Antioch Waco

If we wonder how a life walking in perfect unity with the Holy Spirit would be, we have only to look at the life of Jesus. Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit when they believe in Jesus Christ, but believers must be filled—baptized—with the Holy Spirit continually. If we want to walk in the power of Jesus and usher in the kingdom of heaven to earth, we must be repeatedly filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus, God incarnate, ascended to heaven, He promised to leave His Spirit—the Holy Spirit—to be our Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Counsellor and Strengthener, always present. It is only by the power of the Spirit that we can claim Jesus as Lord. Let’s respond to the Holy Spirit with humility and with hunger, not with distance and resistance. As we draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to us and to make us holy, no matter the state in which we start.

In 2021, we felt the call of God for Antioch to be like the Queen Mary—conscripted and fitted for His purposes. As we’ve waited on the Lord for His word over 2022, we’ve sensed that the Queen Mary word is extending through 2025, and that our response this year is to ignite the boiler room, to stoke the engine of what God is doing through prayer and intercession. We also believe 2022 will be a year of Pentecost—the Holy Spirit coming and moving in power—and Jubilee—freedom and the forgiveness of debts. How is God conscripting you to live in intercession, power and freedom? We invite you to join us as we seek to obey God’s word for our church in 2022.

Liminal: relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process. Liminal circumstances can often feel like limbo, not being settled on either side of a thing. If we engage liminal spaces appropriately, though, they can be an opportunity for transformation. How can we best take advantage of liminal spaces? By letting go of the past, giving thanks for the present and looking forward with hope.

A thankful heart prepares the way of the Lord. Thanking God for the little things in life opens the gates of our hearts, and when we praise God for who He is, we allow Him to enter into the pains of our lives.

When God Himself was born as a baby here on Earth, God sent angels to announce His Advent to both the Wisemen—wealthy, wise, and respected—and the Shepherds—low, lonely, and despised. His message to the Shepherds, and to us, is this: have no fear, rejoice in the good news that we are fully loved and cared for, and walk with Jesus in a life of praise so that others may see God’s goodness. Let’s pursue this together this Christmas season.

Mary has been praised across all of history as the one whom God chose to carry His Son. But the mind-boggling truth is that every one of us is chosen to carry the Spirit of Jesus, just as Mary was. Whereas her conscription was to carry Him physically, our call is to carry Him to the people in every sphere of our lives. Like Mary, may our response be—we are the Lord's servants; let it be to us according to His word.

It is so tempting, as humans, to put our hope in an outcome. When we endure trial, we wish to be spared from what hurts us. But when we place our hope in Jesus, the gifts He gives are so much better than the outcomes we think we want. Let’s cultivate an atmosphere of hope, expect hope-encounters, persevere with hope in trial, and seek the healing that God has for us—it’s so much better than anything we could hope for on our own.

Do you feel stuck? When we become distracted by something other than God—whether finances, relationships, responsibilities, etc.—we become trapped. How can we be free? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Remember who God is. Remember that you are His child, and that He’s promised to care for you, and then rejoice in the liberation that He gives.

The Bible is a guidebook to our lives, but how do we approach the topics of our day that aren't specifically addressed? When considering these topics—social media, movies, the way we spend our time—the question should not be how much we can get away with, but how we can best love the people around us.

God calls us to walk in holiness, and to flee from sin. He doesn't give us this command to be legalistic and controlling—God knows that sin becomes a snare that enslaves us, and He has better things for us than that. Cast away any behavior or habit that causes distance from God, and enjoy His sweet, near, and loving presence.

Every form of human relationship is designed to shout to the whole world that God created humans for covenant love. Marriage displays the relentless pursuit of God toward His people; broken marriages show the heart of God to heal and seek restoration, no matter the failure; and singleness showcases the longing to be known and loved by God. Ask yourself today—where have you sought to be comforted by relationships apart from God? Repent, turn from things that cannot satisfy, and be filled with God’s plenty.

The ability to restrain our passions and impulses is a gift that transforms us, disciplining our desires to become selfless and not selfish. The way we steward our sexuality becomes a witness to the world—a living metaphor—a portrait of Christ himself and the Church, a window through which the world can see God and His good intention. Conversely, when we use our bodies outside of God's design, we rob the world of what it looks like to be made in the image of God. Let's grab hold of the freedom God offers, and glorify him with all we have.

In every person is the engrained need for love, identity and dignity. The world cannot offer these things; they will always fall short. When the world disappoints and abuses, God will always forgive, sanctify and justify us when we seek Him. Hear guest speaker, Andrew Franklin, share his story and point us to the gospel of Jesus.

The free promise of God is that everyone who believes in His Son will have eternal life, but the level of reward enjoyed in eternal life—and in this life on earth—will depend on our obedience and surrender to God. Let’s give our lives to God with total abandon, so we can fully enjoy His presence here and now, and even more in the age to come.