When facing scary situations, our response shows who/what our faith is in. This Old Testament story has helpful lessons that teach us what God says about fear, how he is with us through fear, and how his power and presence enables us to overcome fearful times. 

Guest Speaker: Willie Brown, Deacon of Local Missions at Grace City Church

Sometimes the loudest voice contributing to your self-esteem is the one that resides in your own mind. When we place too much value in our own opinion of ourself, we have a tendency to struggle with pride, self pity or more often than not, both. This final message in the Your Life Matters series is an encouragement to thing of yourself less so that God's voice is the defining element in understanding who and how valuable you really are.

Most of us have had our fair share of people in life who are great at pointing out how imperfect we are. In a place and time where likes, connections and achievements are real currency — we face an important question: What role should the opinions of others play in my life? What the Bible has to say about this isn’t as black and white as you might think, but there is some clear truth that’s helpful as we endeavor to live in consideration but not captive to what other people think about us. This message is all about the spiritual endeavor of keeping the opinions of others in their proper place and finding your value in the opinion of the one who says: “You are mine.”

Our world has increasingly become one in which we idolize DOING and DOERS. As a result, many of us now struggle to figure out who we are outside of the things we do. Part 2 of this series explores the dangers of enmeshing your identity and worth with your vocation and asks: Is there a better alternative? How can I push back against the pull to become that which I do?

*The podcast recording cut off right before the end-we apologize for the abrupt ending*

We live in a world and at a time in which people struggle to see one another and treat one another with equal dignity and respect. Phrases like "Black Lives Matter" show the necessity for a spoken and passionate response to the brokenness within our society and our own hearts. The Bible paints a picture of human worth that is radically different to the world's understanding. Because we were all created in the image of God, we have equal, infinite and eternal worth. Your life matters. An encouraging reminder and challenging truth for the way we view and treat both ourselves and others. This is part one of a four-part series.