We live in a world saturated with voices—media, culture, influencers, even well-meaning friends and family—all shaping our beliefs and perceptions. Sometimes, these voices distort the truth, just as the serpent did in Eden, or as false prophets did in Jeremiah’s day. We must be discerning, recognizing that not every voice speaks truth, and that even our own understanding is filtered through years of cultural influence. The challenge is to seek the “wheat” and not the “straw”—to hunger for what truly satisfies, even as we acknowledge that we will sometimes get it wrong.

Seminarian Mary Riedl brings her own very relatable story to the element of faith, leading us to greater wisdom in listening to the voice of God.

Trusting God is not always easy, especially when life feels uncertain or promises seem delayed. Belief is just the beginning—trust is what transforms our lives Pastor Mia shares stories of Abraham and Jesus to illustrate how trusting God's promises, even when they seem impossible, leads to abundant life and spiritual growth. She encourages us to practice spiritual disciplines like worship and community, which help us stay alert and open to God's work in our lives. Ultimately, trusting in God's care allows us to live with confidence, readiness, and joy, knowing that God shows up for us always.

God’s treasure is worth everything we have, and God’s kingdom is already among us, waiting for us to receive it with open hands.

In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus warns us to "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed" (Luke 12: 13-21). Greed, like all sin, is sneaky. We don't decide to be greedy. We slide into it with justifications.

We want things and money, often because we believe they'll provide security. However, things and money aren't the problem. The problem is within us. We allow things and money to get in the way of being rich toward God. Greed isn't an ecomonic issue. Both poor and rich can be greedy, and both poor and rich can be rich toward God.

Greed blocks us from trusting God and that behavior is nothing new. Pslam 49, from thousands of years ago, addresses trust in wealth and trust in God. So does Paul's letter to the Colossians, written just a few years after the resurrection. Paul portrayed greed as idolaty. Instread of trusting God to save us, we put our trust in something else.

Building trust takes time and it can be destoyed in moments, so we're naturally suspicious. In reality, we can't survive without some level of trusting. Pastor Mia reminds us that Scripture includes story after story of God keeping promises. God has always been faithful to us, even when were were not faithful to God.