True spiritual transformation requires intentional effort to align our thinking with Christ’s thinking. While God provides everything we need through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, we must take personal responsibility to set our minds on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns. Jesus knew who He was, accepted His identity, and lived according to God’s will - this is the foundation for having the mind of Christ. Our brains are designed with neuroplasticity, meaning we can literally rewire our thinking patterns through intentional practices like daily mind resets, replacing false thoughts with biblical truth, and building habits that unite our body, soul, and spirit. The choice between spiritual life and death is ours to make each day.

The notes Randy mentions in the sermon are available in the PDF attached to this post.

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The thread of God’s unfailing love weaves throughout Scripture, beginning with powerful examples like Ruth’s sacrificial commitment to Naomi. When tragedy struck and Naomi lost her family, Ruth chose loyalty over comfort, declaring that wherever Naomi went, she would go too. This steadfast love mirrors God’s own character toward His people. Psalm 103 reveals that God’s unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth - a measurement that reaches beyond earthly comparisons to describe the magnitude of His affection. God’s love doesn’t always mean easy circumstances, but it does mean His presence in our trials. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego illustrates this beautifully. When these three men refused to bow to another god and were thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal, a fourth figure appeared in the flames - one who looked like the Son of God. God didn’t prevent the fire, but He walked through it with them. Similarly, when we face unexpected difficulties, health challenges, or feelings of isolation, God comes alongside us in our trials. The culmination of God’s love story is found in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the same city where Ruth and Naomi’s journey led them. John 3:16 declares that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes will not perish but have eternal life. This revolutionary message extended God’s love beyond one ethnic group to all people everywhere. The peace proclaimed by the heavenly host isn’t the absence of conflict, but the removal of barriers between God and humanity, offering intimate relationship with our Creator.

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The Christmas story reveals a profound truth about joy that extends far beyond seasonal celebration or temporary happiness. When the angel appeared to shepherds near Bethlehem, the announcement wasn’t about ordinary good feelings - it was about mega joy, a supernatural joy that would be available to all people through Jesus Christ. This divine joy transcends circumstances and becomes a lasting state of being rather than an emotional high that comes and goes with life’s ups and downs. The complete Christmas narrative includes both wonder and difficulty, from Herod’s violent resistance to the Messiah to the faithful recognition by Simeon and Anna in the temple. This contrast reveals why many people struggle to receive God’s joy - it requires surrendering control of our own kingdoms and allowing Jesus to be King of our lives. True joy isn’t found in preserving our comfort zones or getting God to align with our plans, but in discovering His purposes and joining Him in that work. Biblical joy operates differently than worldly happiness. It’s produced by the Holy Spirit as we walk in spiritual alignment, and it actually grows stronger during trials when we maintain our allegiance to God, align with His truth, and allow difficulties to develop our character. This joy comes from the comprehensive salvation Jesus provides - freedom from deception, victory over death, and right relationship with God. Rather than trying to manufacture happiness through circumstances, we can enter into Christ’s own eternal, unshakeable joy by choosing loyalty to Him above all other allegiances and seeking His kingdom first.

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What if the peace you’re searching for isn’t about avoiding problems but finding Someone who walks through them with you? The Prince of Peace offers something the world can’t: peace that doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances. Are you trying to create peace in your own strength, or are you ready to discover what true peace really looks like?

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What if the God who asked a prophet to buy land before invasion and brought Jesus into the world through a virgin wants to do the impossible in your life too? Nothing is too hard for the Lord—but are we too busy with our own agendas to receive His instruction and obey? Emmanuel means God is with us, ready to work miracles in the most unexpected ways. This is the first sermon of Advent 2025.

What if the God who asked a prophet to buy land before invasion and brought Jesus into the world through a virgin wants to do the impossible in your life too? Nothing is too hard for the Lord—but are we too busy with our own agendas to receive His instruction and obey? Emmanuel means God is with us, ready to work miracles in the most unexpected ways. This is the first sermon of Advent 2025.

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The sermon "Continuing with Christ" draws on the outstanding elements of John 15 and the illustration Jesus uses of the vine and the branches, exploring the potential relationship believers can have with him in greater depth.

Worship Playlist (YouTube): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV-UXzaTZsKvD8p6-z6Da4mkjQb5qqtLY&si=4Eq2RurS4gWHWhcN

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When Murphy said If anything can go wrong, it will, he was speaking of natural things. But what if things go wrong because of spiritual things? What if God has more for us to understand, skills for us to develop, and ways to deal with dark spiritual entities? In this sermon those themes will be discussed.

https://gracepryor.sermon.net/pdf/22437819

When Murphy said If anything can go wrong, it will, he was speaking of natural things. But what if things go wrong because of spiritual things? What if God has more for us to understand, skills for us to develop, and ways to deal with dark spiritual entities? In this sermon those themes will be discussed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gbcpryor.substack.com

It is weird to think in the scientific age that people can have a relationship with a divine being. No one takes God to the lab to dissect and measure. To have a relationship with God is to connect with the supernatural.

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