Excel Still More

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Today is wedding day for some great friends of ours: Beau Barnes and Hannah Holt. I have been asked to officiate and I'm up here at the building practicing! Right in the middle I thought - Hey I want to share this with all my friends! So, here's my wedding sermon. 

First and foremost, we need much more optimism! God's picture of marriage is very good, a great reward and the answer for loneliness! If this isn't your marriage - all I can say is that it was designed to be and has the potential in it somewhere. 

But we need to talk about some tips and strategies. Three things will make a huge difference and we talk about them today: all in allegiance to God's right to govern your home, all in commitment to oneness from now until the end of your life, and three really beautiful words: love, love, and love. 

- What do you remember about your wedding day?

- Do you remember the optimism for the future that filled the room?

- How does commitment to God's government of your marriage a powerful start?

- What happens when we have no option but to get through trouble together as one?

- Have you looked at love in three, distinct and important categories?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Perfect Prayer Plan

I have attached a file so that you can print out the perfect prayer plan. This has been a fruitful staple in my life for a decade now. I commend it to you. All of it comes straight from the life of Jesus. Remember, #5,#6 and #7 are crucial for your own life - but also the exact things you should be praying into the lives of your enemies.

The topic of today's podcast relates to how you deal with your enemies. But I have lots of questions. What in the world is an enemy in our time? Can I identify an enemy, or a list of enemies, in my life? And once I figure out who it is, compared to simply someone who doesn't like me very much, what am I supposed to do about that?

We are a blessed people in our time. Most of us are protected from people who would truly do us harm. However, sometimes the people closest to us become our enemies. They oppose us, take our words in the worst light, and refuse to rebuild a friendship.

What would God have us do about that? Let's explore some ideas that can help.

- What is an enemy and how how do I determine if someone is an enemy?

- What would Christ have me do with my enemy?

- How important is self-evaluation when dealing with an enemy?

- How important is compassion for an enemy in dealing with them?

- What role does prayer play when the relationship seems irreparably broken?

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University Oaks church of Christ (October 16-19, 2022)
Sunday 9:30 / 10:30 / 5:00pm.  Mon-Wed 7:30pm.

Please take a moment to watch the YouTube video of the recording of "In Need"

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need

I am Your child, I am in need

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Ooh, I'm excited to talk about this today! Simon Sinek has been a help to me in many ways over the years. His work on "Always Speak Last" and "Start With Why" continue to affect the way I think and live. One of his newer books, "The Infinite Game" shares ideas that have become immediately relevant in decision making, relationship... handling, and general understanding of my purpose.

I hope you find this powerful in assessing if the things you struggle with in this life are about winning, or about keeping going and growing. When we are in something for its betterment and our betterment, with no direct competition and no deadline or timeframe... great things WILL happen.

- How does an infinite game differ from a finite game?

- If the purpose is to win by a deadline, what are drawbacks to that approach?

- How can the goal to keep going and keep growing produce far, far more results?

- If you stop comparing and stopped competing, how would that free you up to grow?

- What are practical situations where an infinite game approach can fill you with optimism?

The Infinite Game

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Did you know that September 21st was the 56th annual World Gratitude Day? I most certainly did not know that. I read about it. It has spiritual roots but has now been stripped of God's presence and recognition for the most part. However, it triggers the need in us all to give thanks.

That is a good thing, the giving of thanks, the expression of gratitude. But what is that without God? How strong is thanks if it is not directed to One who has the power to give and restore gifts? I go through Level 3 Gratitude every single morning. I'll lay that out in the episode. But I've notice most of it is earth bound - health, marriage, home, kids, job. Why don't I talk more to God about Christ and the redemption and heaven? We'll explore that today.

You and I ought to be so overwhelmingly grateful for the blessings of Jesus that it defined, redefines, directs, and redirects every day to joy in the hand of God. When heaven and purification is on our hearts every day, we have gratitude untouched by the challenges and trials of this life.

- What on earth is World Gratitude Day?

- How can Level 3 Gratitude transform your day?

- What value is gratitude if God is not in the center of it?

- How can I turn my attention more to spiritual blessings and why?

- If you were given one million dollars for a day's work, would you be thankful?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

West Aurora church of Christ (Aurora, ILL)
Friday, Sept. 30th 2022 7pm
Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2pm and 3pm
Sunday, Oct. 2nd 9:30am and 10:30am

Start Right Here (Casting Crowns)

We want our coffee in the lobby
We watch our worship on a screen
We got a Rockstar preacher
Who won't wake us from our dreams
We want out blessings in our pocket
We keep our missions overseas
But for the hurting in our cities
Would we even cross the street?

Huh but we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

I'm like the brother of the prodigal
Who turned his nose and puffed his chest
He didn't run off like his brother
But his soul was just as dead
What if the church on Sunday
Was still the church on Monday too?
What if we came down from our towers
And walked a mile in someone's shoes?

Hmm 'cause we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

We're the people who are called by His name
If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways
He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sin
He will heal our land but it starts right here
We're the people who are called by His name
If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways
He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sin
He will heal our land

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now
It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

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Salvation by Grace by Matt Bassford

Matt's article is accessible through the link above. 

Have you had experiences like I had on the plane last week?

How do you explain that Grace of God to people who question your faith in it?

Have you let Romans 1-6 become a template for explaining salvation by Grace through faith?

Are you Rahab? Or is she someone beneath or behind you in faith and life?

Has the greatness of God's grace convinced you to give your whole life over to Him?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Six observations from Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:

1) Jacob is a flawed but very faithful man. (Gen. 31:3, 41-43: 32:1-2)

2) Jacob is in a stressful and uncertain situation. (Gen. 32:3-8, 9-12)

3) God initiates this encounter for Jacob's benefit. (Gen. 32:22-24, 28, 30)

4) Jacob does not try to escape but holds on until God blesses him. (Gen. 32:24-26; Hosea 12:4)

5) God conceded defeat to Jacob in a moment of grace and transformation. (Gen. 32:26-29)

6) Jacob proceeds from the encounter physically worse and spiritual better. (Gen. 32:30-32)

Four applications for your life and mine:

1) God seeks to challenge and engage His children. (James 1:1-4)

2) God will often engage you in times of anxiety and fear. (Philippians 4:4-9)

3) God rewards those who will not let go no matter what. (Hebrews 6:9-12)

4) God may sen you out weaker in flesh but strong in faith. (II Corinthians 12:7-9)


If you are a true glutton for punishment and have read this far... here is the full sermon:

Wrestling with God

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I apologize for the cover picture. I was googling "the golden years" and this photo jumped out at me. This man is later in his life, with life still yet to live, sitting in a chair, by himself, waiting. What is he waiting for? We don't know. But it doesn't look that life stage was as exciting as he thought it would be. What about you? How do you envision the last vibrant season of your life here on this earth?

How does this fortune cookie hit you: "Your Golden Years Will Be Happy And Fulfilling"? It is a literal fortune cookie, as you'll hear about today. But is there some future happy time you are waiting for? Sometimes we live for what will be and make a couple of mistakes. First, we miss what is good or potentially good in the now. Second, we have a rose colored vision of what is coming, and stand to be disappointed. But there is a better way.  A much better way to live in and build more Golden Years. Today I've got a point to make. Sommer has one. And Nic has one as well!

- What are the Golden Years and why do people call them that?

- Why is planning to retire at a fun center for older people not a great plan?

- How can looking down the line keep us from seeing what God has planned for our good?

- What has God historically expected from His older, senior servants?

- Is heaven the goldenest years of all? What do you think we will be doing there?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

West End Church of Christ - Bowling Green, KY
www.westendchurch.com
Sunday Sept. 11th - 16th 2022
Come and visit!

Song:  In Jesus Name (God of Possible)

I speak the name of Jesus over you
In your hurting, in your sorrow
I will ask my God to move
I speak the name 'cause it's all that I can do
In desperation, I'll seek Heaven
And pray this for you

I pray for your healing
That circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name, in Jesus name

I speak the name of all authority
Declaring blessings, every promise
He is faithful to keep
I speak the name no grave could ever hold
He is greater, He is stronger
He's the God of possible

I pray for your healing
That circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name
In Jesus name

Come believe it
Come receive it
Oh, the power of His Spirit is now forever yours
Come believe it
Come receive it
In the mighty name of Jesus, all things are possible

I pray for your healing
That circumstances will change
I pray that the fear inside will flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough
Would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name
I pray for revival
For restoration of faith
I pray that the dead will come alive in Jesus name
In Jesus name