Ashley highlights the importance of generosity, God's heart behind biblical generosity, as well as how we as believers and as the church should live lives of generosity. Ash unpacks the differences between tithes and offerings, as well as the various other forms of generosity.

Trevor shares how amazing it is that we get to be friends of God! What does it mean to be in His love, to remain in His love? Regardless of where you are at, Jesus died for you and wants you to be His friend.

Trevor gives us some reflective questions to ask. After listening to the message, ask the Holy Spirit these same questions:

• Holy Spirit, what is it you want me to know about my true identity?
• Holy Spirit, would you reveal to me where I'm not living in Truth?
  • Where in my life am I not feeling loved?
  • Where in my life am I not trusting you?
  • Where in my life do I think I'm not good enough?
  • Where in my life am I listening to the wrong voice?
• Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do about what I now know?

Why is generosity important? What insights does the Bible offer about being generous, and where does it first come up? Ash dives into the concept of generosity, empowering us to manage our finances in alignment with God's kingdom.

Our gifts are not to be measured by the amount we contribute, but by the surplus kept in our own hand. The two mites of the widow were, in Christ’s eyes, worth more than all the other money cast into the treasury, for “she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

- Charles Spurgeon

Ash, following last week's message on forgiveness, teaches from Matthew 18:23-27 on how we are compelled to forgive anyone who asks for mercy. Forgiveness is first a decision, and not first an emotion. Even though we forgive, we will not necessarily forget, but God will remove the pain of it.

"Mercy delivers us from what we deserve, grace gives us what we do not deserve."

Ash delves into the importance of forgiveness when standing before God, praying. We so often want to make people pay for our forgiveness, but what does forgiveness really mean? To forgive means to put away or to send away an unintentional error or willful transgression.

Forgiveness is simply a gift of freedom.

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." 

-Nelson Mandela 

Ash continues in his series on prayer and God's decrees. Today he is speaking from two primary scriptures, James 5:16 (the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much) and Mark 11:12-14 (Jesus curses the fig tree) and encourages us to have faith in God!

In continuing the series on God's Decrees, Ash delves into the profound impact of prayer and the vital importance of understanding who God is. Ash explores the concept of God's omnipresence, His ability to exist everywhere simultaneously. He also touches on God's omnipotence, His limitless power, and boundless influence. Lastly, there is the profound meaning of God's omniscience, recognizing His all-knowing nature.

Ash lays foundations for the series on God's decrees. What is a decree from God? A decree is an order He has put in place so that things are set in order. God has given us His will, we need to walk confidently in it.

"God's word is His will for this planet, for us as individuals."

Vernon speaks about identity in Christ from the book of Genesis 1:26 & 27 and the story of Gideon. It's amazing that God called Gideon a mighty warrior while he was still hiding in the winepress. Only the One who made you has the authority to identify you.

"History might have marked you, but it is not authorised to label you."

Paul encourages us to ensure that when we read the bible, we are not letting our culture and worldview influence the truth contained in scripture, and then to take that truth, believe it, keep on believing it, and live it out. 

"We need not only the bible's prescriptions of our problems, but also its diagnosis of them."

- Tim Keller

"Jesus comes to set an objective, universal standard of truth. He is the reason behind all existence, He is the reason it exists. Without Him, nothing has been made which has been made."