CITYLIGHTS

Ephesians 1:1-2 As Paul writes to the Ephesians he helps them see that Jesus can alter any past no matter how rebellious or bruised it may be. Jesus lived the most normal life and makes the normal life possible for us as well.

Luke 9, Matthew 28. Jesus didn't come to make believers, he came to make disciples who are marked by making disciples. This is what following Jesus looked and looks like.

Matthew 17:1-8 God our Father only speaks twice during Jesus' earthly life. What He saw and said provides massive insight for our lives. In this message we will examine His words.

Jonah 3. In light of the devastating events that took place on December 14th, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut, this message provides a biblical lens for processing and responding to tragedy.

Matthew 5:10-12. Is persecution part of the Christian life? "Yes" Have I ever faced persecution? "Maybe." In this message we see that persecution is just as much a sign of following God as peacemaking.

Matthew 5:9. Do you have peace with God? How about peace in your relationships with others? You are meant to experience and extend peace. The message will help you understand how.

Philippians 4:3-13. True thankfulness is not dependent on the chances and changes of life, which are fleeting. Living a thankful life is possible. This will be true for us when our focus is on the forever instead of the fleeting.

Romans 1:20-22. Usually thankfulness is measured by our wants and needs being met. The working equation is, if my wants and needs are met then I'm thankful. However, in Christ every need we could ever have has been met. So why is my life marked by unthankfulness at times?

Matthew 5:8 Have you ever thought about seeing God? Jesus said the "pure in heart" will. What has to happen for my heart to become pure? And is purity even possible?

Matthew 5:7 We need mercy. Jesus provided mercy so we might receive and dispense it. Mercy requires movement.

Matthew 5:6 Can you say that you need God like a starving person needs food? Jesus teaches that unless you are as desperate for God like a man dying of hunger, you will never be satisfied.

Matthew 5:5 Jesus was the most meek man in history yet meekness is often seen as a negative quality. How can this be? In this message we will uncover what Jesus meant when he said, "Blessed are the meek..." Meekness is a response to the attitudes and actions of others, controlled by God.

This is a poetic version of a testimony (spoken word) that Darelle performed live at City Lights

Matthew 5:1-4 How can I know if I've embraced my brokenness? And if I embrace my brokenness, how does God make it beautiful? In this message Jesus redefines what a "blessing" is and shows us how to think and feel and about our brokenness.

Each one of us at some point or another have wondered if the pain, insecurity or fears we have felt are connected to a larger issue. The answer is, yes they are. Sin has so deeply broken who we are that no quick fix will make us whole. In this message we discover the way to wholeness is embracing our brokenness with God.