Send us a text

What if the physical bags we carry are a perfect metaphor for our spiritual journey? Pastor Celeste reveals this striking parallel in her Mother's Day message, taking us from the carefree days of a small clutch to the overflowing reality of a mom bag.

Remember when you first embraced faith? Your spiritual bag was light—filled only with prayer, joy, peace, and praise. You easily cast your burdens on the Lord because you truly believed Psalm 55:22: "Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you." But somewhere along the way, something changed.

Like the woman who transitions from a small purse to a medium-sized bag after marriage, we begin taking on burdens that aren't ours to carry. We pick up offenses for others. We stress about situations we can't control. We harbor hurts from years ago. Our spiritual bags become so heavy that we struggle to move forward in our faith journey.

"You are trying to fix problems that you cannot fix," Pastor Celeste explains. "It is not for you to fix, it is for Him." This powerful reminder echoes Jesus's invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to take His yoke instead—a yoke that's easy and a burden that's light.

The image of being yoked with Jesus is beautiful. In biblical times, a young ox would be paired with a seasoned ox to learn how to plow. The experienced animal would bear most of the weight and guide the younger one. This is exactly what Jesus offers us—not a burden-free life, but a shared load with the One strong enough to carry it.

Ready to clean out your spiritual bag? It's time to return to the necessities: prayer, joy, peace, and praise. Leave the rest at Jesus's feet. What are you carrying today that was never yours to bear?

Cornerstone
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/

Follow Jesus
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesus

Life Groups
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groups

Giving
https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.com/giving

Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZ

iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-church-center/id1357742931?mt=8&ls=1&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenter

----

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cornerstoneaz

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Twitter
https://twitter.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Send us a text

What are you carrying that's weighing you down? In this powerful message on spiritual readiness, we explore the concept of "everyday carry" from a biblical perspective. While some of us meticulously prepare go-bags and survival kits for physical emergencies, we often neglect the more essential preparation of our hearts and minds.

The challenge many of us face isn't about lacking equipment but operating from a place of fear rather than faith. When fear motivates our preparation, we miss the freedom God intends. Through personal stories and scriptural truth, we discover how Jesus calls us to carry our cross daily – not as a burden, but as an alignment with His purposes that brings unexpected freedom.

Drawing from Philippians 4, we unpack Paul's powerful declaration: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." This isn't about superhuman abilities but about finding supernatural contentment and strength regardless of circumstances. The beloved words of Psalm 23 remind us that even in the valley of death's shadow, God's presence transforms our experience entirely.

Many of us are carrying stones of past mistakes, broken promises, painful words spoken over us, and recurring sins. These weigh us down unnecessarily when Christ offers something much lighter: "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." True spiritual readiness means trading our heavy rocks for His light burden and walking in the freedom only Jesus provides.

Ready to lighten your load? Join us for this life-changing journey toward carrying what truly matters. Whether you're a longtime follower or just exploring faith, you'll discover practical ways to be spiritually prepared for whatever comes your way.

Cornerstone
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/

Follow Jesus
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesus

Life Groups
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groups

Giving
https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.com/giving

Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZ

iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-church-center/id1357742931?mt=8&ls=1&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenter

----

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cornerstoneaz

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Twitter
https://twitter.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Send us a text

What do you carry with you every day? Keys, wallet, phone—these items help us feel prepared for whatever the day might bring. But what about spiritual preparation?

Our new series "Everyday Carry" opens with a thought-provoking message about the armor of God and how we prepare ourselves spiritually for daily battles. Through a humorous story about accidentally bringing a pocket knife through airport security in Europe, we're reminded that we can carry all the right physical tools and still be spiritually unprepared.

Jesus challenges us in Luke 9 to "take up your cross daily and follow me"—emphasizing that spiritual readiness is a daily commitment, not a weekend activity. When we're caught unprepared spiritually, we're vulnerable to attacks that could have been prevented.

The armor of God in Ephesians 6 provides a powerful framework for spiritual preparedness: the belt of truth that anchors us in honesty, the breastplate of righteousness that protects our heart while keeping it open to God and others, shoes of peace that carry God's presence wherever we walk, the shield of faith that blocks spiritual attacks, the helmet of salvation that gives us the mind of Christ, and the sword of the Spirit—God's Word—that becomes our weapon against darkness.

Most compelling is the realization that while we might forget our physical tools, our spiritual armor should never be left behind. Faith becomes our currency in God's kingdom, blocking attacks of doubt, fear and anxiety. The peace of God doesn't just rest within us but goes before us into our homes, workplaces, and relationships.

Are you fully equipped for today's spiritual battles? The greatest thing you can carry isn't something that fits in your pocket—it's the presence and protection of God that goes with you everywhere. Join us as we learn to be spiritually prepared every single day.

Cornerstone
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/

Follow Jesus
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesus

Life Groups
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groups

Giving
https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.com/giving

Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZ

iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-church-center/id1357742931?mt=8&ls=1&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenter

----

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cornerstoneaz

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Twitter
https://twitter.com/cornerstoneaz.org