Today we look in awe and wonder at the life of Jesus, his earthly ministry, his intimate relationship with the Father, and his example for believers to follow. Senior Leader John Poundstone unpacks important moments in Jesus' journey, from his baptism to his triumph over spiritual warfare in the desert. Get ready to be challenged and inspired as we reflect on our own identity and relationship with God and what it means to truly follow in the footsteps of Christ.

If we truly want to become more Christ-like we need to immerse ourselves in scripture, rely upon the Holy Spirit, and spend time in connection and communion with other believers. Most importantly we must learn to surrender. Surrendering means realizing that life is not centered around us. Surrendering means letting go of our agendas, beliefs, egos, passions, failings, faults, cares, concerns, successes, anxiousness, and more. Living a life of self sacrifice focused upon the glory of God will lead us to discover true life, peace and joy.

As we begin a new year, we focus on the idea of kingdom leadership. Senior Leader, John Poundstone shares his personal reflections and experiences from high school and the cultural challenges he witnessed during the late 1960s and early 1970s. John teaches from the Book of Mark about the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the disciples who radically chose to leave everything behind to follow Him. John encourages us to begin a new year of discipleship that doesn’t necessarily begin with "inviting Jesus into our hearts" but instead accepting Jesus' invitation to come into His heart.

At the heart of everything is one love. The love that gave birth to all creation is the same love that was born on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem. The light that shone in the darkness, that same love is being born in you each day without ceasing. So open yourself to this light and celebrate the coming of God into this world, into your darkness. Christmas is not long ago and far away but here and now, today and every day. May we open our spirits, our hearts, our souls, our minds, our strength. Let's choose risk. Let's let God in fully. Let our love be radical, undefeatable, interconnected and forever attached. Let's wait expectantly for it.

The Third Sunday of Advent is known as the "Sunday of Joy." In our message today, we learn that true joy comes from God. Living in joy means finding and receiving joy, then maintaining it despite life's challenges. We need to seek intimacy and closeness with God in order to live righteously, experience His peace, and to be filled with divine joy. During this season of Advent, we expectantly await Jesus' joy just like the psalmist, the apostle Paul, Jesus himself, Simeon, Anna, and so many more. We also prophetically activate heavenly joy as we prepare for 2024.

Over the last several years, we have experienced monumental cultural, economic, and technological "storms" and "quakes" in our world. These changes have rocked our lives in ways we might never have imagined. In order to find peace, hope, and stability in a changing world, we need to seek Holy Spirit's proximity and presence. We must stop relying on our own strength, talents, gifts, and abilities and instead reach out to God. There will be nothing more important in the next year than the presence of God in our lives. That is the key to peace. We need to walk in God's peace and find His hope and then model it and live it out in our marriages, personal lives, families, and workplaces. When we become people of hope and peace, we begin to influence the culture and the world around us.

Diane Buice shares her touching personal stories that demonstrate the profound presence of God in our lives, especially during times of darkness and struggle. Diane shares stories of finding comfort and guidance through divine signs, such as seeing repeated appearances of cars bearing the license plate "Luke 137". She reminds us of the message that "with God, nothing is impossible," offering strength and courage to those facing struggles. Diane recounts experiencing God's orchestration of encounters and conversations with friends in need of forgiveness and nearing the end of life. She emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the regret of not pressing the forgiveness issue further with her loved ones.

How can we find true peace in a world filled with negativity, strife, and spiritual unrest? We need Shalom, God’s supernatural peace. Shalom is absolute wholeness, completeness, and certainty that can only be found in the divine presence of God. Join us as we draw nearer to God, realign our priorities, and embrace a life lived fully in Christ's presence.

No matter the storms that our souls face, God's presence remains a constant source of comfort.  Our souls face many challenges in today’s tumultuous times. Whether it is  mental health struggles, questioning our identity or experiencing wavering confidence, it's clear that our inner selves are under siege. Despite the negativity and doubts that may surround us, we're encouraged to find strength in our spiritual faith. When we feel lost or shaken, we can always turn to God for peace and certainty. We need to stand firm in our faith, embrace our position as God's children, and find solace in His eternal love and victory over all of the tribulations of the world.

Today's message is about seeing the cross and the crucifixion of Christ in a new and profound light. It's a reminder of the immense love and sacrifice Jesus made for us—to conquer evil, to bring forth God's kingdom, to connect us with the Father, and to empower us with the Holy Spirit. The cross is not just a symbol but a gateway to experiencing Christ's reign in our hearts and lives. Let's embrace the resurrection, hold onto truth, and discover our true identities through Christ. Every time we see a cross may we more deeply and truly find and follow this wonderful Jesus, His way, His truth, and His life.