Psalms 1:1-3 NIV
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

The Hebrew word esher is here translated blessed, which has the idea of happiness or contentment. Esher is a form of the Hebrew word ashar, which in its root means “to be straight” or “to be right.”

Walks not…nor stands…nor sits: The blessed man does not do certain things. There is a way he will not walk, a path he will not stand in, and a seat he will not sit in.

Matthew 7:13 NIV
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Our delight in God’s Word helps us not be distracted by the world around us.

You can measure your delight for the word of God by how much you hunger for it.

A lot of people want the results of a blessed life, without the righteous work it takes to get us there.

Psalms 1:1-3 NIV
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

We want to create a posture that draws people to grow DEEP in their relationship with God, grow CLOSE with one another on our daily journey, and grow OUT into our community to reflect the Glory of God.

Job 7:17 ESV
What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him,

The way we “draw near” is through righteousness.

James 4:8 ESV
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1 John 4:9-10 ESV
9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 14:15 ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Growing Deep
We desire spiritual relationship with Christ before a social connection with others.

Grow deep in God’s word. (Joshua 1:8)

Grow deep in being satisfied in Christ. (Matthew 5:6)

Grow deep in God’s sovereign plan for your life. (Colossians 1:17)

Grow deep in the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Grow deep in humility and forgiveness. (Ephesians 4:2)

Psalms 1:1-3 NIV
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Growing Close
We experience the joy of doing life together!

Life giving community starts with unity.

Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Unity is upheld with forgiveness.

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

We are intentional in our efforts to build loving and caring relationships.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

We believe that Christ centered community conquers worldly culture.

1 John 5:4-5
4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Acts 2:42-47 NIV
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

In Faithfulness and Fellowship. (vs 42)

In Generosity and Worship. (vs 44)

In Humility and Serving one another. (vs 46-47)