Divine Savior Church-Sienna

Modern Americans are very familiar with the practice of the privatization of faith. But if good news is, in fact, good, then how private can you truly keep it before you insinuate it’s not all that life-changing? This week, Jesus shows us that faith was never meant to be hidden—it was meant to be lived, spoken, and shared. Because when the gospel grabs hold of your heart, it can’t help but overflow into your words, your relationships, and your world.

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“If your marriage isn’t happy, you should leave.” It sounds reasonable—even compassionate. But Jesus speaks a better word. In Matthew 19, he challenges not just our decisions, but the lies we believe about happiness, commitment, and love. This week, we’ll wrestle with what God permits in a broken world, what he commands for our good, and what Jesus himself vows to us—an unbreakable covenant love that stays. Whether you're married, single, divorced, or hurting, Jesus meets you with truth that heals and grace that holds.

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Most philosophers and religious leaders throughout history have suggested that contentment is the secret to happiness. And yet, modern research also seems to suggest that $34k/year income is a threshold, and $75k/year is another income threshold for happiness. So which is it? Can we be content without X amount of dollars? Should we be content where we’re at and never pursue more money? What can we do with the money we have that will bring greatest joy?

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Researcher Robert Bellah wrote in Habits of the Heart that 81% of Americans believe that you should come to religious conclusions APART from any religious organization. In other words, the majority of people believe you don’t find God in community. They think you find God on your own. The reality is that Americans today, including many Christians, have reported that they’ve never been lonelier. Gen Z 18-22 year-olds are the loneliest, followed by Millennials. Why? Because we’re trying to do life and faith on our own terms, not cemented into Church community.

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It is not a matter of “If suffering will happen… It’s a When?” The better question then is “how do you experience the suffering?” Do you throw pity parties and live as a victim moping around in the darkness? The final secret to a great life is your life changed on a cross 2000 years ago. You are no longer a victim, but a victor in Jesus. Never Forget Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, this is the ultimate Biblical truth that leads to a truly great life, as it is that which proves God is trustworthy. What is truly remarkable about all of these reliable truths to a truly great life is that all are dependent on God’s faithfulness, not ours!

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Unlike the fleeting hacks for lunches, cleaning, or relationships, there is a life hack that when we live it and strive to daily implement it, will radically change our lives. It will transform how you live, impact your health, wellness, emotions, and relationships, and it all flows from something given to you that will drive you. The truth, the real-life hack? Living each day in light of our sure hope in the living God who has redeemed us! Godliness matters! Intentionally living the faith, hope, love, and forgiveness of Jesus each day changes us, by his power, through his word.

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Are you choosing to follow influencers or leaders? We have the privilege of choosing those who will influence our world view, how we handle our emotions, morals, and values. We do this through the podcasts we listen to, the shows we stream, the friends we keep, the mentors we choose and media we consume. An influencers’ job is to get clicks, likes, and views, a leader’s job is to help develop, lead, correct, and train us for a life filled with faith based on our future. The next Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is choosing influencers who honor God, honor authority, and live with character and integrity. I know that sounds like the antithesis of all modern influencers, but Christ’s kingdom and ways are often upside-down from the worldly standpoint? We don’t like anyone overseeing us, yet it is critical that for a great life, we allow ourselves to be led well by faith filled leaders, and we become such leaders. In fact, there are some significant rewards to leading God’s way.

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Living for family, friends, our social media followers, or even just our own view of ourselves is overwhelming and leads to a constant fear of imposter syndrome and not good enough. Our second Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is living every moment of every day for an audience of one! When we live for that ONE, it changes how we view ourselves, how we engage with others, and the power to overcome the past which has haunted and dominated our identity.

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It all starts with understanding your view and an understanding of your identity. Think about it, what type of mirror are you using? Are you using the carnival mirror which distorts your image? When I have a disordered understanding of my own identity it impacts my emotions, relationships, and purpose in life. Or are you using a real mirror which clearly shows who you are? This type of mirror shows who we really are and reveals our need for rescue from ourselves. It helps reorientate ourselves with the one who created us. The first truth to focus on is our real identity, not the one we’ve created for ourselves.

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Small things can have a big impact. A simple "Hello" tied to a smile can change someone's day. A well-timed compliment or "Thank you" can encourage someone when their heart is feeling down. A small seed can grow into a flower, a bush, even a tree. God's kingdom sometiems appears small. It sometimes looks to be insignificant, but God causes it to grow and grow and grow. He causes it to grow in people's hearts. He causes it to grow through the work of the church. He causes it to grow as you love, care for, encourage, and speak to others. It may seem small, but it has a big impact.

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