Live Free with Josh Howerton

Do you ever have song lyrics stuck in your head? What about a Psalm? Today, we will try to get a Psalm stuck in our heads: “Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8. This scripture will revolutionize how you live your life. You will no longer focus on the cultural pursuit of knowing who you are but on knowing who your God is. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon shares the five most straightforward ways to wreck your life, and Pastor Mike shares five ways to thrive and flourish all the days of your life. Listen in today today as he explains how to Thrive and Flourish. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

God is the God of second chances and wants to use you today! True Godly freedom comes when we admit our failures and humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father. Point back to the right road today; don’t wait for your old age to turn and regret life’s foolish decisions of living culturally “free.” Don’t wait for things to fall apart; listen to God’s wisdom today. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

When we go over the edge of the guardrail, we can wreck our lives and damage relationships. We think we can total our lives, but God can save us from any wreckage. You need to give yourself more than just the thin yellow line that culture provides. The thin yellow line on the road allows you to serve off and cause some damage easily. But strategic guardrails set by Godly wisdom keep you from danger and prevent having to do damage control. Proverbs 4:25-27 provides us with guardrails we can put in place today. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

If we want to wreck our lives, reject godly wisdom. If we're going to live a rich life, we need to respect and embrace God's wisdom and guardrails. King Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, admits his downfall started when he foolishly rejected God's wisdom and ignored God's guardrails. In the book of Proverbs chapter 3, Solomon writes how to get back on the right road and pursue Godly wisdom. It is never too late to get back on the right road. God loves you. He will always embrace, forgive, restore, and renew you. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Subsplash description: We often take for granted the invisible guardrails strategically placed before the dangerous part of the road as we drive. Most of our deepest regrets and failures could have been avoided if we had just some boundaries set in place. God is a good father who desires to lovingly keep you safe with guardrails and boundaries. Living your life between his loving guardrails means you heed God’s fatherly wisdom. Boundaries are not meant to restrict or steal all the fun; they are set in place so you can live a full life. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

You cannot handle life on your own. Of course, you need God's strength, but that isn’t all! God gives us the gift of other people to fight sin, get through trials and keep the faith. Don’t wait; start now and reach out to someone today. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

We need the connection and support of others. Happiness and deep relationships go hand in hand. Want to lessen your chance of anxiety and depression? Want to live a long life? A deep connection with others helps us through trials and gives us endurance. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Failure is succeeding at something that doesn't really matter. What really matters? How about the fruit of the Spirit? Not that we would do it apart from Him, but that success is submitting to Him and allowing him to produce those fruits in us. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

To know who you are, you need to know who God is. Once you can see Him and His character we can then see who He says we are. When we see who we are in Him, we can be free. Free from chasing and scheming for the next little hit of success. In freedom, we don't have to keep up because He is enough. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Envy fuels stress and anxiety and ignores all the good gifts we have. A good idea would be to encourage others, let them go first or celebrate someone else's success. When we turn our eyes away from ourselves, we truly begin to win. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

"So, what do you do for work?" Ever get that question? Who we are and what we do are very different, but when we get these confused, we are on the path to disappointment. Let's trust who God has said we are rather than striving to accomplish what will never be enough. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Happiness isn't something that is arrived at; it is enjoyed now! Success can't be the driver in finding our joy. How do we know? Look at Solomon. With all he accomplished, he "hated all the hard work" he had done. Isn't that amazing? Let's remember what gives us satisfaction and stay content in the moment. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Don't ignore what actually has the power to give you joy: our relationship with Christ. We will never find contentment if we slip into endless "if only..." statements. Contentment comes from a proper perspective and rejecting the lie that external pleasure could satisfy us. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Do you find yourself a slave to pleasure? The problem with your appetite is that it never ends! Solomon had access to it all, but it was never enough. Surrendering our appetites and trusting God with them is the only way to find freedom from the bottomless pit of pleasure-seeking. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Join us this week as we delve into King Solomon's writings. Through his words, we discover a profound truth: knowing what is right and actually doing it are often two different things. As we explore Solomon's insights, we find him returning to a fundamental principle: Lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge God. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Do you want peace? Focusing on God is the way! When we put our thoughts on Him we can experience rest and peace even in the midst of the storm. Keep today’s verse in mind and experience perfect peace. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Eternal life starts now! Isn’t that amazing? Let’s focus on this because it lasts and is so much more important than the temporary things of this world. Let's get on with the main course of knowing God and avoid wasting our time prioritizing our temporary home. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

We have a heavenly Father who knows your needs. We don’t need to be distracted worrying about keeping up with all the things of the world. We need to seek His kingdom, and everything else takes care of itself. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

When you are a doer, isn’t it easy to get distracted by what needs to be done? As we look at our passage for today, we can see that a change of perspective allows us to get things done without anxiety or distraction. We all need to prioritize our connection with Him, which recenters and reprioritizes our focus correctly. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

God has you here for a reason, so how do we stay focused on what matters to Him? We all know how easy it is to be distracted. We are on our phones too much, and social media can steal an hour easily. So, what do we need to do to avoid distraction? Join us this week as we study God’s word and consider what an undistracted life looks like. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

No one wants trials or problems; everyone wants comfort. Yet, how do we grow without these difficult seasons? Strength comes from dependence on God. His kindness will give you more than you can handle to move you to God-reliance. Let us trust Him with our suffering, knowing He will use it for our good. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Obedience-optional Christianity is not Christianity at all. Jesus is not a life coach, but our Lord, and we need to give up ourselves and follow Him. We must take up the cross and follow Him if we want the joy of being His disciple. There is an amazing life waiting for you on the other side of denying yourself and following Him. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

It isn’t enough to know the truth; we must respond to the truth! And we can trust that what God says is true. Jesus even says He is the Truth. Blessing comes from living and responding to what is true, so let us not neglect this opportunity. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Ever have good intentions but make a bad decision? The advice to “Follow your heart” is a great example. Culture, friends, and leaders share this idea with good intentions, but it often leads to bad decisions. So what do we do? Come to Jesus and ask for a new heart to follow Him. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

God is love. But is this divine love different than what our culture calls love? It is easy to be swept away into cultural sayings such as “Love is Love” without considering why that might contradict God’s true definition of love. So let's trust God, let Him define love and sit in His word to find what love truly is. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Today is the last day of May and the last day of our time in the book of James. James encourages us to pray and confess our sins to one another because there is healing in confession. When we acknowledge and take responsibility for our sin, it gets it out into the light. In the light, you will see that you are not alone and that God’s mercy is always enough. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Do you love waiting? Probably not. However, James calls us to wait patiently like a farmer. We are to work hard but also wait expectantly. God is trustworthy and we can rest in Him, knowing with confidence that His will is being done in our lives. God’s timing is perfect, and He has a purpose for our waiting. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

The church of Jesus is where people from every background come together and can be one. A danger of diversity is seeing people with more or less than us and letting that become an area of pride or jealousy. No matter what financial resources God has given us, they all belong to Him. How are you viewing and using God’s resources today? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Too often we judge others based on what we see in them while letting things slide in our own lives. God wants us to live in humility, but too often we try to be the judge and think we have all the answers. Our lives are short, and it matters what we do with them. He’s the one ultimately in control of our lives, not us… and that’s a really good thing! For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

We jump back into the book of James and chapter 4 this week. Pride is a dangerous thing that leads to broken and dysfunctional relationships. We need to learn how to humble ourselves with God and others. When we humble ourselves and follow the example of Jesus, God will lift us up. Where might God want you to humble yourself this week? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

James tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. God loves us so much that He wants what’s best for us. He will help us resist the temptation of the enemy. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will help us! As you head into the weekend, come close to God and stand firm on the words He has placed in your heart. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Today, we move into chapter 4 of James. The Bible is full of relational conflicts, and we all face conflicts in our lives, too. James asks us what causes our quarrels and then points out that our conflicts rise up from the sin within us. God loves us so much that He is rightfully jealous when we allow these passions within us to guide our actions instead of His Spirit. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

As we have seen by looking at James, our words reveal what is going on in our hearts. Pride and jealousy come out in our words and actions. But God does not want that to define His people. He wants us to respond with gentleness and humility to each other. May we be peacemakers for Christ in our lives this week. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

God wants to speak words of life and truth into your heart. His words combat the painful lies the enemy uses to try and tear us down. The enemy wants us to use our words against others to cause division. But the Spirit wants to fill our hearts so words of life flow out of us. The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Who can you speak life into today? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Words can heal or wound. They can build up or tear down. They can encourage or bring despair. James tells us that our tongues are as powerful as a bit in a horse or a rudder on a ship. What comes out of our mouths has great power. How are you using your words? Where can you use them to heal, not harm, this week? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

As we wrap up the week, we zoom in on James 3:10. James calls out how wrong it is to bless and curse out of the same mouth. They can wound and cause destruction. You have probably been wounded by someone’s words. You have probably wounded someone else. Thankfully, Jesus can bring healing and teach us how to use our words to bless, not curse. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

In today's culture, there's a danger in thinking that our faith is merely private and personal. However, true faith demands outward expression for others to witness. Our actions, not just our beliefs, demonstrate our righteousness before God. James draws from Old Testament narratives to illustrate how faith was lived out authentically. How can you emulate their example and actively live out your faith this week? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Faith alone isn't sufficient unless it produces good deeds. However, these deeds alone do not secure our salvation; rather, we are saved solely by faith through grace. Yet, grace does not grant us the license to act without restraint. The true faith that saves changes our hearts, so we want to live it out. We share the grace we’ve received with others to point them to Jesus. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

James tells us not only to listen to the Word but also to be doers of the Word. He uses a specific example of not favoring people who look important over those who may be deemed 'less than.' We are all one body, children of God in Christ. He loved us, so we also ought to love one another. This is our faith in action. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Join us this week as we delve back into the book of James. When James was writing, he lived in a society with a stark class system, where it was evident who were the "haves" and who were the "have-nots." Even today, we may find ourselves categorizing people as "those people." However, this is not the way Jesus intends for us to live. As His followers, He calls us to love everyone and to avoid showing favoritism. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

The book of James encourages us to humbly accept the Word of God daily, but not passively. God does not want us to treat His Word as a menu or a search engine where we can pick and choose what we like. His Word is a mirror that reflects our reality back to us. It shows us who we are and how we can respond in a way that honors God. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Jump in with us today as we continue to walk through the book of James. God is not the one responsible for the temptations we face. We all have desires and appetites that can be distorted by sin, leading us to destruction. Each of us struggles with something. What are you tempted with this week? Pray and ask God to help you stand firm in Him. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

If we put our identity in things that fade away, we will fade away, too. When we put our identity in Jesus and look to Him for everything, we will live forever with Him. There is a crown of life in Heaven for those who trust in Him. Jesus persevered to the cross, so He will help us persevere with Him today. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader in the early church, wrote a letter to persecuted believers, encouraging them to persevere. We rarely mature when everything is running smoothly in our lives. God uses trials to refine us so that He and others can see the reflection of Jesus in us. No matter what situation God places you in, go all in with Him and ask for wisdom. God will give it to you! For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Are you at a point in your life where you’re just trying to hang on? Join us this week as we start walking through the New Testament book of James. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote to a group of people in the midst of tremendous trials and his first message was this– persevere. Jesus promised that in this world we will have trials. We have a choice on how we will respond. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s masterpiece. God grows us up and wants us to show Him publicly to others. We are on display to the world, and people are watching. When you are out in the community, your words and actions can either draw people to the Lord or push them away. How are you displaying God this week? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Do you know the unique shape God has given you? Join us today as we talk through the acronym S.H.A.P.E. to learn how we can contribute to God’s kingdom. Every person who accepts grace and believes in Jesus has been given special spiritual gifts from God. We may all be shaped differently, but we all have the same high calling. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Jesus told a story about a generous master who entrusted servants with wealth, and they had to decide what to do with it. God has given us so much, and He wants us to use it in a way that honors Him and blesses others. Don’t miss the unique circumstances He has placed you in. What has God given you and how are you using it for Him today? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Proverbs 13:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 remind us that who we associate with can impact us deeply, growing us closer or further from God. It’s not always easy to move away from an environment pulling you down, but it’s worth it. The small, courageous steps deepen our faith and opens us up for God to grow and strengthen us. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive