It’s easy to reach for what we think we deserve—to chase recognition, status, or being first. But Jesus calls us to something different. As we grow in faith, we begin to see that true maturity looks like humility—putting others above ourselves, because that’s what Jesus did.

Paul was deeply committed to his calling, yet he still faced moments of struggle. We see his resolve to honor Christ no matter the outcome. He also didn’t walk that path alone—he relied on prayer, the Spirit, and the support of his Christian community. His life reminds us that we stand firm together, striving side by side for the gospel and exalting Christ in all we do.

As we begin studying the letter to the Philippians, we see Paul expressing deep gratitude for the way the church has supported him—both spiritually and physically. Paul is clearly dedicated to God’s mission, and he’s backed by a church that is equally committed to helping him carry out the calling God has placed on his life.

As believers, we have the Holy Spirit—but how often do we actually seek Him and rely on His power to move in and through us? We don’t just want Him to show up in our struggles—we want Him to empower us to boldly share the Gospel with those around us.

At some point in life, we will all experience grief. It might come through the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or even the loss of a dream, a sense of security, or our health. Grief takes many forms, and how we respond to it can shape us deeply. In the midst of our pain, it’s important to remember that God is near—walking with us through our hardest moments.

Life gives us plenty to worry about—money, kids, the house, the car, work, even our own self-worth. But God doesn’t just command us not to worry; He calls us to seek Him first. Peace doesn’t come from having everything under control—it comes from trusting the One who is.

Romans says we’re transformed by renewing our minds—but what does that actually mean? Can our lives really change just by changing the way we think? Yes! Real transformation begins in the mind. When we align our thoughts with truth, it changes the way we live and experience the world.

The gospel is for everyone, but there are still people around the world who have never heard about a God who loves them. It’s not that they’ve rejected Him—they’ve just never had the chance. They have no Christian friends or neighbors, no churches, no Bible. In some places, it’s even illegal to be a Christian. As followers of Jesus, we must care about both: the lost in our own communities and the unreached across the world.

Guest speaker Paul Hurckman shares what God is doing around the world and how God is inviting us to be a part of God’s work in impactful ways.

Life is full of challenges, but how we respond makes all the difference. When we face trials, we have a choice: to grow bitter with resentment or to lean into gratitude.