City Church Houston

If actions speak louder than words, then God is always speaking. Prayer teaches us to listen. We sit with God in our present, and we trust him with our future, because of his faithfulness in the past.

We all have habits that are big parts of our life, some healthier than others. What if there were a keystone habit, that if adopted, would help us grow in all areas of life? God invites us to adopt fresh habits of worship--let's call this 'liturgy'--that will help us become more fully human and discover uncommon pleasure in all of life. 

When our days get dark and faith feels flat what are we supposed to do? God's given us two ancient, mysterious gifts to steady us and strengthen us.

Jesus prays for his disciples' protection; that they be in the world, but not of it. The purpose of this protection? To ensure that we experience true, deep joy in our identity in Christ, which no one can touch.

What was Jesus doing in the last moments before his arrest? He was praying for us. He wasn't consumed with what was happening to him. He was sincerely interested in us and the quality of life we would live.

In his final words, Jesus prays for a glory that will last forever. True glory, the kind that doesn't fade or falter, is born from suffering but built to share, transforming our lives into a meaningful mission for the good of others. 

How can we as modern people trust that the Bible, written by humans, is true? How can we believe all that it says about us and God? How do we find real peace, comfort, and courage in a world often punctuated with pain? The answer to these and many other questions lie in what Jesus taught his followers about the Holy Spirit. 

What makes for a truly great, fruitful life, not only one with lasting meaning, but one that contributes to the common good, and fills us with deep happiness? Jesus here casts a vision for this kind of life, shares the secret to discovering it, and shows us how we can grow in it.

As Jesus' life neared its end, his disciples worried about what would come next. Jesus' answer that he alone is "the way" is not some theoretical truth, but rather a deeply loving and practical response to the doubts of our hearts. 

The night before he died, Jesus shared with his closest friends and followers powerful words from an upper room in Jerusalem. They offer "upper room" perspective, purpose, and peace for us, when we feel limited to the constraints of life in this "lower room" world.

We can renew our hope by fixing our eyes on a God who would face the shame of his own death and embrace glory of his own resurrection so that we can be brought back into a living relationship with himself.

Simeon's Song celebrates a God who draws near to us in order to draw us out from a place of fear and weakness, just as he models in the life and faith of Mary.

Why would Luke record the actual birth of Jesus in such a straight-forward, even dispassionate way, given that has so often invited us into the emotional experience of Mary?

When life feels out of control, what are we to do? In Mary's song, The Magnificat, we discover not only what can stabilize us, but what can fill us with soul-satisfying joy.

The story of Jesus' birth begins with Mary, who was chosen for the utterly unique role of mother of God. Her response to the angel's shocking news prompts us to reflect: What is God asking of us? And will we do it?

In this conclusion to the series we see David at his best--exhibiting radical generosity, humility, and selflessness. What strikes us is how free and alive he is. What contributed to that in his life? How can we discover it for ourselves?

How do we change? How do we grow? In the Christian faith, repentance has always been central to authentic transformation in a person's life. We see this in dramatic fashion when the prophet Nathan confronted David. 

While moments such as David's encounter with Goliath showcase him at his revered best, this tragic episode reveals just how flawed he could be. Here we learn about the dangers of power, the power of temptation, and the power to deal with both. 

David's loyalty to his friend Jonathan culminates in the extension of communal care and resources to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, who is disabled. David honors and recognizes him as an image-bearer of God in the lineage of his chosen people.

When David brought the ark of God into Jerusalem he danced before the Lord with whirling abandon. His dance gives us a picture of what life can be, even when suffering: a free and overjoyed expression of worship born of grace.

Seeking God's presence is the meaning and measure of our lives, and David's ascension to the throne of Israel reveals how great find their purpose in patiently, faithfully waiting on his timing.

David's journey through wilderness is not unlike our own search for spiritual satisfaction. Jesus promises living water, but how do we find it when life feels like a desert?

Friendship is the antidote to the poison of loneliness. What does real friendship look like? How do we find it? How do we become true friend to others? The heartwarming story of David and his friend, Jonathan, provides compellings answers to these questions.

How do we deal with anxiety--everything from garden variety worry to crunching panic? How do we bolster courage and develop faith to address this? These are just some of practical helps we discover in the classic story of David and Goliath.

Have you ever been so moved by music that it seemed to heal something deep inside you? David's musical talent had a medicinal-like power that soothed the ailing king Saul.