The Ridge – Weekly Message

It's a turning point in Israel's history. Moses has just died, and someone must step up and step into his leadership role. God calls Joshua. And at first, Joshua is afraid and overwhelmed. But then God makes him a promise. It's an encouraging one, but it's conditional. Meaning, in order for the promise to be fulfilled, Joshua had to do his part. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture re...

In the first chapter of the book of Joshua, God says to Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night”. (Verse 8) Most tend to associate the act of meditation with eastern religion so its mention here may come as a surprise. So what actually is Christian meditation? How do we go about practicing it and how does it differ from eastern meditation?  Join Ridge L...

God has made us for community with others. In particular, God has made it that we follow Him in the company of other believers. But why? Why is being part of community groups, mentorships and other connection contexts so key to our spiritual growth?   Join Ridge Youth Director Todd Stiles and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon.

Eventually in life we'll face something we simply can't handle on our own. In those overwhelming seasons, we discover our strength is limited. But here's the good news: God never intended His people to function alone, on their own, independently. Message by Todd Stiles Scripture referenced: Exodus 17:7–13

In Joshua chapter 2 God chooses a prostitute, Rahab, to hide two Israelite spies from the king of Jericho. To do so, she must lie to the king, yet she is honored by God and protected by Him. Does this imply that it might be permissible to lie under certain circumstances? If so, how do we go about determining if and when this might happen? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herr...

God instructed Joshua to take and possess the Promised Land. To do so, the first city Israel must conquer is Jericho. Refusing to go into battle blind, Joshua sends two spies into the city on a reconnaissance mission. The men find themselves at the home of Rahab. But soon the king of Jericho is tipped off and sends soldiers to her house in search of the spies. What happens next and what can we lea...

God encourages Joshua and the Israelites with these words: "Be strong and courageous … I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:6,9) Fear is common to us all and is often overwhelming and consuming. If this is the command God gives, what does it look like to walk in His strength?  How can we experience His strength in the midst of fearful situations?   Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mi...

It's not uncommon to get the Bible backward. When we read or hear about the people in the Bible we assume they are heroic men and women who know no fear and laugh in the face of danger. But if we pay careful attention and take a closer look, we see something a little different. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 1:1–18

One thing God guarantees us in the Bible is His promised presence with us. But what does that look like or feel like? What are some ways we can seek to be mindful of God's presence throughout our day?   Join Ridge Director of Strategic Planning and Communication Dayne Logan and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon.

Exodus 33 is all about who. Of course, it is about the Israelites. But it's also about God and His place and role in our lives. When we look closer at this passage of Scripture, we see the Israelites did a lot of things wrong. But there was an important something they did right. Message by Dayne LoganScripture referenced: Exodus 33

God has brought the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land. Moses sends out troops to scout out the land but there is a problem – it's inhabited and fortified! The Israelites are facing a challenge of huge proportions. Which raises the question for us: how do we go about facing challenges in our lives? Is it solely on us to figure it out or should we "let go and let God"?   Join...

Israel has reached the border of the Promised Land. But before entering in, Moses wisely sends twelve spies into Canaan to scout the area and gather intelligence. After 40 days they return with a report but with differing perspectives. Though they all saw and witnessed the same thing, ten spies are at odds with two. Which perspective is accurate? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Numbe...

God gives Saul detailed instructions to carry out a brutal mission. It was direction he didn't like and didn't want to do. So, Saul only partially obeys the command he was given. This act of rebellion and its consequences affect Saul deeply. There's much for us to see and learn from the situation. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Samuel 15

Not far into 1 Samuel 15, God gives Saul and the Israelite army some brutal orders, commanding them to destroy the Amalekites: men, women, children and cattle. At first read, this seems rather harsh and severe. What do we do with it? How should we approach this passage and others like it?     Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they uncover some tools to help us better...

Reading through the Bible, you may find many parts that inspire, encourage and direct you in your life. Yet there are other parts that at first seem confusing, raising questions as to how we are to understand and apply what we are reading. So how can we go about reading the Bible in a way that leads to understanding, application and transformation?    Join Ridge Family Ministries Director and BTS...

When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to be His disciples, it was a significant moment in their lives. It's even more meaningful when we know the cultural significance surrounding it. If we look closer at what Jesus said and how Simon and Andrew responded, we will discover the full depth of what it meant for them to be called and what was expected of them living the life of a disciple. We’ll also...

As we close out our sermon series on the book of Acts, we turn our attention to what it looks like to share our faith with others. Over the years Christians have used a variety of methods and means to share the good news of Jesus to the world. But not all of those methods were impactful in the right ways, nor fruitful in the long run. So how should we go about sharing our faith in 2026? What are s...

The book of Acts is unlike any other. It tells of what happened after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. It gives us the account of His ascension and of Pentecost, miraculous healings and bold preaching. It tells of the growth and advancement of the Church. But how does it end? To understand, we have to look closer at what Paul was doing here and determine what it all means for us today as...

The Apostle Paul faced many hard things in his life, yet we can also see how God used those things for the good of others and the spread of the gospel. But what about the kind of things that seem to carry no redeemable value at all? The sudden loss of a loved one, an unexpected divorce or loss of a job. How do we go about navigating these kinds of situations?   Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees...

We know life hasn't been easy for Paul. He's been falsely accused, arrested, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and snakebitten. In verse 11, we see Paul three months later. He has set sail once again and finally reached Rome only to be placed immediately under Roman guard. There's an irony here in that, for some time, Paul had eagerly desired to go to Rome in order to teach and minister...

The Apostle Paul ends up shipwrecked on an island but even there God works miraculously through him to bring healing to the sick (Acts 28). We see God work through the other apostles in similar ways, so should we expect God to do the same thing today? Does the fact that we see less miraculous healing today suggest that the issue is on our side?    Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host...

Life has been anything but easy for Paul. He's been falsely accused, arrested, beaten and imprisoned. And now, after boarding a cargo ship to Rome to appeal his case to Caesar, he sails straight into a storm which leaves him along with the crew and passengers shipwrecked on a the small island of Malta. Once there, rather than things getting better, they just get worse! While gathering firewood...

One aspect of our response to God's truth is walking in it. When we walk with Jesus, we form a personal relationship with Him. And that's by design. God wants a personal relationship with each of us. Let's consider what that really means. Message by Todd StilesScripture referenced: John 1:35–39, 15:4

In Acts chapter 27, we come across a story reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe, Cast Away or even Gilligan's Island. Paul is trying to get to Rome aboard a ship but soon finds himself, soaked, starving and — ultimately — shipwrecked. Yet somehow, God's glory still shines through. Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS guest host Dayne Logan as they discuss Paul's predicament and the l...

In our study of Acts, so far we know that Paul has been falsely accused by the Sanhedrin. And he's been arrested. Ultimately, Paul appeals his case to Caesar. And in Acts 27, we find him finally on his way to Rome. The text alternates between Luke's detailed description of the sea voyage and Paul encouraging people on board to make choices that won't be detrimental to them all. When hi...