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Day 1: Embracing Your New Identity

Devotional Have you ever received a gift so incredible that it changed everything about your life? That’s exactly what happens when we say yes to Jesus. In that moment, something profound occurs – we become entirely new creations. The old version of ourselves, with all its failures and shortcomings, is gone. A new version, seen through the perfection of Christ, has arrived. This isn’t just a nice spiritual concept. It’s the foundation of our entire Christian journey. When we accept Christ, we’re immediately justified – declared righteous as if we’d never sinned. This isn’t something we earn or achieve through good behavior. It’s an immediate, complete transformation of our identity. Yet many of us struggle to fully embrace this truth. We keep trying to earn what we’ve already been freely given. We add requirements to the cross, creating formulas and checklists when God has already declared us complete in Christ. Today, take a moment to sit with this revolutionary truth: if you’ve said yes to Jesus, you are already a new creation. Not becoming one, not working toward it – you are one right now. Your journey isn’t about earning a new identity but learning to live from the one you already have.

Bible Verse

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval rather than living from the approval you already have as a new creation in Christ?

Quote “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, if you’ve said yes to Jesus, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here. Something has changed that. Something dramatic has happened in you because you are now a new creation.”

Prayer

Father, thank you for making me a new creation in Christ. Help me to stop striving to earn what you’ve already freely given me. Today, I choose to embrace my identity as your beloved child, completely accepted and made new. Amen.

Day 2: From Formula to Relationship

Devotional We humans love formulas. We want clear, step-by-step instructions for everything – including our spiritual lives. If we just do X, Y, and Z, we think, then we’ll be good Christians. But Christianity was never meant to be reduced to a formula. Jesus didn’t say, “I’ll teach you about the way” or “Let me give you a formula for truth.” He said, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life.” The difference is profound. Our faith isn’t primarily about following rules or checking boxes – it’s about following a Person. When we reduce the gospel to a formula, it ceases to be good news. It becomes another religious system, another burden to carry. But Jesus came to give us life through relationship with Him, not another set of requirements to fulfill. This doesn’t mean there aren’t practices that help us grow – prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and community are vital. But these are means of deepening our relationship with Jesus, not formulas for earning His favor. Today, consider how you might be relating to God through formulas rather than relationship. Are you measuring your spiritual life by what you do, or by how connected you are to Jesus? The invitation is to move beyond formulas into the freedom of knowing and being known by Christ.

Bible Verse

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” – 1 Corinthians 2:2

Reflection Question

In what ways have you reduced your faith to formulas and rules rather than embracing the relationship Jesus offers?

Quote “Christianity isn’t about a formula and following a bunch of rules. It’s all about a person. His name is Jesus, and life is found in following him.”

Prayer

Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve reduced you to a formula. I want to know you, not just know about you. Help me to experience the freedom and joy of walking with you in relationship rather than striving to follow religious rules. Amen.

Day 3: Transformed by Renewal

Devotional Our minds are powerful. They shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. That’s why the renewal of our minds is so crucial to living as new creations in Christ. The world constantly bombards us with messages about who we are and how we should live – messages that often contradict our true identity in Christ. Without intentional renewal, we’ll naturally conform to these patterns, living from our old identity rather than our new one. Renewing our minds isn’t a one-time event but a daily practice of replacing lies with truth. It happens as we meditate on Scripture, as we pray, as we pause to listen to the Holy Spirit. This renewal doesn’t happen automatically – it requires our cooperation. The beautiful promise is that as our minds are renewed, transformation follows. We begin to think more like God thinks. We start to see ourselves as He sees us. And gradually, our lives begin to reflect the new creation reality that is already true of us in Christ. Today, take a moment to pause and breathe. As the sermon reminds us, there’s something about a breath that reminds us of the Holy Spirit – the breath, wind, ruach of God. Invite Him to renew your mind with the truth of who you are in Christ.

Bible Verse

“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

Reflection Question

What specific thought patterns or beliefs do you need the Holy Spirit to renew so that you can more fully live as a new creation?

Quote “Do not conform to the pattern of this world. Don’t keep doing the things the way that you’ve always done them and the way that the culture does them around you. Be transformed, change by the renewing of your mind.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I invite you to renew my mind today. Show me where I’m still thinking according to the patterns of this world rather than the truth of who I am in Christ. Transform me from the inside out as I surrender my thoughts to you. Amen.

Day 4: Responding from Your New Identity

Devotional Life is full of challenges. We face disappointments, setbacks, and sometimes even persecution for our faith. In these moments, we have a choice: we can respond from our old nature or from our new identity in Christ. Paul and Silas model this beautifully for us. Thrown into prison unjustly, they could have complained, grown bitter, or questioned God. Instead, they worshiped. From the darkness of their prison cell, they sang praises to God – not because their circumstances were good, but because God was good and their identity was secure in Him. When we face difficulties, our response reveals what we truly believe about our identity. Do we see ourselves primarily as victims of our circumstances, or as new creations who can respond with grace, faith, and even joy in the midst of trials? God doesn’t waste our difficulties. As the sermon reminds us, He often weaves even the most challenging circumstances into the bigger story of what He’s doing in and through us. When we respond from our new identity rather than our old nature, we participate in this redemptive work. Today, consider how you might respond differently to a challenging situation by remembering who you are in Christ. How might your response change if you approached it as a new creation rather than from your old patterns?

Bible Verse

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” – Acts 16:25-26

Reflection Question

What difficult situation are you facing right now where God is inviting you to respond from your new identity rather than your old patterns?

Quote “Watch how God takes even difficult things and often weaves them back into the bigger story of what’s happening.”

Prayer

Father, thank you that no circumstance can change who I am in you. Help me to respond to difficulties today from my identity as a new creation. Use even the challenges I face to display your goodness and power in my life. Amen.

Day 5: Living as New Creations Daily

Devotional Our identity as new creations isn’t just a theological concept – it’s meant to transform how we live each day. The challenge isn’t earning this identity but learning to live consistently from it in our everyday choices and interactions. What does this look like practically? It might mean choosing grace when you would normally choose frustration. It could mean responding to criticism with humility rather than defensiveness. Perhaps it means approaching your work as service to God rather than just a paycheck. Living as a new creation involves intentional cooperation with the Holy Spirit. He knows God’s thoughts and wants to share them with us, helping us think more like God thinks. As we yield to Him moment by moment, He empowers us to live in ways that would be impossible in our own strength. This journey isn’t about perfection. We won’t always get it right, and that’s okay. The invitation is to keep pressing in, to keep yielding to the Spirit, to keep choosing to live from our new identity rather than our old patterns. At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect: How did I live as a new creation today? Not to condemn yourself, but to celebrate growth and identify areas where you can continue to yield more fully to the Spirit’s work in your life.

Bible Verse

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

Reflection Question

What is one specific way you can intentionally live from your new creation identity tomorrow?

Quote “Ask yourself at the end of the day, how did I live as a new creation? Not to beat yourself up, because we’re never going to get it right, but just to encourage yourself to keep pressing in and adding a little more, yielding the Holy Spirit, living a life that pleases God, because that’s where life is found for us.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in my life. Help me to cooperate with your work in me today. Remind me moment by moment of who I am in Christ, and empower me to live from that identity in my choices, words, and actions. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.

Day 1: Called to Freedom

Devotional Freedom is a word we cherish, but often misunderstand. In our culture, we tend to define freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want. But God’s definition is radically different. True freedom isn’t found in unlimited choices or the absence of constraints—it’s found in living according to our Creator’s design. When Paul writes to the Galatians, he makes this clear: we are called to freedom, but not the kind that leads to self-indulgence. Instead, our freedom in Christ has a purpose—to serve one another in love. This turns our cultural understanding upside down. We are most free not when we’re living for ourselves, but when we’re living for others and for God. Think about it: a fish is most free in water, not on land where it has no ‘restrictions.’ Similarly, we experience true freedom when we live within God’s design for our lives. Outside of that design, what feels like freedom actually becomes bondage. Today, consider how you might be misunderstanding freedom. Are there areas where you’re pursuing a counterfeit freedom that’s actually leading to harm or emptiness? God invites us to discover the paradoxical truth that submission to Him leads to our greatest liberation.

Bible Verse

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13

Reflection Question

In what area of your life might you be pursuing a counterfeit version of freedom that’s actually leading you away from God’s best for you?

Quote “Real freedom is found when we follow God, when we choose to walk in Him. I am most free when every choice that I make maximizes my good.”

Prayer

Father, help me understand true freedom as You define it. Show me where I’ve been pursuing a false freedom that leads to bondage. Give me the courage to embrace the freedom that comes from following Your design and serving others in love. Amen.

Day 2: Walking by the Spirit

Devotional What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit”? This phrase appears throughout Scripture, but it can feel abstract. At its core, walking by the Spirit means living in moment-by-moment dependence on God, allowing His presence to guide our choices, attitudes, and actions. Walking suggests a continuous, deliberate movement. It’s not a one-time decision but a lifestyle of consistently choosing God’s way. Just as physical walking requires balance, intention, and forward motion, spiritual walking requires the same. We lean into God’s presence, intentionally align our will with His, and move forward in faith. The beautiful promise is that when we walk by the Spirit, we won’t gratify the desires of our sinful nature. This isn’t about perfect performance but about direction and dependence. When we stumble (and we will), we get back up and continue walking with Him. The Spirit doesn’t force us to follow—He gently leads. He doesn’t override our will but transforms it from within. As we walk with Him, we discover that His path leads to life, peace, and true freedom—not the freedom to do whatever we want, but the freedom to become who we were created to be.

Bible Verse

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16

Reflection Question

What practical step can you take today to make walking by the Spirit more than just a concept but a lived reality in your daily life?

Quote “Being free means that you can choose to live by trying to do the next right thing. We have that choice to follow him and to choose life. And we do that by walking by the Spirit.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I invite Your guidance in every step I take today. Help me recognize Your gentle promptings and give me the courage to follow where You lead. Transform my desires so that I want what You want. Thank You for the freedom that comes from walking with You. Amen.

Day 3: Enoch’s Example: A Life of Walking with God

Devotional In the genealogies of Genesis, most figures are summarized with a simple formula: they lived, had children, and died. But Enoch’s story breaks the pattern. The Bible says he “walked faithfully with God” for 300 years, and then “he was no more, because God took him away.” What made Enoch different? While others merely existed, Enoch walked with God. This wasn’t just religious activity—it was intimate relationship. Walking with someone suggests companionship, conversation, and shared purpose. Enoch lived in conscious communion with God, making Him the center of his daily life. Hebrews tells us Enoch pleased God through faith. Before being taken to heaven without experiencing death, he received the testimony that he was pleasing to God. This reveals something profound: walking with God isn’t about perfection but about faith-filled relationship. Enoch’s example challenges us to examine our own lives. Will our legacy be merely that we existed, or that we walked with God? In a world of distractions and competing priorities, Enoch reminds us that nothing matters more than our relationship with God. The invitation stands for each of us—to walk with God not as a religious duty but as our heart’s deepest delight.

Bible Verse

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” – Hebrews 11:5

Reflection Question

If your life were to be summarized in a single sentence, would “walked with God” be an accurate description? What might need to change for that to become more true?

Quote “Everyone else in this genealogy, all these characters that we read about, they lived, they had families, and they eventually died. Enoch was different. The focus shifts. Enoch walked with the Lord. That’s the legacy that matters most.”

Prayer

Lord, I’m inspired by Enoch’s example of walking faithfully with You. I want my life to be characterized by intimate relationship with You, not just religious activities. Help me to walk with You today in a way that pleases You. May my legacy be that I walked with God. Amen.

Day 4: Grace and Holiness: Finding the Balance

Devotional God’s character contains what might seem like opposing forces: perfect holiness and boundless grace. His holiness cannot tolerate sin, yet His grace extends forgiveness to sinners. Understanding this tension helps us walk with God in a balanced way. In church communities, we often lean too far in one direction. Some emphasize holiness to the point of becoming judgmental and forgetting grace. Others focus so much on grace that they neglect the call to holy living. Both extremes miss the fullness of God’s character. The story of Methuselah (Enoch’s son who lived 969 years—the longest lifespan recorded in Scripture) illustrates this balance. His extraordinarily long life demonstrates God’s patience, giving people maximum time to repent. Yet the flood that came after his death shows God’s holiness requiring judgment of sin. Walking with God means embracing both His grace and His holiness. We receive His grace with gratitude while allowing it to transform us into His likeness. We pursue holiness not from fear or legalism, but from love and a desire to honor the One who saved us. Today, consider whether you tend to emphasize one aspect of God’s character over the other. Ask Him to help you walk in the beautiful balance of grace and holiness.

Bible Verse

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

Reflection Question

Do you tend to emphasize God’s holiness or His grace in your understanding of Him? How might embracing both more fully change your relationship with God and others?

Quote “There’s this pull of holiness and grace. You know, in church, we can often get caught up in one way or another, and if we go too far in either direction, we get. We can get really messed up.”

Prayer

God, thank You for being both perfectly holy and infinitely gracious. Help me to walk in the balance of these truths—receiving Your grace with gratitude while pursuing holiness out of love for You. May my life reflect both aspects of Your character to those around me. Amen.

Day 5: Prayer: Our First Response, Not Last Resort

Devotional When facing challenges or decisions, what’s your first response? Many of us turn immediately to Google, social media, friends, or our own problem-solving abilities. Prayer becomes our last resort—what we do when everything else fails. “Well, I guess all we can do now is pray,” we say, as if prayer is the weakest option rather than the most powerful. But what if we flipped the script? What if prayer became our first response rather than our last resort? Walking with God means bringing everything to Him first—our questions, our needs, our decisions, our struggles. It means recognizing that while Google has information, God has wisdom. While friends have opinions, God has perfect guidance. This doesn’t mean we never use other resources. God often works through people, information, and circumstances. But it does mean we start with Him, seeking His perspective before any other. When prayer becomes our first response, we position ourselves to receive God’s wisdom and align with His purposes. We acknowledge our dependence on Him rather than relying solely on our own understanding. And we often find that time in His presence changes not just our circumstances but our hearts. Today, practice making prayer your first response. Before you Google that question, before you call that friend for advice, before you jump into problem-solving mode—pause and pray.

Bible Verse

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24

Reflection Question

What situation are you currently facing where you’ve tried everything except making prayer your first response? How might approaching God first change your perspective on this situation?

Quote “How much time could I have saved if my first response was prayer? So often our first response is, well, let’s just Google it.”

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve made prayer my last resort rather than my first response. Help me develop the habit of coming to You first with everything. I want to walk so closely with You that prayer becomes as natural as breathing. Thank You for always being ready to hear me. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.

Day 1: The Old Self Must Die

Devotional We all struggle with wanting to be the center of our own story. It’s human nature to view life through the lens of ‘how does this affect me?’ But God calls us to a radical transformation—one where we’re no longer the main character. In Galatians, Paul makes a profound statement about identity that challenges our natural inclinations. He declares that he has been crucified with Christ, meaning his old self-centered nature has died. This isn’t just poetic language. It’s a spiritual reality that we’re invited to embrace daily. The old self—the one that demands attention, insists on its own way, and places personal comfort above all else—must be put to death. This death isn’t a one-time event but a daily choice to surrender our self-importance at the foot of the cross. When we first come to Christ, we begin this journey of transformation. But the old self doesn’t go quietly. It resurfaces in moments of stress, conflict, or decision-making. The question becomes: will we yield to our old nature or embrace our new identity in Christ?

Bible Verse

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

Reflection Question

In what specific situations this week have you noticed your ‘old self’ trying to take center stage? How might those situations have looked different if you had approached them from your identity in Christ?

Quote “Every day, he’s saying, so that you can experience life as the new I that you were created to be. You have to lose that old life. You have to trust in the Lord and what he’s done and move into the new I. But it’s not easy. It’s easy to talk about, but it’s much harder to live out because it’s a daily battle.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to die for me. Help me recognize when my old self is trying to take control. Give me the courage to die to myself daily so that you might live more fully through me. Amen.

Day 2: The Daily Battle

Devotional The Christian life isn’t a smooth, upward trajectory of spiritual growth. It’s more like a daily wrestling match with our old nature. Even Paul, who wrote so eloquently about being crucified with Christ, acknowledged this ongoing struggle. Each morning when we wake up, our old self is ready to assert its dominance. It whispers that we deserve better treatment, that our opinions matter most, and that our comfort should be prioritized. These thoughts can feel so natural that we don’t even recognize them as contrary to our new identity in Christ. Jesus didn’t mince words about this reality. He told His followers that discipleship requires daily cross-bearing—a continual dying to self. The beautiful paradox is that in losing our self-centered life, we discover true life. When we surrender our need to be at the center, we find freedom and purpose beyond anything our old self could imagine. This battle isn’t fought through willpower alone. It’s won through moment-by-moment surrender, acknowledging our weakness and leaning into Christ’s strength.

Bible Verse

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it. But whatever loses their life for me will find it.” – Matthew 16:24-25

Reflection Question

What is one area of your life where you find it most difficult to ‘deny yourself’? What might it look like to take up your cross in that specific situation today?

Quote “I think, honestly, every morning you’re going to battle with the old I. At least I still do. The old I pops up. My center of the story issues are there. It’s like it’s about me. How does it impact me? What about me? And there’s no life to be found there.”

Prayer

Father, I confess that I often try to preserve my old self rather than embracing the cross. Help me to see that true life is found in surrender. Give me courage to deny myself today, knowing that what I gain in You is far greater than what I lose. Amen.

Day 3: Yielding to the Spirit

Devotional Many of us secretly wish Christianity came with a simple rulebook. Just tell us exactly what to do in every situation, and we’ll do it! But God offers something far better—and admittedly more challenging—than a list of regulations. He gives us His Spirit to guide us from within. The Christian life isn’t primarily about rule-following; it’s about relationship. When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. This indwelling Spirit becomes our guide, counselor, and power source for transformation. Rather than consulting a manual of dos and don’ts, we learn to yield to His gentle promptings. Yielding means surrendering control. It means pausing before we react, taking a spiritual breath, and asking, “Spirit, how would you have me respond?” This practice doesn’t come naturally. Our old self prefers the certainty of rules to the vulnerability of relationship. But as we practice yielding, we discover a freedom and wisdom that no rulebook could provide. The Spirit’s guidance is perfectly tailored to each unique situation we face. Where rules are rigid, the Spirit is responsive. Where regulations can become burdensome, the Spirit brings life.

Bible Verse

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.” – Romans 8:9a

Reflection Question

Can you identify a recent situation where you responded automatically from your old nature? If you had paused to yield to the Spirit, how might your response have been different?

Quote “We have to yield to Holy Spirit so that we can walk life out is the new I.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, forgive me for the times I’ve ignored Your guidance and relied on my own understanding. Help me to recognize Your voice and yield to Your direction. Teach me to pause before reacting so that Christ might live through me. Amen.

Day 4: Taking a Spiritual Breath

Devotional In moments of stress, conflict, or decision-making, our first reactions typically come from our old self. That initial surge of defensiveness, pride, or self-protection rises up before we even realize what’s happening. This is where the practice of “taking a spiritual breath” becomes essential. Just as physical breathing is automatic yet can be controlled with intention, our spiritual responses can move from automatic reactions to intentional actions. When faced with a triggering situation, we can learn to pause—to take that spiritual breath—before responding. In that pause, we create space for the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can ask ourselves: “Is what I’m about to say or do coming from my old self or my new identity in Christ? Is this response yielded to the Spirit?” This practice doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right. Sometimes we’ll take that breath too late, after the old self has already spoken. But with practice, that pause becomes more natural, and our ability to respond from our new identity strengthens. The beauty of this approach is that it works in any situation—from major life decisions to everyday interactions. The Spirit’s wisdom is available for all of life’s complexities.

Bible Verse

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

Reflection Question

What practical reminder could you create for yourself (a physical object, phone alert, etc.) to help you remember to “take a spiritual breath” before responding in challenging situations?

Quote “We just have to take a beat. We just got to catch a breath of Holy Spirit. I love that he’s breath because I think if and then what am I supposed to do?”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of Your Spirit who guides me. Help me develop the habit of pausing before I react so that You can live through me. May my responses increasingly reflect Your character rather than my old nature. Amen.

Day 5: The One-Day Challenge

Devotional Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It occurs through consistent, intentional practice of yielding to the Spirit. While we can’t expect perfection, we can take meaningful steps toward living from our new identity in Christ. Here’s a practical challenge: Choose one day this week—not your most difficult day, but one where you have some margin—and commit to living that entire day fully yielded to the Holy Spirit. From the moment you wake up, consciously surrender your thoughts, words, and actions to Christ’s leadership. Throughout this day, practice taking that spiritual breath before responding to situations. Ask yourself: “Is this the old me or the new me speaking? Am I yielding to the Spirit right now?” You’ll likely stumble at points during the day. When that happens, don’t condemn yourself. Simply acknowledge it, receive God’s grace, and recommit to yielding. Each moment is a fresh opportunity to surrender. This one-day experiment can become a powerful catalyst for ongoing transformation. As you experience the freedom and life that comes from yielding to the Spirit, you’ll find yourself wanting more of it. What begins as a one-day challenge can gradually become your new normal.

Bible Verse

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” – Galatians 2:21

Reflection Question

What specific situations do you anticipate facing on your “one-day challenge” that might be particularly difficult to approach from your new identity? How can you prepare now to yield to the Spirit in those moments?

Quote “Pick a day this week, one day. And don’t pick your hardest day this week. Sort of think about what day might be the best day to do a challenge for you this week and pick that day and do your very best to live that day fully yielded to Holy Spirit.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I invite You to lead me completely during my one-day challenge. Help me recognize when my old self tries to take control, and give me the courage to yield to You instead. Thank You for Your patience as I learn to live from my new identity in Christ. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.