The Living Streams Church Podcast

Courageous faith is not rooted in our own strength or certainty, but in confidence in who God is and what He can do. Through the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14, we see how trusting God can move us beyond comfort, security, and fear into faithful obedience. Courage can mean stepping out, but it can also mean staying, waiting, enduring, and remaining faithful. As we surround ourselves with courageous people, practice courage in everyday obedience, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we become people willing to ask what Jesus wants us to do and then be brave enough to do it.

Displaying God’s glory is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of following Jesus. We glorify God not by drawing attention to ourselves, but by allowing the life of Christ to be seen through us. As we abide in Jesus, bear spiritual fruit, walk in unity with other believers, and allow God’s Word and Spirit to continually transform us, our lives become a reflection of His character. The goal is that our words, actions, relationships, and everyday faithfulness would point beyond ourselves so others can see the goodness and greatness of God and be drawn to worship Him.

Our lives are filled with opportunities to spend our time, energy, and attention, but not everything we pursue carries eternal weight. Jesus calls His people to live awake and intentional, joining Him in the worthy endeavor of expanding His Kingdom. Through disciple making, everyday relationships, acts of obedience, and the unique gifts God has given us, we can participate in bringing His righteousness, peace, and joy into the world. The methods may look different for each person, but the mission remains the same: faithfully helping others know Jesus and learn to walk in obedience to Him.

This week begins our Worthy Endeavors series with a simple but searching question: are we truly living, or merely existing? In a culture that constantly pulls us toward busyness, distraction, and superficial success, Jesus invites us into the abundant life found in abiding with Him. Biblical health is more than spiritual activity or outward productivity. It is becoming whole people whose lives are rooted in Christ and bear lasting fruit. As we learn to honestly examine our lives, cultivate practices that keep us close to God, and faithfully steward every area He has entrusted to us, we discover that a life spent pursuing what matters to God is a life of lasting significance. 

Throughout the Being Human series, we have explored what it means to be created in God's image and restored through Christ. This final message turns our attention to who we are becoming. As we behold Jesus, the Holy Spirit steadily transforms us into His likeness, shaping not only what we believe but who we are. Real discipleship begins in His presence, where our hearts are renewed before our hands are ever called to serve. And as His love takes root within us, it naturally overflows into humble, faithful service toward others. Loving God and loving our neighbor are never separate pursuits. They are the fruit of a life being formed by Christ, leaving behind a legacy that points the next generation and the world around us to the hope found in Him.

As part of our Being Human series, we're releasing conversations that explore faith, work, technology, and what it means to flourish as people created in God's image. In this episode, David Stockton, Anthony Kennada, and Press Reader explore how our culture shapes the way we think about work, success, and purpose. Together they reflect on productivity, ambition, rest, and technology, asking how a biblical vision of humanity can free us to find our identity in Christ rather than in what we accomplish.

God knows what we need long before we ask, and because of that, we are free to live with trust instead of anxiety. Jesus invites us to see ourselves through the eyes of a loving Father who values His children far more than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. While our world constantly pulls our hearts toward worry, materialism, and self reliance, the kingdom of God offers a different way. As we seek first His kingdom, practice gratitude, generosity, and faithful obedience, we learn to rest in the confidence that God is both willing and able to provide for the life He has called us to live. The invitation is not to ignore tomorrow, but to entrust it to the One who already holds it. 

Artificial intelligence is changing how we create, but it cannot replace what God uniquely designed humanity to be. In this episode, David Stockton, Anthony Kennada, and Ryan Romeo explore creativity, craftsmanship, and the purpose of human work, considering how Christians can embrace new technology without losing the distinctly human calling to create in the image of God.

Zacchaeus' story reminds us that beneath every pursuit of success, security, or approval is a deeper longing to be fully known and fully accepted. While the world teaches us to earn our worth through achievement, Jesus meets us with grace before we've proven anything. His acceptance is not a reward for repentance but the very thing that makes transformation possible. As we receive the love of Christ, we are freed from hiding behind our accomplishments or our failures and invited into a new way of being human, one marked by humble dependence on God and the same generous grace extended to others.

What shapes our identity in a world full of competing voices? This conversation explores what it means to find our identity in the Kingdom of God, live out our calling with faithfulness, and build our lives on a biblical understanding of what it means to be human.

We all spend our lives moving toward something, but the destination we choose is not always the one we were created for. Ecclesiastes invites us to consider our telos, our ultimate purpose and end. While so much of life "under the sun" feels temporary and elusive, like vapor that cannot be held onto, Scripture reminds us that true meaning is not found in chasing achievement, pleasure, or success. It is found in God Himself. Humanity flourishes when we live in awe of the Lord and faithfully cultivate the life He has called us to through joyful obedience. Though everything else passes away, a life rooted in God is never wasted because it is aligned with the purpose for which we were created.

As part of our Being Human sermon series, we're releasing conversations that explore what it means to follow Jesus in a rapidly changing world. In this episode, David Stockton, Anthony Kennada, and Brandon Gurney discuss the intersection of faith, work, and technology, and why a biblical understanding of humanity is essential as AI continues to reshape our culture. Together they explore human flourishing, meaningful work, and how Christians can engage innovation with wisdom, conviction, and hope.

God's greatness is not revealed only in the vastness of creation, but in the astonishing truth that He is mindful of humanity. Psalm 8 holds together both awe and intimacy, inviting us to marvel that the Creator of the stars chooses to know, love, and entrust His image bearers with purpose. In a culture that measures worth by achievement, influence, or intelligence, our identity is rooted instead in being created and cherished by God. Though humanity is small in comparison to the universe, we are crowned with dignity, called to faithful stewardship, and ultimately redeemed through Jesus, who embraced humility to restore what was lost. Worship becomes the natural response as we recognize that the God whose glory fills the heavens continually holds His people in His loving thoughts.

Holistic, unrestrained love is not something we manufacture but something we receive. Centered on the Shema, Israel's daily confession of faith beginning with, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one," this message explores God's invitation to love Him with our whole being: heart, soul, and might. As we discover that God's command is grounded in His covenant love for us first, we begin to see that true humanity is found not in fragmented affection or reluctant obedience, but in wholehearted dependence on Christ, who loved the Father perfectly on our behalf and now empowers us to love without restraint.

As part of our Being Human series, David Stockton and Anthony Kennada continue their conversation about faith, work, and technology by exploring what it means to move forward when the path ahead is uncertain. Looking at Israel's crossing of the Jordan River, they reflect on trust, courage, and how God leads His people through seasons of change.

Genesis 3 confronts one of humanity’s oldest temptations: the desire to define reality apart from God. What begins with the serpent’s question, “Did God actually say?”, leads Adam and Eve to pursue autonomy, wisdom, and self determination on their own terms. Instead of freedom, they find shame, fear, hiding, and fractured relationships. The deeper tragedy of sin is not merely that it breaks God’s commands, but that it deforms what it means to be human. Scripture presents human flourishing not as freedom from God’s boundaries, but as life lived within His good design. In a culture that celebrates self creation and limitless autonomy, Genesis reminds us that true freedom, purpose, and dignity are found in trusting the Creator rather than ourselves. As we embrace God’s wisdom, limits, and calling, we move away from dehumanization and toward the fullness of life for which we were made.

As part of our Being Human sermon series, we're releasing a collection of conversations exploring faith, work, technology, and what it means to flourish as humans in a changing world. Technology is changing faster than ever, but the deepest human questions remain the same. In this opening conversation, David and Anthony reflect on uncertainty, resilience, faith, and how to move forward when the future feels unclear.

Genesis 1–2 grounds our understanding of humanity in a truth that is both ancient and urgently needed today: we are not accidents, products, or data points, but image-bearers of God. In a world marked by anxiety, technological disruption, and questions about identity, Scripture reminds us that human dignity comes from the God who created us, breathed life into us, and called His creation good. Humanity was designed to reflect God's character, steward His world, cultivate flourishing through meaningful work, and live in relationship with both God and one another. While modern culture often fears what the future may hold, the gospel offers a deeper confidence. No human invention can replace what God has uniquely given to humanity. Jesus entered the human story not to discard our humanity but to redeem and restore it, leading us toward the life for which we were created: walking with God in trust, purpose, and unashamed fellowship.

Renewal begins with what shapes our minds. In a world filled with competing voices, shifting opinions, and pressure to define truth for ourselves, the invitation of Christ is to be transformed by the renewal of our minds and anchored in what is eternally true. Jesus does not merely point to truth, He declares Himself to be the Truth. As we learn to recognize God's presence not only in worship gatherings but also in the ordinary moments of everyday life, gratitude becomes worship, anxiety becomes dependence, and daily routines become places of communion with Him. Renewal is not behavior modification but a deeper awareness of God's nearness, formed through His Word, prayer, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. God is doing something new, and the call for every generation is to become people rooted in truth, attentive to His voice, and transformed by His presence. 

Romans 16 closes with a doxology, lifting our eyes to the glory of God. After tracing the depth of the gospel, Paul ends by reminding us that God alone carries the true weight of glory. We were never made to bear that weight ourselves, yet we often chase empty glory and try to prove our own strength. Paul points instead to the power of God that strengthens us in weakness, the mystery of Christ now revealed through the gospel, and the obedience of faith that flows from trusting Him. The only wise response is to be honest about our weakness, turn from vain glory, and give every ounce of weight to the only wise God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 16 reveals the beauty of God’s kingdom at work through ordinary, faithful people. In Paul’s final greetings, names like Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, Rufus, and many others become a picture of generosity, courage, hospitality, discipleship, and spiritual family. The church is not built by celebrities, but by servants who work hard in the Lord, open their homes, share their resources, and carry the mission of Jesus together. Paul also gives a sober warning to guard against divisive voices and deceptive teaching, calling believers to be “wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” Romans closes with deep confidence in the victory of Christ: the God of peace will soon crush Satan, and the promises of the gospel remain sure for all who are in Him.

Romans 15 closes Paul’s teaching on Christian living not with correction, but with reinforcement. Paul reminds the church that reminders are not reprimands, they are invitations to remember what God has already made true in Christ. The chapter calls believers to serve like Jesus, finding the motivation for sacrifice not in guilt or law, but in the overflow of the gospel. Scripture becomes a source of endurance, encouragement, and hope, leading the people of God into unified worship and deeper community rather than isolation. Paul reminds the church that they are full of goodness in Christ, called to openly live out and proclaim the gospel, to practice generosity, and to pray earnestly for those laboring in ministry. The chapter ultimately points back to communion itself: Jesus, knowing how forgetful His people would be, gave bread and wine as ordinary reminders of His extraordinary grace.

Romans 14 calls believers to a deeper kind of unity, one not built on uniformity of practice but on shared surrender to Christ as Lord. In a community shaped by differing convictions, Paul redirects attention away from judgment and toward love, urging each person to be fully convinced before God while refusing to impose those convictions on others. Freedom in Christ is reframed not as personal license, but as a responsibility to build others up, even at cost to oneself. The kingdom of God is not defined by external behaviors, but by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, shifting the focus from surface-level disagreements to Spirit-formed character. True maturity is revealed not in being right, but in bearing with others, limiting one’s freedom for their good, and trusting God as the final judge. In this way, the life of faith becomes a lived expression of humility, unity, and sacrificial love, reflecting the heart of Christ Himself.

Romans 13 calls believers to live rightly in relation to governing authorities, our neighbor, and our own flesh. Authority is described as instituted by God and serving His purposes, leading to a posture of submission, honor, and good conduct. What is owed in civic life is to be given fully, yet one debt remains: to love one another. Every command is summed up in this, that love does no wrong to a neighbor. Paul then turns inward, urging believers to cast off the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, making no provision for the flesh. The Christian life is shaped by what has been received in Christ, expressed outwardly in honor and love, and inwardly through a continual putting on of Him.

Romans 12 marks the shift from understanding God’s mercy to embodying it, calling believers to offer their whole lives as worship through ongoing surrender and inner renewal. Out of this transformed mind flows a new way of living marked by humility, where identity is received rather than asserted, and by a shared life where each person’s gifts are given for the good of others. Love becomes the defining expression of this life, not as sentiment but as a steady, discerning, and active commitment to what is good. Even in the face of opposition or harm, the way forward is not retaliation but a radical trust in God’s justice, choosing instead to meet evil with tangible goodness. In this vision, the Christian life is not separate from everyday reality but woven into it, forming a people whose lives quietly reflect the mercy they have received.

Romans 9–11 unfolds a surprising pattern in God’s redemptive plan, where Israel’s story is not abandoned but woven into a wider mercy that reaches the whole world. What looks like failure becomes a turning point as Israel’s stumbling opens the door for the Gentiles, and that same mercy is meant to stir Israel back to faith. Grace stands at the center, undeserved and freely given, inviting humility rather than pride. The image of the olive tree reminds us that no one stands by merit, only by faith, and the promise remains that God’s calling is irrevocable. In the end, Paul leads us to see salvation not as a linear path but as a movement of mercy that overflows from one people to another, revealing the depth of God’s wisdom. The right response is worship that spills into mission, a life so shaped by grace that it becomes a living invitation for others to come and receive what only God can give.

Romans 10 holds together both the nearness of salvation and the urgency of response. Zeal without surrender is not enough, and striving cannot produce the righteousness God freely gives. Christ has already fulfilled what the law could not, and now salvation is as close as a confession on the lips and belief in the heart. There is no distinction, no barrier, no distance left to cross, only the call to trust and receive. Yet this nearness carries weight. Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ, so the gospel is meant to be spoken, carried, and shared. God’s mercy is wide, His invitation open, but it moves through willing voices. The chapter invites a life that rests fully in grace while also stepping outward in witness, holding together confidence in God’s saving work and participation in His desire that all would call on His name.

Romans 9 wrestles with a deeply personal and difficult question: if God is faithful, why have many in Israel rejected Him? Paul responds by shifting the focus from human expectation to God’s mercy. Belonging to God has never been about lineage or effort, but about His sovereign calling. Through examples like Isaac, Jacob, and even Pharaoh, Paul shows that salvation rests not on human will or striving, but on God’s compassion. This raises tension around fairness, yet Paul anchors everything in God’s character, reminding us that mercy is not owed but freely given. The image of the potter and clay calls for humility, while also revealing God’s patience and purpose. In the end, the dividing line is faith: some stumble by trying to establish their own righteousness, while others receive it as a gift. The chapter invites a posture of trust, surrender, and awe, recognizing that salvation is rooted not in merit, but in the mercy of God.

Romans 8 gathers the whole gospel into a steady, unshakable hope: life in Christ begins not with striving, but with the settled reality that there is no condemnation, and it unfolds through the Spirit who reshapes our desires, assures our identity as God’s children, and sustains us in both the fight against sin and the weight of suffering. Even as creation groans and believers wait for what is not yet seen, the Spirit is already at work, interceding in weakness and forming Christ within us, while God sovereignly weaves every moment toward that same end. What emerges is not fragile optimism but a resilient confidence rooted in God’s character and action, a confidence that nothing in all creation can undo what He has accomplished in Christ or separate His people from His love.

Romans 7 reveals the purpose of God’s law and the inner struggle of those who belong to Christ. Through union with Jesus in His death and resurrection, believers are released from the law’s authority and joined to the risen Christ in order to bear fruit for God. The law itself is holy and good, yet it exposes the deeper problem of sin within the human heart and our inability to produce righteousness on our own. Paul then describes the tension believers experience as they delight in God’s law yet still feel the pull of sin in the flesh. This struggle leads to a cry for deliverance that finds its answer in Jesus Christ, who alone rescues His people and leads them into the freedom and hope of life without condemnation.

Grace does not excuse sin. It breaks its power. Romans 6 explores the transformation that takes place when someone is united with Christ. Through His death and resurrection, believers move from condemnation to justification, from estrangement to reconciliation, and into the lifelong work of sanctification that will one day culminate in glorification. Paul confronts the misunderstanding that grace might permit continued sin and answers with clarity: those who belong to Christ have died to sin and been raised into new life. Baptism points to this deeper spiritual reality. The old self has been crucified, sin’s authority has been broken, and believers are now called to live as people who are alive to God. Freedom in Christ is not the freedom to return to the old life but the freedom to serve a new Master. Sin leads to shame and death, but the life shaped by righteousness bears the fruit of holiness. The contrast is summed up in Paul’s final declaration: the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grace not only forgives the past. It forms a new people who walk in the life Christ has given.

Romans 3 brings us to the great turning point of the gospel. After exposing humanity’s suppression of truth in chapter 1 and dismantling religious self confidence in chapter 2, Paul levels the ground completely. No heritage, moral effort, or knowledge of the law can secure righteousness. Privilege does not equal faithfulness, and sin is never excused simply because God can redeem it. The law, holy and good, functions like a mirror that silences our boasting and reveals our need. Then comes the thunderclap of hope: but now. A righteousness from God has been revealed apart from the law, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all who believe are justified freely by His grace. At the cross, God proves Himself both just and the justifier, satisfying His own righteousness while extending mercy to sinners. Boasting collapses. Superiority dissolves. Faith does not abolish the law but fulfills its aim by driving us to Christ. Here pride is undone and grace becomes precious, as we discover that our only hope has always been a gift.

Faith is easy to admire from a distance and costly when we stand on the edge ourselves. Romans 4 holds up Abraham as the pattern of real trust, not a man justified by effort, heritage, or religious performance, but by believing God. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” The promise rested on grace so it could be guaranteed to all who believe. He trusted the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist, even when his own body and Sarah’s womb testified otherwise. This kind of faith faces nothingness and death without pretending they are small. It entrusts itself to the character of God. The gospel carries this further. Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Because the Son entered death and was raised, those who trust in Him are secured by the God who raises the dead and keeps every promise.

Romans 2 presses hard against the human instinct to sort the world into right and wrong people, exposing how quickly moral clarity turns into self-righteous judgment. Paul confronts both religious and nonreligious readers by revealing that judgment of others often masks our own guilt and misunderstands the patience of God, whose kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, not superiority. True judgment in Scripture is never contemptuous but discerning and restorative, grounded in humility rather than comparison. By stripping circumcision of its false power, Paul insists that belonging to God is not outward or earned but inward, a work of the Spirit in the heart. In Romans, the gospel levels every claim to moral high ground and leaves only one confession standing at the cross and the table: we are saved by grace alone.

Romans opens like a slow, nourishing stew. Rich, demanding, and deeply sustaining. Paul writes to form resilient faith in a fractured world, anchoring identity in belonging to Jesus before being sent in obedience. The gospel stands at the center, not as advice but as God’s decisive victory revealed in the risen Christ. As Romans 1 names the cost of suppressing truth and turning from God, it also clarifies the way forward. Grateful hearts, obedient faith, and unashamed allegiance to Jesus remain God’s means of restoring lives and bringing light into the world.

Luke 17:5–10
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Elijah’s story reveals that faithful prayer can include fear, exhaustion, and deep honesty with God. After the victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah flees in despair, convinced he is alone and that his obedience has led nowhere. God meets him with patience and care, tending first to his physical and emotional needs before speaking. Rather than appearing through dramatic displays of power, the Lord comes in a gentle whisper that restores Elijah’s perspective, reminds him that he is not alone, and renews his sense of purpose. The passage shows that what is often needed most is not immediate change or spectacle, but the quiet, faithful presence of God that sustains and carries His people forward.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Genesis 1:11-12
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

A defining confrontation unfolds on Mount Carmel, where God exposes the danger of divided hearts. Elijah’s question—how long will you limp between two opinions—reveals that Israel’s deepest problem is not ignorance but hesitation. Baal offers the illusion of control and cultural comfort, much like the modern idols that promise security without surrender. Before rain can heal the land, fire must reveal the truth: false gods are silent, but the LORD answers decisively. As the altar is restored and fire falls, recognition comes before restoration and repentance before renewal. This moment ultimately points to the cross, where Christ bears the fire in our place and sends the Spirit to dwell within His people. Undisputed truth still calls for undivided allegiance, inviting us to stop limping and fully yield to the God who has already made Himself known.

1 John 4:16-19
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

Matthew 5:45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Psalm 145:9
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 NIV
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Psalm 126:1-3 ESV
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

Hebrews 10:22 NIV
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Elijah reminds us that powerful prayer flows from obedience, dependence, and perseverance, not from strength or certainty. His life shows that prayer is not a moment but a posture, marked by trust that keeps asking, seeking, and knocking. Sometimes God answers with visible breakthrough; other times He gives sustaining grace. In every case, prayer and fasting create space for God to shape us into a people who listen, endure, and participate with Him as peacemakers in our time.

Psalm 139:7-12 NIV
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Biblical prophecy is framed as Spirit-inspired speech that builds up, guides, and comforts God’s people, always anchored in Scripture (1 Corinthians 14). It clarifies identity, calls for faithful obedience, and offers God’s gentle reassurance, strengthening faith over time through attentive, discerning prayer. Drawing from Acts 27, the church is reminded that storms and loss do not cancel God’s promises but often become the very means by which He fulfills them. Looking toward 2026, a shared call begins to take shape—one of restoration and preparation marked by simplicity, surrender, and trust, where “less is more” and a slower, deeper obedience yields lasting spiritual fruit.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 reframes the end of the age not as a timetable to decode, but as a way of living faithfully amid uncertainty. Rather than offering dates or predictions, Jesus prepares His disciples for a world marked by upheaval—wars, deception, suffering, and lawlessness—while repeatedly calling them to discernment, calm, and endurance. These events are described not as signs of collapse, but as birth pains, signaling that God is bringing new creation through suffering. Scripture consistently resists speculation, reminding us that no one knows the day or hour, yet believers are invited to remain spiritually alert, grounded in wisdom, and shaped by hope. Drawing on Romans 8, the groaning of creation and the suffering of the present age are real but temporary, held within the promise of coming glory and restoration. Until Christ’s unmistakable return, the church is called to be a non-anxious presence in an anxious world—faithful, patient, discerning, and rooted in Jesus—trusting that history is not spiraling toward chaos, but moving steadily toward redemption.

Isaiah 7 places us in a moment of fear, where King Ahaz faces real political threat and is invited by God to trust His presence rather than grasp for false security. The promised sign of a child—given first in Isaiah’s own day—becomes, in the light of Christ, a prophetic horizon pointing to Jesus Christ, Immanuel. What began as reassurance amid crisis unfolds into the heart of the gospel: God does not merely help from a distance but comes near, taking on flesh to dwell with His people. From Eden to the temple, and finally in Christ, Scripture reveals a God who moves toward humanity even when humanity turns away. Advent, then, invites us to confront our fear and unbelief not by escape or control, but by receiving God’s greatest gift—His presence with us, here and now.

Pastor David and Kurt sit down with special guest and LSC alum Ryan Romeo (now at New City Church) for a reflective conversation on hearing God’s voice, weighing prophetic words, and learning to walk faithfully with the Spirit amid uncertainty, suffering, and renewal. 

“King of Nations” emerges from Isaiah’s prophecy during Judah’s political collapse and fear of surrounding empires, announcing a faithful promise that even from a seemingly dead stump, a righteous King would rise from the root of Jesse. This Messianic ruler would not only restore Israel but reign with justice and peace over all nations, confronting evil, defending the poor, and bringing creation into harmony. The sixth Advent antiphon, “O King of the nations, and their desire,” points to Jesus as the fulfillment of this hope—born in David’s line, recognized by the nations, and crowned King not through conquest but through sacrificial love. His cross became the victory over sin and death, and His resurrection His coronation. Revelation completes the vision, declaring that this King will return to gather a redeemed people from every nation and establish a kingdom where the knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.

The name O Oriens—“O Dayspring”—reveals Jesus as the first light that breaks into every kind of darkness. Scripture shows God meeting people in fear, confusion, guilt, and exhaustion, and Isaiah announces a great light that rises precisely when the night feels deepest. The New Testament identifies that light as Jesus Himself, the Dayspring who brings clarity, healing, and a new beginning. As the Bright Morning Star, He signals that the long night is ending and God is ushering in a new world. The teaching explores how Christ’s dawning presence awakens purpose, exposes lies with truth, restores what darkness has taken, and declares a new day over every part of our story.

David and CJ dive deep into Advent longing, the anitphon of "O Key of David,” and why our ache for things to be made right is shared by believers, skeptics, and the whole human story. This episode hosts a grounded, honest conversation about hope, endurance, and learning to hang our lives on Christ alone.

This Advent message reflects on Jesus as the Key of David—the One who opens what no one can shut and brings real freedom, honor, and security to His people. Isaiah’s story of failed and faithful leaders points ahead to the greater One who would be “cut down” for us, and Revelation shows that this authority now rests fully in the risen Christ. He sets open doors before weary believers and invites us into a life of faithful patience and surrendered trust. In a season full of noise and striving, we remember that the freedom and joy we long for come not from self-rule but from the One who governs with perfect love. O Key of David, come.

This episode goes deeper into the O Antiphons, Isaiah 11, the longing for Messiah, and how Advent invites us to anticipate both the birth of Christ and His return. We explore the wisdom of God, the might of Christ, and the hope that springs from the stump when life feels broken.

In this message we look at Isaiah’s image of a shoot growing out of a dead stump—a picture of how God brings life where we’ve already declared the story over. Israel was collapsing, hope was thin, yet God promised a humble Messiah from Jesse’s line who would carry justice, peace, and renewal for the whole world. We feel those “stump moments” too: places in our lives, families, or culture that seem beyond repair. Isaiah points us to Jesus—the Root of Jesse—who isn’t just an inspiring figure but the One who holds everything together and brings real life into the places we’ve written off. Advent teaches us to turn our eyes from ourselves toward Christ, the One who makes dead things live again.

We continue our Advent journey with “O Lord of Might,” the ancient cry that remembers the God who rescued Israel and reveals Jesus as that same redeeming Lord. Throughout Scripture, Adonai is the warrior who saves—powerful in judgment, rich in mercy, and faithful to deliver His people. In Christ we see this fullness: gentle and gracious, yet the One who will return to judge evil and make all things new. This week invites us to take that portrait seriously—not to fear evil, because Jesus conquers it, but to fear drifting toward the very sin He opposes. The Lord of Might stands ready to redeem, lead, and strengthen all who call on His name.

In this Advent teaching on O Sapientia — O Wisdom — we explore what it means to grow in godly discernment. Wisdom in Scripture isn’t just knowledge but the ability to taste and recognize what leads to life. Isaiah points to the One who embodies perfect wisdom—Jesus, the shoot from the stump of Jesse. In Him, we learn to perceive, practice, and proclaim wisdom, allowing His Spirit to shape our desires, decisions, and way of life.

Acts shows us what happens when ordinary people are filled with the Holy Spirit and sent by Jesus. The gospel advances not through comfort or human strength, but through surrendered lives and bold witness. As we follow Paul’s journey to Rome and the early church’s testimony, we are reminded that the same Spirit empowers us today to share Christ and make disciples wherever we go.

Paul’s shipwreck and suffering in Acts 27–28 reveal a peace that transcends circumstance. In this episode, we talk about what it means to endure with hope, to see storms as sacred, and to live with “passionate patience” in a culture addicted to immediacy.

When storms rise, Paul shows us what it means to trust God in the middle of them. From imprisonment and shipwreck to standing before kings, his story reveals that suffering is not a detour from God’s plan—it’s the very soil where faith grows strong. Through patient endurance and a non-anxious presence, Paul turns every trial into testimony and every hardship into hope.

Pastor Ciprian Balta and his family left security in the U.S. for Ireland, not by plan but by providence. This is a story of reluctant obedience that became joyful calling.

In Acts 23 and 24, Paul stands in the middle of his legal and spiritual trial, facing false accusations and strong opposition from both religious and political leaders. Yet even in confinement, his message remains free and his mission unstoppable. Before the Sanhedrin, Paul boldly declares his clear conscience before God and reveals that the true reason for his trial is his hope in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus appears to him, saying, “Take courage…you must also testify in Rome,” reminding Paul that his life is directed by divine purpose, not human plots.  Through it all, Paul remains steadfast—a faithful witness whose calling continues even in chains.

In Acts 21, we encounter a powerful moment in Paul’s life as he journeys toward Jerusalem, “constrained by the Spirit,” knowing imprisonment and suffering await him. Though believers along the way receive prophetic warnings and plead with him not to go, Paul remains steadfast, saying he is ready “not only to be imprisoned but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.” This passage reveals a key truth about the Spirit’s work: revelation may be clear, but interpretation and application require humility and community discernment. Paul listens carefully yet stays obedient to what he has discerned, modeling courage and submission. In the end, the believers surrender and say, “Let the will of the Lord be done,” reminding us that the Spirit’s purpose is not to control or confuse, but to guide us together into truth, love, and faithful obedience.Clarity Through Humility & Unity

In Acts 19–20, Paul’s ministry in Ephesus shows the gospel’s power to transform lives and entire communities. Through faithful teaching, miracles, and repentance, the name of Jesus is lifted high and the Word of the Lord continues to increase and prevail mightily. As Paul prepares to depart, he urges the Ephesian elders to lead with humility, endurance, and generosity—reminding them it is more blessed to give than to receive. His example calls us to live out the gospel with courage, compassion, and full surrender to Christ

Acts 17–18 trace Paul’s second missionary journey as he preaches in diverse settings, facing both openness and opposition. In Thessalonica, some believe while others stir up hostility. The Bereans receive the Word eagerly, examining Scripture daily. In Athens, Paul boldly engages philosophers at the Areopagus, proclaiming the risen Christ in a culturally relevant way. In Corinth, despite resistance, he remains for 18 months, encouraged by God’s promise of His presence. Along the way, Paul partners with Aquila and Priscilla, who later disciple Apollos into a powerful minister. These chapters remind us that the gospel belongs in every place, calls for faithfulness amid challenges, and grows through both bold proclamation and quiet discipleship.

The book of Acts shows that following Jesus is both joyful and challenging, filled with revival, miracles, and unity, yet also marked by persecution, conflict, and disagreement. In Acts 15–16, we see the Church wrestling with theological debates—whether Gentiles needed to follow Jewish customs—and personal disputes, such as Paul and Barnabas parting ways over John Mark. Through it all, God kept purifying the Church’s understanding of the gospel. These stories remind us to stay humble, teachable, and committed to Christ’s mission, even when disagreements arise. 

Acts 13 shows Paul risking it all for the gospel. What does it mean for us to bring Christ into modern public spaces, even when it costs us?

The book of Acts reveals the unstoppable advance of Christ’s kingdom through the Spirit-empowered church, fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission. Paul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher shows that God can redeem anyone, and his ministry in Cyprus and Antioch demonstrates the power of the gospel to humble, transform, and reframe the world’s false stories with the true story of God’s redemption. Living on mission is costly, marked by suffering and sacrifice, yet it is worth everything because Jesus has already given everything for us.

From Peter’s jailbreak to modern stories of traffickers turning to Jesus, this episode shows how even “little weedy prayers” can unleash God’s miraculous power.

In Acts 11–12, God makes clear that the gospel is for all people, breaking down cultural and religious barriers through Peter’s vision and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The early church is called to embrace generosity, humility, and faith-filled prayer, as seen in the Gentiles’ support during famine and Peter’s miraculous release from prison. These chapters remind us that true inclusion is marked by the Spirit, not tradition, and that the Church grows when it reflects Christ authentically, prays expectantly, and gives God all the glory.

Saul’s radical transformation from persecutor to preacher (Acts 9) and Cornelius’ Spirit-filled awakening (Acts 10) reveal that no one is beyond God’s grace, that the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to boldly witness for Christ, and that God’s kingdom welcomes all, regardless of background. These stories remind us that God is always at work, orchestrating redemption, and that we too come as unlikely converts made new through Jesus’ sacrifice and the power of His Spirit.

In a world hungry for hope, Cody and Alec reflect on how God is moving in fresh ways today—and how simple stewardship, authentic stories, and love across differences can open doors for the gospel.

Stephen, though opposed and falsely accused, boldly proclaimed Christ and, even in death, reflected Jesus’ forgiveness. His martyrdom sparked persecution that scattered believers, spreading the gospel even further. Philip then stepped onto the scene, performing miracles, bringing joy to cities, and sharing the good news with an Ethiopian seeker who was baptized on the spot. The heart of the message is clear: the gospel’s power isn’t about our eloquence or credentials but about the Holy Spirit working through willing and obedient believers.

Acts 5 and 6 remind us that bold obedience and humble service are key to gathering that harvest. In Acts 5, the apostles face persecution yet refuse to stop preaching Christ, showing us that courage and faithfulness advance God’s mission even under opposition. In Acts 6, the church wisely resolves internal conflict through servant leadership, leading to greater unity and growth. Together, these passages call us to live with integrity, share the gospel with love and boldness, and serve one another across differences—so that we might see revival and a great harvest in our own time.

Evangelism isn’t only overseas—it’s in neighborhoods, workplaces, and daily encounters. What does it mean to live as “suburban missionaries”?

When the Spirit changes us, it’s impossible to keep it to ourselves. In Acts 3–4, Peter and John heal a lame man, proclaim Jesus to thousands, and stand firm despite opposition—not out of obligation, but from lives shaped by being with Him. True evangelism flows from this kind of transformation—seeing and meeting needs, reaching all people without partiality, speaking boldly even when it’s costly, and living in deep, Spirit-formed unity. This is not a program or strategy, but the natural overflow of a life changed by Christ.

We’re beginning our journey through the book of Acts—a story that shows following Jesus is anything but boring. It’s a Spirit-empowered adventure that calls us to boldness, even in fear, and devotion to God’s Word, community, generosity, and prayer. After His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. Though it was dangerous, they obeyed—and on Pentecost, the Spirit came with power. What followed was extraordinary: they proclaimed the gospel in many languages, lived with radical generosity, and committed themselves to four key practices—the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These rhythms shaped the early Church and still form the foundation of a Spirit-led life today.

Deuteronomy, genealogy, and ancient proposals—Ruth 3 might seem foreign, but it reveals timeless truths about family, covenant, and Jesus’ lineage through unlikely women.

In Ruth 4, the story of Ruth and Boaz reaches its redemptive climax. After Ruth boldly follows Naomi’s instructions to seek Boaz as a redeemer, Boaz honors her request but must first offer the right to a closer relative. When that man declines, Boaz redeems Ruth and Elimelech’s land, marrying Ruth to preserve the family line. Their union results in the birth of Obed, grandfather of King David—placing Ruth in the lineage of Jesus. This chapter reveals God’s quiet yet powerful providence, His care for the marginalized, and His ability to weave redemption through faithful, ordinary lives. It’s a reminder that our stories are part of His greater, eternal one.

In Ruth 3, we see a beautiful picture of Jesus’ sacrificial and covenantal love as our Redeemer, who covers us with grace and mercy—our kanap (the corner of His garment, wings, or covering). Throughout Ruth’s story, covering symbolizes protection, provision, belonging, and forgiveness: Ruth covers Naomi in her loss, Boaz covers Ruth as his bride, and God ultimately covers His people through Jesus. We are called to receive His covering (Matthew 23:37; Isaiah 61:10) and extend it to others—covering the vulnerable and nurturing those God has entrusted to us (James 1:27; 1 Peter 4:8)—reflecting His love and care in our relationships.

We explore the Hebrew concept of hesed — loyal, generous love — and its deep connection to belonging, relationships, and God’s covenant faithfulness.

A deep dive into Ruth 1, exploring the beauty of covenant relationships — with God, with family, and with others — and how they reflect His faithfulness even in fractured families and loneliness.

Life can feel uncertain and senseless, full of “maybe’s,” but the gospel reminds us that God is writing a story of “definitely’s.” In Ruth 2, we see His redeeming love as Boaz shows generosity and Ruth steps out in faith, meeting in a field where God weaves their stories together. C.J. shared how his own loss and adoption story revealed that even in grief, God is not finished—His redemption is real and personal. Our pain and waiting are not wasted; they are part of His bigger story of hope, hesed, and guaranteed redemption.

This week we studied the opening of Ruth, seeing her as a woman of fierce loyalty and quiet strength. After losing her husband, she chose to stay with her grieving mother-in-law Naomi, returning to Bethlehem as a foreigner and eventually marrying Boaz, becoming part of Christ’s lineage. Ruth’s story reveals God’s providence and redemption through ordinary people, extending His grace to Gentiles and showing women as full heirs of His promises. Naomi, bitter and broken, needed someone to stay with her in her pain—Ruth became that friend, bound to her and to God in covenant love. The meaning of Ruth’s name, “friendship,” beautifully points to this: a person nailed to the covenant, finding belonging in God and extending it to others. Like Ruth, we too can root ourselves in Jesus and offer His steadfast friendship to the broken and lonely around us.

Shalom is not a fragmented or surface-level peace—it’s the wholeness and fullness of God Himself, offered to every part of our lives. While the world offers momentary relief, Jesus offers His very presence, inviting us into the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). This kind of peace grows as we consistently spend time with Him—in prayer, Scripture, worship, solitude, and community. It’s a discipline, often met with both comfort and challenge, but always leading us back to rest in Christ. Even in our inconsistency or distraction, God’s grace draws us near, reminding us that Jesus modeled this rhythm of retreat and communion with the Father (Luke 5:16). True peace isn’t something we manufacture—it’s something we enter into.

Pastors CJ, Renee, and Alec have a real, honest, and encouraging conversation about what the Bible says about sex within marriage, how purity culture shaped many of our views, and how God brings healing from sexual brokenness. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, this discussion offers hope, biblical truth, and practical steps toward cultivating healthy intimacy.