Big God, Little God

January 26, 2025 • Brad Strait

When Leadership Works: Deborah & Barak

January 19, 2025 • Brad Strait

Conversation Starters ╬  Doubt and fear are understandable against a great enemy. Barak was called by God, through Deborah, to bring God’s rescue to the Israelites. But Barak doubted. He feared the enormous enemy and believed his doubts more than God’s promise. As a result, God used another to do what Barak did not do. When have you fallen to the power of fear? What outcomes do you regret? ╬ Like Deborah, we also live in troubled times. God has called each of us to be leaders in the spheres in which He has placed us. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). How is God calling you to step up in leadership today?

Living Among Idols

January 12, 2025 • Brad Strait

Conversation Starters ╬ Living among idols is dangerous business. Idols infiltrate our lives and actions and deceptively sneak into our hearts and minds. Perhaps the worst kind of infiltration is when we continue to believe we are all-in for Jesus, but we have added a wee idol that we believe “isn’t that bad.” Some have called these disordered loves. What are the things and behaviors that we see people adding to their worship of Jesus today? Think carefully about this list. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you might love more than God. ╬ What happens when you forget to remember God’s goodness to you? What has disobedience to your loving Father cost you? When have you found yourself in a cycle of Trusting God that turns to Trusting Self? What is it that brought you back to God?