Groundwork: Biblical Foundations for Life

You Belong. Be Rooted in Christ’s Love.

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Keeping a strong faith can be hard when life’s circumstances are difficult. It’s easy to second guess what we know to be true when everything around us seems to challenge or oppose that truth. The Ephesian Christians knew firsthand how it felt to question whether or not God’s promises really extended to them and whether or not they were really part of God’s plan. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds the believers of God’s original plan for inclusion and affirms their identity in Christ and their belonging to God’s family. Join Groundwork as we study Ephesians 3 to receive the Apostle Paul’s assurance that we belong in God’s family, that his promises are, indeed, for us, and to be blessed by his prayer for the Holy Spirit to root us in Christ’s love.

Life and Reconciliation in Christ

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Injustice and sin are rampant in our world. And much of it flows from humanity’s sinful inclination to literally and metaphorically build walls to exclude others. In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul discusses this human tendency. He reminds us that before Christ we were spiritually dead, and without Christ, we continue to be so. But Paul seeks also to energize our faith in the midst of discouraging circumstances. He unpacks the profound truth of God’s grace so we can find hope in God’s gift of life to us through Jesus Christ. But God doesn’t just break the curse of sin and then leave us alone; no, says Paul, God draws near. Join us as we reflect on Paul’s assurance that, in Jesus Christ, God’s grace is abundant and in it, we can find justice, reconciliation, and belonging in God’s family.

God's Plan and Spiritual Blessings

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

When life seems inexplicable and out of control, it’s easy to feel anxious or unsure. Having a plan can bring us assurance in such circumstances. Having a plan ensures we know what direction we’re headed. It often also means we know what comes next and who is going to do what. In Ephesians 1, the Apostle Paul reassures the early Christians in Ephesus, and us, that God most definitely has a salvation plan, and that his plan isn’t just a reaction to what’s going on in the moment. God put his salvation plan in place before creation. Join us to study and discuss Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 1 and find assurance that God has not abandoned us, but that he actively cares for his creation and provides his Holy Spirit to us as a seal that helps us trust that God is in control.

Christmas Hope: Mary and Christ's birth

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

As our study of the women in Jesus’ family tree draws to a close and we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we’re reminded that even his birth was mired by the appearance of scandal. Join Groundwork for a Christmas reflection on the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus and the last woman named in his genealogy. Together, we’ll discover a God and a Savior who draws close, who does not move away from our sin and pain, but instead comes alongside us, and in the process, redefines righteousness and who belongs in God’s family. Find comfort in God’s grace and great love as we study the true wonder of Christmas together.

Christmas Hope: Bathsheba

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Life is messy. No matter how hard we try, it’s impossible to be perfect. This can be so hard and uncomfortable at Christmas when we want everything to feel cheerful and bring back warm fuzzy memories, but the reality is, our stories are filled with sin and brokenness: mistakes, missteps, and moments when our best simply was not enough. Join Groundwork for an Advent reflection on the story of Bathsheba, the fourth woman referenced in Jesus’ genealogy. Through the story of “Uriah’s wife,” Bathsheba, we witness the traumatic results of King David’s sin and we are invited to take an honest look at our own experiences of brokenness. Together, through Bathsheba’s story, we’ll remember why Jesus needed to come, seek the truth of God’s abundant forgiveness, and celebrate Jesus’ coming at Christmas.

Christmas Hope: Ruth

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Life has its difficult seasons and when the trials and challenges drag on with no end in sight, it’s easy to wonder if God cares. Sometimes we even question if continued faithfulness is worth the effort. Join Groundwork for an Advent reflection on the story of Ruth, the third woman named in Jesus’ genealogy. Ruth faced many trials in her life that left her very vulnerable. But in her story, we’ll discover how God uses the simple faithfulness of both her and Boaz to ensure the continuation of the Messiah’s family tree. Together, we’ll remember that God does not forget his people and that he chose to enfold faithful foreigners into his family in order to bring forth his salvation plan for the entire world.

Christmas Hope: Rahab

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Do you ever question why God would want you in his family? Do you ever feel like you just don’t belong or that you’re too messed up to bother saving? These feelings are difficult any time of the year but can be particularly acute during the Christmas season. Join Groundwork for an Advent reflection on the story of Rahab. Rahab is the second woman named in Jesus’ genealogy. She was a prostitute, she wasn’t an Israelite, and she was seemingly as unworthy of belonging in God’s family as one could get. Yet, Rahab is called by name in Jesus’ family tree. Join us in discovering biblical truths about faith, deliverance, and belonging in Rahab’s story. Together, we’ll find encouragement for our own faith in this unexpected story of God’s grace.

Christmas Hope: Tamar

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

If you feel far from God this Christmas—or if you just need a reminder that nothing can separate you from his love—then join Groundwork for an Advent reflection on the story of Tamar. Tamar is the first woman named in Jesus’ family tree. She is not an Israelite. Her story exposes sinfulness and sexual sin in Jesus’ genealogy. But it also reminds us that this is why Jesus comes. In his love and grace, Jesus comes to provide a way to belong for outsiders, sinners, and those who are sinned against. This Christmas, find hope to bolster your faith in the story of Tamar.

Jonah: Discovering God's Heart

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

If someone asked you whether or not you wanted to know and understand the heart of God, you’d likely say “yes!”Join Groundwork as we conclude our study of Jonah, gain deeper insight into the heart of God, and witness the stark contrast between our human tendencies and God’s sovereignty. As God questions and teaches Jonah, he gives us a unique opportunity to see his heart. Together, we’ll marvel at the ways God continually provides in order to deliver us and meet our needs, we’ll hear God’s strong critique of the us vs. them mentality, and we’ll recognize God’s invitation to align our hearts with his. We’ll close by reflecting on how we can respond to God’s relentless love and abundant mercy in our own lives today.

Jonah: Doing God's Work

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

God has work for each of us to do. It doesn’t matter who we are, what we’ve done, or how inadequate we feel, God has a message of relentless love and abundant mercy for us to share with people who need to hear it. As we continue studying the book of Jonah, we’re reminded that our God is a God of second chances—both for us and for others. Whether we like it or not, God is eager to spread his compassion and mercy through us. Together, let's grow deeper in our understanding of how much God cares even about people who don’t know—and maybe even don’t care—about him, and let’s discover the courage to never give up on someone or let our bias hinder our commitment to follow God’s call in the world today.

Jonah: Praying for God's Deliverance

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

When we find ourselves in a situation that we cannot fix, it’s natural to feel anxious, desperate, overwhelmed, exhausted, and scared. Sometimes our own bad choices or actions have caused our situation, sometimes not, but the story of Jonah reminds us that no matter what we’ve done or what we’ve experienced, it is never too late to pray. God is ready to hear us, to deliver us, and to offer his abundant mercy. In Jonah, we find encouragement for times of trouble, assurance of God’s constant presence, and a better understanding of the work of Jesus Christ.

Jonah: Running Away from God

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, doing what God wants us to do is no easy task. It may be uncomfortable. It may be countercultural. It may even cause others to judge or turn away from you. Sometimes, when God calls us to act, we simply just don’t want to do it. There are so many reasons we might neglect, ignore, or even run away from God’s call in our lives. God’s prophet Jonah knew this feeling all too well. As we study the story of Jonah running away from God, we discover important truths, not only about obedience but about the very character of God. We recognize his persistent and relentless love for us. And we begin to understand that at the heart of God’s call in each of our lives is a call to love people as he loves them.

Your Questions about Discipleship, the Holy Spirit, and Death

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

As we encounter our life experiences from the perspective of faith it is natural to develop questions about the Bible and what it means to live faithfully in each season of our lives. On this episode of Groundwork, we're discussing questions and topics you sent us this past year. Together, we’ll study Scripture to talk about our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, and what happens after death.

Your Questions about God, Sin, Evil, and Evangelism

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Faith is a journey, and whether you are new to the Christian faith or whether you have been a believer your whole life, it is normal to have questions along the way. We’re honored when you share those questions with us. In this episode, we’re discussing questions and topics you sent us this past year. Together, we’ll study God’s Word to talk about: the forgiveness of sins and whether or not we need to be able to identify and remember all of our sins, God’s sovereignty and whether or not he is the author of evil, and both our role and the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism.

You Shall Not Covet

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Have you ever desired to possess what God gave someone else? Maybe a job, a house, an opportunity, or a talent? When we covet, it not only reveals a lack of trust in God’s providence, but it can have a pervasive and damaging effect on our attitudes, our relationships, and our communities. Together, let’s study the tenth commandment that tells us not to covet so that we can better understand the spiritual and relational implications of coveting and identify ways we can combat covetousness and enhance gratitude in our lives.

You Shall Not Give False Testimony

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

It is surprisingly easy to break the ninth commandment and often more tempting than we realize. It might seem like giving false testimony or false witness is limited to lying in a court of law, but what about those times we twist someone’s words or leave out vital information in order to help us prove our point? What about those times when we keep silent instead of speaking up to defend another person? Join Groundwork as we study scripture from the Old and New testaments to learn more about the relationship between our words and our character. What does the ninth commandment reveal about the condition of our hearts when we bear false witness and the importance of truth? And how can we cultivate practices of truthfulness in our daily lives to maintain our fellowship with Jesus and with each other in the way God desires?

You Shall Not Steal

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0000

It can be easy to dismiss the eighth command, “you shall not steal,” as irrelevant if you’ve never actually shoplifted or committed burglary, but in reality, stealing isn’t limited to physical property. We can also steal ideas, identities, or someone else’s sense of security. And when we do steal, it can be tempting to justify our actions with excuses based on our merit, desperation, or idealism. But stealing often stems from our human tendency to compare ourselves to others and it reveals our lack of trust in God’s provision. Join Groundwork as we study this eighth commandment and dig into scriptures that help us better understand the damage stealing causes in our relationships, what it says about the state of our hearts, and what attitudes we can cultivate to help curb any temptation to steal something for our own benefit.

You Shall Not Commit Adultery

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The Ten Commandments help us see that our relationships are important to God. The seventh commandment, “you shall not commit adultery” helps us live rightly in sacred marriage relationships. Join Groundwork as we study the story of David and Bathsheba, a biblical example of adultery, and other New Testament scriptures to help us better understand why marriage is sacred, why adultery is so particularly intimate and painful, and why it negatively affects not just those who sin, but also those who are sinned against. We recognize divorce is an unfortunate, but common reality for both justified and unjustified reasons, so together we’ll discuss this commandment in light of that reality and talk about how we find the hope and grace to help us forgive or receive forgiveness and recommit to keeping this commandment.

You Shall Not Murder

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The sixth commandment “You shall not murder” seems quite straightforward. And yet, we know that sometimes people kill in wars, or in self-defense, and so we need to ask ourselves is it ever ok to kill? In Ecclesiastes it says that there is a time to kill, so how do we reconcile that with this commandment? And what exactly does the sixth commandment demand of us? Join Groundwork as we study the first murder recorded in the Bible and other passages in both the Old and New Testaments to gain a deeper understanding of the sixth commandment and discover why recognizing each person as an image-bearer of God is so vital to helping us keep it.

Honor Your Parents and Authorities

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The fifth commandment is proof that God cares about our families. At first glance, it may seem like God is only providing direction for children, but the fifth commandment has implications for those in authority too. Join Groundwork in studying God’s command to “honor your father and mother” and together we’ll examine scripture to better understand what this commandment means for children, for parents, for our spiritual life, and for our relationship with other authority figures. And because abuse of power and broken family relationships can make this commandment particularly painful for some of us, we’ll discuss what this commandment means and what it looks like to honor it in situations of abusive authority too.

Remember the Sabbath

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

What does sabbath mean to you? Is it a day with a lot of rules that mean you can’t do anything except go to church? Or is it a gift from God? Why does God want us to remember the sabbath? What does it mean to keep it holy? Join Groundwork as we study the second of the Ten Commandments to better understand the purpose of keeping a sabbath and why God wants us to follow the rhythm of sabbath in our lives and set aside time for rest and enjoyment. Together we’ll discuss the implications of sabbath on our values, our priorities, and our relationship with God and we’ll discuss the practices and activities that help us cultivate the rhythm of sabbath in our lives.

Honor the Lord Your God

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The first three of the Ten Commandments all provide guidance for our relationship with God: have no other gods before God, don’t create or bow down to idols, and don’t take God’s name in vain. These commands may seem restrictive, but their purpose is to help us honor God’s character, keep God in our hearts, and give God the reverence he deserves. Join Groundwork as we discuss the first three commandments, why we still keep them, and what it looks like to follow them in our lives today.

God is Faithful, Consistent, and Keeps His Promises

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

It can be really hard to trust in God’s provision especially when we seem to repeatedly “lose” and when we so desperately need something to go our way. Sometimes, life’s difficult circumstances are the result of our failure, but sometimes we’ve done nothing wrong and life’s circumstances are simply beyond our control. No matter the reason for our suffering, the Bible urges us to remember God’s character. In story after story, scripture reminds us that God is faithful, even when we are not; it reminds us that his character is consistent and unchanging; and that he is a covenant God. Discover why covenant is important and how we can be confident that God will keep his promises.

God's Perfect Peace

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Do you long for peace? There’s no doubt that this world lacks the peace that so many of us crave. In our personal lives, we deal with all kinds of uncertainty: maybe you’re awaiting the results of medical tests, or in the midst of a chaotic divorce, or experiencing the instability of a job change or move. Maybe your personal life is good at the moment, but you still long for peace in a world torn apart by polarization and injustice. At times like this, how do we find the strength to declare “it is well with our souls,” even though our circumstances may not be well at the moment? Join Groundwork as we study God’s promises in scripture to better understand the truth of God’s perfect peace and to discover how we can experience this peace for ourselves, even when the circumstances of our lives aren't very peaceful.

God Always Cares and Never Leaves

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Whether life’s changes are good or bad, not knowing outcomes and not yet having answers can lead us to question God. We might feel lonely, uncertain, and anxious and even wonder if God cares or hears our cries. Yet, turning to scripture in the storms of life can provide the comfort and reassurance we long for. Join Groundwork as we study passages in both the Old and New Testaments that remind us and give us examples of just how much God cares about us and the details of our lives. Discover again how his constant, reliable presence and character can encourage us in our discipleship and give us strength to cope with life’s changing circumstances.

Stand Firm in the Reality of Christ's Resurrection

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

After the Apostle Paul started the church in Corinth, others came after him that began to teach the Corinthian Christians differently. These false teachers were challenging Paul’s teaching on the resurrection, a crucial and important truth at the heart of the Christian faith. Influenced by the culture around them, they suggested that Christ’s resurrection was not a true, physical, bodily resurrection. As Paul responds to these false teachings, he is adamant that it is necessary to believe in the truth of Christ’s bodily resurrection. Discover what Paul says are the consequences for our faith if Jesus is not raised from the dead and why this truth is crucial to the gospel message. Learn from Paul’s message to the Corinthians why you can continue to stand firm today on the truth and reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Love: the Guiding Principle for Christian Living

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Every church is made up of broken, sinful believers redeemed by the blood of Christ. But far too often our human condition gets the better of us and we argue, disagree, inflict pain on one another, and sometimes even experience a break in a relationship. This reality is not unique to the modern church. The Corinthian church struggled with unity too. They did not care for one another as they should have and the church had an almost clique-like mentality. In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul calls their behavior unacceptable and instructs them to make Christ-like love their guiding principle for their thoughts, motives, and actions. He also gives them further teaching on spiritual gifts so they can better understand the value of each of their members. Studying Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian Christians provides guidance for us still today as we seek to worship and live well together in community.

Understanding Christian Freedom

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Freedom is a value most of us cherish and protect. But what happens when our personal freedom is in direct conflict with someone else’s personal freedom? How do our Christian faith and our freedom in Christ help us navigate these conflicts and make it possible to continue living in unity? And how can we be sure that our efforts to live in unity don’t compromise our integrity or cause us to become lukewarm or wishy-washy Christians? Join us as we study the Apostle Paul’s guidance to the early Christians in 1 Corinthians to discover the wisdom we seek to reconcile these questions. Discover why Paul does not equate personal freedom with Christian freedom and why remembering the second Greatest Commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39)—helps us embrace our Christian freedom more fully.

Sex, Food, and Faith-Informed Choices

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

How does faith in God affect the daily choices you make? Sometimes, it’s easy or clear to see how faith influences a decision. Should I steal? No, that wouldn’t be the choice of a faithful Christian. But other things are less clear. Can I enjoy sex or is it sinful? Can I eat anything I want or do I need to be more discerning? The early Christians in Corinth had many questions about how they should best honor God through their choices and they sought advice from the Apostle Paul. Let’s study Paul’s guidance to the Corinthians so that we can glean his wisdom and gain a better understanding of God’s vision for how we honor and glorify him through our choices and how our faith informs how we act—in our personal lives, in our relationships, and in our communities.

You Belong to Jesus! Act Like it.

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The early Christians in the Corinthian church had many questions about how their faith impacted various aspects of their lives. You might be surprised that many of the topics the Apostle Paul advised them on in his letter are things we’re still wrestling with today: sexuality and sexual immorality, accountability in the life of the church, and lawsuits or disagreements among believers. Discover why in each of these situations Paul admonished believers to remember their identity as those baptized in Christ and to act accordingly.

Only Glorify Jesus

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

As humans, we almost can’t help but make comparisons. But when comparing distracts us from what’s true and what’s important, then it becomes unhelpful and even problematic. The Christians in Corinth struggled with a comparison problem. As Paul addresses their problem in 1 Corinthians, he offers not only the Corinthians, but us too a valuable perspective on power, authority, and leadership in the church, and a vital reminder that Christ is the foundation upon which we should build all things. Together, let’s study Paul’s guidance to the Corinthians to gain a better understanding of what it means to dwell in Christ and live and work as believers today.

Holy People, God's Wisdom, and the Power of the Cross

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The Apostle Paul opens his letter to the Corinthian church by addressing those who are "sanctified and called." But we quickly discover that much like ourselves, the Corinthian church was full of imperfect believers sorting out the impact of their faith on how they lived in the world. In the opening chapters of this letter, Paul reminds believers that God’s wisdom may not make sense by the world’s standards, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Join us in digging into Paul’s reminder that when we are confused or need help discerning God’s way, we should return back to the basics and the heart of the gospel message.

Discipleship During Life's Tragedies

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

There are so many unexpected situations in life that are beyond our control and that have a profound impact on our faith: the death of loved ones, natural disasters, lost jobs...How do we respond with faith when we suffer? What happens to our discipleship while we experience grief, pain, frustration, and anger? How can we be sure that tragedy and trauma don’t shatter our faith? Join us as we study scriptures together and receive assurance that God cares about all your experiences and emotions, good and bad. Find out what the Bible says it takes, and what God provides, to stay the course of discipleship in the midst of life’s tragedies.

When Discipleship Growth Stalls

Fri, 28 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Sometimes the things we do and say are out of sync with the faith we profess to believe as disciples of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we make mistakes and consequently experience setbacks in our discipleship journey. These seasons of stagnation in our spiritual growth are not necessarily evidence of weak faith or failure. Even the Apostle Peter experienced setbacks in his journey of discipleship. Scripture is clear that God is with us even during these seasons, guiding and helping us understand what he expects and what he is doing for us. Join us as we study the scriptures to better understand the value of repentance and the ready abundance of God’s grace and forgiveness for reinvigorating our own discipleship growth.

Grow as a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Fri, 21 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

We should expect to grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ. What does that growth look like? What is this “solid food” the Apostle Paul says is for mature followers of Jesus? How can we be sure we’re maturing? Thankfully, we don’t need to figure it all out on our own. By his grace, God provides his Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and supply what we need for spiritual growth. Find out how to live as a maturing disciple of Jesus and discover the signs of dynamic discipleship already apparent in your own life.

Be a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Fri, 14 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

So you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, now what? While Jesus Christ has done the heavy lifting of salvation for us, that doesn’t mean we are fully formed disciples of Christ at conversion. In fact, our discipleship journey is a lifelong one. So, what do Christians mean by the term discipleship? When does discipleship begin? What does it look like? The Apostle Paul talks about spiritual milk, what is that? Explore these questions with Groundwork as we look to scripture to help us understand what it means to live as disciples of Christ today and as we explore the importance of community in our discipleship journey.

Our Faithful God and His Enduring Word

Fri, 07 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes neutral, and sometimes downright awful. Any type of transition in life can create uncertainty and anxiety in us. But one thing scripture assures us over and over again is that our God is faithful and constant. No matter what we’re going through, God is with us. We may feel distant from him or wonder what he’s doing, but through it all, we can trust that he’s with us because the Bible assures us this is true. Today, we’ll examine some of those promises in scripture as we recognize a significant change here on Groundwork. Together, we’ll say goodbye, thank you, and God bless you to our co-host, Dave Bast, as he retires and we’ll also welcome his successor, Darrell Delaney, to the co-host seat alongside Scott Hoezee. While one voice behind the mic may be changing, God’s Word endures and so does our commitment to dig deeply into scripture to lay the foundation for our lives.

Lean Into God's Grace

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

During any season of rebuilding, it’s vital to reacquaint ourselves with God’s word. Whether we’ve been faithful to God all along or whether we’ve strayed from him long ago, we can only rediscover our place in God’s story by reading and retelling it in community. Discover how Ezra led the Israelites in reading God’s word during their rebuilding of Jerusalem and be reminded that when life’s challenges feel insurmountable, when the guilt of the past overwhelms, when loneliness and a temptation to give up creep in, we don’t need to rely on our own ability to cling to God. Because of his great love for us, God—in his grace—has already given us the antidote we need to carry us through.

Building Blocks for Biblical Success

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

When we are rebuilding after our life has fallen apart, even the smallest opposition can feel like an insurmountable force. Sometimes people mean well but derail our progress. Other times people purposely thwart our efforts, simply because they don’t want to see us succeed. Whether our opposition comes from external pressure or even our own internal fears, doubts, and shame, we can learn a lot about the essential building blocks for biblical success from Ezra and Nehemiah. Their response to the external and internal opposition that threatened their progress while rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple, model for us how prayer, work, compassion, and grace can align us with God’s will and help us maintain forward momentum as we rebuild against all odds.

Making Sense of Setbacks

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Struggle, discouragement, and setbacks are unpleasant, yet all too common experiences in life. Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get ahead? Maybe you’ve been given a second chance and you’re trying to do your best against all odds, but you’re confused about the way forward. While we may not always understand why things happen, the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah and the setbacks they faced while rebuilding Jerusalem encourage us to persevere. Their stories offer us a biblical strategy for enduring our own trials and setbacks today.

Know that God is Working

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

When the circumstances of life create an uncertain future, people of faith long to know where God is in their situation and what he’s doing. Whether we’re in the midst of a naturally occurring life change like retirement or rebuilding after something devastating like cancer or job loss, we can turn to the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah as they rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and discover reassurance that God is at work in our lives—even when progress is slow or we aren’t sure what he is doing.

It is Finished

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

It’s easy to assume that when Jesus Christ declares “It is finished,” he means his suffering is finished. But as we study his final word from the cross, we discover it is really a cry of accomplishment. He is declaring his work done. His sacrifice is complete and death conquered. The victory is his! The triumph we proclaim at Easter is just the beginning of our reconciled, reunited relationship with God. Because of Jesus, it is once again possible for God to dwell among his people and for us to respond to him in faith.