How To Be a Verbal Arsonist By Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we are addressing the issue of our speech. The kinds of words we use, the way we speak to others, and how our words shape the world around us; James has much to say about all of this. Speech is a powerful gift from God that, when used wrongly, can have devastating consequences, much like an uncontrolled fire. I would imagine most of us have found this to be true. We’ll talk about the consequences of our words and how to keep them in check this weekend!
Take a Hard Look in the Mirror by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we will learn from James that obedience to God requires more than just hearing the Word. It takes action. We cannot merely listen to the things of God and then go away unchanged. Doing so is like forgetting what your reflection looks like once you walk away from the mirror. If you have been struggling to take action in your walk with God, perhaps it’s time to take a hard look in the mirror.
When God Gives You More Than You Can Bear by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we will examine the beginning of the book of James and the assurance of trials in our lives. We often quote the phrase, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Is that true, though? Does God give us more than we can handle in our own human capacity? James seems to indicate there might be a deeper truth that we will discover this weekend.
When It’s Time to Turn the Page by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend marks our last message in Job. As we approach the end of the book, we find Job in a state of restoration. This doesn’t negate the trauma he endured. However, there is a very real sense of moving forward in not only the narrative but also in Job’s life. How can he do this after walking through unimaginable suffering and heartache? We’ll uncover that and more in the message this weekend.
When God Rebuilds Our Shattered Windows by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we will hear God’s response to Job. God speaks to him not in anger, but in a way that corrects his misunderstandings and renews his confidence. We have referred to schemas that Job works through as shattered windows. This weekend, we will learn what happens when God begins to repair those windows and help us see suffering correctly.
When You Encounter False Wisdom by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we come to a much different exchange between the mysterious Elihu and Job. Elihu’s words to Job are unlike those of his other friends, speaking of suffering as a form of instruction, rather than punishment. This ideology is very similar to Buddhism and the monks who have been in our headlines recently. But is it true? What does God have to say about suffering?
When You’re Waiting for an Apology by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, as we continue to walk through the book of Job, we encounter Job justifying himself before his friends. The Bible goes to great lengths to remind us that Job remained righteous before the Lord. That does not mean he completely understood and followed God’s plan blindly through his suffering. At times, he was waiting for an explanation, justification, or even an apology.
“God’s Anger is Why I’m Suffering” is Not the Whole Truth by Abidan Shah, PhD
Last weekend, we introduced the concept of Job working through various schemas through the dialogue with his friends. Job dealt with the concept of God’s retributive justice in the face of his suffering, understanding there was much more going on behind the scenes. This weekend, we will deal with the idea that our suffering means that God is angry with us. God does get angry, but as Job learns, that is not the whole truth.
Build Your Trust In God’s Word by Abidan Shah, PhD
In this weekend’s message, we will take a look at those individuals who stepped into Job’s story: his three friends, as well as the mysterious Elihu. These men are important to the story and development of Job, but they are also found elsewhere on the pages of Scripture. This shows that not only is Job’s account factual rather than mythical, but also that you can trust Scripture as the inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of God.
Recovering Your True Identity by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine Job’s responses to his suffering. In his responses, we find the profound truth that Job’s identity was not rooted in possessions, status, or even his relationships. Rather, his identity was founded in Christ. This becomes clearer throughout Job’s story. This message will help us craft our true identity in Christ.
With Job in the School of Trauma by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend’s message, I believe, will be an encouragement and help to so many who are struggling through some of the darkest moments of their lives. The narrative of Job is a masterclass in processing trauma. Not all trauma is the same and not all people handle trauma in the same way. God in his wisdom gave us the account of Job to help us learn how to properly navigate trauma in our own lives while keeping our focus on him.
When Life Seems Unfair by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we head toward the holidays, I want to begin a series that will help us sort through all of the emotions that these months can bring. Our culture talks about the importance of self-care, but what about spiritual self-care? In this weekend’s message, we will examine the life of Job. Although he encountered intense hardship, Job remained focused on God. This message will help us understand how to do that as well.
End Times Prophecy | Act Two: Israel by Abidan Shah, PhD
In this weekend’s message, we are moving into the second act of our series, focused on Israel and how God still has a heart for his people. There is a lot of conversation around Israel in our world today, and much of it is unprofitable and negative. This message will help us in our understanding of Israel’s place in God’s plan currently and in the future.
End-Times Prophecy: War Within (pt. 3) by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to examine the war within us between our old sinful flesh and the Holy Spirit. What we fill ourselves with is where our hearts will lie. If we are focused on the things of this world and of the flesh, that is where our focus will be. However, if we focus on God and what his will for our lives is, our minds will be focused on heavenly things.
End-Times Prophecy: Mapping History (pt.2) by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to examine God’s design throughout history. In his letter to the Romans, Paul is holding up the Roman believers as an example to others. His letter is unique in that he does not seem to be addressing a particular situation or controversy but rather provides a guide of core beliefs for all Christians. In doing so, he offers a guide for us today on how the church should function and believe.
Hired Gun by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are coming to a big shift in the book of judges. The era of the judges has ended. The people have gone off the deep end. We will soon see the lasting ramifications of the people’s disobedience and their disdain for God’s correction through the judges. This setup is eerily similar to what we are facing in our world today. The title of this weekend’s message is “HIRED GUN”.
Calamity by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine the story of Deborah. Her story is often presented as one of the examples of the Bible elevating women, and certainly, that is true. However, as we will learn this weekend, there is much more to her than just being an example of God working through women. This weekend’s message is titled “CALAMITY”.
Under Tribute by Abidan Shah, PhD
This is strikingly similar to the story of God’s people through the book of Judges. There is a cyclical nature to the narratives within the book that show God’s people failing to remember what God had done for them and what he had commanded them to do. The sinful cycle of disobedience has occurred in countries like England and, if we do not take action as believers, can occur here, too. The title of this weekend’s message is “UNDER TRIBUTE”.
GPS: Relationships – Part 1 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will be examining how to determine God’s plan for us regarding relationships. This is a common question, especially among teenagers and young adults. Does God have a plan for who you date and eventually marry or are there simply general principles to guide us? We will examine these questions and more in this weekend’s message titled “GPS DESTINATION: RELATIONSHIPS PT. 1”.
GPS: Destination – Career by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will be looking at how to determine God’s plan for our career. This is often a question for people, either when they are graduating and embarking on the next chapter of their lives or when they feel dissatisfied with their current job. Is it possible to know God’s will regarding your career? Does what you do for a living play a role in your relationship with God or vice versa? We will examine these questions and more in this weekend’s message titled “GPS DESTINATION: CAREER”.