2026 Wk 9
Altered LIFE • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Intro
1 Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Worship Set
Great Are You Lord
do verse 1 and repeat last line to end and do Greet and Meet
after this, sing the whole song.
Promises
(chorus & bridge)
Nothing Else Matters
New Song...
Generosity
Tithing is a religious act of giving a tenth for the support of a religious purpose.
So if it is RELIGIOUS— why do we do it?
Not all things religious are evil.
The act in and of its self is neither good or bad
It always relies on the motive of the heart
Stretching every morning and massaging our scalp is a good practice.
Praying and doing a devotion every morning is good for us
But missing a job interview or not keeping a promise because we haven’t taken time to stretch — that is where the religious routine goes south.
You can give and it will show the fabric of a loving heart.
There again, you can give and it will show the fabric of a stingy heart too.
The Widow's Mite
The Widow's Mite
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
For they all contributed out of their surplus
The act of giving from surplus suggests a lack of deep personal commitment or faith, as it did not affect their lifestyle or financial security. So, the emphasis here is on the heart and sacrifice behind the giving.
but she out of her poverty
The widow's poverty is significant, as it underscores her vulnerability and dependence on God.
Widows in ancient Israel were often among the most marginalized and impoverished, lacking a male protector or provider.
Under the Law of Moses, provisions for the care of widows were included (Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:19-21), yet many still lived in dire circumstances. Her action is a profound demonstration of faith and trust in God's provision.
has put in all she had to live on.
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the widow's sacrifice. She gave everything she had, which was likely a very small amount, yet it represented her entire livelihood. This act of giving is a powerful testament to her faith and devotion, as she entrusted her well-being entirely to God. It reflects the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34, where He instructs His followers not to worry about their material needs but to seek first the kingdom of God. The widow's offering is a type of Christ's own sacrifice, as He gave His life completely for the salvation of humanity. Her act of giving all she had is a model of true discipleship and surrender to God's will.
PRAYER OF BLESSINGS, AMEN.
Update
Thank you for honoring Vianne at her Celebration of Life last Sunday
Fill free to drop a line to Harlan with large print to say you are thinking of him over the next 6 months.
Midweek Life Group 630p
Last week I posted a video on Wednesday night however I would love to take 30-40 minutes with you — face to face!
So, I will have the doors unlocked after 6pm — please consider dropping by for MidWeek Face to Face.
Cell phones — thank you!
Lesson Intro
I love parks, especially learning the history surrounding our National Parks.
A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO PRESIDENT THEODORE ROSEVELT for setting up our National Parks in America in the early 1900’s.
President Roosevelt, often called "the conservation president," impacted the National Park System well beyond his term in office.
I have be privileged to have been to some of those National Parks. I even have a Park Passport! if I remember to take it with me the Park personal will stamp my passport so I can check off each park I visit.
Like…
Grand Canyon in Arizona
As a child, we drove by it so many times on our way to see family in California — but now, the view never gets old having been there three different times over the past 10 years.
I still want to see it at sunrise from the floor of the canyon. Always breathtaking!
Yosemite National Park in California
Home to more than 500 mature redwood sequoia trees.
President Abraham Lincoln's signed the Yosemite Grant of 1864 that declared Yosemite as federally preserved land.
Over 800 miles of trails are available to hikers with one of the most popular hikes is to the summit of Half Dome. This hike up solid granite requires a permit whenever the cables are up.
What about El Morro National Monument
I have never been to El Morro National Monument in New Mexico, but I have driven through the land of the great Messa.
Even though it is dessert — it has its own beauty and wonder.
Lesson Twist
Did you know that El Morro National Monument is an International Dark Sky Park?
Dark Sky Park
What does this mean, “Dark Sky Park?”
Dark Sky is where they treat the sky as a natural resource, just like the plants and animals that call El Morro home.
When we go camping we look up at night and we often comment how we can see more stars than we can see in the city—Why?
This phenomenon is caused by what is called “Light Pollution”.
The abundance of light in the city that produces glare, causes our attention to be focused on our surroundings— instead of the sky and it’s speckles of astrological wonder.
There is an unusual calmness that takes place when you tilt your head back and gaze at the stars and planets.
Or lay down and watch a meteor shower
Or catch a falling star
Or try to determine if that is a planet; a plane, or Superman?
Think about it, could it be that we MISS seeing God’s wonder because of the Light Pollution we live around?
Distracted by the glare and intense use of light?
Lesson Questions
Likewise…
Could it be, that we’re MISSING God throughout our day? MISSING the purpose of our journey?
Overlooking “God’s direction” for our lives—
Yes, even…
missing the quiet nudges, the divine appointments, the sacred opportunities placed right in front of us?
What if, in the rush of our routines, we’re passing by the very moments meant to change us or change someone else’s story—
failing to extend a hand,
speak a word of hope, or
be the light in the middle of someone’s storm?
Maybe the real question isn’t whether opportunities are out there.
Maybe the question is whether we are truly awake?
Awake enough to notice.
Willing enough to slow down.
Bold enough to break free from the suffocating fog of busyness that we call responsibility.
Could it be that we move through our days
numbed by noise,
distracted by deadlines,
consumed with what feels urgent but is rarely eternal.
Our schedules are full, but our spirits are thin.
Our eyes are open—but are we actually seeing?
What if heaven is whispering, but we are too hurried to hear it?
What if the Father is revealing His heart, but we are too preoccupied to look up?
To push beyond the pollution of our surroundings will require…
Us to be intentional.
It requires hunger.
It requires the courage to step out of autopilot and into awareness.
Because when we do—when we quiet ourselves, when we lean in—we begin to see differently.
We catch the sparkle in the Father’s eyes.
We sense His Spirit nudging, instructing, drawing our hearts into alignment with His.
The issue may not be a lack of divine moments.
It may be a lack of surrendered attention.
Are we awake enough to perceive it?
Willing enough to respond?
Bold enough to follow?
OUCH!
Father, forgive me.
PRAYER
Lord, hear our hearts this morning as we come before You—quiet, needy, and aware of how little we truly understand You.
We long to know You as You really are, not as we have imagined You to be.
You are holy, You are divine, and we confess how exhausted we are from chasing our own plans.
Our agendas have led us into heartache, frustration, and disappointment.
We have tried to satisfy our souls with lesser things, and they have left us fearful and empty.
Meet with us today, Father.
Break through the haze—the fog of selfish ambition, restless desires, and worldly distractions that cloud our vision.
Clear away the pollution of our passions that distort our relationship with You.
Cleanse our hearts.
Refocus our love.
We are tired of feeding on what does not nourish. We are weary of striving. We need You Father.
You are our Shepherd.
In You we will lack nothing.
Lead us back to still waters.
Restore our souls.
Teach us to trust, to follow, to rest.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Overview & Challenge
So where do we start?
If we believe that our routine of busyness is keeping us from seeing Father’s eyes to perceive His heart and that we believe that we are not fully awaken to be willing to respond in boldness — maybe today the Spirit would say —
“Let me lead you, restore you, and comfort you as you turn to the Great Shepherd.”
Let’s start in Davids wide known psalm chapter 23:
(Read and point out verse that contain the word “lead” in them and the last verse about “following me” as I am led.)
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[“MY” shepherd — not someone else's shepherd]
2He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Breakdown
Verse 2. He LEADS me beside still waters.
[He guides me-even though the sheep may want something different they are guided to STILL water, not rushing water that may be deep. To fall in would be deadly for a sheep with their wool coat]
Verse 3. He restores my soul. He LEADS me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
[righteous living isn’t something I do alone, Father “leads” me on that path — and He doesn’t do it for me, but for his Name Sake]
Verse 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
(The Shepherd, the Host and the Highway Patrol | John Piper)
Lag behind:
The English word "follow." "Follow" might mean trail behind and never quite catch up. That wouldn't be very comforting: "Surely goodness and mercy will lag behind me all my days." The Hebrew word is much more active than "follow." It almost always means pursue, often in the sense of pursue to do harm or persecute.
Story of the Highway Patrol:
So David has painted a picture for us a little like this:
Imagine yourself driving nonchalantly down the freeway, when all of a sudden you see a red light flashing in your rear view mirror.
And for some crazy reason you make the irrational decision to push the gas instead of the brake. You roar down the freeway at 100 miles per hour and try to get away from the Highway Patrol.
All the times you went over the speed limit flash before your eyes. And as your sense of guilt mounts all the faults of your life start popping up out of your unconscious where they had lain just waiting to make you miserable. And all the while you remember that if you get one more ticket your license will be revoked and you won't be able to take that hard-earned vacation to Miami with your wife.
But your car simply does not have the power of the Highway Patrol and he finally forces you over.
You sit there trembling as he walks up to your window and says:
The Patrolman says, "Got a little guilty conscience there, don't you?"
Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wallet and says, "That motel you just left asked me to catch up with you and bring you your wallet you left on the counter."
So you feel an utter fool and as you reach out to take it he says, "O, and there's one other thing.
They had a drawing this morning for the sweepstakes you registered for at the motel last night and you won a free trip for two to Miami if you phone in your acceptance by noon today."
God is not only our Good Shepherd, nor only our lavish Host; He is also a Highway Patrolman pursuing you with goodness and mercy every day of your life and He is fast.
Let’s stretch out this analogy as we cover the rest of verse 6.
Just when you are breathing easy, the officer says, "You are under arrest now, you will have to come with me."
So you leave your crummy little car and get in the back of his patrol car and head off, but he doesn't say where to.
Soon you realize that he is not heading for the courthouse but into the country. When he turns into a magnificent estate through a huge gate and drives under two-hundred year old oak trees to a beautiful old mansion,
you ask, "Where in the world are we?"
And he says, "This is my place and I would like you to live with me. That is your bungalow down by the river among the willows. It's free. I'm going to go get your wife and family. Hopefully they won't try to run away, too."
Wrap Up
So when David writes in verse 6, "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." It’s for His Name Sake that we live and move and have our being hin him (Acts )
However, the problem with that story is that it focuses too much on the house and grounds.
David's great love is for the Lord Himself, not what the Lord can give.
David would consider it the height of fulfillment to dwell in God's house even if it were a tenement in the slums of Chicago.
What counts is being with God. He says in
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
So the whole Psalm leads me to God Himself as the fulfillment of all my longings.
Do you feel drawn in with David?
Not so much to
love the green pastures but the Good Shepherd?,
not so much to love the lavish banquet but the bountiful Host? and
not so much to love the trip to Miami or the bungalow but to love the Highway Patrolman?
Response & Prayer
If the pace of our lives has grown so loud that we can no longer see the tenderness in our Father’s eyes…
If our days are so full that our hearts have grown dull to His whisper…
If we sense that we are not fully awake, not fully willing to step out in holy boldness—
Perhaps today the Spirit is gently, urgently calling:
“Come. Let Me lead you. Let Me restore you. Let Me comfort you. Turn back to the Great Shepherd.”
Would you trust Father to guide you to still waters that truly refresh your weary soul?
Would you allow Him to lead you along paths of goodness—for His Name’s sake—not so you may appear righteous, but so your life may quietly honor Him?
Would you let Him pursue you—follow close behind you—with goodness and mercy, even when you feel undeserving?
What if love required a change of rhythm?
What if devotion meant moving your whole life nearer to the Shepherd—choosing to dwell with Him daily—not out of duty, but because you love Him… because He first loved you?
Then let us respond!
Let us build sacred margins into our crowded lives—not only for ourselves, but for our families, our friends, and for our God.
Let us slow down long enough to see Father’s heart—and then courageously align ours with His.
Let us decide now to wake up—truly wake up—to the Spirit’s leading.
Call on Him moment by moment, until turning to Him becomes your first response, not your last resort.
How can we respond to His voice if we have not prepared room to hear it?
Some people, some places, some habits may need to change.
God’s Word must rise to its rightful place—the highest priority in our hearts.
Yes, Boldness will come—but it blossoms only where the Holy Spirit is given space to rule and reign.
Give Him room.
In every corner.
In every decision.
In every quiet place you have kept closed.
There is no greater awakening than surrender.
Prayer
Father, we confess that busyness has often drowned out Your voice. We have filled our days but left little room for You. Forgive us. Awaken our hearts again. Lead us back to still waters. Restore what hurry has stolen. Teach us to love You not just in word, but in reordered lives. Give us courage to change what must be changed. Make Your Spirit our first response. Shepherd us closely, and let goodness and mercy follow us as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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ME 2-23-26 AM
Outline:
“I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You” — Hebrews 13:5
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”*
I. God’s Promises Are for All Believers
A. No promise is meant for only one person
B. When God blesses one, He reveals His heart toward all
C. Illustrations:
An opened well — all may drink
An opened storehouse — all who hunger may eat
II. Every Promise Belongs to Every Child of God
A. Originally spoken to individuals (e.g., Abraham, Moses)
B. Now belonging to all who are God’s people
C. No blessing too high, no mercy too wide
III. The Full Scope of God’s Provision
A. Look in every direction — all is yours in Christ
B. Every stream of living water available
C. Every sweet and sustaining grace freely given
D. Call to bold faith — dare to believe
IV. The Promise Contains Everything
A. “I will never leave you” — God Himself is with us
B. Every attribute of God engaged for our good:
1. His power strengthens
2. His love surrounds
3. His faithfulness secures
4. His wisdom guides
5. His mercy sustains
V. The Promise Covers All of Life and Eternity
A. Nothing we need is outside this promise
B. Nothing in life
C. Nothing in death
D. Nothing in this world or the next
E. Nothing now or at the resurrection
F. Nothing in heaven beyond what is contained in this assurance
Conclusion:
In this one promise — “I will never leave you nor forsake you” — God gives His people everything.
ME 2-25-26 AM
(I rewrote via ChatCPT then moved paragraphs to fit a little different flow for a possible sermon)
Imagine standing outside as a massive storm approaches. The sky darkens. The wind shifts. Animals grow restless. The air feels heavy. You know something powerful and dangerous is coming — but it hasn’t hit yet.
The waiting is terrifying.
So where can anyone hide?
There is only one safe place: Jesus.
He is the shelter from the coming storm. He took the judgment so that all who trust Him would never face it themselves.
After a violent storm passes, everything feels clean and calm. The air smells fresh. The sky is clear. Sunlight catches the leftover raindrops and makes them sparkle. There’s a deep sense of relief — the worst is over.
That’s what it means to belong to Christ.
For the Christian, the storm of God’s judgment has already fallen — because it fell on Jesus, not on them.
At the cross, He absorbed what we deserved. So when believers face hardship now, it isn’t punishment meant to destroy them. It’s not wrath.
Any sorrow that touches their lives comes through God’s mercy and love.
The storm has passed. What remains is grace.
If you know your need of Him, don’t wait.
Come to Him.
Trust Him.
Rest your whole hope on Him.
And when you do, the storm will never fall on you — because it already fell on Him.
2-26-26
“Salvation is of the Lord.” — Jonah 2:9
Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. He is the one who brings life to a heart that was spiritually dead, and He is the one who keeps that life alive and growing. He is the Alpha and the Omega—the start and the finish.
If I feel moved to pray, it’s because God stirred my heart. If I have patience, faith, or love, those are gifts from Him. If I keep walking faithfully day after day, it’s because He is holding me steady. I don’t sustain my own spiritual life—God works in me first, and only then can I respond.
Any good in me comes from the Lord alone. My sin belongs to me. But any right desire, right action, or victory over temptation—that comes entirely from Him. If I resist spiritual attack, it’s because God gave me strength. If my life reflects devotion, it is Christ living in me.
I don’t make myself holy; God’s Spirit shapes and changes me. If I become less attached to the world, it’s because God lovingly disciplines and redirects my heart. If I grow in understanding, it’s because the ultimate Teacher is guiding me.
Every spiritual blessing I have has been crafted by God’s hand. When I look within myself, I see weakness and need. When I look to God, I find everything. He alone is my rock and my salvation.
Even when I read Scripture, it only nourishes me because God makes it come alive in my heart. The true bread from heaven is Jesus Himself. Every bit of strength I receive comes from Him. Apart from Jesus, I can do nothing. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine, I cannot bear spiritual fruit unless I remain in Him.
Jonah learned this in the depths of the sea. May I learn it today, in the quiet place of prayer:
Salvation is of the Lord.
ME 2-27-26 AM
“Thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation.” — Psalm 91:9
The people of Israelites in the wilderness lived with constant change. When the pillar of cloud stopped, they set up their tents. But often, before the next sunrise, the trumpet would sound, the ark would move, and the fiery cloud would lead them on—through mountain passes, up steep hills, across dry desert ground.
They barely had time to rest before the call came: “Move on. This is not your final home. Keep going toward Canaan.” They were never settled for long. Not even refreshing wells or shady palm trees could make them stay.
And yet, they *did* have a permanent home. God Himself was their shelter. The cloud above them was like a roof. The fire at night was like a hearth. Everything around them changed—but the Lord did not. As Moses said, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”
For the Christian today, life is just as changeable. You may feel secure today and uncertain tomorrow. Healthy now, struggling later. Joyful in one season, discouraged in the next. Finances shift. Relationships shift. Emotions shift.
But God does not shift.
If He loved you yesterday, He loves you today. If He called you His child before, He calls you His child now. Your circumstances may change, but your relationship with Him does not.
When dreams fade, when plans fall apart, when joy feels fragile—you have not lost what matters most. God remains your safe place. You can return to Him again and again.
We are travelers in this world. Nothing here is truly permanent. But in God, we are already home.
On earth, we may feel unsettled.
In Him, we dwell in peace.
ME 2-28-26 AM
“My expectation is from him.” — Psalm 62:5
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
This is a powerful thing for a believer to say. If you’re expecting your security, peace, or fulfillment to come from the world, you’ll be disappointed. The world can’t carry that weight. But when you look to God to meet your needs—whether practical, everyday needs or deep spiritual ones—you won’t be let down.
You can keep going back to him. Over and over. His resources don’t run dry. His love doesn’t run thin. I would rather trust God with my life than depend on the wealthiest, most powerful people on earth. God never breaks a promise. When we bring his promises back to him in prayer, he doesn’t ignore us. So we wait at his door—because his door always opens with generous grace.
And our hope doesn’t stop with this life.
One day we will face death. Even then, our expectation is still from him. When our strength fades and our last breath comes, we trust that we won’t be alone. We believe he will carry us safely home. As we reach heaven’s gates, we expect a welcome—not rejection. We look forward to joy, glory, and being in the presence of Christ. We hold on to the promise: “We shall see him as he is.”
If this is your expectation, then live like it. Live for the God who provides everything you truly need. Let your life reflect gratitude and trust. Every hope you have—now and forever—rests on his grace: the grace that chose you, redeemed you, called you, and will one day bring you home in glory.
ME 2-29-26 AM
“I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” — Book of Jeremiah 31:3
Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
Fear, rules, and warnings can push us toward God—but they’re not what truly change us. What really wins our hearts is love.
Think about the story Jesus told in the Gospel of Luke about the prodigal son. The son headed home because he was desperate and out of options. But before he even made it all the way back, his father saw him from a distance, ran to him, and embraced him. By the time the son reached the house, he was already wrapped in love. The final steps weren’t driven by fear—they were carried by grace.
Rules and threats alone can make people stubborn. But when someone truly understands forgiveness that was paid for at a great cost, even the hardest heart begins to soften.
It’s like this: One night, the Master knocked on a man’s door with the heavy, pounding knock of the law. The door rattled, and the man shoved furniture against it, determined not to let Him in. Later, the Master returned and knocked again—this time gently, with the scarred hand that had once been pierced. The knock was soft, tender, patient. And strangely, the door opened. The man who once resisted now fell to his knees, overwhelmed. “Come in,” he said. “Your love has broken through.”
That’s how it always works. What commands and stone tablets could never accomplish, Christ accomplishes through sacrificial love. Love wins.
The question is personal: Have I felt that kind of drawing in my own life? Can I say, “He drew me, and I followed”? If so, may He keep drawing me—closer and closer—until the day I sit down at the great celebration with Him forever.
