Gateway Fellowship

Let's chat about Hagar, Ishmael, Abram, Sarai, and of course, wild donkeys.

This chat is from the last half of Matthew 7.

When they heard God they... Talked to each other about what God said Took immediate action Checked for themselves Made known what they experienced Remembered to glorify and praise God The five points are in Luke 2:15-20 "If you lost it, get your zeal back."

This talk is about the logic of the New Testament, and especially Jesus. It goes something like this, "You are an eternal being with a destiny in God's great kingdom. Therefore, arrange your life now to maximize your joy then."

"No one has ever seen God. God's only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, has made him known." (John 1.18)

Just a little thought about fish, birds, and us inheriting knowledge we didn't directly learn...

Stress and fear? Flip it.

This chat is primarily from Genesis 3.

Here we consider Exodus 33 and Genesis 15, Moses' and Abraham's friendship with God. Specifically how they seem to influence God's actions in the world. In other words, the God Scripture presents is emotionally responsive and interactive. He's open to His work in the world being influenced by His children, His friends. That's kind of staggering. But there it is. And there are numerous examples. Abraham, Moses, Amos, and even Mary the mother of Jesus, are the few examples I gave in the talk, but I'm sure there are many more.

Does God sit up in heaven with a plan that is often terrifying and painful, while He remains emotionally unaffected by the things that happen to us on earth? Or does He feel deeply for his children who live in a world that is largely NOT the way He intended, even though He is working all things together for our good? Jesus is what God has to say. And what He says is, "I love you, I love you, I love you!" --- Additionally - congratulations M'Niyah, on your baptism!

An invitation: Let's mature beyond living by our senses.

Romans 7:20 "it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me." Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

This chat was given as we commissioned Carl and Stan as assistant pastors. Two of the main passages mentioned were Acts 20 and Romans 5:4.

Linda tells a story about the power of our declarations.

Let God lead you.

The Lord prioritized going to synagogue regularly. Miracles, healings, exorcisms, and anointed Scripture explanation flowed through Him in each town, usually centering around the Synagogue. Some say, "It's harder to see the supernatural in church than in the world." Some say, "Christians are harder to reach than the unreached." I say, "That's letting experience speak louder than Scripture." I think we need to shake the dust of our experience off and gain fresh faith to see God's people whole, like Jesus did, and still does. When Jesus comes to church, it shakes things up.

Nearly every day we encounter spiritual climates that resist God's kingdom inside of us. How do we recognize and navigate such things?

Run, John, run, the law commands but gives me neither feet nor hands Far better news the gospel brings It bids me fly and gives me wings (Bunyon)

What was Jesus' gospel? What is eternal life? How do we relate to God and people apart from the standard methods of manipulation and control using judgment and condemnation? How do we pray as God's beloved children?

I recently texted to ask Brian about what fascinates him lately. I liked his answer so much I invited him to do a podcast interview. The main theme of his response was that Jesus is intent on delivering people from the wounds, lies, and effects of rejection.  We also discussed 80's music, Texas barbeque, and my idea for an app that shocks people who say the illegal phrase.