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In blogs 6 & 7 we stood with David in the ashes of Ziklag. His city was burned, his family was gone, and the men closest to him wanted to stone him. Then we saw how David found strength in the Lord when no one else was standing with him. But the story doesn't end there. Strengthening yourself in the Lord isn't the last step. It's the first step in moving from ashes to recovery. Once David had found his footing in God, he was ready for what came next. Strength Comes Before Dir

Study guide for Warning: Some Assembly Required - Part 1 from sermon on 10/18/26. Big Idea: God has a design for our lives. Sin has damaged us. The Gospel is God's work of restoration. We are saved by grace, and we are also called to grow. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 1. God Designed Us to Grow in Christ We are saved by grace for the purpose of good works

But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) When David came home to a burned city, with his family taken and his own men talking about stoning him, he had no one to encourage him. So he found his strength in God. The question for us is this: How do we do the same? Why You Need to Learn This Sermons, podcasts, worship songs, and encouraging friends are all gifts from God. But there will be times when none of those are around. In those moments, it

Study guide for Living Free: Rooted in Christ - Part 5 Sunday Sermon, 10/11/26 Central Truth The tree is what God does. RIBS is how you stay in position for Him to do it. Opening Trees rarely get uprooted—they slowly dry out. Have you seen that happen? What did it look like? R — Read (Rooted in Trust) Faith "comes by hearing" (Rom 10:17). Reading the Word is how your roots reach the water. Is your trust problem actually an intake problem? Of doctrine, reproof, correction, i

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) Some seasons hit you from every direction at once. The pressure doesn't only come from outside. It also comes from the people you expected to stand beside you. If you're in a season like that, 1 Samuel 30 is for you. The Day Everything Fell Apar

Study guide for Living Free: Rooted in Christ - Part 5 Sunday Sermon, 10/4/26 Walking by the Spirit, Not by the Flesh Central Truth: Salvation changes our position immediately, but spiritual maturity is lived out daily. In Christ we are free—now we must learn to walk in that freedom. Key Verse: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) Key Definitions Flesh (Galatians 5): the old sinful nature that wars against the Spi

The Other Side: When Stillness Becomes Testimony "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" — Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) We walked through the first half of this verse in Parts 1-4. In Part 3, we sat down on the grass and learned that stillness is the surrender of control. In Part 4, we climbed into the boat and learned that stillness is not knowing where you are, but knowing who He is. But there is a another part of thi

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free: Rooted in Christ - Part 2 Sunday Sermon, 9/20/26 Central Truth Obedience is the fruit of trust—not the root of salvation. We do not work for salvation; we work from salvation. Key Question Not "Am I doing enough?" but "Do I trust Him?" Opening Question When you ask, "Am I doing enough?"—what does that reveal about how you think you stand with God? Introduction: Am I Doing Enough? Read: Galatians 5:1

The Boat: When Stillness Means Knowing "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" — Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) In Part 3, we sat down on the grass. We learned that the word "be still" is raphah, to let go, to release your grip. We watched Jesus take five loaves and two fish and feed a multitude, and we learned that stillness is not the absence of activity. It is the surrender of control. But here is the problem. It is ea

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free: Rooted in Christ - Part 2 Sunday Sermon, 9/20/26 Standing in Freedom Central Truth When we admit our guilt and bring our shame to God, His grace covers us through Jesus Christ, restores our identity, and leads us into freedom. Opening Question Have you ever worn a smile on your face while carrying a weight on your soul? What does hiding look like in your life? Key Definitions Guilt: Being accountabl

Sit Down: What Psalm 46:10 and Five Loaves Teach Us About Stillness "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" — Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) Let me ask you something honest. When was the last time you were actually still? Not asleep. Not scrolling. Not sitting in traffic with your mind running a hundred miles an hour. I mean still. Hands open. Heart quiet. Nothing to prove and nothing to fix. If you had to think hard abou

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free: Rooted in Christ - Part 1 Sunday Sermon, 9/13/26 Freedom That Produces Fruit Central Truth Biblical freedom is not merely release from bondage; it is the transforming power of grace that enables us to abide in Christ and live obediently. Opening Question What if freedom is not merely freedom from something, but freedom for something? Biblical freedom is not permission to follow every desire. That ki

In Part 1 of this reflection, we focused on the beginning of the invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10, NKJV Stillness is not simply the absence of noise. It is an act of trust. We become quiet before God so that we can remember who He is—and who we are in relation to Him. But what happens after we become still? God invites us to know Him, which comes through seeking. Stillness Leads to Seeking Sometimes we become still because we are exhausted. Sometime

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free - Part 5 Sunday Sermon, 9/6/26 Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:16, 25; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 Memory Verse: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” —2 Corinthians 3:17 Central Truth True freedom is not doing whatever we want. It is the power to obey God. Sin, fear, people-pleasing, confusion, and self-rule bring bondage, but the Holy Spirit leads believers into freedom, truth, holiness, and C

Life rarely slows down on its own. Our minds continue racing. Responsibilities compete for our attention. Notifications, conversations, concerns, and unanswered questions can leave us feeling spiritually restless. Even when our bodies are still, our hearts may remain anxious. Yet Scripture gives us a gracious invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10, NKJV This verse is not merely a suggestion to take a few quiet moments. It is an invitation to stop strivin

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free - Part 4 Sunday Sermon, 8/16/26 Opening Scriptures: Galatians 5:1 — Christ sets us free; stand firm and do not return to bondage. Acts 26:18 — Jesus opens eyes, turns people from darkness to light, and brings forgiveness through faith. John 8:31–32 — Abiding in Jesus’ Word leads to truth, and the truth brings freedom. 1. The Law Reveals Our Need for Freedom Romans 3:19–20 The law reveals sin and sho

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free - Part 3 Sunday Sermon, 8/9/26 The Truth Will Make You Free Central Biblical Truth Jesus Christ is the Truth who sets us free through the power of the cross. As we abide in His Word, trust Him, and obey Him, our lives bear spiritual fruit. Key Scriptures Galatians 5:1; Acts 26:18; John 8:31–36; John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23–24; Galatians 3:13; John 15:7–8 Opening Prayer “Lord Jesus, quiet our min

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free - Part 2 Sunday Sermon, 8/2/26 Central Biblical Truth Jesus Christ sets us free from sin, darkness, and Satan’s power so that we may live in truth, receive forgiveness, and serve God and others. Main Scriptures Galatians 5:1, 13–25 John 8:31–36 Acts 26:18 Ephesians 1:7 Romans 6:6–14 1. Christ Is the Source of True Freedom “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”—John 8:36 True freedom i

Complete Bible References are listed in the order they appear in Living Free - Part 1 Sunday Sermon, 6/26/26 Main Text: Galatians 5:1–25 Opening Question What does true freedom mean? Is freedom the ability to do whatever we want—or is it freedom from the power of sin so that we can live for God? Jesus said: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”—John 8:36 Biblical freedom is not independence from God. It is belonging fully to Christ. 1. Christ Purchased Our Free