Be careful what you wish for. Many of us look at the world around us and desire to have a different life in some way, and the Israelites were no different. They wanted to be like the other nations around them and have a human king rule over them. They asked, and God graciously gave them what they wanted – even though it wasn’t the best for them. Over the history of Israel there were good kings, but none of them were as good as God was. In our lives, we must be careful what we demand and ask for from God…we might just get what we want.
Knowing God (Page 3)
Have you ever been in a difficult season where you didn’t know what to do? When it was hard to hear God’s voice or you felt distant or without guidance? How do we walk faithfully with God during times of hardship and despair? This week, Tara Farrell brings a message on story of Ruth and Naomi and how their boldness and courage brings them through tragedy and suffering – and how God is faithfully working with us and for us no matter what.
Our 2023 journey through the Bible brings us to a tragic chapter in God’s story recorded in the Book of Judges. Why did the grandchildren of those who saw God part the Jordan River, bring down the walls of Jericho and halt the sun and moon at Gibeon abandon the Lord? Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. to worship God whole-heartedly and learn how we may influence future generations to love, serve and delight in the Lord.
Have you ever read the 24 chapters of Joshua? If not, I encourage you to read the fast-pace-dramatic reports of God’s powerful presence empowering Israel to acquire the land He promised to their ancestors. Heads up, you will also notice that for Israel to receive her inheritance of land, the Canaanites have to be defeated and die. Why is this? Join us on Sunday at 9 a.m. as we consider and respond to these frequently asked questions about God in the Old Testament. Is God unjust? Is God prejudice? Is God cruel?
A wise child learns from the successes and mistakes of their parents. Likewise, we can gain wisdom from observing the choices of previous generations including the people of Israel during their 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Join us on Sunday at 9 a.m. as we rediscover God’s path for His people (then and now) to receive and experience His good and blessed life!
When someone mentions THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, deep feelings often arise. “Yikes, I can’t recount all 10.” “I’m guilty because I don’t measure up.” “I guess I’m in trouble because I can’t measure up.” “Yes, whew, I’m very devoted to living by them.” “Why did they remove them from the courthouse? Are you kidding me!?” What should we, who seek to abide in Jesus, think about and do with the 10 Commandments? Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. as we consider God’s dramatic presentation of these laws and discover the role they played in Jesus’s earthly life, and now in our own!
“Life Happens” is an often-heard phrase when we try to explain difficulty, pain and setbacks people face in life. Sometimes when “life happens”, the deeper and often unspoken question asked by those who have faith (and even those who don’t) is “Who is this God that allowed….or caused….or didn’t act in time?” We see this in the story of Moses. Israel finds themselves at the end of 400 years of being the slaves of Egypt and a God they have only heard about in family stories begins to move. And it doesn’t always seem that He moves in their favor. As they ask their questions, God is on a mission and revealing to His People who He really is.
Is it true that “everything happens for a reason”? It is true that God integrates both our good experiences and our bad experiences into his plans to bless us? It’s easy to believe that God uses our “highs” to bless us, but does he also use our “lows”? Joseph had extremely high “highs” and low “lows” and the ways God used them to bless him and those around him long ago help us understand how he blesses us today. Join us this Sunday, January 8 at 9am as we ask these important questions and seek the answers God has revealed through a fascinating narrative of betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness.
Are we alone in this world? Maybe this question brought to mind images of UFOs and alien life forms, but what about the supernatural? Humans have been wrestling with God for thousands of years, and we often wonder why He feels distant or if He cares about our own small lives. Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. to sing, pray and ponder these questions as our Ministry Coordinator Tara Farrell continues our series through the stories of the Bible entitled, “Knowing God.” This week we explore the extraordinary faith of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob and how they walked not alone but with God as His plan to save humanity continued to unfold.
Why do I exist? Is there more? How do I fit in the story? This year we will consider these and other important questions. Join us this Sunday January 1 at 9 a.m. to sing, pray and start the New Year with a new series through the stories of the Bible entitled, “Knowing God.” Pastor Dean will launch the series by asking “Why do I exist?” as we read and meditate on God’s design for you from the beginning revealed in the early chapters of the Book of Genesis. And, since we are stepping into a New Year this Sunday, we will celebrate with refreshments for all ages after the service!