San Mateo 19:16-23

The world is full of good and beautiful things: breathtaking creation, delicious food, exciting adventures, and kind-hearted people. Scripture reminds us that God delights in giving good and perfect gifts to his children, and yet, how often do we settle for partial goodness instead of the fullness God has to offer? In this reading plan, let’s discover what Scripture has to say about the temptation we all face to try and satisfy ourselves with God’s good gifts instead of God himself.

Many Christians feel the frustration of persistent sin, undesirable circumstances, and the stubborn feeling of having fallen behind. The doubts that arise from these experiences find their Gospel answer in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Remind yourself of the far-reaching implications of this radical promise for your life now and in eternity.

Psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Les Parrott provides a revolutionary path to success in the ultimate human challenge: truly loving other people. Let's be honest. How many times have you fallen short at being a good friend, a wise parent, or a self-giving spouse because you didn't love--truly love--at the highest level? It's tough. We're bound to fail. The bar is so high, especially if you aspire to love like Jesus. But it's not impossible. In  Love Like That , Dr. Parrott takes the latest findings from sociology and psychology and blends them with biblical understanding to reveal practical and often counter-intuitive ways of loving like never before. He breaks them down into five factors--being mindful, being approachable, being a grace-giver, being vulnerable, and being empathetic--and shows how to practice them in daily life. The result will be deeply fulfilling and meaningful connections with nearly anyone you encounter--but especially in the relationships that matter most.

There’s a bumper sticker for everything these days. Christian culture has some bumper stickers of their own. Are we living up to what we’re testifying to on our cars? We’ll use some popular phrases you may have heard before to consider our personal walk with Jesus.