Avenue Church

Psalm 23 can be familiar and we can sometimes take it for granted, but we can never forget that Jesus is our "Good Shepherd."

It's hard to see those who aren't living for God prosper. This Psalm of Aseph calls us to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when earthly circumstances seem unfair. It emphasizes the value of seeking God's guidance and presence for comfort and understanding during times of doubt. 

The Psalms are an incredibly vivid collection of praises and prayers in poem format that touch every emotion. You can't rush through them. This week, we provide an overview of the Psalms and examine Psalm 1, which offers a description of life rooted in God. 

As Christians, some of our spiritual habits can be practiced alone. However, that doesn't mean we can live out our faith in isolation. Engagement with the local church is essential for our transformation. This involves not only showing up on Sundays but also on Mondays. What step can you take to engage with the community this week?

Bible reading and prayer are not just things that we do as Christians; they are the primary ways we engage with God relationally. Before we seek knowledge, wisdom, revelation, or answers, let's focus on strengthening our relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

Before adding anything else to our schedules and lists, let's create space to hear from God. We live in a culture filled with notifications and busy schedules that makes it difficult to hear from God. This week, we discuss simplicity, fasting, sabbath, silence, and solitude. 

Habits are hard but helpful. They require discipline. If self-discipline is the greatest form of self-love, spiritual disciplines are how we respond to Christ's love. What if we chose to see spiritual disciplines as an opportunity to build our relationship with Christ instead of an obligation to a religious duty or ritual? Do you see spiritual disciplines as an obligation to fulfil or an invitation to connect?

The anchor of our faith is not just in the death of Jesus on the cross, but in His resurrection. We also experience grief, fear, and disappointment in death. Jesus does more than bring comfort, peace, and hope; He gives us new life.

Jesus heals the man who was born blind. This sets off a firestorm of opinions. Why was he born blind? Was he healed? Who gives Jesus the authority? Do you believe who He says He is? Jesus doesn't open blind eyes; he opens our spiritual eyes, too. 

What do you desire most? If it were offered to you, would you accept it or make an excuse for not being able to possess it? After 38 years of sickness, Jesus addresses a sick man's excuses while breaking the fixed religious mindsets of the religious leaders who witnessed Jesus' first public miracle. He also confronts ours. 

Jesus' first miracle wasn't healing, a resurection, or even calming a storm. It was keeping the party going at a wedding. Imagine being the servants tasked with filling the jars with water and offering a cup of water that would miraculously become wine. In this miracle, we are reminded that our lack makes room for God's provision, and our obedience precedes the miracle. 

We often think of miracles as rare moments when God briefly steps into our lives. But the truth is, He is always present, always working. Miracles are extraordinary glimpses of His divine power—meant to stir our wonder and reveal His truth. Yet, how do we wrestle with the tension when the miracle we long for doesn’t come?

One of the most critical aspects of faithfulness is obedience. Partial and delayed obedience is still disobedience. We can live with purpose as much as we decide to walk in obedience to God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Obedience is simple, but it's not easy!

Purpose isn't just something we pursue and fulfill; it’s a gift that the Gospel brings into our lives. We don't have to chase it; we can begin right where we are. In its simplest form, purpose means to "bring glory to God and enjoy Him forever." Let's learn how to start where we are with faithfulness.

Let'd de-compartmentalize our worship. Deuteronomy tells us to bring "everything" to the temple. Paul echoes that we are to offer our entire life to God as a living sacrifice in an act of worship. We should see our opportunities to give as an opportunity to worship. What we worship determines what we hold onto the tightest and what has the tightest hold on us. 

In the New Testament, most giving is regarded as generosity. In 2nd Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul challenges the church to excel in the ministry of generous giving. He points to the "poor Macedonians" as an example of generosity. If we are not careful, we will see our generosity fueled by the amount we can safely give and the reward we seek. But generosity is best driven by a joyful attitude and a step of faith. 

Are New Testament Christians obligated to give tithes? Before it was a law to follow, tithes were given as an act of faith and in response to God's goodness. Jesus affirmed the tithe but emphasized the heart. It's not really about money but about our hearts. Today, giving is a way to show that we are placing God first in our finances. 

Everything belongs to the Lord. He has entrusted us with everything we have. He is our source and supply. Do we put it to good use or spend and bury it out of selfishness and fear? The amount we have and the actions we take in faithfulness reflect our hearts and test our trust. Let's accept the challenge of using what we've been given well.