THE SPRINGS

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

July 20 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ m

Series: ENCOUNTERING THE HOLY “THE EQUIPPING” Ephesians 4:8–12 (KJV) 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) God never calls us to a purpose without also providing what we need to fulfill it. When Christ ascended, He did not leave His people empty-handed. He filled His Church with gifts, gifted people, and lived experiences so that every believer could

Series: ENCOUNTERING THE HOLY “LIVING WITH INTEGRITY” Titus 2:7–8 (NIV) 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) Integrity is what happens when what you believe, what you say, and how you live all tell the same story. Paul reminds Titus that faith is never meant to stay in our heads or on paper. It is meant to become visible in our everyday lives. As we

July 19 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8 (NIV) The world is not only listening to what we say—it is studying how we live. In Titus 2:7–8, Paul reminds us that Encountering The Holy is revealed through lives marked by integrity, sound speech, and good works

July 18 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I Corinthians 2:5 Our communities have learned that every voice promising hope is not worthy of our trust, which is why Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 2:5 that our faith should "not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." Encountering The Holy begins when we stop building our lives on shifting opinions, popular trends, and human approval, and instead anchor our confidence i

July 17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,

July 16 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Deuteronomy 28:8 What if the holiest place in your life is not only your place of prayer but also the work of your hands? Deuteronomy 28:8 declares that the Lord will command His blessing upon your storehouses and upon everything to which you put your hand, revealing that Encountering Th