Branch Life

Ladies Worship Night

2012-01-27T14:00:00.000-05:00

Rest... It's not just attainable, it's a promise found in the presence of God. Life can get pretty hectic and you need a retreat to the heart of God. Enjoy a brief teaching from Sarah Turner followed by worship focused on Jesus and the rest He has for you. Join us Sunday January 29th 7pm at 9100 Olmsted Dr.

Next Foundations

2012-01-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

Foundations are important. Every beautiful building sits on a foundation that is not seen, but is vital to supporting what is seen. Trying to build without a solid foundation is a recipe for disaster. Your life is no different. You are building your life foundation decision by decision. Make sure your are building on the right foundation. This Sunday @BranchChurch we go over the foundations that will help you fulfill what's next.

You will never fulfill your “NEXT” without a personal relationship with the risen Jesus.
You will never fulfill your “NEXT” without the power of the Holy Spirit.
You will never fulfill your “NEXT” without passionate patience.
You will never fulfill your “NEXT” without a revelation of the Father’s love.
You will never fulfill your “NEXT” without the Word of God and other people.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Next Prayer

2012-01-09T15:03:00.001-05:00

This Sunday at the Branch we asked people to fill out cards to let us know what they are believing for in 2012. Today we added our "yes" of agreement in prayer over each and every person. Keep em coming Branch... We believe our prayers make tremendous power available for you to see breakthrough in every area of your life!

What's Next

2012-01-04T17:34:00.001-05:00

What’s next for you? Will you seize the opportunities that come your way this year or will you find yourself in the same place in 2013? There is a path that God has for you to travel on this year. It’s a good path full of His blessing, but you have to be in the right position to find it. This path is not hidden from you, it’s hidden FOR you. You’ll find it in the Heart of God and it will cause your heart to skip a beat. How do you position yourself to get on God’s path for what’s next? It will require Passion, Sacrifice and Prayer.

"I would rather train twenty men to pray, than a thousand to preach; A minister's highest mission ought to be to teach his people to pray." -H. MacGregor

Looking forward to sharing this teaching Sunday @BranchChurch. And join us Sunday night for Second Sunday Prayer.

Simple Honest Prayer

2012-01-03T16:08:00.000-05:00

This morning my wake up call came at 5AM via my beeping watch (I just realized that statement can be taken two ways). My watch actually beeps, but that's exactly how it felt so I stand by both meanings. I was getting used to the Christmas/New Year's break where you forget what day it is. But not today! It's back to school for my girls and back to work for me and Sarah. I have a set routine for my mornings that includes Bible reading and prayer as well as other less spiritual activities. Something was different today. I decided to kneel and pray. The act of kneeling provoked a real reverence and simplicity that I haven't felt in a while. The result was one of the most honest, heartfelt prayers I can remember. I'm not saying that my prayers are not usually honest and heartfelt, but there was just something about dropping to my knees on a dark, cold morning to talk to God. I sensed His Grace in a very powerful way. Later, I read this scripture...

Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His Grace. Matthew 6:6 The Message

I pray that you will sense God's Grace in a greater way this year!

Strip Down 2012

2012-01-02T10:09:00.001-05:00

The life of Faith as described in Hebrews chapter 11 focuses on many great examples like Noah, Abraham and Moses. But Hebrews chapter 12 gets a little more personal by saying these chapter 11 "Witnesses" should spur us to "strip off" things that slow us down and trip us up. Things like sin and selfishness. These weights are are like a heavy backpack on a marathon runner or rubber boots on an Olympic swimmer. The Bible is clear that it's up to us to drop the backpack and the boots. The problem is that this task is impossible on your own. It seems like the harder you try the wearier you get. The good news is that the solution is found in the next few verses.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. Hebrews 12:2-4

Faith pleases God and faith is required to live this life. But don't use your faith to get rid of the weight and sin. Use your faith to see the sinless life of Jesus. Keep your eyes on His sacrifice and the beauty of His love for you. This is the way to get rid of the backpack and boots. Strip down in 2012.

From... To...

2012-01-01T19:30:00.001-05:00

From New Years Day 2009...

To New Years Day 2012...

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13

Branch Kids Christmas Video

2011-12-30T10:01:00.000-05:00

We shared this video at the Branch Christmas Eve service. Enjoy!

Peace On, Peace In, Peace Out

2011-12-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

Because of Jesus, Sarah and I truly enjoy Peace in our family. This Christmas Eve we will be sharing that Peace with you. Let the Peace of God be your best gift this year!

Branch Family Church 

Christmas Eve

Get Planted

Christmas is a time for celebration - Peace came to Earth!

Isaiah 9:6 NLT - For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:14 NKJV - Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

The gift of Peace came wrapped in an unexpected package. God’s amazing plan to establish peace with us began in His heart and culminated in the birth of a tiny baby. Once that gift was in the earth nothing could stop the Peace of God from accomplishing the greatest miracle in all creation.

Grow Strong

Christmas is a time for hope - Peace fills your life!

Romans 15:13 NLT - I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:27 NLT - I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Isaiah 26:3 NLT - You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Philippians 4:6-9 NLT - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise... Then the God of peace will be with you.

Branch Out

Christmas is a time for reconciliation - Peace is your mission!

Matthew 5:9 Amplified - Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous-- with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God!

2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT - For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

Peace Came

2011-12-23T10:32:00.000-05:00

The gift of Peace came wrapped in an unexpected package. God’s amazing plan to establish peace with us began in His heart and culminated in the birth of a tiny baby. Once that gift was in the earth nothing could stop the Peace of God from accomplishing the greatest miracle in all creation.

Join us Christmas Eve for a very special one hour service to celebrate Peace on earth.

Festivities begin promptly at 3pm. Refreshments follow. Check BranchChurch for more info.

Merry Christmas!Pastor Derek

Jesus Came To...

2011-12-20T14:00:00.000-05:00

The entire reason for Christmas is the love of God. God loved you so much that he came to earth as a human so you could get to know Him and learn to trust Him and love Him back. Jesus relentlessly revealed the Father’s love in His words and actions. Love is not a side issue with God. The Bible says, “Long before He laid down the earth’s foundations, He had us in mind and settled on us at the focus of His love.” Believe it... Jesus came to Love you! Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Jesus Came To...

2011-12-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever paid off a debt? Do you remember the feeling you had getting the final account notice with the words "PAID IN FULL" stamped in red? No doubt there was a great sigh of relief and a feeling of freedom. Take it to another level and imagine being in slavery and hopeless that freedom could ever be yours. Now imagine someone coming along and paying top dollar only to set you free. Jesus came to redeem you from the debt you owed. He came to buy you out of slavery. Today we explore the redemptive work of Jesus and the joy of knowing your account is paid! Listen to this redemptive message from Sarah Turner online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Jesus Came To...

2011-12-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone has dark days. Days when you don't want to get out of bed. Days when you're afraid to face the world. Days when you just want to throw in the towel. Jesus said, "I HAVE COME AS A LIGHT TO SHINE IN THIS DARK WORLD, SO THAT ALL WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN ME WILL NO LONGER WANDER IN DARKNESS." Even during the darkest of days the light of Jesus illuminates our lives and floods us with encouragement and strength. Listen to Pastor Scott Turner online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes

Jesus Came To...

2011-11-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

From the moment sin entered the earth mankind has been trying to cover things up and shift blame. But our efforts at self-righteousness are as flimsy as the fig leaves Adam & Eve used. Condemnation is the root of many of our problems. It results in stress, fear and death, and is not something you can overcome by your self-effort. Discover freedom in the finished work of Jesus. Let Him stop the condemnation and replace guilt with grace. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Jesus Came To...

2011-11-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

We’ve all been taught that if you follow the rules you’ll be in good standing. That goes for everything from driving a car to playing a game of football. Tickets and penalties happen when you break the rules. But Jesus came to introduce a new way to stay in good standing. He came to fulfill the rules you were destined to break. He came to replace rules with relationship. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to Basics Worship

2011-11-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

Grayson and Tori spoke on worship last Sunday @BranchChurch. The thing that struck me most is how worship is "bigger than the room" and when we adopt a life of worship we can impact the atmosphere in our city and our world beyond the four walls of the church. Tori also said something else that resonated with me... "Seek the King and and you get the Kingdom." I'm so proud of them and the message they brought. Listen to this awesome message online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes and then join us as we bring our worship in a live recording of new Branch Music this Friday night at Journey Church in Huntersville.

Branch Music

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

The Branch has been singing original worship songs for quite a while and it's time to record. Worship is the reason we are alive. Join us, November 18 at 7pm at Journey Church, as we capture the sound of our church body glorifying the name of Jesus together. You are a vital part of what God is doing through Branch Music. Come be part of the choir!

Doors/Cafe open at 6:30pmChildcare is provided birth though 6 years

SO HERE I AM IN THE PLACE OF WORSHIP, EYES OPEN, DRINKING IN YOUR STRENGTH AND GLORY.IN YOUR GENEROUS LOVE I AM REALLY LIVING AT LAST! YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS SHALL PRAISE YOU. I WILL BLESS YOU WHILE I LIVE; I WILL LIFT UP MY HANDS IN YOUR NAME. Psalm 63:2-4

Back to Basics

2011-11-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

We all have dreams for our life. But have you ever considered that God has dreams too? Powerful things happen when we align our dreams to fit God’s. Let's go back to basics and find out how we can be the answer to the prayer of Jesus and the fulfillment of God’s dream. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to Basics

2011-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:00

I think we would all agree that you can't earn grace. But what if I told you there is something you can do to receive more of God's grace? It's all about humility. Pride is a major roadblock to receiving the grace that God wants to lavish on you. In fact, the Bible is clear that pride places you in a position where God will resist you. None of us want that! So what can you do? This Sunday we take a hard look at how you can identify grace-blocking pride and take steps to humble yourself and see a flood of amazing grace. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to Basics

2011-10-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

Life is volatile, like the weather... Sometimes life doesn’t go according to the “all sunshine and no rain” forecast we've planned. So often all we seem to experience are the storms. We try hard to predict and outrun the storms - we just want to escape. We wonder if there's a reason for all of this. But in the midst of the storm, God is working. He is healing. He is cleansing. This Sunday Pastor Scott Turner takes a Back-To-Basics look at living by faith and trusting God when the storms of life hit. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to Basics

2011-10-18T14:33:00.000-04:00

In our culture, if we find the right relationship, keep up appearances and strive for success, we’ll live happy, fulfilled lives. At least, that’s what the world says. Truth is, achieving these things may help our outward identity, but they can’t give us real, inner confidence or peace. Let's discover our true identity - who God has created us to be and what His Word declares about who we really are. This Sunday Sarah Turner reminds us it's not about who we are, but rather Whose we are. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to Basics

2011-10-11T14:00:00.006-04:00

When God created the world He used words. Being created in His image, we have an opportunity every day to shape our world with words. Our words reflect what is in our hearts. Our words carry the power of life and death. This week we go Back to Basics and let God’s Words steer the course of our life. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to Basics

2011-10-10T14:39:00.000-04:00

In our world, the pace and pressure of life often keeps us from building the authentic, loving relationships we really want and desperately need. Last Sunday Pastor Scott Turner had us all sit in "Relationships 101" class and go Back to Basics to discover that God's heart for us has always been to thrive in life-giving community. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Back to the Basics

2011-09-27T14:00:00.000-04:00

Pilots go back to the basics every year to insure that they are safe to fly. It's a great idea for us to go back to basics as well. It re-anchors us to the very foundations that shape our lives and view of God. The way you view God can make or break your relationship with Him. See God as a grumpy taskmaster and you’ll never be good enough to please Him. See God as a cold and distant father and you will give up trying. But where do we go to get the right view of God? The Bible gives us the answer... God doesn’t just have love, He is Love and His love for you sets the stage for your freedom, forgiveness and fulfillment. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Rescue

2011-09-20T14:00:00.005-04:00

Rescued people are thankful. A big part of being rescued is knowing what you’ve been rescued from. Light is brighter when you exit darkness. Freedom is sweeter if you’ve known the bondage of slavery. Rescue is always a “From - To” scenario. Jesus rescued us from hell to heaven. In fact, He spoke about Hell over thirty times during His ministry on Earth. I believe it was a tough message for Jesus because He did not want anyone to go there. The Good News is that nobody has to! Hell is easy to avoid. This Sunday @BranchChurch we look at what Jesus said about Hell and why you need to know what you're rescued from. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Rescue

2011-09-13T14:00:00.005-04:00

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost - He came to rescue the world. As we read about His life and mission we get an insider’s view of a passionate commitment to saving lives. His mission is now our mission. Are we as passionate and committed as He was? Newest @BranchPastor Scott Turner uses the "lost" stories of Jesus to invite us to the rescue mission. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Unlock Prayer

2011-09-06T14:00:00.001-04:00

Sarah and I taught together on Sunday. I love teaching with my wife! Her insight on the legal vs. the intimate in prayer was eye opening. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Here's the notes... UNLOCK PRAYER

Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven was like treasure. But sometimes it feels like it's under lock and key. If you've ever felt like you have difficulty accessing the amazing promises of God then take heart and listen up. There are actions you can take to UNLOCK the treasure of Heaven and bring it unto your world. Prayer is a key that brings Heaven to earth.

Get Planted:

Heaven is available because Jesus is there. You are seated with Him and he is representing you to the Father.

Matthew 6:10 NKJV - Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:14 Message - In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.

Matthew 16:19 Message - You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven.

Prayer is proof that you trust God.

Grow Strong:

Hebrews 10:19 NLT - And so, dear brothers and sisters we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16 Message - So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Prayer is the vital side of this relationship (Sarah marriage example).

James 5:16 Amplified - The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

John 15:7 Amplified - If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

Branch Out:

Matthew 18:18-20 Message - Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there.

Prayer with others invites Jesus on the scene. Pray the most important prayer... Receive Jesus!

Unlock Communion

2011-08-30T14:06:00.001-04:00

Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven was like treasure. But sometimes it feels like it's under lock and key. If you've ever felt like you have difficulty accessing the amazing promises of God then take heart and listen up. There are actions you can take to UNLOCK the treasure of Heaven and bring it unto your world. Communion is a key that connects you to a risen Savior. Discover the power of receiving communion and remember that we are now offering communion every Sunday at the Branch. You can listen to the message online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Unlock Worship

2011-08-23T14:00:00.008-04:00

Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven was like treasure. But sometimes it feels like it's under lock and key. If you've ever felt like you have difficulty accessing the amazing promises of God then take heart and listen up. There are actions you can take to UNLOCK the treasure of Heaven and bring it unto your world. Worship is a key that UNLOCKS an encounter with God. Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Living a Life of Generosity

2011-08-16T14:00:00.005-04:00

Money: You've got to have it - the trick is, to keep it from having you. The Bible has a lot to say about money. This is good news because so many areas of our life - including our relationship with God - is affected by how we handle it. This Sunday at The Branch Pastor Scott Turner explored the surprising connection between our spiritual life and our finances. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Living a Life of Significance

2011-08-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

Are you living a life of significance? It’s a bold question to ask, but one that deserves an honest answer. This Sunday Pastor Scott Turner took a look at timeless truths found in the Bible that will help you clearly see what matters most to God and how you can journey toward a life that really counts. You are a unique and significant person - but more than that, you can make a difference in the lives of others, the community and the world.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Growing through Temptation

2011-08-02T07:03:00.000-04:00

"My temptations have been my masters in divinity." Martin Luther

Temptation is an equal opportunity employer. You have a choice to fold or do the right thing. Choose to see every temptation as an opportunity to do good. Every time you choose to do the right thing instead of sin, you are growing in the character of Christ. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest; humility grows when we refuse to be prideful; and endurance develops every time you are tempted to give up. Every time you defeat a temptation, you become more like Jesus. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Truth and Trouble

2011-07-29T15:49:00.000-04:00

It's easy to see how we are transformed by truth. Every look into God's Word gives us an opportunity to be changed. But we are also transformed by trouble. God does not create the trouble... He transforms us through the trouble. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Transformed by Truth:
Spiritual growth is the process of replacing lies with truth. Rick Warren

Jesus said, Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 NIV

Matthew 4:4 NLT - People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every Word of God.

Acts 20:32 Message - God’s gracious Word can make you into what He wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need.

Accept it’s Authority: Proverbs 30:5 NIV - Every word of God is flawless. 2 Timothy 3:16 CEV - Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.

Assimilate it’s Truth: James 1:25 NCV - Truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.

Apply it’s Principles: James 1:22 NCV - Do what God's teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves. John 13:17 NIV - Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Transformed by Trouble:
God uses circumstances to develop our character. Rick Warren

“You will have problems in the world” - Jesus (John 16:33)
Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be your darkest days - When your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great - and you turn to God alone. Psalm 34:18 GNT - The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; He saves those who have lost all hope. (Sarah’s prayer for Kate)

Problems force us to look to God and depend on Him instead of ourselves.

2 Corinthians 1:9 GNT - We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead.

You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got!

1 Peter 4:12-13 Message - Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

Romans 5:3-4 NLT - We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character.

You have to want what God is doing in you more than you want your circumstances to change.

James 1:3-4 Phillips - But let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become people of mature character with no weak spots

Don’t give up... Grow up!

Grow

2011-07-27T10:56:00.001-04:00

God wants you to grow up. His goal for you is to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus in your life. Sadly, many Christians never grow up because they do not take responsibility and are not intentional about their own growth. Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit. But what is your part in this partnership? Let’s dig into God’s plan for you... It’s time to grow!

Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

The Next Level

2011-06-28T14:00:00.001-04:00

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith is just a short word, but what it contains is revolutionary. The Bible is full of faith. Faith is something that pleases God, but something the devil hates and resists. Faith is not just optimistic, positive thinking. Faith is a firm conviction that what God said will happen. It’s also a tool you can use to connect you to the life God has for you. When you start to use your faith like a tool you will see results and go to the next level.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

The Next Level

2011-06-21T14:00:00.000-04:00

God has a great plan for your life. But sometimes all you can see is just what you can see. You get bogged down with all the mess of daily life and forget to look forward to the future. When you lose sight of your dreams your faith begins to waiver and you grow weary. It’s time to dream again so lift up your head and heart! It’s time to go to the next level. Listen online @BranchChurch or down load the podcast on iTunes.

The Next Level

2011-06-14T14:00:00.000-04:00

Going to the next level is not just about random acts of kindness...
Its about Divine acts of compassion. God wants to show who He really
is through you. He's not just concerned with feeding the hungry,
paying a bill, or comforting the broken, but saturating the lost with
the saving power of the Gospel and changing their eternal destiny.
Just like the Good Samaritan, all it takes is someone to stop and
help... That someone is you!

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

The Next Level

2011-06-01T07:08:00.007-04:00

Getting to the next level requires strength, perseverance and character. Jesus was always moving forward toward His mission and He invites us to join Him everyday. But sometimes we grow weary or get disillusioned and sidetracked because the enemy is always trying to stop you from reaching your full potential. This Sunday @BranchChruch Scott Turner teaches us that adversity can make us stronger and if we will shake off the fear of failure we can get to the next level.

Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Accepted Secure Significant

2011-05-23T14:00:00.000-04:00

Every one wants to be accepted, feel secure and have significance in this life. All too often we look for these values in places they don't even exist. But one look into God's Word and we find everything we're looking for. Actually, we find the One who has been looking for us all along!

Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Everyday Resurrection

2011-05-16T14:00:00.000-04:00

What is Heaven doing right now? It’s not all harps and harmony. Heaven is active, mission oriented and ready to distribute miracles. But how do you cooperate with your command center? Could it be that God wants to use you as a delivery person for His agenda? Absolutely! God has tailor made miracles that He wants you to distribute so people can experience Everyday Resurrection!

Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Everyday Resurrection

2011-05-09T13:00:00.000-04:00

What if you could do something that connected you to the source of Life every time? Better yet, what if you could control when and how often you connected? Sound too good to be true? Words are connectors and your well chosen words connect to Life. God has given us the power to shape our destiny through our words and experience... Everyday Resurrection!

This Sunday Sarah Turner (my wife and the amazing mother of our girls) teaches us how to become God's voice in our world. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Everyday Resurrection

2011-05-02T14:00:00.001-04:00

The word “Everyday” seems mundane, routine and down right boring. But what if we added something remarkable and energizing to your everyday? Your life can bust out of the everyday ho-hum when you realize that the Holy Spirit is in you to make the everyday extraordinary. Divine energy, information and appointments await you when you tap into Everyday Resurrection!

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Picnic

2011-04-29T10:08:00.003-04:00

Join your Branch family at Freedom Park following your service at Mallard Creek and Ballantyne. Bring a picnic lunch for your family and one extra person. Everyone will head to the park immediately following Sunday morning service. Remember to bring a blanket/lawn chairs! Click Branch Picnic for more info and a map. See you there!

Everyday Resurrection

2011-04-26T07:43:00.003-04:00

The last thing Jesus came to do was start another religion. He came to show us what life in the Kingdom of God looks like. Through the cross and His resurrection Jesus offers us this same kind of life - a life lived in relationship with God. Now the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you for living everyday life. This Sunday @BranchChruch we explore the Forgiveness, Purpose, Grace and Love that Jesus demonstrated and then delegated to you. You can experience everyday resurrection!

Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Forward

2011-04-18T13:27:00.002-04:00

Perspective is vital to success. A good step back provides a bigger view of the landscape around you. Like a slingshot propels it’s ammo further based on how much it’s pulled backward, so it is with your life. God may have to take you back so He can launch you into the future. You are God’s ammo. Don’t despise the tension you feel and the waiting required. God is just aiming you in the right direction. Sometimes a step backward is the best way... FORWARD!

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Forward

2011-04-11T14:00:00.000-04:00

From the moment sin entered the earth mankind has been trying to cover things up and shift blame. But our efforts at self-righteousness are as flimsy as the fig leaves Adam & Eve used. Guilt and shame keep us stuck and produce condemnation. The voice of accusation pushes us backwards. Discover the freedom Jesus brings when He shuts that voice down. Let Him stop the condemnation and move you... FORWARD!

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Forward

2011-04-03T14:00:00.001-04:00

Pride is deadly and sneaks into our lives in so many ways. It's end goal is your downfall. But if pride is the poison then humility is the antidote. A healthy dose of humility will insure you move forward in this life. It is said that Humility is the soil out of which all the other virtues grow. This Sunday @BranchChruch we expose areas of pride so we can get planted in humility.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Forward

2011-03-28T14:00:00.001-04:00

What we focus on, we empower and enlarge. Good multiplies when focused upon. Negativity multiplies when focused upon. The choice is ours: Which do we want more of?
JULIA CAMERON, Blessings

You will never go forward in life if you're negative. Negativity is a reflection of inner defeat, always tries to justify itself and will choose your friends for you. Nothing will locate your heart more than the way you speak. What is really in you will tend to leak. The mouth of the negative is a sewer of defeat, but the Bible says our words should be a well of life. Positive words are not denying reality... they are creating a new reality. Get your positive on! Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Forward

2011-03-21T08:34:00.000-04:00

Jesus said to His original 12 - "Come follow Me and I will make you..."

God's will for our lives is progressive and He is beckoning us onward to a future filled with hope and increase. It’s time for us to get fresh momentum and pursue God’s best for our lives - it’s time for us to move FORWARD!

This Sunday @BranchChruch Pastor Scott Turner exposes those things that keep us stuck or move us backwards and elevates us to keep moving forward. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

One Day Leadership

2011-03-18T06:18:00.006-04:00

Imagine spending the day with John Maxwell, Dave Ramsey, Seth Godin and many others to gain insight from their leadership experience. That is exactly what the Chick-fil-a Leadercast is all about! One Day, Friday May 6, 2011 from 9a - 4p at the University Hilton, Charlotte.

Take advantage of early bird pricing before March 28th. This event is filling up fast so go to Chick-fil-A Leadercast Charlotte and sign up today. See you there!

Chick Fil A Leadercast Charlotte

2011-03-15T14:00:00.001-04:00

Voice of Change: Erin Schreyer from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.

The Branch is hosting the Chick-fil-A Leadercast May 6, 2011 at the University Hilton. The speaker line-up includes John Maxwell, Seth Godin, Suzy Welch, Dave Ramsey and many others.

Every leader has a unique voice. One offers direction, while another inspires. Some voices impact lives without uttering a single word.

Do you know your leadership voice? These are some of the leadership voices characterized by Voices of Change and embraced by Chick-fil-A Leadercast. Each speaker at Chick-fil-A Leadercast 2011 will incorporate one of these voices:

Voice of Influence - A voice of influence can alter opinions and sway perspectives. They're looked to by others for guidance.

Voice of Hope - A voice of hope believes that a better outcome is always within reach. They are the ultimate inspirers.

Voice of Service - A voice of service seeks to lift the human spirit through gifts of time and talent. They gladly focus on others first as they quietly plug away behind the scenes.

Voice of Purpose - A voice of purpose isn't easily distracted from the intended path. Their drive and determination fuel their ambitions, not for themselves, but for those they lead.

Voice of Innovation - A voice of innovation is never quite satisfied with the status quo. They are pioneers.

Our vision for Chick-fil-A Leadercast is to be the can't-miss leadership development event that is both affordable and accessible to all leaders throughout North America, around the world and right here in Charlotte!

We desire to influence leaders at every level within an organization. Whether you are leading a team of 2000 or just yourself, Chick-fil-A Leadercast is designed to help you use your voice to create positive change.

Save the date and make plans to attend. Tickets are available online.

History of Grace

2011-03-14T12:30:00.000-04:00

Grace doesn’t require people with embarrassing labels to shed those labels as a prerequisite. Grace is what empowers us to do so. Grace doesn’t demand, Grace assists. The story of Rahab is a Grace story. Rahab’s label was not an obstacle to God. And neither is yours! You are invited, label and all, to join God in a relationship initiated by faith, not adherence to a set of rules. When it comes to your labels, current or past, God is slow to judge and more than willing to deliver. This Sunday @BranchChurch we embrace our rescue and find more Grace. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

The History of Grace

Get Planted

The Church is most appealing when the message of Grace is most apparent.

Joshua 6:20-21 - God is both terrifying and merciful. God hates evil and He loves people. God punishes sin and He extends grace to sinners.

Grow Strong

Rescued by Grace

Genesis 15:13-16 - While Israel was busy becoming a nation under the watchful eye of Pharaoh, the people groups living in the promised land were busy creating cultures that were pagan even by ancient standards. KJV - “Their sin has not yet reached it’s full measure.” Indicates that God was giving these groups ample time and opportunity to abandon their wicked ways.

Joshua 2:1-12 - Before leaving, the men instructed Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in her window so the Israelite army would know which apartment to spare during the battle. Anyone gathered in her quarters on that fateful day would be saved. The similarities between this arrangement and Passover are too obvious to miss.

Joshua 6:1-5 - Was this military strategy giving even more time to repent? Options: 1. Move out of the territory promised to Israel and settle somewhere else. 2. Commit resources to fight and defeat the Israelites. 3. Surrender as slaves.

Rahab chose to go counter culture and embrace redemption that resulted in her rescue... But Grace had so much more in mind for her. Joshua 6:25 - “She lives among the Israelites to this day.” A pagan prostitute, who otherwise would have been stoned under the law recently received by Moses, became an accepted member of the community, an adopted daughter of the covenant. Her trust in God and her acceptance into the community entitled her to receive a portion of the land. By surrendering her illegitimate claim to the land and by receiving God’s gracious offer of mercy and forgiveness, Rehab became an adopted daughter in the family of God and an heir to Abraham’s promise. But Grace had so much more in mind!

Branch Out

Colossians 3:1 (The Message) So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Ephesians 2:9-11 - Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Colossians 3:11-14 Message - Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Heavenly Father, I believe that your Grace is more powerful than my label. I believe that Christ died to pay the penalty for the sin my label represents. I believe you are offering me a new label... Forgiven. Accepted. Loved. Today I declare that what You say about me is true. I am forgiven. I am accepted. I am loved. Teach me to live a life in accordance with who You say I am. Amen.

History of Grace

2011-03-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

Religious rulers were always trying to trap Jesus regarding issues of the law. Religion sees the law as a means to earning God's Grace. But "Earned Grace" is an oxymoron. So what was the purpose of the Top Ten and the 600+ laws that God gave Moses? This Sunday @BranchChurch we dive into the simple explanation and see the Grace of God shine brighter that ever. Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

The History of Grace

Get Planted

The Church is most appealing when the message of Grace is most apparent.

One of the most misunderstood relationships in all of Christianity is the relationship between God’s law and God’s grace. It’s sad that our predisposition toward the thou-shalt-nots supports a universal myth regarding God and His feelings toward the human race. Simply stated: obedience gets you in, and disobedience keeps you out. Or that God’s approval is reserved for the rule followers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Andy Stanley

Grow Strong

Redeemed and Ruled by Grace

The Ten Commandments do not stand in contrast to grace; they are introduced within the story of God’s grace.

Exodus 20:2 - “Your” God implies a relationship. God’s message to Moses could not have been clearer: “You’re not here to get in with me; you’re already in.” The Israelites hadn’t done anything to deserve or establish a relationship.

Exodus 20:3-4 - The first commandment has to do with trusting God to meet every need. The second forbids any attempt to erect any kind of monument , fashion any kind of statue, or create any kind of image that represents Him. Two reasons: First, God is unrepresentable. He is utterly unique in every conceivable manner. Whatever humanity can create, He is bigger. Whatever wonder of nature we can observe, He is more majestic. Whatever power in the universe we can discover, He is unmatched. God did not want His people attempting to make Him manageable, something they could visit and then leave behind. Something they could acknowledge and then forget. Second, God did not want His people to become enslaved to inanimate objects when they had a living God ready and willing to set them free. (Golden Calf)

Exodus 20:7 - God addressed the issue of religious authority. Do not misuse the name of the Lord. Do not attach God’s name to something He hasn’t attached it to Himself, and do not leverage the name of God in order to accomplish your own agenda. (Mark 7:9, 13)

Exodus 20:8 - The first three safeguard the Divine relationship, the fourth celebrates it. Thou shalt take a day off! God will provide seven days of sustenance on six days of your effort. All provision comes from Him and there’s nothing for you to do on the seventh day. Enjoy Divine R&R!

The remaining 6 laws deal with our relationships with others. They were given to teach us how to live peacefully with one another.

When read in context, one thing becomes abundantly clear: These ten laws along with the six hundred that would follow, had absolutely nothing to do with where anyone spent eternity.
They simply stated that maximum freedom is always found under the authority of God.

God’s rules reflect His values. The Ten Commandments reassured the Israelites that their God was not only powerful but good.

How important was the law? It revealed our need for a Savior. The purpose of the law was not to make us good, but to keep us free.

Branch Out

Romans 3:19-22 - Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Timothy 1:9-10 - For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

Romans 2:4 - Pursue Gods Goodness. Gods laws become a delight (Psalm 1) when we stop seeing them as a path to righteousness and accept them as a result of righteousness and a means to freedom.

John 13:34-35 - The new law... Love God, Love people

What If Everyone

2011-03-03T13:27:00.002-05:00

Jesus did not come to be served... He came to serve! Twice a year Branch Church partners with Mosaic Church and others to serve our city. On Saturday March 26th at 9am we meet at the Branch Christian Academy and Branch out all over our city through amazing service projects.

Sign up today at What if Everyone. See you there!

The History of Grace

2011-02-28T14:00:00.002-05:00

Father Abraham had many sons

Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let's all praise the Lord.
Right arm!

Sorry... It was stuck in my brain and I had to pass it off to you! But it's so much more than a cheesy Sunday School song. It's a historical fact that God established one of the most important precedents of Grace through Father Abraham... Righteous standing with God comes through faith. This Sunday @BranchChurch we dig in to the story and find that our faith connects us to God's Grace. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

The History of Grace

Get Planted

The Church is most appealing when the message of Grace is most apparent.

John 1:14 NKJV - “Full of Grace and Truth” not the balance between, but the embodiment of both. In Jesus there is no conflict between Grace and Truth.
John 1:16 NKJV - “The fullness of his Grace” In Jesus we get as clear and as close a look as we will ever get of what Grace looks like in an otherwise graceless world.

First-time Bible readers are often struck by the apparent contrast between the God we discover in the Old Testament and the God exemplified by Jesus in the New. Grace acknowledges the full implications of sin and yet does not condemn.

Grow Strong

Chosen by Grace

Genesis 6:5-6 - In spite of how He felt, God chose to extend grace to a graceless world. God chose to fully commit to clean up the mess sin had created.

Genesis 15:8 - God cut covenant with Himself. Grace is one-sided.

Genesis 15:6 - What was Abraham's part in the covenant? God established an important precedent... Righteous standing with God comes through faith.

Ephesians 2:8 (The Message) Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving.

Romans 4:13, 16 - Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith... So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

Are you pushed or led? - We exit Grace when we try to speed up the promise of God. Have you ever had an Ishmael? But God is still gracious. (Genesis 22:1-13)

Branch Out

Genesis 18:19 - When Grace chooses, Grace empowers and provides. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.

Galatians 3:13-14 (The Message) - Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham's blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God's life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing—just the way Abraham received it.

Ephesians 1:3-5 - All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Sun Stand Still

2011-02-22T14:00:00.001-05:00

Sun Stand Still reads like a machine gun and puts you on the business end... point-blank! Seriously, do not read this book if you intend to stay in the church parking lot polishing your chrome fish on the back of the minivan. This is a call to audacity.

I never thought I would use the names Steven Furtick and Kenneth Copeland in the same sentence, but this book plants them firmly in the same garden. I love it! Pick up a copy and let it stir you to do the impossible.

By the way, Steven Furtick pastors Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC where I pastor The Branch. I remember when he came to town and the amazing story that unfolded. I also remember the amazing criticism that followed. Please don't let me hear that. If I do, I may have to pray a Sun Stand Still prayer just long enough to chase you down and throw a copy of this book at you!

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

History of Grace

2011-02-21T14:00:00.004-05:00

The Church is most appealing when the message of Grace is most apparent. Taking some cues from Andy Stanley's book The Grace of God, we begin a new series this Sunday @BranchChurch and dig into His-Story of Grace. Jesus was not the beginning of Grace... God has always been full of Grace. Let's go on a Grace hunt and find God's goodness.

Listen online @BranchChurch of download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church
The History of Grace

Get Planted

John 1:14 NKJV - “Full of Grace and Truth” not the balance between, but the embodiment of both. In Jesus there is no conflict between Grace and Truth.
John 1:16 NKJV - “The fullness of his Grace” In Jesus we get as clear and as close a look as we will ever get of what Grace looks like in an otherwise graceless world.

First-time Bible readers are often struck by the apparent contrast between the God we discover in the Old Testament and the God exemplified by Jesus in the New. Grace acknowledges the full implications of sin and yet does not condemn.

Grow Strong

In the Beginning Grace

In the beginning God created, and this was a marvelous act of Grace. Why did God create anything? Creation gave you an opportunity to be. But that was just the beginning.

Genesis 1:2-4 - The Creator isn’t the only one who views light as something good. You and I do as well. He was under no obligation to create light. Have you thanked God for light?

Genesis 1:10,12,18,21,25 - Why did God declare it good? Was he patting Himself on the back? Did He not know it was good until He paused to look at it? Was it good in a moral sense? Dry land isn’t morally good or bad. It’s just dry land. God declared each phase of creation good because it was good for us! Psalm 19:1-4 CEV -The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next.They don't speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. Romans 1:20-21 - For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.

Genesis 1:26-30 - “Then...” The stage was set and God Gave it all away. He handed man the keys. This is Grace!

Branch Out

Genesis 2:16-17 - When God had the world just the way He wanted it, there was just one commandment. So, while God’s expressions of grace were innumerable, His requirements were minimal.

Just as God was under no compulsion to create and provide, so mankind was under no compulsion to receive and reciprocate God’s love. Grace in it’s purest form can have no strings attached.

Much of our confusion around grace stems from our confusion about sin. Simply put, we severely underestimate the impact of sin on our souls and on our world. Sin is the gateway to shame (Awareness of nakedness). Shame produces impaired judgement (Adam and Eve tried to hide from God).

In the beginning Adam blamed God for his troubles, and mankind has been blaming God ever since.

So how did God respond to all the blame and shame? He gave them what they did not deserve... Grace.

Discipline (Hebrews 12:6)
Covering (Genesis 3:21)
Promise (Genesis 3:14-15)

One Thing

2011-02-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

What if you could simplify your life into just one thing? One rule that you played by, one principal and passion that guided your every thought and action. What if this “one thing” way of living would set you free to live and love life to the fullest? We all have complicated lives and this simplicity seems just too good to be true. But what if it is true? What if Jesus is calling you to ONE THING?

Listen online @BranchChruch or download the podcast on iTunes

Branch Family Church

One Thing

Get Planted

Forget the past... Press into your future

Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Grow Strong

Sell out

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

Matthew 10:39 (The Message) If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.

John 12:25 (The Message) Anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.

Find life in His house

Psalm 27:4 (Contemporary English Version) I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple.

Ephesians 1:23 (Message) The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

Psalm 92:13 (Contemporary English Version) They will take root in your house, LORD God, and they will do well.

Commit to a life at His feet... Discover Him!

Luke 10:42 (The Message) The Master said, Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her.

Branch Out

John 13:34-35 (The Message) Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.

Date Night

2011-02-12T12:20:00.002-05:00

‎Evergreen Youth Group wants you to go on a date tonight! They are providing child care for birth to 12yrs from 6pm-10pm. Simply drop off at Branch Christian Academy and sample one of the many fine University City restaurants with your Sweetie.

A $25 donation goes to Evergreen's Acquire the Fire trip. You deserve it and your kids will have a blast!

Candy - Justin Bieber Parody

2011-02-10T18:07:00.000-05:00

Evergreen is the youth group @BranchChurch. This is their latest music video for the candy cafe...

With ya Dave

2011-02-07T14:00:00.001-05:00

David Kernall has a passion for the Kingdom of God. His desire to see mission oriented ministry has led him to the business world where God has used his entrepreneurial spirit rooted in Biblical principals to achieve marketplace success. Recently he moved to Georgia to pursue the dream of owning a car dealership. But he is no ordinary care salesman... David is simply slaying a giant so the Kingdom can advance. David walks in the gift of a teacher and has a prophetic insight into what God is up to right now. David, his wife Traci and their 4 beautiful daughters have been members of the Branch during their time in Charlotte and today he has a special word specifically for us. So listen with your heart and get ready to be ignited for your mission!

Listen to guest speaker David Kernall online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes

The Grace of God

2011-02-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

I just finished The Grace of God by Andy Stanley. Personally, I think this book should have been titled The History of Grace because of Andy's amazing ability to track Grace from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane. In it he tackles the questions surrounding God and the "inconsistencies" between the One revealed in the Old Testament and the One revealed in Jesus. Andy ties it all up beautifully in one word... Grace. Forget what you think you know about Grace and let this book talk to you. This is one I will read over and over again. Thanks Andy!

Cue Compassion

2011-01-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

When a director cues an actor they say ACTION. God uses cues to move us to act as well. One of the major cues He uses is compassion. This Sunday at the Branch we took a look at the life of Jesus and how he was moved to action by compassion. You can expect the same results! Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

Cue Compassion

Get Planted

Compassion is defined as a consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Compassion is meant to move you to action. Jesus healed the sick, forgave the sinner, gathered the scattered and taught the sheep all in response to compassion.

Grow Strong

Compassion Gathers Matthew 9:36 - But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Don’t forsake gathering Hebrews 10:25

Compassion Heals Matthew 14:14 - And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

Compassion Teaches Mark 6:34 - And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Who are you being taught by and who are you teaching? Hebrews 5:12

Compassion Forgives Matthew 18:27 - Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. Matthew 6:14-15

Branch Out

1 Peter 3:8-9 - Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

God will use compassion to ignite your heart. Let compassion be a cue for action. When you become conscious of others' distress, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you are to do.

Eyes Up

2011-01-31T07:01:00.005-05:00

Ever felt trapped? Maybe it's debt or a controlling habit that makes it seem like your feet are stuck in cement.

My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15

Quit looking in and look up. The more you focus on you the less you focus on the One that can deliver you. In the words of the classic hymn... Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Final Fast Day 21

2011-01-30T06:15:00.006-05:00

Congratulations Branch! The 21 day fast ends today. The picture below is my reading plan. Let it speak to you as it did to me.

You have humbled yourselves to fast and I pray that you will experience a deeper walk with the Lord as you let His love lead you.

Psalm 25:9-10 - He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness...

Compassion will move you to action so that we can be the light of the world. Expect miracles!

Fast Day 20

2011-01-29T06:30:00.005-05:00

Why should God answer your prayers? Fasting reminds us that we are not getting God to answer based on what we do.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because YOU are faithful and righteous. Psalm 143:1

God listens and answers because of His faithfulness and righteousness. Meditate on that today and let Him show you just how faithful He is and how righteous He sees you in Jesus.

Fast Day 19

2011-01-28T08:14:00.004-05:00

Today's blog courtesy of Ballantyne Branch Pastor DaVon Alexander.

Good Morning

Day 19 of our fast!

Fasting helps establish your heart.

Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Get Planted, Grow Strong, Branch Out
DaVon Alexander
Web: BranchChurch.org
Blog: DaVonAlexander.com
Twitter: @davonalexander

Fast Day 18

2011-01-27T09:24:00.002-05:00

Fasting is turning to the Lord with your whole heart. God does not want the outer show of religion, He wants your heart...

That is why the Lord says, Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13

The results are mercy, compassion, unfailing love and a Father's heart to rescue you. Give your heart to Him today... He knows how to fix you!

Fast Day 17

2011-01-26T08:16:00.004-05:00

Does it feel like the heat is turning up in your life? We can't stop the pressures that come in life, we can only choose how we respond.

Daniel 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

You know the rest of the story. Those three were met by another in the furnace. They met the pressure full on and did not cave in to the demands only to find that their deliverance was in the fire. When pressure turns up the heat in your life, respond with God is able!

Fast Day 16

2011-01-25T05:57:00.007-05:00

I'm very in tune with the voice of my wife. Even in a crowded room I can distinguish her voice above all the other conversations. It's not because of her volume, Sarah is very soft-spoken. It's because my ear is trained to pick up her tone and cadence. It's because I've spent a lot of time with her. It's because I love her.

My heart has heard you say, Come and talk with me. And my heart responds, Lord, I am coming. Psalm 27:8

When you spend time with God your heart can pick up His voice above all the other noise.

Fast Day 15

2011-01-24T05:45:00.003-05:00

Matthew 9:36 - But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 - And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Matthew 18:27 - Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
Mark 1:41 - Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Mark 6:34 - And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Let compassion be a cue for action. When you become conscious of others' distress, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you are to do.

Prevailing Prayer

2011-01-23T14:00:00.001-05:00

How would you like to get a "yes" to all your prayers? This week @BranchChurch we discuss the sure-fire way to prevail in prayer and see God slap a big "AMEN" on the end of request. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

Prevailing Prayer

Get Planted

James 5:16 NKJV - The threefold cord of prevailing prayer. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Grow Strong

Righteous Prayer:

Prayer can easily become about performance rather than knowing God. Prevailing prayer starts from your position of right standing with God. Philippians 3:9 / Romans 8:33 / Romans 3:24.
Jesus told us to pray in His name... His authority! - John 15:16; 16:23-24.

Pray in alignment with God’s will. Righteous prayer is based on the righteousness of Jesus... not yours.

Effective Prayer:

Starts with knowing what the Word of God says about your situation - John 15:7. Gods Word is living and powerful - Hebrews 4:12. Regardless of what you are facing in life, God can speak to you through His Word and you can speak His Word in prayer!

Fervent Prayer:

It’s all about passion! Our motivation in prayer should be to glorify God. Luke 22:41-44. If you want to pray with confidence and know that God is going to answer yes, glorifying God has to be your first motive - Matthew 6:33. Seek first His Kingdom and not just your happiness!

Branch Out

Righteous prayer is not based on your own righteousness, but on the righteousness of Jesus. Effective prayer is based not on your own authority, but on the authority of the Word of God. Fervent prayer is based not on your own comforts or preferences, but on the purpose of glorifying God. When we pray according to these three, we can have the confidence that God will say yes to our prayers. Keep praying until you see the answer. You will see it! Don’t give up, but be persistent in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and remember that through faith and endurance we inherit the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12). Stovall Weems “Awakening”

Fast Day 14

2011-01-23T07:06:00.003-05:00

In Luke 7 Jesus brings a widow's son back from death. He actually interrupted the funeral procession and presented the boy back to his mom alive and well. The reaction of the watching crowd was as follows:

They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, "God is back, looking to the needs of his people!" The news of Jesus spread all through the country. Luke 7:16-17 (The Message)

Is there something in you life that seems dead? Maybe a dream of doing great stuff for God is lifeless in your heart. Or a relationship that was once healthy and vibrant is lying stiff and unresponsive. It's time to let Jesus interrupt! Faith celebrates in the place of holy mystery and worships God in the middle of a funeral. Declare "God is back" today and let Him resurrect the dead areas of your life. Your testimony will make Jesus famous in your country.

Fast Day 13

2011-01-22T08:00:00.005-05:00

Psalm 136 is a collection of truths about God followed by a repeated statement. Different translations and paraphrases record it several ways:

His mercy endureth forever (KJV), His faithful love endures forever (NLT), His lovingkindness is everlasting (NIV), and my personal favorite - His love never quits (Message).

Today, write your own Psalm 136. Make a list of truths about God, personal things He has done in your life and ways He has revealed Himself to you. Here's my Psalm 136 including links to the story behind the statement...

Thank God for delivering me from a head on crash with a drunk driver: His love never quits.

Thank God for bringing Sarah to be my awesome wife: His love never quits.

Thank God for my beautiful Caroline and Kate: His love never quits.

Thank God for protecting Sarah and Caroline when they got hit head on by a drunk driver: His love never quits.

Thank God for healing Kate from a deadly virus: His love never quits.

Thank God for allowing me to be the pastor of The Branch: His love never quits.

Thank God for rescuing me from sin and adopting me as His kid: His love never quits.

I could go on... Because His love never quits!

Fast Day 12

2011-01-21T08:45:00.005-05:00

Daddy, will you hold my hand? I love hearing those words from my girls. There is something in the heart of a protective Dad that comes to life when you are holding the hand of your little one. Something comes to life in the heart of a husband when holding the hand of your wife too... but that's for another blog! Interesting fact about hand-holding... it requires two parties. Sometimes Kate does not want to hold my hand, but in a busy parking lot I require it. The way I protect her and stand for her defense is by grabbing her hand. God is the same with us...

Psalm 135:14 The Message (MSG)
God stands up for his people, God holds the hands of his people.

God is a good Father and loves to stand up for His kids. Reach out today and let Him hold your hand.

Fast Day 11

2011-01-20T08:25:00.005-05:00

Sometimes doctors prescribe a better climate for what ails you. I've heard stories of families moving from Minnesota to Arizona for health reasons. While that may be great for your physical health, what about your emotional and spiritual health? What climate is best?

A hostile world! I call to God, I cry to God to help me. From His palace He hears my call; my cry brings me right into His presence - a private audience! Psalm 18:6 (The Message)

God's presence is the best climate for your heart and soul. A simple call to Him in prayer is all it takes to move locations from hostility to a private audience with the Creator of the universe. This is the result...

But me He caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; He pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved! Psalm 18:16-19 (The Message)

Fast Day 10

2011-01-19T06:38:00.002-05:00

God gave Sarah a word for 2011... STRENGTH. He said this would be the year to operate from a position of strength individually and in the Church.

Psalm 18:32 (New Living Translation)

God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.

What do you need strength for? Quit trying to figure it out on your own and trust God to arm you with His strength. Remember, His Strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Fast Day 9

2011-01-18T05:59:00.004-05:00

Sometimes the pressure of life and circumstances are overwhelming. I know you know what I'm talking about! It is during those times that we look for an escape from reality. A place to hide from all the scary stuff that is going on around us. Instinctively, we know that God is that hiding place. But did you know that there is a huge bonus in that hiding place waiting for you.

Psalm 32:7-8 (New Living Translation)

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

God wants to be more than your escape from reality. He wants you to come to Him so he can impart an atmosphere of victory around you. It is from that place that He can be your guide, your advisor and you bodyguard. Don't just escape reality... run as fast as you can into God's reality today!

Agreement Alignment Assignment

2011-01-17T14:00:00.001-05:00

Branch Family Church

Agreement, Alignment, Assignment

Listen to this message online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

When we come into Agreement with God, we are Aligned with God’s perfect will on earth, as it is in Heaven. When we are Aligned with Heaven, we find that God can use us in ways we never thought possible. Then we begin to walk in our Assignment - the purpose God created us to fulfill. -Stovall Weems “Awakening”

Get Planted

Agreement

Amos 3:3 - Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

Galatians 2:20 - My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Grow Strong

Alignment

Turn down the volume of other things - Matthew 6:6 Message - Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

Be still - Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 37:7 - Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.

Listen - John 10:27 – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Listen To the Word (Mark 9:7) - Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him. Listen To the wise (Proverbs 12:15) - Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Do it - James 1:22-25 - But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. Obedience will open the eyes of your understanding.

Branch Out

Assignment

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Fast Day 8

2011-01-17T06:18:00.003-05:00

I've always thought it would be cool to have a personal shopper or wardrobe consultant. Someone who would pick out my clothes for me with an eye that compliments my personality. Currently, my wife fills that role by simply telling me what not to wear and keeping me from leaving the house looking like an 80's throwback. God has a "wardrobe" for you and He gives you advice on what to wear that goes beyond the surface.

Colossians 3:12-14 (The Message)

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Get dressed up in love today... it looks great on you!

Fast Day 7

2011-01-16T07:37:00.002-05:00

Where do you go when you need to get some rest? Beach, mountains or maybe just a good nap on the couch. It's difficult to get real rest when we are running all the time. Compound that with our duties at work or school, not to mention time with the kids and family. But real rest doesn't require an exotic getaway or a comfy couch. Real rest starts with Jesus...

Matthew 11:29-30 (The Message)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

Get away with Jesus today. Spend time in His Word and prayer. Listen for His voice. He will teach you how truly rest!

Fast Day 6

2011-01-15T08:47:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt like your hands are tied? Like you are helpless to do anything? Sometimes it's a situation that we had no control over. Sometimes we feel like it's deserved because we got ourselves into it. Either way, we feel trapped and there is a rope of bondage and fear wrapped tight around out hands. Really there is only one thing to do... cry out to the Lord for help.

But the Lord is good; he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly. Psalm 129:4 (New Living Translation)

Faith sees the ropes cut before you experience the actual event. Rescue will be your result. But remember... rescued people are thankful. So thank God today that He has cut the ropes!

Soul Print

2011-01-14T14:00:00.004-05:00

I was recently sent an advance copy of Soulprint by Mark Batterson. I love this book!

Like a skilled crime scene investigator, Mark Batterson leads you on a search for the Soulprint that shapes your life and gives you clues to your destiny. Dusting for prints through the life and times of David the shepherd, David the giant killer, David the king, David the moral failure and David the worshiper actually reveal Gods prints all over the scene. But as Mark draws you into the story of David you discover another Soulprint... your own!

Mark Batterson also shares his own Soulprint that is shaping his destiny. His openness and candor to show how insecurity will try to get you to compare and conform your Soulprint to others is refreshing and will help you relate. In the end you will come away with a confidence to be the best you that you can be. Your unique Soulprint is waiting for you to discover in this timely book.

Download a sample chapter or check Mark's Blog Evotional for Soulprint excerpts.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. If you like my review you can rate it @ BloggingForBooks

Fast Day 5

2011-01-14T06:17:00.004-05:00

Worry... I believe it's one of the things we are tempted to do most. Everyday we are presented with reasons to stress out about something. Worry is a sin and we need to treat it as such. But how do we fight the temptation to worry? This is what God says...

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

Temptation to worry is a cue for prayer. Shape worry into prayer today!

Fast Day 4

2011-01-13T05:07:00.007-05:00

I woke this morning with this song in my head...

One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.

Not a big fan of this tune, but it reminds me to just take life one day at a time.

I tend to be so future minded that I miss the joy of daily life.

This fast is helping me return to the simple task of daily living!

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Fast Day 3

2011-01-12T07:42:00.003-05:00

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be? I know, tough question to ask during a fast! Most people try to answer in a way that will reflect their compassion and intelligence by choosing folks like Mohandas Gandhi or Jane Austen. I usually try to appear clever and choose someone like George Washington Carver or Ferdinand Magellan. But imagine having a meal with Jesus! Now look at His actual invitation to you...

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20 (New Living Translation)

Today is the day to take Jesus up on His offer. Spend time with the Bread of Life. He is all you need.

Fast Day 2

2011-01-11T07:54:00.002-05:00

The following is from guest blogger and Branch Ballantyne campus pastor, DaVon Alexander. You can catch his blog at DaVon Alexander.com

Good Morning Family,

Day 2 of our proclaimed fast!

Each day I will email you an encouraging word and benefit regarding fasting.

Moses wrote the Ten Commandments after he fasted.

Exodus 34:27-28
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

What amazing things will God do through you after this fast?

Fast Day 1

2011-01-10T08:28:00.008-05:00

Good morning Branch Family Church. Welcome to day 1 of the 21 day fast. I woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow and news of no school. Every time I see snow I can't help but think of the Manna God sent to provide for His own. What a great reminder as we start this fast that God is our source and He will take care of us. Tune in to His voice today!

Deuteronomy 8:3 (New Living Translation)

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Branch 21 Day Fast

2011-01-09T14:00:00.001-05:00

21 days of fasting starts January 10 and goes through January 30. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

Fasting

Get Planted

Matthew 6:5 - “When” you pray... Matthew 6:16 - “When” you fast...

Hebrews 11:6 - Fasting is not just denial, it’s replacement and HE is the reward.

Fasting gives us the ability to eliminate the unnecessary so that we may hear the necessary speak.

Grow Strong

Alignment

Ezra 8:21 NKJV - Then I proclaimed a fast... that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.

Acts 13:2 - Fasting tunes you in to the right frequency

The purpose of fasting is not to influence God into acting on our behalf. Fasting does not impress Him. Its purpose is to shut off the influence of our flesh so that we can be in tune with the Spirit.

Branch Out

Isaiah 58:6-12 - Meditate these results of fasting!

Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.
Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

ONE Branch Vision

2011-01-03T14:00:00.003-05:00

I loved seeing the whole BranchChurch family gathered in one place this Sunday! DaVon and I felt such a freedom to share the vision for the year and we are convinced that God has great things in store for you. 2011 is a year of STRENGTH... Strength for fulfilling the vision God has placed on this house. Sarah and I are so thankful for you all and love what God is doing in our city. Get Planted, Grow Strong, Branch Out!

Listen to the ONE Vision service online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

ONE Vision Service

Derek & DaVon

Isaiah 60:21-22 - Your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, And a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time.

Ephesians 4:11-16 - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

AT THE BRANCH WE VALUE:

God’s Presence

Jude 1:24 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. Message - And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.

Loving Relationships

1 John 3:11 (NLT) - This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) - Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

God’s Word / Spiritual Growth

1 Peter 2:2 (GWT) - Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation.
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Next Generation

Psalm 78:5-7 (Message) - He planted a witness in Jacob, set his Word firmly in Israel, Then commanded our parents to teach it to their children So the next generation would know, and all the generations to come— Know the truth and tell the stories so their children can trust in God.
Matthew 19:13-15 (Message) - One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these."

Radical Generosity

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) - The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NLT) - Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

Sacrificial Living

Romans 12:1-2 (Message) - So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Seek and Save The Lost

Luke 19:10 (NLT) - For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NLT) - This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
Luke 15:7, 10 (Message) - Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.

ONE Vision Service

2010-12-29T16:26:00.003-05:00

Join us January 2nd as the entire Branch family (Ballantyne and Mallard Creek campuses ) gathers together for one 10am service at the Mallard Creek campus. Pastor Derek and Pastor DaVon will bring the vision for the New Year... You bring a friend!

Also, we will be receiving a miracle offering to honor God with our first and best!

Click here for the details... ONE Service, ONE Location, ONE Vision

Branch service CANCELLED

2010-12-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Embracing Redemption

2010-12-20T09:59:00.006-05:00

In the first century a Middle Eastern man never — never — ran. If he were to run, he would have to hitch up his tunic so he would not trip. If he did this, it would show his bare legs. In that culture, it was humiliating and shameful for a man to show his bare legs. So, here’s the question: If it was shameful for a man to run in that culture, why did the father run when his son returned to him? What motivated him to shame himself? Before we answer that question, we have to understand an important first-century Jewish custom.

Kenneth Bailey, author of The Cross & the Prodigal, explains that if a Jewish son lost his inheritance among Gentiles, and then returned home, the community would perform a ceremony, called the kezazah. They would break a large pot in front of him and yell, “You are now cut off from your people!” The community would totally reject him.

So, why did the father run? He probably ran in order to get to his son before he entered the village. The father runs — and shames himself — in an effort to get to his son before the community gets to him, so that his son does not experience the shame and humiliation of their taunting and rejection. The village would have followed the running father, would have witnessed what took place at the edge of the village between father and son. After this emotional reuniting of the prodigal son with his father, it was clear that their would be no kezazah ceremony; there would be no rejecting this son — despite what he has done. The son had repented and returned to the father. The father had taken the full shame that should have fallen upon his son and clearly shown to the entire community that his son was welcome back home.

The amazing application for our own lives is crystal clear. Our heavenly Father has taken our shame through his Son, Jesus, who willingly endured the cross on our behalf. He took our sins’ shame so that we would not have to. As a result, we can be forgiven, restored — accepted. We do not have to fear going home to our Father and confessing our sins, no matter what we have done, or how many times we have done it (remember, Jesus taught his followers to forgive 70 times seven).

In the parable, only the father could restore the son to full sonship in the family. In our case, we are sinners, and there is nothing that we can do to restore our lost relationship with the Holy God of the Universe. He calls us and waits — a single repentant step in his direction, and he is off and running to welcome us back home!

Not only does God forgive us, but he takes upon himself our shame. He lifts off that weight that we carry on our shoulders for our past mistakes, and willingly wipes the slate clean once more. May we experience what the prodigal son encountered upon returning to the Father: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes

Branch Family Church

Embracing Redemption

Get Planted

Luke 15:11-32

Grow Strong

4 Attitudes (2 to kick and 2 to keep)

The attitude of the Rebellious - Luke 15:12-13

“A few days later” - He was planning it. When you plan sin you are on the road to rebellion.
“Give me what belongs to me” - The attitude of entitlement is the attitude of rebellion.

The attitude of the Repentant - Luke 15:17-19

True repentance makes no excuses. Take responsibility for your actions. Proverbs 28:13 - People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
Every time we sin we sin against 3 people (God, others, yourself).
Repentance can start when you get caught. Circumstances caught him. Sin will always cost you.
Take full responsibility!

The attitude of the Reproacher - Luke 15:29

Pride and arrogance and looking down on others is the obvious attitude
The root of pride is deception. He does not see himself the way others see him. He does not see others the way God sees. He has a skewed perspective. Galatians 6:2-3 - Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Don’t use “never” and “always” v.11-12 - He owned all the goats!

The attitude of the Redeemer - Luke 15:20

“Embraced violently”
Did not listen to any "I'm unworthy" talk
Took the shame on Himself

Branch Out

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NLT) - This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Santa Vs Jesus

2010-12-19T07:54:00.002-05:00

Love this... Santa Vs. Jesus

Seek and Save

2010-12-14T08:42:00.007-05:00

If you lost your new iPad, how diligently would you look for it? Let's up the ante... What if you lost your child at the mall? I imagine you would hunt and seek like your life depended on it! Jesus said He came to seek and save those that are lost. We have the same task today and lives are depending on it. This week @BranchChurch our very own Ballantyne campus Pastor DaVon Alexander taught us how to start a party in Heaven.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church
Jesus Seeks and Saves

Get Planted

Luke 15:1-2 – Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

Grow Strong

Luke 15:7, 10 – Repentance brings joy in heaven

Luke 19:10 – Jesus came to seek and save

Luke 15:11-32 – Parable of the Lost Son

Branch Out

Romans 1:14-16 – Not ashamed of the gospel

II Corinthians 5:18-21 – We are Ambassadors

Luke 14:23 – God wants his house full

Pray Give Go

2010-12-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

Jesus gave clear direction to Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. But sometimes we get overwhelmed because the task seems so monumental. How can one person make a difference? Fresh off the mission to Pakistan and Thailand, Stephen Eichholtz spoke this Sunday @BranchChruch and shared the simple strategy that we can all embrace to see Jesus' dream come true!

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Pak Week One from Stephen Eichholtz on Vimeo.

Treehouse Blog

2010-12-01T14:00:00.001-05:00

The amazing Tori Berkowitz is the fearless leader of all things children @BranchChurch. Her passion to connect the next generation to their loving Father and serve parents has resulted in a new blog...

Treehouse Children

Check it out!

Treehouse, the children’s ministry of the Branch Family Church, is a safe place where love is at the heart of all we do. We invest in our children each week to strengthen their relationship with God. As we instill in our children a love for God’s Word, their roots are being established in Jesus. They will flourish in the generation to which God has called them.

Acknowledge

2010-11-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

The more you acknowledge who Christ is in you, the more you will find out who you really are. Being "God inside minded" is a key to your true identity. But many times we let other thoughts invade our minds and sway us to believe a lie. And when you believe a lie you empower the liar. This week @BranchChurch we discuss the mind of Christ and how Jesus is still serving up thoughts that will allow you to break free from your identity crisis.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

Acknowledge

Get Planted

Philemon 1:6 AMP - [And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory]. KJV - That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Grow Strong

Romans 12:2 & Amos 3:3

I Have Access - Romans 5:1-2 / Hebrews 4:14-16 / Philippians 3:20
I Have the Mind of Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:16 / Philippians 2:5-7 NCV - In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit. But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant.
I Have Redemption from Sin, Sickness and Poverty - Galatians 3:13

The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity! (From Victory Over the Darkness, by Dr. Neil Anderson)

Branch Out

Gift Card December

2010-11-23T14:00:00.001-05:00

Hey Branch Family Church... It's gift card December!

Here's how it works:

As you are out shopping, pick up gift cards to places like Target, Old Navy, Walmart, Toys R Us. Restaurants, Grocery stores and Gas Stations are great as well. You choose the place and the amount.
Bring the cards to church on Sunday at the Mallard Creek Recreation Center and drop them in the offering or come by the Branch Office during the week.
The staff @BranchChurch will distribute to those in need this Christmas season. You get to bask in the Joy of knowing that you are helping someone at the Branch have a great Christmas!

Galatians 6:10 NLT - Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Acknowledge

2010-11-22T11:00:00.006-05:00

In Christ you are accepted, secure and significant, but you may not always feel that way! Condemnation, shame and guilt will steer you into self-focus. But real freedom begins in knowing what God thinks about you... not what you think about you. This Sunday @BranchChurch we renew our minds to think the thoughts God thinks about us.

Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Branch Family Church

Acknowledge

Get Planted

Philemon 1:6 AMP - [And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory]. KJV - That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Grow Strong

Romans 12:2 & Amos 3:3 - Get in agreement with the ONE inside of you and let HIS voice transform your thinking!

I Am Accepted - John 1:12 / John 15:15
I Am Secure - Romans 8:1-2, 28, 31-39
I Am Significant - John 15:5 / 1 Corinthians 3:16

The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity! (From Victory Over the Darkness, by Dr. Neil Anderson)

Branch Out