church: untitled

Through Jesus' parables, we are led to "count the cost" of what it takes to follow him in our lives. This will look different for each of us, but how do we count a cost that seems to be continuously increasing? When we submit the entirety of our lives to him, he meets us beyond the bounds of our expectations and imaginations. There, an altar is built and with our lives laid down, he is able to do...

As Christians, we can desire to follow Jesus, but are we willing to give him everything? God can only make something of our lives with the parts we’re willing to give him. Jesus leads by example in laying down his entire life on the altar of the cross and said, “not my will, but your’s be done.” In doing so, we can trust that, on the other side of death, we will also find new life just as Jesus di...

We are people made for the glory of God. But asking to see more of God's glory, as Moses did, is a dangerous prayer to pray. Experiencing greater measures of God's presence will cause us to reject anything the world has to offer for the sake of knowing Christ. Although we will not see the fullness of his glory until we are face to face with Jesus, we are invited to receive more of him. To see his...

We may be naturally gifted at something or have great ideas to serve the people around us, but what is God's purpose for our lives? As a part of the body, we all play a role in the health, growth and function of the church. Rather than looking to the world to find out what our gifts are, we're invited to discover and steward the gifts that the Father has given us through his Spirit. As each of us...

There are moments in life where we find ourselves asking, "What's the point?" in angst and frustration. Rather than staying in this place, scripture leads us to a simple answer: his presence. We are the dwelling place of God and are living in the vision of the kingdom of heaven on this earth. Let us become a people that create pockets of paradise in the spaces we occupy. Bible Verses: Exodus 33:12...

In the early church, it was evident that the Holy Spirit was active and moving through Jesus' disciples with miracles, signs and wonders wherever they went. Why aren't we seeing this type of life today? God desires to pour out his power on his people, but we have to understand the process of purity and purpose and the ways we look for life in the world instead of him. When we recognize who God tru...

In God, we are chosen by him, no matter who we are, to be a witness and play a role in his redemption of this world. However, we often ask "How do we find our purpose?" Contrary to the world, God's design is that our purpose flows from our identity. It is only until we surrender our will and desires to him, that we can truly receive and walk in God's purpose for our lives. Bible Verses: Acts 1:8 L...

In church culture, purity has been confined to sexual purity. However, a greater definition of purity is to be authentically oneself. As followers of Christ, it means walking in our true identities as sons and daughters of God. As we live our lives, our identity will be tested, but Jesus invites us to look at his life and follow his example. In doing so, we become witnesses to God’s nature as his...

As people, we prefer what is convenient, comfortable, and what can be controlled. But God’s Spirit will not be conformed to our limits, but rather the boundaries of his own nature. He is transforming us as his witness according to his nature so that life, healing, and abundance can flow like rivers of living water to touch the world. Bible Verses: Acts 1:8 Ezekiel 47:1-12 John 7:37-39 Ephesians 3:...

While Jesus was on earth, he performed miracle after miracle through signs and wonders and revealed the mysteries of God. Yet, his ministry on earth was only the beginning of all he intended to accomplish in his plan for redemption. Now he has given his Holy Spirit to empower and rest upon us, the church, to be his witnesses. He is still at work and accomplishing his plan in the world today throug...

Looking back on the past seven years in our church, it is evident that God has done great things amongst us. Throughout the journey, he has led us through seasons of exile and slavery into the freedom of sonship. We are fully convinced of God's nature and who he is. We see that the Spirit is creating a new witness in the church and we will testify of who Jesus is.    Bible Verses: Joshua 3:3-5 Act...

In the face of our fears, we are given the choice to either trust in who we know God to be or submit to an experience lesser than what he intends for us. Choosing him isn’t always easy and our decisions produce tangible outcomes in our lives. But when we do choose him, our minds are reshaped to help us walk in the fullness of God’s promise for our lives. Bible Verses: Ephesians 1:15-17, 3-14 Numbe...

The way we perceive the world is the world we will create around us, and as human beings, our perceptions are naturally shaped by our life experiences. Although we are each entitled to our own experience, God invites us to see things from his point of view. As we allow our perception to be informed by his truth, we get to know him better and as a result, pass on an inheritance of truth to those ar...

How can we worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth? Worship isn’t just about singing songs together on a Sunday. Jesus’ invitation to worship the Father is to submit our minds to the truth of God by his Spirit whenever and wherever we find ourselves. In the face of circumstances, strongholds and the trials of life, we can worship him in realtime by allowing our minds to be governed by the re...

How do we live like we know Jesus? James says, "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds...". This is only possible when we truly know Jesus, not just in concept but through first hand experience. The more we come to know him, the more he informs how we walk and think through every area of our lives. Until we consider every trial pure joy, there is still room for us to know Jesu...

True fellowship with one another and with God comes when we "walk in the light". One of the ways we live in the light is through confessing the sin that is keeping us in the dark. Though daunting, it is through confession that we receive forgiveness and freedom through Christ’s blood. In Christ, sin isn't the issue anymore - it's what we do with it that becomes the issue. Will we choose to live in...

In John 13, Jesus gives his disciples a new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” As the groom to his church, Jesus shows us his standard by going to the cross for us. As his bride, we are to follow his example, but if we depend on our own strength, it is impossible. We must abide in his love, knowing that he is our source and live in light of all he has d...

Throughout Scripture, Jesus is referred to as the groom and his Church as his bride. But in today's culture, our vision of marriage is slowly eroding and it can be difficult to understand the weight of what Jesus' covenant to his Church means. We've lost sight of how we, the Church, are to prepare ourselves as the bride ready for him. God is revitalizing a vision of the bride who is solely devoted...

In our modern day, churches can be known for many things: worship, preaching, production, hospitality, etc. As a church, we want to be known for our faith. God has shown us his faithfulness and he is calling us to stand firm in who he has already revealed himself to be. Our only appropriate response is to give him glory, thanks and honour. Bible Verses: Romans 1:8 Romans 1:18-32 Luke 22:13-20 Isai...

When God shows us his faithfulness, we are accountable to let these experiences develop our trust and faith in him. However, our vision can often become clouded through the throws of fear, control and disappointment. Amidst difficult circumstances, let's stand firm and step into a place of maturity in him as we face the disruptions of life. Bible Verses: Hebrews 11:13-16, 17-19 Hebrews 5:11-14, 6:...

As we follow God, it can be tempting to strategize or figure out 'how' God will fulfill the promises he has given us. However, in reality, this is a burden we put on ourselves that leads to striving and weariness. Rather, he calls us to be a people that will trust him and rest secure in 'who' he has revealed himself to be — especially when we don't understand how he will come through. Bible Verses...

God has a heart for the lost in our city, and as his followers, we are called to be faithful witnesses to the work he has done in us. But in the face of apathy, rejection and fear, it can be tempting to be timid in our proclamation of the Gospel. It is only when we receive God's heart for his people that we can speak with boldness and confidence. Bible Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Creating moment...

In our self-focused culture, it is tempting to indulge and overcomplicate the lies, thoughts and feelings inside of us. However, Jesus urges us to approach his Kingdom like little children — with faith and simplicity. As we remember and tell our stories of God's faithfulness, we are able to tether ourselves to the truth, stand in the spiritual authority God has given us and advance forward in the...

Throughout our life, we will face trials. Being a follower of Christ comes with a life of blessing, but he does not shield us from all the hardships of life. In faith, we can trust that God always has a purpose for them and the way we walk through these challenges will not only transform us, but also those around us. Bible Verses: Genesis 26:1-6; 12-22 1 Peter 4:12-13 John 7:37-38 Creating moments...

Although Abraham was given the promise to become a father of many nations, he never saw this completely fulfilled in his lifetime. Through his family, he started a legacy of faith by building altars to the Lord wherever he went, which was a pattern passed down to both Isaac and Jacob. In contrast, it may be difficult for us today to think of the generations to come when it seems like we have enoug...