January 20, 2025 Saluki downTime

Saluki downtime January 20, 2025

What do you want? Write it down. Pass out Note cards. 

If you don’t know what you want, you’ll never get it. Your mind has to be in control of what you want.

Finding joy in all you do.

What is the difference between JOY and HAPPY?

Deuteronomy 31:6

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you.”

#1. Knowing that God is there for you is the first step.

Live for love

It was his love that caused our creation. It was in love that he offered mankind grace, even in our continual rebellion. His love sent Jesus to rescue us, and it’s his love that will win at our final redemption—the gathering of all of God’s people for the great wedding feast.

You were created to be loved by God and to love him and others in return. And you will never find satisfaction until you rest in the unconditional love of your heavenly Father. You will never find true purpose until you live to love God and others.

To live for love is to step outside this world's ways and cares and live for the kingdom of God. It’s to choose to root yourself in the unconditional affection of your heavenly Father rather than seeking fulfillment from the fickle love of mankind. It’s to choose to serve and give rather than looking to receive from a world that has so little to offer. To live for love is to seek first God and his ways and thereby receive the fullness of life only he can give.

What can be the benefit of starting you day off in prayer or reading your bible? 

When you begin your days in the presence of God, you lay for yourself a foundation of God’s unconditional love. Allowing God to invade the first moments of your day with the truth of his love for you will strengthen you to stop looking for fulfillment in the things of the world. It is impossible to live for love as Jesus commands unless we receive the perfect, powerful love of our heavenly Father daily.

#2 - Knowing that God loves you.

1 John 4:16-19

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus.

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.

Because of this, you can have joy in all circumstances.

James 1:2-3

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

John 16:24 ~ Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive that your joy may be complete.

#3 - God is our Joy.

What do we do with this joy? 

Invite someone you haven’t invited before

Everyone is great, and everyone has something to offer.

If I can’t do great things, I can do little things, great things.

Peace is not the absence of trouble - truth marsh.

Saluki downtime January 13, 2025

Saluki downtime January 13, 2025

What is something everyone loves but you either hate it or don’t get it?

Example - Barnes and Noble or kanes

God loves you. I want you to know that and to share that with others.

I am available to meet with you! Don't be afraid to text me if you are tired and need a coffee. Or hungry and want to grab lunch. Or if you want to sit down with me and talk about your life.

If you want to know more about the bible, how to pray, grow your relationship with God, or just have questions. I want to do that, too.

This week, I want to ask: Does God care what you do for a living, where you go to school, or if you play sports?

Well, let me tell you this. God does not care what you do. God cares how you do it.

Does God care how much money you make?

What does God care about?

Luke 14:28 which states, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?"

Does God care where you work?

What does God care about?

Does God care where you live?

What does God care about?

What are your questions? Maybe I can help.

What is God looking for from you?

Psalm 37:4 - ESV

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Ok let's talk about what it doesn't mean. What are your thoughts?

It doesn't mean do whatever you want, and God is ok with it.

God doesn't mean chasing after your flesh or your desires and God will bless it.

So what does this mean?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” is a Bible verse from Matthew 22:37.

Mark 12:30-31

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."

It doesn't matter what you do. It matters how you do it and why you are doing it.

How is your relationship with God?

How much time do you spend reading your bible?

How much time do you spend praying?

How is your sin life?

How much time do you spend serving others?

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

God wants you. God wants you fully. 

God loves you regardless of where you end up. If you have messed up, God loves you. If you are living a great God-honoring life, God loves you. If you want to change paths in life. God loves you.

My challenge to you is to spend real time with God. Remove sin from your life so you can hear from God. Walk with God, and God will give you the desires of your heart.