Stop the "Ratchet" Life and Start Living Spirit-Led! Are you tired of doing the same things and expecting different results? In this final message of our "We the Church" series, we explore how to upgrade your mindset for 2026. Just like retirable ratchet straps that look good in ads but fail in reality, many of us are living a "knock-off" version of the life God promised.

It’s time to stop getting scammed by culture and start doing life God’s way. When you follow His Word, you get His results—the real deal in your marriage, your finances, and your family.

In this message, we break down the 4 Pillars of a First Fruit Life:

Spirit-Led Living: Choosing a holy protest against the cultural outrage machine.

Servanthood: Moving from a "DoorDash mindset" to a life of meaningful connection and sacrifice.

Generosity: Smashing the idol of money to prioritize God’s house and Kingdom.

Evangelism: Living a life so distinct that it demands an explanation.

Don't spend another year "flopping" like a fish out of water. Find your rhythm in the right environment and step into your season of genius and advancement!

Learn how to put the "Main Thing" first in 2026.

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

In 2026, it’s time to stop guessing and start declaring. In this installment of the "We The Church" series, Pastor Scott Thomas explores the Law of Firsts—the overarching spiritual principle that what you do with the first determines what happens to the rest .

Building your life on "self" is a foundation destined to collapse, but building on the Creator creates an unstoppable structure packed with power . Just as the U.S. Declaration of Independence was built on God as the source code, your life requires a "first fruit" principle to keep you from drifting in a world of half-truths.

Stewardship vs. Ownership: True stewardship isn't about what you give; it's about what you bring . Since God is the Source and we are merely managers of His resource, we don't give to Him—we return to Him what He has already provided .

The Operating System of Faith: Pastor Scott compares our lives to a cell phone's operating system. While we often think our "apps" (marriage, business, finances) are the problem, it’s actually an outdated operating system . By updating your spiritual operating system through the Law of Firsts, you ensure every area of your life functions at its full potential.

Executing the Principle in Three Areas:

Time: Giving God the first 15 minutes of your day to ensure peace for the next 15 hours.

Talent: Using your unique "superpower"—whether dancing, singing, or serving—for the interest of God's Kingdom .

Treasure: Prioritizing God with the first part of your income before your Netflix or Hulu subscriptions .

The First Fruit Promise: When you honor God with the first, you unlock a Benefit Package:

Divine Direction: God becomes your GPS, leading you out of the "cul-de-sac" of dead ends.

Angelic Guard: Bringing the first fruit dispatches an angel ahead of you to guard your way .

Protection: God promises to be an enemy to your enemies and stop the "hidden leaks" in your life .

Household Blessing: Honoring the first portion causes a blessing to rest on your entire house .

Don't be a slave to the culture; be a citizen of the Kingdom. Test God's faithfulness this month and watch Him deliver what you’ve "pre-ordered" for your future .

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

It’s one thing to claim Jesus, but it’s an entirely different thing to follow His pace. In part two of the "We The Church" series, Pastor Caleb Thomas explores how we often believe in Jesus while structuring our lives in a way that actually pulls us away from Him. True discipleship isn't just about believing the right things; it's a lifestyle invitation to "Follow Me" .

The Mary and Martha Tension: Looking at the story in Luke 10, we see the danger of becoming "distracted by doing". Martha was busy serving, while Mary chose the "good portion" by sitting at Jesus’ feet. Jesus reminds us that our primary reward isn't the work we do for Him, but the relationship we have with Him . We must be careful not to treat spiritual disciplines as chores, but as a means to get closer to the person of Jesus .

The Danger of the Hurry: We rarely drift from God through active rebellion; we drift because life gets loud and fast . Corrie ten Boom famously said, "If the enemy cannot get you to sin, he's going to get you busy". Jesus was never in a hurry; His life was characterized by a purposeful state of control and ease that allowed Him to notice the needs of those around Him.

Two Word Pictures for Spiritual Growth:

The Trellis: Just as a trellis supports a vine so it can grow off the ground and produce healthy fruit, we need a "spiritual trellis"—habits and schedules—to keep our lives from collapsing and to support the growth Jesus wants to bring .

The Yoke: Jesus invites us to "Take my yoke upon you" (Matthew 11:29). In biblical times, a mature ox was yoked to a younger one to teach it the right pace and direction . Jesus isn't asking you to "try harder" through self-help; He’s asking you to yoke up with Him and learn His rhythm for your life.

Your Next Step: Jesus isn't asking for a total overhaul today; He’s inviting you to slow down. This year, move beyond just claiming His name and start living His lifestyle—a life that is purposeful, not hurried.

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| Pastor Caleb Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

In this special sit-down conversation, Pastor Scott Thomas and Pastor Caleb Thomas unpack the powerful biblical principle of First Fruits. Far from being a mere tradition or a man-made rule, First Fruits is one of the "Lord's Feasts"—a seasonal principle designed to honor God at the beginning of the year and initiate a promise of provision for the months ahead .

Understanding the Principle:

The Meaning: In Hebrew, First Fruits literally means "a promise to come". It is an act of celebrating and honoring God’s "resume" before He acts on your behalf for the year .

Agricultural Roots: Just as the first buds in a garden signal a larger harvest to follow, the First Fruit is the "best part" set aside to state total dependency on God as the supplier.

First Fruit vs. Tithing: * First Fruit is seasonal (once a year), the "best part," and given before the harvest in anticipation .

Tithing is ongoing (every paycheck), a set 10%, and given after the harvest in response to what God has provided.

A Day of Impossible Odds: Pastor Scott highlights that major biblical breakthroughs occurred on the exact same calendar day (Nisan 17), including Noah’s Ark coming to rest, the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, and the Resurrection of Jesus . The mathematical odds of these events happening on the same day are 1 in 587 quadrillion, proving these moments are by "intelligent design" to show that God reverses curses and makes a way where there is none .

The Challenge for 2026: Free Life Chapel invites families to participate by bringing a "First Fruit" offering—suggested as one week's salary (1/52nd of the year) or a sacrifice determined by your heart . This is not "buying a miracle," but presenting your heart and trusting God's fidelity over your life.

The first fruit offerings will be celebrated during the last two Sundays of January, where the church will pray over every household and declare God’s blessing for the rest of the year .

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

As we kick off 2026, it is time to move beyond temporary resolutions and embrace God’s pre-designed plan for your life: building a legacy of faith . In this opening message of the "We The Church" series, Pastor Scott Thomas outlines the non-negotiable essentials that every Christ-follower must stand on to make a lasting impact on their family and culture .

The Two Essentials for 2026:

The Bible is the Only Authority: In a world of moral decay and shifting legislation, the Word of God remains the "Constitution" of the believer's life . It is inspired, inerrant, and the absolute standard for truth .

Jesus is the Only Savior: While many beliefs exist, Jesus is the preeminent way, the truth, and the life. Without accepting the Bible's authority, you will never fully recognize Jesus as the only Savior.

The Power of Your Manual: Pastor Scott compares the Bible to a car's owner's manual—too often left in the "glove box" while we drive through life unaware of the features and power God has already equipped us with .

How the Word Equips You:

It Nourishes: God’s Word provides "spiritual calories" for growth, offering "milk" for new believers and "solid food" for those maturing in faith.

It Transforms: Acting as a mirror, the Bible reflects who we truly are—not to condemn us, but to build us up, break off shame, and rewire our minds to align with God's desires .

It Fights: The Word is the "Sword of the Spirit," the only offensive weapon believers have to drive back temptation and separate the soul's pride from the spirit's connection to God .

It Guides: Serving as a lamp to our feet, the Word provides vision for marriage, parenting, and career decisions in a dark culture .

Don't wait for a crisis to decide to try Jesus . Build your foundation on the solid rock today and let the "Lighthouse" of His Word guide you away from a crash and toward your best days .

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

Standing at the threshold of a brand new year, it’s time to call for an Encore. Drawing inspiration from the electric atmosphere of an Earth, Wind & Fire concert, Pastor Scott Thomas delivers a powerful New Year’s Eve message about demanding a "repeat performance" of God’s power in your life.

An encore is not a pity performance; it is a response to a demand from passionate fans who refuse to leave until they hear the best . In the same way, 2026 is your year to stand in the arena of faith and chant for God to move again .

Key Revelations for Your New Year:

Streams in the Negev: Just as Israel prayed for restoration like flash floods in the desert (Psalm 126), God can bring unexpected, sudden breakthroughs to the dry and broken areas of your life .

The Same God: The God who answered prayers for Esther, Gideon, and Solomon is the Same God listening to your 3 a.m. cry tonight . He doesn't change, and His "playlist" of favor, wisdom, and victory is loaded for your 2026.

The God of "One More Time": Whether you feel like Samson at his lowest point or George Foreman facing a 20-year hiatus, God is the God of the second chance . Your encore can be even bigger and greater than your start.

Tears as Seed: Your tears from 2025 were not wasted; they are watering the harvest of joy that is coming in your future .

Don't settle for a repeat of the past. If God did it before, He can do it again. It’s time to stop looking at the empty stage and start expecting the "Holy Intruder" to take the spotlight in your family, your business, and your health .

The best is yet to come!

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Free Life Chapel is here to help others discover and live the Free Life in Christ! Learn more about our church at https://www.freelifechapel.org

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

Free Life Chapel is here to help others discover and live the Free Life in Christ! Learn more about our church at https://www.freelifechapel.org

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

Are you chasing happiness but finding it elusive? In the third installment of the "Divine Interruption" Advent series, Pastor Scott Thomas reveals that we are often chasing temporary happiness when we should be seeking enduring Joy.

The angelic announcement of Jesus' birth was a message of "good news of great joy that will be for all people" (Luke 2:10-11). Joy is not an emotional mood; it is a spiritual muscle. Jesus is the only true source of joy, and your salvation came preloaded with it .

This message unpacks the four powerful aspects of Biblical Joy:

Joy is God's Presence: "In your presence there is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). Just as the Pastor's presence assured his grandchild in the crib, God's presence as Emmanuel (God with us) assures us we can handle any circumstance, even if we are not rescued out of it .

Joy is God's Strength: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy is essential for life, not a luxury. When God is our Lord (Jehovah) and Master, His joy gives us the strength to stop grieving and start building our future .

Joy is a Weapon: Joy is a weapon of mass destruction against the enemy. Just as King Jehoshaphat used worshipers to lead the army into battle (2 Chronicles 20), you can praise your way into a new season . Praise is a sacrifice that proves you trust God more than you fear the problem.

Joy is a Witness: Your joy is a testament to the world, a fruit of the Spirit meant to feed others . Joy is defiance in the face of your enemy and heaven's reward for the hell you've endured.

The enemy is after your joy to get you drinking from a different "well"—the well of fear, anger, or victimhood . It's time to stop letting happiness control you and start living a life anchored in the deep, constant joy of Christ .

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

In the second week of the "Divine Interruption" Advent series, Pastor Scott Thomas shifts the focus from Hope to the promise of Peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) , and His arrival is an interruption of peace into our chaotic reality.

Peace, as defined by the world, is fragile and temporary. But the peace that Jesus brings is not the absence of trouble; it is a profound internal stillness and security that remains even when everything around you is falling apart.

This message challenges you to embrace:

The Breaker in Your Boat: Jesus often brings sudden interruptions , crashing into our hopelessness to destroy impossible situations. Just as He suddenly came to the disciples trapped in a storm and broke the chains of Paul and Silas , He wants to interrupt your chaos and fear with peace.

Worry is a Worshipper: Anxiety and fear are often misplaced faith. You are encouraged to shift the weight of your life onto Jesus —He can handle your fears and struggles.

Peace as a Command: We can have a "living peace" in Christ. This peace allows us to live with a confident expectation and an active expectation that God will keep His promises.

Faith in Motion: Stop waiting for everything to happen before you move toward God. Hope sees the future promise, and then faith steps. Your faith needs to be in drive, not neutral.

The divine interruption of peace is here for your family, your finances, your mind, and your heart. Turn your chaos over to the Prince of Peace today!

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida

Is your life currently a struggle? The Christmas season is more than just an annual holiday; it's a celebration of God breaking into and interrupting your reality. Pastor Scott Thomas begins the Advent series "Divine Interruption" by focusing on Hope.

Hope is not wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation that God is going to keep His promises to you. Drawing on the prophet Isaiah, who spoke hope to Israel during 209 years of chaos, the message declares that a change is coming because the zeal of the Lord will do this. Our breakthrough is dependent entirely on God's decision and action, not human effort.

Key Concepts:

The Three Comings of Jesus: Celebrating Jesus as the baby, as your personal Savior, and His future return.

The Wait: True hope requires a gap between your present reality and your promised reality. The ability to endure delay without losing hope is called perseverance.

Hope vs. Wishing: Hoping for the sun to rise tomorrow is based on a sure track record, while wishing to win the lottery is not. Biblical hope is rooted in God's reputation and faithfulness, not the economy or the government.

Hope Sees, Faith Steps: Hope sees the future promise, and then faith steps based on what hope saw. Until faith steps, it's just a holy wish.

The Breaker: Jesus is called "The Breaker," who crashes into hopelessness and destroys impossible situations. He is ready to interrupt your fear with peace and your pain with healing.

Learn to live with active expectation and trust the divine interruption that is already on the way for your life.

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| Pastor Scott Thomas | Free Life Chapel | Lakeland, Florida