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JUMP - Efrem Smith

“In our relationship with God, it’s not just about making a jump; it’s about trusting the One we’re connected to, even though we can’t always see the destination.”

“It’s about jumping from ‘God loves me’ to ‘God loves us’ to ‘God so loved the world,’ it’s about becoming a vehicle of compassion, mercy, justice, and truth.”

“Jumping is the difference between a limited life and a liberated life, between just getting by and going further and higher.”

“God pursues us with His love and we jump into that pursuit.” 

“Through God the vinedresser we are loved; through God the vine we stay connected in God’s love.” 

“The vital question of Christians ought to be: ‘ARE WE LOVING?’ instead of ‘How well do we pray?’ ‘How many Scriptures have we memorized’ or ‘How many days have we fasted?’…not that these things are unimportant, but love is key.”

“The bottom line is the cultures inside and outside of the church work together to lead women to believe they are not really loved until they are in a relationship with another person. This is why putting God first even before marriage is so important. Because the Bible state in Genesis 2 that God didn’t want Adam to be alone, leading to the creation of Eve, we take this to mean that Adam would have been lonely without Eve. This is not true. The text is speaking to Adam not being alone within the mission of stewardship given by God. This is about a blessing of experiencing God’s love, but it should not lead us to feel unloved while we plot to get married. Before jumping into the ministry of marriage, WE MUST EXPERIENCE THE TRUTH OF BEING LOVED BY GOD FIRST. This is about living daily in the beloved self. This jump must be made first, before the jump into beloved marriage.”

Romans 8:28 

All things work together for good for those who love the Lord.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind. Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

John 15:16

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit that will last. 

Psalm 139:14

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know that fully well.