WWW.iamcatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/BO3wZVCjBgA?is=7MgRfSuxlKtTDCx2

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch Ephesians 1:7 by North Palm Worship:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/53458?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP

Ephesians 1:7 ESV
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.1.7.ESV

WWW.iamcatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/-k2L6elf3F0?is=ATfmRhfpkVmXj_yz

Part of the Plan

In the beginning, God created everything.

Galaxies and volcanoes, fireflies and diamonds, oak trees and great white sharks. Finally, saving the best for last, He created humans in His image—to fill the earth, reign over its creatures, and cultivate a world that magnifies Him.

But even before the beginning, God was already there. He spoke time and space into existence, while existing outside of time and space. And long before you were born, He already knew all about you—your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures. 

He knew all about you and still chose to make you… because He loves you!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV

You are God’s handiwork—sometimes translated as masterpiece, workmanship, or work of art.

You are also God’s masterpiece because of the unique spirit, personality, and gifts that have been uniquely wired in you.

Because we know that God is more brilliant than we could ever imagine, and because He loves us more than we could dare to hope, and because we know He writes great stories, we can trust what He has planned from beginning to end. 

And His plan includes you. Yes, you! He has prepared good things for you to step into—meaningful relationships and impactful work. He is continually putting people and opportunities in your path, as well as working inside of you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).

He has empowered you to partner with Him as we experience the greatest story on earth.

So as you consider how God has intentionally designed you and placed you at this specific point in history, what passions and callings has He placed on your heart? This could be one big thing, or several small things. As you think about that, what step do you need to take to pursue your calling with God-given confidence?

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch Ephesians 2:10 with Eyong Enoh by Athletes In Action:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/53264?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP

Ephesians 2:10 ESV
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.2.10.ESV

WWW.iamcatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/6hGpctJQGso?is=vhKoRNjtam1uqzoF

Love Compelled Him

Jesus said a lot of powerful, enlightening, and important things. But there’s one command that sums it all up…

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It sounds simple, right? But when we look at Jesus’ life, how did He love? And how can we strive to love like He did?

Love compelled Jesus to give up His privileges. As Creator and Lord, Jesus can do whatever He pleases. But instead, the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14)—temporarily relinquishing His rights so that we could be right with God.

Love compelled Jesus to prioritize people. The woman at the well. The man with leprosy. A Roman officer. A blind beggar. Peter’s mother-in-law. The widow’s son. A despised tax collector. Even the thief hanging next to Him on the cross. Jesus didn’t see problems—He saw and loved people.

Love compelled Jesus to serve others. He washed His disciples' feet, pursued the marginalized, had compassion on the sick, weary, and broken. In the end, He gave His own life for us.

Love compelled Jesus to value truth and grace. In a world where many elevate grace while others only magnify truth, Jesus valued both. He was passionate about God’s ways and God’s Word while also showing great compassion to those who needed it most.

If we’re ever unsure about how to love others, let’s look to Jesus as the ultimate example. He lived selflessly, prioritized other people, served to the point of death, and valued both truth and grace.

And as we love like Jesus, we will become more like Him.

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch John 15:12 by Through the Word:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/53018?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP

John 15:12 ESV
[12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.15.12.ESV

WWW.iamcatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/qzq17BHavCo?is=IVl6shW5PJEqv5PJ

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch Romans 8:31 by Entrusted Women:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/52921?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP

Romans 8:31 ESV
[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.31.ESV

WWW.iamcatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/3G6_rD0D-Qw?si=bJDGrWso04CpgPs7

Is Your Heart Pure?

What do you think about when you hear the word pure?

Do you picture a tall glass of crystal clear water? A freshly washed load of white sheets? Or maybe someone who’s morally wholesome and good?

In the sixth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus said this:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 NIV

The word "pure" means clean or blameless, free from corruption or contamination, purified by fire, or unstained by guilt. None of us can truly be pure on our own—despite our best efforts.

Before Jesus showed up, the highest ranking Levitical priests were charged with ministering and mediating in the holiest spaces (inside the tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the temple in Jerusalem)—where God’s presence dwelled on earth. But even they had to be purified over and over again.

Now, because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, He has paved the way for us. His blood covered our sins, and when we accept the sacrifice, He makes us pure. Now and forever, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God,” where we can find mercy and grace when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16). Now, our bodies are the modern-day temples where God’s Spirit has chosen to dwell.

Being pure of heart is not about being perfect, but trusting in Jesus to purify our souls.

As Isaiah once prophesied…

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Allow Him to make you pure.

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch Matthew 5:8 by Living With Power:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/52920?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP

Matthew 5:8 ESV
[8] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.8.ESV

WWW.iamcatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/gQkLviyrRg4?si=6xG_PTVrxULf8Csn

How Weakness Becomes Strength
2 Corinthians 12:9

Think of a situation you wish you could change, and then imagine what the apostle Paul must have been going through in 2 Corinthians 12.

Paul was suffering, so he repeatedly begged God to remove his pain. But God doesn’t change Paul’s situation. Instead, God tells Paul that His “grace is enough” for him. 
 
Charis, the ancient Greek word for “grace,” conveyed the favor that God showed humanity when He sent Jesus to earth for us. 
 
Before Jesus, people couldn’t draw near to God on their own. But Jesus made a way for anyone to experience intimacy with God. A relationship with God isn’t something we earn—it’s a free gift we receive when we accept that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead. 
 
So when God tells Paul that His “grace is sufficient,” what He’s essentially saying is: “I am enough for you.” 

God could meet Paul’s needs because God was all Paul needed—and God was with Paul. The influence Paul had was only because God chose to show off His power through him.
 
“For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NIV
 
We are all like “jars of clay”—simple and not that impressive. But when we submit our lives to God, we become containers that showcase His power. 
 
Like Paul, we can then boast about how weak we are so that God gets the credit for every great thing that happens to us. 

Our situations might not change, but our cry often changes from, “God, please remove this suffering,” to, “God, when I suffer—show me how You are using this for Your glory and my good.”  
 
So whatever you’re facing, know that God is near. He sees you and He loves you. Take some time today and ask God to show you how He is empowering you. Draw near to Him, and let Him strengthen you.

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch 2 Corinthians 12:9 by Scott Savage:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/52812?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.12.9.ESV

www.iamvatalyst.net
https://www.youtube.com/live/ybNKPyxSUqM?si=QY0z3L-3K1l4-r1z

Keep in Step

Let’s start with some backstory…

Jesus had already lived, died, and rose again. Some of His closest friends—Peter and John—were telling everyone what they’d seen and heard. They even performed some astonishing miracles in Christ’s name, like healing a beggar who’d been crippled from birth.

Thousands of people believed Peter and John’s testimonies about Jesus, but many of the religious leaders did not. In fact, in their eyes, such messages and miracles were dangerous and could ultimately take away their power.

After doing some jail time because of what they’d been teaching, as well as defending their message in front of the religious council, Peter and John went back to the other believers, praying bold prayers and trusting in God.

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peter and John were in the habit of:

1. Gathering together with other believers
2. Praying together with other believers
3. Speaking boldly about the Word of God

As they did the natural—gathering, praying, and speaking—the Holy Spirit filled them with the supernatural power of God.

As Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” We keep in step with the Spirit by walking with Him, listening to Him, and following His guidance.

Like Peter and John, who faced tons of opposition for their faith, we can keep trusting in and walking with God. We can keep gathering together with like-minded believers. We can keep praying bold prayers that can’t be accomplished on our own. We can keep speaking boldly and continually about the hope we have in Jesus.

And as we do that, God’s Spirit will guide us—both naturally and supernaturally—every step of the way.

This Teaching Clip made me think of you. Watch Acts 4:31 by International Prayer Connect:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/52806?orientation=portrait&utm_content=STORY_CLIP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_source=YVAPP