The bible tells us that God doesn’t tempt us, but we ourselves are tempted by our own evil desires. Our own fear. Our anxiety. But when temptation comes, when anxious moments come “…..He will provide a way out so that we can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13b) That way out? It’s Jesus Christ...

The very idea of intimacy with God, closeness to Him, can be challenging or even scary. There’s a hesitation to get too close to something or someone who is enormously larger than I am, which, of course, God is. He’s larger than us not in His physical appearance, but rather in His holiness, righteousness, and goodness. He is infinitely not us, and that can give us pause when it comes to getting too close....

Saul who became the Apostle Paul was “blinded” to the reality that who Saul was at his core was but a reflection of his education, his bias, his inexperience, the people around him, and his own rejection of the truth. Are you blinded today, not by the light but, by the opinion of others, what you see in the mirror that you don’t like, and the things that you do? Have you overlooked the reality that the truth?

Two weeks ago, in Matthew Chapter 14, we looked at the boat Peter was in that stormy night on the lake when Jesus came toward the boat walking on the water. Out of the 12, it was Peter who called out to Jesus “If it is you, command that I come to you on the water.” This weekend we look at Peter’s first steps and what our first steps look like when we step out of the “boat” we are in...

How far you would be willing to walk to meet your goal. What would you be willing to do, to give up because you know that the end goal is better than the sacrifices needed to get there? When you have a little bit of ambition and drive to do something that’s important to you, although the walk may be difficult, you know that what’s on the other side of the room is worth it. In Luke 19, we’re introduced to a man who had a goal – a goal that seemed simple, and yet we find him hindered by several things. A goal that at first may not have seemed significant, and yet his walk, or rather his climb, was more important than ever.

Your boat and mine is whatever we are tempted to put our trust in, especially when life gets a little stormy. Our boat can be something that keeps us so comfortable that we don’t want to give it up, even if it’s keeping us from joining Jesus on the waves. Our boat is whatever pulls us away from going all in and joining God on the walk of a lifetime.

Of all the walks you’ve taken in life, what is the most important, the most memorable, the walk that had the greatest impact on you or someone you care for? What walk would you say is the most life changing?

In Luke Chapter 7, Luke sets scene for a life changing walk, by taking us into a living room filled with guests. But he focuses in on only three individuals....

We wish, we pray for promises that we can count on. We live in a world that promises results, cures, relationships. We are saturated with promises that are sure to disappoint. Sadly, more people than ever find themselves in a state of deep despair, dying for lack of hope. Yet for every problem in life God has given us a promise. His promises are real, not imagined...

Paul said that the Church is being made holy and pure so that she can be presented to Christ as a radiant, spotless bride. We know all to well the work that goes into making sure that wedding celebrations are perfect – how much more is the Father going to prepare so that everything is just as it should be before our groom returns...

Satan kneels in defeat. The battle has already been won and the last day of evil is to come when we least expect it. All because of what Jesus has done. Jesus has made the promise to return to this world as the one who will restore all things to new. God hasn’t kept the ending a secret. He wants us to see the big picture. God wants us to know that He is victorious!