Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)  Change is at the heart of becoming Spirit Contemporary, yet many people resist the idea of change.  Some stick to their old ways because changing feels wrong and strange. But that “strange feeling” is often misinterpreted. They assume that Holy Spirit is warning them not to change, but really, they’re being led by feelings, which are fickle. I faced this problem when our church began to make changes in how we conducted our services. For example, when we started inviting people to raise their hands and pray in their seats rather than come up to the altar to give their lives to Christ, some of our church members …

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 (NLT) A record number of churches close their doors in North America each year. People are tired of religion. They’ve lost interest because of the way the church has functioned over the years, and they’re not interested in being judged or shamed into submission. Many don’t feel like their church speaks their language or that their leaders relate. And it’s often because they find that the Sunday messages do little to show them how to solve real-life problems. We need a new and refreshing way of communicating Jesus’ timeless message of love and hope.  Spirit Contemporary is an effective answer to this problem. It’s a way of staying …

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7–8 (NLT) When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for the sins of all of mankind—past, present and future. As believers, we are completely and abundantly free in our relationship with God. “He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on …

The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say ‘Here it is,’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you. Luke 17:20–21 (NLT) Throughout history, religious wars have been fought over what was deemed to be holy. Sacred temples, relics and holy grounds were defended at all costs. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who have been slaughtered over the years in the name of religion, and that includes religious Christianity. It’s sad because Christianity is not even about buildings, relics or holy ground. Jesus’ kingdom isn’t political, and it isn’t a geographical territory. Jesus came to deal with our internal world—the hearts of mankind.  When Jesus told us to put His …

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (AMP) Every day you have a choice: you can try to get by on your own ability, or you can speak God’s Word and access His miraculous power. What’s amazing about meditating on and declaring the Word is that it lights up your path. It guides you in making career decisions, parenting your child or taking your marriage to a new level. You can read books on all these topics, but every person is unique. Holy Spirit will take the Word that you hide in your heart and use it to lead you personally and specifically. Let me show you some of the verses I declare over myself and my family. “I …