Thirst Church Living Waters

In this message from the Agape: Love series, Pastor Terry shares a sermon titled “It’s A Party.” Walking through John 12:1–11, we step into a special dinner held in honor of Jesus after the incredible miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead.This gathering wasn’t just a celebration, it was a powerful picture of devotion, gratitude, and the impact Jesus has on those who encounter Him.In the story, we see three meaningful contributions from the family hosting the dinner:Lazarus showed up — a living testimony to Christ’s miraculous power.Martha served the food — faithfully meeting practical needs.Mary sacrificed for Jesus — pouring out costly perfume in a beautiful act of devotion.Together, their actions show that everyone has a role to play in honoring Christ.Pastor Terry also highlights how Lazarus became more than a miracle story, he became a living example of Christ’s power and a catalyst that led many people to believe in Jesus.Points to Ponder:Participation is expected in God’s kingdom.Mary’s devotion to Christ continues to shine through her sacrifice.The kingdom of darkness is always threatened by the kingdom of light.Lately, what have you sacrificed for Jesus?Jesus is inviting you to come into the light.Join us as we reflect on this powerful moment of celebration, sacrifice, and faith, and consider how we can each respond to Jesus today.

As we arrive at our final week of the Christmas Odyssey Advent Devotional, Janelle and Byron focus on Love. In this closing episode, they invite us to practice loving God with our heart, mind, and soul, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Together, they walk through the final days leading up to Christmas with two challenges, one centered on community and one on service, along with two studies that reflect on God’s great love for us. We are reminded of the depth of that love: that God came to us as a baby and would one day give His life so we could be with Him forever. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and pray this Advent devotional and these conversations have encouraged and strengthened you throughout the season.

In this week’s episode of Thirst Church Living Waters, Janelle and Byron dive into Week Three of the Christmas Odyssey Advent Devotional, focusing on the theme of JOY. Together, they walk through each day of the devotional, unpacking Scripture, reflecting on the challenges, and sharing personal stories of how true joy is found and sustained in Christ, even in unexpected seasons.Follow along with the devotional and be encouraged to experience a deeper, lasting joy this Christmas season!

(00:00:00) Christmas Odyssey 2025 Advent Week 2 PEACE (00:07:43) Monday, December 8th (00:14:10) Tuesday, December 9 (00:23:33) Wednesday, December 10 (00:36:51) Thursday, December 11 (00:48:50) Friday, December 12 This week, Janelle and Byron dive into Week Two of our Christmas Odyssey Advent Devotional, all about PEACE. We often wish God would drop peace in our laps as fast as an Amazon driver drops off a Christmas package, but real, lasting peace comes from actually spending time with Him.In this episode, they talk about what it looks like to create space for peace: resting, reading Scripture, talking with God, and walking alongside other believers. They break down each day of the devotional and offer meaningful insights to help you fully embrace this week’s theme.

(00:00:00) Christmas Odyssey 2025 Advent Week 1 HOPE (00:08:21) Intro (00:08:25) Monday December 1st (00:20:00) Tuesday December 2nd (00:24:34) Wednesday December 3rd (00:35:31) Thursday December 4th (00:48:15) Friday December 5th Welcome to the very first episode of our Thirst Church Living Waters Podcast! Join Janelle and Pastor Byron as they dive into Week One of our Christmas Odyssey Advent Devotional, exploring the theme of Hope. Together, they share personal stories, meaningful examples, and practical challenges to help guide you through this first week of Advent. Whether you’re following along with the devotional or simply looking for encouragement this season, this episode will help you lean into the hope we have in Christ as we begin the journey toward Christmas.