THIS IS THE LIFE PODCAST

WHEN WE LOSE CONTROL One of the hardest things for us to do is let go of control. We want answers. We want direction. We want to know how things are going to turn out before we ever take the next step. But life has a way of bringing us into seasons where we realize we were never truly in control to begin with. Sometimes it happens through loss. Sometimes through fear, sickness, disappointment, or simply watching things unfold that we cannot fix ourselves. Those moments can leave us feeling helpless and overwhelmed. But many times, those very places become the moments where God reminds us to place everything back into His hands. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We know it well but notice the verse does not say we will always understand the path. It just says He will direct our path. There is a difference. We often want explanations while God simply asks for us to trust. Our Faith grows when we continue moving forward even when we cannot see the whole road ahead.

Finally Home Luke 15:24 “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” A few years ago while studying Luke 15, I wondered what the prodigal son must have felt the morning after he returned home. The celebration was over. The music had faded into the quiet of the night. The robe still rested on his shoulders, and somewhere nearby sat the sandals his father had placed on his feet only hours before. Everything had changed so quickly. Just days earlier, he had been broken, hungry, ashamed, and wondering if he would ever be able to return at all.

When Grace Is Enough 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. There are seasons in life when we pray with all our heart for God to remove something. A burden. A struggle. A painful situation. We ask Him again and again, believing surely this will be the moment the door opens and the weight finally lifts. Paul understood that feeling. He said, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice…” In other words, he earnestly asked God multiple times to take away what was troubling him. But instead of removing it, God answered him with something deeper: “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

The Reason You Survived 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble…” There are moments in life when we look back and honestly wonder how we made it through some things. Seasons where the weight felt so heavy, the nights were long, and the road seemed so uncertain. Times when it felt like everything around you was about to collapse, yet somehow… God carried you through it.

What’s Next For Me – Part 5 “Live Like You’re Restored” Galatians 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” As we come to the final part of this series, maybe the biggest lesson we’ve learned is this: God never restores us just so we can go back to living the same way we always have. He restores us so we can live differently.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ME – Part 4 “Guarding What God Restored” One of the most important lessons we learn in our walk with the the Lord is this: Not everything that is restored automatically stays strong. Some things must be guarded. The someone returns they find mercy, restoration, identity, and peace again. But there always comes a season where they must learn how to protect what God has rebuilt inside them. Because the enemy will always try to pull you back toward the very things God delivered you from. That’s why Proverbs says, Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ME – Part 3 “Embrace Your Identity” One of the hardest things for many people to do after returning to the Lord is learning to stop seeing yourself through the eyes of your past. Many people come home to God, they’re able to remain faithful, but still carry the mindset of the far country or the life they left behind. But if you still see yourself like that then you really haven’t left it all the way behind. Many still see failure before they see grace. Still see shame before they see mercy. Still define themselves by who they were instead of by who God says they are now. That’s why this next step matters so much: Today the Lord says it’s time you Embrace your identity.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ME – Part 2 “The Voice Inside” John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” After you’ve made your way back home and you’ve started learning to stay, something begins to happen on the inside. It may not be loud. It may not be sudden. But it is very real. You begin to recognize a different voice. The voices up to this point have been trying to lead you astray, further from the Father, further from your calling, your purpose. That is why I am always teaching, preaching, and studying to understand more about the importance of “Position”. This Voice I speak of isn’t necessarily an audible sound, not something that draws attention to itself, but it’s a quiet, faithful leading within your heart.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ME – Part 1 “Learning To Stay” Last week the Lord spoke to us about coming back to him. That moment when everything starts to become clear again. When grace meets you right where you are… when you feel the weight of life begin to lift and the peace return. But after the return, a question starts to settle in: “What’s next for me?” The answer is simple—but not always easy: John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” The first step in returning is Learning to stay.

RETURNING HOME – Part 4 “There Will Be A Celebration” Luke 15:22-23 “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:” By the time the son made his way back home, he had already prepared himself for less. Less position. Less privilege. Less identity. In his mind, he wasn’t coming back as a son—just a servant hoping for mercy. But the father had something entirely different in mind. Before the son could get used to shame and regret, the father called for a robe. Not just any robe, the best one. Before he could hang his head in failure, a ring was placed on his hand, this restored identity.

RETURNING HOME – Part 3 “You Will Face Resistance” Luke 15:25-28 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. When we think about “coming home,” we often picture peace, relief, and restoration—and rightly so. But tucked inside this story is a truth we don’t always expect: Not everyone will celebrate your return. The younger son came home broken, humbled, and ready to be restored. The father ran to him, embraced him, and rejoiced. But while there was music and dancing in the house… there was resistance in the field.

RETURNING HOME – Part 2 “Some Things Will Never Be The Same” Luke 15:17 “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” There’s a turning point in this story that doesn’t get much attention, but it sure gets deep, that is the fact that “ he came to himself.” That moment didn’t just change his direction… it changed him. It had to be his choice. There may have been some who tried to convince him to just go home, stop spending so much, they are not really your friends, they are just using you… But the only way to really Return Home, (and by that I mean return to the Lord), is to get to this point. The point where you realize your current position is because of the decisions you made. The son that left home and the son that started back home was not the same person.

RETURNING HOME – Part 1 “Some Things Will Never Change” Luke 15:17-20 There comes a moment in a person’s life when the chaos of our choices settles down just enough for truth to be heard again. In Luke 15, the prodigal son had reached such a moment, Luke 15:17-20 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. “when he came to himself.” That’s phrase is so powerful because it reminds us that running from God will always take us away from who we are really meant to be, but returning to Him not only brings us back to God, but also brings us back to ourselves.

A Legacy That Lives On 2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” To me, there’s something very powerful about memories. Not just recalling moments, but truly feeling the emotion of where you came from, who poured their lives into you, who prayed over you, and believed in you before you even understood what belief really meant. Paul looked at Timothy and didn’t just see a young man trying to walk in faith. He saw a legacy. He saw a grandmother… a mother… voices and examples that had been planted long before Timothy ever stepped into his calling. That faith didn’t start with Timothy—it flowed into him. And if we’re honest, the same is true for all of us.

THE PATTERNS OF YOUR LIFE Proverbs 4:25-26 “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” These verse this morning reminds us that the direction of our life is often determined by the what we choose to focus on. Where our eyes settle… our mind begins to follow. And where our mind goes… our steps are not far behind. The Psalmist says, “Let thine eyes look right on.” That speaks to me of intentional focus. Not distracted, Not wandering, not random, and not constantly pulled to the left or right by every passing thought, emotion, or circumstance. A steady gaze is highlighted here, a choice to look forward, to stay centered on what truly matters.

The Vision Moving Forward – This Is The Life Podcast As we approach six years of This Is The Life Podcast this coming June, it still feels a lot like sitting on that front porch, looking back at where the Lord has brought us from, and quietly listening for where He’s leading us next. What started as a simple step of faith has become something far greater than we could have ever planned. And yet, it still carries that same purpose. A place of peace, reflection, and drawing closer to Jesus Christ. The vision moving forward is not as much about becoming Larger, as it is about becoming more impactful. SONG: THIS IS THE LIFE - Written and Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

Every Open Door God has a way of opening doors at just the right time. Not our time, but His. And when He does, it is not by accident or coincidence. It is intentional, prepared, and placed right where you are at the moment. The key is learning to recognize when that open door is from the Lord and not a distraction trying to pull you away from your purpose. Now there are seasons in all of our lives when it feels like nothing is moving, it seems like you’re just waiting, praying, and wondering when something will change. Then, almost overnight, a door opens, and if you’re not paying attention, you might miss it or mistake it for something else. Revelation Revelation 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Understanding Your Identity Pt. 2 John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” There is defining moment here when Jesus said these words. He did not say the world would know we belong to Him by our titles, our talents, our knowledge, how much we Praise , pray, or even by how loud we can speak about our faith. He said they would know we belong to Him by our love for each other. In Heaven, our identity is forever settled by the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are sealed, marked, and claimed as His own. But here on this earth, what people often see first is not the invisible seal of the Spirit, but the visible fruit of His work in our lives. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

YOUR TRUE IDENTITY Romans 8:16–18 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” There’s something deeply reassuring about belonging to God. We all want to know where we come from, where we’re going, and who we truly are. In Romans 8, Paul gives us one of the most powerful reminders of our spiritual identity and our future: we are not just God’s creation, we are His children. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

When the Heart Agrees We talked last week about Romans 8:28 and how God is working in the middle of our pain, confusion, heartache, and even our failures. God showed us that even the hard places of life are never wasted in His hands. Every wrong turn can become wisdom. Every valley can grow strength. Every scar can become a testimony that helps someone else keep from falling in the same area of life. That verse reminds us that God is always working things together for good. But the more I pondered on that promise, the more I realize verse 28 does not stand alone. There is no “all things work together for good” without first understanding what happens in verse 27. Romans 8:27 says, “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” That verse brings us back to the heart. Before God ever works in the circumstances around us, He is first working on something within us. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

All Things Working Together Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” There are some seasons in life that do not make sense while we are living through them. Some days feel like the road turns without warning to a place we never wanted to be. We begin to question things, our minds wrestle with confusion, and we wonder why things had to unfold the way they did. Yet this verse reminds us that even when we cannot understand what God is doing, He is still working for our good. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

John 14:1–3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. The Word of God is full of promises and one of the most comforting is found in John 14. What stands out to me in these three verses is how many times Jesus says “I.” Not in pride, but in promise. Every “I” is a reminder that our peace is not resting on what we can do for Jesus, but what He has done and is doing for us. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

THE LIGHT THAT SHINES THROUGH YOU Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” It always seems to amaze me the way a simple life can still shine bright. Out here in what I call our Tennessee way of living, folks may not always remember every word you say, but they’ll remember how you carried yourself, how you treated people, and what kind of spirit follows you into a room. Jesus said to let your light shine, but notice He did not say shine so folks will praise you. He said let them see your good works so they will glorify your Father in heaven. The Light that reflects our deeds in life is meant to shine through us, not on us. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

More Than Enough Grace Have you ever had days that seem to begin with a heaviness you can’t quite explain. It may not be one big thing at all. Sometimes it’s just the weight of several little things that settled on your heart and mind over time. Maybe it’s a burden for your family, or maybe it’s simply a tiredness that no amount of sleep can help. There are mornings when your feet hit the floor, and before the day has even fully begun, your mind is already trying to solve things that only God can handle. We all know what it feels like when we get ahead of grace, when the mind starts running miles down a road we were never meant to be on in the first place. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

GUIDED BY HIS WHISPER Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” There’s something special about the quiet after the silence. It’s that moment when your heart has settled down, your thoughts quit racing, and you can just feel the Lord nearby. Sometimes it comes early in the morning, sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching the sunlight ease its way across the trees and fields. The world is still waking up, and in that stillness, it feels like God gently lays the next step on your heart. Intro Music By: Mike Outland SONG: “WHISPERS” Written and Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

From the Rugged Cross to the Empty Tomb “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 There’s something sacred about the days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It’s a quiet kind of holy—the kind that whispers deep into your soul, reminding you of both the weight of the cross and the wonder of the resurrection. MUSIC Composed By: Mike Outland

UNLESS GOD GOES WITH ME Exodus 33:15 reminds us that true direction, peace, and purpose are found only in God’s presence. When Moses declared, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence,” he acknowledged a powerful truth: progress without God is empty. This verse speaks to every believer who desires to walk in obedience rather than self-reliance. It teaches that success, movement, and even good intentions mean nothing if God is not leading the way. Exodus 33:15 calls us to pause, seek God’s presence, and refuse to move forward unless He goes with us. In a world driven by speed and ambition, this scripture anchors the heart in surrender, trust, and spiritual dependence—choosing God’s presence over every opportunity, plan, or promise. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

WHAT ABOUT TODAY James 4:13-15 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” For me there is something sacred about a new day from the view of the front porch. Before the day gets busy, before the phone rings, before the demands of life begin to pull at our thoughts, there is that quiet moment when the world seems to hold its breath for just a few moments. The morning air feels fresh, the birds begin their songs of Praise, and the first rays of sunlight start to shine through the trees. From the porch, it feels as though God Himself is turning the page to a brand-new chapter. I imagine that just maybe this was the beauty behind Psalm 118:24. It’s not just in the promise of a day, but in the gift of this day. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

COULD IT BE THE ANGELS There are moments in life that leave us quietly wondering exactly what has happened. Maybe A stranger stops when you’re stranded on the road at just the right time. Or it’s a kind word that comes when your heart seems like it’s breaking. It’s like Help appears in a way that feels too perfectly timed to call it a coincidence. In those moments, we can’t help but pause and ask, Was Angels closer than I realized? Scripture gives us reason to hold that thought as a Biblical reality. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” What a wonderful reminder that the ordinary moments of life may carry something far more sacred than we first see. Sometimes the person who offers kindness, protection, or comfort may simply be a faithful servant of God acting in obedience. Other times, it may truly be one of God’s unseen messengers moving quietly through our world. Intro Music By: Mike Outland SONG: COULD IT BE THE ANGELS - Written and Composed by: Eddie B. Woodard

The Cry of Your Heart Psalm 34:6 “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” In this chapter, David does not speak as a king, or as a mighty warrior. Instead, he speaks simply as “this poor man.” It is a reminder that before God, our greatest strength is often found in our weakest moments. The word “poor” in Psalm 34:6 comes from the Hebrew word “ani.” It carries the meaning of someone who is afflicted, humble, or pressed down by circumstances. It isn’t describing a lack of money or possessions but rather, it describes a person who realizes their complete dependence on God. David is essentially saying, “This humble and needy man cried to the Lord.” And that cry was heard. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Beyond The Silence There are times in our walk with God when the words simply will not come. Our hearts may be full, our minds may feel tired, and our prayers may seem unfinished. We sit quietly before the Lord, unsure of what to say, yet deeply aware that we need His presence more than ever. In those moments, the silence can feel uncomfortable at first. We are so used to filling our prayers with words, requests, and thoughts that quietness can seem like we are not praying the right way. Yet the Lord often invites us into something deeper than just speaking, He invites us into stillness. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Intro Music By: Mike Outland

WHEN WORDS WON’T DO Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” There are moments in life when our hearts seem full, yet the words are gone. We sit quietly before the Lord, wanting to pray, wanting to say something meaningful, but the thoughts seem tangled and the words simply refuse to come. Our minds feel overwhelmed, and our hearts carry more than we can express at the moment. I believe Most believers have had this feeling. Sometimes it comes during a season of sorrow. Other times it may appear in moments of deep reflection, when life feels heavy and complicated. And other times it simply comes from exhaustion. We bow our heads, open our hearts to God, and yet all we can offer is silence. But Scripture reminds us that even in those moments, we are never unheard. Intro Music By: Mike Outland SONG: WHEN WORDS WON’T DO: Written and Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard

Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” There are moments in life when the weight of things becomes more than we can carry. Responsibilities pile up. Worries seem to haunt in the back of our minds. Some Decisions linger longer than we expected. And before long, we find ourselves carrying burdens that God never intended for us to hold alone. The Psalmist gives us a simple invitation: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD.” The word cast means to throw or release something from your hands. It suggests a deliberate act so it’s not just wishing a burden away, but actually handing it over to God. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Trusting In God’s Plan Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” As the week comes to a close, it’s a good time to take inventory of all we have come through this week. We think about the prayers we prayed, the struggles we faced, the people we tried to help, and the moments when we simply tried to walk faithfully with the Lord. But the beauty of the Christian life is that it was never meant to make it through in our strength. God simply asks us to commit our way to Him. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

When Christ gave up the ghost on the cross. It is written that the veil in the temple tore from the top to the bottom. And this was a powerful symbol that we now have accessed directly to God. But we must understand that this morning. That that access only comes through his son Jesus Christ. God's will, his direction, his wisdom, his power, and so much more. It's all available to everyone who approaches him, through faith, in his son Jesus.

A Life That Matters 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” In a world that constantly measures success by comparison, it can be easy to feel like we are failing to meet the expectations of others. Someone always seems to have more, accomplish more, or be recognized more. But the Bible reminds us that a life that truly matters is not built on comparison, it is built on contentment and faithfulness. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

The Freedom of Forgiveness Scripture Colossians 3:12-13 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts God has given to us. Yet for many people, it is also one of the hardest things to truly embrace and understand. We often understand forgiveness as a command, but we sometimes miss the beautiful freedom that comes when forgiveness is received, accepted, and then shared. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Rebuilding What Is Broken Nehemiah 2:17 – “Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” The Picture of This Broken Wall When Nehemiah looked upon the city of Jerusalem, he saw ruins where strength used to stand. The walls were down, the gates were burned, and the people were living in shame. The city without walls was vulnerable to every enemy, it was exposed to danger, and unable to stand with any dignity. But, Nehemiah’s words were not just about stones and mortar, they were about restoring identity, honor, and hope to God’s people. Music By: Mike Outland

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” There is something powerful about the way God designed relationships. None of us were meant to walk this journey alone. Just as iron tools were sharpened in Bible times by rubbing them against another piece of iron, our lives are strengthened, refined, and sharpened through the influence of others. Iron sharpening iron is not always a quiet or effortless process. When metal meets metal, there is friction. Sparks may fly. But the purpose is not harm—it is improvement. The result is a sharper, stronger instrument. In the same way, God often uses faithful friends, mentors, and fellow believers to shape us into better people. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

THIS IS THE LIFE PODCAST Discover the power of commitment through Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Learn how dedicating your efforts to God leads to success, purpose, and divine guidance in your life. Explore biblical insights on trust, faith, and perseverance. Music composed by Mike Outland

Strength In The Stillness Isaiah 30:15 “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Life has a way of filling every moment with noise. Responsibilities, worries, schedules, can make us feel like we are always running toward the next thing. Even when we slow down physically, our minds can still be racing with concerns about tomorrow. Yet God often reminds us of something very different from the pace of the world. He reminds us that real strength is found in stillness. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

Growing In The New Life Colossians 2:6–7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Spring reminds us that life has returned. The buds appear on the trees, the grass turns green, and flowers begin to bloom again. It is one of the most beautiful reminders in creation that God is a God of new beginnings. But spring also teaches us something else. New life is only the beginning. Growth must follow. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

The Promise of Spring 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Every year, spring quietly reminds us of one of God’s most beautiful promises—the promise of new life. All through the winter months the trees stand bare, the ground seems lifeless, and the cold winds make everything feel still and dormant. It can almost appear as if life has disappeared. But dormant does not mean things are dead. Beneath the surface, something is happening that our eyes cannot see. Life is preparing to return. Intro Music By: Eddie B. Woodard

I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” We often face situations we do not fully understand, times where the future seems unclear, and there are circumstances that try to stir up fear in our hearts. In those moments, David’s words here in Psalm 27 remind us of a truth: and that is that our confidence is not found in circumstances, it’s found in the Lord Himself. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

THE WAY GOD PROVIDES You’ve probably heard the phrase, “The Lord will provide.” It’s often said with hopeful assurance in moments of uncertainty—when the bills are piling up, when the job offer hasn’t come, when the path ahead looks foggy at best. But what does it truly mean when we say, “God will provide”? And how can we trust in that promise when the evidence around us seems scarce? Philippians 4:19 is one of the most comforting verses in Scripture: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

He’s Been There All Along There are often places in our lives that mean more than they seem at the time. For me, it’s an old cedar tree nestled down in the rocks behind our home. It’s stood there longer than I have been alive. Its roots are wrapped tight around the rocky hillside. When I was younger, I would sit against that tree and just talk. I talked about dreams. I talked about fears. I talked about things I didn’t even understand yet. At the time, I thought I was just finding a quiet place to think, write, and dream. But now I know better. It was never just me and the old tree, God was always there with me. Jacob had a moment like that in Scripture. After a long journey, he laid his head down to sleep and dreamed of a ladder reaching into Heaven. When he woke up, he said: Genesis 28:16 “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.” Think about that; “Surely the Lord is in this place… and I knew it not.” How many times could we say the same thing? Intro Music By: Mike Outland