Live Free with Josh Howerton

King Xerxes released a second decree allowing the Jewish people to defend themselves and they soundly defeated their enemies. All throughout this story, God was working behind the scenes to place the right people in the right place at the right time. God is also at work in your life and is the ultimate Hero in your story. Where do you see Him working this week?

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Esther finally revealed her Jewish heritage to the king and begged for the life of her people. Haman’s true nature is also revealed, which leads him to being hung on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. As we reflect on this story, pray and ask the Lord to help keep you humble and honest so that you honor Him in all that you do.

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In the middle of a sleepless night, King Xerxes was reminded of when Mordecai saved his life. The king asked Haman what he should do to honor someone. Because of his pride, Haman assumed the king wanted to honor him. How do you think he felt when he found out it was Mordecai? Listen in to hear how Haman was humbled while Mordecai was honored.

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Courage isn’t the absence of fear but moving ahead in spite of the fear. Esther courageously approached the king to invite him and Haman to a series of strategically planned banquets. Haman’s pride continued to grow along with his hatred of Mordecai, so he built a gallows to hang him. Something would have to give. Will it be Haman’s pride or Esther’s courage?

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Esther asked her people to pray for her as she prepared to approach the king. She had kept her identity a secret but was willing to lay it all on the line, including her own life, for them. The enemy wants us to submit to our fear, but God is bigger than anything we might face in our lives. We can trust Him no matter what we are going through. What fears do you need to hand over to God this week?

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God will always accomplish His plan and He invites us to be a part of the story. Esther had a choice to make. Would she try to keep herself safe or be courageous and speak up on behalf of her people? God gives all of us opportunities where we must decide whether or not we are going to trust Him. Where is He asking you to be brave today?

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Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, discovered a plot against the king and ultimately saved the king’s life. Haman, one of the king’s officials, hated Mordecai because he would never bow when Haman walked by. He didn’t want to just punish Mordecai but the entire Jewish population. He convinced the king to issue a decree declaring all Jews would be killed on a specific date. Who could rescue them? Was Esther made queen for such a time as this?

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Join us as we binge another story from the Old Testament: Esther. King Xerxes of Persia threw a party that lasted for months which ended in the banishment of the queen. Xerxes went on a hunt for a new queen and a beauty pageant was held with girls from all over the kingdom. Esther, a lowly Jewish girl, got swept up into the festivities and won the heart of the king. Tune in as Pastor Mike teaches through the story.

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We are all in need of God’s grace, but do you ever believe some people are more worthy of it than others? Jonah was thankful when God showed him mercy, but he was angry when He showed the same mercy to Nineveh. God’s grace gives all of us what we do not deserve, and that is not fair. Thank God today for not being fair with you.

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After Jonah was spat out of the fish, God gave him the exact same instructions: go to Nineveh. Jonah didn’t want to go to “those people” because Nineveh was the capital city of Israel’s violent enemies. But God loves even “those people” and will forgive anyone when they repent and turn to Him. No matter what you have done, come to God with a humble, repentant heart and He will forgive you.

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What do your prayers sound like when you feel like you are in the depths? Jonah cried out to God from the belly of the fish because he knew that salvation belonged only to the Lord. Listen in today to learn how to write your own prayer thanking God for how He has rescued you.

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Jonah’s attempt to escape God landed him in the belly of a big fish. It may have felt like punishment to Jonah, but that fish was God’s way of rescuing him. The three days Jonah spent in the fish point to a greater Rescuer, One who will always be with us when we feel like we’re in too deep.

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Are you a runner? Jonah was. Instead of going in the direction God called him to go, he ran the opposite way. No matter how fast we are or where we go, we can never hide from God… and that is a really good thing! Tune in today for the first episode of the Greatest Fish Story Ever Told.

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Anyone else feeling tired or worn out today? Pastor Carlos Erazo reminds us that Jesus calls all who are weary to come to Him for rest. Nothing we do can make Him love us more. He loves us for who He has created us to be. Therefore, we are free to follow God’s own example of Sabbath and rest in Him, so we can live devoted and not drained.

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It has been scientifically proven that loneliness is detrimental to our health. This is not a new revelation. In the very beginning, God said it is not good for humans to be alone. He calls us to be devoted, not disconnected from the believers around us. Join us today as Pastor Carlos Erazo talks about the value of deep relationship with others.

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How can we live devoted and not discouraged in a world full of bad news? Pastor Carlos Erazo reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we have an infinitely different perspective on circumstances than the rest of the world. Everything in this life, even the really hard situations, will be used by God for our good. This is a purpose filled promise for us that can help us live devoted every day.

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We are called to be devoted, not deformed. The world is trying to get us to conform to what it says is good, but which is ultimately broken. In contrast, God’s Word can transform us to be more like Jesus. Are you letting the world or the Word form you this week? Tune in as Pastor Carlos Erazo shares an impactful message.

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In today’s culture, our attention is the new currency. What has our attention has our devotion. Jesus calls us to be devoted to Him, not distracted. So how do we live devoted to Jesus in a world of distractions? Join us today with Pastor Carlos Erazo to hear why Jesus wants us to focus on His kingdom, not our own.

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God loves you. You! Do you believe that? He does. That’s why He gave His one and only Son. The words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus at night are true for us today. Jesus died for our sins and came back to life so we can be forgiven when we believe in Him. No matter who you are or what you have done, come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness.

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What are you willing to risk to be associated with Jesus? Nicodemus, the rule-keeping super-religious leader, laid it all on the line by publicly partaking in the burial of Jesus. When the other disciples fled, Nicodemus carefully tended to the body of our Savior who paid the ultimate price for our sins on the cross. Tune in today as Pastor Mike unpacks this story.

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Jesus wants to connect with people and help them understand His truth. With Nicodemus, Jesus points to well-known stories from the Old Testament and explains how He is the fulfillment of them all. As the truth took hold in his heart, Nicodemus transitioned from questioning Jesus at night to defending Him in broad daylight.

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Some of us approach God with walls up, thinking we know better. But He wants us to come to Him like Nicodemus did, with honest questions and an open heart. Small seeds of faith get planted when we recognize that Jesus speaks to our heads and our hearts. Listen for Him today.

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Does your mind spin with thoughts or anxiety when you’re trying to sleep? Nicodemus, a member of an exclusive first-century religious country club, approached Jesus at night with a series of questions. Jesus did not turn him away but listened and responded. Jesus wants us to come to Him with our thoughts, doubts, and wonderings, too. So the next time your mind races with questions at night, bring them to Jesus.

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John the Baptist faithfully spoke out in truth, but his courageous convictions earned him powerful enemies. On the surface, his death may look like a tragedy, but he lived with eternity in mind. May we live with our eyes on Jesus, boldly following His lead with the knowledge that we will spend eternity with Him.

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Have you ever had doubts about God? You are not alone. John the Baptist sat in prison and wrestled with doubts, too. He did what we all need to do when those questions come up: take them to Jesus. Let God and His Word speak to you in seasons of doubt so He can remind you of His good and perfect character.

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What does it take to be the G.O.A.T. in Jesus’ eyes? John the Baptist courageously said what needed to be said, but never took the credit for himself. John knew he had to decrease so Jesus could increase. How can you go low and respond with humility while lifting high the name of Jesus this week?

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From his birth, John the Baptist was called by God for a special mission and stood out from the world around him. Guess what… You are God’s limited edition, too! You were uniquely created by God on purpose and for a purpose. What is the one-of-a-kind calling God has for your life?

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Jesus came to show us what God is really like through His words and how He cared for others. We can learn even more about Him by looking at the lives of the real people who encountered Him face to face. Join us this week as Pastor Mike looks at the life of the one who Jesus said was the greatest man to ever live.

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We are more than conquerors! If that is true, why do we quit? We often forget what is true: nothing can come against us when we rest in the power of God. Are you ready? Do you choose to be resilient? Pastor Bianca Olthoff challenges us to embrace trials and hardships in the power available to you in Christ.

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Do you have a statement of Truth to stand on? Think through this exercise with us to inspire faith, resilience, and perseverance in listeners. This episode is not about promoting positive thinking but rather fostering biblical optimism deeply rooted in God's Word. Fight back the impulse to quit with the Truth of your call.

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How do we overcome adversity? By believing that pain has a purpose and adversity is an opportunity. Remind yourself of what is true! Look to the Apostle Paul, and his refusal to lose hope despite experiencing storms, shipwrecks, and snake bites. God is for our good even in the hard.

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As we continue our series on grit, Pastor Bianca Olthoff encourages us to change our perspective on challenges. Are they just obstacles or opportunities for growth and obedience? Develop resilience and stay committed to divine purpose, even in the face of resistance. In today's episode, learn how to rise to the challenge, confront challenges, and keep moving forward in their divine purpose.

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Do you want a do-over? Are you having a hard time pushing through? What creates grit and perseverance? In today’s episode, Pastor Bianca Olthoff unpacks how the Apostle Paul pushed through as we start a new week-long series on grit.

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Do you feel like there is so much bad news? It can be overwhelming if we look at all the terrible things happening around us. Yet, God has given us promises to hold onto even when we see all the bad. Tune in as Pastor Mike reminds us that these promises can give us what we need to step out in faith. Just a little courage can make all the difference.

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Do you have “hurry sickness”? Are you tempted to value time over people? When we do that, we actually miss out on what’s really important in life. Pastor Mike reminds us the value of pulling over, popping the hood, and changing lanes so you can find rest in God.

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In case you need to hear this today, nothing you will ever say or confess to God can surprise Him. You can stop pretending you’re perfect, stop faking your feelings, and be honest with Him. God knows us better than we know ourselves and still loves us more than we could ever understand.

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Are you ever worried that you don’t have the “right” thing to say to God when you pray? God is not looking for well-rehearsed speeches but a heart-to-heart connection with His children. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God, and we can confidently approach Him anytime about anything.

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Our enemy and the culture we live in try to distort our vision. Prayer helps correct it. Learn from God’s interaction with Job and how talking with God gives us proper focus and a fresh perspective. It reminds us that He is God and we are not.

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What’s the point of prayer if God already knows everything? Jesus, Himself, regularly took time to talk to His Father, so let’s follow His example. God is never too busy to listen to us. Let’s not be too busy to talk to Him. In today’s episode, Pastor Mike reminds us to take time to connect with the one true God.

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Today Pastor Mike looks at the power given to us in when we abide with Christ. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and inspired the Bible is the same power that lives within you. What can you NOT do when you live a life abiding with God?

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Want to live a life that is flourishing? Your life can be transformed by recognizing the connection we have with God. His presence within us changes everything when we simply stay focused on that truth. It all starts with simple reminders and establishing the habit of living in the reality of His presence.

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Today’s episode will challenge you to grow in your awareness of God’s presence. The truth is, not only do we remain in God, but He remains in us! Reflect on Psalm 139 and refresh yourself in the truth that we are always with God, around Him and known by Him. Life changes when we live in the truth of our constant union with God.

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Ever feel like you are missing out? Not growing the way you want to, not engaged in spiritual things like you know you should be? Check your root. Is the Bible a chore or a life-giving source? Let today's episode remind you that God is the source of all life, and His word has the power to change us.

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What does it truly mean to remain in Jesus? In today’s episode, Pastor Mike focuses on three life-changing words: “Abide in Me.” If we are the branches and Jesus is the vine, we can do nothing without remaining firmly attached to Him. No life, nutrients, or growth can happen apart from staying with the Sustainer of life. Spend a few moments of your day reflecting on this Biblical truth.

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Do you believe that God wants to use you? Many of us passively think He could, but few recognize He WANTS to use you! Look at Moses and all his flaws. The same God who used a murderer to save His people wants to use you too.

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Sometimes we use superlatives and don't stop to recognize the profound significance. Slow down and recognize that you can dive into the limitless wisdom of God. When we reflect on our limited human comprehension of God, we realize the transformative, healing, and life-changing power available to us. What freedom there is in recognizing our smallness and resting in His greatness!

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What happens when the great I AM focuses His love on you? In this episode, Pastor Mike reminds us of God's love and focuses on God's rescue mission for His people in Egypt. Just as He pursued His people then, He relentlessly pursues us despite our sins. God has come down to us; now we should come near to Him.

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Jump back in with us as Pastor Mike specifically focuses on Moses' experience with the burning bush, a symbol of God's inexhaustible and self-existent nature. Holy ground is not the location, but God's presence that makes it sacred. You, like Moses, get to enter into that holy ground every time you seek God in prayer.

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What would it look like for you to go deeper in your prayer life? Join us as we kick off 21 days of prayer as a church. Today, Pastor Mike reflects on Moses' story and uncovering the mess he found himself in. God always does amazing work in our messes, so we shouldn’t wait for the perfect time to start praying. Like Moses, it all starts with saying, “Here I am” to God.

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True greatness comes from humility. In contrast to what the world says, Jesus taught that greatness is found in serving others, not being served. Let’s re-think our ideas of greatness and value, and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance towards humility.

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