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There’s an App for That

How God Grows Your Faith

Serving

February 3, 2013 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 14:13–21

Did you know that your spiritual growth is linked to your service? That’s right. You get something out of filling that volunteer position in the nursery or children’s ministry. You’re not just doing a job, filling a slot—you’re growing. God uses that service to teach you something about Him and others. And even if you don’t feel like you’re the best person for the job, or if you wonder, “Why am I doing this?” God says that if you want to grow, you have to serve.

Life

January 27, 2013 • Chris Edmondson • James 1:2–4, John 11:1–45

Have you ever met someone who went through something really difficult, yet if they had a chance to rewind and change what happened, they would be reluctant to do it? And the reason is because there was something they learned from that experience. It’s what we call a pivotal Life circumstance, a defining moment in their lives. Each of us has had one. Some may seem bigger than others. But to each one of us, they are huge. And you know what? Even thought it’s not something we would necessarily choose or want to happen, God takes those moments and uses them to grow our faith.

Relationships

January 20, 2013 • Chris Edmondson • Proverbs 13:20

Who has had the most influence in your life? A parent? A coach? A friend at work? A spouse? If you are like most people, you can’t tell your life story without referencing people who played significant roles along the way. The same is true of your faith story. There are all kinds of people that play a part in our lives, in our stories. And some of these people have played a part in how you see God. In fact, God has used some of those relationships to grow your faith. We call these relationships providential because they are about having the right people in your life at just the right time.

Practical Bible Teaching

January 13, 2013 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 7:24–29

When people talk about their spiritual journeys, a typical comment from them revolves around their initial exposure to someone who taught the Bible in a practical, life-impacting way. “For the first time,” they'll frequently say, “I understood what the Bible means, and I understood what I was supposed to do.” They began to actually apply Scripture to their lives—to their families, finances, work, morality, and ethics—and suddenly God came alive to them as never before. They'll often say, “I believed this stuff all my life, but I didn't know how to apply it. Once I started doing it, I could begin to see God at work in my life.” What makes the difference in our lives is not simply gaining biblical knowledge, but being exposed to teaching that makes the Bible meaningful, practical, and applicable to everyday life—and then responding with action.

The Bible

January 6, 2013 • Chris Edmondson • Psalm 119

The Bible, quiet times spent with God, prayer—these are things we need when we embark on a relationship with God. We desire to connect with God, but there are so many things that get in the way or discourage us. Our schedules are jam‐packed and it seems impossible to squeeze God in. Everywhere we turn, there is someone vying for our attention or needing something. But, what trips us up the most is not having a clear picture of what it looks like to have a quiet time. How does one study the Bible in order to better understand God’s heart? When reading the Bible, a submissive heart and attentive ears are a must. Top this off with a heavy dose of vulnerability and transparency, and it is easy to see why some avoid reading the Bible and having quiet time. The invitation never says the process is going to be easy, but it does guarantee that it will be rewarding and life changing.

Big Faith

December 30, 2012 • Chris Edmondson • Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 8:1–10

Your faith in God matters to God. In fact, God is most honored through your living, active, death-defying, out-of-the-box faith. That being the case, He’s committed to growing it. Big. Imagine how differently you would respond to difficulties, temptations, and even good things if you knew with certainty that God was in all of it and was planning to leverage it for good. But in order for all of that to happen, there’s one thing it all hinges on—your trust.