The Ridge – Weekly Message

Prayer has often been described as something similar to "having conversation with God". And yet when we think about conversations with friends or family, that can look quite different. So how does prayer/conversation with God actually work? In what ways can we incorporate prayer into our lives as we head into a new year? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as th...

Let's prepare our hearts for what's ahead in 2026 and focus on a New Year's Resolution: Growing closer to God. To do that, we have to enter into relationship with Him — we have to talk to Him. And we talk to Him through prayer. Seems easy enough. But, like any other New Year's resolution, though we start with good intentions and dedication, odds are at some point our desire will st...

It seems Scripture tells us very little about the time period between when Jesus was born and before He started His public ministry. Yet, if we look closer, what the Bible says is greater than the number of words it gives us. In fact, just a few verses in Luke chapter 2 show us something of repeated patterns and rhythms and practices in Jesus' life. Message by Brandy YoungScripture referenced:...

The origin and center of Christmas is the great gift that God has given to us. What is this Christmas gift from God? Isaiah tells us: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. That's Jesus. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Isaiah 9:6

The gospels of Matthew and Luke both give an account of the events surrounding Jesus' birth. All four gospels outline his life, teaching, death and resurrection. The book of Acts highlights His continued work by the Spirit through His disciples, while the remaining letters unpack His teaching and ongoing impact. But what about the Old Testament? What do the stories of Abraham, Moses, David, Jo...

Exodus 1 and 2 reveal important moments in the life of Moses. And though we don't normally associate Moses with Christmas, his is a Christmas message. In fact, in studying the life of Moses, we see that God not only gives good gifts to His people, but He also ultimately gies the perfect gift in Jesus. Message by Dayne LoganScripture referenced: Exodus 1 and 2

Perhaps one of the most famous verses in the Bible (John 3:16) declares that whoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life through Him. But what happens if someone believes but then stops believing? And for those who do believe, what kind life impact should we experience in light of this internal conviction? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these...

John chapter three contains arguably the single most recognized and quoted Bible verse, John 3:16. The verse summarizes the core message of God's love and salvation through Jesus. This chapter is also where we meet Nicodemus. As a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who lived his life relentlessly observing every detail of the scribal law, Nicodemus was one of the most influential Jews in the...

As we bring our series on the life of Solomon to a close, one detail in 1 Kings chapter 11 catches our attention: God rose up enemies against Solomon. If God did this for Solomon, does He do the same for us? And if so, what reasons might God have for allowing hardships in our lives?    Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more in this we...

Despite his wisdom, Solomon fails to wholeheartedly follow God. He blatantly ignores God's warning against marrying foreign women, and as he enters further into relationship with his wives, Solomon begins to honor their deities and build altars to worship them. In response, God raises up enemies against Solomon who bring constant trouble and suffering to him. What, then, does this reveal to us...

If we are honest, most would admit that gratitude isn't something that comes naturally. Often we are more prone to point out the negative in situations. So how can we grow to become people of gratitude? How can we see our world through a lens of gratefulness as opposed to negativity?   Join Ridge Youth Director Todd Stiles and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more in th...

Hannah is a woman who is living in the tension between what she knows to be true of God and what she sees in her life. When we first meet her, there's a prayer she's carried for years that hasn't been answered. Yet, in the end, her story becomes one of the clearest pictures of gratitude found in the Bible. Message by Todd StilesScripture referenced: 1 Samuel 1, 2

It's not an overstatement to say that we live in a highly sexualized society. Commercials, movies and tv shows all utilize it in ways often contrary to God's design. But what exactly does the Bible have to say about sex? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss this question and more in this week's BTS episode.

Solomon has led a God-honoring life. When asked the one thing he most wanted, he asked for wisdom. When his wealth accumulated in abundance, his response was to build a lavid temple for the Lord. And once the project was complete, the first thing Solomon did was fall to his knees in prayer. So, how does he go from all of this to falling away from God? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced:...

Jesus taught more about the Kingdom of God than anything else. He said things like, “The Kingdom of God has come upon you,” and “the Kingdom of God is in your midst.” After His resurrection He continued to teach His disciples about the Kingdom of God. Yet for such a common part of Jesus’ teaching, it feels like many of us don’t have a clear picture of what the "kingdom of God" really mea...

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see if what she knew of him — his wisdom and achievements — was true. What she found: In wisdom and wealth Solomon far exceeded the report she heard. The entirety of this passage gives us a picture of a king and his kingdom. But there's more to see here than what we see in Solomon. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 10

In 2 Kings 20 King Hezekiah becomes suddenly deathly ill. Out of the blue, life suddenly takes a turn for the worst. The reality is, none of us are exempt from experiencing the unexpected, so how can our relationship with God impact how we respond in those moments? Join Ridge Family Ministries Director Doug Applegate and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss the ways in which our relationship with...

As we continue to walk through the life of Solomon, we become aware of his tendency to partially obey God, which leads to difficult circumstances in his life. Sometimes we experience trouble because of disobedience, but is it also possible that God allows certain hard things in our lives for deeper reasons? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore this question...

Solomon's temple and palace have been built. The temple has been dedicated, and the Ark of the Covenant has been placed inside. Solomon has prayed, a celebration has taken place, and now God blesses him for his obedience. But He also has a stern warning for Solomon. One that also applies to us yet today. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: 1 Kings 9:1–9

In his message, Pastor Mike commented how "God answers our prayers according to His goodness, His will, and His plan." Yet, if we are honest, sometimes that plan is hard to understand, and the realities we face seem to challenge the idea of God's goodness rather than reinforce it. So how do we go about responding in instances or seasons like that?  Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Ree...

The dedication of the temple. The text describes the procession of the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and features Solomon's lengthy prayer of dedication along with the massive festival of sacrifice and celebration. There's quite a lot to cover in 66 verses and even more to see in regard to how it applies to us and our lives yet today. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: 1 K...

The late Timothy Keller defined idols as "good things that have become ultimate things." The Bible certainly has lots to say about idols, so how do we go about identifying them in our lives? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore this topic and more in this week's BTS episode.

Solomon didn't just build a house for the Lord; he also built a house of himself. Really, it was a palace. Or actually, it was more like a royal complexes of five distinct structures. But among all the details, there's something significant to see here. It has a little something to do with the order of Solomon's priorities. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: 1 Kings 7:1–12

1 Kings 5-7 outlines Solomon's extravagant temple building project where no expense was spared in its design and construction. But what about modern day churches? Are we still justified in spending large of amounts of money constructing and maintaining these buildings?  Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore this topic and more in this week's BTS epis...

Solomon's temple was beautiful, extravagant, lavish. It was built with cedars from Lebanon floated on the sea to Jerusalem. It was constructed with such reverence that stones were cut to the desired and exact size at the quarry so that no loud noise from hammers or chisels would profane the building stie. Even the temple floors were pure gold. Interesting, for sure. But what does it matter? What d...