The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:19 NLT He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corin…

you can't get your external in order while your internal is out of order. - Pastor Mike Carlton Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, f…

"Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race." – William E. Gladstone "Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves." – Stephen Kendrick "The most miserable people are those who care only about themselves, understand only their own troubles, …

THE NEED FOR CONTROL IS THE CAUSE OF EVERY PROBLEM Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT For God has not given us…

THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH 2. THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE 3. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS Knowledge 4. THE FOURTH RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS self-control 5. THE fifth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS Perseverance 6. THE Sixth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN …

THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH 2. THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE 3. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS Knowledge 4. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS self-control 5. THE fifth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS Perseverance 6. THE Sixth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN I…

God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. In view of this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self control. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in the knowle…

GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIVING A GODLY LIFE. IN VIEW OF THIS, MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES. SUPPLEMENT YOUR FAITH WITH A GENEROUS PROVISION OF MORAL EXCELLENCE, AND MORAL EXCELLENCE WITH KNOWLEDGE, AND KNOWLEDGE, WITH SELF CONTROL. THE MORE YOU GROW LIKE THIS, THE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND USEFUL YOU WILL BE IN THE KNOWL…

'By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises… The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those …

'The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:19 NLT By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by me…

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 NLT You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19 NLT See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, a…

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply”…Genesis 1:27-28 NLT And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NL…

In parenting More is caught than taught. 1. Parents are responsible for helping their teen build a solid FOUNDATION. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. P…

'If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave ev…

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NL…

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. ” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the …

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT To win the world is to display the greatest love. God loved us so much that He gave! There is no greater love than to lay down your life for the well-being of others. The key to Joy is unconditional kindness to all people which is true co…

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT To belong is to be loved and to give love. Your identity is shaped when a community brings you in and validates that you belong and when you validate for others that they belong. However, the greatest validation that brings peace, securit…

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT Faith is what brings meaning to life. God has a sovereign purpose in all things. That as God’s children we must trust that Jesus is who He says He is, salvation is real, the Word of God is true, and that nothing can separate us from the l…

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalms 1:1-3 NLT All…

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it i…

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, c…

PATHWAYS 2/5/2024 Week 5: The Case for Community LACK OF COMMUNITY CAN LEAD TO: Heart disease High blood pressure Immune disorders Mental health issues (higher stress & anxiety) Cancer Suicide PEOPLE WHO ARE CONNECTED WITH OTHERS HAVE: 50% increase in life longevity Strengthened immune system and fighting diseases Lower levels of anxiety & depressi…

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”…

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. —Martin Luther King JR You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you h…

This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns” Jeremiah 4:3 NLT The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalms 51:17 NLT So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God …

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26 NLT “While true Grace is the full justification of the sinner, cheap Grace is the justification of continued sin. The Christian continues too often to model himself on the world standards in nearly every possible sphere o…

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 NLT Jesus had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges …

“What do you Expect – Power of Expectations” EXPECTATION “…My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT EXPECTATION Expectations, with the right heart, are the breeding ground of miracles FRUSTRATION DISAPPOINTMENT ANGER If we aren’t careful, we could begin to project our frustration, disappointment, and anger towards God …

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.” But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us t…

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her…

Blessed Life – Week 4 The Principal of the First What is up family? We are in week four of our series the blessed life based on a book with the same title written by pastor Robert Morris and this book radically changed my life! At the beginning of this series Pastor Mike made a challenge for you to not miss a week of this series because I truly bel…

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Psalms 119:1-5 …

Life is good for the one who is generous and charitable, conducting affairs with honesty and truth. Psalms 112:5 TPT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are…

Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. Psalms 106:3 NIV Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise. Psalms 106:4-5 NIV You should remember t…

What am I doing?! – Purpose “Why am I here” Purpose Do you feel like you are living in the purpose God designed you to live in? 1. You’re blatantly living in sin “don’t let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely t…

YOU WILL ONLY RISE UP TO THE LEVEL OF YOUR IDENTITY Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT YOU MUST SWITCH FROM PITY TO POTENTIAL IF YOU ARE GOING TO GROW IN LIFE. 'These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gol…

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD LIES BEHIND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS 'I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:19 NLT WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE THERE IS INEQUITY IN THE WORLD? And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was …

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD LIES BEHIND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NIV There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity u…

Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” -Marianne Williamson 'Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eye…

Life of Community – Critical Need for Community Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT LOVE IN ACTION “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Ro…

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 NIV When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 NLT You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more …

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:20 NLT Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21 NLT 'Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outsid…

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless tho…