Thrive Vineyard: Recent Episodes
Thrive Vineyard
Unlock the mystery of God's presence in your struggles and emerge stronger, more resilient, and deeply rooted in faith.
This week we dive into Genesis 22 which is when Abraham’s faith is tested. We will look at Abraham’s relationship with God and how he responds to God’s promises during trials in his life. Join us as we find parallels from Abraham’s life to our own modern day lives.
Understand God's Covenant with Abraham as we dive into Genesis 12 and unpack the incredible covenant between God and Abraham. It's not just ancient history; it's a story packed with real-life lessons and promises that still hold true today. Join us as we explore what this covenant means for our lives, our faith, and our journey ahead.
We all have a deep desire to be prepared for the unknown of the future. This week, let’s take some lessons from the life of Noah to learn what we can do NOW to be prepared for what lies ahead.
In this series we will dig into the stories that shape our human experience. We will find God's purposes for humanity, hope for our despair, resilience in adversity and promises that spark our endurance. Genesis 3 is a pivot point for all humanity. Learn how to avoid traps that trick us.
Epic Beginnings, Unexpected Twists, and the Roots of the Human Story In this series we will dig into the stories that shape our human experience. We will find God's purposes for humanity, hope for our despair, resilience in adversity and promises that spark our endurance.
We are three weeks into a fresh year…. NOW is the time to reinforce all the resolutions and good plans you have made for 2024. In this episode, hear God’s wisdom from a daring decision-maker and a legendary leader. This is one decision you will be glad you made!
Christians (and Pastors) love to talk about the promises of God, but what do they really mean? We hear a lot of empty promises made by internet companies, politicians and even some televangelists, so it can be easy to tune out when someone issues a promise. But what do the promises of scripture mean? Are they any different? Do they all apply to us? How do we experience the promises of God in our lives? Some of the answers might surprise you! This Sunday is our last week of the On your mark... Get set... Go! sermon series as we do a deep dive into the amazing power of the promises of God!
Hope is not a plan. If you want 2024 to be better than 2023, you’ll have to do something different. That’s just how it is. You’ll have to tweak a couple things and make a few changes. One thing we’ve all learned over the last few years is that a reset is the not the same as a restart. Fortunately, God knows exactly what it will take to make this year one of your best years yet. Are you ready to launch into the New Year with gusto?
Thriver, Luke Chandler, shares with us this Sunday on "Making the Unknown Known When the News is Good". We'll be taking a look at Paul's Acts 17 speech to the council at Mars Hill in Athens to see how he models the following truth: "We can be confident in our Good News when our Good News BECOMES our confidence.
When Isaiah announced to the whole world that God would be sending His Son to be a light in the darkness, Isaiah records that God gave Him the name, Wonderful Counselor. In many ways, life is just as full of anxiety and confusion today as it was in the days of Isaiah. Who among us couldn't use some really wise counsel?
There's no better time to focus on giving thanks than during the Thanksgiving season. But can we be thankful and real about life's challenges at the same time? In this episode Kevin explores the benefits of giving thanks AND keeping it real!
Have you ever tried to share the gospel with someone, but when it came out, you felt tongue-tied and flustered? Many of us would love to share our faith with people, but we don't know quite what to say. And we don't want to say something wrong and misrepresent God or scripture. Sharing our own story with people can be a bit tough, but sharing the gospel can be downright tricky!
But what if we could know exactly what is essential to the gospel message, and we had a way of sharing it that was memorable and made sense?
In this episode Kevin gives us the tools we need to truly share the good news of the gospel of Jesus to our friends clearly and freely!
When someone has an emergency in this life we don’t sit back and wait. We get help and go after the problem right away. It is no different when those around us don’t know about the eternal life that Jesus offers us NOW! It’s time to ask the Lord how He wants to move in your life for the sake of those around you.
It's the age-old question on a Friday night: Should we stay in or go out? Staying in means being comfortable and relaxed, (think PJ's and a movie on Netflix) while going out is exciting and adventurous, (like trying that octopus sushi roll for the first time). Israel had the same dilemma when God led them to the brink of the promised land when they sent in 12 spies to scope the land to tell Israel if they should stay put, or go into this new land that God had sent them into. Staying was safe, but going offered adventure, and the promises of God. We experience the same choice every day of our lives. Do we stay in where it's safe (think church life) or do we go out and join God in the world and experience the thrill of seeing His Kingdom break in "out there!"
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Bless their socks off?” Molly's mom used to refer to something SO good, SO wonderful that, well… socks were knocked right off. We all want to know HOW to be in the middle of a blessing so impactful that it leaves our friends and neighbors barefoot. In this episode, Molly continues to lay out the blessing strategy - full of tips and techniques you will be excited to try!
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Bless their socks off?” Molly's mom used to refer to something SO good, SO wonderful that, well… socks were knocked right off. We all want to know HOW to be in the middle of a blessing so impactful that it leaves our friends and neighbors barefoot. In this episode and the next, Molly lays out a blessing strategy-full of tips and techniques you will be excited to try!
Of all the amazing and challenging tasks that Jesus left His followers to do after His ascension, one of the most powerful and yet perplexing tasks has got to be the command to heal the sick. And yet, a quick glance at the gospels reveals that healing the sick was a key way that Jesus revealed the Kingdom and made believers out of unbelievers. But can we carry on His healing ministry? In this episode Kevin discusses the continuing call to heal the sick, and ways to join the Holy Spirit's healing ministry in everyday life.
In this episode, Kevin unpacks how we can use our life circumstances, (even the hard ones!) to bring the comfort of God to people who need it in our lives. And who knows, but perhaps it is the simple act of showing compassion to a friend that leads them to the God of ALL comfort, Jesus Christ!
You can hand someone a Bible and tell them to read it . . . or your can take them by the hand and help them discover for themselves what the Bible says about their deepest questions. In this episode Molly shares a very simple, practical and easy way to bring the truth, hope and blessing of God’s Word to the people in our lives.
In this teaching series, you will learn how to minister to the specific heart and needs of the person in front of you, no matter who they are! Additionally, you will learn how to move them towards Jesus, starting where THEY are, rather than having to use a cookie-cutter approach to evangelizing that rarely works.
SPF (Super Proud Family) Baptism Sunday is here! Listen as Molly shares a great word about how this is a landmark day in an amazing new life we have in Jesus.
Many of us know the parable of the Prodigal Son. It's certainly one of the most important parables in all of scripture, but did you know that it is also one of the most misunderstood of all Jesus's parables? Believe it or not, whatever you've understood Jesus to be teaching through this beautiful story, there is much more to learn! We'll discover that God is even better than we thought!
In this episode finally discover the secret of success getting rich quick and turning your ‘ow' into ‘wow’.
Kevin and Molly make their return after their summer sabbatical. Hear how Kevin's summer went and all he learned from it.
In this episode Wendy Seidman shares about how powerful the Holy Spirit is actually in us as believers and how the Kingdom of God coming to earth has been the main mission for us all along.
Ryan Searles finishes up our Summer Series on the book of John with the arrest of Jesus to the resurrection.
In this episode we hear from a panel of leaders at Thrive to discuss 'Our Culture of Worship' and the reason and power behind worship and how to connect with God in a real way.
Are you living out of fear or pride? Wendy Seidman talks about practical tools for living like Jesus.
In this encouraging message, Thriver, Dan Osicka shares on the currency of fatherhood both in the lives of those around us and with our Heavenly Father.
Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more What does it mean to worship in Spirit & in Truth? How does that apply to our lives today? Nathan Gerdts shows us what biblical worship looks like and how you can find it in unexpected places in John 4.
In this episode we continue our study in the Gospel of John with Danny Mercado, Vineyard's Regional Leader of the Midwest Region.
In this episode we explore the transformative miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Canna. We will reflect on the profound truth that Jesus is the ultimate source of fulfillment in our lives. Jesus offers an everlasting and unparalleled sweetness that satisfies our deepest longings.
The best eyewitness imaginable--John, son of Zebeddee---testifies that he experienced the...experienced the power and the personality and the presence of Jesus; he builds the case for Jesus being the One and Only Son of God. The question is: do we agree?
In this episode, Vineyard Regional Leader of the Midwest Region, Danny Mercado, speaks to Thrive as the Kiefer’s head into their sabbatical.
What Molly wants to you know before they go on Sabbatical. This summer is going to be great. Listen to why in this episode!
In this celebratory episode, Kevin will focus on the kind of life that Jesus secured for us at the resurrection.
Can people really, actually, bless God? Some bible experts say, no, we really can't bless God. We can't actually add anything to God's life that He doesn't already have. But if you could bless Him, and I mean REALLY bless Him, would you? What if you could make God jump for joy? In this episode we discover the one true way that we can make God's heart absolutely sing!
As some in the church have described, Lent is a season of "Bright Sadness." Listen as Kevin leads us in a lenten devotional that will draw our hearts towards Jesus, his and our suffering, and the light of the resurrection.
In this episode we look ahead to what the Lord has for us in this season . . . MOVING TOWARD MATURITY: "So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!" Hebrews 6:1 (Message Translation)
Most of us don't like facing times of testing, but Jesus willingly went into the wilderness for a showdown with the enemy and faced tests that are common to everyone. The result: Jesus emerged with clear identity and greater power! What if there is hidden potential in facing times of testing in the wilderness?
No discussion of the Kingdom of God is complete without an understanding of the clashing of God's Kingdom with the Kingdom of Darkness, Satan's kingdom. Life can seem crazy, and that's because we live in the center of two kingdoms. In fact, every day, you and I are deeply impacted by both kingdoms, but our call is to help advance God's kingdom of light in a dark world!
In this episode, Kevin equips us to be able to join in the battle to see God's love, power, healing, freedom and justice come to earth, just as it is in heaven!
At times our lives feel impossibly complex . . . Runaway technology. Political conflicts. Racial division. Economic turbulence. Plus, all the usual ups and downs of balancing our work, family, and personal lives. Is there an escape? Is there any hope? The solution may be simpler than we thought. In this episode Molly delves into the wisdom of Jesus for those of us who feel anxious and overwhelmed in this complicated world.
What is the Kingdom of God? Why does it matter? The Kingdom of God is a term that Jesus used in the bible, and it gets thrown around a lot in church, but few really know what it means or how it impacts "real life." But impact life it does, far more than we know. In this episode Kevin talks about how we cannot understand God or life without a clear understanding of the Kingdom, and how when we grow in knowledge of the Kingdom of God we will also become more powerful and peaceful in our lives with Christ as well!
Time flies when you're having fun... Time is money... I'm just killing time...That's a waste of time...Much has been said, written and sung about time over the years, because next to God Himself, time really is our most precious commodity. Once a moment is gone, we never get it back again. Which leads us to the question, how can we make the most of our time? As is always the case, God has the prescription for a life well-lived. In this episode Kevin teaches us to make the most of our precious time on earth.
In this episode Molly dives into what the Bible says about how we can be financially free in 2023.
In this episode guest speaker, Leonard Hays, talks on learning to experience the reality of the Father’s love in your life in new ways.
In this episode Kevin and Molly share insights from the Bible and their experience about how we can successfully overcome the pressure, stress and anxiety we all face in our lives.
In this episode starting our new series, we look together at what the Bible says about improving all of our relationships — and Kevin and Molly share a few of the things they have learned over their twenty-five years of marriage!
As we usher in 2023 we want to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into our communities, our church, and the world. Join us for a time of prayer and listening to God for our lives in the upcoming year.
Christmas--what a season! With all the shopping and presents and travel and food, it can be easy to inadvertently trade the hallmarks of the "Christmas Season"---food, fun, and festivities, for awe and wonder and joy that come when we see and experience the true reason for Christmas, Jesus, the Lord. In this episode we set our gaze on Jesus Himself, treasure Him in our hearts, and experience the true joy of Christmas, Jesus Christ.
Remember how it used to feel on Christmas Eve when you would toss and turn in bed and wonder if Christmas Morning would ever come? Sometimes life feels like that, doesn't it?...
We all have people in our lives that we care about, (some that we actually love!) who do not have a saving faith in Jesus. That's life, right? It may bother us, and we may have even prayed for God to bring them to faith. We may have even said something to them, but do our hearts and our actions match the urgency of the situation? Do our hearts match the burning heart of Jesus for the people WE care about? Perhaps we have grown too comfortable with our loved ones' separation from God? In this episode we will rekindle the passion to see our most important people experience eternal life.
Financial self-control is essential for an abundant life filled with freedom and generosity. In this episode, Ryan Searles speaks on discovering the gift of giving!
In this episode Thriver, Wayne Wachsmuth, explores the meaning of two additional "big words" Sacrifice and Atonement. Let's delve into, hear with the ears of the Spirit, apply, and hopefully be transformed by these important and weighty words.
Why would we do this? Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7) We have much to pray for. Things in life that are not as it should be. Areas allaround us where God's kingdom has NOT yet come. But God moves in answer to prayer. In this episode
Kevin will stir us to have confidence that God WILL move in answer to even our biggest prayers!
In this episode, be encouraged and challenged by those in the body sharing from their lives. So much power in testimony!
Sin. It doesn't get much air time these days. For those of us who have put our faith in Jesus and the cross, sin has "lost its sting." Have you ever wondered, is sin still even a thing now that we are covered by God's grace? And what do we do if we 'mess up'? In this episode Kevin reveals the power of sin (yes, it has power) in our lives today, and the greater power of God's grace for us who believe.
In this episode Kevin continues in our VOCAB WORDS series the word SABBATH. It's a strange word from the Old Testament that we don't think about or talk about much anymore. Is it even relevant for today? And who has time to take a sabbath anyway?
More than a thousand years before Moses led the children of Israel into the Promised Land, someone else got there first--and God was waiting for him with a BIG surprise!
What is the most valuable substance on earth? What are its properties? It turns out the most valuable substance on earth — the blue diamond — has similar qualities as a core attribute of God. Faithfulness. Both are valuable, both are rare, and both are extremely hard! Let’s discover and gain God’s blue diamond for us: His faithfulness.
We all have a lot on our plate, no matter what stage we are at in life. We've also been wronged by people in our lives. We all know we should forgive, but have we? Let's take the weight of 'unforgiveness' off our shoulders and learn in this episode why Forgiveness = Freedom.
How's it going? Like, really, how's it going? Feeling good? Or is life a little more challenging than you might have expected, especially since we have, you know...God? God is described as the God of Hope, and we are a people of hope, and yet, sometimes hope seems hard to catch and hard to keep. We might even look at areas in our lives and see what Ezekiel saw in his vision in Ezekiel 37--a valley of dry bones.
And the crucial question when we look at the hard parts of our lives is, "Can these bones live?"
If you've ever wondered about a question that has come up for many of us -- "How do we know what God calling us to?" "How do we recognize His plans are for our lives?" --in this episode we take a look up-close at an elderly prophet, a canteen filled with oil, and an overlooked boy who would one day be king.
In this episode we learn how the power of one man's hunger for God changed the course of history!
What do you do when you're dealing with someone who is really angry at you? Like, REALLY angry. We've all been there, but can anything be done? This Sunday, we will learn about the "superpowers" of an unsung hero in the Bible, Abigail. By using the power of one key relational skill, she single-handedly thwarted an army, saving many lives. And you can use this same skill to soften the heart of even the angriest person in your life!
Long before the Lion's Den, Daniel discovered a secret that set him apart from the rest and made him ten times better! In this episode Molly shares how YOU can live a life off the charts.
At times we may find ourselves facing in the same dilemma that Noah did. On one hand, we think we've heard from God. On the other hand, every time we look up the skies are blue. In this episode Molly looks at what the Bible says about getting ready for an unknown future.
When was the last time you were really hungry? For God. Though we routinely avoid being hungry in life, in faith, hunger is the conduit to some of the greatest experiences with God we will ever have. Can we get hungry for God?
In this episode Kevin talks about the life of Elijah in our series How to Live an Unordinary Life.ife.
Have you ever noticed that nothing feels better than getting even? In this episode Molly talks about Getting Wrongs Right and what that looks like in the kingdom.
In this Father’s Day episode, Kevin shares about how to live out of knowing the Father’s heart for us.
Want less busy and more full from this life? Want to know how to expect more than the usual grind? Pentecost Sunday: discover again one life changing moment that provides for life without limits.
In our study of Galatians, we have been following Paul as he points us toward a future free of blindspots. Leading us on the path toward freedom Paul reminds us how to stay free of our fears, false identities and demanding self-effort.
(Sermon Series on Galatians) Listen to this powerful sermon calling the church back to being led by the Spirit fully!
What is the gospel? It has probably been a while since you've thought about that. The answer may surprise you. And what about why does the gospel even matter? The answer to that question may surprise you as well. In this episode discover a renewed appreciation for God and the actual good news of the gospel!
In this Mother’s Day episode Molly shares some words Mom really wants to hear as we focus in on words worth repeating across all of our lives.
In this episode Kevin digs in the dirt, looking for the Spirit to break up the hard ground of our hearts and produce an abundant harvest in our lives and in our worlds!
When we "wake up" to life with Jesus, our lives are transformed. But our culture is constantly trying to lull us back to sleep: buy this, watch that, “like + subscribe!” How do we reconnect with God’s unique and individual purpose for our lives while balancing the pressures of the world around us? In this episode Oliver Robinson digs into Ephesians 5!
Only God could roll away the stone and secure an unending celebration for us.
Only God could tear apart the curtain of the temple and welcome us into perfect relationship.
Self-effort can't really reach what we need. Our self-effort couldn’t nudge the stone. This Easter we get to the heart of it, recognizing where we still rely on self-effort and where that thinking tends to get in the way. Let's lay aside our self-sufficient effort. Let's see the cross and resurrection, and trust what only God can do in deeper ways.
Our devotional lives can be a bit tricky. When the subject of quiet times or the spiritual disciplines comes up, it's easy to feel like we're not doing enough, or that we're not experiencing what we hoped that we would experience during our times with the Lord. And yet, in the life of Jesus, being alone with the Father seemed to give Him power to live out the miraculous life that He lived!
So, what if there were a (far!) better way to think about and "do" our devotional life? A way that is more freeing and life-giving than we have ever experienced? Join us this Sunday as Kevin reveals a better way of doing our spiritual disciplines!
Jesus points out that God’s commands can all be summed up in a simple phrase: Love God; and love others. Sounds good, right? But it sure ain't easy! We try our best, but we can find ourselves failing to love even with those we really do…uh..."love." Is this as good as it gets? Not at all! In this episode, Kevin shares how we can grow more like Jesus in our everyday lives and love with His love!
In this episode Molly talks about how much fun it is to get away, there’s something so comfortable about coming back home! Listen as we find the promise of God surrounding us to help us find our home in Him again and again. Let’s open the Word and develop a well-worn path to His presence.
Every Christian hits a wall, or many walls at some point in their journey with Jesus. They are never fun, but can they be redemptive? In this episode we discover how the walls we face can actually be tools for some of God's greatest work in our lives!
March is here and spring break is right around the corner. Even if you aren’t heading to the beach, it’s time to think about packing: packing for your future. No matter your March plans, we are all headed toward the future. As we are packing for the future, what will go with you and what will you leave behind? In this episode, we make some packing plans together.
In this episode, Circuit Riders shares testimonies and Kevin shares the importance of knowing who we are, so that we might allow God to bring us to a place of healing and freedom from the burdensome expectations of others.
As Solomon said, "All the issues of life flow from our heart." What is seen on the outside is just the tip of the iceberg. In this important series, we will experience that God has healing for the inner person, which is the person we live with moment by moment, every day of our lives!
Remember Debbie Downer, from Saturday Night Live? We can easily fall into that stereotype, longing to escape those negative tones. This week, we find a Biblical template for creating a good report! From one story, we discover how to lead your friends, family and other favorites into the hopeful future.
God shifts the Thrive Sunday Service as Kevin scraps his planned message and leans into what God is highlighting for Thrive.
Molly leads us through zapping some controversy around deep spirituality. Let’s dispel a common myth with the words of Jesus together!
Dianne Leman, founding pastor of The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, brings a powerful message titled, Wrecked for God: The Surprising Secret to True Transformation.
Life is hard. And to make matters worse, many of us struggle to feel hopeful and peaceful in the midst of the challenges we face because we have misplaced our hope. It's not that we've lost hope, but it's that we've put our hope in the wrong place, and whenever that happens, disappointment is never far away! Thankfully, there is biblical hope that can overcome every circumstance, and we worship a God who is the God of hope, so even in these stretching times, hope is on the way!
In this episode, Steve Nicholson, founding pastor of the Evanston Vineyard Church speaks on three ways to keep in step with the Spirit.
In this episode, Kevin shares an engaging Christmas message titled 'O Come, Let Us Adore Him', as we engage the person of Jesus in celebration and adoration!
In this episode, Kevin calls us to a better celebration, one that exalts Jesus, and one that will make this Christmas a Christmas you'll remember!
God’s transforming work is worth celebrating! In this episode, Thrive celebrates how we have gathered to gain strength from God’s power, on display IN each other’s lives. We look back at what He is done in our church family during our Rooted experience and look ahead to what God is calling us to continue!
Special Guest Speakers, Dan Osicka and Wendy Seidman will be sharing in this episode on why and how we can naturally and authentically share the really good news with the people around us.
What would happen if we made Thanksgiving, or giving thanks a lifestyle, rather than a moment in our lives? In this episode, Kevin unpacks the power of giving thanks, far beyond the fourth Thursday in November.
In this episode Kevin continues in our Rooted series and talks about the God’s heart of why we actually tithe. And it’s not what you think!
Ever wonder, “What’s the point of this life?” Ever feel like real adventure is waiting for another season of life? This week we circle up around God’s sure fire way to make the most of our life!
In this episode learn how YOU can operate in the gifts of WORDS OF WISDOM, WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE and PROPHECY and grow to become more “naturally” supernatural.
Guest Speaker, Chael Tiller from Fusion Church speaks on warfare and strongholds from our church-wide series on ROOTED.
Know someone experiencing a hard time? Need more than a band-aid and a cup of soup? In this episode we learn how to be a source of strength in our call to be with those who need comfort!
Alfred Lord Tennison once wrote, More is wrought by prayer than this world dreams of... yet, often our experience in prayer is far less than anything powerful or poetic. But there is a way to pray that opens up the expanse of God, His personality, and His deepest dreams for us and the world. In this episode we immerse ourselves in some of the most powerful prayers ever prayed. You will be filled with the glory of God as we pour out and receive God inspired prayers!
Do you know the sound of God's voice? Many of us wonder if we really do know his voice. Others of us are confident that we know His voice well. But do you know the key ingredient to having God's voice active and growing in our lives? Most Christians miss it, even though Jesus teaches us his secret to hearing God's voice clearly and powerfully each and every day. In this episode Kevin invites us to a new level of hearing God!
Life is expensive! More than dollars and cents! Life takes a whole lot of withdrawals doesn’t it? Relationships, work, stress, unexpected crisis…Can we ever save up enough to cover it all? We can! In this episode we put a large chunk of change in our spiritual piggy bank!
In this episode, Kevin gives us Biblical tools for getting along with each other, and even loving each other when we disagree on critical issues like masking, vaccines, politics and public health policy.
There is one money principle that rises above them all. And anyone who hears this principle and lives by it will find themselves happier and more blessed than they could have imagined. In this episode, find out what this secret money principle is!
In this episode Kevin continues our series on wisdom from the book of Proverbs as we explore the power of our choices.
Ever feel stuck by the decision in front of you? Often wonder... am I getting this life right? Maybe my parenting style is too soft. Should I look for another job or another climate or another set of friends? In this episode we look at some wisdom found in Proverbs to help us make precision decisions. Let’s move forward in peace!
In this episode Thrive Executive Pastor, Wendy Seidman, speaks on the reality of engaging in spiritual warfare and our authority in how to win!
In this episode Kevin continues to reveal Thrive's new "Flame Initiative" to help us learn how we can all live today in a way that produces fewer regrets tomorrow!
In this episode Kevin reveals Thrive's new "Flame Initiative" to help us learn how we can all live today in a way that produces fewer regrets tomorrow!
Are you at the end of your rope? In this episode, we find hope in Paul’s farewell speech in the book of Acts. We will discover three reasons why the Bible tells us to tie a knot and hang on!
In this episode, Kevin shows a real life story of how the church first began to use calling and spiritual gifts as the way to determine how and where people serve in the church.
The question is, would God ask us to do something that others might think is strange, and if so, could that possibly be a good thing? Not just good for God, but good for us too? You'll find out the answer to that question and more as Kevin "talks crazy" this Sunday!
Some things are worth spreading! In this episode we find out how to start a conversation everyone will want to listen in on! You will soon be sharing ideas and answers that people are waiting for!
What difference does a father make? All the difference! In this episode, Kevin shares why fathers matter, as well as three tools to powerfully impact every father (and mother's) parenting!
The on-fire Acts church hit the streets. As they went, they experienced the healing power of God in action through them. They astonished people and brought awe of God as the sick were healed. This Sunday we find out how to pray like Peter and John through their story and the words of Jesus.
If you ever felt that way, you were probably right! The Bible describes life on earth as the intersection of two worlds, the material world that we can see and touch, and a spiritual world that overlaps and interacts with our physical world. The problem is, too many christians live as if the spiritual world isn't real or doesn't affect them, and they do that at a great cost!
In this episode, Kevin reveals the spiritual battle that we are all a part of whether we know it or not!
How do we overcome our tendency to run in the middle of conflict? In this episode, we look at our response to conflict in relationships and learn how to follow God’s heart for connection.
In this episode, Ryan Searles shares what God is putting on his heart for Thrive about giving away the greatest gift.
In this episode, Kevin shows how God’s blessing and joy was multiplied powerfully in and through the Acts church because of the generosity of the people!
Ever feel like your prayers don’t really count? In this episode, on Mother’s Day, catch God’s insider tips on prayer that matters.
The church today, even before the pandemic, didn't experience the power of human-to-human connection that God has designed for us to experience, but the early church did. The book of Acts shows us the blueprint for church life as God designed it, and this model which is supernatural in it's design and impact that is still available to us today!
In this episode, we continue our series on Acts! What happens after God’s presence comes in such a powerful way on the disciples on the day of Pentecost? Find out how the fire continues. Discover how your own life stays ablaze!
In this episode, Kevin dives into the beginnings of our series on Acts with 'MYTH-BUSTING the Baptism of the Holy Spirit'.
In this episode Molly talks about how Jesus teaches and demonstrates the kingdom come and how we get to walk in the same Spirit and move in the same power.
Have you ever felt like you know that Easter is a big deal, but it doesn’t feel like it’s a big deal? Like Easter should be more impactful than it is, or that you should feel a greater sense of awe or appreciation, but you don’t? Well, you’re not alone. As we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Kevin is going to help us to more fully experience the joy and awe of our union with Christ and our Reunion with God through the finished work of the cross and the Resurrection.
Molly talks about how Jesus as King comes into our lives, worlds and mindsets in unexpected ways just as He did when he came in on a donkey. In this episode are multiple guests from Circuit Riders share their stories about how God has showed up in different ways than they expected.
In this episode, guest speaker, Tom Severson from the Elgin Vineyard shares a message on The Vine and The Branches called 'Full Attention'.
Join us in this episode as Kevin gives us tools to help us discern who is speaking to us and who we will choose to listen to.
Right now you can see the snow melt away and grass that has been there but buried for a while start to show. In the same way, we will uncover some paths that lead to joy in our lives this week. Let’s experience the joy that makes strong today.
Are your spiritual practices producing measurable change in your life? Are you substantially more like Jesus today than you were two years ago? Growth can be elusive, and our current way of relating to God may actually be blocking our breakthrough, rather than empowering us to be more like Christ. In this episode Kevin shares a pathway towards real, measurable, healing and growth.
Our hero has some trouble on the horizon. Will his enemy get the best of him? Will the people of Israel ever live in peace again? Every courageous builder will face a moment of decision... give in or press on? Today we find strength to build until it’s done!
In this episode Kevin explores the idea that it wasn't simply that Nehemiah prayed that produced the breakthrough for his people, but that it was the kind of prayers that he prayed that ushered in the move of God.
Don’t be sidetracked by the winter storm out there! It’s not too cold for passion. This week we uncover a source of internal heat that will keep life burning.
In this episode, Kevin shares three traits that enabled Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem in record time. These same traits will enable us to rebuild our hearts, our marriages, friendships and even in our communities.
Feeling a bit lethargic these days? We need a better source of energy than a triple shot from Starbucks. God has just the thing. In this episode, Molly shares building blocks you could really use.
We are all thankful to put the year 2020 behind us, but what is God doing in 2021? In this episode Kevin reveals what he believes God is doing for the new year and discovering what God is up to in this "Seek the Lord while He may be found" moment!
Jesus taught us about our time. What He had to say is timeless. I want us to look beyond our watch and hear what Jesus has to same about time. With another year down, it’s time to focus on how our time really matters.
Thrive guest speaker, Wayne Wachsmuth, shares an encouraging teaching for the new year.
An encouraging word from Thrive Guest Speaker and Young Adult Ministry Leader, Pam Hittie, about the 2020 year in review and what God is speaking about what’s to come.
Ever felt frustrated by the Rubic’s Cube? Ever had to walk away from the 1,000 piece jigsaw? How many unfinished sudokus are laying around your house? God provides an answer for every unsolvable puzzle in our life.
In an era where it's not hard to imagine that it's going to be a rough winter for all of us, in this episode, Kevin examines what Jesus has to say about what it takes to keep us peaceful, hopeful and useful, no matter what the forecast is!
Guest speaker, Chael Tiller, speaks in this episode about having our identity grounded in the Father's love for us.
In this episode, we discover something very, very significant. Molly shares ONE secret on how to get more value out of your day!
Molly interviews Mary Sirois, founder of Tribl and stock trader, about trade secrets in the here and now and within the kingdom.
People all around us are in need of a touch from God, but sometimes we don't know what to do about it. The good news is, true ministry is simpler and more powerful than you can imagine.
Have you ever experienced a workout that was super challenging? Remember feeling soreness in areas that you never knew existed in your body? This week we will discover a practical spiritual workout that will strengthen more than our core, but our whole body! Need some stretching before this workout? Read Ephesians 4 in both your favorite translation and in the Message version!
In this episode, Kevin shares on three ways we can make more room for God in our lives and why we would want to!
What is church? Is it the building we meet in? Is it the people? Is church the stuff we do? Millions of christians have had their spiritual lives deeply impacted by the pandemic because the way that we've done church has been turned upside down. But maybe that's not such a bad thing?
In this episode, Kevin tackles the question, 'what is the church?'
You are made to match. You are made for more than the shelf. You are made for a world full of creative expression, purpose and fulfillment. Let’s discover more together in this episode.
Carnivals used to give away cigars to players who overspent on challenging knock-down- the-milk-bottle games. To entice players to come play their game, or try again, the booth attendant would yell out: “Close, but no cigar.”
Has connection to church these days feel like 'close, but no cigar'? Have you settled for a new definition of connection?
In this episode, we journey through scripture and find Jesus's words, that reveal God’s radical and dynamic purpose for living close.
How do we walk through this season of political unrest? In this episode Kevin talks about how to honor God in this time.
Anyone else setting that alarm a little later these days? Fall is almost here. That means we might need a small network of assistants to get us out of bed on these cooler and darker mornings. What happens when there is no one there to support our morning needs? Do you rely on tricks to help you get going in the morning? God has a solution that will help us hand over our tricks! He provides insight to real rest- rest that is accessible even now…. in the fall…when sleep is hard.
Many of us don't think too much about our identity. We usually just go about life, living out our identity unconsciously. But what is our identity, and who defines it? While many of us may have a theology for our christian identity, often, our real lives don't match our theology which means that we may be torn between multiple identities or even confused about who we really are.
Have you been using portrait mode this week? I’m praying that the ever-changing circumstances and the details of your life are remaining a bit fuzzy in the background. God has highlighted our identity in this season: we are a waiting church. We are waiting for His Spirit to fill and accomplish His mission in our lives. Now that we have identified an identity, how do we keep that in focus?
This week, we practice eliminating two things that might obscure our identity.
How do you navigate the change of seasons? Have you become an expert in dealing with change in the year 2020? God is a brillant author of seasons and a constant guide through change.
In this episode, we regain focus on what stays constant when we are surrounded by change.
In this episode, guest speaker, Ryan Searles, shares how even through the fires of this world, there's a God that is in the fire with us.
We often preach on our ability to count on the nature of God: His goodness, His mercy, His faithfulness. All these are true and necessary as we count. On this earth, we must count the cost of the Kingdom. This week, Molly expands our math skills to include another type of counting we must bring into the equation.
In this episode, Kevin speaks about releasing the Kingdom within us as we are already vessels of the kingdom!
Have you ever prayed for this Kingdom that is at hand? Have you ever prayed, expecting to see God’s goodness and healing without seeing the result you hoped? What do we do when we don’t see our prayers answered? That’s a big question to tackle! In this episode, Molly starts to unpack it!
In this episode, we discover that Jesus only had one single ministry while on earth, one message, one purpose, and most Christians don’t even know what it is. This Sunday, come and find out what Jesus was doing, and how knowing what it is will change your life.
Who doesn't love a good movie? And what makes a good movie even better? When it turns out that it's based on a true story! This week, Molly opens up not just a good story, but a true story of the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom story impacts your vision, your current world and your future.
Let the story begin!
Kevin speaks in the episode, Father’s Day 2020, about thriving in life even when we disagree.
Feeling overwhelmed with the heartache in our nation these days? Maybe it seems like there is just too much wrong with the world. Have you wondered what you could do? Do those wonderings fall short with no obvious answers? The life of Jesus goes the distance. Let’s walk with Him as He walked in our shoes. In this episode we learn to trust for Him for each future step.
In light of recent events and the time we are living in, Kevin talks about racial justice and the heart of the Father.
This Covid-19 season has felt long. And weird. It seems recently that the weirdness morphed into weariness…. Finally dissolving purposelessness. Molly turned to God for insight and perspective. In this episode, she will pass along a fresh sip of strength.
God is very much at work in this anomalous season! He is on the move right now in the lives of millions and millions of people, and He wants to be working in YOUR life in a very powerful and particular way.
However! Are we aware of what God is doing in our lives and are we joining Him in what He wants to do in us and through us?
Because in this season, God is on the move, and things are changing. People are changing. They are crying out, like sheep without a Shepherd. So, do we know what the Father is doing right now? You're not going to want to miss this!
In this episode, Molly will be giving insight on how to relate to the women in your life with more compassion and understanding. God wants us to gain some perspective on our life. Looking at real life together, we look at Joshua outside his day of battle. This story will encourage you right where you are.
A walled city that is shut tight. A brand new leader with no past success. A hostile takeover days away. An angel with a sword ready to swing. All the pieces for an epic story…. one that will hit home closer than you think. In this episode Molly shares this epic story and truth about an overcoming God!
Never have we collectively needed what grace really is at work in our lives and unleashed into the world today. The realgrace, that is... Grace is a noun, a thing, that shows up in all the most important places in scripture, and yet it's easy to overlook. Grace, will change your life. In fact, it already has. But grace's full potential has yet to be unleashed. Not yet...
Are you thriving inside? We want to keep filling our lives with “Peace in the Pandemic.” Our focus in this season has been to discover and live in God’s provision for abundant life. Yes, even inside. In this episode, we are going to dive deep into God’s provision for you in YOUR time of need.
In this season of dealing with the many challenges that come with Covid-19, we need a living hope more than ever before! If our hope is in Jesus, is our hope really alive? Did Jesus actually rise from the dead? Now more than ever, we need substance to our hope, something that we can rely on.
Caring for our friends and ministering the love of God is more challenging now than ever because we are stuck at home! But does being shut in mean that we have to shut up? No way! We STILL have incredible opportunities to share the gospel, the good news, with the people in our lives. We STILL have the opportunity to care for them, pray for them, encourage them and bring them peace.As a matter of fact, we may never have a better opportunity to show the love of God than in the season we are in right now!
How are you finding your way through this season? Do you feel like you are trail blazing a new road? Are you looking for insight from the world around you on how to navigate the unknown? One of the ways that God relates to His people is as a guide. He promised that He would not only be with us, but that He would guide us! He knew that as part of the human experience we would need to be guided. God was prepared for the need we would have on this earth- to be navigated and taken through a season of uncertainty and hardship.
Is it possible to have peace in a pandemic? We are all living in a most unique and challenging time. Our sense of peace and feelings of security are being challenged like never before. Kids home from school, jobs are up in the air, stock market is tanking, the gym and Starbucks is closed, oh, and there's this virus! If we can find peace in this season, we can walk in peace anytime, anywhere. That's what makes this season that we are in such an opportunity. Jesus has peace and strength for us, more than we could imagine! In this episode, Kevin maps out our pathway to peace in the pandemic.
How is your life affected by CoronaVirus? Is your child home from school? Are you working from home? What about your shelves… are they stocked? In these crazy days, it’s easy to first think about all the natural preparation, but what about preparing at a deeper level? How should we think as Kingdom people about the worldwide ripple of this virus? What do we think as a church about the storm around us? This Sunday we will gather to worship, pray and turn to God’s Word for answers and insight into this day. God has truth for us to lay hold of, even in the midst of so much confusion. We look forward to preparation as God designed.
Meditation isn't as mysterious as it sounds, and it is powerful in its effect. Meditation makes a way for us to hear God's voice and know Him more deeply. Meditation helps us to find God in the noise around us. And since we are in a season of fasting, we've already made room for God's still, small voice to be heard.
In this episode, Kevin teaches us how to complete the circuit by adding biblical meditation to our fasting for breakthrough.
What are you preparing for right now? A 5K this spring? A house project? A birthday part? A tax return? This life requires so much preparation. The expansion that God offers does too!
This week we get the preparation thing right! We focus in on God's heart for preparation in our lives...exposing an area we may have overlooked. Join us as we dive into some insights in both the Old Testament and the life of Jesus.
Have you heard how popular fasting has become? Ted Talk speakers, doctors and bloggers sing the praises of fasting. All of these sources convince us of the benefits of fasting… we can finally get our metabolic health and weight loss under control!
As the world focuses on the physical and natural outcomes, they short change humanity. God has so much more for our days here. He has given us fasting to transform more than our physical bodies! Fasting was meant to transform our spiritual world, with eternal rewards…. way more meaningful than what a scale might say! This Sunday we get armed with more! We are going to discover God’s wisdom in the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Let's NAV the New Year by learning to walk the road to restoration. Together we will enjoy a "Super" Sunday of developing our relationship with God and each other. Discover some practical lessons for building great relationships and sustaining lasting commitments.