How did God speak to you today?

Lead Pastor Paul Mints | 8.3.25

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How did God speak to you today?

Pastor Luke Allen | 7.27.25

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How did God speak to you today?

Pastor Ryan Fontenot | 7.20.25

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How did God speak to you today?

Our true identity as children of God is the key that unlocks our divine destiny. Scripture consistently connects who we are with what we're called to do - we are chosen people meant to declare God's praises, known by God before birth to fulfill specific purposes, God's handiwork created for good works, and heirs with Christ destined to share in His glory. Yet many Christians have allowed harmful ideas to take root, becoming experts at surface-level Christianity while neglecting the deeper work of living as true sons and daughters.The stories of the Prodigal Son and Simba from The Lion King illustrate this journey perfectly. Both characters abandoned their true identities - one for wild living, the other due to shame and guilt. Both adopted a 'hakuna matata' philosophy, settling for less than they were created for. But the turning point came when they remembered who they truly were. Like them, we need moments of awakening where God reveals truth to us. The beautiful reality is that when we return to our Father, He doesn't make us earn our place back - He celebrates our return and restores us completely. Our identity is not found in what we do as servants or leaders, but in who we are as beloved children of God. When we fully embrace this truth, we can step into the destiny God has prepared for us.

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How did God speak to you today?

Four young adults recently delivered powerful messages about living in the freedom Christ offers. They emphasized that our focus determines our direction - just as a mountain biker crashes when looking at trees instead of the path, we stumble when distracted by past failures or future worries instead of God's present guidance. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God's word illuminates our immediate path, calling us to be present with Him.They also highlighted the spiritual law of sowing and reaping from Galatians 6:7-9. Many of us work hard wanting better lives but plant the wrong seeds, believing that satisfying our feelings will satisfy our souls. However, sowing to the Spirit brings eternal life while sowing to the flesh leads to corruption. Additionally, they addressed anxiety, noting that nearly half of churchgoers struggle with it. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-30 to exchange our heavy burdens for His light ones through honest prayer, leaning on Scripture, and focusing on today's challenges rather than tomorrow's worries. Finally, they emphasized that our freedom in Christ isn't permission to sin but a privilege to serve others in love, as Galatians 5:13 teaches. God has called us to walk in a kingdom identity of freedom, allowing His Word to guide us toward abundant life.

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How did God speak to you today?

Psalm 23 offers profound insights into finding peace amid life's challenges. When David wrote 'The Lord is my shepherd,' he emphasized the deeply personal relationship available to each of us with God. One of the most powerful verses, 'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,' reveals that God doesn't retreat when we face difficulties—He establishes His provision right in the middle of our struggles.The presence of enemies doesn't mean God has abandoned us; rather, it often confirms His presence. Peace isn't the absence of problems but the presence of our Shepherd in the midst of them. By developing 'table faith'—focusing on God's provision, presence, protection, and peace rather than our problems—we can experience tranquility regardless of our circumstances. Our worth isn't determined by our environment but by our identity as God's children. The anointing oil mentioned in the psalm represents healing for wounds, protection for the mind, and being marked for purpose despite imperfections. Finally, God's goodness and mercy actively pursue us throughout our lives, not retreating when we make mistakes but continually guiding and mentoring us all the way to eternity.

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How did God speak to you today?

The enemy has strategically planted spiritual landmines through childhood lies, past pain, and difficult experiences that explode during hardship, making us question God's care. However, Psalm 23 reveals that God's goodness and mercy aren't passively following but actively pursuing us—chasing us down with relentless love. What's at stake isn't just our faith but the spiritual inheritance we pass to future generations.Many of us operate from an orphan mindset, feeling abandoned, overlooked, or unworthy. This leads to disclaiming God's resources, distancing ourselves from soul rest, distrusting God's guidance, defending ourselves unnecessarily, and disagreeing with God's timing. The truth is we're not abandoned but adopted. God doesn't always remove us from the presence of enemies, but He prepares a table before us in their midst—providing abundance while they watch, anointing us while they accuse, and overflowing our cup while they criticize. By immersing ourselves in Psalm 23 daily and choosing to trust the Good Shepherd again, we can replace lies with truth and reclaim our identity as God's treasured children.

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How did God speak to you today?

Psalm 23 provides timeless wisdom for men and fathers facing life's valleys with courage and faith. Written during one of David's most challenging periods, this psalm teaches that our challenges aren't obstacles but preparation for our purpose. Just as God gave David a Goliath before giving him a crown, our difficulties shape us for greater things.The devastating statistics on fatherlessness in our culture reveal why strong male leadership is so crucial. When fathers are absent, children face significantly higher risks of suicide, homelessness, behavioral disorders, and incarceration. David's words in Psalm 23:4 acknowledge the reality of walking through 'the valley of the shadow of death' while maintaining that fear has no place when God is present. Fear is particularly dangerous for men because it sidelines us from battles we should fight, makes us seek approval instead of being bold, leads to people-pleasing rather than obedience, and causes us to miss God's blessings out of anxiety.The solution lies in God's presence—'for you are with me'—and in building meaningful male friendships. By developing relationships where we can be authentic, finding loyal companions who stick with us through difficulties, and pursuing daily adventures with Jesus alongside these friends, men can find the courage to lead well. Practical steps include reading Psalm 23 daily, identifying areas where fear is holding us back, and taking concrete actions to build authentic male friendships.

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How did God speak to you today?

Psalm 23, famously known as 'the pearl of all the psalms,' contains profound truths about God's character and His relationship with His followers. Though likely the most familiar passage in the Bible, its depth is often missed. Importantly, this psalm isn't universal—it's the exclusive testimony of those with a personal relationship with God.Contrary to popular belief, David probably wrote this psalm not during peaceful shepherd days but amid severe trials—either while fleeing King Saul or during his son Absalom's rebellion. This context reveals that David's declarations came from a faith tested by hardship. When he states 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,' he's affirming that with God as his shepherd, he lacks nothing essential. Need doesn't lead when you walk with the one who owns everything. The psalm continues to describe how the shepherd provides rest, restoration, and guidance through dangerous valleys. Like vulnerable sheep who need constant protection and direction, we need the Good Shepherd to lead us away from danger and toward nourishment.The central question this psalm poses is whether the Lord is truly our shepherd—not just if we believe in Him, but if we follow Him daily, allowing Him to lead, correct, and restore us. The promises of Psalm 23 are available to anyone willing to trust the Shepherd, whether for the first time or after wandering away. When we make the Lord our shepherd, we can face life's valleys confident that we lack nothing essential, because the One who owns everything walks beside us.

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How did God speak to you today?

Dating with Purpose | Dr. Courtney Walker | 6/1/25

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