Canyon Ridge Christian Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Canyon Ridge Christian Church
Welcome to the weekly podcast from Canyon Ridge Christian Church! Here you'll find our weekend messages every Sunday afternoon. This is a place where you can discover a community that will help you take your next steps into what God is doing. Find out more about Canyon Ridge at http://canyonridge.org/
Have you ever shared good news in a place you were welcomed in? In Acts 13, God made Paul and Barnabus the light to the Gentiles and many even became believers. So how can you share the gospel where you’re welcomed?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49647981
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
What languages do you speak? In Acts chapter 13, we see that even over hundreds of years, the message of the Gospel never changed even when the language did. What does the Gospel sound like where you are?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49644696
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever changed someone’s mind? In Acts chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit and changed the mind of a governor into becoming a believer. Where could you be an influence this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49641671
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
When was the last time you had to wait for something that took a long time? Across the Book of Acts, we see followers of Jesus practice being with the Holy Spirit as they gather, worship, pray, fast and take time to wait and hear what He has to tell them. Where do we need to shift our own rhythms, so we can create space to be more attentive to the Holy Spirit today?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49638556
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org/
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
What should we do when we hit a wall in the middle of our path? In Acts 8 and 11, we see a man named Barnabas and his friends encounter several walls that they could given up on, but instead they see how to continue and not just give up. So how can we turn our “can’t because” into a “can if?”
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49635546
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
As image-bearers of God, what do we do with freedom? Romans 6 invites us to be free from sin and choices that wreck us. All the while, Galatians 5 encourages us to be free for the sake of others, bringing them to Christ. When you've experienced freedom in Jesus, how can you serve others in love by how you live?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49633096
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do image-bearers live in a government that isn’t perfect? Romans 13 states God’s intention for the government’s role to punish what is wrong and to promote good, but also reminds us that its authority is delegated authority. So as we look through our lens of the government on Earth, what should we start, stop, or maybe change to look more toward God as image-bearers?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49629244
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
Are we created in the image of our human father or God our Father? Well, both. Often, we let our image of “father” shape our image of God. As we are adopted into God’s family, what could happen when we let our image of God shape our image of fatherhood?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49626151
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What does it mean to be made in God’s image? As we see in Genesis 1, image-bearing is our first identity. But when we fail to view ourselves and others through that lens, things can go very wrong. Thankfully, with Jesus, we can imagine a world where people are free by God’s spirit to represent Him and bring flourishing to everyone around them.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49623009
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
We will always harvest what we plant, even in our friendships. When we show up for our friends and bring the fruit of the Spirit, we are preaching the gospel with our interactions. To become more like Jesus, how can we do the work of change with the help of the Spirit and some friends?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49619819
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What if we asked: God, what do you want to change about my approach to friendships? Sometimes, we don’t take steps in community because we think we just don’t have time. But as we see in Ephesians 5 and Galatians 6, God created us from relationship for relationships. How can you be full of care in how you invest your time, and realign your calendar to form your friendships?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49616512
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org/
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/
Friendship is hard work, but always worth the risk. We need the affirmation, support and truth that comes with meaningful friendship. As we see across Scripture, committed friends remind us of God’s love for us, by how they choose to be with us and for us. How can you be the kind of friend you’d like to find?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49613313
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
The grace you experience, you did nothing to deserve; God extends it freely to you. Just as Jonah discovered as he looked out at Nineveh, we also are invited to extend grace freely to others, even to “those people” whom you just don’t want to receive grace. Who is your “Nineveh” that you can extend grace toward because God first loved you?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49602847
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
The Scripture uses many metaphors to describe God's characteristics, one of which is motherhood. We see all throughout the Bible how motherhood reflects the image of God through His care, compassion, and love. Discover how God invites everyone to reflect His image and how so many ways that people mother point back to Him.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49606754
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When have you sought a second chance? Just like Jonah and the Ninevites, you’ve likely needed a fresh start before. In those moments, God’s desire is not to condemn you. He wants to rescue you, offering new life through His son, Jesus.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49602847
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What would it take for you to change your mind in Jesus' direction? When we can admit we are wrong and need help, we make the space for God to do the work in us to become disciple-makers! If we can accept it for ourselves, are we willing to offer it to others?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49599901
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Where are you tempted to take shortcuts in your formation? Your toughest seasons are your greatest invitation to be shaped by God. He does His greatest work in your weaknesses and challenges, if you’ll let Him. How can you trust God more with your formation this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49596573
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Why does it feel easy to blame people instead of problems? Staying together paints the picture of who God is to those around us. This sort of life requires that we remember why we are together and who we are becoming. Reconciliation is a mindset and a commitment. What step do you need to take to find your way back together again?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49593104
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you seen Jesus? Easter reveals the true character, person, and divine purpose of Jesus. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, all things are made new — even how you see yourself and others. Jesus changes everything!
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49589867
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do we find our way back together again after disappointment, with one another and with God? Division can breed when people are disappointed in one another. Relationships can break with unmet expectations. But we don’t have to settle for distance. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul teaches how, by pursuing unity in Jesus’ name.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49585863
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Who looks like Jesus because they have walked with us? As we see in 2 Corinthians, in many ways the Apostle Paul’s faithfulness was measured by the faith he handed to others. Like Paul, we don’t control how people respond, but it matters that we show up and it matters how we show up. After all, it is in God coming alongside us, and us coming alongside one another, that we find our way.
Message Notes: https://www.bible.com/events/49582521
Resources: https://www.canyonridge.org/
Blog: https://www.canyonridge.org/blog
With humility, patience, and grace, we can help others form convictions rooted in truth. We see this modeled across the early church, from Paul to Priscilla and Aquila. As followers of Jesus today, how can we lead others to the truth of the Gospel, even when that means offering redirection in love?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49579056
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
As we follow Jesus as our True North, we’re called to live in unity with fellow followers of Jesus. But what happens when we don’t agree? When sincere followers of Jesus read the same Scripture and form different opinions, what is the best way forward?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49575614
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
The best place to start is right where you are. God has a plan for you, starting here, and He will transform you more and more as you walk with Him. And, just as God met you, he calls you to meet others right where they are. How can you adjust your pace to walk with Jesus, and with others, this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49572048
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What does it mean for the Bible to be the living word of God? Hebrews 4 reminds us that the Bible is more than a book we read; it is the word of God that guides our lives. As disciple-makers, we are all on the journey of becoming more like Jesus, our True North, and the Bible is our compass, even when it might disagree with us.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49568696
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do you know you're headed north if you don't know how to read the compass? The Bible is the living Word of God, given to His people to learn and grow from it. It can be easy to parachute into the Bible, read it without context, or even believe it's too hard to understand. The story of the Bible is this: There was a time when God created all things with good in mind. When we start looking for good without God, He makes a way for us to pursue a relationship with Him through Jesus.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49565205RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do you course-correct your life in the direction of Jesus? Jesus is our true north, full of grace and truth. Scripture reminds us that we don't have to do this alone. Gathering people together in Jesus' name, reading and experiencing the scripture, and acting in conviction helps us get back on track.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49561794
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
There are lots of voices fighting for your attention. Who will you listen to? Who do you want to become? The voice of Jesus is one of grace and truth. He and His Word will transform you more and more into someone who walks with compassion and mercy without sacrificing truth or righteousness. Where can you invite Jesus to renew your mind this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49558466RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When God acts, and people respond differently to His action, Jesus warns that it can bring division. In this, Jesus invites us to declare the power in His name and to show up compassionately. The stakes are high, but they're worth it because He is coming to do something greater. We are the sent ones to bring Good News, not a burden. So, we pray, share, pray, share, pray, share.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49555408
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When He encountered a world needing better, Jesus leaned in and partnered with His people. He was sent to suffering and sends His followers to do the same. Matthew 10 reminds us that although we will be questioned, divided, called names, and threatened, He will give us answers and save us. He brings the truth, and He never leaves us. If we are sent to suffering, we can ask for wisdom, endurance, and presence. If we aren't, we should question if we are observers or participants.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49552188
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
We have been sent to share with others what we have received through a life with Jesus. How do we do that? We follow Jesus’ compassionate heart, leaning in when it’s easy to draw back. His compassionate response to suffering is to commission His followers. Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:1-14 remind us of the ways we show up as compassionate disciple-makers. We speak and act, give and receive, stay and go. How will you show up with compassion this week in places that seem easy to draw back?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49548735
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
To show compassion is to suffer with another person. You can’t show compassion from far away; you have to get close, offering patience, service, and love to the suffering. In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus demonstrates compassion and invites His followers to live compassionately, too. Where will you practice compassion this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49545344
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How will you make this new year different? Philippians 2 tells us that though Jesus was fully God, He was born a human to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. Now, the same God, the name above all names, partners and lives with us. How is God inviting you to embody Christ this new year?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49542395
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What kind of healing are you hopeful for? There will be a day with no more crying, no more pain, and the restoration of all things. This Christmas, celebrate that Jesus is with you and that He is coming again.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49541643
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When have you been let down by the false promises of the world? And in those moments, where do you look for peace? The Bible promises deep, true peace that can only be found with Jesus. With Him, all is well.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49539447
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When was the last time you felt lost in the dark? When we try to find good without God, we find ourselves far from the good God had in mind for us, trying to find our way in the dark. The Good News is that because of the promise fulfilled in Jesus, we have the opportunity to walk out of the darkness. The story of the gospel is a promise fulfilled that was set 700 years before Jesus' arrival on earth. Take a closer look at how Jesus is our light in the darkness.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49535972
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Are you living the with-God life? When Jesus was born, he was called “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” God promises to be with you always, and He is willing to be with anyone who is willing to be with Him. With him, you will experience a steadiness and salvation that cannot be found without. How can you make fresh space to be with God this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49532538
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do you respond to struggle? Jesus teaches His followers to pray against temptation, saying, “God, lead me and protect me.” Living Jesus’ way, even in the midst of struggle, looks different from the rest of the world. How can you practice standing firm in the face of temptation this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49528844
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Prayer creates the space for amazing things to happen in us and around us. Jesus paints the picture of a forgiving disciple-maker in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. How will people follow a forgiving Father if they don’t experience a forgiving people? Sparking a movement of disciple-makers takes extraordinary prayer and being able to reflect the characteristics of Jesus, especially forgiveness. How is God inviting you toward relationship with Him and His people?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49525887
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Prayer is deeply transformative. Jesus teaches people to pray with three simple points: Our Father; Your Way; Right Here. When you pray in this way, you align more and more with the things God wants. What can you bring to God through prayer this week?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49522419
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
God has good in mind when He partners with those who choose to have a relationship with Him. 2 Corinthians reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver —a person who decides in their own heart how they will respond to God's invitation. With Jesus, generous disciple-making is made possible through unity, sacrifice, generosity, trust, and surrender. Who are your people, and where is your place where you get to experience this kind of partnership with Jesus?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49518820
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What happens when people are united? Like orchestra members all tuned to the same note, unity occurs when people set their sights on the same thing together. Only then can a beautiful symphony be played. The Church is the same way. When people walk together in the direction of Jesus, their unity in Him speaks louder than all their differences.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49515548
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Jesus invites us to walk alongside Him to spark a movement of disciple-makers, with too many generations to count, in the city of Las Vegas and beyond. Paul experiences surrender, trust, and generosity on his journey to disciple-making, and he shares with the church in Philippi the impact of sacrifice. He reminds us that sacrifice is love in action, it is always costly, it builds legacy, and it is dying to self. Where is Jesus inviting you to sacrifice for Him and the people He loves?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49512150
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Generosity is more than just a transaction, but an opportunity from God to invite transformation in your life and in the lives of those around you. With Jesus, generosity is relational, mutual, and spiritual. Paul experiences this as he writes a letter to the Philippians, reminding them, and us, of the power and impact of generosity. Who are your people that you will give and receive with, and how will you listen to God in your giving?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49508913
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Can you imagine what it's like standing at the doorstep of a defining moment? God invites us to trust Him more than ever before when it comes to the plans He has set out for us, even if we can't see the end from the beginning. The story of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 9 models for us what courage can do in the face of fear, especially when the other side leads to so much joy in Jesus' direction. Recognize what God is up to, trust that He is at work, and advocate for the blessing so others can join it too. Learn more about Going Together at canyonridge.org/goingtogether.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49505607
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Think about a goal you have accomplished. When you first set yourself on the path towards that end, you were committing to a new way of life until it was completed. Along the way, you became a new sort of person. God uses these seasons of effort to transform us. In Acts 9:1-19, God calls Saul and Ananias into something new. There would be beauty for them in the end, but the process took effort, surrender, and cost. Learn more about Going Together at canyonridge.org/goingtogether.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49502131
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do you maintain perspective when you're in the thick of hard times? Sometimes, when you're so focused on what's going wrong ahead of you, it's hard to look up and see the bigger picture that God is working. The story of Rahab in Joshua 2 teaches us that, in these moments, you should look up, take the next right step, and invite transformation from God. It's not your job to carry everything; just set your gaze on Him.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49498787
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Why is it so hard to have faith in God? If hope is who God is, faith is who we are in response to Him. When God's chosen people were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian Army in Exodus 14, it was easy to turn to frustration and anger as they wondered where God was in the midst of their struggle. But Moses partnered with God in faith to bring good to his people. Psalm 77 directs us to lament, question, and remember with God when it feels like hope is nowhere to be found. Where do you see yourself today?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49495382
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How do you tend to respond when it feels like everything is going wrong? In those times, it’s hard to trust that God is good. It’s tempting to grow hopeless or cope in unhealthy ways. However, even when things feel more difficult than you can handle, God’s word says that he will redeem all things, bringing good out of immense brokenness (Romans 8:28). His way is not easy, but he will make it good. Where can you trust him more today?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49491860
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What kind of God would ask a father to sacrifice his son? One who would do the exact same thing. Abraham in Genesis 22 asks this question: What do we do when following God seems to lead the wrong way? God has been good, God will be good, because God is good. He blesses trust, creates new things out of nothing, and does whatever He promises. How is God inviting you into a relationship built on trust?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49488650
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
The goodness of God sounds so exciting until you find yourself waiting for God to move. It can be easy to wonder how long He will take or if he will even move. After promising a new nation to Abram and Sarai in Genesis 11, they found themselves waiting for God to fulfill His promise. Sometimes the good God has for you might not come as you hoped. So how do you wait for God in the in between?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49485030
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Content Advisory: Today’s message is a thoughtful and honest exploration of faith and doubt and includes references to physical or emotional abuse. If you or someone you know needs support in situations like these, visit our Care & Support page (Canyonridge.org/care) or our endorsed counselors resource. (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/609ebb53af289c18812c21ae/t/67b67ae86608f426bc4a9701/1740012264973/Public+Endorsed+Counselors+2025.pdf)
Have you ever felt like life’s just too broken—like when someone you love dies, illness comes back, or people walk away? In those moments, faith can feel hard to hold onto, especially when God seems silent. Psalm 88 gives us a rare look at raw, unresolved doubt, ending not with hope, but with the words, “Darkness is my closest friend.” And yet, God left it in the Bible. Maybe that’s because real faith isn’t about having it all together—it’s about being honest, even when things feel messy.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49481938
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Every worldview wrestles with two core questions: What’s the problem, and what’s the solution? Genesis 1–3 shows us that humanity’s problem began when Adam and Eve chose to go looking for good without God, fracturing the harmony of creation and ushering in pain, competition, and brokenness. But even in that moment, God hinted at a future victory over evil. The solution is revealed fully in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection reverses the damage of sin and restores our relationship with God, as described in Romans 5. In Him, we find not only healing, but the hope that God is still pursuing us. This is the Good News!
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49478717
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What does it mean to be Good with God? Life can bring some challenging moments, but how you think about yourself and the world around you will shape your experience. Genesis 1-2 explains that humanity is called to partner with a good god, bearing His image, so that all creation may flourish. How does living with a good God change your worldview? And what happens when we go looking for Good without God?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49475304
GROUP STUDY LINK HERE: https://www.canyonridge.org/studies-category/good-with-god
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When was the last time you stopped to wait and watch for what God is doing in your life? A time to rest can help create space for you to wait patiently on the Lord and be still to know that he is God. Psalm 130 models what it means to look for God in the middle of all that life can bring. What might change if you took the time to wait for God?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49472064
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever felt disappointed by God? Expectations are unmet, plans fail, and circumstances change. In these moments, you might ask, “Where is Jesus?” In Luke 24, Jesus talks with two grieving men who cannot see him. He walks with them, points them to Scripture, and then reveals himself. Even when they could not see him, he was with them. In what area of your life do you need to trust that Jesus is with you even if you cannot see him?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49468924
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When was the last time you chose Jesus over scarcity? Jesus cares for your needs, provides enough for today, and does more than you can ever ask or think. From five loaves and two fish, Jesus took what seemed little and fed a crowd of 5,000 men. Jesus took the impossible and turned it into good for the people of God, and he will do the same for you! Where do you need to believe God for what seems impossible?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49465794
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs
The world tends to discard what is old or broken. People even neglect relationships rather than repair them. This is not the way of Jesus. Jesus draws near to brokenness, offering restoration and grace. Peter's story of failure and restoration in Luke 22 and John 21 demonstrates Jesus' great love for his people. Where do you need to accept Jesus' restoration today?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49462457
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What would it take for you to change your life right side up? All it took Zacchaeus was Jesus inviting himself for dinner, creating space for Zacchaeus to see the mess he was living with. This story in Luke 19 reminds us that when you let him, Jesus will transform your life. What would happen if everyone made space for the Light of the World to sit at the dinner table? What might you need to let go so thar your life can be pointed in the direction of Jesus?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49459328
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Where does your invite list end? Luke 14:15-23 teaches us that Jesus extends his invite to many unexpected guests. Those whom the world counts out are often the very people Jesus welcomes in. How can you imitate Jesus this week, inviting in people outside of your comfort zone?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49453167
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Why should sinful people be allowed to experience Jesus and his forgiveness? The grace of the cross reminds us that the Good News draws no lines but brings you closer to a life with him! The unnamed woman's story in Luke 7 helps unravel the truth and grateful love found in the grace of Jesus. Hospitality is more than a task; it is a way to show the love of Jesus to those in your life. How might you shift your tables from a place to eat into a place of worship?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49453044
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Why is being a loving person so hard? The night before Jesus would give his life, he gave the disciples a new covenant confirmed by the cross and a new command to love others, and he loved them. As he washed the feet of the disciples, including the one who would betray him and the one who would deny him, Jesus displayed the full extent of his love. 1 John 4:19 explains, "We love because he loved us first." How are you receiving the love of Jesus so that you may share it with others through your actions? Who might you need to show love to?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49449725
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How often do you share meals with your loved ones? Jesus shared meals with people often, creating a safe and unhurried space for relationships. To eat together is to share trust and intimacy with your guest. Who can you invite for a meal this week, deepening your relationship in Jesus’ name?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49445653
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
When was the last time a conversation changed your life? Where were you in that moment? Conversations and connections can change how you see the world and other people. The Bible is full of stories of God using people around a table to spark conversation that leads people to Him! Gathering around a table can be relational, formational, and missional in sharing the Good News of Jesus! God wants to use you to help share his name! All it could take is gathering around a table!
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49443166
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Jesus is King! His name holds all power and authority. In his name, you can find freedom, healing, and joy unlike anything the world can offer. When you have a relationship with the King, you can call on his name to experience the gifts of the Kingdom. Read Colossians 1:15-23 this week to learn about the character and authority of King Jesus.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49439964
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever slipped into a movie after it started and realized you don’t fully understand what’s going on? We sometimes charge through jobs, relationships, and even faith, only to stop and realize a vital piece of the story slipped past us. The believers in Ephesus had the same dilemma—John’s water baptism showed repentance, but only when Paul introduced Jesus’ baptism did the Spirit fill in the rest of the story (Acts 19). Where is Jesus inviting you to discover more about His truth? Let’s discover how Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, can bring the whole picture into focus for your life.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49436712
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Ever felt disappointed when prayers for healing go unanswered? That question can shake trust and leave the heart aching. Yet God invites people to bring every hope and heartbreak to Him—even the ones that feel unanswered. As Psalm 34:18 reminds, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” There’s hope in His nearness, even in the waiting.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49433437
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/walk-differently-in-the-name-of-jesus
Ever been called by your full name and instantly knew something serious was going on? Names carry weight—especially the name of Jesus. God gives meaning to names, and through Jesus, He gives power to those who believe. In Acts 3:6, Peter says, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Could the name of Jesus be what you need to stand up and walk into a new life?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49430032
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever asked God, "Now what?" after a big moment of faith? You, me, and even Jesus' closest followers have been there (Acts 1:6-8). God meets those questions not with frustration but with power, purpose, and community. As we trust in His Spirit and His perfect timing, we step forward together. What's your next step today?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49426402
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blog
Has life ever taken a turn you didn’t expect, just when things were looking up? Sometimes what starts in celebration ends in heartbreak or disappointment—and we’re left wondering what happened. Luke 24 shows us that even after betrayal and loss, Jesus returns from the grave not with judgment, but with peace and restoration. Could it be that Jesus wants to meet you in the middle of the mess—not after you’ve cleaned it up? Let’s explore how the story of Easter is a story about how Jesus doesn’t just restore individuals—He brings broken communities back together.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49423302
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever witnessed God move and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and awe? Throughout history, God's people have paused to celebrate the ways He has worked in their lives. In Luke 19, the followers of Jesus praised God loudly for all the miracles they had seen. As a community, we are invited to keep that spirit of praise alive by sharing and celebrating together. Where have you seen God at work recently?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49419396
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever felt unsure about how your financial contributions to the local church can make a real impact? Many have been in that same place, wondering if their generosity truly matters. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, it says, "God loves a cheerful giver," reminding us that giving is an act of faith and trust in God's provision. Together, as a church community, we can unite our resources to push the mission of Jesus forward, supporting one another and shining light in the darkness. What step can you take to give cheerfully and be part of something bigger through your local church?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49416037
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Do you treat money as your companion or as your leader? Though money is a helpful tool in life, followers of Jesus know that it cannot satisfy you. The status and security you seek from money are already found in God. Matthew 6:24 says, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Instead of seeking wealth, pursue righteousness and faith!
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49412509
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever caught yourself tightly gripping onto the possessions you own, reluctant to let go or share? Many of us live like owners, clinging to our possessions as if they define our security or identity, forgetting how fleeting and temporary they really are. Yet, Scripture reminds us that everything belongs to God—our resources, time, and talents are entrusted to us as caretakers, meant to be shared generously (Acts 4:32-35). What would shift if you started seeing your belongings not as yours, but as God's—entrusted to you to manage and generously share? Let’s unpack together how embracing God's ownership can free us from worry and lead us toward joyful generosity.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49409346
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever experienced the end of a friendship? Friendships come in seasons, and how they end can have lasting impacts. You can choose to leave and lose them or send them with encouragement. This week, consider Paul and Barnabas' example to send your friend well (Acts 13-15).
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49405994
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever had to tell a friend something hard, knowing they might not want to hear it? Nobody enjoys difficult conversations, but real friendships require honesty and love. "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (Proverbs 27:6) Jesus modeled truth with grace, showing that correction isn’t about condemnation but about leading others toward God’s best. Discover how Jesus’ example can help you courageously engage in difficult conversations, guiding your friends lovingly toward God’s purpose for their lives.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49402555
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What's your first instinct when you experience an issue with a friend? Conflict, while intimidating, is a great opportunity to strengthen your friendship. Scripture teaches us that conflict allows believers to pursue their friends as God pursues his children. When you reconcile with someone who has hurt you, you preach the gospel of Jesus!
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49399060
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Making friends doesn’t have to be complicated. Jesus gave us a simple way to connect with others: love, listen, and be present. As John 15:12 says, “Love each other as I have loved you.” Instead of waiting for the right friendships to find you, what if you started by being the kind of friend you’d want to have?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49395532
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Who are you walking with? Are you surrounded by people who seek after Christ or their own interests? Proverbs 13:20 says, "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." God created people for friendships — you were never intended to be alone. This week, take a look at the quality and character of your friendships, seeking those who will walk toward God with you.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49391965
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
True friendship isn’t just about having fun - it’s about walking through life together. Ecclesiastes 4 tells us that two are better than one because they strengthen and support each other. Jesus calls us friends and models the kind of deep, intentional relationships we all long for. Who in your life needs the kind of friendship Jesus offers? Let’s lean into God’s design for true connection.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49388673
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever wondered who is permitted to preach the Word of God? This question has followed the church for thousands of years, with much prayer, study, and discernment. As Canyon Ridge seeks to please God and do what’s helpful to his people, the settled decision is that God gifts both men and women to teach his Word.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49385162
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Have you ever trusted a plan, only for it to turn out completely different than you imagined? We all face moments when life seems to go completely off the rails, leaving us scrambling for answers. Judges 7:2-7 recounts how God took Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300, teaching that victory comes not by human strength but by trusting His power. What part of your life feels disordered, where God might be asking you to trust Him for renewal and reordering? True transformation requires both faith and wisdom—begin by doing what you know God has already said.
How different would your life be if you allowed God's voice to be the loudest when you make a decision? In Gideon's journey to discovering what God had in store for him in Judges 6, he learns to listen to God and obey his Word through discerning God's voice. You will learn more about God if you become marked by discernment and obedience to Jesus! How will you start to listening to God's voice and seeking Him first?
Have you ever found yourself in that messy middle, caught between leaving the old behind and stepping into something new? We all know how hard it can be to leave behind what’s comfortable, even when we sense that something better is ahead. In Judges 6:25-32, God calls Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal and build an altar to Him, leading the way to a reordered life. What in your life needs to be torn down so that God can build something better? Together, we’ll discover how embracing God in the mess leads to a life of renewed purpose and trust.
Do you ever wonder if the disruption in your life is leading anywhere good? Like popcorn exploding under heat, life often moves from order to disorder before being transformed into something new. The story of Gideon in Judges 6 shows us that God meets us in the mess, reorders our perspective, and calls us to trust His plan. Jesus embraced disorder, paving the way for resurrection and life. Discover how embracing God in life’s disruptions can lead to a better reorder than you could ever imagine.
Free eBook: https://www.sonlife.com/store/ebooks/33-things-ebook/
Series Study: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/609ebb53af289c18812c21ae/t/6779b2a984184f0b624582a8/1736028845911/Order+Disorder+Reorder+Study+Guide.pdf
Blog: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs
Resources: https://www.canyonridge.org/
The last week of the year can be a difficult one, often filled with anticipation as we look forward to what the new year will bring. In our rush to move ahead, we can overlook the past year and miss the chance to see how God has been faithfully working in and through our lives. Colossians 3:2 encourages us to “set your sights on the realities of heaven,” reminding us to look beyond the immediate and focus on God’s eternal work in our lives. Instead of rushing into 2025, what if you paused to reflect on 2024—asking where your focus aligned with Jesus’ perspective, how you showed His love, and what you devoted yourself to? Take some time this week to reflect on these questions with God and step into the new year with a clearer perspective.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49368152
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
MESSAGE NOTES:https://www.bible.com/events/49367136
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org/
Take a new look at the story of the First Christmas and the unexpected encounters that took place - like Mary's favor, Joseph's revelation, and the shepherds' acknowledgment. This year, take time to appreciate Jesus and the unexpected joy that he brings and reimagine how His story can unexpectedly transform your life.
Have you ever faced a challenge so difficult it made you question if the effort was worth it? No matter who you are, we all face surprises and setbacks that challenge our plans. The story of Joseph in Matthew 1:18-25 reminds us that God is often working through even the hardest trials to bring about His perfect plan. What if waiting on God, watching for His presence, and wondering at His work could transform how you face life’s toughest moments? God’s plan for you is often costly but always good—it’s in the struggle that He shapes incredible purpose and joy.
Have you faced a moment where life surprised you, and you didn’t know what was next? We all face unexpected moments, and navigating them well means listening to God and listening together. In Luke 1, Mary’s story reminds us that in life’s surprises, God not only provides guidance but also places people, like Elizabeth, to share the journey with us. God has placed people in your life to share in surprises and invites you to do the same for others. Who has God placed in your life to walk with you through life’s surprises?
What if hope wasn’t something to search for but something to practice daily? It’s easy for uncertainty or challenges to shake a person’s sense of hope, but Psalm 33 reminds everyone to anchor hope in God’s unfailing love rather than personal strength. Gathering with others, encouraging one another, and living out acts of love creates opportunities to practice the kind of hope God calls His people to. How can this kind of hope be practiced with others this week?
When life gets tough, who motivates you to keep going? Who's your 'us'? We all need people in our lives who push us toward love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 reminds us that God designed us to live in connection and encourage one another into action. Who can you encourage this week, and who can encourage you?
Chapters:
00:00 - In Hebrews 10: Irritating One Another
00:27 - Psalm 65
01:16 - Practicing Hope
05:48 - Let us Motivate One Another
10:01 - There is an Us
11:59 - What is Your One Another?
16:41 - How to Motivate One Another
20:33 - Hebrews 10:24
24:05 - Let us not neglect our meeting together
25:30 - A message about service this holiday
29:09 - A Proclamation on Giving
34:21 - Give in Jesus Name Only
39:13 - Hebrews 10:24
40:27 - Thanksgiving Celebration: Who Has Given greatly?
43:04 - A Moment of Gratitude
RESOURCE: https://www.canyonridge.org/studies-category/practicing-hope
BLOG: https://www.canyonridge.org/blogs/ignite-hope-in-your-community
Are you reflecting with God and taking His advice? Practicing hope means regular repentance. Some might feel uncomfortable with repentance, but practically speaking, repentance means turning towards God. God then directs us to recognize our sins and be open to change.While taking these steps in repentance, look and listen for connection, correction, and direction. Listening to God, reflecting with Him, and confessing leads you toward greater hope through Jesus.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's demands and uncertainties, seeking peace and stability? In the midst of chaos, God's constant presence offers solace, inviting us to rest in His love. Psalm 131 encourages us to quiet our hearts and place our hope in the Lord. Together, as a community, we can support one another in practicing God's presence and drawing strength from His steadfast love. This week, set aside time each day to calm your soul and seek God's presence, allowing His peace to transform your life.
Feeling weighed down by the uncertainty of life or the pressure to find hope in shifting circumstances? While life may feel like a storm, there’s an anchor that won’t let us drift—the unchanging presence of God, who holds us steady. With Jesus as our High Priest, we have direct access to God’s love, guidance, and peace. Imagine embracing each day with a hope anchored in God’s trustworthy character, rather than the fleeting promises of the world. Will you join in practicing this simple, powerful approach to lasting hope?
Do you ever pause to consider Peter's warning that "your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8)? Many move through life unaware of the spiritual battle raging around them. God hasn't left us defenseless - He's equipped us with His armor of truth, faith, and His Word. What would change if you began each day intentionally putting on God's armor? Are you ready to stand firm, knowing you're not fighting for victory but FROM it - because Christ has already won?
Do you behave as if God is in charge or as if you are? When the world is unjust and unkind, do you often turn to God or try to handle it yourself? In 1 Peter 5:5-7, God tells us to humble ourselves and throw our worries to Him. God is strong enough, God cares about you, and His timing is always perfect.
CHAPTERS:
00:01 - Humbleness in the Life
00:26 - One Peter: When Life Gets Challenging
03:32 - One Peter, Chapter 5
08:41 - Peter's story in John 21
10:13 - Peter's Story of Humility
12:36 - Hero or Humbled?: A Game
15:39 - Humility and Self-Humility
20:35 - God is Strong, But He also Opposes the Proud
25:39 - Peter's Humility in Suffering
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org/studies-category/just-visiting
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/humility-a-posture-of-trust
How will you handle suffering? That’s the real question. Peter’s words remind you that following Jesus doesn’t mean escaping hardship. It means embracing it with a purpose. Jesus walked the road of suffering, and through it, God met people. Now, you are called to walk in His steps—not to avoid suffering, but to do good even when it brings pain. When trials come, will you choose to suffer well? Your response becomes an opportunity to show the world who Jesus is. How will you let God shape you through it?
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49328566
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Who are you going with? That’s the real question. Peter’s words remind you that as a follower of Jesus, you’re not just a visitor here. You are part of something bigger—God’s living temple, where He meets with people and people meet with Him. You’re not just going—you’re going together, with purpose. Your whole life becomes a spiritual offering, showing others the goodness of God. As you step into this high calling, will you choose to walk as one who is seen and sent by God? Where will you go together?
Chapters:
00:00:00 Exploring First Peter: Living with Purpose and Hope
00:04:03 Pursuing Holiness Together
00:08:00 Understanding First Peter: Spiritual Symbolism
00:12:22 The Tent of Meeting and God's Presence
00:16:51 Jesus as the New Temple
00:21:40 Significance of the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant
00:26:24 Embracing Your Faith: Halftime Reflections
00:30:53 Living as a Community of Mercy
00:35:08 Embracing the Role of a Royal Priest
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49325192
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
What’s harder than facing a challenge? Facing it alone. In 1 Peter, Peter’s audience knew persecution and exclusion, causing them to doubt their faith. But he reminds them that following Jesus is not meant to be a solo journey. Together, you are a living stone, chosen and valued by God, being built into something much greater than you can imagine. How will you lean into the community around you, offering what God has placed inside you?
Chapters:
00:00:00 Following Jesus Together
00:06:32 Overcoming Cultural and Personal Challenges in Faith
00:13:36 Understanding Identity in Faith
00:20:54 Building Community through Love and Support
00:28:17 Making Space for Others: A Biblical Perspective
00:35:53 Embracing Your Unique Contribution to Community
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49321704
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
How have you been conformed to culture? Followers of Jesus are called to holiness, which sets them apart from the culture of the world. 1 Peter 1:13-16 teaches that when your hope is in Jesus, your behavior changes to look more like God and less like the world. Consider how you can prepare your mind, exercise self-control, hope in Jesus, and live obediently to reflect God's holiness instead of conforming to the world.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Living well with Jesus in a world that doesn't cooperate
00:06:30 - The Promise of Restoration
00:13:31 - Living in Obedience and Hope
00:20:29 - Pursuing Holiness with God as the Standard
00:27:31 - The Path to Lasting Happiness
00:34:48 - Redemption through Jesus' Blood
00:41:54 - Reminder to Like, Subscribe and Share
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49318342
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/
Chapters:
00:00 - There's Something Different About Followers of Jesus
03:00 - Characteristics of Hopeful People
09:44 - What is Hope in a Difficult World?
14:35 - The Book of Peter
20:03 - Peter: There Is Joy Ahead, Even Though Things Are Hard
27:35 - Put All Your Hopes in God's Kingdom
Have you ever lived in a place that didn't feel like home? In those times, you might feel like an outcast or that the environment is not right for you. 1 Peter 2:9-12 teaches us that followers of Jesus will feel that way in this broken world. Following Jesus with holiness and generosity is counter-cultural to the world, which praises selfishness and personal gain.
How can you embrace who Jesus says you are in a world that seldom cooperates?
- Remember who you are in Christ.
- Do what he says.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49311469
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
BLOG: https://canyonridge.org/blogs/the-power-of-discipleship-jesus-call
When did you last feel overwhelmed by the pace of life and disconnected from your purpose? Matthew 28:19 and 1 Peter 2:9 remind us of Jesus’ call to live intentionally and become disciple-makers. Jesus modeled a life of purposeful, unhurried relationships, inviting us to follow His example and guide others to Him. How can you slow down and focus on discipling those around you this week?
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Unpacking the Purpose of Living Unhurried
00:04:27 - The Mission to Make Disciples
00:08:44 - We are all priests
00:13:10 - Simple Tools for Disciple Making
00:17:31 - Sharing your Experience with Jesus
00:21:46 - The Abundance of the Heart Coming Out of the Mouth
00:26:19 - Being Bold and Ordinary
00:30:45 - Sharing the Goodness of God with Others
00:34:53 - Starting a Movement of Faith
00:39:18 - Joining Us Every Week
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49304635
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49301303
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Your habits and practices inform every part of your life. What would it look like to order those habits around Jesus and his Word? Would you have to change things? Followers of Jesus should always follow the guiding principle to be disciples and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Answer these three questions to help identify the spaces where you can make disciples:
-Where am I going?
-Who is with me, prayerfully supporting me as I make disciples?
-Who is close to me but might be far from God?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49298039
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Feeling overwhelmed by work demands and money stress? As life speeds up, God invites us to slow down and reflect. Are you heading in the right direction, at the right pace? God created you to contribute meaningfully, reflecting His image in your work and generosity. Pause and ask, "God, how do you want to reshape my approach to work and money?" Aligning your efforts with His purpose brings true joy and fulfillment. Commit to inviting God into every aspect of your life, trusting Him to guide your steps.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49294839
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Do you ever struggle to balance your spiritual life with your physical well-being? Many of us neglect one for the other, but God created us as integrated beings. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, meant to honor Him. How can you better align your physical habits with your spiritual devotion? Reflect on how your daily activities, rest, and health reflect your worship of God. Commit to inviting God to transform every aspect of your life for His glory.
Make your Rule of Life and let God form your pace and priorities this summer. Visit this link for the Rule of Life guide: https://www.canyonridge.org/single-studies/what-is-a-rule-of-life
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49291626
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Have you ever found yourself regretting a hasty decision and wondering, "What was I thinking?" We all have moments where impulsive thoughts lead us away from what's best. However, God encourages us to pause and let Him reshape our thinking. As taught in Romans 12:2, by renewing your mind through God, you can understand His will—good, pleasing, and perfect. Embracing this transformation, you can mirror Jesus more clearly and enjoy the peace and fulfillment that come from aligning with His will.
Make your Rule of Life and let God form your pace and priorities this summer. Visit this link for the Rule of Life guide: https://www.canyonridge.org/single-studies/what-is-a-rule-of-life
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49285083
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Make your Rule of Life and let God form your pace and priorities this summer. Visit this link for the Rule of Life guide: https://www.canyonridge.org/single-studies/what-is-a-rule-of-life
Do you feel overwhelmed by the relentless pace of life? You’re not alone. In a world that never stops moving, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush. But God invites you to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). By embracing stillness and slowing down, you can reconnect with what truly matters and experience a profound transformation in your life. Take a step today to live unhurried on purpose and find peace amidst the chaos.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Being Still and Knowing God
00:03:57 - Driving in Paris
00:08:05 - The Majesty of God
00:12:24 - Abiding in Christ: Remaining with Him
00:16:57 - Choosing to Learn from Jesus
00:21:24 - The Importance of Choosing to Abide
00:26:00 - Staying Present with God amidst Anxiety
00:30:24 - Extravagant Worship at Jesus' Feet
00:34:35 - Filling Out the Chart
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49285083
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Make your Rule of Life and let God form your pace and priorities this summer. Visit this link for the Rule of Life guide: https://www.canyonridge.org/single-studies/what-is-a-rule-of-life
Do you ever feel so hurried that you can’t get a moment of rest? This world moves fast, but followers of Jesus are called to make disciples, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-20). That can’t happen in a hurry. God wants his people to slow down so that he can form their pace and priorities. How would it look for you to slow down and live in rhythm with God?
00:00 - Intro
03:49 - Halt and Refresh: Unloading This Life
09:27 - Exodus 16: A Lesson on Human Character
15:01 - The story of food on the Sabbath
15:26 - Exodus 16:35: God's Provision for His People
18:06 - Who Is Setting Our Pace?
24:08 - How to Prioritize Your Life
27:25 - Getting Unhurried on Purpose
34:15 - Outro
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49282038
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Whom do you experience the most disagreement with? When we disagree, it's easy to allow disunity in our relationships. Pursuing unity is hard. Romans 12:18 teaches us, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." When followers of Jesus are in a disagreement, they should lead with love for the other person, upholding the relationship, and then clarify their beliefs peaceably. In times like an election year, when things can feel especially dicey, it's important to obey this commandment for peace in disagreements. Where can you practice expressing your beliefs in loving ways this week?
When did you last show love and compassion to others in anger? In his prayer in John 17, Jesus reveals that unity and togetherness in love will show the world who He is and His love! Throughout the Bible, you can see that God is slow to anger, even when He has all the right to be. As reflections of his work and goodness, you should follow His example and show up with love! How will you do the hard work to be slow to anger and show more compassion to those around you?
Message Notes:
https://www.bible.com/events/49278591
When was the last time you felt united when you judged someone? Judgment is vital to evaluation culture and only leads to division and separation. Jesus' words in Matthew 7:1 are reason enough not to Judge as he lays out the golden rule: "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged". In the pursuit of unity, you can pursue wisdom, humble yourself, and do good to others to live a life of peace pointing towards Jesus! How will you take steps towards humanity and generosity to find peace?
When do you find yourself feeling offended? The world says you have the right to take offense and get even. However, the Bible teaches not to dwell on offenses, and to act in love instead. Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Followers of Jesus should extend love in place of disunity. What offenses can you drop today?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49264779
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Not only do you live in a world that invites you to see things one way, but even more, to distance yourself from people who see things any other way. It can be difficult to stick together as you encounter people with all kinds of thoughts, emotions, and opinions. However, sticking together is exactly what Jesus prayed for in his last days on earth in John 17. It's easy to be divided; unity takes effort. People of God have a unique opportunity to listen to God and stay together as the world around gets angry, places blame, takes offense, and casts judgment. A people committed to God who makes peace, lives steadily, listens slowly is so refreshing. Theologian N.T. Wright says, "The result of this will that the world will see, and know, that this kind of human community, united across all traditional barriers of race, custom, gender or class, can only come from the action of creator God." Unity, not uniformity, reflects God's very own undivided nature, is a sign of maturity, and is a daily practice. Ephesians 4:3 says, "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit." What will your first step be to make every effort?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49261449
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org
Questioning where you belong will lead to inner confusion and lostness. Jesus teaches in John 17:6-19 that you belong first with God, who keeps you safe, makes you holy, and gives you purpose. Though you live in this world, you have been set apart to do things God's way. Do you trust that you belong with God first and foremost? To practice trusting this, pray with your people: "Father — keep us, make us, and send us."
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49258016
RESOURCES: www.canyonridge.org
When you really look into your life, what matters the most? The night before Jesus would die on the cross, he talk to the disciples about what really matters to him. He reveals that he wants his people to never be alone, be obedient, and to trust his peace will be enough! John 14 explains that this is all done through the advocate that Jesus sends, who is the Holy Spirit! How are you experiencing the help of the Holy Spirit this week? How are you allowing him to stay obedient to Jesus and how are you inviting his peace into your life?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49254519
RESOURCES: www.canyonridge.org
Is your attention being divided by all the different voices vying for your heart? We tend to follow the leader that we believe will fulfill us. In John 10:9-11, Jesus teaches that he is the Good Shepherd and that abundant life is found in him. He restores us, protects us, and provides for us. Will you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd? Practice resting today, trusting that the Shepherd is with you.
MESSAGE NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49251025
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org
Do you ever find yourself trusting the things that disappoint you most? Sometimes in life, your expectations can bring disappointment, but Jesus is all you will ever need to find freedom and peace! The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6 helps reveal that five loaves of bread and two fish were enough to feed everyone! Jesus is inviting you to seek him daily because he is enough in obedience to him! How will you seek God daily and respond to his invitation? How will you share what you learned with those who need to experience Jesus for themselves?
MESSAGE NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49247533
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org
How often do you look to the world for who God is? The best way to look for God is to see Jesus in the way that you and those around you love. The story of the woman at the well, in John 4, shows that Jesus knows what you need, has a plan for you, and invites you back to Him. Jesus is all around in the way that people love and you can share that same love with those around you. In what ways can you look for who God is through Jesus?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49244031
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org
Did you know that you live in a spiritual world? In John 3, Jesus shows Nicodemus to see that the world that he lives in is more than just a physical world and that Jesus offers more than what Nicodemus could ever bring to make life complete and whole. Jesus invites you to explore what it means to live in a spiritual world with him through the transformation power that he freely gives when you look in his direction. The question is, do you love the darkness more than light? Choose Jesus and find complete everlasting life with him!
MESSAGE NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49240425
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org
They say if you want to know someone, you should look at their friends. What better way to discover who Jesus really was than by looking at the story of His life written down by his best friend, John? In this series, you will explore the intimate moments, profound teachings, and miraculous encounters that define the life of Jesus through the eyes of his best friend. Discover timeless truths that resonate with your life today and get to know Jesus for who He is, both God and friend.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49236712
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org/help
Have you ever felt like you’re living in a cliffhanger, not sure what’s going to happen next? Mark 16:2-8 teaches that when Jesus died on the cross, the people around him felt like that, too. They didn’t know that Jesus had already gone ahead of them and that he had a plan: he rose from the grave! Jesus has gone ahead of you and made the way for your salvation. He will write one resurrection story after another in your life. Who in your life can you share your resurrection story with?
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49232809
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org/help
Do you ever find yourself in a moment where life get’s really hard to deal with and all hope is lost? Thanks to Jesus, you can finds help and hope in him! The story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2 reveals that Jesus forgives the brokenness inside so that you can walk away with a testimony to point others back to him. The 15 second transformation story is a great tool to share your story with others and to invite them to discover one for themselves. Take time to reveal who in your life needs your support and who you can share Jesus with.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49229234
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: canyonridge.org/help
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org
Wherever you find yourself in the conversation around mental health, cling to God, support one another, and pray. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "All praise to God, the Father our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." Mental health professionals Jennifer, Rasheda, and Mike are helpers who have received God's comfort to comfort others. As you join in the conversation, reflect on what ways you need to invite God's comfort into your own life, and to show up and offer God's comfort to others in your life. Pepple need all kinds of support, but always remember that your ultimate Helper is Jesus, the one who struggled and conquered struggle himself.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://my.bible.com/events/49222210
RESOURCES: canyonridge.org/help
Have you ever struggled with feeling like the stress of your life is outweighing everything else? Burnout is a real problem that you and the people around you may face throughout life. One thing you might not realize is that burnout is optional. In Exodus, Moses faces challenges leading Israel into the Promised Land. He realized that he was carrying too many things on his own and there was a better way. Jesus calls on you to cast all of your burdens on Him and take rest in Him. With Jesus, you and the people around you can take comfort in knowing Jesus knows what you’re facing, is in charge of your life, and is always at work. How can you partner with Jesus this week to find rest for your soul?
MESSAGE NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49218651
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org/
Have you or a loved one ever experienced depression? Depressive episodes are so prevalent in the United States, and you can find help and hope in the Bible. In Numbers 11:17, Moses has been crying out to God in his depression, and God responds that he will pour his Spirit upon people who will help Moses. You have a purpose, and you do not have to go through your depression alone. When you or your loved one are struggling, be help and be hope for one another.
MESSAGE NOTES: https://www.bible.com/events/49215139
RESOURCES: https://www.canyonridge.org/
When was the last time you experienced grief or had to walk a loved one through grief? Grief is an aspect of life that will always be present whenever significant losses occur. In these times, God calls on you to share in your burdens and embrace grief with others, as Jesus himself wept at the death of his friend. Each step of grief that you experience and see others around you experience is unique to the loss that occurred. In times of grief, leaning on God for comfort can also help you comfort others. God calls you to show up, pray, and check in with those grieving than stepping away out of fear. What are some ways you are dealing with grief? How are you supporting your people through their grief?
Have you ever told yourself, "I know better?". Every regret starts with these three words. Too often, people hold on to things they think are better or yield to what they want. In Philippians 3:7-9, Paul shares how he pursued success according to what he once thought mattered most and who he's becoming as he yields to Jesus! When you say yes to God, you say yes to something better! Prayer is the place to practice saying to God, "Your way is better." Imagine how different your life, family, neighborhood, and city would be if God's Kingdom would actually come? Jesus told his people this would happen through pausing, rejoicing, asking, and yielding.
Have you ever thought about prayer as a way to love others? Theologian and author Richard Foster says, "If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others." Loving others like Jesus may involve more than praying for them, but it will never involve less. Therefore, pray about what you care about, and care about what you pray about! This week, start a prayer list as you practice persisting in prayer for others!
What are you asking for right now? Health, relationship, accomplishment, stability? Central to the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:2-4 is a posture and practice of asking. Asking is how you learn to know that God is trustworthy, present, and with you in all things. Jesus invites you to ask for things as big as God's Kingdom come and will be done, and for things as small as the ordinary details, like daily bread.
When you ask in prayer, something happens between you and God, in you, and around you. Author and pastor Tyler Staton says, "We come for gifts and we get the Giver." Jeremiah 29:13 reminds each person that asking in prayer is about being present with who you pray to greater than what you pray for, "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."
Communication is the key to any partnership. Does it feel difficult to find a quiet moment to pause and be during life's rush? Look at the life of Jesus! He took time to take a breather and find His center. He knew that was where God's voice emerged. Recognizing and knowing God's voice is vital to truly understanding His character and undeniable love. Take a pause this week, and rejoice in God. Recall moments when His character touched your life as you read His word. Invite Him to open your eyes. Pause and rejoice this week with awareness of who you are having a conversation with and how much He loves and cares for you. It will change your week!
Have you ever asked, "How do I talk to God?" What about "How do I hear from him?" In every relationship, communication is foundational! Especially your relationship with God! Followers of Jesus know the best things only happen when God is involved through extraordinary prayer. Every culture has prayed on occasion, somehow… to someone or something. Your connection with God and enjoyment of Him is proportional to your comfort, consistency, and quality of your communication with him. Discover how and why Jesus taught His followers to pray, explore prayer's extraordinary potential, gain practical guidance, and experience a deeper connection with God.
Did you know that you do not actually learn from experiences? You learn from reflecting on experience! Taking time to reflect on your experiences helps unlock everything that happened and retain cherished memories while shaping our minds to see beyond the ordinary. Take time to reflect and learn how to embrace all you've heard about polarities in this series and discover how those beautiful tensions can bring you closer to God's perspective. Reflecting well and applying these lessons and concepts help you thrive in relationships and discipleship and to grow in understanding and aligning with God's plan.
It’s not hard to see when people miss living out either compassion or justice when it comes to any major issue or injustice in the world. What’s hard is seeing people live into the tension of both compassion and justice in light of Jesus.
Jesus always invites his people to follow his lead and life in engaging with others meaningfully, personally, and intentionally by navigating both Biblical compassion and justice. Before taking any issue to a social level, engage it on a personal level. Join the conversation this week for a simple tool called SNAP and four key truths to remember when it comes to compassion and justice!
Imagine this scenario: your friend comes to you and presents an issue. What do you do? Your extreme options are to either take on their challenge as if it were your own, or to run in the other direction without offering much support. Notice the tension here - you are connected to them, but you are not them.
This week's polarity is on being connected to and distinct from. This is a Biblical idea! Matthew 5:13-16 is about followers of Jesus being salt of the earth and light in the dark. With all things, Jesus is the model and standard. How did he navigate this tension? To be salt and light, to be healthy disciple-makers, this is a tension worth navigating. Join the conversation on exploring more of what it means to follow Jesus through the tension.
Does it ever feel like you must do a bunch of good things to earn your salvation? The Bible is full of commands to do what's right. It's also full of reassurance that faith is all you need to be right with God. It can be confusing! Just look at how the Apostle Paul emphasizes faith, and James emphasizes works! You might think these ideas appear to be in conflict, but when you really explore the tension, you'll realize you need the best of both!
What is your view of God? Getting curious about the fullness and the reality of God shapes the way you relate to God, yourself, and others. You need to know God, but more than that, God wants you to know him!
When God is only your friend, your friendship can diminish appreciation and awareness of the holiness of God, missing the new and miraculous things he is up to. When God is only majestic and holy, he can feel distant, inaccessible, and condemning. The reality of God is that he is both big and close. Read Genesis 1 this week, and you'll get to know God as Creator of all. He is big! Then, in Genesis 3, you'll see the same God walk in the cool of the day in the very garden he created. He is close. How could a both/and view of God change your pace, your prayers, and your perspective?
If you had to pick one, would you choose planning or flexibility? You should plan because it sets you in a direction and helps you prioritize and achieve goals, but you shouldn't only plan because it can make you miss opportunities and overthink! And you should be flexible because new possibilities emerge, but you shouldn't only be flexible because you can be unprepared for opportunities!
Living with the best of both planning and flexibility is about partnering with God to make your life all he wants for you. This message looks through the story of Paul and through the Book of Proverbs to see that God doesn't intend for you to choose between planning for the best and being flexible for the best, but rather choosing the best of both! Make flexible plans with God, with God's people, and on the move. This week, read through Psalm 37:3-7 and make that your prayer as you seek to live wisely!
Culture loves self-care, and everyone is trying to sell you the next best self-care item or experience. How does this play into your life? Mark 8:34-38 says, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it." The best gift you can give to the people you're serving is by showing up replenished at your best. In other words, giving to others out of the overflow of your life. Watch this message to learn from Jesus' rhythms of rest and replenishment in his ministry, and start pursuing the best of both sustainability and service in your own life!
If you had to choose one, would you choose activity or rest? Jesus invites you to the best of both! Looking at the history of God's people, it's clear to see God invites his people into an intentional, life-changing rhythm of rest and activity. Join the conversation to explore why activity and rest are important, and to reflect and refresh your own rhythms!
If you had to choose one, would you choose activity or rest? Jesus invites you to the best of both! Looking at the history of God's people, it's clear to see God invites his people into an intentional, life-changing rhythm of rest and activity. Join the conversation to explore why activity and rest are important, and to reflect and refresh your own rhythms!
You make decisions every day! What to eat, what to wear, how to respond, etc. Sometimes, either/or simply won't do; you need the best of both. Think about it! Is it better to inhale or exhale? Is activity better or rest? Consistency or change? These are not problems to be solved but rather tensions to manage.
In the complexities of life, either/or makes things simple for you to choose, but things aren't always simple. Something essential and valuable is lost from the other side. Join the conversation around living wisely, looking at Jesus' example and teaching as he navigated tension masterfully! This series will help you find the Best of Both!
Money is a fundamental part of life; that's Jesus talked so much about it. He assumed giving was a part of how his followers would live and saw it as a spiritual practice beyond any religious obligation. He taught that giving shapes your heart, points the people around toward Jesus, and changes the world in His name. It is not always easy, but it always points your heart in Jesus' direction!
A disciple is one who learns from and takes on the way of life of another. Everyone is being discipled by someone or something. Think about it - who do you act like, think like, sound like? A disciple of Jesus loves God like Jesus, loves others like Jesus, and makes disciples like Jesus. Some followers of Jesus will say, “I’m not a disciple-maker.” The truth is, you embody some way of life so that anyone who encounters you, encounters that way of life. You are a person of influence! The question is, “Are you making disciples of Jesus?” Being a disciple of Jesus and making disciples of Jesus is not either/or; it’s both/and. Watch the message for Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 28 and all throughout his life and ministry to be a disciple of him and make disciples with him.
John 13:35 says, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” How do you practice loving like Jesus?
John Mark Comer said, “If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.” Watch this message for 3 key ways to become more loving like Jesus!
Take some time to reflect on who needs to experience the life-changing love of Jesus tangibly through you this week!
What comes to mind when you hear the word "repentance?" Author Sarah Bessey says, "Repentance is an invitation to a beautiful, life-giving, reorientation towards God’s good path of flourishing with ourselves, our neighbors, and our world." Is that what came to mind?
With Jesus, everything changes. Repentance is an invitation to change the way you live and act like something different is true. There are 3 places that are ripe for repentance: pain, fatigue, and confusion. Romans 12:2 says, "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." How will you become the kind of person who not only embraces, but pursues the change Jesus brings?
Think about a new career path or interest you begin to pursue - things change. When there is a change in identity, there must be a change in habits. Theologian N.T. Wright says, “Where a new world is born, a new way of life goes with it.” He’s not the only one who has noticed this about humans; it’s all throughout Scripture. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
When God is doing something new, people need new containers to receive the new. When people begin to see and receive Jesus differently, people begin to live and give differently. But how? There are habits, rhythms, and fundamentals of walking with Jesus that are an invitation not to master but rather to partner with God in becoming more like him. Watch the message for three simple, repeatable, and shareable daily practices to try this week! Practice makes permanent.
Everyone has a story - you have a story! The greatest story of all is what people all over the world celebrate on Easter. 1 John 4:9-10 says, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” God showed the world and invites everyone into a new kind of story.
The world loves transformation - to change or optimize something. Lots of things can motivate you to change, be it shame, guilt, peer pressure, even a motivational speech. Those things will transform you in a way or for a time, but nothing can transform you like God can transform you. Romans 2:4 says, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?"
God’s mode of transformation in people's lives is by his kindness, inviting everyone into the fullest kind of life with him. Do you have a story like that? Do you want a story like that? Hear and celebrate stories from the people of Canyon Ridge, reminding people about the vast story that God wants to write in everyone. As you listen, write down what questions emerge and discover who God wants to transform you to become with him!
Have you ever heard of the parable of the blind men and the elephant? It's a story about blind men encountering, learning, and imagining an elephant for themselves and one another. Their discovery, however, is only in part, like the tusk, the tail, or the trunk. Like the elephant, one of your attributes can never amount to who you entirely are. So, how much more is this true of God?
To really know someone, you can't pretend or limit them to be as you would like them to be; you must come to know them as they are. Generally, people are comfortable focusing on God's goodness, love, and generosity, but there is so much more to God! This week's conversation focuses on the holiness of God - set apart, unlike any other. Meeting God again is ongoing; it's about your life journey developing a habit of exploring, knowing, sharing, and loving who you discover God to be. This week's Psalm study is in Psalm 99. Rally your friends, family, neighbors, or group to dive in deeper.
Are there people in your life that as you get to know who they are, you just want to know more? Your relationship with God can be like that! There are a lot of other voices in culture, family, friendships that tell you who God is, who God loves, who God shouldn't love. But what does God say about himself and his love? Luke 15 is a familiar story to many called the Prodigal Son. It's a powerful story of God's love being personal, unconditional, and transformational. Everyone have a next step in walking with God and experiencing his love. What is yours?
Think about how you build trust with people. There are 3 things people look for when it comes to trusting someone: competence, motivation, and reliability. When it comes to trusting God, learn to listen, do, watch, and repeat. What do you and the people around you hear what God is saying? What are you or the people around you going to do because of it? And, what do you see change because of it? Walk for a while with someone really trusting God and compare them today to them last year! You might be shocked at what God is capable of doing in someone's life. As you learn to build your trust with and in God, you might be shocked with the person you become. This week, read Psalm 33 and listen, do, and watch what God says and does as you become a person who puts their trust in God!
Some people met God as a kid in church, some are meeting God for the first time, and many are somewhere in between. Wherever you are on the journey, there's room for everyone! Over the centuries, people have abandoned their faith over the question: How can God be good when the world is full of bad things and people? In other words, how do you know God is good? God doesn't want his goodness to be information; he wants that to be your truest experience with him. The more you experience God's goodness, the more you let his goodness make you good too.
This week, identify where you need to experience God's goodness. Then, invite God to meet you in that with his goodness. Then, be available and attentive: look for good, learn to see good, and then learn to see God. Take notes on God's goodness this week as you gather story after story to share with others who need good news of a good God.
Imagine you're being introduced to someone - a new job, a new friend, etc. How would you like to be introduced? First impressions are important, especially because no one wants to be misjudged or misunderstood. But, they're only the beginning, because the truth is that everyone wants to be known and loved still. This same thing is true of God. Theologian A.W. Tozer famously said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." This new series is a conversation about meeting God again or for the first time. Stay tuned for a tool on how to discover God through his Word!
The reality of life is that hard things happen — over the course of this year, you will experience both opportunities and challenges. As the year goes on, how do you remain rooted in God? Stay calm. Stay connected. Stay the course.
Staying calm is all about how you show up, staying connected is about who you show up with, and staying the course is about where you are going. As you look back on how you started the year, either in your own direction or in Jesus’ direction, what do you want to stop, start, or modify in the next month to stay the course?
With springtime around the corner, it's about time to start planting the garden - fruit trees, herbs, plants, and flowers of all kinds! This garden metaphor is helpful in understanding living rooted with God. Even Jesus uses the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 to help you better understand who you are in him. Here's the reality: Jesus wants life with you and your life to count for something more than just yourself. Jesus has something to say about your growth and deepening in him, and he has something to say about the fruit your life produces.
The Bible is like a beautiful library, full of different genres and unending stories of truth and wisdom. The Psalms is a book of prayer full of truth about God's character, rich with imagery that invites your intention and imagination. The poetry of Psalms invites you to sit with God's Word, to linger longer at an unhurried pace.
As you read, what stands out to you? What do you imagine? The life you experience will be largely influenced by the company you keep which will always present you with options for the road you take! This week, read Psalm 37 every day, asking "How would I live today if I knew this were true?" Lean in, look at the Scripture together, and practice what God's saying with support from others!
C.S. Lewis says, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important." This week, as you read through the book of Colossians, ask yourself, "have I joined Jesus?" If or when you acknowledge the truth of Scripture, things change - YOU change!
This is about a life-changing decision made when you say yes to Jesus, and how Jesus changes your life as you say yes to him every day! So, join the conversation to discover 3 simple yet foundational ways to continue to follow him through discovering, doing, and sharing what God says!
There's something about birthdays and anniversaries that are worth celebrating. These days are your chance to look back, look around, and look ahead with gratitude, hope, and expectation.
The story of Canyon Ridge is one of sharing the hope of Jesus to everyone, everywhere, every day. Celebrate three decades of stories about how Canyon Ridge's people experience God's faithfulness and respond to him together!
What does home mean to you? Home is where your stuff is, where you rest, where your people are, and where you can be you. Home is where the big and mundane moments happen, from milestone celebrations to daily chores. For spiritual life, sometimes it feels like a vacation rental. You like visiting once in a while, and when you do, you have meaningful experiences. But, when you're ready to head back to your real lives, you pack up and head out until next time.
Take a moment to reflect: is life with God more like a home you've lived in for years or a vacation rental you visit for a few days every once in a while? The difference between a vacation rental and a home is how long you stay. There is a way to be at home with God, where he is the one you always return to, rest with, and root deeply in. For a place (or person) to become home, you need a plan to stay. Watch the message to discover your plan to stay!
Life is full of opportunities and challenges, and everyone wants the strength to meet both with unwavering confidence. With a checklist of goals and hopes for the new year, the things that get unaccounted for are often unexpected turns along the way. How can you be sure that when those come your way, you'll remain strong in who you are? God invites you to rely on his strength with his people, and as you do, you'll find yourself stronger than ever together!
This week, spend time reading Ephesians, watching for God's character and his invitation to you. Pray this passage for and with those you love! What you do daily, weekly, often, and repeatedly starting now will position and prepare you to be confident in whatever comes your way.
At this point, it's highly likely you've rung in the new year and written down some new year's resolutions multiple times now. And by now, you're probably accustomed to cultural cliches like "new year, new me" or the sarcastic commitments to resolutions that you expect to fizzle out by February. So, maybe it's worth pausing to be intentionally curious so you may step into the new year with resolution of who you are becoming, rather than resolutions of what you are expecting.
In the opportunity of a fresh start and a new beginning, look back, look around, and look ahead at what God is inviting you into. In Matthew 11:29-30 (Message), Jesus says, "Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Watch the message for 3 key invitations to reshape your resolutions in this Scripture!
You know how at every family reunion is the infamous kids' table? And maybe you have a memory of finally getting old enough to sit at the adult table only to remain at the kids' table for another year. Here's the thing, though - it's the kids' table that always seems to have an extra seat. If your life was a table, who gets a seat? When you look at the life of Jesus, you can see two groups: those who made room for him and those who did not.
From the beginning and throughout his life, Jesus was well-acquainted with vulnerability and rejection. It would be the busy, self-righteous, and religious who had little to no space, and at the societal kids' table of the 1st century where Jesus often found space: the sick, the widows, the prostitute. But what is even more remarkable than where Jesus sat down is what happened when he did: the marginalized found themselves included, the helpless and avoided were seen and supported, the grieved comforted, and the sick healed. The people who made space had never been more glad they did. Jesus worked where he was welcome. What first feels like an invitation to Jesus quickly becomes an invitation from Jesus.
If your life is a table, does Jesus have a seat, and if so, what do you find transforming in your life and the lives around you?
Have you ever had a costly meal? How do you define costly? Perhaps costly is different for everyone. But, everyone can take a costly step in pursuit of living hospitably in such a way that points to the unreasonable hospitality of Jesus.
The Gospel story is a story of unreasonable hospitality - that God would send his beloved son to an inhospitable earth to make space for all people to come alive in him. His unreasonableness on earth and his costliness on the cross changed the world. Take time this week to recount the ways Jesus has made space for you, as he did once at a dinner party for the Pharisee and the immoral woman as seen in Luke 7. How will God's hospitality towards you move you to live hospitably toward others?
Today's culture is where moving faster means getting more done, where busy is a badge of honor, and an internal sense of speed keeps people running without taking a breath. Can you relate? In a season of holidays and festivities, on top of the normal day-to-day run of errands and kid drop-offs and work and school, the pace is not the first thing most people think of adjusting. This is what makes it easy to hear "hospitality" as an essential way of life with Jesus and head nod, but immediately become distracted.
Hospitality encapsulates this journey from stranger to friend to family. And, because it's a journey, hospitality doesn't happen in a hurry. That's why pace is not only practical but also purposeful. Look through 3 stories of hospitality in the Gospel of Luke and see what God has to say about unhurried presence as hospitality. Are you living at a pace that matches your purpose?
Hospitality is all about food…until it isn’t. Hospitality is shared space, welcoming people to come as they are in a tangible, experiential way. Jesus demonstrated this in both offering and receiving hospitality for all people. Luke 19:1-10 is a story about hospitality between Jesus and a man named Zacchaeus, which allowed for a man who was lost in the ways of the world to be found in the truth of Jesus. So, hospitality is all about food until it isn’t…and it becomes so much more in the presence and with the power of Jesus. Hospitality is physical, emotional, and spiritual space. This week, take some time to reflect on how Jesus has welcomed you to come as you are. How might you create space for people to come as they are?
How do you become a person who...looks back, looks around, and looks ahead at who God was, is, and will always be? By embodying what you have been taught, keeping at it, staying the course, and walking daily. Look at Jesus. The most compelling thing about Jesus is not only his remarkable teaching, but that his life was a testimony of his teaching. In other words, he taught with his life. When you spend time with Jesus and with the people who live the patterned life of Jesus, you begin to do the things he did with the support of others. And then, you become the person who models the life and way of Jesus to the people around you! Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16 in the Message version. What do you discover about Jesus and his way? What do you discover about people in general? This Scripture helps to understand what it means to become a people who stay the course. Examine your life. What intentional, regular rhythms do you have, whether in daily time with God and intentional time with his people, regular rhythms and spiritual habits? Keep at it. Remember, practice makes permanent. What daily step with the Spirit will you take in staying the course, becoming a person who trains, practices, and embodies the goodness and truth of God with your life?
How do you become a person who...looks back, looks around, and looks ahead at who God was, is, and will always be? By embodying what you have been taught, keeping at it, staying the course, and walking daily. Look at Jesus. The most compelling thing about Jesus is not only his remarkable teaching, but that his life was a testimony of his teaching. In other words, he taught with his life. When you spend time with Jesus and with the people who live the patterned life of Jesus, you begin to do the things he did with the support of others. And then, you become the person who models the life and way of Jesus to the people around you! Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16 in the Message version. What do you discover about Jesus and his way? What do you discover about people in general? This Scripture helps to understand what it means to become a people who stay the course. Examine your life. What intentional, regular rhythms do you have, whether in daily time with God and intentional time with his people, regular rhythms and spiritual habits? Keep at it. Remember, practice makes permanent. What daily step with the Spirit will you take in staying the course, becoming a person who trains, practices, and embodies the goodness and truth of God with your life?
God always has more in mind for you! Where you've been and are now isn't all there is. Followers of Jesus want to become people who step confidently into all that God has ahead. In other words, people who try. But trying will feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and risky. Think back on the moments when you experienced progress or growth - those shaping moments were probably challenging! God will lead you into things where your response to him will be all the difference. How you become who you want to become is by a posture of responsiveness to God. Responding to what God says is putting his Word into practice and living with him in his ways. This is more about who you're becoming in trying.
Whether it's starting a prayer team, reaching out to your faces and places, joining or starting a group, encouraging someone, or trying a Discover Bible Study (DBS) together, who are you trying with the support of others? The world doesn't need more people who know a lot about Jesus but don't do anything with it. The world needs people who are responsive to Jesus and, who try to live faithfully every day. So, what is Jesus saying to you and what are you going to try in response?
God always has more in mind for you! Where you've been and are now isn't all there is. Followers of Jesus want to become people who step confidently into all that God has ahead. In other words, people who try. But trying will feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and risky. Think back on the moments when you experienced progress or growth - those shaping moments were probably challenging! God will lead you into things where your response to him will be all the difference. How you become who you want to become is by a posture of responsiveness to God. Responding to what God says is putting his Word into practice and living with him in his ways. This is more about who you're becoming in trying.
Whether it's starting a prayer team, reaching out to your faces and places, joining or starting a group, encouraging someone, or trying a Discover Bible Study (DBS) together, who are you trying with the support of others? The world doesn't need more people who know a lot about Jesus but don't do anything with it. The world needs people who are responsive to Jesus and, who try to live faithfully every day. So, what is Jesus saying to you and what are you going to try in response?
Imagine you were to write a book of who you're becoming, made up of the absolute most important learnings of your life and waypoints of achievement and loss. Somehow, you have become who you are today. And if you were to capture it in a book, whose names would go in the acknowledgments? In other words, who are the people without whom your book would not come to be? When you think about who you're becoming, you want to keep a list of those people, and who end up on the lists of others! All of this boils down to a simple idea - support. Become a people who offer and receive support by being present, practical, and prayerful.
Has anyone ever made assumptions about you? Did this make you feel more or less inclined to have a connection with that person? We have all made assumptions at some point, even if we didn't mean to. When we choose to have a posture of curiosity, it lets us lead with exploration instead of assumption. Embracing others with curiosity rather than assumption allows the people of God to stand out for good. In what ways can you approach your neighbors, co-workers, loved ones, and strangers with curiosity? When we're tempted to talk at someone or to form a conclusion, a question could be just the thing the conversation needs and just the thing you need to discover something new. What discovery questions will you ask this week?
Everyone is becoming someone, whether by accident or on purpose. “Who am I becoming?” This is a real question that most of us have asked at some point in our lives. Life events shape and affect us, but they don’t tell the whole story - nor do our circumstances, accomplishments, choices, or failures. God has made people to be “ever-becoming,” and in doing so, invites his people to look back, look around, and look ahead as we become more and more like him. In what ways can you set your posture to reflect, become curious, and explore what God has in mind for you?
Everyone is becoming someone, whether by accident or on purpose. “Who am I becoming?” This is a real question that most of us have asked at some point in our lives. Life events shape and affect us, but they don’t tell the whole story - nor do our circumstances, accomplishments, choices, or failures. God has made people to be “ever-becoming,” and in doing so, invites his people to look back, look around, and look ahead as we become more and more like him. In what ways can you set your posture to reflect, become curious, and explore what God has in mind for you?
Partnerships are all around - marriages, families, neighbors, coworkers. Everyone wants great partners in life, especially when life gets hard! Hardship is an opportunity to form and forge strong partnerships, especially for people going in the direction of Jesus! When people partner together in Jesus’ direction, partnerships have the opportunity to endure challenges together, deepen in disagreement, and finish well. Who could you continue to explore deepening partnerships within this season?
Don't you want to live a life of meaning? Everyone is going somewhere in life, and if you want to live intentionally, you need people who will partner with you to point you in the right direction. God has incredible plans for your life! He also has people who will help you live into those plans! So who are you listening to God with and for? We are ALL becoming someone. Whether by plan or by accident. Rather than be surprised later, let's partner together to plot a course and cheer one another on.
Everyone wants someone committed to them and their thriving. Don't you? When people partner together in Jesus' direction, celebrating, encouraging, challenging, and supporting one another happens. There is so much joy in partnering with God and his people!
In the New Testament, Paul and Barnabas were two unlikely people who partnered with God and with one another. The example of Paul and Barnabas shows what good partnership is - not just getting together, but going together. Where is God inviting you to partner with him? Start there and commit to great partnerships!
Everyone has a next move. That means you and the people around you! Do you want a life of purpose and joy, full of deepening and transformational relationships? Then you need good people who will go with you to create the best life possible! God created you for partnership with others to be able to realize all the good he has in your life. Look at the people around you and say, “Let’s go!”
When you hear about stories of generosity, it's an easy reminder of how we all want to help and do good. But being generous is more than just doing some good deeds now and then. Living a truly Uncommon Life and being generous will require more than just an occasional act of kindness. Generous people give a lot, often, and with a good heart. They are generous with their time, their resources, and their energy. And they do so to make a difference in the lives of others. No matter how generous you are, we can all take steps toward becoming more like Christ, who was the epitome of generosity. What will you do to be conspicuously generous to people and make a difference in your world?
When was the last time you looked at your monthly spending? That can be a pretty revealing way to see where you are pointing your life. Jesus said that where your treasure is, your heart is. The inverse is true, too! If you want your heart to move toward something, give part of your treasure toward that area. Imagine how many new doors and opportunities for sharing the gospel would open if each follower of Jesus placed their attention and trust toward him!
Generosity is one of the easiest ways to identify if somebody is a follower of Jesus. The earliest disciples modeled what it means to live generous lives by sharing everything they had and giving to those in need. But why is generosity so important for followers of Jesus? As followers of Jesus, the answer to "Why we give?" is best answered by looking at whose kingdom you are building with your generosity. When you live a generous life, your life and actions are not just for yourself. They are building up the kingdom and pointing people in the direction of Jesus!
When is the last time you remember being “in awe” of something? All throughout Scripture, there are stories of signs and miracles that point people to the living God and cause people to be in awe of who he is. The early church in Acts 2 was a devoted group of people who were being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and all people were taking notice. How would living in awe of God transform the people around you?
Take a second to think about the things you do every day. Now, ask yourself if those habits will help you build the type of life you want. As a follower of Jesus, you're called to live an Uncommon Life, characterized by a different set of priorities and marked by different habits and devotion. When you devote yourself to creating the habits that Jesus has called his followers to have, you'll experience the benefits He has in mind. So, look at your everyday habits and ask, "Will this help me live a TWO FEET IN kind of life?"
It seems like anytime there is a tragedy, people send "thoughts and prayers" It happens so often that many people have forgotten how important and powerful prayer actually is! If you want to live an Uncommon life, you have to think about prayer in a completely different way. What would your life look like if you actually believed that you were talking to the God who created the Universe when you prayed? As a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit in you, giving you everything you need to pray bold prayers. So let's be expectant, dependent on God, and see what He can do through your prayers!
Have you ever wondered how meals and tables play a significant role in the story of God's people? Look at your table and see how meals, stories, and lives are shared! The Communion table is what brings people together in remembering Jesus' sacrifice, examining your heart to reflect his, and extending his invitation to people in your life. If God has space for every kind of person, including you, to sit and feast in the company of many others, what might he be inviting you to do with your table?
Have you ever heard the quote that you are the average of the people you spend most of your time with? When you look at your life, it's easy to see that the people you surround yourself with shape who you become. If you want to live an uncommon life, surround yourself with uncommon people. The Bible is full of stories of people living, giving, and going together to bring life to the people around them. In fact, whenever Jesus sent people out, he would send them together. So, who are the people walking with you as you become an uncommon person?
Have you ever heard a really great story that you can't help but share with someone else? Sharing stories of what's happening in your life is one of the best ways to communicate and build relationships. So, can it be so hard to share stories from the Scripture with the people in your life? Uncommon people don't stop at discovering God together and doing what he says. They share everything they've been handed with others people in their lives. We don't want to just keep all of the good God has given to us for ourselves. We want to share it and give it away constantly!
Every parent knows how important obedience is to a relationship. When your children obey you, it shows how much they love and respect you. It's the same in your relationship with God! When you take what you learn from him and put it into action, you show him how much you love him. The uncommon change Jesus is offering you warrants an uncommon response. Take what you learn and put it into action!
Have you ever felt halfway devoted to something? Working out sounds like a fantastic idea until it's time to wake up early, head to the gym, and put in the work. The same is true for your relationship with God. Are you one foot in and one foot out? It's time to be two feet in, fully committed to discovering what God has for your life.
Have you ever been white water rafting? You'll often be given a map at the beginning of the journey, but a static map can be tricky to use when you're paddling through rapids. You need an experienced guide to help you navigate the treacherous waters when you're actually in the boat. That's a great illustration of how the Holy Spirit wants to guide you through your everyday life! You don't have to do it alone! The best part is that the more you follow him as your guide, the more you become like him.
Marriage, graduation, and adoption are all ceremonies that mark a significant shift in your life and show you are no longer the same person. Baptism is a ceremony like that! Jesus began his ministry by being baptized and then commanded his disciples to go and baptize others. Baptism is a practice that helps you do what Jesus did, but that's not the finish line! It's the beginning of a new life, following Jesus and pointing others in his direction.
Change to anything “normal” can be unsettling, but God always has more and better in mind for you! God wants you to live a flourishing life, one that is better than normal. This uncommon kind of life in Jesus’ direction is marked by an uncommon kind of change in you and in the people around you. God intends for you to experience a life lived with the Spirit in you and his people around you.
Easter is first and foremost about Jesus! But make no mistake, his resurrection has massive implications for everyone who takes him at his word. It changes the way we see Jesus… AND it changes the way we see others AND ourselves. If there is hope even in death, there is hope for EVERYONE. That means you! Now through Jesus, new life can take place. Your story can change. There is hope for the better!
What's so good about Good Friday? When you think about the story of Jesus, it doesn't look so good. One week after entering Jerusalem, Jesus was betrayed, imprisoned, and killed. Instead of setting up a kingdom on earth, he dies a criminal's death. But that was all according to God's plan! When God created humanity, he did it to have a relationship with him- but sin ruined that relationship. Jesus wasn't here to set up a kingdom. He came to restore our relationship with God! That's why Good Friday is so good!
Think about the places you go to every week. Maybe you frequent a coffee shop or go to the gym a few times a week. What are you imagining or dreaming for that place or the people there with you? What do you think God is expecting from your time there? God wants to partner with you where you're already showing up, and he wants you to expect that he will show up with you when you show up well!
Have you ever left your house without your wallet? It can ruin your entire day! Just like your wallet, there are a couple of basics that people who want to live their calling can't leave home without! To really show up well in the name of Jesus, you need to surround yourself with people who will pray for you and have something to say when you have an opportunity to share with others. These two things will help you show up well for the people in your life, connect with them, and ultimately point them toward Jesus.
Everyone wants to show up as the best version of themselves. If you follow Jesus, you are blessed with a supernatural way to do just that. You see, the same power that created the universe and raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you! How does that change the way you look at your calling and use your gifts to serve the people around you? Imagine what would happen if every follower of Jesus showed up ready to experience and encounter the power he gave us as we live to point people to him.
A counselor once said, "I would be almost entirely out of work if people got good at listening to one another." Think about your own life. How would it be different if you showed up ready to listen? The Bible is full of stories where followers of Jesus showed up prepared to listen and meet people where they were. This led to an authentic connection and sparked a movement that changed the world! The more you listen, the better you can show up and love people well.
Have you ever left a conversation thinking, "I should have said THIS," or "Why did I do that"? Nobody wants to walk away from an encounter, second-guessing how they showed up because how you show up definitely impacts the people around you. The best way to change how you show up is to remember why you are showing! For followers of Jesus, we show up to heal, bring life, love really well those around us, and invite them farther in God's direction. As a follower of Jesus, you are where the people encounter God. The world is waiting, and God is with you, so let's show up well and expect big things!
When you commit to being friends with someone, it's a big deal! Having friends is like saying, "I choose you," which is worth celebrating! The book of John tells the story of a deep friendship between Simon Peter and Jesus and how Jesus celebrated this friendship. That's a great illustration of His hope for your friendships and His friendship with you! As this series comes to a close, take some time to celebrate the good friendships in your life, especially your friendship with Jesus!
Doesn't it feel great to be told you were wrong? Nobody likes to be corrected, but good friends offer healthy correction because they know better things are ahead. The Bible is full of examples of how Jesus offers healthy correction to His friends. His correction always made sure that the relationship was more important than the problem they were facing and helped his friends become better. He wants to do the same thing for you! He wants to meet you where you are broken and walk with you to somewhere better.
Who in your life has shown up really well for you? Better friends endure! Endurance is putting one foot in front of the other again and again, counting on what God will do next. Think of how you can become the type of person who endures with God and others, especially when life gets hard! Maybe, start by thinking of a story of God's faithfulness in enduring with the people in your life.
What do you call it when only one person is committed to a friendship? Stalking! Friendships only deepen and grow stronger when both people are committed to partnering, working, and being together. The Bible is full of stories where God invites people to partner with Him to do things they never thought possible and grow their friendship with Him. How have you seen this play out in your own life? Where can you offer and invite contributions from God and others to build better friends in your own life?
Think about the first time you introduced your best friend as your friend. Something about calling someone a "friend" is a powerful affirmation and commitment. So, what about your friendship with Jesus? In the book of John, Jesus called you His friend! He is committed to you! So, how would you define your relationship with Jesus?
Do you trust people easily? It can be easy to build walls and defenses to limit people's access to really know you, but something special happens when you open up and allow people to get to know you. Vulnerability creates deep friendships! God wants this type of friendship for you, and he also wants this type of friendship with you!God already knows, and the best part is, He still loves you! You can embrace being vulnerable and secure anyway with Him. When you acknowledge that you are LOVED anyway, and SECURE anyway, you can live far more honestly… with God and yourself and eventually with others.
How well do you know your best friend? That didn't happen by accident. There is a difference between knowing someone and thinking we know someone. Friendships take time, proximity, and curiosity to really grow. Now think about your friendship with God. Do you approach your friendship with Him the way you do with your best friend? What would happen if you started thinking about knowing God the same way you begin to know someone rather than something?
How do you look at your relationship with God? Some people look at God as a sort of boss or coach, looking for good behavior or solid performance. What would happen if you began to see Him as a friend? Look at what Jesus says in John 15. This passage shows that Jesus lived life with his friends and called it what it was-friendship! And He wants to have that same type of friendship with you! Changing the way you view your friendship with God could change every relationship in your life and make you a better friend.
What is your resolution for 2022? If these past few years have taught us anything, we NEED each other! The book of Hebrews gives a great reminder that you need good people in your life who will point you in the direction of Jesus! Life can be challenging, and it can be too easy to compromise your character or convictions when you try to do it alone. This year, resolve to find good people who will go through life with you.
Peace is the heart of the Christmas story. The army of angels burst into praise because with the arrival of Jesus came the promise of peace, the righting of wrongs, the full definition of Shalom. And so, these speak this blessing over mankind: peace on earth.
Have you ever bought a gift that you couldn't wait to see someone open? Generally, when you give a gift, you are giving a snapshot of your relationship with that person. The Christmas story, like a gift, stands as a symbol of much more than the event itself. It stands for how God can be relied on and has good in mind for you! May this Christmas remind you of how God has shown up in your life and how glad He is to be with you.
Think about a moment when you were glad to be with the people around you. The word "joy" can best be defined by your experience when you are glad to be together with the people around you. The best part is that God is glad to be with you when experiencing joy. In fact, God had joy in mind for you and the people in your life! This Christmas season, take a look around your life and look for people you could share joy with.
The story of Mary and Joseph is such an excellent example of faith in what God is up to and faithfulness to the people you love. It is also a wonderful illustration of how God'sfaithfulness gives you the confidence to walk toward whatever life throws your way with hope. How can you use your faith in God to keep walking with the people you love, even when things are hard? How can you show up for your people?