What to Do When You Feel Done

In the conversation for Sunday, September 30, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice helps us to see that there is more to the situation than we immediately experience. There is a depth of resource available to us through Christ’s life that is resident in our hearts.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-10:30, Conversation 10:30-39:49

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice.

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.

• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.

• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.

• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory! But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!
Romans 5:2-5 (TPT)

Treasure Inside

In the conversation for Sunday, September 23, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice encourages us to recognize the treasure of God’s presence in our lives and also the snares that keep us from living in the fullness of God’s power found in our weakness.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-18:35, Conversation 18:35-48:17

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice.

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.

• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.

• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.

• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (The Message)

How Not to Lose Heart

In the conversation for Sunday, September 16, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the keys to not losing heart by cultivating practices in order to experience God’s presence personally and with others and fulfilling God’s purposes for us.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - 4:1 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-10:55, Conversation 10:55-39:58

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice.

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.

• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.

• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.

• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Overcoming Fear

In the conversation for Sunday, September 9, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice explores the ways to overcoming fears in order for us to live fully in God’s purposes for our lives.

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-12:20, Conversation 12:20-45:38

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice.

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.

• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.

• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.

• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Certainly, all who are guided by God’s Spirit are God’s children. You haven’t received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God’s adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. If we are his children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him. I consider our present sufferings insignificant compared to the glory that will soon be revealed to us. All creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal who his children are.
Romans 8:14-19 (GW)

Defeating Discouragement

In the conversation for Sunday, August 19, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice talks about living in the reality of the triumph we have in Christ.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)

Sacred Reading 00:00-13:03, Conversation 13:03-44:44 

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31b—32, 37-39 (NIV)

Confronting Conflict

In the conversation for Sunday, August 12, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice talks about interpersonal conflict and outlines ways that will lead us toward win/win outcomes.

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?
2 Corinthians 2:1-2 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-10:40, Conversation 10:40-46:44 

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NASB)

Heart Check

In the conversation for Sunday, August 5, 2018, Kim Nowlin talks about the condition of our heart. She offers ways to recognize when we harden our heart and ways to soften our heart and become more open to God’s love and leading in our life.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-15:55, Conversation 15:55-01:02:30

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 8:38-39, Song of Songs 2:4 (NIV)
     The Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
     And now I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
     Let the Lord lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.

Dealing with Anxiety

In the conversation for Sunday, July 29, 2018, Aaron Redshaw talks about anxiety and offers helpful suggestions to deal with anxiety and offers hope that in Christ we can have peace.

Sacred Reading 00:00-17:37, Conversation 17:37-57:07

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days.
But as for me, I trust in you.
Psalm 55:22-23 (NIV)

Lessons in Integrity

In the conversation for Sunday, July 22, 2018, Pastor Stuart encourages us to keep our integrity in view, understanding that we come into our integrity through God and connect with God because of our integrity.

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
2 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

Sacred Reading 00:00-20:45, Conversation 20:45-54:35

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  
2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NIV)

Guatemala Mission Team Stories

In the conversation for Sunday, July 15, 2018, the team that went to Guatemala this summer shares with us some stories from their experiences serving our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in extreme poverty. For more information about the mission trip and our sending agency, please visit www.nowisthetimeformissions.com, where you will be able to see photos and hear interviews with team members.

Sacred Reading 00:00-11:45, Conversation 11:45-54:55

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

     I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
     Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,.
2 Timothy 1:6-9 (NASB)

Lessons in a Life Without Options

In the conversation for Sunday, July 8, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice shares an encouragement that God’s presence is best known through other people. We experience God’s deliverance when we are authentically in community. As we are there for others, they will be here for us. 

Sacred Reading 00:00-12:40, Conversation 12:40-44:24

We were crushed and overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it.
2 Corinthians 1:8b (NLT)

1. You Ought to Know
2. Trusting in the Squeeze
3. The Prayers that Turn the Tide

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us. He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people’s prayers for our safety have been answered.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT

Dream Small

In the conversation for Sunday, July 1, 2018, Kim Nowlin shares an encouragement to live generously, having a heart to give freely, and recognizing that even if we feel that our resources are too small, they’re not too small for God.

Sacred Reading 00:00-11:24, Conversation 11:24-52:18

Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (The Message)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (The Message)

The Father’s Love

In the conversation for Sunday, June 17, 2018, we hear a Father’s Day reflection about God’s love for us through the story of the Lost Son.

Sacred Reading 00:00-15:54, Conversation 15:54-53:17

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.

• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.

• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.

• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.
Luke 15:1-7 (CEB)

Becoming Comfort for Others

In the conversation for Sunday, June 10, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice encourages us to exchange our pain and brokenness for love and grace. God comforts us in our pain so that we can become a source of comfort for others.

Sacred Reading 00:00-15:31, Conversation 15:31-31:54

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NIV)

Winning Your Spiritual Battles

In the conversation for Sunday, June 3, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the reality of spiritual warfare and the strategies necessary for us to overcome in the battles in which we find ourselves. 

Sacred Reading 00:00-13:10, Conversation 13:10-48:15

The truth is that, although we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not human but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds. Our battle is to bring down every deceptive argument and every imposing defense that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (Phillips)

• Acknowledge the battle is spiritual 
• Be aware of your weapons
• Capture unto Christ

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

The truth is that, although we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not human but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds. Our battle is to bring down every deceptive argument and every imposing defense that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (Phillips)

The Practice of Remembering

In the conversation for Sunday, May 27, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice encourages us to take some focused time to remember the times and ways God has worked on our behalf in the past so that we can trust that God will meet us today.

Sacred Reading 00:00-13:15, Conversation 13:15-42:30

I will remember the deeds of the Lord.
I will remember your ancient miracles.
I will reflect on all your actions
and think about what you have done.
Psalms 77:11-12 (GW)

• How we focus our past informs our future
• Remembering reconnects us
• Reflection grounds us
• How to set a memorial

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Psalms 77:11-15 (NIV)

In Between Promises: The Destiny of Hope

In the conversation for Sunday, May 20, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us some ways to navigate the seasons in between the promises we have received from the Lord.

Sacred Reading 00:00-15:50, Conversation 15:50-39:18

“So don’t ever worry about tomorrow.” – Jesus
Matthew 6:34 (GW)

• Set an Anchor:

However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV)

• Live Fully Today
• Watch for Creeps
• Remind Yourself
• Share and Declare

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

“Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.”
“So don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:31-34 (GW)

From Disappointment to Hope

In the conversation for Sunday, May 13, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the key to transforming disappointment into hope by identifying the sources of disappointment and then resolving it with Christ.

Sacred Reading 00:00-13:30, Conversation 13:30-47:05

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (GW)

Stand Firm and Suit Up

In the conversation for Sunday, May 6, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice continues from previous two Sundays by sharing with us the principles of personal power. This week’s talk focuses on the components of the armor of God, which are areas of power that when we commit them to the Lord, we overcome the enemy in our lives. 

Sacred Reading 00:00-12:45, Conversation 12:45-46:01

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:14-18 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.
• I waited patiently for the Lord.

He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
He pulled me out of a horrible pit,
out of the mud and clay.
He set my feet on a rock
and made my steps secure.
He placed a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see this and worship.
They will trust the Lord.
Blessed is the person
who places his confidence in the Lord
and does not rely on arrogant people
or those who follow lies.
You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God.
You have made many wonderful plans for us.
No one compares to you!
I will tell others about your miracles,
which are more than I can count.
Psalm 40:1-5 (GW)

Be Strong and Put On

In the conversation for Sunday, April 29, 2018, Pastor Stuart Nice continues from last Sunday to share with us the principles of personal power. This week’s talk focuses on putting on the Lord’s power, identifying the nature of your challenges, and trusting in the Lord’s power to see you through your current challenges. 

Sacred Reading 00:00-19:22, Conversation 19:22-42:33

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart on God’s promises.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)