A message from the series "Asking for a Friend." 08/16/2026 Asking For A Friend | Why does God allow good people to suffer?
John 9:1-3

When suffering doesn’t make sense, can I still trust the goodness of God?
We suffer because we live in a broken world. None of us gets through life without suffering. God is good, God is near. Suffering is not the end.

John 9 - The Man Born Blind - what we need to understand about suffering.
1. Suffering is part of a broken world. Not all suffering is punishment. Not all suffering is caused by sin, but all suffering exists because we live in a world broken by sin.
2. God can bring good out of what is broken. (See Rom 8:28) God doesn’t have to call something good in order to bring good from it.
3. God entered our suffering. (See John 1: 1-4a & 1 Peter 3:18a)
4. Suffering will not have the final word. (See Rev 21:4). Can I trust God when I don’t understand why He allows me to suffer?

In the face of pain and suffering:
1. Be honest about your pain
2. Look to the Cross. The Cross does not explain everything God allows, but it settles whether God loves us.
3. Trust God with what you don’t understand.

I don’t know why it happened, but I do trust the One who allows it to happen.

A message from the series "Asking for a Friend." 08/09/2026 Asking For A Friend | Can I Really Trust The Bible?

Is the Bible trustworthy enough for you to build your life on?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
“All of Your commands can be trusted.” Psalm 119: 86 (NCV)

I Can Trust The Bible Because:
1. It’s historically accurate! “The Word of the Lord is right and true.” Psalm 33:4 (NIV) Eye-witness accounts; manuscript evidence; extreme care in copies; archeological accuracy.
2. It’s scientifically accurate! “Every word of God is flawless.” Proverbs 30:5 (NIV). “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay and purified seven ties.” Psalm 12:6 (NIV)
3. It’s prophetically accurate! “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction.” 2 Peter 1:21 (GW) | “But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” Matthew 26:56 (NLT) | “The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord…sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.’” Rev 22:6 (NIV)
4. It’s thematically accurate! “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in ALL the Scriptures concerning Himself.” Luke 24: 27 (NIV) | “You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” John 5:39 (NLT)
5. It’s confirmed by Jesus! “Jesus said, ‘Tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished!’” Matt 5:18 (NIV)
6. It’s survived all attacks! “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matt 24:35 (NIV) | “The Grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.’ 1 Peter: 24-25 (NIV)
7. It has transforming power! “Jesus said, ‘If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!’” John 8:31-32 (KJV)

THE BIG QUESTION:
What will be the authority for my life?
“Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV) | “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3: 16 (NIV)

A message from the series "Asking for a Friend." 08/02/2026 | Asking For A Friend | Why Would A Loving God Send People To Hell? | Matthew 25:31-46

BIG IDEA: A loving God does not ignore sin, He judges it justly, and through Jesus offers mercy freely.

God is not intimidated by your questions.

Whois this King?
1. The King appears in glory (v31).
See Isaiah 6: 3b, 5
2. The King’s standard reveals every heart (v32).
See Romans 3:23, 28. Our works reveal the reality of our hearts.
3. The King renders a perfect verdict. How will you stand before God?
See Romans 3:10a
4. The King who judges is the King who took our judgment.
See 2 Cor 5:21; Romans 5:8. The Cross is proof of God’s love for us.
5. The King’s invitation is still open.
See 2 Peter 3:9 and John 6:37

The better question is “Why would a Holy God make a way for sinners like us to spend eternity with Him?

The King who invites us will one day judge us.
So, how do you respond?
1. Come honestly before God. (Transparency)
2. Look to the Cross continuously.
3. Surrender to the King every day.

A message from the series "UNDER PRESSURE." 07-19-2026 | Under Pressure | Stronger than Before | Romans 8

BIG IDEA: Pressure isn’t proof that God has abandoned you. Th pressure is real, but God’s presence is greater.

What if God is actually using the pressure to accomplish something you?

Pressure reminds us that this world isn’t our home.(Romans 8:18-25). Pressure reveals a broken world, not an absent God.

Pressure is God’s workshop. (Romans 8: 26-30). God’s goal is not making your life easier, it’s making you more like Jesus.

Pressure cannot stop God’s purpose. (Romans 8:31-39). Victory isn’t escaping pressure, it’s experiencing God’s nearness in it.

The pressure of today is preparing the you of tomorrow. God doesn’t waste your pressure. He uses it to make you more like Jesus.

1. The pressure is real.
2. You’re not broken or abandoned because of it.
3. Jesus is with you through all of it.
4. God is using the pressure for good.
5. God is transforming you through the pressure.
6. It will be worth it.

A message from the series "UNDER PRESSURE." 07-12-2026 | Under Pressure | When Nothing Changes | 2 Cor 12:1-10

BIG PICTURE: God’s grace is greater than the pressure that remains.

Pressure is not proof that God has abandoned you. The reality is that things may never change.
The pressure that feels like it’s breaking you may be the very thing God is using to build you up.

“My grace is sufficient for you” Grace = the ability to move on, despite your circumstances. Sufficient = more than enough, an over-abundance given each day.

Your weakness becomes the platform for God’s power.

“God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him” John Piper

God displays His power when you surrender your weakness. (v10)
Your endurance is evidence of His presence.

When nothing changes…
1. Keep trusting Jesus with your thorn. (Phil 4:6-7).
2. Let God’s grace become enough. Let go of your expectations.
3. Let your weakness display Christ’s strength.

A message from the series "UNDER PRESSURE." 07-05-2026 Under Pressure | Disappointed with God | John 11

BIG PICTURE: What feels unfair to you may be serving a purpose that is bigger than you can imagine.

Disappointed with Jesus…
1. Understand that every difficulty is an opportunity for your good and God’s glory.
2. Remember that this difficulty may not be something you would choose, but it is something that God will use.
3. God’s purposes for His glory were fulfilled because Jesus showed up “late”.

So, what do we do when God doesn’t do what we expect Him to do?
1. Don’t let what you don’t understand cause you to doubt what you already know. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. Let your disappointment drive you toward Jesus, not away from Him.
3. Trust that God is doing more than you can see. When God makes you wait, it doesn’t necessarily mean He is saying no.

A message from the series "UNDER PRESSURE." 06/28/2026 Psalm 13
Under Pressure | Grief That Won’t Go Away

BIG IDEA: Grief may linger, but God has not left

“HOW LONG?”
1. Grief often feels like God is far away. (vs 1-2) Feeling abandoned by God is not the same as being abandoned by God. In the midst of your grief, remember that God is present in it with you.
2. Grief must be brought to God. (vs 3-4) (1Peter 5:7) Faith isn’t the absence of grief, faith is bringing your grief to God.
3. Grief doesn’t”t get the final word. (vs 5-6) Grief won’t change your circumstances, but it will grow your confidence in God’s character.

When the grief won’t go away…
1. Stop fighting the “how long”? It’s ok to question God. Be patient while you wait for His answer.
2. Bring your pain to God. (Psalm 62:8; Heb 4:16) God is a refuge for you.
3. Anchor yourself in God’s character. (Heb 13:8) God never changes.

A message from the series "UNDER PRESSURE." 06/21/2026 Genesis 37-50
Under Pressure | When Life’s Not Fair

BIG IDEA: What feels unfair to you may be serving a purpose that is bigger than you. Pressure is not proof that God has abandoned you.

The pressure is real, God’s presence is greater! It’s not about avoiding the pressure, it’s about finding God through the pressure.

Joseph and unfairness:
The Lord was with Joseph. God’s presence in our lives is not determined by our circumstances. God is not absent in our silent times.
The evil that we are faced with every day will be used by God for our good and for His Glory.

Three truths that can anchor us when we’re walking through our own unfair chapter:
1. Unfair treatment doesn’t mean that God has abandoned you. God is steadfast and faithful. (Hebrews 13:5)
2. Delay doesn’t mean denial. God is building our character while we wait on Him.
3. Trust God with the whole story, not just the chapter. Look at the big picture.

A message from the series "UNDER PRESSURE." 06/14/2026 1 Kings 19
Under Pressure | The Pressure Is Real, God’s Presence Is Greater
BIG IDEA: What feels like breaking down may actually be God building you up.
Pressure is not proof that God has abandoned you. Don’t avoid the pressure, learn how God shows up in it.
Four things Elijah learned in his weakness:
1. Pressure reveals what success conceals. Pressure revealed Elijah’s fear, isolation and his distorted perspective. Burnout often causes us to make permanent conclusions based on temporary feelings.
2. God often cares for us before He corrects us. God understands that weary people often need rest before they need answers.
3. God’s power may amaze, but His presence transforms. When exhaustion takes over, feelings often become louder than facts. It’s not about God’s power, it’s about His presence.
4. God uses pressure to prepare us. God often uses pressure to move us from seeking His power to resting in His presence.
In the face of pressure and burnout:
1. Stop seeing your exhaustion as failure. (should’ve, would’ve, could’ve)
2. Don’t miss God’s presence because you’re looking for His power. God usually shows up in the quiet times.
3. Trust and rest in the fact that God is doing more than you can see.

A message from the series "Strong & Courageous." 05/31/2026 Strong & Courageous | Choose Today
Joshua 23-24
Big Idea: Today’s devotion shapes tomorrow’s direction.
God finishes what He starts. People rarely walk away from God all at once They slowly stop choosing Him day by day.
Four practical challenges for living that stay devoted to God:
1. Remember God’s faithfulness. You are standing here because God has been faithful. Forgotten faithfulness weakens present devotion. What past faithfulness of God do you need to revisit to strengthen your present trust?
2. Remove what competes for your devotion. Trust god and cling to Him. Beware of internal drift. It takes courage to start following God. It takes greater courage to keep following Hi faithfully over time. What you tolerate today will eventually shape who you become. What is quietly competing with God for first place in your life?
3. Choose daily whom you will serve. There is no middle road, follow God or live according to your earthly desires. (Matt 24: 9-13; Joshua 24:5; Rom 5:8; Col 1:13) Following Jesus isn’t self-improvement, it’s self-surrender. What choice do you need to make today before drift takes you further?
4. Build rhythms that reinforce your devotion. What rhythms need to change if you want your devotion to stay strong?

Three decisions you need to make to live fully devoted to the Lord:
1. Decide what needs to go. What competes for your devotions shapes who you become.
2. Decide what faithfulness looks like. Being faithful takes hard work.
3. Decide what needs to be reinforced. Choose wisely.