Jesus said that, in this world you would have trouble. And he didn't lie. All of us experience trials and hardships and difficulties and loss and sorrows and disappointments. But what's really strange is that, while God doesn't CAUSE those things, God works in us THROUGH those things - because God wants to do something IN us during trials. In this message, Max Vanderpool unpacks the first big idea in the letter of James (found near the end of the New Testament).

Uniqueness - appreciating how God has made me special.

The earliest Christians believed that ordinary people could make a difference. But it's hard to believe that if you are hearing things like: you are not enough, you need to try harder, or you are alone. But here's the thing: God creates WORLDS out of words - and so does every human being made in God's image. The words we use to talk about the world around us actually builds the worlds we inhabit. In this message, Brian Hull asks two IMPORTANT questions everyone should ask themselves - to determine the kinds of worlds you're creating.

You only live once. That's what they tell us. And no generation has embraced this "live today" advice more than Gen-Z - who value experiences and meaningful connections with friends and family OVER acquiring stuff. But what if you struggle with a medical condition that leaves you partly or mostly disabled? What if you can't afford (or even charge) those incredible experiences and events? And what if your relationships are marked by conflict and selfishness? What then? In this message, Max Vanderpool outlines WHY the resurrection life ("the life to come") is critically important - and why the earliest Christians were told to encourage each other with the HOPE of Jesus's return.

We live in a world of chaos and scarcity, which can naturally spark fear. In response, we often scramble to control our circumstances. But control is just an illusion. No amount of planning or manipulation can guarantee our safety or secure our future. That is exactly why the Bible repeatedly calls us to have faith. From the journeys of Abraham and Moses to the Psalms of David and the radical example of Jesus, Scripture implores us to place our trust in God's provision rather than relying on our own fragile grip on control

We American Christians have forgotten something important about our faith - namely, it's about a life WITH God rather than all the things we're doing FOR God. Our focus on endless activity is no accident. In the late 1800s, American Christians shifted heavily toward action, perfectly captured by preacher Charles Spurgeon’s famous plea: “Brethren, do something; do something; do something.” For over a century, this mindset has defined the movement by its programs and busyness. But the earliest disciples were marked as different - simply because they had been WITH Jesus.

When faith is watered down to a checklist of ministries or evangelistic goals, we start believing our worth comes from our output. But our value isn't tied to our performance. God treasures friendship with you far more than He needs your accomplishments

We humans are natural storytellers. And one of the big reasons we tell stories is to make sense of life, make sense of reality, and make sense of God. Stories allow us to describe "what is." This month's virtue - is TRUTH - and truth is what is (but truth is also a person).

There is a deeply unhealthy, unbiblical view of God that treats Him like a cosmic vending machine. It tells us that if we follow the rules, God is obligated to bless us, but if we slip up, He’s waiting to zap us. The truth is, God cannot be manipulated, and His blessings can't be bought with our good behavior."

There is a deeply unhealthy, unbiblical view of God that treats Him like a cosmic vending machine. It tells us that if we follow the rules, God is obligated to bless us, but if we slip up, He’s waiting to zap us. The truth is, God cannot be manipulated, and His blessings can't be bought with our good behavior."