Last weekend was Father's Day; we're taking some time to look at what kind of father God is.

Some key points:

• Most of us are going through life very unaware of how loved we are.
• God created the world so that everything in it's pure form is meant to show us what he is like.
• The Trinity models family to us.
• Earthly fathers are never perfect, but they are a picture that God intends to use to show us what he is like.
• Our biggest hangup around God being a good father is usually the question, "If God is good and in control, why do bad things happen?”
• Is a manager in charge or in control?
• Are we puppets?
• Jesus came so we could have abundant life; Satan is the one who is stealing, killing, and destroying.
• The most commonly held, widespread lie on the face of the earth - bad things happen because God is not always good rather than because there’s an enemy seeking to steal, kill, and destroy us in any way that he can

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -Jesus in John 10:10

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Paul in Ephesians 3:16-21

I hope you have a fresh vision of how extravagantly you are loved, how much God is for you, and how he delights in seeing you thrive in your life!

He really is so much better than we can even imagine, I'm convinced of it!

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Most of us are looking for a breakthrough somewhere in our life. Remember this - you probably don’t need a big change; you just need a small revelation that can shift everything. So don’t overlook the small stuff!

Click the link below to get the pdf Truths to Remember When I'm Feeling Afraid or Overwhelmed, a Scripture-centered guide to refocus your mind and bring you from chaos and fear back to truth and peace. subscribepage.io/MbmSZU

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I’ve been thinking about prayer recently, specifically the verse in I Thes. 5:17 that says, “Pray without ceasing.” I’m likely thinking and asking about this because there are a few areas of my life that I find myself constantly talking with God about.

What is prayer?

• It is conversation with God.
• It is an exchange zone.
• It is direct access to God.

God is teaching me things about the exchange zone. I've been handing him the baton but then chase him down and take it back.

Prayer is like having a student athletic pass; it gives us full access unles we don't take advantage of it.

How do we make our life a prayer?

• “Instead of worrying, pray.” Phil. 4:6 Worry is simply thinking thoughts without God at the center. Let’s shift our worrying thoughts into thoughts/conversations with God.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Phil. 4:6, 7

Most of us are looking for a breakthrough somewhere in our life. Remember this - you probably don’t need a big change; you just need a small revelation that can shift everything. So don’t overlook the small stuff!

Click the link below to get the pdf Truths to Remember When I'm Feeling Afraid or Overwhelmed, a Scripture-centered guide to refocus your mind and bring you from chaos and fear back to truth and peace. subscribepage.io/MbmSZU

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

The word "abide" has been on my heart recently.

Abide - to remain; continue; stay

“As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you - but when you live separated from me, you are powerless.” John 15:5b

“The Son is unable to do anything from himself or through his own initiative. I only do the work that I see the Father doing, for the Son does the same work as his Father.” John 5:19

What do powerful lives look like? And the opposite - what does a powerless life look like?

Jesus did, in our definition, both "big" and "small" things. He didn’t waste time trying to make something happen that his father wasn’t doing. He lived completely connected to his Father.

A life connected to our Father is a powerful life, and a powerful life is an effective life, totally in sync with the Father.

A powerless life is focused on self, not on God.

How do we connect with God if we are disconnected?

• Slow down, become aware of him
• Read the Bible - the youversion Bible app is great!
• Journaling
• Community
• Prayer

“As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you." - Jesus (John 15:5)

Most of us are looking for a breakthrough somewhere in our life. Remember this - you probably don’t need a big change; you just need a small revelation that can shift everything. So don’t overlook the small stuff!

Click the link below to get the pdf Truths to Remember When I'm Feeling Afraid or Overwhelmed, a Scripture-centered guide to refocus your mind and bring you from chaos and fear back to truth and peace. subscribepage.io/MbmSZU

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.