What if devotion is the key to clarity? In Week 2 of our series Finishing Well, we dive into the power of prayer and fasting and how true devotion clears the path to hear from God. Using Daniel 10 as our foundation, this message reminds us that we don’t drift into devotion—we decide it. Too often, our default response is panic instead of prayer. But when prayer becomes a practice, not just a reaction, God begins to cut through the noise of our lives and reveal His direction, purpose, and plan. During our 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, we’re re-centering our lives on the One who helps us not just start well—but finish well. In this message, you’ll discover: - Why devotion brings clarity and vision - How prayer and fasting help us hear God’s voice - The unseen spiritual battle connected to our prayers - Why God always hears our prayers—even when the answer looks different - How devotion clears the noise so we don’t miss what God is doing If you’re seeking direction, breakthrough, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you.

Devotion determines direction. The question for all of us is a simple one: Who — or what — has your devotion today? None of us will ever “drift” into godliness by accident. None of us will ever “drift” into what we’re called to. You train for it. You take intentional steps toward it. We all want to start well, and there is nothing wrong with that. But starters are a dime a dozen. Finishers are one in a million. How can we truly finish what we’ve started? The story of Solomon is one we can all learn from. Solomon started well, but how did he finish? Just like Solomon, we all have choices to make every day. This message will equip you to make decisions — intentional decisions — that will show your devotion is to God and not yourself.

As a new year begins, many of us step forward with hope, goals, and good intentions — but staying faithful for the long haul can be harder than starting strong. This message takes a look at what it means to build a faith that endures, using Hebrews 12 to remind us that following Jesus requires focus, intentionality, and perseverance. Scripture shows us that endurance isn’t about trying harder, but about fixing our eyes on Jesus and laying aside anything that competes for our attention. Our prayer is that this message would encourage you to step into the year ahead with a faith that lasts, a focus on Christ, and a commitment to finish well.

You don’t have to meet God’s perfect standard, because Jesus already did. God’s expectation is perfection, and sometimes we heap that expectation on ourselves instead of receiving the gift of grace. There is only one who can ever achieve perfection, and he took your place on the cross. The story of Christmas is one of a Savior who didn’t meet expectations for a lot of people. Maybe you can relate to that today. But the reason why Jesus didn’t meet the expectations of man is because he fulfilled the will of God. Jesus came to earth not to satisfy our wants, but to give us all we need! God’s will is that none would be left out of resurrection life, and that’s our invitation to you today. Receive the gift of grace that comes through Jesus Christ, and him alone! Merry Christmas!

When God saved YOU, he had someone else in mind. Faith that responds doesn’t just impact you, it impacts others. Salvation was never meant to be just a ticket to get us into the Kingdom of heaven, but an invitation to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Rahab’s story is a perfect example of exactly what can happen when you hear the truth, but don’t miss the miracle. You can hear the truth and still miss the miracle. It’s responding to the truth that truly transforms you and impacts those around you! If you have been feeling stagnant in your faith and need to be challenged today, this message is for you!

God chooses the people nobody else would have chosen to be part of the greatest story ever told: The birth of his Son, Jesus. This message takes a look at the story of Ruth, her incredible faith, and the way God opened doors for her to ultimately be part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Ruth sets an example of committing wholeheartedly. When it comes to our circumstances and situations we face in this life, we can either complain about where we’re at (or where we’ve been), or we can commit to where God is calling us. Our prayer is that this message would encourage you to fully commit to what God has called you to. Not because you’re qualified, but because you’re INVITED!

God doesn’t CANCEL broken people, he CHOOSES them…and then He USES them. Your past doesn’t disqualify you from taking part in the miracles of God. God wants to use you in your brokenness and regret. He uses broken people to reach broken people. If we all wait until we feel “perfect”, we’ll likely never step into our purpose. God can do miraculous things with a repentant heart. The story of David and Bathsheba is where we kick off our new Christmas series, and how Jesus is born through a lineage of what the world would have called hopeless. If you’re feeling hopeless today, or like you’re too far gone for God to reach, this message is for you!

What do we do when we believe that God is a God of immeasurably more, but our life’s circumstances feel like immeasurably less? We don’t worship God because He gives us what we WANT, we worship God because He’s everything we need. David set such a great example of what this looks like, to worship in the midst of tragic circumstances. It’s easy to let our situations cause us to doubt the goodness of God, but he is faithful, he hasn’t left you, and he hasn’t forsaken you! Our prayer is that this message would encourage you to get desperate for God in every season of life, whether your circumstances are great or not!

God doesn’t call us to be members of the church, but to be owners of the mission. We are called to advance the church, not just attend. When we are owners instead of members, we invest in what God is doing. Every time you give, serve, share your story…you are INVESTING in the Kingdom of God. God expects us to take responsibility with his resources. He’s entrusted all of us with something, but what will we do with it? The story in Matthew 25 gives us a great picture of God’s heart behind what it means to invest in His Kingdom.

We give to what we value. Where your treasure goes is where your heart flows. We don’t give out of obligation, but because God loves us. It’s always about our heart. He wants our whole heart. This message is all about realizing that what we “own” is on loan. The earth and everything in it belongs to God. What do we do with what he’s entrusted us with? Why do we give to the church? What does tithing even mean? This message will not only cast vision about the direction of Meadows Church, but clarify what God’s word says when it comes to giving to the church and how we can all be part of building God’s kingdom.

God deserves our first and our best, not what’s left. Living with firstfruit faith means trusting God first with our time, priorities, and resources. When we give Him our best, He blesses the rest. It’s not about what we give—it’s about who we trust.

FAITH = ACTION If we want God's blessings in our future, we must be faithful today. God has placed seeds in our hands, our GIFTS, TIME, and MONEY -- but if we hold onto them tightly, they'll never grow. When we sow with a generous heart, God promises to multiply our seed and increase our harvest. Anything done for God's Kingdom must come from the heart -- that's where lasting impact begins. Trust Him with what you have, and watch Him do more than you could imagine.

Your VISION should be IMPOSSIBLE without God's POWER Are you hesitant that what you're doing is what God wants? There are a few questions that can help answer that question honestly: -Have you talked to Him? -Have you fasted? -Have you waited on the Lord in solitude? -Have you cleaned up any sinful patterns? -Have you weeded out distractions that would prevent you from hearing God? What God has called you to do is not possible without Him. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to change the way we think,, transforming us from the inside out.

Have questions about faith, anxiety, or therapy? You’re not alone. This Sunday we’re sitting down with mental health professionals to have an honest conversation about the questions that matter most as we close out our series Hope For Mental Health.

If we want God’s PEACE, we need to practice God's WORD. When you WORRY, replace it with PRAYER. 1. Tell God what you need 2. Thank Him for all He's done! Sometimes, we just need a starting point. Prayer and being in the Word of God are essential to finding peace in all situations and circumstances!

We all make plans for our lives… dreams of who we’ll be and what we’ll do. But sometimes, life doesn’t go the way we pictured. Mental illness, addiction, or brokenness can leave us feeling helpless and far from hope. The good news? God meets us right there. We don’t get stronger by pretending we’re fine. We get stronger by depending on Him. As we celebrate eight years of God’s faithfulness and the lives changed through baptism, we’re reminded that healing and new beginnings are possible for anyone who turns to Jesus. There’s hope for every story, and strength to be found in surrender.

Sometimes a breaking point is God’s building point. How can we be there for those who are at their breaking point? When you know someone going through a tragedy or a difficult time in life, your presence matters most. We see a great example of this through the story of Job and his three friends, who also help show us what NOT to do when someone we love is going through a hard time. Care is rarely convenient, but your presence says more than your words. And when the time is right, God will give you the words to say!

Your limits are an invitation to receive God’s care. Only God knows our deepest needs. Many times when it comes to our mental health, we’re the most vulnerable after a great victory or before a big breakthrough. Only God can meet your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. Only through Jesus can we truly “defeat” the things we can’t define. Even the strongest, most faith-filled people have limits. Even the most resilient people have breaking points. Where do we turn in our time of need? We need to learn to run to Jesus!

Humility opens the door for healing. Sometimes the hardest part about struggling mentally is opening up to someone. But there is healing on the other side of humility. There is no shame or condemnation in Christ. He meets us where we are at. It’s okay to not be okay, but through Jesus, we don’t have to stay that way! Today’s message — with a special guest — is about taking a step of humility and the healing power that follows.

Fear asks, “WHAT IF?” Faith says, “GOD IS!” It can be easy to listen to fear. We fear the worst instead of assuming the best. We struggle with the constant need to please people instead of pleasing God. Here’s a new “What if?” for you: What if you were to say YES to what God offers you? What if you were to walk in obedience and trust him no matter what? This message will give you steps to doing that TODAY!