POOR IN SPIRIT

Are we only #blessed when we experience the gain of status or material items, or is being #blessed something more?

NOVEMBER 14,2021

THOSE WHO MOURN

"Suffering builds something inside you nothing else can. Suffering isn’t an obstacle to being used by God but an opportunity to be used like never before."

Mourning and grief are parts of life we often work hard to avoid, but the words of Jesus tell us that if we embrace this process then we will be divinely comforted. Yes, it is difficult. Yes, it may seem impossible. But Christ assures us that we will not go through it alone.

NOVEMBER 21,2021

THE MEEK

"Meekness is not weakness; it is power under control. Meekness is not so much an attitude toward people, so much as it is a disposition before God. Meekness is having an eternal perspective in everything."

Jesus says "Blessed are the meek, but what does He mean? In a culture that values assertiveness and tenacity, how strange of a beatitude to give a world that is often defined by its forcefulness. Slow down and resist offense and resentment with gentle patience.

NOVEMBER 28,2021

HUNGER AND THIRST

We all experience hunger. There is a profoundly important spiritual hunger every human has as well and Jesus makes reference to this in His opening words from the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matt. 5:6) Am I truly satisfied? Jesus' promise is ultimate satisfaction as we live in right relationship with God, but sometimes we still reach for substitutes. In this sermon, we thoughtfully reflect on the importance of hunger and feeding our souls what we need most - Jesus.

DECEMBER 5,2021

GIVE MERCY / GET MERCY

Mercy seems pretty straightforward, I mean, isn't it just another word for forgiveness?

In Matthew 5:7, Jesus even says we receive mercy when we choose to give mercy. While forgiveness can be one way to understand mercy, mercy goes beyond situational grace and should capture our hearts and change us forever. This week, we examine what a merciful heart actually looks like as we understand God's mercy to us and how we are to give mercy to others.

DECEMBER 12,2021

CLEAR EYES, PURE HEART

There are plenty of moments in our lives that don't make sense, and sometimes when we add faith to the mix it gets more complicated.

We must not run from the struggles we encounter with faith, but instead, embrace them as a way to understand and see God. That is much of what it means to possess a pure heart, and according to Jesus, it is then when we see God moving in our lives most. Oftentimes, we meet God right in the middle of our chaotic journey. The struggle of faith can be the very thing that draws us close to God..

DECEMBER 12,2021