancient story, we find timeless lessons about God's relentless pursuit of His people - even when they're running in the opposite direction.

Who Was Jonah and Why Did He Run?
Jonah was the son of Amittai, which means "truth" or "faithfulness." God called him to go to Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq) to announce judgment against the people there because of their wickedness. These were people who were oppressing and killing God's people.

But instead of obeying, Jonah "got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord." He went to Joppa, found a ship leaving for Tarshish, and bought a ticket, hoping to escape from God's presence.

Why did Jonah run? He had set in his heart certain feelings toward these people. He thought they deserved punishment, not the mercy he knew God would ultimately show them if they repented. Jonah didn't like what God was doing, so he ran.

Can We Really Run From God's Presence?
Jonah didn't just go geographically in the opposite direction - he went spiritually in the opposite direction as well. As the son of truth and faithfulness, he chose to operate in lies rather than truth.

Many of us do the same thing. While we might not change our physical location, we change directions in our hearts. God calls us to operate in truth, faithfulness, consistency, promise, power, and purpose - but we choose to go in the opposite direction because we don't like how God is working.

There's a little bit of Jonah in all of us. We think we know better than God. We believe we understand how things should go, and when God wants to do something different, we resist.

What Happens When We Try to Escape God's Call?
"The Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart." While the sailors were panicking and praying to their gods, Jonah was sound asleep in the hold of the ship.

When the sailors cast lots to see who had offended the gods and caused the storm, the lot fell on Jonah. They asked him, "Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What nationality are you?"

These questions gave Jonah an opportunity to remember who he really was. He answered, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."

Sometimes we get caught in the storms of life and forget who we are. But culture will always give us opportunities to be reminded of our true identity. You're not the dirty, rotten scoundrel you've been convinced you are. You're a son or daughter of God in whom He is well pleased.

Why Does God Send Storms Into Our Lives?
When we find ourselves in difficult situations, we often blame everyone else and think God is out to get us. The truth is, God is out to get us - but not with wrath. He's pursuing us with mercy.

How many times do we misunderstand God's actions? We think God is mad at us when He's actually trying to awaken us to His mercy. The storms, the fish's belly, the difficult circumstances - these aren't signs of God's anger but of His relentless love.

God will meet us at our level of dysfunction to awaken us to His purposes. What looks like punishment is often God's rescue mission.

Three Important Truths About God's Pursuit
We always have a choice in our calling - We're either going to run to it or run away from it. There is no standing still.

Work for God doesn't always equal a heart for God's work - Just because we're doing God's work doesn't mean our hearts are being transformed. Unless your heart is being transformed, you most likely won't continue to progress toward the work of God.

Rebellion will always unleash God's rescue mission - No matter where you are, how far you've gone, or how disconnected you feel, rebellion always triggers God's pursuit of you.

What Does Mercy Really Mean?
Mercy means you're not going to get what you deserve. But so often, we want others to get what they deserve. We want judgment for others while desiring mercy for ourselves.

Jonah wanted the people of Nineveh to receive judgment, but God wanted to show them mercy. Similarly, we often resist God's heart for others because it doesn't align with our ideas of justice.

The reality is that God was working something out in the hearts of the people of Nineveh, but He was also working something out in Jonah's heart. Sometimes we become the focal point of the lesson rather than those we're called to reach.

Life Application
God is coming for you. No matter how far you've gone or how disappointed you've been, it's time to run to God again. Here are some questions to consider:

In what areas of your life are you running from God's call?
Are you extending the same mercy to others that God has extended to you?
Is your heart being transformed by God, or are you just going through the motions of doing work for Him?
Who in your life needs God's mercy that you've been withholding?

This week, identify one person toward whom you've been harboring unforgiveness, bitterness, or judgment. Choose to extend mercy to them, just as God has extended mercy to you. Remember that where we have freely received mercy, we must also freely give mercy.

God's word is clear: He is "rich in mercy" and while we were dead because of our sins, He gave His Son's life for us to be saved. Let us be people who not only receive God's mercy but extend it to others as well.

Mobilizing Generations: How to Make a Lasting Impact

Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions in life? Moving, but not really going anywhere with purpose? There's a significant difference between simply moving and being mobilized. Mobilization is "the purposeful action of making something movable or capable of movement." It's about moving with intention, with clarity, and with a vision that can be passed on.

What Does the Bible Say About Generational Impact?
In Habakkuk 2:1-2, we find a powerful lesson about mobilization. Habakkuk was frustrated with the cultural direction of his time (sound familiar?). Instead of continuing to complain, he decided to pray and listen for God's response:

"I will climb to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait and see what the Lord has to say and how he will answer my complaint. Then the Lord said to me, 'Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.'"

God wanted Habakkuk to write His message so clearly that even someone running by could grab it and carry it forward. The vision needed to be simple enough to be understood at a glance, yet profound enough to impact generations.

Why Are We Too Busy to Enjoy Life?
Statistics show that 60% of Americans wish they had more hours in the day, and 74% of parents with children under 18 feel they're too busy to enjoy life. But here's the truth: we all have the same 24 hours. What we don't all have is the same sense of purpose.

When we lack purpose, we just move. When we have purpose, we're mobilized.

How Do We Preserve God's Revelation?
Preservation
Our first responsibility is to preserve revelation. Instead of complaining about our culture or the next generation, we need to pray like Habakkuk did. We need to listen for God's voice and write down what He shows us.

Taking notes isn't just about remembering information—it's about preserving revelation for future generations. When you write something down, you're saying, "This matters." Your notes today could impact someone years from now, just like finding your grandmother's Bible with her handwritten notes can impact you.

Clarification
It's hard to run a race when you don't know where you're going. Clear communication is essential for mobilization.

Think about a marathon. For it to happen successfully, someone has to:

Chart the course
Manage registration
Set up signs
Direct traffic
Hand out water
Cheer from the sidelines
Actually run the race

Similarly, serving the next generation isn't one-size-fits-all. Some are called to lead small groups, others to give financially, some to handle logistics, others to pray faithfully, and some to open their homes. Whatever your role, it has "immeasurable value to a young person."

How Can Different Generations Work Together?
Mobilization
We need to mobilize all generations—not just the young ones. Interestingly, statistics show a 19% increase in openness to spiritual things among younger generations since 2020, while older generations have flatlined in their spiritual growth.

Many of us approach life like it's a sprint, but it's actually a marathon. We burn out because we misunderstand the pace required. God is looking for people positioned for purpose for the long haul.

Generation to Generation
One of the biggest lies older generations believe is that young people don't want to hear their voice. The truth is, your voice matters precisely because you're different from them.

"If you were like them, they wouldn't need you."

Your wisdom, experience, and perspective are valuable precisely because they're different. Even if what you have to offer feels incomplete, it's still relevant to those coming behind you.

Life Application
The challenge is simple: accept responsibility and run your part of the race. You might be done running, but you're not done racing. You might be done leading from the front, but you're not done supporting those who are.

Here are some questions to consider this week:

What revelation has God given you that needs to be preserved and passed on?

How can you write down God's vision so clearly that others can easily run with it?

What specific role in "the race" is God calling you to fill right now?

How can you use your voice to impact the next generation, even if you don't feel "cool" or "relevant"?

What one step can you take this week to connect with someone from a different generation?

Remember, there is no generational divide in God's kingdom. As long as we're on this planet together, we're building the kingdom together. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. Your wisdom matters. The baton you pass will allow the next generation to run further than you could have ever dreamed.

Passing the Baton: Understanding Legacy and Spiritual Seeds

Life is like a relay race where we're all called to run different legs, but the most crucial part is how we pass the baton to the next generation. Our actions, words, and thoughts are seeds that create lasting impact beyond our immediate influence.

What Does It Mean to Pass the Spiritual Baton?
Even when we're done running our portion of life's race, we're never done racing. Just as relay runners cheer from the sidelines after their leg, we must continue supporting and encouraging those who come after us. This applies not just to our biological children, but to anyone who needs guidance and support.

Why Is Everything We Do Considered a Seed?
Three key principles govern how our actions serve as seeds:

1. Everything Is a Seed
Every word, thought, feeling, and action plants something that will eventually grow. Whether positive or negative, these seeds will produce a harvest in time. We must be intentional about what we're planting through our daily choices.

2. All Seeds Multiply
Seeds never produce a one-to-one return - they always multiply. Good seeds multiply into abundant blessing, while negative seeds can multiply into larger problems. This principle works consistently, whether we're conscious of it or not.

3. Seeds Are Our Legacy
What we plant today becomes our legacy tomorrow. It's crucial to consider the soil where we plant our seeds. Not every opportunity is good soil, and timing matters in when we share our resources, wisdom, and influence.

How Do We Ensure Our Seeds Bear Good Fruit?
Jesus taught about different types of soil receiving seeds. Some seeds fall on paths and get eaten by birds, others in shallow soil where they can't develop roots, and some among thorns where they get choked out. The key is to intentionally plant in fertile soil - situations and people ready to receive and multiply what we share.

Life Application
This week, consider these questions and challenges:

What kinds of seeds are you currently sowing through your words, actions, and attitudes?

Are you being intentional about where you plant your seeds of influence?

How can you better support the next generation in their spiritual journey?

Challenge: Choose one area of your life where you've been sowing negative seeds and consciously replace it with positive ones. This might mean changing how you speak to others, adjusting your attitude at work, or being more intentional in mentoring relationships.

Remember: You might be done running, but you're never done racing. Your influence matters, and the seeds you plant today will multiply into tomorrow's harvest.

Stewarding Your God-Given Gifts: A Guide to Faithful Service

God has entrusted each of us with unique gifts, talents, and resources. The challenge lies not just in recognizing these gifts, but in using them effectively to serve others and glorify God.
What Does Biblical Stewardship Mean?

Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. When something is entrusted to us, it means it's put into our care and protection. This applies to everything God has given us - from our time and talents to our treasures and relationships.
How Do We Identify Our Spiritual Gifts?

According to 1 Peter 4:10, God has given each person a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. These gifts aren't meant to be hidden or used solely for personal gain - they're intended to serve others and bring glory to God.

Some common spiritual gifts include:

• Teaching
• Hospitality
• Administration
• Prayer
• Leadership
• Giving
• Helping others
• 
  

Why Is Proper Stewardship Important?

Jesus teaches in Luke 16 that if we're faithful in small things, we'll be faithful in larger ones. This principle applies to all areas of stewardship:

• How we manage our current resources affects future opportunities
• Being trustworthy with others' things leads to being trusted with our own
• Faithful stewardship opens doors for greater responsibility

What Happens When We Don't Steward Well?

Poor stewardship has significant consequences:

• The lost aren't reached
• The body of Christ isn't built up
• People aren't impacted
• Future generations may be left behind
• The kingdom stops being built through God's house

How Can We Better Steward Our Gifts?

To improve our stewardship:

• Identify your gifts and talents
• Check your motivations - are you serving for God's glory or your own?
• Look for opportunities to serve others
• Start with small responsibilities
• Be faithful in what you're currently managing

Life Application

This week, consider these questions:

• What gifts has God entrusted to me?
• Am I using these gifts to serve others and glorify God?
• Where could I be more faithful in my stewardship?

Challenge: Take one step toward better stewardship this week. This might mean:

• Volunteering in an area aligned with your gifts
• Mentoring someone younger
• Using your professional skills to serve others
• Supporting ministries with your resources
• Investing time in developing your gifts

Remember: Every gift you've been given is an opportunity to make an eternal impact. How will you steward what God has entrusted to you?

I'm going to pick up where Pastor Matt left off with a message that I'm calling, stewarding your race well. Stewarding your race well. And I believe that it's a perfect Mother's Day message. Okay. And I hope that you would be inspired and challenged to run the race that God has set us on.
Jesus has a lot to say in scripture about stewardship. And today we're going to look at a parable where he goes into great detail about the idea of stewardship. We're going to be in Luke 16. If you have your Bibles, you can turn there. You can get it up on the app.
We've got the notes on the Mercy City Church app. If you're like, I don't have the app, you can tap the circle in front of you. You can download the app. We've tried to make it really easy to make sure that you can follow along, or, of course, we'll have it up on the screen. So I'm going to pray for us, and then we're going to jump right in.
So, Father, we just thank you for today. We thank you for everything that you want to speak to us today. God, I believe that you have a word for what we want to do, what you want to say. God, I believe that we have a word from you. From you, Holy Spirit, specifically for each and every one of us in the room, in all of our rooms.
I just pray that our hearts would be open and that our ears would be open, God, that we would be in tune with you this morning as you gently nudge us by the power of your Holy Spirit in Jesus name, Amen. Amen. That's been my prayer. Just as Pastor Matt and I, we always pray in the truck on the way to church. And I just was really praying that we would all sense just that little nudge from the Holy Spirit.
Because today the goal is to just respond to the nudge. It's to respond not to everybody the same way, but the Holy Spirit is going to uniquely and specifically nudge you into a place of movement. Okay? Some of you, that made you nervous because you've been sitting still for a long time. But today the Lord's going to say, let's go somewhere now.
Okay? And so that's our heart for today. And you might be like, I'm just visiting. That's okay. You have ears, you have eyes.
You can move. Okay? So whatever this looks like we're gonna do this together. Okay? Look at your neighbor and say, we're gonna do it together.
We're gonna do it together, okay? Luke 16 is a parable. And what parables are, is Jesus using a story to teach and to communicate a kingdom principle, okay? That's a principle based on God's kingdom. It's the way that he wants us to live.
It's kind of his idea for us to live this way on earth. And he tell of this shrewd manager who did not handle his master's wealth and possessions well. Everybody can take a deep breath. I am not talking about money, okay? Chapter 16, verse number one.
Jesus told this story to his disciples. There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer's money. So the employer called him in and said, what's this I hear about you get your report in order because you are going to be fired? So the manager starts to panic.
And what he does is he begins to think, hmm, I wonder how I can make sure that I don't have to go dig ditches. That's what it says in the Bible. He's like, what could I do? So he gets a plan to make some friends, okay? In verse five, he says this.
So he called in each one of his master's debtors. And he asked the first, how much do you owe my master? 900 gallons of olive oil, he replied. The manager told him, take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it 450. Then he asked the second, how much do you owe?
A thousand bushels of wheat, he replied. And he told him, take your bill and make it 800. So the manager, or so Jesus says this. The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal. Ever met a dishonest rascal?
Some of you that own business are still like, I'm not that dishonest rascal. I know who that is for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. What is Jesus saying here? People in the world's system are more shrewd and better managers of what they've been given than the people of God are.
He's saying, sometimes in the world, people do a better job of taking care of what they need to take care of even more than people do in the kingdom. And I love what Jesus does next is he tells exactly what he means. That's what parables are so great because Jesus tells the parable, but then he says, this is what I'm saying. He says, this is what I actually mean. Just so we don't get confused about the lesson that he's trying to teach us.
In verse number 10, it says, if you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. Some of us wonder why God can't help us with more responsibility or God can't trust us with more responsibilities. It's because we haven't been faithful in the little things that he's given us. And if you're untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? You know, this reminds me of anytime we're, like, out and about and I see employees just, like, not doing a good job, you know? And I think to myself, they don't own this. That's why they don't care. They don't own this.
So they're not treating people well. They're not cleaning up. They're not making this look right. They don't own it, so they don't care. And that's what this is saying.
He's saying, if I can't trust you, to do what? Well, with things that don't belong to you, how can I give you things that do belong to you? That's what Jesus is asking, a few questions. If you're found to be untrustworthy with what you've been given here on earth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? If you're not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
This is a hard lesson for me sometimes, because if I want a new car, I want something new. But I'm not taking care of what I currently have, which. My car's kind of messy. I'm just gonna be honest with you. And my husband will say to me, well, maybe we should keep the car we have clean.
And I'm like, that's silly.
How would I have all my stuff if it wasn't in my car? You know, like, so. But that's what this is talking about. Like, you gotta take care of what you have if you wanna have something better. You've gotta take care of the things that God's already blessed you with and given you if you want him to give you something better.
So that's what we're talking about. And here today, many of us read this scripture and we assume that it's only about money and possessions. But it isn't only about that. It is about that, but it isn't only about that. You guys know it can be both and right, it can be about that, but it can also be about something else.
Because we have also been entrusted on this earth with time, talent, and treasure. That's what the Bible says. Our time. God's given us a measure of it. Our talents.
God's given each of us a measure of those and our treasures or our wealth. Over and over again in Scripture, we find encouragement about how we steward these gifts that God has given us. I want to encourage you, if you have questions about that, you can find it in the word. You can find scripture about this. Let's pause for just a minute about a couple definitions.
Stewardship is this. It's the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. So if I'm a good steward of something, I'm a careful and responsible manager of something that's been entrusted to me. Entrusted means to put something into someone's care and protection. So think of all the things that you've been entrusted with.
Those of you that are parents, you've been entrusted with the life of your children, those of you that have a home or a job or health or a car or everything that we have, we've been entrusted to steward it well. Okay? That's why God gave it to us, so that we become good stewards of all that we have. And so we believe in stewarding our resources. Absolutely.
We. You hear about it. Pastor Matt talked about it. And giving our. Your location leader talked about it.
Giving our resources our tithes, our offering. We do that. We want you to be a good steward of it. That's why we offer financial peace. That's why we have free resources so that you can learn how to steward your resources well.
But what about our time and our talents? What about our giftedness? We are responsible to steward what God has entrusted to us in this world. We are responsible. No one else is responsible to steward what you have been entrusted.
You are the steward of what God has entrusted you with. If we're adults, we are grown, and now we've become responsible stewards of what God's given us. Right? And I believe most of us at Mercy City would say, yes, this is a great idea. I love this thought to do this, you know, I want to do what God wants me to do.
I want to steward it well. But I wonder if we would each make this a personal question. How am I stewarding all that's been entrusted to me? Have I even slowed down to think about what God has entrusted to me? Have I thought about what are the things that God's given me?
And God says so much about this all through scripture. He makes it so clear that we've all been given gifts and talents. Each and every one of you has a purpose and a God given gift.
Yes. You, you, you, you, you, you. Everybody, everyone has been entrusted with spiritual gifts. You've been entrusted with something, with a talent. Some of us, you know, I mean, I've been in this situation before.
I'm like, no, I don't really have anything. Or I used to say that I was a jack of all trades and a master of none. Like, I was good at a few little things. Like when I played sports, I was like, I was never the best at any of them, but I could, you know, I could hang, I could do it. You know, I look really athletic.
And so I know that you guys can imagine me on the basketball court or playing volleyball or, you know, softball or many of the other things that I did that I was so, so moderately good at. And so, like, we have all these gifts, we have all these things and we're like, oh, I don't really know what those are good for. But here's the truth. Even if you're new to faith, God has entrusted you with gifts. Even if you're new to this whole thing, or you've been, maybe you're like, no, my gifts are gone.
I'm old now. No, you're not. You're not dead. God wants you to use those gifts. There's a grace on your life to do something specific with those gifts.
And this is what it is. 1st Peter 4. I love this verse. Verse 10. God has given each of you, everybody say, me, yes, you, a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Isn't that cool? Not every gift is the same. There's a variety of spiritual gifts. This is the key. Use them well.
To do what? To serve one another. It doesn't say, use them well to make a lot of money. Use them well to serve yourself. Use them well to do whatever you want.
Just tuck them away and hide them. No, it says, use them. God has entrusted you with these gifts. Not to be used for ourselves, but to be used to serve one another. And that means more than just yourself.
In case we were confused, right? It means not just me, but Also others. Verse 11. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were Speaking through you.
Do you have the gift of helping? You know, helping others is a spiritual gift. And here's the truth. Not everybody has it. Not everybody has it.
Do you do that, do that with all your strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ, all glory and power to him, forever and ever. All of our gifts are used why? To bring glory to God. Not to bring glory to you, but to bring glory to God.
From our money to our time, to our talents, to our giftings, to our passions, everything is used to serve one another and, and bring glory to God. That's the parameters that we view how we're stewarding what's been entrusted to us. Is it serving others and is it giving glory to God? Those are the structure. That's the structure that God gives us for how we use our gifts.
Okay, so here's a few questions for us to consider today. And remember that we love you. And so we want you to feel that nudge. Because it's when you feel that nudge that you begin to feel fulfilled. It's when you feel that nudge that you begin to make a difference, that you begin to walk in your calling, that you begin to walk in your purpose.
Pastor Matt and I will never be the pastors and our team will never be the team. Our location leaders will never be the location leaders that just are okay with you not growing. This is not that church. We want you to grow. We want you to grow in relationship with the Lord.
We want you to grow in your giftings. We want you to grow in your impact and your influence. That's who we are. That's why we came here, because we want people to move, move into the place that God has you. And that's different for everybody.
There's a great variety of spiritual gifts. Okay, so number one, question. Number one, are we adequately using the gifts and talents that God has given us? Are we adequately using the gifts and talents that God has given us? Now, I think there's two types of people in the rooms that we have.
The first is people who know your gifts. You know what your gifts are. I don't know what that was. Some of you, you know that you can sing, you know that you can play an instrument. You know that you're a great teacher.
You know that you have the gift of hospitality. You love having people over. You love serving. You're an administrative minded person. You know what your gifts are.
You love to pray. You're a great leader. You're a giver. Those are spiritual gifts. And you are aware of.
And many of you are crushing it, operating in your gifts. You're like, I know my gifts. I'm serving others. I'm glorifying God. Serving and leading as God has called you to do.
We could not do what we do, minister to hundreds and hundreds of people every weekend if you weren't doing what you're called to do in God's house. This doesn't only limit it to God's house, though. It's also your house. It's also your workplace. It's also your school.
It's not only the church, but it is the church. And also wherever you go the other six days of the week, we are called to minister the gospel, to serve others and give glory to God everywhere we go. If you save all of that for Sunday morning, think of how much smaller your impact and your influence are. Or maybe you're like, no, I do that all week. I don't want to do it on Sundays.
But then where's the eternal impact? How are you serving others and glorifying God within the context of the house and the other type of people in this room are. You do not know what your gifts are for the life of you. You're like, I don't know. I don't know what I'm good at.
I don't know where I could do what I'm good at. I don't think that's really a gift. I don't know how you would use what I think I'm good at to benefit others. And I want to invite you on that journey to figure it out. That's why we have Connect Track.
You guys are so annoyed with us constantly talking about Connect Track, but can I tell you what Connect Track is? It's a way for you to figure out what you're good at. It's a way for you to figure out how God made you and how he wired you and then figure out, how do I use that? What do I do with it? That's what Connect Track is.
It's a class that we have. It's just once a month. You just have to do it once. And the Lord will reveal to you what you're good at, where your gifts are. And I promise, we've never had anybody go through Connect Track and come out and say, I don't have any gifts.
Not one person, not ever. Okay, Everybody has a gift, and we want to help you discover it. You can sign up for that next month. The second question is this. Whose glory are we Using our gifts.
For whose glory are we using our gifts for? It's so easy in our world to use our gifts for ourselves, isn't it? It's automatic. That's our natural instinct, is to use our gifts. To do what?
To make money, to work? I mean, that's normal. It's natural and it's not wrong. From childhood, we're taught and we're trained to leverage what we're good at, right? What we have, and to use it for ourselves.
But the world bases success on that. Jesus flips that on his head. Jesus says our goal as his followers is to be less about us and more about him. If your life is only about you, it is so small and so limited, and God wants to expand your capacity to steward those gifts, to minister and impact other people. Whose glory are you using your gifts?
Yours or his? Only you can answer that. Because that's a heart posture, right? That's a heart posture. Even some of us that are doing things that look like we're serving others, really, we're doing it to bring ourselves glory.
And so you might be like, no, I'm good. I serve. I do. But are you doing it so you look good? Are you doing it so he looks good?
That's something we have to wrestle with a lot. I'm saying we have to wrestle, okay? Like, do I want to get up on stage and teach so that I look good or so that he looks good? And it's constantly a check. I don't want to do this for me.
I want to do this for you. I don't want to lead so people follow me. I want to lead so people follow you. I don't want to teach so people hear my voice. I want to teach so people hear your voice.
Everything we do, it's constantly. It's that motivation check. Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this?
All right, number three, you ready for this one? This is a good one. Have we considered the ramifications on others if we don't? If we don't steward what's been entrusted to us? Well, here's what happens.
The lost aren't reached. The body of Christ is not built up. People are not impacted. Our family grows up believing that this is optional. The kingdom stops being built through this house.
That's what happens. The lost aren't reached. Your kids grow up thinking this is optional. The church stops growing. People are not impacted.
This series is all about reaching the next generation. And here's the truth. If we choose not to Steward what's been entrusted to us. The next generation gets left behind.
That's right. The next generation gets left behind. Here's the problem. We live in a world where the enemy is fighting for the souls of our kids. I've been reading this and crying, so I'm really gonna try to get through this.
He's trying to get them to doubt God, to doubt how much God loves them and even question their identity. The enemy is in full attack mode for our kids. And he's not waiting until they're teenagers. He's not waiting until they're adults, like Pastor Matt talked to us last week. There's a race that we're running towards eternity.
There's a race that's happening and it's happening all around us. It's happening in front of our eyes, in our homes, in our families, and in our neighborhoods. There is a race for the hearts of our kids. And he knows the enemy knows if he can get to their hearts first, he can set the tone for the rest of their life and even worse, for their eternity. I want you to think of those babies that we just dedicated.
I want you to think of their little faces and their little chubby legs and their sweet little smiles. Our job doesn't end with extending a right hand. We all have a responsibility to reach the hearts of our kids, no matter what your giftedness is. If it's prayer, if it's giving, if it's serving, if it's hospitality, Our mission as a church is to connect their hearts to God and to connect them in God's house, to be planted in the house of God so their lives will flourish. And we don't mess around.
We're not playing church. When our kids go to their room, they're learning how to pray. They're getting saved. They're learning how to lay hands on one another. They're learning how to give.
Here's the truth. 83% of Christians make their commitments to Christ between the ages of 4 and 14. 83%. That means that the window to shape a child's faith is narrow and the enemy knows it. The time to invest in our children, in their spirits, it's now.
It's now. It's not later, it's now. Here at Mercy City. We're not going to let that happen. We're not going to let them miss out on what God's trying to do.
We believe that God is calling us to get to the hearts the next generation first. That's why we're dedicating an entire series to this. We feel like this is our calling. It's an urgency right now for our kids. We are committed to leading them into relationship with Jesus before the world can shape their identities and their futures.
That's why we're investing in them. If you've never been to Tuesday morning prayer, you're missing it. First of all, it's the best thing that we do, I think. But we've got tons of kids that come, parents that get up or they get their kids out of bed. They get them here at 6am and they're learning how to pray.
They're being prayed over, they're being stewarded. We are praying for our kids. We're creating environments for them to meet Jesus. Every child in our house is given the opportunity to begin this journey of faith at a young age. And we believe that that's the foundation that Jesus has for them for long standing relationship with him.
These are our kids. This is our next gen ministry. Our motto is that we are raising leaders. We're not raising kids, we're raising leaders. We're raising leaders so they can go into their schools and preach the gospel.
We're raising leaders so they can go into their workplaces. We're not raising passive, timid kids. We're raising kids who are fully confident in who they are in Christ and developing a new sense of identity based on who they were created to be. And this generation needs caring and trusted adults who will show them the way. Leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, who know how to separate the truth from a lie, who know the word, who will walk in purity, who will refuse to compromise.
What our kids are facing in their generation is unlike anything any of us ever faced. I am so thankful there are not pictures of me on the Internet from when I was in high school. Can I get an amen? Thank you Jesus that there was no social media. But our kids, they don't get to live in that world.
How are they going to understand how to steward that? Well, if we don't teach them, we've got to make deposits in them. And we have a plan and a structure specifically for our next gen ministries that starts in the nursery. It's five truths that our kids will know and the deposits that we make will lead fruit. Here's what it is.
This is our plan as a church. These are the five truths that they will learn. I know that's small. I'm sorry those of us that have old eyes can't see that. But you can get this.
I'll get you A copy of this. We'll put it on the app if you want it. Number one is I'm created in his image perfectly and uniquely. Number two, Truth that our kids learn is I belong to Jesus. I'm his son and I'm his daughter.
I would love for our kids to learn that when they're five and not 40, like I did. Number three, I was chosen by God and bought with a price. I am valuable. What if our teenagers believe that their value is found in Christ, not in what other people think about them? Number four, that God has a plan for my life, that I'm called to be a leader.
In my generation, from birth to college, everything we do is to connect their heart to God and to connect them to the house of God. This will secure them in their purpose, in their identity that they are chosen by God. This is why our kids team, our small group leaders, our teams that lead in every single one of our next gen ministries. That's why they're so important and they have the unique privilege of walking with kids, walking with young people that goes beyond just Sunday morning. I just want to say thank you to our next gen.
If you're in here and you serve with kids, thank you. If you're in here and you serve with our youth, thank you. We value you. You are shaping the spiritual journey of our kids. But we need more of you.
And you might be like, I don't know what I'm doing. That's okay. We youth pastored for 13 years. We didn't have a clue what we were doing. Many of us think our gifts are not needed.
But I can tell you that our kids need to know that they're loved. Everybody look at your neighbor and give them a high five and a smile. Go on, high five somebody. Smile at them. Maybe you're like, I don't like to touch people.
Just give them a smile. Here's the truth. You can serve in kids ministry, you can serve in revival. If you can high five and you can smile and pass a background check, you can serve in our next gen ministries.
You can serve. Here's the truth. We are in a race for the hearts of our kids and we have to get there first.
Here's an opportunity. Here's what we have right here. On any given week, we have over 400 children, almost 200 teenagers, and nearly 100 college age students who are part of Mercy City Church. And we believe that God wants to entrust us with more. And so this is what we are doing.
We've added more rooms here at broadcast to make space to fill. We need team to fill these spaces. 87 more team to serve twice a month. 87 people that would say, I would serve. You're like, wow.
We have over a thousand people that come here on Sunday morning. So, 87, we can do that. At Seward, we're getting ready to remodel our kids rooms to make more space. Those of you who gave in heart for the house, you helped provide that you helped make a way. You used your gift of giving to sow seed.
We need 10 more team to serve twice a month in Seward. At City Impact, we have the capacity to reach more kids and the need to open a new elementary room, but we don't have the team to do it yet. We need 32 more team to serve twice a month at our City Impact location. We need three to five volunteers and 10 to 12 student leaders who would host city groups this summer. In our movement ministry.
We need 8 to 10 more small group leaders and 10 more adult leaders at revival on Sunday nights so that we can prepare for more. We're fine. Right now. It's fine. But if we want to prepare for the kids, God's going to bring us through our sidewalk Sunday school that we're doing every single Saturday this summer.
We're going to have the big yellow truck out there doing sidewalk Sunday school at Peter Pan Park. We're going to have three party in the parks. We're going to have VBS and Lincoln and in Seward. What are we going to do with all those kids when they give their hearts to Jesus? What if we don't have a place and a space prepared for them?
Will God entrust us with more little hearts if we're not prepared to greet them with a smile and a high five? This is a QR code. I'm not being shy today. We want you to serve. We want you to serve in our kids.
But here's the deal. You might be like, well, I'm a prayer person. Come up here on Sunday nights and pray. You might be like, I love to give. Give to our next gen Lane.
You might be like, I do security. Great. We need it. You know, like whatever your gift is, we can use it to serve our kids. It doesn't just have to be teaching in our kids rooms or holding babies or why wouldn't you want to hold babies?
I don't know. I mean, it doesn't just have to be those things. It doesn't just have to be those things. What if you gave up one night a week to host a city group for our college students. In your home.
Our kids that need just. They need a home. They need to see a family, they need to be comfortable, they need to feel loved. There's an urgency in our spirit for the next generation. We've never done this from stage.
God has always provided team and he always will. But Pastor Matt and I feel a sense of urgency. We gotta make room, we gotta prepare for the kids that are coming, the kids that don't have moms, the kids that don't have dads, the kids that are growing up in a home where abuse is rampant. We've gotta be the safe place. The kids who are suicidal, the kids who are addicted to drugs, we want them to come here and we wanna know that they're loved and they're seen.
There's a window to impact the next generation, and we don't want to miss it. Number four and final, what are we doing with the gifts we've been given back to? Luke 16. Jesus says this. If you're faithful in the little things, you'll be faithful in the large ones.
If you're dishonest in the little things, little, you won't be honest with greater responsibility. Some of us have been trusted with something that we feel is very little. But I wonder if you'd be faithful with that very little thing. I wonder if God would use it in your time and your talents and your treasure. I wonder if you'd use it with others.
Maybe you're thinking, okay, I've got a little. I can do one more service a month. I can do one more evening. I can give up something that is mine to serve others and glorify God. I can do that.
I can do that. If you don't know what to do or you don't know what your gifts are, you don't know what the next step is. It's connect track. It's signing up to figure out, what do I do? I don't know what to do.
We made it really easy. You can tap the circle on the chair in front of you, and you can get to everything that I'm talking about this morning. And maybe kids isn't for you, but I wonder if you could wave families in the parking lot, help them find somewhere to park. Or maybe after service, you could hand out cookies. I wonder if you could greet.
I wonder if you're like, okay, I don't. I can't do Sunday mornings, but I could come up during the week and work on projects. I could help clean the buildings that we get to create atmospheres and spaces for people. I remember there are two ladies who slowed down to invest in my life when I was 10, Martha and Linda. They were my camp counselors, Martha and Linda.
And they saw me and they believed in me. They prayed with me and they loved me. They invested in my life and all the fruit of my life. All of you, everybody that's given their life to Jesus here, everybody I've led to the Lord, everybody who's been impacted by the ministry that I've had an opportunity to do over the last 25 years is not just fruit of my life, it's fruit in theirs. The seeds that they sowed in me have produced this fruit.
That's the impact that we can make. You never know whose life you're impacting. When we serve our kids and we serve our teenagers and we serve our young adults, you never know what God will do. And so I'm just going to pray. I'm going to pray that the Holy Spirit nudges you.
I've nudged you enough, but now the Holy Spirit is going to nudge us. What's our next step? Where do we move? I want everybody to just think, where do I move from here? Would you pray with me?
Father, I just thank you for the opportunity that we have to grow, the opportunity that we have to be built up in the way that you're calling us, Lord. And I just pray that this morning, whatever our next step is, we. Whatever you have for us, Holy Spirit, I just invite you to nudge us. Show us where it is. Show us where you want us.
Show us what you want us to do. God, we do not want to miss the move that you're leading us in. We want to be a part of it. So I just thank you that you're revealing your truth and your word to each and every one of us. In Jesus name, amen.
Thank you so much for watching this week's message. Our vision at Mercy City is to connect people to the heart of God and to the house of God, and that includes you. We have some amazing next steps that we want to walk you through to discover all that God has for your life. Visit our website, MercyCity Church and click on Next Steps under the Connect Dropdown. If you would like to receive prayer, please email us at PastorsMercyCity Church.
We love you and can't wait to see you in person next week.

Racing Toward Eternity: Making Your Life Count
Life is more than just existing between birth and death - it's about making an eternal impact during that time. While we can't control when we're born or when we'll die, we can control what we do with the time we have - our "dash" between those dates.

What Holds Us Back from Making an Impact?
Two main things often prevent us from living lives of eternal significance:

Comparison - Getting caught up in how we measure up to others rather than focusing on our unique purpose

Competition - Competing against others instead of working together toward the same goal

How Do We Run Our Race Well?
The Bible gives us clear guidance in Hebrews 12 about running our race of faith effectively:

Strip Off What Slows You Down
We need to lay aside both:
Sin that trips us up
Good things that still weigh us down and distract from our purpose
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Rather than focusing on:
Other people's journeys
Cultural Christianity
Personal preferences

Focus on Jesus as our example and prize.

Run Together, Not Alone
Like ducks flying in V-formation, we go further when we:
Support each other
Share the load
Recognize we're on the same team
Build relationships

What To Do When You Get Weary

The race of faith is challenging and it's normal to get tired. However:
Don't give up when weary
Remember you're not running alone
Embrace life's transitions as new seasons, not endpoints
Keep going - it's worth it

Life Application
This week, evaluate your "dash" and how you're using it:

Questions to consider:

What weights (not necessarily sins) do I need to lay aside?
Am I competing against others or running alongside them?
Where have I become weary and considered giving up?

Challenge: Choose one area where you've been running alone and connect with others this week. This could mean:
Joining a church serve team
Reaching out to encourage someone else who seems weary
Finding ways to invest in future generations
Building relationships with other believers

Remember: Your life matters not just for today, but for eternity. Run your race well by keeping your eyes on Jesus, supporting others, and never giving up.

Creating a Legacy That Lasts: Understanding Our Impact Beyond Today

Life isn't just about the time we have - it's about the impact we leave behind. While we can't control when our life begins or ends, we can control what happens in between those dates. The dash between our birth and death dates represents our opportunity to create lasting change.

Why Does Legacy Matter?
A legacy is about creating a long-lasting impact that continues well beyond our years. It's not about what we own or accumulate, but rather how we live and what we invest in that will outlast us. The key question we must ask ourselves is: Will what I'm doing today matter in 10, 20, or even 50 years?

Two Key Principles for Building Legacy

1. Everyone Matters
The story of Solomon's wisdom with the two mothers demonstrates an important truth - everyone matters to God, regardless of their status or situation. If everyone matters to God, they should matter to us too. This means:

Being willing to slow down for others

Looking people in the eye rather than past them

Speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves

Standing up for the poor and helpless

2. Taking Responsibility
The needs we see around us are often our call to action. Instead of waiting for others to solve problems, we should ask ourselves:

What responsibility do I have in this situation?

What needs do I see that I could address?

How can I be part of the solution rather than just identifying problems?

How Do We Know What Our Responsibility Is?
The simple answer is this: The need you see is often the call you're supposed to respond to. If something bothers you or catches your attention, it might be God highlighting an area where you should take action rather than waiting for others to step in.

Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to:

Pay attention to needs around you that typically make you think "someone should do something about that"

Instead of waiting for others, take personal responsibility for at least one such situation

Ask yourself these questions:

Does everyone truly matter to me, or do I just say they do?

Am I willing to slow down and engage with people who need help?

What needs do I see that I've been ignoring?

How can I start building a legacy that will outlast my life?

Remember: Your legacy isn't built in grand gestures, but in daily decisions to take responsibility and care for others. What will your dash represent?

The Miracle of Salvation: Finding Faith Through Life's Challenges

When it comes to experiencing miracles, many of us become discouraged when we don't see immediate results. We often try to explain God's work through natural or scientific means, but true miracles transcend human understanding.

What Does It Mean to Experience a Spiritual Miracle?
The miracle of salvation, or being "born again," cannot be explained through natural terms. Just as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, spiritual rebirth happens in ways we can't fully comprehend. It requires faith - something we must exercise and develop over time.

Why Do People Struggle with Faith?
Many people struggle with their faith journey because:

They've been disappointed by past experiences

They haven't seen transformation in others' lives

They're looking for physical proof rather than spiritual truth

They've become discouraged waiting for results

What Are the Five Common Faith Challenges?

Death - Whether physical or spiritual, loss can shake our faith

Disappointment - When reality doesn't match our expectations

Dysfunction - Personal struggles and imperfections

Disbelief - Doubting God's promises

Discouragement - Losing hope in the journey

How Many Steps Does It Take to See a Miracle?
Using the story from Luke 24 of the disciples walking to Emmaus, we learn it takes approximately 14,000 steps (seven miles) to experience a miracle. This teaches us that spiritual transformation is a journey requiring persistence and patience.

What Does This Mean for Our Faith Journey?

God often meets us in our moments of doubt and disappointment

Transformation happens gradually through consistent steps of faith

Our areas of greatest weakness can become opportunities for God's strength

It's okay to embrace our dysfunction and let God work through it


Life Application
This week, consider these questions:

Where have you become discouraged in your faith journey?

Which of the five challenges (death, disappointment, dysfunction, disbelief, discouragement) most affects your walk with God?

Are you willing to take the next step, even if you can't see the entire path?

Challenge: Choose one area where you've felt stuck or discouraged. Commit to taking one small step of faith each day this week, remembering that transformation is a journey of many steps, not a single moment.

Remember: God often shows up most powerfully in our places of greatest weakness and doubt. Don't let discouragement stop you from taking the next step in your faith journey.