We are in the beginning stages of a great transition. We are moving from our present state of glory to a greater state of glory. What sustained us in the last season will not sustain us in this new one. What made us holy yesterday will only serve to make us religious today! What satisfied then will frustrate us now! We must hear the proceeding word of God so we can be radically obedient & accomplish what needs to be accomplished in this new season.

This message dives into the true meaning of Christmas. The angels declared, "...glory to God in the highest & on earth, peace & goodwill toward men." This shows the burning desire of our Maker to be in relationship with mankind. We have been called the salt of the earth...salt's main purpose is to preserve. When we choose judgment over mercy, we lose our saltiness & forfeit our place on the earth as those who stand in the gap for mankind.

In Luke, Jesus tells Peter that satan has asked to sift him as wheat, but declares over Peter that He prayed for his faith not to fail him. As believers there are times we make a mistake or a series of mistakes. In those moments, we can do what is natural & run from Him and become separated from Christ & His love, or we can run toward Him.

Youth Alive is the campus ministry of North Texas. Kyle & Janelle Embry are home missionaries who serve the Jr. High & High Schools and encourage teens all over to bring God's Kingdom to their public schools.

Many of us, if not all, have things in the past that are negative memories in our hearts & minds. These memories can haunt us & deter us from the things of God if we don't allow the Lord to heal how we perceive those events. This is a distinct call to see life from heaven's perspective.

Hebrews 12:1-3 urges us to throw off every weight & sin that entangles us in the running of our race. When we said "yes" to Jesus, we became a new creation. Our new bodies weren't made to carry many of the things we are presently running with. Some are clearly sin & obviously should be thrown off, but what about the things that are just weights or distractions?

Success in the Kingdom of God is determined by being obedient. Living according to the instruction & wisdom of the Lord has amazing merit & eternal benefits. Proverbs 3 gives us a great outline for guaranteed success, prosperity & abundant life. Live long & prosper my friends:)

You receive according to how you perceive. Matthew 10:41 tells us, "Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward." The honor that we give to others determines what we can receive from them...and everyone deserves honor!

This message is a practical guide in how to stay encouraged. Depression, disappointment and discouragement should be foreign to believers...when they are introduced to our atmosphere, we should immediately reject them as abnormal. Those whose hope is in the Lord will never be disappointed!

Many times in our lives we are faced with opposition & difficulties. Often times we are tempted to ask what John the Baptist asked, "are you the Messiah, or should we look for another." It is vital during these seasons that we manage our hearts & not allow offense to take root. When Jesus asks us, "are you going to leave me too?", will we be able to answer, "where would we go? Only You have the words of life!"