Craig Randall was just doing his thing, driving a garbage truck in Peabody, Massachusetts. While on his route, he spotted a Wendy’s drink cup with a contest sticker in the trash. Earlier, he’d won a free chicken sandwich, so he thought he’d try his luck again, hoping for maybe some fries or a drink. But this time, he hit the jackpot – the sticker was worth $200,000 for a new home. Craig wasn’t expecting to get much, but he ended up with way more than he could’ve imagined. The same is true for us when it comes to bringing our needs to Jesus. He may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives.

Jesus may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives.”

In this session, we’ll see yet another miracle recorded in the gospel accounts. The significance of this miracle became a formative moment for those who followed Jesus, especially those closest to Him. It’s a significant lesson for understanding how Jesus meets our needs. Let’s sit down on the hillside with Jesus to see what we can learn.

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When we watch TV, especially religious channels, we often come across infomercials. Some infomercials now boast about using an object to receive a “miracle” from God. The infomercials are filled with testimonials of people receiving healing or money using miracle objects. Then the focus at the end of the infomercial is that if you send in a monetary gift, you will receive a miracle object, as well as begin to receive the blessings that will surely follow.

It’s sad to see how many people (even some Christians) fall for these gimmicks to gain some temporary “blessing” while missing the greater truth: God calls us to have faith in Him alone. In today’s passage, we’ll read about a man who believed in the gimmick of a pool of water, and how people thought it to be a source of healing.

It’s sad to see how many people (even some Christians) fall for these gimmicks to gain some temporary “blessing” while missing the greater truth: God calls us to have faith in Him alone.”

Yet, when he met Jesus, his life was truly changed forever. This man’s healing became one of the signs used to demonstrate the nature of Jesus’s relationship with God the Father.

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Authority (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

Singer and dancer Chris Brown was ascending the pop charts with his 2005 hit “Run It!” and was in a high-profile relationship with the beautiful Rihanna when things took a drastic turn for the worse. In February 2009, an incident left Rihanna bruised and battered on the side of the road. As a result, Brown was charged with felony assault and making threats. He eventually pleaded guilty to these charges. Instead of asking for help with his anger issues, he ignored them. How bad does it have to get before we ask for help?

In our culture, we celebrate independence, especially when it comes to receiving help. But it’s sad to see when someone maintains their independence to the point where they’re willing to experience pain before asking for help. Pride then is on full display to maintain the perception of being independent. The situation may change, though, when someone else is involved, like a spouse, child, parent, or friend. In those moments, we’re willing to get whatever help we can to see someone we love to receive the help and care they need.

In our culture, we celebrate independence, especially when it comes to receiving help. But it’s sad to see when someone maintains their independence to the point where they’re willing to experience pain before asking for help. Pride then is on full display to maintain the perception of being independent.”

In this session, we’ll read about a moment when someone was willing to break down his personal pride to receive help for his child. In this particular time period and culture, it would have been unexpected for this person to come to Jesus for help. Yet, the news had begun to spread about Jesus and His ability to help those in need, even to this official. Jesus stands ready to help us also.

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Grace (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

How many followers do you have? This seems to motivate our social media posts, likes, and shares. According to Brandwatch, Beyonce is ninth with followers on Instagram, with 318 million followers, while only following one. Ariana Grande is seventh with 378 million followers while following only 742. Social media has revolutionized how we connect, with individuals showing off their creativity to gain more likes and followers. The truth is that social media continues to play a significant role in shaping perceptions and influencing decisions. Whether it’s staying updated with global trends, reconnecting with old friends, or discovering new interests, the impact of social media is undeniable. Why?

There is an undeniable connection between social media and pursuing pride and personal glory. We often seek validation and admiration as we share clips and pieces of our lives, accomplishments, and unforgettable moments. But the joy of accumulating likes, comments, and followers can become a measure of our worth, pushing us to present only the most polished and impressive versions of ourselves. How often do you pick up your phone to see how many likes you have received from your last post?

The self-centered side of our human nature continually seeks to enhance our image and garner personal glory. However, as flawed and sinful beings, any glory we achieve is inherently imperfect and transient. There is, nevertheless, One whose glory is incomparable and eternal. Jesus embodies true glory, and the actions He undertakes on our behalf illuminate this. Instead of seeking our own fame, we should be pursuing His glory.”

The self-centered side of our human nature continually seeks to enhance our image and garner personal glory. However, as flawed and sinful beings, any glory we achieve is inherently imperfect and transient. There is, nevertheless, One whose glory is incomparable and eternal. Jesus embodies true glory, and the actions He undertakes on our behalf illuminate this. Instead of seeking our own fame, we should be pursuing His glory.

This week, we’re diving into a moment that went down at a wedding—a powerful miracle that most folks didn’t even realize at the time. Jesus wasn’t trying to grab the spotlight or show off with what happened. He wasn’t seeking likes. Instead, it was all about revealing His true power and glory. This miracle kicked off Jesus’s public ministry, setting the stage for everything that followed.

Get ready to uncover how this miracle played a huge role in showing the world who Jesus really is.

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“Can you tell a bird to just go chirp, chirp, chirp?”

One of the things I love about our church is the support the choir receives during worship. We’ve all experienced the enthusiastic but off-pitched singer rendering worship from their heart but a bit off-key. Then someone from the audience would yell out, “its okay baby, take your time!” To some this would be a distraction.

When it comes to worship, distractions are everywhere, but our singing isn’t the problem. Today we will explore why inward-focused thinking reveals a deeper problem with our worship. Focusing on ourselves, our work, our hobbies, along with a host of other distractions, are symptoms of a worship problem.

God deserves our worship. Whatever occupies our minds instead of Him only leads us away from giving Him the worship He deserves. He put a song in our mouths to sing. It’s time for us to block out the noise and sing it. “It’s okay, take your time!”

God deserves our worship. Whatever occupies our minds instead of Him only leads us away from giving Him the worship He deserves. He put a song in our mouths to sing. It’s time for us to block out the noise and sing it. “It’s okay, take your time!”

The post THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Attitude in Worship (YOU-Win’25, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

We’ve all seen it a thousand times watching football games. A player makes a phenomenal play and returns to the sideline. He’s engulfed by his teammates and coaches. As the celebration winds down, the player recognizes a television camera is on him and almost every time, he looks at the camera and says, “Hi, Mom!”

In the moment when the world is watching, mom is the one who gets the greeting. Why? It’s natural to respond to the nurturing we get from our mothers.

When we remember God’s compassion and faithfulness that goes back to the beginning of time, we want to let the world know about His love. And when everyone is looking at us, we want to be
seen worshiping.”

But even our mothers don’t care for us like God does. When we remember God’s compassion and faithfulness that goes back to the beginning of time, we want to let the world know about His love. And when everyone is looking at us, we want to be seen worshiping.

The post THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Inspiration for Worship (YOU-Win’25, Study 2, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

When it comes to gospel music celebrities, Israel Houghton and New Breed are certainly well known. In fact, they are six-time Grammy Award winners. One of their most celebrated albums, Alive in South Africa, captures the most amazing worship song written by Erasmus Mutanbira, from Zimbabwe; Alpha and Omega. The song acknowledges that God alone is Alpha and Omega and worthy to be praised.

Israel Houghton and New Breed had it right. The truth is, our Creator made us to find hope and purpose in life through worshiping Him alone. No one else is worthy or can give us hope.

Our Creator made us to find hope and purpose in life through worshiping Him alone. No one else is worthy or can give us hope.”

In the book of Isaiah, we see Israel learning this lesson the hard way. Hopefully, we can make the right choice from the start and worship the Lord. Let’s learn how we can worship the only One who can rescue us, the only One who deserves our praise.

The post THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Focus of our Worship (YOU-Win’25, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

What do dolphins, geese, and penguins have in common? It’s true, they are so different. One flies, another lives in oceans, and still another on ice. But each of these animals have a unique and incredible gift. They each sleep with one eye open. Part of their brains shut down while the other remains alert. Each of them needs to stay awake, at least partially. The dolphin must surface for air, geese must sleep while migrating, and penguin must remain vigilant to avoid predators. We’ve all heard the phrase “sleep with one eye open.” These animals actually do it!

As followers of Christ, …we must continually, obediently live out our faith in our everyday existence while also expectantly keeping one eye open to the coming of Christ.”

As followers of Christ, we could learn a lot from them. Spiritually, we must continually, obediently live out our faith in our everyday existence while also expectantly keeping one eye open to the coming of Christ.

The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward with Expectation (YOU-Win’25, Study 1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

Most churches try their best to offer convenience when it comes to worship. That’s not a bad thing. We need to try to remove any obstacle believers might have to be able to worship. We have climate-controlled spaces, preferred parking for seniors, visitors, and expectant mothers. Coffee is often available in the foyer, and since the pandemic, many churches offer a streaming option so that you could join in from the comfort of your own couch or even your bed.

It’s easy to forget that there are people half a world away that risk their lives to worship with other believers. For them it takes planning and a little cunning to be there. Some don’t have access to Bibles. They pass around scraps of Bibles that they salvaged from the last confiscation they experienced in the village by authorities.

It’s easy to forget that there are people half a world away that risk their lives to worship with other believers.”

We might worship in comfort, ease, and convenience, but we are a slim minority of the long history of the worshiping church, including the Magi who made the arduous journey to kneel at the feet of the Christ child.

The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward in Worship (YOU-Win’25, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

In 1997, Boyz II Men recorded A Song for Mama. The song is a tribute to mothers and the sacrifices they make for their children. If you have ever been to a wedding and witnessed a mother and son dance to this song, you know that by the time the song gets to these lyrics, there is not a dry eye in the room.

“You were there for me to love and care for me
When skies were gray
Whenever I was down
You were always there to comfort me
And no one else can be
What you have been to me . . .”

As the groom prepares to begin life with his new bride, he takes a moment to thank the most important woman in his life for her love demonstrated through her sacrifice.

As great as a mother’s sacrifice is for her son, remember that Jesus came to Earth to make the perfect sacrifice for all mankind.”

As great as a mother’s sacrifice is for her son, remember that Jesus came to Earth to make the perfect sacrifice for all mankind. May we be even more moved to tears and feel a deep sense of gratitude as we read and reflect on the love God demonstrated towards us through Jesus’s sacrifice.

The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward to Love (YOU-Win’25, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.