God asks more of us than belief. He asks us to follow. He asks us not to simply believe something about Him, but to let Him lead. In today’s world — in a culture that prizes individual freedom and personal autonomy — why would and should we agree to such a thing?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 18:16–46

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Receiving criticism can often be difficult, yet if we are to grow personally and relationally with others it is necessary. But what about giving criticism? How do we get the balance between hounding others and being passive in this area of our relationships?

Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discuss striking the right balance when giving feedback.

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What we see in 1 Kings 21 is not an ideal marriage. Jezebel is a controlling wife, Ahab a passive husband. Yet there is something more, something of paramount importance. Jezebel creates a scheme, she’s the instigator. Yet God ultimately holds Ahab accountable. Why? Doesn't that seem strange?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 21

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It can be surprising or even stunning for us to read the Pharisee's response to Jesus. God came in the flesh and walked among them yet in the end they devised a plan to kill Him. They claimed to understand things about God but never truly came to know God.

Join BTS host Will Herron and Dayne Logan as they explore how we can avoid simply learning about God and enjoy the life with God we were made for.

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The Pharisees. Deeply religious, these men were scholars who knew scripture better than anyone and rose to prominence and influence. They memorized passages that prophesied the promised Messiah. These men knew the Messiah was coming—they were expecting Him, yet they completely missed Jesus. Is it possible that we do the same? Especially now, in the busyness of the season?

Message by Dayne Logan

Scripture referenced: Matthew 16

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Let's face it. Admitting we are wrong doesn't come easily for us. Often our pride can cloud our vision to see where we have been at fault and where we need to turn blame from others to ourselves.

But how can we grow to be more aware of our failures? How can we mature to hold the humility necessary to admit when we are at fault and seek repentance and/or forgiveness?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss what lessons we can learn from 1 Kings 17+18 around these themes and more.

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Sometimes the mess is our own making. God created this world with a certain order. And when we live outside that created order, consequences eventually catch up. When we do things we shouldn’t do, when, not unlike Ahab, we can list the reasons and find excuses, we believe we are justified. Jesus teaches us something much different.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 17–18

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Passages like 1 King 16 can cause pause among modern readers. We see God get angry and act upon that anger–often by inflicting judgement upon an individual or group. Yet if we learn anything from this passage, it's that anger can be used in a God–honoring way. So what does that look like? And when does anger become destructive?

Join BTS host Will Herron, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss what righteous anger looks like and how God's anger can actually comfort and encourage us.

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God gets angry. Does that sound like a bad thing? Though it may come as a surprise, this is actually a good thing. It means we are counting on a God who destroys sin, stops evil, brings justice and restores goodness to this land. We’re counting on a God who is loving and faithful and gracious. All while being holy, righteous and just. He’s all of those. And that's a very good thing.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 16:1–4, 8–13, 15–19

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In 1 King 15 King Asa exhibits several admirable qualities but fails in one area. When push comes to shove he disobeys God in an effort to protect himself and his kingdom. Some might argue that his intentions and the end result were good. So didn't the end justify the means?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore the inherent dangers of this mindset and highlight other teachable moments from this passage.

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