UStepIn Hope Ministries

Have you ever considered the Bible and Jesus and the Resurrection and humanity as a weave? Woven, interwoven by God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let us be bold, let us be united, let us worship the Lord with one heart, one soul, one mind. Historians agree that most people in the first-century Roman Empire lived at or below subsistence level; their lives required a literal sharing of material resources. Are we too rich to do that today? Or should we take this passage as instructions for how Christian communities ought to relate to each other even today? I invite you to comment on Why or why not? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Happy Easter! The Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed! That is the greeting we used to hear in one denomination. And that is the reason for rejoicing! Looking at Isaiah today we might come to realize that the Old Testament prophecies are still relevant and have much to teach us about the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

They took palm branches and ran out to meet Jesus. After all, this was the traditional way of greeting a conquering king. Waving palm branches was a visual and spectacular way to give him thanks and praise. But why were they there? Why did so many people come out to see Jesus come into Jerusalem? What were they expecting? Then this day became a historical event that we commemorate year after year. Why? When we follow a leader what’s on our minds? Do we follow for the right reason? Or is it that we are looking for some kind of personal benefit? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

I have to wonder, what is it in human nature that makes us turn away from God? – Sin and rebellion come to mind, then Ignoring God, self-deception, self-deceit, disobeying, and worldly influences. In the realm of human nature, these are some of the common factors that can lead individuals to turn away from God. If you look at the Old Testament, you will find covenant after covenant broken. Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel, and 1st and 2nd Kings are full of stories of the people collectively and individually breaking their covenant with God. So, what's the answer? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Many times, people try to protect themselves from their fears by putting their faith in something or other. But in John 3 we learn that only God can save us from the one thing that we really need to fear and that is eternal condemnation. We need to believe in God by recognizing the insufficiency of our own efforts to find salvation, and by asking Him to do his work in us. After all, when Jesus talks about unbelievers. He means those who reject or ignore him completely. He’s not talking about those who have momentary doubts. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

When we talk about the Gospel, we need to realize that the persuasive power is in the story - not in the storyteller. Paul was not against those who carefully prepare what they say, Paul was against those who try to impress others with their knowledge or speaking ability and take the focus away from God, from Jesus! If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

It’s a simple statement, if there’s no law, you can’t break it, if there is, you will. And so we are asked to place all our faith in God. It can be a scary feeling, placing all our faith in God – But why is it, that we have that scary feeling? I think that’s mostly because placing faith in God seems so inadequate, because we have absolutely no control over the Lord’s response… If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Dirt is usually something unclean, especially when it’s in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions and almost nobody wants to be seen with dirt on their cloths, or you run the risk of being called dirty. Now consider this: when we are covered with sin, we are dirty. Even if we don’t want to admit it. So what do we do about this? After all it’s Lent, a time of reflection and repentance, right? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

It's Paul who reminds us that while we may feel we're at the end of our rope, we are really never at the end of our hope. After all, our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. In this letter Paul condemned those who twist God’s Word, be they preachers, teachers, and anyone else who talks about Jesus Christ. If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who don’t want to believe. We need to remember that all of us ultimately stand in God’s presence, and He hears every word we speak. Paul was concerned about those who change the Gospel to suit their audience. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Remember, Saul had that conversion experience on the road to Damascus? He actually saw, talked and was in the presence of the resurrected Christ, who declared him to be an apostle. Shortly after Saul traveled back to Jerusalem and changed his name to Paul, but the first thing he did was tell his story, we would say give his testimony. He didn't wait until he was fully educated with a diploma in hand to start his ministry. He started then and there. I wonder how we react when we receive God's call? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Paul agreed that food offered to idols was not contaminated, but he wanted to be sure that the “knowledgeable Christians” would not flaunt their enlightened point of view. Let me put it this way: “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Paul recognised this as a crisis in the church and highlights that charity for one another is the way great and powerful congregations are built. It is also the way we as individuals become more than private disciples because this doesn’t happen in conflict, nor in challenging others, nor in ministering mostly to ourselves. Christianity is not expressed in isolation; it is meant to be with others. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Don’t love the things of the world - 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Have you ever looked back at our life and realized that it is only by the grace of God that you have lived this long? So many things could have happened. Admittedly we don’t always listen to God or a wise counsel, do we? So often we could have saved ourselves a lot of grief and pain had we just listened to those who tried to instruct us. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Where is your Temple? - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 The idea of complete freedom and being allowed to do anything has been debated by philosophers, political scientists, and sociologists for centuries. But if you think about it, if you were allowed to do anything, then you’ve given up all freedom, because you’re really enslaved to your own desires. When we become Christians, the Holy spirit comes to live in us. The freedom we have is the freedom God gives us to live for Him. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Lean on Jesus - Several Scriptures Mary and Joseph, their relationship was less than ideal. There were complications, there was doubt, there were trust issues, and instability, not to mention the sacrifice implied in raising a child, not their own. But they determined to make it work. It was their destiny to raise the Son of God. Together. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Lean on Me with Love - Psalm 89:1-4,19-26 When we feel That God has forsaken us, we really must ask ourselves if it isn’t we that have forsaken or forgotten God. We should never doubt, that God will fulfill his promises. He will even do the impossible to make them come true, and our reaction should always be to trust and lean on Him with love. Have a wonderful Christmas! If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Lean on Me with Joy - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 I ran across this quote by a movie star: “It’s a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation.”. I think he's actually right. After all God tells us to “16 Always be joyful”. I think that goes particularly for this time of year, during the weeks that lead up to the day when we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Let's lean on Him for joy. If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com

Lean on Me in Peace - Mark 1:1-13 The second Sunday of advent sees the candle of peace lit. But, can you have peace and rest? When you are looking where to lean, first you check the place, make sure it’s clean, no dirt, and you want to be sure there’s no bugs, or spiders around that might bite you, right? But this might mean looking inside yourself too. How clean are you? This might mean, don't lean on yourself, but rather lean on God! If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

Lean on Me with Hope - Mark 13:24-37 The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.” and the name of this season is Advent because we look for both “advents” of Christ: The first happened in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago and the second is the one yet to come and that’s the one that we need to watch and be ready for! The first Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of hope. So, who do you lean on for hope? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)

God’s Power on the Journey - Ephesians 1:15-23 One question I need to ask is: why do people lose power? – And I found several examples in Scripture... I was recently reading 2nd Chronicles 24 and 2 kings 13 and there you can find several kings who reigned in Israel and Judea between 840 BC to 760 BC. Those Kings were Jehoiada, Joash, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash. There seemed to be a pattern there. These kings for the most part started out doing well. So, why did they lose power? If you would like us to pray for you, please send your prayer request to: pastor@ustepin.com If you would like to see this or previous messages, either as video or audio versions, please visit us at: https://www.ustepin.com We feel God is blessing us as we create these weekly Sunday sermons and that is all the recompense we need. But if you would like to be a part of this ministry and support the creation of these videos with a gift, please e-transfer your gift to: giving@ustepin.com (please note that no tax receipts will be issued)