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Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about something that's close to my heart and crucial for the future of the church: unity. Picture this: a company with multiple departments, each working in isolation, not communicating or cooperating with each other. How successful do you think that company would be? Not very, right?

Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."

What about an army? Could you imagine an army where there is no communication from one company to another? It would be chaos. This is what leads to friendly fire and the killing of your own people.

The same goes for us as the body of Christ. We live in a world that’s increasingly divided. Opinions and cultural differences can easily become barriers. But what if I told you that our differences don't have to divide us? What if I told you that we can turn our diversity into our greatest strength?

Matthew 12:25 (ESV) — 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

Today, we’re going to explore three powerful stories from the Bible. Stories of leadership, ambition, and rebuilding. Stories that show us the devastating effects of division and the incredible power of unity. Through the mistakes of Rehoboam, the rebellion of Absalom, and the determination of Nehemiah, we’ll see how God calls us to be united in His purpose.

This isn’t just about history. This is a

Good morning, everyone! Have you ever found yourself stuck in something you just couldn’t get out of? Maybe it was a job that felt like it was going nowhere, a traffic jam that seemed endless, or even a really bad conversation at a party where you just couldn’t find the exit line! We’ve all been there, right?

Now, imagine if I told you that today we are plotting a great escape. Not from a party, not from a traffic jam, but from things much more binding and significantly less visible. Today, we are going to talk about breaking free from the chains of addiction—whatever form they may take in your life.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “I’m not addicted to anything!” But let’s think beyond just substances. Addiction can be anything that takes hold of us—a behavior, a habit, an obsession. Anything that starts to control us instead of us controlling it. Yes, that could even mean binge-watching TV shows, endlessly scrolling through social media, or that extra cup of coffee you just can’t seem to go without!

In the Bible, there are incredible stories of both captivity and freedom. And you know what? Some of these stories are blockbuster-worthy! We’ll see characters who lived through real addiction-like scenarios and discover the powerful truths about how they found their freedom. This isn’t just ancient history—it’s about our lives today, and the kinds of chains we all face.

So, buckle up, as we take a thrilling dive into the Scriptures to uncover not just what these addictions are but how we can stage our great escape. And who knows? By the end of our time today, we might just find that the key to breaking free has been in our hands all along.

As we step into this journey, remember, this is a safe space. We’re all in this together, looking for our path to freedom. Let’s discover these life-changing truths and enjoy the ride!

See your Chains
Brothers and Sisters, today we confront an uncomfortable truth—a truth about the chains that bind us, often silently, often invi

Think about the most complex challenges you face in your daily life—perhaps it's managing work demands, maintaining relationships, or just keeping up with the pace of change in our fast-moving world. Sometimes, the weight of these challenges makes us feel as though we are carrying heavy burdens alone, struggling to find our footing. Wouldn’t it be great if you had access to an expert in all those areas? Wouldn’t it be nice to receive advice and assistance from someone who understands the thoughts and intentions of others, who sees the easy way to get things done, and who can make the bad things better?

A lot of us were outside at night watching the aurora light up the sky. It’s amazing to see that. I have often taken pictures of the Milky Way galaxy at night. It’s also an amazing sight to see. Each is part of the grand design that God Himself has developed with His words of creation. Now, imagine how hard you would have to work to create those stars. Where would you begin? How difficult, or impossible does that task seem? You might say that’s too hard and kind of ridiculous. Okay, let’s say they are already created for you. You just need to keep them all in place and keep them lit. We can’t have them running out of fuel or being pulled into one another. Still too much, isn’t it? The God who created that offers his help in our personal lives. He offers to be with us and guide us through life’s struggles.

Today, we turn to Isaiah 40, a chapter that begins a profound shift from the themes of judgment to those of comfort and promise. Here God reaches out not just to the nation of Israel but to each of us personally. He offers words of comfort, a declaration of His unchanging strength, and a reminder of His intimate and enduring presence in our lives. Some say that the first 39 chapters of Isaiah are like the first 39 books of the Bible (The Old Testament). While the last 27 chapters are like the last 27 books (The New Testament). We have seen that the New Testament is found everywhere in this book and in the Bible itself, but there does seem to be a shift and the Messianic language increases starting at this Chapter.

As we explore these timeless promises together, let us open our hearts to the message of hope and renewal that God is spe

As we sit here, the universe spins and moves towards us and away form us, filled with stars, planets, and galaxies that obey laws we are only beginning to understand. Here on our own planet, life thrives in a delicate balance, perfectly tuned for existence. Have you ever stopped to wonder who set these laws and how? Who tuned the universe so precisely for life?

The world tells us that faith and science are adversaries, that to believe in one, you must reject the other. But what if I told you that the Bible offers a view of the cosmos that not only complements scientific discovery but enriches it, turning our study of the natural world into an act of revealing the glory of God? What if the scriptures we hold dear could be joined together with the latest discoveries to formulate a claim that the God of the Bible must be the one and only creator of the universe?

Psalm 19:1–2 (ESV) — 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

Today, we will dive into three powerful biblical narratives: the Creation, the wisdom of Daniel, and the might of Jesus calming the storm. Each of these stories reveals critical insights about God’s power, wisdom, and sovereig

Imagine for a moment that you are told you have only a short time to live. The houses and walls you’ve built, the comforts you’ve gathered, and the plans you’ve made suddenly seem insignificant. This is not just a hypothetical scenario—it was the reality for King Hezekiah, a faithful man of God who faced the ultimate test of his life and faith.

In Isaiah chapters 38 and 39, we encounter a dramatic narrative that swings from the despair of death’s door to the folly of human pride. It is a story that not only explores the fragility of life but also challenges us on how we respond to God’s interventions and blessings. But it’s also a story about God’s power and love for those who love him.

The Crisis of Mortality (Isaiah 38:1-8)
Isaiah 38:1 (ESV) — 1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.”

Imagine the shock, the sheer immediacy of mortality staring you in the face. Here is Hezekiah, a king who had walked righteously before God, now faced with the ultimate deadline. The end seemed certain, the divine verdict declared.

Isaiah 38:2–3 (ESV) — 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

But what does Hezekiah do? He turns his face to the wall and prays to the Lord. In his prayer, there is no resignation but a pouring out of his soul. He reminds God of his faithful walk and his wholehearted devotion. He weeps bitterly—not just out of fear of death but from a heart that yearned for more time to fulfill God's purpose. This is a moment of profound vulnerability, where the king of a nation is no different from any one of us when faced with the finality of life.

Isaiah 38:4–8 (ESV) — 4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand

Each of us carrying the burdens and blessings of our daily lives. In our hands, we hold responsibilities—work, family, community, and faith. In our hearts, we carry dreams, worries, aspirations, and sometimes, a sense of overwhelming fatigue. We live in a world that demands our time, taxes our energy, and tempts us to chase after everything, often leaving us feeling stretched thin and worn out.

Yet, amidst this whirlwind of activity, have you ever stopped to wonder, "Is this the life God intended for me? Is there a better way to navigate the complexities of modern life while still honoring God and nurturing the relationships that matter most?"

Today, we look together through God’s Word to uncover His blueprint for balance—a divine design that allows us not only to survive but to thrive in every area of our lives. For in the teachings of Jesus and the wisdom of the Scriptures, we find the keys to a life well-lived—a life that is balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with God’s wonderful plan for each of us.

Work as Worship: Serving God in Our Daily Tasks
As we begin, let us consider how we engage in our daily work. Life should not just be about rest. We were created to do work. Work provides us with a sense of worth and value. Work is essential for us to please God.

In our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the purpose of our work, especially when tasks become routine or seem disconnected from our deeper values. How often do we find ourselves working merely to get by, losing sight of any higher purpose? This disconnect forms our second pain point—the lack of fulfillment and purpose in our daily labors. Often, we view work as a mere means to an end—a way to make a living or fulfill obligations. Yet, the Scriptures elevate ou