“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

We hear a lot these days about being loved by God, which is amazing and true, but we are also to love him. Gary Wilkerson exhorts us to be passionate, radical, fervent, on-fire lovers of Jesus.

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

Luke 1:56-64

The joy of the Lord is a gift from God. It doesn’t come from you doing something for the Lord, but when you understand what he has done for you. The gospel of Jesus is truly good news and it applies specifically to you. Christ saved you, cleansed you, and made you holy. Let the joy of this good news be your strength when you are feeling condemned, defeated or fearful. Once you fully grasp this, nothing will stop you from sharing the joy-filled good news of Jesus with others!

"Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book!"

Revelation 1:3 GNT.

What do you do when you feel like God has let you down? Pastor Tim explains what happens when you are angry and confused at God, and why you must fight for your relationship with the Lord.

To see more of this series, click here.

If we are going to amount to anything we must learn how to pray and be set apart for God. When you choose to live for God, the evidence of His Spirit will be upon you and will work through your life. The plan of God is sure, the promise of God is true. In order to oppose the plan that God has for your life your enemies have to be able to oppose God Himself. Remember what the Lord did with you and remember that He will never leave you or forsake you.

Is it possible that there is someone in your life that God is prompting you to speak to and you’d rather not? Is it possible that God is speaking, looking for a witness to what he's speaking to the heart? We might find ourselves reluctant to speak in this generation. But even if we're not inclined to speak, God still is. And when we move in unison with him, mercy, sometimes on a scale bigger than we could ever imagine, is unleashed.

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. 

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” 

And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Luke 23:44-49

There are two documents that reveal a lot about who we are, the calendar and the checkbook. These reveal two precious resources we have, time and money. The Church is turning more into becoming consumers than stewards. People are spending money on things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t even like. The checkbook tells us who we worship and what we worship. Tithes are your “thank you note” to God.