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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King Asa seems an admirable leader as he takes the throne. He knows what needs to change, and he sees to it. All is well for awhile. But soon he goes against God’s instruction in an effort to protect himself and his kingdom. His intentions were good. The outcome was just what he wanted. But did the end justify the means? Even if it meant blatant disobedience against God?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 15:9–19

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For such a familiar part of the Christian life, prayer is often the most neglected aspects of our relationship with God. Well meaning aspirations of setting aside time to pray succumb to busy work schedules, personal commitments, or general tiredness.

Join Will Herron and guest host, Dayne Logan, as they seek to re discover the treasure and joy of talking with the God of the universe.

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The disciples saw Jesus praying, and they wanted to know how to do it themselves. So, He teaches them. Jesus instructs them in the same patterns He Himself lived by and gives them The Lord’s Prayer. There’s so much Jesus reveals through this template of prayer, the most important being this: Prayer is an invitation into relationship with God.

Message by Will Herron

Scripture referenced: Matthew 6:5–13

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In this week's episode, Pastor Mike and Will address the very real possibility of our faith becoming an academic exercise where following Jesus entails knowing the right things but not necessarily living the right way.

So how do we avoid this pitfall? How can we learn about God while also applying what we hear in our daily lives? Listen in as we explore these questions and more.

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When it comes to following Jesus, often we aren’t lacking facts and information. We already know, but we don’t do. The goal of reading the Bible isn’t simply to understand; it’s to put into action. If we aren’t careful, the Christianity can morph into an academic exercise instead of a lifestyle. How can we be sure our faith isn’t something we simply study but something we become?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 13:1–19, 23–24

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