In our secular culture it is easy to become overly focused on what applies directly to us and what we can explain. However, our christian faith calls us to see what's beyond ourselves and physical explanation. In Genesis 18, Abraham is visited by three men which he immediately recognizes are God with him. Not only does Abraham see more than just their physical appearance but when one man tells him that he will have a son in the next year at an age beyond natural child bearing, he believes it and his faith is counted to him as righteousness. Abraham gives us a portrait of how to show faith in a supernatural God while being surrounded by unbelief. 

The pressure of life and decision making can feel overwhelming. Sometime we even find ourselves begging God for answers and seemingly not having any. In Revelation chapter five we see a picture of a slain lamb who is the only creature able to open a very important scroll. What can this teach us about how God reveals things to us? Jesus said that in him we would find the fulness of life. Jesus is also the slain lamb who is worthy of opening the scroll. It's easier said than done, but God reveals to us regularly that we find all we need in Jesus. He is worthy of our trust even when we don't feel like we are getting the answers we are looking for. Ultimately, God cares about the challenges you face, but He also wants to direct you to His son who gave his life so that you could have all you truly need. 

God promised Abram that he would make a great nation of him and bless him. As time went on without children, Abram began to doubt these promises would come true. In Genesis 15 we see God double down on these promises to Abram. Not only does God reiterate that He will make them come true, but he shows Abram reminders of why He is trustworthy. God is not only worthy of our trust because He says so, but because he has always been faithful to keep his word. He alone upholds and is faithful even knowing that Abram's offspring won't be faithful to Him.

God promised Abram that he would make a great nation of him and bless him. As time went on without children, Abram began to doubt these promises would come true. In Genesis 15 we see God double down on these promises to Abram. Not only does God reiterate that He will make them come true, but he shows Abram reminders of why He is trustworthy. God is not only worthy of our trust because He says so, but because he has always been faithful to keep his word. He alone upholds and is faithful even knowing that Abram's offspring won't be faithful to Him. 

We often think the book of Revelation is just about the end of the world. But, before any vision of future events occurs, John is first given a list of encouragements and warnings for each of the churches that he is writing to. These warnings include returning to their first love, removing false teaching, idolatry, and more. Why would a book about future events start with issues that are happening currently? Maybe God's first priority isn't the next steps, but the heart of his people right now. In a culture of busyness and progress, it can be so easy to be consumed with our next actions steps. Have you ever been praying for one thing but only hearing about something else? The reality is God wants to address our hearts and the things He sees as most important before getting to the details that we tend to focus on. 

Throughout the Bible we are introduced to characters who give us a picture of who Jesus is. In Genesis 14 Abram encounters a man named Melchizedek who is not only the king of Salem, but also a high priest. This man blesses Abram in the name of God and even offers him bread and wine. Not only did Jesus also offer bread and wine to his disciples as symbols of his body and blood being sacrifice for them, but he is also our great priest king. When we accept Jesus as savior and lord he also intercedes for us to God the father as a priest on our behalf.

Throughout the Bible we are introduced to characters who give us a picture of who Jesus is. In Genesis 14 Abram encounters a man named Melchizedek who is not only the king of Salem, but also a high priest. This man blesses Abram in the name of God and even offers him bread and wine. Not only did Jesus also offer bread and wine to his disciples as symbols of his body and blood being sacrifice for them, but he is also our great priest king. When we accept Jesus as savior and lord he also intercedes for us to God the father as a priest on our behalf. 

The book of Revelation can be incredibly intimidating to try to understand. The dragon, falling stars, and beasts all make it sound more like a fantasy story than something from the Bible. The truth is though that God gave this revelation to John for a reason. Not only that, but so often we as followers of Jesus are searching for a revelation of our own from God. Is it possible we can not only learn how to read this letter for what it is while also learning some ways that God reveals Himself to us today? We think so! This new series is designed to explore the mysteries of Revelation, while using some of its themes to highlight how God still wants to speak to us today. 

What does it mean to be called by God? It's a common theme in Christian circles to talk about our "calling" but what if you don't know what yours is? In Genesis 12, Abram receives arguably the greatest calling from God ever. He is told that God will make of him a great nation and in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Often, this is the kind of calling we are looking for. We want a life changing, inspiring calling from God. In reality though, the Abram's call started the same we should start, just go. God told him that the journey started in a land he would show him. No road map, no details, just go where I show you. The opportunity for us to participate in the kingdom of God and "go" is right in front of us each and every day. We are all called to love our neighbor, share the message of hope in Jesus, and make disciples of all nations. Will you go?

What does it mean to be called by God? It's a common theme in Christian circles to talk about our "calling" but what if you don't know what yours is? In Genesis 12, Abram receives arguably the greatest calling from God ever. He is told that God will make of him a great nation and in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Often, this is the kind of calling we are looking for. We want a life changing, inspiring calling from God. In reality though, the Abram's call started the same we should start, just go. God told him that the journey started in a land he would show him. No road map, no details, just go where I show you. The opportunity for us to participate in the kingdom of God and "go" is right in front of us each and every day. We are all called to love our neighbor, share the message of hope in Jesus, and make disciples of all nations. Will you go?