In the first message of our new series "Resurrected", we see the difference between being alive and just looking alive. Once Christ breathes eternal life into our spiritually dead soul, we show evidence of a transformed life. When we are playing a role or checking a box without Christ at the center of our lives, we are simply not living. It takes a true heart change to produce fruit of the Spirit and to live a life committed to Jesus rather than ourselves. 

In our mess and our best efforts that fail, God can put the pieces back together. God showed Ezekiel this by taking him through a valley full of dry bones. When we place our faith in God alone, we can see the amazing things He is capable of doing in our surrender. 

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As we look at the life of King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, we see his search for meaning. Nothing he desired was withheld from him. He had everything he ever wanted within reach and he found out it was all meaningless. The world and all that it possesses will never satisfy anyone's heart the way only God can. 

In our lives, when we are in search of our purpose and the meaning of life, we will always come up empty if Jesus is not at the center of everything we are pursuing. The love of Christ amplifies every kind of love we experience. To live and experience life to the full, we must have total trust in Christ alone.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Mistakes do not keep us from being used by God. On the contrary, He actually redeems our mistakes to bring glory to Himself by using our stories of failure to open the hearts of those who need His grace. Christ not only takes us as we are, He actually wants us. Bringing our rebel hearts from death to life and the world seeing a new creation through the Holy Spirit is a truth no one can deny.

Jonah 1:1-17; 2:7-10; 3:1-5; Philippians 3:13-14;

Matthew 16:13-20; John 21:15-19

Ken Nix, Sr.

When you hear the question, "Do you love God?", what immediately comes to mind? For most of us, we answer, "Yes, of course I love God.", but we see in scripture that loving God is more than a feeling or a thought. Love is indeed action. Love is who God is and it is who He calls you and I to be. 

If you answered "yes", evaluate your motives for the things you do. Do you act or speak for your own gain? Are you motivated by the Holy Spirit? When the Spirit lives inside you, you are motivated by Him to love others and give your life in service to Him.

2 Corinthians 2: 1-16

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As our series on spiritual disciplines continues we see all throughout scripture that fasting draws a believer closer to God. When we are desperate for direction, in the heart of a battle, in need of boldness or just want to hear from heaven, fasting is a way people have always listened to God. By replacing a physical desire for food with the spiritual disciple of fasting, you are in more than a state of prayer. You are putting your need or request at a sacrificial level. 

Trusting God to provide what we need in our daily lives is faith in action. Fasting strengthens us on our faith journey and deepens our dependency on our all sufficient Savior. 

Ephesians 6:12, Matthew 6:16-18, Luke 18:12, Exodus 34:28, Esther 4:16,   Luke 4:2-4, Mark 2:18-20, 2 Samuel 12:15-17, Isaiah 58:1-14, Daniel 10:1-14

Ken Nix

In part III of "New Year, New You", we dive into the subject of prayer. Prayer can become routine and even habitual over time if we do not remain aware of Who we are actually speaking to and the power it possesses. Paul prayed in prison with joyful songs, changing his entire situation. The jailer, along with his entire family, followed Christ afterward. 

Oftentimes, God places us in places of discomfort or understanding to stretch our faith and help us to see clearly our need to depend on Him and not ourselves. Other times though, as seen in this passage, it is for the sake of another's soul. When we understand we bear the image of God on our life if He resides inside our heart, it changes our entire perception of the world. We see people as those who are loved and wanted by God. He has extended an opportunity for believers to take part in showing the light of Christ to those who are in darkness. 

Acts 16:25-30

Dawn Hedgepeth

Part III of our "Do Something in 2019" series brings us to the heart of Jesus. Everything He calls us to do can be summed up in this one word, "love". True love that flows from the wellspring of the Living Water, compels us to reach the world in the Name of Christ. When the love of Jesus resides in you, it bears fruit that represents the Spirit dwelling inside. If we are in Christ, we will not be satisfied watching others reach the world for the sake of the gospel. God will move you to do the same, whether you go alone or with others. 

When love is rooted in Jesus, it multiplies.

John 21:3-9, 15-19; Revelation 21:1-5

Kenny Nix, Pastor

In our second message of the new year, we will focus on the spiritual discipline of solitude. In our pursuit of Christ, we look to Him as our model for the Christian life. Jesus did many things we strive to emulate and put into practice in our own lives such as prayer, fasting, loving others and getting alone with God. Jesus prayed openly, but He often went away from the crowds and, even His disciples, to be alone with His Father. 

There are many reasons to seek solitude in our lives and, especially, in our walk with Christ. In his message, Kenny walks us through some of the most poignant reasons in scripture as recorded in the gospels.

Luke 4:1-2; Mark 6:30-33; Matthew 14:1-13; Luke 6:12-13; Luke 22:39-44; Luke 11:1

Kenny Nix, Pastor

In our second message of the "Do Something in 2019" series, we are taken through a passage that shows us exactly what worship is supposed to look like. Even in our exposed sin, Jesus calls us as we are and accepts us. It is only after we are connected to the true Vine that we begin to bear fruit in our lives of worship to God. The Pharisees thought they had figured out what a good relationship with God was, but hey missed the love, the true call of Christ. 

Worship is not a song or a predetermined location with certain people. Worship is a part of who we are as believers. Offering ourselves in full to Christ, withholding nothing and loving others in His name is our worship to Him. 

Luke 7:36-50; John 15:1-17

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As we begin a new year, we will be walking through a new series that focuses on spiritual disciplines. Paul leads the charge with encouragement to run to win this race we are in. He reminds us this is not an ordinary race where only one person takes home the prize, although the training is much the same. To run the race toward Christ means to lay aside the desires of our selfish nature and put on our new nature that longs for the things of God. Our new heart is led by the Spirit and pushes toward pleasing Jesus, instead of ourselves. In this race, we are led to bring others with us to the truth of Christ and His saving power. The rescue of each heart is a win for God's kingdom. Jesus is the prize and leading others to Him is the race we run.

1 Corinthians 9: 1-27

Kenny Nix, Pastor