THE SPRINGS

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

July 15 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Br

July 14 Just then a religious scholar stood before Jesus in order to test his doctrines. He posed this question: “Teacher, what requirement must I fulfill if I want to live forever in heaven?” Jesus replied, “What do you read in the Law? How do you understand it?” The religious scholar answered, “It states, ‘You must love the Lord God with all your heart, all your passion, all your energy, and your every thought. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Jesus said, “Th

July 13 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV) Not every battle you face happens around you; some of the most important ones happen with