When Elijah hit his breaking point, he wasn’t told by God to do more, say more, or be more. Instead, he was told simply to take a nap and have a snack. Sometimes, we need to have enough faith to stand still.

We all reach breaking points in our lives. Whether it’s financial, dealing with a loss, separation or divorce, job loss, or struggles with children, we’ve all told God, “choose someone else for this.” But we were created, not for a singular purpose, but WITH purpose. This means we can be called on to perform unimaginable things with Gods help. You were created to conquer your Egypt.

Pastor Richmond gives us an Easter Sunrise message that reminds everyone there is resurrection for all, and we worship a RISEN Savior who has defeated death!

We made it to the hilltop moment of faith! But, what happens if we, like so many disciples in scripture, can’t seem to see Jesus at this empty tomb? What if pain, fear, and struggling causes us to not be able to recognize our savior? Never fear, Jesus will walk all the way to Emmaus with you if He has to, waiting for you to see the love and grace he has to offer!

Today is all about one question; what will you lay at the feet of Jesus on his way to the cross and ultimate resurrection? The Christian faith must be about more than a collection of moving stories. It must shape us and grow us in tangible ways.

If Christians are bound to sin like everyone else, what is the point of being a Christian at all? This week we look at what scripture tells us regarding results vs. effort. Which is our focus supposed to be on?

Jesus asks us this question as a way for us to examine the way we answer. It’s in our answer that we can find where we are on our faith walk. Are we walking “as infants in Christ” or are we on our way to a spiritual maturity that seeks only Christ?

Jesus asks the blunt question to his closest disciples, “who do you say that I am?” There have been so many different versions of Jesus in different times, places, and cultures. But through scripture we can see the true version of Christ, the loving, foot-washing version that brings grace to those who follow Him!

No actions of our own, no amount of good deeds or lack of wrong ones can earn us salvation. Yet we can still catch ourselves making judgments on who is better based on who follows the rules. So, let’s take a closer look at the law now that Christ has come.

When Christ asks us why we worry, he is not insinuating that life will never bring things that cause worry. Instead, Christ reminds us to not be overcome by the worry and to give the problem, not just the symptom, over to Him!

In an attempt to draw healthy boundaries we may have overcorrected to the point that we convince ourselves we deserve to never feel offended, slighted, or rejected. But scripture clearly calls us to a different kind of love. We are called to love like Christ, which can be downright reckless!

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” What do these words mean for you and your family? So often, and far too easily, we fill-in-the-blank with things other than “the Lord” like “our schedules” or “our bank account.” Put Christ at the center and watch them grow in ways you can’t imagine!

We’re promised abundance all throughout scripture, so asking for that is not the problem. The problem is when we tell God what that abundance should look like, namely monetary gain. We aren’t ever promised material wealth, we are promised to be fill with a contentment and fullness that can only from Christ!

Everyone hits the gym on January 2nd! In one of the busiest days for any workout facility, we see people setting goals for themselves to get better in different ways. Which is great! But let’s also look at our faith this same way. How will your faith and walk with God improve in 2024?

When we pray for peace it can be tempting to thing that means we can also maintain control, of any kind. When we cry out, “Lord, give me peace!” Our Creator responds, “Ok, first give me control.”

There is a big difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is temporary and can come from people, events, sounds, foods, and purchases, all of which are things of this world. Joy, however, comes from the realization of being found by Christ and the unconditional, unshakeable love He brings. You can have a horrible day and feel sad, mad, or tired, and still be full of Joy.

We expect trials and struggles from the difficult relationships in our lives. But, it can really hit us hard when it’s the “easy” relationships that cause us to struggle and hurt. How can we use scripture to not only navigate these moments but to strengthen and deepen even the closest relationships in our lives?