GDLC Audio

We begin our Advent journey by looking at the unexpected appearance of the angel with Mary. Mary is a young Jewish girl who lives in a poorer part of the region, but her life has been unexpectedly turned upside down. Not only was the angel unexpected, but the message this messenger brought was beyond unexpected. I know how I react when unexpected news comes my way, and it is definitely not like the response of this young girl who shows us such bravery, obedience, and faith.    

We begin our Advent journey by looking at the unexpected appearance of the angel with Mary. Mary is a young Jewish girl who lives in a poorer part of the region, but her life has been unexpectedly turned upside down. Not only was the angel unexpected, but the message this messenger brought was beyond unexpected. I know how I react when unexpected news comes my way, and it is definitely not like the response of this young girl who shows us such bravery, obedience, and faith.    

This week, we are looking at the very heart, the key, of living thankful, and that is the power of prayer in our lives. I heard it said that prayer is when we come before God to let Him figure us out. Prayer is the ultimate power of perspective as we make ourselves available for God to speak to us, empower us, clarify us, and motivate us to continue to believe and live faithfully and thankfully. Jesus has invited us to ask the Father for whatever is on our hearts, and God will give us exactly what we need (not always what we want) but what we need so that our joy will be full. 

This week, we are looking at the very heart, the key, of living thankful, and that is the power of prayer in our lives. I heard it said that prayer is when we come before God to let Him figure us out. Prayer is the ultimate power of perspective as we make ourselves available for God to speak to us, empower us, clarify us, and motivate us to continue to believe and live faithfully and thankfully. Jesus has invited us to ask the Father for whatever is on our hearts, and God will give us exactly what we need (not always what we want) but what we need so that our joy will be full. 

This week, we are focusing on something that, in my opinion, is a huge piece of what steals people's joy, power, and peace, and that is the lost art of being able to say “no.” Every yes we make is a no to something else, and every no we say is a yes to something else. Our yeses and nos point to our greater identity, focus, and mission of life, and so this week, we look at what it means to say no to the things the world is offering so we can say YES to the things that God is working out in our lives. 

This week, we are focusing on something that, in my opinion, is a huge piece of what steals people's joy, power, and peace, and that is the lost art of being able to say “no.” Every yes we make is a no to something else, and every no we say is a yes to something else. Our yeses and nos point to our greater identity, focus, and mission of life, and so this week, we look at what it means to say no to the things the world is offering so we can say YES to the things that God is working out in our lives.