This week we took a break from our series in Malachi and spent time in the book of Ruth. One of the primary questions the story provokes in us is this: How do we go about making wise decisions in our lives? And when we make poor choices, how can we use those failures as a means to grow rather than regress in our faith? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director Julie Wiemann as they discuss how we can know God's guidance in the present while experiencing freedom from our past failures. Book referenced in this episode: "Get Out of Your Head: Stopping ..read more

The folks at The BibleProject describe the book of Ruth this way: a beautifully crafted look at how God’s purpose interplays with human decision. See how this worked in the lives of Elimelech and Naomi, their sons, as well as their daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. And learn, too, what this means for us and our lives today. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: Ruth 1:1–19 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals. Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.  ..read more

As we continue in The Book of Malachi, we learn that the Israelites were giving God their leftover animals as sacrifices. While we're not in the business of offering up animal sacrifices today, we can still be guilty of giving God our second best. Are you giving God your leftovers?  Join Will Herron, Ridge Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss how we can cultivate a heart of love for God that motivates us to give God our best. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals. Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the ..read more

The first few verses of Malachi 1 tells us this: God loves us. A few verses later, though the question is turned: Do we love God? If we read on, Malachi reveals that love isn’t just a word or a feeling. It’s something you can see. If you love somebody, it shows. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Malachi 1:6–14 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals. Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.  ..read more

Within the first few words of the book of Malachi, God is reminding the Israelites of His love for them. God loves us in the same way yet sometimes it's easy to forget. Sometimes miss the various ways He expresses that love in our lives.   Join Will Herron, Ridge Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss ways in which we can remain aware of God's presence and provision in our lives in the coming year. Resources: The New Bible Commentary, How Not to Read the Bible – (Navigating difficult passages in the Bible) Read the Beyond the Sermon devotio ..read more

Malachi 1 tells us this: God loves us. Loved, that’s where we begin with God. We’re told that. We’ve heard that. And we know it, yet it is such an easy thing to forget. So, how do we remind ourselves of something so important? How do we live in the light of God’s love?   Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Malachi 1:1–5 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals. Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.  ..read more

If you've spent any amount of time in a church you've probably heard it said, "God loves you". For something so familiar to so many, it is puzzling as to why many still struggle to truly believe it. Why is this so? How can we truly know and experience God's love in our lives? Join Will Herron, Ridge Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Ministry and Leadership Director, Julie Wiemann, as they kick off the new year exploring these questions and more. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals:  Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in you ..read more

Though there are innumerable things the Bible teaches us, we’ll narrow the focus to three things to remember as we walk with God in 2024.  Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals. Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.  ..read more

The Christmas star. Shepherds left their flocks and fields to find Jesus. The Magi went to look for him. But how did they know who Jesus was and where to find him? And how do we? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 2, Matthew 2 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals. Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.  ..read more

It's not uncommon to see a manger scene this time of year. Whether it's a decorative set on a mantel or a Christmas card sent by a friend, we are used to seeing various depictions of the scene of Jesus' birth. But, if we are not careful, over familiarity can lead to our losing our sense of wonder and gratefulness over God's gift in Jesus. So how can we maintain a sense of awe and gratefulness of God's great gift? And how can God's movement toward us change how we engage with others? Join Will Herron, Ridge Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Family Ministries Director Doug Applegate as they ex ..read more