Although our Christian lives may be difficult, it will be worth it all when we move through the veil and see Jesus.

Mark 9: 33-37 ESV

Failure never feels good, but it can be a good teacher to prepare us for the work God has for us.

God has given to each of his children an assignment. And he has also  give us weapons with which we can take the territory assigned to us. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue  it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the  heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 ESV

Northside Church has completed six, seven-year seasons, and is entering our seventh season. What is God saying to each of us in this new season? It’s time for a fruit tree inspection.

“Blessed is the man (Church) who trusts in the Lord,

Whose trust is the Lord.

He (she) is like a tree planted by water,

That sends out its roots by the stream,

And does not fear when heat comes,

For its leaves remain green,

And is not anxious in the year of drought,

For it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

The Holy Spirit anoints the church for power, not to build a tower…to go, not to stay.

Equipped Believers understand the manner of their calling, the ministry of their calling and the maturity of their calling…are you equipped?

Big Idea: One of the Seven Questions that everyone  of us, including moms, asks sometime in our lives is, “Does anyone love  me” or “Does anyone see me” or “Does anyone care about me?”  The answer  is that God sees me, God loves me and God cares about me.

Scripture: Hagar, “Immigrant” was an Egyptian  run-away, who became a servant of Sarah. She felt invisible, unloved,  used and not valued as a person. She became a mom, and was abused by her  mistress, but God saw her, cared about her, and gave her purpose.

What is true religion? What do we have to do to please God and to be accepted by God?  "My son, be attentive to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; Keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:20-23 ESV

God uses the storms of life to bring  correction and to strengthen our faith. We need storms as well as  sunshine in order to mature.

Looking at the various references to storms in the Bible helps us  understand the journey we are on while here on earth. We are in a  life-long school preparing for our ultimate destiny of eternal  partnership with God.

We do not have the right to question the way that God disciples us.