First Baptist Church Longview

Do you consider yourself a grateful person — or do you just assume you are? Through Luke 17:11–19, Pastor Collin draws attention to the one leper who returned to Jesus after being healed, contrasting gratitude with indifference. The deeper our awareness of grace, the deeper our gratitude becomes. Don’t just feel thankful — express it, both to God and to others who have supported you.

What do you do when life's deepest losses leave you wondering if God is still there? In Lamentations 3, Pastor Collin highlights how Jeremiah, surrounded by devastation, finds hope in the steady rhythm of God’s mercies. Even in the ruins, God’s faithfulness is not exhausted. Speak truth in suffering, hold onto hope, and trust that His faithfulness will outlast the darkest season.

Have you ever felt like your circumstances were shaking your faith rather than strengthening it? In Isaiah 6, Pastor Collin walks through the moment when the prophet encounters the overwhelming holiness of God, leaving him undone before being restored by unexpected grace. Experiencing grace begins with recognizing the depth of God’s holiness. Turn from both sin and self-righteousness, receive the...

What does it mean to truly say that God is love? In 1 John 4:7–12, Pastor Collin shows how God’s love, revealed at the cross, is unlike any human expression—selfless, unconditional, and freely given. Every person you encounter is someone Christ died for. Let that truth shape how you speak, forgive, and interact with others this week.

Have you ever struggled to believe God is good when life feels broken? Drawing from James 1:16–18 and the broader story of redemption, Dr. Ken Hall points to God’s unchanging goodness as the source of every good gift. Even in a fallen world, His character remains constant. Shift your focus from circumstances to His nature and find stability there.

Have you ever been convinced something was right, only to realize later it wasn’t? In Psalm 139 and Proverbs 3:5–6, Pastor Collin shows that God’s knowledge is complete and personal. Because He understands your life better than you do, you can trust Him with your decisions. Surrender your perspective to Him and trust where He leads.

Have you ever known something to be true but struggled to live like it? Through Genesis 28, where Jacob encounters God unexpectedly, Pastor Collin explains that God’s presence is constant, not dependent on circumstances. His nearness is a reality we are invited to live in daily. Move through your week with the awareness that He is always with you.

Do you ever find yourself questioning how God is handling your life? Drawing from Romans 11:33–36 and Isaiah 40, Pastor Collin explores God’s sovereignty, showing that He works all things from Himself, through Himself, and for Himself. Although He allows real choices and consequences, He remains fully in control. Release both your pain and your plans into His hands, trusting His wisdom.

What if your understanding of God has been shaped more by preference than truth? In Isaiah 40, Pastor Collin begins the *Incomparable* series by confronting how easily we reshape God into our own image. Only God defines who He truly is, and getting that right affects everything about our faith. Let go of assumptions and encounter Him as He reveals Himself.

What happens when work quietly consumes everything in your life? In Psalm 127, Pastor Collin points to an ancient reminder that God alone determines outcomes. Because of that, we are free to work faithfully and rest trustingly. Embrace rhythms of rest and remember that your most important responsibilities go beyond what happens at work.

Have you ever measured your worth by your job title, income, or accomplishments? In Deuteronomy 17, Pastor Collin highlights God’s instructions for Israel’s king, emphasizing humility and equality rather than status. Your identity is not built on what you do but on what Christ has already done at the cross. Let go of comparison and approach your work as an expression of love for God and others.

Have you ever quietly wondered if your "ordinary" job really matters to God? Drawing from Colossians 3:23 and the story of Bezalel in Exodus 35, Pastor Collin challenges the idea that only certain callings are sacred. Every believer is placed intentionally to reflect God’s light. Wherever you work, live in a way that reveals His presence, using both your character and your actions as a witness.

Do you ever wonder whether God actually cares about what you do from nine to five? In Genesis 39 and Colossians 3:23, Pastor Collin traces Joseph’s journey to show that God is deeply invested in everyday work. No matter how ordinary it seems, your work is ultimately done for Him. Approach each task this week with wholehearted effort, as if Christ Himself were overseeing it.

What would it feel like to finally have *enough* — and why does "more" never seem to satisfy? Looking at Philippians 4:10–13, Pastor Collin highlights Paul’s learned contentment in both scarcity and abundance. The secret is not self-sufficiency, but being anchored in Christ, the one source that cannot be taken away. Instead of striving for more, rest in the strength and sufficiency of Jesus.

What does it actually take for your life to count before God — is it your morality, your background, or your achievements? In Philippians 3:1–14, Pastor Collin points to Paul’s complete reversal, where everything he once valued is set aside in order to know Christ. Righteousness cannot be earned; it is received through faith. Take time to consider what you are truly trusting in and whether your li...

Have you ever felt like you're wandering in a wilderness, wondering whether your faithfulness even matters? In Philippians 2:12–16, Pastor Collin explains the tension between God’s work and our obedience, showing how both operate together rather than in opposition. Your effort and God’s power move in harmony, shaping something far beyond what you can see. Instead of grumbling through the wildernes...

Are you drifting along with the current of life, or intentionally rooted in Christ? Reflecting on Philippians 4:1–9, Katie Yoder shows that being “found in Him” means standing firm in faith, pursuing unity, and shaping our minds around truth rather than anxiety. Spiritual stability and peace grow from intentional focus on Christ. This challenges us to resist anxious thinking, pursue prayer and obe...

Why does following Jesus often feel so opposite of what the world tells us about success and significance? In Philippians 2:5–11, Dr. Tim Watson highlights the paradox of Christ’s life—how true exaltation comes through humility, sacrifice, and obedience. Jesus willingly went low—laying aside His glory, serving others, and dying on a cross—so that God would ultimately exalt Him. This invites us to...

What if the way we define “living” is actually missing what matters most? Centering on Philippians 1:21, Pastor Cam Reynolds shows that life in Christ is not meant to be passive or self-focused, but a continual flow of receiving from Jesus and pouring into others through discipleship. True life is found when Jesus becomes both our purpose and our pursuit, producing fruit in and through us. This ca...

What if the restlessness behind your striving is rooted in something deeper? Following the story of Israel in 1–2 Kings, Pastor Collin identifies idolatry as the driving force behind their downfall. Beneath every pursuit of control or approval lies a heart turned from God. Through Jesus, that pattern is reversed, offering a return to true fulfillment. Let go of false substitutes and receive the li...

Have you ever found yourself waiting so long for a promise that you began to question it? In 1 and 2 Samuel, Pastor Collin traces the development of Israel’s kingship and God’s promise to David. Though every human leader failed, God remained faithful. That promise ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus, who perfectly completes what others could not.

Have you ever looked at your life or the world around you and thought, what a mess? Through Joshua and Judges, Pastor Collin shows how repeated failure points to a deeper need — not another chance, but rescue. God does not stand apart from the chaos; He enters it. In Jesus Christ, He brings ultimate victory and hope, even in the middle of brokenness.

Have you ever wondered whether following God’s way is truly worth it? In Deuteronomy, Pastor Collin highlights Moses’ final words to a generation preparing to enter the Promised Land. Like a parent sending children into the unknown, he calls them to love God fully because He is their life. Commit yourself wholeheartedly to Him and discover the depth of His goodness.

Have you ever considered that while we wait on God, He may be waiting on us? Looking at Israel’s journey in Numbers, Pastor Collin reveals a pattern of fear and resistance despite God’s continual faithfulness. God remains ready to bless, yet He calls His people to trust and step forward. Consider whether this may be a moment when God is inviting you to act in faith.

Why would God go to such elaborate lengths just to be near us? Exploring the often-overlooked book of Leviticus, Pastor Collin shows how its system of sacrifices and priesthood prepares the way for understanding Jesus’ work. Holiness was never about distance but about God's presence transforming His people. Through Christ, every believer is now invited to carry that presence into the world.