journeyfirstnlr's Podcast

How can we stop judging ourselves- Panel Discussion 1.31.24

J-Fam tonight we unpacked what we can to when we judge ourselves or how we can stop judging ourselves? Powerful night of group collaboration!!

Community Week 2 - Living Community 1.10.24

Hey J-Fam!

This week, we delved into the essence of "Living Community" as we continued our series. Acts 2:42-47 guided our discussions, revealing the power and importance of being part of a community. Let's break it down:

🔑 Find Commonality: 1 Cor. 1:10 teaches us to find unity and connection through shared interests.

🔑 Initiate, don't wait: In 1 John 1:7, we're encouraged to actively approach others and foster meaningful connections.

🔑 Actively Approach, Don't Judge: Gal. 6:1-3 prompts us to approach others with love and compassion, letting go of judgment.

🔑 Unified by a Common Goal: Romans 12:4-5 reminds us that diversity is beautiful as long as we share the same purpose.

🔑 Empathy and Solutions: Romans 12:15-16 urges us to support one another and work together to find solutions.

🔑 Be a Blessing: Hebrews 10:23-25 inspires us to uplift and bless each other, fostering an atmosphere of encouragement.

🔑 Authentic Love: 1 Peter 4:8-10 shows us that genuine love is the greatest gift we can give to others.

So, you may wonder, "Why community?" And we say, "Why not?" Embrace the power of community and experience the blessings and growth it brings.

Let's continue this incredible journey together, supporting, uplifting, and inspiring one another.

Community Series Part 1 - 1.3.24

Happy New Year, Journey Family! 

In this journey called life, we need each other more than ever! Community is the foundation that uplifts and inspires us. Together, we can achieve great things. Let's grow, connect, and support each other. Our new series is covering the importance of community and creating a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone is valued. Some questions for reflection include: Are you actively participating? Are you open to new friendships? Let's communicate our boundaries, protect our community, and work together to make it stronger! We're here for you. Let us grow together as the body of Christ. 

Panel Discussion 12.6.23

Tonight's panel discussion provided valuable insights and guidance on how to navigate this journey. Together, we explored the importance of intentional time with God and how it can help us build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. Let's continue to support one another on this beautiful journey of spiritual growth.

Love Thy Neighbor 11.15.23

Hey J-Fam, We continued our Love Thy Neighbor series, which covered loving our neighbor by being friendly and polite. It involves actively looking out for their well-being and taking steps to meet their needs. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can make a big difference in the lives of others. Using kind words, being patient with others' flaws, sharing their joys and sorrows, and forgiving them are all essential aspects of loving our neighbors. We also learned the importance of walking in boldness and confidence in our identity in Christ. By showing grace, patience, and love to others, we can make a positive impact on those around us and show them the same kindness that we would want to receive and that God calls us to deliver. We discuss the above and much more.

Love Thy Neighbor: What Does Love in Action Look Like? 11.8.23

Hey there, incredible J-Fam!

In our ongoing series, "Love Thy Neighbor: What Does Love in Action Look Like?", we took a moment to recap last week's lesson by diving into Matthew 22:34-40 and Leviticus 19:18. We were reminded that everyone, yes everyone, is our neighbor!

Being a good neighbor means going above and beyond, even if it requires sacrifice. It's not about pride or boasting but about obedience to God's call. We explored the importance of self-love and self-care, recognizing that we need to invest time in the Word and prioritize our well-being in all areas of life—physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Remember, we pour out from a cup full of Christ's love, not an empty vessel. 

Let's not forget that our families and coworkers are our neighbors, too. We must be genuine in our love for them, praying for them, and representing Christ wholeheartedly. Setting healthy boundaries and measurable goals, we strive to become better than yesterday. And as we reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, let's examine if our love aligns with this beautiful scripture.

Together, we confessed that we can fall into the trap of showing conditional love and using the word "love" too lightly in our everyday conversations. Love is demonstrated through action, doing things out of the goodness of our hearts. It's a conscious choice and requires effort. We experience this profound love in our relationship with God, which empowers us to extend it to others. 

As we continue to grow in God's love, here are six ways to Show God's Love on Purpose: Be Kind, Be Hospitable, Be a Listener, Be Honest, Be in Prayer, and Be Intentional. Let's put in the work to love people, not to earn their love. Love is seen in the time we invest, and we are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.

This week, let's embrace the challenge: How can we be better neighbors? Let's take small moments, offer gestures of kindness, or engage in meaningful conversations encouraging and pointing others to God. Remember, it's about representing Him and showing His love to those around us. Let's make a positive impact—one intentional act of love at a time. 

You can hear the whole lesson in the video below or on the podcast. You can always catch up on any series on Facebook or Podcast.  

Love you all! Hope to see you next week! 

Love Thy Neighbor Week 1- 11.1.23

Hey J-Fam!

In our new series, "Love Thy Neighbor," we delved into scriptures that spoke to our hearts: Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-15, and James 2:8-10. These passages reminded us of the importance of loving others as ourselves.

We had an insightful discussion on the blocks that hinder our path to loving our neighbors fully. We discovered that self-care and acceptance are crucial in order to have the capacity to love others. As we journey towards healing, we also explored the importance of releasing the hurts caused to our loved ones. Remember, the person who hurt your loved one is also your neighbor. Let's choose patience and extend grace towards them. 

As we dive deeper into self-love, let's reflect on its true meaning in our own lives. Are we practicing self-love? Are there any neighbors we struggle to love? It's time to surrender them to God and seek repentance. Together, let's become better neighbors by making a plan and putting it into action in the coming week. 

Be encouraged, J-Fam! By embracing self-love, extending grace, and surrendering to God, we can become beacons of love and compassion in our communities. Let's support one another on this transformative journey of love and make a positive impact on those around us. 

Romans 15:1-6 10.25.23

Hey J-Fam,

Tonight, we wrapped up our incredible journey through Romans. We had an amazing discussion about unity and maturity, inspired by Romans 15:1-6. We explored the importance of resetting, rebuilding, and decluttering our foundation (our relationship with God—centered on His life-transforming Word). We delved into the beautiful tension between trusting, surrendering, and depending on God, acknowledging our need for His grace, forgiveness, and patience—for both ourselves and others. 

 

We discovered that God desires our willingness, openness, vulnerability, and obedience. He longs for us to prioritize Him above all else in our lives so that we can experience His promises and embrace His everlasting peace. 

 

Guess what? Next week, we kick off an exciting new series: "Love Thy Neighbor"!  Get ready for insightful discussions on how we can show love in action and make a positive impact in the lives of those around us. Let's go beyond words and let our love shine through our every action! 

 

Stay tuned, J-Fam, as we embark on this beautiful journey together. May God continue to guide us and empower us to be vessels of His transformative love. 

Romans 12:1-21- 10.18.23

🌟 Hey J-Fam! ✨ In our study of Romans 12, we were reminded to surrender our minds to the incredible power of God's Word. Let's be honest with ourselves and vulnerable with God, never losing sight of His amazing mission to bring salvation to all. Our emotions don't have to control us; instead, let's focus on our unique position in the body of Christ, knowing that every role is significant. We need one another, and genuine love for each other is the secret sauce. By obediently serving where God has called us, we play a crucial part in His grand plan for others' salvation. Remember, it's not just about reaching the destination; the journey along the way is just as meaningful. Unconditional love, like the love God showered upon us, requires commitment and may even take us out of our comfort zones. But guess what? God is right there with us, our faithful companion who never leaves our side. The cross was the ultimate act of minimal service, and we are called to emulate Jesus' sacrificial love by laying down everything for others, just as He did. Friends, when we rejoice and operate in our confident hope in Christ, we become an unstoppable force! Let's continually renew our minds and abide in God's presence. His plans for us are good and perfect, and His love surpasses any circumstance, bad day, or struggle. Let's expand our view of love and let God's limitless love radiate through us. You are loved, chosen, and destined for greatness! 

Romans 8:18-39 -10.11.23

Hey J-Fam,

We had a fantastic discussion tonight as we continued our journey through Romans and explored the beautiful verses of Romans 8:18-39. We were reminded of the incredible freedom, peace, and hope we have in Christ, even in the midst of trials. Our thoughts have the power to shape our feelings and actions, so let's keep our minds set on eternity and not miss out on all that God is doing. Small moments can ignite faith in Jesus, even on our days. The Word of God is our guiding light, renewing our minds and bringing His promises to our remembrance. We find strength and comfort through prayer, abiding in Him, and resting in His presence. Be encouraged today, and remember that you are never alone; God has a beautiful plan for your life. ❤️🙏 Join us next week as we continue our exploration of Romans. You are loved!