RG AUDIO 060118   John 15:1-17 John 15:16 is a small part of a familiar passage, one known as The Vine and the Branches. The passage leans heavily on the understanding that love is essential to the life of a believer. In fact love is a natural outcome or “fruit” for those who are connected […]

RG AUDIO 053118   Jeremiah 3:6-20 We have all probably had experiences with wayward children or rebellious friends. Perhaps you were one who was at once a prodigal son or daughter. Jeremiah 3 speaks volumes. From the time God called Abram out of Ur, God promised to lead and care for his people. Like a […]

RG AUDIO 053018   Jeremiah 1:11-19 In Jeremiah 11, there are given two specific commands: to speak God’s words and to do so without fear. These are simple commands, but not necessarily easy. Jeremiah was under the weight of an awesome responsibility. He knew in advance that he would face rejection. Note that Jeremiah was […]

RG AUDIO 052918   Jeremiah 1:1-10 Have you ever been in a situation where you just don’t know what to say? Over the years I have listened to many people share their stories of hurt and betrayal. Often I am at a loss for words. The hard conversations though, are when someone needs to hear […]

RG AUDIO 052818   Genesis 9:1-13 It’s truly a great mystery that the God of the universe would choose to enter into covenant with weak, frail, imperfect humanity. The covenant made with Noah reveals a couple of key components instructive for us. First the covenant between God and Noah was made after a traumatic, life-altering […]

RG AUDIO 052718   Isaiah 11:10-16 Exclusion is all too real for many people. We get cut from the team, left out of social plans, or passed over for a job or promotion. Some of us lose our homes and family relationships. We may even find ourselves wandering as refugees with no place to return […]

RG AUDIO 052618   Isaiah 11:1-9 Sixteen-year-old Mao Takahashi was recording the horrific tsunami that swept away most of his neighborhood in Ishinomaki, Japan on March 11, 2011, when he heard cries for help. A man was trapped in the cold, rushing water, holding onto a telephone wire. Mao put down his phone and waded […]

RG AUDIO 052518   2 Kings 5:11-19a During hardships, it is very easy to feel put off when people say, “Just have faith.” People naturally want to say something helpful in times of sorrow, loss, or suffering. Faith does not make every problem go away; choosing to hold onto faith, however, helps us (and others) […]

RG AUDIO 052418   2 Kings 5:1-10 Scripture reminds Christians to be ready to give the reason for their hope, but also to do so gently and respectfully (1 Peter 3:15b). The slave girl who served Namaan’s wife in 2 Kings 5 probably did not pronounce judgments upon the cultural or religious practices of her […]

RG AUDIO 052318   John 4:28-42 As a youth, George attended church with his parents. The message of Christ went over his head until one day when churchgoers shared their testimonies. As he listened to these individuals’ stories, he began to want what they had: a relationship with Jesus, who carried them through troubles, worked […]