Outlook: Enthusiasm

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Outlook: Enthusiasm

Living with Enthusiasm for God

November 3, 2024 • Jacob Ward • Colossians 3:23–24, 1 Samuel 16:7, James 1:2–3, Hebrews 4:14–16, Romans 8:31

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Enthusiasm for God goes beyond mere high energy; it is a profound spiritual fervor that stems from being filled with God. The Greek origin of the word 'enthusiasm'—' en theos'—means 'in God,' highlighting its deep spiritual roots. King David is a prime example of living an enthusiastic life for God. Despite long waiting periods, numerous hardships, and personal failures, David's faith and enthusiasm for God never wavered. He continued to serve faithfully and wrote many Psalms that reflect his struggles and unwavering trust in God. To live an enthusiastic life for God, we must stay close to Him through prayer and scripture, share our faith boldly, and always remember His promises. This enthusiasm can help us navigate life's challenges and inspire those around us.

Outlook: Embracing God's Confidence

October 27, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:31

In today’s unpredictable world, insecurity can easily take hold of our lives, impacting our self-image and leading us to question our abilities. This message explores the risks of depending on self-confidence, which often relies on our performance and external opinions. Instead, it inspires us to trust God’s unwavering confidence, grounded in His constant nature. Key verses like Romans 8:31 and Philippians 1:6 remind us that God is always by our side, supporting and consistently working within us. By adopting God’s confidence, we can conquer insecurity and live the fulfilling life He offers. Practical measures such as prayer, memorizing scripture, and seeking community support can strengthen our reliance on God’s confidence rather than merely our own.

Outlook: Gratitude in Action—The Story of the Ten Lepers

October 22, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • Luke 17:11–19

In this message, we dive into Luke 17:11-19 and explore the powerful lesson of gratitude in the ten lepers’ story. Jesus healed all ten men from leprosy, but only one returned to thank Him—a Samaritan, an outsider in Jewish society. His gratitude stood out to Jesus, highlighting an important truth: recognizing the source of our blessings is key to deepening our relationship with God. This story reminds us that gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It’s about acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. While the other nine moved on, missing the opportunity to praise God, the one who returned demonstrated true faith and humility. Challenge: Be like the one who returned. This week, take time each day to reflect on a specific blessing you’ve received that you haven’t thanked God for. Spend a few moments in prayer, expressing your gratitude, and reconnecting with the source of your blessings.

Outlook: Gratitude Changes Everything

October 20, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • Philippians 4:11–13, Luke 17:11–19, James 1:17

Gratitude changes everything and can transform our perspective on life. In a world filled with negativity and complaints, we are called to shift our focus and cultivate a heart of thankfulness. Gratitude isn't just about being thankful for the good times; it's about finding joy in every situation, knowing that God is with us through it all. We have learned that focusing on what we have rather than what we lack changes everything. Gratitude helps us recognize God's blessings and strengthens our faith. So, take time each day to reflect on what you're thankful for and watch how God impacts your life! Check out "More of the Message" for discussion questions, daily devotionals, and the blog to explore this week's topic more deeply. This will be a three-part summary of the message as we are experiencing technical difficulties.