“Isolation is the modern day leprosy.” - Mother Teresa Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)  //  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 1 Samuel 14:1-15  //  One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; 6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps… Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” 8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. 15 Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. Godly inspiration requires collaboration which cannot happen in isolation. Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future. Good friends… 1. Challenge your Mentality. 2. Stretch you Spiritually Hebrews 11:1  //  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 3. Support you Wholeheartedly Insulation vs Isolation Heart & Soul - Who has your back? 4. Help you think strategically Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)  //  Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 5. Propel you Supernaturally. Consumers & Contributors Mark 2:1-13  //  A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son…”

Nehemiah 1:3-4  //  “They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the  province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is  broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’ When I  heard these things I sat down and wept…  Nehemiah 6:15-16  //  “So the wall was completed … in fifty-two days … with the help of  our God.”   Nehemiah 2:20  //  “The God of Heaven will give us success; We his servants will arise  and build.’” 1. God CENTERED (God of Heaven) Nehemiah 1:4-9  //  “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I  mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I  said: ‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who  keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his  commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to  hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for  your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites,  including myself and my father’s family, have committed against  you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed  the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.  Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you  return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled  people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and  bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my  Name.’”  Self Centered - Insecure Looks Centered - Unsatisfied Failure Centered - Discouraged Others Centered - Competitive Problem Centered - Despondent 2. Faith FOCUSED (Will Give Us Success)  Nehemiah 2:20  //  ‘The God of Heaven will give us success; We his servants will arise  and build.’” 3. Servant-HEARTED (We His Servants) Nehemiah 2:20  //  ‘The God of Heaven will give us success; We His servants will arise  and build.’” Nehemiah 2:11-12  //  “I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out  during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my  God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem ...” 4. Future ORIENTED (We Will Arise and Build) Nehemiah 2:20  //  ‘The God of Heaven will give us success; We His servants will arise  and build.’” Philippians 1:6  //  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will  carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  

"Prayer is how we write history before it happens." - Mark Batterson How many of us believe in the power of prayer? 
Do we actually pray like it? James 5:16 //  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)  //  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. “The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.” - Mark Batterson Following Jesus was never meant to be safe. 3 Dangerous Prayers Acts 4:8-10  //  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:13  //  When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Idiōtai - Ordinary Acts 4:29  //  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 1. Lord, make me bold. Acts 4:30-31  //  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Boldness triggers spiritual opposition Boldness is often the prerequisite for a miracle 2. Lord, search me. Psalms 139:23-24  //  Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)  //  “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” What have I rationalized? Psalm 51:10  // Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 3. Lord, break my heart. We cannot fix what we cannot see. Jeremiah 8:18, 21  //  My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken... 21 I hurt with the hurt of my people. I mourn and am overcome with grief. It’s better to hurt with a purpose than to exist without one. ASAP vs ALAIT

Acts 9:10-18  //  Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. New Is Not Improved Jeremiah 18 says the potter makes a new vessel with the marred clay. Isaiah 43:19  //  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 1 Corinthians 2:9  //  But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Amos 3:7  //  Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Transformation Is Required Acts 9:18  //  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 2 Corinthians 5:17  //  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Romans 12:2  //  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Leave Yesterday Where You Found It Philippians 3:13-14  //  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

How do I hear the voice of God? We serve a speaking God. John 10:3-5  //  “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Proverbs 3:6 (MSG)  //  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Luke 8:8  //  “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” God doesn’t have a speaking problem, we have a listening problem. Luke 8:5-8  //  “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Luke 8:11  //  “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.” 1. The polluted heart. Luke 8:12  //  Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. James 1:21 (NLT)  //  Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your soul. Repent - Turn Around 2. The distracted heart. Luke 8:13 (NLT)  //  “The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow.” Luke 10:39-40 (AMP)  //  And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching. But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving. 3. The immature heart. Luke 8:14  //  “The seed that fell among weeds stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they don’t mature.” Proverbs 12:15  //  The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Maturity comes when we stop making excuses and start making changes. 4. The prepared heart. Luke 8:15  //  But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. How do we prepare our heart? Repent. Refocus. Revive. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (MSG)  //  Let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. God’s voice is clearest in a prepared environment.

Psalms 116:12-13  //  How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me? I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. Luke 14:25-33  //  Large crowds were traveling with Jesus and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Four things to confirm the real cost The cost to Love the church doesn’t look for a bargain The cost to love the church is daily not one moment in time The cost to love the church doesn't attempt to negotiate Luke 14:28  //  Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough. John 15:18-19  //  If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love, you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you, out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 4. The cost to love the church is authentically studied Luke 14:27  //  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  //  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)  // Never stop praying. “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” ― Martin Luther King Jr “I never pray more than 20 minutes. But I never go more than 20 minutes without praying.” ― Smith Wigglesworth Luke 18:1 (NLT)  //  One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. John 15:4-5  //  Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 1. The Priority of prayer. Daniel 6:10  //  Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 2. The Place of prayer. Mark 1:35  //  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Third Place 3. The Plan of prayer. Luke 11:1-2 (NLT)  //  Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray…” 4. The Persons of prayer. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG)  //  The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. The amazing grace of Jesus. Hebrews 4:15-16  //  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 2 Corinthians 12:9  //  My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. The extravagant love of the Father. How you see God affects how you relate to Him. Ephesians 3:14  //  For this reason I kneel before the Father… Psalm 103:8-13  //  The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. The intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17  //  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. Parakletos Amazing Grace Extravagant Love Intimate Friendship

2024 can be your best year, if it’s your best year spiritually! Genesis 1:1  //  In the beginning God… Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  //  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14  //  When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Luke 11:1  //  One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray...’” Matthew 6:9-13  //  “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” 1. Connect with God relationally. “Our Father in heaven” Romans 8:15 (NLT)  //  You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 2. Worship His Name. “Hallowed be Your Name” Proverbs 18:10 (MSG)  //  God’s name is a place of protection—the righteous can run there and be safe. Righteousness Healer Shepherd Provider Sanctifier Banner of Victory Peace There 3. Pray His agenda first. “Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:33  //  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:31 (TLB)  //  He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 4. Depend on Him for everything. “Give us this day our daily bread” Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)  //  I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! 5. Get your heart right with God and people. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” 1 John 1:9  //  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 6. Win the war in the spiritual “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one” Ephesians 6:12  //  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 7. Express faith in God’s ability. “For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.” Jeremiah 32:17  //  “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

Luke 2:10  //  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” All the people 2 Corinthians 5:15  //  He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ Colossians 1:15-18 (MSG)  //  We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible — everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. Invite Jesus to take His rightful place. Involve Him in every area of your life. Ignite a fresh passion to know Him more.

God tricked me Why does God do it for other people, but not me? I gave up asking God I know God can, but He doesn’t seem to care What do you do with your hurt, frustration, and disappointment with God? 1 Samuel 1:6-7 (NLT)  //  So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the LORD had kept her from having children. 7 Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 1 Samuel 1:8 (NLT)  //  “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:9-10 (NLT)  //  Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. 10Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:19 (NLT)  //  The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the LORD once more. … A waiting season isn’t a wasted season. 1 Samuel 1:19-20 (NLT)  //  Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea, 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.” God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials.