Put simply, we cannot live a prosperous life if we hold our sins and transgressions inside. We need Jesus to show us where we've done wrong and trust that he is above the fear, embarrassment, and shame. We must acknowledge the hurt that took place to the person we harmed, and then communicate an action plan as to how you will rebuild the trust so that reconciliation can take place. Like Jesus, do you have a community that you do life with? Do you have others you can confess to so you can receive help while remembering that Jesus is the only one who can forgive your sins? Confession is bringing sin to light so it can no longer have a hold over you and others. It brings freedom and joy so we can live our best life for Christ who lived His best, and suffered the worst for us!

"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
Proverbs 28:13

Like love, forgiveness is not a feeling. We must make the choice every day to forgive. Perhaps you've heard the phrase "forgive and forget." It's hard to forget when something reminds us of an injustice, and we feel anger all over again after we thought we've forgiven. Some injustices go deeper than others. This is why forgiveness isn't always a one and done event. Even though we feel like we can't forgive or don't want to forgive- we must surrender it to the Lord despite what we're feeling in those moments. He is faithful and will help us through the process of forgiveness when we choose it. It's for our freedom. It releases us from the bondage of anger, frustration, and resentment. Jesus gave us His example of forgiveness on the cross. It was the ultimate sacrifice so we might forgive others too.

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Just because we might be recognized as a leader, it doesn't mean we're in charge. When we hear the word "leader" we might think of someone who gives orders or instructions, but leading is so much more! Leading is all about serving others and showing up. It's leading by example. It's doing the dirty work you're asking others to do as well. It's counterintuitive and costly. Jesus came to the earth not to rule over others, but to serve others and teach them with patience. Are we allowing Jesus to mold us into an honorable leader?

"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Mark 10: 43-45

If love is not feeling based then what does love actually look like? Jesus gave us the example of what love is when He came to earth and laid His life down for us. What does this mean for us though? Love is sacrificial. It's from God because God is love. Have we allowed God to fill us so we can fill others? Jesus taught us how to treat one another when he set his own desires and selfish actions aside to put others ahead of Him. What attitudes and behaviors do we need to ask God to help us overcome so we can love like Jesus?

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1 John 4: 10-11

What does it look like to take up our crosses and follow Jesus? In the story of the rich, young, man we see that he's looking for ways he can earn eternal life. On top of that, he held tighter to his possessions than he did to Jesus. How many times do we do the same thing? Jesus took away the punishment that we deserved. He was the ultimate sacrifice when he was crucified on the cross and then rose again! Our possessions, status, position, or good works cannot give us eternal life. Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life. This is something the rich, young, man learned through the conversation he had with Jesus himself. We have the same opportunity to live with Christ eternally because of what happened on the cross!

"Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses Acts."
Acts 13:38-39

This church has been deemed as highly "dangerous." It has been found that members and participants of this congregation live out the teachings of the Bible, make no apologies for it, and have pledged themselves to follow the leader- Jesus Christ.

Awaken held a "secret service" to try and give people an example of what it's like to have to meet quietly as a persecuted church. Many Christians face persecution all around the world because of their faith. They face being arrested, punishment for sharing the gospel, gathering together, being in possession of a Bible or simply proclaiming their faith in Christ. No matter what the circumstances, we are to be the light! Our home is eternal. Who are we taking with us?

Elijah sees God's power in the face of persecution. In 1 Kings, we learn about King Ahab and how he ruled with more wickedness and evil than any Israelite King before him. Elijah boldly steps out and speaks in faith. This results in God's power being displayed in Mighty ways! Elijah's response to persecution varied greatly. Yet, God still displayed His power and might giving the Israelites another chance to see that He was the God who loves them. You see, God fights for us. He takes the time to prove His Might not because He wants attention and fame. He is a jealous, loving, God who wants relationship with us. He fights for us and shows us His great love so that we may decide to be in relationship with Him. He will never force us. In Elijah's situation, He constantly shows up to prove to His people that He is God. He does the same for us! He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow! It doesn't matter what we face in life, He will provide everything we need in any situation if we let Him.

"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD is His name, 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'"
Jeremiah 33:2-3

Do we have to be perfect for God to use us in order to advance his kingdom? Absolutely not! Throughout the Bible we see how many people struggled with their sin, shortcomings, and upbringings. Saul persecuted Jesus prior to his conversion. He was focused on his mission to imprison Christians. He had a drive to accomplish his mission, even if at the time it was the wrong one! However, God used his abilities to accomplish more than Paul could have ever imagined! Saul went by his Roman name, Paul, after his intense encounter with God. He was changed and lived out God's will for his life. He made a huge impact in the world we see today. Paul ended up writing much of the New Testament which applies to how we can live our own lives!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17

This week we take a look at the 2 different responses to truth. John the Baptist was here on a divine mission. His mission was to prepare the way for the Savior of the world, Jesus! He proclaimed the truth of the gospel and instructed many to repent of their sins. We have a choice to make in response to God's truth in our own lives as well. Will we allow it to harden our hearts or will we allow it to lead us on the path to repentance? John was direct in the message of truth which led to his persecution. Anyone who desires to live a godly life will be persecuted. Though repentance is a process, does it show in your life? We must know what the Word of God says and stand for the truth within it. Are you allowing the Word of God to transform you?

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:12-17

The early church found themselves scattered throughout Samaria and Judea because of the persecution that broke out after the killing of Stephen. Persecution is the infliction of suffering, injury, or death on another especially because of race, political, or religious beliefs. These believers took the Gospel into the world wherever they went regardless of what was happening around them. Here, we also get an introduction to Saul (who would later become Paul). He took charge to accomplish the imprisonment of many believers at this time and had a fiery passion. He was focused and ran toward his mission. Through all of this suffering, we see that God can take something absolutely heart breaking and make it into something amazing for the saving of many lives eternally! The news continued to spread about Jesus throughout the land! These believers persisted even in the midst of scattering for fear of their lives. How are we preparing for events like this? Are we training for times of persecution or are we allowing ourselves to be comfortable? Wisdom and knowledge come from God. Let's ask Jesus today to help us understand this wisdom and knowledge before we get into scriptures so we may stand strong and keep our eyes upon the Lord when the day of persecution comes! May we be filled, focused, and forced to keep going in our faith.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28