Have you ever gone on a diet or through a health food phase? I’m not much for either of those, although, when I look at myself, I feel I should be. Oh, I’ve tried eating healthy many times, but I find it difficult to maintain—it’s hard work to give up some of the things I […]
When do you usually pray? What motivates you to pray? Maybe you’re like me: You sometimes/usually pray at the start of the day, asking God to help you keep your eyes on him, turn to him for all you need, and live out his purpose for your life … … But then, as your day […]
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Perseverance. Endurance. James 1:2 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds … James begins his letter to the worldwide church with an apparent contradiction. He calls Christians to joy in trials. Joy is defined as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by […]
Last weekend, Perrysburg Campus Pastor Josh Whitlow continued to unwrap why we need prayer—to know God and grow the strength and effectiveness of our faith while we are sojourning here on Earth. When we pray, James promises that we connect with our Savior: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash […]
Over the weekend, Perrysburg Campus Pastor Josh Whitlow said that he would have preferred if James told us to run away when troubles cross our paths. I’m guessing all of us have done that a time or two. Running seems like a safer and quicker way to avoid life’s obstacles. Think about how simple and […]
Perrysburg Campus Pastor Josh Whitlow made a statement that really made me think: “Where you worry the most is where you trust God the least.” After serious contemplation, I realized I worry most about my family and friends. When I am worried about them, I have the tendency to try and fix difficult situations or […]
I remember a time when I tried to cheat on a test. I hated tests, especially spelling tests. In second grade, I would come home crying because I struggled to remember how to spell a word. At one point, I was sitting in Mrs. Leach’s classroom after the hardship of taking a spelling test when […]
Start the Discussion: Click here for printable message notes. Click here for printable message discussion questions. Click here for printable LIO Bible Study.
I’ve prayed for many things throughout my life. I’ve prayed to receive protection. I’ve prayed to get jobs. I’ve prayed to get out of trouble. I’ve prayed for my favorite teams to win the big games. I’ve even prayed for good grades on exams I didn’t study for, let alone attend the classes. I’ve prayed […]