4 10 83 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/931c0bf629b876fa214571a79011279f.jpg 6c2ab3afef7b8197f7f888c4a46b12c8 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/c69f078b619e4edafb41fb7718b8ff64.mp4 8597eba146247604d9feaa3184a69494 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound SHATTERED Psalm 30:2 “When everyone thinks something is true, it does not make it anything more than effective marketing.” We now live in what may be considered very polarizing times …and it can make for some interesting discussions When we have strong feelings about a topic – any topic – we may feel the need to stand our ground- dig in our heels – and refuse to budge an inch. It is good to believe strongly – and it is good to take a stand ? But what if what we believe is true is not really true at all? What if it is a total lie – a deception? “The brainwashed don’t know they are brainwashed.” There’s an old song that says, “’tain’t necessarily so.” You’ve heard me say many times, “You are not your thoughts” Your mind can be lying to you. “If you had friends in your life that talk to you the way your mind does, they wouldn’t be your friends very long.” We may sometimes argue in support of our limitations – our misery – our seemingly hopeless situations. We defend our weaknesses. Our shattered lives. Some people will argue for their right to continue to try to save themselves. In our shattered situations, we need to look to our Creator for help. Psalm 51:17 - The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit— O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. MSG: “I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.“ The healing we need in our lives requires us to return to the Healer. Psalm 30:2 - LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. “Eternal One, my True God, I cried out to You for help; You mended the shattered pieces of my life.” “ …be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” It’s time to take back what belongs to you. The life God planned for you to live. It’s time to rise up from that mindset that says our lives have become too shattered to ever fulfill our higher calling. It’s time to take back what belongs to you. The life God planned for you to live. “Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. “I went to the enemy’s camp…” 1 Samuel 30 tell us the story of how King David and his men returned to Ziklag to find the Amalekites had raided Ziklag and burned it down, taking the women and everyone in the city prisoner, whether young or old. They hadn’t killed anyone but carried them off and went on their way. their wives, their sons, and their daughters taken prisoner David and the troops with him broke into tears and cried until they could cry no more. David asked the LORD, “Should I pursue these troops? Will I catch up with them?” The Lord replied to him: “Pursue them,” the LORD told him. “You will certainly catch up with them and rescue the captives.” (and that’s exactly what happened) It’s time to take back what belongs to you as a Child of God – and to give back what doesn’t belong to you “LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” “I cried out for a miracle and you healed me!” “you didn’t let my enemies rejoice over me.” “thou hast restored me.” “You mended the shattered pieces of my life.” ? Which has more power - your sin or God’s grace? God’s grace can mend the shattered places in our lives Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. The broken pieces that we see as un-fixable, God says He can restore and use for even bigger things to come. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Just like the broken pottery, our lives may seem Shattered – and then restored to greater beauty It’s time to take back what belongs to you as a Child of God It is a higher level of repentance based on our New Covenant “Some things have to end for new and better things to begin.”  One morning, the Lord woke me up with these words: “It is time to come to the end of yourself.” Isn’t that what it will take to get to the next level of where God wants to take us? (Prayer of St Francis) “it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.” “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” cling: hold on tightly to clinging to the wrong things – sometimes even “good things” from our past, can keep us stuck. Stagnant. ? are you open to new revelation? new learning? new awakenings? we have to trade our best for God’s highest. I like to cook Chinese dumplings. My dumplings are pretty good (to me) until I eat one that was made by a true expert. Sometimes we have to just admit that even our best efforts will never get us where we need to go. “Sometimes you can’t make it on your own” Psalm 32:5 – “ … until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” “It is time to come to the end of yourself.” “ …and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” • Take back what was stolen from you now. • Take back that power, love and a sound mind that God has given you • Trade your sorrows for the joy of the Lord • All of this is possible, but only by God’s grace. Eph 4:23,24: Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource SHATTERED 破碎的 Description An account of the resource Psalm 51:17 - The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit— O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. 诗篇 51:17: 神所要的祭，就是破碎的灵； 神啊！破碎痛悔的心，你必不轻看。 (page 932) Psalm 30:2 - LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 诗篇 30:2: 耶和华我的　神啊！我曾向你呼求，你也医治了我。 1 Sam 30:8 - Then David asked the LORD, “Should I pursue these troops? Will I catch up with them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD told him. “You will certainly catch up with them and rescue the captives.” 撒母耳记上 30:8: 大卫求问耶和华说：“我可以追赶这群匪徒吗？我可以追上他们吗？”耶和华回答他：“你可以追赶，你必定追上，也必定把一切救回来。” (page 492) Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. 诗篇 31:24: 凡仰望耶和华的人啊，要刚强壮胆！(page 909) Psalm 32:5 – “ … until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” 诗篇 32:5: 我向你承认自己的罪，不再隐瞒自己的恶。 我说：“我要向耶和华认罪。”你就赦免了我。(page 909) Eph 4:23,24: Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. 以弗所书 4:23,24: 洗心革面， 穿上照着上帝形象所造的新人。这新人有从真理而来的公义和圣洁。 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/16/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/329fdc19b8e121e9fae4d757cf3f5025.jpg d4bec334120d86308dc1e06a9a08ebec https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/a4210ac43bde89364f3a60aa7566a2ec.mp4 d4e9d58cf7a98ded49eba7cc711a8bd6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Imperturbability Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. ? are YOU in the middle of a challenging season of life? (this message is for YOU) (Jesus) John 16:33: And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” Imperturbability is a noun that means the quality of being calm, unruffled, and not easily disturbed. It can also refer to the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of a difficult situation. “none of these things move me” “Every challenge you encounter in life is a fork in the road. You have the choice to choose which way to go – backward, forward, breakdown or breakthrough.” Walking by Faith means we respond to life’s challenges in a way that is in-line with our true beliefs “Let not your hearts be troubled” “none of these things move me” “I am not moved by what I see” 2 Cor 5:7: "For we walk by faith, not by sight". This verse means that people should live by what they believe, not by what they see. It encourages people to trust in God's plan and timing, even when their current situation seems uncertain or challenging. “I shall not be moved” Smith Wigglesworth, Ever Increasing Faith “I am not moved by what I see. I am moved only by what I believe. I know this - no man looks at appearances if he believes. No man considers how he feels if he believes. (if he truly) believes God has it.” Responding vs Reacting Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “If there be any praise” (what can YOU praise God for today?) Imperturbability im•per•turb•a•ble unable to be upset or excited; calm. freedom from disturbances or triggers “none of these things move me” What is another word for imperturbability? Being undisturbed Being undisturbed means remaining unchanged despite external stimuli. That is the definition of the word. It’s the ability to remain immovable in the face of any event “Thou wilt keep, him in perfect peace…” “perfect peace” is Imperturbability Are you in an emotional storm? Observe the emotion and (by faith) Drive On. The other option would be to dwell on the challenge or the hurt. To bury it. To internalize it. To stew over it. “what we resist persists” per•turbed adjective feeling anxiety or concern; unsettled. (Mike’s definition) Imperturbability – the “ability” to NOT be perturbed by temporary, transitional seasons or events. Philippians 4:13 says, "I find that the strength of Christ's explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty". Imperturbability – persistent faith Trust that God will provide everything needed to fulfill our purpose a glorious future awaits those who believe that all things can be endured through the help of Jesus Christ. on familiar but long (boring) trips, I play a game in my mind as I drive on… Markers on the path Whether it’s a marathon (or 5K on my part) or a long trip, sometimes it is helpful to recognize landmarks of some kind to gauge our progress. To not look at the whole journey, but that moment. Imperturbability – persistent faith direct your heart to where you want to go James 1:23-25 If you listen to the Word and don’t live out the message you hear, you become like the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of his face in the beginning. You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your divine origin. But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do! We are being transformed if we are intentionally seeking to keep going and keep growing We don’t look back – we are pressing on Imperturbability – persistent faith We continue in the faith Colossians 1:23: if indeed you continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you have believed in. We know the old things must pass away, so we are not moved when we see some things crumble away as the false self leaves us and we pursue sanctification Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, then falsely accused of a crime and put in prison. At some point you would think that Joseph would be so discouraged that he would give up on the dream God gave him, but he kept doing the right thing. He so excelled in prison that he was put in charge. Joseph interpreted a dream for a fellow prisoner when he could have said, “Go away. I have bigger problems than you.” Being unselfish led to his interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, which led to becoming the prime minister of Egypt. The dream came to pass through years of testing. Genesis 50:20: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today. How we go through our difficult seasons will determine whether we get stuck there or whether we come out better. What God is doing may not always make sense in the moment, but most of us clearly can relate to hindsight being 20/20 It all makes sense later (“if this hadn’t happened, then…”) The temporary uneasiness is making way for something better. It is both good and necessary. Old beliefs and opinions may have to come tumbling down as we empty our cup and allow ourselves to hear the word and receive it in new wineskins Now, in the cleared space we can experience the new man being formed in us Sometimes we have to just live out the old saying “One Day at a Time” • “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Renewing your mind is like reprogramming a computer. The shocking things that have now been uncovered - revealed – in the past two weeks require that the whole world to make some reassessments. The world may have been feeding us lies, fear, and negativity. We need God’s Word to clear out the junk and installs His truth. When you meditate on Scripture, you’re not just reading words—you’re planting seeds that grow into a mindset aligned with God’s will. And here’s the kicker: a renewed mind doesn’t just think differently, it allows you to live differently and receive new results. It’s the gateway to walking in the abundant life God has for you. A renewed mind will also allow us to just enjoy God’s blessing in our lives without anxiety about something going wrong. Imperturbability Maybe it simply means the Ability to NOT Be Perturbed If you can accept the mission of being transformed by the renewing of you minds, you will also have to accept that things will be different. Changes are going to occur. You are not to be a static pond, but a running river Can you deal with that reality?? (I mean, really?) Good Things “He restores my soul” For true restoration to come, we have to recognize that TODAY is the day God has made for us. …not yesterday. Not tomorrow. One day at a time. (the hourglass) persistent faith is one day – one step – at a time ( ) Can you be present and mindful in THIS day and allow God to give you the grace for this moment in time? It is really all you need. we have to stop clinging to that old familiarity in order to reach out for more There may be struggles, there may be uneasiness as the old crumbles away… “none of these things move me” Imperturbability God’s daily grace is here to lift you and carry you through this very day. Eph 1:18: I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious. Psalm 139:14: Wonderful are Your works— and my soul knows that very well. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource IMPERTURBABILTY 泰然自若 Description An account of the resource Acts 20:24: But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. 使徒行传 20:24: 我却不以性命为念，也不看为宝贵，只要行完我的路程，成就我从主耶稣所领受的职事，证明神恩惠的福音。(page 1804) John 16:33: “And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” 约翰福音 16:33: 我将这些事告诉你们，是要叫你们在我里面有平安。在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界(page 1752) James 1:23-25 If you listen to the Word and don’t live out the message you hear, you become like the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of his face in the beginning. You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your divine origin. But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do! 雅 各 書 1:23-25: 如果有人只听上帝的教导而不去执行，他就像一个对着镜子观看自己面孔的人。 他端详了自己一番后，然后走开，并且立即忘记了自己是什么模样。 但是，认真研读给人们带来自由的上帝的完美的律法，并坚持不懈，不是听了就忘，而是身体力行的人在他所做的一切事情中都会受到祝福 (page 1960) Colossians 1:23: if indeed you continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you have believed in. 歌罗西书 1:23: 只是你们必须恒心持守所信的道，根基稳固，坚定不移，不要失去你们听到福音后所得到的盼望。 (1909) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/09/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/05cf0a7ab6bf2de3bcaf7a92721dbe25.jpg 8ef4407c63af388708a0604c247d7ce8 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/360ad8e02cdb47e381351548f5500807.mp4 31df5cc31c2f8bd6584cc08faad516bb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Power in the Presence Luke 10:38-42 Sometimes it feels like I am riding an emotional roller coaster… “One moment you’re up – the next you’re down.” Does this describe you? Doesn’t this seemingly describe everyone? Do you have woulda-coulda-shoulda’s? “Left to my own devices” It’s normal to feel occasional feelings of discouragement - - but the successful people in life learn how to deal with those moments and push on. to discourage - cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm. The enemy wants to dis-courage you and make you feel unenthused about pursuing your dream – about changing your life – about serving the Lord. “The matters on your heart matter to God.” When we get inspired – whether it’s by a scripture that stirs our heart, a song that moves us, or a flash of memory that reminds us of who we want to become or what we want to accomplish in our lives… this is a seed. …A seed that can take root in our hearts and cause us to live life on a higher level. …or not. Jesus warned us of how certain things can rob us of the power of those seeds… Mark 4:18, 19: The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. The cares of this world can put your fire out with dis-couragement. It’s 2025: This is no time for discouragement. “The cares of this world” will try to tell us that there’s no point in even trying – - and yet, all around the world there are people making a difference. (and yet) …even today - There are people getting healthier. There are people building successful businesses. There are people living victorious Christian lives and not continuing down the old paths of their old nature. ? Do you dare to be en-couraged today? Are you willing to let God in-spire you with enthusiasm as His Word speaks directly into your heart? The answers are waiting in the Presence of the Lord Col 1:22: ...he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless, and restored God says His Word will not return to Him void. He desires that when you hear the Word that it takes root in you and changes you. Ø Something struck me big-time one morning as I was praying. I can’t even get close to the president. My congressman probably wouldn’t have any time for me. I probably couldn’t get a sit-down meeting even with our mayor (not very easily) …and yet – here I am – talking to the Creator of the Universe. I’m not just “talking to the sky” – or to a voicemail. I am talking to and with GOD. How awesome is that? 1 Peter 3:12: For the eyes of the Lord YAHWEH rest upon the godly, and His heart responds to their prayers. I don’t have to go to a heavenly “waiting room” and have some angel take down my message and hope that maybe they will put it on God’s desk somehow. I commune with the Father. I come directly into His Presence. A famous minister spoke of being on an elevator in a high-rise building. He said he’d never been particularly comfortable on such elevators. There was something about riding up and down in a little box several hundred feet off the ground that has never sat well with him. He worried that something would go wrong. One day it did. The car he was riding in got stuck in between floors way up in the higher floors. He noted that some of the people in the car became frantic. They began to beat on the door hoping to get someone’s attention. Others began to yell in the hopes that their voices would get someone on the surrounding floors to come to the aid. But nobody heard their noise or their cries. He quietly made his way to the front of the car, opened a little door in the wall and pulled out a telephone. Immediately he was connected with someone on the outside. He didn’t need to beat on the wall to get their attention. He didn’t need to speak loudly in the phone to receive their help. He could have whispered and they would have heard him. The preacher said that - in this world, we’re going to get "stuck" in places we aren’t comfortable with. Some people begin to beat against the walls, others cry out in dismay. But the person who trusts in the power of confident prayer knows there’s someone on the other end who hears their call and comes to their aid. Two Lessons: 1. The desperation, panic and shouting were unnecessary 2. Once the call was made, the people could rest and let the experts do their work Hebrews 10:19 tells us that we now can have "boldness" to enter into very presence of God because of the blood of Jesus: And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and without hesitation. Paul wrote (2 Corinthians 3:5) Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence. Jesus has opened the way for us to approach God’s throne and earnestly ask whatever It is an awesome thing to know that because of the Cross, we can come into the very Presence of God. Acts 3:19 says, “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” If your enthusiasm is waning – if your spirit needs a boost – the place for renewal is in God’s Presence. If “the worries of this life” can choke out the Word and cause it to be of no affect, then the obvious solution is to not allow those cares to take root in your heart. In our gospel lesson today: Martha let the cares of other things keep her in stress, even as Mary sat at Jesus feet and rested in His Presence. 2 Cor 3:4: We carry this confidence in our hearts because of our union with Christ before God. There is a time to work… there is a time to think about things that must be done. …but there is also a time to rest. The needful thing at that time is to let Jesus do what you cannot. We all need those “times of refreshing” that “come from the presence of the Lord” Holy Communion is just such a time. It is a “means of grace.” It is a means of God getting through to you with His grace and His renewal. We’ve got to enter into His rest so the Word can do its perfect work in our hearts. all we are to do in this sacrament is to (by His grace) receive by faith with thanksgiving “…the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” We’ve got to become Good Soil. Say, “I am good soil” It’s so easy to get distracted. Even in church. (or online church) To forget the needful thing and start worrying about your job, the state of the world, family members… It’s time to REST. The Grace of God will allow you to rest from your striving. When we are weak, He is strong. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." Jesus keeps calling us to come to Him – to trust Him – to rest in His care for us. “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” The Savior is calling to us – calling us home – calling us to rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ? What are you struggling with today? ? What has become more important to you than just being in God’s Presence and resting in Him this morning? I’ll help you. It was what you were really thinking about just now when I asked you that. The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” “Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me…” Those that wait upon the Lord… Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Power in the Presence 力量在场 Description An account of the resource Luke 10:41,42: The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” 路加福音 10:41,42: 耶稣对她说：“玛大，玛大，你为太多事情忧虑烦恼。 其实最要紧的事只有一件，玛丽亚选择了上好的， 是夺不走的。” (page 1682) Mark 4:18, 19: The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. 马可福音 4:18,19: 种子落在荆棘丛中，是指人虽然听过道， 但生活的忧虑、钱财的迷惑和其他欲望把道挤住了，以致不能结出果实 (page 1623) Col 1:22: ...he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless, and restored 歌罗西书 1:22: 但现在上帝借着基督肉身的死使你们与祂和好了，让你们在祂面前成为圣洁无瑕、无可指责的人 (pg 1909) 1 Peter 3:12: For the eyes of the Lord YAHWEH rest upon the godly, and His heart responds to their prayers. 彼得前书 3:12: 因为主的眼睛看顾义人，祂的耳朵垂听他们的祈求。(page 1969) 2 Cor 3:5: Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence.歌 林 多 後 書 3:5: 我们的意思并不是说我们凭自己能做任何好事，是上帝使我们能够做到我们所做的。(page 1872) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/02/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/5f28e117f5a68f323955e38b5bb95139.jpg 3030674d993b40a0d9b98abaabc8261c https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/8c723b8a1b52d620931e71ef0fabc539.mp4 90d87758c998209e3ff7ee544bc00582 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound DECLARE 2 Cor 4:13-15 2 Corinthians 4:15: All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. If we are not overflowing with thanksgiving to God, it must be that we are not aware – or at least, are not focusing on God’s grace. His Goodness. His mercy toward us. Phil 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Think about all the things you can still be thankful for. “He who has…” (is your heart filled with gratitude today? are you declaring these blessings over your life – or your family?) ? Maybe there is an inner battle going on in you right now that is causing you to struggle? Is there a struggle – a sin – an addiction - that you want freedom from but cannot seem to overcome? Does it maybe even seem hopeless? TODAY: Recognize that all things are possible to those who believe. From a scriptural standpoint, you already have the victory because Jesus won it for you. You have to accept this by faith and now begin to thank Him for that victory. (reality) YOU cannot conquer it. You must surrender it – and your will – to GOD.Be thankful today – and surrender your life to God’s Grace. Bill Johnson: “Faith comes from surrender – not striving. It is the product of yielding to the Spirit of God and the Word of God. This causes us to think and to see differently.” “Everything happens through you, nothing happens from you.” Apart from Jesus we can do nothing. Thankfulness (expressed in faith) is a KEY to getting past yourself and allowing God to do for you what you cannot do yourself. This message is all about thanking GOD – even in advance – by faith – for the things that only God can do for us. It’s time to thank God that, when we are weak, He is strong when you surrender your struggles, you must have faith that God is fully able to not only remove it but carry you through it this is huge, because it is by the Victory of the Cross we can put to death the things of the flesh Romans 6:14: For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. you have to come to a realization that you are utterly weak that you cannot conquer this the positive in this is that it's going to teach you humility that we all really need – to fall down on your face in complete surrender with a full knowledge that God is able to make a way “Thank You, God” - you get to learn the art of surrendering through this struggle remember - we are not meant, we are not created to carry heavy burdens on our own. it destroys us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually worry, burdens, anxiety - all of that we were meant to give over to God in an act of Faith why? because we know who He is. His Word reveals to us that He is reliable. He will not go back on his word, and anyone who puts their full trust in Him will never be let down Ø Transform these feeling of hopelessness into thankfulness and right-thinking so I just want to encourage you - you who are worn down by this constant struggle that you just can't seem to shake out of your life you have in front of you an opportunity to witness the power of God and one day you'll be sharing your testimony and encouraging somebody else regarding those same struggles 1 Cor 15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. so remember, you cannot conquer it. You must surrender it to God in full faith that He is able to make a way through it just like He took his people out of Egypt and he made a way for them God does the same thing for us in our life today. Be thankful. Romans 6:14 Remember this: sin will not conquer you, for God already has! You are not governed by law but governed by the reign of the grace of God. You may have battles today, but God is not fighting for your battles. He is fighting for YOU. He's going to lift the heavy end but you have a responsibility to walk forward in faith, in obedience to Him You can take the next step of faith by thanking God for the grace that allows us to rise above our circumstances. If “according to your faith it is done unto you,” – where are you directing your faith? ? Are your words lining up with what you think you believe? “A double-minded person is unstable in all their ways” ? Is your faith moving in the same direction as what Jesus paid the price for you to have today? Jesus always prepared the atmosphere of faith by beginning His prayer with thanks to God. “and when He had given thanks” “Father, thank you that you have heard my prayer, for you listen to every word I speak.” It’s time to follow Jesus’ example and thank God in advance for what He is about to accomplish in your life beginning today. FOCUS on Jesus’ finished work – not on yourself. Remember: Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 4:15: All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (let us) Declare GOD’s promises over every situation. • “Thank You, GOD, that YOU are my deliverer “ • “Thank You, GOD, that You are able…” • “Thank You, GOD, that by the victory of the cross I can overcome. • Thank You, GOD, that because of Jesus’ Blood I have been made the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” • “GOD, thank you for never leaving me.” (even on my rough times) “He who has will be given more…” A thankful heart keeps us aware of God's Presence and causes us to live with the realization of our need for Him as we remember His goodness in our lives. Living from this place keeps us connected to God's heart, and empowers us to walk in and pray from a place of authority. YOU can change the world through your own thankful declarations of God’s goodness in your life “I once was lost, but now I’m found.” Romans 11:6: And since it is by God’s grace, it can’t be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn’t be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort. (so we pray) “Thank You, God, for Your Daily Grace at work in my life today” Romans 6:14: For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. you can start with this as your point of breakthrough today TODAY is your day. Faith is NOW. When you see the Lord’s Grace, He sees you in your faith. THIS is what it all boils down to… In your thanks to GOD, you are acknowledging that His Word is true – and that you trust in Him and in His promises. “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever…” “Father, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning and for Your great faithfulness to me. Thank You that I can start every day new, rejoicing and expecting a great day. I declare that I will keep setting my mind for victory and the abundance of Your favor today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource DECLARE 声明 Description An account of the resource Isaiah 30:15: For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; but ye would not. 以赛亚书 30:15: 主耶和华——以色列的圣者说：“你们回转、安息便可得到拯救；你们安静、信靠便可得到力量。 但你们却不肯。 (page 1160) Job 22:23: “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” 约伯记 22:23: 你若归向全能者，就必得到恢复。 (page 855) Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 诗篇 19:7: 耶和华的律法完美，能更新生命；耶和华的法度可靠，让愚人有智慧。 (page 1909) Gal 6:2: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 加拉太书 6:2: 你们要分担彼此的重担，这样就成全了基督的律法。 (page 1892) Matt 4:22:37-39: And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 马太福音 22:37-39: 耶稣回答说：“‘你要全心、全情、全意爱主——你的上帝’， 这是第一条也是最重要的诫命。 第二条也相似，就是‘要爱邻如己’。(page 1600) Romans 11:6: And since it is by God's grace, it can't be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn't be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort. 羅 馬 書 11:6: 既然是靠着恩典，就不再是由于行为了；不然的话，恩典就不再是恩典了。(page 1837) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/26/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/10755dd26e4ac79086cf6c6ccadf44b6.jpg 68182b7fac40fc1179699228315ccca9 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/295343d0cb4a7fdf79cfc99ca60e0bf9.mp4 635b07e590b23545cfd60dbf15de9d06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound RETURN Isaiah 30:15 Job 22:21-23 Time flies. That is a cliché, and yet, so very true, especially as you get older. The holidays were special. It was a time to redirect our focus a bit – and hopefully (for some) to get a little rest. It’s January – and things are getting busy again. Returning is an act of coming back – maybe for some of you went back to your home town to see family – or maybe family returned home to see you? Returning is an act of coming back – maybe it’s a physical return – but I can also be an emotional return – appreciating the ones who love you the most. Maybe it is a spiritual return. Returning is an act of coming back – it can mean coming back into God’s Holy Presence and receiving the restoration that cannot be found elsewhere. It means making a place in your heart to ABIDE once again. Jonathan Edwards: “In close meditation, prayer and conversing with God, when alone and separated from the world, a true Christian doubtless delights… to converse with God in solitude and this also has peculiar advantages for fixing his heart, for fixing what is inside him.” “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” The verse is a message from the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, that returning to him and resting in him will save people. The verse also says that quietness and trust will give people strength. We all need those people and places where we can let down our guard and just be ourselves. Fully let our hair down (so to speak) Those people and places provide acceptance and grace. Our heavenly Father offers us that – and so much more. It’s still January… our New Year has just begun. It’s time to Return. It’s time to Come Home “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” Returning is an act of coming back – it can mean coming back into God’s Holy Presence and receiving the restoration that cannot be found elsewhere. Job 22:21-23: Come to terms with God and be at peace; in this way[c] good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and place his sayings in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed. Returning (in our Christian lives) usually entails some form of repentance. Maybe repenting of something we previously weren’t even aware of. (do we take time to hear? to listen?) Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. God’s direction in our lives will restore our souls and gives us wisdom for living a better, more fulfilling life. People sometimes say to me, “I don’t know how you do everything you do.” I know from them it is coming from a place of love and concern for my well-being. …but the truth is, I don’t do everything I should be doing. (not proud of that fact) Sometimes (for me) overwhelm causes me to just shut down and do nothing, as opposed to doing what I should be doing. Time management and self-preservation may actually devolve into a form of selfishness. That’s where repentance can open the door to returning to right thinking, right actions, based on right priorities. “Confess you faults one to another that ye may be healed” (forgiven – restored) “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” It’s time to Return. It’s time to Come Home I believe the act of returning here is first and foremost a heart issue. …and returning requires that we leave someplace else. Returning also means leaving some other place Forsaking abandon (someone or something). renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant) We have to give up – renounce – turn – turn away (forsake an old pattern) It seems that choice will always redirect us to some form of service – service to God – service to others To use the gifts we were given and blessed to be able to share To follow the example of Christ Gal 6:2: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. “Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other's troubles.” Jesus told us what His commands were: Matt 22:37-39: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ vs 40: “The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” “Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” “The Law of the Lord is perfect, giving new strength to the soul. “ WE are commanded by God to forgive, to love God, to love others …but don’t let this draw you down into legalism Romans 11:6 And since it is by God's grace, it can't be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn't be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort. We are only branches – apart from Christ we can do nothing …but we yield, and we find our empowerment through the Vine “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” “He restores my soul.” “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” It’s God Grace that will allows us to enter into that secret place – that place of stillness and rest. Have you ever had a moment of awareness where you finally realized you were not on the right path? …of course you have, right? So doesn’t that also mean we should show grace to those who are still awaiting that moment of revelation? That epiphany that leads to repentance? When we recognize how good and merciful God has been to us Like the prodigal son: “When he came to himself…” To whom much has been given… What will we do with the time we have left? Time is short, but God is great. "Eternity is calling your soul. It inspires you to awaken, to dream again, and to take risks." A place of peace and restoration is always there ...it is we who have to return to it. In Zechariah 1:3 Almighty GOD says: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Let God’s Word guide you back to that place of returning to Him today. Job 22:21-23 “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” Make my life a prayer to You… “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource RETURN 返回 Description An account of the resource Isaiah 30:15: For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; but ye would not. 以赛亚书 30:15: 主耶和华——以色列的圣者说：“你们回转、安息便可得到拯救；你们安静、信靠便可得到力量。 但你们却不肯。 (page 1160) Job 22:23: “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” 约伯记 22:23: 你若归向全能者，就必得到恢复。 (page 855) Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 诗篇 19:7: 耶和华的律法完美，能更新生命；耶和华的法度可靠，让愚人有智慧。 (page 1909) Gal 6:2: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 加拉太书 6:2: 你们要分担彼此的重担，这样就成全了基督的律法。 (page 1892) Matt 4:22:37-39: And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 马太福音 22:37-39: 耶稣回答说：“‘你要全心、全情、全意爱主——你的上帝’， 这是第一条也是最重要的诫命。 第二条也相似，就是‘要爱邻如己’。(page 1600) Romans 11:6: And since it is by God's grace, it can't be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn't be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort. 羅 馬 書 11:6: 既然是靠着恩典，就不再是由于行为了；不然的话，恩典就不再是恩典了。(page 1837) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/19/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/ca9bfb8660e661882ea95a1ecd082e28.jpg 43f684629709ebeb01a98c361a7e4ac8 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/e7562ef298764d47c179372b9d354bc2.mp4 70254a55bbf079275c59d29b47aefe2b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Power of Purpose 2025 Col 1:12-14 Last week I heard this great quote: “Purpose isn't just about knowing what to do. It's about knowing why you do it.” I sent it to my self as an email so I could reference it later. When I went back to search my emails , I used the word “purpose” and found I had to already wade through 2 pages of emails in order to find it. What I am saying is, people talk a LOT about “purpose.” Back during World War II, enemies torpedoed a Navy cruiser carrying more than 1,100 crewmembers. As the ship sank into the frigid water, the crew floundered in the sea for five days. They were starving, drowning, and being attacked by sharks. The ocean current pulled nine of the guys away, splintering off from the rest of the ranks. Seeing these men were beginning to lose their will, a young officer started asking them about their families and lives back home. He asked them to describe what they were going to do when they got back. He asked them what they wanted to accomplish and what difference they wanted to make. He had them envision how scared their spouses and children were; how their parents must feel not knowing if they were alive. He asked them to fight to stay alive, not just for themselves but for their loved ones back home. Finally a passing plane spotted the men in the water. Two-thirds of the 1,100 crew members perished. However, all nine inspired by that young officer lived. This story helps illustrate the importance of purpose & vision. Prov 29:18 - where there is no vision, the people perish. What is the vision for your life? It needs to be bigger than yourself. What are you willing to fight for; who are you willing to fight for; …or rather… live for? Our Vision should rise from our Purpose. Purpose is what we are here to focus on today – right at the early start of 2025. purpose: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. have as one's intention or objective. Our Vision should rise from our Purpose. Our purpose should guide our choices in life. Where we go in 2025 will depend largely upon where we are looking. Robert Schuller (recovery story) “How beautiful it is to stand on the edge of tomorrow.” Let’s thank God for His Grace this morning. Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you think of how God made you worthy to receive the glorious inheritance freely given to us by living in the light. He has rescued us completely from the tyrannical rule of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom realm of his beloved Son. For in the Son all our sins are canceled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood. Isn’t wonderful to know that no matter what your past was – you can have a spotless future? Fact: GOD has a bigger vision and purpose for your life than you can comprehend right now. Eph 3:20 – GOD “is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Col 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. So you – as a created being – were created for Him – and you therefore have a purpose for being here. What is your purpose? What is my purpose? I know we all struggle with that question at times. Some people struggle for a lifetime. Many people live a life based on a selfish, self-serving purpose. If that is the case, and we are pursuing our own stuff – we are working on our own. If you are pursuing your Divine Purpose – GOD is your partner. - and HE will add HIS “Super” to your “Natural” What’s something that irritates you? What do you see that needs to be changed or improved? Maybe that is your purpose rising up in your soul. Your questions just may be revealing your calling – your purpose ? What if YOU were the one called to address these needs? The health clubs may be full this week – filled with people who made that their New Year’s resolution. …but we all know all too well that most won’t make it to February Will 2025 be an amazing year of breakthrough for you? “According to your faith it is done unto you.” There are a lot of ways to make a true SHIFT in the upcoming year. One of those ways is in how we speak about our lives. Our words. Your true core beliefs will manifest in the words you speak over your life. Prov 12:14 - A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words “The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:14) What are you sowing in your life?  We can waste our days or we can invest them. Get beyond the petty and go for Purpose. You may think you have missed out by being in the wrong place and the wrong time. In the carnal landscape it may be “Location. Location. Location.” but in the spiritual realm, God’s Plans and Purposes will still prevail. His Favor upon your life goes wherever you go. Psalm 30:5: His favor is for a lifetime Psalm 1:3 - They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds. Your Purpose will override the distractions and you will move forward like a laser-guided missile. Here’s a story to help illustrate this: In the Andes Mountains, there were two warring tribes that not-so-peacefully co-existed—one that lived in the lowlands and the other, high in the mountains. One day, the mountain people invaded the lowlanders plundering and kidnapping a baby from the village. They vanished with the child and took her back up into the mountains. The lowlanders—pushed to action at the disappearance of one of their own—didn’t know how to climb the mountain. They didn’t know any of the trails that the mountain people used, and they didn’t know where to find the mountain people or how to track them in the steep terrain. Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby home. The men first tried one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail and then another. After several days of effort, however, they had climbed only a few hundred feet. Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlander men decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below. As they were packing their gear for the descent, they saw the baby’s mother walking toward them. They realized that she was coming down the mountain that they hadn’t figured out how to climb. They saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be? One man greeted her and said, “We couldn’t climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn’t do it?” She looked intently at them and said, “It wasn’t your baby.” Your purpose and your passion is YOUR Baby. I can tell the difference between a difficult task that is on purpose and that if “off purpose” When you are on-purpose – when you are in the zone – time disappears and the effort becomes “effortless” – or at least a labor of love. Commit 2025 to Living Your Divine Purpose. Ultimately your true Divine Mission in Life is something you will discover along the path – as you continue to seek and serve the Lord with an open heart. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource PURPOSE 2025 目的 2025 Description An account of the resource Col 1:12-14: Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you think of how God made you worthy to receive the glorious inheritance freely given to us by living in the light. He has rescued us completely from the tyrannical rule of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom realm of his beloved Son. For in the Son all our sins are canceled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood. 歌 羅 西 書 1:12-14: 并且充满欢乐，向父感恩吧，他让你们有资格去分享那属于生活在光明之中的上帝子民的遗产。 他把我们从黑暗势力中解救出来，带到他爱子的王国里。 通过他的爱子，我们得到自由，罪过得到饶恕 (page 1908) Prov 29:18 - where there is no vision, the people perish. 箴言 29:18 - 百姓无神谕便任意妄为，但遵守律法的人必蒙福。 Col 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 歌罗西书 1:16: 因为万物都是借着祂创造的，天上的、地上的、有形的、无形的、做王的、统治的、执政的、掌权的，一切都是借着祂也是为了祂而创造的。(page 1909) Prov 12:14: A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words 箴言 12:14 - 口出良言，饱尝美福；双手勤劳，终得回报。 Mark 4:14: The sower sows the word. 马可福音 4:14 -农夫撒的是上帝的道。(page 1623) Psalm 1:3 - They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds. 诗篇 1:3 -他就像溪水旁的树木—— 按时结果子， 叶子也不凋零。他必凡事亨通。 (page 881) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/12/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/64120f8101c89cf055c2a0066b932edd.jpg 564989b97db7ae3ffbbe04eeaa1d4ee3 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/1fb6a6d338060111ab417165f17e6694.mp4 3e6609cc19fe5eeef88820896d97d75b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Algorhythm of Your Life Proverbs 4:23 The First Sunday of the New Year Do you already feel tired? Overwhelmed? “you're not tired, you're just unfocused” “you're not fatigued, the dream doesn't fulfill you” “I want to challenge all of you at every level get a new vision get a bigger dream” The I AM tells me who I am (God is sovereign) …but we have responsibilities as to what we think and what we do The Algorhythm of Your Life An algorithm is a set of instructions that are used to accomplish a task or solve a problem: Definition: A finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function Purpose: To perform calculations or find information in databases Examples: Recipes, social media platforms, navigation systems, search engines, and music streaming services In daily life, we follow algorithms every time we follow a step-by-step process, like making coffee or tying our shoelaces “Level Up” We can only “level up” to the algorithm we are living by. Do you really believe something is possible? Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” we are transformed (go beyond our current situation) – (or) our algorhythm is updated – by the renewing of our minds. (Eph 4) “Good Things” Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. It’s time to Level Up – trusting in God to do what we could never do ourselves. 1 Thess 5:23,24 - May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it! Do you believe this is true for you? Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. An algorithm is a set of steps for accomplishing a task or solving a problem. Your personal algorithm will determine how you approach and experience life. So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. ? Are we living from an “it is finished” algorithm of life? ? Do you know you are complete in Him? Acts 20:32: And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which He provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones. Have you seen the Light? Ephesians 1:18: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. The apostle Paul knew that our minds would try to talk us out of the awesome future that God has planned for us. He knew that we could get passive and let disappointments, setbacks, and delays cause us to quit believing and to settle where we are. That’s why he prayed that our hearts would be flooded with light. To be flooded means to be overwhelmed. We are not to be overwhelmed with doubt, with trouble, with problems. No, we’re to be flooded with light, flooded with hope, flooded with faith, flooded with expectancy. In this (brand new) year, God has moments of favor that you’re going to come into that are going to catapult you ahead. He has things in your future that you can’t imagine right now. My question is, Are you expecting a favor-filled year? Are you anticipating great things? Are the eyes of your heart flooded with light, or have they become dim? Ask God to flood your heart with light so you can say, like David, “I am confident I will see the goodness of God.” alogorithm: a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations our internal algorithms direct the course of our lives. They interpret every situation and event based on what our hearts are filled with ? What is the algorithm of your life moving YOU toward? I hear ministers whose preaching focuses more on the hardships of life rather than the Goodness of God. ? Are we living from an “it is finished” algorithm of life? Above all else, (Above all else ) guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. What is in your heart? In the natural world, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Jesus: “He who has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.” Ephesians 1:3 states, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places". This verse begins the first major section of Paul's letter, which continues through verse 14. It emphasizes that every blessing a person could need has been given in Christ. Is this biblical truth the algorithm of your heart? Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! Is this biblical truth the algorithm of your heart? “As a man thinketh in his heart…” “The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives.” Do you truly trust that God’s Word is true? True for you? You can be a God-loving, God-fearing believer and still have an algorithm of fear – or doubt. Be very careful to keep your mind safe. The thoughts that you think make you the person that you are. RAS – Reticular activating system - Ford Mustangs everywhere (the model year, etc) Above all else, (Above all else ) guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Jesus said, “He who has will be given more, and they will have an abundance” What do you have today? The man with leprosy came to Jesus: “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” ? Could you imagine all of the opinions of the people in the crowd? All of the doubters and naysayers? “How dare you trouble the Master! Don’t you know you are breaking the Levitical law just by being here? Have you no fear of God?” Whose report will you believe? “Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. “ Just like in that situation, we have to choose what voices we listen to – and what we choose believe. What is in our hearts? This affects every part of our lives. The KEY to a better perspective of God’s desire for you – the pathway to a more affective algorithm for your life – starts in the heart, and comes by way of renewing your mind to the true nature and desire of God for your life. 1 Cor 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. TPT “To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are being saved, it is the mighty power of God released within us. “ We offer the true answer to the world’s problems – the world’s lack – the world’s hunger. We have the missing piece. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Is the Gospel Message the algorithm that is directing the course of your life today? Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Alogorithm of Life 生命的算法 Description An account of the resource Prov 4:23: So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. 箴言 4:23: 要一丝不苟地守护你的心，因为生命之泉从心中涌出。 Acts 20:32: And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which He provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones. 使徒行传 20:32: 现在，我把你们交托给上帝和祂充满恩典的道， 这道能造就你们，使你们与一切圣洁的人同得产业。(page 1804) Ephesians 1:18: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 以弗所书 1:18: 我也求上帝照亮你们心中的眼睛，使你们知道祂的呼召给你们带来了何等的盼望，祂应许赐给众圣徒的产业有何等丰富的荣耀 (page 1895) Ephesians 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 以弗所书 1:3: 赞美我们主耶稣基督的父上帝！祂在基督里赐给了我们天上各样属灵的恩福 (page 1894) Matt 8:1-3: When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 馬 太 福 音 8:1-3: 耶稣下山时，身后跟着一大群人。 一个麻风病人来见耶稣，跪在他面前说∶“先生，如果您愿意，您就能治好我的麻疯病！” 耶稣伸出手摸着他说∶“我愿意，痊愈吧！”立刻，麻疯病人就痊愈了。(pg 1569) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/05/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/f341513411094b0ebeef35ca14bb77af.jpg f82d914f1e5a2ec938e84831b45759a0 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/c4e3f7b6ad217c54dcbfa5ec701eda1e.mp4 e6fe4b87e10032228ed73e2d74193674 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Grace and Peace: Building a Legacy That Lasts Last Week: “What if this was the last time I got to do this?” Psalm 90:12: Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise. If we are living in true alignment, we consider our daily steps in life. "When I leave this earth, I want to leave a legacy that my family will be proud of." How many of us have thought something similar? C.S. Lewis : "For you will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John." A legacy is the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, or a person's life that continues after we're gone. The truth is, we all start somewhere—and we will all end up somewhere. What we do in-between will determine our legacy. For most of us, we'll be forgotten by many shortly after we shed this mortal coil. But not for those that we leave our message in their heart. When your legacy is written on the hearts of those your life has touched, the impact can go on for generations to come. For "the rest of your life to become the best of your life," you must accept the challenge and responsibility to change. To continue to grow. This decision requires subsequent, radical action. We only have so much time left to develop and leave a legacy for future generations. If you spend your remaining days worrying about what everybody thinks about you, someday you'll never have to worry about it again because, once you're gone, you won't have left behind a legacy people will remember. That sounds harsh, but that's what leadership and legacy are all about. You won't always win approval—and you will certainly face criticism. If we are to stay in alignment with God's purpose, we must accept this reality and still take that "road less traveled." It might not always align with what others think we should be doing. Heb 3:14: "For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ." This is where our key verse comes in. 2 Peter 1:2 says, "May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." The Amplified Bible expands this: "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in the full, personal, precise, and correct knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." The word "multiplied" signifies an increase, an overflowing abundance, suggesting that God's grace and peace are not static but can grow and deepen in a believer's life. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones beautifully explained: "Grace leads to peace. It brings peace with God by reconciling us to Him. It brings internal peace and peace with others by changing our view of others. It brings the peace of God which guards our hearts and minds." Ephesians 1:2 echoes this: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." This greeting emphasizes that both grace and peace originate from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, highlighting the divine source of these blessings. Imagine what your life could look like with multiplied grace and peace. Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 13:12: "For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." MSG: "Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears." Do you recognize God's grace, peace, and divine mercy operating in your life? Take a moment to reflect on His grace and mercy in your personal history. Psalm 124:1 prompts us to consider: "If the Lord had not been on our side..." Look at all the forgiveness you've experienced—the second and fifth chances you've had—the restoration you've experienced when you know you didn't deserve it. This is God's divine mercy at work. As the song says, "Give thanks with a grateful heart." Jude 2 affirms: "May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you." This is the central blessing, wishing for a plentiful experience of God's grace (mercy), wholeness and harmony (peace), and love for God and others. Your legacy depends upon your pursuits. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. There's an old saying: "What you are seeking is seeking you." Didn't Psalm 23 say, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me"? Psalm 107:9 promises: "For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness." To build a legacy of grace and peace: 1. Recognize and receive God's grace in your own life first. You cannot give what you don't have. 2. Allow God's peace to transform your relationships. "Peace" means union and reconciliation after separation. As Colossians 1:21 reminds us: "At one time you were separated from God... But now..." 3. Become a channel of grace and peace to others. Proverbs 27:17 says: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Ask yourself: “Who am I sharpening? Who is sharpening me?” 4. Speak faith, grace, and peace into others' lives, just as spiritual mentors have also done for us in our lives . (like all of us) I am a work in progress, but I am also a piece of work. Still so very much that needs to change about me. We are very blessed if we have someone speaking grace and peace into our lives ( ) Some of my most influential pastors went on to be with the Lord years ago – …yet, their IMPACT, their LEGACY continues. <praying in the Spirit> I gratefully recognized so many faces of those who have and those who continue to speak faith into my life My life is a dim reflection of their dedication to Gospel ministry. These precious mentors shared Grace and Peace to me. Sometimes that meant they were seeing something (in me) that I couldn’t yet see. 5. Remember that true peace comes only through grace. You cannot get to "peace" without accepting God's grace first. "Peace" is much more than just the absence of conflict. There will never be true peace in the Middle East until Jesus returns. Just because people aren't shooting doesn't mean real peace exists. St. Alphonsus beautifully stated: "The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him. This hope produces... an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because, as they love God, and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone." Grace is the gateway—it is God's open door—His gift to us. His open door back to fellowship. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Accept God's grace so you can live in His peace and build a legacy that touches hearts for generations to come. As Ephesians 1:2 blesses us: "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." Do you believe this is for YOU? Will you receive it today? Titus 3:5: "He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." May grace and peace be multiplied to you Let us build a legacy of grace and peace that will outlive us and continue to transform lives long after we're gone. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Grace and Peace 恩 惠 、 平 安 Description An account of the resource 2 Peter 1:2: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 彼 得 後 書 1:2: 愿 恩 惠 、 平 安 ， 因 你 们 认 识 神 和 我 们 主 耶 稣 ， 多 多 的 加 给 你 们 。(page 1972) Hebrews 3:14: For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 希 伯 來 書 3:14: 我 们 若 将 起 初 确 实 的 信 心 坚 持 到 底 ， 就 在 基 督 里 有 分 了 。(page 1942) Ephesians 1:2: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 以 弗 所 書 1:2: 愿 恩 惠 、 平 安 从 神 我 们 的 父 和 主 耶 稣 基 督 归 与 你 们 ！page 1894) Matthew 13:12: "For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." 馬 太 福 音 13:12: 凡 有 的 ， 还 要 加 给 他 ， 叫 他 有 馀 ； 凡 没 有 的 ， 连 他 所 有 的 ， 也 要 夺 去 。( 1580) Jude 1:2: May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you. 猶 大 書 2: 愿 怜 恤 、 平 安 、 慈 爱 多 多 的 加 给 你 们 (pg 1986) Titus 3:5: He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 提多书 3:5: 借着重生之洗和圣灵的更新拯救了我们，这并非因为我们有义行，而是因为祂的怜悯. (1936) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 08/24/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/bb86e1b29969e52ffab495d4c50efcdd.jpeg b7790e132204afb3de2a7d897d77e18a https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/c0f57548318ebde48b03e2399a0d192b.mp4 50c24a800a398305726f725f8facbee2 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Finding HELP Hebrews 11:6 6 Million Dollar Man – “we can rebuild him. we can make him better.” Your body has 37 trillion cells. Think about that. 37 trillion cells in your body. In fact, you have 810,000 cells every second that are replacing themselves in your body. Just get your head around that for a second. 810,000 cells every second are being replaced. So, just while you've been listening to this, several million cells in your body have been replaced. Meaning something's dying and a new replacement is happening in your body. You're growing and changing all the time. Even though we don't feel it physically in our body, we are growing constantly replacing ourselves on a regular basis. Shouldn’t that that same thing should be happening in all the other areas of our life? Our lung tissue is regenerating, you know, every 8 days, our digestive tract every 4 days, we're producing all these new red blood cells every day, our entire skeletons replaced every 10 years, we don't replace ourselves with the next best version all the time. “You are constantly replacing yourselves” For better and for worse (sometimes) we are not the final product. We have the capacity for better. Regeneration. Neuroplasticity. Will we embrace the chance to rise above our current version of ourselves? Col 3:10: For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. Eph 1:11: Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart. God has a plan for you and me… and He will help us overcome our obstacles so that we can achieve that plan. Today, we're continuing our journey through recovery principles with Hebrews 11:6: "It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him." Last week, we acknowledged: "I am powerless to control my own tendency to do the wrong thing—and my life is unmanageable." This week, we move to the second principle: "Earnestly believe that God exists and that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover." “I can quit any time I want” OK – so why don’t you “want” to? This transformation comes only through the Holy Spirit's work within us, and it requires genuine faith to open ourselves to this inner work. Jesus taught: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." We must first recognize our emptiness without God and how our lives become unmanageable when we don't lean on Him 1 Corinthians 10:12: So anyone who thinks they are standing strong should be careful that they don’t fall. The truth is, we ALL struggle with something. Every single one of us needs help in some area of our life. Matthew 9:36 tells us, "When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." As sheep without a shepherd, we must know where to look for help. We need to be desperately searching for our true Shepherd. “a heart of compassion” Matthew 5:4 says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." All of us have broken areas in our lives—things that bring us grief and pain. These broken places can leave us devastated and hopeless at times. When we carry these hurts long enough without seeking help in the right places, we eventually find our identity in that pain and become victims. The victim mindset is a trap that leaves us seemingly powerless to change. And we will try to escape this pain in many harmful ways. Your escape may not be through drugs or alcohol, but perhaps through anger, overworking, blaming, or some other form of escape that may seem socially acceptable—or not. What you've done before this moment is no longer the issue—the opportunity is right before us to make new decisions and choices that will lead us to healing and an abundant new life. We can mourn our past mistakes and bad decisions—and maybe that pain is precisely what will point us to the truth. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Our mourning may lead us to comfort—and our current challenges just may be the antidote to our denial. Because if we live in denial—we are stuck. We NEED the antidote. If the smoke alarm goes off in your house, do you react or respond? When the pain alarm goes off in our life, do we react or respond? Where do we turn? Do we deal with the issue—or do we just cover it up? Understand—it is not GOD causing the pain—it is our current or past choices and situations that cause it. God loves us and wants to lead us out of our pain and into His healing. Take an honest assessment of yourself right now. How is your pain level? Will you allow God to open your eyes to what's really going on in your life? To deny the pain is to refuse God's power to help you recover. You will never find healing from your hurts, hang-ups, and habits until you confront your source of pain. How bad does it have to get before we look for a real solution? Remember this—if you could have handled that problem on your own, it wouldn't still be a problem. If you could handle it, you would have—but you can't, so you don't. Sometimes we play the blame game, excusing ourselves and accusing others for our pain and problems. We put the power for us to change into someone else's hands—a parent, spouse, friend, or coworker. B-LAME. Someone once said, "We're all self-made, but only the successful will admit it." Instead of denying your pain, allow it to motivate you to get help, to start making healing choices, to face the issue you've been ignoring for perhaps years. Don't refuse God's power to help you. As someone in recovery once said, "The acid of my pain finally ate through the wall of my denial." Choice 2 is made up of three magnificent truths about GOD: 1. He exists 2. I matter to Him 3. He has the power to help me Heb 11:6 (AMP): "But without faith it is impossible to walk with God and please Him, for whoever comes near to God must necessarily believe that God exists and that He rewards those who earnestly and diligently seek Him." **God Exists** Romans 1:20 tells us: "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Where there is design, there must be a Designer. Where there is creation, there must be a Creator. **You Matter to Him** If you believe God exists, the next question is: "What kind of God is He? Do I really matter to Him?" Until we understand God's true character, we can't completely trust Him. ? Do you think no one knows or understands the struggle you are going through? God knows. He understands. And He cares. (are you mixing this with your faith?) 1 Cor 12:6: God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. Psalm 31:7 says, "I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul." Matt 6:8: "...your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!" Psalm 34:18 assures us, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." God is with you in your pain—and He is able to help you overcome your hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Psalm 56:8 tells us, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 103:13-14 says, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." God's love for you is unconditional. **God Has the Power to Change You and Your Situation** Do you believe all of this is true? It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him. Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:18-20: "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms." When we're plugged into God's Power, He supplies us with all we need. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." Today, we've explored the second principle: "Earnestly believe that God exists and that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover." I invite you to take this step of faith today. Why “wait” when we can “wake”? Stop focusing on the trivial while neglecting what truly matters. Ed Mylett: Three things are necessary for Change: Faith Intention Association Today… Believe: - that God exists - that you matter to Him - and that He has the Power to help you — today. This belief—this faith—is the gateway to transformation. It's the foundation upon which healing begins. As you leave today, I challenge you to take one action that demonstrates your belief in God's power to help you recover. Whether it's reaching out for support, beginning a conversation with God about your pain, or simply acknowledging that you can't do it alone — take that step. Remember, with less of you, there is more of God and His rule in your life. It is necessary for him to increase and for me to decrease. And that's where true healing begins. Today: “Earnestly believe that God exists and that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.” Believe • that God exists • that you matter to Him and that He has the Power to help you – today “He loved us and gave Himself for us.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Finding Help 寻得帮助 Description An account of the resource Heb 11:6 - And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 希 伯 來 書 11:6: 没有信仰的人是不可能令上帝满意的，因为来到上帝面前的人必须相信上帝的存在，而且相信上帝能够报偿追求他的人。(page 1952) Romans 1:20: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 罗马书 1:20: 其实自从创世以来，　神那看不见的事，就如他永恒的大能和神性，都是看得见的，就是从他所造的万物中可以领悟，叫人没有办法推诿。(page 1822) Psalm 34:18: The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 诗篇 34:18: 祂安慰悲痛欲绝的人，拯救心灵破碎的人。(pg 912) Psalm 31:7: I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. 诗篇 31:7: 你已经看见我的困苦，知道我心中的愁烦，你的恩慈使我欢喜快乐。(page 908) Matthew 5:4: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 马太福音 5:4: 哀痛的人有福了，因为他们必得安慰。(page 1563) 2 Tim 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 提摩太后书 1:7: 因为上帝赐给我们的不是懦弱的心， 而是刚强、仁爱、自律的心。(page 1929) John 3:30: It is necessary for him to increase and for me to decrease.” 约翰福音 3:30: 祂必兴旺，我必衰微。 (page 1721) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 09/07/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/931fb40db1974dac5359053b9a3a0787.jpg f229a3867739c105555d8ffbf650769e https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/f3351bfb618aca1849d4562eee37691e.mp4 1300ac3c6cbc416d39bc9c67d8f1f36a Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Powerlessness: Finding God's Strength in Our Weakness Matthew 9:35-38 "When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus' heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd." I've shared with you before about some of my simple prayers that received immediate answers: "Lord, I need a ride." "Lord, I am out of ideas. If you want me to see that church..." What do these prayers have in common? They were born from a place of helplessness—moments when I recognized my own limitations and surrendered to God's power. Do you ever find yourself in a state of powerlessness over a certain situation? Perhaps you're facing something that feels completely beyond your control. Some challenges might seem small—like those I mentioned—but maybe yours is life-threatening...for you, or someone you love. It's often difficult for believers to admit their own struggles. We can be powerless over destructive habits or behavior patterns in our lives—or watch helplessly as someone we love battles their own demons. In twelve-step recovery programs, the first step acknowledges: "We admitted we were powerless over __________ - and that our lives had become unmanageable." When we find ourselves in an unmanageable situation, we stand at a crossroads: Do we give up—throw in the towel—or do we decide that we need help, and that maybe—just maybe—finding that help is actually possible? Jesus said: "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." (Matt 5:3) MSG: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." Can we humble ourselves enough today to admit, "I am powerless (in my own ability) to control my own tendency to do the wrong thing—and my life is unmanageable?" Your first thought might be, "Sure, I'm not perfect, but I'm not struggling like others are." Yet it doesn't take much reflection to realize everyone has their own set of struggles. If you can't identify one area of struggle in your life right now, maybe God has positioned you to be that one who can stand strong for the rest of us. Use this message (today) to build your faith so you can stand in the gap and believe for others. 1 Cor 10:12-13 reminds us: "Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." The truth is, we ALL struggle with something. We all need help in some area of our lives. Matthew 5:3 (TPT) declares: "What happiness comes to you when you feel your spiritual poverty! For yours is the realm of heaven's kingdom." Part of our human nature is to refuse change until our pain exceeds our fear of changing. We deny our struggles until they become so overwhelming that we're finally crushed into realizing we need help. ? Why don't we save ourselves the misery and admit now what we're inevitably going to have to admit later? When we try to fix our problems ourselves, we often only make things worse. When we deny our humanity, our need for a new nature, and our total reliance on Christ—when we attempt to be the center of our own universe—we're playing God, and we always end up doing a poor imitation. We try to control our image—telling people we're fine when inside we're torn apart. We try to fix ourselves and our problems until they're so big and out of control that we finally have no choice but to reach out for help. We do everything we can to control our pain—whether by avoiding it, denying it, reducing it, or postponing it. But there's always ultimately that moment of truth when we can no longer deny reality... when we finally admit, "I am powerless in my own ability, and my life is unmanageable." In essence, we're admitting, "I am not God." Psalm 145:8-9 tells us: "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." When Jesus walked this earth, He demonstrated that compassion. Our Scripture says, "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." The people around Jesus probably had no idea just how broken their lives really were. We need to understand God's heart toward us and how He longs to heal our brokenness. Jesus lamented, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me." Isaiah 57:18-19 offers these beautiful promises: "I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn. I offer peace to all, both near and far! I will heal my people." Notice the five promises God extends: If you are hurt, God says, "I will heal you." If you're confused, God says, "I will lead you." If you feel helpless, God says, "I will help you." If you feel alone, God says, "I will comfort you." If you feel anxious and afraid, God says, "I will offer peace to you." "Trusting in His promises, we find hope for a better future—a life of freedom, peace, and happiness." We desperately need God because our lives are unmanageable without Him. We'll be forced to learn that lesson someday. We may as well admit it now. Are there still issues you struggle with? If you answered "yes," you know without a doubt that you're a citizen of the human race. The Bible tells us clearly we were born with a sin nature—a carnal mind. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives can we rise beyond this. Colossians 3:10 instructs us: "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." This reveals two important truths: It is a choice—and it is a progressive change. We can't do it without the Power of Christ in us. Spurgeon wisely noted: "You may invite men to listen to your message, but you are only inviting them to gaze upon an empty table unless Christ is the very center and substance of all that you set before them." Psalm 62:5 reminds us: "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him." We need new hope sometimes—and we need the House of God to pick us up and help us find the restoration that we will never find anywhere else. • What needs changing in your life? What hurt, hang-up, or habit have you been trying to ignore? Choosing to admit that you can't do it alone and that you need God is the first and hardest choice. It's humbling to say, "I have a problem and I need help." It means acknowledging, "I'm not God, and I don't have it together as I'd like everybody to think." But that is truly the beginning of healing. It is the road to victory. Jesus warned about the alternative: "For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them." It's time to ask God for the help we need. Do you recognize that God's grace offers real solutions to overcoming ourselves? Psalm 46:1 assures us: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Publishers Clearinghouse) What if the Grand Prize was going to be delivered to your door? Jesus stands at the door of your heart today with the true answers you are seeking. John 16:24 promises: "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." Matthew 18:19-20 reminds us of the power of agreement: "Again, I give you an eternal truth: If two of you agree to ask God for something in a symphony of prayer, my heavenly Father will do it for you. For wherever two or three come together in honor of my name, I am right there with them!" Today's scripture reminds us: "Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. 'What a huge harvest!' he said to his disciples. 'How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!'" Isn't that our job as a church—and as the Body of Christ? We need to be the hospital where souls find healing and restoration. Let's pray together: "Dear God, I want to take the first choice to healing and spiritual health today. I realize I am not You, God. I've often tried to control my problems, my pain, my image, and even other people—as if I were You. I'm sorry. I've tried to deny my problems by staying busy and keeping myself distracted. But I'm not running anymore. I admit that I am helpless to control this tendency to do things I know are unhealthy for me. Today I am asking for Your help. I humbly ask You to take all the pieces of my unmanageable life and begin the process of healing. Please heal me. Please give me the strength to choose health. Help me to persevere and continue this journey, led by Your hand. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen." Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource POWERLESS 无力 Description An account of the resource Matthew 9:36: When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus' heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. 馬 太 福 音 9:36: 他 看 见 许 多 的 人 ， 就 怜 悯 他 们 ； 因 为 他 们 困 苦 流 离 ， 如 同 羊 没 有 牧 人 一 般 Matt 5:3: Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 馬 太 福 音 5:3: 虚 心 的 人 有 福 了 ！ 因 为 天 国 是 他 们 的 。(page 1563) 1 Cor 10:12-13: Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 歌 林 多 前 書 10:12,13: 因此，那些自认为站稳脚根的人要谨防跌倒。 你们所受到的诱惑与所有人类受到的是一样的。但是上帝是可信的。他不会让你们受到你们无法承受的诱惑，而是在你们受到诱惑时，给你们提供一条出路，好让你们抵住诱惑。pg 1859 Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 诗篇 46:1: 上帝是我们的避难所，是我们的力量，是我们患难中随时的帮助。( page 926) Isaiah 57:18-19: I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn. I offer peace to all, both near and far! I will heal my people. 以赛亚书 57:18,19: "我看见了他们的所作所为，但我还是要医治他们，引领他们，使他们和那些哀伤的人得安慰， 使他们开口赞美。愿远近各方的人都得到平安！我要医治他们。这是耶和华说的。" (page1208) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 08/31/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States