In our new series based on Matthew 11, we explore the tension between how we sometimes put limitations on what we think God can do in and through our lives while also recognizing that God cannot be limited.  He is infinite and far beyond what we could ever imagine.   This week we focus on Matthew 11:1-4 and learn how Jesus challenged his hearers' expectations by not doing what they thought he should be doing. Listen and discover what boxes you have placed around God in your life.

Missionary Guest Mike Godzwa reflects on his time serving in Chi Alpha at Virginia Commonweath University and how we can serve our local church.

Our belief that divine healing is available today is rooted in our understanding of what was accomplished within the atonement Christ provided at the cross.  More than simply God being compassionate or empathetic towards our suffering, it has to do with Jesus arresting and reversing the effects of the Fall within His creation.  But divine healing is a topic that has to be understood within the context of other core beliefs if the believer is to be balanced in their walk of faith.  While everyone may not experience this side of heaven, it is something we hold that every believer will receive in eternity.

A timeless criticism of the church has been that it is all about money.  If we’re honest, there have been enough abuses within the religious realm to warrant this belief.  Hence the need for a core belief that gives the right teaching and perspective on the matter.  God’s approach to our finances is the same as His approach to our time and the abilities He gifts to us.  He expects good stewardship.  Our wise and worshipful use of these resources is a direct reflection of whether we understand God’s mission and agenda here on this earth. 

The turn of the year represents an opportunity to make commitments.  Whether it’s fitness, education, career or simply better life balance people strive to renew their focus on what they deem important.  But what about our faith?  Should we renew our focus on our walk with God?  The answer, even according to the Scriptures, is “yes!”  But there are certain facets of renewal that need to be adhered to if our pursuit of the spiritual is to actually last longer than the average New Year’s resolution.  There are, in fact, requirements of renewal and we focus on those in this message.

The angel’s response to Mary’s question “How?” was “the Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”  In other words, Mary was not expected to bring the Messiah into the world through natural effort and means.  It would take her submission and reception of the Spirit.  We have been given the same promise today.  Do we hear not just the angel to Mary, but Jesus to his disciples... His Spirit is the greatest gift we have today this side of eternity.  Are we living lives surrendered to Him?

The angel told Zechariah that John’s purpose will be to “make ready for the Lord a 
people prepared for Him.” Christmas is a time filled with preparations. Events, gatherings, 
parties, presents, productions. But key for us spiritually is to realize we share in John the 
Baptist’s role. We are to be “preparing others” for Jesus’ return. Do we hear the angel’s 
proclamation that there are preparations to be made? Who are we telling about Jesus? Who 
has God appointed to us to help prepare for His arrival?

God has had a plan of redemption from the beginning. The gift of the Messiah is 
like a person who has planned their Christmas shopping in May as opposed to the person who 
is out shopping on Christmas Eve just hoping something pops up. The angel’s message to 
Daniel was “there is an appointed time” and a sequence of events. That timeline, and that plan 
is still proceeding today. Do we hear that? Are we “listening” to the Scriptures that our focus 
has to be on the King’s 2nd coming, and not just His 1st one? How are we adjusting our life to 
live in light of His 2nd Advent?

Have you ever made the mistake of purchasing a brand name item online only to find out when it arrives that it's a generic knockoff? The Bible tells us that we will know a true Christian by their fruit, meaning by what they produce from the stores of their heart.  As Christians, we need to closely examine ourselves to see if we are truly living out what we claim to be true.

In our mini-series called "ENTER," we explore what it means to Enter God's gates with thanksgiving and His courts with Praise as Psalm 100 tells us to do.  In part two, we explore what it means to enter God's courts and how our response is Praise in view of what God has done for us.