Pastor Mike and BTS host, Will Herron, cover a variety of topics on this weeks episode. From exploring how we speak the truth in love without judgement, to unpacking why being involved in the life of the church is key to our spiritual growth.

Join Mike and Will as they explore these areas and more.

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Sometimes the deepest blessing is to point out truth. Here’s the message that comes screaming out of Genesis 49: Present actions have future repercussions. Temporary pleasure does not equal lasting fulfillment. Our choices today have consequences for tomorrow—our choices effect our lives, the lives of our children, and generations to come.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 49

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More than ever it feels like we are in danger of becoming overly self focused. Everywhere you look, things are catered to what we want, how we want it, when we want it. So how does this line up with Jesus call to be "last" and "the servant of all"? To live more focused on others than ourselves?

Join Director of Outreach, Mary Kohlsdorf and BTS host, Will Herron, as they explore these questions and discover just how transformational service can be for all involved.

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Honoring our father and mother can be difficult sometimes, particularly if they've fallen short of God's intention for those roles. So how do we go about living out this commandment? And how do we parent/influence younger generations in a way that honors God? 

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What is the goal of parenting? To do everything in your power to influence your children to willingly and joyfully follow Jesus. It starts here: Do you love and follow and grow in your relationship with God? You can’t give what you don’t have. Here’s the rest of it: Every conversation is an opportunity to point to God. He isn’t just in a book or in our heads. He influences what we believe and how we live. Capture every opportunity to show Him to your kids — to the younger generation.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 48

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While we can celebrate with Jacob and his family over their relocation to an abundant land, we also recognize that the lands of Egypt and Canaan remained in severe famine. As we think of our own lives, God doesn’t promise that we won’t have famine or troubles, but He does promise His presence and provision within it. 

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There is a belief that is widely held. It’s false. And it can train wreck your faith. Here it is: God will keep you from pain and deliver you from difficulty. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. What it does say, what God does promise, though, is that He is with us ready and waiting with provision. He is good, even when our circumstances are not. That is why we can worship in every season.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Genesis 47:7–11, 13-25

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Peter's letter was received by Christians undergoing severe persecution. Often in church history it's at such times that we see great spiritual growth. And while we may not experience the same level of suffering as this first century audience, we can still encounter challenging seasons in our own lives. So is it possible for God to use these situations to help us grow in a similar way? If so, how? 

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Peter writes about glorious, inexpressible joy. And he reveals that the reward for trusting Jesus will be the salvation of the soul. So, even in the face of horrific daily challenges, Peter encourages first-century Christians — and us — to rejoice. Because we have a joy that comes from heaven and one we can’t humanly describe. It’s joy in the reward yet to come — joy in the eternal hope we have in Jesus.

Message by Julie Wiemann

Scripture referenced: 1 Peter 1:1–9

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The Bible teaches us that God desires to speak to us and lead us in His plans and purposes. But how do we go about discerning His voice amongst all the other voices both inside and outside of us? How can we be sure we are hearing from God and not just ourselves? 

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