Suffering

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Life rarely goes according to plan, and neither did Paul's. Shipwrecked, stranded, and then snake-bitten the moment things seemed to be looking up, the Apostle Paul had every reason to despair. Yet in Acts 28, we discover three timeless truths for moving forward after the storm: God's promises outlast the chaos, His purposes are often found in life's detours, and He uses His people to carry us through.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

"Those who have a why to live can bear almost any how." Acts 27 demonstrates this truth through Paul's shipwreck experience. Facing certain death, Paul didn't just survive, he led others through the crisis with supernatural calm. The difference? He knew he belonged to God. Challenges will either reveal the emptiness of self-reliance or deepen our trust in Christ's sufficiency.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

"A storm reveals the strength of a tree's roots." Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27 becomes a masterclass in spiritual resilience. While experienced sailors panic, this prisoner-apostle brings calm to chaos. Why? Because he understood that whether we cause our storms or they're beyond our control, God's faithfulness remains constant. The answer to every storm isn't better circumstances, it's always Jesus.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

What if patience isn't about waiting longer, but about trusting deeper? Paul's imprisonment teaches us that patience is the spirit-produced ability to endure difficult people and delayed outcomes without losing faith, love, or self-control. When we remember God's patience toward us, we discover the strength to honor Him even when circumstances don't change.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Ever wonder if God truly sees you in your struggles? In Acts 23, we discover the beautiful truth of being "chosen" by God, the same transformative love that worked in Paul's life extends to you. Your adversity isn't evidence of God's absence; it might be the very place where His providence unfolds, orchestrating circumstances for His glory and your ultimate good.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

How do we live faithfully when God's will seems difficult? Paul's journey to Jerusalem teaches us to expect challenges as normal, not exceptional. His willingness to sacrifice amplified Christ's beauty and inspired the early church. When we transform our pain instead of transmitting it, we become living testimonies of Jesus' love.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

"These men have turned the world upside down!" That's how opponents described Paul and his companions in Acts 17. When you live for God's glory instead of people's approval, you'll face a choice: comfort or Christ. The early church discovered that suffering isn't opposed to joy—it's often God's means of accomplishing His purposes and revealing His sufficiency in our lives.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

What do you do when following God leads to unexpected struggles? In Acts 16, Paul faces adversity at every turn on his missionary journey—closed doors, beatings, imprisonment. Yet through it all, he discovers three powerful truths: God redeems adversity in unexpected ways, the gospel transforms lives, and we're called to live for His glory while trusting Him completely.

From the series: Summer in the Psalms

Psalm 137 is a raw lament that teaches us to bring our honest emotions—anger, grief, or frustration—before God in times of suffering or injustice. Rather than holding on to bitterness, we’re called to reorient our hearts to God’s greater purpose and trust His perfect justice, finding peace through the cross of Christ.

From the series: Summer in the Psalms

Psalm 102 reminds us that God lovingly gives voice to our pain and remains our unchanging hope in adversity. Even when life feels overwhelming or anonymous, we can be honest with God, trusting His faithful presence and power to bring security, healing, and lasting peace through Christ.

From the series: Summer in the Psalms

Psalm 11 calls us to take refuge in God, not letting life's storms dictate our response. We remember that challenges reveal our faith, that God is sovereign and sees us, and that tested faith refines an enduring trust in Him. As His people, we are called to walk in righteousness, rest in His shelter, and trust His steady presence through every season.

From the series: Unveiled: A Study in Revelation

Revelation 10 offers a powerful pause amidst the judgments, emphasizing God’s greatness and faithfulness. The imagery of the mighty angel reminds believers to trust in God’s sovereignty, cling to His promises, and embrace His calling. It invites us to focus not on the destination but on the presence of the Shepherd guiding us.

From the series: Standalone Messages

God is always there. We can always have hope in our Lord. And so hope is a wonderful thing and we see this in the Book of Job.

From the series: Late Summer in the Psalms

Today we have a special guest, Jay Holland. Jay shares on Psalm 88, a psalm of lament. The psalmist is pouring out their heart to God as they are facing tremendous difficulties and deep anguish in their soul. When we face pain and hardship, we can be honest with it and take it all to God.

From the series: Late Summer in the Psalms

"As a deer pants for water ..." is how Psalm 42 begins and is a common phrase we've probably all heard. The author of Psalm 42 is facing hardship and trials in his life, and he is pouring out his heart and soul to God in the words of the psalm. We will all face dark times in life, and when those difficult times come, we can find comfort and solace in the faithfulness of God.

From the series: In the Beginning

A healthy life depends on a close and trusting relationship with God. We see how Joseph depended on God and trusted in God’s plan and purpose for him though it wasn’t always clear. Joseph did not lose faith in adversity, but rather looked to serve the Lord through the adversity. God was faithful, and we see this displayed in the life of Joseph. Though the actions of individuals in Joseph’s life (e.g. his brothers, Potiphar’s wife) were meant to harm Joseph, God used these events to bless not only Joseph, but nations. Genesis 50:20 (ESV) “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

From the series: In the Beginning

What happens to our faith when we face adversity? When life is going our way, it’s easy to say we’re putting our hope and faith in God. In Genesis 44, we see Joseph’s brothers facing great adversity that shows the change in their character since they sold Joseph into slavery two decades before.

From the series: In the Beginning

In Genesis 41, Pharaoh has a series of dreams that disturb him. His cupbearer remembers how God used Joseph to interpret his dreams when he was in prison. God gives Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams and, as a result, Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of the entire land of Egypt to prepare for the upcoming years of plenty and years of famine.

From the series: In the Beginning

When things aren't going well for us, where does our focus go? Do we turn inward and wallow in self pity, or do we turn to the Lord and trust that regardless of our circumstance, we can still be used of the Lord. In Genesis 40, we see that even though Joseph was thrown in prison, he uses the situation to find ways to serve others and honor God.

From the series: In the Beginning

Have you ever worked really hard for something only to have it taken from you in the end? This is what happens to Jacob in Genesis 29. He works for 7 years to marry Rachel only to be tricked in the end, as he finds himself married to her sister Leah instead.