Is it possible you can have it all, and nothing at the same time?

We continue our series about the parables of Jesus, with this message on the Parable of the Rich Fool. For all the planning we do for retired life, we don't do enough planning for eternal life. In this message from Luke 12, Pastor Skyler shows us that life isn't about getting more stuff--it's about getting to know God. Life isn't about what we have--it's about what we do with what we have. Few things erode the peace of God like discontent.

The ultimate challenge for each of us is this: Are you ready? If you drew your last breath and stood before Jesus today, would He say "Well done" or "You fool"? You're invited to watch this message and share it with your family and friends.

How we live is determined by how we hear; and who we listen to often determines who we are. The Bible calls us to listen so we can experience God's extravagant love and joy. He has gone out of his way to make sure we HEAR about his hope. In Mark 4, Jesus delivers one of his most famous parables to show us how the condition of our hearts determines how we respond His message. Like all parables, the Parable of the Sower demands a response. Pastor Carlos reminds us we need to listen to what Jesus has to say so that we can be shaped by his truth. 

We continue our "Read All About It" series, looking at the parables of Jesus. This week we look at the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22. 

When it comes to salvation, all are welcome. Salvation is offered to everyone. In fact, Pastor Skyler reminds us that our job as followers of Christ isn't to manage the guest list. Rather, it's to share the invitation for, after all, it's not our wedding feast--it's His.

Yet our culture continues to reject the invitation to a relationship with Jesus. Since grace and truth coexist, we learn in this message that when you reject God's invitation, you invite His destruction. As the parable makes clear, though everyone is invited, not everyone is getting in. We don't come to God on our terms but on His.

Have you accepted the invitation? Watch this video and share it with your friends and family.

We continue our "Read All About It" series, looking at the parables of Christ. In this message, Pastor Kip walks us through the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25. The fundamental question we are confronted with is: "What are you doing with what God has given you?"

With this message we kick-off our new "Read All About It" series, looking at the parables of Jesus. We start with the Parable of the Wineskins in Matthew 9. The disciples of John the Baptist come to Jesus wondering why His followers don't fast in the same way as others. In a sense, their real questions were "Why are you different? Why don't you do the stuff we do?"

Are you someone who diligently follows the instructions or tosses them to the side? How many times have we skipped the instruction manual, only to find we could have saved a lot of time and agony if we would have paid more attention to the directions? Many people long for more joy and happiness, yet toss the instruction manual to the side. Parents set rules for their kids in order to protect them, not hinder them, and it's the same with our heavenly Father. 

How are we to respond when faced with deep, unfathomable pain? In this message from Psalm 13, Pastor Carlos teaches us about laments. A lament is pointing our pain to God in prayer, and the Book of Psalms is filled with laments, showing us how to respond when faced with pain.

Carlos shows us how we need to create a space to lament, which is challenging in our culture that wants fixes to problems right now. Laments give us permission to be honest with God, which leads to greater intimacy with Him. Finally, we see that hope can be found in the midst of our lament. 

Regarding Psalm 13, Martin Luther observed that hope despairs, and yet despair hopes at the same time. If you've found yourself asking, "How long, God? How long?", this message is for you.

A few weeks ago Pastor Skyler shared a message from Psalm 139. A key message was that God is always with us--there's not a place we can go that leaves us outside of God's awareness. He is always present.

Yet, could it be that, despite our loving Savior always being present, that we too often remain unaware of it in our day-to-day interactions of life? Could it be that a deep, acute awareness of His presence could change how we experience Him each day?

That's the premise of Pastor Joe's message from Psalm 16: God's presence is our everything. God is present, but we were designed to be aware of that presence. His presence is our protection. It's a great treasure. He works in the details and circumstances of life--even when we don't realize it or when people chalk it up to "luck". No, our always present Lord is there, in the whispers of our heart, providing everlasting joy for those who are His followers.