Down to Earth: Jesus was an outsider

Romans 5:8 | But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

  • Why did Jesus come to Earth?

Mark 10:35-38 | “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

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Down to Earth

Each and every day, we find ourselves searching for someone we can connect to or relate with. We want someone who understands who we are, how we think, and what we feel. But over and over again, we are let down by the people in our lives— parents, teachers, and even our friends. There are limits to their ability to relate and we end up feeling like no-one truly understands or “gets” who we are. So we try a boyfriend or girlfriend, a new friendship, or anything that helps us feel normal and loved. While these connections can make us feel understood for a time, they will always let us down. They leave holes in our hearts that we constantly try to fill (or worse, escape from).

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EMPOWERED Peace: What to do when you’re worried

Philippians 4:6-8 | Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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EMPOWERED Peace: Given by God

John 16:33 | I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 | Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

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EMPOWERED Peace: Don’t worry!

Matthew 6:25-34 | “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

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EMPOWERED Peace: Give

Matthew 11:28-30 | Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

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