The Transformative Power of Forgiveness
When we say this in the Lord’s Prayer, we are directly saying that we WILL forgive others. It’s a daily practice to which we must commit.
Jesus often created tension where he went – He mixed demographics and treated everyone equal. He often celebrated those who were less committed to Him. This is because His love and compassion abound, endlessly. We don’t have to earn God’s love.
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive others.” – Luke 15:11-32
When we say this in the Lord’s Prayer, we are directly saying that we WILL forgive others.
It’s a daily practice to which we must commit.
To forgive, we have to let go of fairness.
We have to accept being uncomfortable.
Forgiveness allows us to learn, grow, and heal.
To forgive will be hard, and that will pull us closer to God.
Accept His invite to draw closer to Him. Pray for help. Pray for forgiveness and forgive others.
Living Out Identity Theology: Embracing Your Purpose in God's Image
Never separate yourself from those with whom you don’t agree. Do as Jesus taught us – love them and support them.
Look into the right mirror. Faith comes to us by listening to the Word of God. Once faith comes to you, you have to take action with it. If you listen and do what it says, you will be blessed. You will see the best version of yourself when you live out the Word of God.
Identity Theology
1. What am I?
Genesis 1:26-27
We were created. God created us in his image. It wasn’t an accident.
We were made to be holy and complete. Our spirit, soul, and body make us complete.
Spirit = God
Soul = Others
Body = Environment
We are governed by our spirit. That is why we need God in our everyday lives.
2. Who am I?
2 Corinthians 6:18
We are each a child of God. We all have a family. We are not simply a servant. We are first a son or daughter of God.
We all have purpose. Before we are born, we are “set apart.” Our purpose is to help and fulfill our family in God.
3. Why am I? Why am I here?
John 1:10-13
We are here to have a relationship with God. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.
We are here to make a difference. God puts a drive inside of us to make a difference.
Never separate yourself from those with whom you don’t agree. Do as Jesus taught us – love them and support them. They are your brother and sister. The answer to how you can help will be illuminated for you.
Keys to Open Life’s Doors
Jesus will continue to give you keys until he is done with you.
God’s call is not for your life to be “stuck.” God’s call is for abundance. God always sees our potential. He has prepared the way for us. He has laid a path for us. He will lead us to each new opportunity, new season, new experience, new lesson – with each, a new door for us to open and walk through. And He will provide a key to open these doors.
You will have keys to every door. – Matthew 19:16
Jesus will continue to give you keys until he is done with you.
5 Principles on Keys
Keys are personal. They are unique to your journey. Let the peace of God fill your heart and guide you to your keys.
Keys are usually hidden and require pursuit. Let your season of life allow you to grow deeper in your relationship with God.
Keys are sequential. Each door you move through prepares you for the next door you will enter. Never underestimate what God can do with an available heart.
Keys are seasonal. They must be used during their window of opportunity. Pray that you don’t miss an opportunity God has provided for you.
Keys require an act of faith. You must go all in.
Be a Beautiful Messenger that Shares the Word of God
Are you being the voice of God?
Be The Voice
I believe in God, so I spoke. – 2 Corinthians 4:13
Tell people of the greatness of God and how you have been saved by Him. Tell people how God has shown up in your life.
Be a Minister
It is not enough to say that you are religious. You have to live your faith. – James 1:26-27
The world needs to see how you love. Jesus gave us all the same instructions – to love one another.
Use the 3 H’s:
1. HEART: What’s weighing on your heart to do?
2. HEAD: What is your strategy to do something about it?
3. HANDS: Now, go do it!
Bring Glory to God
Be happy and grateful and let the world see it. – 2 Corinthians 4:6
Show your faith through good deeds. – James 2:18
Celebrate the gifts of this life granted to us by God. Love God and love your neighbors.
From Pain to Purpose: How God Can Transform Our Lives and Use Our Struggles for His Glory
God will transform you by changing the way you think. He will help you to learn and know his will for you. His purpose for you will be perfect.
God wants to take our worst and give us Joy, Beauty, and Praise. – Isaiah 61:3
God’s Exchange #1: Old for New
Anyone who is with Christ is a new person. All things are made new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
We need to embrace the new life we live under the promise of God’s joy. If we fall, we must get up. This life is a gift from God.
God plans great things through us. God has given us the task of bringing people to him, especially those only you can reach. Envelop them into God’s joy.
God’s Exchange #2: Weakness into Strength
You must prevent pride in your own accomplishments. Pride will destroy. – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
God’s grace empowers us to overcome all weakness. Celebrate your weakness; know that God will bring success to your life when you follow his guidance.
Seek continual renewal. Own your failures; do not cover them up. Let God cover them up.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We are a work in progress always.
God’s Exchange #3: Our Pain for His Purpose
Do not copy the customs of this world; let God change you. – Romans 2:12
God will transform you by changing the way you think. He will help you to learn and know his will for you. His purpose for you will be perfect.
A Vision for My Faith Community:
Know God, relationally
Find Freedom, entirely
Discover Purpose, gracefully
Make a Difference, collectively
The Power of Words: How They Shape Our Lives and Influence Others
Be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Words Have Power
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. – Proverbs 18:21
Pay attention to your words. They have power.
For out of abundance of your heart will come out of your mouth. – Matthew 12:34
Guard your lips by guarding your heart. Guard your heart by guarding your mind.
We take every though captive into the obedience of Christ. Fight with the Word of God. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Always ask yourself: is the thought from God? If the answer is no, then destroy it.
Shut Your Mouth – Do Your Job
Those who control their tongues will live a long life. – Proverbs 13:3-4
Let your words give grace to those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29
We will be held accountable for every careless word. The words can acquit you or condemn you. – Matthew 12:36-37
We have all heard the phrase, “actions speak louder than words.” So, remember that those who work hard will prosper. Be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Speak the Word
Man shall live by every word from the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4
Your Word is a lamp onto my feet and a light unto my path. – Psalm 119:105
The Word of God is living and effective. – Hebrews 4:12
Listening to and following the Word of God will make us better if we allow it to do so. Believe in the Word of God – allow it to have power in your life. Your spiritual person must be bigger than your natural person.
Break the Curse
Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, slander, and dirty language. – Colossians 3:8
Words of the wise bring healing. – Proverbs 12:18
Ask the Lord for more wisdom. Allow spiritual lessons to cleanse your heart and your mind with wisdom.
How can one curse those whom God has blessed? How can I condemn those who the Lord has not condemned? – Numbers 23:8
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! – Psalm 107:2
Jesus never reacted to lies and slander; he only responded to truth. A gentle answer turns away wrath and fury. Always declare words of truth and love. Sow truth with the words you allow to come out of your mouth, and you will reap love, wisdom and redemption.
A Reminder of God's Gift of Freedom
The cross is more than a symbol of sacrifice.
The cross is more than a symbol of sacrifice. It is a reminder of the many freedoms given to us by God through his only Son.
Freedom from Sickness and Pain
He bore our sickness, pain and offenses. – Isaiah 53:4-6
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross. – 1 Peter 2:24
By His wounds, we are healed. And you are worthy of this healing, or God wouldn’t have created you.
Look for your own testimonial of how God has provided you with healing and freedom from pain in your life. Seek to share it with others.
Freedom from Sin and Our Past
God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for sin. If you believe, then you are made right. – Romans 3:25
Jesus canceled your past by nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 2:14
The removal and forgiveness of all of your sin was freely given to you by God and His Son. This joyful gift is forever yours to cherish. Acknowledge it and rejoice in it.
Freedom from Chaos
He made peace with everything. – Colossians 1:20
Stress comes from focusing on that which doesn’t truly matter. Things that are visible are brief and fleeting, while things that are invisible are everlasting. Pray for everything. Make peace in those around you, and you will enjoy everlasting freedom from chaos.
Freedom from Emptiness
Christ lives in me. – Galatians 2:20
If anyone wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34
We live a life of purpose every day. Jesus provides that purpose. Stop looking for the easy way(s) to find fulfillment in your life. The pathway to Jesus is narrow. Say yes to the right things. Keep your focus on Jesus. What you own in this life is there only because it was God’s will.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. – Hebrews 12:2
Jesus found joy in the cross because He knew He’d be at the Right Hand of God. And Mary, even as she experienced the greatest depths of sorrow witnessing her only child die on the cross, she also rejoiced, for she knew what was to come. She and Jesus knew the freedom that He would provide us all in His death.
The Cross: A Symbol of Freedom
The cross is a symbol of freedom. Freedom from the curse, condemnation, care and fear.
When Jesus died on the cross for us, God nailed the sins of our past, emptiness, sickness, pain, and chaos to that cross. This is all our freedom that Jesus has paid for. The cross is a symbol of freedom.
1.Freedom from the Curse
Jesus has rescued us from the curse of the law. The law was the Old Testament. We don’t have to worry about losing God or being punished. Jesus made it so that our salvation is freely given. - Galatian 3:13
Sin is no longer your master. You live under the Freedom of God’s Grace. – Romans 6:14
2. Freedom from Condemnation
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1
You are not good enough, but Jesus is. If we were good enough, God would not have sacrificed his best to provide us with free lives. We are free from the guilt that condemnation brings.
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. – 1 John 3:20
God did not send Jesus to condemn us. – John 3:17
No one will condemn us because Christ Jesus died for us. – Romans 8:34
Jesus is continually crying out for us. He desires for us to rely on him. When we reach for him, we experience freedom.
3.Freedom from Care
May I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord. – Galatians 6:14
Because of that cross, our interest in this world has been crucified. Jesus releases us from the need of material things. These things don’t make a true difference in our lives.
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you. – 1 John 2:15-17
Love God the Father first. The things of this world will fade away but the love of God will be everlasting.
Set your mind on the things above. – Colossians 3:2
Do this and God will use you for good things in your Earthly life.
4.Freedom from Fear
This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged – for God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
There is no fear in perfect love. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears is not perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18
When fear comes, don’t just “faith it out.” Remind yourself of God’s perfect love. Allow God’s love to fill you to drive out fear.
Love is patient, love is kind;
Love endures all things;
Love conquers everything.
Love is God and God is love.
Freedom from Loneliness: Finding Community and Healing through Jesus
Give Jesus everything you are struggling with – He will give you strength. When we turn toward Jesus, we are never truly alone.
Even before the recent pandemic, a January 2020 study reported that more than three in five Americans are lonely, “with more and more people reporting feeling like they are left out, poorly understood and lacking companionship.” Pervasive loneliness “has widespread effects” and is strongly linked to mental health issues. The study reported that “evidence is really pointing to the fact that relationships – the kinds of bonds you have with people, how close you are, how connected you feel to others – impact your physical health as well.”
During this Lenten season, we turn to the symbol of the cross with more intention. The cross reminds us of the many everlasting and unconditional gifts Jesus gave to us through his life and death, among those:
1. Freedom from Loneliness
Anyone who does the will of Jesus is my brother.
- Matthew 12:46-50
Turning to Jesus gives us a spiritual family that is just as important and powerful and unconditional as our biological family.
God’s kingdom is made through these powerful relationships. Step into community – don’t allow yourself to remain isolated.
A large crowd was in pain with the widow who lost her only son. The crowd helped her move toward Jesus.
- Luke 7:11-12
2. A Village to Encounter Jesus
Gather in my name, I will be there.
- Matthew 18:20
When Jesus saw the widow, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry,” he said.
Luke 7:13
We need to look for opportunities to provide compassion for others. We need to help them. In helping others, we move toward Jesus.
Jesus told him to sit up. Because of the faith of the crowd, she was given the gift of her son’s life.
- Luke 7:14-16
3. A Village to Bring Us Healing
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that we can be healed.
- James 5:16
Be a family for others. Be strength for others. Help others encounter Jesus.
Give Jesus everything you are struggling with – He will give you strength. When we turn toward Jesus, we are never truly alone.
Building a High-Performing Team: Lessons from Proverbs 27 on Recruiting and Cultivating Talent
How do we recruit the best people for our team?
In Proverbs 27 we are told that “Iron sharpens iron.” Good people will make you better, this is true in business as well.
How do we recruit the best people for our team?
Humble yourself and have a servant mindset
Identify traits that make people great and look for them on your current team.
Recruit people with these traits onto your team. Attract them to your business vision and not just you.
Pay attention to who gets excited about your vision.
For more details on recruiting the best people for your team, watch the 3 minute video below:
Leading with a Christ-centered mindset: How my faith influences my approach to leadership and business
As a leader in business, it is our responsibility to develop and pour into our talent. It is our job to make sure we are hiring the best culture fits to grow our company.
In business, people are our advantage. Technology can be duplicated and changed, but the people in your company is what shapes the culture and business.
How does being rooted in Christ influence our leadership styles as business leaders? How are we equipping and moivating people on our team to be their best?
As a leader in business, it is our responsibility to develop and pour into our talent. It is our job to make sure we are hiring the best culture fits to grow our company.
Check out the video linked below to 3 key points about leading a business as a Christian leader.
Freedom From Selfishness
My grandmother used to say, “You can either worry or pray; you cannot do both. Let go and let God.”
