A message from the series "Summer Roadtrip Playlist." Psalm 1: Start Here
Your direction determines your destination - build your life on God’s Word.
Choose the road that pleases God (v1). You tend to become most like the people you hangout with.
1. Say yes to God’s Word.
2. Say yes to God’s wisdom (v2). Meditation = to think over something by talking to oneself. See Joshua 1:8
3. Say yes to God’s will (v3)
What road are you on? You cannot get to the correct destination by taking the wrong road.
Don’t choose a road that displeases God. (v4) Our journey is a choice between 2 roads; one leads toward Jesus, the other leads away from Jesus.
Your “start here” moment…

A message from the series "Defining Moments." Genesis 12:1-20 Famine in the Calling
Calling: Self-calling vs God-Calling
God calls us where we are, to use us as we are…For His purpose. We are to be God’s ambassadors, to always be ready, in and out of season, to preach His Gospel. (John 15: 18-20)
Self-calling: self focused; self powered; self glory
God calling: God focused; God powered; God’s glory
Famine - our response (Genesis 12: 1-13)
1. God is toying with me
2. God has abandoned me
3. God is punishing me
4. This isn’t God’s call
5. There is a problem, I’ll fix it
6. Turn to God and trust Him
Famine - God’s response (Genesis 12: 14-20)
God removes all possible responses so that we recognize His response and learn to trust Him
Takeaways: What is God calling you to do? How do you respond to the famines in your life? Don’t forget that God is ALWAYS with you, in every circumstance and famine.

A message from the series "Defining Moments." Matthew 28: 1-9 The Empty Tomb
The Resurrection isn’t just a story to believe in, it’s a Savior to respond to.
The defining moment of an empty tomb: The empty tomb changed everything. The Resurrection was not a surprise, Jesus foretold it many times during His ministry.
When we come face-to-face with the empty tomb, we come face-to-face with the risen Savior.
Roman 3;23; 6:23 (Reality vs Hope)
How do you need to respond to the empty tomb?
Come and see…then go and tell!
2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”

A message from the series "Defining Moments." Luke 22: 39-46 Choosing Surrender
The defining moment of surrender comes in choosing God’s will over our will.
Two Gardens and the Battle of Surrender
The First Garden: Eden (Genesis 2-3)
Surrender point: Not Your will, but mine be done.
The Second Garden: Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46)
Surrender point: Not my will, but Your will be done.

Everyday Garden Moments
What are you willing to surrender?
What are you not willing to surrender?

A message from the series "Defining Moments." 2 Samuel 11, 12 Facing Failure
The defining moment in your failure is found in responding in repentance and surrender.
Remember, failure is an event, not a destination. Failure is not fatal.
Steps to getting stuck in the trap of sin:
Think it - want it - do it - pay for it. (Psalm 32; 2 Cor 10:5)
David’s Defining Moment (read 2 Samuel 11, 12)
1 Cor 10:12 “if you think you are standing strong, be careful no to fall.”
Remember: You are free to make choices, BUT, you are not free to choose the consequences for your choices.
When you’re facing failure:
1. Get real - with God, with yourself, with others. Own it! Psalm 51:3-4. (See also Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.)
2. Get help (Psalm 51: 7-10; Ecc 4:9-12)
3. Get up & face your failure (Psalm 51: 12-13)
Failure is not final, unless you don’t get up.

A message from the series "Defining Moments." Genesis 39 Joseph’s Defining Moment
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions & pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
Winning the War Against Temptation: 1 Cor 10:13
Temptation is not a sin. You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose the consequences.
1. Surrender your life completely to Jesus. (Matt4:19; Lk 9:23-24; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 2:20) Start at the Cross.
2. Identify your weak spots. (Jer 17:9; 1 Cor 10:12; Phil 4:19) Self-examination - every day. Talk to people about your struggles.
3. Act in the face of temptation.
Stand firm ( 1 Pet 5;8-9; Eph 6:10-18; James 4:7)
Flee: Run towards God! (Proverbs 22:3; 2 Tim 2:22)
4. Repent when you give in to temptation. (1 John 1:9)

A message from the series "Defining Moments." Forgiveness is a defining moment that frees us from bitterness and aligns our hearts with God’s grace.
Unforgiveness traps us in the past, while forgiveness frees us for the future. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was yourself. Living with unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
Joseph’s Defining Moment (Genesis 50)
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. (Col 3:13) (Titus 3:3-5a)
Forgiveness is a releasing (better), not excusing (bitter).
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
What if God forgave you like you forgive others?
Reconciliation and Healthy Boundaries
What stops you from forgiving others?
THE GUIDE TO GODLY FORGIVENESS
When I need to be forgiven:
1. Face it
2. Own it.
3. Ask for it.
When I need to forgive:
1. Face it.
2. Point it.
3. Release it.

A message from the series "Defining Moments." Genesis 12 Abram’s Defining Moment
When faced with the defining moment of the unknown, trust God’s promises and walk in obedience.
God called Abram to step into the unknown. (Gen 12:1)
Abram was chosen by God, not because of who Abram was, but because of who God is.
God gave Abram a command, “Go”, and a promise.
Abram’s response was to surrender to God’s call. (Heb 11:8)
1. Trust requires surrender
2. Trust holds onto God’s promises (Rom 8:28; Matt. 28:19-20)
Blessing follows obedience (Luke 11:28; James 1:22)
When faced with the unknown?
What is God calling you to let go of to embrace Him and His plan?
What step of faith do you need to take even when you don’t see the outcome?
What promises has God given you that you need to trust in by living according to them?

A message from the series "Words of Worship." “To shout, to commend, to triumphantly declare. It’s praise that is loud, confident, and contagious.”
David’s SHABACH - Psalm 145
Psalm 145:3 The Lord is great and greatly (HALAL) to be praised, His greatness is searchable.
Psalm 145:4 One generation will declare Your works (SHABACH) to the next, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
Jericho Joy! - Joshua 6
God wants our worship FIRST, before everything else!
SHABACH is bold praise.
SHABACH is obedient praise.
SHABACH is faith-filled praise.
SHABACH is public praise.
What might it look like for you to SHABACH in your circumstances?
PRAISE LOUDER THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!

A message from the series "Words of Worship." BARAK - The posture of praise; “to kneel, to bless, to bow in reverence”
Worship isn’t just for the good days…
The Example of Job - Job Chapters 1-2
Job 1:21 “The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the Name of the LORD”
Psalm 34:12; Habakkuk 3:18; Job 2:10
How do we respond to God in the face of adversity?
On the worst day of your life, will you praise God?
God is honored not just by the volume of our worship - but by the depth of our trust in Him.

What might it look like for you to BARAK in your circumstances?