In His Grip

Dr. Betters continues to unpack the beautiful treasures of Psalm 84 in a way that will encourage you to recognize that even in your pain, you can leave help and hope for others who will walk the same pathway after you. How do we experience the presence of Jesus in a way that transforms us? In this series Dr. Betters explains how our connections to those who love God will equip and encourage us to know Him and trust Him in deep ways. He declares with the Psalmist that “blessed is the man/woman who trusts in you [God].” Join Dr. Betters in this journey to know Jesus intimately through the words of the author of Psalm 84

In this mini-series in the Building A Spiritual Legacy series on the Psalms, Dr. Betters introduces us to a powerful picture of help and hope that comes through the stories of those who are walking by faith ahead of us. He describes the power of walking in the presence of Jesus, and experiencing that presence in the company of fellow believers. This message will encourage you to watch for those refreshing pools of water left by others as they have walked the pathways God has marked out for them.

The third leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year old’s, suicide and depression amongst our teens is a topic that cannot be ignored in our culture. This is an honest conversation with two professionals who have helped teens and families through these struggles.  Parents and teens alike will benefit from strategies to help teens find hope in the darkness of depression.

In Psalm 34 David calls on us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” What an amazing proclamation from this man who pens this Psalm in the aftermath of pretending insanity so that he can save his life. He invites us to prove something through our own experience – that God can be trusted. In this two-part sermon message, Dr. Betters shares personal examples of tasting the goodness of the Lord when all the lights in his own life went out. This Psalm is the cry of the soul, of one who experienced great pain but saw the goodness of the Lord strengthen him in that pain. He calls on us to “taste” – that indicates that the goodness we experience now is just a glimpse of what is to come. Dr. Betters brings the truths of Psalm 34 alive as he retells the story of David’s run for his life in 1 Samuel 21 and 22 – and this after his great victory over Goliath. Have you ever experienced such conflicting behavior? A great victory followed by great despair? If so, you have a lot in common with David. Listen and be encouraged

Psalm 34 is a story of loss and gain, of fear and peace, of despair and hope. It is a Thanksgiving Psalm, penned by David in the context of pretending insanity in order to save his life. In this Psalm David tells the story of the crisis so that others (including us) can see the way God can be trusted for deliverance when all else seems hopeless. On the heels of his great victory against Goliath, David seems to forget God’s faithfulness. He pretends insanity in order to save his life. In this message Dr. Betters also takes us to 1 Samuel 22 and shows us the context of the message of Psalm 34. David developed a sinful spiritual amnesia, forgetting God’s faithful protection in the miracle of his battle against Goliath. Somehow, he could not transfer God’s power from that moment to his need in this moment of terror. Have you struggled to trust God in a season of despair, even though God has proven Himself faithful again and again? You’re not alone in that struggle! Listen as we learn from David’s own lips how to choose trust over fear

There is no book like the Psalms to meet the need of the heart when it is discouraged and defeated, or when it is elated and encouraged. Charles Spurgeon called the Psalms the Treasury of David, and a treasury is a place where riches are kept. The Psalms are the cries of the soul, a place we often turn when we do not know where else to turn. Dr. Betters also believes the Psalms focus on legacy building. In this series, Dr. Betters begins this series by asking the question, “What do I hope and pray my grandchildren will embrace as their spiritual legacy, handed down from their grandparents through their parents? In this first message on Psalm 1, he declares, “I want them to learn that they cannot play chess with the devil.” Join Dr. Betters as he unpacks the practical application of the Psalms in the context of building a legacy of faith.

There is no book like the Psalms to meet the need of the heart when it is discouraged and defeated, or when it is elated and encouraged. Charles Spurgeon called the Psalms the Treasury of David, and a treasury is a place where riches are kept. The Psalms are the cries of the soul, a place we often turn when we do not know where else to turn. Dr. Betters also believes the Psalms focus on legacy building. In this series, Dr. Betters begins this series by asking the question, “What do I hope and pray my grandchildren will embrace as their spiritual legacy, handed down from their grandparents through their parents? In this first message on Psalm 1, he declares, “I want them to learn that they cannot play chess with the devil.” Any type of long lasting building requires a strong foundation. God commands that we pass on to the next generation a legacy of faith. In this series, Dr. Betters describes how embracing Jesus as Savior and meditating on God’s Word is the cornerstone of building a legacy of faith that will better equip our children and grandchildren to pass on their own legacy of faith. Meditation on God’s Word and application of those truths shapes our thoughts that become our actions. As a man thinks in his heart so he is. Join Dr. Betters as he unpacks the practical application of the Psalms in the context of building a legacy of faith

Sadly, many believe that Scripture has nothing to do with today’s culture. Yet, in this series on Judges, Dr. Betters continues to draw parallels between the culture of the Israelites and ours. There were three major sins that the Israelites committed and those core sins filtered into every area of their lives: Sexual Immorality, A Disregard for Authority and a Disdain for Human Life and Rights. Does any of this sound familiar? The book of Judges ends with a terrible statement about the Israelites, “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Again, does this sound familiar? What shapes your decisions, what is the grid through which you view all of life? What is your worldview? Allow God’s Word to shape your own worldview and open your heart to deeply rooted sin that only God’s redeeming love can forgive.

Joy was 10 years old when her mother lost her battle with aggressive breast cancer. Her two little sisters looked to her for mothering. She became her father’s confidante as he tried to navigate grief, single parenthood, and looking for a new wife. Joy’s story gives listeners a glimpse into how the loss of a parent can create an ever widening circle of grief that takes years to process. Some grief counselors believe that a child who experiences a sudden loss of a significant loved one before the age of 18, does not process their grief until the average age of 40. Imagine all the decisions and life choices experienced through the grid of buried grief. There are no easy answers to how to help a child navigate such sorrow, but Joy offers help and hope through her story.

We are nearing the end of the Dr. Betters’ series, Souls of Steel, Feet of Clay and sadly, we see the progressive deterioration of the nation of Israel. The parallels to today’s culture are uncanny. In Judges 17 -18, we see the deterioration of a biblical home and learn eight factors that will destroy biblical homes and churches. In Judges 19 - 21, we see how the corrupt moral influences of home and church create the near annihilation of the entire nation. In Judges 20 we learn of a horrific story about a Levite and his concubine - a story that is difficult to hear and even more difficult to comprehend. With each detail, the ominous cloud of destructive grows darker and broader. Dr. Betters takes a difficult passage and reveals grace even in the darkest details.