What is love—really? In a culture that can’t agree on the definition, Scripture starts in a different place: love God first. In this teaching, we unpack the Great Commandment—loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—and why devotion isn’t optional, it’s the foundation that brings life back into alignment.

We explore how disorder flows from broken devotion, why love can be misplaced (lovers of self, money, approval), and how “God is love” means His love is never separated from His holiness, truth, wisdom, and justice. You’ll learn a practical four-level devotion filter for loving people without compromise, and why repentance is the gift that brings clarity, peace, and realignment.

If you’ve ever felt confused about what love requires, this message will help you “turn the binoculars around” and see love the way God defines it—on His terms.

Key themes: devotion first, order vs disorder, misplaced love, Jehu vs Josiah, repentance as realignment, truth-telling community, fear God not man.

God doesn’t just comfort us—He plants us. In Session 1 of Oaks of Righteousness: A Discipleship Journey for Women, we open Isaiah 61:3 and trace the three movements of restoration: the promise (beauty for ashes), the process(slow-grown, rooted, storm-tested formation), and the purpose (for the display of His splendor). We’ll talk about healing without hype, repentance and forgiveness, renouncing lies, and learning emotional stability that responds instead of reacts. This isn’t self-improvement—it’s union with Christ: planted by grace, strengthened by the Spirit, and made fruitful in love.

Tonight’s Ember Night was a call to men to rise up as gatekeepers—men who create freedom by protecting the boundaries God has set. We unpack Genesis 2–3, the cost of passivity, and how Jesus defines masculine love as sacrificial covering (John 15:13; Ephesians 5:25). Then we look at David’s mighty men who stood when others ran (2 Samuel 23:8–12) and lay out our core theme for the year: Active Faith—not just hearing the Word, but doing it (James 1:22; 2:17). Strong, tender, steady—men of God, take your post.

Sound doctrine isn’t just information—it forms healthy disciples. In this Ember Nights teaching, we define what theology is, why it matters, and how biblical, systematic, historical (and even natural) theology work together to keep us anchored in truth. Then we walk through the doctrine of revelation: general revelation (God’s witness through creation and conscience) and special revelation (God’s clear, saving self-disclosure through Jesus and Scripture). We end with practical guardrails to avoid three common drifts—nature-as-savior, functional deism, and “God told me” becoming Bible-level authority—and discussion questions to help you recognize how God has drawn you and grounded you.

In this Ember Night teaching at Grassroots Revival, Pastor Nicholas Griggs lays a biblical foundation for why New Testament prophecy should be expected and desired today—and why its primary purpose is not hype or fortune-telling, but building disciples. Walking from Moses’ longing (Numbers 11) to Joel’s promise, Pentecost’s fulfillment (Acts 2), and Paul’s instruction (1 Corinthians 14), this message re-centers prophecy on edification, encouragement, and comfort that strengthens obedience and maturity in Christ. We also share the heart behind why healthy boundaries create true freedom—and how our church will pursue prophetic gifting in a way that serves Scripture-rooted discipleship.

Key Scriptures: Numbers 11:29; Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:16–18; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 12; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21; 1 Corinthians 14:40.

Led by Pastor Nicholas Griggs, this first Ember Night lays the foundation for Christian ethics and character: we find our way in God’s Word. We explore the purposes of Scripture (teaching, rebuke, correction, and training), how obedience forms character over time (James 1:22–25), and the three main categories of Bible translations so we handle Scripture faithfully and responsibly.