When someone says, “I have decided to follow Jesus,” what does that mean? What
does it look like? Are we supposed to live our faith publicly and boldly, or should we keep it to ourselves? Sometimes, we want to live a life of faith and doing good, but we struggle to stay with it over time. What can help? PC talks about this today.
Notes
Most people come to faith in Jesus because of relationships.
Romans 10:14 MSG
Very few people stick with their faith without Godly relationships.
Proverbs 27:17 ESV
1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Luke 1:41 NLT
Encounters with Jesus are powerful.
Matthew 3:14-15 NLT
Following Jesus is a choice.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Discipleship means allegiance to Christ, and it is expressed in daily decisions.”
Luke 3:21-22 NIV
The Holy Spirit responds to obedience.
D.L. Moody: “God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. If we take the first step in obedience, He always meets us there.”
Prodigal son: Luke 15

So much going on in the world. So much uncertainty. Big decisions to make. How can we avoid being sucked into the media machine, and rightly discern God’s will for our lives?

Notes

This world is not our home.

Philippian 3:20 NLT

1 John 2:15-17 NLT

Colossians 3:2-3 NIV

Galatians 6:2 NIV

We over-spiritualize God’s will.

We are asking for an open door, but living with a closed Bible.

James 1:5 NIV

We overanalyze God’s will.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

We assume that hard means wrong.

1 Peter 3:17 NIV

Just because you don’t feel convicted doesn’t mean you’re not compromising.

If you want to know God’s will, get to know God’s heart.

How does God lead us in our lives? At Thriving Hills Church, we believe that it is God’s will for every person on Earth to thrive in life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In that relationship, we believe it is possible to know what God’s will is for our lives and to be led by the Holy Spirit in what we do - but what does that look like?
Notes
God’s will doesn’t always come in a whisper from heaven, but often through wisdom on earth.
Open Doors
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NIV
Closed Doors
Acts 16:6-7 NLT
Frustrated Plans
1 Corinthians 16:5-7 TPT
Psalm 119:105 KJV
Everyday Choices.
Titus 3:12 NLT
1 Thessalonians 3:1 NLT
Ephesians 1:11 NLT
You don’t have to be certain to be faithful.

How can we ensure that we get to where we’re really supposed to be in life? With
so many options, so many choices, and so many opinions, how can we really be sure if we are finding God’s will for our lives, and not just messing things up? Pastor Chris teaches how finding God’s will for our lives is more than locating a dot on the map, but is actually a series of choices we make today.

Notes
The will of God is more about who you are becoming than what you are doing.
Matthew 6:34 NLT
James 4:13-15 NIV
2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
The best way to find God’s will for your future is to live faithfully for Jesus today.

We all have big decisions and important choices to make in life, and many times the answers are unclear. Have you ever wished someone would just tell you what to do? While most times we won’t have certainty, we can have clarity, confidence, and direction - even when we’re not sure.

Notes

Romans 12:2 KJV

God’s sovereign will.

Isaiah 46:10 NLT

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

The devil can mess with your plans, but he cannot stop God’s purpose.

God’s moral will.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT

You can’t walk in God’s will if you’re disobeying His Word.

God’s permissive will.

1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT

Genesis chapter 37

God’s personal will.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Psalm 32:8 NIV

We overcomplicate God’s will and underestimate God’s goodness.

Trust God’s plan. Obey God’s Word. Accept what he allows. Walk where He leads.

Pastor Adam Drinkard brings a great message on the importance of prioritizing the presence of God and the pursuit of a relationship with Him.

Have you ever wanted to ask God for something so big and so bold that you could barely say it out loud? Learn what can happen when we Dare to Ask God for the impossible.

Notes
You don’t have to settle for the mundane. You can participate in the miraculous!
Mark 9:14-23 NLT
2 Kings 5:1-14 NLT
James 1:22 TPT
What would make you walk away?
Real friends won’t let you walk away.
A.C.T. - Analyze, Consult, Think.
Get to the water!
If you get to the water, the water will do its work.

Have you ever faced an impossible situation? Have you ever had to muster faith for something that scared you? Have you ever been in a place where faith in God wasn’t just one option, but your only option? Learn what can happen when we choose faith over fear and Dare to Ask God for the impossible.

Notes
Storms we choose.
Storms we chase.
Storms that come.
John 16:33 NIV
Matthew 5:45 ESV
Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV
Mark 4:35-41 ESV
God is with you in the storm!
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Philippians 1:6 KJV
Romans 8:28 KJV
Acts 27 KJV
Broken pieces don’t mean broken promises.
Hold on!
Psalms 126:5-6 NIV
Galatians 6:9 ESV
You can still get to where you’re going if you just hold on.

Have you ever wanted to ask God for something so big and so bold that you could barely say it out loud? Learn what can happen when we Dare to Ask God for the impossible.

Notes
Mark 5:22-42 NIV
Recognize
Reject
Replace
Joshua 10:13, 1:8 NIV
John 15:7 ESV
Psalm 1:1-3 ESV
Malachi 4:2 KJV

Pastor LaShayna McCourt shares with us an important message on taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus.