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The Joy of a Love-based Life May 12, 2023

Show notes

Most of the time our emotional happiness is based on our life’s circumstances. As we continue our week on the simplicity of love, today we’ll be taking a look at the joy that comes from living a love-based life. Once we know that God’s love is for us always, unconditionally—no matter what, our hope is secure and joy is ours for the taking. May you walk in joy today as you lean into this love-based reality a bit more.

Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 4:4, and today's worship is

Free by Life Church.

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

Our latest book, The Path to Purpose delves into the timeless wisdom of Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. St Augustine described the sermon as “a perfect standard for the Christian life.”

While we may doubt ourselves from ever achieving such “a perfect standard,” Jesus’ central message in his Sermon on the Mount helps us see that standard not as a burden but rather as a source of freedom, purpose, and a guide for living beautifully.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

All He Asks of Us is Love May 11, 2023

Show notes

It has been and always will be easy for people, especially religious people, to become focused on the wrong things in life. I constantly find myself making things more difficult or convoluted than they really are. The reality of this life with God is that all he asks of us is love. As we continue this week on the simplicity of love, today we’ll explore God’s heart on the subject. What does God require of us? What does he ask of us? May we take a step back today, examine our own hearts’ pursuits, and rest in the reality of how simple God’s love really is.

Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Corinthians 13:13, and today's worship is Your Love Is Beautiful by Hillsong.

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

His Love Has Set Us Free May 10, 2023

Show notes

There is nothing in the world more freeing than being loved as you are. Today we’ll be exploring how God’s love has set us free as we continue in our week of the simplicity of love. Having God’s love and affection from the start before giving him anything in return frees us from the burdens and weight of having to earn his love and strive for his affections. Today God wants us to step out in and fully live experiencing that freedom as beloved children. May your heart be even a little more free today after a fresh encounter with the Father’s love.

Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 8:1-3, and today's worship is Freedom by Jesus Culture & Kim Walker-Smith.

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

His Love Has Redeemed Us May 09, 2023

Show notes

As we explore the simplicity of love this week, today we’ll look at how God’s love has redeemed us. There is an amazing Brennan Manning quote that says, “In loving me, you made me lovable.” And that is basically the concept we’ll be unpacking today. God’s love has come in and given us meaning, beauty, redemption, and purpose. It is through God loving us that we become sons and daughters; we become saints. I hope today you’ll open your heart up to this life-changing love, and never be the same again.

Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 130:7, and today's worship is Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave.

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

His Love Pursues Us May 08, 2023

Show notes

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” The greatest of all aspects of the Christian life is love. Love is to be at the foundation of all we do, all we are, and all we hold on to. If we focus on love and allow the Holy Spirit to strip everything else away, what will be left is a life of blessed simplicity rooted in face-to-face relationship with our heavenly Father. As we spend time this week looking at the simplicity of love, I pray that all the weighty, frivolous things of the world that rob you of an abundant life fall away in light of the glorious goodness of God’s unconditional and wholly available love for you.

Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 4:19, and today's worship is Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. .

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

God is a Fun Father May 07, 2023

Show notes

God loves to exceed our expectations and break our boxes. Today’s topic does just that. As we end our week, today we’re exploring God’s attributes that make him a fun, joyful Father. Let’s allow God to reshape our notion of him and free our hearts up to enjoy just how good God really is. He is better than anyone we’ve ever known, and it’s my hope today we can see that with clear eyes.

Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 30:11-12. Today's worship is Run To The Father by CodyCarnes.

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God Disciplines Us in Love May 06, 2023

Show notes

Discipline can be a tricky subject. Many of us have not seen discipline done well, and no one really loves being disciplined or having something they’ve done wrong pointed out. But something we must keep in mind with our heavenly Father is that he loves perfectly, so discipline must be a part of his perfect love. As we wrap up our week of looking at who God is, this is a crucial topic we have to look at to engage with all the ways God loves us. As we dig deeper today, may our hearts be open to God’s loving perspective on correction for our good.

Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 12:6, and today's worship is Deliver Me by Audrey Assad.

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God Encourages Us May 05, 2023

Show notes

As we continue our week on God being our Father, we look today at how God encourages us. There is nothing like an encouraging word from the Father when we’re feeling low and discouraged. Sometimes life can be daunting, and our good Father knows just what to say when we need to hear it most. If you’re feeling discouraged today, I pray the Lord speaks courage to your weary heart and strengthens your weary bones to keep running the race set before you.

Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 8:31, and today's worship is

Fear Thou Not by Josh Garrells.

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God is Our Provider May 04, 2023

Show notes

In the kingdom of God, we find a culture different from that of our world. We are often taught to be self-made, pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, and that it’s the survival of the fittest. God’s kingdom turns these principles on their head. We are encouraged to wait, trust, and receive from our God who supplies for our every need. Does your life mimic one of trust and waiting? One of open hands and thankfulness? Today as we move forward in our week of God being our Father we’ll look at his provisional nature. As we learn of God’s intentions to meet our every need, open your heart today to trust in this God who’s our Provider.

Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 4:19, and today's worship is Voice That Stills the Raging Sea by Rivers & Robots.

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God is Present May 03, 2023

Show notes

Many of us deal with a fear of abandonment, rejection, or loneliness, and often for good reason. The beautiful thing about our heavenly Father is that he is present in our lives, and we are never alone. As we continue our week looking at the ways God is good to us, allow truth to permeate the broken places and make you confident and whole in God’s ever-present love.

Our Scripture for today comes from Deuteronomy 31:6, and today's worship is I Love Your Presence by Austin Johnson.

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