Today we want to share our eschatology with you; the part of our theology concerning death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind. We believe in the rapture of the Church, the great tribulation, the millennial reign of Christ, the resurrection and judgment of all mankind, and that the eternal destiny of the wicked will be in Hell while the righteous will live in Heaven, forever in the presence of God.

Death means separation from this perishable body and this mortal life (Phil. 1:22-24; James 2:26).  For believers death means entrance into the presence of their Lord (John 12:26; 2 Cor. 5:8).  Believers will go immediately into the glorious presence of Christ where they await the resurrection of the body at the rapture (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23, will be judged and rewarded according to their faithfulness (Luke 19:11-27; 2 Cor. 5:10), rejoice in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9) and reign with Him in the millennium (Rev. 20:4-6).  For unbelievers death will mean entrance into Hades, into a conscious state of frustration and torment (Matt. 10:28; Luke 16:23-28).
I believe God's ultimate purpose in history is to bring glory to Himself by reconciling his sin-alienated creation through Christ to himself by delivering it from the power of evil and bringing it under his gracious reign (Col. 1:12-23). The next great event in the economy of redemption will be the imminent appearing of Jesus Christ (Luke 12:40).  He will rapture His own, the dead first and then the living, to be with Him forever (John 14:2-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-58; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).  Following the rapture the seven year tribulation will commence (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15-31; Rev. 12:6).  It will be a time of the outpouring of the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:15-17) and persecution by Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3; Rev. 13:1, 7) and Satan (Rev. 12:12-17).  At the end of this time Jesus Christ will return to defeat Antichrist and his forces (Rev. 19:11-21), bind Satan and seal him in the abyss (Rev. 20:1-3), and to rule the world from Jerusalem for 1000 years, the millennium (Mic. 4:1-4; Zech. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:4-6).  It will be a time of peace, justice and glory to vindicate the name of the Lord and fulfill His covenant promises formerly made to Israel (Is. 11:1-16; Ezek. 36:22-32). Near the end of the millennium Satan will be loosed briefly to deceive the nations. He will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire along with unbelievers who are raised bodily and judged before the great white throne (John 5:29; Rev. 20:7-15). They will dwell there in conscious, eternal punishment, separated from God, enduring His wrath (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:46; John 3:36). Having completed His reconciling kingdom program, Christ will deliver the kingdom to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24-28). These heavens and earth will be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10-12; Rev. 21:1) and God will create a new heaven and a new earth where believers will dwell eternally in His presence (Rev. 21:1-22:5). Come quickly, Lord Jesus!!!

The Death of the Individual
Death began at the Fall (Gen. 3:22-24) and is the normal expectation of all humans (1 Cor. 15:22; Heb. 9:27) as a consequence of sin (Rom. 5:12). The physical death of the individual involves the temporary separation of the material and the immaterial part of the person (Matt. 10:28).  Upon physical death, the immaterial part of the person enters into the intermediate state: un-believers into a place of temporary punishment (Luke 16:22-23) and believers into paradise to be with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). This transition takes place immediately after death (Luke 23:42-43; Phil. 1:21-23) and believers and unbelievers alike remain in this state until the resurrection (Rev. 20:1-13).

The Return and Reign of Christ
At some undetermined point in the future (Matt. 24:36), Jesus will return to the earth (Acts 1:11), during a time in which there will be great tribulation (Dan. 12:1), gathering together all of His people, both living and dead (1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Cor. 15:52), and establishing his kingdom (Rev. 11:15). The Bible often views this as one awesome event (1 Thess. 5:1-10; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2 Pet. 3:10) and we should be careful about being overly precise chronologically (Acts 1:7).
The great tribulation will last for approximately seven years (Dan. 9:24-27) and will involve both believers and non-believers (Matt. 24:21-29; Rev. 7:9-14).   At some point during this seven year period God will pour out His wrath on sinful mankind (Rev. 6, 8-9, 16) though God’s people will be protected from His wrath (1 Thess. 5:9; Rev. 9:4).
Jesus will return personally (Acts 1:8), visibly (Rev. 1:7), unexpectedly (1 Thess. 5:2), and with great glory and power (Matt. 24:30) at the time of the tribulation (2 Thess. 2:1-12).  When He returns, He will establish His millennial kingdom and reign over the earth with His people for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4).  During this time Satan will be imprisoned (Rev. 20:2), there will be peace and righteousness (Isa. 11:1-16), and every person will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:11). At the end of this period Satan will be released for a short period (Rev. 20:2-3) of time and defeated after attempting to lead a rebellion against God (Rev. 20:7-10).

The Final State
There will also be a resurrection of all people: the righteous upon Jesus' return (Rev. 20:4) and the unrighteous at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:5). Believers will be raised with resurrection bodies that are both spiritual (1 Cor. 15:44) and physical (John 20:27), recognizable (Luke 24:16, 31), and is also imperishable, glorious, and powerful (1 Cor. 15:42-43).
Final judgment will take place after the millennium. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10), some angels will be judged (1 Cor. 6:3), death will be ended (Rev. 20:14), and unbelievers will be condemned (Rev. 20:15). The righteous people of God have no need to fear such eternal condemnation (Rom. 8:1). But they will be judged (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10), held accountable (Matt. 18:23-35), and rewarded (Col. 3:24). The punishments and rewards distributed at this time appear to vary depending on the level of faithfulness (1 Cor. 3:8, 12-15; 2 John 1:8) or unfaithfulness (Luke 12:47-48; Matt. 11:22). After this, the Lord will complete the renewal of his creation (Rom. 8:19-23) by bringing in the new heavens and the new earth (2 Pet. 3:12-13; Rev. 21:1-22:5).
After this final judgment, everyone will enter their eternal state. The unrighteous will be condemned to an eternity in the lake of fire (Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 20:10-15). This eternal punishment is a conscious reality (Matt. 24:46) away from the presence of the Lord (2 Thess. 1:9) and there may be different degrees of punishment (Matt. 11:22). The righteous will then enter into a state of eternal blessing (John 5:24; Rom. 5:9; 8:1) with the Lord (Rev. 21:3) on the new earth (Rev. 21-22).

Individual Eschatology
Physical death is the separation of the material and immaterial parts of man (James 2:26; Matt. 10:28), the spirit of the righteous entering immediately into heaven, into the very presence of the Lord (Luke 23:42-43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23-24) while the spirit of the unrighteous enters hades, a place of confinement and torment (Luke 16:19-31, 2 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 20:13-14). This intermediate state is a conscious existence for all who die as they await their bodily resurrection, the righteous unto imperishable, glorified bodies (Rom. 8:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:24-54; Rev. 20:6), while the unrighteous will be resurrected unto eternal disgrace and corruption (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29). The righteous will be judged at the Bema seat of Christ and will receive the rewards due them according to the works done while on earth (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:9-10); while the unrighteous, upon their resurrection, will stand condemned at the Great White Throne and be cast into the lake of fire for eternal punishment and separation from God (2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:11-15).

General Eschatology
The next event in God's prophetic plan is the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His saints to Himself in the air (John 14:3; 2 Thess. 2:1; Rev. 3:10-11). Those who have died in Christ will be instantly resurrected, and those still alive will be caught up together with them and be transformed with glorious new bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). At this time they will receive the rewards for their works on earth (1 Cor. 4:5; 1 Pet. S:4). Though there are signs of His coming, no one knows the day or the hour (Matt. 24:32-44; Luke 12:40; 1 Thess. 5:l-6).
Once the righteous have been taken from the world, this event will usher in the seventieth week of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27), a seven-year period of intense tribulation wherein God will pour out His wrath in righteous judgment upon an unbelieving world (Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:4-21; Rev. 6-19). This will be a time in which Satan will persecute Israel with fierce destruction, and deceive the nations with great effect (Dan. 12:1-3; 2 Thess. 2:3-12).
At the end of this tribulation period Jesus Christ will physically return (Acts 1:11) to the earth with triumph and glory (Rev. 19:11-16), in the company of the hosts of heaven (Zech. 14:3-5; Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:14) to defeat the wicked (Rev. 19:17-21), to judge the living (Joel 3:1-2; Matt. 25:31-46), to bind Satan for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3), and to establish His kingdom on the earth (Rev. 20:4). These thousand years, known as the millennium, will be a time of peace, prosperity, blessing and righteousness (Isa. 11:6-10; 65:20-25), fulfilling God's covenant promises to Israel (Is 9:6-7; Ezek. 37:21-28) as Christ rules the whole earth from His throne in Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2-4; 1 l: l-5), together with the righteous (Dan. 7:21-22; Rev. 20:4). This golden era will be brought to an end with the final, brief release of Satan (Rev. 20:7).
I believe that Satan will once more deceive the nations of the earth, gathering together the wicked in battle against Christ and His saints at Jerusalem (Rev. 20:7-9). Christ will destroy them, first casting Satan into the lake of fire, and then bodily resurrecting the wicked, judging them at the Great White Throne, and then casting them also into Hell - the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10-15) to suffer eternal, conscious punishment and separation from God (Matt. 13:42; 25:41-46).
God will then replace the old created order (2 Pet. 3:10) with a new heaven and a new earth where the redeemed of the Lord will live in the glorious presence of God forever (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-22:21) .

The final group of beings we want to talk about are angels and demons. Below you'll find biblical descriptions of angels, fallen angels, and even demons. We hope this blesses you!

Angels were created holy (Col. 1:16; Jude 6).  They are personal with intellect (1 Pet. 1:12), will (Jude 6), and emotion (Luke 2:13).  By nature they are spirit (Heb. 1:14), immortal (Luke 20:36), distinct from human beings (Heb. 2:7), and powerful (2 Pet. 2:11), but inferior to Christ (Heb. 1:4).  Their major purposes are to praise God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 5:9), serve as His messengers and servants (Luke 1:26-38; Acts 10:3-7; 12:7-10) and to minister to believers (2 Kings 6:17; Psa. 34:7; Heb. 1:14).
Satan is an angel (Eph. 6:11-12) created by God who fell through pride (1 Tim. 3:6).  He is the tempter (Gen. 3:1-7; 1 Thess. 3:5), prince of this world (John 12:31), god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4), accuser of the saints (Rev. 12:10).  He is leader of an army of evil spirits or demons (Matt. 12:24).  Their purpose is to thwart the work of God (Rev. 16:13-16).  They can inflict diseases (Matt. 9:33), oppose spiritual growth (Eph. 6:12), spread false doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1), and possess humans (Matt. 4:24).  Believers are never under satanic authority (Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13).  Demons try to deceive, accuse and tempt believers who may yield to their influence (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8). They can be resisted by the believer who uses the armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18).  Their destiny is eternal damnation in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).

Angels
Angels are personal, spiritual beings (Heb. 1:14), created by God (Ps. 148:1-6; John l:l-3), before the formation of the world (Job 38:7) in holiness (Gen. 1:31), and for the sake of His own glory (Col 1:16). Following their creation, they were given the choice between obedience and disobedience to God. The holy angels, those who did not sin, were forever confirmed in their holiness (Mark 8:38; 1 Tim. 5:21). The demons, those angels who fell, were forever confirmed in their evil (Matt. 25:41; Luke 11:24-26). No angels are given the offer of salvation (Heb. 2:16; 1 Pet. 1:12).
Angels are a distinct order of creation, higher than man, but not to be worshiped (Heb. 2:7; Col. 2:18). They are great in might and power (2 Pet. 2:11) and not subject to death (Luke 20:36). They are beings of intelligence (1 Pet. 1:12), emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 15:10), and will (Isa. 14:12-15). They are vast in their number (Heb. 12:22) and exist in angelic orders (Ps. 89:5-7; Eph. 3:10; 6:12). At times they have appeared to people in bodily form (Gen. 18:1-8; Heb. 13:2).
Angels exist to serve God and to work in relation to His purposes (Ps. 103:20; Heb. 1:7). They are created to offer praise and worship God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 5:11-13). They are ministering agents, encouraging and delivering the people of God (1 Kgs 19:5-6; 2 Kgs 5:15-17; Heb. 1:14), acting as His messengers (Matt. 1:20), observing the world governments (Dan. 4:13,17) and executing His judgments (Gen. 19:1, 13; 2 Thess. 1:7-8).

Satan and Fallen Angels
I believe that Satan was divinely created as a perfect angel (Ezek. 28:13-16), but as a result of his pride and desire to be like the infinite God, sin entered into the universe (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:13-16). He was cast out of heaven with those angels who followed him (Rev. 12:3-4) and is now the open and declared enemy of God and man (Matt. 13:37-39; 1 Pet. 5:8). He is the ruler of the demonic world and the present evil world system (Matt. 12:26; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 6:11-12). He is called the Devil, the dragon, the deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:7-9), the Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8), the tempter (Matt. 4:3), the Evil one (John 17:15), the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4), and the father of lies (John 8:44).His purpose is to blind unbelievers to the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4), and to hinder the service of Christians (1 Thess. 2:18), seeking even to destroy them (1 Pet. 5:8). He has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and now stands under condemnation (John 12:30-32; 16:11; Col. 2:15). His final dwelling place for all of eternity will be the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
Demons are fallen angels who followed in Satan's rebellion against God (Matt. 12:24; 2 Pet. 2:4). Some are active in promoting Satan's program of opposition (Eph. 6:11-12), while others are now confined (Jude 6). They are called demons or unclean spirits (Luke 8:29), the Devil's angels (Matt. 25:41), evil spirits (Luke 7:21), and spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:12). They seek to thwart the purpose of God (Rev. 12:7), inflicting physical suffering (Luke 13:11-16), possessing unbelievers (Matt. 9:32-33; 1 John 5:18), and promoting false doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1).

Angels
Angels are personal, spiritual beings (Heb. 1:14) created by God (Neh. 9:6) for his glory (Col. 1:16).  They are powerful (Ps. 103:20), intelligent (2 Sam. 14:20), immortal (Luke 20:36), moral (2 Pt. 2:4), and finite (Luke 1:26).  They are glorious beings (Luke. 9:26) but should not be worshiped (Rev. 19:10).  Though they are ordinarily invisible (2 Kings 6:17) they can appear in bodily form (Matt. 28:5).  Created as holy beings (Gen. 1:31), some sinned and rebelled against God (2 Pet. 2:4) and God condemned them to be bound in hell (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).
Angels worship God (Heb. 12:22), act as his messengers (Luke. 1:11-19), battle demonic powers (Dan. 10:13), and carry out some of God's judgments (Rev. 8:1-9:21).  They guard, protect, and minister to God's people (2 Kings 6:17; Heb. 1:14). They ministered to Jesus at his temptation and crucifixion (Matt. 4:11; Luke. 22:43) and will accompany him at the Second Coming (Matt. 16:27).

Demons
Demons are spiritual beings (Matt. 8:16) who are opposed to God's work (2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 4:8).  Though the Bible is does not speak explicitly on the subject, they may be a category of fallen angels who are not bound in hell (Matt. 25:41; Gal. 1:8). They know the truth about God and Jesus (Luke 4:41; Jas. 2:19) but they seek to hinder God's plan by controlling (Matt. 8:16), hurting (Luke 13:11-16), and deceiving people (1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 12:9) often pretending to be gods (Deut. 32:17; 1 Cor. 10:20).  Though they are powerful  (Luke 8:29) they are limited by God's control (Job 1:12).  Satan, the ruler of the demons (Matt. 12:24) and of this world, (Jn. 12:31) seems to have been the originator of sin (Gen. 3:1 and is actively involved in accusing God's people (Zech. 3:1), tempting them (Mk. 1:13; 1 Cor. 7:5), seeking to hinder their ministry (2 Thess. 2:18) and destroy them (1 Pet. 5:8).  
God triumphed over Satan and his demons through the redemptive work of Jesus (Col. 2:13-15) and that all Christians have been delivered from the dominion of Satan into the kingdom of Jesus (Col. 1:13-14).  Christians are therefore no longer under the authority of Satan or his demons (Col. 2:9-15) although they can still be influenced by them (Matt. 16:22-23; Acts 5:3).  Christians are called to avoid having anything to do with demons (1 Cor. 10:20-21) and to resist Satan (Jas. 4:7) by faithfully applying the fundamentals of the faith (Eph. 6:10-20; Rom. 12:1-2) and holding fast to the truth (John. 8:32).

Have you ever wondered how or why people exist? We as people—humanity—are God's greatest creation and serve a great purpose! We believe that God has created all men and women in His own image, in a barpite unity, as the crowning work of His creation, for the purpose of fellowship and for His own glory.

God created man, male and female, immediately and recently in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28).  God created Adam of the dust of the ground and breathed into him life (Gen. 2:7; Ecc. 12:6-7).  The first woman was created from the rib of the man to be a complementary helper to the man. They are equal in essence, partners in marriage, with distinct roles in marriage and church (Gen. 2:20-24; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Cor. 11:3-16). Humans, as image of God, are like God in personhood and have the responsibility to make the characteristics of God's visible. The image characterizes both the person as a whole and as corporate group (Gen. 1:26-28; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).  Each human is (a) an organic unity, a single person, (b) dichotomous in essence, being comprised of a material aspect, the body, and an immaterial aspect, the spirit, which are in indissoluble relation in life (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 4:16; Jas. 2:26) (c) with a complexity of facets, roles and relationships (Mark 12:30; Rom. 8:10; 1 Cor. 7:37; 1 Thess. 5:23).  The image, though marred by sin, remains in all persons (Gen. 9:6; 1 Cor. 11:7; Jas. 3:9), and is being renewed in Christians (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Col. 3:10). All humans comprise a single race, descended from Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:20; Acts 17:26; 1 Cor. 15:22). Every person is procreated as a unitary being at conception by natural generation. (Gen 5:3; Heb. 7:9-10).

The Creation of Man
God created man directly and without natural processes (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:15-25), that Adam and Eve were the literal and historic first humans (1 Chr. 1:1; 1 Cor. 15:45), and that the creation of man took place relatively recently (Gen. 5:1-32).  Man was created to glorify God, carry out his will on the earth, and enjoy an intimate love relationship with him forever (Isa. 43:6-7; Col. 3:17; John 17:22-26).

The Nature of Man
God created man as a holistic duality - one person composed of two substances, material and immaterial, which mutually interact (Gen. 2:7; Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 9:2).  Though man is a part of the created order he is unique in creation in that he alone is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) and therefore serves to mirror and represent God on the earth (Dan. 3:1-18).  All humans, male and female, without exception are made in God’s image (Gen. 9:7) and all of man’s being (material and immaterial) serves as a part of that image (Gen. 1:26).  Man therefore images God through his physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual attributes as well as his relationships with God, creation, and other humans (Gen. 1:26-2:25).  Since the Fall, the image of God stands in need of restoration through Jesus Christ (Col. 3:10) but should be seen as effaced (Gen. 3:1-24) rather than eradicated by sin (Jas. 3:9).  This restoration which progresses throughout a Christian’s life will not be completed until the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:49).

The Unity of Man
Since all humanity is descended from Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:20; Acts 17:26) and since all humans are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), all humans, male and female, without exception, are united through their common ancestry, attributes, and purpose.  All humans therefore should be valued and treated with respect as those created in God’s image (Gen. 9:7) and as people loved by God (John 3:16).

On the sixth day of creation God created man directly, immediately, and with use of natural processes (Gen. 1:26-27). God created man from the dust of the ground and then breathed into him the breath of life, forming a unified, living being of both material and immaterial parts (Gen. 2:7; Jas. 2:26). The immaterial aspect of man, present in all humanity from conception, is often referred to in scripture as the soul (Matt. 10:28; John 12:27) or as the spirit (John 13:21; 1 Cor. 5:3-5).
Men and women are the crowning work of God's creation (Psa. 8:3-8) and were created for the purpose of bringing glory to God (Isa 43:7), enjoying God's fellowship and fulfilling God's will on earth (Gen. 1:26-28).
Though man is part of the created order, he is also distinct from all other creation having been created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:27; Jas. 3:9) that makes each person priceless in value (Gen. 9:6; Matt. 10:29-31). The Bible does not explicitly identify what this image is, but it most certainly includes qualities of rationality, morality, dominion, creative capacity, and relationship (Gen. 1:26-28). When sin entered into the human race this image remained in all people (Gen. 9:6; Jas. 3:9) but was severely defaced. The progressive restoration of this distorted image is a description of the work of sanctification in the life of a regenerate person (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 3:9-10) that will be perfected in our state of glorification at the final resurrection (1 Cor. 15:49; 1 John 3:2).
Man and women together bear the image of God (Gen. 1:27) underscoring their basic equality. Men and women are equal in personhood and nature (Gen. 5:1-2; 1 Cor. 11:11-12). Men and women are equal in their spiritual standing before God as believers (Gal. 3:27-28; 1 Pet. 3:7). Men and women are equal in their gifting from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-7; 1 Pet. 4:10). Because of God's creation order He has ordained distinctions of roles and functions within the home and within the church (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Tim. 2:11-14) but this does not undermine the essential equality of personhood between men and women.

As we conclude this Christmas season and move into the new year, we want to share a sweet treat with you: our flourless chocolate cake. This fudgy chocolate cake is absolutely delicious! Your whole family will love and enjoy it, especially those who are gluten-sensitive.

YIELDS: 10 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 30 MINS

INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE CAKE:
Cooking spray, for pan
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, cut into large chunks
1 tsp. instant espresso powder
1/4 c. hot water
1 c. sugar
4 large eggs
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch process)

FOR THE GANACHE:
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
Raspberries, for serving

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350° and grease an 8" springform pan with cooking spray.

Make cake: Place a small saucepan filled halfway with water over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
Place bittersweet chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over the simmering pot.
Stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted. Turn off heat and remove bowl from saucepan.
Dissolve espresso powder in hot water.
Add sugar and espresso to melted chocolate and whisk until completely combined then add eggs and whisk to combine.
Stir in cocoa powder.  
Pour batter into prepared springform pan and bake until just set in the middle and a thin crust forms, about 35 minutes.  
Let cake cool for 15 minutes, then remove sides of springform pan.
Let cake cool completely.

Meanwhile, make ganache: Place heavy cream in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl then pour hot cream over chocolate chips.
Let sit 1 minute, then whisk to combine.
Pour ganache over cake and smooth with an offset spatula. Place in refrigerator until set, 10 minutes.
Serve with raspberries.

If you bake this tasty cake, post a picture on Instagram or Facebook and tag us @movementchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it!

Hey friends! Merry Christmas to you all!

Waiting is hard. Waiting for just about anything, really. Earlier this year, I (Marissa) was confirmed positive for Covid. It was early March, and there was no rapid testing. I endured the longest 9 days ever waiting for results. Thankfully though, I wasn't alone. Honestly, I couldn't have survived it alone. I was sick, I was anxious, I was afraid and so incredibly tired. I thank God my husband Jesse was there. He was caring for me from another room. Even when I didn't see him, he was working in the background to clean, disinfect, cook, and listen for my breathing. I got my positive results 9 days later. I let our friends and family know and prayed no one else got it who came in contact with me. While we continued to wait for me to get better, my husband encouraged me. He walked alongside me through every emotion, and we came out safe and healthy at the end of our quarantine. 
God is very much like that. In the advent season, you might hear Emmanuel often, which means God with us. Through all of the waiting for Jesus to arrive, God is by our side. In the midst of it all, He is there. He's there when we can't see Him working in the background. As we wait, find comfort in the fact that He is by your side. Through whatever you may be waiting for, He is making all things work for the good of those who love Him!
We are praying that you feel Him and see Him - caring for you, fighting for you, and loving you while we wait.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love,
Jesse and Marissa

To complete this core circuit workout, all you will need is a stability ball. These exercises challenge the abdominal and core muscles from all angles. Plus the plank, stability ball knee tuck and elbow-to-knees also work the shoulders, triceps and chest muscles.

Work through the circuit with minimal rest, then rest 60 seconds between rounds.
Repeat the following circuit 5 to 6 times.
60 x Seconds Plank
20 x Russian Twists with Weight Plate (Beginners should use a 10 lbs plate, advanced should use a 25 lbs plate or heavier)
20 x V-Ups
15 x Stability Ball Knee Tuck
10 x per side Knee-to-Elbow High-Plank

If you complete this workout, post a picture and tag us @movmentchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it! Additionally, click the buttons below to join a workout group and move with your Movement Family!

Christmas Day is just around the corner! If you’re looking for ideas on what to make, these zesty chicken thighs make a perfect centerpiece or addition for your Christmas meal.

YIELDS: 6
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 15 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 45 MINS

INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. fresh cranberries
1/3 c. balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 sprigs rosemary
2 tsp. thyme leaves
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Zest of 1 orange

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325°.
In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.
Add chicken skin-side-down and cook until the skin is golden and crispy, about 4 minutes.
Remove chicken from heat and place on plate, skin side-up.
Melt butter in the same skillet then add cranberries, vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, and orange zest.
Return chicken to skillet and scatter herbs all around. Simmer until the liquid begins to thicken and the cranberries start to soften, 5 to 10 minutes.
Transfer to oven and cook until the chicken thighs are cooked through, 18 to 25 minutes more.
Serve warm.

If you make these delicious chicken thighs, post a picture on Instagram and tag us @movementchurch.tv using #movementnation so we can share it!

We talk a lot about salvation as Christians, but what is it? We believe that salvation is the work of God offered freely to all men and women, and bestowed by grace upon the elect. It is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, manifested in good works, and brings new spiritual life, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the guarantee that those saved will never perish.

As a result of Christ's work on the cross, common grace is given to all persons. This includes the restraint of sin, delay of the judgment of sin, civil government bringing order in society, and natural blessings (2 Thess. 2:6-7; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 14:16-17).  The primary result of the cross, however, was saving grace, salvation which is by grace alone through faith alone in the promises of God alone based on the death of Jesus alone (Eph. 2:8-9).
Though all stand condemned because of sin, separated from God, God chose to extend the blessing of salvation to all who would receive it (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:4-5; 1 Pet. 1:1-2).  The verbal call to conversion goes to all humanity (Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:13-17), God having chosen to use human agency in the process of His salvation. God's prevenient grace enables totally depraved sinners to respond freely to God's invitation to salvation (John 12:32; Rom. 2:4-7; Tit. 2:11). Conversion, the acceptance of God's gracious invitation, is the decisive, conscious act of turning away from sin and self to God in repentance and faith.  While both repentance and faith are enabled by God (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; 2 Pet. 1:1), they are acts which sinners do of their own volition (John 1:12; 3:15-18, 36; Acts 2:38; 16:31; Rom. 3:22).  Those who repent and believe stand justified, i. e., pronounced acceptable before God (Rom 3:24; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:4-5). It is a once-for-all act of restoring believers to a right relationship with God based on his grace through Christ's death (Rom 4:22-25; 5:9, 12-21; 2 Cor. 5:21).  They experience regeneration, the re-creation of the new person by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5).  It is a supernatural, instantaneous, subconscious implanting of spiritual life in the heart of the believer, changing them from death to life, affecting the whole person (John 3:3-8; Eph. 2:4-5; Rom. 6:17-22; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3).  Believers have been sanctified or set apart by God for service (Acts 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; Heb. 10:10; 13:12). They are adopted into the family of God, receiving the position as son or daughter of God and given the privileges of being in God's family (Jn. 1:12; Gal. 4:1-6; Eph. 1:5; Col. 1:12-14; 3:10-12).  Believers are vitally, spiritually, eternally united with Christ by the Holy Spirit which results in a new position of being identified with Christ and a new experience of being able to walk in Christ (Jn. 14:20; Rom. 8:1-4, 10; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27).
Because regenerated believers are a new creation in Christ, they are to live a life which is consistent with that reality (Rom. 6:1-23; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 4:23-24; 5:8-21). The regenerate heart truly loves God and desires to please Him above all (John 14:15-24; 1 John 4:7-5:3). Although no one can obtain perfection (Gal. 5:16-18; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 John 1:5-10), all can and are to become increasingly Christ-like (Phil. 3:10) by pursuing righteousness through the power of the Spirit, through the appropriation of the Word of Christ, through fellowship with believers, and through prayer.  Those who trust in the atoning work of Christ are eternally secure (John 6:37; 10:27-29). Absolutely nothing can separate them from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39). However ones who reject Jesus reject God's forgiveness itself and are left on their own merits (John 15:6; Gal. 4:9-11; 1 Thess. 3:5; Heb. 6:4-7; 10:26-31). Therefore it is essential that believers persevere in their trust in Jesus (Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:14; 4:14; 2 Pet. 1:10-11). Those whom God justified will also be glorified with Christ in the resurrection (Rom. 8:30; 1 John 3:2).

The Universal Offer of Salvation
God's grace refers to the unmerited favor that he bestows upon people. God bestows some aspects of this unmerited favor on man universally. God, seeking to draw everyone to himself (John 12:32) and not wanting anyone to perish (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9), has made his grace available to everyone through Christ's atoning sacrifice (Tit. 2:11) and has invited everyone to respond in faith to his offer (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 10:13-17). But man being sinfully depraved (Rom. 3:10-18) is unable to respond to God's offer (Rom. 8:7) unless God draws him to Himself (John 6:44). So God is continually at work convicting people of their sins (John 16:8) and trying to lead them to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

The Particular Application of Salvation
Salvation is received by means of God's unmerited favor alone, received by faith alone, and based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9).  It is therefore never conditioned on any work of man (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8-9).
From all eternity God has elected some people both for service and for salvation. God has sovereignly elected for his service both groups (Deut. 7:6; Hab. 1:6) and individuals (Isa. 45:1) solely on the basis of his divine will (Job 42:2; Dan. 4:35). God has also sovereignly and graciously elected Christ (Luke 9:35; 23:35) and the entire group which is united to him by faith (Eph. 1:4; 3:17) for both salvation (Eph. 1:3-14) and service (Eph. 2:10) on the basis of his divine will (Eph. 1:11) and foreknowledge (1 Pet. 1:1-2). At least some of the individuals in this group have been elected for salvation on the basis of his divine will alone (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 1:15). Though God does elect some to eternal life, it can never be said that he elects others to eternal death since he does not want that any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9) and since he himself cannot cause others to sin (Jas. 1:13).
God draws some people into a relationship with himself by means of his effectual call that irresistibly accomplishes salvation (Acts 9:1-20). To others God extends a call that is resistible (Matt. 22:1-14) though at times effectual (Acts 2:38-41).
Though many of the various aspects of salvation cannot be distinguished chronologically, some logical ordering is possible. The first part of salvation is that of conversion which comes about through faith and repentance. Faith is the response of the individual where he understands (Acts 28:26-27) and believes (Acts 16:31) the Gospel and trusts in God (Luke 12:28). Repentance is the recognition of personal sinfulness and the decision to turn from sin to God (Acts 2:38; 3:19). Though man should be unable to respond to the offer of salvation, through God's gracious work (John 12:32; Rom. 2:4; Tit. 2:11) he is able to respond with faith and repentance (Mark 1:15). Both of these are necessary for conversion (Acts 20:21; Heb. 6:1) and as they are predicated on God's merciful acts, they are both a part of the gracious gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).
Concurrent with conversion is the believer's union with Christ. All believers have been united with Christ through the baptism of the Spirit (Ro. 6:3; Gal. 3:27) and are therefore partakers in the benefits of his death, resurrection, and glorification (Rom. 6:1-14; Eph. 2:4-10). Having been united with Christ, the believer is regenerated by God (Tit. 3:5; John 3:1-8). This means that his entire person (1 Thess. 5:23) has been made into a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17) who is spiritually alive to God (Col. 2:13) and has begun the process of being conformed to Christ's image (Rom. 8:29). He is also justified or declared righteous before God (1 Cor. 6:11) through his participation in the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). With the obstacle of sin removed, the believer is also reconciled to God (Rom. 5:10) and adopted into God's family (Eph. 1:5) sharing in Christ's sonship (Gal. 4:4-5) and eventual inheritance (Col. 1:12).
The process of being remade in the image of Christ, having begun at regeneration, is continued in sanctification is (Rom. 8:29). Sanctification points both to the fact that a believer is already righteous with regard to their standing before God (1 Cor. 1:30; Heb. 10:10, 14) and yet still needs to grow in respect to experiential righteousness (Rom. 6:19; 2 Tim. 2:21) since he is not yet free from all sin (1 John 1:8) and will not be during this life (1 John 1:8-10; Rom. 6:12-14). Our sanctification is possible because of our union with Christ (1 Cor. 1:2) and is accomplished through the agency of the Spirit (Rom. 15:16; Gal. 5:22-23). The Spirit empowers the believer (Luke 24:49; Eph. 3:16) and transforms the inner character of the person (Gal. 5:22-23) renewing it in the image of God (Col. 3:10). In response to this work of the Spirit, the believer is called to love God (Mark 12:30) by deepening our love relationship with him through the disciplines (Eph. 6:18; 1 Pet. 2:2) and expressing that love in faithful obedience (John 14:21). As with regeneration, sanctification should be understood to affect the entire person (Rom. 8:23; 1 Pet. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:23).
Once a person has entered into this new life with God, there need be no fear of condemnation or loss of salvation (Rom. 8:1) because God’s power and promises are unfailing (Rom. 8:28-30, 38-39).  We can have confidence therefore that all those who have been saved will ultimately be glorified (Rom. 8:17, 30) and share in the intimate love relationship of the Trinity (John 17:20-26).

Election is the action of God by which He chose unconditionally and certainly, before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5; Rev. 13:8), those who would believe (Acts 13:48) and be saved (Rom. 8:29-30). This choice is not related to any foreseen merit or anticipated response, but is based solely upon the sovereign and gracious will of God (Eph. 2:4-9; 1 Tim. 1:15-16; Titus 3:4-7). The non-elect are those who are justly permitted to continue in their sin and rebellion against God (Acts 13:46; John 3:17-18), the penalty of which is eternal death (2 Thess. 1:8-9).
God calls to all people to receive Christ and enter into salvation (John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:13-17; Titus 2:11-14). This general call is accompanied in the lives of the elect by the Spirit's irresistible, effectual call (Matt. 22:14; 1 Cor. 1:23-24) in order that they will be drawn to Christ, resulting in salvation (John 6:44; Rom. 1:6-7; 8:28-30).
Those efficaciously called are then regenerated by the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:23), a gracious and supernatural act renewing them (Thus 3:5-7), imparting to them spiritual life (John 3:3-6; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:4-6; Col. 2:13) and enabling them to respond to God in faith (Acts 11:18; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1; Phil. 1:29). Conversion is man's participation in this divine work (John 1:12-13; 6:37) in which he responds with repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). Repentance is that act by which a man turns away from sin and self (Acts 8:22) and toward God as the focus of his love and trust (Acts 2:38; 1 Thess. 1:9). Faith is a confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation and personally trusting Christ as Savior (Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:10.At this point the sinner is justified, in which his sins are placed on Christ (John 1:29; Rom. 3:24-26), and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to him (Rom. 5:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:21). Justification is in no way merited by man (Rom. 5:1-2; Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:5), but is a declaration by God that the sinner is righteous (Rom. 4:1-5) and thereby freed from the penalty of sin (Rom. 8:1), united with Christ (Eph. 2:5), and an made heir of the kingdom of God (Rom. 8:16-17).
Those who have been set apart by God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:2) are progressively sanctified by the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:2), in cooperation with their own will (Phil. 2:12-17; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:14-16), from sin and unto good works (Rom. 6:4-8; 8:12-14). This growing conformity into the image of Christ will never be finished in this life, but will continue until the believer finally stands complete before Christ (Gal. 5:16-18; Eph. 5:26-27; Phil. 3:12-14). Because salvation is the work of God, genuine believers cannot lose their salvation but is held eternally secure by the power of God (John 6:37; 10:27-29; Rom. 8:29-30; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
The elect will walk as children of God (John 3:36) persevering in their faith until their final glorification at the appearing of Christ (Heb. 9:27-28) at which they will be totally and finally redeemed - conformed to the image of Christ in complete holiness (Rom. 8:29-30; Col. 1:19-22; 1 John 3:2) and transformed with glorious, new bodies (1 Cor. 15:49-53; Phil. 3:20-21).

Who is God? Most people in the world ask this question, while others choose to ignore it. We believe that there is but one triune God, the creator, sustainer, and ruler of all things, who does all things by the counsel of His own will and for His own glory.

The Triune Nature of God
There is one God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 45:5) who exists eternally as one being with three eternally distinguishable, personal relations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons of the Godhead subsist coequally and coeternally in one essence (Gen. 1:26-27; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; John 1:1-14; 2 Cor. 13:14), united in an eternal relationship of love and mutual glorification (John 8:49, 54; 17:5). These three persons, though equal in essence, are distinguishable by their relationships with one another (John 1:1; 17:5; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Tit. 3:4-6) and by their functions with respect to one another (John 5:20-23; 8:49, 54; 16:4) and to creation (2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2). Thus, the nature of God is eternally relational, each person loving the others. The three persons are distinguishable but not separable.
God is personal and therefore has relationships (John 17:5; 1 Pet. 2:9), emotions (Exod. 22:24), thoughts (Isa. 55:8; Rom. 11:34), and a will (Eph. 1:11). He needs nothing external to himself to exist (Exod. 3:14; John 5:26; Acts 17:25). He is separate from his creation (Gen. 1:1; 1 Kgs. 8:27) and yet he is everywhere present and personally involved with his creation (Ps. 139:7-10; Acts 14:17). God is unchanging in his essence, character, promises, and purposes (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8) but he chooses to enter into responsive relationships with his creation and allows himself to change with regard to his attitudes (Deut. 13:17) and relationships (Isa. 59:2). He knows all things past, present and future (Ps. 139:1-6; Rom. 11:33; Isa. 41:22-23) including the future decisions of people (Matt. 26:34) and His power is such that he is able to do whatever he wishes (Deut. 3:24; Ps. 103:19; 135:6). He is a God of immense love and mercy who desires a relationship with his people (Gen. 2; Mic. 7:18; 1 John 4:8) but when his love is rejected he responds with jealousy and wrath (Exod. 20:5; Rom. 1:18; Col. 3:6). He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and just (Ps. 89:19) as well as faithful (2 Tim. 2:13), true (Tit. 1:2), and wise (Rom. 11:33-34).

God the Father
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity and as such he possesses the full nature and all the attributes of the Godhead (1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:14-15).  Although the triune God as a whole was active in creation (Gen. 1:2; Col. 1:16) and is active in sustaining and directing that creation (Heb. 1:3), the role of the Father is usually emphasized in these areas. God directly created the universe without the use of pre-existing materials (Gen. 1) and he did so toward the end of manifesting his glory (Isa. 43:7; Rev. 4:11). God is the sovereign ruler of his universe (1 Chron. 29:11; Ps. 103:19; 1 Tim. 6:15) and as such he is able to act without any constraint other than his own nature (Isa. 46:10). From before the foundation of the world, he lovingly chooses to bestow the every spiritual blessing upon people whom he foreknows will receive the gift of salvation gracious offered to all (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:1-2) As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God has an eternal plan (Ps. 33:11; Isa. 25:1; Eph. 1:11) whereby he continually sustains (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3), governs (Dan. 5:21; 1 Tim. 6:15), and directs (Isa. 48:17; 1 Sam. 12:18) all creatures and events to his own glory. God will certainly carry out this eternal plan (Isa. 46:10) despite the sinful rebellion of his creation (Gen. 50:20; Neh. 4:15). He does this without being the author or approver of sin (Isa. 6:3-5; Heb. 4:15; Jas. 1:13) or abridging the moral responsibility of his creatures (Jer. 17:10; Rom. 2:5-6).

The Nature of God
God is self-conscious (Ex. 3:14), self-determining (Eph. 1:11), relational within Himself, (Jn. 14:21), and personal (Ps. 147:4-5; Heb. 11:6). God's partially expresses His essence in certain characteristics including self-existence – dependent on no one or thing for His being, (John 5:26), constancy – unchanging in His being, character, purpose and promise but responsive by His own choice (Num. 23:19; Jer. 18:1-10; Jas. 1:17), infinity – limited only by His own character and decision (Job 11:7-10; Acts 17:28), omnipresence – existing without spatial or temporal limitations (Gen. 21:33; Ps. 139:7-12), omnipotence – having no limit in His power to do what He wills to do (Gen. 17:1-2; Jer. 32:17; Luke 1:37; Eph. 3:20), sovereignty – accountable to no other, doing whatever He pleases (Psa 115:3; Dan 4:35; Eph. 1:11), omniscience – having exhaustive knowledge of all events and persons (Ps. 139; Isa. 44:7-8; Heb. 4:13), spirituality – existing apart from physical body (John 4:24), love -- motivation to give and sacrifice himself based on his own will (Rom. 5:8; 1 John. 4:7-10), righteousness -- total fairness and justice in dealing with his creation (Ps. 145:17), holiness – total purity and moral excellence (Isa. 6:3; 1 John 1:5; Rev. 4:8), benevolence – concern for the welfare of those He loves (Mark 10:18; Jn. 3:16), and  grace – giving unmerited favor to his children (Rom. 3:21-25).  Each of these attributes is coextensive with the total being of God. Thus the unity of God is affirmed and all the attributes are equally fundamental.

The Trinity
God is inherently and personally relational (Gen. 1:26-27) within His essence (Deut. 6:4).  The Father is God (John 6:27), the Son is God (Heb. 1:8), the Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4), the three persons subsisting within the one divine essence (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).  All three persons of the Trinity have the same essence and are without beginning (John 1:1-3), who execute distinctive but harmonious roles in the economy of redemption (1 Pet. 1:2), the Father being the creator or source (Gen. 1:1), the Son as the mediator or redeemer (1 Tim. 2:5), and the Holy Spirit as the helper or enabler (Jn. 16:7).

The Decree of God
The decree of God is the eternal plan (Dan 4:35; Eph. 1:11) according to which He works out His plan in the course of the world's events (Rom 8:29).  Some facets of the decree flow directly out of His own will without possibility of alternative actions (Is. 14:27; Acts 2:23) while others are by His command with the possibility of disobedience (Isa. 1:1-18; Ps. 106:13-15; Acts 14:16). God is the final cause of all but not the efficient cause of all. In particular God is not the efficient cause of sin.  Sin is the result of God's gift of free will (Gen. 3) which allowed the rebellion against God's loving command. God's plan is worked out even through such evil acts (Gen. 50:20; Luke 22:22; Acts 2:23). The ultimate purpose is the glory of God (Eph. 1:6; Rev. 4:11).

Election
Before the foundation of the world God, out of His grace and mercy, has sovereignly elected to give some individuals every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14). For some people, the basis of His election is wholly upon His own purposes (Gen. 12:1-3; Acts 9:3-16; Gal. 1:15). For others His choice is the result of their grace-enabled decision to receive His freely offered gift of salvation in Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18; Acts 16:13-15; 16:30-31). In no case is salvation according to human goodness, human merit or any works done to earn salvation (Eph. 1:5; 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9). All others will be left in their unbelieving state and condemned (Acts 13:46; Rev. 13:8).  The ultimate goal is the glory and praise of God. (Eph. 1:6).

Creation
God created the invisible and visible universe (Gen. 2:1; Ps. 33:6; Col. 1:16), the heavens and the earth and all that is in them (Gen. 1:1; Neh. 9:6; Is. 42:5), according to the counsel of His will (Rev. 4:11) and for the purpose of His glory (Is. 43:7; Rom. 11:36).  Initially creation was ex nihilo, out of nothing (Gen. 1; Heb. 11:3).  God spoke and it was (Ps. 33:6, 9; 148:5).  Subsequently He used existent material to create things which could not otherwise have been (Gen. 1:21, 27).  Creation is distinct from God, but ever dependent upon His providential sustenance (Is. 42:5; Acts 17:24).

Providence
God preserves His creation by His Word (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3).  This sustenance is a positive exercise of power with the divinely given, self-preserving character of the creation as a secondary cause.  God directs His creation according to His decree in cooperation with all secondary causes (Gen. 45:5; 1 Kings 22:20-30; Is. 10:6).  One important example of such secondary causes is prayer (Luke 11:1-13; Acts 12:5-7).  In His sovereignty God rules creation so as to secure the accomplishment of His divine purpose.  This direction and rule extends even to seemingly insignificant and accidental events (Matt. 10:29-31; Prov. 16:33), to good deeds (Phil. 2:13), and to evil deeds which God limits, frustrates and works among for good (Gen. 50:20; Ps. 33:11; 76:10; Isa. 19:3).  The result of providence is patience in adversity, thankfulness in prosperity, and childlike confidence in our heavenly Father.

God the Father
God the Father is particularly the originator of the decree (Ps. 2:7-9), author of election (Eph. 1:3-6), and giver of the Son (John 3:16).

The Nature of God
I believe that there is only one God (Deut 6:4; Is. 44:6) and that He eternally exists in three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). All three are co-equal in their nature, divine perfections and attributes. All three are co-equal in their existence (Ps. 90:2; Mic 5:2; Heb. 9:14). The persons of the Godhead execute distinct and yet harmonious functions in the administration of the decrees of God (1 Pet 1:2). I believe that God is a personal (Exod. 3:13-14) spiritual being (John 4:24) who is absolutely separate and above His creation (1 Ki. 8:27) and yet everywhere present in creation as its sustainer (Ps. 139:7-10).

The Attributes of God
The attributes of God may be understood as incommunicable (those which have an absolute distinction between God and man) and communicable (which have a measurement of reflection in man). Among His incommunicable attributes are self-existence (John 5:26; Ex 3:13-14), infinite power (Matt. 19:26; Heb. 1:3), infinite knowledge (Is 40:28; Rom. 11:33), infinite presence (Ps. 139:7-10), eternality, without beginning or end (Ps. 90:2), perfection (Deut 32:4; Matt. 5:48), and immutability (Ps. 102:26-27; Jas. 1:17) Among His communicable attributes are holiness (1 Pet. 1:16), righteousness, justice (Ps. 89:14; Rom. 3:25-26), faithfulness (2 Tim. 2:13), truth (Tit. 1:2), goodness (Nah. 1:7), love (1 John 4:8), grace, mercy (Eph. 2:4-5), and wisdom (Rom. 11:33-34).

The Works of God
God has an eternal plan for His universe whereby, according to His will and for His own glory, He has rendered certain by His decrees everything that will come to pass (Isa. 14:26-27; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). God is the ultimate cause of everything that happens (Isa. 46:9-11; Eph. 1:11) though He is not the direct cause of evil or sin (Jas. 1:13). His will is determinative over all events and the decisions of humans though without constraint or without compromising the free moral agency of men and women (Isa. 44:28). He is completely sovereign over and through the lives of the godly (Rom. 8:28), the lives of the ungodly (Prov. 16:4) nature (Ps. 135:5-7; Jon. 1:17) and even "chance" occurrences (Prov. 16:33).
In His sovereign good pleasure, and on account of no foreseen merit in them, God chose from eternity past a certain number of humans for salvation while passing over those who are not elect (Eph. 1:4-5; Rom. 9:15-18).
God created everything that exists outside of Himself (Acts 17:24, Col. l:16). The creation of the universe and the world was brought into existence initially without the use of pre-existing materials (Heb. 11:3). He spoke all of this into being (Gen 1:3; Ps. 33:8-9) in six days (Ex 20:11) as a free act of His will and for His own glory (Rev. 4:11).
God continues to control and preserve His creation through His divine providence (Ps. 66:7; 135:6), by upholding, directing, and governing all creatures and events (1 Chron 29:11; Ps. 103:19; Col. 1:17).

God the Father
I believe in God the Father, the first member of the Trinity who possesses all the attributes and perfections of the Godhead. He is the source of all that the Godhead is and does, from whom the Son eternally generates (John 1:18; 5:26; 1 John 4:8-9). He is sovereign (Eph. 1:9-11) and His primary purpose is to bring glory and praise to Himself (Rev. 4:9-11). He was active in the work of creation (Ps. 33:6), election (John 6:44), and redemption (2 Cor. 5:18-19). It was His eternal love that motivated Him to send forth His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of mankind (John 3:16)

Christmas reminds us that God gave himself fully to this broken world. Think about that, God in his immeasurable fullness, gave himself fully, to us! Is that what you think when you think of Christmas?

Did you know O Come Emmanuel—dates back between 8th & 12th century Europe
Short lines sung before & after reading of Psalms
All begin with “O”. The O Antiphons
General term 'antiphony', which may be used for any call & Response They are sung or recited at Vespers from December 17 to December 23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture. O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

EMMANUEL MEANS GOD WITH US.

Matthew is speaking to a Jewish audience who is awaiting their savior.
Yet, CHRIST, A PRICELESS  GIFT WAS MET WITH CLINCHED FISTS AND UNRECEPTIVE HEARTS FROM HIS OWN PEOPLE.


What sent the shepherd back into the field rejoicing? They realized the gift God had given.
What caused the wisemen to fall to their knees and worship? In Matthew 2, they realize who had arrived on the scene.

They realized that God was not far away and uninvolved or just watching from a distance, that he became flesh to be with us. The Word became flesh!

Hard to believe that?, Don’t feel Christ near you? Are  you in the midst of a trial? Ashamed of what you’ve done.

Before you leave today, I want you to know God is with you!

God is, God was, and God will be!

EMMANUEL—GOD WITH US

GOD IS WITH YOU.


God is with you as companion when you feel alone.
God is with you as healer when you are sick.
God is with you as your guide when you are lost.
God is with you as your hope when you are Hurt.
God is with you as your strength when you are weak
God is with you as Savior when you sin.
God of all comfort who comforts us in our troubles is with us in the storm to get us through the storm.

Parakaleo is a greek word that means to come along side of. If you don’t see him now, Jesus is there with you and has been with you in every storm and will not abandon you when the next one comes. It is better to be in a storm with Jesus than anywhere else without him.

GOD WAS WITH YOU.
Sometimes it’s easier to see his presence in the past than in the present. Joseph was beaten, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, false accused, suffered in prison before he was made the second most powerful man in the world at the time.


When we fell on financial hardship, God was with us every step, and provided for us.
In the 7 car pile up – we all went home, God was with us, he protected us and kept us close to himself
When a Loved one Died—God was with us and carried us in our grief.

GOD WILL BE WITH YOU.

Looking ahead, there's so much that can happen in 2021, God has so much planned and we have no idea what he has in store. But we know this, nothing can separate us, our doubts, mistakes, disappointing moments, failures and sins do not disqualify us from the radical love of God, he never leaves us, and even if we find ourselves alone this Christmas, those in Christ are never truly alone.


NO QUESTION THAT GOD IS WITH YOU.
REAL QUESTION: ARE YOU WITH GOD? 

Hey friends! We hope everyone is having a great and safe December. Is anyone else as excited for Christmas as we are? We love getting to decorate, put up lights, find thoughtful gifts for our nieces and nephews, and plan our family meals for Christmas. It always seems like there is so much to do to prepare for that day to come. Can you imagine what would happen if we didn't prepare early for Christmas day?! We would be so busy trying to catch up that, honestly, we would miss all the fun of that moment. We can't sit idle; we can't just hope 2-day prime comes through because yall know it's sometimes 3-day prime! We have to look ahead and prepare for our responsibilities.

During Advent, it's pretty similar. Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Celebrating Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope, and joy. When you prepare for your celebrations, there is work that goes into it, and then SO MUCH JOY! Just as you do for Christmas Day, we have to do things with the end in mind, as Pastor Dre reminded us. We can't lay around, uninterested, without considering what's coming. Christ is coming! It's our duty to wait well, as we talked about last week. As we wait, it's not about waiting for an event in our life, but for Christ. Don't get caught slippin. Don't let Him come and catch you with an empty cup. So, its time to put bows on our gifts and lay out your favorite outfit...the time has come. Are you ready?
This week, we invite you to fill your cup. Take time to pray, to heal, to worship, to repent, in anticipation of the Joy that Christ has for us. It's time to prepare. We wish for peace in your life and an advent season filled with hope and revelation. 
Love you all!
Jesse and Marissa

This core and kettlebell circuit workout will challenge your entire body but particularly the core musculature. All you need to do this workout is one kettlebell!

Perform the following circuit 4 times:
Single-Arm Kettlebell Press x 10 per arm
Kettlebell Goblet Reverse Lunge x 20
Kettlebell Plank Pull Through x 12
Russian Kettlebell Swings x 15
V-Ups x 15
Flutter Kicks x 30
Plank Shoulder Taps x 20
Single-Arm Kettlebell Row x 10 per arm
Rest as needed but try to keep it to a minimum, moving fairly steadily through the circuit.

If you complete this workout, post a picture and tag us @movmentchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it! Additionally, click the buttons below to join a workout group and move with your Movement Family!

Brussels sprouts are a holiday table classic, but so often they can be bland, mushy, and overcooked. Looking to spruce up your sprouts? These delicious glazed brussels sprouts are simple to prepare and even easier to eat. Your loved ones are sure to ask for another helping this holiday season.

Honey-Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts | Movement Meals

YIELDS: 4 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 30 MINS

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, cleaned and halved
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
Add Brussels sprouts, cut side down, and cook undisturbed, 3 to 4 minutes, until golden on the bottom.

Add ¼ cup water and cover.

Let Brussels sprouts steam until tender, 3 minutes. If the skillet seems dry, add more water a tablespoon at a time.

Remove sprouts from skillet and set aside on a plate.

Add vinegar, honey, mustard, and garlic and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick and syrupy, 6 to 8 minutes.

Return sprouts to the pan, toss to coat, and heat through for 2 to 3 more minutes.

Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

These tasty sprouts are easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. If you make them, post a picture on Instagram and tag us @movementchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it!

We are a society that is enslaved to time.  There are many companies who have as their sole purpose, to make time saving devices.  We have laptop and tablet computers, cell phones, pagers, PDAs or a host of calendar planners all to help us keep on schedule. It makes you wonder how in the world anyone accomplished anything in years past.  Many of us feel like we have too much to do and too little time to do it.
 
Part of the reason for this is that we are trying to do too much.  We are pulled in so many directions that we aimlessly move from one demand to another.  The key principle in most management seminars is to determine the things that are most important and then put your focus on these things.
 
Many of followers of the Lord Jesus Christ take the same approach to Advent—it’s an unpleasant season of waiting that we want to get through as quickly as possible. In other words, we want to arrive at the awaiting Christmas celebration. But Advent is a powerful season for believers, a time when we rehearse a common story of God’s people: waiting on him to fulfill his promises and learning to trust him in our waiting.

This time of year, produces more waste than any other time—we throw away extra food, the plastic packaging around toys, and use an excessive amount of wrapping paper and bows on our gifts.

• We live in a culture of waste—we hardly notice how much of the stuff that fills our lives is used once and immediately disposed of. 

• But God doesn’t waste his creation, including our work and time on this earth. While waiting for his promises can feel like “wasted” time, “God is involved in 'building to last', in creating a sustainable world and sustainable relationships with us human beings. He doesn't give up on the material of human lives. He doesn't throw it all away and start again. And he asks us to approach one another and our physical world with the same commitment. The life of Jesus, the life in which God identifies completely with our flesh and blood is the supreme sign of that commitment. 

Advent is a powerful season because we remind ourselves that this waiting process is an integral and defining aspect of God’s people: trusting in a promise that is not yet fulfilled or not completely fulfilled and learning how to wait well in the meantime.  

This is the same thing the Apostle Paul seems to be saying at the end of Romans 13. After all he has told us about serving the Lord, using our gifts, showing genuine love, paying our debts, submitting to authorities and loving our enemies, Paul now writes,

• At the end of a longer section about all the implications of the believer’s faith in the way they live their life, 
• Paul reminds his readers they are doing these things with the end in mind.
• Instead of continuing in their lives with apathetic or uninterested attitudes, believers are supposed to “wake” from their slumber (v. 11).

Paul knew it could take place at any time and sought to prepare Christians
—both in his generation and in ours—for that 'blessed hope
Big Idea of the Message: Our time of waiting is not wasted but is an important part of God’s plan.

Our time of waiting should prompt us to partner with God in his redemption of this world.

God has a plan when we don’t know which way to go.


In Isaiah 9, the prophecy was made: the people living in darkness have seen a great light. Similarly, here “the night is nearly over” (v. 12). While Christ’s coming exposed us to the Light of the World, we still live in a world that has yet to be fully redeemed and restored, and as such, we still live in the darkness of sin and destruction. We have enough light, however, to know that the night is nearly over. This is where the use of an Advent wreath is particularly moving: we have seen the way that increased light changes the way we see everything, and the same is true for our in-between lives today.

This season of anticipation for the incarnation should remind us that God doesn’t waste our physical and material world. Our hope is not in being plucked out of creation and living in a disembodied eternity, but in the redemption and recreation of the world. Instead, our waiting is a time of anticipation for his total redemption of the earth as the fuel that empowers us to create redemption and restoration here and now.

 These are Paul’s instructions for us in our current time of waiting: “put on the armor of light” (v. 12), “behave decently” (v. 13), and “clothe” ourselves with Jesus (v. 14). This time of waiting is important but not wasted, for just as God’s people have always been instructed to live godly lives in their “in-between” times, so are we. The joy we will celebrate at the end of this season is not our final joy, but it is a powerful reminder that God cares about our physical and material lives and will fulfill everything that he has promised.

What's up! Jesse and Marissa here!

During this pandemic, we have found ourselves cooking quite a bit! We have tried pretty complicated recipes and have also mastered making ramen noodles fancy. Have any of you picked up skills in the kitchen?
One thing I know for sure is that to get to the best part; you need patience. You know that part when all of the aromas fill the house, it's warm and ready to serve, you get a cold drink, maybe even take a picture for the gram because it looks that good. Then you're prepared to enjoy your hard work and eat. Well, for all of that to happen, you can't just start the pan and hope something comes together. You have to prepare. As you wait for the first step to be complete, you have to get the next step ready. If you wait too long, you might burn something. If you don't follow the directions, the end result might not be what you were hoping for either. As you wait for your meal to be complete, wait well.
In this strange and unpredictable time, God is asking us to wait well as He paints the big picture for us. As he completes the final product. Just like in cooking, we have to prepare and ask God for the directions that we need. If we don't stay on our toes, ready for the next step, that first part might burn or go to waste because we weren't ready. Anticipate alongside God what He has for you in 2021. Don't sit idle, hoping that it just works out without reading the directions. Pray and ask God, "what is it that you want me to do right now as I wait?"
This week, we want you to think about what you might be waiting for and how you're using your time now. You might be waiting for Covid to be over so you can see your friends. You might be waiting for winter break because tbh school is strange right now. You might be waiting for the depression and anxiety to have less control in your life. Whatever it is, seek God for direction and wait well.

We love you and are praying for you always!
Love, Jesse, and Marissa

This 100-20-100 reps for time workout is designed to be done as fast as possible. You’ll be starting off with 100 double-unders, or 200 single skips, then working through various reps of strength exercises from 80 down to 20 before working your way back up again and finishing with another 100 double-unders or 200 single skips. Let’s do it!

Alright, let’s get into this! There’s nothing complicated about this one, it’s one big set you’ll complete from start to finish just once. Kick things off with 100 double-unders (or 200 single skips if you can’t do double-unders), then work through the reps of the rest of the exercises before finishing off with another set of skipping.

Here’s how it looks:
100 Double-Unders (or 200 single skips)

80 Mountain Climbers

60 Kettlebell Deadlift High Pulls

40 Burpee to Box Jumps

20 Thrusters (Dumbbell or Barbell)

40 Renegade Rows

60 Sit Ups

80 Jumping Lunges

100 Double-Unders (or 200 single skips)

That's it, just climb the ladder! If you complete this workout, post a picture and tag us @movmentchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it! Additionally, click the buttons below to join a workout group and move with your Movement Family!

This year looks truly different for most of the world. In the midst of a pandemic, political upheaval, and social injustice many of us have seen that in many ways, our world remains consistent. Particularly, we find that as a people, we remain impatient. The pressure points of patience are constantly strained as we wait for a vaccines, economic relief, presidential inauguration and social reform.  We are inundated with media messaged everyday that inch us slowly towards hopeful resolve of these issues because we simply “can’t wait” to stroll into the next season; a different, new and better “season” of our lives.  Every year, Americans “couldn’t wait” for the holiday shopping season to begin so the remedy to this unwillingness to wait as been to double our average yearly spending with online shopping. The question is, why are we so anxious? What should we be doing in the season of waiting?

I could ask a consumer in the marketplace “ What’s the hurry?” and surely the answer will be “because I need this now! Or I have to do this before… X, Z or Z. Assuredly, there is someone I must or somewhere I need to be!

• The sick and afflicted are- waiting for to be healed.  
• The unemployed - are waiting for employment
• Entrepreneurs – are waiting for business to return to normalcy
• The single man/woman is - waiting on companionship, “I don’t want to live or die alone”
• Those grieving are - waiting for comfort
• The depressed - are waiting for mental health stability 
• The oppressed are - waiting for Justice 

But because Our seasons of waiting can tempt us to rely on quick fixes or short-term solutions, instead of waiting on God to work.

• The sick and afflicted – resolve that there is no hope
• The unemployed – pray for stimulus checks, search desperately for financial aid and passionately pursue profit because purpose isn’t really the point
• The single man/woman is - compromises and rushes into what “feels” right
• Those grieving and depressed  - fall in to addiction or take matters into their own hands
• The sick - give up
• The oppressed - fight back or suffer silently.

No matter the scenario, the cause is “waiting” and the effect is “because I hate waiting” I submit to you today that we are a people and a humanity that are waiting for far more than new products, great deals, or even remedies to life’s ailments.

We are a people who have deep-seated anticipations and longings for the world around us to be different. While we may participate in the race to nowhere, we want to be taken somewhere. While we may wait through suffering in silence, we long for a voice. We want to be delivered. We want the creation to be liberated. Then we turn to the first century, the very real context of today's passage, and we are invited to further reflect on what they we’re waiting for!

Do you love mashed potatoes, but want to cut dairy out of your diet, or just eat a little more clean? Do we have the recipe for you! These delicious vegan mashed potatoes are the perfect addition to any table and are sure to please anybody, whether they’re vegan or not.

YIELDS: 6 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 30 MINS

INGREDIENTS:
3 lb. gold creamer potatoes, halved
Kosher salt
1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
6 tbsp. vegan butter
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly chopped parsley, for serving

DIRECTIONS:
In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and season with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until totally soft, 15 to 18 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Use a potato masher to mash potatoes until smooth.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, heat oil and rosemary then add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Discard rosemary and pour oil over potatoes.

Add butter and stir until completely combined and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer potatoes to a serving bowl and season with more pepper and garnish with rosemary and parsley.

Super simple, super delicious. If you make these, post a picture on Instagram and tag us @movementchurch.tv using #movementnation so we can share it!

The revelation of God to people is an important topic. When we say revelation, we mean how God shows himself to mankind. We believe that God has taken the initiative to reveal Himself to man. He has done this in two ways, by means of general and special revelation. Additionally, we believe that the sixty-six books graciously preserved by God in the Bible are the inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16).  These books constitute the complete canon inspired by God that have been recognized by the church.

General Revelation
God has freely chosen to reveal himself through the created world to every person (Ps. 19:1-3; Rom. 1:19). Through the physical world and man’s inner qualities man should be able to learn of God’s power and divine nature (Rom. 1:20), his glory and work (Ps. 19:1), his goodness (Acts 14:17), and his moral character (Rom. 2:14-15). Though this revelation has been made available to everyone, man’s sinful state hinders his ability to understand and respond this revelation properly (Rom. 1-3). Instead he sinfully rejects, distorts, and suppresses God’s self-revelation (Rom. 1:21-23; Eph. 4:17) and will be held accountable for doing so (Rom. 1:18). Therefore, because man rejects God’s gracious general self-revelation, it is apparently insufficient to communicate a saving knowledge of God (Rom. 10:9-10). General revelation can still serve as a support to the believer (Matt. 6:25-34), a source of worship (Ps. 148), and an aid to apologetics (Acts 17:22-34).

Special Revelation
In addition to his self-revelation through creation, God has more fully revealed his nature, character, and will to select individuals and groups of people through direct interaction (Exod. 3:3-5), angels (Luke 2:9-14), dreams (Matt. 1:20-21), prophets (Ezek. 38:17), and Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). The most complete revelation of God’s nature and character, though, came through Jesus Christ (Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:2-3). This special revelation means that a true knowledge of God is possible (Hos. 6:6; John 17:3) although some aspects of God’s nature and plan remain unrevealed (Deut. 29:29; Ps. 145:3; Rom. 11:33).
God’s special revelation in Scripture consists of the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. These books claim divine origin (1 Ki. 2:3; 2 Tim. 3:16; Rev. 1:1), are confirmed as such by Jesus and the apostles (Matt. 5:17-19; 2 Pet. 3:15-16), and are therefore universally accepted by the Church.
All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16). This means that God sovereignly prepared and moved the human authors of the Bible (2 Pet. 1:21) so that they accurately composed the very words of God (Jer 1:9) while still retaining their own individual styles and personalities (2 Pet. 3:15-16). Thus, every word of the Bible (Matt. 5:17; Gal. 3:16) and every part of the Bible (John 10:34-35; Matt. 5:17-18; Luke 24:44; 1 Thess. 2:13) is fully inspired by God. Since the Bible has been divinely inspired, and since God cannot lie (Num. 23:19; John 10:35; Heb. 6:18; Tit 1:2), the Word of God as it was originally written was without error (Ps 18:30; 119:142; John 10:34-35; 17:17) not only in matters of faith and morality but in everything it affirms including history, science, and human relations. Though the Bible accommodates itself to human language and customs (Gen. 19:23; Num. 1:20-46; Matt. 15:41) it speaks reliably and accurately through this ordinary use of language. We can also rest assured that God has faithfully guided the preservation and translation of His Word throughout history and has ensured that the Bible we currently have is reliable (1 Pet. 1:25; Matt. 5:18; 24:35).
As the inspired Word of God, the Bible the expression of God’s will for his people and therefore serves as the final authority in the lives of believers (Matt. 15:3; 2 Pet. 3:16) in cooperation with the leading of the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Since Jesus Christ is the most complete revelation of God (John 1:18; 8:19; 15:7; Heb. 1:1-2) no subsequent revelation has the same authority. Human traditions and reason are important but must be submitted to the authority of Scripture (Ps. 119; Matt. 5:18-19; 15:3) such that every doctrine, idea, or spiritual experience must agree with the revelation of God found in the Bible.
In the Bible, God has revealed everything that is necessary for salvation and godly living (Ps. 19:7-8; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:3;). The Word is also powerful (1 Cor. 1:18; 1 Thess. 1:5) and God uses it to produce salvation (John 5:24; Jas. 1:21), sanctification (John 17:17; Eph. 5:26), and judgment (John 12:48; Heb. 4:12). The Scriptures should therefore be diligently studied and applied by all believers (Josh. 1:8; 1 Tim. 2:15; Ps. 1:2). Though some passages are more difficult to understand than others (2 Pet. 3:16), the Bible as a whole is sufficiently clear for everyone to understand (Deut. 30:11-14; Eph. 3:4). But, our minds have been clouded by sin (Rom. 1:21; Col. 1:21) and we are thus unable to fully understand the truth of God’s Word without the aid of the Holy Spirit. He illumines the Word for believers (1 Cor. 2:14) by affirming the truth and authority of the Word (John 15:26-27; 1 John 2:27) and helping us understand the spiritual significance of that truth (1 Cor. 2:7-16; John 16:12-15). The Bible should therefore be studied with a spirit of humble dependence on the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14-15), in the context of the believing community (Acts 2:42; 2 Pet. 1:20), and with a right application of grammatical, literary, and historical information.

General Revelation
God makes Himself known to all humanity in general revelation.  This revelation comes through creation (Rom. 1:18-21), the sense of God's nearness (Acts 17:27), and conscience (Rom. 2:14-15).  Through general revelation God reveals His existence and something of His essence:  His wisdom (Ps. 104), majesty (Ps. 8:1), power and divine nature (Rom. 1:20), justice (Rom. 2:14-15), and care (Acts 14:17).  His purpose is to make himself known so that people will seek him and come to know Him (Ps. 19; Acts 17:27).  Though God has revealed these things universally and all people universally perceive them (Psalm 19:1-6) this knowledge is sinfully suppressed and distorted (Rom. 1:18, 25, 28).  Because humans in general refuse to respond in faith to God's general revelation, all stand justly condemned before God (Rom. 1:18, 25, 28, 32; 3:10-14). God will bring special revelation to those who respond by wanting to know more of the God they see in general revelation.

Special Revelation
God in His grace has revealed Himself specially in order to glorify Himself through the redeeming of His own people.  Special revelation is the combination of divine actions in history and their revealed interpretation (e.g.. Exod. 1-13).  Special revelation has come through various means:  mighty deeds (Exod. 14), dreams (Matt. 1:20), visions (Isa. 6), angelic visits (Luke 1:11-20), theophanies (Exod. 3-4), miracles (Ex. 12:29-36), and supremely in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God (John 1:14, 18).  The revelation in Holy Scripture, the written Word of God, is the agency of special revelation today (John 20:30-31). Special revelation conveys true knowledge of God because it comes from God via means chosen by God to persons created by God in God's image who are illumined by God's Holy Spirit.

Holy Scripture
All Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed). This inspiration is both verbal (Matt. 4:4; 1 John 1:1-3) and plenary (Matt. 5:17; Rom 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16).  People, who were providentially prepared by God (Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15), who were motivated and superintended by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21), spoke according to their own personalities and circumstances in such a way that their words are the very Word of God (Mark 12:36; 1 Cor. 14:37). God's supernatural guidance of the writers and their situations enabled them receive and communicate all God would have us know for His glory and our salvation.
As a result of this inspiration, the Scripture is infallible (Is. 55:11; Matt. 24:35) and inerrant (Ps. 19:7; John 10:34-35), i. e., wholly true in everything which it affirms, including all matters of doctrine, morality, science, geography and history.  Because the Bible is God's Word, it alone is the final authority for all matters of faith and life (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:15-17).  In these areas Scripture is understandable to all persons (Acts 17:11; 1 John 2:27). The Holy Spirit illumines the mind and heart of believers as they read the Bible and gives conviction concerning its authority and understanding of its personal significance (Jn. 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15; 1 Cor. 2:7-16).  In reliance upon the Holy Spirit, then, the believer interprets Scripture most carefully with particular attention to context, seeking the aid of the community of Spirit-led believers, past and present in order to discover the sense that the original author intended (Ezra 7:10; 2 Pet. 3:14-16; 1 Jn. 2:27).

General Revelation
God has revealed Himself externally to man through creation (Rom. 1:18-20; Psa. 19:1-3). From creation man is able to learn of the existence of God (Rom. 1:21), of His role as Creator (Rom. 1:19), that He is good and makes provision for all of the earth (Acts 14:17), that He is glorious (Prov. 19:1), and that He is eternally powerful and divine in creation (Rom. 1:20).
God has revealed Himself internally to man through the human conscience and an innate sense of deity, communicating through these His existence and His requirement of moral righteousness (Rom. 2:14-16; Acts 17:23-27).
This revelation of God is accessible to all people, but its effectiveness is hindered because of their sinfulness (Rom. 1:18). Despite this it is still sufficient to make them accountable for their rejection of God (Rom. 1:20), though insufficient to communicate a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:14-18).

Special Revelation
God has more fully revealed Himself, His character, and His plan of salvation through special means. These have included direct speech (Ex 3:3-5), dreams and visions (Num 12:6), angelic messengers (Dan. 9:20-27), the writing of Scripture (1 Pet. 1:20 21), and most completely through Jesus Christ the Living Word (Heb. 1:2-3).

Scripture
The Holy Spirit worked through the instrumentality of human authors prompting them to write, ensuring that their writings were nothing less than the very words of God (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). As the Holy Spirit spoke through these men He did not override their personalities or literary talents, but He did guarantee the accuracy of their writings, and that their words reflected exactly the intentions of the divine author (2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Bible’s inspiration is verbal, extending to the very words of Scripture (John 10:34-35), and plenary, extending to all of them (2 Tim. 3:16).
Because the Bible is inspired by God, it is also inerrant, wholly true in everything it affirms, as recorded in the autographs. As the very word of God, it reflects His perfect character of truth (John 17:17; Rom. 3:4). This principle was also asserted by Jesus (John 10:34-35) and other New Testament writers (2 Tim. 3:16).
God's special revelation in Scripture is completely contained in the 66 books of the Bible. These books are self-attesting as the Word of God (1 Kgs 2:3; Isa. 66:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:16; 1 Tim. 5:18), are confirmed as such by Jesus Christ (Matt. 5:17-19), have apostolic authority (Eph. 1:1), doctrinal unity, and are universally accepted as scripture by the church.
The Bible is the perfect expression of God's will for man, and possesses supreme right to command what men and women are to believe and how they are to live. The Bible alone is the final authority for faith and practice (Matt. 15:3) and it alone is sufficient to instruct men and women to be saved (1 Pet. 1:23) and how to live lives pleasing to God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible is relevant and powerful to change the lives of people everywhere (Heb. 4:12).
The Bible speaks clearly to believers. Every believer is illumined by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12-13) which enables them, with proper study and humility, to receive the teachings of scripture without need of an official interpretation (1 John 2:27). The Bible states that the teachings it contains are clearly within the reach of those who read it (Deut. 30:11-14).
The Bible must be correctly interpreted if it is to be understood. The correct interpretation is one which focuses on the authorial intent, in consideration of grammatical, historical, and cultural considerations (Neh. 8:8). The correct interpretation is also one that is contextual, focusing upon the immediate context of the passage and book, and upon the broader context of the whole of Scripture.

Hey friends! Jesse and Marissa back with another blog for you!

These days most of us are ordering everything and anything online. Did you know that you can get a bed delivered, a couch, a rug, groceries, a cactus, birthday candles, pinatas, and pretty much anything else you can think of! Have you always been an online shopper or has the pandemic ushered you into this way of life? Jesse has always online shopped but I, Marissa, personally hated it sooo much before the pandemic. The idea of waiting for something to come in the mail after having paid for it was terrifying! Honestly, I'm not even exaggerating. My friend told me to think of it as an unexpected gift because sometimes shipping would take so long that you'd forget you even ordered it. I felt like if I needed or wanted something then I should be able to get it now at a store. I didn't like the feeling of anxiety, checking the shipping details endlessly. Now, the story is a bit different.

I don't mind the wait. There isn't any bad anxiety, just hopeful anticipation. You see, when I order my groceries online or a birthday gift, I know it's something I can take care of, press order, pay, and then go about my day. My errand has been taken care of. I don't need to stress or waste any time doing it myself at the store. I don't need to call Amazon every day to see what the progress is or if they're working on it. I just know that they got it. Now, will it be delivered at the perfect time as I planned? No, sometimes 2-day shipping turns into 3 or 4. But I do know that when I get my delivery, it will be perfectly wrapped. I do know that when I get my grocery order at curbside it will be bagged and loaded into my trunk for me. It's a breath of fresh air and it gives me some peace as well as time to focus on other things that are important in the moment.

You know, while we wait, with God it kinda works the same. When you give your worries, dreams, desires, heartaches, and frustrations to Him in prayer, you feel a release. You get to trust Him the same way we trust Amazon to just deliver. Will we see God work in the perfect time that we expected? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But you know that He will deliver and it will be so perfect for you in His time. Wrapped especially for you. You don't have to carry the load alone. You don't have to stress and obsess over it and ask God every day "did you do it yet". Simply place it in His hands and wait. Find comfort in the fact that God knows your heart and sees your needs and feels even closer to you in your relationship when you wait with Him. Don't find yourself in the waiting space with anxiety, as Pastor Shawn said. Don't resist that opportunity to trust God as you wait.

So what will you do as you wait? How will you make the most of your waiting time? Is there something that you're waiting for God to intervene in your life? Let's walk through it together as we learn more in these series without Pastors!

We love you and pray for you!
Jesse and Marissa

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are getting ready to celebrate Christmas! By now, we've eaten through our leftovers and may still have some events to attend between now and the Christmas festivities later this month. While we might be good the rest of the year, hitting a holiday health-slump is a common thing. Hit this holiday-HIIT workout to keep the festive pounds at bay!

WARM-UP
Run through this quick warm-up before starting the HIIT workout.
Complete 2 rounds:
10 bodyweight squats
10 reverse lunges
20 front kicks
20 butt-kickers
20 high knees
10 downward dog to upward dog

HIIT WORKOUT DETAILS
Complete 3 rounds of each circuit following a 40-second work, 20-second rest format, switching between movements every minute.
For example, for circuit one, do 40-seconds of walkouts then rest for 20 seconds, then start 40 seconds of jumping jacks followed by 20 seconds of rest. Repeat, switching movements every minute until you have completed 3 rounds.

Rest for 2-3 minutes between each 15-minute segment.

CIRCUIT 1: CARDIO
Repeat for 3 rounds of 40 seconds on, 20 seconds off, switching movements every minute:
Walkouts with Push Up
Jumping Jacks
Burpees
Fast Feet
Lateral Bounds (Skater Jumps)

CIRCUIT 2: LEGS AND GLUTES
Repeat for 3 rounds of 40 seconds on, 20 seconds off, switching movements every minute:
Squat to Alternating Side Leg Raise
Jumping Lunges (scale to reverse lunge)
Drop Squats
Fire Hydrants Left
Fire Hydrants Right

CIRCUIT 3: CORE STRENGTH
Repeat for 3 rounds of 40 seconds on, 20 seconds off, switching movements every minute:
Plank with Alternating Leg Lift
Sit-Ups
Toe Touch Crunches
Alternating V-Ups
Superman Snow Angels

Finish this workout and you'll be in a jolly mood (and probably ready to eat a delicious meal). If you do, post a picture of yourself and tag us @movementchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it! Additionally, click the buttons below to join a workout group and move with your Movement Family.

This week’s Movement Meal is a delicious kale salad topped with chopped fruit and toasted almonds. This salad is super easy to prepare, is a perfect addition to your holiday menu, and can be eaten year-round!

YIELDS: 4 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE DRESSING:
1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp. minced shallot
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE SALAD:
2 large bunches of kale, ribs removed and roughly chopped
1 apple, thinly sliced
1/2 c. dried cherries (can substitute raisins)
1/2 c. toasted sliced almonds
1/4 c. crumbled feta

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, orange juice, and shallot. Season with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl toss together kale, apples, cherries, and almonds.
Toss with dressing and top with feta to serve.

In no time at all, you've prepared a delicious and nutritious salad! If you make please, post a picture and tag us on Instagram @movementchurch.tv using #MovementNation so we can share it!

Today we are talking about how to look ahead with some cultural wins for 2021. This past week, Pastor Shawn started a new sermon series called “Look Ahead”, and we want to continue talking about ways we can do this!

As you know, yesterday was Cyber Monday. We pray that you were able to support some small businesses. We’ve been in a pandemic for nine months, but the Lord has sustained, kept, been gracious and good, so we have much to be grateful for. If you did not support a small or black business yesterday, we encourage you to do so. Also, Today is Giving Tuesday! Please align yourselves with an organization you can support. If you don’t, we invite you to partner with Movement Church and the multitude of nonprofits we run.

Nevertheless, as we discuss looking ahead into 2021, this year has been tumultuous; it’s been a roller coaster full of ups and downs, but we are now looking ahead into the new year. Everyone is being to do so; I’ve seen vision board parties and multiple ways people are planning and strategizing for how to move forward from 2020.

We must look ahead in this Advent season and parallel it with this season we’re in, where Christians are to wait with great anticipation for the second coming of Christ—what we’re ultimately looking ahead to. As business owners, entrepreneurs, students, and everybody else is looking ahead, asking, “What does my life look like in 2021?”, there are so many important principles to embrace as we forecast the year.

In Will Mancini’s book, “Future Church”, he challenges believers to flip the script on how they view things while looking ahead, suggesting there are ways we can in the cultural moment in our planning for 2021. One particular thing we’ve looked at for years is reimagining what the church can look like in the digital age. Mancini suggests that if we’re going to look ahead and plan, we have to flip the script from recapturing the past to redesigning the past. For the past to reoccur, there are cultural moments that would have to repeat, but this won’t happen; the cultural moment has shifted. Whatever we’re doing in life, we have to begin redesigning the future. Mancini writes, “Recapturing the past seems easier because you’ve done it before. You have systems in place for the processes of the past.” Stop trying to capture a future using systems from the past! There has been a cultural shift; we’re amid a pandemic. Because of this shift, we have to shift with it in how we think, strategize, and operate. We cannot capture the future with systems from the past.

So what does it look like for you to redesign your future, not based on systems from the past? For you to recapture the past, all of the disruptions in culture would have to return to their state before the disruption—that’s not going to happen. Let’s think about how we can glorify God in this coming year while waiting with great anticipation for the second coming of Christ, redesigning the future with what’s in our hand.

To find more ways to connect the culture to Christ, watch the whole Livestream embedded above or explore the articles linked below.

These past few weeks, we’ve been sharing our doctrinal statements with you; theological documents developed from scripture that form our beliefs and values. This week, we want to share our doctrinal statement regarding sin. We believe that all men and women exist in total depravity and with total inability to please God, condemned in the sin of Adam and in their own, and thus experience spiritual death.

What is sin?

Sin is any action (Ezek. 24:14), thought (Heb. 4:12), disposition (Prov. 21:10), or character (Eph. 2:1-3) which violates the love relationship with God (Mar. 12:30) and falls short of God's standard.  Though at one level all sins are equivalent as a violation of that relationship (Jas. 2:10) there are qualitative differences between sins (John. 19:11).  

Sin originated in the universe with Satan (John. 8:44; 1 John. 3:8) who seems to have fallen sometime between the end of the creative process and the temptation of Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:31; 3:1). Sin originated in the human race with Adam and Eve who were created in righteous relationship with God (Gen. 1:26-2:25; Eccl. 7:9).  Adam and Eve willfully chose to turn away from God by giving in to the temptation of Satan (Gen. 3:1-6) and, as a result, became guilty, shamed, and subject to a punishment that involved death (Rom. 5:12), separation from God (Isa. 59:2), damaged relationships with each other (Gen. 3:16), and the corruption of the whole created order (Rom. 8:21-22).  

I believe that since Adam was the natural head of the human race, he has passed a heritage of sinful corruption, condemnation, and death (physical and spiritual) to all people (Rom. 5:12-19). All humans are therefore born in a thoroughly corrupt state (2 Cor. 7:1; Eph 2:1-3) that is passed on to them through conception and are incapable of doing anything that will alter their spiritual status (John. 6:44) or do anything that truly pleases God (Heb. 11:6). Despite this corruption man is still retains the image of God to some extent (Gen. 9:6) and is able to do some good (Gen. 20:6).  The guilt of Adam's sin is also passed on to all humans (Rom. 5:18-19) but only when they have affirmed their sinfully corrupt state (Jer. 17:10; Rom. 2:5-6).

All humans sin because they love evil (Ps. 52:3) and freely choose to act in accordance with those evil desires (Ezek. 9:6).  People are therefore responsible for their sins and judged accordingly (Jer. 17:10).

The Results of Sin

The results of that original sin -- inherited sin nature and imputed guilt -- are transmitted from Adam, the realistic head of the race, to the entire human race in the propagation of the person (Rom. 5:12-19).  Mankind is pervasively depraved in that, every person in every aspect of life, is affected by sin (John. 3:19; Rom. 1:21, 6:16-20).  Every person is alienated from God, and is spiritually unwilling and unable to love God and restore relationship with God. (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:3). All are condemned in Adam (Rom. 5:18), but punished on the basis of their own sins (Tit. 3:5; Rev. 20:13).  

Fundamentally sin is the failure to love God in act or attitude. While all sin is sinful (Matt. 5:27-28), there are qualitative and consequential differences between sins (John 19:11; Lev. 4-5; Matt. 11:20-24). Personal sin in believers may result in divine and church discipline (Heb. 12:1-13; Matt. 18:15-18), hardening of the heart (Heb. 3:13), disqualification from service (1 Cor. 9:27) and rewards (2 Cor. 5:10), illness (Ps. 38:1-8) or death (1 John 5:16).  It is dealt with through personal confession to God (1 John 1:9), on the basis of Christ's propitiatory advocacy (1 John 2:1-2), and to other believers (Matt. 5:23-24; Jas. 5:16).

The Origin of Sin

Man was created free from sin, in perfect fellowship with God, and with a positive bent toward holiness (Gen. 1:26-30; Eccl. 7:29). Adam and Eve chose to sin, succumbing to the temptation of Satan (Gen. 3:4-5) in whom sin originated (1 John 3:8; Ezek. 28:13-16). Because of this rebellion against the revealed will and Word of God mankind came under the wrath of God (Rom. 1:18-20), under the curse of death (Rom. 6:23), and became inherently corrupt (Jer. 17:9). Because of this corruption man is thoroughly depraved, incapable of doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace (Rom. 3:10-12).

The result of sin is spiritual death (1 Cor. 15:21-22; Eph. 2:1) and physical death (Gen. 3:19). Because of sin man experiences alienation from God and His subsequent wrath (Gen. 3:8-10; Rom. 5:10). Sin also results in the estrangement of men toward each other (Gen. 3:16; Eph. 2:12-16) and the corruption of the whole created order (Rom. 8:21-22).

Adam stood before God as a representative of all mankind, and in that capacity his sin was the legal ground for condemnation upon all mankind (Rom. 5:12-21). However, it is not simply the guilt of his sin which is imputed to all mankind, but also a corrupted nature which renders all men and women totally depraved in their entire being (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2:3) and totally unable to change this disposition toward sin and move toward God (John. 15:5; Rom. 8:8).

All men and women voluntarily and personally disobey God and thus cooperate with this sin nature (2 Chr. 6:36; Rom 3:23; Jas. 4:17). Though each person stands condemned in Adam (Rom. 5:18) each one will be judged in the final day according to his or her own sinful deeds (Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 2:5-6).

Humans were originally created in a state of positive holiness, in prefect fellowship with God (Gen. 1:31; 2:7-24).  Through the wiles of Satan Eve was tempted and sinned, refusing to trust God's guidance and deciding by herself and for herself what was good and evil. Adam joined her willfully in that sin. (Gen. 3:1-6; 1 Tim. 2:13-14). Their sinful act destroyed the perfect fellowship, bringing spiritual and physical death upon them (Gen. 3:8-10).

If this is your first time tuning in to our podcast, I’m so glad you did! My name is Shawn Burgs and I’m the lead pastor of this Church Movement, called Movement Church. I get the honor each week of just opening up the scriptures and looking at how great our God is and how He loved us really well. He sent his Son to live the life that we couldn’t live, died the death that we owed, paid the penalty we couldn’t pay, conquered the enemy of death we couldn’t conquer, and freely gave us salvation by grace, through faith, in Him alone—the glory of God.

We make much of Jesus because we believe Jesus changes everything.

Many followers of the Lord Jesus Christ take the same approach to Advent—it’s an unpleasant season of waiting that we want to get through as quickly as possible. In other words, we want to arrive at the awaiting Christmas celebration. But Advent is a powerful season for believers, a time when we rehearse a common story of God’s people: waiting on him to fulfill his promises and learning to trust him in our waiting. In this four-week Advent sermon series, “A Look Ahead”, we will discuss four different examples of looking ahead and waiting in the story of God’s people.  

A Look Ahead Objectives:–– to think of and decide about the future:
In the process, we’ll consider how to trust that God is still in control.
Trusting God’s (1) promises and (2) His work for recovery, renovation, reclamation, refurbishment, revitalization, and redemption in our times of waiting.

What is Advent?

Advent is a powerful season because we remind ourselves that this waiting process is an integral and defining aspect of God’s people: trusting in a promise that is not yet fulfilled or not completely fulfilled and learning how to wait well in the meantime.  

During this time, we remember and participate with God’s people in our long history of waiting—and that waiting has been a part of the story from the beginning. The creation account, the beginning of the story that was repeatedly told to the Jewish people to remind them of who God is and how they became his people, begins our history of waiting.

This week’s scripture is Genesis 3:8-15. Let’s take a look:

“8 When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God. 9 God called to the Man: “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” 11 God said, “Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?” 12 The Man said, “The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it.” God said to the Woman, “What is this that you’ve done?” 13 “The serpent seduced me,” she said, “and I ate.” 14-15 God told the serpent: “Because you’ve done this, you’re cursed,  cursed beyond all cattle and wild animals, Cursed to slink on your belly and eat dirt all your life. I’m declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He’ll wound your head, you’ll wound his heel.”

In the reading for this week, we pick up after Adam and Eve have sinned, as they now are hiding from God (v. 8). When he seeks them out, we hear their excuses (v. 10, 12–13) and God’s response to the entrance of sin and brokenness into the world. Before we hear the curses for Adam and Eve, we hear the curse given to the serpent that deceived them (v. 14), and our first hint of hope (v. 15). Many interpreters agree that verse 15 is the very first biblical promise of salvation—something many call the “protoevangelium” or “first gospel.”

While God’s people waited for salvation for a long time, God gave them hope from the very beginning.

Here’s the big Idea of the message: God’s people have been called to wait and trust God since the beginning of the story.

Verse 15 proclaims that God’s people will finally triumph over the serpent. The ‘seed of the woman’ is a collective noun, indicating corporate victory.Therefore, we can trust God when we are asked to wait on him. God has a plan when we don’t know which way to go.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

Releasing control draws us into a deeper place of trust. What matters to us, matters even more to God. God’s promises endure through even the toughest trials. God is with us, always. However, if left to ourselves, we cannot win this war. No, it took Jesus, Eve’s seed par excellence, to deliver the crushing blow (Col. 2:15), and if we are in Him, we share in and extend His victory (Matt. 28:19; Rev. 20:4).