The Kingdom is looking for you, are you looking for the Kingdom? Jesus said the Kingdom is like a merchant looking ....but also, the Kingdom is a treasure, we should be seeking to find.

We are all invited. Do we all accept the invitation? To enjoy a gift you must receive it, accept it, but to do that, you must make a choice that you want the gift. We are all invited…

Jesus talked about two aspects of our interaction with the Kingdom very often. To Enter and to See the Kingdom. One is our Position, one is our Experience!

Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God often. He even said it was WHY he was sent to earth. Seems pretty important! In this new series we will be looking at what the Kingdom is, what it means and how, as Jesus said, we can See and Enter the Kingdom!

Some of the gifts are meant to help others be equipped to find their gifts, find their purpose and use their gifts. Some are to help train and equip believers. Some love to study, some don't. Some love to teach, others don't feel like they can. All of us have gifts and it is our opportunity to learn how to use them for the benefit of the body of Christ and the glory of God!

What's the best gift? Is there a Best Gift? Maybe not, although Paul was convinced we should pursue Prophecy the most, but there was a reason for that, and the answer is found in some of the other gifts. Join us as we continue our journey through the Gifts of the Spirit!

Some gifts seem more practical in nature. They involve physical things to do rather than what we might consider spiritual things. But is that really the case? Is a physical duty in the service of God any less spiritual than a religious duty, a spiritual duty? The bible says we should work as unto the Lord. It also says that every part is needed, no part can be left out, no gift, no talent left out. So, every part is needed, every person is needed, and everyone is to do their part to serve God by serving people, regardless of how practical, spiritual or otherwise the gift may seem!

We've been given faith to believe. Primarily for the salvation found in Jesus Christ, our Hope! But also for the life, the blessing and the gifts that God gives. The Bible says that Jesus bore our sins on the cross, and our sickness through the wounds that were inflicted on him. He was bruised and beaten so we could be free!

And God gives the gift of healing and miracles as gifts of the Spirit. What could it look like if we pursued those spiritual gifts? To pray and see healing! To believe and see miracles!

We have all been given a measure of faith. That's what the bible says, but, there are some who are gifted with the gift of faith. A special ability to believe beyond doubt. And what's the purpose? To help others believe as well! The gifts are outward focused to encourage and build up the body of Christ!

The purpose of the gifts is to build up the church. The gifts are for the benefit of others, not our own. We are meant to be outwardly focused! Today we're talking about the gift of Prophecy, which is an incredible gift, and we are encouraged to all be asking for this gift from God!

Now that we understand the Spirit of God is in us, never leaving us, and wants to continually fill us with his power and presence, what do we do? What's the purpose? Is there more?

The Bible says God has given each of us gifts for a specific purpose.

The Holy Spirit isn't just a promise that we receive at the time of our belief in Jesus Christ, but God wants to FILL us with His presence and power!

The Holy Spirit is a promise from God. Jesus said he WILL send him. Paul writes that we HAVE received. It's not a question of whether the Holy Spirit is for us, it's whether we are looking for His presence in our lives!

God celebrates motherhood. In fact, the role of parents is SO important to God that it became one of the Ten Commandments. One of God's rules for life, instructions for good living, and there it is, right in the middle as number 5, Honor your father and your mother! Then you will live a long, good life in the land that God is giving you.

We celebrate mothers. We celebrate women. We celebrate all that God created them to be!

There's a difference between BEING Free and LIVING Free. You are Free, the word says it. But the bible also warns us not to fall back into our former state of NOT being free. So, if running to the light is what sets us free, then can we ever stop???

We were NOT meant to do this alone. We were not meant to struggle alone. God designed us to be on this journey to the light of Jesus Christ together. To encourage each other. To be there for each other. Don't fall into the lie that you are meant to be isolated and alone! Let's find a better way to be free together!

Jesus doesn't want his light to shine on you to expose you and punish you, he is inviting us to allow his light to shine in our hearts and lives to reveal what needs healing!

In the light of Jesus we find who we truly are. God wants to lead you into the light to show you who He has truly made you to be!

Today we celebrate that Jesus is ALIVE! The grave could not hold him down. Death could not keep him in its grip. Jesus is the Risen Savior of the world!

We don't search for a god who is dead and gone, but we serve the one true God who is alive and active! We follow a King who is Good, and Just, and Righteous. We give our lives to His purpose and His plan!

Thank you Jesus for Resurrection Sunday!!!

God does not intend for us to be alone, and He is not a God who is absent or not available. The bible tells us that we are the very temple of the Holy Spirit. We are meant to house His presence. It also says he will never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus made a way so we could be connected in God's presence now and forever.