Gateway Church - MO

We all have our ideal for what family should be. And then we encounter the reality. At the crossroads of what is ideal and what is real there is the potential for friction – or worse yet an all-out train wreck. When my version of ‘ideal’ and your version of ‘ideal’ don’t match up there is conflict, frustration, and anger. So, in our relationships, how do come to terms with the disconnect between what is ideal and what is real? We offer truth and grace. That lays a foundation for a family that can really bring change to our community.

Sometimes when we pray, it feels like God doesn’t hear us or at least like he doesn’t respond. Sometimes it feels like we pray and pray and pray and still get no answers from God. What do we do when it feels like God isn’t answering? We wait. We wait and we keep praying because persistent prayer changes things. Sometimes is changes my circumstances, sometimes is changes me. But God is working, just stay persistent in prayer.

When it comes to prayer, we sometimes wonder just exactly how we’re supposed to do it. Many of us tend to overcomplicate it or we struggle to stay focused enough to pray well. But Jesus shows and tells us how we should pray. When we follow his example, not only do we get it right but we also begin to pray with real power.

We all have many things we should pray for, things we need and things we want. But ultimately, if we are going to make an impact for the Kingdom of Jesus, then we need to make sure that we pray for the things Jesus wants us to pray for. When our prayers reflect the heart of Jesus we will pray for God’s will and God’s kingdom to move forward here in our world.

Prayer is sorely neglected among American Christians today. This is partly because we are intimidated by it or we think it’s more complicated than it really is. But prayer is much simpler than we make it. Prayer is nothing more and nothing less than taking the time to have an intimate conversation with God.

Join us for Gateway's Christmas Eve service.

Every person is motivated to do the things they do in life. The question is, what is their motivation? Sometimes we are searching for praise from people, but we should be seeking praise from God only. With healthy motives, we become people who live a healthy life.  

Every person is motivated to do the things they do in life. The question is, what is their motivation? Sometimes we are searching for praise from people, but we should be seeking praise from God only. With healthy motives, we become people who live a healthy life.  

Spending time with friends and family during the Christmas season can too often result in us saying things that we regret. Tensions can run high and if we are not careful to tame our tongues, we can find ourselves hurting those we love with our ugly words. Whether we realize it or not, our words carry the weight of life and death. With our words we are either building up or tearing down. If we call ourselves Christians, we should be careful to choose words that communicate love, especially during the holidays.

The Christmas season can bring out the best and the worst in us. And it all starts in our minds. The things we do are first thoughts we think. Most of us tend towards negativity but God can rewire us for thoughts of joy. When we choose to focus on good and allow God to work within us Christmas will be merry and bright.