Transform Above Your Trial Dr. Matt Mannino “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” — Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) Dr. Matt built on the powerful series Pastor Ben has been teaching on identity, emphasizing a fundamental truth: what we think is what we create. Our external world is a direct reflection of our internal thoughts and beliefs. He challenged us with this profound realization: "Everything happens because of me." This means that our mindset shapes our reality—when we think like a victim, we remain stuck in our struggles, but when we adopt a victor’s mindset, we rise above them. Instead of allowing trials to define us, we can use them as stepping stones for transformation, aligning our thoughts with God’s truth to create a life of purpose and victory. To fully step into our God-given identity and purpose, we must confront and dismantle the lies embedded in our “operating system.” Often, we suppress painful parts of our past, allowing them to shape our beliefs about ourselves. But instead of burying these wounds, we need to expose them to the truth of God’s Word. Our brain, in its attempt to protect us, can reinforce falsehoods—but God’s truth sets us free.  Hebrews 4:12 reveals that God’s Word has the power to separate us from pain and deception, illuminating our strengths, gifts, and calling. It transforms our thinking and moves us from glory to glory. Dr. Matt urged us to let the Word of God work on our hearts, allowing it to refine and renew us from the inside out. This is a life-changing message for all of us. At the close of his message, Dr. Matt led a powerful activation, inviting us to experience the healing and revelation of the Holy Spirit. To hear the full message and participate in this transformative experience, CLICK HERE for the complete sermon.

God’s desire is to be our Provider. He’s always eager to bless us, but we must be ready to receive it. Just as He longed for us to accept salvation and the Holy Spirit, but we had to be prepared to receive them—so it is with His provision. To truly receive God's provision, you need to understand three things: Whose you are, Who you are, and What your assignment is. First, you are a child in God’s family. Second, you are God’s favorite child. And third, your assignment is to reflect the Father’s abundance—living with no fear of lack, able to be generous with your finances, knowing that your Heavenly Father will always take care of you. When you truly understand that you belong to God’s family, are His favorite child, and have a role in His kingdom, everything changes. You’ll be empowered to see yourself differently and realize that all the resources of heaven are available to you. Pastor Ben shared a great example from the movie Princess Diaries. The teenage girl in the story was living in poverty, but when she discovered she was heir to the throne of a European kingdom, everything about her life changed. She saw herself differently—her authority, her ability to reign, and her access to provision were all transformed. The same principle applies to us. God’s faithfulness to provide was evident in the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. He provided manna every day, and their clothes and shoes didn’t wear out. But when they faced a need, instead of trusting God, they complained. In Exodus 17:2, they demanded, “Give us water to drink!” But Moses responded, “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” Their slavery mentality kept them from asking for what they needed. A slave complains, but a child asks. This is why Pastor Ben emphasized the importance of knowing your identity and position in God’s kingdom. As God’s children, it’s in our nature to be generous, to reflect His generosity. But when we’re consumed with fear about not having enough, we hold back. Trusting in God’s provision and our position in His family is key to fulfilling our kingdom assignment. Matthew 6:31-33 reminds us: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Grasping these truths is crucial for kingdom growth. To watch the full sermon, CLICK HERE.

Dr. Nick Castellano shared his powerful testimony of enduring dialysis and receiving a kidney transplant, a journey that deepened his understanding of what it truly means to trust God. He acknowledged that while Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,” as a man who once wanted to handle everything on his own, he admitted, "That’s easier said than done."

Continuing his series on Identity, Pastor Ben shared a powerful truth: You are unique, created for a specific calling, and your calling is directly tied to your identity in Christ. He emphasized, “If you don’t know your identity in Christ, you won’t be able to fulfill your calling.”

This week, Pastor Ben shared a powerful message about knowing our identity in Christ—understanding that we are not just accepted by God, but fully loved, chosen, and favored—His favorite child! When we begin to see ourselves as He sees us, we step into our true destiny and purpose.

Denise boldly declared, “Our faith is more precious than gold.” It is a treasure within us, and—when activated—our faith has the power to interrupt Jesus! Teaching from Mark 2:2-12, she illuminated how the woman with the issue of blood interrupted Jesus with her faith. Likewise, the faith of four friends tore through the roof of Jesus' house to bring their paralyzed friend before Him—and “When Jesus saw their faith,” the man was healed! Denise emphasized, “Their faith was more real than the paralysis!”

Are you worried you’re missing God’s purpose for your life? Pastor reminded us with comforting assurance that if you are following Jesus, you’re already living in His purpose. “You’re in it now!” This isn’t a future destination—it’s a journey of discovery and faithfulness.

Jesus is the only One who can fully satisfy us. When you follow Him, you walk in your true calling and purpose. But if you only connect with Jesus a couple times a week while spending the rest of your time immersed in the world, you’ll likely miss out on what God truly created you to do. Pastor stated, “To know your calling, Jesus must be the center of your life. This doesn’t mean full-time ministry or praying 24/7, but acknowledging Him in all your ways and keeping Him at the heart of everything you do.”

There’s a divine calling on your life. Yes, you! God has chosen you for incredible things, and no one knows your potential better than your Creator. You were designed and gifted to become a spiritual giant! But stepping into your calling isn’t a one-time event; it’s a journey that unfolds as you make walking with your Heavenly Father your daily lifestyle. It’s all about the small, consistent decisions to center your life around Jesus. Your role? Obedience, surrender, and sacrifice.