While you can't leave it behind, you can look at the events of your past from a new point of view. Turn them around. See all the angles. Consider it your second chance. Second chances do come your way. Like trains, they arrive and depart regularly. Recognizing the ones that matter is the trick.

I guess everyone has someone who challenges them, and makes them shoot for something just beyond their reach. You're that person for me

Hebrews 11:1

So many people today are depressed and discouraged because they only focus on their present circumstances.  They’re constantly dwelling on their problems, what they don’t have and what’s wrong with them.  They don’t realize it but they are allowing the enemy to steal their hope.  This negative frame of mind is what keeps people from moving forward in life.  Understand today that faith is confidence and assurance about the things we hope for according to the promises of God.  Like and arrow, your faith points to the target of hope.  If you don’t have hope, that arrow of faith will just drop to the ground.  It won’t accomplish anything.  But, when you keep your hopes up, when you keep expecting and keep believing, it’s as if that target gets larger and larger - easier to hit!  Choose today to live with an attitude of expectancy!  Get your hopes up!  Start by taking captive any negative thoughts you may have one at a time.  As you focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, you’ll feel that hope inside you growing.  You’ll give your faith a target and you’ll move confidently into the blessings and peace the Lord has in store for you!

Believe that there's light at the end of the tunnel. Believe that you might be that light for someone else.

Why would we want fame, when God promises us glory? Why would we be seeking the wealth of the world when the wealth of heaven is ours? Why would we run for a crown that will perish with time, when we’re called to win a crown that is imperishable?

Untitled Sermon

Ezekial 18: 30-32
Some people want religion but not change.  We have to repent and turn from our sin.  So many want to belong to the church but they don’t want to change their ways.  Repentance - to change your mind or your purpose.  Repentance is meant to change our life for the better.  God’s grace provides repentance. 
Luke 15: 11-32
Repentance talks to the believer and the non - believer. 
2 Chronicles 7:14
If you’ll repent, you’ll be blessed.  People’s lives are destroyed by sin.  We must turn from our wicked ways.  We are responsible for our own repentance.  Every one of us is going to be held accountable one day.  I don’t want death, sin and destruction in my life.  We can live the abundant life today.  Everything you have to give up, God will give you something better.  When we repent from our sins, He won’t leave us hanging.  Everything we lose because of sin, we gain in Jesus Christ.  Repent and live!
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 3/2/08)

The reality is this: true love is not determined by the one being loved, but rather by the one choosing to love.

When you heart sets its sight on someone, it doesn't consult with your mind.

On The Way To The Good Land

Deuteronomy 3:1 - 11

God has a perfect place that He wants us to be at.  We must stay focused.  We’re on our way to a mighty good land!  There’s a race to be run and choices to be made. 

Exodus 13:21 - 22

It’s God’s intention for us to make it into the good land.

Exodus 14:10-12

Deuteronomy 8:2

We need to read the Word of God and learn from example.  He’ll make a way in the middle of no way.  There’s a place for God to dwell among us.

Exodus 15:22

Murmur - low steady sound; a mumbled complaint.  Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord!  There are so many who’ve forgotten how it was to be set free.  There are some of us in a dry place.  God wants to give you a drink of water.  Instead of looking for reasons to go forward we look for reasons to go back.  I know one reason to go forward.  Remember where the Lord brought you from.  Want to find out what’s in someone’s heart?  Put them in a valley.  I must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain of God.  We always want to go the easy way and quit climbing.  When we’re in the valley we need to build an altar.  Humbleness - having or showing consciousness of your short comings; to lower in pride. 

Benefits of being humble:
    2 Chronicles 7:14
    2 Chronicles 34:27
    Job 22:29
    Psalm 9:12
    Psalm 10:17

People want the high life.  It’s better to be humble.  If we live our life in sin, it will come to an end. 

Proverbs 29:23
Isaiah 57:15

You wanna be revived?  Humble yourself. 

Matthew 23:12
James 4:6
James 4:10
1 Peter 5:6
Deuteronomy 8:5
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Brad Stevens - Preached 2/24/08)

The soul wanders in the dark, until it finds love. And so, wherever our love goes, there we find our soul.
 

Taste And See

Psalm 34:1 - 8

We need renewal and revival in our relationship with God.  We need to prioritize some things in our lives.  Prayer should be #1!  Churches are full of people but there’s very few disciples.  We’re too worried about ourselves.  We have to have some discipline.  We must constantly live in revival.  Prayer will help you rise above every difficult time that you have.  Are you not where you used to be?  How often do you pray?  Church members are like vehicles.  They start missing before they quit.  Don’t allow the world to dull your senses.  Get the sharpening tools out.  We allow material things to mean more to us than the things of God.  We must place greater emphasis on God than our own desires.  There’s nothing in the world that can satisfy me like God can.  I’d rather be in God’s house than anywhere else in this world.  If your life hasn’t been changed by praise and worship - DO MORE! 

Psalm 146:1 - 10

It’s important that we praise, worship and glorify Him.
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 2/24/08)