Champion Church - FL

Wrestling with Hearing God Speak

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:27:47 +0000

Let’s be honest for a minute.

The phrase “God told me” does something to all of us.

For some of you, when you hear that, something in you tightens. You start thinking about psychology, emotions, bias, manipulation. You have seen that phrase used to control people. You have seen it used to win arguments. You have seen it used as the spiritual trump card that ends all discussion.

For others of you, when you hear that phrase, something in you leans forward. Because you believe with everything in you that God speaks to His children today. You have sensed things before. You have felt promptings. You have had moments you could not explain.

And you affirm it with Romans 8:14 NLT:

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Then there is a whole other group, and honestly this might be most of us. You are not arguing about whether God speaks in general. You are just quietly asking, “Does He speak to me?”

Not in a dramatic way. Not in a thus says the Lord voice. Not something you would post about.

Just when you are trying to make a decision. When you are praying about a relationship. When you are wondering whether to take the job. When you are asking if you should apologize. When you feel that nudge to text someone. When an idea drops in your heart and you think, “Where did that come from?”

You have probably prayed this before: “God, was that You, or was that just me?”

That is the tension. That is where we wrestle.

On one side, if someone says God speaks, our culture at best is skeptical and at worst labels them unstable.

On the other side, if someone says God does not speak, what do you do with what Jesus said?

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27 NLT

So which is it?

Is hearing God normal? Emotional? Mystical? Biblical? Dangerous? Reserved for pastors and prophets? Or is it something every believer is invited into?

And if it is, how do we know it is actually Him?

Because nobody wants to make God up. Nobody wants to blame their impulses on God. Nobody wants to say “God told me” and be wrong. But nobody wants to live a life where God is silent either.

So what do we do with that wrestling?

I want to get incredibly practical. But before we do that, we need handles. We need the controls before we get out on the water. And for that, we go to 1 Samuel 3...

Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God.

Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!”
“Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?”
He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I did not call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.

Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I did not call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”

Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before.

So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.

So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 3:1 to 10 NLT

When Hearing God Feels Rare

The text opens with something most people skip right past.

“In those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.”
1 Samuel 3:1

Hearing God was not common.

Environment matters more than we realize. If you grow up or live in a culture where no one talks about hearing God in a healthy, grounded way, then when something nudges your heart, you do not automatically label it as God. You label it as empathy. Or anxiety. Or imagination.

The culture around you influences how you process what God is speaking in and through you. If no one around you has language for hearing God in a biblical way, you will not have language for it either. The idea becomes foreign, and without a framework, you do not even know how to process it.

If that is you, I hope this becomes the beginning of a journey. But practically, you may have to ask yourself some honest questions. Am I asking God to lead me? Am I inviting Him into my day to day life? Am I involving Him in who I am and what I do?

Because if we are not, what exactly are we expecting Him to speak about?

If hearing God has not even been on our radar, we might be missing one of the greatest parts of being a disciple of Jesus. He will speak to you at work. He will speak to you at home. He will speak in loud moments and quiet ones. It is who He is.

It Sounded Familiar

Three times Samuel hears his name and runs to Eli. Three times he misidentifies the voice.

And what is fascinating to me is this. God’s voice did not come like thunder. There was no burning bush. No shaking mountain. No writing on the wall.

It sounded familiar.

It sounded like the voice of someone Samuel already knew.

Sometimes we expect God to interrupt our lives in a way that is unmistakably supernatural. But in Scripture, His voice often comes in ways that feel relational more than spectacular.

If you want to understand hearing God, start here. He is not broadcasting to strangers. He is speaking to sons and daughters.

Often it starts through familiar voices. A friend who has walked with God and carries weight in your life. A pastor. A podcast. An author. A sermon that hits exactly what you needed. That is God speaking through a familiar voice.

You never graduate from that. But for many people, that is where it begins.

Community Matters

Eli does not manufacture the voice. He does not pretend to be the source. He simply helps Samuel posture himself correctly.

“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 3:9

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is ask someone more seasoned, “Does this sound like God to you?”

Community matters.

There is humility in saying, “Help me discern this.” That is not weakness. That is wisdom.

Hearing God is not about volume. It is about posture. Not chasing mystical experiences, but positioning your heart to say, I am listening and I am willing.

And when Samuel finally responds with that posture, he receives a difficult word.

“Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house.”
1 Samuel 3:11 to 12 ESV

This is not permission to go around rebuking people. But it does show us something important. Words from God can be stretching. They can challenge our self preservation. They can confront our flesh.

Samuel’s journey into hearing God did not begin with fireworks. It began with confusion, repetition, guidance, surrender, and a hard word.

And that comforts me.

If you are in a season where the word of the Lord feels rare, you are not disqualified. If you have mistaken His voice before, you are not foolish. If you need help discerning, you are not weak. If what He is saying stretches you, you are not abandoned.

Hearing God is not about being mystical. It is about being relational with the One who speaks.

The Real Tension: Staying Between the Markers

Now let’s get granular.

If you are going to step into hearing God, there are markers to stay between.

God Will Never Contradict His Word

The Spirit of God and the Word of God agree. Always.

Jesus said of the Holy Spirit:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.”
John 16:13

The Holy Spirit reveals the truth already revealed in Scripture. He will never lead you to do something that contradicts the character of Christ or the commands of God.

If someone says, “God told me to sin for a greater good,” that is not God. The Spirit always points toward light and truth.

We Often Listen for What We Want to Hear

This is where it gets uncomfortable.

Sometimes we are not listening to obey. We are listening to justify. Or to confirm our bias. Or to prove we are right. Or we are listening with such suspicion that nothing qualifies as God.

Three dangerous postures:

Listening to confirm my bias.
Listening to prove I am right.
Listening with such strong doubt that nothing counts.

Samuel was not analyzing. He was not trying to manipulate. He was simply available.

That is the posture.

Lord, I just want to hear You. I want to be led by Your voice. I want my life to reflect Your goodness.

Jesus Assumes You Hear

He does not say, “My elite sheep hear My voice.”

He says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27 NLT

The wrestling is usually not “Can God speak?”

It is “Can I trust that I am hearing Him?”

So how do we cultivate that trust?

How to Cultivate Hearing His Voice

Saturate Yourself in Scripture

The more you know His written voice, the easier you recognize His living voice.

Samuel was sleeping in the temple near the Ark of God. Yes, that is cultural and contextual. But it paints a picture. Proximity matters. Presence matters.

When you immerse yourself in Scripture, you begin to recognize tone, character, rhythm. You learn what sounds like Him.

Quiet the Noise

Distraction is the enemy of discernment. Busyness makes all voices sound the same.

Samuel was lying down in the temple. There is stillness there. Stillness often precedes clarity.

This does not mean you move to a monastery. It means you become intentional. You carve out moments. You lower the volume of everything else so you can recognize the gentle whisper of the Spirit.

Practice Obedience in Small Things

When God gives small nudges and we ignore them, sensitivity dulls.

Often hearing God looks ordinary.

Call that person.
Send that text.
Apologize.
Give generously.
Do not say that.
Step into that opportunity.

We are often waiting for an audible voice or a burning bush. But more often it looks like a creative idea, a conviction, a shift in perspective, a Scripture that lights up, a burden that will not go away.

The Spirit lives in you. He does not always shout from outside.

Check the Fruit

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”
Galatians 5:22 to 23 NLT

Does what you are hearing produce love? Peace? Self control?

God’s voice produces Christlikeness, not chaos. It produces clarity, not confusion. It leads you toward humility, not pride.

And when people respond to His voice, lives are impacted.

You are sitting in spaces today because someone heard God nudge them and said yes. Someone felt prompted to start something, to give something, to build something, to invite someone. And now you are here because they listened.

That is the beauty of this wrestling.

Hearing God is not about having a spiritual trump card. It is not about sounding mystical. It is about walking closely enough with Jesus that when He speaks, even if it sounds familiar, even if it stretches you, even if it comes quietly in the night, you can say with confidence:

Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

From Temporary to Lifestyle

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000

We’re good at seasons. Summer comes and we break out the shorts. Fall comes and suddenly everyone is a pumpkin farmer. Christmas rolls around and we’re singing about peace on earth while fighting somebody for the last parking spot at Target. We know how to do seasons.

But we also know God’s presence was never meant to be seasonal.

Think about Obed-Edom. He didn’t treat the Ark like a three-month rental from the spiritual version of Rent-A-Center. He didn’t shove it in the guest room and say, “Well, this will be cool for a little while.” No, it marked his house. It changed the atmosphere. His family, his livelihood, his future — all of it shifted because he said yes to God’s presence, even when it was unexpected.

Here’s the problem: we love moments with God, but moments are easy to pack away when the season changes. We do the summer Bible plan, the youth camp worship nights, the New Year’s fast, and they’re all real and beautiful. But then Labor Day hits, or the routine comes back, and we go right back to living as if God’s presence was only available during the highlights.

The GREAT thing is Jesus didn’t call us to highlights, He called us to abide! “Abide in Me, and I in you… apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4–5). Abide is not a seasonal word. It’s a staying word. It’s not fireworks once a year—it’s a steady flame that warms the house every single day.

If we’re not careful, we treat God like sunscreen. We only reach for Him when the heat gets unbearable, and as soon as the burn fades, we toss Him back in the closet until next summer. But the Spirit of God is not seasonal relief. He’s the breath in your lungs, the wisdom in your decisions, the peace in your home, the joy in your relationships, the strength in your weakness.

Practical step: What’s one habit you started this summer with God? Maybe you began praying with your kids before bed. Maybe you read Scripture in the mornings instead of scrolling. Maybe you whispered “Good morning, Holy Spirit” before you checked your emails. Whatever it is — don’t box it up with the pool floats. Drag it into the school year, into the cold months, into the everyday grind.

Let it become a lifestyle.

Because the truth is, moments inspire us, but lifestyles transform us.

And if this whole summer has been about anything, it’s this: the presence of God is not a seasonal accessory. It is your lifeline. Don’t just taste it in June and July. Live in it. Carry it. Build your life around it.

Obed-Edom only had the Ark for three months, yet get the Spirit for every breath. Don’t let Him stay in the guest room. Make Him at home.

When Ordinary Becomes Holy

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000

If you’ve ever felt like your life is too plain for God to use, join the club.
Most of us assume He’s looking for people with highlight reels, when in reality He seems to delight in working through ordinary things. Moses had nothing but a staff. David carried a sling. A boy in the crowd carried his mom’s packed lunch. And yet God took those small, everyday things and wove His presence right into them.

The truth is, you already carry more than you think. Paul said it like this: “We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours.” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Which means your life, however cracked or unimpressive it may feel, is holding something eternal. Instead of wishing you had someone else’s calling, or some bigger platform, start blessing what’s already in your hands. Pray over the dinner you cook, the desk you sit at, the kids you tuck in, the neighbor you wave to. Ask God to pour His presence into what you carry.

That’s where we have to be careful, though. Because we live in a world that confuses presence with performance. We think if we work harder, sing louder, or look holier, then maybe God will be impressed. But He was never looking to be impressed. He was looking to be with you. Micah 6:8 says it plainly: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Not sprint, not show off, just walk. And thank God! Because performance driven relationships never end well.

When we stop chasing performance, we start noticing presence. And that’s when you realize the real invitation isn’t to do something spectacular for God, it’s to make space for Him right where you are.

That’s what Obed-Edom did when David left the Ark of the Covenant at his house. He didn’t polish up a performance résumé or host a revival meeting. He just opened his doors and said yes to God’s presence. And the Bible says everything connected to him was blessed (2 Samuel 6:11).

That’s what I mean by building an Ark culture. It’s when a home, a classroom, a workplace, or even a group text gets infused with the presence of God because somebody in the middle of it decided to welcome Him in. It’s not complicated. It’s not reserved for the super-spiritual. It’s as simple as saying, “Lord, I want You here in the middle of this.”

So here’s the invitation: bless what you carry, stop performing, and build a space for His presence right where you are.

Because when you do, the ordinary becomes holy, and just like Obed-Edom, you’ll find that everything around you starts to shift under the weight of His blessing.

The Ark, the Clock, and the Blessing

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:19:02 +0000

Most people clock in with coffee, earbuds, and a silent prayer that “today won’t be a dumpster fire.” But you? You’ve got the Ark of the Covenant with you. Not the gold box from Indiana Jones, but the real thing it represented — God’s presence. Back in the Old Testament, the Ark sat in the Most Holy Place, surrounded by enough rules that if you touched it wrong, you could die on the spot. Now, because of Jesus, you carry that same presence inside you… into the break room, into Zoom calls, into the conversation with the coworker who clips their nails at their desk (please, Lord, stop them).

Your workplace needs more than your work ethic. Work ethic can get you a raise. God’s presence can get you peace in a room full of chaos. It can give you words that disarm anger. It can drop a joy bomb on a Monday morning so people start wondering why you’re not normal... and that’s the point!

But here’s the problem. Presence and rushing do not mix. Jesus never ran. He didn’t jog to heal Jairus’ daughter. He didn’t sprint to the tomb of Lazarus. He moved with a pace that left room for interruptions like blind men yelling from the roadside, a woman reaching out in a crowd, kids climbing into His lap while the disciples tried to shoo them away. Rushing is what makes you miss the God moments hiding in plain sight.

Obed-Edom didn’t rush either. He had the Ark in his house for three months. Three months where the very presence of God sat under his roof. I imagine his kids playing in the yard and his neighbors whispering, “What is going on over there? Their crops look healthier. Their cattle aren’t sick. Even their dog stopped biting the mailman.” The blessing was so obvious, it reached King David’s ears.

That’s the Obed-Edom Effect: when you make space for God’s presence, it doesn’t just change you but it spills over into everything connected to you. Your home. Your workplace. Your attitude. Your relationships. Even your email tone.

So what if you spent this season doing the same?

What if you walked into work tomorrow knowing you carry the presence of God?
What if you slowed your pace enough to hear Him whisper before you responded to the client, before you disciplined the kid, before you texted back that friend?
What if you looked back at the end of summer and could see the fingerprints of God all over your life — not because you worked harder, but because you walked closer?

Tilling the Soil of My Heart

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

There’s a moment in Genesis, before the animals, before Adam and Eve were naming lizards and trying to make fig leaves work as fashion, where Scripture gives us a glimpse into what was missing.

“When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to till the ground.”
—Genesis 2:4–5

Read that again. Nothing was growing, not because the seeds weren’t there, but because the ground hadn’t been watered or tilled yet.

No rain.
No people to work the soil.
So the potential stayed buried.

I think some of us are walking around like that verse. Seed in us. Calling on us. Potential under us. But dry. Untilled. Untouched.

And here’s the thing: Jesus talked about this all the time. In Matthew 13, He told a story about a farmer throwing seed out and getting very different results, not because the seed was bad, but because the soil wasn’t ready.

So this isn’t just about speaking truth or praying louder. This is about letting the Holy Spirit work the soil of your heart, because breakthrough doesn’t grow on autopilot.

It starts with tilling.

? What Does Tilling Look Like?
This isn’t farm life cosplay. We’re not buying overalls or naming our soul “Old MacDonald.” But we are going to ask the Holy Spirit to go beneath the surface. Not just the parts you post. The parts that ache. The parts that shut down. The parts where lies have taken root.
Let’s talk practically because if it can’t work on a Tuesday in traffic or in the middle of bedtime chaos, it’s not the kind of Jesus I want to follow.

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to Search You
David didn’t say, “Help me chill out.” He said:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” —Psalm 139:23
This is how tilling starts. It’s not deep breath vibes or positive mantras. It’s vulnerability.
Ask:
- What have I been guarding?
- What lie did I believe that You didn’t say? - What’s growing that You never planted?
This part hurts. It’s not for the faint of heart. But the Spirit doesn’t do drive-bys. He digs to heal, not to humiliate.

2. Name the Lie and Plant Truth Instead
Every rotten tree in your life started with a lie. What was spoken over you that you let stay?
What did you say over yourself and start watering?
This is the time to get honest and say: “This root has been here too long.”

Then go to war with the Word:
- “I’m too broken” → Psalm 147:3
- “I’ll never be enough” → 2 Corinthians 12:9
- “I can’t change” → 2 Corinthians 5:17

Rip out the lie. Plant something better.

3. Practice Forgiveness — Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
You don’t have to “feel” like forgiving someone to do it. But if you don’t forgive, your soil’s going to stay tangled up in weeds. That bitterness spreads like Florida kudzu on steroids.
Ephesians 4:31–32 says to “get rid of all bitterness... forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This isn’t denying what happened. This is declaring:
“You don’t get to control what God grows in me anymore.”

4. Bring the Real You into Prayer
Hard soil isn’t stubborn it’s usually sad.
It got that way because something dried it out.
A loss. A betrayal. A burnout moment you never came back from.
But God doesn’t need polished prayers. He wants your real voice.
Yell. Ugly cry. Sit in silence. Do the thing that lets your heart come out of hiding.
Dry ground doesn’t get tilled until it gets watered—and tears are some of the most spiritual water you’ve got.

5. Stay in the Word, Even if It Feels Like a Slow Soak
You ever try to till dry ground? It’s like trying to cut steak with a plastic spoon. That’s why farmers soak the soil first and that’s what the Word does in you.
Don’t read just for dopamine. Read for drip. Let it soak.
Even if it feels slow.
Even if nothing “hits.”
It’s softening you beneath the surface.

6. Confess, Repent, Repeat
Sometimes it’s not what they did. It’s what we let grow.
Sin doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it whispers until it becomes a tree in the middle of your yard.
Tilling means saying:
- “I planted that with my pride.”
- “I watered that with comparison.”
- “I ignored that because it was easier than change.”

But Proverbs 28:13 reminds us:
“The one who confesses and renounces their sin finds mercy.”

And God’s mercy? It’s like Miracle-Gro on fresh tilled soil.

7. Surround Yourself with People Who Help You Grow
Don’t till the ground and then let people with spiritual steel-toed boots stomp through it.

This season requires wise voices.
- People who speak truth, not just sympathy.
- Friends who water you with prayer, not gossip.
- Environments that nourish you, not drain you.

Your garden needs a gate of good people. Don’t apologize for being intentional with one.

? Let Me End With This

You are not what others did to you.
You are not the lie you believed.
You are not your worst moment.
You are not too far gone.

You are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).
You are soil He wants to grow something eternal in. And the tilling? That’s not punishment.
It’s preparation.

So till the ground this summer. Not to destroy but to grow something that’ll outlast the season. ?

Daily Delays and Holy Plays

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:09:47 +0000

Some days start strong. You wake up, sip your coffee, quote a verse, and feel like you're about to crush it. But then the day does what days tend to do... it derails. Slowly at first, then all at once. The schedule gets hijacked, your phone won’t stop buzzing, and the calm mindset you started with now feels like it got left behind in the drive-thru. You look up and wonder, “What even was today?” And somewhere in the middle of that chaotic blur, you wonder if God was even in it at all.

But what if He was?

What if the moment your plans got interrupted wasn’t an accident? What if the delay at the DMV or the phone call that pulled you off task was actually a divine detour? We tend to think that being used by God will feel like a mountaintop moment, spotlight and all—but more often, it feels like being inconvenienced in the middle of your Tuesday.

Jesus lived like this constantly.

He was on His way somewhere when He got interrupted by a bleeding woman. He was headed to a house when Zacchaeus popped up in a tree. He was teaching when four dudes ripped the roof open to lower their friend down. These were interruptions to everyone else, but to Jesus, they were the whole reason He came.

Sometimes I wonder how many God moments I’ve missed just because I didn’t recognize them in real time. I was too busy trying to get back to the plan that I didn’t see the presence. Too caught up in the goal that I missed the God of the moment.

That’s why the end of the day matters so much. Not just because we need sleep (though, let’s be honest, we do), but because it’s a holy moment to look back and ask, “Lord… were You there?”

And the answer is yes. He always is.

But sometimes we have to slow down to see it. The chaos didn’t cancel His presence, it might’ve been the very place He was working. The interruption wasn’t a detour it was the destination (catchy and preachy, but true).

So here’s something simple to try. Before your eyes close and the day disappears into dreams of emails and forgotten appointments, take one minute. Replay the day. Not to beat yourself up or overthink everything but to ask God one question: “Where were You today?” You might feel a memory rise up. A face. A moment of peace that didn’t come from you. A conversation that planted a seed. That’s Him. Say thank You. End your day in gratitude. It’s the best kind of rest.

And maybe tomorrow, when the interruption comes, you’ll see it not as something in the way, but something God’s trying to use.

Practical Rhythm:
→ At night: One minute before bed. Replay the day with God. Ask Him where He showed up. Don’t rush it. Don’t force it. Just notice.
→ In the morning: Say this before you scroll or panic or start solving the world’s problems, “Lord, if You want to interrupt me today, I’m open. Just help me recognize You in it.”

Because sometimes the holiest thing isn’t getting everything done. It’s letting God change how you see what already happened.

God, You Can Interrupt Me... kinda

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 08:13:03 +0000

Let me ask you something that might sting a little: If someone played a highlight reel of your reactions from the past 7 days — every sigh, every eye roll, every passive-aggressive “I’m fine,” every throat-clear before a sarcastic response — would they assume the Word of God lives in you?

Or would they assume you’ve just memorized the Chick-fil-A menu and “Jesus Take the Wheel” chorus? It’s okay. I’ve been there too. A lot! I’ve had days where my Bible app is still open, but I’m reacting like I got discipled by a YouTube comment section.

But here’s what I’m learning: God’s Word isn’t just something we read. It’s something that reads us. And if it truly lives in us, it’s going to mess with how we react. It’s going to step between your mouth and that sharp comeback. It’s going to slow your roll when everything in you wants to speed up and handle it “your way.”

Colossians 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

Not shallow. Not on Sundays only. Richly. That means it’s deep enough to touch your reactions. But that also means… you’ve got to give it room. Which leads us straight into this uncomfortable truth: If you’re too busy to let God interrupt you, you’re too busy to let Him transform you.

Oof. Read that again. Slowly. Maybe while breathing into a paper bag.

Here’s the thing, we say we want to be used by God, but then we treat interruptions like threats to our productivity. Like if heaven’s not scheduled between 3 and 3:15 PM with a reminder notification, then we can’t handle it.

But some of Jesus’ most powerful miracles happened as interruptions. The woman with the issue of blood? Interrupted Him. Blind Bartimaeus? Interrupted His walk. Zacchaeus in a tree? Basically photobombed Jesus’ whole parade.

God’s most meaningful moments are often hidden in what we see as inconvenience.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” In other words, your calendar might be color-coded, but His voice still gets the final say.

So what happens when both of these collide? When you’ve built your day, made your plan, and then your kid spills chocolate milk into your laptop, your tire goes flat, and that one person you just forgave is now texting again?

What if the Word of God shaped your reaction to the interruption?
Instead of spiraling into stress, what if you saw it as a divine redirection?
Instead of snapping at the cashier or panicking in traffic, what if you paused and remembered a verse?
Instead of praying “Lord, fix this mess,” maybe He’s asking, “Will you let Me into it?”

Listen, Jesus isn’t just trying to be a Sunday appointment on your spiritual Outlook calendar. He wants to be Lord over your Mondays, your meal prep, your meetings, and yes, even your meltdowns.

And the only way that happens is when we slow down enough to let His Word get deeper than our impulses.

?Try This This Week:

Before you react to anything — your kids yelling, a delay, a frustrating email — breathe in and ask: “Jesus, how would You respond?”
Pick one verse to be your anchor verse this week. Write it. Memorize it. Mumble it when you want to scream.
One day this week, don’t plan your day for God—ask Him to plan it for you. Say: “Interrupt me if You want. I’ll follow the nudge.” And then… actually follow it.

Because here’s the truth: when the Word lives in you, and when your schedule is open to His voice your reactions stop looking like panic and start looking like peace. And peace is a billboard that says “The Kingdom of God lives here.”

Let it be said of us this summer not that we nailed every plan, but that we housed the presence well. In our words. In our responses. In our unexpected detours.

So go ahead. Let the Word shape your tone. Let God interrupt your flow. That might just be the moment where heaven touches earth. And it might just be the best part of your day.

Your Hobby Might Be Holy

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We’re quick to notice when things go sideways. The stubbed toe. The text that hits wrong. The toddler with a Sharpie and a dream.

But how often do we pause for the good stuff? The quiet moments. The help we didn’t expect. The laugh that hit just when we needed it. Most of us carry a running list in our heads of where life’s been unfair — but not many of us keep a list of where God has been faithful.

The thing is, we don’t always notice when He shows up… because sometimes He does it so subtlety. A canceled meeting that gave you space to breathe. A song on the radio that hit deeper than expected. A reminder that you’re not alone, tucked into an ordinary moment.

You know what that is? That’s God. Showing up. Doing what He does. Carrying you. Comforting you. Cheering you on when you forgot how to cheer for yourself.

And if Scripture says every good and perfect gift comes from Him… then why wouldn’t that moment of peace in your backyard count? Why wouldn’t that unexpected laugh at just the right time be from the God who delights in you? Why wouldn’t a good meal or a quiet moment count as holy? Because yes — He’s the God of thunder and mountains and angel choirs — but He’s also the God who turned water into wine as His first miracle. Not because someone was dying. But because someone was dancing. And the celebration needed a refill.

The more we train our eyes to see Him in the small, the more we start to realize… He’s been there all along.

Practical step: Start a list called God Did That. Use your Notes app or write it on the back of receipts if that’s your vibe. One thing a day where you saw God show up—especially the little things. The fridge still working. The smile from your kid. That one friend who always texts right on time.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”
—Psalm 103:2

Now let’s talk about your hobbies.

Some of us have picked up this weird guilt around the things we actually enjoy. Like unless our free time is hyper-productive or obviously spiritual, it doesn’t count. But that’s not biblical that’s just burnout wearing a WWJD bracelet.

Your joy matters to God. And your personality isn’t a side project, it’s part of His original design. You were created to delight in things. To enjoy a backyard BBQ. A garage project. A long bike ride. A paint-splattered canvas. A movie night that turns into popcorn theology. And if we really do live and move and have our being in Him, then why would He suddenly leave the room when you start playing guitar or planting tomatoes?

He wants to be in those spaces with you. Not to grade your performance or make it more “Christian”... just to be near you.

Jesus doesn’t need your hobbies to become a ministry. But He loves to meet you in the middle of them. So go ahead and mow the lawn like it’s holy ground. Grill the burgers like Jesus is your sous chef. Let your Saturday afternoon become sacred — not because you made it into a sermon, but because you invited Him to sit in it with you.

Practical step: This week, before you jump into your thing, whatever your “thing” is, pause and just say, “Jesus, I’d love for You to enjoy this with me.” That’s it. No pressure. Just presence.

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
—1 Corinthians 10:31

Here’s what I’m learning: When we only expect God in the extraordinary, we miss Him in the everyday. But when we start noticing… we start overflowing.

So today, be the kind of person who takes note. Who makes space. Who dares to believe that joy can be sacred, rest can be worship, and hobbies can be holy. Because they can. And they are.

And when your heart says, “God did that,” you’ll start seeing Him everywhere... even in the grass clippings.

Steering the Summer with Your Voice

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:03:37 +0000

You ever walk into your own house and wonder if you accidentally opened the door to a WWE cage match? Someone’s crying, someone’s yelling, the dog threw up, and there’s a sock stuck to the ceiling fan. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. And you’re just trying to survive dinner without needing therapy.

But even in that chaos — especially in that chaos — your words and tone carry weight.

Not just the calm bedtime prayers or the Instagrammable blessings over pancakes. I’m talking about the tone you use when the cereal gets spilled, or when someone cuts you off in traffic, or when your roommate forgets (again) to take the trash out. That’s where the atmosphere is set.

And here's the wild part: peace can be spoken. Presence can be hosted. Your words can shift the room. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re surrendered. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” And while that verse usually gets tossed around when we’re talking about gossip or harsh words, it hits different when you realize the words you speak over your home, your workplace, or even your own thoughts set the tone for how others see God.

Obed-Edom didn’t just let the Ark of the Covenant into his house in 2 Samuel 6. He lived around it. His family did too. The presence of God didn’t show up to a perfect home—it showed up to a willing one. And for three months, they got to host the very Spirit that once dwelled behind a veil.

Imagine the conversations they had. The corrections. The dinners. The tired nights and noisy mornings. Imagine working or resting or relating to others with that kind of weight in the room.

And yet that’s exactly what’s possible now. Through Jesus, the veil was torn. The presence of God lives in us, and moves through our everyday spaces, not because we have it all together but because we make space for Him to move.

Try This:

Speak peace out loud. Once a day this week, say it in your space: “Jesus, You are welcome here. Peace lives here. Drama doesn’t.” Say it in your apartment, your car, your cubicle — wherever you spend your time.
Pause before you react. Before responding in frustration, breathe. Ask, “Holy Spirit, help me respond and not just react.” That one pause could shift the whole moment.
Bless your environment. As you clean up, walk through your house, or step into your office, speak blessing: “Let this space be full of kindness today.”
Celebrate fruit, not just results. Call out when you see peace, patience, kindness—even in small doses. Don’t just focus on what went wrong. Highlight what looked like Jesus.

Real Talk:
You can’t fake peace. People close to you are spiritual bloodhounds. They know when you’re stressed, distracted, or about to snap. But they also know when something sacred is happening — even in the chaos.

Your words can calm storms or stir them. Your presence can anchor a room in peace, even if the volume never drops below “wrestling match.”

And the good news? You don’t have to do this alone. The same Spirit that filled Obed-Edom’s house fills yours. He’s not looking for perfect people. He’s just looking for willing ones.

If your world feels chaotic don’t tap out. Just start small. Speak peace. Lead with presence. And let your words steer the ship toward the kind of summer you won’t need a vacation from.

Let’s go.

Make Room: How to Build a Schedule That Hosts God

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:35:29 +0000

Let’s talk schedules.

There’s a weird lie that sneaks in around summertime — the idea that rest will just happen. Like somehow between football practice, three birthday parties, and trying to mow the yard before it rains again, your soul will magically find peace.

Spoiler: it won’t.

If you don’t plan for presence, it gets pushed to the edges. That’s why this week, we’re flipping the script. Instead of letting your schedule run you, what if you ran it with God? And this isn’t just about time management. It’s about spiritual alignment. Because what fills your calendar ends up forming your life.

Obed-Edom didn’t just stumble into blessing in 2 Samuel 6. He welcomed the presence of God into his everyday world. He made room, and God moved in. For three months, his home wasn’t just a home, it was a holy place. Why? Because he prioritized presence.

Fasting is one way we do that. It’s a practice of creating space, of saying “no” to one thing so we can say “yes” to God. You don’t have to fast all day or give up food forever. But when you fast something small on purpose — social media, sweets, even Netflix at night — you’re telling your schedule who’s really in charge.

Try This:
1. Pray over your calendar.
Take five minutes at the beginning of the week (Sunday night or Monday morning) and ask God: “What do You want to do with my time?”
Then actually look at your schedule. Appointments, meetings, carpool, trips. Don’t just cram. Invite.
2. Block off time with God.
Seriously, put it on your calendar like it’s an appointment. If your calendar says “Dentist” you wouldn’t just skip it. What if time with God was just as protected?
3. Let margin be a ministry.
Leave space between things. Say no to what drains you. Create room for God to interrupt. That might mean fasting a lunch so you can walk and pray instead. Or logging off social for a day to let your mind breathe.
4. Let yourself feel the pause.
That uncomfortable gap where you want to grab your phone or fill the silence, that's where God wants to speak. Don’t rush past it. Let it slow you down enough to actually listen.

Real Talk:
Let’s be real. Most of us don’t mean to run on fumes — we just end up there. We say yes to everything, then wonder why our soul feels like it’s been hit by a church van with no AC.

This isn’t about being the perfect planner or crushing some productivity gospel. This is about asking: did I even invite God into this week? Did I leave space for Him, or just try to squeeze Him in somewhere between my fourth iced coffee and back-to-back group texts?

It’s not that God needs a slot on your calendar. But you might need one to remember He’s already there. That kind of intentionality — where you block out time, fast a little comfort, or just leave room for quiet — is where peace starts to grow again.

The best summer yet won’t be the one where you did the most. It’ll be the one where you noticed Him the most.

Leadership Side:
If you’re leading others (at home, at work, in ministry) your calendar speaks louder than your words. When people see you prioritize time with God, they start to believe they can too. When you say no to constant noise and yes to margin, you model what it means to lead from overflow, not exhaustion.

So go ahead. Pray over your week. Clear some space. Fast one small thing if you need to.

And remember — what you schedule reveals what you value.

Let’s go.

Drive, Scroll, Sing: How to Bring God Into the Chaos

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:53:39 +0000

Let’s be honest: your car has seen some things.

It’s where you rehearse arguments that never happen, cry during worship songs like you just got dumped on The Bachelor, and throw fries into the back seat like you’re feeding invisible children.

But what if your car wasn’t just a metal box on wheels? What if it could be a chapel on the move?

Because here’s the deal: you’re already spending the time. The commute. The car line. The late-night Target run where you said you’d only get one thing. That time is a gift, and it can become holy ground if we treat it that way.

Turn Your Car into a Chapel
No need to install stained glass. Just invite the presence of God in.
Start your drive by saying, “Holy Spirit, ride with me.” That’s it. No pressure. No performance. Just presence.
Try silence instead of Spotify. Pray out loud like He’s in the passenger seat. Because He is.
And if you’ve got a car full of kids? Even better. Let them hear you talk to God like He’s real and relevant. It might sound chaotic, but it’s forming something in them too.

Reclaim Your Phone Like It’s Holy Ground
You’ve probably already picked it up 47 times today.
And honestly, your phone is either fueling your peace—or frying your brain.
So what if we flipped the script?
Move your Bible app to the home screen. Change your lock screen to a verse. Unfollow the account that makes you feel like a potato in comparison.
Use your screen to stir your spirit, not just scroll your boredom.
Phones aren’t evil. But they are loud. Make sure God’s voice is the loudest one coming through.

Let Worship Fill Your House
Atmosphere matters.
You don’t need to walk around with a shofar and a tambourine. Just put on a worship playlist while you clean. Let truth echo while you're doing laundry or making dinner.
Music has this weird way of settling our soul and reminding us who we are. And when worship fills your house, it starts to shift the whole tone of your home—even when everything else feels like a circus.

Real Talk:
Here’s the truth: we keep saying we want to be more intentional with God, but then we treat all the in-between moments like dead space.

The drive to work? That’s just the transition. The scroll before bed? That’s just “winding down.” The background noise in the house? Just something to drown out the toddler screaming in the other room. But what if those in-between spaces were the exact places God wants to meet us?

Let me say it like this: your car is not a distraction from God — it might be the only place you have alone with Him all day. Your phone doesn’t have to be a spiritual black hole — it can be a tool to redirect your thoughts. And your home? Your home can be a sanctuary, even if it smells like last night’s mac and cheese.

We don’t need more hours. We need more awareness. That’s the shift.

Brother Lawrence, the old monk who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God, said: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.”

But that conversation happens in real life. While chopping onions. While changing diapers. While sitting in traffic with a taillight out and a prayer that you don’t get pulled over.
What if we turned our lives into altars, not by quitting everything, but by bringing God into everything?

That’s where the power is. Not in perfection, but in presence.

And that’s the whole heart of having your Best Summer Yet — not because you booked a beach house or got your calendar all color-coded, but because you found God in the places you usually overlook. Because you slowed down enough to realize He was already in the car, on the couch, and woven into your daily noise.

Leadership Side:
As a leader, your rhythm becomes permission for others. If you live like peace only happens in church, so will the people you lead. So this week, show them something different.

Invite God into your movement. Into your scroll. Into your soundtrack.

Drive. Scroll. Sing. And watch Him meet you right there.

Let’s go.

Why David’s Parade Fell Apart (and How Slowing Down Can Save Yours)

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Microwaved fish.

Ever done it? I did once in a church staff kitchen and nearly got written out of the Lamb’s Book of Life. You learn real quick there are just some things that aren’t meant to be hurried. Fish. First dates. Tattoos. Eye surgery. And the presence of God.

Let’s be honest with each other, some mornings feel like a triathlon you didn’t train for. You wake up already behind, clothes never were switched to the dryer, spill coffee on your shirt, try to find your keys, and by the time you think about spending time with God, you're like, “Maybe He can just ride with me to work?”

It's not that we don’t care. It's just that we're conditioned to go-go-go. And when the pace never lets up, even sacred things start getting shoved into the margins. But the presence of God was never meant to live in your leftovers. It deserves a seat at the table.

But there’s this story in 2 Samuel 6 that flips that on its head.

Here’s how it goes:

"They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark.

But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.

David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, ‘How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?’ So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David.

Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom of Gath. The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-Edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and his entire household."

(2 Samuel 6:3–11 NLT)

We see here David wants to bring the Ark (the physical representation of God’s presence) back to Jerusalem and he gathers thirty thousand men to do this. There’s music, celebration, all the Instagrammable moments. Really try and picture this, it must've looked like a scene out of Drumline but with less Nick Cannon and more King David doing praise cardio. See it as a marching band, but everyone’s in sandals, sweating, blowing rams’ horns, and trying not to trip over their own joy. It was loud, it was vivid, and it was probably one rogue tambourine away from chaos. And they put the Ark on a new cart. Fancy. Efficient. But a seriously wrong move...

Because then the ox stumbles. And Uzzah, just trying to be helpful, reaches out and touches the Ark. Boom. He’s dead.

The whole vibe changes. David’s angry. Then afraid. And instead of finishing the parade, he drops the Ark off at some guy’s house. That guy? Obed-Edom.

Now, here’s the part that gets me: Obed doesn’t panic. He doesn’t say, “I’m not ready for that.” He just says, “Yeah, okay. Bring it here.” And for three months, while David is figuring things out, Obed-Edom is living with the presence of God and it starts changing everything.

The Bible says God blessed his whole household. Why? All because he didn’t rush it. He just made room and housed it.

Real Talk:
If this is really gonna be the best summer yet then pausing matters. I know that sounds crazy. I’m the guy who’s usually going 90 mph with a coffee in one hand and five open tabs in my brain. But this summer, we’re not trying to just coast through—we’re trying to carry something. And that takes intentionality.

You can’t host the presence of God at a dead sprint. You have to make space. You have to slow down. And yeah, that feels upside down when everything in culture says "more, faster, now." But here’s the truth: the deeper things of God aren’t found in the rush. They’re found in the quiet. In the pause. In the moments when we choose presence over productivity.

C.S. Lewis once said, "The present is the point at which time touches eternity."
Dallas Willard said it this way: "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day."

So what if this week, the most spiritual thing you did was pause?

Try This:

Ride in silence once this week. No podcast. No music. Just ask, “Jesus, what's on Your mind?”
Linger one extra minute after a prayer or reading. Don’t rush to the next thing.
Before your next big decision or meeting, say this: “Let me feel your presence in here, Lord.”

Leadership Side:
If you’re leading anything - your house, your crew at work, a serve team - then your pace becomes their pace. And if you’re constantly sprinting, they’ll either burn out trying to keep up or bail altogether.

David figured this out and he slowed down. When he went back for the Ark, he didn’t shove it on a cart. He carried it.

So let’s carry God's presence. With intention. With reverence. With actual margin in our lives. And maybe… throw out that leftover fish.

Let’s go.

Start Here: A Simple Way to Experience God Daily

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:36:19 +0000

You ever wake up and instantly regret it?

Like, not in a deep, philosophical way—just in the "why is my alarm louder than my toddler?" kind of way. That moment where you're not sure if you're alive or in a sleep paralysis episode starring your to-do list. Welcome to summer, baby. School's out, schedules are chaos, and your coffee is either cold or nonexistent.

And yet... this is exactly where we begin. Not in a monastery. Not at youth camp. Right here. Right now. With tired eyes and mismatched socks and that weird smell coming from your kid's backpack that hasn't been opened since May.

Because if Obed-Edom teaches us anything, it's that you don’t need a perfect setup to host God’s presence—you just need a willing heart and a cleared-off corner.

The Story:
Second Samuel 6 is wild. David wants the Ark of the Covenant—the very presence of God—back in Jerusalem. But on the way there, someone named Uzzah reaches out to steady it and dies on the spot. (Tough day.)

David freaks out and sends the Ark to a guy named Obed-Edom. No warning. No manual. No group text to let him know. Just: "Hey man, we’re gonna drop the presence of God off at your place. Don’t touch it wrong. Cool?"

And yet, Obed-Edom says yes. And for the next three months, everything connected to his house is blessed. Why? Because he made space.

The Practice:
Here's where we start: make space.

1. Say "Good Morning, Holy Spirit." Before you check your texts. Before you check the weather. Before your kids start screaming about who ate the last Toaster Strudel—acknowledge the One who's already in the room.
Doesn’t have to be deep. Just intentional. "Holy Spirit, I’m here. Help me not lose it today."
That alone is obedience. That alone is a doorway to presence.

2. Create a Presence Spot. This isn’t HGTV. You don’t need shiplap and essential oils. Just pick a chair, a porch, a corner. Drop a Bible and journal there. Make it obvious: "God meets me here."

Obed-Edom didn’t wait until the ark matched the drapes. He welcomed it in, and blessing followed.

The Leadership Angle:
Whether you're leading a family, a staff, a classroom, or just your dog who acts like a toddler with fur—you set the tone.

Obed-Edom didn't preach sermons. He just opened his house. And when the leader welcomes God's presence, everyone under their roof experiences the overflow.

So tomorrow morning, before Slack dings and group chats explode and your calendar starts yelling—start here:
Good morning, Holy Spirit.
Welcome to this home.
Welcome to my leadership.
Welcome to my messy, beautiful, loud, tired, hopeful summer.

Make space. Meet God.
Let’s go.

Best Summer Yet: 24 Ways to Be Intentional with God's Presence.

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:24:25 +0000

At Champion Church, we exist to help people champion every season of life.

Not just the highlight reels. Not just the "New Year, New Me" months. Every season. Even the chaotic, sunscreen-sticky, mosquito-buzzing, what-day-is-it-again stretch we call summer.

So here's the challenge: What if we didn’t just drift through the next 90 days, hoping we survive family road trips and cookouts with that one uncle who always wants to debate Revelation? What if we made this the best summer yet—not because everything goes right, but because we made space for the presence of God in the middle of it?
That’s what this is.

For the next three months, we’re giving you 24 practical ways to be intentional with the presence of God. That’s two per week, and they’re designed for real life:

For parents who haven’t had a quiet moment since 2019
For business leaders who are trying to balance growth and godliness
For college students home for the summer wondering what to do next
For retirees, newlyweds, night shift workers, coaches, supervisors, and anyone who wants more of Jesus in their daily life

These aren’t deep theology dives. They’re practical, spiritual, and often hilarious ways to invite God into your everyday rhythms. Inspired by 2 Samuel 6, where Obed-Edom hosted the Ark of the Covenant (aka the presence of God) in his house for just three months—and everything changed.

Let that sink in. Three months.

So what if your next three months were marked by:

More peace in your home
More joy in your conversations
More clarity in your decisions
More blessing in what you lead
More presence in your presence

Here are the 24 ways we’ll explore together:

Say "Good Morning, Holy Spirit"
Create a presence spot in your home
Ditch the scroll and open Scripture
Turn your car into a chapel
Reclaim your phone like it’s holy ground
Let worship fill your house this summer
Fast something small, but on purpose
Pray over your calendar like it’s spiritual
Speak peace into your home.
Parent with presence, not just rules
Keep a running list of "God showed up"
Bring Jesus into your hobbies
Let the Word shape your reactions
Let God interrupt your schedule
End your day with a 60-second replay
Make interruptions holy
Bring the Ark to work
Don’t rush
The Obed-Edom effect (blessing flows from presence)
Bless what you carry
Don’t confuse performance with presence
Build an Ark culture (home, team, classroom)
Move something from temporary to lifestyle
Your leadership leaks presence

You don’t have to do them in order. Mix and match. Revisit the ones that hit different. Share them with a friend. Use them as a family. Print them on your fridge. Turn one into a small group night.

Just be intentional.

That’s what made Obed-Edom different. He didn’t have a spiritual resume. He just said yes. You can too.

Let’s champion this summer together.

All About Good Friday

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Most people are familiar with Easter, but are you familiar with Good Friday? Good Friday is a holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Easter Friday, though the last term properly refers to the Friday in Easter Week.

The date of Good Friday varies from year to year, according to the date of Easter. In most Western churches, it is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday, which can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. Eastern churches follow a different calculation, and Good Friday can occur as early as March 15 and as late as April 18.

Good Friday marks the climax of the Passion of Jesus Christ. On the Thursday before Good Friday, Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples and was later betrayed by Judas Iscariot in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was then arrested and taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea, who condemned him to death by crucifixion.

On Good Friday, Christians remember the suffering and death of Jesus. Services are held in churches around the world, and some churchgoers observe the day with a three-hour service retelling the events of the day. Many churches also hold a vigil at the cross, where a representation of the Crucifixion is kept.

Good Friday is a day of mourning and reflection. People often spend the day in prayer and contemplation, and some observe a fast. It is traditionally a day of sorrow and suffering, but it is also a day of hope, as Christians look forward to the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

Join us in celebrating what Jesus did for all of us at our Easter Service Sunday the 9th!

Verses to Encourage You

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 07:53:31 +0000

The Bible is full of encouraging verses that provide comfort and strength in hard times. Whether you’re facing a difficult situation or simply need an uplifting reminder of God’s love, these verses can help. Here are some of the most encouraging Bible verses to help you find strength, peace, and comfort.

1. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7

2. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38-39

3. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

4. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

5. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

7. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

8. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” — John 14:27

9. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” — Psalm 28:7

10. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” — Romans 12:12

We hope these verses encourage you today and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!

Tips on How to Pray

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 08:10:51 +0000

Prayer is an essential part of Christianity and is a powerful way to connect with God. It is one of the most important aspects of spiritual life, and it can help us to find peace and balance in our lives. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pray-er, here are some tips to help you get started and deepen your prayer life.

1. Quiet Your Mind: Prayer is a time to be still and focus on the present moment. Take a few deep breaths and quiet your mind. Allow yourself to be still and free from all distractions.

2. Open Your Heart: Find a comfortable position and open your heart to the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and express your feelings and desires. Acknowledge your fears, doubts and worries and give them to God.

3. Listen: Pray with the intention of listening. Open yourself to receive the guidance and wisdom of God.

4. Speak: Speak your prayers and intentions aloud. Speak from your heart with sincerity and humility.

5. Express Gratitude: Express your gratitude for all that you have. Acknowledge the blessings that you have received and show appreciation for the people in your life.

6. Ask: Ask for what you need and want. Be specific and ask for what is in alignment with God's plan.

These are just some tips to get you started on your prayer journey. Remember that prayer is a personal practice and what works for one person may not work for another. Find the practices that work for you and allow your prayer life to evolve as you grow in your relationship with God.

Vision for the Year

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:43:31 +0000

In November, we began to talk about vision for our lives. The Bible is clear, and we would all agree - having vision for our lives is a must. But how do we practically do this? Is it a list of goals, dreams and timeframes? Or is it growing more and more in relationship with Jesus?

In honor of the new year starting, we wanted to give you some ideas on how you can set goals and find a vision for your life.

1. Ask God
We always start off by first asking God to reveal what he has planned. Ask him to begin to show you where he might be leading you and how you can use the gifts he’s given you

2. Ask your friends and family
Those closest to us can see things that we might not be able to see. Ask your fiends and family what they see in you. Is there something they have seen you are passionate about that you haven’t recognized or explored?

3. Ask yourself
Take what you’ve heard from God and the advice that your friends and family have given and see what resonates. Put the advice to God’s Word and see if it matches. What are you excited about or what do you want to dive deeper in?

Now write it down! Be sure to have your vision and mission written down so you can refer back to it and pursue it. Set some achievable goals and rewards along the way. And let us know how we can come alongside you in this process!

Finishing the Year Strong

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:22:00 +0000

This year has truly been amazing. We have seen so many lives changed and are so grateful for the opportunity to serve our city with you! Before we wrap this year up and jump into the next, we have some exciting stuff we want to share with you.

First, we just completed our first ever Heart for the House offering that is going 100% to families in need for the holidays. We raised just over $10,000 for 14 families and 33 children! That is amazing and we want to thank you for your generosity. It is because of your giving that these children get to experience the love and joy of Jesus this Christmas!

Second, we want to invite you to two amazing events we have coming up. Bring your family to come meet Santa! On December 16th, we are doing a meet and greet night with Santa called Cookies with Santa. Then join us for our Christmas Eve Eve service on the 23rd of December at 6:30pm.

We can't wait to celebrate this holiday season with you and are thrilled for what God has in store in the New Year!

What to Expect at Champion Church

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 08:41:00 +0000

Checking out a church for the first time can be a little intimidating. You're walking into a new space where you don't know anyone. To take away some of the anxiety or unease that might come along with visiting for the first time, we wanted to tell you exactly what you can expect!

First off, we want you to know that everyone that comes in our doors is welcome and accepted. You belong before you believe, and we are happy you're here! Champion Church embraced a hybrid church model. This means we leverage all our resources, whether physical (in-person) or digital (online), to provide a seamless experience that helps people champion every season of life.

We have weekly weekend gatherings on Sundays at 9:30am in the Ketterlinus Elementary School. These weekly services last one hour. You'll find high energy worship music, thought-provoking and engaging messages based on the Bible, and a fun and engaging teaching for your kids. There will be people there to greet you and answer any questions you might have.

If you have any questions or want to talk through anything before you visit, give us a call or fill out this form on our website. We're happy to answer any you have and help you champion every season of your life!