News

Guest speaker Jon Twitchell of the Nazarene Foundation preaches from 1 Samuel 3, where the word of the Lord was rare, yet God called young Samuel by name. In a world of constant noise, is God silent, or have we stopped listening? Following Samuel's pattern, Jon calls us to make space to hear God, lean on community to recognize His voice, tune our ears to truly listen, and find courage to obey, sharing stories of ordinary people whose obedience made ears tingle.

Little Faith, Great God: Growing Trust in a World of Worry (Matthew 6:25–30). Part of our series A Greater Righteousness: Right Relationships. Pastor Joel shares his own story of panic attacks: an ER visit, a strong heart, and a diagnosis of anxiety. Then he turns to Jesus' words on worry. Look at the birds: they work hard but don't worry, and your heavenly Father feeds them. You are worth much more. Worry can't add a single hour to your life. Observe the lilies: some things only God can do, and He clothes even the grass. Jesus' rebuke, "You of little faith," is not a closed door but an outstretched hand. Little faith is faith that can grow. Big idea: Worry stares at the need. Faith looks at the Father. The God who did not spare His own Son will surely care for you (Romans 8:32). This week's challenge: for seven days, name one worry, observe something God sustains, and release it to Him in prayer (1 Peter 5:7). Look up!

Fire ants in a closet taught us how quietly the things we lean on can be eaten away. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus warns against trusting our stored-up things, where moth and "eater" destroy. Treasure in heaven isn't something we pile up; it's something we gain by giving it away. Move the treasure, and the heart follows. Jesus emptied His treasury for us. What you store, moths eat. What you give, God keeps.

"Do not lead us into temptation" (Matthew 6:13). Does God put us in the fire? James says God tempts no one, but testing and temptation can feel the same. What separates them is intent: Satan brings the flame to consume, and the Father allows it to refine. From Jesus in the wilderness to the fourth man in Daniel's furnace, God doesn't always keep us out of the fire, but He walks through it with us. The furnace refines. The Father remains.