The Ridge – Weekly Message

We left off in chapter two of Habakkuk after looking at the Biblical definitions of discipline and wrath. We pick up in verse five, which gives some insight into why God was about to release His wrath on the Israelites, handing them over to the Babylonians. Hint: It has something to do with idol worship. But if we aren’t creating golden calves or primitive statues today, is this really relevant to...

It is both encouraging and mind blowing to think that the God of the universe is working in our lives today. And yet what does that work look like exactly? How can we grow to acknowledge and respond to it? Join Ridge Marketing and Communication Director, Dayne Logan, and BTS host Will Herron, as they reflect on God's loving work in our lives and explore how we can learn to embrace it even when...

The God of the universe, the creator of the cosmos, is at work in our lives. But what does that look like exactly? We’ll look at some of the major events in the life of Moses in the early chapters of Exodus. Because turns out, God works in similar ways today as He did back then. Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Exodus 2, 3 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional ea...

One of the dangers we can fall into in reading the Bible is reading it selectively. We dwell on the passages we are comfortable with and ignore those that raise questions and challenge us. In particular, passages that deal with God's wrath and judgement take a back seat to famous verses like John 3:16. So how do we go steer away from selective reading of the Bible and engage with every part as...

Habakkuk chapter two. Full disclosure: It's a challenging chapter. Here at The Ridge, we are committed to teaching through the Bible in its entirety. Because if we don't know the hard parts, we don't know the whole story. Habakkuk chapter two centers on two words: discipline and wrath. We'll examine the Biblical definitions of these words, what they mean and how all of this applies...

Recent technological advances have done much to speed up the world. Just a few clicks on our phone and we can order our groceries, binge our favorite TV shows, and DoorDash our favorite meals. But have you ever thought to consider what effect this hyper efficiency may be having on our ability to be patient? Particularly when it comes to waiting on God? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, a...

Here’s what we know so far: In Habakkuk chapter one, things are happening in the world that Habakkuk doesn’t understand. He is witness to extreme suffering, in justice and spiritual apathy. He cries out in frustration and desperation. God answers but not in the way Habakkuk wants or expects. Yet God has a plan. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Habakkuk 1:12–2:4 Read the  Beyond the S...

Featured stories and testimonies of God’s goodness, His provision and the life transformation that has taken place over the past 25 years told by those who have lived it out. There is much to commemorate and celebrate. Happy Anniversary, Ridge. Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

The subject of God's sovereignty can give rise to lots of questions. If God is all powerful, why do we see so much suffering in the world? If God is truly sovereign, why doesn't he intervene to rescue us from hardships more often? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Mike Van Rees as they explore how we can approach these kinds of questions while also experiencing peace and hope...

The truth of God’s sovereignty can cause us to ask: If God is all powerful, why do we see so much suffering in the world? Why doesn’t He intervene? Why? In his questioning, Habakkuk leads us to the answer. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Habakkuk 1:5–11 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inb...

When we hear of idols or idolatry, visions of  primitive people gathered around a statue can come to mind. It's easy to assume that when the Bible speaks of idols, it's something of the past. Thousands of years later, however, the subject of idols proves to be as relevant as ever. Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan as they...

What does Israel’s struggle with idols and idolatry have to do with us today? We don’t carve idols out of wood or cast them out of metal. Maybe not. But the subject of idols still proves to be as relevant as ever. Message by Dayne Logan Scripture referenced: Isaiah 44:13–20 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in yo...

In the first chapter of Habakkuk, the prophet is crying out to God in the midst of doubt and confusion. As believers, how can we use doubt and confusion as a positive in our relationship with God? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss the ways in which doubt and lament play essential roles in a healthy relationship with God. Read the  Beyon...

Habakkuk is struggling to reconcile a good God with the pervasiveness of the pain, evil and suffering around Him. In Chapter 1 of Habakkuk, we see him cry out to God. So, what does God do with Habakkuk's questions and doubt and confusion? What can we, as followers of Jesus, learn from His response? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Habakkuk 1:1–4 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devoti...

This Sunday we began a new sermon series titled "Nevertheless" on the Book of Habakkuk. The new series will take us through a conversation between an ordinary man, Habakkuk, and God Himself. Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they start off our series by exploring ways to recognize God's presence in our day-to-day lives. Read the  Beyon...

Don’t miss this simple truth found in the Bible over and over: God talks to ordinary people. It’s the big idea of the book of Habakkuk, and it’s the center of our new sermon series, Nevertheless. This Sunday and in the coming weeks, we’ll see what it means to have a personal relationship with God. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Habakkuk 1:1 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals ....

How do we find happiness and joy in life? Depending on who you ask, you may receive a different answer. For some it's money, for others it's their career or their achievements in life. But what does the Bible teach us about living life to the full? What is the "good life" according to Jesus? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they c...

The Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes. More than morals and rules, the sermon reveals what the “good life” looks like. But His depiction isn’t terribly attractive: Blessed are those who are poor, who hunger, who weep. Blessed are those who are hated, excluded and insulted. Seems like Jesus has it all wrong. Does He? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 6 Read the  Beyond the Sermo...

On this special edition of Beyond the Sermon we hear from international speaker, Carol Herron. For the last 50 years + Carol has been ministering/teaching both at home in N Ireland and around the world. The following message is taken from a Women’s Gathering night at The Ridge on Sept 11th, 2023. 

This week we jumped back into the Gospel of Luke where Jesus and His disciples encounter a man possessed by several demons. Jesus miraculously casts the demons out of the man, then encourages him to go and tell others about what happened to him.  Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore how we can go about sharing our experiences of Jesus with...

We find the first Biblical example of a missionary in Luke chapter 8. And he’s likely not who you think. His qualification: knowing what Jesus had done for him. Like this man, we all have a story. And Jesus expects us to tell it. Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

This week, we break from our study on Luke and jump to the Book of Deuteronomy. We are reminded as followers of Jesus that we are not only to listen to God's word and direction but also to live it out. Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Family Ministry Leader Doug Applegate as they discuss how practically applying what we hear from God cannot only change us but also influenc...

In Deuteronomy we’re told that God’s commandments are to be on our hearts. We’re to talk about them and think about them throughout the day from when we get up to when we lie down. But what does it mean for us to truly live out God’s Word? Message by Doug Applegate Scripture referenced: Deuteronomy 6:6–9 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive t...

Through the Gospel of Luke, miraculous stories are told with stunning depictions of Jesus' power and His compassion. It's easy to simply read of these stories but fail to truly get to know the One behind the miracles. So how do we move from just knowing about God to walking with Him daily? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss ways...

Sometimes people say they aren’t experiencing God or they aren’t growing spiritually or that He seems so hard to find. That’s not what the Bible says. Scripture tells us that He is available. In fact, we’re promised that if we seek, He will be found by us. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 8:40–56 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  t...