Your unique journey, with its ups and downs, is shaping you into a stronger, wiser, and more resilient version of yourself.

Father, we thank thee for the night and the pleasant morning light.

Yes, to believe bigger is going to cost you something. It’s easy to stay comfortable. It’s easy to live average, but you can’t become who you were created to be with average faith. God is looking for great faith. He’s looking for people that will cause Him to marvel. To say, “Wow, look at what they believe I can do. They believe they can get well despite the diagnoses. They believe they can have a blessed year despite the economy. They believe they can start that business, that their family will be restored.” Great faith gets God’s attention.

No matter who overlooks you, tries to push you down, discredit you, don’t worry. They can’t stop what God has planned for you. Because you’re chasing after God, His blessings are going to chase you down. You don’t have to go after them; they’re going to come looking for you. God has the right people en route to you; the healing will come knocking on your door; the business will track you down. Like David out in the fields, you didn’t see it coming. You couldn’t have planned this. It’s a divine surprise; God doing what only He can do. Don't miss this powerful message, "Divine Surprises" from Joel! https://bit.ly/3rn12Nj

Paul prayed in Ephesians, “That the eyes of your heart would be flooded with light so you would know the awesome future God has in store.” Paul knew our mind would try to talk us out of it, that we would get passive, let disappointments, setbacks, delays cause us to quit believing, settle where we are. That’s why he prayed that we would be flooded with light. Flooded means overwhelmed. Not overwhelmed with doubt, with trouble, with problems. “Look what I’m up against. I’ve reached my limits.” No, flooded with light, flooded with hope, flooded with faith, flooded with expectancy.

The Scripture talks about, “Making melody in your heart.” We’re all making something. Some people are making sadness, thinking about what they’ve been through, what wasn’t fair, who they lost. That’s drawing in more sadness, more discouragement. Other people are making worry, playing all the negative thoughts over and over, “What if it doesn’t work out? What if I don’t get well? I’ll never get past this problem.” That’s drawing in more stress, more heaviness. Why don’t you start making a melody? Start having a song of praise in your heart. Instead of, “These children are so much trouble.” “Lord, thank You for blessing me with children.” Instead of, “It’s a pain to go to work.” “Lord, thank You that I have a job.” “Business is slow; I’ll never get ahead.” “Lord, thank You that You’re my provider. Thank you that You make streams in the desert.” “The medical report is not good. I don’t think I’ll ever get well.” “Lord, thank You that You’re restoring health back unto me.” What are you creating: an atmosphere of doubt, worry, mediocrity or an atmosphere of praise, an atmosphere of victory, an atmosphere of abundance?

From the tiniest seed to the greatest galaxy, God spoke it all into being. He created us in love, and no matter what chaos may ensue, He remains in control.

In this service from Sunday, November 17, 2024, worship and hear a hopeful message from Joel! Our merciful Creator still holds us in the palm of His hand.

God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. –Isaiah 42:5, NLT

Tittle: A tale of two cities
By Charles Dickens

It was the best time, it was the worst of times, it was the ages of wisdom, it was foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the writer of despair...

Happy and grateful for a new week.

#NewWeek