I kinda think just about everyone winds up wanting their life to be “right,” to be better than it is. Nobody I know wants to look back and say, “http://wow...did I screw that up! What a waste.” I mean, it’s sad when you where someone say, “I never took the time to think How am I going to live this life?
I ran into a woman recently, got into a conversation. She asked what I did. I told her, “I’m a pastor; I help shepherd people in their life journey with Jesus.” She immediately began pouring our her last 20 years, wishing she had been a better person.
Here’s how she put it – “My f---ed up life.”
How about us? What about you? You have an instruction book that you’re following for not winding up there?
Quite honestly, I don’t know about all the books and podcasts and TED talks out there. What I know is that there is one Book that has the answers, the instruction, the truth about “the how.” It’s the Bible. Mike Shields said it last week. We are going to reading from the” greatest book ever written, and every part of it is true.”
This morning, one more listen to Paul discipling his spiritual son Timothy. Because when you look at the letters he wrote, Paul gives Timothy 5 trustworthy sayings—5 key truths he depended on, and WE, can count http://on...to shape a life worth living. to shape his heart and his living.
Life-Defining Courage
May 23, 2021 • Mike Shields
1. Facing Your Fears
• God’s PROMISES must be the FOCUS.
• God's promises have INSTRUCTIONS and CONDITIONS.
• Face the REALITY of your next STEPS.
2. Life-Defining Courage
• Gives us CONFIDENCE to PERSEVERE.
• Gives us STRENGTH to take the NECESSARY path.
• Gives us INSIGHT to FOLLOW God’s plan.
Responsive Relationship in the Gospel
May 16, 2021 • David Staff
So as Paul finishes his letter to Timothy, he shines a huge spotlight on the importance of supporting relationships (4:9-22). I find this veteran apostle giving his son this coaching call—Life-giving discipling in the gospel takes relationship initiative a proactive stepping up to meet one another’s needs. Paul is asking his son to step up in their relationship, and in the relationships they have with others. He urges what I would call relationship initiative.
Opportunely Proclaiming the Gospel
May 9, 2021 • David Staff
The word “essential” is powerfully clarifying. It means that which is “absolutely necessary, indispensable, fundamental, what must be done without exception.” The word “essential” is powerfully clarifying. It means that which is “absolutely necessary, indispensable, fundamental, what must be done without exception.”
Endure in the Gospel
May 2, 2021 • David Staff
Focus with the Gospel
April 25, 2021 • David Staff
As a Christian these days, as someone called into His church, onto His team, to defeat the gates of hell by making http://disciples...what’s your target? What few things are your focus? What’s your target, no matter what you regularly do, as a disciple-maker following Jesus?
That’s what this letter we are reading and praying through is all about.
Disciple Courage with the Gospel
April 18, 2021 • David Staff
Many American Christians prefer to keep the good news about Jesus hidden. Some are not only reluctant but also opposed to the practice of trying to encourage other people to trust and follow Jesus. What in the world is going on here? Seems a whole lot of us have just decided that giving an excuse to Jesus someday at the judgment seat will be a lot easier than sharing the gospel of Jesus today with our neighbor. http://or...or should we have the courage as Christians to put “first things first?” How does a serious, empowered disciple embrace/own the gospel?
Excellence Through Life-Defining Relationships
April 11, 2021 • David Staff
For just a few moments, think with me about this question: Why do people go where they go and do the things they do? Yeah. I get it. Broad question, perhaps countless answers. But it’s worth a bit of thought. Where are we going? Why do we go where we http://go...and let me narrow http://it...why do we go to Church? Why in the world would anyone these days go to church? What’s the point? As far as I can tell, when I open this book, Jesus Christ began His church and invites us into His body/church for one reason.
