Doubting God's promises is an experience every Christian has had. Abram was doing just that in Genesis 15 as he asked God, "How will I know?" The answer God gave Abram is the same answer He gives us today -- "I keep my promises, BELIEVE me."

This week we were blessed to hear the story of God's work in the life of Melissa Ciatto. Melissa is the third in our new series of "Transformed Lives" -- where a member of our church family shares how God has changed their lives. For Melissa, God has been at work through broken relationships and divine friendships to bring her to the place she's at today. Enjoy Melissa's story of God's grace in her life.

As we study the life of Abraham, we see how God tested him on multiple occasions. This week Pastor Tim looked at seven of those tests and taught how God uses tests to reveal the areas of our lives we need to grow in and how each test is an invitation to know God at a deeper and more trusting way.

Genesis 14 records the story of Abram rescuing his nephew Lot after being taken captive by invading forces. As Abram brings Lot home along with all the others who were taken captive as well as the possessions take, he is met by the King of Sodom who wishes to reward him. Abram's response has a few teachable moments in it! When we look close enough at how Abram replied we learn how to too can make decisions that will please God.

The story of Lot is nestled into the story of Abraham. He provides drama and intrigue to this portion of Genesis. He is so dramatically different than his Uncle Abraham. And yet, even with all of his bad choices and apparent character flaws, Scripture states that Lot was righteous. And actually, this mixed bag of faith and flaws is exactly what I'm like. What about you?

Abram arrives in Canaan and journeys through the land. Along the way he calls upon God and worships Him until . . . a famine strikes the land! This man of faith now has his faith tested and fails. Instead of relying on the God who brought to this new land he decides to "go down to Egypt" to seek refuge from the famine. This episode of Abram's life is God testing and building the faith he will need when God makes the ultimate request of him -- the sacrifice of Isaac.

How did God Intend to bless "all the families of the earth"? (Genesis 12:3) In Christ! The good news of His death and resurrection was to be spread to all the nations of the earth by His followers. His last words were to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. The ancient promise of Genesis 12 was given hands and feet in Matthew 28!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ gained more for mankind than can be understood this side of Heaven. But there are three things we can understand and benefit from -- the forgiveness of sins, hope in the midst of trouble and a certainty about the future.

We were grateful to have Ellin Jones share the story of God's grace in her life on Easter Sunday. She shared an inspiring story of how through life's difficulty a fervent desire to follow Christ and seek His character in her life carried her through each season of life.