Final Stretch: A Guide to 2021 – Resources
Start the Discussion: Click here for printable message notes. Click here for printable message discussion questions. Click here for printable LIO Bible Study.
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Press On – Final Stretch
This has been a really rough nine months for most people. I believe God has a purpose for the struggles we endure. I think the most important thing he has taught me during this challenging time is to keep my eyes focused on the prize: GOD! It is so easy for me to get all […]
Forgive the Hurts – Final Stretch
Last weekend, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder continued our series, Final Stretch. His bottom line for the message was, “You can SPIRITUALLY FOCUS when you PURPOSEFULLY FORGET.” Ben gave us three key takeaways on the topic of spiritual amnesia. Today, we will unpack the importance of not hanging onto past hurts. Has someone hurt you? Obviously, […]
The Shame of Failure – Final Stretch
When I was in high school, I played for the football team during my junior and senior years. We never won a game; rather, we were beaten miserably in most of those games. In fact, during one game, we lost so badly that almost 50 years later the score still stands as the worst defeat […]
Glory of Our Past Success – Final Stretch
We all want to make a good impression and show people our best side. For me, this desire often manifests as focusing on my past successes—the achievements and victories that I think represent my finest qualities. After all, that pesky voice of pride likes to whisper that I’ve done some pretty impressive things. Even if […]
One Foot in Front of the Other – Final Stretch
If I asked you to list the struggles or difficulties you’ve faced in 2020, I’m sure the list would be exhausting. In addition to all the regular 2020 “stuff” on my list, my mom had a major health event this fall and has a long journey of healing and restoration ahead of her. Her sister, […]
Final Stretch: Purposeful Amnesia – Resources
Start the Discussion: Click here for printable message notes. Click here for printable message discussion questions. Click here for printable LIO Bible Study.
You Want Me to Do What…? – Final Stretch
James 1:27 (AMP) Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world. Huh? What does this verse from Jesus’ brother James mean […]
Living it Out by Leaving it Out – Final Stretch
The first week of the Final Stretch series focused on the scripture of James 1, which speaks very directly to the hypocrisy that arises when we fail to put our faith into action. The necessity of living our faith is an underlying theme in the book of James. Even if we identify as followers of […]
Step into a Healed Heart – Final Stretch
My 4-year-old sister, Mary, loves to pray. She prays for her paper cuts to get better, for Christmas to get here sooner, and for play dates with her friends. But it is my favorite when she prays for other people. Often, Mary will pray for God to “heal their hearts.” She not only wants God […]