Grace Church, Springfield Mo

Jospeh's life has just as many twists and turns as ours -- with his twists resulting in years of faithfully waiting, in less than favorable conditions. But, as God does to those who are faithful, he not only redeems Joseph, he elevates him to second over all of Egypt.In this third session, Pastor Tim reminds us that despite hardships and betrayals in our lives, God can (and will) heal the pain from those hurts and He will bless us and make us fruitful whoever we are!

Joseph remains faithful to the Lord despite unwanted and unwelcome advances from Potiphar's wife -- resulting in him being back in prison.In this session, Pastor Tim reminds us that challenging circumstances in our lives help us to walk closer with the Lord in our future.

In this first session, Pastor Tim starts at the beginning of Joesph's story and reminds us that despite challenges we may face with family, God's plans for us will never be changed.

In this final session, Pastor Tim challenges us to help the poor. Not because it's a good idea, but because God's Word tells us that's what we should do.

In this session, Pastor Tim answers two questions that focus on debt, 1) Is it a sin? and 2) Should we use debt (as Christians)?

Proverbs has a lot to say about wealth and work. This Sunday, Pastor Tim focuses on three proverbs to help us understand the difference between working hard and not being lazy.

Two important questions have surfaced based on recent events in our nation and our world...What does it cost to follow Jesus? AND Are we (you) willing to bear that cost?This Sunday, Pastor Tim takes a Sunday to address current events and remind us that in Jesus we have peace, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

The "labels" the world puts on us aren't there to define us. God's Word is the source of our definition and it's important to remember that we not only need to receive His Word into our lives, but to share it with others.

Raising the next generation is not JUST the church's responsibility, it's the responsibility of parents and adults interacting with kids.Pastor Jack shares with us a brief update on where the next generation is in their walk with Jesus and how they seek to better understand God's Word.

In our final Growing Deeper session, Pastor Tim shares with us about Sabbath and how the value of this spiritual practice has diminished in a world where a constant "go, go, go" is expected.

The next semester of our small groups begin in just a few weeks, and Pastor Tim takes this Sunday to help us understand the importance of being connected to others in relationship that more than just the quick conversations we have on Sunday mornings.

As with fasting, or meditation, lament isn't discussed often in the modern church. When troubled times come, our western culture allows for grieving to take place, but then there's a "turning point" we are expected to go through without truly placing our hearts (and hurts) before the Lord.This Sunday, Pastor Tim looks at lament in the Bible and shows us how the practice of taking time to grieve also helps us to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord.

Meditation is scriptural. Old Testament, New Testament, it's all throughout. In the Psalms, King David even comments on meditation often.But, the practice of slowing ourselves down, "chewing" on God's Word and allowing it to refine our thinking and doing, is not something Christ-followers do today. The world demands busy from us. So, we have to be intentional about slowing down and spending time meditating on what He is saying to us.

Fasting is one of those spiritual practices that is discussed in the Bible often, but not a common practice in our culture.In this session, Pastor Tim takes some time to help us understand fasting and to remind us that this spiritual practice is something that can help us elevate the eternal above the temporary.

This Sunday, we welcomed Matt & Abby Edwards to share on their ministry in Austria with Austrian church and the Iranian church, and their future plans serving in Ukraine.To give towards their ministry click here: https://give.foursquare.org/fundraiser/4320182

In this final session, Pastor Tim does one more review of the "Prayer Wheel" and then leads a practical exercise going through section step of the prayer wheel at three minutes each.At the conclusion, he discusses with those in attendance about their experience praying through the twelve sections.

Practicing confession with each other is not a common practice. We are more apt, rightly so, to confess to the Lord as His Word tells us.But, what if the key to healing, freedom, and reconciliation was taking the time to confess to each other? Lives would be changed, relationships would grow, and our spiritual walk would be deeper with the Lord.

Pastor Tim concludes his discussion on the sections of the "Prayer Wheel" and then works on a practical application spending 18 minutes in prayer, 90 seconds on each section.

Silence and solitude are two practices that are not easy - being still and alone can be challenging! Yet, if we are willing to submit, there is a greater depth we can find in our walk with Christ.

In this second session, Pastor Tim discusses steps 4-9 on the prayer wheel in the book, "The Hour That Changes the World," by Dick Eastman.