As we bring our series on the life of Solomon to a close, one detail in 1 Kings chapter 11 catches our attention: God rose up enemies against Solomon. If God did this for Solomon, does He do the same for us? And if so, what reasons might God have for allowing hardships in our lives?   

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more in this week's BTS episode.

Despite his wisdom, Solomon fails to wholeheartedly follow God. He blatantly ignores God's warning against marrying foreign women, and as he enters further into relationship with his wives, Solomon begins to honor their deities and build altars to worship them. In response, God raises up enemies against Solomon who bring constant trouble and suffering to him. What, then, does this reveal to us about the source of and reason for suffering in our lives? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: 1 Kings 11:9–43

If we are honest, most would admit that gratitude isn't something that comes naturally. Often we are more prone to point out the negative in situations. So how can we grow to become people of gratitude? How can we see our world through a lens of gratefulness as opposed to negativity?  

Join Ridge Youth Director Todd Stiles and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more in this week's BTS episode.

Hannah is a woman who is living in the tension between what she knows to be true of God and what she sees in her life. When we first meet her, there's a prayer she's carried for years that hasn't been answered. Yet, in the end, her story becomes one of the clearest pictures of gratitude found in the Bible.Message by Todd StilesScripture referenced: 1 Samuel 1, 2

It's not an overstatement to say that we live in a highly sexualized society. Commercials, movies and tv shows all utilize it in ways often contrary to God's design. But what exactly does the Bible have to say about sex?

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss this question and more in this week's BTS episode.

Solomon has led a God-honoring life. When asked the one thing he most wanted, he asked for wisdom. When his wealth accumulated in abundance, his response was to build a lavid temple for the Lord. And once the project was complete, the first thing Solomon did was fall to his knees in prayer. So, how does he go from all of this to falling away from God? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: 1 Kings 11:1–8

Jesus taught more about the Kingdom of God than anything else. He said things like, “The Kingdom of God has come upon you,” and “the Kingdom of God is in your midst.” After His resurrection He continued to teach His disciples about the Kingdom of God. Yet for such a common part of Jesus’ teaching, it feels like many of us don’t have a clear picture of what the "kingdom of God" really means.

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God and how it impacts us today.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see if what she knew of him — his wisdom and achievements — was true. What she found: In wisdom and wealth Solomon far exceeded the report she heard. The entirety of this passage gives us a picture of a king and his kingdom. But there's more to see here than what we see in Solomon.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 10

In 2 Kings 20 King Hezekiah becomes suddenly deathly ill. Out of the blue, life suddenly takes a turn for the worst. The reality is, none of us are exempt from experiencing the unexpected, so how can our relationship with God impact how we respond in those moments?

Join Ridge Family Ministries Director Doug Applegate and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss the ways in which our relationship with God can enable us to face the unexpected with peace, courage and hope.

King Hezekiah teaches us the importance of turning to God in both good times and not-so-good times. It can be hard to turn to God when we mess up or experience hardship; we can be tempted to run in the opposite direction. Likewise, we can forget to focus on God when it's smooth sailing, when life seems easy and care-free. But in both seasons, God is there to keep us grounded and focused on what is most important.