A message from the series "Summer Roadtrip Playlist." Psalm 27 Courage For The Road Ahead
Big Idea: When fear chases you down, confidence in God gives you strength.
What FEAR is chasing after you right now or recently?
Who is the Lord to you in your life? Do you live it?
For David, the Lord is:
1. My light (truth and purity) (“God is with you.”) Psalm 119:105; John 8:12. Where in your life right now do you feel like you’re “walking in the dark”? We need to trust God in our next step. God’s presence in our lives illuminates our path. God leads and guides us where He wants us to go.
2. My salvation (“God will deliver you.”) Ex 14:13a; Psalm 118:6. What fear are you trying to fix on your own, instead of surrendering to God? How would your response to fear change if you truly trusted God to save you? God saves us in order to transform us. Do you trust God beyond eternity, in your day-to-day circumstances?
3. My stronghold (“You’re already secure.”) Proverbs 18:10 What “strongholds” are you tempted to run to that aren’t God (e.g., control, success, escape)? How can you intentionally run to God as your stronghold this week? Are you overwhelmed with who God is? If you trust God, you will be blessed despite your circumstances.
Fear may follow you, but God’s goodness leads you.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

A message from the series "Summer Roadtrip Playlist." Psalm 23 God Leads The Way
Big Idea: God’s presence provides peace for our journey. We are redeemed for God’s glory. Peace comes from staying close to the Shepherd.
The Lord is our Shepherd and King who is our :
1. Provider (23:1-3) also see John 10:11, 27-28
v1 - God ALWAYS gives us EXACTLY what we need, EXACTLY when we we need it.
v2 - God gives us rest and peace (Sabbath).
v3 - God gives us direction and purpose.
2. Protector (23: 4-5)
v4 - God gives us protection form harm and evil, and comforts us.
v5 - God satisfies us through all of our circumstances. “God’s strength in your valley IS His presence in your circumstances”.
3. Promise Keeper (23: 6) also see John 10:10b
v6 - God gives us abundant life. God gives us His forgiveness.
Four things to consider:
1. Where do you need to stop striving and start resting in God?
2. Are you carrying the weight of trying to fix everything yourself?
3. Are you stuck in a valley, wondering where God is?
4. Are all of your “check engine lights” on, and you're still trying to push through?

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?