Posts and Sermons

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1 Samuel 1:11-20 – Hannah’s Surrender

Our greatest act of worship is often giving back to God the very thing we worked hardest to get. Hannah prayed earnestly and deeply for Samuel to be born. His name even means “God heard me.” And today we see that Hannah did as she promised, yet again exercising her faith in God and facing the unknown as she sent Samuel to serve in the temple.

We may not need to send our kids away to exercise faith, but how are we exercising our faith day-to-day and showing God what is truly important in our hearts? Let’s look at that.

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2 Kings 4:1-7 – God Uses What We Have

A woman who was a wife of one of the prophets of God found herself a widow. And in her day, this meant that she and her family would very likely become destitute. She owed debts in her husband’s name. She had this deep financial need, and came to Elisha for how to resolve her need.

This woman may have had a need, but that didn’t mean her faith was void. In fact, she had incredible faith. We see it on display through this entire story. Let’s look at her story to see her faith, and to see how God responds to her when she brings to him all that she has, and even jars borrowed from friends to contain all that God is about to — literally — pour out for her in more than she will be able to contain.

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1 Samuel 1:1-10 – Hannah’s Heartache

Hannah was being tormented by her sister-wife, Peninnah. She had a longing, this DEEP DESIRE, and she was begging God to help her. We see her humanity meets God’s sovereignty.

Have you ever had a deep, deep longing? This want that verges into something that is deeply central to something you feel to your core? Guess what: God cares! He listens. And while the answer may not come immediately, God does hear. Let’s review Hannah’s story and see God working in and through Hannah and her son, Samuel.

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John 14:26-27 – Peace in God

Do you need peace? Do you need a reset? A chance to just take a breath, and find a new breath in our hearts? In the middle of the disciples’ most trying time — when Jesus was taken by the Romans and crucified — just before that, Jesus gave them a very pointed message. “Take the peace I’m offering. I don’t give it as the world gives it, so you can trust in this peace.”

God promises that we can have that when we draw close to him and hold on. It may be strange and uncomfortable, but He promises us it will be there. It’s ours for the taking, if we just take the time to receive it. Let’s look at how Jesus himself teaches us to receive his peace. We’ll look at the specifics and do a bit of a deep dive today, so buckle up and let’s go look together.

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Isaiah 26 – Peace in our Thoughts

Do you have peace? I’m not talking a lack of conflict. I mean, are you at peace, despite the conflicts and challenges? God’s word teaches us that we can be. Isaiah teaches us that God will keep the person in question in perfect peace when they focus and keep God at the center of their daily moments. Let’s look at this and dive in deeper.

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Matthew 6:25-34 – Peace over Worry

Life gives us worry after worry. Bills. Money. Health. And do we need to be afraid of artificial intelligence? What about this new government policy?

Yes, we need to be aware, but… our enemy loves when we worry about a future that isn’t even ours to control. Striving to be the driver of our future, and ignoring the present moment to love, live, help and worship.

Jesus promises that we don’t have to worry. Literally saying, “do not worry.” Let’s review those, here.

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Matthew 28:1-7 – Jesus is Victorious

You may have faced many struggles, abuse or uncertain futures, but we have to remember that Jesus is Victorious. Not just over death. Not just over the largeness of life. But over the minutiae, the small things. He CARES about everything. He cares about our family, our health our lives and our day-to-day. And Jesus — even over all of this — is, and will be, victorious.

I’m not sure what you’re going through. But as you listen to this, remember that God is with YOU too. Are you willing to surrender to Jesus? Are you ready for different? Jesus may challenge you to do some strange things. But if we humble ourselves and submit to the process, Jesus will be victorious in this situation. It may not look like we want (and it may). It may not feel like we expect (but it may). No matter what it looks like, I can assure you that it will be victorious on the other side, if you’re willing to take the walk with him.

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Matthew 21:1-11 – From Hosanna to Crucify Him

Have you ever wondered how the people of Jerusalem went from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him” in one week? But the truth is, human emotions are fickle things. Especially when expectations are dashed. Let’s look at that today, and more importantly, how our own expectations being dashed can cause us to be in similar situations of feeling doubt and betrayal.

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Genesis 15:1-5 – Struggling with Doubt

Doubt itself isn’t bad. We’ve already discussed that. But note that when we doubt, we must struggle with it. We must use it to seek, to search, to explore who God really is. What is God REALLY saying? Where is God and what does he expect of us from that location? Let’s look at this kind of tension and the life of Abram and Sarai. Even God declares that we should come and reason together… So, come. Let’s look at these things with open, honest eyes.