We only have to look at the lives of Jesus first disciples to realize that following after Him is far from a life of safety and luxury. Rather, He calls us into a life of faith, stepping out beyond our comfort zone and trusting in Him.

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The La-Z-Boy is the bestselling chair in America. Mostly because we have an innate desire to immerse ourselves in comfort. The American dream is to live a low stress, high comfort life—to play a low intensity game. And we can superimpose our quest for comfort upon our expectations of following Jesus. But how did we ever get that idea—the idea that the Christian life is a comfortable life when the one we claim to follow was crucified on a cross?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 42, 43

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All of us have been or are in situations where we have sought the Lord's guidance. Whether it's deciding on a new job opportunity or wisdom in relationships, we desire to know God's leading in our lives. But how do we go about hearing from Him? How do we discern His leading in our lives?

Join Dayne and Will as they explore these questions and more in this week's episode.

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God can take a reluctant man from an unremarkable family in an unremarkable tribe and put him in charge of an army. God can take that army and reduce it to just 300 water-lapping men. God can use a bread dream to strike fear into the hearts of an enemy army of 135,000. And God can defeat that enemy army with trumpets and torches and clay pots. Gideon’s story challenges and reminds us that God can do anything, if we’re willing to partner with Him.

Message by Dayne Logan

Scripture referenced: Judges 6, 7

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Facing up to the darker chapters in our story can be hard. Often we'd rather bury them in the past, even if it means harboring deep guilt within. Yet as we learn from Joseph's brothers, guilt doesn't go away with time. So how do we face up to our failures? How do we find forgiveness and freedom from a dark past?

Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discuss what lessons we can learn from Genesis 42 when it comes to facing up to guilt in our lives and moving forward into the life God intended for us.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 42

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Is there someone you never want to run into? Something you never want brought up? A moment you don’t want to be reminded of? The guilt of our past doesn’t go away with time. We can’t go back and change it. We can’t run from it. But if we face the past, if we remember it and focus on the truth — that we are forgiven and free —we can heal it.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 42

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In Genesis 41 we finally see Joseph's fortunes change as he rises up to one of the highest positions of authority in Egypt. Yet his journey to that point was lengthy and not without its difficulties and hardships.

Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discuss how we can learn to identify God's voice in our lives and wait on Him patiently.

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Joseph is like the Cinderella of the Bible. Hers is a classic rags to riches story. So is Joseph’s. The difference? What happened to Joseph wasn’t random. Going from prison to palace wasn’t a lucky break. It was God working out His plan and His purpose through Joseph’s life. It was God speaking. Joseph learned to recognize this. Joseph heard Him. And we can, too.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 41

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Noah and the Ark is perhaps one of the most familiar biblical stories, particularly among children. Yet we can't avoid the stark reality of the details of the story either.

So how do we reconcile the picture of God as both a judge of the world and savior of the world? And how do we face up to the kinds of fears Noah no doubt faced when looking to obey God’s call?

Join Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, and host Will Herron, as they explore these challenging questions and more in this week’s podcast episode.

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Noah and the ark is perhaps one of the most familiar biblical stories. The old man with the white beard and the animals two by two. Cute, right? Sure. But there’s so much more to the narrative than that. Have you ever thought about the fears Noah faced when obeying God’s call and instruction? Or how Noah’s response to God helps us trust God today?

Message by Julie Wiemann

Scripture referenced: Genesis 6:5–14, 22; 7:11–12

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