The Refuge Church

Despite being a man after God's own heart, David made some major mistakes. One of his biggest moments of failure, continued to reap consequences in the life of his family.

Following God requires more than relying on past experiences or familiar strategies. Through David’s story, we see that every season demands fresh dependence on the Holy Spirit, complete obedience, and trust in God’s perfect timing. When we listen for His voice and cling to His promises, we can overcome old battles and walk confidently in His purpose.

Through the life of Saul, we see how God anoints, empowers, and transforms people for His purposes, but also how that anointing can be hindered through disobedience, compromise, and neglect of God’s presence. God provides the anointing. It is up to us to protect it through obedience, intimacy with the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and unity so that God’s power can continue to flow through our lives.

Belonging to God means accepting his power to transform you. In the story of Micah we see that claiming God outwardly does not overshadow a private life that denies Him. We cannot replace repentance and pursuit of intimacy with God with outward actions of what it looks like to be a part of Christian culture.

Saul’s life shows how a heart can slowly grow hard through fear, disobedience, pride, and ignoring God’s voice, while David’s life shows that a heart after God is shaped by humility, obedience, repentance, and trusting God’s timing. In the end, we all have a choice: we can either harden our hearts through compromise or grow closer to God by continually seeking, trusting, and surrendering to Him.

In the story of Gideon, God shows us how He uses ordinary and seemingly weak people to accomplish extraordinary things through the power of His Spirit. Even in hardship and fear, God sees potential beyond our circumstances and gives strength to those who trust Him. Hardship does not define the faith of a believer, because we can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

This very special day is set apart to honor and celebrate the women that have cared for us, nurtured us, and magnified God’s love in our lives. We invited three women, all in different seasons of life and experience, to share wisdom and perspective. The result was timeless and beautiful.

Culture holds gravity. It governs the decisions and behaviors of entire societies. God has specifically defined a culture for His people. We have a choice in whether we will be pulled by the gravity of a culture of ‘my best life now’, or centered in the standard God has set for the inhabitants of His kingdom. One leads to compromise and the other abundant life.

What we do in the wilderness will impact our legacy. Just because you can’t change the outcome doesn’t mean you’re excused from obedience. Moses repeatedly interceded on behalf of the people of Israel. He remained faithful to his assignment, even when he knew he would not see the dream of crossing into the promised land fulfilled. Faithfulness is proven most when the outcome no longer benefits you...

When God gives us a promise, He also gives us a plan of preparation for receiving all of the potential for that promise. He is a God of order and He requires purity from us, both individually and corporately, so that we can remain in His covering, receive His blessings abundantly, and avoid the traps of our enemy. Not only are His promises perfect, but so is His plan.

Much of life has ups and downs, But when we fully commit our lives to God, he will fill us with his peace. It is not by our might or by our power but by His spirit. We should not be easily swayed by our fleeting feelings but should stand firm in Gods character that never changes.

Everything in the book of Leviticus points to the work that Jesus has done to allow us to now have personal relationship with God. It also reveals the posture our hearts should hold in worship, consecration, and gratitude as we approach Him. In an extensive list of do’s and don’ts given to Israel, we find an invitation to community with our holy God through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Holy order brings heavenly outpourings. God has a plan and it’s so important that we follow his directions and lead. Our lives consist of chaos without alignment with him. Everything we need is found in his presence, and his instructions are an invitation to greater intimacy with him.

In their season of wandering in the desert, God provided every need for the Israelites. This taught a generation that they could rely on the Lord. Despite God’s faithfulness, they often allowed their flesh to cause them to complain. This should challenge us to recognize where we have allowed ourselves to lack in thankfulness towards the Lord.