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Do you ever feel restless in your current situation, wishing you were somewhere else doing something more meaningful? Through the pivotal story of Esther chapter 4, Michael Shockley challenges us to see that God works where we are, not where we wish we were. From kindergarten naptime rebellion to marriage "pat-pat" signals, discover how our restlessness often blinds us to the holy ground beneath our feet. Learn why Esther's palace position wasn't about comfort but about purpose, and how Mordecai's grief outside the gates became a catalyst for rescue. When genocide threatened God's people, it took ordinary people in their ordinary circumstances to become heroes of redemptive history.

Core Message: God works where we are, not where we wish we were.

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- The struggle to believe our current place is holy ground

- How God works in waiting rooms, long meetings, and painful seasons

- Tearing clothes, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes

- Jewish customs of grief and distress in ancient culture

- The genocide decree and its threat to all Jewish people

- Mourning as an honest response to evil, not faithlessness

- Making a public declaration that injustice is not right

- Living in comfort while being out of touch with harsh reality

- How good circumstances can reduce compassion for struggling people

- The palace as a "fancy prison" with limited freedom

- Having access and influence while feeling powerless

- The unique connections and contacts we all possess

- Death penalty for uninvited visits to the king

- The golden scepter as the only exception to execution

- Esther's month-long separation from the king

- Being in God's will while still feeling scared and inadequate

- How feelings of inadequacy don't disqualify us from making a difference

- "Do not think you will escape in the king's palace"

- God's deliverance will come from somewhere, but what about your role?

- The pivotal question: "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

- God's preference to work through people rather than around them

- The closest the text comes to acknowledging God's hand

- "Go, gather all the Jews and fast for me"

- "I will go to the king, which is against the law"

- "If I perish, I perish" - surrender, not fatalism

- The community response of fasting and implied prayer

- Being in a place of privilege that's actually a place of peril

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"Somewhere deep in my soul, I have a hard time believing that right here — this conversation, this place, this moment, this season of life — is where I'm supposed to be."

"God works where we are, not where we wish we were."

"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

"If I perish, I perish!"

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- Primary Text: Esther 4:13-16

- Key Verse: "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

- Supporting Context: The genocide decree and threat to Jewish people

- Theme: Divine purpose in human circumstances and positioning

- Connection: Esther's courage preserving the lineage that led to Jesus

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- Stop giving God the "pat-pat" and trust His timing for your season

- Recognize that right here, right now might be holy ground

- Look for God's purpose in your present circumstances rather than future dreams

- Remember that God works in ordinary places, not just extraordinary ones

- Consider your unique access and connections - you have influence you might not see

- Remember that you may be exactly the right person for someone's rescue

- Use whatever platform you have, even if it seems small

- Trust that your voice and actions matter more than you realize

- Don't let privilege blind you to the needs around you

- Use your access and resources to help those who are struggling

- Remember that comfort can be a "fancy prison" if it keeps you from purpose

- Stay connected to the harsh realities others face

- Know that you can be right where God wants you and still feel afraid

- Understand that feelings of inadequacy don't disqualify you from making a difference

- Trust that if the task is bigger than you, you'll need God to accomplish it

- Move forward in obedience despite your fears

- Recognize that you may have been positioned for this exact situation

- Gather community support through prayer and fasting

- Be willing to take risks for the sake of others

- Surrender the outcome to God while taking faithful action

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Maybe you're in a season that doesn't make sense. Maybe life is quiet and predictable and it doesn't seem like you're meant to do anything important. Maybe you're in a place that feels random, broken, or too small to matter. This much is true: God works where you are, not where you wish you were. God has purpose for you right here, right now. Somebody needs your voice, your courage, your kindness. Don't let fear, comfort, or confusion talk you out of that. Your faithfulness in this moment can change lives. Like Esther, Jesus said, "If I perish, I perish." And He did. He died to save us. But death's victory didn't last. Jesus rose from the grave, and all those who trust in Him have everlasting life and a life of meaning.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app or offering boxes

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Remember: You may have come into that family, workplace, hospital room, neighborhood, or season for such a time as this. Your story is not over, and your obedience may be the turning point in someone else's story.

What do you do when it feels like evil is winning and God is nowhere to be found? Through the dramatic story of Esther chapter 3, Michael Shockley introduces us to one of history's most dangerous villains - Haman the Agagite. From a 500-year-old blood feud to a genocidal plot that threatened to eliminate all Jewish people, discover how God works behind the scenes even when His name isn't mentioned. Learn from the inspiring story of Corrie ten Boom and her Nazi concentration camp experience that sometimes what looks like abandonment is actually God's protection. When darkness seems to triumph, remember this truth: the Cross looked like defeat, but Sunday was already on the schedule.

Core Message: Evil may rise, but God is already writing the rescue.

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- The loss of cultural icons from the 80s and 90s

- Malcolm Jamal Warner's Christian faith and peaceful character

- Hulk Hogan's recent baptism and testimony about Jesus

- Ozzy Osborne's reported possible deathbed conversion to Christianity

- How unexpected people can embrace the Gospel

- Haman's promotion to Grand Vizier, the king's highest official

- His possession of the king's signet ring and ultimate authority

- The epitome of someone who clawed and connived for power

- His demand for everyone to bow and pay homage to him

- Religious convictions about not engaging in false worship

- The danger of making idols out of people or political systems

- Standing up to insufferable, grandstanding leadership

- A quiet act of conscience rooted in faith in a Greater King

- Haman as descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites

- The Amalekites' history of unprovoked attacks against Israel

- God's judgment through King Saul and the Prophet Samuel

- King Saul's disobedience in sparing King Agag

- Mordecai as a relative or likely descendant of King Saul from the tribe of Benjamin

- Haman's plan to exterminate all Jews in the Persian Empire

- The empire's scope from India to Ethiopia, Greece to Caucasus Mountains

- The financial incentive offered (equivalent to $200 million today)

- The casting of lots (Pur) to determine the timing

- How God influenced the lots to fall nearly a year later

- Evil rising vs. God writing the rescue

- Haman in charge vs. God in control

- Mordecai defiant vs. God faithful

- Haman controlling calendar vs. God ordaining timing

- King passive vs. King of Heaven active

- God silent vs. God sovereign

- Jews doomed vs. deliverers already in place

- Dutch watchmaker's family hiding Jews during Holocaust

- Arrest and imprisonment at Ravensbrück concentration camp

- The flea-infested Barracks 28 that seemed like abandonment

- How the fleas kept guards away, allowing Bible studies and worship

- God using the very thing that seemed like punishment as protection

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"People get all bent out of shape when God doesn't do something to stop evil. And when God does something to stop evil, people get all bent out of shape."

"Haman thought he was picking the best time for genocide. In truth, God picked the perfect time for rescue."

"There is a big difference between what it looks like and what's really happening."

"The Cross looked like defeat. The Tomb looked like the end. But Sunday was already on the schedule."

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- Primary Text: Esther 3:1-6, 7, 15

- Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 15 (Saul and the Amalekites), 1 Thessalonians 5:18

- Key Theme: God's sovereignty working through human evil for ultimate good

- Historical Context: Ancient blood feud between Amalekites and Jews

- Forward Connection: Preservation of Jesus' lineage through Jewish survival

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- Remember there's a difference between what it looks like and what's really happening

- Trust that God is writing the rescue even when you can't see it

- Don't assume God is absent just because circumstances are difficult

- Call on God and ask Him to show Himself strong

- Avoid making idols out of political systems or leaders

- Practice quiet acts of conscience rooted in faith

- Remember that human authority is temporary, God's authority is eternal

- Stand up for your convictions even when it's unpopular

- Trust that God can use even the worst circumstances for protection

- Look for opportunities to minister and share faith even in dark places

- Remember that what seems like abandonment might be God's provision

- Hold onto hope that deliverance is coming even when you can't see how

- Follow Mordecai's example of quiet resistance based on conviction

- Don't bow to pressure when it conflicts with worship of the true God

- Understand that standing for truth may bring persecution

- Trust that God sees your faithfulness even when others don't

- Remember that God ordains timing even when humans think they control it

- Trust that delays in justice don't mean God isn't working

- Understand that God may be positioning people and circumstances for rescue

- Wait on God's perfect timing rather than demanding immediate action

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On the surface, it may seem like evil is winning and God is on vacation. But underneath it all, God is at work, quietly putting the pieces together for a rescue nobody sees coming. The Cross looked like defeat. The Tomb looked like the end. But Sunday was already on the schedule. When evil rises, when darkness closes its grip, when life itches and bites and burns and stings, don't assume God is absent. Even fleas and wicked decrees become a part of His rescue. Do you see evil around you? Are you wondering where God is? Call on Him. Ask Him to show Himself strong.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app or offering boxes

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Remember: God's fingerprints are all over your story even when His name isn't mentioned. The Unseen Hand of God is at work, writing your rescue before evil even makes its move.

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Ever feel stuck in a place you don't want to be, wondering why God hasn't moved you? Through the dramatic story of Esther chapter 2, Michael Shockley reveals how God orchestrates circumstances we never could have imagined. From a rigged beauty pageant to an assassination attempt, discover how God positioned an unknown peasant girl to become queen of the most powerful empire in the world - all to save His people and preserve the lineage of Jesus. Learn why your current circumstances, even the difficult ones, might be exactly where God needs you to be to make a difference in someone's life.

Core Message: God puts the right people in the right place at the right time - and that includes YOU.

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- King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) and his massive failed invasion of Greece

- The battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea

- How military defeat set the stage for needing a new queen

- The connection between Esther 1 and 2 through historical context

- The reality behind the "beauty pageant" - women were taken, not volunteers

- The 12-month preparation process and beauty treatments

- How God doesn't endorse evil practices but brings good from them

- The heartbreaking reality of forgotten women in the harem

- Mordecai: The Jewish exile working in the king's gate

- Hadassah/Esther: The orphaned cousin raised as a daughter

- The advice to hide her Jewish identity due to growing hostility

- How Esther found favor with Hegai and received special treatment

- The rigged nature of the selection process - divine intervention

- Esther's immediate impact on King Ahasuerus

- From unknown peasant girl to Queen of the Persian Empire

- Mordecai overhearing the conspiracy against the king

- His quick action to inform Esther, who told the king

- The overlooked recognition that would matter later

- Another example of being the right person in the right place

- How Esther's positioning would save the Jewish people from genocide

- The connection to preserving Jesus' lineage 500 years later

- God allowing human choice while directing outcomes for His purposes

- The difference between God causing pain vs. bringing purpose from it

- The Detroit street sweeper during the Great Depression

- The baby who fell from a fourth-floor window - twice

- How ordinary people in ordinary places become extraordinary miracles

- The importance of showing up even when frustrated with circumstances

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"King Ahasuerus was literally the wealthiest, most powerful person who had lived to that point, but he wasn't happy."

"God's Providence doesn't erase our trauma or trouble, but it does encourage us that God is able to redeem the worst things we go through."

"Jesus sees the forgotten. He calls the overlooked by name. Nobody is disposable to Him."

"God took the selfish and exploitative actions of a pagan King and directed the outcome to position Esther in a place of influence."

"You might be asking, 'Why am I still stuck here?' And the answer might be — you are the right person at the right place at the right time."

"You might not get a baby dropped on your head, but you might be somebody's miracle."

"You are not an accident. You are on assignment."

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- Primary Text: Esther 2:1-4, 15

- Supporting Context: Esther Chapter 1 (Queen Vashti's removal)

- Key Theme: Divine providence working through human circumstances

- Historical Context: Persian Empire, Jewish exile, preservation of God's people

- Forward Connection: Preservation of Jesus' lineage

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- Remember that God might have you exactly where you need to be

- Look for opportunities to make a difference where you are

- Trust that God is telling a bigger story than you can see

- Keep showing up faithfully even when circumstances are difficult

- Know that God doesn't cause your pain but can bring purpose from it

- Understand that human evil doesn't thwart God's ultimate plans

- Trust that God can redeem even the worst situations

- Remember that you might be positioned to help someone else

- Know that Jesus sees the forgotten and calls the overlooked by name

- Understand that recognition may come at the perfect time, not immediately

- Trust that your contribution matters even if it's not acknowledged

- Remember that nobody is disposable to God

- Consider that your current position might be strategic

- Look for ways to be faithful in your present circumstances

- Stay alert for opportunities to make a difference

- Trust God's timing for change in your life

- Recognize that ordinary people in ordinary places can be extraordinary miracles

- Stay faithful in small things while God prepares you for bigger purposes

- Be ready to act when opportunities arise

- Trust that God positions people for His purposes

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You might feel overlooked, forgotten, or stuck — but God hasn't lost track of you. Like Esther, Mordecai, and Joe the street sweeper, you are not an accident. You are on assignment. Just as God positioned Esther to save her people, He positioned Jesus to save you and me. Jesus was the Right Person in the right place at the right time. Trust Jesus, and trust that He's got you in the right place at the right time — even when you can't see it yet.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app

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Remember: God is always telling a bigger story than we can see. Your current circumstances might be exactly where God needs you to be to make a difference in someone's life.

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Have you ever lost track of a child for even a moment? That panic is nothing compared to losing fellowship with Jesus in your life. In this powerful message, Duncan Crook uses the story of 12-year-old Jesus being left behind in Jerusalem to reveal how even the most devoted believers can lose intimate fellowship with Christ. Through Luke 2:41-52, discover the difference between losing your relationship with Jesus (impossible) and losing fellowship with Him (all too common). Learn the warning signs, understand how it happens gradually, and most importantly, find the path back to restored intimacy with your Savior.

Core Message: You can't lose your relationship with Jesus, but you can lose fellowship with Him - and there's a way back.

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- The difference between losing relationship vs. losing fellowship with Jesus

- Why even the closest believers can lose their sense of Jesus' presence

- The story of the coworker who "found Jesus" then seemed to lose Him again

The Biblical Foundation: Jesus Lost in Jerusalem

- Jewish travel customs that explain how Mary and Joseph lost Jesus

- The significance of Jesus' Bar Mitzvah and coming of age at 12

- Why both parents assumed Jesus was with the other group

- Once saved, always saved - but not a license to sin

- Marriage analogy: relationship vs. fellowship maintenance

- Why true believers don't want to persist in sin

- The shocking truth: those closest to Him are most vulnerable

- Former pastors, deacons, and church leaders who've fallen away

- How you can attend church regularly and still lose fellowship

- Why losing Jesus doesn't happen overnight

- The danger of small steps away from Christ

- The Inuit wolf-hunting illustration about gradual spiritual destruction

- How Samson lost God's presence without realizing it

- The tragedy of assuming God is still with you while living in sin

- Recognition that spiritual strength comes from God, not ourselves

- Step 1: Acknowledge that you have left Him

- Step 2: Diligently begin to seek Him with persistence

- Step 3: Return to the place you left Him

- How "a man after God's own heart" lost fellowship through compromise

- The progression from spiritual laziness to adultery and murder

- Psalm 51 as a model for genuine repentance and restoration

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"Have you ever been somewhere with a small child and turn your back for a second- and the child has gone?"

"How easy it is to sometimes seem to lose Jesus in our lives."

"I have a good Greek word for that: Hogwash."

"If you are born again, you don't want to sin! You are a new creature in Christ."

"Has there ever been a time in your life when you were consistently closer to Jesus than you are right now? If the answer is yes, then you have lost Jesus."

"Sometimes we stay so busy in church doing religious things that we miss Jesus."

"Jesus didn't leave Mary and Joseph; they left Him."

"You can't afford one day out of fellowship with Jesus."

"He awoke from his sleep and thought, 'I'll go out as before and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him."

"You will never reclaim fellowship with Jesus until you are honest enough to acknowledge that you have lost it."

"You will need to take as many steps back to fellowship as you took walking away."

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- Primary Text: Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus in the Temple at age 12)

- Supporting Texts: Judges 16:20 (Samson), Psalm 51:10-11 (David's repentance)

- Key Theme: The difference between relationship and fellowship with Christ

- Context: Jewish Passover customs and coming-of-age traditions

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- Ask yourself: "Has there ever been a time when I was consistently closer to Jesus than I am right now?"

- Examine your heart honestly, not just your church attendance

- Don't assume religious activity equals intimate fellowship

- Acknowledge it honestly without making excuses or blaming others

- Begin seeking Jesus diligently and persistently - it may take time

- Return to the specific place or situation where you left Him

- Remember that being close to Jesus doesn't make you immune to losing fellowship

- Don't let busyness in ministry substitute for personal intimacy with Christ

- Be watchful for the gradual drift that can happen to anyone

- Recognize that small steps away from Jesus become giant leaps

- Don't deceive yourself that Jesus is okay with compromise

- Remember that sin has an exponential, infectious nature

- Look for those who may have lost fellowship while maintaining appearances

- Encourage persistence in seeking restoration - it's not always immediate

- Point people back to where they left Jesus, not just to religious activity

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God the Father is waiting for you to return to Him. When you do, He won't condemn, criticize, or punish you. He's going to welcome you with open arms, embrace you with His grace, enfold you with His love, and shower you with His mercy. You can be saved and going to heaven, but your fellowship and intimacy with Jesus can be spoiled. Will you admit it and start seeking the Lord persistently and diligently? Are you willing to return to where you left Him?

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Remember: Fellowship with Jesus requires the same diligence as any relationship - it must be maintained through consistent communion, honest acknowledgment of problems, and persistent effort to restore what's been lost.

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Are you wondering where God is in the midst of life's chaos? In this opening message of the Esther series, Pastor Michael Shockley reveals how God works behind the scenes even when He seems absent. Through Esther Chapter 1, discover how palace intrigue, royal scandals, and seemingly random events become part of God's greater plan for salvation. Learn to trust that even when God appears silent, He is orchestrating circumstances for your good and His glory.

Core Message: God may be unseen, but He is never inactive - even the worst of human behavior can be woven into His redemptive plan.

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- The Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) 500 years before Jesus

- The Jewish diaspora and those who chose to stay in Persia

- God's positioning of Esther's family for future deliverance

- King Ahasuerus's display of wealth and power across 127 provinces

- The extravagant celebration open to all social classes

- How rulers used lavish parties to demonstrate unlimited resources

- The king's inappropriate request while intoxicated

- Vashti's refusal to be objectified before the party guests

- The political and social implications of defying the king

- Memucan's exaggerated fears about women's rebellion

- The decree establishing male dominance in households

- The contrast between pagan leadership and biblical leadership

- The difference between forced submission and sacrificial love

- Ephesians 5:25 and Christ's example to husbands

- Leading through integrity rather than intimidation

- How God uses even evil behavior to advance His purposes

- The positioning of circumstances for Esther's future role

- Divine orchestration behind apparent chaos and coincidence

- Connecting Esther's story to the preservation of the Jewish people

- How these events ultimately protected the lineage of Jesus

- God's long-term plan spanning centuries

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"Even when He's not in the spotlight, the Unseen, Unstoppable God is still running the show."

"God may be unseen, but He is never inactive."

"What looks like chaos and coincidence is the opening act of a salvation story."

"God can even take the worst characteristics of humanity and work them out to accomplish His Will in our lives."

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

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- Primary Text: Esther 1

- Supporting Texts: Ephesians 5:25, Romans 8:28

- Key Theme: God's unseen but active work in human circumstances

- Context: The beginning of events that would lead to Jewish preservation and ultimately the coming of Christ

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- Remember that God often works behind the scenes

- Trust that apparent chaos may be part of His greater plan

- Look for His activity in unexpected places and circumstances

- Recognize that God can use even challenging circumstances for good

- Trust that difficult bosses, neighbors, or family members may be part of His plan

- Remember that unexpected setbacks might be divine positioning

- Follow Christ's example of sacrificial love, not worldly power

- Lead through integrity and service rather than intimidation

- Build up others rather than asserting dominance

- Understand that God's plans often span years or decades

- Trust that He is positioning you for future purposes

- Remember that current circumstances may be preparation for unknown opportunities

- Study stories like Esther where God works behind the scenes

- Practice looking for God's hand in everyday circumstances

- Remember that His ultimate plan is always redemptive and good

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Just as God used palace intrigue in ancient Persia to preserve the Jewish people and ultimately send Jesus as Savior, He can handle whatever you're going through today. Trust Him with the details of your life, knowing that He may be unseen but is never inactive.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app or offering boxes

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Remember: Even when God seems silent, He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

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Are you still drinking spiritual milk when God is calling you to solid food? In this challenging message, David Boudreaux explores what it means to mature in our faith journey. Through Hebrews 5:9-14, discover why some believers remain "dull of hearing" and how we can graduate from basic spiritual principles to deeper understanding and application. Learn the difference between head knowledge and heart transformation, and why God desires every believer to move from being fed to becoming feeders of others.

Core Message: God wants us to graduate from spiritual milk to solid food - from being babes in Christ to mature disciples who can teach others.

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- Why the writer of Hebrews couldn't share deeper truths

- Understanding "dull of hearing" as spiritual laziness, not physical impairment

- How believers can become sluggish in their spiritual walk

- Why new believers need foundational truths (1 Peter 2:1-3)

- The importance of "first principles" in faith development

- How spiritual milk provides necessary foundation for growth

- Moving from being taught to becoming teachers

- The danger of remaining perpetually immature

- Why some need to relearn basic principles they've already heard

- The difference between knowing facts and living truth

- How information without application leads to spiritual ineffectiveness

- Moving from "big head" syndrome to heart change

- How mature believers develop spiritual discernment

- The role of practice and habit in spiritual growth

- Exercising our spiritual senses through consistent application

- Why immature believers are vulnerable to false teaching

- The example of Jesus dying "once for all" vs. repeated sacrifice

- How solid food equips us to recognize error

- Personal testimony of reluctant fellowship

- How God challenges our comfort zones for spiritual growth

- The importance of community in maturation process

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"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn."

"If it never gets from our head to our heart, we haven't gotten it."

"God speaks to us every day. But in order to hear His voice, we must be tuned in to His frequency."

"God doesn't want you to remain a 'babe' in Christ, but to mature, to graduate to solid food."

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel."

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- Primary Text: Hebrews 5:9-14

- Supporting Texts: 1 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Ezra 7:10, Ephesians 4:14

- Key Theme: Spiritual maturation from milk to solid food

- Context: The superiority of Christ's priesthood and the call to spiritual maturity

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- Desire the pure milk of God's Word for foundational growth

- Don't rush the process - milk is necessary for new believers

- Focus on basic principles before moving to deeper truths

- Assess honestly whether you're still on spiritual milk

- Move from being constantly taught to becoming a teacher

- Practice what you've learned to develop spiritual discernment

- Develop skills to discern between good and evil

- Study God's Word consistently to recognize error

- Move beyond surface-level understanding to deeper truth

- Remember that God uses community for spiritual growth

- Step out of your comfort zone for spiritual development

- Engage with other believers for mutual encouragement

- Make Bible study a daily habit, not just occasional reading

- Practice applying what you learn in real-life situations

- Tune in to God's frequency through consistent communication

- Move from head knowledge to heart transformation

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God doesn't want you to remain spiritually immature forever. He's calling you to graduate from milk to solid food, from being fed to feeding others, from basic principles to deeper understanding. Tune in to His frequency through His Word and consistent fellowship with other believers.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app or offering boxes

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Remember: Spiritual maturity comes through consistent practice and application of God's Word. Where are you in your journey from milk to solid food?

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Ever feel that unexplainable weight in your chest? That sense that something is missing even when life looks good on paper? In this powerful message, Pastor Michael explores the story of Benjamin, a man who had achieved everything yet still felt empty inside. Through the lens of Ephesians 2:8-9, you'll discover that the ache we all carry isn't just stress or circumstances - it's a soul separated from its source. Learn why grace, not performance, is the answer to life's deepest longing.

Core Message: The ache is real. The answer is grace ... through faith in Jesus.

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- The unexplainable weight we carry in our chest

- Why success and achievements don't fill the void

- The difference between surface-level stress and soul-deep emptiness

- Working with his hands to quiet the noise inside

- The weight of generational expectations and disappointment

- How accomplishments become temporary fixes for permanent problems

- Why the ache isn't just depression, anger, or burnout

- Understanding sin as separation from God, not just rule-breaking

- The soul crying out for its Maker

- Grace as God reaching toward us, not us reaching toward Him

- Faith as surrender, not performance

- Salvation as gift, not achievement

- Why we can't hammer our way into peace

- The temporary nature of worldly solutions

- Understanding that we can't be our own heart surgeon

- Why successive generations experience more anxiety

- The spiritual disconnection behind emotional exhaustion

- Living without water and wondering why we're drying up

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"The ache is real. The answer is grace ... through faith in Jesus."

"You can't hammer your way into peace. You can't do enough to fix the ache. You can't be your own heart surgeon."

"Grace meets you with blood still on your hands and says, 'I love you anyway. Come home.'"

"Faith is not convincing God you're good enough; it's being convinced Jesus Is Enough."

"Sin isn't just breaking the rules. It's breaking the relationship with The One Who Made you."

"Salvation isn't a prize for the worthy. It's a gift for the willing."

"You don't need better answers. You need The Answer."

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- Primary Text: Ephesians 2:8-9

- Key Theme: Salvation by grace through faith

- Context: Paul's letter explaining the spiritual transformation available in Christ

- Central Truth: Peace comes through receiving God's gift, not earning it

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- Recognize it may be spiritual disconnection, not just stress

- Stop trying to work, buy, or achieve your way to peace

- Consider that your soul is crying out for its Maker

- Understand that grace meets you where you are

- Faith is surrender, not trying harder

- Your value comes from God's love, not your achievements

- Remember that Jesus came to rescue, not shame

- Grace isn't earned - it's received as a gift

- The work has already been finished by Christ

- Today can be the day you receive the gift of grace

- It's not about being good enough - it's about accepting you're loved

- Lay down the hammer of self-effort and pick up The Word

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Stop trying to fix what only Jesus can heal. The ache in your soul isn't a problem to solve through better performance - it's a longing that only your Creator can fill. Jesus offers the gift of grace. Receive it and live in the freedom it brings.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app

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Remember: Salvation isn't a competition or achievement. It is received as a gift, or not at all. What will you do with the grace that's being offered to you today?

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Feeling like your battery is constantly drained? Whether you're a dad, mom, student, or caregiver, we all know what it's like to run on empty. In this hilarious and encouraging Father's Day message, Pastor Michael explores the reality of being "Dad Tired" and discovers the secret to renewed energy through the powerful promise of Isaiah 40:30-31. From the dangers of "The Dad Chair" to the inspiring story of the prophet Elijah's burnout and recovery, you'll learn that true energy doesn't come from better sleep schedules or energy drinks—it comes from connecting with God's purpose for your life.

Core Message: If you need energy, find purpose.

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- Different levels of exhaustion: dog tired, dead tired, Dad tired

- The power of "The Dad Chair" and unexpected naps

- How responsibilities drain our batteries

- The surprising ways kids can recharge us

- Why even young, athletic people run out of energy

- The danger of exhaustion vs. evil

- How victory can be as draining as defeat

- Elijah's burnout after his greatest triumph

- The Hebrew word "qavah" - to bind or twist together

- Moving from passive waiting to active connection

- Weaving our weakness with God's strength

- Binding our purposelessness to His purpose

Elijah's Journey from Burnout to Purpose

- Running away and wanting to die

- The importance of rest, nutrition, and self-care

- God's assignment: finding purpose in anointing kings

- Discovering he wasn't alone - 7,000 faithful remain

- Training the next generation with Elisha

- Mount up with wings like eagles

- Run and not be weary

- Walk and not faint

- Living on resurrection power, not battery power

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"One of the most dangerous pressures we face isn't evil, it's exhaustion."

"To wait upon The Lord means to bind yourself to His Purpose. Nothing will energize you like the purpose of God for your life."

"If you live disconnected from God, you are a single, fragile strand that will snap under pressure."

"Energy flows from purpose."

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- Primary Text: Isaiah 40:30-31

- Supporting Story: Elijah's burnout and restoration (1 Kings 19)

- Key Hebrew Word: Qavah (H6960) - to wait, bind together, twist into rope

- Historical Context: Isaiah's shift from judgment to comfort and hope

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- Prioritize rest, nutrition, and self-care ("snack and a nap")

- Maintain healthy sleep schedules and exercise

- Recognize the biblical importance of basic needs

- Connect daily with Jesus through prayer and Scripture

- Remember your identity as God's beloved child

- Bind your life to God's purposes through obedience

- Move from passive waiting to active connection with God

- Find recharging moments in connecting with your children

- Remember that your greatest purpose is following Jesus

- Express that purpose through loving and teaching your kids

- Your identity isn't "Good Dad" or "Bad Dad" but "Beloved child of God"

- Stop trying to manufacture energy on your own

- Plug into resurrection power instead of battery power

- Weave your small story into God's great story

- Trust that Jesus emptied Himself so you could be filled

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Jesus didn't just come to forgive sin but to give abundant life. When we feel like failures, the Gospel reminds us that our identity is rooted in being God's beloved children through Christ. We don't have to run on our own power—we can live on resurrection power.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app

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Remember: You might be dog tired, dead tired, or Dad tired, but in Christ you are alive. You have purpose. You have energy. Bind your life to His life and you can soar, you can run, you can walk.

Ever feel like you don't have enough? Not enough money, time, energy, or resources to make it through? In this encouraging message, Pastor Michael explores the powerful story of a desperate widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 who discovered that God can do incredible things with whatever little we have. Through humor, practical wisdom, and biblical truth, you'll learn how to shift your focus from scarcity to abundance and trust God with what's already in your hands.

Core Message: A little is a lot when you trust it to God.

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- Why comfort foods often start as necessity meals

- Finding joy and contentment in simple things

- Shifting perspective from what we lack to what we have

- A preacher's widow facing financial ruin

- The threat of losing her children to slavery

- Her cry for help to the prophet Elisha

- "What do you have in the house?"

- Why God focuses on our assets, not our deficits

- Moving from scarcity thinking to abundance preparation

- Gathering empty vessels while having almost nothing

- The George Mueller orphanage story

- Setting the table before God fills it

- How a small jar of oil filled countless vessels

- God's provision matching our faith preparation

- From survival to total transformation

- Resources (even a few dollars)

- Opportunities (even small open doors)

- Relationships (even a small circle)

- Skills and abilities

- Influence and energy

- Time and health

- Primary Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7

- Historical Context: The ministry of prophets Elijah and Elisha in divided Israel

- Key Characters: The prophet's widow, Elisha, and the "sons of the prophets"

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- Start planning a budget and stewarding what you have

- Trust God with even small amounts

- Develop skills now for future openings

- Prepare before the door opens

- Invest in growth and connection today

- Take steps toward healing and improvement

- Set out your "vessels" in faith

- Make room for God's abundance

- Trust Him with whatever you currently have

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Above all, offer Jesus the most important vessel - your heart. Even if it feels empty or broken, Jesus specializes in filling us with His forgiveness, love, presence, and power.

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- Website: recreatechurch.org

- Support the Ministry: Give through the Tithe.ly app

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Remember: A little is a lot when you trust it to God. What vessels are you preparing today?

Running on Empty

“You can't pour out what God hasn't poured in.”

Pastor Michael explores the tension between feeling spiritually empty and God's promise of an overflowing cup in Psalm 23. Through humor, personal stories, and the biblical account of King David's darkest moments, this message addresses why we often feel like we're "running on empty" spiritually and how God wants to fill us to overflowing.

Key Topics Covered

The Fuel Light Challenge

Understanding Psalm 23:5

The Story of The Broken King

When Your Cup Runs Dry

Key Quotes

Scripture References

Primary Text: 

Supporting Passages:

Practical Applications

Personal Stories Shared

Historical Context

For Further Reflection

This message is part of the "Overflowing" series at ReCreate Church, exploring how God wants to fill our lives to abundance rather than leaving us running on spiritual fumes.