The Perfecting Church

With all that is going on around us it seems normal to be fearful. The fear of mass shootings, personal phobias, car-jackings, racial unrest, economic turmoil, and even dying from a pandemic can overwhelm our hearts and minds and drive us to addictions and toxic behaviours. The truth is that our minds were not designed for fear but God can literally re-wire our brains so that we live the fearless abundant life he planned for us.

Bitter root judgements are the dead weight of the soul. They leave the heart full of darkness and we become shackled to the pain of the past. Only grace can loosen the grip of bitter root judgements.

Suffering and pain make-up 40% of all of the Psalms -- along with Job and Lamentations, they acknowledge the truth of pain and suffering in this fallen world. We’ve all experienced deep sadness and hard to shake gloom, due to trauma and overwhelming disappointment in this life. Depression or black & blues of the heart and mind can be deeper and more persistent for some of us. Major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the US and the second leading cause of disability worldwide. But there is nothing we experience in this life, that Jesus hasn’t felt first hand and that He hasn’t promised to bring us through. He’s concerned about and present in our black and blues.

Scripture(s): NKJV

Hebrews 4:15
Psalm 42:1-11

In Exodus 3, God Himself announced that not only had the cries of His people reached Him, but He personally had come down to deliver them. Yet, when Moses broadcast this message to those bond in Egypt in Exodus 6:7, scripture tells us that they couldn't hear nor believe him. This is the work of shame... a pervasive sense that even if you don't like where you are, you deserve to be there. Rather than embrace the deliverer in front of you, shame convinces you to accept the devils behind you.

This healing message will dismantle the work of shame in the life of God's bride, liberating us from barrenness to be a blessing.

Scriptures:
Isaiah 54:1-8; 11-17 (NKJV)
Psalm 139:5 (TPT)
Psalm 139:23-24 (TPT)

Takeaways:
1. Sin is not satisfied with shaming our past; it seeks to stain our future.
2. Shame tells us there's not only something wrong with what we've done, there's something wrong with who we are.
3. God turns barrenness into blessings.

In Exodus 3, God Himself announced that not only had the cries of His people reached Him, but He personally had come down to deliver them. Yet, when Moses broadcast this message to those bond in Egypt in Exodus 6:7, scripture tells us that they couldn't hear nor believe him. This is the work of shame... a pervasive sense that even if you don't like where you are, you deserve to be there. Rather than embrace the deliverer in front of you, shame convinces you to accept the devils behind you. This healing message will dismantle the work of shame in the life of God's bride, liberating us from barrenness to be a blessing.

Introduction:
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness 50% of adults will develop anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD or some other mental illness in their lifetime. Gen­er­a­tion Z (1995 and 2010 ) is grow­ing up in an age of increased anx­i­ety and stress. Approximately 70% of teens across gen­der, race and fam­i­ly-income lev­els say that anx­i­ety and depres­sion are sig­nif­i­cant prob­lems accord­ing to the Pew Research Cen­ter. And this is not altogether new, from the beginning all of creation was impacted by the fall, including humanities’ mental health. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma or life dominating mental health challenges our minds matter to God. He’s concerned about our overall well-being and He has given His only begotten Son that we might be made whole.
Scripture(s): NKJV

Philippians 4:4-8

4.24.2022 Message Takeaway
God loves to ask the impossible and then make all things possible.
God is the source of every good and necessary thing.
It’s not what happens that leaves a lasting impact but our thoughts and conclusions about what happened.

Antonia was a fortress and military barrack built in Jerusalem by King Herod around 19 BC. At Antonia, three days before the resurrection of Jesus Christ the most famous public trial in human history took place. A trial with consequences reaching further than Marbury vs. Madison, Brown vs. Board of Education, or Roe vs. Wade. This was the Passover Trial of Jesus (and Barabbas). One was a notorious rebel and murderer, the other a rabbi, teacher and miracle worker, who called Himself God. This very public trial famously ends with one being released and the other sentenced to death by crucifixion. Barabbas was not released because of innocence. His crimes of murder and rebellion were more tolerable than the crime of claiming to be God -- Give Us Barabbas!

Jesus came during a time when the Roman empire was spreading throughout the world. Their military, political and social institutions dominated the Middle East, Northern Africa, Western Europe, Greece, and the Balkans. As he entered Jerusalem, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy and entering the hopes of a people who’d been waiting for over 500 years. Those present as He entered Jerusalem were looking for His Kingdom and the dismantling of Rome. But Jesus came to begin an inside job that is still going on today.

often believe we’ve placed our faith in Christ but ultimately discover it’s really in success, true-love, fame, fortune or the life we want to live. The culture teaches us to believe these pursuits hold the key to contentment and fulfillment in this life. It’s no surprise many of us feel lost, alone, disenchanted and even angry towards life and God. When we take good things and make them supreme things, they become idols that drive and control our lives. There’s only One who can wholly satisfy our deepest desire for contentment and true fulfillment and until we train our hearts to embrace that truth, we will be discontent.