Gateway Church Monroe

Gateway Church Monroe Misson: To know God deeply and share His love with the world.

Vision: To encounter God through meaningful worship, find a true sense of belonging, and commit to serving others with humility.

Day 4: Our Going GodDevotional: Throughout Scripture, we discover a profound truth: our God is a going God. He doesn't s...
06/18/2026

Day 4: Our Going God

Devotional: Throughout Scripture, we discover a profound truth: our God is a going God. He doesn't sit passively in heaven waiting for people to find Him. Instead, He actively pursues, sends, and goes after those who are lost. Jesus told three powerful parables about lostness - a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. In each story, someone goes searching. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. The woman sweeps the house until she finds her coin. The father runs toward his returning son. These aren't just nice stories; they reveal God's missionary heart. God sent His Son. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit. Now, through the Spirit's power, God sends us. We serve a God who always takes the first step, who initiates relationship, who pursues the lost with relentless love. If our God is a going God, then we who follow Him should reflect His character. We can't be content to stay comfortable in our Christian circles while the world around us remains lost. We're called to go- to our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and communities. This going isn't just for missionaries or pastors. Every believer is sent. Every Christian is commissioned. We're all part of God's great rescue mission.

Bible Verse: 'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'
- John 20:21

Reflection Question: Where is God specifically sending you to represent Him and share His love with those who don't know Him yet?

Quote: Our God is a going God. And if our God is a going God, that means then what we do as a congregation should resemble and look like him as well.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being a going God who pursued me. Now send me to pursue others with Your love and truth.

Day 3: Jesus' Clear MissionDevotional: Jesus didn't come to earth with a vague sense of purpose. He arrived with crystal...
06/17/2026

Day 3: Jesus' Clear Mission

Devotional: Jesus didn't come to earth with a vague sense of purpose. He arrived with crystal-clear mission clarity. In the synagogue at Nazareth, He boldly declared His assignment: to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, and release for the oppressed. This wasn't just a nice speech - it was a mission statement that would define every aspect of His earthly ministry. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and everything He did flowed from this central purpose. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus passed this mission to His followers through the Great Commission. This wasn't a suggestion or an optional add-on for super-spiritual Christians. It was the climactic command of His earthly ministry: make disciples of all nations. Jesus didn't commission us merely to hold services or create comfortable religious communities. He called us to something far greater - to be His representatives in a broken world, carrying His message of hope and transformation to every corner of the earth. The same clarity that drove Jesus should drive us. We're not here to build our own kingdoms or pursue our own agendas. We're here to continue His mission of seeking and saving the lost.

Bible Verse: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.' - Luke 4:18

Reflection Question: How clearly can you articulate your personal mission as a follower of Jesus, and how does it align with His mission to seek and save the lost?

Quote: Jesus came with a mission and he did it to us.

Prayer: Jesus, help me embrace Your mission with the same clarity and passion You demonstrated. Make me an active participant in seeking and saving the lost.

Day 2: The Danger of Drifting InwardDevotional: There's a natural gravitational pull that affects every human institutio...
06/16/2026

Day 2: The Danger of Drifting Inward

Devotional: There's a natural gravitational pull that affects every human institution, including churches: the drift inward. Without intentional effort, organizations become self-focused, self-serving, and self-satisfied. This inward drift is subtle but deadly. It starts with small compromises - prioritizing member comfort over mission, avoiding difficult conversations, choosing programs that make us feel good rather than grow spiritually. Before long, we become like the church in Laodicea: lukewarm, self-satisfied, yet spiritually bankrupt. The Laodicean church thought they had it all together. They were wealthy, comfortable, and needed nothing. But Jesus saw their true condition - they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Their inward focus had blinded them to their spiritual poverty. This same danger threatens us today. When we lose sight of God's mission, we naturally turn inward. We become consumers rather than contributors, critics rather than servants. We measure success by our comfort rather than our impact. But there's hope. Jesus stands at the door, knocking, ready to restore our spiritual vision and reignite our passion for His purposes. The antidote to inward drift is outward mission.

Bible Verse: 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.' - Revelation 3:20

Reflection Question: In what areas of your spiritual life have you noticed an inward drift, and how can you intentionally turn outward toward God's mission?

Quote: The natural drift of every human institution is inward.

Prayer: Lord, protect me from the natural drift toward self-focus. Keep my heart aligned with Your mission and open to Your transforming presence.

Day 1: Divine Purpose vs. Human IdeasDevotional: Every organization, including churches, exists for something. The criti...
06/15/2026

Day 1: Divine Purpose vs. Human Ideas

Devotional: Every organization, including churches, exists for something. The critical question isn't whether your church has a purpose, but where that purpose originates. Does it flow from God's heart or from human wisdom and cultural trends? When we build on human ideas alone, we create institutions that may look successful but lack spiritual power. They become focused on programs, attendance numbers, and community approval rather than God's transformative work. But when we anchor ourselves in God's purposes, everything changes. God doesn't want us to settle for good ideas that sound reasonable or popular. He calls us to pursue His ideas - those that may challenge us, stretch our faith, and require supernatural intervention. These godly ideas capture our hearts in ways that human strategies never can. The difference is profound. Human ideas lead to self-preservation and comfort. God's ideas lead to transformation and mission. They inspire us to give not just our money, but our time, energy, and very lives for something greater than ourselves. Today, ask yourself: What drives your spiritual life? Are you following the path of least resistance, or are you open to God's radical purposes that might require everything of you?

Bible Verse: 'Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.'
- Proverbs 29:18

Reflection Question: What evidence do you see in your own life that you're following God's ideas rather than just good human ideas?

Quote: I don't want good ideas. I want godly ideas.

Prayer: God, help me distinguish between my good ideas and Your godly ideas. Give me a heart that seeks Your purposes above my own comfort and preferences.

A beautiful morning outdoors to worship! We had a great time of fellowship with a picnic lunch and games after service. ...
06/14/2026

A beautiful morning outdoors to worship! We had a great time of fellowship with a picnic lunch and games after service. Thank you to all of our volunteers that helped put everything together!

06/14/2026

Service in park

We're all set up for Worship in the Park. Please join us at 9:00 am, followed by a picnic. See you there!
06/14/2026

We're all set up for Worship in the Park. Please join us at 9:00 am, followed by a picnic. See you there!

Day 5: Living with Kingdom ImpactDevotional: As we conclude this week's journey, let's envision what life looks like whe...
06/12/2026

Day 5: Living with Kingdom Impact

Devotional: As we conclude this week's journey, let's envision what life looks like when we fully embrace these three priorities: listening to the Shepherd's voice, walking in obedience to his Spirit, and advancing his kingdom. This isn't just about becoming better Christians—it's about becoming the people God created us to be and making the impact he designed us to make. Imagine waking up each morning with a sense of purpose, knowing that the Creator of the universe has specific things he wants to accomplish through you that day. Picture yourself moving through your daily responsibilities with confidence, not because you have all the answers, but because you're connected to the one who does. Envision using your unique gifts and opportunities not just for personal gain, but as tools for kingdom advancement. This kind of life doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentional choices, daily discipline, and a willingness to prioritize God's voice above the noise of the world. But when we commit to these practices, we discover that we're not just living—we're truly alive, participating in God's ongoing work in the world. The beautiful truth is that God doesn't need us to accomplish his purposes, but he chooses to include us. He invites us to be part of something far greater than ourselves. When we say yes to that invitation through listening, obeying, and serving, we find the life we were always meant to live.

Bible Verse: 'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' - Acts 1:8

Reflection Question: How would your life look different six months from now if you consistently practiced listening to God's voice, walking in the Spirit's power, and advancing his kingdom?

Quote: We should wake up in the morning, roll our sleeves up and say, this day, this day, I'm going to do something to advance the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Father, thank you for inviting me to be part of your kingdom work. Help me live each day with purpose, power, and kingdom impact.

Day 4: Kingdom Builders, Not Empire BuildersDevotional: As we learn to hear God's voice and walk in obedience to his Spi...
06/11/2026

Day 4: Kingdom Builders, Not Empire Builders

Devotional: As we learn to hear God's voice and walk in obedience to his Spirit, we discover a fundamental shift in our priorities. We begin to see our lives not as opportunities to build our own kingdoms, but as chances to advance his kingdom. This changes everything—how we approach our work, our relationships, our resources, and our daily decisions. Every morning presents us with a choice: will we wake up asking how we can advance our own interests, or will we ask how we can serve God's purposes? Will we use our gifts and talents to make our own names known, or will we use them to make his name known? The difference between these two approaches determines whether we're living as kingdom builders or empire builders. Advancing God's kingdom often requires us to forego advancing our own. It means being willing to serve without recognition, to give without getting credit, and to work for outcomes that benefit others rather than ourselves. It means asking not, "What's in it for me?" but "How can I be part of what God is doing in the world?" This isn't about becoming a doormat or neglecting legitimate responsibilities. It's about recognizing that our lives have a higher purpose than personal success or comfort. When we align our daily choices with God's kingdom priorities, we discover a sense of meaning and fulfillment that no personal achievement can match.

Bible Verse: 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' - Matthew 28:19-20

Reflection Question: In what specific area of your life do you need to shift from building your own kingdom to advancing God's kingdom?

Quote: If I'm going to spend my life advancing his kingdom, I'm going to have to forego advancing mind.

Prayer: Lord, help me live each day with kingdom priorities. Show me how to use my gifts and resources to advance your purposes rather than my own.

Day 3: From Hearing to WalkingDevotional: Learning to hear God's voice is just the beginning of our journey. The real tr...
06/10/2026

Day 3: From Hearing to Walking

Devotional: Learning to hear God's voice is just the beginning of our journey. The real transformation happens when we move from hearing to walking—from receiving his guidance to actually following it. This is where many of us get stuck. We might sense God's leading, but then we hesitate, make excuses, or try to figure out how we'll accomplish what he's asking. Here's the beautiful truth: when God calls us to something, he doesn't expect us to do it in our own strength. In fact, he typically calls us to things that are beyond our natural abilities precisely, so we'll depend on him. Whether it's sharing the gospel with a neighbor, serving in an unfamiliar ministry, or loving someone who's difficult to love, his calling comes with his empowerment. The Holy Spirit isn't just given to help us understand Scripture or feel God's presence during worship. He's given as our constant companion, empowering us to live out what God asks of us. When we walk in dependence on the Spirit, we discover that we can do things we never thought possible —not because we're suddenly more capable, but because his power is working through us. Obedient walking requires faith. It means taking the first step even when we can't see the whole staircase. It means trusting that the same God who spoke to us will also provide what we need to follow through.

Bible Verse: 'Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.' - Galatians 5:25

Reflection Question: What is one thing you sense God asking of you that feels beyond your natural abilities, and how might you take a first step in dependence on his Spirit?

Quote: Typically, when God speaks into our lives and calls us into something, it is going to require more than you bring to the table.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give me the courage to obey what you're asking of me. Help me walk in dependence on your power rather than my own strength.

Address

103 W Washington Street
Monroe, IA
50170

Opening Hours

9am - 12pm

Telephone

+15153257001

Website

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