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World Gratitude Day Oct 03, 2022

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Did you know that September 21st was the 56th annual World Gratitude Day? I most certainly did not know that. I read about it. It has spiritual roots but has now been stripped of God's presence and recognition for the most part. However, it triggers the need in us all to give thanks.
That is a good thing, the giving of thanks, the expression of gratitude. But what is that without God? How strong is thanks if it is not directed to One who has the power to give and restore gifts? I go through Level 3 Gratitude every single morning. I'll lay that out in the episode. But I've notice most of it is earth bound - health, marriage, home, kids, job. Why don't I talk more to God about Christ and the redemption and heaven? We'll explore that today.
You and I ought to be so overwhelmingly grateful for the blessings of Jesus that it defined, redefines, directs, and redirects every day to joy in the hand of God. When heaven and purification is on our hearts every day, we have gratitude untouched by the challenges and trials of this life.
- What on earth is World Gratitude Day?
- How can Level 3 Gratitude transform your day?
- What value is gratitude if God is not in the center of it?
- How can I turn my attention more to spiritual blessings and why?
- If you were given one million dollars for a day's work, would you be thankful?

Start Right Here Sep 29, 2022

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West Aurora church of Christ (Aurora, ILL)
Friday, Sept. 30th 2022 7pm
Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2pm and 3pm
Sunday, Oct. 2nd 9:30am and 10:30am
Start Right Here (Casting Crowns)
We want our coffee in the lobby
We watch our worship on a screen
We got a Rockstar preacher
Who won't wake us from our dreams
We want out blessings in our pocket
We keep our missions overseas
But for the hurting in our cities
Would we even cross the street?

Huh but we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

I'm like the brother of the prodigal
Who turned his nose and puffed his chest
He didn't run off like his brother
But his soul was just as dead
What if the church on Sunday
Was still the church on Monday too?
What if we came down from our towers
And walked a mile in someone's shoes?

Hmm 'cause we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

We're the people who are called by His name
If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways
He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sin
He will heal our land but it starts right here
We're the people who are called by His name
If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways
He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sin
He will heal our land

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now
It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

Salvation by Grace Sep 26, 2022

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Salvation by Grace by Matt Bassford

Matt's article is accessible through the link above.
Have you had experiences like I had on the plane last week?
How do you explain that Grace of God to people who question your faith in it?
Have you let Romans 1-6 become a template for explaining salvation by Grace through faith?
Are you Rahab? Or is she someone beneath or behind you in faith and life?
Has the greatness of God's grace convinced you to give your whole life over to Him?

Wrestling with God Sep 19, 2022

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Six observations from Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:
1) Jacob is a flawed but very faithful man. (Gen. 31:3, 41-43: 32:1-2)
2) Jacob is in a stressful and uncertain situation. (Gen. 32:3-8, 9-12)
3) God initiates this encounter for Jacob's benefit. (Gen. 32:22-24, 28, 30)
4) Jacob does not try to escape but holds on until God blesses him. (Gen. 32:24-26; Hosea 12:4)
5) God conceded defeat to Jacob in a moment of grace and transformation. (Gen. 32:26-29)
6) Jacob proceeds from the encounter physically worse and spiritual better. (Gen. 32:30-32)
Four applications for your life and mine:
1) God seeks to challenge and engage His children. (James 1:1-4)
2) God will often engage you in times of anxiety and fear. (Philippians 4:4-9)
3) God rewards those who will not let go no matter what. (Hebrews 6:9-12)
4) God may sen you out weaker in flesh but strong in faith. (II Corinthians 12:7-9)
If you are a true glutton for punishment and have read this far... here is the full sermon:
Wrestling with God

Your Golden Years Sep 12, 2022

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I apologize for the cover picture. I was googling "the golden years" and this photo jumped out at me. This man is later in his life, with life still yet to live, sitting in a chair, by himself, waiting. What is he waiting for? We don't know. But it doesn't look that life stage was as exciting as he thought it would be. What about you? How do you envision the last vibrant season of your life here on this earth?
How does this fortune cookie hit you: "Your Golden Years Will Be Happy And Fulfilling"? It is a literal fortune cookie, as you'll hear about today. But is there some future happy time you are waiting for? Sometimes we live for what will be and make a couple of mistakes. First, we miss what is good or potentially good in the now. Second, we have a rose colored vision of what is coming, and stand to be disappointed. But there is a better way. A much better way to live in and build more Golden Years. Today I've got a point to make. Sommer has one. And Nic has one as well!
- What are the Golden Years and why do people call them that?
- Why is planning to retire at a fun center for older people not a great plan?
- How can looking down the line keep us from seeing what God has planned for our good?
- What has God historically expected from His older, senior servants?
- Is heaven the goldenest years of all? What do you think we will be doing there?

In Jesus Name Sep 08, 2022

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West End Church of Christ - Bowling Green, KY
www.westendchurch.com
Sunday Sept. 11th - 16th 2022
Come and visit!
Song: In Jesus Name (God of Possible)
I speak the name of Jesus over you
In your hurting, in your sorrow
I will ask my God to move
I speak the name 'cause it's all that I can do
In desperation, I'll seek Heaven
And pray this for you

I pray for your healing
That circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name, in Jesus name

I speak the name of all authority
Declaring blessings, every promise
He is faithful to keep
I speak the name no grave could ever hold
He is greater, He is stronger
He's the God of possible

Come believe it
Come receive it
Oh, the power of His Spirit is now forever yours
Come believe it
Come receive it
In the mighty name of Jesus, all things are possible

I pray for your healing
That circumstances will change
I pray that the fear inside will flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough
Would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name
I pray for revival
For restoration of faith
I pray that the dead will come alive in Jesus name
In Jesus name

Calling All Mentors Sep 04, 2022

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This is a call to every believer. God has work for you to do. That work will be personal. It is a one-on-one connection with someone in your life who needs help. God is calling us all, as a part of sound doctrine, to become a mentor (and experienced and trusted adviser). Older people, especially, and certainly parents, are called to help and guide, to lead with an honest life and assist others in making their way through in faith.
The Citizen of Heaven podcast by Hal Hammons - I did an interview with Terry Francis recently on the topic of coaching, mentorship and helping develop the strength of the next generation. Part 1 released last week and Part 2 will be out tomorrow (Sept. 5th)
This all begins with you telling yourself: I need to do this. This episode explores the healthy habits in productive mentorships, beginning at home. We also explore a few questions you can answer to get yourself engaged right away.
- What is a mentor and is that something the demands a degree or certificate?
- How has God challenged church members to advise and assist younger believers?
- Is parenting a mentorship program and what are the top two things that make that work?
- Can you determine where you have been successful and also someone who could use that?
- What are three names of people you will reach out to this week?

Tell No One Aug 29, 2022

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I am an oversharer. I talk too much and listen too little. The issue with this is I read the reactions to that sharing and hang too much of my happiness on the response, the likes, the affirmations. There is certainly room in life to tell people things and read their feedback. But I am learning to "tell no one." I am learning that social media has programmed my brain to post and hang my joy on the reactions.
But with the help of Captain America, Bradley Cooper, and Joe Burrow, I am learning to keep more to myself. I am learning to enjoy the event for its own sake. I am learning to enjoy the people who I am with and not tether my joy to how we I display it or the support it draws from onlookers.
In this episode, we dig in on some really cool quotes. The outcome is a deep sense of joy in the moment, and less social media dependency on the need for people to love it. This frees us up to stay in the moment and determine its value real time, without the need for an audience to validate.
- Why do many of us hang so much joy on how many people applaud or like our life?
- How has social media taken us out of the present moment and to how you will put it on display?
- What comes from telling no one? How does a moment with family change when it is just for you?
- What if you go on vacation and tell no one? How will it change your focus during the trip?
- Why did Jesus teach us to tell no one when we give, pray and fast?

Crying "Abba Father" Aug 22, 2022

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Have you ever cried out "Abba Father" in prayer? It is found three times in Scripture. Jesus did it in Mark 14:36. Jesus seems to be doing it through us in Galatians 4:6. And we are all, having been adopted by God, to cry this out to the Lord in Romans 8:15. There is this cool progression from Jesus, to Jesus in us, to us. Credit to Ryan Goodwin for sharing these great thoughts recently.
You can find his sermons on our church YouTube channel.
But what does it mean? How are we crying "abba" which represents a child-like adoration, but also "Father" which is a phrase uttered from understanding and respect. Let's explore the nature of child-like humility. But not just in prayer. Let's explore that Abba Father cry in terms of how we view the day in front of us. And let's cry these words as we offer to God our juvenile faith, in confidence that He accepts us and nurtures us forward and upward to better things.
Here are James Clear's quotes referenced in the episode:
"Children are joyful and treat each day as a miracle—in part because they are continually surprised.

Each day, they hear a new word or listen to a new song or learn about a new animal. It's their first time visiting that restaurant or jumping in that pool or riding that rollercoaster. The world is continually unfolding before them.

How can you introduce more surprise into your life as an adult? How can you renew your sense of childlike wonder?"
"In the beginning, your skills are raw, your knowledge is sparse, and you lack experience. At best, you will be able to produce work that is "just okay." And even then, you'll only manage to reach "just okay" by giving your best effort.

Nobody wants to produce something that is "just okay." You'll feel like it's beneath your standards. You'll worry about what others think of you. You'll wonder whether you would be better off taking a different path. But it is impossible to reach that stage unless you are willing to work through your current stage.

And so, one of the main obstacles between who you are and who you could be is courage. The courage to keep trying even if you're not yet as good as you hope. The courage to keep trying despite your fears of what others may think. The courage to keep trying without knowing how the future will unfold.

Your great work is on the other side of your early work. The only way to be exceptional later on is to have the courage to be "just okay" right now. This is how it is for everyone."

Kindness is Powerful Aug 15, 2022

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Everybody knows that love is the most crucial spirit of God needed today. No one denies its's intense value. But kindness deserves some attention as well. In fact, you might categorize being kind as the way you express love in a transaction, interpersonal way. Kindness, from tiny little choices, to deep conversations, proves love. It shares love with others. Kindness is love.
In that way, kindness is extremely powerful. It changes outcomes from a near fender bender to a 40 year marriage. Today's episode explores the definition of the word, the generic, everyday element of it, the methods for living it in your home, and five practical points to consider. I'll list those points below with the verse references.
- Give a Gift - Acts 9:36-39 - What can you present to someone as a random act of kindness?
- Make a Trip - Acts 10:30-33 - Who can you go visit simply to encourage and show love to them?
- Build a Fire - Acts 28:1-3 - What need can you fill in the life of someone God has put in your life?
- Be One Sided - Titus 3:4-5 - How can you go way above and beyond like God does with you?
- Create a Habit - Eph. 2:6-7 - What can you start doing regularly to imbed kindness anew?

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