THE SPRINGS

July 28 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. I Peter 2:15-16 Freedom is most convincing when it is seen before it is spoken. In I Peter 2:15–16 (KJV), Peter teaches that God's will is for us to "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" by doing good, living as free people who never use liberty as a cover for wrongdoin

July 27 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG) Don't let a noisy

Series: ENCOUNTERING THE HOLY “STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE” - Philippians 4:8–9 (MSG) Year Theme: HIGH AND LIFTED UPMonthly Focus: Revisiting What We Believe—Our Core Values So Our Vision Can Mature in Us as We Mature into It BIG IDEA — FOR EVERYONE Excellence begins in the mind, becomes visible through practice, and reaches its fullness when our lives come into harmony with God’s purposes. Paul does not call us to chase perfection, perform for approval, or compare ourselves with

Series: ENCOUNTERING THE HOLY “FREE TO SERVE” - Galatians 5:13–14 (MSG) Year Theme: HIGH AND LIFTED UPMonthly Focus: Revisiting What We Believe—Our Core Values So Our Vision Can Mature in Us as We Mature into It. BIG IDEA (For Everyone) Freedom is one of God's greatest gifts—but it is also one of God's greatest responsibilities. Paul reminds the Galatians that Christ has set us free, not so we can simply do whatever we want, but so we can become people who love, serve, and he

July 26 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. Galatians 5:13-14 (MSG) What if true freedom isn't the ability to do wha

July 25 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: I Peter 3:18 What if the hardest road you've walked became the very path that brought you closer to God? In I Peter 3:18 (KJV), Peter reminds us that Christ suffered once for sins, "the just for the unjust," so that He might bring us to God, revealing that Encountering The Holy is not escaping suffering but

July 24 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. I Corinthians 12:7 Our communities are strongest when every person understands that what God has placed within them was never meant to be hidden or hoarded. In I Corinthians 12:7 (KJV), Paul reminds us that "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal," revealing that Encountering The Holy is discovering that God's Spirit works through each of us for the good of ever

July 23 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. I Peter 3:15-16 (NIV) Our communities know what it feels like to have hope questioned, yet God continues to raise up people whose lives answer

July 22 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. I Peter 2:11-12 (MSG) What if the most convincing sermon you preach today is the life someone quietly watches you live? In 1 Peter 2:11–12 (MSG), Peter re

July 21 What you’re doing is wrong. Is there no fear of God left in you? Don’t you care what the nations around here, our enemies, think of you? Nehemiah 5:9 Sometimes the greatest obstacle to God's vision is not the opposition outside our community but the injustice we tolerate within it. In Nehemiah 5:9, Nehemiah confronts his own people with a piercing question, reminding us that Encountering The Holy requires more than rebuilding walls—it requires rebuilding our character