Why God's Timing Matters

We live in the age of instant everything. Same‑day shipping. Next‑day delivery. Streaming on demand. Real‑time updates. If the Wi‑Fi lags for five seconds, we’re ready to throw the router out the window. Waiting feels like punishment.

And then God asks us to wait. Not just for minutes or hours—but sometimes for years. That’s the tension of Advent. We’re living between Jesus came and Jesus is coming again. And the waiting feels long. Too long.

So what do we do when God’s timing doesn’t match ours?

James 5: The Farmer’s Lesson

James writes to believers who were tired, persecuted, and asking the same question we ask: “How much longer, Lord?” His answer isn’t a countdown clock—it’s a picture.

A farmer plants the seed, prepares the soil, and then waits. She can’t rush the rain. She can’t force the harvest. She trusts the process because she knows growth takes time. Roots come before fruit. Delay isn’t a problem—it’s part of the process.

Waiting Is Where Growth Happens

We’ve been conditioned to expect instant results. But spiritual growth doesn’t work like Amazon Prime. You can’t microwave maturity. You can’t fast‑forward faithfulness.

James reminds us that the early rains prepare the soil, and the late rains bring the harvest. Both are necessary. Some seasons can’t be skipped. Some lessons only grow in the dark.

The way you wait reveals what you believe.

• Frantic waiting shows distrust.

• Faithful waiting shows confidence that God is working, even when you can’t see it.

The Prophets: Patience in Suffering

James points to the prophets as examples. They didn’t just wait—they suffered while they waited. Jeremiah preached for 40 years without seeing results. He was rejected, imprisoned, mocked. Yet he stayed faithful.

His obedience outlasted his opponents. His words outlasted his suffering. The wait wasn’t wasted—it was development.

Advent Isn’t a Countdown

Advent isn’t about crossing days off the calendar until Christmas. It’s about cultivating hearts. It’s about asking:

• What is God growing in me during this season?

• What seed of faith is He asking me to plant?

• What is He developing in me that I couldn’t get any other way?

A Listening Challenge

1. Ask God where you’re struggling to stay steady.

2. Ask Him what seed of faith He wants you to plant.

Bottom Line

The same God who kept His promise the first time will keep it again. Jesus came. Jesus died and rose. Jesus promised to return. And He will.

So we wait—not because we have to, but because we trust Him. And when the harvest comes, we’ll look back and say: The wait was worth it.

Advent: Living in the Gap

Hope doesn’t usually vanish in one dramatic moment. More often, it leaks away slowly.

• You prayed, but the answer didn’t come.

• You believed for breakthrough, but nothing changed.

• You held onto a promise, but the wait stretched so long you wondered if you misheard.

We’ve all felt it—whether during COVID, in strained relationships, financial stress, or health struggles. Sometimes hope feels like setting yourself up for disappointment, so we lower expectations and settle.

Hope Has a Source

Paul writes to Christians in Rome who had little reason to expect good news. Yet he points them back to Scripture: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

Here’s the key takeaway: Hope isn’t based on your circumstances; it’s based on God’s track record.

When you’re in the waiting room, you don’t need a feeling—you need a fact. And the fact is: God has never failed to keep His promises. Not once.

Delay Isn’t Denial

Waiting is hard. But Paul reminds us that God gives patience and encouragement. The gap isn’t wasted—it’s where God develops endurance, deepens trust, and grows faith.

Think about Abraham waiting 25 years for Isaac. Joseph waiting in prison. David waiting to be king. Israel waiting 400 years for deliverance. Every one of them would say: The wait was worth it.

So what if the delay isn’t denial, but development? What if God is growing something in you that only grows in the dark?

Don’t Quit Now

What are you about to give up on that God is asking you to hold onto a little longer?

• Your marriage.

• Your child.

• Your job.

• Your health.

The moment you give up is often right before the breakthrough. God’s track record says He shows up—sometimes early, sometimes late, but always on time.

Four Practical Steps to Hold Hope

1. Name it. Where has hope run low? Be honest. Where have you stopped believing? Where have you settled?

2. Find a promise. Anchor yourself to Scripture. Romans 8:28 (God works all things together for good), Psalm 34:18 (The Lord is close to the brokenhearted), Hebrews 13:5 (I will never leave you or forsake you). Write it down. Put it where you’ll see it.

3. Pray the promise. Not as a wish, but as confidence. Pray it daily as a declaration of trust.

4. Share the hope. Overflow into someone else’s life. Speak peace into panic. Bring calm into chaos. Remind others that God is still good, even when life is hard.

Romans 15:13 says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

When our hope is rooted in God, it doesn’t just sustain us—it spills over. In a world divided, anxious, and angry, overflowing hope is a powerful witness.

Bottom Line: Advent is about more than remembering Jesus’ first coming. It’s about holding hope in the gap until His second coming. Don’t measure God’s faithfulness by your timeline—measure it by His track record.

Ready or not, the King is coming. Let’s hold on to hope.

Advent: God's Wake-Up Call

You know that feeling when you oversleep, and the whole day feels off? You’re rushing, scrambling, trying to catch up—but you never really get your footing. That’s exactly how a lot of us live spiritually. Distracted. Comfortable. On autopilot.

Advent is God’s alarm clock. It’s the season when He shakes us awake and says: “It’s later than you think.” Because before we celebrate that Jesus came, we need to remember that Jesus is coming back. Not as a baby in a manger, but as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Romans 13: Wake Up, Get Dressed

Paul’s words in Romans 13 hit hard: “You know how late it is; time is running out.” He’s not trying to scare us—he’s giving us perspective. Every day we live asleep is a day we miss the life Jesus came to give.

Paul paints two pictures:

• Asleep vs. Awake

• Night vs. Day

• Dirty clothes vs. Armor of right living

The point? You can’t wear both. Following Jesus isn’t just about stopping bad habits—it’s about starting new ones. It’s about putting on Christ daily, surrendering control, and living like eternity is real.

The Battle We Don’t Notice

Here’s the thing: the battle isn’t usually dramatic. It’s subtle.

• The show you stream that dulls your spirit.

• The lie that makes life easier.

• The grudge that feels safer than forgiveness.

• The scroll that leaves you jealous and numb.

None of these will kill you—but they’ll put you back to sleep. Paul says: put on the armor. Stay close to the Light. Because you’re not fighting alone.

A Challenge for This Week

1. Name one area where you’re asleep. Maybe it’s your marriage, your money, your anger, or your phone.

2. Choose one wake‑up habit. Something small, daily, and intentional. Scripture before social media. Prayer before notifications. An apology before bed.

Advent isn’t about fear. It’s about living ready. Like a package marked “Out for delivery,” you don’t panic—you just stay alert.

Ready or Not…

This series, Ready or Not, is about living awake to the reality that Jesus is coming again. The question isn’t if He’s coming—it’s whether we’ll be ready when He does.

So here’s the invitation: Wake up. It’s later than you think. Don’t settle for halfway holy. Live awake. Live ready.

Five to Thrive: Discover Your Calling

We’ve reached the final week of Five to Thrive, our series exploring five spiritual habits that help us move from surviving to thriving as disciples of Jesus. So far, we’ve covered:

• Scripture Engagement: Reading the Bible not just for information, but for transformation

• Extraordinary Prayer: Surrendering earth to move heaven

• BLESS Practices: Sharing faith through presence, not pressure

• Cultivating Community: Because we can’t thrive alone

This week, we’re talking about something many of us wrestle with: Calling. What am I here for? What does God want me to do with my life? How do I know I’m on the right path?

🗺️ When Life Feels Like a Wrong Turn

Ever followed GPS directions only to end up on a one-way street going the wrong way? That’s what life can feel like sometimes. We input “thriving” as our destination, but somehow end up stuck, lost, or overwhelmed.

But here’s the truth:
Christ wants you to live into your unique calling.
He’s given you a spiritual GPS—your Gifts, Passions, and Story—to guide you there.

🔍 The Parable of the Talents: Steward What You’ve Been Given

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a story about three servants entrusted with talents (a large sum of money). Two invest and multiply what they’ve been given. One buries it. The master rewards the faithful and rebukes the fearful.

The message is clear:
God has entrusted you with something. Your job is to steward it well.

So what has He given you?

🧭 Your Spiritual GPS

Here’s how you can begin discerning your calling:

1. Gifts: What Has God Equipped You to Do?

Spiritual gifts are unique ways the Holy Spirit works through us. Encouragement, teaching, service, leadership—these aren’t just personality traits. They’re Kingdom tools.

Ask yourself:

• What comes naturally in ministry?

• What energizes you when you serve others?

2. Passions: What Breaks Your Heart or Fires You Up?

Passions are the causes or people you feel drawn to. Maybe it’s single moms, youth, justice, or worship. Your passion is the battlefield God’s called you to—and your gift is the weapon He’s given you to fight with.

3. Story: What Has God Already Done in Your Life?

Your testimony isn’t random. It’s preparation. Like William Wilberforce, who almost left politics after meeting Jesus—until he realized God had placed him there for a reason. Your past reveals where God might be leading you next.

🧪 Take the Next Step

Want help discovering your GPS? Click here take a free assessment. It’ll help you reflect on your gifts, passions, and story—and give you clarity about your calling.

💡 Bottom Line

Thriving disciples don’t just drift. They live with purpose. They follow their spiritual GPS. And when they do, they find joy, meaning, and impact.

So ask yourself:

• What are my gifts?

• What am I passionate about?

• What story is God telling through my life?

Then take a step. Start stewarding what God has given you. Because when you follow your GPS, you won’t just survive—you’ll thrive.

Five to Thrive: Cultivating Community

We live in a hyper-connected world—group chats, social feeds, coworkers, classmates. And yet, so many of us feel deeply alone. We’re surrounded by people, but rarely known by them. We show up, smile, serve… and still feel isolated.

That’s why this week in Five to Thrive, we’re talking about something essential: Cultivating Community.

🌿 Thriving Requires Connection

This isn’t just about joining a small group or signing up for a class. It’s about embracing a truth we often resist:
You can’t thrive alone.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). Not branch—branches. Plural. We’re not just connected to Him. We’re connected to each other. And when we try to do faith solo, we don’t just struggle—we slowly starve.

🤝 The Body Needs Every Part

In 1 Corinthians 12:18–27, Paul reminds us that we’re part of a body. Every part matters. No one is optional. No one is invisible. When one suffers, we all suffer. When one thrives, we all thrive.

But let’s be honest—community is inconvenient. It takes time. It requires vulnerability. It means showing up when you’d rather stay home. And yet, it’s the only way we grow.

🧱 Rows Don’t Transform—Relationships Do

Sitting in rows on Sunday is good. But it’s not enough. Rows can teach you, but they can’t transform you. Why? Because transformation requires three things rows can’t give:

1. Vulnerability

In rows, we hide. In relationships, we’re seen. When we admit we’re struggling, we create space for others to do the same. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the doorway to healing.

2. Accountability

Rows can’t call you out. Relationships can. When someone knows you well enough to ask, “Are you okay?”—that’s where growth happens. We all need people who love us enough to tell us the truth.

3. Modeling

We don’t just need to hear truth—we need to see it lived out. In community, we see forgiveness, service, and prayer in action. We learn by watching others follow Jesus up close.

💡 Your Move: Step Into Community

If you’re not in a group where you’re known, supported, and challenged—join one. Don’t wait. And if you’re already in one, here are three ways to go deeper:

• Show up: Even when you’re tired. Consistency builds trust.

• Be honest: Don’t wait for someone to guess you’re struggling. Say it.

• Give yourself: Don’t wait to be served. Serve first.

🧩 Bottom Line

Thriving disciples don’t just attend church. They cultivate community. They invest. They sacrifice. They show up for each other. Because we can’t thrive alone—and we don’t have to.

So ask yourself:

• Do I need encouragement or accountability right now?

• Who has permission to speak into my life?

• Who can I encourage this week?

Let’s stop settling for rows. Let’s step into relationships. Because that’s where real transformation begins.

Five to Thrive: Everyday Witness

We’re halfway through Five to Thrive, a series about five spiritual habits that help us stay connected to Jesus and live as thriving disciples. So far, we’ve explored:

• Week 1: Scripture Engagement—reading the Word and doing what it says

• Week 2: Extraordinary Prayer—moving heaven by surrendering earth

This week, we’re tackling something that makes many of us squirm: sharing our faith.

😬 No Guilt Trips, Just Presence

Let’s be real. Most of us want the people in our lives to know Jesus. We want them to experience hope, peace, and purpose. But we’re afraid we’ll sound preachy, mess it up, or get rejected. So we stay quiet… and feel guilty.

But what if evangelism wasn’t about pressure? What if it was about presence?

Here’s the big idea:
Presence, not pressure, changes people.
Not programs. Not perfect words. Just showing up—consistently, kindly, faithfully.

🌱 Fruit Happens When We Stay Connected

Jesus said, “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.”
He didn’t say, “Go make fruit happen.” He said, “Stay connected.”
Our job isn’t to manufacture results. It’s to stay rooted in Jesus and let Him work through our everyday relationships.

So how do we do that?

🙌 The BLESS Practices

Paul’s advice in Colossians 4:2–6 gives us a roadmap. It’s not about being weird or pushy. It’s about being present. Here are five simple practices to help you live on mission:

1. Begin with Prayer

Before you say a word, talk to God. Pray for one person by name—someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Pray for their heart, their needs, and for opportunities to connect. Prayer changes how we see people—and it changes us.

2. Listen with Care

Real conversations matter. Ask about their life. Their story. What’s going well. What’s hard. Then… just listen. Listening builds trust. It says, “You matter.”

3. Eat Together

Grab coffee. Share a meal. Invite them to your table. Jesus did this all the time. Meals break down barriers and deepen relationships. Presence often starts with a plate.

4. Serve in Love

As you listen and share life, you’ll find ways to help. Offer a ride. Help with a move. Watch their kids. Serve without strings. This isn’t bait-and-switch—it’s love in action.

5. Share Your Story

When the time is right, don’t give a speech. Share your story. Be honest. Be real. Talk about what Jesus has done in your life. Authenticity opens hearts more than arguments ever will.

💡 Your Challenge This Week

Pick one person. Pray for them daily. Have a real conversation. Share a meal. Serve them. And if the moment comes, share your story.

Evangelism doesn’t have to feel like a chore. When we focus on presence instead of pressure, it starts to feel like love.

Because thriving disciples bless people before they try to impress them.

Five to Thrive: Extraordinary Prayer

Welcome back to Five to Thrive, our journey through five spiritual habits that help us move from surviving to thriving as disciples of Jesus. Last week, we explored Scripture Engagement—reading the Bible and doing what it says. This week, we’re diving into something that’s often misunderstood, underused, and deeply transformative: Extraordinary Prayer.

🚨 Prayer Isn’t Just a Spiritual 911

Let’s be honest. For most of us, prayer has felt transactional. We pray when we need something fixed, healed, or changed. It’s like calling heaven’s customer service line—submit a request, hope for a good outcome.

But here’s the problem: when prayer is only about getting something from God, it starts to feel like a chore. And when the answers don’t come the way we want—when God says “no” or “wait”—we start asking, “What’s the point?”

Jesus offers us something radically different.

🙌 Prayer That Moves Heaven Starts by Surrendering Earth

In Matthew 6:5–18, Jesus teaches us how to pray—not as a performance, not as a transaction, but as a relationship. He gives us a model we know as the Lord’s Prayer. It’s short. It’s simple. And it’s powerful. Why? Because it’s a prayer of surrender.

Extraordinary prayer isn’t about changing our circumstances. It’s about changing us. It’s not about getting heaven to agree with earth—it’s about aligning earth with heaven.

Here’s how Jesus’ prayer breaks it down:

1. Worship: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.”

Start with who God is—not what you need. Worship shifts the focus off ourselves and onto God’s character. It’s the first act of surrender.

2. Surrender: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done…”

This is the heart of extraordinary prayer. It’s risky. It’s vulnerable. But surrender isn’t giving up—it’s letting go so God can give us something better.

3. Dependence: “Give us today the food we need.”

This isn’t about five-year plans. It’s about trusting God for today. It’s daily dependence, not occasional desperation.

4. Forgiveness: “Forgive us… as we forgive…”

Confession and reconciliation. We surrender our right to stay angry. Because bitterness creates distance—and distance kills intimacy.

5. Mission: “Rescue us from the evil one.”

We ask for protection, yes—but also for purpose. Where is God sending you today? Who does He want you to notice?

🕒 Your 10-Minute Challenge

Want to thrive? Try this: set aside 10 minutes a day for extraordinary prayer. Same time. Every day. No distractions. Use the Lord’s Prayer as your guide:

• Minutes 1–2: Worship

• Minutes 3–4: Surrender

• Minutes 5–6: Dependence

• Minutes 7–8: Forgiveness

• Minutes 9–10: Mission

Then ask yourself—not “Did God answer my prayer?” but “Do I feel closer to Him?”

Five to Thrive: Scripture Engagement

This week, we kicked off our brand-new sermon series, Five to Thrive — five spiritual habits designed to help us not just survive, but truly thrive as followers of Jesus. In a world that feels constantly overwhelming — with packed schedules, endless scrolling, and spiritual fatigue — Jesus offers something radically different: life to the full.

Our theme verse for the year is John 15:5, where Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.”

Notice what Jesus doesn’t say: “Work harder.” “Hustle more.” He says, “Remain in me.” Staying connected to Jesus is the key to thriving — and that’s what this series is all about.

🪴 Week 1: Scripture Engagement

This week’s spiritual habit is Scripture Engagement. And here’s the big idea: Engagement begins where comfort ends.

Most of us are comfortable with the Bible. We read it. We hear sermons. We post verses. But comfort doesn’t produce growth — engagement does. Real engagement starts at the edge of our comfort zone.

We explored James 1:22–25, where James (Jesus’ brother!) challenges believers not just to hear the Word, but to do what it says. He compares Scripture to a mirror — one that shows us who we really are. But too often, we glance at it, feel a little uncomfortable… and move on.

James reminds us:

• Don’t just listen.

• Don’t just nod along.

• Let Scripture confront you.

• Let it change you.

We met Jenna — a young woman who read 1 John 3:17–18 and couldn’t ignore the discomfort it stirred. Instead of moving on, she leaned in. She acted. That’s engagement.

🛠️ Three Steps to Engage with Scripture

James gives us a practical path forward:

1. Look carefully – Slow down. Let the Spirit speak.

2. Do what it says – Growth only comes through obedience.

3. Don’t forget – Write it down. Set reminders. Tell someone. Keep the truth in front of you.

💥 This Week’s Challenge

Pick one passage. Read it slowly every day.
Then do one uncomfortable thing it calls you to do.
Because thriving disciples don’t just read the Bible — they engage with it.

Let’s stop surviving. Let’s start thriving.
And remember: Engagement begins where comfort ends.