Category: anxiety

• God Leads

  Click here to read 1 Samuel 17. These are the stories that capture our imagination and restore hope. Rudy, The Karate Kid, Cinderella Man, Million Dollar Baby…these are all stories where the “wrong person” wins. But these stories stick with us. Why? Because of who wins! We love for the underdog to win. Why? I […]

  Ryan Stratton

  06/22/2021

  anxiety, attitudes, awakening, believe, belonging, Bible, bible stories, bible study, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, devotionals, disciples, faith, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, holy life, holy living, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, legacy, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, motivations, preach, preaching, trust, Truth, Uncategorized, Worry, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  1 Samuel 17, Christian life, David and Goliath, faith in Christ, God leads to victory, Good News of Jesus Christ, Jesus changes everything, rooting for the underdog, transform the world, underdogs win

• The Danger of Riches

  In 1780, John Wesley wrote a sermon called “The Danger of Riches.” This is a message to help us keep our priorities straight when it comes to material goods. Based on the scripture 1 Timothy 6:9, “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful desires which […]

  Ryan Stratton

  04/15/2021

  anxiety, beauty, belief, believe, Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, church, control, disciples, eternal life, faith, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, holy, holy life, holy living, Holy Spirit, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, mission, pastor, preach, preaching, reconciliation, relationships, repent, repentance, sin, Truth, uncategoried, witness, writing

  advancing the kingdom of God, Christian way of life, gospel of Jesus Christ, materialism, trusting God with money, what does money do to me

• Asking the Right Question

  We have all been at crossroads and have to figure out which path to take that will be the best for your life. Some of the questions we ask are, “Which way does God want me to go?”, “How do I know if I make the right choice?”, “What is the best option for me […]

  Ryan Stratton

  11/06/2020

  ambition, anxiety, beauty, belief, believe, belonging, Bible, challenge, Challenges, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, disciples, faith, faithful, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, Holy Spirit, journaling, journey, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, motivations, pain, passion, patience, peace, possibilities, Prayer, prayer life, questions, repentance, resurrection, revival, temptations, testimony, thankful, transformation, trials, trust, Truth, uncategoried, Worry, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  Asking the right questions, Christian life, Christian living, faith in Christ, God has a plan, God is already there. trust God, God is with us, God is with you, God loves you, Jesus changes everything, journey of life, know God, live by faith, power of the Holy Spirit, way of life

• Rahab: The Past Does Note Define You

  How would you describe yourself before coming to faith in Jesus Christ? How is that different from your life now? What do other people think about you? Do your family and friends see something different and new in you since you began to follow Christ? Even if you have be “in church” your whole life, […]

  Ryan Stratton

  08/04/2020

  anxiety, attitudes, awakening, belief, Bible, bible stories, bible study, born again, Christian Life, Christianity, church, disciples, faith, glory to God, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, gospel, grace, home, Jesus, Jesus Christ, legacy, Life, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, new life, preach, preaching, redeemed, Relationships, revival, Spiritual transformation, transformation, Uncategorized, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  fall of Jericho, following Jesus, Jesus changes everything, Jesus defines you, Joshua 2, keeping your word, know who you are, know your worth, new life in Jesus, overcoming the past, people can change, People like us, Rahab the prostitue, story of redemption, trusting Jesus

• Moving Toward Victory

  Welcome to the beginning of Holy Week. This is the week, we have been preparing our hearts for as we continue our journey to the cross which will take us through  Palm Sunday (Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem…today) Maundy Thursday (Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, betrayal and arrest…Thursday) Good Friday (Jesus’ death and burial…Friday) […]

  Ryan Stratton

  04/14/2019

  anxiety, apostles, belief, Bible, bible stories, bible study, Christian Life, Christianity, church, confrontation, disciples, Easter, facing challenges, Failure, faith, faithful, freedom in Christ, glory to God, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, gospel, Gospel of Mark, grace, Holy Spirit, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lent, Life, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, pastor, pray, Prayer, prayer life, Spirit led, trials, trust, Truth, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  facing victory, Jesus has won, keep moving forward, marching toward victory, Mark 11:1-11, Palm Sunday sermon, trusting God, trusting God’s plan, trusting in Jesus, trusting the Holy Spirit

• Victory Over Goliath

  

  We all have “giants” in our life that attempt to hold us back from the life God has designed for us. Some of our giants include fear, anger, rejection, comfort, addiction. Join us for this 7-week sermon series as we understand some of the “giants” in our lives and how they can be overcome because […]

  Ryan Stratton

  03/05/2019

  anxiety, arrogance, attitudes, belief, believe, belonging, bible, bible stories, bible study, Challenges, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, conflict, confrontation, control, disciples, faith, faithful, faithfulness, family of God, Forgiveness, freedom, freedom in Christ, glory to God, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, gospel, grace, holy life, holy living, Holy Spirit, humanity, judgement, leadership, Life, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, power, praise, pray, preach, preaching, proclaiming Christ, redeemed, relationships, sin, Sinners, struggles, success, suffering, Truth, uncategoried, worship, writing, youth ministry

  all powerful God, apple podcast sermons, Christus Victor, David & Goliath, David & Goliath sermons, David and Goliath, facing giants, facing opposition, Jesus has won, living in freedom, preaching freedom, preaching grace, preaching the gospel, United Methodist Church, victory over Goliath, victory over sin

• Living in Anxious Times

  Video blog with some thoughts about how we can handle ourselves in times of high anxiety.

  Ryan Stratton

  11/13/2018

  anxiety, Apostle Paul, belief, believe, Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, church, controversy, disciples, faith, faithful, God, good news, gospel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, Life, Lifes Journey, methodism, methodist, mindset, ministry, trials, trust, Truth, uncategoried, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  2 Corinthians 10:4-5, be anxious for nothing, God’s presence, is peace possible, living in anxious times, living in peace, optimistic thinking, peace beyond understanding, Philippians 4, power of the Holy Spirit, presence of Christ, thinking positively, what is peace

• What’s Holding You Back?

  

  “Why do people get uncomfortable talking about stewardship?” This was a question we talked about last week. Last week we started a 3-week series on stewardship. We talked about not worrying about what we don’t have, or controlling our resources because everything we have is because of God and really is God’s anyway. Here is […]

  Ryan Stratton

  08/31/2018

  anxiety, belief, believe, bible, Blessings, body of Christ, challenge, character, charity, Christian Life, Christianity, church, compassion, control, conversion, disciples, eternal life, evangelism, example, Failure, faith, faithful, fear, gift, gifts, glory to God, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, grace, holy life, holy living, Holy Spirit, influence, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, leadership, Life, lifestyle, live, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, new life, pastor, poor, possibilities, power, praise, Prayer, prayer life, preach, preaching, relationships, religion, renewal, repent, revival, serving, sharing our faith, Spirit, Spirit led, transformation, trials, trust, Truth, uncategoried, works, Worry, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  control in our lives, getting eternal life, getting into heaven, giving to the church, Jesus changes everything, kingdom of God is here, Mark 10:17-31; Gospel of mark, rich man and Jesus, Stewardship, stewardship sermon series

• Why Are You Worrying?

  

  READ SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:25-34 NIV 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away […]

  Ryan Stratton

  08/24/2018

  anxiety, belief, believe, belonging, bible, Christian Life, Christianity, church, community, compassion, control, controversy, eternal life, faith, faithful, gifts, glory to God, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, gospel, grace, holy life, holy living, Holy Spirit, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, Life, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, poor, possibilities, power, praise, Prayer, prayer life, priority, proclaiming Christ, purpose, reconciliation, redeemed, relationships, religion, repent, revival, Spirit, Spirit led, trust, Truth, uncategoried, Worry, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  earning God’s favor, gospel of Matthew, Jesus says don’t worry, live free in Christ, Matthew 6:25-34, Stewardship, stewardship sermon series, stress in life, worrying about money

• Recovered from Easter?

  

  Easter Sunday was a few days ago. I know there were people who did not do anything to celebrate; but there where millions/billions of people celebrating the Risen Christ. Easter bunnies, family lunches, sunrise service, church activities, and so much more were taking place that day. Have you recovered from Easter? This is a question […]

  Ryan Stratton

  04/22/2018

  anxiety, belief, believe, bible, Christian Life, Christianity, church, eternal life, faith, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, reconciliation, redeemed, renewal, repent, revival, Savior, Spirit, transformation, trust, Truth, uncategoried, worship, writing, youth ministry

  death has been defeated, easter story, Jesus changes everything, Jesus Christ is alive, love of God, power of God, recovered from Easter, resurrection of Jesus Christ, victory over sin