Scripture References Luke 19:11-27 Introduction The group listened to the same passage that was preached in Sunday service and revisited it for deeper discussion. Conversation opened with a light-hearted “button” exercise about risk versus guarantee, which served as a bridge into Jesus’ parable on stewardship, trust, and faithfulness while the Kingdom is “delayed but not denied.” Key Points Super Bowl gathering: host’s home opens 3 PM; finger foods encouraged; worship & prayer will replace the NFL halftime show; spouses welcome; host will ask guests to leave when the evening winds down. Future social: crawfish boil planned “in about a month,” weather permitting. Poll: Half the room chose the guaranteed $1 million; half chose the 50/50 chance at $100 million. Reasons centered on risk tolerance, contentment, and potential impact on others. Financial preparation sidebar: examples of wills, insurance, and saving for family. Theological / Exegetical Points Audience context (v. 11): Jesus corrects the belief that the Kingdom would appear immediately; the parable stresses a long-view faithfulness. Characters: Nobleman/King = Christ. Servants = believers entrusted with resources. Subjects who hated him = the world in rebellion. “Put this money to work” (v. 13): a call to active stewardship, not preservation. Reward mismatch: faithful servants receive “cities,” showing God often rewards with larger responsibilities, not merely more of the same resource. Unused gifts removed (v. 26): a principle that dormant talents, time, or treasure are eventually forfeited. Misreading the Master: the fearful servant misjudged the king’s character; misunderstanding God leads to paralysing disobedience. Interaction & Group Responses Risk exercise provoked lively debate; several cited “mathematical advantage,” others cited “contentment” or desire to “give more away.” Stewardship discussion: Participants agreed the parable applies to money, talents, time, spiritual gifts. Testimonies of tithing: one couple shared that consistent giving, even when maths “didn’t math,” led to unexpected provision (e.g., immediate $8 K fence job). Observation: churches gauge leaders’ maturity partly through consistent giving and service. Reflection on fear: the third servant’s excuse mirrored modern reluctance to give or serve; class noted that deeper relationship with God dissolves fear. Quote captured: “A misunderstanding of God produces paralysed disobedience.” Practical Applications Evaluate personal stewardship: if Christ returned today, what “ROI” would you present–financially, relationally, and in spiritual impact? Strengthen relationship with the “Resourcer” (prayer, Word, community) to increase trust and obedience. Tithe faithfully; view it as untethering the heart from money, not a mere financial transaction. Identify dormant gifts or resources and put them to work for Kingdom purposes. Plan for family and legacy (wills, insurance, savings) as part of wise stewardship. Prayer / Intercession Items Group members facing unnamed hurts and needs (mentioned on GroupMe). Courage to invest time, talents, and treasure rather than “wrapping them in a cloth.” Fruitful outreach opportunities stemming from upcoming social gatherings. Next Meeting / Future Arrangements Super Bowl fellowship: tomorrow, 3 PM at host’s home; worship & intercession during halftime. Crawfish boil slated for next month once the lawn greens up; details forthcoming. Insights Jesus has placed resources, time and talents in our hands, inviting us to trade them for eternal gain; faithful stewardship today will echo as cities of influence in His coming Kingdom. Every step of courageous obedience is a wager on God’s character, and He never loses the battles we trust into His hands; our risk becomes the seed of supernatural return. When we assume the Father is harsh we bury our gifts, but knowing His grace unlocks creative, joyful multiplication for His glory, freeing us from the paralysis of fear. The Kingdom may feel delayed, yet Jesus calls us to ‘do business’ until He returns; every prayer, dollar and hour offered now prepares the celebration that lasts forever. Tithing is not God taking from us but God training us; open hands become channels where heaven’s provision can keep flowing, turning shrinking budgets into stories of worship and wonder. Turning off the halftime noise to sing and pray together reminds the heart that one moment in the Spirit’s presence outweighs every spectacle the world can offer.
Scripture References Luke 19:11-27 Luke 19:44 Hebrews 13:3 John 1:11 Psalm 24:1 Leviticus 27:30 Proverbs 3:9-10 Matthew 6:24 Luke 6:38 Malachi 3:10 Introduction Pastor opens with testimony of gospel impact in Iran–average of ten daily baptisms amid persecution; calls congregation to remember persecuted believers (Heb 13:3). Series context: “Boot Camp–Training for Team Jesus,” nearing final week; today’s focus is money and stewardship. Reads Luke 19:11-27 (parable of the minas) while congregation stands in reverence. Explains prophetic backdrop: Jesus’ approach to Jerusalem, prediction of temple destruction (Luke 19:44) fulfilled in A.D. 70; therefore His future promises–including judgment and reward–are certain. Key Points / Exposition 1. I Am a Steward, Not an Owner Definition: A steward manages another’s property; nothing truly “belongs” to us–everything is on loan from God (Ps 24:1). False mind-sets “What’s mine is mine” = selfishness. “What’s yours is mine” = stealing (or forced redistribution). Disciple’s mind-set: “What’s mine is God’s.” Illustrations Death rate is 100%–possessions will outlast us, ending up at yard/estate sales. Parent-child analogy: kids claim rooms, money, jeans–but parents own the house; likewise, we live in God’s house and use His resources. Practical conviction: homes, incomes, talents, even life itself ultimately belong to God. 2. Stewards Do the Master’s Will Parable contrast: Servant #1–1 mina to 10 minas; commended and given rule over ten cities. Servant #2–1 mina to 5 minas; rewarded proportionally. Servant #3–fearfully hides mina; called “wicked and lazy.” Faithful stewardship centers on giving God the first and best (“firstfruits”)–the biblical tithe (Lev 27:30; Prov 3:9-10). Tithe = 10% and it is the first 10%, not the leftovers. Giving first demonstrates faith; it costs nothing to give the last. “Ten” as a test in Scripture (plagues, commandments, wilderness tests, etc.). Every paycheck tests whom we trust and enthrone. “King of the Hill” analogy: only one can occupy the throne of the heart (Mt 6:24). Where our treasure is, our heart follows. 3. God Gives More to People Who Know What the “More” Is For In the parable, resources flow toward the proven stewards; even the fearful servant’s mina is reassigned. Principle: God does not primarily give according to need, want, or even prayer alone, but according to stewardship capacity. Clarification: This is not the prosperity gospel. We don’t “give to get” luxury; we give to please the Father. Prosperity teaching uses God to love money; biblical stewardship uses money to love God. Scriptural promises of provision for faithful givers (Lk 6:38; Mal 3:10; Prov 3:9-10). Personal testimony: Pastor’s parents tithed while below the poverty line and experienced timely provision–instilling a legacy, “You’ll never be able to afford to tithe until you tithe… when you return the first to God, the rest is blessed.” 90% with God > 100% without God; congregation invited to witness raised hands affirming God’s faithfulness. Major Lessons & Revelations God owns everything; we are temporary managers. Fear of scarcity disables obedience; faith releases multiplication. Stewardship decisions now determine eternal commendation or loss. Generosity trains hearts–and future generations–to walk by faith, not by sight. Movements move: our obedience fuels global gospel advance, even in persecuted places like Iran. Practical Application Audit heart posture: Identify any area where “mine” overrides “God’s.” Budget with God first–automate the tithe before subscriptions or discretionary spending. Teach children early: give from every allowance, gift, or paycheck. Replace fear narratives (“I won’t have enough”) with faith declarations from Scripture. Remember and intercede for persecuted believers; let global mission shape financial priorities. Conclusion & Call to Response Choice before every believer: embrace the role of faithful steward or remain a fearful, “wicked and lazy” servant. Invitation to step into first-fruit giving, trust God’s character, and secure eternal “well done.” Legacy challenge to parents and grandparents: model faith-filled generosity as the greatest inheritance. Prayer Pastor asks the Holy Spirit to displace fear with sonship, empower obedience, and release generational blessing through faith-filled giving: “No spirit but the Holy Spirit–lead us to put You first in all things.” References & Resources Rooted discipleship groups (local church resource) Testimonies of provision shared by pastor and congregation Insights Even under hostile regimes, King Jesus is gathering a harvest in Iran, baptizing souls daily; our prayers link us to their courage as one worldwide body of Christ, proclaiming His unstoppable gospel. The Father owns every breath and dollar we touch; when we recognize ourselves as stewards, generosity becomes worship instead of loss, and our hearts finally rest in His limitless provision. Because God first loved us through Christ’s costly gift, we honor Him with first fruits; faith writes His name on the top line of every budget and trusts Him to bless the remaining ninety percent. Jesus is returning as the just Nobleman, and He will reward faithfulness; every resource in my hand today is a rehearsal for eternity’s accounting, so I invest boldly in His kingdom now. Only one master fits on the throne of a human heart; when Christ reigns, money becomes a servant instead of a tyrant, freeing us to live fearless and eternally minded lives. The Holy Spirit still puts supernatural stretch on natural resources; families that plant seeds of faithful giving will reap testimonies richer than any earthly inheritance, proving that our Father loves to outgive His children.
This is going to be short but I wanted to get this down because I did this once before and everything worked out great but then when I tried it again with another lambda project, I had a lot of problems getting credentials setup. First of all, DO NOT go hard coding anything in the lambda. Definitely, DO NOT hard code credential key and secret but do not hard code the region either, unless there is a very specific need for this like you’re running the lambda in one region but say accessing an s3 bucket that is setup in another region. ...
Gathering Information Leader: Charles (teaching); Mark (will lead closing prayer) Time note: Charles needed to leave by 6:20 p.m. for the opening of “Rooted.” Scripture References Luke 22:24–30 Introduction Opening reminder that the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship course begins tonight; next session begins in ~18 weeks. Session aim: expose our default instinct to protect personal status and contrast it with Jesus’ call to humble service. Warm-up: rapid-fire everyday scenarios (potluck line, last slice of pizza, four-way stop, credit for work, etc.) to surface personal instincts. Key Points Human Instinct vs. Kingdom Posture Most of us naturally guard our place (“If you ain’t first, you’re last”). Jesus redefines greatness by servanthood, not status. Context of Luke 22: Conversation occurs during the Last Supper, right after Jesus announces His betrayal and institutes Communion. Disciples still argue over who is greatest, revealing deep-seated worldly thinking. Jesus’ Teaching (vv. 25-27): Earthly rulers wield power and call themselves “benefactors.” “It is not this way with you.” Greatness = becoming “the youngest” and “the one who serves.” Jesus models it: “I am among you as the one who serves.” Future Honor (vv. 28-30): Faithfulness in trials will be rewarded with seats at Jesus’ table and authority in the coming Kingdom. Present obedience is never wasted; reward is relational, not rivalrous. Rewiring Our Definition of Success Greatness measured by posture, not position. Actions change only after mindset and identity change. Theological / Exegetical Points “Benefactors” (v. 25): leaders who style themselves as public benefactors while actually exercising control. Youngest/servant imagery: those with no social leverage, authority, or claim to honor. Servanthood encapsulates Jesus’ entire mission; no one forced Him—He chose it. Faithfulness, endurance, and hidden obedience carry eternal significance; self-promotion does not. Interaction & Group Responses Potluck line: some wait, others “break the ice.” Last slice of pizza: most defer; one joyfully takes it. Four-way stop: varying tactics from cautious observation to “never stopping.” Taking credit: several would stay silent; one would confide in his wife. Meeting disagreement: mixed—press the point vs. let it go. Discussion revealed universal pull toward recognition, respect, and hierarchy. Story from Anthony: serving family while grumbling; Holy Spirit reminds him to “do it as unto the Lord,” bringing immediate peace. Respect vs. authenticity debate: genuine challenge from brothers is a form of respect. Practical Applications Examine personal “status-protecting” reflexes revealed in everyday choices. Adopt Jesus’ strategy: pursue hidden, voluntary service; elevate others. Write down one concrete next step in phone (exercise done in class). Possibilities: Join a service team (classroom, church, community). Begin “Rooted,” Next-Step class, fasting, Bible reading plan, recovery ministry. Reconcile a relationship; practice sacrificial giving; consider baptism or salvation decision. Evaluate gifting overlap (natural talents + spiritual gifts) to locate best place of service. Remember: seeking status never satisfies; servanthood brings freedom and lasting honor. Next Meeting / Future Arrangements Next week: Josh will teach; Mark will follow with a session on giving. “Rooted” runs for 10 weeks; new round begins in about 18 weeks for those wait-listed. Insights When Jesus picked up the towel at the Last Supper, He rewrote greatness; the King became the servant so we could trade our craving for status for the joy of humble love. Your hidden acts of kindness are never wasted; the Father sees in secret, and He turns unseen faithfulness into eternal honor that outshines every podium, title, or applause this passing world offers. The Spirit unhooks our hearts from the ladder of self-promotion, whispering that greatness is measured by posture, not position; choose the lower seat and watch His power lift others through you. Because Christ stooped to wash dusty feet, we are free to leave entitlement behind and serve; freedom flows from surrender, not status, and the Kingdom blooms wherever humble hands meet hidden needs. If Jesus can entrust thrones to disciples who bickered over rank, He can redeem our misdirected ambition; faithfulness today shapes eternal influence tomorrow, so persevere in unseen service and let Heaven keep score. Stop refreshing your social feed for validation; look at the cross where the Son of God took last place and hear Him invite you to the only table where servants become sons forever.
Scripture References Mark 10:42–45 Isaiah 58:5–10 1 Peter 2:9 1 Peter 4:10 1 Corinthians 12:4–27 Introduction The preacher (Breaux) greets the congregation in the New Year and promotes the “Rooted” discipleship experience as a next step for everyone—from skeptics to seasoned believers. He frames the current sermon series as “Boot Camp,” a practical training in living the life of Jesus. Previous weeks covered baptism, Spirit-dependence, truth, and community; today’s theme is serving. Personal mission statement written at age 25: “I just want to look, love, and live like Jesus.” Serving is indispensable to that pursuit. Key Points / Exposition 1. “Not So With You” – The Call to Serve (Mark 10:42–45) Context: James and John (“Sons of Thunder”) request seats of honor; disciples grumble. Jesus contrasts worldly power plays with kingdom greatness: greatness = servanthood, first = slave of all. Four-word kingdom ethic: “Not so with you.” Ambition, ladder-climbing, credential-flashing—off-limits for Jesus-followers. 2. Service and Human Flourishing – What Research Confirms University of Chicago study: Most fulfilling jobs involve teaching, caring, protecting, or otherwise serving; income level had minimal impact on happiness once basic needs were met. Oxford meta-analysis (40 studies, 20 years): Consistent volunteers enjoy lower depression, stress, heart disease; higher fulfillment. Youth data: Serving teens have less substance abuse, fewer unplanned pregnancies, higher self-esteem; parents should even “require” volunteering for their good. Conclusion: “As long as you’re all about you, you’ll never be happy.” 3. Two Seas, Two Lives – Illustration from Israel Geography: Snowmelt from Mt. Hermon → Jordan River → Sea of Galilee (alive) → Jordan → Dead Sea (lifeless). Spiritual parallel: Galilee receives and gives; Dead Sea only receives. A giving life teems with joy; a hoarding life stagnates. 4. The Priestly People – Every Member a Minister (1 Peter 2:9) Historical drift: Churches hired “professional Christians” while members spectated, a model absent from Scripture. New-covenant reality: All believers are a “royal priesthood” with direct access to God and a mandate to declare His praises. Pentecost (Acts 2) affirms Spirit distributed to “ordinary” people, not an elite few. 5. Spiritual Gifts – Distributed, Diverse, Dependent (1 Cor 12; 1 Pet 4:10) Definition: A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given to each believer to advance God’s purposes together. The Spirit decides the gift mix (1 Cor 12:11). No A-list or B-list gifts—each part matters. Analogy of the body: unseen parts are as necessary as visible ones; when one part hurts, all hurt; when one flourishes, all rejoice (1 Cor 12:24–27). Practical discovery: Personality (introvert/extrovert, head/heart). Talents/skills honed over years. Life experiences (successes, wounds, recoveries). Passion “that flips your switch.” Combine these with the spiritual gift for maximum impact. 6. Stories that Illustrate Heather, a young volunteer with the gift of mercy, became “pastor” to a family in ICU—proof that clergy are not the only priests. “Toenail” friend: gladly served behind the scenes for 30 years, signing every note “Toenail” to affirm small but crucial service. Rapid-fire imagined testimonies (John, Deshawna, Jeremy, Emma, Maria, Roberto, Samantha, Dustin, Alvis, Tyler) show the variety of gifts: mercy, administration, helps, evangelism, leadership, encouragement, hospitality, artistry, intercession, humor. Major Lessons & Revelations Greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by servanthood, not status. Joy and health follow a life lived beyond self; secular research echoes Jesus’ words. God’s design for the church is a fully activated body where every believer-priest deploys Spirit-given gifts. Diversity of gifts is intentional and beautiful; comparison and envy cripple the body. Practical Application Identify your gift mix: reflect on personality, abilities, experiences, passions; take a spiritual-gifts assessment if helpful. Engage regularly: text “SERVE” to 20411, visit the lobby tent, or sign up for “Rooted” (QR code card) to connect gifts with needs. Start small today: Ask “Who can I serve before day’s end?” Adopt a weekly rhythm of volunteering (church, school, shelter, neighbor). Model service for children; involve them in tangible acts. Guard your heart: reject comparison; receive your unique assignment with gratitude. Sustain the flow: like the Sea of Galilee, maintain an “outlet” by giving time, talent, and treasure continuously. Conclusion & Call to Response The happiest, most fulfilled people are those who echo Jesus: “I came not to be served but to serve.” Step out of the bleachers and onto the field—discover why you were “made for this.” Join the mission, activate your gift, and let God’s generosity flow through you. ...
Gathering Information Live, online snow-day study from Josh & Jana Howerton’s home (“Howerton Casa”), Dallas-area, early Feb 2023 Interactive stream across multiple platforms; comments fed to leader in real time Scripture References Luke 5:1-11 Luke 6:12-16 John 21:1-19 James 5:16 Proverbs 27:17 Proverbs 12:18 Proverbs 13:20 Matthew 5:29-30 Romans 8:1-3 2 Peter 1:3 2 Corinthians 6:14 1 Peter 1:13 Introduction Snow and ice cancelled in-person services, so the Howertons invited everyone into their living room for a “life-group style” Bible study. Viewers asked to grab Bibles, coffee, and drop comments (location, snow-day activities, questions). Light-hearted moments: showing a newly mounted gemsbok, naming suggestions (“Zulu,” “Howie,” “Paul”). Celebrations shared: 7,148 people at Night of Prayer & Worship (Rockwall campus) Two volunteers (John Mixon & Kelly Vrooman) got engaged that night Healing testimony: Jackson, 19, 18-months free of fentanyl, instant relief from 10/10 back pain Jana’s ongoing ministry to couples battling infertility Key Points 1. Central Thesis A disciple of Jesus “assembles a band of brothers or sisters.” If Jesus did, we must. ...
Scripture References Luke 4:1-13 Exodus 16:2-3 Exodus 17:2-4, 7 Exodus 32 (Golden Calf episode) Introduction Ice-breaker on favorite fast-food chains (Whataburger, Burger King, Portillo’s, Raising Canes, In-N-Out, Steak ’n Shake, etc.) highlighted convenience, taste, speed, and affordability—setting up the contrast between quick satisfaction and long-term health. Theme: believers often feed on “spiritual fast food.” Luke 4 shows Jesus choosing the harder, healthier way of trust, obedience, and submission in the wilderness immediately after His baptism. Key Points 1. Spirit-Led Wilderness Jesus, “full of the Holy Spirit,” is led—not driven—into the desert before any public miracle or disciple-making. Group insight: God often “qualifies the called” by testing first; the wilderness can cleanse past baggage and prepare future ministry. 2. Welcoming vs. Avoiding Testing Mixed responses: some ask God for growth through hardship; others admit avoiding it unless they “know they’ll pass.” Consensus: testing exposes reliance on the Father and strips self-reliance. 3. Forty Days & Forty Years – Typology Jesus’ 40-day fast mirrors Israel’s 40-year wandering; where Israel failed, Jesus succeeds. Second-Adam motif: Adam fell in a perfect garden; Jesus triumphed in a barren desert. 4. The Three Temptations Reframed A. Stone to Bread – TRUST Satan’s subtext: “If you’re God’s Son, why suffer?” Parallel: Israel’s grumbling over manna (Ex 16). Our struggle: comfort without trust—sacrificing discipline, courage, meaningful suffering. B. Kingdoms & Glory – OBEDIENCE Subtext: “If you’re God’s Son, why aren’t you important?” Parallel: Golden Calf (Ex 32) when Israel sought visibility and approval. Our struggle: approval without obedience—choosing visibility over value, brand over character, credit over cost. C. Temple Pinnacle – SUBMISSION Subtext: “If you’re God’s Son, where is God now?” Parallel: Meribah (Ex 17) – “Is the Lord among us or not?” Our struggle: control without submission—clinging to security, manipulating outcomes. 5. Identity Check Exercise: “What would others say is my one-sentence identity?” Desired identity: unmistakable follower of Jesus, not merely “nice,” “reliable,” or “stubborn.” 6. Satan’s Return (Luke 4:13) The enemy withdraws only “until an opportune time.” Vigilance and continual filling of the Spirit are essential. Theological / Exegetical Points Holy Spirit’s leading affirms that hardship can be divine appointment, not divine absence. Trust-Obedience-Submission correspond to “lust of flesh, eyes, pride of life” yet offer a clearer discipleship framework. Comfort, approval, and control are modern idols echoing ancient Israel’s failures. Interaction & Group Responses Show of hands: every man has experienced or is in a “wilderness.” Honest admissions of craving control; those who didn’t raise hands about control admitted to “struggling with lying” (humorous moment). Personal examples: fasting as spiritual detox; Starbucks/coffee-shop practice of phone-free awareness felt awkward yet revealing. Plug for mutual accountability: Monday 8:30 p.m. men’s group at Joe Willie’s (“kings of empathy—no excuses”). Practical Applications Replace “spiritual fast food” with a steady diet of Scripture, prayer, fasting, and Christian community. Embrace meaningful suffering; do not numb pain at the cost of significance. Identify and dismantle personal “golden calves” (comfort, visibility, control). Pursue identity in Christ first—let others see love for Jesus before any hobby or role. Engage beyond weekend worship: Next Step, Rooted, Regeneration, Night of Prayer & Worship, men’s breakfasts, Monday Joe Willie’s group. Next Meeting / Future Arrangements Open invitation: Men’s accountability group, Mondays 8:30 p.m., Joe Willie’s (Three Ave.). Regular Saturday evening men’s study continues; details shared in the group thread. Insights Like Jesus leaving the Jordan, you can step into your desert knowing the Spirit walks ahead, turning every barren mile into holy preparation for the mission God designed for you. Fast-food faith feels convenient, but only Scripture nourishes; man truly lives when God’s Word replaces drive-through distractions and fills the heart with lasting strength. The wilderness exposes our craving for control, yet Jesus teaches surrender; freedom blooms when obedience outweighs comfort and we trust the Father with tomorrow’s unknowns. Satan tempts us with applause, but Christ answers with worship; your worth is sealed in Heaven, not measured by likes, titles or golden calves. Testing is not God’s absence but His refining fire; every trial that draws you to pray is heaven’s classroom shaping durable discipleship. Stay filled with the Spirit today, for the enemy waits patiently; armor put on before battle turns the devil’s next “opportune time” into another testimony of Christ’s victory.
Scripture References Genesis 1:29 Deuteronomy 6 Deuteronomy 8 Psalm 119:11 Ezekiel Matthew 4 Matthew 6:13 Matthew 24:35 Luke 4 Romans 6 Ephesians 6:10-17 Hebrews 5:12 1 John 2:16 1 John 4:1 Introduction Week 3 of the “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus” series. Focus: a true disciple becomes a man or woman of the Word and of prayer. Pastor warns that drowning people don’t need Greek word studies on “life-jacket”; they need someone to throw the jacket—today’s sermon is that practical life-jacket. Special assignment: text “BIBLE” to 20411 for a podcast deep-dive on reading, studying, and teaching Scripture to families. Key Points / Exposition 1. You Have an Enemy Satan’s profile: once a chief angel (Ezekiel), now the devil/diabolos (slanderer), tempter (Matthew 4). His mission: steal, kill, destroy. Typical errors: some ignore him; others open themselves to every spirit (occult, crystals, tarot). 1 John 4:1 commands discernment. Attack timing: when you are alone, isolated, hungry, tired (Luke 4). Three predictable “lures” (1 John 2:16): Lust of the flesh – over-desire to feel something (food, alcohol, sex, drugs). Lust of the eyes – over-desire to have something (materialism, envy). Pride of life – over-desire to be something (status, applause). Homework: “If you were the devil, how would you take you out?” Identify your most vulnerable lure. 2. The Word of God—Our Only Offensive Weapon Armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-17): every piece is defensive except “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Jesus’ model (Luke 4): three temptations, three answers—“It is written….” (quotes Deuteronomy 6 & 8). Scripture defeats Satan. Nature of Scripture: 66 books, 40 writers, one divine Author whose words “will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Historic resilience: French Huguenots, Tyndale’s English Bible, Voltaire’s failed prediction—“Pound away, you evil hands; the hammer breaks, the anvil stands.” 3. Grow Up and Feed Yourself Psalm 119:11—hide the Word in your heart to resist sin. Hebrews 5:12 rebuke: believers should mature from milk to solid food; spiritual “big babies” rely only on Sunday spoon-feeding. Especially to men/husbands: God made you the head—pick up the sword and fight for your family. 4. Lake Pointe Tools for Bible Saturation Weekly expository sermons. “Live Free” podcast: deeper dive every Monday (text BIBLE to 20411). “Rooted”—10-week discipleship boot camp teaching how to handle Scripture. Lake Pointe App: tap “Daily” icon for a one-chapter-a-day reading plan synced to the sermons (Mon-Fri). Major Lessons & Revelations Satan is beatable because he’s predictable; Scripture is sufficient. For every action of the Holy Spirit, expect an opposite reaction from unholy spirits. Once Bible intake reaches 4+ days a week, measurable life transformation follows (study: +228% evangelism, -50% anxiety, etc.). God applauds progress, not perfection—when you stumble, He still says, “You’re doing it!” Practical Application Commit to at least four days of personal Bible reading this week (use the app or any plan). Memorize one verse that counters your primary temptation. Fathers/husbands: schedule a family Scripture time; lead the reading and prayer. Register for the next Rooted session. Replace occult or “spiritual” curiosities with sound Bible study; destroy any items tied to spiritism. Share the “Live Free” podcast with spouse, kids, or small-group friends and discuss. Conclusion & Call to Response The enemy is real, but the Word is stronger. Pick up your sword—fight for your soul, your spouse, your children, your legacy. Decide today to become a person of Scripture and prayer, and watch God reshape your lineage. ...
Okay, they’re not totally useless but they might as well be. I opted to use a shell script in a mise task to manually create the file with the information I needed. Specifically, what I figured was an obvious thing was to run the command something like, hugo new content/posts/1767247204-sample.md --tile "Sample Post" --date "2026-01-01 00:00:04", otherise Hugo will insert a titlized version of the filename and the current date for the new post. This probably seems like niche issue but it’s important to me and it’s such an obvious option if you needed to back post something or perhaps you wrote it out on paper on one day and wanted it posted as that day not the current day the markdown was created. ...
Scripture References Matthew 28:19–20 Luke 3:21–22 Romans 6:3–4 Ephesians 1:13 Introduction The group launched week 2 of an eight-week discipleship series that parallels Sunday sermons at Lake Pointe. Tonight’s focus: baptism—Is it something we do for God, or something God does for us? Key Points Two emphases of baptism From God: unmerited grace; gift of the Holy Spirit; empowerment that precedes performance. For God: public confession, obedience, declaration of allegiance, identification with Christ’s body. “Chain of events” often observed in Scripture Salvation Baptism Receiving/empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Illustrated with cybersecurity “kill-chain” analogy.) Potential drifts “From God” only → receiving without responding = belief without obedience. “For God” only → obedience without promise = fragile, legalistic faith. Identity before commissioning: at Jesus’ baptism the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22) before any public ministry. Theological / Exegetical Points New-Testament writers never separate salvation and baptism; Jesus’ Great Commission lists “baptize” without isolating “get them saved.” Romans 6:3–4 links immersion to burial and resurrection with Christ. Ephesians 1:13 highlights sealing by the Spirit upon belief; discussion noted differing traditions on whether this coincides with baptism. Thief on the cross shows salvation can precede or exclude baptism in extraordinary circumstances, yet normal pattern in Acts ties them together. Old-Testament anointing with oil (kings, priests, prophets) = God’s presence promised; New-Testament baptism in water = God’s presence realized. Luke alone records Jesus praying during baptism; prayer portrayed as the open channel through which the Spirit descends. Interaction & Group Responses Quick poll: most see baptism as both “from” and “for” God. Lively debate on “salvation stands alone” vs. “baptism essential.” Personal testimonies: Tyler—re-baptized as an adult once he understood sin and grace. Jim—recent baptism after grasping personal depravity. Parenting angle: when children ask to be baptized, begin with “Why?” and probe understanding of sin, salvation, and symbolism. Practical questions used when calling candidates (Lake Pointe’s “Text LIFE” follow-up team): “Tell me about your conversion,” “Why baptism now?” Humor: “Is a pickle a cucumber or is a cucumber a pickle?"—illustration of transformation. Practical Applications Examine your own baptism: Was it post-conversion and understood? If not, consider being baptized. When discipling others, ensure they grasp depravity, grace, and the Spirit’s role before scheduling baptism. Remember identity precedes assignment—receive God’s affirmation before rushing into service. Approach baptism as a launchpad for Spirit-empowered obedience, not mere “fire-insurance.” Pray—though not a technical prerequisite, prayer is the primary vehicle for fresh filling and guidance by the Spirit.