Coastal Church Podcast

<p>That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you. – 1 John 1:1-3a</p>

<p>It is imperative as we travel together to understand that there are spiritual dangers that are lurking. The Holy Spirit is our ultimate guide to discern these dangers and provide us with the power and authority needed to resist them.</p>

<p>Paul began his thoughts in Romans Chapter 12 by dealing with the individual, we have an obligation to the Lord to give Him the best of our life in service and sacrifice. This whole chapter then teaches how our mindset determines the way we treat our fellow believer who we travel with.</p>

<p>It’s always more exciting when someone is at home waiting to celebrate your arrival to welcome you back. Today, in our series Travel Together, we are going to look at the importance of welcoming home those who wandered away from God. In Luke chapter 15 Jesus gives us some timeless wisdom on how to reach out and welcome others home.</p>

<p>It is much easier to travel together when everyone has an attitude thankfulness and gratitude.</p>

<p>It is our mission as we travel together, that we serve not only one another, but also those in our community.</p>

<p>In order to travel together through life, we must make constant choices to stay healthy in our relationships. To stay healthy, we must guard our hearts and be ever mindful of the words we speak.</p>

<p>As we travel together we look for ways to help each other grow. The church is a community where we grow in our faith and in our commitment and our love for Jesus and one another. If we’re isolated from the church, we don’t function or grow well.</p>

<p>In order to travel together we will need to reach out to others in need. Real friends love, not “because of” but in “spite of.” They know our weaknesses and flaws. Real friends don’t run from our burdens, rather they help carry them.</p>

<p>We are only better together if we travel together in love, without love we may be worse together!</p>

<p>As a church we want to travel together in the challenging days that may lie ahead. Travelling together is a safer and more enjoyable way to reach our common destination.</p>

<p>Courage is our willingness to face adversity and today we live in a world that is facing great adversity which is testing the courage of many. When we are spiritually healthy, we have the ability to face adversity with confidence, optimism and care for others.</p>

<p>Courageous living could reward you with a view from a mountain top, a hero’s welcome in your city or finding the love of your life. But what is the greatest reward of courage you could ever receive?</p>

<p>This past year, perhaps more than any other in recent history, we have all had feelings of discouragement attack us as we continue to push through the starts and stops of life. From the book of Nehemiah we learn some valuable lessons on how to overcome discouragement.</p>

<p>At the age of 85, Caleb saw his dream come true as he entered the promised land and declared “Give me this mountain”. He is an example of the courage to never give up and fulfill the mission for your life.</p>

<p>It takes great courage to stand for what you believe, for your convictions and for the truth, especially if your convictions are rooted in the Bible.</p>

<p>“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10</p>

<p>What is your biggest fear?<br>What is holding you back from courageous living?<br>How are you facing your fears?</p>

<p>Life isn’t all valleys, but it does seem like there has been a lot of them lately. We must remember that even in our darkest valleys, our darkest days, God is there and by His strength we can safely get through to the other side.</p>

<p>“But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” - Matthew 6:6</p>

<p>This weekend, Pastor Dave Koop shares the 7 Keys to Golf and Fathering.</p>

<p>As we look at this section of James, we see two groups of people who have different perspectives of eternity: those who ignore the coming of the Lord and those who patiently look forward to eternity and act with urgency knowing this life is but a vapour.</p>

<p>As leader of the church in Jerusalem, James knew how to speak with authority. You don’t have to look for hidden meanings in this book, James tells us clearly how we should act.</p>

<p>Dealing with relational conflicts is a spiritual battle and the trials of life can amplify tensions that exist. However, we can work through conflicts and develop healthy relationships if we put our trust in God’s word, walk in humility and treat each other with respect.</p>

<p>Just as James exhorts believers to demonstrate their faith through works, he also calls for the demonstration of wisdom by godly living. In chapter three, James compares two types of wisdoms. One comes from God and is pure and promotes peace, ending in order. But the other is driven by envy and self-seeking resulting in confusion and chaos.</p>