Going Deeper 2023
Follow the messages, posts, and events the correspond with our journey deeper in Christ in 2023, and most importantly join us on the journey!
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Open Doors for a Bold Witness
The Lord wanted Steve to know that because Steve had persevered and gone back into the hospital, he was able to bring John to a knowledge of the Lord! Anna-Belle Groseclose “When we were talking at our Sunday luncheon about Romans 1:15, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile,…” some thoughts came to me about some of the qualifications for us as believers, and a testimony from Steve’s experience. Some of the qualifications for being a successful witness are: being bold, being obedient, perseverance, and being close to…
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Questions and Musings: Jehoshaphat’s Campaign
As I read Terese’s wonderful insights (see Going Deeper Day 3: Worship devotional reading) about Jehoshaphat and the victory God provided for His people, my military mind kicked in with some questions and musings. First, Obedience. Having served, I understand with crystal clarity the need for immediate obedience to superior officers and those in charge. “Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred,” as Tennyson wrote. When I was given a lawful order, I complied. Jehoshaphat was given a lawful order by the Law Himself, God. Being his prophet, it was expected that he should obey and yes,…
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God’s Love Motivation
In Genesis 1, we are taught how the universe has been made: by his word.3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light… In Hebrews 1, we are reminded how all of Creation is sustained: again, by his word.3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power… Then, in Psalm 136, we discover the love motivation of God in all of this making and sustaining. To begin, verses 1-3, are a “call to worship” by David with a directive for the congregation of Israel to enter God’s praise with thanksgiving.…
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Deep Roots & Storm Tested
On the drive to Raleigh today, I remembered part of the inspiration for the “Rooted & Grounded in Love” painting. Earlier that (same) year, we had a women’s event at Gateway; and the speaker gave an illustration of growing these massive trees in a greenhouse. They would grow & be huge, but after a while, they would fall over because their roots weren’t deep. They later found out that the tree developed deep roots by enduring strong winds & storms, but because that didn’t occur in the “perfect conditions greenhouse,” the roots never developed. That illustration & that verse made me wonder what a tree firmly rooted in love yet…
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Day 5: Love
2 Peter 1:5-7 John 17:22-23, 26 1 John 2:5 Through the Bible ’23 “…but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him.” 1 John 2:5 ESV Tweet The love of God is a deep and firm foundation, to fully comprehend it; you must be willing to go deep… Jamie Harrington Ephesians 3:14-21For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,…
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Mighty Oaks Senior Trip ’23
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) We all know this verse well and often find ourselves speaking this over students that are about to graduate. It certainly is fitting as so many are unsure about what their future holds. In many ways, possibilities are endless which is a blessing but, at times, daunting. We share this verse to encourage and to remind them that God has plans for their GOOD… This year, I find myself reading on in Jeremiah 29:12-13 12 Then you will call…
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Day 4: Stewardship
1 Timothy 6:17 Proverbs 11:3-4 Psalm 24:1 Through the Bible ’23 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1 ESV Tweet We all only have 24 hours in a day. But how do we ‘spend’ those hours. On the contrary, everyone possesses a different mix of talents or skills. What are yours and how do you employ them? Jeff Lyons When we mention stewardship in the church we tend to focus on the tithe or financial giving. But that is only a part of being a good steward. Stewardship basically means managing something on behalf of another person or group (possibly including yourself). Our growth group did…
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Day 3: Worship
John 4:21-22 Romans 12:1-2 Psalm 22:27 2 Chronicles 20 Through the Bible ’23 “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” Psalm 22:27 ESV Tweet 21….Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.…
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Day 2: Prayer
Philippians 4:6 Luke 18:1-8, 9-14 Psalm 69:13 Through the Bible ’23 “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me…” Psalm 69:13 ESV Tweet “As missionaries we were very much aware of our need for the prayers of our supporters. We needed it much more than we needed their financial support. We faced enemy attack on a regular basis as we endeavored to spread the Good News of Jesus and His offer of salvation.” Annabelle Groseclose Prayer is our communication with God, our spirit with His Spirit. What a wonderful privilege we have.…
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Day 1: The Word
1 John 1:1-5 Psalm 119:15-16 Through the Bible ’23 “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees. I will not neglect your Word.” Psalm 119:15-16 ESV Tweet We may ask, “How?” I want to experience God, but how? The answer is very simple, through His Word and letting Jesus come alive. After all, Jesus is the living word. Alvin Vanbumble The apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy, “Remember what you were taught from your childhood from the Holy Scrolls which can impart to you wisdom to experience everlasting life through the faith of Jesus, the Anointed One! God has transmitted his very substance into every…
