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Send us Fan Mail Mind Games Week 4:  Peace of Mind Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. …And the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:6-9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7  Prayer can change your life, and  prayer can rewire your brain. Worry is the sin of distrusting the  promises and power of God. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 Do what I can. Trust God with the Rest. What I want.   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10    Taking thoughts captive. Discussion Questions: What usually triggers that kind of “runaway train” thinking for you? Why do you think prayer is often treated like a last resort instead of our first response? Practically, what does it look like to let the Spirit direct your thinking? What is one situation where you need to “do what you can and trust God with the rest”? Do you currently have 2–4 people who truly know you and can speak truth into your life? Why is that kind of relationship important? Have everyone quietly identify one worry they are carrying. Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Clinical Psychologists Elizabeth Anderson Dami Coker join us on Firast Wednesday to share their knowledge on mental health. Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Mind Games:  Look Again “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world... they have divine power to demolish strongholds... and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 What happened then  can become the filter through which we interpret what is happening now .  Numbers 13:27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” We saw the Giants there (the descendants of Anak come from the Giants)We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.  Numbers 13:33 Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” Just because I feel something strongly doesn't automatically make it true. 1.  DECIDE WHAT YOU’RE Looking FOR. “I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”… I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. Psalms 27:13 2. CHANGE THE Frame.  Reframing is looking at the same situation  differently by changing the meaning you're assigning to it. Philippians 1:12NWV (New Whiners Version:).     “This is really crappy. I'm quitting small group and never going back to church. Philippians 1:12-14  Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Reframing doesn't deny reality. It changes how I carry reality. “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is... Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.   Colossians 3:1-2 Discussion Questions: FACT OR FILTER: What is one situation in your life where past experiences, fear, hurt, or insecurity might be affecting the way you see what’s happening now? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR: Where have you seen God’s goodness lately, even in a season or situation that isn’t going the way you hoped? LET JESUS FRAME IT: What is one situation you need to look at again through the perspective of Jesus? What might change if you prayed, “Jesus, help me see this the way You see it”? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2  Why do we behave irrationally? Our strongest thoughts are steering our lives. What comes into your mind—Comes out in your life. Cannot have a positive life with a negative mind. Don’t control what you think—Never control what you do.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Phil 4:8 NLT   meditate on these things. Phil 4:8 NKJV  Meditation: To engage in mental exercise; to focus one’s thoughts.   I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Ps 119:15   … I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. Ps 143:5   What stronghold is holding you back? What truth demolishes that stronghold? Write it—Think it—Confess it—Until you believe it. Here is a Daily Confession of Faith for you to use! I am strong and mighty. I have the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwelling inside of me. I am a weapon of righteousness in a world of darkness.   I am not my past. I am not what I did. I am who God says I am. He says I am forgiven. He says I am redeemed. He says I am free.   I am not a hostage to unhealthy thoughts. The weapons I fight with are not the weapons of this world. I have divine power to demolish strongholds.  I have the mind of Christ directing my thoughts. I have the Word of God guiding my steps. I demolish every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.    My God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.  The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid!   Jesus is first in my life. I exist to serve and glorify Him. I love my wife and will lay down my life to serve her. My children will love God and serve Him with their whole hearts.  I will nurture, equip, train, and empower the people around me  to do more for His kingdom than they can imagine. I love people and believe the best about others. I am disciplined. Christ in me is stronger than the wrong desires in me. I am growing closer to Jesus every day. Because of Christ, my family is closer, my body is stronger, my faith is deeper, and my leadership is sharper. I am anointed, empowered, equipped and  called to reach people far from God. I am creative, innovative, driven, focused, and blessed beyond measure—because the Holy Spirit dwells within me. (*) My words, thoughts, and imaginations are under the power of Christ.  I take all thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. I wake up with purpose, direction, and meaning every day of my life. Pain is my friend. I rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for me. I bring my best—and then some.  It’s what I bring after I do my best that makes the difference. The world will be different and better because I served Jesus today.   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Discussion Questions: Have you ever had a moment where you thought, “Why did I do that? I know better than this.” What do you think was happening underneath the behavior? What experiences, messages, relationships, or repeated circumstances can create unhealthy “wiring” in the way we think? Sometimes dysfunctional thinking becomes so familiar that it feels normal. What are some thoughts people commonly accept as “just the way I am” that may actually need to be challenged? Why is taking control of our thoughts different from simply trying harder to behave better?  Which part of the daily confessions resonates with you most this week? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail August 24, 2026      Week 1        Mind Games: The BattlefieldYour biggest battle is in your mind!  For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Our strongest thoughts are steering our lives.  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Prov 23:7 NKJV Your life today is a result of all your past thoughts. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8 You can’t have a positive life when you have a negative mind. 1.  Name the Stronghold. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 You cannot defeat what you cannot define. 2.  Name the truth that demolishes that stronghold. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5 The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3 Discussion Questions: If we could “turn up the volume” on your thoughts this week, what would we hear most often: worry, criticism, fear, pressure, comparison, control, something else? A stronghold is something that has been reinforced over time. What is the difference between having a negative thought and having a negative thought become a stronghold? Are there any old “mental pathways” you can recognize automatic reactions, assumptions, or patterns you tend to fall into? What does it look like practically to take a thought captive rather than simply trying not to think about it? Take a moment to find a verse in God’s Word that you can use to bring victory in your mind, and share it with the group. Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail August 16, 2026      Week 3 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.  There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-2 Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17 What you feed grows.    What you starve dies. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8 Whatever fills you, leads  you. You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 NLT Follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 If your faith isn’t challenging you, it’s not changing you. God's best for you is found outside your comfort zone . The Holy Spirit may not always make sense, but it will always make a difference . Discussion Questions: What stood out to you most from this week’s message? Why? What do you think it practically means to “walk by the Spirit” in everyday life? Galatians 5:17 describes a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit.  Where do you most commonly experience that internal tug-of-war? Why is telling a trusted, mature believer about a struggle often such an important step toward freedom? Where might God currently be asking you to move outside your comfort zone? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Holy Spirit:  Power UpYou will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit. Ephesians 5:18 1. The Holy Spirit is not weird 2. Jesus said we need the Holy Spirit. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another advocate, who will never leave you. John 14:14 The Holy Spirit is our teammate  But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 The Holy Spirit is our teacher When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement. John 16:4 The Holy Spirit is our transformer  3. The Holy Spirit is available, but not automatic. And the disciples were continually filled with Joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52 Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn’t make me better than you, It makes me better than me Discussion Questions: If you had to describe your energy level as a battery percentage today, what would it be and why? Why do you think Jesus considered the Holy Spirit essential? How have your past experiences shaped your view of the Holy Spirit? In what area of life do you most need His help right now? And what is one area where God may be inviting you to grow? What is one practical step you can take to stay connected to the Holy Spirit this week? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Joseph closes out the summer in the forge with week 10! Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail You shall not commit adultery.  Exodus 20:14 Commit Adultery: “to corrupt, debase, or make impure.” But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.  Proverbs 6:32 Without God, it’s not Marriage.This is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.  Genesis 2:24 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-5 God’s definition of marriage: One man and One woman, united together for life. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.  Ephesians 5:25 Adultery starts in your heart.“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 64% of Christian men admit to watching porn once a month15% of Christian women admit to watching porn once a monthThe average age someone is exposed to porn: 11 years old.Spouses that look at porn are 300% more likely to cheat and 200% more likely to get divorced.75% of teenagers have viewed porn by the age of 1741% of teenagers say they have seen images of nudity or sexual acts online during the school day (bypassing existing WiFi filtering.)58% say they came across porn by accident while surfing the web or on social media.Porn sites get more visitors each month than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter combined.You can’t manage lust, kill it.Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  Colossians 3:5-6 Temptation often comes through a door that’s been deliberately left open. Flee from sexual immorality.  1 Corinthians 6:18 Guard your eyes.  The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.  Matthew 6:22-23 I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.  Job 31:1 Get Help.Resources for a Stronger Marriage & Recovery from Adultery Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  James 5:16 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Protection that brings blessing on our relationships/life   You shall not steal.  Exodus 20:15 Simple / Done Steal: gānab – take for nothing, thievery, deceit Stealing the truth about someone / taking reputation **Me 25 – Lose prevention - Church/donation boxes Sat 5am – stake out, camcorder, confront – kid in box pretend load, needy people //Go sin no more // Back next week   **asked my mom steal // Never did anything wrong What mom doesn’t know… Everyday part of life.   Stealing is about gaining something at someone else’s unwilling expense.   Stuff, possessions, passwords, company, returning wrong items, Not reporting income / taxes – they don’t need it! Adam and Eve in the garden – eat every tree – not one // why we steal???   1.  We Lack contentment.   We crave for more – better = $1 good / $2 better, vacay, wife LIE - If I get more, I’ll be satisfied God’s solution: Contentment – let the portion he gives satisfy Single, 1 kid, income, business, You can live frustrated or content Contentment – trust God – he knows need & will provide.   But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10   **Treadmill – walking/ keeping up with expectations. Don’t start with greed/love of money – but reasonable Want comfortable, kids better life, security Comparing numbers: his house / > numbers!  Clothes, money Not evil, but sneaky = (Paul) want to get rich, fall into trap Trap is in the wanting, not the having Speeding up – at 5, need 6, etc.- Comfort, options, Amazon sweating, striving, spending, = still be in the exact same place. *Take remote - At some point, not choosing speed anymore Rat race isn’t you are lazy, but exhausted by things can’t satisfy Contentment is stepping off “Contentment is when my soul is no longer controlled by what I do not have.” Grateful for what God has given   We lack contentment because we don’t trust God as Provider.   God is trustworthy – won’t let you down = MY SOURCE Won’t give everything you want, but will what you need Not because you are good, but you’re his kids   And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19   Not my politics, the economy, my job, my situation What is your source?? – job, him, US econ, wits, edu., self/steal   We lack contentment because we don’t trust God’s Timing.   Steal now, God is late **Friends who are late?  Late for church today… I’m always on time… a Christian God is not on our time – but always at the right time.   ** parking lot – 2 yrs. - Set close June 30th – $248k. // Bank/Lenders/Title Company??? Canceled 2x, meet lunch God is doing something bigger than you understand.   2.  We don’t love people enough.   “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40   **Think of someone you love most – won’t steal from them Won’t steal their joy, peace, supply, reputation, protect them! *person you least love – love them the same as self.   3.  We don’t recognize that Trust is a Test. **Never robbed a bank – but fill soda water cup Kids are 11, food in store, x samples, We think only the big stuff matters If you will treat the little things like big things, God will give you big stuff like it’s small stuff.   “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16:10   *Old man in our church – throw change in the yard… It’s a test – one day caught the cable guy filling his pockets Free cable for a while – so proud.  The enemy setting you up and the cost of your integrity??? $2 worth of soda, $5 pen work, clocking in early, sharing passwords, copying homework, chipotle movie,   Practical application / wrap it up   Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.  Ephesians 4:28   1.  Quit Stealing.   2.  Work Hard Hard work is worship to unto the Lord. *Represent God all day everyday   Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.  Colossians 3:23 Not – doesn’t affect them, they don’t care / God cares   3.  Give Generously   Not about what you can get, but what you can give. God has better life for us // not more stuff.   The opposite of stealing isn’t not taking things… Honesty, contentment, hard work, generosity   Most famous thieves in Bible – crosses next to Jesus. One doubled down / other repented = recognized Jesus generously, graciously laid down his life. Ask the Holy Spirit / convict me Pray - Salvation Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail This week the worship team brings a word  Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail 4 young speakers speak about there experiences with coveting. Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Susan God's image is life * Genesis 1:27  we have a unique capacity for moral and rational awareness Deut 30:19Col 1:16 as Gods image bearers we must presence, protect, and promote LIFE!presence to maintain, keep current state, remain as isprotect: to keep, cover and shield them from harm, Guard from destruction promote: actively progress something, to support and advance all murder is a matter of the heart * Genesis 4: 2-12 • Gods purpose is life  Matthew 5.22  raca: a term of reproach vessach or insect, an inferior or stupid person. Ephesians 4:26if you can claim it, you can clean it God's actions prove life #Col 3:13 Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved