Life Stone Wesleyan Message Podcast

Sharing a meal with someone is sharing an intimate activity, but we don't view it that way. In fact, we have created a culture in which meals are served and consumed quickly and often in isolation. Fast food, microwaves, and television have created a setting in which the meal is more about the food eaten and time saved than the company we keep. Think about the excitement and importance associated with the act of going out to eat at a restaurant as a family. There are 21 meals every week, and each of them can share this sense of focus, attention, and connection if we value the power of a meal like Jesus did. Meals are the setting of one-fifth of the sentences in the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts! To share a meal with Jesus was life changing. Can the same be said about a meal with you?

Sharing a meal with someone is sharing an intimate activity, but we don't view it that way. In fact, we have created a culture in which meals are served and consumed quickly and often in isolation. Fast food, microwaves, and television have created a setting in which the meal is more about the food eaten and time saved than the company we keep. Think about the excitement and importance associated with the act of going out to eat at a restaurant as a family. There are 21 meals every week, and each of them can share this sense of focus, attention, and connection if we value the power of a meal like Jesus did. Meals are the setting of one-fifth of the sentences in the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts! To share a meal with Jesus was life changing. Can the same be said about a meal with you?

We put so much effort into creating lives in which we have control. In fact, it seems like those who “have it all together” are those who desire to control every aspect of their lives. They have plans for their finances, family, career, retirement, and religion. Each of those areas has a specific place, priority, and meaning in their lives. None of this is done maliciously; people just want to create the best life possible for their families. However, there is a major disconnect between how we value this level of control and what Scripture says about it. Jesus plainly says in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” The best possible life is one that has already been decided for you. Instead of focusing on every detail of life, Jesus calls us to focus on only one: surrendering to His will. We don’t get to pick the places, priorities, and meanings of the different aspects of life; they have already been decided for us. All we need to do i

We put so much effort into creating lives in which we have control. In fact, it seems like those who “have it all together” are those who desire to control every aspect of their lives. They have plans for their finances, family, career, retirement, and religion. Each of those areas has a specific place, priority, and meaning in their lives. None of this is done maliciously; people just want to create the best life possible for their families. However, there is a major disconnect between how we value this level of control and what Scripture says about it. Jesus plainly says in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” The best possible life is one that has already been decided for you. Instead of focusing on every detail of life, Jesus calls us to focus on only one: surrendering to His will. We don’t get to pick the places, priorities, and meanings of the different aspects of life; they have already been decided for us. All we need to do i

We put so much effort into creating lives in which we have control. In fact, it seems like those who “have it all together” are those who desire to control every aspect of their lives. They have plans for their finances, family, career, retirement, and religion. Each of those areas has a specific place, priority, and meaning in their lives. None of this is done maliciously; people just want to create the best life possible for their families. However, there is a major disconnect between how we value this level of control and what Scripture says about it. Jesus plainly says in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” The best possible life is one that has already been decided for you. Instead of focusing on every detail of life, Jesus calls us to focus on only one: surrendering to His will. We don’t get to pick the places, priorities, and meanings of the different aspects of life; they have already been decided for us. All we need to do i

We put so much effort into creating lives in which we have control. In fact, it seems like those who “have it all together” are those who desire to control every aspect of their lives. They have plans for their finances, family, career, retirement, and religion. Each of those areas has a specific place, priority, and meaning in their lives. None of this is done maliciously; people just want to create the best life possible for their families. However, there is a major disconnect between how we value this level of control and what Scripture says about it. Jesus plainly says in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” The best possible life is one that has already been decided for you. Instead of focusing on every detail of life, Jesus calls us to focus on only one: surrendering to His will. We don’t get to pick the places, priorities, and meanings of the different aspects of life; they have already been decided for us. All we need to do i

The foundational pieces of our faith are intended to be the building blocks for all areas of our life. Walking this faith in Christ out should impact three major areas of our life: Time. Talent. Treasure. When we look at these areas can we say that Jesus is at the center of them?

The foundational pieces of our faith are intended to be the building blocks for all areas of our life. Walking this faith in Christ out should impact three major areas of our life: Time. Talent. Treasure. When we look at these areas can we say that Jesus is at the center of them?

The foundational pieces of our faith are intended to be the building blocks for all areas of our life. Walking this faith in Christ out should impact three major areas of our life: Time. Talent. Treasure. When we look at these areas can we say that Jesus is at the center of them?

Jude witnessed passiveness, struggle, and defeat in the Church. We can witness and experience that in today's Church as well. It is easy to live and let live, but we weren't called to that type of life. We have been chosen for more. Jude makes it clear we are either contending or have been knocked down for the count. We've all been knocked down, it's time to get up and stand our ground, put in the training, and listen to the Voice calling out to us.

Jude witnessed passiveness, struggle, and defeat in the Church. We can witness and experience that in today's Church as well. It is easy to live and let live, but we weren't called to that type of life. We have been chosen for more. Jude makes it clear we are either contending or have been knocked down for the count. We've all been knocked down, it's time to get up and stand our ground, put in the training, and listen to the Voice calling out to us.

Growth and change occur over time. Does your path embrace them?

It is impossible to hit something you don't think exists.

All members play a part in family growth. Do you know your part?

Jude witnessed passiveness, struggle, and defeat in the Church. We can witness and experience that in today's Church as well. It is easy to live and let live, but we weren't called to that type of life. We have been chosen for more. Jude makes it clear we are either contending or have been knocked down for the count. We've all been knocked down, it's time to get up and stand our ground, put in the training, and listen to the Voice calling out to us.

Keeping FOCUS can be hard. Life has many distracting aspects, all vying for our undivided attention. Each one attempting to convince us why they deserve the majority of our time. Each one making a case for priority in our thought process. Our FOCUS can be so locked in on things that make us ineffective to what really matters. How can something so essential for our lives be an after thought when it comes to our relationships, jobs, finances, and families? How can our FOCUS get so blurred when we leave the Church campus each Sunday? It is time to FOCUS on what truly matters. FOCUS on the promise of the Cross and what it means for our lives. FOCUS on the importance of community. FOCUS on the responsibilities of God's call on our lives. FOCUS on the reality of our King returning. Our FOCUS has to be on these areas, which critically influence our impact on His Kingdom expanding. Until we change our FOCUS, our sights are on the wrong things.

Keeping FOCUS can be hard. Life has many distracting aspects, all vying for our undivided attention. Each one attempting to convince us why they deserve the majority of our time. Each one making a case for priority in our thought process. Our FOCUS can be so locked in on things that make us ineffective to what really matters. How can something so essential for our lives be an after thought when it comes to our relationships, jobs, finances, and families? How can our FOCUS get so blurred when we leave the Church campus each Sunday? It is time to FOCUS on what truly matters. FOCUS on the promise of the Cross and what it means for our lives. FOCUS on the importance of community. FOCUS on the responsibilities of God's call on our lives. FOCUS on the reality of our King returning. Our FOCUS has to be on these areas, which critically influence our impact on His Kingdom expanding. Until we change our FOCUS, our sights are on the wrong things.

Keeping FOCUS can be hard. Life has many distracting aspects, all vying for our undivided attention. Each one attempting to convince us why they deserve the majority of our time. Each one making a case for priority in our thought process. Our FOCUS can be so locked in on things that make us ineffective to what really matters. How can something so essential for our lives be an after thought when it comes to our relationships, jobs, finances, and families? How can our FOCUS get so blurred when we leave the Church campus each Sunday? It is time to FOCUS on what truly matters. FOCUS on the promise of the Cross and what it means for our lives. FOCUS on the importance of community. FOCUS on the responsibilities of God's call on our lives. FOCUS on the reality of our King returning. Our FOCUS has to be on these areas, which critically influence our impact on His Kingdom expanding. Until we change our FOCUS, our sights are on the wrong things.

Keeping FOCUS can be hard. Life has many distracting aspects, all vying for our undivided attention. Each one attempting to convince us why they deserve the majority of our time. Each one making a case for priority in our thought process. Our FOCUS can be so locked in on things that make us ineffective to what really matters. How can something so essential for our lives be an after thought when it comes to our relationships, jobs, finances, and families? How can our FOCUS get so blurred when we leave the Church campus each Sunday? It is time to FOCUS on what truly matters. FOCUS on the promise of the Cross and what it means for our lives. FOCUS on the importance of community. FOCUS on the responsibilities of God's call on our lives. FOCUS on the reality of our King returning. Our FOCUS has to be on these areas, which critically influence our impact on His Kingdom expanding. Until we change our FOCUS, our sights are on the wrong things.