828 Church

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith has a chance to really grow, so let it grow. Don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. (Simply) Ask boldly, believingly, without second guessing God. James 1:2-7 MSG

God wills to redeem the challenges we face to change us and advance us toward His purposes!

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

There is no ascension without Jesus and the power of redemption.

The messiah can make the worst things work for Good.

Next Level Heights is always a stumbling blocks to stepping stone story.

If you fall down, get up!

The godly may fall seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Proverbs 24:16 NLT

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24 NLT

If you mess up, fess up, get up, and get going again with God!

Run to God not from God

Don’t mistake or see difficulty as God’s disdain for you.

He loves you like crazy and is always for you!

Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Romans 12:1-2 NLT

No test or temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability to bear, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV

Praise through your problems

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! Job 19:25-27 NLT

Worship will open a door for redemption in your life like almost nothing else can.

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond n anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

Glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

Philippians 4:13 is not about what you will do, but rather how to do what God wills you to do.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

Learning and living are interwoven threads GOD wills to weave into the fabric of our lives.

There is a lot of next level instruction packed into this passage.

Next level ownership of the potential that’s inside of you.

But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14 ESV

Next level attitude about altitude.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5 NLT

Next level discernment about direction.

There is nothing I will face today that Jesus and I can’t get through together. Joyce Meyer

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Romans 8:35 - read more…

Nothing has the power to pull me away from God or the purposes He has for me.

Next level surrender to the Savior.

For in him we live and move and exist. Acts 17:28 NLT

Next level strength from our Lord.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:1-11 NLT

A deep relationship with the Divine will result in the release of God’s destiny for your life.

Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations, that’s what I had in mind for you. Jeremiah 1:5 MSG

Newton’s 1st law of motion - A body at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by a force.

All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Newton’s 2nd law (F=MA) - The larger the mass the more force required for acceleration.

God’s got big plans, and He brings big grace and power for His purposes in your life!

Newton’s 3rd law - For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 ESV

Next Level Heights!

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond n anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV

Only the Gospel can overcome the sin's Gravity.

If we’re not careful we’ll let the gravity of our past or present earthly experiences keep us from the life God makes possible.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV

Escape Velocity

In the physics of faith the formula for living God’s purpose is trusting in God’s plan and power.

I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can stop your plans.
Job 42:2 MSG

Go after God with passion and His power will propel you to next level heights with Him.

God wants to take your relationship to the next level because we were designed to have deep conversations with our Creator

The Creator created YOU to have a life full of substantial conversations and treasured talks.

Genesis 3:8

Lam 3:23

“If God has your heart, you’ll hear His heart.” - Ron

Jesus had the difficult deep conversation with God so we would be able to have our treasured talks with Him.

In deep conversation with God, we get corrected, comforted, celebrated and we get to collaborate with Him.

When you get into deep conversation with Jesus:
• He tells you you’re loved
• He gives you purpose
• He binds you up and heals your heart
• He catches your tears
• He challenges you
• He gives you dreams
• He feeds you
• He takes away fear
• He corrects you
• He reveals truth to you

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT

The trinity falls outside our natural vision spectrum, but with the right lens it becomes a revelation of life and relationship that is deeper than we could ever dream.

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. John 14:16-17 NLT

The Trinity isn’t just a description of who God is, but more importantly how He relates to us.

We have a loving Father

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 ESV

We all have a loving Heavenly Father who patiently directs His sons and daughters.

We have a Savior and Lord, Jesus

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

Jesus is our older brother who leads by love and example.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13 ESV

The 3rd person in the Trinity is Holy Spirit

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV

Holy Spirit is our power packed comforter, convictor and guide

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere, in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-19 NLT

Devotion is critical to deep relationship.

Religious - To devotedly follow and practice a specific set of values and beliefs.

Deep relationship requires deep devotion and intentional living.

Misplaced religious devotion is a poor replacement for relationship with God.

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40

The religious focus for the Christ follower is Jesus and a life-changing relationship with Him.

Play your harp for Him.

Own your history but don’t let your history own you.

When David saw the angel, he said to the LORD, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? Let your anger fall against me and my family.” 2 Samuel 24:17 NLT

Never underestimate the power of a comeback.

That day Gad (the prophet) came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” So David went up to do what the LORD had commanded him. When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. “Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked. David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the LORD there, so that he will stop the plague.” “Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar. I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the LORD your God accept your sacrifice.” But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen. David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the LORD answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. 2 Samuel 24:18-25 NLT

Religious about Relationship.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Psalm 122:1-2 NLT

God wants to take you to a place with Him you haven’t been before.

Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 MSG

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NLT

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Phil 3:12-14 MSG

The ocean is deep, but not as deep as God or the relationship we’re meant to have with Him.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33 ESV

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls. Psalm 42:7 ESV

Next Level Listening

Here lies a man who knows virtually nothing about anything doing all the talking to the God who knows everything about everything.

Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. (split on screen please) But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God. John 8:47 NLT

If God has your heart, you’ll hear His heart.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 ESV

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 19:28-30 NLT

The “come here” of the Holy Spirit is an incredible blessing.

If you have a kid who will come when you call and listen when they do, you’re on the right parenting path.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

He’s Closer than you think.

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24-25 ESV

Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. Acts 17:26-27 MSG

God created all of us for closeness, not because He needed to, but because He wanted to.

For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28 NLT

Whether you know or acknowledge Him or not, you can’t exist without God.

I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant. I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:21-26 NLT

Those who desert him will perish,for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:27-28 NLT

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. - Saint Augustine

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8 ESV

Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month, nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD. Leviticus 23:27 NLT

Closer than you think.

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

God isn’t hard to find if you’re honestly looking, because He’s right beside you.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

For many this year has made for a not so Merry Christmas.

Sadness can be heavier at a time known for tradition, and difficulty an even more unwelcome guest at a time meant for celebration.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 NKJV - (Messiah and Master)

The first Christmas was probably lacking in merry for Mary.

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:16-19 NLT

The most important thing to remember at Christmas is the much needed and anticipated birth of our Savior and Lord.

GOD looked and saw evil looming on the horizon, so much evil and no sign of Justice. There was no one to correct this awful situation. So he did it himself, took on the work of Salvation, fueled by his own Righteousness. He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a suit of armor, with Salvation on his head like a helmet, Put on Judgment like an overcoat, and threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders. Isaiah 59:15-17 MSG

The Messiah stepped into our mess and made hope real again!

When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 NKJV

The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins, says the LORD.
Isaiah 59:20 NLT

Jesus came to do more than make us merry, He came to make us free and whole forever!


The enemy will never stop trying to rob us of the Joy Jesus came to give us.

Christmas doesn’t have to be merry to be amazing when Christmas directs our our eyes to the Christ.

Do you see what I see, I see our Savior