“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”
–Jeremiah 29:13

​Acts 17:27 tells us that the Lord is near—He is not far from each one of us. Although He is near, He must be found. 

Now at first read, that might sound like a contradiction. But there is a difference between knowing that someone is around and knowing where they are. Jesus isn’t hiding when times are difficult, but He is drawing us in to deeper fellowship with Him. We must seek Him so we can find Him.

But what does that look like? Where do you get to know Him? Prayer and Bible reading. It’s really that simple. 

Talk to Jesus and read your Bible. Pour out your heart to Him—tell Him your hopes and fears and concerns and burdens and joys and sorrows. Ask Him to answer your questions…and then read His answers in Scripture—not just to obtain information or attain spiritual status, but so that you can know Him.

But maybe you’ve never met Jesus. Maybe this reality of Him being near is new to you. Maybe you don’t know where to begin. Friend, you can start your search for Him right now! Call out to the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. The Bible says that if you do this, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Ask God for forgiveness. Believe that Jesus died for your sin and that God raised Him to life. Trust Him as your Savior and follow Him as Lord.

In times of uncertainty, we can run to Jesus for safety and security. He is our refuge and strength. He is ready to help when we need Him.

But how? How do we find a strong and safe shelter in Jesus in the midst of the storms of life? How is Jesus our refuge and strength? How is He helpful in our times of trouble?

These are good questions for us to ask—and to keep asking until we find the answers. And so, we asked them of the Lord during our time of worship this past Sunday. And we found the answers in Psalm 46.

Watch a replay of our live stream or listen to the audio of our study as we considered the refuge we have in the Lord.

​It’s ok.

It’s ok to be raw. It’s ok to be honest. 

It’s ok to be weak. Too weak for work. Too weak for words.

It’s ok to be sad about being weak. And it’s ok to be angry about being weak.

And it’s ok to pour out all of those emotions to a loving God and to tell Him how you honestly feel. 

That’s where Psalm 119 is helpful. It models an honest response to life’s ever-changing circumstances in a way that honors a never-changing God.

In those times of weakness when we don’t know what to say, God gives us the words that bring refreshment to our souls. Words like this: 

• “Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:107)
• “Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.” (Psalm 119:149)
• “Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your judgments.” (Psalm 119:156)
• “Revive me, O Lord, according to your lovingkindness.” (Psalm 119:159)

These aren’t the words that we’d normally expect in a structured acrostic poem about God’s word, and yet we read them—and specific phrases like this—over and over and over again in Psalm 119 as the psalmist cries out to God, pleading with Him to revive him.

Revive me. Teach me. Give me understanding. 

As we ask these things of the Lord and seek Him in His word, He places within us a confident hope and a delight in His word that refreshes our hearts. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

What a great example for us when we feel overwhelmed and overcome with heavy emotions and hurting hearts. We can cry out to God, unburden our heaviness, and ask Him to revive us—according to His word.

When you hear “Psalm 119,” what are your first thoughts?

Long? 

Well, it is 176 verses! And on the surface, it might seem more like a long-winded ancient Hebrew poem about God’s word and the importance of His law than a great source for comfort. 

But there’s so much more to this Psalm when we plumb the depths of the treasure! 

With careful study, we see common themes rise to the surface that speak clearly about the role of God’s word in the world we live in. Themes like hope, delight, and being revived when our spirit is weak—a much needed word for our world today!

Watch the replay of our live stream as we studied this amazing passage of Scripture and were strengthened by the many messages of encouragement we found.

Refuge is a condition of being sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. And we’re facing some troubling times right now. But we have a refuge—an everlasting refuge. An Almighty God who offers us present and eternal security in times of uncertainty and chaos. 

God is our refuge and our strength—at all times and especially in times of trouble. We can look to Him for security. No matter what happens, He will not abandon or forsake us. He goes before us! Our future is in His hands. We can trust Him, knowing that He will give us peace in the midst of whatever battle we face. 

So many around us do not know what it is like to have peace in the midst of great trouble or strong hope in Christ that would be an anchor for their souls (Hebrews 6:19). Are you asking the Lord to show you how to make the most of every opportunity to share the hope you have in Jesus? 

Do you know and believe in the One who holds your future? Don’t wait until times of greater trouble to call out to Jesus—TODAY is the day of salvation! God’s word is clear—if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. You can do that right now! Ask God for forgiveness. Believe that Jesus died for your sin and that God raised Him to life. Trust Him as your Savior and follow Him as Lord!

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
–Isaiah 41:10

What comes to mind when you hear the word “refuge”?

We talked about that this past Sunday as we looked at Psalm 91 and discussed the security that comes from abiding in God's presence. 

There were many great answers: a safe place, a strong tower, a mighty fortress. Rest, shelter, anchor. Hope, home, hiding place. 

If you missed our live stream from Sunday, click here to watch the replay and be encouraged by the many scriptures that were shared in our time together.

One more thing…do you miss singing together? We do too! Thankfully there are many ways you can enjoy singing praise and worship in your home! One option is to visit our Vimeo page to find archives of past Sunday morning services. Each video begins with the teaching from that Sunday and the worship begins around the last third of the video. It’s not the same as in person, but it’s just as uplifting & encouraging.