Tim - Luke 6:12

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12 NIV)

It's interesting that the son of God found the need to get away and be quiet with God. As an example for us? Sure, however he was fully human so in sure he knew he needed to fuel up, to hear from God.

Mommy and I are leaders, we can't lead people well if we are not abiding in our source. It's so important to sped time with God EVERY day.

Where is your spot? What time will it be? What is your plan this summer? Lets write it down and commit to it!!! It's the most important thing we need to plan for our summer.

Devin - Proverbs 9:6

Gods way is the right way. The way that is blessed. We always want to live in true obedience to him. By that he will work on us patience, perseverance, humility, kindness and all things that are Christ-like.

Gina - Isaiah 59

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1, 2 NIV)

God is always present for us. He is always strong, right and just. When we step away from God's ways, wen we do things that are not Christ-like we separate ourselves from God and his blessings.

For us who follow Christ it is so important to live in a way that keeps Gods presence near us.

Livia - Psalm 128:1-6

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel. (Psalm 128:1-6 NIV)

Fearing God means to respect God. To know of his power, wisdom and his love for us. He calls us to obedience to walk in his ways. By fearing The Lord we honor each other and our family.

Daddy shared that he had a rough time growing up and it was hard. A lot of pain and hurt and yet God came and brought change. He made his relationship with his mom beautiful. God brought true love and forgiveness to their hearts and now we live with that blessing to carry on!

Thank you Jesus!!!

Gina - EachOther James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV)

Our family , our circle of people - us 5 - we encouraged the kids this morning that we are the safest place for each other. No matter what we go through, do or feel that us 5 are the ones that love each other the very most.

Confessing to each other. Loving each other is a command and WE WILL!!!

Devin - Romans 12:17-19

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19 NIV)

Devin said it is like turning the other cheek. God is telling us to do our very best to keep peace with everyone. Do not stir up dissension or cause problems among others. Sometimes it's hard if the other person won't live at peace, but at least do your part.

God knows what is right and he will honor you for making the right choices. So don't fight for your right to be right! Live at peace!

Amen Devin Wessel!!

Tim - Matthew 10:39

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39 NIV)

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24, 25 NIV)

Jesus makes a serious statement here. Chose to die with me, chose to "hate" your life in comparison . Take up your cross - die to yourself.

Finish the race (acts 20:24)! It does not matter what happens to me if I can just live for the glory of God till the end !!

Living for eternal matters is tough when we live now within this life. It's a call - Giving up our pride, rights, all the things of this world .....give it all up for him. Surrender!!!

Kadin - Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

Seeking God is not like looking for lost things. God will show up when we make an effort to know God He promises that he will.

What are ways that we can seek God:
Pray
Read the bible
Go to church
Sing to him
Be still / quiet
Talking to mentors

All our heart? Means I really want to. Like - This means so much to me. Means to make sacrifices, like to choose to get up earlier to be with God or to put down our fiction book and read the bible.

Good stuff kiddos!!!

Let's seek our God today!!

Livia - Deut. 10:14-15

To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. (Deuteronomy 10:14, 15 NIV)

God owns everything. He can take any people he wants! God does not have to chose us but he does. He redeems us all. He is our God. God has freedom to love us and chose us. His love is free and merciful. We are so blessed to live within the love ad mercy of our God.

Gina - Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)

What do you think it means for God to reward us if we spend time with him?
The kids listed:

Feel loved

Fruits of the spirit:
(Love, joy, peace, patience , kindness, goodness, gentleness , faithfulness and self control)

Changes our hearts to be like his

We see his plans more clearly

We are convicted about wrong and feel compelled to fix it - gives us healing

We have a sense of confidence in who we are

Protects us (Kadin says kind of like a force field around our house !!)

Makes you happy


It is so important to find a place everyday to seek God and get to know him.

Devin - 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

So many of us face mountains that we think we can climb like Mt Messiah , Mt Self sufficient , Mt I can do it .....

Our role is to help the world not save it.

We are not the Savior.

Why do we live self made? How is it we face another 12 hour day by rolling our sleeves up and saying I can do this?
Instead lets start our day on our knees.

Tim - Isaiah 43:25

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25 NIV)

Blot out means to cover. Forgive. What are transgressions? Sin. Wrong doing.

Why for HIS sake? We think because he's so holy and right and without His touch on our lives we could not go to him and he wants us to be able to. He wants a relationship with us. He enjoys us and wants us. For HIS sake.

It's hard to imagine our God who can do anything will forget our sin. Here's the thing, he chooses to forget for OUR sake. Thank you Jesus.

Gina - James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV)

It's very powerful to verbalize your failure to confess wrong to someone you trust. It's hard to do especially when our pride gets in the way. It could be powerful for us to get in the habit of saying. "I've sinned" as we move into a time of confession or forgiveness.

Telling the truth helps us to heal and overcome. As we do this we sense Gods power helping us and his strength that transforms us.

Devin - Titus 2:14

...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14 NIV)

What is the intent of grace? It teaches us to live in a wise and right way. Not to give us a pass to keep on sinning. The Bible asks ...once saved, should we keep on sinning - by all means NO!!

God deserves our very best.
Lets give it to him today!

Tim - 1 John 4:4

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NIV)

Do not be afraid of what you might go through. (Rev 2:10). Even though at times it may feel like we've lost , God is greater than the enemy who wants to steel, kill and destroy us. We must rely on the strength of our God OVER the enemy to survive in this world.

Greater is he that is IN us than he that is in the world. We must take heart!!!

Tim - Col.4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV)

Imagine if we were to give our kids everything they asked for. We'd be so in debt and our bodies would be bloated with tons of junk food!!!

Our journey with God will have its moments where we want , want want but our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. Sometimes God says no like a parent does a child. He knows what is best for us.

Lets devote ourselves to talking to God and knowing what He wants for us.

Gina - Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29 NIV)

What is a yoke? It's a farm piece for ox to work side by side. So taking God's yoke means to walk with Him and let him help carry the burden and heavy load.

His yoke is easy and his burden is light. When we trust him we will receive rest. What kinds of things do we carry? Anger, getting along with brothers and sisters , obeying parents, talking poorly to others ..... These are all things that God can help us with. We can't do it right all the time but He can. We need to allow him to come and make that change in us.