Live Free with Josh Howerton

Today is a gift. Instead of dwelling on your past or moving too quickly onto the next thing, pause and enjoy the moment God is giving you right now. Use Mary as your example: ponder the amazing things that are happening in your life and treasure them in your heart. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Do you know the meaning of your name? One of Jesus’ names, Immanuel, means God with us. He, the Word, became flesh and dwelled on earth with sinful humanity out of His infinite love for us. Because Jesus came to be with us, we can be with Him forever. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

There are fears that reside in all of us that try to keep us trapped. When anxieties grip your heart, turn to the Prince of Peace. He was born into a broken world and willingly died on a cross for us. But because of His resurrection and who He is, we can have perfect, eternal peace. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Have you ever tried to measure how long “everlasting” is? Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the great I AM, the visible image of the invisible God who created everything. He has no beginning and no end. The same is true for His love for you; it will never run out. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Our names describe different aspects of who we are. The same thing is true about Jesus. He is our Mighty God, the Creator who spoke everything into existence. He has no rival and no equal. That means He is mighty over any difficult situation you may be facing today. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Join us this week as we talk through Isaiah 9:6 and what it tells us about the character of Jesus. He is our Wonderful Counselor and wants us to draw near to Him daily. He welcomes our every thought and concern, offering a listening ear because He cares deeply for us. Don’t hold back with Jesus. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Sometimes becoming good doesn’t feel very good, but suffering can connect our pain to God’s Word. Seeking comfort from anyone or anything other than God will only be a temporary fix. God’s Word is a priceless treasure because it teaches us the truth of our very good God, the eternal comfort He offers and how much He loves us. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Suffering expands our hearts toward other people. It helps us see the suffering others are going through and enables us to reach out to them during their pain. God makes us wounded healers so that we can comfort others with the comfort He has given us. Who do you know that you can share God’s comfort with today? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

How do you define good? God’s definition of good is anything that shapes us to look more like Jesus. His love will never leave us and He will walk with us through the pain of “not good” things. When we remember that, we can respond with gratitude and joy in any circumstance. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Suffering cultivates humility and draws us into a deeper dependence on God. Join us today as we take a look at scripture that reminds us what God can do in and through us in the midst of suffering. When everything falls apart, God will be there with you and wants you to run to Him. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

The holidays can be hard for some people. Maybe you are one of them. Romans 8:28-30 focuses our hearts and minds on God to remind us that even in a world full of challenges, He is the ultimate good. He will use the “not good” things in life to develop our character and make us more like Jesus. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Jesus works through us! We hear that and move too quickly past it. The God of the universe does His work through you. We see an example of that today in the story of Jesus feeding the crowd. What are the gifts God has given to you to provide for others? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Have you ever had just a little faith? We know we should believe more but struggle to trust fully. Big idea: Power comes not from the amount of faith but the object of faith. Our Good Father is ready and able to answer our little faith. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Do you have friends that carry you to Jesus? What a gift it is to have those around you willing to take you to the Healer. Find those friends and be that friend to others. Miracles happen when we believe and surround ourselves with those who do as well. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Would you do whatever Jesus says to do? Jesus’s first miracle shows He is worth obeying. No matter how odd, unconventional or counter-cultural the path, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we can trust Him. You have no idea what He has waiting for you on the other side of obedience. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

If the tomb is empty, anything is possible. We, as believers, trust in the greatest miracle: the death and resurrection of Jesus. If God can do that, why do we doubt? Strengthen your faith as Pastor Joby encourages us in today’s episode. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

God wants to put you on display. He wants to showcase the miraculous works He has done in your heart. People are watching you even in the mundane, everyday tasks of life. Let His work shine through. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

When the pressure is on, whatever is inside of us comes out. Isn’t that convicting? We cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit and resentment at the same time. If we allow the Spirit to work, He will gently take us to the cross. Here we can see our need for forgiveness allowing us to embrace gentleness and let go of bitterness. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Which will you choose: gentleness or harshness? Both have the power to change our course and influence others around us. The Holy Spirit can direct us and help us toward the gentleness that leads to blessing. He can get into the details of our lives and smooth away the jagged edges that are so natural to our behavior. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Is gentleness not in your DNA? God wants to shape you into a passionate person who is under control. Our unnecessary roughness can be smoothed by placing ourselves under the control of His Spirit. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

When was the last time you did a review of your character? Do the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians look like you? Gentleness is one of the fruits that is often overlooked. When we look to Jesus, we find our model for living with gentleness. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Is there anything more contagious than joy? Living with a thankful heart not only changes us but spreads to others around us. May we be a people who spread the contagious gift of joy by living life counting all of our blessings. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Are you looking for opportunities to be thankful? Gratitude can find opportunities in every circumstance. God is kind; our seed of gratefulness can grow into full fledged joy. The more we thank, the more we see to be thankful for. Pursue joy by looking for every chance to practice contentment. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

How much do we miss by going too fast? Slowing down allows us to see what otherwise we would miss: the good gifts God has for us. Giving space to appreciate His work is the only way we can consistently practice gratitude. How can you slow down today? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Gratitude has the power to keep you from the comparison trap. Simply learning to name each of the gifts God has given us changes our whole outlook. Wouldn’t you want to be full of joy, peace and contentment? Allow God to change you by counting out all you already have in Him. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive