Pastor Bria Bradshaw

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

“Because the Bible emphasizes healthy relationships so highly, it’s sad that there are so many believers who have hurting or broken relationships. Many Christian homes have been shattered by divorce. Some who stay married are unhappy. Their homes are a tense battle ground, not a loving refuge. Many Christian parents are at odds with their kids and the kids with their parents. On the church level, some bounce from church to church, leaving a trail of damaged relationships behind. I know of Christians who won’t speak to other Christians because of misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and wrongs that have taken place. Sadly, the loving families, genuine friendships, and healthy relationships that we want most out of life often elude us.”
- Commentary on Colossians 3:12-13

Your relationships need a healed you.

Unhealthy: That was so long ago. It doesn't matter now.
Healthy: What happened then impacts what happens now.

Unhealthy: My life is fine. It didn't really bother me.
Healthy: I may not see what God can see.

Unhealthy: I’m a new creation in Christ. I’ve put that all behind me.
Healthy: The old is made new by acknowledging my need for healing not ignoring it.

Mark 8:22-26 (ESV) And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to [Jesus] a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

1. Let Jesus lead your healing journey.

Mark 8:23 (ESV) And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village…

Ask the Lord, “Where do you want to lead me?”

2. Let Jesus do what He wants and how He wants.

Mark 8:23-25 (ESV) “...and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again…

Ask the Lord, “Will you do for me what I can’t do for myself?”

3. Let Jesus show you what you haven’t seen in a while.

Mark 8:25 (ESV) …and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Ask the Lord, “What do you want to restore that I haven’t seen in a while?”

4. Go where Jesus tells you to go next.

Mark 8:26 (ESV) And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

Ask the Lord, “Where are you sending me from here?”

We're Still Learning Pt. 2 | February 8, 2026
Pastor Wes Morris

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

√ BECAUSE WE CONFUSE PROXIMITY WITH CONNECTION.

√ BECAUSE WE AVOID HARD CONVERSATIONS.

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

√ BECAUSE WE LET HURT GO UNHEALED.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

√ BECAUSE BEING VULNERABLE FEELS RISKY.
Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.


LEARNING TO GROW TOGETHER

I. WE CHOOSE ONE PLACE TO BE CONSISTENTLY CONNECTED.
Acts 2:46 (NIV) Every day they continued to meet together…
Psalm 92:13 (NIV) Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God.

II. WE SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER.
Philippians 2:3-4 (MSG) If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care - then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

III. WE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
I Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Pastor Wes Morris

James 1:19-20 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

✓ IT’S TRAINING US TO REACT, NOT REFLECT.

Numbers 20:1-12 (NLT) In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place?”

Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water."

So Moses did as he was told. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

✓ IT’S BUILDING IDENTITY AROUND OUTRAGE.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV) Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

✓ IT CAN STUNT OUR EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

I Peter 2:21-23 (TLB) Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly.

I. WALK IN HUMILITY.

Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) To answer before listening - that is folly and shame.

Proverbs 18:13 (GNT) Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting.

II. PRACTICE PATIENCE.

Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.


III. CHOOSE LOVE.

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.