Patience is not a common virtue in the modern world. In an age of technological advancements, our society has grown impatient as we wait for things to load, stand in line, or in deal with people. While patience in times of minor inconveniences can be trying, our passage in James gives us a different reality: patience in times of suffering and hardships. James shows us that because of God's trustworthy promises, we can have patience and hope, even in difficult times, because of God's faithfulness, patience, and compassion to us.

Scripture is full of unexpected and unlikely victories such as Gideon’s 330-man army versus the Midianite army. We will see that Gideon needs faith and trust in God's promises and provisions. Far from looking at his circumstances, the size of his army, or other material considerations, Gideon needs to know the battle will be won because of God's initiative, power and promises. We will see that in our own lives today, there's still a need to look in faith and trust in God's promises, even when our circumstances appear dire.

Missing a key ingredient can turn an otherwise delicious looking dish into a terrible meal. Our culture seems to be missing several key ingredients in their search for answers to the problem of evil and suffering in the world. This Sunday, we’ll look at David’s confession of sin and prayer for forgiveness in Psalm 51 because in his words we can find the missing ingredients that will help heal our own sin-soaked lives and give hope to our unbelieving friends and family.

Looking at the Letter to the Ephesians, Paul urges the church in Ephesus to not lose heart over his sufferings and trial. How can he do so? By pointing them to the manifold wisdom of God. Only this can ground us in the middle of our own trials and sufferings.

We all long for rest. More than ever, we are looking for rest and satisfaction in our modern world. Despite this pursuit, we also have a more tired and worn-down world than ever. Why? Because everyone is looking for rest and satisfaction in striving and doing more. Psalm 4 highlights where true rest can be found: in God and God alone. As the great church father, Saint Augustine, said, "Our heart is restless until it rests in you."

This week, we will look at the Letter to the Romans. Why is Christmas so meaningful? What does Jesus' birth have to do with me? Romans 8:1-4 gets at the heart of these questions with the glorious Gospel promise that "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

This Sunday, on the third week of Advent, we look towards Christmas through the Gospel of Luke. The birth of Jesus was marked by a cacophony of songs and announcements regarding his coming into the world. We will explore the song Jesus’ mother, Mary, sang upon hearing the good news of his birth and the part she was called to play. Mary celebrates the Lord’s mercy to her and those who are to be saved by her Son and our Lord, Jesus.

What would make life better?  Like Israel, we live in the wilderness and grow discontent.  We are secure in Christ, but not yet in the New Heavens and Earth.  The frustrations of life often make us focus on what we do not have.  Numbers 21:4-9, shows that discontentment is sin and frustration with God's providence.  But it also shows how the glory of the gospel and Christ's saving work is the cure of discontentment.

As Advent approaches, we are reminded that much of the Christian life is to be marked by anticipation. But what is our anticipation marked by? In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus reveals to us how to live as honorable and hope-filled while we wait in anticipation for his return.

This week, we look at the Gospel of Matthew. How do we achieve status, reputation, and significance? We can seek these things through worldly pursuits, but we can also use the trimmings and trappings of piety and religion to achieve them. But Christ disrupts our expectations and categories. He reveals how empty these pursuits are while promising something far greater for the Christian.