Have you ever opened up to God about your disappointments, frustrations or fears? Have you brought honest questions to him, not out of irreverence but out of a desire for reassurance? In Genesis 15 Abram asks for the reassurance we all long for and demonstrates the faith we need. In the midst of it all he’s given a picture to carry with him and a pledge to find rest in – so are we.

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Times of renewal or re-commitment are almost always met with difficult decisions involving people, places and possessions. Genesis 13-14 is a story of renewed faith and the choices it produces; choices of reliance over personal preference and allegiance over compromise. These choices are held up for us to compare and contrast; to decide if we’ll make them our own.

Local stories are stories of God's grace at work in the lives of those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete.  We want to highlight his activity and celebrate his grace.

Have you felt like you’ve ruined God’s plan for your life? That your failures or faithlessness is the final word on things? Genesis 12 is the unfiltered story of Abram taking things into his own hands and coming up with a deceitful plan that backfires. Despite Abrams’ fear and failure, God intervenes to send Abram back to the land of promise, back to the altar, back to the start. As if to say, “Your failures are not the final word, my promises are.”

Have you ever questioned God’s goodness? Have you ever examined your life and concluded that maybe God doesn’t have your best interest in mind? We’ve all fallen into this trap and according to Genesis 3:1-7 it’s an age-old lie whispered into every human heart. Where are we most vulnerable to give into that lie? How do we answer back?

Outrageous promises of blessing, provision and purpose spoken against a dark backdrop of brokenness. Promises spoken into a culture searching the stars for answers, spoken to a man with all kinds of family drama, grief and tension. Genesis 12 is the story of God’s call on Abram to leave what he knows and hold onto what’s been promised. The courageous faith that follows is what we’re invited into.

An update on Local Church St. Pete's partnership with A Door of Hope from Billy Babbino.

Have you ever carried a phrase or even one word around with you? Maybe it was anexpression of affection or word of encouragement. Something spoken in a moment youneeded it most? In Ephesians 6:21-24 we hear three words spoken over our lives;words of blessing and desire that sum up the entire letter - words we’re meant to carrywith us; words that challenge us to keep loving Jesus with a love that outlasts deathitself.

We’ve all experienced the strength that comes to us through human relationships; whether a word of encouragement or a friend’s presence in the midst of trials. According to Ephesians 6:18-20, the strength to stand against spiritual forces of evil is found through prayer - an ongoing, highly relational lifestyle of dependence.

An update on Local Church St. Pete's partnership with Casa de Esperanza (Caranavi & La Paz, Bolivia) from Josh & Brooke Allen, Nicole Schuster, and Doug Pursley.

If you’re not convinced something is a real threat then you won’t do anything to stand against it. Ephesians 6:10-20 is a shockingly blunt call for followers of Jesus to stand firm against cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil. To live watchful, attentive lives of resistance that find strength in Jesus’ triumph and presence.

It’s so easy to write others off, to be demeaning or dismissive, or to treat people differently based on their position in society. Ephesians 6:1-9 takes us behind the scenes where faith in Jesus is played out between children and parents and between slaves and masters. It reaches into a dehumanizing and discriminating culture with a new ethic. Instead of behavior modification or a list of recommended practices, we’re given a countercultural way of life that transforms relationships from the inside out.

For some it’s offensive, misunderstood and archaic. For others it’s beautiful, within reach and relevant. Whatever your view of marriage is, Ephesians 5:21-33 takes us behind the scenes where faith in Jesus is played out on the stage of marriage. What we find is a freedom and equality rooted in self-giving love that shocked the ancient world as much as it does today. A countercultural way of life that puts Jesus’ love on bold display.

How we live and how we choose to spend our days says something about us. We allhave one life to live, but is it everything we want it to be? Ephesians 5 shows us afulfilling way to live. One filled with the Holy Spirit. A life of wisdom, worship, andcommunity.

Darkness has a way of distorting reality. In Ephesians 5, we see a darkness from sin that confuses right and wrong and leads to danger. But we also see Jesus. He shines into the darkness, showing us a different way to live. A way brimming with hope and truth and thankfulness.

A lifestyle of love; a way of life that allows Jesus’ self-giving love to be our pattern, motive and source of strength. That is what Ephesians 5:1-2 invites us into – a love for others rooted in the love we’ve received.

Ever try to fit into something you grew out of? Try to make it work? Ephesians 4:17-32 is an appeal not to return to our old way of life because it doesn't “fit” who we’ve become. It promises more than it can deliver and it’s empty. Instead, we’re called into a new lifestyle centered on Jesus - and it fits us perfectly.

An update from Carole Alexander on Local Church St. Pete's partnership with Next Stepp Pregnancy Care Center.

It’s easier to sit back and wait for others to step up when you don’t feel like you have much to offer. It’s hard to participate when you’re still trying to figure out how your part contributes to the big picture. Ephesians 4:1-16 reminds us that every follower of Jesus has been called and equipped. What is that calling? And how has Jesus himself equipped you to not only see the part you play but carry it out?