Posts with the category “devotional”

By Pastor Aaron: This week, I wanted to do a two-part series on “waiting.’ The first part was on Saul. You can see it here: The Hardest Gap. Today, I want to look at two verses on David’s journey of waiting and how it was much different than that of Saul.  Read More

By Mary Beth Dunn: Have you ever felt trapped by the belief that you’ve done too many bad things for God to love you anymore? I know that I definitely have. This misunderstanding of God's vast love for me affected my later teenage years and much of my twenties.  Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: The hardest gap is the time in between God saying something would happen and the time it actually happens. This week, we are going to look at two stories in Scripture and how God uses time to get out of us what needs to be gotten out and also uses time to put into us what needs to be brought into maturity.  Read More

By Guest Author | Ashley Piner: Do you ever read the Bible and just sit in awe of how God uses the inspired authors to communicate His message? I love how the Psalms are beautifully poetic, while Romans and Jude are epistles, letters full of doctrine and encouragement.  Read More

By Theresa Golden: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 NIV Recently, I was talking with a friend about some big decisions they were facing. As we discussed the pros and cons of staying where they were or making a big change, I found myself saying something that has been on my heart a lot lately: “No matter what you choose, it’s going to be hard. You just have to choose your hard.”  Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: Once, Nelson Mandela spoke about a prison guard who said to him, ‘Do you know that I have the power to have you killed?’ Mandela responded, ‘Do you not know that I have the power to go to my death freely?’   Read More

By Guest Author | Rachel Edwards: Micah 6:1-8 (NIV)In Micah 6:1-8, God speaks through the prophet Micah and brings a legal case against Israel. He reminds them of the things He’s done for Israel, including delivering them from Egypt, providing leadership, and protecting them.   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you...."  Read More

By Theresa Golden: “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”  Read More

By Meghen Haggard: “Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” –Exodus 3:6   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: Samson is one of the amazing and fun stories in Scripture. For three chapters in Judges, we read of Samson’s exploits, how he single-handedly beat the Philistines. They hated him but could seemingly do nothing to him.   Read More

By Steve Miller: Discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit can be difficult. When I was younger, I grew up in churches that rarely talked about the Holy Spirit. We believed in Him, but we didn’t really talk about Him. We knew He existed, but most of our focus was on God the Father and God the Son.   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: David has some strong words for whatever he is facing. While scholars have debated the exact circumstances behind this Psalm, the overwhelming opinion is that this was written in the height of his betrayal by his son Absalom.   Read More

By Jake Haggard: NO PAIN, NO GAIN! You have probably heard the phrase before. It may remind you of a Marine Corps drill sergeant screaming at a private on the obstacle course, or a football coach in pre-season workouts attempting to get the team ready for the season, or perhaps, the dreaded spin class instructor who always seems to be in far too good of a mood to burn calories.  Read More

By Guest Author | Megan Wamer: When reading Matthew 4:1-11 about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, I have to admit that I've never paid much attention to verse one: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” The phrase “led by the Spirit” stands out to me.  Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: It’s hard to put into words the power of these versus. John was a really big deal. He had so many followers and had impacted countless people. Known as the Baptizer, his ministry was massive, and he rubbed shoulders with some of the most influential people of that day. John’s impact was undeniable.  Read More

By Elliotte Pearson [Elder]: He who finds a wife finds a GOOD thing and obtains favor from the Lord… Proverbs 18:22 Guys, have you ever heard this verse before? Maybe your wife has reminded you of it, or you've heard it quoted in church. Have you ever stopped to consider that your wife is a gift?  Read More

By Theresa Golden: We all love gifts, especially surprise gifts from the people we love. What is it about gifts that make them so special? Maybe it’s the thoughtfulness behind the gesture or the excitement of receiving something new.   Read More

By Pastor Mike Adkins: Before Pentecost, Peter was uncertain, impulsive, and afraid, denying Jesus when it mattered most. But after Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit, he stood boldly, preached with clarity, and led thousands to Christ. What changed? The presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  Read More

By Whitney Bailey: BOJANGLES. Welcome to the South. We have three kids who are always hungry, and Bojangles Bo Berries are some of our favorites. One day, we were headed home from a long trip and stopped at Bojangles to go inside and eat.   Read More

By Pastor Aaron: “So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.” – Joshua 9:14 NLT This verse gets me every year in our Bible Reading Plan. If you know, then you know. If you don’t, let me fill you in with the Cliff Notes version.  Read More

By Guest Author | Anita Harrison: I don’t fly often, but when I do, I like to take a direct, nonstop flight. I think most of us are like that. We want to get somewhere the quickest and most efficient way possible. We’re often like that in our journey through life too.   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23 TPT I think one of the best questions we can ask ourselves is: “How is my heart?”   Read More

By Guest Author | Tanner Hoyt: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” – Galatians 5:22-23 (NSFL)  Read More

By Joy Kimbril: As a Christian, I am so thankful for Easter. I am thankful that my God rose out of the grave and is constantly working on my behalf. Going into Easter this year, I read through the book 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chloe.   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: This is one of the most familiar scriptures; but as I was preparing for Easter this year, I kept being drawn back to it over and over again. As I began digging into it a little more than I have in the past, I discovered some things about sheep in my research that I didn’t know. One of those is sad, disturbing, and funny all at the same time!  Read More

By Theresa Golden: "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." – John 15:2 (ESV) Has there ever been something in your life that, at first glance, seemed like a good thing; but over time, you realized it was actually hindering your growth in an area or keeping you from seeing the full scope of your potential?  Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: I think Jesus needs work on his discipleship pitch! It sounds a little harsh; yet when you pull back the layers of all he is saying, it rings absolutely true.   Read More

By Mary Beth Dunn: It’s almost the middle of 2025, and I find myself in the same cycle that I’m always in. It’s the cycle of doom scrolling. I suddenly realize the hours that I spend on my phone are bad for me, deleting all of my social media in one fell swoop. At first, I genuinely feel that my life is better without it.   Read More

By Guest Author | Brittany Hoyt: All throughout Scriptures, where there is Resurrection, there is God’s presence and His power. To resurrect means to restore, revive, or bring new life. God wants to revive the parts of us that are weary and doubtful, remind us of the hope of resurrection, and restore us to believing in hope and abundance again.   Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: Earlier this year, I came across this song by Brook Ligertwood, and it wrecked me. I would strongly encourage you to pull it up and listen to it this week as we approach Easter. Many times in our lives, we get lost in the complicated and lose the beauty of the simple.  Read More

By Guest Author | Anita Harrison: The story of the Prodigal Son Is one of my favorites. It is so rich in meaning. For a long time, I missed much of the meaning by not knowing the customs of the people in the time that Jesus walked the earth. When you understand the culture and context, the meaning becomes so rich.  Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: Doe, a Deer, a Female Deer...Now that I have your attention, take a minute to read these words from David: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration Why am I discouraged?  Read More

By Christy Hubbard: We have been studying the parable of the Prodigal Son over the last few weeks. I love this story because it's so relatable. As a prodigal daughter in my younger years, I am thankful The Father welcomed me home with open arms.  Read More

For a long time, I believed that God was chronically disappointed in me.I knew that He loved me, but the heavy weight of shame and condemnation I felt over never quite being good enough led me to believe that there was still work to be done. I couldn’t accept His love for me until I felt like I had proven that I was worthy of it. Which, in case you were wondering, never happened. To quote Pastor A...  Read More

By Pastor Aaron Kennedy: '“ And when you pray , make sure you forgive the faults of others so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.”' -- Matthew 6:14-15 Man, that’s a tough verse. I’ve read it and spoken it a thousand times. I must tell you, it’s one that says what it means and means very simply what it says.   Read More

By Steve Miller: When it comes to the story of the Prodigal Son, am I the only one who identifies more with the older brother than the prodigal? Sure, I’ve had seasons of doing my own thing and getting into trouble, but for the most part, my life has been about following the rules and doing what I’m told, much like the older brother in the parable.  Read More

By Theresa Golden: The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is one of the most well-known parables in the Bible. It’s a story of rebellion, regret, and redemption. But the prodigal son isn’t the only one who has wandered from God’s path.   Read More

By Elliotte Pearson (Elder): Pastor Aaron has said many times, “church is for you, but not about you.” I would take that a little further to say that the Gospel is for you, but it’s not about you. We are not the center of the Gospel, and too often, we will read the Gospels like it is about us.   Read More

By Jake Haggard: For years, I read the story of the Prodigal Son and found myself identifying with one of the brothers. As a child, I was familiar with the dynamic of sibling rivalry, the longing for attention and sometimes feeling that one was loved more than the other.   Read More