“There’s hope today because God with us sent the Spirit to dwell within us”

Immanuel. God… With… Us. God incarnate. He put on skin and bones and made his dwelling among us. God stepped into our mess, chose us, understanding the costs, knowing our past, where we’ve been, what we’ve done and who we’ve hurt. He became God with us…. The lost sheep, the prodigal sons, the thief on the cross, the plain jane and the common robs, the liars, cheats, and addicts. God chose us.

The hope of Christmas long ago doesn’t grow faint, isn’t a memory, a reflection, or a feeling. The hope of Christmas is with us today, and goes with us into each and every moment because God with us sent the Spirit to dwell within us.

Peace isn’t the promise of an easy life, it's the promise of a present God.

Immanuel, God with us. With us in the overwhelm. With us in the joy. With us in the fear. With us when we can’t walk inside. With us when the tree is glowing but our hearts aren’t. And this is why the angels declare “Peace on earth.” Not because the world suddenly became peaceful… but because the Prince of Peace entered the world.

11|28 Board Member, Natalia Roman, shares that peace is possible where God is and he is here. Natalia reflects on here own Christmas journey last year and what it took for her to experience the Peace of God as life swirled around her.

"Prayer is using what you know, but never settling for the way it is."

Pastor Brian Hofmeister (Lakepoint Church) helps us understand the power of intercessory prayer, the prayers in the middle. Brian reflects on his own life, his own kids, and his own prayer journey while unpacking the prayers of Moses when he changed God's mind.

"When you feel like giving up, God gives you rest and restores your soul"

Even in our lowest moments, when we feel exhausted, afraid, and alone like Elijah, God meets us with gentle care, restores our strength, and reminds us that we still have purpose. When we are depressed or drained, God doesn’t abandon us–He restores us gently and leads us forward with renewed purpose.

“You can be effective and still hurting.”

Jonah chapter four wrapped up our series with drama, frustration, and God’s mercy. Pastor Mike Francisco suggested Jonah 4:12… the verse that isn’t there may be the most important verse in the chapter. Jonah’s silence reminds us to let God have the last word in our lives.

“God calls back and gives second chances”

Mike Francisco unpacked Jonah chapter three and the power of God’s second chances. After running from God and experiencing the consequences, Jonah receives the Word of the Lord a second time and obeys, going to the wicked city of Nineveh. Like Jonah, God meets us in our failures, calls us to obedience, and offers grace and compassion again and again. No matter your past, His call to turn, trust, and follow Him is always renewed, and His mercy is always greater than your mistakes.

“Stop being okay with running from God”

Pastor Mike Francisco kicked off our Jonah series and explored what happens when we run from God. Jonah tried to escape God’s call to preach to Nineveh, and his disobedience caused a storm; not just in his life, but for those around him. Even in his rebellion, God’s grace and power were at work, calling him back. It’s a reminder for us to reflect: where are we running from God, or rationalizing sin in our own lives? The good news is that God is ready to meet us, guide us, and restore us when we turn back to Him.

"The Gospel turns off the dark for good."

Mike Francisco talks about hard things because we all experience them. Sometimes it feels like dying, decay and darkness steal our hope, take our joy, and leave us feeling ready to call it quits.... because life is hard at times. So how do we navigate life's hardships while holding tightly to the message of hope and good news that the Gospel is? How do we turn off the dark today as Christ followers?