Run
with the OT greats!
Elijah - More Prayer, More Power
March 28, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Elijah is an OT Great who reveals to us so much about the very nature of God. God appointed Elijah to the office of prophet, to be his mouthpiece for Israel in a very difficult time in history. The northern kingdom of Israel had turned their backs on God, breaking the covenant relationship by worshiping false gods. So God tasked Elijah with confronting King Ahab, Jezebel, and the prophets of Asherah and Baal in an epic showdown.
David - Mountains & Valleys: Not Defined by a Moment
March 21, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
David is an OT Great with a story that has many highs and many lows. He is often remembered as a man after God’s own heart, but he also has a checkered past that includes adultery and murder. He has euphoric experiences, like victoriously bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. However, he also has deep moments of despair, like running for his life from his son. David’s life teaches a valuable lesson—our lives are not defined by a moment.
Samuel - Learning to Listen
March 14, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
“God told me!” Have you ever heard someone say that? How can we know if it was truly God talking and not a fleshly impulse? Is it possible to be deceived? How does God communicate? How can I live so that God speaks to me? Samuel gives us a great example of learning to listen to the still, small voice of God. He was young, but the voice of God was crystal clear.
Gideon - Improbable People...Impossible Task
March 7, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
It’s so important for us to know who God uses and how God works. Often, our lack of understanding restricts the flow of what He wants to do. Grasping it unlocks His power flowing through imperfect, flawed vessels to accomplish unbelievable challenges. Running with OT Greats gives us snapshots of how to be used by God and fulfill His call in our lives.
Rahab - The Story Isn't Finished
February 28, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
“It’s not over ‘til it’s over!” “It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings!” Those common phrases are often used to let people know that the story or game isn’t over. It’s not finished. Discouragement and despair often cause us to think, "My story is finished!” Rahab discovered what we can discover—the story isn’t finished.
Joshua - Courageous Leadership
February 21, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
Every person faces tough times. It’s easy to become discouraged. Quitting sometimes seems like the best option. But Joshua presents a better path. Amidst challenges and seemingly impossible tasks, he exhibits strength and courage. Even following the legend of Moses, he confidently and courageously embraces the future. What Joshua had is available to every one of us.
Moses - What's in your hand?
February 14, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Moses is an OT Great with a story that dominates most of the Pentateuch, not to mention most credit him as the writer of these first five books. Against all odds and Moses’ initial will, God uses him to accomplish the primary event of redemption in the Old Testament, freeing those held in bondage.
Joseph - How to Live in Exile
February 7, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Joseph is an OT Great with a story of absolute grit. He faces unbelievable adversity and not only keeps the faith, but propels God’s kingdom forward. And he did all of this in exile! He lived faithfully in a different culture, with a different language, different customs, and different gods. Let us run with Joseph and learn how to live in exile.
Jacob - Wrestling with Integrity
January 31, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Jacob is an OT Great with a tumultuous life. Jacob was cunning, manipulative, and experiencing an identity crisis for much of his life. When Jacob meets Pharaoh in Egypt at the end of his life, he recounts his years as being, “few and difficult.” However, there is a beautiful moment of redemption in Jacob’s story, a moment of wrestling with God. Let us run with Jacob and learn how to wrestle with God.
Abraham - Into the Unknown
January 24, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
Stepping into the unknown usually invokes fear. What might go wrong? What’s the future going to be like? Could this end badly? Should I even take a step, or would it be wiser to just stay where I’m at? Abraham provides us great coaching on learning to walk with God, especially when He calls us to step into the unknown. As we walk with Abraham, we’ll learn the basics of simple faith and trusting God. When we follow the One who sees the unseen and knows the unknown, we walk with confidence.
Noah - Going Alone!
January 17, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
What would it be like to spend an afternoon with Noah? What lessons could he teach us? What animals did he grow tired of? What moments would he describe as pivotal? What stories would he tell of the dark moments? What did he feel when God expressed His grief and pain over His creation? How would he describe seeing that first rainbow? What coaching would he give us for the times we are living in? Noah is the example of a simple man of God who, in faith, stood alone trusting God, and was rewarded by God.
Stepping into the Unknown
January 10, 2021 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
Predictions for the future are interesting to read. What’s more interesting is to see how any of them came true and how many were bogus. Whether we like it or not, the future is going to happen. God always asks His children to boldly and bravely step by faith into the future. No matter what happens, we place our confidence in Him.