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Episode Title: Here You Come Again: Understanding Temptation and Breaking Old Patterns We all have something in our lives that seems to keep coming back. It might be an unhealthy relationship, an old habit, a familiar attitude, or something we promised ourselves we'd never do again. Using Dolly Parton's Here You Come Again as a starting point, this message explores how temptation works, why we repeatedly fall into familiar patterns, and how biblical wisdom can help us make healthier decisions. In This Episode – Here You Come Again: What Dolly Parton's classic song teaches us about the temptations that keep returning. – The Marketing Department of Temptation: Why temptation rarely looks destructive when it first shows up. – What Looks Good vs. What Is Good: Lessons from Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. – When Good Desires Become Unhealthy: How success, love, security, and even being right can become destructive. – Why We Keep Going Back: Understanding the connection between our desires, familiar environments, and repeated behaviors. – The Danger of Familiar Feelings: Why familiar doesn't necessarily mean healthy. – Remembering Egypt: How the Israelites romanticized their past and forgot the consequences of slavery. – Jesus and the Three Temptations: What Jesus' experience in the wilderness teaches us about appetite, control, and shortcuts. – Three Temptations We All Face: Wanting what we want right now, wanting everything on our terms, and wanting the reward without the sacrifice. – Four Ways to Respond to Temptation: Practical strategies for recognizing and overcoming unhealthy patterns. – Recognize Your Patterns: Why you cannot change a pattern you refuse to recognize. – Put a Pause Between Feeling and Doing: Learning that you don't have to obey every feeling you experience. – Look Down the Road: Considering where today's decisions will lead tomorrow. – Make Decisions Before Temptation Arrives: Establishing boundaries, guardrails, and systems before you're faced with difficult choices. – Is It Beneficial?: A challenging question from 1 Corinthians 6 that can change how we evaluate our decisions. – You Don't Have to Go Back: Finding hope in God's grace, forgiveness, and the opportunity to make different choices. Scripture References Genesis 3 – The temptation of Adam and Eve James 1:14-15 – How our desires lead us into temptation Proverbs 4:23 – Guarding your heart Numbers 11 – The Israelites longing for Egypt Matthew 4:1-11 – Jesus' temptation in the wilderness Proverbs 14:12 – The danger of a way that seems right James 1:19 – Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry 1 Corinthians 6:12 – Not being mastered by anything Key Takeaways Just because something feels familiar doesn't mean it's healthy. Sometimes familiar simply means we've practiced it. You can't change a pattern you refuse to recognize. Be honest about the people, places, and situations that repeatedly lead you in the wrong direction. You don't have to obey every feeling. Create space between what you feel and what you choose to do. Wisdom considers tomorrow, not just today. Ask where a decision will lead before making it. Make wise decisions before temptation arrives. Establish boundaries and systems that help you stay aligned with the person you want to become. Grace gives you the opportunity to begin again. Giving in to temptation doesn't mean your story is over. Memorable Quotes "Just because something feels familiar doesn't mean it's healthy." "You can't change a pattern you refuse to recognize." "We trade what we want most for what we want right now." "The best time to make a wise decision is before you're tempted to make an unwise one." "Wisdom doesn't just ask how something feels today. It asks where it will lead tomorrow." "Tomorrow doesn't have to look like yesterday." "They and it will always come again. But you don't have to." Final Thought Temptation will always be part of life. The goal isn't to become someone who never struggles. The goal is to become someone who recognizes unhealthy patterns, seeks God's wisdom, makes healthier decisions, and understands that grace is always available when we fall short. Tomorrow doesn't have to look like yesterday.

Restless Mind: Faith, Anxiety, and Finding Your Next Step We all have moments when our minds won't shut off. The bills, relationships, parenting, work, regrets, worries, and unanswered questions seem to show up all at once. Sometimes we're able to keep going through the motions while carrying a tremendous amount underneath the surface. In this episode, we explore what happens when a restless mind collides with faith—and why struggling doesn't mean you've failed God. In This Episode The idea behind “Restless Mind” We begin by looking at Sam Barber's song Restless Mind and the powerful picture it paints of someone awake at 2 AM with a mind that won't stop racing. The question: “Am I okay?” Sometimes we know how to function. We know how to get up, go to work, take care of our families, and keep moving—but that doesn't necessarily mean we're okay underneath it all. You can love Jesus and still have a restless mind. Faith doesn't make us immune to anxiety, exhaustion, depression, fear, or emotional pain. Elijah: When Faithful People Reach Their Limit We turn to the story of Elijah in 1 Kings. Elijah had just experienced one of the greatest demonstrations of God's power in the Old Testament. Yet shortly afterward, Jezebel threatens his life, and Elijah reaches the end of himself. He isolates himself, becomes overwhelmed, and asks God to take his life. His story reminds us of an important truth: Your past experiences with God don't make you immune to your present pain. Sometimes it isn't the first difficult thing that breaks us. It's the “one more thing” after we've already been carrying too much. Your Body and Mind Matter When Elijah reaches his breaking point, God doesn't immediately give him a lecture or demand that he try harder. He gives him rest. He gives him food and water. He cares for him. This reminds us that our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual lives aren't completely separate. Sometimes the first step toward healing is recognizing that we're depleted and allowing ourselves to rest and receive care. The Danger of Isolation One of Elijah's significant choices was leaving his companion behind and continuing into the wilderness alone. When we're overwhelmed, isolation can feel like the natural response—but it can also make the weight we're carrying even heavier. You don't have to have a huge circle of people. But you do need people. And if someone trusts you enough to tell you they're struggling, don't immediately try to fix them. Listen. Sometimes the most important thing you can say is simply, “Thank you for telling me.” The Three Ps We explore three important pieces of healing and support: 1. People We were created for relationships. We need people who can walk alongside us, listen to us, pray with us, and help carry our burdens. 2. Prayer We can bring our honest emotions to God. We don't have to clean up our prayers before we bring them to Him. Prayer isn't necessarily about God immediately fixing the situation. It's also about experiencing God's presence and peace in the middle of what we cannot control. 3. Professional Help Sometimes we need a counselor, therapist, doctor, or medication. Getting professional help doesn't make you less faithful. You can love God and go to therapy.You can trust God and take prescribed medication.You can pray and still see a doctor. God can work through people who have spent years learning how to help others navigate mental and emotional struggles. You Have Two Paths The episode returns to a powerful idea from Restless Mind: “There's two paths you can take.” Depression isn't simply a path someone chooses. Anxiety isn't necessarily proof that you've made the wrong decisions. Healing isn't a test you pass by simply trying harder. But even in the middle of a difficult season, there may be another step you can take. Maybe it's telling someone the truth. Maybe it's asking someone to pray with you. Maybe it's making the appointment you've been putting off. Maybe it's allowing yourself to rest. Maybe it's reaching out to someone you know is struggling. Three Simple Handles for Prayer When you're overwhelmed: Do what you can do. Give God what you can't control. Trust God with what comes next. You don't have to figure everything out today. You just need to believe that another step is possible. And you don't have to take that step alone. Key Takeaways You can love Jesus and still struggle with a restless mind. Faith doesn't make us immune to emotional pain. Your past experiences don't make you immune to present pain. Isolation can make difficult seasons even harder. We need people in our lives who can listen and walk alongside us. Prayer gives us a way to bring our brokenness honestly to God. Professional mental health support is not a sign of weak faith. Your worst prediction isn't automatically the truest account of your life. You don't have to wait until you're “better” to ask for help. There is always another step you can take. You can have a restless mind and still be deeply loved by God. The question is: What is your next step?

What's Going On? — Finding Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense What do we do when the world feels broken? The question “What’s going on?” isn't new. Every generation has looked at the world around them and struggled to understand the suffering, injustice, uncertainty, and chaos they see. The difference today is that we can carry the problems of the entire world in our pockets. News, social media, arguments, tragedies, and outrage can reach us almost instantly. So how do we stay informed without allowing the chaos around us to steal our peace? In This Episode 1. Sometimes life feels like a treadmill.We can stay busy, accomplish things, raise families, build careers, and fill our calendars while still wondering whether we're living a meaningful life. Ecclesiastes reminds us that even achievement, wealth, pleasure, and success cannot ultimately satisfy the deepest questions of the human heart. 2. The world has always been broken.Every generation is tempted to believe that things were better in the past. But Scripture reminds us to be careful about romanticizing “the good old days.” Our world has real problems—but we didn't invent a broken world. We inherited one, and we have contributed to its brokenness as well. 3. You can be informed without becoming consumed.Being informed matters. But constantly exposing ourselves to things we cannot control can leave us with very little strength for the people we actually can help. A challenging question from this message is: After an hour of scrolling or watching the news, are you more prepared to love your neighbor—or more suspicious of people you've never even met? 4. Habakkuk shows us that God can handle our questions.Habakkuk looked at violence, injustice, corruption, and suffering and asked God, essentially, “How long?” And God didn't reject him for asking. The Bible gives us permission to bring our confusion, frustration, grief, and questions to God. 5. Faith doesn't mean having all the answers.God's response to Habakkuk wasn't a simple explanation that made everything immediately better. Instead, Habakkuk was reminded to wait and trust. Sometimes our greatest struggle is that our sense of safety depends on knowing what happens next. But our limited view doesn't limit God's knowledge. 6. We are people who live in the waiting.Romans 8 describes creation and believers as groaning and waiting with hope. Christian hope doesn't mean pretending suffering isn't real. It means believing that suffering, death, violence, and brokenness do not get the final word. 7. Jesus understands human suffering.Jesus entered into the brokenness of this world. He experienced betrayal, abuse, suffering, and death. But the resurrection reminds us that death and violence do not have the final word. 8. We can't fix the whole road—but we can help the person we find on it.Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan gives us a powerful picture of how to live in a broken world. The Samaritan didn't fix the dangerous road. He helped the person he encountered. We may not be able to solve every problem in the world. But we can listen. We can love. We can serve. We can show compassion. We can help the person God puts in front of us. The Big Idea You don't have to understand everything that's happening in the world to faithfully follow God through it. God sees what we cannot see. He is not surprised by the brokenness around us. And even when we don't know what's going on, we can still take the next faithful step. Scriptures Mentioned Habakkuk 1:2 Habakkuk 2:2–4 Habakkuk 3 Psalm 13 Ecclesiastes 1–2 Ecclesiastes 7:10 Romans 8:18–25 Matthew 11:28 Luke 10:25–37 Reflection Questions What area of your life are you currently asking, “What's going on?” Are you allowing the constant flow of news and social media to shape your peace? Where do you need to be more honest with God about your questions or frustrations? What would it look like to trust God while you're still waiting for answers? Who is the person God has placed “on your road” that you can help, encourage, or love this week? You may not know what's going on. But you can have hope in the One who does.

Episode Overview What are we building with our lives, and what will remain because we were here? In this final message of the building series, we explore the importance of legacy, the influence we have on others, and the responsibility we share to build something that extends beyond our own lives. Using the story of Journey's journey through growth, setbacks, and seasons of uncertainty, this message reminds us that meaningful work isn't always about seeing immediate results. Sometimes, we're laying a foundation that someone else will build upon. Key Takeaways You're already leaving a legacy. Every relationship leaves something behind. Our words and actions can give people confidence, encouragement, and hope—or leave them carrying hurt, fear, and anxiety. Teach more than success. Helping children prepare for a career and a future matters, but so does showing them what makes a meaningful life through faith, kindness, compassion, and the way we treat others. Trust God with what you cannot control. Psalm 127:1 reminds us that unless the Lord builds the house, our labor is in vain. We can do the work faithfully while trusting God with the outcome. Build for people you may never meet. The impact of our faithfulness may extend to future generations. We may plant seeds that others water and never see the full results ourselves. Everyone has something to contribute. You don't need to be the most experienced, talented, or confident person in the room. Your gifts, skills, resources, and life experiences can make a difference. Your legacy must survive Monday. Faith and love aren't limited to a church service. Our greatest opportunities to influence others often happen at home, at work, at school, and in our neighborhoods. Make room for others to build. A lasting legacy isn't about receiving recognition. It's about developing others, sharing responsibility, and creating opportunities for people to continue the work. Scripture References Psalm 127:1 — Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Psalm 78:5–7 — Teaching the next generation about God so they can place their hope in Him. 1 Corinthians 3:5–11 — Paul plants, Apollos waters, and God makes things grow. We are called to lay foundations others can build upon. John 6:1–14 — Jesus uses a boy's five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd, reminding us that what we offer can become more than we imagine in God's hands. In This Episode Why we should think about what lasts, not just what comes next The difference between teaching children how to make a living and showing them what makes a life How seasons of difficulty can challenge our belief in what we're building Why legacy is about more than our names, accomplishments, or recognition How our words and actions shape the people around us What Paul and Apollos teach us about working together for God's purposes Why we must be willing to invest in people without expecting immediate results How ordinary gifts and personal experiences can become meaningful ways to serve Why the church's influence must extend beyond Sunday Three questions to help you build a legacy of faith, love, and service Three Questions to Consider 1. What are you passing on? Consider the values, habits, beliefs, and attitudes that others are learning from your life. What are people taking with them because they've known you? 2. Who are you investing in? Think about the people who helped shape your life. Who can you encourage, teach, support, or walk alongside as they grow? 3. What will you bring to the table? Identify the gifts, skills, resources, and experiences you can use to serve others. Don't underestimate what you have to offer. Discussion and Reflection What is one thing someone did or said that continues to influence your life today? What do your daily priorities communicate to your family and the people around you? Where might God be asking you to serve, even if you feel unqualified? Who in your community could use encouragement, support, or someone willing to show up? What is one practical step you can take this week to invest in someone else's future? Final Thought Wendell Berry's words capture the heart of this message: "Invest in the millennium, plant sequoias." Build something that reaches beyond your lifetime. Love the people in front of you, invest in the next generation, and trust God with the growth you may never get to see. The goal isn't simply to build something for ourselves. It's to lay a foundation that others can build upon.

Built Series | Journey Christian Church Episode Overview Every follower of Jesus is under construction. In this message, we explore Philippians 1:6 and the confidence Paul had that God would continue the good work He began in His people. Spiritual growth is a process, and following Jesus means continually allowing God to transform us into the people He created us to be. The goal isn't perfection overnight. The goal is progress. Key Scripture Philippians 1:6 God began a good work in us and will continue that work until it is completed when Christ returns. In This Episode 01. Construction Can Be Complicated Being under construction can represent frustration, inconvenience, hope, dreams, progress, and change. Our relationship with spiritual “construction” can feel the same way. 02. God Is Still Working The Christian life doesn't end at baptism or salvation. Those are pivotal moments, but God continues His work of transforming us and making us holy. 03. You Are an Image-Bearer We were created in God's image. The work God is doing in us is ultimately about restoring us into the image-bearers we were designed to be. 04. Don't Compare Your Construction Project Everyone's spiritual journey is different. Comparing your progress to someone else's can cause you to become discouraged or distracted from the work God is doing in your own life. 05. Construction Has a Cost Following Jesus requires surrender. Sometimes things have to be removed before something new can be built. That can mean letting go of old habits, changing priorities, confessing sin, and dying to ourselves. 06. We Aren't Meant to Do This Alone The Christian life is meant to be lived in community. We need people around us who are pursuing Jesus and helping us grow. 07. God Works in Us—and We Work With Him Philippians 2:12-13 presents an important tension: we have work to do, while God is simultaneously working in us. Our work doesn't save us. Instead, we respond to God's work. 08. Where Are You Under Construction? The message challenges us to identify the areas where God may be working right now: Faith Anger Addiction Trust Love Forgiveness Finances Relationships Anxiety Priorities Questions to Consider Where is God working in my life right now? What needs to be removed so God can continue building? Am I comparing my spiritual journey to someone else's? Where do I need to meet God in the work? Who am I walking alongside as I follow Jesus? What would progress look like in my life this week? The Big Takeaway You aren't finished—and God isn't finished with you. There may be areas of your life that still feel unfinished. There may be setbacks, struggles, and seasons where you wonder if God is actually working. But Philippians 1:6 gives us confidence: the God who began the work will continue the work. Keep building. Keep growing. Keep following Jesus. God isn't finished yet. About Journey Christian Church Journey Christian Church is a Christian church serving Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Bullitt County, and the surrounding Louisville area. If you're looking for a church in Shepherdsville KY, a Christian church near Louisville, or a church community in Bullitt County, we'd love for you to connect with us. Journey Christian ChurchShepherdsville, Kentucky

Speaker: DavidChurch: Journey Christian ChurchLocation: Shepherdsville, KentuckySeries: BuiltPrimary Scriptures: Romans 12:1–5, James 1:22Additional Reference: Ephesians 4 Episode Overview In this message from the Built series, David explores what happens after we identify and remove the things holding us back spiritually. Using the analogy of framing a house, he explains why spiritual growth requires more than recognizing our struggles. It requires daily commitment, intentional habits, meaningful relationships, and a willingness to let God continue His work in us. God's grace is the foundation of our transformation. Our responsibility is to build on that foundation, remain consistent in our faith, and surround ourselves with a Christian community that helps us stay grounded. What You'll Learn Moving beyond spiritual demolition: Why recognizing the things that need to change is only the beginning of spiritual growth. Putting God's Word into action: How James 1:22 challenges Christians to become doers of the Word, not just hearers. Understanding God's grace: Why spiritual habits and personal transformation don't earn God's grace, but are a response to the grace He's already given us. Building a strong spiritual foundation: The importance of prayer, time in God's Word, and maintaining a consistent relationship with Jesus. The power of daily habits: How small, repeated decisions shape our character, faith, and future. Finding strength in Christian community: Why accountability, small groups, friendships, and relationships with other believers are essential to spiritual growth. Recognizing the importance of consistency: How small compromises and neglected spiritual practices can gradually pull us away from God. Trusting God's plan for your life: Why we shouldn't judge ourselves or others by where we are in the process of spiritual transformation. Becoming who God created you to be: How God can take what feels unfinished in our lives and build something greater than we could have imagined. Key Scriptures James 1:22 — Be doers of the Word, not hearers only. Romans 12:1–2 — Offer your life to God and allow Him to transform you by renewing your mind. Romans 12:4–5 — We are many parts of one body in Christ, and we belong to one another. Ephesians 4 — Remove the old, renew your mind, and embrace the new life God is building in you. Key Takeaways Honesty is the beginning, not the finish line. Identifying what needs to change in your life is important, but real spiritual growth happens when you take action. Grace comes before the work. You don't have to earn God's love or prove yourself worthy of His grace. Your spiritual growth is built on what God has already done for you. Your habits are shaping your future. The small things you consistently do, including prayer, reading Scripture, and the way you treat others, help form the person you are becoming. Don't ignore the weak points. The areas where you struggle most are often the areas where you need additional support, honesty, accountability, and Christian community. Consistency requires support. Spiritual growth isn't meant to happen in isolation. We need people who encourage us, challenge us, and help us stay on track. God is not finished with you. You may feel unfinished or uncertain about where your faith journey is taking you, but God sees what you can become and continues to work in your life. Questions for Reflection What is one area of your life where you've recognized a need for change but haven't taken the next step? What daily spiritual habit could help strengthen your relationship with God? Who are the people in your life who help keep you grounded in your faith? Are you trying to grow spiritually on your own instead of becoming part of a Christian community? Where might God be asking you to trust His plan rather than your own expectations? About Journey Christian Church Looking for a church in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, where you can grow in your relationship with Jesus, build meaningful friendships, and find a community of believers? Journey Christian Church is a place to explore faith, study God's Word, and take your next steps in following Christ. Whether you're in Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, Hillview, Lebanon Junction, Louisville, or elsewhere in Bullitt County, we invite you to connect with us and discover what it means to grow together in faith. Your story isn't finished. God is still building.

Built — Week 3: What Needs to Come Down? We’re all building something—our lives, families, relationships, faith, and future. But sometimes building something new requires tearing something old down first. In Week 3 of the Built series, we explore the spiritual demolition that sometimes has to happen before God can rebuild our lives around Jesus. In This Episode 01. Sometimes construction starts with demolitionA strong foundation and a good blueprint matter, but there are times when something has to come down before something new can be built. 02. What are you holding onto that needs to come down?We talk about obvious obstacles like bitterness, anger, addiction, dishonesty, pride, and unforgiveness—but also the less obvious things that can keep us from growing. 03. We can learn to live with things that are brokenJust like a broken light switch, sticking door, or crack in the wall can become “normal,” unhealthy patterns in our lives can become things we simply learn to live with. 04. Not every obstacle looks like sinHebrews 12 challenges us to throw off both “the sin that so easily entangles” and the things that hinder us. Some obstacles are habits or behaviors; others are beliefs, assumptions, wounds, or religious baggage. 05. When our understanding of God needs to be rebuiltSometimes the things we were taught about God were incomplete or distorted—even when they came from people we love and respect. Every generation and every church has blind spots. 06. Questions aren't necessarily the enemy of faithFaith doesn't require us to pretend we have every answer. Scripture is filled with people who questioned, wrestled, lamented, and sought understanding. 07. Scripture is authoritative, but our interpretation can be incompleteWe explore the difference between what Scripture actually says and our understanding of what Scripture means—and why humility matters when we study and interpret the Bible. 08. Grace may be bigger than we thinkWhen we believe grace is too small to meet us where we are, we hide our sin, defend ourselves, and create barriers for others. 09. Don't make it difficult for people who are turning to GodActs 15 gives us a powerful picture of the early church wrestling with what requirements should—or shouldn't—be placed on people coming to Jesus. 10. Don't add obstacles Jesus never addedOur traditions, preferences, politics, certainty, and expectations shouldn't become prerequisites for someone encountering Jesus. 11. Deconstruction isn't the end of the storyTearing something down isn't enough. The goal isn't to live in the rubble. We challenge, examine, and remove what needs to come down so something centered on Jesus can be rebuilt. 12. Hand God the hammerThe final challenge is simple: ask God to remove whatever keeps your faith from looking more like Jesus—whether that's bitterness, pride, shame, fear, sin, assumptions, or religious obstacles. Key Scriptures Ephesians 4:22–24 — Putting off the old self, renewing our minds, and putting on the new self. Hebrews 12:1 — Throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that entangles. 2 Corinthians 10:5 — Taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ. Acts 15:19 — “We should not make it difficult for Gentiles who are turning to God.” Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Questions to Consider What is hindering me? Is there a sin I need to confess or a habit I need to confront? Is there a grudge, wound, fear, or belief that has become an obstacle? What obstacle am I placing in front of someone else that Jesus never placed there? Have I confused my interpretation of Scripture with Scripture itself? Have I allowed my certainty to prevent me from listening and growing? Have I made God's grace smaller than Jesus intended it to be? What does God know cannot remain if I am going to become who He created me to be? The Big Idea Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is admit that something needs to come down. A habit.A grudge.A fear.A wound.A distorted belief.A religious obstacle.A wall we've built around grace. The goal isn't to leave us standing in rubble. The goal is to make room for Jesus to rebuild.

We're all building something. Whether it's a family, career, relationships, reputation, habits, finances, or a life of faith, our everyday decisions are shaping who we become. But there's an important question we often fail to ask: Who drew the plans? In this message, we explore what it means to intentionally build our lives around the teachings and example of Jesus rather than allowing culture, comparison, fear, or other people's expectations to determine our direction. Key Scriptures Luke 14:28–33 — Jesus teaches about counting the cost before building and before following Him. 1 John 2:6 — Those who claim to live in Christ should live as Jesus did. Ephesians 2:10 — We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Proverbs 16:9 — We make plans, but God establishes our steps. Key Ideas 1. We're all building something.The question isn't whether we're building a life. The question is what we're building—and whether the foundation and direction will allow it to last. 2. We need to "sit down first."Jesus' teaching in Luke 14 reminds us that following Him isn't something to approach casually. We need to stop, consider the cost, and understand what we're stepping into. 3. We often have a clearer plan for what we want to have than who we want to become.We can know what kind of house, career, family, or financial future we want without ever asking what kind of person we want to be. 4. Something is always drawing the blueprint.Culture, family history, fear, comparison, social media, approval, and pain can all influence the direction of our lives if we don't intentionally choose a different blueprint. 5. Jesus doesn't simply approve our blueprint—He becomes the blueprint.Following Jesus means learning to live like Jesus: with love, forgiveness, humility, truth, mercy, courage, generosity, and faithfulness. 6. Following Jesus has a cost.Grace is freely given, but following Jesus can cost us control, comfort, approval, pride, convenience, and even habits or relationships that aren't helping us become who God is calling us to be. 7. We have to decide whether we'll stick to the blueprint.Following Jesus can feel easy when life goes according to our plans. The deeper question comes when life becomes difficult: Will we remain faithful? Three Questions to Consider Who drew the plans?Is Jesus leading your life, or are fear, culture, comparison, approval, or control? Am I willing to pay the price?What might following Jesus require you to surrender? Will I stick to the blueprint?Will you continue following Jesus when doing so becomes difficult or inconvenient? A Question to Take With You What are you building—and who are you becoming while you build it? You can build a successful career and become someone your family barely knows. You can build financial security and become controlled by fear. You can build a reputation for being right and lose your ability to love. The goal isn't simply to build a better version of the life we already wanted. The goal is Jesus. About Journey If you're searching for a church in Shepherdsville, KY, a church in Bullitt County, or a Christian community near Louisville, we'd love for you to connect with Journey and join us as we learn what it means to follow Jesus together.

Underneath It All: What Is Your Life Built On? We all spend a lot of time thinking about the visible parts of our lives—our careers, families, homes, accomplishments, relationships, and reputations. But the most important part of a house is the part nobody sees: the foundation. And the same is true of our lives. 1. We're All Building Something You may not consider yourself a builder, but every decision you make is building something. Your words build something.Your attention builds something.Your reactions build something.Your choices become habits, habits become patterns, and those patterns shape the life you're living. The question is: What are you building—and will it last? 2. The Foundation Matters More Than the Appearance Jesus tells the story of two builders in Matthew 7:24–27. One builds his house on rock.The other builds on sand. On a sunny day, the difference may not be obvious. But when the storm arrives, the foundation is revealed. That's true for our lives, too. Storms don't create your foundation. They reveal it. 3. Good Things Can Become Bad Foundations Money isn't bad. Success isn't bad. Relationships aren't bad. Planning isn't bad. Family isn't bad. The problem comes when we take something good and make it the ultimate thing—asking it to provide the security, identity, or meaning that only God can provide. Everything created has a weight limit. Nothing other than God was designed to carry the full weight of your life. 4. What Has to Stay Secure for You to Be Okay? This may be the hardest question in the episode: What is the thing you cannot imagine losing without losing yourself? Your job? Your reputation? Your health? Your family? Your bank account? Your plans? Someone's approval? Your sense of control? The answer doesn't necessarily mean that thing is bad. It may simply reveal that you're asking it to carry more weight than it was designed to carry. 5. Hearing Jesus Isn't the Same as Following Jesus Jesus doesn't say the wise builder is simply the person who hears His words. The wise builder hears His words and puts them into practice. That's the difference. Faith isn't simply agreeing that Jesus is right. It's building your life around who Jesus is and what He says. 6. Let Jesus Carry What Only Jesus Can Carry Your job matters—but it doesn't have to define you. Your relationships matter—but they don't have to save you. Your future matters—but you don't have to control it. Your life matters—but you weren't designed to carry its full weight alone. The challenge is to let Jesus be more than an addition to your life. Let Him be the foundation. 7. Lay One Brick of Obedience Rebuilding your life doesn't have to happen all at once. Start with one thing. What is one thing Jesus has already told you to do that you already know you need to do? Maybe it's: Forgiving someone Asking for help Returning to community Opening Scripture Apologizing Serving someone Becoming more generous Releasing something you can't control Taking a step toward baptism Trusting God with something you've been trying to carry yourself One step. One conversation. One act of obedience. One brick.

Newton’s Third Law & Our LivesEvery action creates a reaction. The same principle we see in the physical world can help us understand something about our relationships, choices, habits, and spiritual lives. Cause & EffectOur actions and choices create consequences. The words we speak, the attitudes we carry, and the habits we develop all create some type of movement around us. Reaping & Sowing — Galatians 6Paul reminds us that we reap what we sow. The kind of seed we plant matters—and the harvest is connected to the seed. Self-AwarenessWe know our intentions, but other people experience our actions. Sometimes there is a gap between what we meant to do and what someone else experienced. “What Is It Like to Be on the Other Side of Me?”This question challenges us to honestly examine how our words, attitudes, decisions, and patterns affect the people closest to us. AccountabilityAccountability means owning what belongs to us. We are responsible for our actions without assuming responsibility for controlling everyone else's reactions. Influence & RelationshipsThe people we repeatedly spend time with influence our priorities, habits, attitudes, and direction. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that walking with the wise makes us wise. Parenting & Digital InfluenceOur children are influenced by friends, teachers, coaches, celebrities, social media, online personalities, and countless other voices. Awareness of those influences matters. The Hope of a New DirectionWe cannot change yesterday's actions, but we can choose what we plant today. Through Jesus, we can begin creating a different pattern and moving in a different direction. Scripture Referenced Galatians 6:7-10 Psalm 139:23-24 Genesis 3 Romans 12:18 Proverbs 13:20 Questions to Consider What reaction does your action keep creating? What do you need to take responsibility for? Who is influencing your direction? What seeds or actions do you need to plant today? What direction is it all moving?

What do you do when the weight you’re carrying feels too heavy to move on your own? In this powerful message from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, we continue looking at Newton’s Laws of Motion and what they can teach us about faith, life, relationships, and following Jesus. Newton’s Second Law tells us that the heavier an object is, the more force it takes to move it. The same can be true in our lives. Some things are easy to change. Other things—grief, shame, trauma, broken relationships, addiction, fear, disappointment, and family patterns—can feel incredibly heavy. And sometimes, simply trying harder isn’t enough. Through the story of the Apostle Paul and his “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12, we’re reminded that God’s answer isn’t always to immediately remove the burden. Sometimes His answer is to give us the grace and strength to keep moving while we carry it. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This message is about God’s grace, Christian faith, emotional healing, spiritual growth, community, vulnerability, and learning that we were never meant to carry every burden alone. Whether you’re joining us from Shepherdsville, Louisville, Lebanon Junction, Bullitt County, or somewhere else in Kentucky, this message is an encouragement to stop pretending that everything is fine, recognize what you’re carrying, invite the right people into your life, and take your next faithful step. You may not be able to change everything today. But you can move. And you don’t have to move alone. In This Episode, We Talk About: Newton’s Second Law of Motion and what it teaches us about life Why some problems require more than simply “trying harder” What it means when life feels too heavy to carry Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12 “My grace is sufficient for you” Why weakness doesn’t disqualify you from God’s power The connection between faith, grace, and personal growth Why we should be careful about giving simple answers to complicated pain How grief, shame, trauma, fear, rejection, and disappointment can affect us Why we need other people to help us carry life’s burdens Galatians 6:2 and the call to carry one another’s burdens Why you need to name the burden you’re carrying Why vulnerability is an important part of healing and spiritual growth How to take one faithful step forward Why slow movement is still movement Learning to surrender what you cannot carry on your own Why God’s grace is greater than our past, failures, shame, and weakness Five Practical Steps From This Message 1. Name it.What exactly are you carrying? You cannot surrender what you refuse to name. 2. Share it.Invite the right person into the struggle—a pastor, counselor, friend, family member, or community. 3. Take one step.You don’t have to fix everything today. Take the next faithful step. 4. Surrender it.Recognize that some things are too heavy to carry in your own strength. 5. Keep moving.Three steps forward and one step back is still movement. Don’t confuse slow movement with no movement. Scripture Mentioned 2 Corinthians 12:8–10 — God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. Galatians 6:2 — Carry each other’s burdens. Romans 5:20 — Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. A Message for Anyone Carrying Something Heavy You don’t have to become strong enough for God to use you. You don’t have to hide your weakness for God to love you. And you don’t have to carry everything alone. Your weakness is not greater than His power.Your failure is not greater than His mercy.Your shame is not greater than His love.Your past is not greater than His grace. The question is: What have you been trying to move in your own strength that God is asking you to place under His grace? What do you need to name?What do you need to surrender?What do you need to share?What is your next faithful step?

Episode Notes: It’s Time to Move Big Idea We are all moving in some direction. The question isn't whether we're moving—it's what is moving us and where are we going? Using Newton's First Law of Motion as a picture for our spiritual lives, this message explores the danger of inertia: the longer we remain in the same condition, the harder it can become to change. Through the story of Jesus healing the man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5, we're reminded that Jesus doesn't simply meet us in our stuck places—He calls us to get up and move. Key Takeaways 1. Inertia affects more than physical objects.Newton's First Law says that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. The same principle can describe our lives. We naturally resist change and tend to continue in the direction we're already going. 2. The longer we stay stuck, the more normal stuck can feel.Habits, bitterness, fear, shame, disappointment, and dysfunction can become so familiar that we begin to mistake familiar for healthy. 3. Wanting change isn't the same as making a move.We can want a different life while continuing to protect the patterns that created our current life. Movement requires action. 4. Our excuses can be true and still keep us stuck.The man at Bethesda had legitimate reasons for why he couldn't reach the pool. But his explanations couldn't move him forward. Our past may explain where we are, but it doesn't have to determine what happens next. 5. Jesus meets us where we are.The man thought his answer was getting into the pool. Jesus showed him that he didn't need to get to the water because Jesus had come to him. 6. Jesus calls us to move.Throughout Scripture, Jesus invites people to follow, leave, come out, get up, and walk. His grace doesn't simply allow us to remain where we are—it makes movement possible. 7. Your past is part of your story, but it isn't your identity.Jesus told the man to pick up his mat. The mat represented 38 years of being stuck, but now it became evidence that he had moved. Jesus doesn't erase our stories; He redeems them. 8. Small steps create motion.Getting out of inertia doesn't necessarily require one massive decision. Sometimes it begins with one simple act of obedience. Questions to Consider Where are you stuck right now? What area of your life has looked the same for far too long? What conversation are you avoiding? What habit are you continuing to excuse? What are you carrying that you need to release? Are you confusing familiarity with health? Are you allowing something that happened in your past to determine your future? What step has Jesus already placed in front of you that you've been delaying? What is one specific action you need to take? Memorable Statements “Wanting movement and making a move are not the same thing.” “What remains unchanged long enough begins to feel unchangeable.” “Your current condition does not have to become your permanent identity.” “Our excuses may explain where we are, but they cannot move us from where we are.” “Your past may explain some things about you, but it does not have to have the final word about you.” “Small steps create motion.” “You do not have to do everything today, but you cannot keep doing nothing.” “Motion begins when we trust Jesus.” Scripture Focus John 5:1–9 — Jesus encounters a man who has been unable to walk for 38 years and asks him, “Do you want to get well?” Jesus then tells him to get up, pick up his mat, and walk. Acts 17:28 — “For in him we live and move and have our being.” The Challenge Don't wait until you understand the entire path. Don't wait until you feel completely ready. Don't wait until every circumstance changes. Identify the next step Jesus is asking you to take—and take it. You don't need the whole journey mapped out. You need to stop confusing uncertainty with a reason to stay still. It's time to move.

Following Jesus When Doing the Right Thing Is Hard What happens when following Jesus makes life harder instead of easier? In the final message of our Beatitudes series, we look at Jesus' challenging words in Matthew 5:10–12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” None of us enjoys opposition, criticism, inconvenience, or suffering. But Jesus never promised that following Him would always be easy. In fact, Scripture repeatedly shows us that faithfulness sometimes comes with a cost. This message explores what it means to remain faithful when doing the right thing is difficult—and why Christians need to understand the difference between genuine persecution and simply being criticized, offended, or disagreed with. We also look at the lives of Stephen, William Tyndale, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and persecuted Christians throughout history who demonstrated what it means to follow Jesus when faithfulness comes at a tremendous cost. But this message isn't just about extreme examples of persecution. It's about the everyday decisions we make to live like Jesus. Sometimes faithfulness looks like telling the truth when a lie would be easier. Sometimes it means refusing to participate in gossip. Sometimes it means forgiving someone who hurt you, making peace when both sides are suspicious of you, choosing integrity at work, serving someone who can't repay you, or standing up for someone who is being treated unjustly. The question isn't whether following Jesus will always be comfortable. The question is whether Jesus is worth following when it isn't. In This Episode The final Beatitude and what Jesus means by persecution Why following Jesus doesn't guarantee an easy life The difference between persecution and simply being offended Why humility, mercy, meekness, and peacemaking matter What Stephen's story teaches us about responding to opposition William Tyndale's sacrifice to make the Bible accessible Dietrich Bonhoeffer's decision to stand against evil What Christian persecution looks like around the world today Why the early church changed Rome through faithfulness and service Why faithfulness doesn't always produce the outcome we want What it looks like to live with integrity when nobody is watching Following Jesus in our families, workplaces, relationships, and communities Why serving others may require sacrifice How we can keep going when doing good becomes difficult The hope found in the Kingdom of God Key Scriptures Matthew 5:10–12 — Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. John 16:33 — Jesus reminds His followers that they will have trouble in this world, but He has overcome the world. 1 Peter 3:14–16 — Suffer for what is right, remain hopeful, and respond with gentleness and respect. Hebrews 11–12 — The stories of faithful people who endured hardship and the reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus. The Big Takeaway Faith isn't defined only by the times when everything works out. Sometimes faith looks like deliverance. Sometimes it looks like endurance. Sometimes it looks like doing the right thing even when it costs you something. The outcome may be different. The faithfulness can be the same. Jesus calls us to be people who don't grow weary, don't lose heart, and don't stop doing what is right simply because it becomes difficult. Listen & Share If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that faithfulness is never wasted. And if you're looking for a church in Shepherdsville, KY, a church in Bullitt County, or a church where you can watch services online, we'd love for you to connect with us. Whether you're new to faith, searching for a church home, or simply looking to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, you're welcome here. Jesus is worth following—even when following Him is hard.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers | The Beatitudes Series | Journey Church What does it really mean to be a peacemaker? In this episode, we continue our Beatitudes series by exploring one of Jesus' most challenging teachings: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." While our culture often defines peace as simply avoiding conflict, Jesus points us toward something much deeper—shalom: wholeness, reconciliation, healing, and restoration. You'll discover why biblical peacemaking isn't about keeping everyone comfortable, but about courageously pursuing truth, mercy, and reconciliation. Whether you're navigating conflict in your family, workplace, church, or friendships, this practical message will help you become the kind of person who reflects the heart of Christ. In this episode you'll learn: The difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking Why avoiding conflict isn't the same as biblical peace The meaning of shalom in Scripture How Jesus modeled truth and grace together Five practical ways to become a peacemaker in everyday life If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little more peace today. Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to the Beatitude of the Peacemaker02:00 – What Jesus meant by "Blessed are the peacemakers"04:30 – Why our culture misunderstands peace09:00 – The danger of labels, outrage, and division15:00 – The Christmas Truce of World War I19:00 – The biblical meaning of Shalom25:00 – Peace, justice, and truth30:30 – Peacekeepers vs. peacemakers35:15 – "As far as it depends on you…" (Romans 12)39:45 – Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus: A picture of reconciliation46:00 – Jesus is our peace50:00 – Three habits peacemakers refuse to carry54:15 – Five practical steps to becoming a peacemaker01:04:00 – The promise for peacemakers and closing prayer

What does Jesus really mean when He says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God"? In this powerful message from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, we continue our journey through the Beatitudes by exploring one of Jesus' most challenging and hope-filled promises. A pure heart isn't about perfection - it's about having an undivided heart that is fully surrendered to God. If you've ever struggled with disappointment, bitterness, anxiety, cynicism, or feeling distant from God, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical steps to help you rediscover childlike wonder, heal from life's wounds, and recognize God's presence in your everyday life. Whether you're part of the Shepherdsville community or listening from anywhere in the world, this message will challenge you to examine what is shaping your heart and inspire you to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. In this episode, you'll discover: What "pure in heart" actually means in Matthew 5:8 Why Jesus cares more about the condition of your heart than outward appearances How to overcome a divided heart and grow in spiritual integrity The difference between wisdom and cynicism Practical ways to guard your heart and experience God's presence daily How childlike faith helps us see God's goodness in ordinary moments If you're looking for a church in Shepherdsville, KY, biblical teaching rooted in Scripture, or encouragement for your walk with Christ, this episode is for you. Keywords: Shepherdsville KY church, Shepherdsville Kentucky sermon, Beatitudes Bible study, Matthew 5:8, Pure in Heart, Christian podcast, Kentucky church, Jesus' teachings, Sermon on the Mount, Christian living, faith, spiritual growth, Bible teaching, discipleship, seeing God, grace, mercy, Kingdom of God.