The Bride Church

Key Points Prayer draws us closer to God. Being devoted means being steadfast and committed. The Greek word for devoted, proskartereo (προσκαρτερέω), means to be steadfast to, toward, or with regard to something. Complacency is rooted in pride. When we become complacent, we lack devotion. “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” – S...

Fellowship is more than friendship; it involves sharing our spiritual lives with one another. Jesus prayed for believers to be one, just as He is one with the Father. Men are called to be spiritual leaders in their homes, praying for and with their wives and children. Unity in the body of Christ doesn't mean conformity, but embracing diversity while being united in purpose. Vulnerability and open...

Everyone is devoted to something. The early church was devoted to the teaching of the Apostles. The Apostles taught what Jesus taught them. Jesus taught from what we know as the Old Testament (Old Covenant), but He amplified it. Love is the core of abiding in Christ and being devoted; if we abide in Him, much love will be the fruit produced in and through us. Love is the key to practicing our fait...

Jesus established the Church. The Church is the Called-Out Ones, called out of the world and into a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are called into a Body of believers, and Christ is the head. Devotion is an expression of love. The Holy Spirit came at the end of a 10-day prayer meeting and 3000 people were saved, baptized, and filled with the Spirit that day. The early church was devoted to the...

Jesus is the founder and perfector of our faith. There is only One who is perfect to look upon and be like: He is Jesus. Jesus is the Word; we need to study the Word to know Him. The Bible is His love letter to us. If we would look to Jesus, He wants to reveal Himself to us in a deep and personal way. The life of Jesus was to glorify the Father. He did so in a way that was uncommon to man: He laid...

God brings light into existence.  Jesus’s coming to earth is often referred to as a sunrise or dayspring. Light reveals the truth and gives direction.  When light appears in scripture as prophecy, it is often connected with the shadow of death. Jesus referred to Himself as the Light of the world.  Jesus brings the light of life into men. Light in the darkness is a parallel to His strength and our...

The birth of Christ was announced to shepherds, outcasts ordinarily unnoticed who worked seven days a week. The angels proclaimed Good News for all people.  The shepherds responded to the Gospel and immediately shared their encounter.  Jesus, the Savior, continues to seek and save the lost.  Jesus is now our Shepherd. ------- Read the shepherds’ encounter and discuss how you might have responded....

Joseph’s name can be interpreted: “to make much of God.” Joseph was unsung, unheard, and unnoticed. -Pastor Jerry Hovater When our plans change, that is a sign we should be ready to surrender. Joseph’s dream was shattered but God gave him four dreams that gave prophecy, protection, and direction. Joseph was given an extraordinary responsibility, and he needed all the help he could get to accomplis...

Mary was insignificant, from an insignificant town, and God chose the insignificant to do very significant things.  Mary, like us, had fears; she had uncertainties. She had concerns about what other people think. And God overshadowed her with His power. God’s will was made perfect in her weakness. When Mary surrendered to God’s plan, she also surrendered her entire future into His hands When God c...

Hallelujah (הַלְלוּ־יָהּ‎) comes from 2 words: Hallel (הַלְלוּ‎) – Hebrew for praise Yah (יָהּ‎) – alternate Hebrew for the covenant name of God, Yahweh (יְהוֹהָ) Giving thanks is representative of receiving and being grateful. Giving thanks breaks our self-righteousness and entitlement. Giving God praise is not contingent on circumstances, gains, or loses. Giving God praise corresponds to attribu...

God’s love is greater than human love.  God’s love liberates, overcomes, always wins, and endures forever. God’s love is personal and set us free to live in harmony with Him. God’s love is never-ending; when we remain in His love, we are less prone seek love from anywhere else. ------- The acrostic that was shared Sunday: Liberating Overcomes Victorious Endures Which of these have you experienced?...

Jesus talks about money often and always uses it as a barometer of one’s heart. When we understand our money was given to us by God, we will steward it well.  When our soul craves more than we need, our affection for money increases. Debt leads to many pains and sorrows. Laying up treasury in heaven should be our aim with money. Giving releases our grip on money and transforms our hearts. M – mana...

Surrender – submit to His will and not your feelings or expectations.   Sympathize – rember that everyone is weak and prone to sin; at the core, they are no different than you. Survey – put yourself on a shelf, make an effort to get to know others. Be more concerned to hear their story rather than to tell yours. Don’t attempt to fix a problem without first validating. Serve – serving others helps...

Above all, we are called to love.  In the last days lawlessness will increase, and love will diminish.  We are called to cover sin with love.  Overlooking offenses can help maintain the unity and the bond of peace.  Patience is an expression of love. Bitterness and withholding love are often rooted in resentment.  Remember, every offense is an opportunity for grace. ------- Our nation is divided c...

Pride will seriously destroy your ability to love. You may need to repent of pride if: - You are unwilling to reconcile. - You are verbally aggressive. - You are habitually angry. - You are condescending. - You are overly judgmental. - You have been described as arrogant.  Your ability to love others is a great indicator of your spiritual health.  God places His Spirit in us and is yearning for us...

Shame is different than guilt: Shame can be debilitating and lead to unnecessary strategies to cope, including isolation and self-harm. Shame can lead to perfectionism, dishonesty, and self-sabotage. Chronic shame can lead to depression, anger, and even physical health maladies including chronic fatigue. Shame can cause obsessive negative self-talk and perpetual feelings of inadequacy. Luke 7:36-5...

There are generally many healthy (walking on a freeway, standing on a train track, walking to close to a cliff, etc.), but only one fear will lead you to life: fear of God. We face numerous fears that can cause us to shrink back. Some can lead to sleepless nights, unhealthy thoughts, and flesh maintenance. We often predict the worse possible outcome even though we don’t know the outcome. A clever...

There is a glass display in the church lobby that reminds us from Colossians 1:18 – JESUS IS PREEMINENT, meaning “the highest place of ascendency, above all, over all, surpassing all, to the point that nothing and no one else can even come close”. Our Statement of Faith states that our number one priority is to “worship GOD in all HIS fullness…” We must prioritize our loves: GOD first, people seco...

To be on the receiving side of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, we must learn how costly God’s love is and how it can never be earned. Scripture points to love more than 680 times. “Chesed” (חסד) in the Old Testament and “agape” (ἀγάπη) in the New Testament. Jesus indicated that we would know Him by the testimonies of the written word; not necessarily by experience. What we come to know and believe a...

God’s goodness is better than I could ever imagine! God draws us closer to Jesus! He makes us more like Jesus! He takes us to Jesus! Is there a better “good” than Jesus? --- Why is it so common for our concept of good to differ from God’s idea of good? What do you think about the poster on the wall? “God’s will is exactly what I would chose, if I knew all the details.” Describe a time in which pai...

It’s important to interpret the life of Samson through God’s sovereignty. The Spirit of the Lord was stirring Samson. Samson’s riddle speaks to us today. God saves, heals, and delivers. What Satan meant for evil, God can turn it into good. God lives in a broken and contrite heart. --- What impacted you from the interview with Lynn and Zach? Was there a defining moment in your life when you sensed...

Chapter 12 starts with “Therefore…” as the conclusion of chapter 11. Chapter 11 chronicles the life of 18 saints that achieved great exploits by faith. We are surrounded by these witnesses. The word “race,” from the Greek, “agon,” means a conflict or struggle. Jesus is at the starting gate of our race and at the finish line. All racers are sinners and share the same entanglements. Look unto Jesus;...

God’s eternal plan predestined us to Christlikeness.  Many misplace their aim and ambition on ministry and purpose when God’s will for us is to become Christlike. God’s mercy has been laid into the path of sinners. God’s mercy can often be introduced to us through others. Real life is found in a life founded in Christ. God is more interested in who we are becoming than what we are doing. Scripture...

Key Points God both warns and offers hope with stories of brother-to-brother relationships. Both Cain & Abel were committing religious acts. Both “believed” but Cain was still “of the evil one”. You can be religious and not know God.  God sees and comes asking questions, knowing our very heart. We can bring a tight-lipped stubborn resolve or a surrendered admittance: “I need help.” “Mastering it”...

Key Points The priests are given their cities, the two and a half tribes are allowed to return to their previous inherited land on the other side of the Jordon. They set up an altar that was misunderstood by the other tribes. War was averted when they explained its meaning. May we be as sensitive to rebellion as they were. Joshua was about to go to the way of the earth, and he brought a holy messa...