Second Stage Ministries

After listening to my church's (Granger Community Church) service online yesterday, these words came to mind.  “Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" - Exodus 14:13-14 NIV These words have been strong in my life and they hold a lot of meaning. I shared with the 5th grade students this past weekend what I am about to share with you.  A few posts ago we looked at a storm story [1] that showed us how the storms of life can just come up and we don't understand. But this also causes us to do something else that sometimes causes more trouble and that is fight.  Don't get me wrong - fighting for something is important. The disciples fought for the boat they were in and their lives. However, they became exhausted from fighting the storm. [2] Then they went to

I hope you are blessed by the following words from Elevation Worship. There is also a Elevation Worship video if that helps you. __________ Here I lay my burdens down Lose my worries in Your love Casting every care on You I have carried them enough We're not alone Here within His love Emmanuel He is still with us When the world becomes too much Near the cross I will remain Until every fear is stilled At the mention of Your name We're not alone Here within His love Emmanuel He is still with us We're not alone Here within His love Emmanuel He is still with us Mercy is falling falling Lift up your hands receive it now Here in the presence of the Lord Mercy is falling falling Lift up your hands receive it now Here in the presence of the Lord I know your past is broken You can move on it's over now Here in the presence of the Lord I know your past is broken You can move on it's over now Here

I was listening to a song that I hadn't heard in a while and something jumped out at me. I have really being looking deep into the book of Genesis here lately. (A video series on Genesis is coming in the future.) In Genesis 2, we see the following words: “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7 NIV God breathed life into us. I have heard CPR being used as an illustration for this. When you give someone CPR, you are trying to breathe life back into the person. This is what God did after He created us - He gave us a breath to get our life started! So now back to the song. As I was listening to the song, I heard these lyrics right at the end of the second verse: "The air I consume from the breath of creation renews my soul every day I awake" [1] I had never caught that before. Did you catch it? John is referencing Genesis 2:7 and how "t

In the last two posts, we looked at some storms in the New Testament and how Jesus handled both storms in different ways. This week we are going to get encouragement from a different source. I didn't write the words below, they are from Pastor Steven Furtick. I hope they encourage you when you are overwhelmed by the storms of life.  _______________________ by Steven Furtick [1] So I don't dread any challenge that lies ahead Because I remember all the victories behind. And my confidence is not in my circumstance. The Spirit of God is my supply. I'm steady under pressure and I'm ready for whatever Cause whatever comes my way today, the outcome is "I overcome". Christ is in me, I am enough. I can handle it. I can't afford to stay afraid or let me faith hesitate. My purpose is at stake and He who called me is faithful. His strength in me is greater than any pain I feel or enemy I face. The promise of God is mine for the taking.