With the sixth message in our series "Close Encounters with God," we focus on the birth of Jesus, the incarnation of God the Son into the world. Jesus was the savior of the world prior to his incarnation and during His infancy.

This week for the Emmaus Experience bible study we look at 1 Peter 4. Pastor Blake teaches on the fact that as believers we must dismiss our past because Christ died for our previous sins and look towards a promising future even if our former friends ridicule us for doing so.

With the fifth message in our series "Close Encounters with God," Pastor Blake teaches from Luke 1 and shows that even as an unborn baby John the Baptist knew to give Jesus praise. The text also shows that Mary was able to celebrate when someone else, Elizabeth, received a blessing from God.

As we continue our bible study through the book of 1 Peter we travel through chapter 3 as Pastor Blake uncovers that when we suffer for righteousness sake we are blessed. Suffering has a negative connotation but not to the Christian believer, suffering makes you look more Christlike.

With the fourth message in our series "Close Encounters with God," Pastor Blake teaches from Luke 1 about the announcement of the birth of Jesus to Mary. For Mary, a virgin, to give birth to the GodMan Jesus would seem impossible, but all things are possible with God who is greater than any impossibility.

This week for the Emmaus Experience bible study we look at 1 Peter 3:8-12. Pastor Blake lays a foundation of unity and oneness that is not only found in 1 Peter 3 but also as a part of the early church in the book of Acts.

With the third message in our series "Close Encounters with God," Pastor Blake teaches on Matthew 8 when Jesus calmed the winds and the waves when the disciples panicked. Jesus told the disciples they are going to the other side of the sea, don't assume that this means it will be a time without difficulties and trials. There is relief in knowing God is more powerful than any difficulties in life that arise.

With the second message in our series "Close Encounters with God," Pastor Blake teaches from Mark 1 on how Jesus cast a demon out of a man. Jesus not only shows his power and authority in casting out the demon but this also shows that we can only be set free by the Lord.

This week before we go into the holidays, Pastor Blake takes the time to show a practical example of how to "wash your wife in the water of the word." Many times in the church we inform men to lead their wives but do not show a practical example. Pastor Blake and his wife Ronique walk through the verses and give an example of what this looks like daily.

With the first message in our series "Close Encounters with God," Pastor Blake teaches from John 1 about how Jesus is the logo of God and fully God.