Even at Night, My Heart Instructs Me: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Psalm 16

Mike launches the “next phase” of Tierra Nueva ministry, putting a pause on devotions for a while.

Psalm 16 (ESV): You Will Not Abandon My Soul

A Miktam of David.

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Sunday: Out of Our Caves and Into Our Missions / 1 Kings 19

Sunday! We gather in worship, waiting and listening for God.

• Worship: Mike Neelley

• Prayers of the People: Danielle Riley

• Sermon: Bob Ekblad

• Call to Action: Mike Neelley

• Blessing: Gracie Ekblad

1 Kings 19:9-18 (ESV): The Lord Speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

The Solution is Jesus: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Colossians 2

Mike continues in his study of re-setting our eyes in a broken world.

Colossians 2:8-10 (ESV)

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Sunday: The Shit List / Colossians 2:6-15

We gather as a loved and redeemed people, worshiping a possessive God that calls us into freedom from shame and guilt.

• Worship: Andrew Lewis - 0:00

• Prayers of the People: Bob Ekblad - 12:30

• Message: Mike Neelley - 25:38

• Closing Song: Did You Feel the Darkness Tremble - 50:20

• Call to Action: Gracie Ekblad - 54:37

• Closing Blessing: Andrew Lewis - 58:30

Colossians 2:6-15 (ESV): Alive in Christ

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Stay Salty: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Matthew 5

Mike continues his series on following Jesus and his setting us apart from our culture.

Matthew 5:10-13 (ESV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Sunday: Keep Seeking the Things Above / Colossians 3

We gather in worship that our eyes and actions might be adjusted.

• Worship: Mike Neelley - 0:00

• Prayers of the People: Lise Bennett - 19:45

• Message: Gracie Ekblad - 25:35

• Closing Song: I Just Want to Praise You - 42:44

• Call to Action: Danielle Riley - 45:52

• Blessing of Lucy Capron - 47:26

• Closing Blessing: Andrew Lewis - 55:16

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): Put On the New Self

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Setting Our Minds On Things of God: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Matthew 16

Mike continues his exploration of being blind and deaf, stuck on earthly strategies.

Matthew 16:13-16, 21-23 (ESV)

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Jeremiah 16:19 (ESV)

19 Therefore thus says the Lord:
“If you return, I will restore you,
    and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
    you shall be as my mouth.
They shall turn to you,
    but you shall not turn to them.”

Sunday: Removing Blinders to See Through Delusions / 2 Thessalonians

We gather in worship together, seeking a God of truth and light.

• Worship: Mike Neelley - 0:00

• Prayers of the People: Gracie Ekblad - 18:50

• Message: Bob Ekblad - 34:47

• Closing Song: 56:15

• Call to Action: Andrew Lewis - 59:45

• Closing Blessing: Danielle Riley - 1:01:10

2 Corinthians 3:23 (NASB)

Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech…

2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 (NASB)

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NASB)

5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Setting Our Minds On Things Above: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Colossians 3

Mike prays for redirection and new surrendering in a divided, breaking world.

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): Put On the New Self

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV): A Living Sacrifice

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Send Out the Workers: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Matthew 9 & 10

Mike looks to Jesus authorizing and assigning his disciples—us included—in the work prepared beforehand.

Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV): The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 10:1, 5, 7-8 (ESV): The Twelve Apostles

10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out…

7 “And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Sunday: Practical Love of Enemies / Matthew 8

Sunday! We gather in worship that we might learn to love better, in exploring Jesus and the Centurion.

• Worship: Andrew Lewis - 0:00

• Prayers of the People: Danielle Riley - 13:32

• Message: Mike Neelley - 16:48

• Closing Song: All of God's Children - 42:57

• Blessing of: Kevin Riley - 47:28

Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV): The Faith of a Centurion

5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Sunday: God Saved Us For a Purpose / Ephesians 2:10

Sunday! We gather in worship, saved and created for good works.

• Worship: Lucy Capron - 0:00

• Prayers: Danielle Riley - 24:27

• Announcements, Message: Mike Neelley - 26:33

• Closing Song: Beautiful Things - 49:54

• Call to Action: Kevin Riley - 54:55

• Blessing: Andrew Lewis - 56:27

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Sunday: Rejoice in the Lord Always / Philippians 4

Sunday! We gather to worship in a difficult world.

• Welcome and Worship: Mike Neelley - 00:03

• Prayers of the People: Andrew Lewis - 18:00

• Message: Bob Ekblad - 24:08

• Call to Action: Gracie Ekblad - 49:16

• Closing Song: The Blessing - 54:01

• Blessing: Danielle Riley - 58:40

Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

His Sheep Hear His Voice: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / John 10:1-5

Mike begins the day with listening to Jesus. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and promises that his sheep (all of us) hear his voice. How is Jesus speaking to you in this season?

John 10 (ESV): I Am the Good Shepherd

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Sunday: Identity & Purpose / Ephesians 2:8-10

We gather in worship of a powerful God who provides transformative love.

• Worship: Andrea and Jean Chaumont

• Prayers of the People: Danielle Riley

• Message: Mike Neelley

• Call to Action: Andrew Lewis

• Blessing: Kevin Riley

This passage brings together two important parts of our relationship with Jesus—our identity and our purpose—who we are and what are we to do. You are God’s craftsmanship (identity), created in Christ Jesus for good works (purpose). It is important that they come in that order. 

It’s really easy to try to get our sense of identity, who we are and what gives us value, out of what we do. We use our work to seek affirmation and validation to feel good about ourselves. Unfortunately, when the work is gone and we have lost the affirmation, our sense of identity is in the toilet.

If we don’t start with the affirmation of Jesus, that we are deeply loved before we have done anything, we will chase it all our lives in other things and never have peace. 

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Luke 3:21-22 (ESV)

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Don't Be Anxious, Be Thankful: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Philippians 4:6-7

How do we deal with the anxiety of this season or any season? Get honest with God in prayer, and be thankful. It's hard to be anxious and thankful at the same time.

Philippians 4:4, 6-7 (ESV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice… the Lord is at hand.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What is God Doing in the Wilderness?: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Luke 4:1-13

Though it is dry and uncomfortable, the wilderness isn't just a place to get through as quickly as possible. It is a place where God reveals Himself in ways that we wouldn't otherwise know Him. Who does God want to be for you in this wilderness? What does He want to show you about Himself that you wouldn't otherwise see?

Luke 4:1-13 (ESV): The Temptation of Jesus

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve.’”

9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    to guard you,’

11 and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Sunday: What is the Gospel? / Ephesians 2:1-7

Sunday! We gather in worship together, celebrating our brought-back-to-life status as God’s beloved.

• Welcome and Worship: Lucy Capron

• Prayers and Call to Action: Bob Ekblad

• Message: Mike Neelley

• Closing Blessing: Andrew Lewis

Ephesians 2:1-7 (ESV)

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Nothing Can Separate Us: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Romans 8:31-39

Mike re-aligns in the midst so much disaster.

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV): God's Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Repentance and Sickness: Morning Devotions with Mike Neelley / Luke 5:27-32

Mike further examines our repentance and complete sickness.

Luke 5:27-32 (ESV): Jesus Calls Levi

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

White Awake. Daniel Hill

Daniel 9:8-11 (ESV)

8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.