RUNNINGTHERACE

Sunday Snapshot... (GRACE)

2012-01-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

(2) The GRACE and TRUTH Paradox

John 1:14b We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH!

The conflict that exists between GRACE & TRUTH isn’t because they’re incompatible - but rather because WE lack PERSPECTIVE to RESOLVE the PARADOX!

GRACE is what we RECEIVE – WHAT WE LONG FOR!

TRUTH is what WE RESPOND TO – WHAT SETS US FREE!

Adulterous Woman... (Grace and Truth) - Jesus gave her GRACE! He also gave her TRUTH... 'go and sin no more!' Please Note... People who are FULL OF GRACE don’t throw stones at others!

GOD is the ONE who GIVES YOU GRACE (FORGIVENESS) and then He SHOWS YOU THE TRUTH (HOW YOU SHOULD LIVE THERE ON)!

Ever heard it said...

"HATE THE SIN - LOVE THE SINNER" (Jesus did this well!)

Note to yourself...

-TRUTH HATES SIN!

-GRACE LOVES SINNERS!

-THOSE FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH… DO BOTH!!!

Don't Miss WEEK 2 of GRACE this week!!!

MHS Performing Arts Center (9a/10:45a)

2012-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

(1) In The Beginning... GRACE (Mat Balgaard)

Grace simply means...

God took the Hell He didn't deserve so we could have the Heaven we don't deserve!

GRACE... “When we’re on the receiving end - it’s refreshing. When it’s required of us - it’s disturbing. When it’s correctly applied - it seems to solve just about everything!”

GRACE... “You can ask for it - beg for it - position yourself to receive it … BUT - the moment you think you deserve it - GRACE IS VOIDED!

GRACE... Birthed from Hopeless Inequity! Unmerited... Unearned... Undeserved!

GRACE... It’s never just enough... It’s always MORE THAN ENOUGH!

GRACE... Whereas God’s expressions of it are innumerable - His requirements for it were minimal!

GRACE... From the very beginning God has responded to the sin of humanity with Amazing Grace!

Don't Miss Sunday @ COC - GONNA BE AMAZING!!!!

MHS Performing Arts Center (9a/10:45a)

Sunday Snapshot... (Attitude of Gratitude)

2011-12-27T10:06:00.000-08:00

Start the New Year right tomorrow at COC!!

ONE SERVICE - 10:45a at the PAC!!

Attitude of Gratitude (Duncan Robinson)

Here's a sneak-peak...

GRATITUDE is LOUD!

-From the overflow of your heart the mouth speaks! (Luke 6:45)

Gratitude Sustains Blessings - Sympathy Lessens Burdens!

GRATITUDE starts where our Self-Entitlement ends! (Love This!!)

Gratitude is viewing life as a gift - it frees us from the prison of self pre-occupation!

Sometimes we don't know how THANKFUL we should be until what we HAVE is threatened! (Wow!)

Many of us are "hard of thanking" and so we miss mountains of blessings - looking for the epic gift!

DON'T MISS SUNDAY! (PAC / Unified Service - 10:45a only!)

GOD CAME NEAR... (Christmas Eve)

2011-12-21T07:43:00.000-08:00

It happened in a moment-a most remarkable moment... GOD CAME NEAR!

God Came Near... In astounding tandem… a HUMAN BODY housed DIVINITY!

HOLINESS and EARTHLINESS… INTERTWINED!!

And if He is who He says He is - there is no TRUTH worth BELIEVING more!

Matthew 1:21-22... You are to give him the name JESUS because he will save his people from their sins! He shall be called IMMANUEL... GOD WITH US!

John 1:14... And the Word BECAME Flesh and dwelt among us – and we beheld His glory… full of Grace and Truth!

Only in seeing your MAKER does a man truly become a MAN!

For in seeing his CREATOR - man catches a glimpse of what he was intended to BE!

GOD CAME NEAR... The WORD became FLESH!

When Jesus went home - He left the back door open!

John 3:16... IF YOU BELIEVE HE CAME FOR YOU - YOU CAN HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!!

DO YOU BELIEVE...?

Don't Miss Christmas Eve at COC!

MHS Performing Arts Center... 3p / 5p / 7p

Sunday Snapshot... (Biggest BUTS Of The Bible)

2011-12-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

(7) The "BUT" That Changes Everything! (Jesus)

John 3:16 - 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son - that whosever believes in Him will not perish "BUT" have eternal life!'

Jesus' "BUT" Prayer in the GARDEN = TOTAL SURRENDER!

You must first reach a FAITH level that understands IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU… IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT HIM!

IN GOD’S REALITY – SURRENDER ISN’T WEAKNESS… IT’S STRENGTH!!

The "BUT" of an EMPTY TOMB...

They came to the TOMB facing FINALITY and IMPOSSIBILITY and encountered UNENDING and POSSIBILITY!

The "BUT" that can CHANGE ANYTHING... remembering that there's nothing in your life that HE CAN’T HANDLE!

DEATH IS NOT THE END - IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING!

BIGGEST "BUTS" OF THE BIBLE... (Check yourself before you Wreck yourself!)

IS YOUR "BUT" IN THE WAY OF GOD MOVING (it) IN A BIG WAY?

Don't Miss COC this Sunday!

MHS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (9a/10:45a)

Sunday Snapshot... (Biggest BUTS Of The Bible)

2011-12-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

(6) The "BUT" that ARGUES WITH GOD! (Moses)

WELCOME TO THE MHS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER!! (TY Jesus!!)

B…B…B…"BUT"

The stuttering "BUT" of ARGUMENT that asked GOD His name - MOSES!

Knowing WHO GOD IS - means Knowing WHO YOU AREN'T!

Trust in WHO HE IS - regardless of WHAT you're going through is key!

As God invites you and I into HIS STORY – He continually assures us of one CONSTANT THING – “HE WILL BE WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!”

If you want to step into God’s Presence and discover His will - then you’ll have to step out of YOUR COMFORT ZONE and into HIS CARE!

If you want to step into God’s Presence and discover His will - You’ll have to step away from YOUR HUMANITY and into HIS HOLINESS!

One of the most difficult Biblical concepts for us to grasp is that God is FAITHFUL even when we are FAITHLESS!

Whatever God asks… Don’t dwell on what YOU can't do! REJOICE in the fact that GOD COUNTS YOU WORTHY to show HIS GLORY through your TRIALS!

Don't Miss This Sunday - PERFORMING ARTS CENTER!!! (9a/10:45a)

2011-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

(Wk5) The "BUT" of ARGUMENT (Gideon)

The "BUT" of Argument (Gideon)…

God’s view of you ISN’T based on your PEDIGREE or PERFORMANCE - but rather your POTENTIAL & POSSIBILITY!

The "BUT" of Argument (Gideon)…

When God has Spoken - there’s no Second opinion! ESPECIALLY YOUR OWN!

The "BUT" of Argument (Gideon)…

Contrary to what you think - You’re NOT the World’s Leading EXPERT on Yourself… GOD IS!!

The "BUT" of Argument (Gideon)…

REALITY is the difference between THEOLOGY and “SEEOLOGY!"

The "BUT" of Argument (Gideon)…

Please know… God KNOWS your Weaknesses before He CALLS you! Therefore… your EXCUSES have no effect on Him!

The "BUT" of Argument (Gideon)…

OBEDIENCE brings FEARFUL Followers - FEARSOME Victories!

Don't Miss This One - Pastor Mat's gonna BRING IT!!!

LAST SUNDAY AT MWMS!!! (9a/10:45a)

Sunday Snapshot... (Biggest BUTS Of The Bible)

2011-11-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

(4) The "BUT" of Fear vs. Faith... (12 Spies)

The 12 Spies... TEN said NO - TWO said GO!

Ever wonder if when we ask God…

‘WHY ME and WHY NOW?”

He wants to reply…

‘WHY NOT YOU and WHY NOT NOW?”

The "BUT" of Fear vs. Faith...

-When you fix your attention on the OBSTACLES rather than the OBJECTIVE… your FEAR will always eclipse your FAITH!

-When you compare what you LACK to what others POSSESS… INTIMIDATION will always replace CONFIDENCE!

-When you allow FEAR to take control of your SITUATION… Your desire for RELIEF will always weaken your COURAGE!

-FEAR always gives you DETERMINATION to DISOBEY… FAITH will help you endure the CULTIVATION of your CHARACTER!

-If you’re FEARFUL - you will most likely FAIL… If you’re FAITHFUL - you will always PREVAIL!

Don't miss tomm at COC - gonna CHALLENGE your FAITH position w/ GOD!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

2011-11-18T08:50:00.001-08:00

(3) The "BUT" Of MORALITY! (Joseph)

WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMED RIGHT – JOSEPH TOOK FLIGHT!

Joseph’s true CHARACTER is revealed NOT in the events over which he had NO CONTROL “BUT” in his times of DECISION to stand in FAITH!

God’s Presence NEVER gave Joseph an Exemption from Trials!

He was FAITHFUL in the Small Things… so God was PREPARING him for GREAT THINGS!

“BUT” he (Joseph) left his cloak in her hand and RAN...

Not only will there be times that you VERBALLY say NO – but you PHYSICALLY say NO too!

In the midst of Trials - Joseph walked in FAITHFULNESS toward God!

Being FAITHFUL to GOD begins with TODAY… AND IT GOES NO FARTHER!!

In our lives – we don’t have the luxury of seeing the END from the BEGINNING! It’s the LIVING IN BETWEEN that hurts!

Stay FAITHFUL today!

ARE YOU MISSING GOD’S BLESSINGS BECAUSE YOU CAN’T SEE PAST YOUR PAIN?

Remember Roman 5:3-5

Trials...

Endure...

Character... (All lead to an...)

Expectation that WON'T DISAPPOINT!

Don't Miss COC this Sunday!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

Sunday Snapshot... (Biggest BUTS Of The Bible)

2011-11-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

(2) The "BUT" of (Dis)Obedience... JONAH

Please get this thought...

WHEN GOD SAID GO – JONAH SAID NO!

The "BUT" Of DisObedience...

Jonah's story begins with a Tragedy "BUT" a greater Tragedy would've happened if God allowed Jonah to keep Running!

The "BUT" Of DisObedience...

OBEDIENCE involves FULL SUBMISSION – Not just of our BODY… “BUT” of our WILLS as well!

The "BUT" Of DisObedience...

Self-Justification doesn't make DISOBEDIENCE right!

The "BUT" Of DisObedience...

WE’RE NOT ALLOWED THE SELF-INDULGENCE OF OUR OWN OPINION WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT GOD THINKS!

OBEDIENCE... ATTITUDE and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT that GOD IS GOD and HE KNOWS BEST and DOES BEST – whether we AGREE WITH HIM OR NOT!

Ask yourself today...

Are you willing to RUN TOWARDS GOD ALWAYS and IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES – no matter WHAT He ASKS OF YOU or WHERE HE ASKS YOU TO GO?

Don't Miss THIS SUNDAY at COC!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

Sunday Snapshot... (Biggest BUTS Of The Bible)

2011-11-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

(1) The "BUT" Of Consequence (David)

BIG IDEA...

Is Your “BUT” In The Way Of GOD MOVING In A BIG WAY?

God doesn’t want to see your “BUT” anymore!

No one ever accomplished anything great for God by showing Him their “BUT!”

David's Big "BUT"... (2 Samuel 11:1) The time when kings GO – David SENT - David STAYED and a part of David DIED!

The "BUT" Of Consequence deals with SOWING and REAPING!

1) YOU must SOW if YOU want to REAP!

2) YOU will always REAP what YOU SOW!

3) YOU ALWAYS WILL REAP MORE THAN YOU SOW!

You can always count of this...

There will always be MORE CONSEQUENCES than you can see for your bad “BUT” Moments!

2 Samuel 11:9... When your “BUT” Moment leads you deeper into Sin - YOU can always count on someone else’s “BUT” to show UP and show YOU where your WRONG!

FORGIVENESS... Making a RIGHT out of your WRONG!

God knows above all that Relationships don’t thrive because the Guilty are Punished "BUT" because the Innocent are Merciful!

Don't Miss the START of this Brand New Series - it's gonna ROCK YOUR WORLD! Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (FALLEN)

2011-10-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

(5d) RESISTING HIM (Bible & Prayer)

Put EVERY PIECE of God's Armor on in RESISTING SATAN!

(Sword of Spirit / Pray at All Times)

The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT involves APPLYING (TAKE UP-DO YOURSELF) SPECIFIC BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES to SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES IN MY LIFE!

Matthew 4... Jesus used the ‘MAKAIRA’ (Sword) of the SPIRIT -- and the ‘RHEMA’ (Specific Word) of GOD in His RESISTANCE of Satan!

If I want to be effective in my RESISTANCE of Satan – I ABSOLUTELY and COMPLETELY MUST SATURATE MY LIFE WITH THE WORD OF GOD!

A BELIEVER who has accepted the ARMOR OF GOD but DOES NOT PRAY - is just a person who is ALL DRESSED UP with NO PLACE TO GO!

Don’t ever become so FOCUSED on the enemy that’s AGAINST YOU that you FORGET about the GOD who’s FOR YOU!!

RESISTANCE... Take it as a sign that your HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION because the devil is RUNNING AT YOU and NOT IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS YOU!

Don't Miss Sunday at COC...

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (FALLEN)

2011-10-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

(5c) RESISTING HIM (Faith & Salvation)

Put EVERY PIECE of God's Armor on in RESISTING SATAN!

God is FAITHFUL - even when we prove ourselves to be totally UNFaithful…

FAITH is KEY in your RESISTANCE of SATAN!

Don't go into battle with the Wrong Shield!

Don't bet “ETERNITY” on...

...MAYBE I AM?

…I THINK I AM?

…I HOPE I AM?

Make sure you HAVE YOUR SHIELD!

Hebrews 11:1... FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of things Hoped For and the EVIDENCE of things Unseen! (MAKE YOUR FAITH BECOME FACT!)

FAITH is Trust and FAITH leads to OBEDIENCE!

If we really KNOW Him - we will TRUST Him!

And if we TRUST Him - we will OBEY Him!

SALVATION is directly connected with HOPE!

Because of our SALVATION IN CHRIST - the DEATH we experience…

HAS NO STING!

RESIST with HOPE!

Philippians 1:21... For me - to LIVE is CHRIST and to DIE is GAIN!

SALVATION grants HOPE and HOPE allows us to RESIST and ENDURE!

Tomorrow @ COC... Shield of FAITH and Helmet of SALVATION! (Don't Miss It!)

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (FALLEN)

2011-10-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

(5b) RESISTING HIM... (Peace)

Ephesians 6... "...for SHOES - PUT ON the PEACE that comes from the GOOD NEWS - so that you will be FULLY PREPARED."

PEACE is not INCIDENTAL - it's FUNDAMENTAL!

It MUST be a priority for every Believer in their DEFENSE against SATAN!

Though you will face Adversity - Persecution & Suffering in your RESISTANCE... you should ALWAYS experience the PEACE of GOD in every battle!

JESUS CHRIST is the LIFELINE of PEACE!

All Peace BEGINS and ENDS with HIM!

PEACE is not the absence of external trials... PEACE is the inner calm which is most necessary when we are facing the OPPOSITION!

WAR is filled with Distractions!

If anything DISTRACTS you from the FIGHT - you won't be PREPARED TO STAND FIRM! PEACE is HUGE in our RESISTANCE!

It is GOD who PROVIDES you with your PEACE for Battle!

AND... it is also GOD who PROMPTS you to PURSUE PEACE for WAR!

PEACE is not the basis for our CONFIDENCE... our Confidence IN GOD is the basis for our PEACE!

See you SUNDAY at COC!!!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

Sunday SNAPSHOT... (FALLEN)

2011-10-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

(5a) RESISTING HIM... (Truth and Righteousness)

(Ephesians) Put EVERY PIECE of God's Armor on in RESISTING SATAN!

BELT of TRUTH - Keep Your Pants On!

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - Guard Your Heart!

The first TWO PIECES of ARMOR to RESISTING SATAN!

BELT OF TRUTH... TRUTH is not a philosophy… TRUTH is not even a principle… TRUTH IS A PERSON… JESUS CHRIST!

BELT OF TRUTH... If we want to put on the BELT OF TRUTH everyday - we must begin by TRUSTING OUR LIVES TO HIM – WHO IS TRUTH!

IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS is also known as POSITIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS! I’m not good but God is Good and He put His Good on me!

IMPARTED RIGHTEOUSNESS is also known as PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS! God put His Good on me and I RESPOND (Action) Godly!

Because of GOD’S IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS TO YOU – that allows your IMPARTED RIGHTEOUSNESS to be used FOR YOU in your RESISTANCE of Satan!

Don't Miss this Sunday at COC as we look closely at our first two 'weapons of warfare' in RESISTING SATAN!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (FALLEN)

2011-09-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

(Wk4) SATAN'S LIES... (Pastor Mat)

LIES and DECEPTION are Satan’s NATIVE Language!

(John 8:44) Satan is a Murderer withholding the TRUTH! There is NO TRUTH in him. His language is LIES! HE IS A LIAR and THE FATHER OF LIES!

Satan's LIE #1... Believe or Obey God - ONLY if what He requires MAKES SENSE to you! Don't FALL for it!

Satan's LIE #2... God isn’t completely GOOD! Look at how BAD the world is! Don't FALL for it!

Satan's LIE #3... When you do wrong it’s NOT really SIN - it’s just a MISTAKE! Don't FALL for it!

Satan's LIE #4... God is NOT to be FEARED! Don't FALL for it!

God says this about Satan's Lies regarding RULES...

It’s NEVER been about the RULE - it’s ALWAYS been about WHO made it!

JESUS... The Bar is HIGHER than you EVER IMAGINED! Your in MORE TROUBLE than Satan wants you to BELIEVE! You NEED GOD and He came to SET YOU FREE!

Don't miss the Sunday @ COC as Pastor Mat (our Exec Pastor) gives us a closer look at his LIES!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (FALLEN)

2011-09-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

(Wk1) Who is he...?

Who really is your ENEMY?

The Bible talks of one who has FALLEN and is the great tempter!

Satan has limitations... SCHEMES (Deceit) - TACTICS (Seduction) and LIES (Trickery)... these are the limitations that DEFINE the powers of Satan! No more – No less!

Know this about the ENEMY... IF YOU LOVE GOD – THEN SATAN HATES YOU!

Also know this about him... Satan is not an evil god - he’s not even a god at all!

There is no such thing as… ‘THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!’

Only those who 'give him control' are the ones who can harm THEMSELVES!

Know your responsibility...

The war may be between HEAVEN & HELL - but it's played out in the lives of each individual MAN and WOMAN!

SATAN has come to STEAL - KILL and DESTROY YOU!

Where in that equation is he at in your life?

Find RELEASE from JESUS today!

Satan cannot OPPRESS a Follower of Christ!

Satan cannot POSSESS a Follower of Christ!

My Bible says…IN CHRIST...I HAVE BEEN SET FREE!

Don't miss this week at COC as we EXPOSE him in our new series called FALLEN!!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (RED Letters)

2011-09-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

(Wk4) EncounteRED (Conflict)

MATTHEW 18:15... If your brother sins against you - GO TO THEM and show him his fault - JUST BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. IF... he listens to you, you have won your brother over!

The difference in spiritual or unspiritual community is not whether CONFLICT exists - it deals more with our ability to HANDLE IT correctly!

If you've been Handling Conflict the wrong way - via GOSSIP through FB or Forums... (know this) Social Network "GOSSIP" is nothing more than "Verbal Pornography" if you you're willing to keep looking at it and/or associating with it!

The First Step to Handling Conflict...

Jesus tells us to GO TO THEM - THE person you have a problem with!

The Second Step to Handling Conflict...

James (1:19) tells us to be QUICK to LISTEN in CONFLICT!

Remember... Impulsiveness can kill Restoration!

The Third Step to Handling Conflict...

James (1:19) tells us to be SLOW to SPEAK in CONFLICT!

Remember...Choose to RESPOND not REACT!

The Fourth Step to Handling Conflict...

James (1:19) tells us to be SLOW to ANGER in CONFLICT!

Remember... An ounce of Prevention is better than a pound of Cure!

Don't miss this SUNDAY as we conclude our look at RED Letters!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (RED Letters)

2011-08-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

(Wk3) compaRED / Judging

Matthew 7:1-5... “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Mat Balgaard (Exec Pastor) is going to TEAR IT UP this weekend - here's a 'sneak peak' at some of what he's BRINGIN'!!!!

When making Judgments - Jesus said...

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you”

When Judging others …

Make COMPASSIONATE Judgments rather than being HARSHLY judgeMENTAL!

When Judging others …

Don’t be a 'Plank-Eye' who’s 'Speck-Sensitive!'

The 'EYES' God has given YOU are to be used to reflect INWARD as much as they are to be used to judge those OUTWARD!

EXAMINE the image you see in mirror first before you decide to JUDGE those outside its view!

The first steps of a WISE Judge …

Truth - Humility - Mercy - Compassion - Gentleness - SELF-INSPECTION!

Before you JUDGE someone else - remember what JESUS said...

"In the same way you judge others - you will be judged!"

Don't MISS this week at COC!!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

2011-08-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

(Wk2) prepaRED (treasures)

Matthew 5:19-21... “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Big Questions for this coming Sunday...

1) How Ready Are You To SPEND ETERNITY In Heaven?

2) WHAT ARE YOU PACKING FOR THE TRIP?

Did you know that Jesus said...

Wherever you spend your TIME - TALENTS and your TREASURES are directly connected to where your HEART is?

Jesus said...

What you VALUE - what you LIVE FOR - what you CARE FOR... can all be determined by what your 'packing in your bag' for ETERNITY!

Matthew 6:19-21 is Jesus' RED Letter WARNING to us - NOT to spend our TIME, our TALENTS and our TREASURES on things that WON'T MATTER IN ETERNITY!

It's a good time to remind you that the RED Letter Teachings of Jesus were not SUGGESTIONS on how to live - they were COMMANDS!

What are you doing in preparation for ETERNITY?

Remember...

How YOU live for HERE (Present)... WILL NOT LAST!

How YOU live for THERE (Eternity)... LASTS FOREVER!

See you Sunday for WK 2 of RED-Letters... prepaRED

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a / 10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (RED Letters)

2011-08-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

(Wk 1) botheRED (worry)

The RED Letters in the Bible were the words from JESUS!

They were not just meant to be READ - they were meant to be LIVED! (James 1:22)

botheRED... (Mt 6:25-34) WORRY is nothing more than momentary atheism crying out for correction by trusting in a good - sovereign God!

When you choose your way of dealing with things (WORRY) - you distance yourself from God's Way - your FORGET His Plan!

FORGETFULNESS breeds FRETFULNESS!

WORRY fades when your memory of God's Goodness doesn't!

Take confidence that God KNOWS what's going on in the middle of your mess!

WORRY does nothing more than give problems BIG SHADOWS!

KNOWING who's in CHARGE - counterbalances the mystery of WHY and HOW! (Lucado)

Suffering breaks self-reliance!

Know in your moments of WORRY that God is after your FULL OBEDIENCE more than your FULL UNDERSTANDING!

DON'T WORRY!!

God's got every DETAIL in your life covered!

You don't need to know every DETAIL first in order for you to FOLLOW Him FAITHFULLY!

See you Sunday as we take our first look at His RED Letters!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

2011-08-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Our APPETITES can keep us SATISFIED or make us MISERABLE! Works the same in MARRIAGE too!

MARRIAGE was not given to you and me for our SATISFACTION - it was given to us for our SANCTIFICATION! (To make us HOLY - not to make us happy!)

Three 'Need-toKnows' about APPETITES...

1) God Created Them - Sin Distracts Them!

2) They're never Fully and Finally Satisfied!

3) They're always about NOW!

When dealing with SANCTIFYING your Marriage...

IF YOU DON’T TAKE EXTREME MEASURES FOR IT – YOU WILL FALL INTO EXTREME SIN IN IT!

God of Abraham... God of Isaac... God of ESAU...

What might have been had Esau not been so concerned about his momentary APPETITE!

GRACE in the Christian life also means allowing God doing things FOR us and THROUGH us - that which we could never do for ourselves!!

Does your MARRIAGE appear to be over?

Just remember... GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT!

He has a HABIT of turning HURTS into HEALING!!!

See ya Sunday one last time for Man vs. Wife!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (Man vs. Wife)

2011-07-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

(Wk3) SAME PAGE...?

A lot of times MARRIAGES struggle is because we are clearly NOT on the "SAME PAGE!"

Get this... SAME PAGE with GOD = SAME PAGE with your SPOUSE!

If you're in a Marriage that's not on the SAME PAGE - there's a good chance that you're not on the SAME PAGE AS GOD! (This MUST happen first!)

If you're not on the SAME PAGE with God - please know this right now...

HE'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT YOU!

He’s never going to say “YOU'RE RIGHT and HE’S WRONG!” (There is no middle ground!)

Have I mentioned... SAME PAGE with GOD = SAME PAGE with your SPOUSE!

If you can get that then you also need to know this...

REBELLION always happens when you and I – QUESTION THE WORD OF GOD!

Understand this please...

God's Sacrifice for YOU and ME on the CROSS allows those who were marked for DEATH the ability to walk away in FREEDOM!

This is called RECONCILIATION!

Truly understanding RECONCILIATION and what Jesus did for you allows you the ability to clearly see the potential of RECONCILIATION with your Spouse!

In case you've missed it...

SAME PAGE with GOD = SAME PAGE with your SPOUSE!

JESUS CHRIST PAID OUR DEBT SO THAT YOU AND I COULD BE ON THE “SAME PAGE” WITH GOD ALMIGHTY and with others as well - including your SPOUSE!

Come this Sunday and find out HOW getting on the "SAME PAGE" became possible!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (Man vs. Wife)

2011-07-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

Marriage isn’t as much about FINDING the right person - as much as it is about BECOMING the right person!

This is what MARRIAGE is all about... GENESIS 2:24

TWO BECOMING ONE!

-The great MYSTERY of Marriage!

-Only God can help make this happen!

Want a Happy Marriage?

Draw a LARGE circle of LOVE!

Allow the imperfections in your relationship to build PERFECTION!

Always be POSITIVE in your MARRIAGE... avoiding Criticism at all costs!

LOVE even if someone is UNLOVELY! (Eph 4:29)

Discover JOY in your MARRIAGE!

Happiness depends on HAPPENINGS - but JOY depends on CHRIST!

Your MARRIAGE is about PERSPECTIVE - it's not about who's RIGHT or WRONG but rather on WHO'S STILL IN CHARGE regardless of WHAT'S GOING ON!

Should you STAY or WALK AWAY in your Marriage?

Find out SUNDAY at COC why God thinks it's a good idea to STAY!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (Man vs. Wife)

2011-07-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Week 1... Are you fighting IN it or FOR it?

BIG IDEA...

WHAT IF… God designed Marriage to make us HOLY more than to make us HAPPY?

Four Reasons Marriages are Failing - REFUSAL to...

1) Ask For Help!

2) Address YOUR Part of the Problem!

3) Change!

4) Learn!

Your MARRIAGE (or FUTURE MARRIAGE) will go beyond your imagination when you can focus on your RESPONSIBILITIES rather than your RIGHTS!

Read Philippians 2:1-11 and ask Jesus these two things...

1) To show you the areas you fall short in serving your spouse!

2) To allow you to see your spouse through His eyes!

Warning Sign In Your Marriage...

Are you finding yourself looking for more ways to spend MORE TIME with your SPOUSE or finding more ways to spend LESS TIME with your SPOUSE?

Wanna BE LIKE JESUS in your MARRIAGE?

Don't DEMAND AFFECTION from your SPOUSE – FIGHT FOR IT! (That's what Jesus did in His Relationship with YOU!)

Is your marriage even worth saving or are you both down for the count?

Don't miss tomm at COC as we take a look at MAN vs. Wife!

Maricopa Wells Middle School (9a/10:45a)