In this message, Steve explores Acts 13 and 14, focusing on the reality that for Christians, faith is often lived out under fire. Drawing from the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, he explains that opposition—whether through spiritual attack, relational disappointment, or physical persecution—is a normal part of the Christian life, not a sign of failure. To remain faithful when facing such challenges, Steve highlights three essential practices:

- Stay close to the Holy Spirit: Build your relationship with God before the pressure arrives, relying on His presence and power rather than your own strength (25:32-28:26).

- Don't confuse difficulty with failure: Understand that hardship does not mean you have missed God's will; even when followers of Jesus face deep struggles, God's kingdom continues to advance (28:27-31:59).

- Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the crowd: Do not let your faith or mission rise and fall with public approval, as crowds are unstable; stay focused on the unchanging nature of Christ (32:00-34:47).

Ultimately, while we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, we do not walk this path alone. Our strength, forgiveness, and hope are found in Jesus, who has already overcome the world.

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How do we handle the moments in life when we run out of resources and feel like we’re hitting a wall?

In this message, guest speaker Terry Virgo walks us through the first sign of Jesus in John 2 — the wedding at Cana. When the celebration ran out of wine, a seemingly small problem that carried the weight of social shame, Jesus stepped in not just to fix the immediate need, but to demonstrate His lordship over every situation.

Through this story, we are reminded that Jesus is not just a distant savior, but a God who delights in our joy and affirms the beauty of covenant relationships. We are challenged to move beyond using Jesus for our own agendas and instead embrace a life of total surrender—learning to say, "Whatever He says to you, do it." As we yield control, we discover that God doesn't shrink our lives; He fills them with His abundant grace, provision, and transformation.

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In Acts 12, Christopher explores how to navigate crisis through the lens of Peter's miraculous rescue. Rather than relying on their own strength, the church demonstrates that breakthroughs come through these five practices:

- Ask for prayer: Don't bear heavy burdens alone (11:43-14:44).

- Trust in God: Like Peter sleeping in prison, we can trade anxiety for peace (14:45-17:55).

- Obey: Take small, faithful steps forward even when weak (17:56-21:56).

- Expect answers: Don't rationalize God's work; stay ready to celebrate His intervention (21:57-28:39).

- Humble yourself: Trust God's sovereign plan, even when outcomes differ from our prayers (28:40-38:05).

Ultimately, our hope rests in the work of Jesus, not our circumstances.

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