What changes fearful people into fearless witnesses? Pentecost. When the Spirit came, ordinary believers were filled with power, and Peter, who once denied Jesus, stood up and spoke with courage. This message shows that boldness is not a personality trait; it is the overflow of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit. God still opens doors, gives words, and empowers His Church to speak without shame.
New year, new goals, new pressure to “do better,” but Acts starts with a different plan. Jesus tells His followers to wait, because bold witness is not powered by willpower; it is powered by the Holy Spirit. If you are ready to move forward, it starts by trusting the Spirit to lead your next step.
The story of Christmas doesn’t end in Bethlehem—the King who came still reigns today. Jesus Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, rules with perfect authority and unending grace. As we look ahead, we celebrate that the song of heaven continues—because the King who came in humility will return in glory.
Christmas is more than a season to celebrate—it’s an invitation to adore. Like the shepherds and wise men, faithful hearts respond to God’s invitation with worship that flows from love and transforms ordinary life. Come and see how true joy is found when we don’t just sing about adoration—but live it.z
The angels’ song was more than music—it was the gospel proclaimed in the night sky: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” Explore how heaven’s glory came wrapped in humility, revealing a Savior who brings peace to all who receive Him and experience how God’s glory still breaks into our ordinary world through the humility and grace of Jesus, our newborn King.
Christmas is a needed reminder that joy isn't dependent upon what is happening around us, but instead joy comes from what Jesus is doing in us. Joy is possible because joy and Jesus are a package deal.
Have you ever failed so badly that regret still haunts you? Peter did—he denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly. But when failure meets forgiveness, grace gets the final word. The resurrected Christ came back for Peter, proving that failure isn’t final when Jesus restores what’s been broken. The same look that broke Peter’s heart also healed it. Jesus meets us in our weakest moments to remind us that we are not disqualified—we are redeemed.
Ten men were healed by Jesus—but only one came back. When rejection meets gratitude, restoration becomes worship. The lepers had been outcasts, labeled and left behind, yet Jesus not only cleansed their bodies but restored their belonging. Gratitude isn’t automatic—it’s a choice. Healing may change your circumstances, but gratitude transforms your heart. Don’t just enjoy God’s blessings; return to the Giver in worship and thanksgiving.
Have you ever felt invisible—unseen, unheard, or forgotten? That’s how a blind beggar felt until Jesus stopped for him. When sadness meets hope, everything changes. Jesus hears the cries others ignore and brings light into the darkest places. Faith refuses to be silenced by discouragement, and the moment we cry out to Jesus, He stops and responds with mercy. The same Savior who was on His way to the cross still stops for you.
We live in a world quick to burn bridges, call out enemies, and cancel anyone who offends us. But when anger meets mercy, Jesus shows a better way. The disciples wanted to call down fire on those who rejected Him, but Jesus rebuked their rage and chose peace instead. Fire might win an argument, but it rarely wins a heart. Real strength looks like mercy—the kind that heals, prays, and chooses peace when vengeance feels easier.
Have you ever worn a label you couldn’t shake—a nickname, mistake, or memory that seemed to define you? Shame whispers, “This is who you are,” but Jesus whispers something better. When shame meets grace, He removes the labels we’ve carried and gives us a new identity. In His presence, our past doesn’t define us; His grace does.
When we take the bait and temptation hooks us, we have a choice to make. Do we allow temptation and sin to drag us further away from Jesus, or do we turn to Him for forgiveness and renew the fight against temptation? That all depends on how you see Jesus. Know this: Jesus gives mercy, grace, and strength. He never turns us away, so we can spit the hook of sin and live in freedom.
We all face temptation, but we don’t all fight temptation. That’s why the example of Jesus is so important. Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness—appetite, pride, and power—but resisted through God’s Word and worship. We can fight temptation the same way.
When tempted, never forget: sin’s bait looks good but always hides a hook. Sin always overpromises, underdelivers, and takes us further than we would ever want to God. That’s why God always gives us another option - a way of escape. The challenge is to recognize it and take it.
Temptation is like bait—it looks good but hides a deadly hook. Let’s learn to identify where temptation comes from and spot it before it drags you down.
Even when frustrations feel overwhelming, God calls us to respond with obedience, not anger. Moses’ moment at Meribah reminds us that doing the right thing in the wrong way can keep us from experiencing God’s best. True faith surrenders our emotions to God, allowing His holiness to guide how we act, not just what we do.
God calls us to take steps of faith, trusting His promise and power over our own fears and limitations. Like the Israelites exploring Canaan, our job is to obey and explore, while God’s job is to deliver and provide. When we step out in faith, pray boldly, and focus on His power—not our fear—nothing is impossible for Him.
Complaining can pull our hearts out of step with God, making His provision, plan, and power seem smaller than they are. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, unchecked grumbling shifts our focus from trust and gratitude to discontent and craving. God calls us to replace complaint with faith-filled gratitude, keeping in step with His Spirit and shining as lights in a grumbling world.
When life feels like a wilderness—dry, uncertain, and uncomfortable—God is still guiding every step. This week’s message reminded us that His presence, like the cloud and fire for Israel, leads us in His perfect timing, whether He says “go” or “wait.” The call is simple but challenging: keep in step with His Spirit, trust His heart, and move only when He moves.
Jesus commands us to both go where He sends and tell others the good news boldly and lovingly. Going means stepping out of our comfort zones to engage with the people around us, while telling means sharing our personal faith story with courage and grace. We don’t do this alone—Jesus promises His presence and empowers us through the Holy Spirit. Living out the Great Commission means living missionally every day, both in our actions and conversations.