Scripture: Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen."

Let's talk about prayer space today. Not just physical space, but the kind of space your soul needs to actually connect with God.

Jesus was intentional about this. He withdrew. He went to the mountain. He slipped away early in the morning. He found places where He could be fully present with God. And if Jesus needed that kind of space, what makes us think we can pray effectively in the midst chaos? With this kind of chaos?

Song: Ultimate Relationship: Lalah Hathaway and Donald Lawrence

Pay attention to Jesus's invitation here. He doesn't say, "Come away and pray." He doesn't say, "Come and tell me everything that happened on your mission." He says simply: Come away and rest.

The disciples had just returned from their first missionary journey, full of stories and experiences. Surely they had much to report, much to ask, much to say. But Jesus knew something they didn't yet understand: before they could truly communicate with God, they needed to prepare a place to hear Him.

Peace Be Still - Joshua Rogers - Song

Scripture: Luke 14:28-30 (NIV) "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'"

It's January. Ash Wednesday is still weeks away. So why are we talking about preparation already?

Because Jesus asks a question we often forget: Have you counted the cost?

Here's what Jesus knows that we sometimes forget: what He's calling us toward is always better than what He's asking us to leave behind. The security we're clinging to is false security. The comfort we're protecting is keeping us from the joy and purpose we were created for.

When Jesus says, "Follow Me," He's not just asking us to give something up—He's inviting us into the adventure of partnering with God in transforming the world. But we can't do that with one foot in His kingdom and one foot in our old way of life.

If the church is just a social club, we’ve missed Jesus. If we’re protecting the wealthy and silencing the wounded, we’ve missed Jesus. If we can quote bylaws but can’t practice love, we’ve missed Jesus.

Let’s make this personal: What is Jesus asking you to let go of? What part of your image or power or comfort is keeping you from deeper healing? And what will it take to make our churches sanctuaries again?

May we be bold enough to let Jesus disturb what we've called “normal.” May we be willing to flip our own tables. And may we remember: it's not the rich in status who inherit the kingdom — it’s the poor in spirit who know they need a Savior.

Scripture: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” —1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

There’s something powerful about someone who refuses to fold.

Not the person who always looks strong. But the one who gets hit—hard—and still shows up. The one who cries, questions, doubts, and still says, “But I’m not quitting on God.”

This is our prayer...

God of every generation, Thank You for not putting an expiration date on purpose. Thank You that time does not diminish calling. Let me be like Caleb strong in spirit, bold in faith, and unafraid to ask for what’s mine. Don’t let me shrink when You’re still calling me to stand.Don’t let me retire from the work of liberation, healing, and love.Make me a witness that age is not a barrier; It'’s a blessing.

In Jesus’ name,Amen.

Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

When is the last time you have considered the things you lost and mourned. There is something about mourning and not just when someone dies, but whenever life disappoints us, shifts beneath us, or asks us to let go before we feel ready, we are still suppose to mourn. Many times we just keep going without acknowledging that something you once had is gone.

What does Salvation really mean? It is more than a belief in Jesus and a hope to heaven. We have been given a mission by Jesus Christ in Luke 4: 18.

Leviticus 19:33–34 (NRSV)

“When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

During these times it is important that we hold our memory as divine and not defensive. But that as Christians we remember what is it like for oppression and nationalism to cause unwanted harm. It is our job to not just remember, but to pray and remember to love your neighbor as you love yourself.