In John 9, Jesus heals the man born blind. Faith gives us new eyes. By faith, we receive the work of Jesus, see the work of Jesus, and join the work of Jesus. God is always working and moving, and we have to train our eyes to see Him. Our world is intentionally designed to numb us from the awareness of God. So we must be counter-formed through spiritual practices to train our spiritual eyes.

During His ministry, Jesus crossed cultural and social barriers to chase after people. In John 4 when He encountered the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus compassionately confronted the reality of her life, and He does the same for us. Jesus' grace accepts us as we are; however, He won't leave us where we are.

There is more than one way to encounter Jesus. Many dropped everything they were doing to follow him, yet some remained curious but skeptical. One of these was Nicodemus the Pharisee, who, in John 3:2, went to speak with Jesus. While he didn't immediately let go of his beliefs, Nicodemus was intrigued by the Rabbi's teaching. Only after the death of Jesus on the cross can we see the impact of Nicodemus' encounter with the Lord. So what do you need to let go of to take hold of Jesus?

In week one of Encountering Jesus, Pastor Seth Swindall illustrates how the lives of believers will naturally point toward Jesus. In John 1:43, when Nathanael met Jesus, he was invited to "come and see" what the father had for him. Similarly, we need to ask, Jesus, what do you want for me and from me?

Pastor Ryne Isaac kicks off the year with three things that will be useful in faithfully following Jesus throughout 2023. We are fully equipped if we keep Jesus in front of us, listen to the spirit inside us, and connect with the family of God around us.

The idea that God is love is not only fundamental to understanding what Christmas means for you, but understanding the very nature of God and of yourself. Love comes from God; it didn't orginate with mankind and it won't end with mankind. God's love is eternal and transcendent. This is why your need for love cannot be filled with earthly things. Luckily, you were made by a God who is eteranl and eternally loving. The story of Christmas is the story of God choosing to make Himself vulnerable, paying the ultimate cost for love.

Joy is a a feeling of great pleasure and happiness, and Christmas can be filled with the promise of joy and cheer. But when our joy comes from external things, it's fleeting. The true source of joy is knowing God is working in your life and that He is good. Joy is not a season, or a moment, or a movie; Joy for the Christ-follower is a person, and His name is Jesus.

As we approach Christmas, we're making space to truly experience God. Christmas means the forever promise of peace with God, peace with others, and peace within. This peace comes through the sacrifice of Jesus, who absorbed the debt of our wrongdoing. Because of His forgiveness, we are called to respond to others with humility and forgiveness, living in the promise of peace.

Hope is a positive expectation of the future. People need hope. In fact, it's necessary for human flourishing. But Christian hope is different. Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." All other hope is shakeable and abstract, but Christian hope is specific, certain, and communal, rooted in the promises of God.

In Mathew 28:18-20, Jesus tells us to "go and make disciples," but what does discipleship even entail? This week, Pastor Seth Swindall sits down with Pastors Brian Jobe and Angela Ekstrum to explore this idea. It's not just a simple journey with a single finish line. Discipleship is constantly moving towards God, growing closer to others, and facing ourselves along the way.