Hello!

Brother Dave wavin atcha from over at tha brook. Sure is nice over har! Hehehe

Just wanted to raise my hand and say that we need to remember there's a season of rest that we shouldn't avoid. I need rest! I'm not sure if any of you have been feeling God nudge you to do the same?

Jesus and his disciples often rested within the patterns of ministry so that they wouldn't become overwhelmed and burned out.

Sometimes as believers, we sense urgency in our connection to others and we often become over productive in our lives in doing various task and carrying out various responsibilities.

I encourage the Body of Christ to find rest in a quiet and still place in your relationship with God.

God is our miracle and we are miraculous because of who he is. It's all about Love! Be a miracle to someone who's in need of love ❤️

It is exciting just as it is rewarding to serve. Just don't forget to rest.

• Ephesians 5:2:

Live lovingly, just as the Messiah also loved us and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God.

God's Love is also a blanket that covers us when we need comfort, safety and protection when life feels cold, difficult and uncertain.

I'm praying for all of you,

God Bless 🙏

Good morning.
“in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago.”
Titus 1:2
God made a promise. Not a possibility. Not a maybe. A promise.

And the One who made it is the God who cannot lie. He doesn’t just choose not to lie — He is incapable of it. Truth is not something He practices. It is who He is. Jesus said it plainly: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Everything He speaks carries the full weight of His character.
Long ages ago, before any of us were born, God already held out the gift of eternal life. That hope is not fragile. It rests on the unchanging word of a God who has never broken a promise and never will. We receive it by faith, yet it is offered freely. The strange thing is that some still walk past it. Why anyone would prefer death over life is hard to understand. It goes beyond me. To turn away from the very life God holds out feels like choosing darkness when the light is already shining.
But for those who receive it, this hope settles something deep. Eternal life is not just endless existence. It is life with God Himself — secure, unbroken, and already secured by His promise. That changes how we face today. The same God who cannot lie is the One holding your future.

Choose life with me!!
God bless
Team Lotter

What does the bible mean when it says that we are to honor our father and mother? Like if a parent abuses a child, does the child still need to honor their parent?

Hi everyone, I’m 31 and I’ve never really believed in God, but lately I’ve found myself becoming more curious about Jesus and Christianity.
I’ve struggled with my mental health for a long time and I suppose I’m at a point in my life where I’m just longing for some peace and happiness.
I’ve been reading stories about people finding Jesus and feeling his presence, and I’d genuinely love to know what that was like for you. Did something happen that made you believe? Did you pray and feel something, or was it more gradual?
I’ve never felt God’s presence or experienced anything spiritual myself, but for the first time in my life I’m actually open to it. Part of me would love to believe there’s something more out there, but I don’t really know where to begin.
I’d love to hear your stories, especially from anyone who didn’t believe before. ❤️

(Why is Forgiveness Important?)

This is what God Willed to his creation!

• 1st Timothy 2:1-4:

First of all, then, I urge you to offer to God petitions, prayers, intercessions, and expressions of thanks for all people, for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully.

• 2nd Timothy 3:15-17:

From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in the Messiah Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action.

If we think about it, going back to the beginning of our text in the bible. In the book of Genesis, we see evidence of God's divine grace towards human failure.

We see a pattern of mercy, restoration and second chances in the early text.

• Adam & Eve (Simple Example)

Genesis 3:21:

The LORD God fashioned garments from animal skins for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. God already knew that pride would set in, giving way to shame. God spared them by giving them these garments as a display of his divine mercy and atonement. 

- God allowed a delay for judgment for the sake of humanity.

- Adam and Eve had three kids. Cain & Able and after Cain killed Able, They had Seth to replace him. Seth’s lineage continued through Enosh and lead to Noah and Abraham.

• In (Genesis 3:15) God tells Satan that the offspring of women will eventually crush the serpent, offering hope for the restoration of humanity.

This is the provision and protection God has for humanity so that we have the opportunity for our redemption and sanctification through the life and death also demonstrated by Jesus and to every believer and unbeliever the same.

We have a choice to make and we should follow God's example of forgiveness towards his creation.

(Bible Verses To Remember)

If we lose the ability to forgive others, we become very heavy in heart and in spirit, becoming distant from God. This opens a door of unrelenting spiritual attack that only can be mitigated through a time of suffering from anxiety, depression in which stems from the root of pride leading to jealousy and self will. This can cause us eternal seperation from God. 

It's imperative that we don't allow a root of bitterness to take hold.

• 1st John 1:8-10:

If we say that we do not have any sin, we are deceiving ourselves and we’re not being truthful to ourselves. If we make it our habit to confess our sins, in his faithful righteousness he forgives us for those sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have never sinned, we make him a liar and his word has no place in us.

• Ephesians 4:30-32:

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah.

• Colossians 3:12-14:

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.

• Mark 11:25-26:

“Whenever you stand up to pray, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”

• Luke 23:34:

Jesus kept saying, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.” Then they divided his clothes among them by throwing dice.

- Closing out Today's message -

We should be sincere in our faithfulness to God. Let's examine our hearts while seeking transformation in understanding God's own heart through this teaching.

• John 6:35-40:

Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never become hungry, and whoever believes in me will never become thirsty. I told you that you have seen me, yet you don’t believe. Everything the Father gives me will come to me, and I’ll never turn away the one who comes to me. I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything that he has given me, but should raise it to life on the last day. This is my Father’s will: That everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him to life on the last day.”

• 2nd Peter 3:9-13:

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will disappear with a roaring sound, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be exposed. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, think of the kind of holy and godly people you ought to be as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved and the elements will melt with fire. But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

😭 - This was a difficult teaching for me to prepare. I asked God what he wanted me to share and he said “Share about forgiveness”. I struggled with this for a few hours but God didn't change his mind. I decided to give a really good effort to be obedient and I hope that I've done a justice to him! I hope you all can recieve this and that it is well with your soul. 

“God bless y'all, please pray for me. Sometimes, it's scary being a teacher knowing that I'm severely flawed. I just want God to be happy ❤️”. 

Edit:

A redditor has requested that I share a little more about God's love!

(Agape: Love) A gift of the Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity.

1. God (The Father)
2. God (The Son)
3. God (The Holy Ghost/Spirit)

• John 3:16-18 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not be lost but have eternal life. Because God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s unique Son.

• Paul reflects this teaching to the ancient Corinth church. These people were a hot mess! Heavily steeped in sexual immorality and idol worship.

• 1st Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited, and she is never rude; she never thinks just of herself or ever gets annoyed. She never is resentful; is never glad with sin; she’s always glad to side with truth, and pleased that truth will win. She bears up under everything; believes the best in all; there is no limit to her hope, and never will she fall.

Disclaimer: Just sharing. I know it’ll probably come, I won’t engage, but please don’t comment if you’re offended by what I’m sharing or it just isn’t for you. I’m not posting this for advice or ‘this is what the Bible says’. I’m posting to connect with others who might be where I’m at in life and for those who compassionately understand. Everyone is at different places in life so let’s respect that and listen and learn and treat each other with kindness.

Wanted to put this out there to connect with others who understand (or maybe you were here but life has changed for the better for you). I’ll be the first tell you I’m not at my most optimal self atm (as mentioned in the title). I’m working daily to be more like Christ and community/church-oriented.

Most people that I know are living life pretty much alone right now. I know that’s not everyone and some people are older or younger (I’m in my 40s), have big families or small close-knit families, involved in their church and have very socially active lives. I’m not speaking directly to you, though I welcome everyone who wants to comment as long as it’s building up, constructive and in love. I was most of those things at certain times of my life but life is alone for the most part now.

To share, I have and will always love people. I do feel like ‘evil is winning’ right now in the world. People, Christian or not, are following the trends and ways of the world. I’m exhausted with people—so I admit I avoid them (I love being around animals and nature though). I know this is not the best. But it does work to protect my health (mentally emotionally physically spiritually). “Love God love people” “He who hates his brother” I know these verses well and they’re constantly on my mind. I don’t hate people (although it can be a fight not to start teetering there with the evil and corruption people do), I just prefer the company of God, my own company, people I know, cats and dogs, seagulls at the beach lol, yup had a little buddy that was chilling with me the whole time I was there recently.

I’d love to be a part of a church and community. That’s where my heart lies. Like I said I love people - I’m just at an interesting juncture where it may not look that way on the outside. But I see a lot of good done by people too (most people are just hurting), and I think to myself ‘how could you die for us Lord…but you know way better than me so I do as you say’. But I can’t deny the obvious which is life is very much alone right now.

I’m happy, I’m working towards goals, I have a plan. But I’m also overwhelmed, can get overworked, wish I had someone or some people to share life with (I do but not much in person).

If anyone relates feel free to comment and dm me. I’d like to connect and have good convos and prayers.

Our group meets twice a week, and for a long time most of us only really opened our Bibles once a while. A few things changed that, and I wanted to share them in case they help someone else:

1. We selected a book to study together. One book at a time, so there's something shared to talk about.
2. Everyone goes at their own pace. Some days a chapter, some days three verses. Both count. Comparing amounts was killing it for the slower readers.
3. A tiny daily check-in. Just the passage and one thing (at least) that stood out. It takes a few minutes, and seeing others' check-ins pulls you back on the days you'd skip.
4. Missing a day isn't failure. None of this earns anything. God's grace doesn't depend on our reading record. It's just a way of staying close to His Word together. If you miss a day, you come back tomorrow.

Full disclosure: I ended up building a mobile app around this that our group and other groups now use, called Eagrly, so I'm biased. But all of this works in a WhatsApp group or a notebook too. The important part is reading together, not the tool.

How does your group keep going between meetings?

I dunno what to rlly do anymore. I cant even study without the thoughts getting too loud. I hate that Jesus aint answering my prayers and I feel so numb

please pray for me

​

Many of us are guilty for seeking signs instead of a relationship with God. If we're not seeking a relationship with God but claim to be followers of Him, we are basically admitting that we're ashamed of the Gospel and testimony of Jesus Christ. In our hearts, we still condemn him and in our communications & actions, we prove it.

• Matthew 12:39:

But he replied to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah,

We learn through the story of Jonah that the call to repentance is vital. Jonah was caught up in the belly of the whale for a time, symbolizing; a period of trial, surrender and death to self. 

We are reminded of the death and resurrection of Jesus, he was put to death and buried for our transgression and then risen three days and nights later. He rose from the grave for our benefit so we might share an inheretance with him forever in eternity.

[Transgression: A willful crossing of a divine or moral boundary, often used synonymously with sin or rebellion against spiritual law.] 

We must be careful in the signs we seek!

• 2nd Corinthians 5:7

For we live by faith, not by sight.

• Colossians 3:2, 2nd Corinthians 4:18, 1st John 2:15, Romans 12:2;

We should always focus on the eternal goal of our faith instead of allowing a material world to guide and lead us on some strange path we claim to be a “spiritual journey”. The patterns of life can easily lead us further away from God and we should never become comfortable following the traditions of men.

Job: After confronting God's majesty, Job declares, "I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6), expressing a deep sense of smallness and unworthiness.

Isaiah: Upon seeing a vision of the Lord, the prophet cries out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).

Ezekiel: The prophet describes people looking back at their moral corruption and "loathing yourselves for the evils that you have committed" (Ezekiel 20:43).

What is God's will for us?

God wants believers to grow in purity, character and love. He wants us to enjoy the life that he gave us and to continually give him thanks in all things we face in life. 

• 1st Peter 2:15-17

For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God’s servants. Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king.

• Romans 12:1-2:

I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

Remember that God's plans overrule ours and he is above all!

• Job 42:2;

Job makes this confession to God at the end of his trials, acknowledging divine sovereignty.

• Isaiah 14:27;

 A declaration that God's judgment and decrees against nations will happen as planned.

• Psalm 33:11;

A song praising God's power over history and creation.

• Proverbs 19:21;

A contrast between human-made schemes and God's unassailable will.

God's Plans?

Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope.

We're in it for the long-haul, we must be patient and seek understanding. 

• Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.

• Proverbs 2:1-6:

My son, if you accept my words, and treasure my instructions— making your ear attentive to wisdom, and turning your heart to understanding— if, indeed, you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and learn to know God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

God's promises, mercies and faithfulness endure through all circumstances.

(Prayer) 

“I encourage and challenge the Body of Christ to pray with boldness for the lost, abandoned and struggling members of the Family of God so that we honor God continuously in everything we pursue in our relationship with Him. ”

God Let Us Bless Every Soul! 

Please pray for my family. I am a single mother of 2, since leaving an unsafe marriage. Medically disabled, and missed too many days of work being in the hospital. Facing food insecurity, and facing eviction. I'm back to work now, but my oldest child's birthday is next week, and I can't do anything for him. I can't even cook his favorite meal. Hes on the spectrum , and hes’s going to be so disappointed . I feel just Pathetic. I'm trying so hard, but keep falling and failing. I'm absolutely defeated and more depressed than ever. I have exhausted all resources around me for financial assistance, and food banks until next week. I haven't eaten since yesterday so my kids can eat. I need help but No one can help me, I don't have much family. Life isn't supposed to be like this! Please pray for us to get through this difficult season.

For example: any Mario fan game. Some could make the argument is supporting stealing and is therefore sinful, Some could also make the argument that because It might go against the law that makes it sinful.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
Ephesians 5:1-2

There’s something simple and weighty in these two verses. Paul doesn’t start with a list of rules. He starts with identity. You are beloved children. That is the ground everything else stands on. We don’t try to imitate God so that He will love us. We imitate Him because He already does.
And the clearest picture of what that imitation looks like is Jesus. He loved us by giving Himself up. Not in theory. Not from a distance. He laid His life down as an offering. That kind of love is costly. It smells like sacrifice. And somehow, that sacrifice rises to the Father as a fragrant aroma.
So what does it mean for us this morning to walk in that same love? It means we stop measuring love by how we feel in the moment and start measuring it by what we are willing to give up. It means we treat people with the same patience and kindness that Christ has shown us. It means we choose the harder path of forgiveness when everything in us wants to hold on to the hurt.
We won’t get this perfect. Beloved children still stumble. But the call remains. Walk in love. Not the soft, convenient kind that costs nothing. The kind that looks like Jesus.

Go into this day knowing you are deeply loved. And from that place, love someone else the way Christ has loved you.

Lately I've been observing The Body of Christ helping people out here with some really tough questions involving real life problems. I was inspired to share this based off a particular member within the community. The help they offered was profound and can't be overlooked. I've added additional sustenance to my findings and I hope we all find strength in it!

Can God Forgive Me?

If I trust God's words, Will he change me? No matter how terrible my sins are and how hardened and depraved in heart I am?

• Luke 18:27:

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

• Isaiah 1:18:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

— Manesseh burned his children in fire as sacrifice to demons but he was forgiven!

\[2nd Chronicles 33:12-13: And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.\]

• 2nd Peter 3:9:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

• 2nd Corinthians 6:1-2:

Since, then, we are working with God, we plead with you not to accept God’s grace in vain. For he says, “At the right time I heard you, and on a day of salvation I helped you.” Listen, now is really the “right time”! Now is the “day of salvation”!

• Romans 13:11-14:

This is necessary because you know the times—it’s already time for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let’s therefore put aside the actions of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let’s behave decently, as people who live in the light of day. No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, quarreling, or jealousy! Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and do not obey your flesh and its desires.

• Repentance: A fundamental change of mind, heart and direction that turns a person away from sin and towards God. It's a wilful act of God tugging at your heart for wrongdoing.

• Prayer from King David -

[King David wrote Psalms 51 after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba, his attempt to cover up the scandal, and his orchestration of her husband Uriah’s murder (2 Samuel 11–12]

This goes to show us that there's power and authority over the enemy in which besets us when we have a true repentant heart. David tried to hide his sin for about a year. He got to the point where he became fearful of being separated by God and with a heavy heart, as he was exhausted emotionally, physically and spiritually, he finally took the weighty outcome being in complete despair and revealed his heart to God.

(Prayer)

Psalms 51:1-17:

Have mercy, God, according to your gracious love, according to your unlimited compassion, erase my transgressions.

Wash me from my iniquity, cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgression; my sin remains continuously before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what was evil in your sight. As a result, you are just in your pronouncement and clear in your judgment. Indeed, in iniquity I was brought forth; in sin my mother conceived me.

Indeed, you are pleased with truth in the inner person, and you will teach me wisdom in my innermost parts.

Purge me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me know joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your countenance from my sins and erase the record of my iniquities.

God, create a pure heart in me, and renew a right attitude within me.

Do not cast me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let a willing attitude control me. Then I will teach transgressors about your ways, and sinners will turn to you.

Deliver me from the guilt of shedding blood, God, God of my salvation.

Then my tongue will sing about your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Indeed, you do not delight in sacrifices, or I would give them, nor do you desire burnt offerings.

True sacrifice to God is a broken spirit.

A broken and chastened heart, God, you will not despise.

Amen

Cold or Hot (Maybe Not?)

• Revelation 3:15-16

‘I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.

• What it means to be Hot:

Full of fire and vigor or zeal for the Lord, putting faith into practice. An exhortation of scripture made alive and active continually in our hearts, minds and actions. It's an intentional and deliberate [action; expression] of Love outwardly and inwardly.

• What it means to be Cold:

It can represent seasonal changes spiritually or seasons of the year. We can become distant from God even.

My personal interpretation of both Cold and Hot is as follows:

• Hot:

Latching on to God's word daily and having a strong prayer life as well as serving and putting others before myself. Approaching God with a contrite spirit in which is holy and satiable for strengthening and affirming a rock solid relationship with him.

• Cold:

Identifying that I've become tired spiritually and physically and taking a short break (Like riding a boat down that river of life) while not fighting the current. This represents the restorative grace and mercy that I often need.

• Lukewarm:

This is terrifying. This leads to God's hand being taken off of you for a season or possibly indefinitely. It's a very harsh refute if we don't accept the simple and soft rebukes of God.

Stay God Breathed 🔥🙏❤️

So, I've run into a car issue...AGAIN. this is the third time I'm having it fixed, and while I'd love to get a newer used one, the cost to fix what's wrong with it is $463. On top of that, my car needs new fuel injectors, which is $436. Either way, it's not safe to drive and I'm due to pay my part of rent come Friday, and I don't want to look for another car and tell them it runs good when it doesn't, as that's lying (this was suggested by my mom, who doesn't get that it's wrong to lie). I don't want to lie and say the car runs great when it doesn't. That doesn't sit right with me, but I also just do not have the funds to fix my car but I need it fixed and I'm just stressed and worried. Yes, God has helped me through each car situation, but this is a big one. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm in a flight, fight or freeze response and I'm freezing. I'm not getting any help or grace from my mom. She won't let me take a couple hundred off rent to pay for it, so I'm asking for prayers. I want to do this the right way. I want to be able to be honest about my car. So please pray for my situation, thanks 🙏

Hi friends, I recently have been in a mental crisis that has taken a massive toll on me. Right at the tailend of this crisis my mind has started to question my faith and i just cant shake it. I asked the Lord with teary eyes for a sign, any sign that he is here for me and that heaven is open to me, and my loved ones including my pets.

I worry over and over over the possibility that there is no afterlife. That all I have suffered will be for nothing and i will never see my beautiful family and beloved pets again. i tell myself that everything is in vain and rather than continuing living in hardship just for it to be for nothing i should just end it now before i experience more suffering without reason. i am so so scared of everything being for nothing. heaven has to be real but it makes no sense in my brain. i am terrified of aging and my family aging. i want to avoid it and i know one way out.

advice, evidence of God/the bibles events, and personal experiences that proved God to you without a doubt will be appreciated. Bless you all.

Thank you all.

- Take Up Your Cross -

The Life of a Christian often seems cruel. We all struggle with these thoughts and the cycle continues until we die. It's the same pattern that Jesus experienced (Hebrews 4:15) while he was living.

If we say we love God, then we need to understand what he endured. (Hebrews 12:2). We should also follow this pattern.

As part of the [assembly:church, community], of God. Paul refers to this as “The Body of Christ”. We must unite not only with him but fellow believers so that we have union with him.

• Union Means:

Being in agreement with Jesus and bearing witness to one another and the world around us the love of Christ. We demonstrate what it means to truly die to self. (Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 1:22/5:31-32, Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 2:20).

We believe we are created in the likeness of his image because that's what scripture points to.

We must ask ourselves every day. Have we really given our lives to him? Are we in complete surrender/submission to the very grace and mercy we say and believe? Do we consider just how far that goes if we continue to partake of the things in this world that God hates?

(None of us are beyond reproach!)

• Matthew 10:38:

The one who doesn’t take up his cross and follow me isn’t worthy of me.

• John 1:14:

Jesus lived a very hard life but is the embodiment of God.

• Matthew 20:28:

He was hated by many but he continued to serve us and love us despite our rebellion to him.

• Luke 23:34:

Though we put him to death, he forgave us.

What mindset do we carry and hold? Do we really understand the character of God? If so, do we wear that in confidence?

(Prayer)

“Put your heart in to it because it's a matter of life and death."

Romans 6:21-23:

What benefit did you get from doing those things you are now ashamed of? For those things resulted in death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become God’s slaves, the benefit you reap is sanctification, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord.

🥹😢😭

Jesus wept after losing his best friend. He doesn't want to lose you either!

Transcript

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
— Colossians 1:10 (NASB1995)

In Part 1 we focused on walking in a manner worthy of the Lord. Today we look at what that walk produces. Paul shows us three beautiful results: pleasing Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
A life that truly walks worthy of Jesus is not just about avoiding wrong things. It is about actively living in a way that brings pleasure to God, produces lasting fruit, and keeps growing in knowing Him more deeply.

Pleasing God in all respects means our aim is His smile, not people’s approval. Bearing fruit in every good work means our faith shows up in practical obedience — kindness, integrity, service, and love that others can see. Increasing in the knowledge of God means we never stop learning who He is through His Word, prayer, and experience.
These three work together. As we seek to please Him, fruit naturally grows. As fruit grows, we come to know Him more. And as we know Him more, our desire to walk worthy of Him only deepens. This is the kind of life the gospel is meant to produce.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you please the Lord in one specific area today — whether in your attitude, your work, or your relationships.
Look for one opportunity to bear fruit through a good work, and set aside time to increase in the knowledge of God by reading or meditating on His Word.

A worthy walk leads to a life that pleases God, bears fruit, and keeps growing in knowing Him. That is the beautiful result of walking with Jesus. Let Colossians 1:10 shape the way you live today.

And I'm not trying to create a heated discussion. I'm genuinely curious.

A Christian I talked to was very straightforward that a Christian wife should be a Proverbs 31 woman and should serve her husband. That she is not meant to work and that it is her mission in life to be submissive to her husband because it aligns with God's mission for her so they can both serve the Lord. I think it's because he's a minister. But he did say it was for women, so I'm assuming he meant all.

My perspective is to be practical. To work to help pay the bills because I would want to be of help to my future husband and so that I can help others as well. Not because I don't trust God but because it would be good to help. And whatever the circumstance is, I would serve the Lord.

He, on the other hand, said it was in our DNA to serve and follow our godly husband. To folloe whether it's anywhere God leads, even if it meant sleeping in uncomfortable conditions. To that, I agreed because I already experienced that. God sustained me and my family so my trust in Him won't waver.

Honestly, I'm trying to find the proper balance on what to learn from his words and what is practical.

Do you think it's women's mission? Do you think that is everything a woman should be in order to fully serve the Lord?

I am starting a men's group at my church and wanted to get input from other men on what they have seen be the good,bad and ugly of mens groups.

I feel like this group will be very important for our church being that there isn't anything for the men to come together and sharpen one another.

What are somethings men that you have enjoyed? Was impactful? Made you invite others to the group? Made you stop going? Wish would have happened?

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

Good Morning,

Today's message:

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up and causes you trouble, or many of you will become defiled.

(Believers should have each other's six.)

In the military, every soldier has a post (Job). They are instructed to guard their post, and to observe everything in sight and in hearing (vigilance).

They are to report any violation and give alarm to any fire or disorder.

We see this often in church congregations, where they have been divided due to gossip and serving idols.

We must be ready and watchful for our fellow citizens who belong to the family of God so that nobody gets hurt.

(Hurt people, hurt people)

This is universal however, in the family of God it is critical to patch up anyone's heart in our family before they spread discord throughout the house of God (Body of Christ).

As a good soldier and example, we should inspect each other's uniform! - Ephesians 6:10-24 (Armor of God) -

We must not give up our birth rights and we should remind each other the same.

• Matthew 7:20 -

  So by their fruit you will know them.”

1st Peter 5:8

Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

❤️🙏❤️

I’m (22m) going through a lot right now. Who I thought was the love of my life (22f) broke up with me a week ago. We were together for 7 years. She was my everything. Nothing could have prepared me for the heaviness I’ve been dragging every waking moment I’m alone. I can mask it well and maybe even forget about it briefly when with others, but the second I am alone, it hurts. My chest is hollow. My knees are weak. I want to scream, cry, and collapse all at once.

The worst part is I have no one to blame but myself. I was not the man she deserved. And for those reasons, she left. For those same reasons, I wondered if God had left me too. I felt like he had gotten quiet and was no longer hearing my prayers. Had I messed up too much already? Am I just hopeless? One night, in a drunken sobbing mess, I reached out to him again. “Can you still hear me? Have I betrayed you too much? Why can’t I control myself? I’m so angry and ashamed I couldn’t blame you if you have given up on me. But if you are there, I need you. So please, Lord, if you’re there, please show me you hear me and that you know I love you. Show me that you still love me. I hurt and I need you to rest my head on” I then fell asleep because I was drunk and crying for hours beforehand.

Nothing happened the next couple days. I had an eye out for the signs I asked from God, but as time went on I grew more and more hopeless. However despite my pain, I have been trying to be better at recognizing when others need help and helping them without hesitation. From helping carry things to praying for people I see on the road. It made me feel better even for just a moment. But I would still go home and cry myself to sleep.

Today, I was sitting in the parking lot after my class at community college, just staring into the space in front of me, trying to get a grip just to drive home. Before I start the car, there is a knock at my window. A man that seemed to have emerged from thin air was standing there and asked me for only 50 cents so he could get a drink. My first thought was “What the heck is he gonna get for 50 cents these days?” I usually don’t have cash, but I have the notorious cup holder full of change. I gave him all the quarters I could and he just put them in his pocket and thanked me as if that weren’t why he was there. He immediately asked if he could pray for ME. Here he is asking for change from a stranger and asks to pray FOR ME. I immediately said absolutely. He prayed that I get through what I’m going through. And that I continue to seek God and his wisdom. How did he know I was going through anything? I told him I had to step out and give him a hug. We hugged, and he prayed for me again. We said our goodbyes, and before I knew it, he was gone.

As I was driving home in somewhat of a state of shock I realized something. When I had that drunken sobbing night of desperation asking God to show me he is listening, I was in Tennessee on a trip planned long before that day. The locals in Tennessee have thick southern accents (at least compared to the midwestern accent I’m used to hearing in Michigan). The man that came to me and prayed with me had a thick southern accent. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in Michigan, but that is not common. Once I realized this, it was obvious. God was telling me he heard my cries in Tennessee. He did not turn his face from me even in my lowest moments. I had to pull over because I was sobbing too much to drive. I continued to thank my heavenly father over and over.

Once I got a grip, I began driving and put my radio on shuffle. I have a lot of non-church-friendly music on my playlist (something to work on I know) and I immediately questioned whether it was a good idea or not until I saw the first song: Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum. Followed by about 3 more songs that felt as though God was speaking to me through. I have never been given a more profound series of events that made it so obvious that I am still loved by the Lord. I hope everyone experiences this especially when they are as doubtful (or more) as I was. I’ve been thinking about this periodically all day and crying because God is so great at timing and knowing our hearts. I think what led to this was my desire to help others even when I was in need of help myself. We are not saved by our works, but by our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. But by helping and loving others, you show that your heart still longs to be holy.

So I know that my situation is a walk in the park compared to what others are going through, but I implore you, no matter your circumstances, look for the opportunity to help others. Not only will it provide instant relief, it could just be your path to reconnect with God.