Monday Moments 6r1r2g

Series: Core Christianity Speaker: Pastor James Gallaher In This Episode: The laying on of hands isn’t just for pastors. It’s a core part of how the Church functions—with healing, blessing, affirmation, and commissioning. But somewhere along the way, we outsourced it to the “professionals.” This message reclaims the simplicity, humility, and spiritual power of this biblical act—calling every believer to be the hands of Jesus in a world desperate for a touch from the Father. Main Idea: The laying on of hands isn’t mystical—it’s foundational. It’s how we bless, heal, restore, and affirm one another in the name of Jesus. Key Themes: The biblical pattern of laying on hands Blessing, healing, commissioning, and affirmation Why Jesus made this part of His ministry Barriers that keep us from engaging (pride, pain, fear, busyness) How to begin walking in this call as a follower of Christ Scripture References: Hebrews 6:1–2 Luke 4:40 Matthew 19:13–15 Acts 6:6; 13:2–3 Mark 10:16 1 Timothy 4:14 Numbers 27:18–23

Series: Core Christianity – Part 4 Speaker: Pastor Daniel In This Episode: It’s possible to believe the right things and still not follow Jesus. Why? Because we don’t follow what we know—we follow what we love. In this message, Pastor Daniel challenges us to examine our deepest affections. From Peter’s reinstatement to the story of the prodigal son, we see that love determines direction. If we don’t love Jesus most, we’ll always struggle to follow Him fully. Key Themes: Loving Jesus as the foundation of discipleship How misplaced love leads to compromise or drift Repentance as a redirection of love Belief vs. affection: why knowledge isn't enough Reflection Questions: What competes for your love more than Jesus? Are you a believer or a follower—and how can you tell? How can you return to your first love this week? Scripture References: John 21:15–19 Matthew 10:37–39 Luke 15 (Prodigal Son) Mark 10 (Rich Young Ruler) 1 Corinthians 13:2 Romans 1:25

Series: Core Christianity – Part 3 Speaker: Pastor Dennis Gallaher In This Episode: Worship isn’t a genre. It’s a calling. In Part 3 of Core Christianity, we revisit one of the most essential—but misunderstood—foundations of our faith: worship. Through the story of Isaac in Genesis 26 and the Old Testament tabernacle model, we discover that worship is what we were made for. Learn how to restore what’s been buried, realign your heart, and reconnect with God through authentic, Spirit-filled worship. Key Themes: Worship as a foundational calling, not a preference The danger of “barnyard worship” (outer court) and the invitation into the Holy of Holies Why the Old Testament tabernacle still matters today The personal and collective need to redig the wells of worship Reflection Questions: Where in my life has worship become casual or compromised? What “rubble” do I need to clear out to make room for deeper worship? Do I see myself as the temple of God — and live like it? Scriptures Referenced: Hebrews 6:1 Genesis 26:1–25 Exodus 25 Psalm 95, 102, 150 Isaiah 43:21 1 Corinthians 6:19 John 4:24

Why do we keep confessing the same sin over and over — but never seem to change? In this powerful episode from our Core Christianity series, we unpack Hebrews 6 and examine what true repentance really means. Most of us know how to apologize to God. But confession without repentance just leads to more of the same. Real change comes not from trying harder, but from turning to God with a broken and contrite heart. Whether you're stuck in a cycle of sin, discouraged by your lack of growth, or just hungry for more, this message will challenge and equip you to build your life on a solid foundation of repentance.

Is your faith growing — or stuck? In this powerful first episode of the Core Christianity series, we explore why many Christians remain spiritually immature and how forgiveness is the cornerstone that allows believers to grow into Christlikeness. Drawing from Hebrews 5 and 6, we confront the temptation to soften the gospel to fit cultural expectations and highlight why understanding and practicing forgiveness is non-negotiable for true discipleship. Whether you’ve struggled with forgiving others, yourself, or even God, this episode will help you embrace the freedom Jesus offers.

Have you ever felt like God was absent when hope was slipping away? Today, we’re talking about how Jesus restores our hope — even when we don't see Him right beside us.

What if the thing you've been chasing your whole life—success, approval, control—isn’t what your heart actually needs?

What if the key to your spiritual growth isn’t addition—but subtraction? In this message, we explore John 15:2, where Jesus teaches that God prunes every branch that bears fruit so it can bear even more. That pruning process is painful—it costs more than we expect. But what we let go of in obedience makes room for a legacy that outlives us.

Episode 128: Why Striving Fails: How True Humility Leads to Lasting Impact We all want to make a difference, but what if our striving is getting in the way? The key to a lasting impact isn’t working harder—it’s becoming more humble. In this episode, we explore how true humility, rooted in experiencing God’s love, naturally leads to a life of sacrifice, service, and discipleship. When we empty ourselves of pride, striving, and insecurity—just as Jesus modeled in Philippians 2 and John 13—we step into the kind of leadership that truly changes lives.

Nobody likes to fail — it’s one of our greatest fears. Yet, in our broken world, failure is also one of our most common experiences. At some point, we all stumble — whether it’s in a new job, a moral struggle, a friendship, marriage, or raising our kids. And when we fail, it can feel heavy, even final. We start to wear it as a label: bad parent, bad spouse, bad employee, bad Christian. But what if failure isn’t the end of your story? What if it’s the very step leading to your next breakthrough?

Hopelessness is a burden. There’s nothing like feeling the wind completely taken out of your sails. We all go through times when it feels like there’s no movement, but to feel that you will never again feel joy about life or look forward to tomorrow is a bleak and overwhelming heaviness. When these times come, what is your response? Do you remain stuck? Do you look to someone else to get you through it? Do you look to politics or material things to ease the burden? Or do you look to the only true source of hope, even though it doesn’t always make sense? The truth is that real, biblical hope that offers a relief from the heaviness of despair is found in Jesus alone.

Have you ever taken a look at your life and wondered how in the world God can transform you? We all experience that at some point or another in our lives. What can be particularly discouraging is not understanding how God changes us and how to recognize when He’s actually at work. We feel stuck and helpless. The good news is that God has made it very clear how He makes all things new. The question is whether or not we’re going to trust His process and His tools.

Details Matter

Are you struggling to make sense of what seems like the random circumstances of your life? Stick around for today’s episode of Monday Moments!

Life is full of trouble. Unfortunately it’s a matter of time before we each experience something really difficult, and probably life-changing. Whether it’s because something was done to us or it’s because of our own choices isn’t the point. The point is that even though trouble feels horrible while we’re in it and it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t have to become our identity. In fact, when we trust God to do what He does best, we find that God redeems all these moments and somehow works it all out for His glory and our good. The result isn’t an improved version of ourselves, but a different creation entirely. The best part is that this benefit isn’t just for us but for the generations who will come after us.

The word covenant may not mean much to most people these days. It can sound like an antiquated church word that lost its meaning over the years. The truth is that covenants play a pivotal role in Scripture and in our relationship with God. Simply put, when we do life God’s ways, we receive His blessings. The reason is because God chose covenants to be the way He shows His love, His plans, and His commitment to us, even if we fail. That’s what makes it so important. Without God’s commitment and God’s ways, we are left insecure in our relationship and our path through life.

The illustration of sowing and reaping is one of almost infinite parallels with life in Christ. Discipleship begins with God’s Word being the seed that is planted in our souls and bearing the fruit of salvation. The great news is that it doesn’t stop there. Being a disciple means that we are becoming more like the one we’re following. The problem is that we are incapable of doing that on our own. Our hearts are often hard and inhospitable to the upside down Kingdom of Jesus. How then can we be “successful” as disciples, becoming more like Jesus and doing the work He’s giving us to do? It may not be as complicated as we often think.

Have you ever wrestled with God, or have you simply resolved to figure it out on your own? Life isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always clear. There are a lot of “good” things we can do in this life. But is it what God has asked you to do? If we say we are surrendered to Jesus, we should do what He is asking us to do, not what we think is best, and not what someone else thinks. The answer to leading a directed, intentional, and power-filled life is to remain connected to Him always. Jesus doesn’t tell us to remain connected to Him only on Sundays. The call is to remain connected to Him always. When we are disconnected, we can do nothing. The good news is that when we remain connected, our definition of success shifts to God’s Presence rather than what we can produce.

Many of us have an understanding, however deep or shallow, of priests. It’s a term that paints a specific picture in our modern understanding, but one that has a very deep and important meaning that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, Melchizedek, Aaron, and eventually Jesus. But what value does “priesthood” have on the other side of Jesus’ death and resurrection? In the book of 1 Peter, we are called “a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9),” which suggests that the idea of priests, who have access to God and represent Him to the people, was God’s idea from the beginning and is still important today. The truth is that access to God is no longer reserved for a specific group of people, socio-economic demographic, age, or gender. Access to God is now open to all people, and we can now go out into all the world and be salt and light. And today, church isn’t just something we attend, it’s part of who we are. We all now have a calling whether it’s in your job, your family, your marriage, your church, or wherever the Lord tells you to go, and that calling determines how we live.

If you’ve ever wondered what we’re here for, you’re not alone. Discovering your purpose in life is a universal experience. We all go through it at one time or another. The world is going to try and define it in a number of ways. It might sound like career success, financial abundance, material possessions, popularity, or any other number of circumstances that, on the surface, look good. Certainly those might be blessings from the Lord, but it’s not the ultimate goal. If that’s what our eyes are set on, we will go through life sorely unfulfilled. Jesus made it very clear that we are to go into all the world and make disciples and to baptize. No matter who you are, what your life experiences are, or what your level of education is, God has a purpose for your life that has eternal significance. Are you willing to pursue it and say “no” to the empty promises of the world?