The spirit of the Lord says "what you have labeled as a season of disappointment of chaotic ending, I call a joyful deliverance, a time of Holy ending. It is My faithfulness that you would not be consumed by what I despise but that you would be set apart and purified for what comes next. I have drawn you from comfort to a place of burning." It is time to let the sun set on your disappointment. You have been carrying it too long and it is keeping you from seeing all the beauty of the Lord, it has kept your head down and from receiving the joy that is new every morning. It is time to recieve the joy. Joy that is sweet and tender like the dew of the morning. Joy that is refreshing, joy that that renews our hope. He is faithful to replace our disappointment with the joy of things ended Psalms 30:5 NKJV For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. __________ Speaking of endings, I will be handing the reigns over to @Jamie Beltran who I have no doubt will do an excellent job of helping us to grow deeper in Jesus and connect as a community of believers next week. It has been my pleasure to journey with you all over the last week, I hope you were challenged and I hope that you continue to be transformed as we journey together in this community. Until next time... Be Blessed -Caleb

Comfort kills. It kills calling, it kills passion, it kills connection, and it kills transformation. Comfort comes like carbon monoxide, you can't smell it, hear it or see it, it will creep in and you won't even know it is there, then it will put you to sleep. That is not to say to does not look like anything however, as it comes in the form of little idols. It may be your house, your job, your hobbies, it can even be your relationships. Comfort is anything that sets itself between you and the Kingdom of God. Even more dangerous it will do its best to find itself between you and your ability to hear Holy Spirit and commune with Jesus. When we pursue comfort apart from the Comforter (Jesus) we step into a world that is hostile to our spirit and longs for our soul. In 1 Peter we recieve a call to be set apart to be Holy, to no longer be conformed to the way the world lives but to rest our hope fully on Him. It is not a suggestion, it is a command. I Peter 1:13-16 NKJV Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” To be holy is to be set apart, to be a sacrifice on the altar of God, it is living in the world without living like the world. Earlier this week we looked at Romans 12 where we are instructed: Romans 12:2 NKJV And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. You see the world will constantly tell you that you deserve to be comfortable and that comfort is good, but we know that our comfort comes from above. II Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Good news everyone! You don't need to transform yourself, it is promised to those who are hungry, we don't need to do it alone. The Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus gives us the template for what God's kingdom looks like. It starts with the beatitudes which are promises over his people and in those promises we see a promise for those who are hungry. Matthew 5:6 NIV Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. In second Corinthians we find out that Jesus already did the work for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. If we come before Him, and if we are hungry and thirsty, He is faithful to meet us in that space. Be Blessed! -Caleb

Today we are looking at a verse most believers are familiar with. Romans 12:2 NKJV And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. You may have heard it preached time and time again that we need to have the right thoughts, or correct understanding or perhaps if you say certain things over and over again then you will achieve some sort of devine thought. I however do not share that view and the reason why is found in the verse prior. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.... And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Verse 1 tells us exactly how we renew our minds, by presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice, that is to deny ourselves and come before the King, it is spending time with Him which is the best worship we can offer. It is to be set apart from the world around us. You see if transformation could come through us doing something better or by simply having the correct doctrine, then we would have no need for Jesus. The reality of the Kingdom is that transformation comes through proximity to Jesus, time spent in communion with Him. It really is simple, the more we sit with Jesus the more we start to be like Him, it is the overflow of the time spent with Him that transforms the way we think, act and serve others. Are you letting Him into every part of your life? Are you conscious of His presence throughout your day? Here is the challenge: As you go about your busy days, ask Him questions, have a conversation with Him. Remember it is simple, you can do it while you are driving or while you work. The more you do this reflect on where you see change in your life. Be blessed!