Posts with the category “devotional”

Guest Author | Whitney Bailey: Isn’t it amazing how someone else’s life can appear put-together, blessed, and beautiful from our perspective? But the reality is that most of the time, we have absolutely no idea what they may be really facing. I  Read More

Guest Author | Megan Wamer: The book of Ruth starts out pretty depressing, if I’m being honest. From the beginning, the husbands of Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth have died. We don’t have many details other than the fact that they passed away.  Read More

By Pastor Tyler Braden: In Ruth chapter two, we witness a beautiful display of God's provision and faithfulness in the lives of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth, a Moabite woman, found herself in a foreign land after the death of her husband.   Read More

By Rachael Wynne: We all crave relationships and have a desire to be in community with others. Why does it feel so hard all the time? It’s no secret that relationships are complicated! As we read through the story of Ruth, I am amazed at how well she is received by others.  Read More

By Guest Author | Ashley Piner: The story of Ruth teaches us to look for the powerful hand of God amidst the seemingly mundane facets of our lives. In the bustling rhythm of our lives, there are a multitude of tasks that we do without even thinking.   Read More

By Steve Miller: In my life, I find myself constantly fighting the urge to progress or to climb the ladder. Whether it’s in my hobbies, in my work, or even in my family, I look for the next step for me to advance, to be a better Dad, husband, or employee.  Read More

By Pastor Gina Robinson: As we continue to journey through the book of Ruth, I have discovered fragile places in my heart that still need attention and care. Somewhere in this journey called life, I forgot to be human and allow myself to feel and sit in what recently felt like rejection and abandonment.  Read More

By Theresa Golden: Have you ever had a time in your life where you were just unhappy? Maybe things didn’t turn out the way you thought they would. Maybe you lost a loved one, a job, or a friend. Maybe you simply aren’t as far along in your journey as you thought you would be at this point.  Read More

By Jake Haggard: Is there anything more mundane than making a decision? We all make decisions every single day. From the moment we begin our day, we are inundated with decisions that have to be made.   Read More

By Miranda Braden: Recently, I caught myself praying, “God, does this really matter to you?” Sometimes, I can pray for what I assume is a pretty small prayer on a God-sized scale. I found myself wondering if He really cares about the small details of my life.   Read More

By Pastor Miriam Wamer: I have vivid memories growing up as a PK in the 90s during the Easter Season: Creative and memorable Children’s Church lessons with salvation bracelet crafts (you know, the one with a pipe cleaner and colorful, plastic beads, each one representing a different part of the gospel), crescent roll tombs and disappearing marshmallows (mind-blowing and delicious), and vibrant green palm branches waving as we sing, “Hosanna.”   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: Do you remember? “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here He is risen from the dead Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”   Read More

By Pastor Michael Chandler: If you attended or watched our Maundy service, this post will be a continuation of a thought that I introduced at the close of the service. I have long been fascinated with the last few days of Jesus’ life. I can’t imagine the pressure of the moment He must have felt.   Read More

By Meghen Haggard: As we have journeyed through this series on the humanity of Jesus, I have found myself most drawn to Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus as a “Man of Sorrows'.”   Read More

By Pate Leigh: When I think about sorrow, I initially squirm a little. I kind of don’t want to go there because it can be scary. It can be dark. It can feel like something we, in the modern world, would call “depression,” or at least… a form of it. I like to break things down, so let’s do that.   Read More

Guest Author | Rachel Edwards: If you’ve ever been called “sensitive” or “emotional,” you may feel shame over your emotions or for feeling disappointment; but we have a friend in Jesus who recognizes our emotions and helps us process them in a God-honoring way.  Read More

By Guest Author | Heather Hamilton: Do you ever find yourself in a situation or season and think, ‘No one else truly understands how I feel’? Yes? I’ve been there, too.  Read More

By Pastor Mike Adkins: “When God chose you, He didn’t choose a perfect you; He chose the broken you.” – Pastor Aaron Kennedy   Read More

By Christy Hubbard: As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.   Read More

By Guest Author | Rebecca Alfred: Aside from saving my eternal soul, the greatest thing Jesus ever did for me is to carry the weight of my shame, my heavy burdens, and my broken heart.   Read More

By Joy Kimbril: “A good friend is…” We all probably have different ways of finishing this sentence. As a Christian, I think the most important way to finish this sentence is “...someone who points us back to Jesus.”   Read More

By Pastor Scott Conner: This weekend, we begin a short series that leads us through Holy Week, to Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday, and then to the celebration of Easter. We will be looking at the Humanity of Jesus for the next three weeks.  Read More

By Elder Elliotte Pearson: I'm not sure where I learned it, but somewhere along the lines, I believed a lie, that anything less than perfection was failure.  Read More

By Miranda Braden: “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” - Luke 11:9  Read More

By Theresa Golden: Throughout this message series, we have explored the generational nature of God in His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and in doing so, we’ve also unpacked the importance of discerning God’s vision for our lives, leaning into the purpose He has for us, and leaving a legacy for future generations.  Read More

By Mary Beth Barefoot: What does it mean to have faith in the promises of God? As we’ve been journeying through the study of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I have been asking myself this question over and over again; and honestly, it’s been a question I’ve been asking myself for many years  Read More

By Pastor Nikki Bailey: From the beginning of time, starting in Genesis, there has been a battle between good and evil. It's a God that longs to restore people to Himself versus an enemy that wants people to think that restoration with God is impossible.  Read More

By Guest Author | Ashley Piner: As an educator, I have been trained in ¨The Power of the Pause.” When guiding learning for students, I ask questions during or after the delivery of information. I have been taught to allow my student to have wait time before responding.  Read More

By Miranda Braden: “The Lord answered Isaacs prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the Lord about it. ‘Why is this happening to me?’ she asked.” Genesis 26:12-25  Read More

By Rachael Wynne: So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. - Galatians 6:9 NLT Galatians 6:9 is one of those verses that is much easier said than done. It’s easy to be obedient and faithful right after we receive a word or direction from God, but what happens when days of waiting turn into months or years?   Read More

By Theresa Golden: “The best things come to those who wait.” You may have heard that phrase a time or two, and maybe you’ve even said it yourself.   Read More

By Steve Miller: When we look at the origin story of our faith, we often come to three names: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All three of these men have stories attached to their names.   Read More

By Pastor Gina Robinson: In Genesis 26:1- 4, God appears to Isaac, tells him what to do, and then leaves him with a promise. Notice that God doesn't reveal every little detail to Isaac .   Read More

By Theresa Golden: Do you often wonder if God has a purpose for your life? Are there days when you feel like you aren’t being effective for Him? Sometimes we feel this way when we don’t know His plan...  Read More

By Jake Haggard: No one wants to wait. Waiting has to be one of the most difficult aspects of humanity, but it is innately human. Everyone has to wait at some point or another.   Read More

By Miranda Braden: “The Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have.” - Genesis 15:5 So with that promise from God, Abram and Sarai had believed they would have a son soon...  Read More

By Theresa Golden: “Faith is often birthed in the unfamiliar.” - Pastor Mike Adkins This principle has always rung true in my life, and maybe it has in yours too. Have you noticed how relaxed we often get when we are comfortable?   Read More

By Meghen Haggard: Like most, the two years leading up to my high school graduation were challenging - for many reasons. I am grateful to have grown up in the Church and in Christian schools, but the questions being asked to my seventeen and eighteen-year-old-self felt pretty weighty.   Read More

By Pate Leigh: In today’s climate, it’s easy to get caught up in our occupations. From an early age, we’re told we have to grow up, learn how to do something specific so that we can go out and make money to provide for our families and then send our kids off to school so the cycle can continue.  Read More

By Theresa Golden: Conference is over, and everyone is riding on a high, much like that Youth Camp high we remember all too well....  Read More