Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.             Hebrews 10:24-25

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar,O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! 4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.      Psalm 84:1-4

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.         Colossians 3:16

Bible Teaching Helps You Understand Scripture Better for Personal Study.

…teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.      Colossians 3:16b

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.    Psalms 84:10

Worship Reignites the Heart, Powering Everyday Devotion

What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.   Psalm 84:4

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.    Psalm 84:5

…through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude.     Colossians 3:16c

Being present motivates and inspires daily prayer and Bible reading

They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.      Psalm 84:7

When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.     Psalm 84:6

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.         Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.        Acts 2:42

Spiritual Growth Slows When We Go Solo

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.     Ecclesiastes 4:9

If either falls down… but pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.     Ecclesiastes 4:10

It is not good for man to be alone.      Genesis 2:18a

Church Isn’t A Spectator Sport. It’s A Place to Connect, Grow and Be Uplifted

If two lie down together, they will keep warm.      Ecclesiastes 4:11

One may be overpowered, two can defend.       Ecclesiastes 4:12a

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.     Acts 2:42

Strong Habits Thrive In the Strength of Community

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.        Ecclesiastes 4:12b

A cord of three strands is not easily broken.         Ecclesiastes 4:12c

17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.      Nehemiah 2:17-18

Vision Begins With A Burden

You know very well what trouble we are in.     Nehemiah 2:17a

Vision Moves From Burden To Invitation

Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.      Nehemiah 2:17c

Vision Is Sustained By God’s Hand

Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me….    Nehemiah 2:18a

Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.    Mark 10:43

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.         Philippians 2:5-11

#1: He Descended Before He Delivered

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Philippians 2:6

#2: He Took On What We Try to Escape

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,          Philippians 2:7

#3: Jesus Is Exalted Because He Embraced Humility

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,          Philippians 2:8-9

#4: His Name Is Above Every Name Because He Went Below Every Name

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.      Philippians 2:10-11

Practical Application Steps 

1. Identify One Area to Release Control.2. Practice a Daily Act of Hidden Humility.3. Embrace Weakness Instead of Hiding It.4. Worship as a Way of Bowing Low.5. Serve someone who can’t pay you back.

See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.     Hebrews 12:15

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.     Hebrews 12:14-15

“MAKE EVERY EFFORT”: CHASE PEACE LIKE IT OWES YOU CHILD SUPPORT

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone….    Hebrews 12:14

“BE HOLY”: SET APART, NOT PETTY

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.         Hebrews 12:14-15

Without holiness no one will see the Lord.       Hebrews 12:14b

“SEE TO IT”: WATCH YOUR HEART CLOSELY

Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.      Hebrews 12:15b

“NO POISINOUS ROOT”: THE INTERNAL INVADER

“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.     Hebrews 12:15b

Watch that no root among you produces poison or gall.       Deuteronomy 29:18

“CAUSING TROUBLE AND CORRUPTING MANY”: BITTERNESS NEVER STAYS PERSONAL

Action Steps

1. Name the Seed

2. Forgive Before You Feel It

3. Create a “Peace Pursuit Plan”

4. Stop Letting People Who Didn’t Die for You Control You

5. Let Jesus Tend the Soil

• One person to pray for• One conversation to release• One attitude shift to make• One moment to surrender to Jesus

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace and be thankful.          Colossians 3:15

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.          1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Joy & Gratitude Are Siblings

16Rejoice always.        1 Thessalonians 5:16

Prayer & Praise Activate Gratitude

17Pray continually.            1 Thessalonians 5:17

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.          Philippians 4:6-7

Gratitude Changes Your Atmosphere

18Give thanks in all circumstances.        1 Thessalonians 5:18a

4Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.       Psalm 100:4

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.        Psalm 23:6   

Speak It Then See It

18Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.       1 Thessalonians 5:18

23Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.           Mark 11:23

Action Steps:

1. Start your day with thanks. 2. Write a gratitude list each week. 3. Speak gratitude into your relationships. 4. Turn complaints into prayers.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.      Colossians 3:15

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.         Ephesians 2:8-10

Grace Comes First Not Last

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.         Ephesians 2:8

You Are Saved for a Purpose

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.        Ephesians 2:10

God’s Grace Is Unmerited, Unending, Unstoppable

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace abounds all the more.       Romans 5:20

Receive God’s Grace, Then Release It

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.       2 Corinthians 9:8

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.      Colossians 3:15

Action Steps

1. Receive Grace Daily: Start each day acknowledging that you cannot earn God’s favor; you already have it.2. Identify Your Purpose: Write down one “good work” God is calling you to do and take the first step.3. Release Grace to Others: Look for one person to extend forgiveness, encouragement or generosity this week.4. Reflect on the Gift: Journal three things about God’s grace that move your heart to gratitude.

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.      Romans 8:28

“And we know”

“Everything”

“God causes”

“For the good”

8 When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.” 9 But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” 10 So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there. 11 The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?” 12 “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!” 13 “Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.” And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” 14 So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. 16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”    2 Kings 6:8-16

God Works in the Background While We Wait in the Foreground

2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.        Psalms 125:2

16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”   2 Kings 6:16

There’s More Going On Than You Can See

17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.     2 Kings 6:17 

The Middle is Where Trust is Strengthened

Your View Doesn’t Determine God’s Plan

Action Steps: What Do I Do When I Can’t See It?

1. Pray for Vision, Not Just Victory2. Rehearse God’s Resume3. Stay in the Story4. Choose Trust Over Clarity

  Exodus 14:10–31

The Middle Exposes Our Fear

10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord,11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?”        Exodus 14:10-11

The Middle Forces Us To Stop Relying On Ourselves

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”           Exodus 14:13–14

The Middle Is Where Miracles Happen

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground…….. 21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.      Exodus 14:15-21 

22So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side.         Exodus 14:22

The Same Path That Saves You Will Drown The Enemy

28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.           Exodus 14:28

Action Steps

1. Name your middle.

2. Change your posture.

3. Move forward when God says move.

4. Let God deal with what’s chasing you.

You Are Fragile But You Are Also Filled

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.         2 Corinthians 4:7

The Pressure Is Real But So Is The Presence of God

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.       2 Corinthians 4:8-9

What’s Killing You is Producing Glory

10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. 13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.     2 Corinthians 4:10-18

Look Up, Hold On, Stay Together

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.        2 Corinthians 4:18

When Life Gets Heavy

A) Look UpB) Hold On C) Stay Together