Gateway Fellowship

Just a little thought about fish, birds, and us inheriting knowledge we didn't directly learn...

Stress and fear? Flip it.

This chat is primarily from Genesis 3.

Here we consider Exodus 33 and Genesis 15, Moses' and Abraham's friendship with God. Specifically how they seem to influence God's actions in the world. In other words, the God Scripture presents is emotionally responsive and interactive. He's open to His work in the world being influenced by His children, His friends. That's kind of staggering. But there it is. And there are numerous examples. Abraham, Moses, Amos, and even Mary the mother of Jesus, are the few examples I gave in the talk, but I'm sure there are many more.

Does God sit up in heaven with a plan that is often terrifying and painful, while He remains emotionally unaffected by the things that happen to us on earth? Or does He feel deeply for his children who live in a world that is largely NOT the way He intended, even though He is working all things together for our good? Jesus is what God has to say. And what He says is, "I love you, I love you, I love you!" --- Additionally - congratulations M'Niyah, on your baptism!

An invitation: Let's mature beyond living by our senses.

Romans 7:20 "it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me." Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

This chat was given as we commissioned Carl and Stan as assistant pastors. Two of the main passages mentioned were Acts 20 and Romans 5:4.

Linda tells a story about the power of our declarations.

Let God lead you.

The Lord prioritized going to synagogue regularly. Miracles, healings, exorcisms, and anointed Scripture explanation flowed through Him in each town, usually centering around the Synagogue. Some say, "It's harder to see the supernatural in church than in the world." Some say, "Christians are harder to reach than the unreached." I say, "That's letting experience speak louder than Scripture." I think we need to shake the dust of our experience off and gain fresh faith to see God's people whole, like Jesus did, and still does. When Jesus comes to church, it shakes things up.

Nearly every day we encounter spiritual climates that resist God's kingdom inside of us. How do we recognize and navigate such things?

Run, John, run, the law commands but gives me neither feet nor hands Far better news the gospel brings It bids me fly and gives me wings (Bunyon)

What was Jesus' gospel? What is eternal life? How do we relate to God and people apart from the standard methods of manipulation and control using judgment and condemnation? How do we pray as God's beloved children?

I recently texted to ask Brian about what fascinates him lately. I liked his answer so much I invited him to do a podcast interview. The main theme of his response was that Jesus is intent on delivering people from the wounds, lies, and effects of rejection.  We also discussed 80's music, Texas barbeque, and my idea for an app that shocks people who say the illegal phrase.

Each of us is pursuing what we treasure. There is no person who has no "treasures." In Matthew 6:1-18 Jesus helps provide us with a few simple tools meant to free our hearts from a common snare -- living for the approval of our peers. He does this so that we can enjoy the true happiness of really knowing God in life.

Jesus said unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees we cannot see the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:20). What does that mean?

My wife Carrie's report: He knocked it out of the park. Solid gospel preaching.

This chat was like a bunch of mini donuts. Since each of them are so small, might as well eat the entire bag.

What if those two goals aren't mutually exclusive? What if God is the true Source and Fountain of all joy and the further we get from Him, the less happy we become? What if glorifying God is impossible unless we ENJOY God? And what if holiness and happiness run together as surely as sin and misery?