So many of us are experiencing the reality of waiting in surffering, and yet because of Jesus it is possible to face these realities and not be crushed, not be destroyed, and even face these things and at the same time be filled with inexpressible joy.

Our comfort through pain does not consist in getting things from God, but in knowing God Himself.

As we marvel at the majesty and power of the One who created the heavens and the earth, and humbly stand in awe of the mystery of His ways, will we trust Him?

What do we do when suffering, questions, anger, and longings come to us? Bring that to our God who has been there too.

This week Pastor Joel approaches the book of Job by looking at the role Job's friends played during his suffering, and what we can learn about caring for those in our lives who may be suffering.

Lament - the place where we pour out our hearts to God, no matter how ugly and confusing it gets, and trust that as we put the full weight of our pain unto Him, we will find that God truly is as good and strong and faithful as we thought.

The book of Job deals with hard, intense questions. Through it all, God enters our pain to suffer with us and give us hope.

The book of Acts was the beginning of the age of the church, and that age continues today. May we be both encouraged and challenged that today we have that same spirit, calling, and mission as those in the early church.