Amy Bray - Online Host

07/05/2026

Some thoughts from today's message at Upstate Church Simpsonville as we were challenged to take up our shield of faith.

Ephesians 6:16
Matthew 14:22-31
Hebrews 11:33-38

Armor does not prevent the battle; it prepares you for it.

The shield of faith is not a replacement for fear; it’s how we respond to fear.

A barefoot believer will not experience the Peace of God, but the worry of War.

Enemy wants us to focus on the temporary more than the eternal.

As long as you’re in panic mode about the present, Satan will prevent you from living in the victory of the future.

Worry is a waste of time.

06/28/2026

Notes from this morning's message at Upstate Church Simpsonville campus.

PREPARATION
Preparation often minimizes future pain, and maximizes future power.
Preparation produces expectation, not necessarily excitement.
Preparation requires intentionality.
Preparation is an act of stewardship.

PEACE
Peace is not passive.
Peace with God is part of our readiness for spiritual warfare.
Peace is public.
Peace produces perspective.
Peace is peculiar in an age of rage.
Peace pulls us together; it does not drive us apart.

NEXT STEPS
Take ownership of your thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Stop making excuses, and change your thinking.
Philippians 4:8
Reset your mind on God-stuff.
Romans 8:5-6

06/21/2026

6 "take-aways" from this morning's message on the Breastplate of Righteousness at Upstate Church.

1. Truth is not ours to Decide, Righteousness is not ours to Provide.

2. We made no Contribution to our Justification.

3. One’s Source of Righteousness determines the Strength of his Righteousness.

4. Righteousness is available to the worst of us, & it is needed by the best of us.

5. We do not work FOR righteousness, but we are required to work FROM Righteousness.

6. The road to righteous living is paved with repentance.

If you missed this morning's message, you can still join us at 10:00 or 11:30 or catch the message at upstatechurch.org.

06/07/2026

Notes from today's message on spiritual warfare at Upstate Church. The Lord has given us a clear battle plan from Ephesians 6.

We don't stand a chance without the armor of God.
We cannot stand in our own strength.
We cannot defeat the enemy sitting down.
We cannot win unless we stay in the game.
Partial preparation equals complete defeat.
Success in battle requires Intentionality.
Satan is not just a symbolism for evil.
Distraction leads to destruction.
We will be as prepared as we prepare to be.

If you missed today's message, you can still watch at 11:30 or catch online later this week.

04/19/2026

03/15/2026

Quotes from today's message at Upstate Church - Simpsonville campus.

James Boice called Ephesians "A mini-course in theology, centered on the church.”

John R. W. Stott “The whole letter is a magnificent combination of Christian doctrine and
Christian duty, Christian faith and Christian life…”

Spurgeon: "We are chosen, not because we are holy, but that we may be made holy."