Encounter Community Church

How do we overcome the habits, mindsets, and shortcomings that defeat us? You have tried getting rid of tempting stuff. You have tried working harder. You have tried ____________ (fill-in-the-blank). But, what is the key to defeating what defeats me?

Why would God choose me? At my best, I am still flawed. Maybe His choice of me is not based on what I thought it would be. How does God choose people? The answer may surprise you and lead you to look at and think of Him and you differently.

If we look around us, we can see the brokenness that exists in our world raising a very simple but challenging question. What are we going to do about it? How can we become harbingers of hope? How can we bring healing to this nation? Are we willing to take on that responsibility?

Is it true that you can be a Christian and not be a part of church? What if there is something that we’re missing? If you are still a part of a church, we explore how to get the most out of it.

There is so much competition for our attention. Just think about the apps on your Smart TV. Then, you add in social media, family, work, boss, kids,friends, etc. Is the current pace of life, information, and distraction suffocating our souls? How does this affect our soul and what is the soulution?

What is the secret sauce of prayer? In today’s podcast, we will talk about what to pray about and give practical tools that will help add focus and value to your prayer life.

Have you ever walked into the a gym to get in shape and be intimidated by all of the machines? The same can be said about reading the Bible. Where do we start? Do we just open it up and start reading or is there a plan that we can follow? This week, Ken gets into the motivation for reading and the how to create a rich experience when you read and study it.

Links discussed in the podcast:
Read the New Testament in 40 Days
Read the New Testament in a Year

Sample reading plan included with messages

S.O.A.P. method

S - Scripture
O - Observation
A - Application
P - Prayer

Can be taken to apply to any passage of scripture.
S-write down the passage that you are reading. Pick a verse or two that grabs your attention. 

O-write out what you see happening in the passage.

A-identify at least one action, mindset, or practice that you want to implement into your life

P-write out a prayer for implementing the application

Link to Ken’s sample

Many of us have been there. You start to work out and maybe even see some results but somewhere along the lie you lose your motivation. You start reading your Bible, praying, or other spiritual habits only to lose your mojo. How do we maintain our discipline over the long haul? Why is discipline even important? Why do I need it at all?

Many of us have been taught what it looks like to be a good Christian. But, what if that misses the mark? What if our idea is contradictory to the idea of Jesus? This week, we explore the path and how to know if we are on the right one.

Jesus challenged us to love our neighbor as ourselves. But, what if I don’t even like myself? How do I love someone with something that I don’t have? This week, we look at two obstacles that stop us from loving ourselves and how to overcome them.