Resource Details

Use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you learned this weekend into practice. If you missed last weekend's message, click here to watch it online.

Life Beneath the SurfaceRick VillodasPastor of New Life Community ChurchAuthor of "The Narrow Path"

July 6-7, 2024

Scriptures Used

Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV), 7-8 (ESV), 13-14 (NASB 1995), 23-24 (NIV)

Message Notes:

"Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality; listening is where we meet God … Emotions are the language of the soul.

We are frightened and ashamed of what leaks into our consciousness. In neglecting our intense emotions, we are false to ourselves and lose a wonderful opportunity to know God. We forget

that change comes through brutal honesty and vulnerability before God." Dan Allendar

What does it mean to live beneath the surface?

We slow down to be with God.

ACTION PLAN: Set aside specific time to connect with the Lord by attending a retreat. Check out the list of upcoming Saddleback retreats, available at Saddleback.com/retreats, or download a personal retreat guide to do on your own.

We take time to listen to our interior world.

ACTION PLAN: Listening to our interior world involves allowing the Holy Spirit a chance to speak to us about how we are living our lives. David's prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 contains an invitation to the Lord, to "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Listen to The Well podcast, "Prayer of Examen" this week to review the state of your relationship with the Lord. Make it a frequent practice.

What happens when we explore our interior world?

1. We live in reality.
2. We are able to connect with others from a deeper place.

"Many avoid the path of self-knowledge because they are afraid of being swallowed up in their own abysses. But Christians have confidence that Christ has lived through all the abysses of human life and that he goes with us when we dare to engage in sincere confrontation with ourselves. Because God loves us unconditionally - along with our dark sides - we don't need to dodge ourselves. In the light of this love the pain of self-knowledge can be at the same time the beginning of our healing." Andreas Ebert