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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Here is some information on "The Core: 8 Essentials to Strengthening Your Faith"

Three Objectives regarding the Truth of Jesus Christ:
1) Engage - Get young people, and all people, thinking about spiritual things. Let's challenge our spiritual health and get involved in forming a direction.
2) Equip - We need to get into how to do better. What do we need to know, plan, and refine in order to be able to get closer to Christ and spread Truth.
3) Engage - The mission isn't just to be saved. The mission is to share the salvation of Jesus Christ with others! How do engage younger believers in this work?

In this episode we begin with four Crucial Steps to building a stronger faith core within our young people, and within us all. 
1 - Join God's Team (what is the team element of faith?)
2 - Acknowledge God's Power (is He mighty to save and help you?)
3 - Embrace Spiritual Training (how specifically are you getting stronger?)
4 - Communicate with God (take all we learn today to God in prayer, honestly)

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Hilltops of Glory

Verse 1: Onward rejoicing I tread life’s way, Higher I’m climbing each passing day; Hilltops of Glory now rise in view, where all shall be made new.

Verse 2: Way down in Egypt mid burning sand, Moses has started for Canaan’s land; Never turn backward always ascend on to the journey’s end.

Verse 3: Footsteps of Jesus before us lead, We tread life’s journey, His warnings heed; Evil allurements cannot prevail, I’m on the upward trail.

Chorus: Hilltops of glory I now can see. O brother won’t you come go with me? Safe on the mountain I soon shall stand Hilltops of glory land.

What keeps people from the faithful trail?
- Lack of Understanding
- Fear of Loss/Failure
- Perceived Shortage of Resources

And what habits benefit people in their walk with God?
- Start Early
- Be Consistent
- Don't Panic!

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Shia LaBeouf has had a troubled past. He is still not aware of the fullness of God's saving grace in Christ. But he is on a journey that started with a dramatic turn. This turn is needed in the lives of many, even among our own fellowship. In some ways, abandoning my managerial skills to give God control, is something I need to renew and commit to as well. Maybe we can encourage one another. 

Here is the section from his interview:

My opinion about God before my world had crumbled was – art, love and God – they all mean the same thing, they are synonymous. 

 And I had also been told my whole life, your life is your life, you have to make with it what you can, you know. You’ve got to be a good guy, and then you got to get married, then you have to get a house and you have to get a job, and be good at your job – and like – your life is your life. And things will work out if you put the effort in, and I always really felt that. 

 And it made it hard to believe in God, because it felt like my managerial skills are what are going to amount to a fulfilled existence. When all of my designs failed, when all of my plans went out the window, when my life had led to serious infliction of pain and damage to other people – I threw up my hands like – my plans are garbage and I don’t want to be here anymore. 

 Pain made me willing to go about this in a different way than I had previously. The news that had come out is that I had been abusive to women, and I’ve been shooting dogs, and I’ve been willingly giving women STDs and like – it’s disgusting, it’s depraved. I felt deep shame, deep guilt, shame like I had never experienced before. The kind of shame where you forget how to breathe. 

 It was seeing other people who had sinned beyond anything I could even conceptualize also being found in Christ that made me feel like, okay well, that gives me hope. I started hearing experiences, of other depraved people who had found their way in this. The Gospel gave me this invite to just let go. I came from the school of – God helps those who help themselves. That’s not what I found. God comes to those who ask, that’s what I have experienced. 

Send us a text

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

I'd like to include the excerpts from the Q and A session by Dan Martell. He was asked, "What do you think about cutting out all distractions like social media, video games, and sugar?  He responded, "Awesome question. Whatever you are not willing to give up is going to be the thing that slows you down from achieving your dreams. If that list is really long, it is improbable that you will ever achieve anything important." He went on to say, "People ask me: 'Dan, what did you do to become successful?'" "It's not what I did, it's what I don't do. I don't drink. I don't eat sugar. I don't sleep in... So if you just get rid of all of those vices that hold you back, that's what CREATES THE SPACE for you to become more."

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

For today's notes, let me share with you the four points with Bible passages:

What is God's Grace?
"Grace, Mercy and Peace" (I Tim. 1:2; II Tim. 1:2)

Grace Greater than All My Sin
"grace... more than abundant" (I Tim. 1:12-17)

Granted in Jesus Christ from all Eternity
"who abolished death and brought life and immortality through the gospel..." (II Tim. 8-12)

With You Always
"Grace be with you." (I Tim. 6:21; II Tim. 4:22)

Send us a text

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Idolatry is warned against throughout all of Scripture. As Christians, we see it all around us amongst unbelievers. It often looks like the pursuit of sinful behavior to bring fulfillment that can only be found in God. But among Christians, it can look a little different. Today we examine three different version of idolatry among believers.

For you and me, we have to beware of replacing God with three things: blessings, alternate pathways, and ourselves on His throne of judgment. The first one shows up when we need things and people in our lives, even those from God, more than God Himself. The second one is when God supposedly comes first, but His teachings and ways are placed with alternate paths that fit us better. And the third... oh the third, is when more mature Christians elevate themselves to taking on God's role of judge over others. If our conclusions about others are demanded from God, then that demand is the idol, replacing even God Himself. 

I invite you today to some self examination on what it looks like to put God first in all things, and to flee from all forms of idolatry. 

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

I am blessed to be around a great number of highly impressive, faithful men. Glenn Hyde is one of those people, and today it is my please to share a story he told me recently. This week we are building upon this idea of drawing close to people who can help and listening to their stories and perspective. 

Recently, Glenn met with a group of men and talked about the history of our church here in Lindale. He spoke of the progress he has perceived in broken down fences and constructed bridges. It was uplifting to hear. I'm wonderful if there are walls in your life where bridges should be. I hope this story will be as much of a help to you as it was to me. Jesus, the Carpenter, is ready to do some building, but he's in the bridge business. 

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal on Amazon.
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Jim Spratlin was a great man. I don't mean that in a - say something nice because he has passed - sort of way. I mean I can specifically detail for you areas in his life where he impressed me greatly, specially his faith, marriage and relationship with his kids. I was drawn to him. And I have been changed by him. I needed him.

Do you have people in your life who impress you? I'm talking about people who are where you want to be, who are simply better at something important than you are? How do you approach them? Or do you keep your distance? The way we interact with impressive people says a lot about who we are, and a whole lot about what will happen in you future. Come explore that with me today. 

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Wes McAdams / Marcus Stenson Podcast:
"How to Create a Disciple-Making Culture"

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal on Amazon.
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Jesus described four soils that represented the four types of human heart. Some are hard and refuse the truth. Some hear and get excited but aren't ready to stand up in the face of the work. Some get past that but are just so distracted with this world. And a few will receive the word, be changed by it, and produce for God.

Neither of us can say we are good and always good. But if you can determine where you've been lately in that spectrum and what it means you need to do next - then self evaluation can be of great benefit to you.

This is also true of the term Growing and Going. Right now there are four options for where you are in your walk: not growing or going, growing but not going, going but not growing, or both growing and going! We look at each of those in today's episode, and how we can move in the right direction no matter where you are starting today. 

Send us a text

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal on Amazon.
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Here is a link to Phil Wickham's Song: The Jesus Way
(Note - It is new to me, but I see it's been out for a year!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fhv4arL3yk

If you curse me, then I will bless you
If you hurt me, I will forgive
And if you hate me, then I will love you
I choose the Jesus way

If you're helpless, I will defend you
And if you're burdened, I'll share the weight
And if you're hopeless, then let me show you
There's hope in the Jesus way

I follow Jesus
I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure
He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

If you strike me, I will embrace you
And if you chain me, I'll sing His praise
And if you kill me, my home is heaven
For I choose the Jesus way

I follow Jesus
I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure
He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

And I choose surrender
I choose to love
Oh, God my Savior, You'll always be enough
I choose forgiveness
I choose grace
I choose to worship, no matter what I face

I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way

I follow Jesus
I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure
He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

I follow Jesus
I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure
He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

Send us a text

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal on Amazon.

Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487