5 10 90 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/cf1ac71062fc64a5a7274ff799ecc452.jpeg 5f9961212c4b73b57827ae2b47de8ee7 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/35ea69e019b4a175f3898c17b9ac6309.mp4 80353213e2baefd5ef405cd57dbcfeca 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 Growing Through the Motions Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 "When everyday seems the same, it is because we have stopped noticing the good things that appear in our lives." ~ Paulo Coelho Msg: Find the Joy in the mundane – because this is where most of life occurs. mun•dane - of, relating to, or characteristic of the world 2 : characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary : COMMONPLACE Find the Joy in the mundane – because this is where most of life occurs. There is a positive, joyful side to the daily routine - if you look for it There are daily chores we must do There are obligations, and there are monthly, weekly and daily duties that fill our days. But if we just wish all of these things away, (along with all the precious time included,) what do we have left? Not much. Ec 9:10: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with (all) your might Col 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… Put your life back into your life. Find the Joy in the mundane – because this is where most of life occurs. There is a Christian song I love that says, “I don’t want to spend my life going through the motions.” If we do (as the scripture says) “everything as unto the Lord” – if we live as the Bible says, “In everything (giving) thanks,” then even the normal, predictable, mundane duties of life are not just “going through the motions.” YOU can decide if it has meaning and purpose or not. ? Do you realize that if you have a true routine you don’t need “motivation?” You do what needs to be done from conditioning. That is a good thing. There is a positive, joyful side to the daily routine - if you look for it There was a hit song by that wonderful 60’s band “The Monkees” called “Pleasant Valley Sunday” It was a reflection of the countercultural zeitgeistof young people trying to create something new due to the disillusionment they perceived of the existing culture. “Another Pleasant Valley Sunday (Sunday) - Charcoal burning everywhere Rows of houses that are all the same - And no one seems to care” Now in 2025 people realize that was actually a pretty good way to live J Find the Joy in the mundane – because this is where most of life occurs. Don’t just accept the day-to-day routine – treasure it! “Growing through the motions” Find ways to LOVE your daily routine. “Waiting for my real life to begin” – Colin Hay Ben Franklin: “Do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made out of.” Ecc 5:18: But I realized that there is one good thing for people to do. We should be happy to eat and to drink. And we should enjoy the hard work that we do on the earth. That is what God wants us to do during the short time that he has given us on this earth. Travelling is great - for a time. Going new places – especially places with different cultures and traditions - can really wake you up- and teach you about life. A nice vacation can do wonders for us. It’s been years since I have been to the beach, but a good beach trip is really good for the soul. But I also feel like my dad always did. After a bit, you are ready and happy to go back home. To return to the routine. Travelling is always amazing to me. I can’t fully explain it – but there is just something so fascinating about flying far away and knowing that all you are has travelled with you – or has it? Don’t you feel alone sometimes when you’re away from home base? “No matter where you go - there YOU are.” There is no place you can go that God is not. Profoundly simple - yet simply profound. It is the answer to loneliness. - the answer to powerlessness. It is simply a matter of abiding. China: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” If you cannot find the joy in the routine – in the mundane – in those “normal days” of life – then you are simply missing the purpose of that time – which is for equipping you for what God has for you to do when the set moment arrives. Jesus said, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” There is a good kind of poverty – the kind that recognizes how empty and alone we are without God. In the sixteenth century Copernicus was the first to claim that the earth revolves around the sun – and not the other way around. In the same way, many people think that if they clean up their lives, if they can “make” themselves righteous, then God will love them. The truth is quite the opposite. The truth is, once we come to experience God’s love – we begin to change from the inside out. We’ve got to connect – and remain connected to our God – our source. Remember – we do this by Faith. The Bible talks about “Dwelling in the Secret Place…” “Abiding in Christ…” Staying connected to the Vine *(Jesus) “In Him we live and move and have our being.” ? You ever have one of those times where you have lots of questions and no clear answers? “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Step One: We admitted we were powerless over _______ – that our lives had become unmanageable. One morning I was praying and I wrote these words: “Lord, I know that I don’t know everything – I have so much to learn. But I know that I am complete in You. I know that I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” At that very moment, His Presence and Peace filled me as I just submitted to Him. Waiting. A broken, empty vessel. “Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.” When we trust God is with us – Emmanuel - when we depend on Him, we can have peace for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Jesus said, “Take no thought for tomorrow.” I had a conversation with someone about how hard it is for them to live in the moment. Everything is either a memory or a dreaded future event. I know I have had whole vacations where all I thought about was being back home. How many moments have we missed by not listening to The Master – by worrying – by walking in fear of tomorrow instead of faith for today? If we are present in the moment, we are not in fear. Staying Present – in His Presence. (selah) The great composer Tchaikovsky once said that he spent his entire life “regretting the past and hoping for the future, never being satisfied in the present.” The present is all we have. We must learn to be “Complete in Him” NOW. If we will live in the Present Moment – if we will abide in His Presence – we can once again discover we are “Complete In Him.” If you will live in this revelation that you are, indeed, “complete in Him,” your whole life will change. You can live in the moment and live in His peace. It takes practice and it takes persistence – but it is worth the effort. If we are “complete in Him” (which we are,) we should live like it. Our lives should demonstrate this truth. Stop seeing lack – start seeing completion. Decree over your life – by decreeing over your day Jesus said, “…does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:24: This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—be convinced that you have received it and it will be yours. Speak blessings over the whole thing you call “your life” Whosoever meaneth ME. Prov 28:10 says, “ … the upright shall possess good things.” Ecc 6:6: Even if he lives 2,000 years, it is sad if a person can’t enjoy the good things God gives him. Abiding is a choice. It is a deliberate act of faith to cast aside your doubts and fears and wait upon the Lord. To live in His Present in the Present moment. Beloved, don’t hesitate to come to your Heavenly Father. God, who is so full of goodness and supply. He is always willing to bless, preserve, heal and restore you. “Fill my cup, Lord…” Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 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 GROWING through the motions 日常涵养成长 Description An account of the resource Ecc 1:10: Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”?It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. 传道书 1:10: 人可以指着哪件事说：“看啊，这是新事”？所谓的新事在我们以前早就有了。 (page 1086) Ec 9:10: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might 传道书 9:10: 凡你的手能做的，都要尽力去做 (pg 1097) Col 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men 歌罗西书 3:23: 无论做什么事，都要发自内心，像是为主做的，而不是为人做的，(page 1912) Ecc 5:18: But I realized that there is one good thing for people to do. We should be happy to eat and to drink. And we should enjoy the hard work that we do on the earth. That is what God wants us to do during the short time that he has given us on this earth. 传道书 5:18: 我认为人生最美最善的是，在上帝所赐的短暂岁月中尽情吃喝，享受自己在日光之下劳苦得来的成果。因为这是人当得的。(page 1092) Mark 11:24: This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—be convinced that you have received it and it will be yours. 馬 可 福 音 11:24: 所以我告诉你们：在祷告中请求，只要相信你们已经得到它，那么它就会属于你们。 (page 1641) Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 以赛亚书 40:31: 但仰望耶和华的人必重新得力。他们必像鹰一样展翅高飞，他们奔跑也不困倦，他们行走也不疲乏。(page 1177) 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 05/25/2025 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/9ccad9fabd12b05079b3c529298f9fca.jpeg f0f85bfff38e383711df9298e3422492 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/3a3ebbde9cfffc56b0e53987818c2a5d.mp4 19036eaefa27418c469c0905298310c0 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 2026 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 Hands Raised in Victory Hebrews 12:12,13 A lectionary calendar is a structured, three-year cycle of pre-selected scripture readings — Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel — used for worship, study, and daily prayer. It aligns with the Christian liturgical year and allows congregations to hear large portions of the Bible consistently. When used properly, it can be a good thing. Today is Mother’s Day. I have rarely followed the calendar to offer the weekly message. I trust God to guide my heart as to what I feel led we need to hear… …but this message today should really hit home with many mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. Because many people are carrying burdens no one else can see. And strong, God-fearing mothers are the best example I know of. They have often gone without rest or concern for themselves for too long at a time. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If your heart is tired today, please hear these words. Like me, you may say, “I know, I know…. but…” This message is not here to condemn you. It is here to call you back. Maybe you have been carrying more than people know. Maybe you still smile, still answer, still do what must be done, but inside, your soul is running low. For a moment, let your heart become still before the Lord. Let these words settle deeply into your spirit. You do not have to pretend before God. You do not have to act strong in the presence of the One who already knows your weakness. Maybe the morning came quietly and you stepped into it with a heart that was still heavy from yesterday. But before your feet touched the floor, mercy had already reached you. God saw your exhaustion before you knew how to name it. “Lord, I begin this new day for You, with You, and because of You.” This morning, as you prepare to face whatever this day holds, the challenges, the uncertainties, the responsibilities, - you have a choice. You can carry the weight of it all on your own shoulders, or you can start with thanksgiving and the sacrifice of praise and watch God transform your entire day. The enemy wants tired people to believe they are abandoned. But exhaustion is not evidence of abandonment. Today we are going to bring this burden before the Lord. We will remember His mercy and lay it down together. When you anchor your morning in gratitude, you're not denying the reality of your problems. You're declaring the greater reality of God's power. You're not ignoring your needs. You're acknowledging that God is your ultimate provider. You're not pretending everything is perfect. You're proclaiming that God is sovereign over it all. Gratitude is an act of faith. It's trusting that God is good even when circumstances aren't. It's believing that he's working even when you can't see it. It's choosing to praise him before you see the breakthrough. You may not have everything you prayed for yet, but you are still here. And since God woke you up this morning, it means He still has purpose for your life. That is why Lamentations 3:22–23 :“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.” Your life is not being held together by luck. It is being held by mercy. So even when our souls — and sometimes our bodies — feel tired, our best choice is still to praise Jesus for His strength in our time of weakness. Hebrews 12:12,13 says: “So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees, for as you keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed!” Phillips translation: “So take a fresh grip on life and brace your trembling limbs. Don’t wander away from the path but forge steadily onward. On the right path the limping foot recovers strength and does not collapse.” Notice what scripture is teaching us. It does not say we become strong by pretending we are not weak. It says: “Be made strong even in your weakness…” Sometimes faith is simply lifting tired hands. Sometimes worship comes with trembling knees. Sometimes praise is whispered through exhaustion. But heaven still hears it. The Bible speaks about a “sacrifice of praise.” Hebrews 13:15: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” A sacrifice costs something. Anybody can praise when the battle is over. But faith praises while the battle is still raging. • Sometimes praise costs tears. Sometimes praise costs pride. Sometimes praise is offered while the heart is still hurting. But there is something powerful about choosing worship in the middle of weakness. Psalm 89:1 says: “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever…” Not just when life is easy. Not just when every prayer has been answered. But forever. Jesus is the Great Shepherd. (“His name is Wonderful”) Sometimes we realize we still do not have it all figured out… …and we need the Great Shepherd to guide us back again. Sheep do not usually realize how well they are being cared for… protected… provided for… guided. A child may cry when the father takes a sharp knife out of his hands, but it is for the good of the child, isn’t it? And sometimes we do not understand why God allows certain interruptions, delays, or corrections in our lives. But the Shepherd sees dangers the sheep cannot see. Some of you have spent so much time caring for everyone else that you forgot the Shepherd still wants to care for you. (and that you need His care) Today’s scripture says: “Be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship.” Raising our hands is a form of surrender. And in the natural world, surrender may look like defeat. But in the Spirit, surrender to Jesus becomes the beginning of victory. When we lift our hands before God, we are not surrendering to fear. We are surrendering to the One who can make us whole again. He becomes our peace. Our strength. Our Shepherd. Our victory. Sometimes our mission is also to help guide someone else back to this place of grace. Hebrews 12:15 says: “Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace.” There are weary people all around us. Some are quietly breaking under burdens they have never spoken aloud. And sometimes the greatest ministry is simply helping someone lift their hands again. Helping them remember mercy again. Helping them believe again. Psalm 118:25: “O God, please come and save us again; bring us Your breakthrough-victory!” Today God is not asking you to prove your strength. He is asking you to lift your hands. Because victory does not begin with striving. Victory begins with surrender. These are not hands of defeat today. These are hands reaching toward mercy. These are hands raised in victory. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Today we come to You with tired hands, weary hearts, and burdens that sometimes feel too heavy to carry alone. Thank You that Your mercy reached us before we even knew how to ask for it. Thank You that Your compassion has not failed us. Thank You that Your grace is still holding us together. Lord Jesus, teach us to lift our hands again — not in defeat, but in surrender to You. Where there is exhaustion, bring strength. Where there is heaviness, bring rest. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is wandering, lead us back beside still waters. Help us to offer You a sacrifice of praise even in difficult seasons. Help us trust the Shepherd who sees what we cannot see. And Father, for every mother, grandmother, caregiver, and weary soul in this room today — surround them with Your presence and remind them they are not forgotten. Strengthen weak knees. Restore trembling hearts. Heal every stumbling path. Today we raise our hands toward Heaven and declare that our victory is found in Jesus Christ alone. In the mighty and merciful name of Jesus we pray, Amen. I Surrender All – pg 354 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 Hands Raised in Victory 高举双手得胜 Description An account of the resource Hands Raised in Victory 高举双手得胜 Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 马太福音 11:28: “凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来， 我就使你们得安息。” Lamentations 3:22,23: Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. 耶利米哀歌 3:22,23: 我们不至消灭，是出于耶和华诸般的慈爱； 是因他的怜悯不至断绝。每早晨这都是新的。 Hebrews 12:12,13: So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship... 希伯来书 12:12,13: 所以，你们要把下垂的手、发酸的腿挺起来. Hebrews 13:15: Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God... 希伯来书 13:15: 我们应当靠着耶稣，常常以颂赞为祭献给神... Psalm 89:1: I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever... 诗篇 89:1: 我要歌唱耶和华的慈爱，直到永远... Hebrews 12:15: Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. 希伯来书 12:15: 又要谨慎，恐怕有人失了神的恩... Psalm 118:25: O God, please come and save us again; bring us Your breakthrough-victory! 诗篇 118:25: 耶和华啊，求你拯救！耶和华啊，求你使我们亨通！ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 05/10/2026 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/2871b16e8ffb0cc2c550738579d46d6c.jpg 2f97b676c6c68343db696da2b3c7b540 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/8794ffa092f9361749afadb6d2d77daa.mp4 f94fa929009091839238638fd399d100 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 2026 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 HE IS RISEN — NOW I WILL ARISE Romans 5:9-11 “The stone is sealed. The grave is quiet. But God is still working. What looks like the end is actually preparation for something amazing. SUNDAY IS COMING. Hold on to hope.” Sore muscles usually mean you're on the right track. Sometimes things feel harder not because you're failing — but because you're growing. So - Just because you're in a dark season doesn’t mean you’ve slipped. You just might be underground… growing roots… getting ready to rise. Think about Good Friday. Dark. Painful. seemingly Hopeless. Jesus was beaten, crucified… and placed in a grave. It looked like the enemy had won. But Sunday changed everything. The grave could not hold Him. Death could not contain Him. Darkness could not stop Him. Jesus declares: “I was dead… but now I am alive forevermore.” Here’s what the resurrection teaches us: God always finishes what He starts. No matter how dark it looks… No matter how long it’s been… No matter who is against you… God will take you from Friday… to Sunday. Today is not just about what Jesus did. It’s about what is available to you now. Romans 5:10,11: Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion! And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ! Two words I want you to lock in your heart this morning. Resurrection. …means bringing something back to life. Something that was dead — breathing again. Arise. …means to get up. To wake up. To move from where you have been. So the question is— Have we been asleep? Paul writes to the church in Ephesus — people who already knew the Lord — - and he says this in Ephesians 5:14: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” He is not writing to pagans. He is not writing to people who had never heard the Gospel. He is writing to church people. People who were already saved, already loved, already filled with the Spirit. And he is saying — “wake up.” Could it possibly be that some of us need to wake up to what we already have? Could it be that the resurrection is not just a doctrine we believe — but a reality we need to walk in every single day? "it is finished" Tetelestai (tetel-is-sty) Greek Business. Judicial. Military context. The debt of your sin has been fully paid The judgement for your sin has been fully served The war against sin and death has been won Salvation and Reconciliation is fully Yours. Do we need to wake-up to our inheritance, just like the prodigal son did when he “came to himself?” In Luke 15, the prodigal son says: “I will arise and go to my father.” This is Awakening. This is True Repentance. This is the message of Easter: Because Jesus rose — you can rise. When life hits you— (sometimes by surprise, right?) When you're overwhelmed… When you're broken… When you're bound… There is one response: “I will arise and go to my Father.” Say it when: life doesn’t make sense the report is bad your heart is broken you feel stuck “I will arise and go to my Father.” As true believers, we are no longer on the outside looking in In Matt 27: 51: “Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.  At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two…” At the moment of Jesus' death on the cross, the thick curtain in the Jerusalem temple separating the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. This event symbolized the removal of barriers between God and humanity, signifying that Jesus’ sacrifice granted direct access to God, ending the need for priestly mediation and the old covenant. The veil, which was roughly six inches thick and impassable, could not be torn by human force, suggesting the tear was a divine act indicating the sacrifice was complete. It marked the end of the old sacrificial system, as Jesus became the final, perfect sacrifice. The cross tore the veil. Heb 10:10: By God’s will we have been purified and made holy once and for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus, the Messiah! We now have direct access to God. He is not distant. He is your Father. You are not abandoned. You are accepted. Maybe sometimes your heart stirs in the middle of the night and you know something needs to change… yet, the next morning, it’s so easy to just go back to the usual routine and forget what you felt Dog & the Nail Story I want to be careful here — but I also want to be honest… Some of us may be sitting on a nail today We are uncomfortable enough to whine about it — but not uncomfortable enough to get up (arise) and do something about it. We talk about our situation. We may even pray about our situation. We may ask others for prayer about our situation. …but for some reason we haven’t moved off the nail Some people are in a pit… …but not uncomfortable enough to leave. So why do we do it? Because sometimes the familiar pit — even when it is painful — feels safer than the unknown of climbing out. Because change requires movement, and movement requires faith, and faith means trusting something you cannot yet see. “rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life." Why wait for rock bottom when resurrection power is already in you? When you’re in darkness… You don’t follow what you see. You follow His voice. “He has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Today is your day. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Today. Say it with me: “I will arise and go to my Father.” He is risen — Now I will arise. Heavenly Father, Thank You for the power of the resurrection. Thank You that Jesus is alive— and because He lives, we can live too. Today, we choose to arise. Out of darkness… into Your light. Out of fear… into faith. Out of bondage… into freedom. Father, we come back to You. Just like the prodigal son, we say: “I will arise and go to my Father.” Restore what has been broken. Renew what has grown cold. Awaken what has been asleep. Fill us again with Your life, Your Spirit, and Your power. From this day forward, we will not stay where we’ve been— we will walk in the new life You have given us. We declare: Because He is risen… we will arise. 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 He is Risen 他已复活 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 04/05/2026 Description An account of the resource Romans 5:9-11: Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 罗马书 5:9-11: 现在，我们既然因祂所流的血而被称为义人，岂不更要靠着祂免受上帝的烈怒吗？ 如果我们还与上帝为敌的时候，尚且可以借着上帝儿子的死亡与上帝和好，和好后的我们岂不更要借着祂儿子的生命得到拯救吗？ 不但如此，我们借着主耶稣基督与上帝和好之后，还要借着祂在上帝面前欢喜。 (pg 1828) Eph 5:14 - “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 以弗所书 5:14: “沉睡的人啊，醒来吧！从死人中起来吧， 基督要光照你了！”(page 1899) Luke 15:18: “I will arise and go to my father…” 路加福音 15:18:“我要起来，到我父亲那里去…”(pg 1694) Matt 27: 51: Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.  At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two… 马太福音 27:51: 忽然，殿里的幔子从上到下裂为两半，地也震动，磐石也崩裂 (pg 1614) Heb 10:10: By God’s will we have been purified and made holy once and for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus, the Messiah! 希 伯 來 書 10:10: 凭上帝的意旨，耶稣基督只牺牲了自己的身体一次，便使得我们永远圣洁。(pg 1950) 他已复活! 现在是起来的时候 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/76a8210970f5ebbb02521d108ace19a8.jpg 07be98cfa515f412e89c78a33214b195 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/5f9df0cc9288962b0d05a9570c32c28d.mp4 b58676e0d5ddd0ad11f8edd3d2d87b08 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 Heart Alignment: The Circumcision of the Heart Deut 30:6 In the 1970s, many of us spent hours waiting for our favorite songs to play on the radio, finger hovering over the 'Record' button on our cassette tape recorders. One cassette I played for years included that legendary hit song 'Freebird.' The singer proudly declares, 'This bird you cannot change' and 'Lord, I can't change'—as if un-changeability were a badge of honor. But what does that declaration really mean? It's essentially surrendering to stagnation, giving up on the possibility of becoming better. It's saying, 'I am someone who chooses to remain the same' rather than 'I am someone who chooses growth.' We're all on a path that's leading us somewhere. Have you considered: where are you headed if you continue doing what you're doing now? ?What if deep down, you actually care that you don't currently care? Perhaps a part of you is truly crying out for more from life. How often do we begin our days with grand plans, only to end up mindlessly scrolling through our phones? It's so much easier to fall into what psychologists now call 'doomscrolling'—the action of continually consuming negative online news or social media content, even though it causes distress. This pattern reflects a deeper spiritual problem. The Bible warns us not to be carnally minded—not to think the way the world thinks. Scripture is clear: 'To be carnally minded is death.' Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:37, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' He also said, 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.' But this kind of love isn't merely a work of our will. It's a profound transformation—a work of the Holy Spirit. Scripture calls it the 'Circumcision of the Heart.' In the Bible, physical circumcision was commanded by God as an outward sign of His covenant with Abraham and Israel. It symbolized obedience, devotion to God, and commitment to the covenant. It represented the 'cutting away' of sin and the 'filth of the flesh.' In the New Testament, this physical act is transcended by the 'circumcision of the heart'—a spiritual act performed by the Holy Spirit that signifies an inward cleansing and transformation. Deut 30:6 tells us: 'And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.' Charles Spurgeon beautifully explained this passage: 'Here we read of the true circumcision. Note the author of it: "The Lord thy God." He alone can deal effectually with our heart and take away its carnality and pollution. To make us love God with all our heart and soul is a miracle of grace which only the Holy Ghost can work.' 'We must look to the Lord alone for this and never be satisfied with anything short of it. Note where this circumcision is wrought. It is not of the flesh but of the Spirit. It is the essential mark of the covenant of grace. Love to God is the indelible token of the chosen seed; by this secret seal the election of grace is certified to the believer.' 'We must see to it that we trust in no outward ritual but are sealed in heart by the operation of the Holy Ghost. Note what the result is—"that thou mayest live." To be carnally minded is death. In the overcoming of the flesh, we find ‘life and peace.' The circumcision – the “cutting away,” not only propels us forward – but it also takes us back – back to our roots – our foundation. A Returning. 2 Cor 5:15 declares: 'He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.' 1 Cor 15:14 reminds us of the foundation of our faith: 'If Christ has not been raised, all of our preaching has been for nothing and your faith is useless.' John Wesley understood this when he wrote that if Christ is risen, we ought to die to the world and 'live wholly unto God.' What does it mean to 'live wholly unto God'? - It signifies a complete shift in purpose, with a life now dedicated to pleasing God. - It means being 'alive to God,' empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously. - It establishes a new identity in Christ, where we're no longer defined by our past but by our new life in Him. ? So how do we measure up? Do we JUST keep looking at our phones, or do we now strive for the higher calling in Christ Jesus? Are we those who choose to remain the same, or those who choose growth? Ezekiel 36:26 promises: 'I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.' This circumcision of the heart is the central idea of the New Covenant. Jeremiah 31:33 tells us: 'I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.' The grace of the New Covenant is the grace that changes our hearts. Romans 12:2 challenges us: 'Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.' “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” Proverbs reminds us that as a person 'thinks in his heart, so is he.' How can we love God with all our heart without this divine circumcision of the heart? A circumcised heart declares, 'My heart is fixed!' It says, 'I set my face like a stone to serve the Lord!' Remember: 'You will never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe.' You have a circumcised heart when what you ought to do and what you want to do are the same. When your heart is circumcised and you can clearly hear from the Lord, you won't need the approval of others to step out in faith. Philippians 3:3 reminds us: 'But we are the ones who have the true circumcision—we who worship God through his Spirit. We don't trust in ourselves or anything we can do. We take pride only in Christ Jesus.' Colossians 2:11 affirms: 'In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.' Do you keep asking God to forgive the same sins over and over? That’s because you need to experience true cleansing. Your heart needs to be circumcised. And that’s a job for the Holy Spirit. Romans 2:29: “True circumcision…is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit” “ …a change of heart produced by the Spirit” ? How can this transformation happen for us? ….through a simple act of faith and obedience. If we believe it is the Holy Spirit that must do this work in us, then we must simply take that first step of faith. I urge you: Take it today—without delay. "Circumcise my heart, O Lord, to love You with all my heart and with all my soul. Let my heart be aligned with You.” James1:12: If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God! 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 HEART ALIGNMENT 心之对齐 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/19/2025 Description An account of the resource Deuteronomy 30:6: And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 申命记 30:6: 你们的上帝耶和华要洁净你们和你们子孙的心， 好让你们全心全意地爱祂，并且存活。(page 339) Romans 12:2: Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. 罗马书 12:2: 你们不可追随世界的潮流，要随着思想的不断更新而改变，这样就能明辨上帝的旨意，知道什么是良善、纯全、蒙祂悦纳的。(page 1839) Ezekiel 36:26: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 以西结书 36:26: 我要赐你们一颗新心，把新的灵放在你们里面。我要除去你们的石心，赐给你们一颗肉心。(page 1408) Colossians 2:11: In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. 歌罗西书 2:11: 你们也在基督里受了非人手所行的割礼，是基督为除掉你们的罪恶本性而行的割礼。(page 1910) Matthew 22:37: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 马太福音 22:37: 耶稣回答说：“你要全心、全情、全意爱主——你的上帝" (page 1600) Romans 2:29: …True circumcision…is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. 罗马书 2:29: 真割礼是借着圣灵在心里受的割礼，不在于律法条文。这样的人得到的称赞不是从人来的，而是从上帝来的。(page 1824) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/e8106b76b56c275d541f20ea73511337.jpg 1f0469f996565e461a139c3c210b1b0a 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 2022 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 Homecoming 2022 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/18b293d7c51e77cea7aad88fe5920fba.jpg ebfc5098e1f6620e7e5e6a12391f6fa8 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/8329229bb47680d28958be186b8e1295.mp4 e23cd0834fad1bc1f6614bd03ce07252 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 Clean the House Matthew 23:25-27 Driving to work Thursday morning, God spoke to me and redirected my steps. I am so thankful. Psalm 119:130 tells us: "Break open your Word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans." This verse describes a fervent desire for understanding and divine enlightenment, where a person's heart opens to receive insight into God's will and purpose. What is in your heart today? How can God speak to a heart that is filled with the world? Goethe: "A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart." Psalm 119:11 reminds us: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." A friend of mine once put diesel fuel in their gasoline car. Just as the wrong fuel ruins an engine, filling our hearts with the wrong things corrupts our spiritual lives. Ephesians 5:18 instructs us: "Don't be drunk with wine, which will ruin your life, but be filled with the Spirit." When we bought our house nearly 25 years ago, it came with a "self-cleaning oven." Not ONCE in almost 25 years have I woken up to find the oven had cleaned itself. Christian, do not fall into the trap of seeking to clean yourself up. You were never called to become a "self-made person." As the saying goes, "He was a self-made man who worshipped his creator." The Pharisees were notorious for knowing how to look good outwardly while still concealing their dark hearts. Matthew 23:25-26: "Great sorrow awaits you religious scholars and Pharisees—frauds and imposters! You are like one who will only wipe clean the outside of a cup or bowl, leaving the inside filthy. You are foolish to ignore the greed and self-indulgence that live like germs within you. You are blind to your evil. Shouldn't the one who cleans the outside also be concerned with cleaning the inside? You need to have more than clean dishes; you need clean hearts!" Matthew 23:27: "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity." "Whited sepulchers" (or "whitewashed tombs") is a Biblical phrase used by Jesus to describe hypocrites—people who appear outwardly righteous but are inwardly corrupt, just as a whitewashed tomb may look beautiful but actually contains dead bodies and filth. Jesus uses this practice to highlight the hypocrisy of some religious leaders who presented a clean, beautiful exterior while harboring inner corruption and spiritual death. What is in your heart today? "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Romans 1:21 warns: "...but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Give Jesus your heart—and let Him do the inner work that is needed. I cleaned up my computer Monday morning. It was really slow to reload. Eventually all the files and images started reoccupying their previous space in my PC. It was almost like it was before I cleaned it up. In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus describes a scenario where an evil spirit, cast out of a person, finds no other place to live and returns to the person's "house" (their heart or body). Finding the house "empty, swept, and put in order"—meaning the person has rid themselves of outward sins but without filling the spiritual void with God's presence—the spirit brings seven other, more wicked spirits, resulting in the person's final condition being worse than the first. Jesus taught: "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order." Notice, Jesus said the unclean spirit said, "I will return to my house." Whose house are YOU? 1 Cor 3:16: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" For the past few weeks, we've been focused on finding the help and the power to move beyond our previous limitations so we can get on with our true assignments in life—our spiritual destinies. After the house has been cleaned, what will you refill it with? If you just go straight back home to the same music, the same friends, the same TV shows, the same books, the same distractions... Get it? Proverbs 4:14-15: "Do not detour into darkness or even set foot on that path. Stay away from it; don't even go there!" Non-Christian, you may think going to church more will help. You may think that being nicer will help. You may try to will yourself off of addictions, but you must come to discover that what you need is a clean heart, and only Christ can cleanse your heart. Come to Him in faith and repentance. Psalm 119:104: "Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life." Be "being filled"... (Eph 5:18) - The continual influence of the Spirit of God. John 17:17: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." It is a battle at times... but remember, it is fought in the Spirit—not in the flesh. We all struggle... even though sometimes maybe you feel you may be struggling harder than other people are? 1 Cor 10:13: "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." Luke 10:19: "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." The authority of the kingdom is not theory—it is reality. Jesus gave us power over every work of the enemy, and when we walk in that authority, darkness must bow. The evidence of God's kingdom is not only in what we say, but in what is broken, healed, and delivered through His Spirit working in us. His power brings heaven's reality to earth. We must understand that what God wants to do in our lives is way more than just some “self-help” program. True transformation is much more. With God’s mighty power at work within us, we are becoming the people who can sustain the actions that lead to unlocking a new level of freedom and power * …which will require true internal change Galatians 5:16: "Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life." Galatians 5 is all about "Freedom in Christ." Galatians 5:16-18: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." So, let's let Jesus clean our cache—our hearts—let’s give it all up to God—and then let the Holy Spirit fill up the vanct spaces in us. He can do in a moment what we cannot achieve in a lifetime of human effort. Matthew 8:3: "Then Jesus put His hand on him and said, 'I will. You are healed!' At once the man was healed." ...and (as the scripture says) “be being filled.” Confess your sins to God. He is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Seek to work harder, not in your own power, but in "all God's energy that He powerfully works within you" (Colossians 1:29). Trust God. Colossians 1:29: "That is why I work very hard. Christ works powerfully in me to make me strong for this difficult work." Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me authority over the enemy. Teach me to walk boldly in the power of Your Spirit. Let every scheme of darkness be broken in my life and family. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done through me. 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 Housecleaning 大扫除 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/05/2025 Description An account of the resource Psalm 119:130: Break open your Word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. 诗篇 119:130: 你的言语一解开，就发出亮光，使愚人通达。 (page 1010) Matthew 23:25-26: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." 马太福音 23:25-27: 你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！因为你们洗净杯盘的外面，里面却盛满了勒索和放荡。 你这瞎眼的法利赛人，先洗净杯盘的里面，好叫外面也干净了。你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！因为你们好像粉饰的坟墓，外面好看，里面却装满了死人的骨头和一切的污秽。(page 1602) Matthew 12:43-45: "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first." 马太福音 12:43-45: "污鬼离了人身，就在无水之地过来过去，寻求安歇之处，却寻不着。 于是说：‘我要回到我所出来的屋里去。’到了，就看见里面空闲，打扫干净，修饰好了， 便去另带了七个比自己更恶的鬼来，都进去住在那里。那人末后的景况比先前更不好了。这邪恶的世代也要如此。” (page 1579) Galatians 5:16: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." 加拉太书 5:16: 我说，你们当顺着圣灵而行，就不放纵肉体的情欲了。(page 1892) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/45ce31b38ff81f8234f9aa9b8b1673c0.jpg 00f11b3a41698b5110884566196b77cf https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/4d1b447679c5d811534fae0053740004.mp4 4c8ffa5a91601c870c5508607ea8eb4e 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 2026 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 IF WE ONLY KNEW John 4:5-10 For a moment, let your heart become still before the Lord. Let these words I share today settle deeply into your spirit. The Lord impressed something on my heart during my time away: "Don't think that you will go home and be the same person you were before. You won't be." That resonated with me. Because the changes God has been making in my life are still happening. They haven't stopped. Last week we talked about that word “commencement “ In many ways, I feel as though I am still in the middle of my own commencement. A beginning. A becoming. Sometimes we expect transformation to arrive all at once. But often, the biggest changes in our lives happen through many small steps. One thought can change a decision. One decision can change a direction. And one direction can eventually change a life. God has a way of bringing new information, new situations, new conversations, and even new people into our lives. Each one becomes another piece of what He is building within us. One time on a plane ride home, I was sitting with a new found friend – and brother in Christ: "I think God's going to surprise you." I believe that's true. And I believe maybe God wants to surprise some of us today. Our scripture comes from John chapter 4. Jesus is sitting beside Jacob's well when a Samaritan woman comes to draw water. At first glance, it seems like an ordinary meeting. But it becomes one of the most powerful conversations in Scripture. This woman was an outsider. She carried shame. She carried disappointment. She carried questions. Yet Jesus intentionally met her where she was. GOD wants to meet us where WE are today. “If WE only knew…” The story of the woman at the well teaches us that God loves us in spite of our bankrupt lives. God values us enough to actively seek us. To welcome us into intimacy. To rejoice in our worship. As a result of this conversation, only a person like the Samaritan woman could fully understand what Jesus was offering. To be wanted. To be cared for. To be seen. …even when no one possibly else saw value in her. Maybe not even when she saw value in herself. That is grace indeed. And then Jesus says these remarkable words: "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." “If you only knew.” That phrase has stayed with me all week. “If you only knew.” If WE only knew. Sometimes we have to get lost before we find ourselves. Jesus finds us right where we are. “Just as I am” The woman at the well had her eyes opened to the truth about her situation when she met Jesus. She came for water. She left with something infinitely greater. Jesus revealed that despite all her trips to the well, she remained thirsty. Not merely physically thirsty. Spiritually. Emotionally. Deep within her soul. The water she drew today could not satisfy tomorrow's thirst. And isn't that often true of us? How many times do we return to the same wells expecting lasting satisfaction? The well of success. The well of approval. The well of comfort. The well of distraction. Yet we keep returning because the thirst remains. Jesus was offering something different. Living Water. A relationship with God that permanently satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. Today I want us to consider three things. Three truths hidden inside Jesus' words. First: IF WE ONLY KNEW HOW MUCH GOD DELIGHTS IN US Many people believe God tolerates them. But they struggle to believe God delights in them. Listen to Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Imagine that. The Creator of the universe delights in you. (in me) Not merely the future version of you. Not the perfected version of you. You. Right now. The Samaritan woman expected judgment. Instead she found grace. She expected rejection. Instead she found acceptance. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” If we only knew how much God delights in us, perhaps we would stop hiding from Him and start running toward Him. Second: IF WE ONLY KNEW WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY PLACED WITHIN US Jesus later declared: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." Notice what Jesus said. Not merely water for you. Water flowing through you. Not just enough for survival. Enough to overflow. First Corinthians 2:12 tells us: "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." Many believers spend their lives praying for what God has already provided. Looking for what is already present. Seeking strength while carrying strength. Seeking wisdom while carrying the mind of Christ. Seeking peace while carrying the Prince of Peace. If we only knew what God has already placed within us, we would walk differently. Pray differently. Live differently. Third: IF WE ONLY KNEW WHAT GOD STILL WANTS TO DO THROUGH US There is another verse that connects beautifully with this story. Jesus said: "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends." The woman came to the well as a stranger. She left as a friend of God. What happened at the well was more than a conversation. It was an invitation. An invitation into relationship. An invitation into friendship. An invitation into purpose. Jesus doesn't merely save us from something. He saves us for something. There are still prayers to answer. Lives to touch. People to encourage. Blessings to discover. Kingdom work to accomplish. There is more ahead than we realize. (“if you only knew”) Sometimes we look at our lives and think the best chapters have already been written. But God is still writing. God is still creating. God is still surprising. And if we only knew what He has planned, we would approach tomorrow with expectation instead of fear. As our perspective changes, everything changes. When the blinders come off, we begin to see possibilities where we once saw obstacles. Blessings where we once saw burdens. Opportunities where we once saw limitations. The greatest tragedy is not that God has withheld His blessings from us. The greatest tragedy is that we often live unaware of what He has already given. Isaiah 55:1 says: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters." And Isaiah 12:3 says: "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Today Jesus is offering us a better way to live. Not merely surviving. Not merely going through the motions. Not merely repeating yesterday. But living with expectation. Living with purpose. Living with joy. He restores your soul. Consider that the answer you've been looking for is already closer than you think. - the strength you need is already available. - the peace you need is already present. - the Living Water is already flowing. Jesus said: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." If we only knew. If WE only knew. Amen. Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for meeting us at the wells of our lives just as You met the Samaritan woman. Thank You for loving us, seeking us, and offering us living water today. Open our eyes to see what You have already given us. Help us to understand how deeply You delight in us, how richly You have blessed us, and how greatly You still desire to work through us. Renew our faith. Strengthen our hearts. Lift our expectations. And help us to leave this place different from how we came. May streams of living water flow through our lives and become a blessing to everyone around us. We recommit ourselves to You today. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we 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 If We Only Knew 我们若知道 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 06/07/2026 Description An account of the resource John 4:10 (NIV) Jesus replied, “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.” 约翰福音 4:10 (CUVS) 耶稣回答说：“你若知道神的恩赐，和对说话的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早赐给你活水。” John 7:38 (NIV) Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them. 约翰福音 7:38 (CUVS) 信我的人，就如经上所说：“从他腹中要流出活水的江河来。” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. 西番雅书 3:17 (CUVS) 耶和华一你的 神，在你中间，是大有能力的救主；他必因你欢欣喜乐，默默爱你，因你喜乐而欢呼。 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV) What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 哥林多前书 2:12 (CUVS) 我们所领受的，并不是世上的灵，乃是从神来的灵，叫我们能知道神开恩赐给我们的事。 John 15:14-15 (NIV) You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 约翰福音 15:14-15 (CUVS) 你们若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了。我不再称你们为仆人；因为仆人不知道主人所作的事；我乃称你们为朋友；因我从父所听见的，都已经告诉你们了。 Isaiah 12:3 (NIV) With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 以赛亚书 12:3 (CUVS) 你们必欢欢喜喜地从救恩的泉源中取水。 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV) We have the mind of Christ. 哥林多前书 2:16 (CUVS) 我们已经得了基督的心意。 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 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/85d9a0a2257f892265eff3b073ae09ee.jpg a8c36f192a900750aaac7aa9c1572921 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/69fc7ea4fe4d9d3c57a31f634ee73f5e.mp4 daa5e7996021b749b56832e9e22e1eca 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. 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 It's Our Wedding Day, a MTV shot at Hillside Church! 在山坡教堂拍摄的婚礼歌曲 MTV ！ Description An account of the resource <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QN4d4rMncFs?si=QQsW3Z9Nkr12NfCE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Kenneth Jordan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN4d4rMncFs https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/102041fa347013b0a75795e08a16c1d8.png 79298872644ba9fc0a40f4b36267a8fe https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/785862a44cf4270612883357c7f6d071.mp4 c504b54516ed5c5070f29edb403a27e3 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. 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 July 4th 2020 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 4th 2020