"Prayer is using what you know, but never settling for the way it is."

Pastor Brian Hofmeister (Lakepoint Church) helps us understand the power of intercessory prayer, the prayers in the middle. Brian reflects on his own life, his own kids, and his own prayer journey while unpacking the prayers of Moses when he changed God's mind.

"When you feel like giving up, God gives you rest and restores your soul"

Even in our lowest moments, when we feel exhausted, afraid, and alone like Elijah, God meets us with gentle care, restores our strength, and reminds us that we still have purpose. When we are depressed or drained, God doesn’t abandon us–He restores us gently and leads us forward with renewed purpose.

“You can be effective and still hurting.”

Jonah chapter four wrapped up our series with drama, frustration, and God’s mercy. Pastor Mike Francisco suggested Jonah 4:12… the verse that isn’t there may be the most important verse in the chapter. Jonah’s silence reminds us to let God have the last word in our lives.

“God calls back and gives second chances”

Mike Francisco unpacked Jonah chapter three and the power of God’s second chances. After running from God and experiencing the consequences, Jonah receives the Word of the Lord a second time and obeys, going to the wicked city of Nineveh. Like Jonah, God meets us in our failures, calls us to obedience, and offers grace and compassion again and again. No matter your past, His call to turn, trust, and follow Him is always renewed, and His mercy is always greater than your mistakes.

“Stop wasting the wait time, start practicing prayer and praise”

Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish, helpless, and alone but he prayed, and God heard him! Pastor Mike Francisco reminded us that even when life is messy, God provides in ways we don’t expect. No matter your situation, God is working, and He can turn your mess into a testimony.

“Stop being okay with running from God”

Pastor Mike Francisco kicked off our Jonah series and explored what happens when we run from God. Jonah tried to escape God’s call to preach to Nineveh, and his disobedience caused a storm; not just in his life, but for those around him. Even in his rebellion, God’s grace and power were at work, calling him back. It’s a reminder for us to reflect: where are we running from God, or rationalizing sin in our own lives? The good news is that God is ready to meet us, guide us, and restore us when we turn back to Him.

"The Gospel turns off the dark for good."

Mike Francisco talks about hard things because we all experience them. Sometimes it feels like dying, decay and darkness steal our hope, take our joy, and leave us feeling ready to call it quits.... because life is hard at times. So how do we navigate life's hardships while holding tightly to the message of hope and good news that the Gospel is? How do we turn off the dark today as Christ followers?

"The Gospel is more than good news, it's the greatest love story."

We love a good love story. They draw us in, captivate our imaginations, give us hope, and leave us feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The greatest love stories that we can think of have nothing on the story of love found in Scripture and lived out daily.

Pastor Mike Francisco gives us a big picture of the ultimate love story, the story God began before time and continues writing today.

"The ideal Christian is moved by obedience to live out love, hospitality, and service."

Pastor Mike Francisco works through what baseline obedience should look like for a Christ follower. Using the words of Peter to the Jew and Gentile Christians scattered in Asia Minor, Mike lays out why our obedience matters and how it might impact the world around us.

"God's grace births your holiness journey" 

Mike works to identify what most people think the "ideal Christian" looks like while acknowledging that we'll fail to meet the standard every time. In fact, no matter how hard we strive, the boxes we check, or the self improvement plan we create... we'll never hit the mark.

Which begs the question, how do I become holy? Or what do I do to be set apart? Maybe even, where do I begin?