You're sitting in the middle of somebody else's legacy right now. 75 years ago, one couple's generous gift created a ripple effect that's still changing lives today. What seeds are you holding that God wants you to plant? Your generosity today becomes someone else's testimony tomorrow.

Churches that focus only on themselves risk becoming beautiful but empty monuments. Using the Crystal Cathedral as an example, this message explores how God calls His people to pour themselves out for others rather than just maintaining religious activities. Isaiah 58 reveals that true spiritual maturity isn't measured by church attendance or Bible reading alone, but by how we serve the hungry, homeless, and hurting. Churches should function as lifeboats rescuing the drowning, not cruise ships entertaining passengers. When we live beyond ourselves through sustained generosity of time, talents, and treasure, God promises to provide abundantly and make us like springs that never run dry.

What if the very inconveniences you avoid are exactly where God wants to use you? In a world that worships speed and efficiency, following Jesus might just put you in the slow lane - and that's exactly where kingdom character is formed. Your presence might be someone else's provision.{{video | title: 'Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Living beyond ourselves means stepping out of our comfort zones with bold, expectant faith. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 reveals how God multiplies our limited resources when we surrender them to Him. The disciples calculated the impossibility, but a young boy simply offered his five loaves and two fish. This teaches us that miracles happen when scarcity meets surrender. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should trust God with what we have. God doesn't just meet our needs—He exceeds them, as shown by the 12 baskets of leftovers. One small yes can change everything when we place our resources into God's unlimited hands.

Do you pray like God still moves? Many believers have experienced disappointment in prayer, leading them to pray safe, small prayers instead of bold, expectant ones. The early church in Acts 4 faced real persecution but didn't pray for escape - they prayed for courage and empowerment. Bold prayer begins with acknowledging God's greatness, asks for divine empowerment rather than removal of problems, and expects God to respond with His power. When we pray expectantly, we prepare for God's promises rather than waiting for proof. The same Spirit that filled the early church lives within every believer today, calling us to pray with confidence and expectancy.

When life gets hard, most of us just want the pain to go away. But what if the very thing you’re begging God to remove is the thing He’s using to shape you?

In this message, we share how weakness, struggle, and unanswered prayers can actually become the places where real strength is born. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but life still hurts, this one’s for you.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Many people wonder if prayer matters when God already has a perfect plan. The story of Moses interceding for Israel in Exodus 32 reveals that prayer isn't about changing God's mind, but about participating in His purposes. God's plans are perfect and His purpose never changes, but He chooses to accomplish His will through our prayers. Prayer moves us from trying to control our circumstances to aligning our hearts with God's will. When we pray, we're not rewriting God's plan - we're stepping into it and finding our place in His perfect purposes.

Prayer often feels difficult not because of lack of access to God, but because of interference that blocks our connection. Three main barriers create this interference: distractions that crowd out space for God, doubts that whisper lies about His care, and shame that keeps us hiding instead of approaching His throne of grace. Jesus has already opened the door to God's presence through His sacrifice, giving us 24/7 access to the Father. The solution involves intentionally making space by removing distractions, silencing doubts by asking God where He is working, and running to grace instead of hiding in shame. When we address these barriers, prayer becomes the simple, honest conversation with God it was meant to be.

Ever feel like you're not praying right? What if God actually prefers your honest, messy prayers over perfect, polished ones? The Holy Spirit translates even your sighs and stutters directly to the Father's heart. Stop performing and start connecting.

God's love often becomes ordinary to us despite its extraordinary nature. We need to rediscover the wonder of His 'hesed' - steadfast, unfailing love that doesn't depend on our performance but on His unchanging character. Jacob's story illustrates this undeserved love, while Jesus demonstrates it perfectly through His sacrifice. Unlike human love that asks 'what's in it for me?', God's love asks 'how can I serve you?' Our response should be twofold: personally experiencing God's unconditional love and intentionally reflecting that same steadfast love to others in our daily interactions.