At Lakeview Christian Church, we’re committed to living out our mission: Be the Change as Jesus has changed us. But real, lasting change isn’t about surface-level behavior modification. It’s about developing habits of the heart—habits modeled by men and women of faith throughout Scripture. Drew’s sermon on the life of David reveals a powerful secret to spiritual resilience, one we’re invited to practice together as a church family.

David’s Consistent Response: Dependence on God

What set David apart? Drew pointed out that, whether facing Goliath or grieving the loss of a child, David’s response was always the same: turn to God.

“Every victory, every failure, same response from David. David faces Goliath. David says, the battle belongs to the Lord. David sits on a throne. No, God establishes kingdoms. David before Nathan: God, you can fix this. You can give me a clean heart. David at the side of his deceased son praises God.”

David’s habit was humility and dependence. He never forgot who the true King was. This is what made him a man after God’s own heart—not perfection, but unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.

“I Am Not, But I Know I AM.”

Drew summed up David’s secret to surviving both success and failure like this:

“I am not, but I know the I AM.”

This echoes God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (NIV):

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’”

David’s greatness was not in his strength, but in his recognition of God’s supremacy. When David succeeded, he gave God the glory. When he failed, he ran to God for mercy. This posture of humility and surrender is the foundation for a resilient, hope-filled faith.

The Fulfillment in Jesus

Everything David longed for—“a clean heart, a new life, God’s Holy Spirit and presence to never leave him”—is fulfilled in Jesus. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we receive the Holy Spirit, the assurance of God’s presence, and the promise of new life.

John 14:16-17 (NIV):

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Romans 8:11 (NIV):

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Be the Change: Just 3 in Action

David’s habit is a blueprint for us at Lakeview as we live out “Just 3”:

• Study: “Study to love and know God.” Like David, we anchor ourselves in God’s Word, reminding ourselves daily that He is God and we are not. This discipline fosters humility and keeps our hearts soft to God’s leading.
• Share: “Share to know and love others.” David’s psalms are songs of both pain and praise, shared with the community of faith. When we share our own journeys—our victories and struggles—we build resilient relationships and encourage one another to trust God in every season.
• Serve: “Serve: Love in action.” A heart shaped by God’s presence moves outward in service. When we acknowledge our dependence on God, we become vessels of His love to a hurting world.

Our Hope: Changed by Jesus, Changing the World

Drew’s message is clear: “Everything that David longed for… is offered to me and you through the cross of Jesus Christ.” We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to have all the answers. We just need to know the One who is perfect, the great “I AM.”

At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission to “Be the Change” is rooted in the life-changing love and grace of Jesus. We don’t just want to talk about transformation—we want to experience it, live it, and share it. In Drew’s sermon, we learned that our truest identity isn’t shaped by our worst mistakes or our best achievements. It’s defined by what Jesus has done for us and who He says we are.

Shame, Grace, and a New Beginning

So many of us carry shame like a heavy backpack, convinced that our failures define us. Maybe you’ve thought, “How could God possibly love me after what I’ve done?” David—the great king of Israel, the man after God’s own heart—knew that kind of shame. But as Drew emphasized, even on his darkest days, David was still God’s child.

Listen to these words:
“If you’re in the middle of shame, I need you to remember you’re new. God made you new and you are his son or you are his daughter no matter what. The days you get it right, you’re his child in whom he is well pleased. The days you’re like David and you think you’ve sinned beyond compare, I need you to hear this. You are God’s child in whom he is well pleased.”

This assurance doesn’t come from anything we’ve done. It comes from the finished work of Jesus.

Our Identity: Rooted in Christ

Our identity is not earned by credentials, performance, or pedigree. As Drew put it, “David’s identity never came from David’s credentials. It came from Jesus’s righteousness alone.”
Paul writes in Romans 8:1 (NIV):

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

And again in Galatians 3:26 (NIV):

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”

This is the gospel: We are accepted, loved, and made new—not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Standing in the Face of Giants

Drew reminded us how this new identity empowers us to face life’s greatest challenges. Like David, who stood before Goliath not in his own strength, but in the confidence of who God was and who he was in God, we too can stand firm in the face of “giants”—whether circumstances, grief, or regret.

“When we understand that, we will stand in the face of giants and circumstances and dead children that we cannot face in any other way, and we will look into that situation with worship and hope, just like David.”

The “Just 3”: Living Out Our New Identity

Being the change Jesus calls us to be at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes means living out our new identity by:

• Study: “Study to love and know God.” We immerse ourselves in Scripture not to earn God’s approval, but to encounter His love and discover who we are in Him. When we fill our minds with His truth, shame loses its grip and hope takes root.
• Share: “Share to know and love others.” Our stories of brokenness and redemption matter. When we share with vulnerability, we create space for others to step out of shame and into grace. We become a community where masks come off and real transformation happens.
• Serve: “Serve: Love in action.” The grace we’ve received is not just for us. It sends us out to serve, to love, to be agents of change—just as Jesus has changed us.

Will You Pick Up a New Identity?

Some reading this may need to accept this for the first time: “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you came from. Jesus is waiting for you at the foot of the cross and he loves you.”
If you’ve believed the lie that your past disqualifies you, let the truth of the gospel set you free. In Christ, you are new. You are loved. You are God’s child.

Let’s be a church that embodies this identity—where shame is drowned out by grace, and every person is encouraged to “Be the Change” as Jesus has changed us.

Life has a way of confronting us with our deepest failures and regrets. Maybe you’ve found yourself asking: “Have I gone too far? Could God really forgive and restore someone like me?” If so, you’re not alone. King David, one of the most celebrated figures in Scripture, wrestled with these same questions. And through his story—especially his prayer in Psalm 51—we find a path back to hope, healing, and a renewed identity.

David’s Darkest Hour: Honesty Before God

The story behind Psalm 51 is raw and painful. David, the mighty king of Israel, had just been confronted by the prophet Nathan. His sins—adultery with Bathsheba and the orchestrated death of her husband Uriah—were exposed. Instead of hiding or justifying his actions, David responded with gut-level honesty:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2, KJV)

David’s first step was not to bargain, not to make excuses, but to throw himself on the mercy of God. He confessed, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight” (Psalm 51:4, KJV). The sermon explored how David’s openness is a model for us—no matter the depth of our shame, God invites us to come honestly, as we are.

The Miracle We Cannot Produce: A New Heart

One of the most powerful moments in Psalm 51 is David’s plea:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, KJV)

David knows he cannot repair himself. He doesn’t ask God for a second chance to prove himself—he asks for a miracle, something only God can do. This is the starting point for true transformation: admitting that only God can make us new.

As the sermon highlighted, this prayer points forward to God’s promise through the prophet Ezekiel:
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26, KJV)

This is not just ancient history—it’s the reality offered to every believer through Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote,
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV)

Identity in the Midst of Failure

One of the most profound lessons from David’s story is about identity. Even after his moral collapse, David was still king, still called “a man after God’s own heart.” His failures did not erase his God-given identity. In the sermon, we heard, “David’s identity never came from David’s credentials. It came from Jesus’s righteousness alone, because it was given by God in the first place.”

This is good news for all of us. Our worth isn’t measured by our most shameful moments, nor by our achievements. It’s rooted in God’s unchanging love and Christ’s finished work on the cross. You are God’s beloved child on your best days and your worst.

What Does Real Repentance Look Like?

David’s response to his own sin gives us a road map for what true repentance and restoration can look like:

• Honest confession: Bring your whole story to God—no hiding, no pretending.
• Surrender, not striving: Let go of trying to fix yourself or earn your way back. David simply asks God to do what only God can do: “Create in me a clean heart.”
• Dependence on the Spirit: David pleads, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11, KJV) As Christians, we now have the Holy Spirit as a permanent gift—God’s empowering, comforting presence.
• Worship in the valley: Even after devastating loss, David worships. “Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped.” (2 Samuel 12:20, KJV) Worship is not only for the mountaintop moments, but also for when life hurts most.
• Let your story help others: David’s experience—his failure and God’s restoring grace—became a testimony that still teaches us today. Your journey can point others to hope, too.

Practical Steps for Today

If you’re feeling stuck or ashamed, consider these steps:

• Read Psalm 51 slowly and pray through its words, making them your own.
• Confess anything you’ve been hiding—God already knows and loves you still.
• Write down the ways you’ve tried to “fix” yourself. Offer those efforts to God, asking Him to do what you cannot.
• Thank God that your identity is secure in Christ. Meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• Choose to worship, even in the struggle. Play a favorite worship song, or simply offer God your honest praise.
• If you need support, reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or join a group like GriefShare if your pain runs deep.

Conclusion: Grace Is Waiting

Psalm 51 shows us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. David’s story reminds us that failure is not the end—God specializes in new beginnings. The miracle you most need—a new heart, a right spirit, lasting hope—comes not from your effort but from surrender to the One who loves you most.

Here’s a prayer you might pray today:

God, I come to You honestly—broken, imperfect, and in need of Your mercy. Thank You for loving me as I am and for offering me a new heart through Jesus. Create in me what I cannot create for myself. Remind me that my identity is secure in You, not in my successes or failures. Fill me with Your Spirit and teach me to worship You, even when life is hard. Thank You for never giving up on me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission is simple yet profound: Be the change as Jesus has changed us. We believe that genuine transformation isn’t about trying harder or simply patching up the mistakes of our past, but about allowing God to do what only He can—make us new from the inside out. Drew’s recent sermon on the prayer of David in Psalm 51 brings this truth to life in a way that’s deeply relevant for all of us seeking hope, healing, and a fresh start.

Not Just a Fix—A Miracle

Drew reminded us that when David was confronted with the weight of his sin—not just a misstep, but a complete unraveling of his integrity and calling—he didn’t bargain with God for a second chance. He didn’t say, “God, can you maybe just give me a second chance?” Instead, David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). This isn’t a request for a tune-up; it’s a plea for a miracle. David knew that the old heart, marred by sin and shame, wasn’t something that could be mended. It needed to be replaced.

This prayer is for all of us who have ever reached the end of ourselves—who’ve seen the mess we’ve made and know that self-improvement isn’t enough. Maybe you’ve tried to fix things on your own, only to end up discouraged and weary. David’s prayer is an invitation for you to stop striving and start surrendering.

The Promise Fulfilled in Christ

What’s breathtaking is that what David longed for—a brand-new heart—is exactly what God promises us in Jesus. As Drew highlighted, 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) declares:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

This isn’t just a spiritual metaphor. It’s a reality. When we come to Jesus, we aren’t offered a spiritual touch-up; we’re made new. The old, with its failures and regrets, passes away. The new, marked by grace and possibility, has come. This is the miracle at the heart of the gospel.

Be the Change: Study, Share, Serve

At Lakeview, we believe this new heart is the foundation for our mission to “Be the Change.” But how do we walk that out? Through what we call the “Just 3”: Study, Share, Serve.

• Study: Like David, our journey begins by coming honestly before God, seeking Him in His Word and in prayer. Studying Scripture isn’t just about gathering knowledge—it’s about opening our hearts to the God who longs to transform us. “Study to love and know God.”
  When we read passages like Psalm 51, we see ourselves in David’s story. We’re reminded that our hope isn’t in our ability to undo the past, but in God’s power to make all things new.
• Share: When we experience God’s renewing work, we’re compelled to share our story. David didn’t keep his experience to himself; he wrote a psalm that has comforted and challenged generations. “Share to know and love others.”
  At Lakeview, we encourage one another to be real about our struggles and victories. Transformation is contagious.
• Serve: A new heart overflows in action. When God changes us, He sends us out to serve others in love. “Serve: Love in action.”
  The miracle God does in us is meant to spill over into the lives of those around us—through acts of kindness, service, and justice.

An Invitation to Surrender

Perhaps today you’re feeling like David—aware of your brokenness, unsure if a new beginning is possible. Hear this: God isn’t asking you to bargain for a second chance or to prove yourself worthy. He’s inviting you to ask for a new heart, and He’s promised to give it in Christ.

You Can’t Avoid Being Overwhelmed—But You Can Choose What Overwhelms You

Life will be out of your control. That’s not pessimism—it’s reality. At Lakeview Christian Church, we don’t pretend that following Jesus means avoiding hard times. Instead, we’ve discovered a powerful truth: when overwhelming moments come, you get to choose what overwhelms you.

The Inevitable Overwhelming Moments

If you haven’t experienced truly overwhelming circumstances yet, you will. There will be moments that are simply beyond your capacity to handle. Situations that are over your pay grade. Crises that exceed your resources, your wisdom, and your strength.

You can’t handle it. And that’s okay—because you were never meant to.

In that moment, you don’t have a choice about whether you’ll be overwhelmed. The circumstances are too big, too painful, too complex. You will be overwhelmed.

But here’s the critical truth: You do still have a choice.

The Choice That Changes Everything

What will you choose to be overwhelmed by?

Will you let life’s circumstances, chaos, and storms overwhelm you, defeat you, and drain you? Will you let the diagnosis, the financial crisis, the relationship breakdown, or the tragedy consume every thought and steal every moment of peace?

Or instead, will you choose to stand in the presence of an overwhelming God and let Him restore you?

You can’t be overwhelmed by both at the same time. You have to pick one.

This isn’t about denying reality or pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about choosing which reality gets to dominate your perspective. Will the storm define your experience, or will the Storm-Calmer?

Telling the Storm About Your God

We have a habit of telling God how big the storm is. We come to Him cataloging every problem, every fear, every impossibility. “God, do you see how big this is? Do you understand how impossible this situation is?”

But we serve a God big enough to tell the storm how big our God is. Remember Mark 4:39? Jesus “got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

Our God is bigger than any storm we’re going through. Yes, the storms are big. Yes, they’re scary. Yes, they’re real. But He’s bigger.

When the disciples were terrified in that boat, Jesus asked them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). He wasn’t minimizing the storm—He was redirecting their focus from the size of the problem to the size of their God.

Living This Truth at Lakeview Christian Church

At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission is to be the change as Jesus has changed us through “Just 3”: Study to love and know God, Share to know and love others, and Serve as love in action.

When we Study God’s Word, we fill our minds with truth about who God is. We learn about His power, His faithfulness, His track record of showing up in impossible situations. This knowledge becomes our anchor when storms hit.

When we Share life together in authentic community, we remind each other of God’s bigness when circumstances make us forget. We speak truth to each other: “Yes, this is overwhelming—but our God is more overwhelming.”

When we Serve others even in our own overwhelming seasons, we discover that God’s strength shows up supernaturally. We become living testimonies that God is bigger than our storms.

The Psalmist’s Experience

The psalmist in Psalm 19 knew this truth experientially. He had faced overwhelming circumstances and discovered that standing in God’s overwhelming presence changed everything. He had experienced God’s restoration, heard God’s voice, and witnessed God’s power.

That’s why he could write with such confidence about God’s law being perfect and restoring the soul. He wasn’t theorizing—he was testifying.

Your Choice Today

Whatever overwhelming circumstance you’re facing today, you have a choice. The storm is real. The problem is legitimate. The fear is understandable.

But you serve a God who is more real, more powerful, and more present than any storm. You serve a God who calms chaos with a word, who provides strength for the weary, who promises to never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Will you choose to be overwhelmed by the storm, or by the Storm-Calmer?

At Lakeview Christian Church, we’re learning to make this choice daily, sometimes moment by moment. We invite you to join us as we discover together that our God is bigger than any storm we face.

Because when you choose to be overwhelmed by God’s presence instead of life’s chaos, everything changes. The storm may still rage, but you’ll find peace in the middle of it. And that peace—the peace that surpasses all understanding—will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Choose wisely. Choose God. He’s bigger than your storm.

Why Does My Soul Need Restoration?

There’s a kind of tired that sleep can’t fix and coffee can’t cure. It’s the bone-deep weariness that comes when life keeps beating you down and won’t stop. At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we understand this exhaustion—and we’ve discovered the only true source of soul restoration.

The Weariness We All Know

You’ve been there. Maybe you’re there right now. Life just keeps coming, wave after relentless wave, and you’re not sure you can take another hit.

The diagnosis isn’t improving no matter how many doctors you see or how faithfully you follow treatment plans. You’re watching someone you love suffer, and you feel helpless.

The bills keep arriving. Every time you think you’ve finally gotten ahead financially, another unexpected expense appears. The account is empty again, and you don’t know how you’ll make it through the month.

Your marriage is struggling. You’ve tried everything—counseling, date nights, better communication—but the distance keeps growing. You’re exhausted from trying to fix what feels irreparably broken.

Your kids are making choices that terrify you. You’ve prayed, talked, set boundaries, and loved them the best you know how, but things keep getting worse. The worry is consuming you.

Car accidents have taken loved ones. Hospital rooms have become too familiar. The emergencies don’t stop coming. You’re tired—not just physically, but soul-tired. You’re not sure you have enough strength for the rest of today, much less what tomorrow will demand.

The World That Drains Our Souls

The psalmist in Psalm 19:7 understood this reality: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” He wrote these words because he knew from experience that this world drains our souls, and God alone is the restoration we desperately need.

We live in a fallen world that wasn’t designed to sustain us. We were created for Eden—for perfect relationship with God, for work without toil, for relationships without conflict, for life without death. But sin broke everything, and now we’re trying to survive in a world that constantly depletes us.

Isaiah 40:30-31 captures this reality: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.”

Where Restoration Comes From

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, our mission is to be the change as Jesus has changed us through “Just 3”: Study to love and know God, Share to know and love others, and Serve as love in action.

Soul restoration begins when we Study—when we stop long enough to sit in God’s presence and let His Word wash over our weary hearts. It’s not about checking off a religious duty; it’s about coming to the only Source that can truly refresh us.

Restoration continues when we Share authentically with other believers. When we stop pretending we have it all together and admit we’re exhausted, we create space for genuine community. We discover we’re not alone in our weariness.

And surprisingly, restoration often comes through Serve—when we love others in actioneven when we feel depleted. God has a supernatural way of filling us as we pour out for others, not from our own strength but from His limitless supply.

The Promise of Restoration

Jesus extends the most beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This isn’t just physical rest—it’s soul rest. It’s the restoration of everything that’s been drained, depleted, and exhausted within you.

God doesn’t shame you for being tired. He doesn’t tell you to try harder or do better. He simply says, “Come to me. Let me restore what this world has taken from you.”

Psalm 23 paints this picture beautifully: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” God is the Good Shepherd who knows when His sheep need restoration, and He provides it generously.

Your Invitation Today

If you’re soul-weary today, God is inviting you to stop striving and start resting. He’s inviting you to bring your exhaustion, your burdens, your weariness to Him and let Him do what only He can do—restore your soul.

At Lakeview Christian Church, we’re a community of people learning to find restoration in God’s presence together. We don’t have it all figured out, but we’re discovering that when we come to God honestly with our weariness, He meets us with His strength.

You don’t have to keep running on empty. The restoration your soul desperately needs is available right now in the presence of God.

Ever feel like you’re running on empty—not just physically tired, but soul-weary? You’re working harder, trying to fix everything, yet peace feels impossibly out of reach. What if the problem isn’t that you need to do more, but that you need to stop and listen?

Psalm 19 offers a powerful reminder: God is speaking. Constantly. Through creation’s beauty, through Scripture’s wisdom, and through the quiet whispers of His Spirit. The question isn’t whether God is talking—it’s whether we’re willing to stop long enough to hear Him.

Creation Declares God’s Glory

The psalmist begins by observing the world around him. Mountains speak of God’s steadfastness. Ocean waves testify to His power. The stars reveal an orderly Designer. If creation could talk, it would preach non-stop about the Creator’s majesty.

But here’s the catch: we often worship the creation instead of the Creator. We chase our own desires, trust our own wisdom, and exhaust ourselves trying to control outcomes. We’ve made idols of our plans, our preferences, our need to have everything figured out. That’s not freedom—that’s slavery to ourselves.

True biblical freedom means being who God created you to be, in intimate relationship with Him. When we worship the true Creator, we discover the rest our souls desperately need.

Scripture Reveals God’s Heart

While creation shows us God’s power, Scripture reveals His heart. The psalmist gets excited here, listing God’s law, statutes, precepts, and commands—not as burdensome obligations, but as sources of joy and delight.

Here’s the transformative truth: the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. When life beats you down—through illness, financial stress, broken relationships, or overwhelming circumstances—God’s Word restores what the world drains away.

This isn’t just intellectual knowledge. The psalmist has experienced God’s restoration personally. He knows that standing in God’s presence brings peace that doesn’t make sense given the circumstances. It’s a peace beyond understanding.

Choosing What Overwhelms You

Here’s a reality check: life will overwhelm you. You don’t get to choose whether overwhelming moments come. But you do get to choose what overwhelms you.

Will you let circumstances, chaos, and fear overwhelm and defeat you? Or will you stand in the presence of an overwhelming God and let Him restore you?

We have a habit of telling God how big our storms are. But we serve a God big enough to tell the storm to sit down. Our God is bigger than any crisis we’re facing.

Rest in God’s Promises

The psalmist’s prayer in verse 14 is one we should pray daily: “May these words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”

When you’re exhausted and don’t know how everything will hold together, God says, “I will.” When you wonder who will take care of you, love you, or heal you, God answers, “I have. I will. And I will continue.”

This is the promise of relationship with God: we don’t have to do it all. We get to rest in complete trust. This isn’t laziness—it’s biblical rest. It’s Sabbath rest born from trust, not exhaustion.

Take the Next Step

Stop trying to manufacture answers. Be still and know that He is God. Surrender control long enough to listen. Let your soul be restored again—for the first time or the thousandth time.

Prayer: Father, help us stop long enough to hear Your voice. Teach us to rest in Your presence, trusting that You hold everything together. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. You are our rock and our Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When Everything Is Falling Apart, God Says “I Will”

Life has a way of asking questions we’re afraid to voice out loud. When your world is crumbling, your marriage is struggling, your finances are failing, or you feel completely unlovable—where do you turn? At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’ve discovered that God has already answered every desperate question with two powerful words: “I will.”

The Questions We’re Afraid to Ask

Look around at our broken world. Political division, natural disasters, violence, and uncertainty seem to dominate the headlines. Deep in your heart, you might wonder: Who’s going to fix this mess? God has already answered: I will.

Your marriage feels like it’s hanging by a thread. You’ve tried counseling, date nights, and better communication, but the distance keeps growing. You’re wondering: Who’s going to keep my family from falling apart? God has already answered: I will.

The bills keep piling up. Every time you think you’re getting ahead, another unexpected expense appears. Your job security feels shaky. The question haunts you: Who’s going to take care of my financial needs? God has already answered: I will.

Then comes the phone call—the one you’ve been dreading. The emergency. The diagnosis. The unthinkable tragedy. In that moment of crisis, you cry out: Who’s going to take care of me? Who’s going to heal me? God has already answered: I will.

The Deepest Question of All

Perhaps the most painful question comes when rejection leaves you feeling worthless. Maybe a relationship ended. Maybe you’ve been betrayed. Maybe you’ve made mistakes that make you feel unforgivable. The question whispers in the darkness: Who could possibly love someone as messed up as me?

God’s answer echoes through eternity: I have. I will. And I will continue.

This isn’t just religious platitude—this is the bedrock promise of a relationship with God. Romans 8:38-39 declares, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Gift of Rest

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, our mission is to be the change as Jesus has changed us. We live this out through “Just 3”: Study to love and know God, Share to know and love others, and Serve as love in action.

Understanding God’s “I will” promises transforms how we live. We don’t have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t have to fix everything ourselves.

We get to rest in complete trust.

This is the Sabbath rest Jesus offers in Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Living in God’s Promises

When we Study God’s Word, we discover His character and His promises. We learn that He is faithful, that He has never broken a promise, and that His track record is perfect.

When we Share these truths with others, we build a community of believers who remind each other of God’s faithfulness when circumstances make us forget.

When we Serve from a place of rest rather than striving, we become conduits of God’s love to a hurting world.

The promise of relationship with God isn’t that life will be easy or that problems will disappear. The promise is that you don’t have to face anything alone. The God who spoke the universe into existence, who calms storms with a word, who conquered death itself—that God says to you today: “I will take care of you.”

Your Next Step

Whatever question is weighing on your heart today, bring it to God. He’s not intimidated by your doubts, your fears, or your desperation. He’s already answered with His presence, His power, and His promise.

At Lakeview Christian Church, we’re a community learning to rest in God’s “I will” promises together. We invite you to join us as we study His Word, share life together, and serve our community from a place of trust rather than striving.

Because when God says “I will,” you can rest knowing He always keeps His word.

The Only Preparation That Matters

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’re committed to being the change as Jesus has changed us through “Just 3” – Study, Share, and Serve. But how do we stay prepared for life’s greatest challenges? Luke 21 gives us Jesus’s answer, and it might surprise you.

The Question of Readiness

How do we stay prepared for trials, loss, and uncertainty? What’s the secret to remaining faithful when everything falls apart? Jesus gives us clear instruction in Luke 21:36: “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and stand before the Son of Man.”

The answer is simple but profound: Pray.

The Same Advice for Every Season

Notice something powerful: the same advice Jesus gives for enduring suffering in verses 12-14 is the same advice He gives for staying prepared now. It’s not a complicated formula. It’s not a seven-step program. It’s relationship.

Be in such close relationship with the Father that when crisis comes—when you lose a faithful spouse after years together, when a family member isn’t getting better, when your world is shaking—you still know the voice of your Father and hear His comfort.

More Than Just Emergency Prayers

This isn’t about crisis prayers. Jesus says “stay awake at all times, praying.” This is about constant, intentional, vigilant relationship with God.

Think about it: you can’t suddenly develop deep intimacy with someone in a moment of crisis. Relationships are built over time, through consistent connection and communication.

The same is true with God. If we only pray when we’re desperate, we won’t recognize His voice when we need it most. But if we’ve been walking closely with Him all along, His presence becomes our anchor when storms come.

Living “Just 3” as Preparation

Our mission at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s the practical outworking of Jesus’s command to stay awake and pray:

Study – Regular engagement with God’s Word keeps us spiritually alert. We’re not just reading; we’re listening for God’s voice, learning His character, understanding His promises.

Share – When we share our faith with others, we’re actively remembering and rehearsing what God has done. This keeps our testimony fresh and our hope alive.

Serve – Love in action keeps us connected to God’s heart. As we serve others, we experience His presence and power working through us.

The Ultimate Question Answered

Luke 21 answers a fundamental question: Will I give God my all?

The answer is yes—not because we’re super spiritual, but because He is the only one, the only thing, that truly lasts.

Everything else will pass away:

• Our comfort zones will be disrupted
• Our plans will change
• Our health will fail
• Our relationships will end
• Our possessions will decay

But God remains. His Word stands forever. His promises never fail. His love never ends.

Why Prayer Changes Everything

When we’re in constant prayer—in ongoing relationship with God—several things happen:

1. We gain perspective – We see our circumstances through God’s eyes rather than our fear
2. We receive strength – God’s power flows through connection with Him
3. We find peace – His presence brings comfort that circumstances cannot steal
4. We stay focused – Prayer keeps our eyes on what matters eternally

Be Ready, Be Vigilant, Be Intentional

Jesus’s call is clear: be ready, be vigilant, and be intentional in your relationship with God.

Ready – Don’t wait for crisis to develop your prayer life. Build that foundation now.

Vigilant – Stay spiritually alert. Don’t let the distractions of this world lull you into spiritual sleepiness.

Intentional – Relationship with God doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires purposeful commitment to prayer and His presence.

What Lasts Forever

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’re convinced that the only thing worth building our lives on is the only thing that will never crumble: our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Jobs will come and go. Health will fluctuate. Relationships will change. Circumstances will shift. But God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

When we give God our all—when we stay awake in prayer, when we live out “Just 3” with intentionality—we’re not just preparing for future trials. We’re experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised right now.

Your Invitation Today

The question isn’t whether trials will come. They will. The question is: will you be prepared?

Start today:

• Commit to daily prayer – Not just asking for things, but listening for God’s voice
• Study God’s Word consistently – Build a foundation that will hold when everything shakes
• Share your faith actively – Keep your testimony fresh and your hope alive
• Serve others sacrificially – Experience God’s presence through love in action

Don’t wait for stability to be faithful. Don’t wait for comfort to draw close to God. Stay awake at all times, praying.

Because when everything else fades away, your relationship with God is the only thing that will remain.

Will you give God your all? He’s the only one who truly lasts.

When Trials Become Testimonies

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we believe in being the change as Jesus has changed us through “Just 3” – Study, Share, and Serve. But what happens when life falls apart? When suffering comes, how do we live out this mission? Jesus gives us a radical perspective in Luke 21 that transforms how we view our hardest moments.

The Promise of Persecution

Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat reality. In Luke 21, He warns His followers: “You’re going to be put on trial, thrown in jail. Even your loved ones will betray and abandon you for my name’s sake. Some of you might even be put to death.”

Not exactly an encouraging recruitment speech, right?

But then comes verse 13 with a stunning twist: “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

In other words: when everything falls apart, tell people how great I am. In your moment of suffering, this is what I’ve called you to do.

Our Natural Tendency

Let’s be honest. When life gets difficult, our natural tendency is to turn inward. We think:

• “Why is this happening to me?”
• “How am I going to fix this?”
• “Woe is me!”

We focus on our problems, our pain, our need for solutions. This self-focused response is completely natural—and completely opposite to what Jesus calls us to.

A Revolutionary Perspective

Jesus is calling us to keep our eyes fixed on Him, even in suffering. He’s presenting a revolutionary idea: Have you ever thought of evangelism—sharing the good news with someone else—as a way to help you through your own suffering?

This flips our entire perspective. Jesus is saying:

• Don’t wait for stability to be faithful
• Don’t wait for safety to speak
• Don’t wait for comfort to witness

The world sees suffering as a disqualification from ministry. Jesus sees it as a microphone to His glory.

Why This Matters

It’s not in spite of suffering that we see God’s goodness—it’s often through it. When we share Christ in our pain, something powerful happens:

1. We remember what’s true – Speaking truth to others reminds us of truth when circumstances lie to us
2. We shift our focus – Looking outward to help others pulls us out of the spiral of self-pity
3. We display God’s power – Our witness in suffering shows that our hope isn’t in circumstances but in Christ

Living “Just 3” in Suffering

This is where our mission becomes transformative:

Study – When we’ve built a foundation in God’s Word before trials come, we have truth to stand on when everything shakes

Share – Evangelism in suffering isn’t just about helping others find Christ; it helps us remember why we have hope

Serve – Love in action during our own pain demonstrates that our faith is real and our God is sufficient

The Example of Christ

Jesus practiced what He preached. After betrayal, false trials, beatings, and while hanging on the cross—bearing the weight of the world’s sin, fighting for His next breath—what did He do?

He brought glory to His Father. He cried, “It is finished!” In His moment of greatest suffering, He completed the work of redemption.

This is the God we serve. If our Savior suffered and used that suffering for eternal good, maybe we should reconsider how we view our own discomfort.

Your Suffering Has Purpose

Whatever you’re facing today—health battles, family conflict, financial pressure, grief, uncertainty—Jesus is inviting you to see it differently.

Your trial isn’t a disqualification. It’s a microphone.

Your pain isn’t wasted. It’s purposeful.

Your suffering isn’t the end of your story. It’s a chapter that can bring glory to God and hope to others.

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’re committed to walking through suffering together, reminding each other that our hope is secure in Christ, and using our trials as opportunities to bear witness to His goodness.

Don’t let suffering silence you. Let it amplify the message of hope you carry.