Getting away is vital for overcoming weariness, gaining new perspective, and reframing your life. Jesus did this often and as his followers we should seriously consider dropping our addiction to activity in exchange for healthy rhythms.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could just press a button and voila, everything is reset! A relationship restored, a better job, maybe even a clean kitchen! Pretty sure we've all had that dream at least once. 😉

While you don't have a button that magically resets your life, God has given you keys to reset your heart when it is needed.

Scott Volk is a Messianic Jew who came to faith in 1975. After graduating from CFNI in Dallas and North Central University in Minneapolis, Scott served in various pastoral capacities in Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina. After more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, Scott founded Together For Israel, a non-profit ministry that exists to partner with the church for the salvation of Israel (Rom 11:26). Scott and his wife Beth have been married for 30 years and have a heart to see Jew and Gentile united as “one new man” in the Messiah. They have five children and reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Stafford Braxton - There Is A Battle by River Church Charlotte

Randall Worley is an author, speaker, leadership consultant and life coach. For 40 years he has traveled the world speaking in conferences, seminars and schools inspiring his audiences to think progressively about the role of the kingdom of God in the world. His writings include "Brush Strokes of Grace" and "Wandering and Wondering" as well as many articles/blogs that have been published in leading periodicals around the world. His passion is to be a bridge for those who are navigating their way forward from conventional ideas toward new and exciting horizons. Considered as a thought leader by many of his colleagues, Randall reaches forward while extending a hand back to those with the courage to experience the unknown. Randall and his wife of 40 years have 3 adults sons, and five grandchildren.

Who or what will teach us about God? So many possibilities arise: Our parents, nature, the Bible, science, our experience? To seriously answer this question really causes one to pause and think. Of course, as followers of Jesus, we believe he should inform our view of God. Jesus completely flipped the script by calling God a ‘Father’ and claiming to be ‘One” with Him. How should we respond to a first-century Jew who claimed to be God in the flesh? I, for one, am all ears!

Jesus flipped the script in Matthew chapter five using this pattern of words, “You’ve heard it said, but I say…” He used topics like, making vows, getting revenge, and hating enemies to correct the record on God’s character and expose our wrong thinking. These brilliant statements show us the new way of Grace where Jesus not only corrected our view of God, he restored our position with him. By becoming one of us he restored all of us. Now we have an opportunity to live in His love and flip the script in our own lives.

Jesus flipped the script in Matthew chapter five using this pattern of words, “You’ve heard it said, but I say…” He used topics like, murder, divorce, and adultery to correct the record on God’s character by going back to original intent. But with the caveat that no one could measure up without God's intervention. Jesus not only corrected our view of God he restored our position with him. By becoming one of us he restored all of us. Now we have an opportunity to live in His love and flip the script in our own lives. Maybe you’ve struggled with some of these issues. Maybe you feel disqualified to be loved. Good! This Sunday we have a word of hope and healing for you.

Jesus flipped the script on how women and children were viewed and treated. He grew up in the same male dominated culture of his day yet he elevated women and children. He respected the woman at the well. He welcomed children to his knee and invited them to participate in miracles. He refused to shame the woman caught in adultery. He even took orders from his Mother! Ultimately, he chose a woman to be the first to know of his resurrection and preach it to others. Jesus celebrated and represented the qualities in women as characteristics that came from God because they’re attributes of God. Today, we celebrate the women in our lives that have believed in us, pushed us to greater heights, and taught us what God is like.

The Gospel isn’t an invitation to self help. It’s an awakening to reality, to life and love that produces transformation. If the Gospel *is* the power of God then we must return to a radical emphasis on Jesus because He is the God who became one of us to rescue all of us! Jesus flipped the script on what God is like and what it means to be human. He not only provided the way out of our blindness but He demonstrated the way forward. Religion and rules are powerless to accomplish this. Only by embracing Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life are we empowered by His indwelling Spirit to cast off the accusation and shame that keeps us imprisoned in the darkness of sin. Why not let Jesus flip the script and write a living story with your life? Imagine a life of faithfulness that can endure any struggle and a life of fruitfulness so others can sample the goodness of Jesus through you!