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God loves people and so do we! At Destination Church Spokane, you've found a place to be loved, a place to believe, and a place to belong. We are here to love God, love people, to serve, and to share the good news of Jesus. We are committed to forming authentic relationships while learning more about our amazing God, allowing Him to change our lives.
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Who are we? Are we living out of our true identity as citizens of heaven? Embracing that identity together helps us to reflect Christ and His kingdom as we take on the challenges of life. Together we can courageously stand firm in one spirit, united in the gospel, and contending for the good news of Jesus Christ. In Him, our lives become a far-reac…
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The news of Christ truly is the best news in the world! It's something to get excited about. The gospel frees us and leads our hearts towards honoring Christ, into fruitful living, and stirs eagerness to know Him more. From this flows more eagerness to move forward together in Christ, trusting our good and sovereign God. There is so much to be joyf…
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Difficult things happen: in Genesis we see Joseph being sold into slavery, and in Philippians Paul is writing as a prisoner for the gospel. In God's great plan, their hard circumstances served great purpose in furthering His salvation plan. Paul says in his letter, "I want you to know..." He wants us to know that the gospel is being advanced, and t…
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Partnership is a beautiful thing! The partnership between Paul and the church in Philippi was a healthy one. Good partnership looks like generous care that fuels praise and thanksgiving. Genuine partnership in the Gospel will also fuel joy and devotion, and we'll find ourselves taking joy in one another as Jesus takes joy in His people. Finally, th…
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Paul and Timothy are both apostolic men, but how does Paul address the church in Philippi? As a servant of Christ. The Philippians too will find their primary identity in Christ. All their other characteristics and titles in the world would flavor their distinct expressions of humanity, but Christ is the foundation. As the people of God, first and …
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In Acts 16 we find Paul trying to travel to the region of Bithynia but the Spirit of Jesus tells him no. Paul listens to the Spirit and is led instead to the Macedonian city of Philippi, where what we know as the Philippian church is founded. There he meets a woman named Lydia, and God opens her heart to the gospel. She is baptized and becomes an a…
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In the final Chapter of Nehemiah, we find that though the people of Jerusalem may live in a different era and culture than us today, in some ways they're really not all that different from us. They can engage in a holy moment with God and then return to their old ways once the moment has passed. The too are tempted to neglect God and His ways. Just…
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In Nehemiah 12 we find God's people planning a celebration together ofwhat God has accomplished. They are also creating a strategic community of worship on purpose. Intentionality in thanking and praising God included consecration that would set them up well for celebration. The extravagant, joyful, all-inclusive worship event was exciting - and to…
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In Nehemiah 11 the leaders of God's people choose to stay in Jerusalem not because it was a nice city with clean neighborhoods or great amenities. It actually wasn't. They stayed because they believed in what God was building there, and their choice to stay was a choice to build. The rest of the people of God came together for a key shift that also…
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Building a culture that honors God and His Word takes time, but it's not an unrealistic, mysterious, or illusive dream. There are tangible shifts we can make in our lives, both individually and together as God's people, that help us align our real-life, day-to-day culture with God's word, character, and way of building. In Nehemiah 10, we see three…
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Herod wants him dead, so Joseph and Mary must flee with Jesus to Egypt. After his birth and subsequent dedication at the temple in Jerusalem, the first story we hear of Jesus' early life is one of an outsider. God is working a wonderful plan that will lead Jesus back into Israel and into the town of Nazareth. God is still preserving people who are …
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The Christmas story - the real Christmas story - is anything but a quiet, sanitary event. It's full of sight, sound, raw emotions, and all the smells of a 1st Century sheep town. From shepherds working the night shift where all heaven is breaking loose in the fields, to the Lamb of God lying in a manger, heaven's glory is stepping into the very rea…
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John's gospel introduces Jesus as the one and only Son of God, the unique glory of the Father. He's not just a son of God being born into the world, but the Son, and there is none like Him. Full of grace and truth, He is the embodiment of the Father's character, and the truth of God's covenant faithfulness is revealed and fulfilled in Christ. Throu…
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When Jesus took on human form it took a while for people to recognize Him as being God, and many never actually did. Today, it's as true as it was then that we need help recognizing and receiving God! Our fallen world still doesn't recognize it's maker, but it's only in recognizing and receiving Jesus that we become children of God. Since this has …
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In John's Gospel he doesn't start the story with Jesus' birth, but takes us back even farther: "In the beginning was the Word..." We are introduced to Jesus as this powerful Word, eons before His incarnation and even before creation itself. Before the beginning of time, Jesus was already there. He was with God, and, mysterious as it may seem, He al…
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"Confession is good for the soul," as they saying goes. In Nehemiah Chapter 9 we find all the Jewish people gathering together for a third time in the same month to pray and read scripture. Their gathering is marked by an openness toward God, this time with fasting rather than feasting, and grieving with one another over the sins of their people. T…
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We all are influencing someone, whether we realize it or not. As followers of Jesus, if we embrace this influence rather than run from it, then those who are looking to us will benefit. Wise influencers and leaders will also embrace being learners of God's Word. His Word breaks us out of our "normal" routines to refocus us on Christ, His provision,…
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God's culture is all about family, and of gathering that family together. The unity of the gathered church presents a beautiful image to the rest of the world. When the church gathers, we celebrate and enjoy one another, and we also intentionally gather to God's word, with time set aside to hear and understand what God is calling us to be and to do…
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God's culture provides protection around God's people, over God's people, and among God's people. In Nehemiah 7 we discover that there are guards placed around the wall of the city, at the gates to defend from outside attack, and even people assigned to stand guard at their own homes. Who do we have guarding our own homes today? Who within the chur…
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How can we respond well when the devil tries to distract, intimidate, and cause us to lose our moral authority through private sin? In Nehemiah 6, we learn from this man of influence how to respond well to these three enemy tactics. God has commissioned us to a great work, and what God has commissioned, God will complete. With our eyes on Jesus, we…
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As the story of Nehemiah continues, a matter of heart-wrenching social injustice surfaces during the massive building project. Many of the poor in Jerusalem and the surrounding area are struggling in a season of famine. To put food on the table, some of them have gone deeply in debt, even resorting to selling their own children into slavery. Others…
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Whatever happens, we must remember one thing: Don't stop building. There will be opposition; it may look like rage, like mocking, or even more organized threats. We may have to slow down, adjust strategies, and take extra precautions to guard what God has commissioned us to do. As we build, we pray. As we adjust, we pray. As we shore up our weak ar…
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In Nehemiah 3 we find so many groups of people coming together to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. They build multiple gates and towers, and many lengths of wall. Each part of the project matters, each person matters, and each contribution matters! It takes teams, families, intentionality, and inclusivity to build wisely according to what God is buil…
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We have a call to build, even though the work ahead will bring challenges. When God fills our hearts with His mission we can look on current devastation and be full of faith. When God is the one who has called us to build we can confidently stand up and take action! Rather than being stuck in passivity we can strengthen our hands for the great work…
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God opens doors at the right time. As we start Chapter 2 of Nehemiah, he has been praying for four months. What has he been praying for? - that he would be able to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild his home. When the king Nehemiah is serving asks him what is troubling him, Nehemiah is afraid but answers truthfully. The door to return is opening, and …
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What do you do when you hear bad news? What about when you hear of a need that's too big for you to fix, or you have a giant-sized dream that seems impossible? When these things happen it could just be that God is about to move your heart! When He does move our hearts we are wise to remind ourselves of exactly who this God is who is moving us. God …
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Is it really true that in the church male and female both get to participate fully and freely? What about when it comes to teaching in the church? Is that role reserved only for men, or can women participate in this ministry as well? If it's true that both male and female are created as image-bearers of God, and both carry the same good news of Jes…
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Fresh vision for the future of the kingdom of God and for the exaltation of Jesus Christ is the birthright of every Christian, from the newest and youngest to the oldest and most silver-haired! "But I feel so young." "But I'm far too old to be of much use." In the kingdom of God, old and young are fully included, and receive the same Holy Spirit. F…
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While we may tend to disqualify ourselves or those around us, Jesus is the ultimate qualifier. He pours out His Spirit even on those our culture may consider the "least," takes our "not-enough," and makes it more than enough! While it's true that we could never merit enough on our own to partner with God in His plans, Jesus qualifies rich and poor,…
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If we really want to see positive culture change, there are a few things we need to know, things we see at the end of the book of Ezra. Culture shift will require follow-through on the decisions agreed upon in the moment, and God is fully committed to supporting the changes He asks us to make. Culture shift also requires fathering, people of influe…
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Ezra has come to teach God's people God's ways, to help them align their lives to the heart and word of God. When he discovers that they are straying so badly into sin, he is understandably devastated. He becomes an example to them though, of how to repent, and they way he identifies with them in their sin points us all to Jesus, the one who ultima…
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Is God a racist? If He's not, then why would He oppose the interracial marriage we find in Ezra Chapter 9? Why would Ezra react so strongly when he discovers that His people are marrying outside of the people of Israel? It's true that one of the biggest decisions of life is who to spend it with in marriage, so what does God ask of us in making this…
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When Ezra arrives on the scene in Jerusalem after a long and dangerous journey, he and the many who came with him took three days to rest. Before delivering the money and resource they were carrying to the temple, before sacrificing, before diving in to their important work, they rested. Rest was a very important priority in Jesus' life and ministr…
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Speaking words of great faith is often much easier than taking the actual steps of great faith! Believing in general terms that God guards His people and helps us in what He has commissioned us to do is right and good. Walking forward into seemingly dangerous, faith-testing adventures can still humble the most confident of hearts. When Ezra is prep…
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It's been said, "We have no control over our ancestors, but we do have influence for our descendants." With that in mind, what kind of legacy would you like to leave for those who follow in your footsteps? In Ezra 8:1-20 we find Ezra recruiting Levites to return to Jerusalem, Levites whose ancestors had served the house of God, and now it's their t…
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God's heart for us as His people is revealed through the King of Persia in Ezra 7:11-28 as God moves this king to show great favor. God's sovereign will and purpose inspires a king, who releases a mission, which enables a leader to mobilize a people. May we too learn to think like favored ambassadors and favored sons and daughters of our Heavenly F…
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God's plan is so much bigger than us! While we've been building, God has been preparing others in other places. He knows just the right time to join our stories together, insiders and outsiders merging to write new chapters together. Different gifts are all coming to reinforce and participate together. God knows how to weave our stories together, a…
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God's people had waited many years for the work on the temple to finally be completed. Now that it is finished they celebrate, joyfully dedicating the temple and then by remembering the Passover. They rejoiced because they could now freshly experience a measure of God's presence. The same God who had commissioned them to build the temple, who rescu…
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In Ezra Chapter 5 we find God's people building the temple diligently and successfully. They are using new materials, yet still building on the same foundation as the first temple in Jerusalem, so what they are building is new and also not new. As they build with God at the center, they may still face opposition, but we see God turning the tide on …
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What happens when God's prophetic commission on our lives sits dormant? Sometimes, for various reasons, we can become stuck, stalled, or distracted. In times like this God is faithful to send a fresh reminder, a prophetic voice to call us back to His purpose in our lives. God's prophetic gifts to the church reinforce His purpose and remind us of th…
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When we set out to build what God has commissioned we will face increased temptation and opposition. In Ezra 4 we are given insight into multiple enemy tactics so that we can be aware and better prepared. Attempts to dilute and infiltrate our work should not be shocking to us, temptations to compromise on core-level issues, to appease an ungodly cu…
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When God is building something new, it is often both exciting and challenging for those involved. Those who remember "the good old days" may even experience real grief in comparing the small beginnings now with the glories of yesterday. God is masterful at building us into community, where there is room for all of our very real emotions. Even while…
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In Ezra 3 the Jewish people have come home with a prophetic commission. After settling into their homes, they are now gathered as one to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Shelters, and to build the altar of sacrifice. Here they will consecrate themselves as they remember God's rescue and God's blessing. Today God calls us to partner with Him a…
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We as the people of God are a culturally diverse people joined together in common purpose despite our differences. In Ezra 2 many peoples are gathering together from different families, backgrounds, towns of origin, roles, social status, and amounts of wealth. No matter who we are and what our roles may be, our lineage is secure in in Jesus. From t…
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Have you ever had your heart moved? Have you had a passion, a dream, or a vision for the future? The Spirit of God works in our hearts and stirs up these things. Before we were even born God had a plan and a calling for us, and He still does. Through good and bad, nations rising and falling, and everything in between, God is working out His goodnes…
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Every time we receive the bread and cup of communion together, we are brought right into God's Big Story. We remember and proclaim the sacrifice of Jesus that covers our shame, takes our place of judgment, seals us into his New Covenant of grace, unites us as one people, and promises us eternal life in Christ. Paul really wants the Corinthian churc…
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The resurrection of Jesus, Paul claims, is a strong foundation on which we can plant our feet and take our stand of faith. This good news is bringing salvation to us, and is worth holding onto! Since Jesus has been raised, we are freed from our sins; we will ourselves be resurrected to new life; and God gives us victory over both sin and death thro…
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Is Paul just being selfish in a passive-aggressive way in 1 Corinthians 9? Is he trying to demand his rights from a church that hasn't taken good care of him? No, instead he's teaching them about how to live, not just for their "rights" in the gospel, but as servants of Christ. If Paul could choose to make tents to earn a living rather than demand …
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It may seem like a shocking statement, but judgment within the church isn't actually our problem; the real problem is often the lack of it. We're not talking about a condemning, self-righteous judgment, but the wise and just judgment of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul emphasizes that we really need good and wise judges to resolve issues in the …
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It's good to be able to teach well and discuss complex topics that are in the Bible, but understanding God's Word and living life as Christians is not something we can do by ourselves. In 1 Corinthians Paul teaches that The Holy Spirit guides the Church and provides wisdom and courage that can only come from God. We as the body of Christ are called…
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