The prophet Jeremiah is God’s voice to the kingdom of Judah during and after the reign of Josiah. God uses him to call out the kingdom’s idolatry and failure. Yet, throughout, there is hope. God promises to restore them if they will again live as God intended – wholly Holy!

The prophet Habakkuk lamented the future destruction he saw God bringing at the hands of the wicked Babylonians. How could God be good and allow that? For us today, the world is full of darkness and pain, and we wonder why God allows such things. While we may not have all the answers, Habakkuk shows us that we can choose to be patient, faithful, and joyful. In other words, we can choose faith.

God can build new things out of apparent disaster. Even though he was bringing judgment upon his people in the form of utter defeat, there was a future for those who would hold on. And for God’s people today, even when we face trouble, crisis, or disaster, there is still hope!

The prophet Micah preached to a group of people who wanted to do the bare minimum to appease God, and then move on with their lives. Meanwhile, they were mistreating others and breaking God’s laws. To them Micah preached a message of obedience and humility, over the course of multiple decades. For us today, God’s expectations are not confusing nor hidden. It’s on us to pay attention and then obey.

The prophet Hosea preached to the Northern Kingdom, who worshipped God wrongly. They had combined their worship of God with the worship of ba’al and golden calves. They trusted that ba’al was making them prosperous. God spoke through Hosea to tell them they would no longer be called “my people.” Even in the punishment and frustration God had, he still loves them. God’s love is unending. How do we see His love for his people and allow it to challenge our lives?

While many view science and faith as incompatible, the truth is that they’re just describing different aspects of reality. Christians should not run from science, nor should we fear it. Instead we should understand that if something is true, it part of God’s story. Ultimately Scripture is our number one rule of faith and practice, and where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where it is silent, we’re silent.

There are a wide variety of viewpoints on LGBTQIA+ issues among churches today. Here at South, the Bible is our number one rule of faith and practice, and we seek to align our behavior with its standards. We also know that the God we serve is the God of grace.

What does the Bible say about mental health? What do we do when we get stuck in the valley of life? Are we willing to ask for help? God is faithful. God wants every part of us to be as healthy as it can be so we can live Christ!

Today we tackle the question, "Why does God allow such evil to be in the world?" God loves his creation. God desires good for his creation. But, God also has to give his creation free will. We make things messy. Yet, God still works for the good.

What does God want with my life? Am I justified? Am I sanctified? What happens as I follow him? Am I involved in the process? How does it all change my life? These are the questions we talk about today.