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In this message (0:02:46), Pastor Rick Long of Grace Church continues his series on managing finances God's way, emphasizing that the primary reason people struggle with debt is that they lack a solid, proactive financial plan. He draws wisdom from the story of Joseph in the Bible to outline a biblical approach to spending and preparation. Everything we have is a gift from God—and how we manage it matters. God wants more for us than financial stress and worry; He wants us to experience freedom. Join us for this 7-week series "Managing Our Finances God's Way as we discover practical, biblical principles for contentment, spending, saving, debt, and giving so we can faithfully manage what God has entrusted to us and experience greater financial freedom as we live lives of Key principles for godly financial management: Live in reality, not fantasy: Many people stay in debt because they avoid looking at their actual numbers, pay only minimums on credit cards, or fail to save for emergencies (0:05:13 - 0:08:45). Joseph prepared for both the abundant years and the famine, showing that God's provisions don't eliminate the need for careful planning (0:15:43 - 0:17:01). Put God’s priorities first: A godly plan involves setting aside your tithe and savings before spending on wants, rather than treating them as leftovers (0:24:38 - 0:31:25). Practice saying "not now": Financial freedom requires self-control to defer gratification, choosing to wait rather than using debt to fund impulsive purchases (0:38:48 - 0:43:32). Create financial breathing room: Just as Joseph stored grain, we should create margin between our income and expenses so that emergencies become manageable expenses and opportunities become possibilities (0:43:34 - 0:48:37). Use resources for something bigger than wants: God entrusts us with resources to accomplish His mission. By managing what is currently in our hands, we can support ministries, help families in need, and share the gospel (0:48:42 - 0:56:25). Pastor Long concludes by sharing the ultimate financial metaphor: that we are all spiritually "bankrupt" by sin, but through Jesus Christ, our debt is paid and we are reconciled to God (0:56:28 - 1:00:08). If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ 0:00 - Introduction and Announcements 1:42 - Managing Finances God’s Way 3:34 - Why People Stay in Debt 9:57 - Biblical Principles of Planning 15:43 - Living in Reality, Not Fantasy 24:38 - Putting God’s Priorities First 38:48 - Practicing "Not Now" 43:34 - Creating Financial Breathing Room 48:42 - Using Resources for a Higher Purpose 57:58 - The Gift of Salvation

This video, titled Dedicate it All to God by Rick Long at Grace Church CO, explores the concept of surrender as a spiritual discipline. Everything we have is a gift from God—and how we manage it matters. God wants more for us than financial stress and worry; He wants us to experience freedom. Join us for this 7-week series "Managing Our Finances God's Way as we discover practical, biblical principles for contentment, spending, saving, debt, and giving so we can faithfully manage what God has entrusted to us and experience greater financial freedom as we live lives of Video highlights include: Celebrating Achievement: The message begins by celebrating the Forge Christian High School boys' golf team for winning their first state championship (0:40 - 7:02). Core Theme of Surrender: Rick Long teaches that while many believe God owns everything, true surrender involves letting God take control of our plans, finances, and future (9:14 - 11:51). The Story of Abraham and Isaac: The speaker uses the biblical account of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 as a model for this type of surrender (13:10 - 22:00, 49:29 - 54:34). Five Principles of Surrender: Identify what you are most afraid to surrender (18:59 - 30:00). Obey God before knowing the outcome (30:03 - 39:24). Release the need to control the outcome (39:25 - 49:28). Allow God to redirect your plans (49:29 - 53:25). Leave the results in God's hands (53:26 - 57:36). The Connection to Christ: Rick Long draws a parallel between the mountain of Moriah in the Old Testament and the location of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, explaining that Isaac acts as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice made by the son of God (58:27 - 1:02:07). If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ 0:00 Introduction to Grace Church 0:40 Celebrating Forge Christian High School 8:52 Alignment Series: Who is in Control? 11:06 Definition of Surrender 13:10 The Story of Abraham and Isaac 18:59 Principle 1: Identify What You Fear to Surrender 30:03 Principle 2: Obey Before You Know the Outcome 39:25 Principle 3: Release the Need to Control 49:29 Principle 4: Allow God to Redirect Your Plans 53:26 Principle 5: Leave the Results in God's Hands 58:27 The Connection to Christ and Calvary 1:02:07 Call to Salvation and Final Prayer

This video, titled The Big Picture, features Rick Long, a Lead Elder at Grace Church, presenting the first installment of a 7-week series titled "Managing Our Finances God’s Way." The primary goal of the session is to shift the perspective of the congregation from financial stress to financial freedom by rooting money management in biblical principles. Key takeaways discussed include: God as the Source: True financial freedom begins when we recognize that God is the source of all our resources (0:20:17 - 0:22:17). We are encouraged to move away from the mindset of "I earned this" and embrace gratitude for the ability God provides to earn (0:22:17 - 0:25:17). Surrendering Ownership: A crucial step to freedom is acknowledging that we are merely managers, not the owners, of God's possessions (0:27:00 - 0:34:00). Managing money involves aligning our spending and saving with God’s purposes (0:45:17 - 0:52:00). Contentment: The speaker emphasizes that "enough" should be defined by God, as greed and the constant desire for more keep us from true contentment (0:35:00 - 0:41:17). Choosing a Master: Financial choices reflect who or what we serve. The message stresses that we cannot serve both God and money, urging the congregation to make God their ultimate master (0:56:42 - 0:59:51). Additionally, the video includes a segment showcasing the Samaritan's Purse ministry, highlighting how generous giving and stewardship impact lives globally, such as in the Peruvian Amazon (0:52:25 - 0:55:00). Everything we have is a gift from God—and how we manage it matters. God wants more for us than financial stress and worry; He wants us to experience freedom. Join us for this 7-week series "Managing Our Finances God's Way as we discover practical, biblical principles for contentment, spending, saving, debt, and giving so we can faithfully manage what God has entrusted to us and experience greater financial freedom as we live lives of generosity. If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ 0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:25 The Reality of Debt 0:11:06 The Principle of the Pairs 0:20:17 God as the Source 0:27:00 Surrendering Ownership 0:35:00 The Meaning of Contentment 0:45:17 Aligning with God’s Purposes 0:52:25 Samaritan's Purse Ministry 0:56:42 Choosing Your Master 1:01:12 Dedicate Before You Manage 1:05:26 Closing

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ The Hurry Problem is a 5-week journey to help you slow down and reconnect with God and others. Learn how to replace stress and distraction with rest, rhythm, and intentional living—because life is better with less rush and more presence. In this message, Pastor Rick Long concludes a 5-week series titled "The Hurry Problem" by emphasizing the importance of intentionally creating margin in life to make room for what matters most: God, His purposes, and people. He warns against living a life dictated by the "urgent" and highlights that true flourishing requires slowing down. Key Principles for Making Margin (Using the acronym MARGIN): M - Make God's Presence Your First Priority: (16:32) Cultivate a daily habit of starting with God (23:45) and scheduling uninterrupted time with Him. A - Allow Your Soul to be Renewed: (24:47) Develop weekly rhythms of rest and refuse to view busyness as a status symbol (31:51). R - Resist the Rush for More: (32:27) Recognize that "more" will never satisfy the soul. Pastor Rick shares the story of Stanley Tam (35:32) as an example of living with an open-handed, kingdom-focused mindset. G - Give Generously: (40:34) Understand that all resources belong to God. Generosity is not about capital campaigns but living a lifestyle of contribution over consumption (44:41). I - Invest in What Outlives You: (46:42) Focus on things with eternal value, such as mentoring the next generation (48:43). N - Notice People More Than Your Schedule: (51:02) Hurried people often overlook others. Pastor Rick encourages viewing others with compassion, encouraging them with sincerity, and serving with humility (54:11-55:15). The message concludes by inviting viewers to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and commit to changing their patterns to live a life of purpose rather than constant chaos. 0:00 Introduction and Welcome 0:40 The Hurry Problem Series Conclusion 2:47 Making Room for What Matters Most 4:15 Dictated by the Urgent 8:27 The Theory of Margin (Howard McCluskey) 13:52 Defining Margin 15:15 M - Make God's Presence Your First Priority 24:47 A - Allow Your Soul to be Renewed 32:27 R - Resist the Rush for More 35:32 The Story of Stanley Tam 40:34 G - Give Generously 46:42 I - Invest in What Outlives You 51:02 N - Notice People More Than Your Schedule 56:14 Summary and Challenge 58:59 Invitation to Salvation

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ The Hurry Problem is a 5-week journey to help you slow down and reconnect with God and others. Learn how to replace stress and distraction with rest, rhythm, and intentional living—because life is better with less rush and more presence. This video, led by Jacob Knox, the Pastor of Grace Students at Grace Church, explores the concept of the Sabbath as a necessary, God-given rhythm to combat the modern "hurry" problem. Key Takeaways on the Sabbath: Definition: The Sabbath is more than just a day off; it is a divine gift of a weekly rhythm that restores our relationship with God, others, and ourselves (05:42). God-Centered Living: It serves as a practical way to stop and remember that we are not God (10:25), allowing us to re-center our lives on His presence (36:34). Practical Steps to Practice Sabbath: Stop: Identify what is hardest to pause, set aside a specific time, and leave unfinished work for later (18:17 - 19:00). Renew: Choose activities that genuinely refresh your spirit rather than drain you (27:00). Slow Down: Use the time to enjoy God’s gifts, such as sharing a meal without rushing and expressing gratitude (28:08 - 36:00). Re-center: Spend intentional, unhurried time in the Bible, prayer, and worship to rely on God's provision rather than self-reliance (46:17 - 47:17). Throughout the message, Jacob Knox highlights that while some view the Sabbath as a list of legalistic rules, Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for humanity, prioritizing relationship over rigid requirements (20:34 - 23:34). 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:45 Defining the Sabbath Problem 0:05:42 What is Sabbath? 0:10:25 Sabbath as Stopping 0:20:17 Sabbath as Renewing 0:28:17 Sabbath as Slowing Down 0:36:42 Sabbath as Re-centering 0:41:00 Worship Segment 0:43:51 The Goal of Abiding in God

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ The Hurry Problem is a 5-week journey to help you slow down and reconnect with God and others. Learn how to replace stress and distraction with rest, rhythm, and intentional living—because life is better with less rush and more presence. This video, led by Paul Faust, explores the "hurry problem" in modern life and the hidden costs it imposes on our well-being, relationships, and spiritual health (1:33). Key takeaways from the message: Defining the Hurry Problem: Paul explains that our culture is driven by excessive pace, demands, and constant connectivity via smartphones, leading to a mindset of constant busyness (3:24 - 5:51). He emphasizes that a full schedule does not have to be frantic (7:48). The Pace of Jesus: The speaker highlights that Jesus lived with immense pressure, yet he modeled a life of peace by withdrawing often to pray and connect with God (9:23 - 13:30). Building Presence: Drawing on the story of the woman who touched Jesus's robe in Mark 5 (24:15 - 28:15), the video teaches that being interruptible and prioritizing presence over productivity is essential. We are encouraged to remove distractions, focus fully on others, and value people as opportunities rather than interruptions (31:21 - 33:00). Deepening Relationships: Real connections require time and attention, much like the relationship Jesus had with his disciples (35:50). We are urged to slow down our conversations and ask deeper, meaningful questions instead of sticking to surface-level interactions (39:38). Joy and Resilience: Finally, the speaker notes that joy is relational and serves as the fuel for resilience and endurance (49:00 - 50:40). By connecting with God, we can experience peace that carries us through life's struggles, as modeled by Jesus enduring the cross (50:45 - 53:30). The message concludes with an invitation to receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (59:08 - 1:02:50). 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Welcome and Introduction 1:33 - Defining the Problem: The Hurry Problem 3:07 - What Drives Our Hurry? 7:46 - Full Doesn't Have to Mean Frantic 8:39 - The Pace of Jesus 12:21 - 1. Peace Replaces Anxiety 16:53 - A GPS Plan for Rest 19:15 - Song: Rest and Reset 23:45 - 2. Presence Replaces Distraction 35:10 - 3. Deeper Relationships Over Surface Connection 43:05 - 4. Spiritual Sensitivity Replaces Numbness 48:47 - 5. Joy Replaces Exhaustion 55:36 - Closing Blessing: Numbers 6 58:55 - How to Receive the Gift of Salvation 1:02:00 - Closing Prayer

f you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src... To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ The Hurry Problem is a 5-week journey to help you slow down and reconnect with God and others. Learn how to replace stress and distraction with rest, rhythm, and intentional living—because life is better with less rush and more presence. In this message, Pastor Rick Long of Grace Church addresses the pervasive problem of the "hurry trap"—a state of constant busyness that he identifies not just as a scheduling issue, but as a deep-seated spiritual problem (7:01). Drawing from the biblical story of Mary and Martha (9:51), he explains that while both sisters had good intentions, Martha became overwhelmed by her attempts to serve, while Mary chose the "one thing" that mattered most: sitting at the feet of Jesus (10:36, 18:27). Pastor Rick offers five practical principles to help believers escape the cycle of hurry and find rest for their souls: Abide before attempting to achieve: Prioritize your relationship with God through worship and prayer before checking your phone or starting your to-do list (17:27, 23:18). Stop obsessing over every detail: Do not let the pursuit of perfection or urgent tasks distract you from being present and connected with people (25:55, 30:51). Focus on the one thing that matters most: Continually evaluate your priorities, eliminate distractions, and elevate God and your relationships to the top of your list (32:29, 37:05). Be fully present: Practice single-tasking, give others your full attention, and remember that life is short—be wise with your time (41:51, 46:07). Create margin for connection: Build quiet moments into your day, observe a weekly Sabbath, and leave space for God to interrupt your plans (47:39, 52:10). The message concludes with an invitation to find rest in Jesus, emphasizing his promise in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (54:43). 0:00 Welcome and Announcements 2:03 Escaping the Hurry Trap 7:06 Hurry is a Spiritual Problem 9:51 The Story of Mary and Martha 12:13 Five Ways Hurry Becomes a Problem 17:26 Principle 1: Abide Before Attempting to Achieve 25:56 Principle 2: Stop Obsessing Over Every Detail 32:29 Principle 3: Focus on the One Thing That Matters Most 41:51 Principle 4: Be Fully Present 47:38 Principle 5: Create Margin for Connection 54:43 Matthew 11;28-30 and Conclusion

f you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src... We were never meant to follow Jesus alone. Join us as we launch WE OVER ME, a theme that will shape our teaching, conversations, ministries, and culture throughout the year at Grace as we discover why we really are better together. To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ This video, led by Pastor Rick Long at Grace Church, introduces the church's annual theme for the year: "We Over Me." The message focuses on the biblical principle of humility and prioritizing others above oneself (14:11 - 15:02). Core Pillars of "We Over Me": Stop making everything about yourself: Pastor Rick emphasizes that we have become a culture obsessed with self-importance, but life is ultimately about God and serving others (18:46 - 19:10). Choose connection over isolation: The pastor urges the congregation to commit to the local church body rather than choosing isolation, highlighting that we are designed for community (31:49 - 32:00). Look for ways to serve: Using the example of Jesus in Mark 10:45, the message challenges believers to shift their mentality from "what can I get?" to "what can I give?" (45:36 - 46:27). Care more about unity than being right: The pastor warns against division and encourages maintaining unity in the church, rather than winning arguments or proving points (51:51 - 52:07). Additional Highlights: Salvation Invitation: The pastor offers an opportunity for those watching or present to accept Jesus as their savior (1:01:34 - 1:03:30). Forge Christian High School: The video concludes with a brief presentation about the Education Freedom Tax Credit coming in 2027, encouraging church members to support scholarships for students (1:04:34 - 1:07:53). 0:00 Introduction 0:40 Annual theme: We Over Me 6:06 The importance of vision 14:11 Introducing the theme: We Over Me 18:46 Pillar 1: Stop making everything about yourself 31:49 Pillar 2: Choose connection over isolation 45:36 Pillar 3: Look for ways to serve 51:51 Pillar 4: Care more about unity than being right 1:01:34 Salvation invitation 1:04:34 Forge Christian High School and Tax Credit

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose. To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose. To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ In this message, Pastor Rick Long teaches about navigating overwhelming situations by examining the story of King Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20 (5:07). He emphasizes that while struggles and anxiety are a normal part of life, believers can find peace by intentionally shifting their focus from the size of their problems to the power of God (37:56). Key principles for managing times when life feels like "too much": Admit the situation is bigger than you: Acknowledge your limitations and seek help from God and your community rather than trying to carry the burden alone (19:52, 22:04). Bring your attention back to God: Anxiety grows when we focus on problems, but peace is found by fixing our thoughts on God's character and promises (32:23, 37:39). Fill your mind with praise instead of panic: Jehoshaphat appointed singers to lead his army into battle, showing that worship can redirect the heart from fear to confidence (42:20, 42:49). Release the need to control: Surrender the pressure to manage every outcome and trust that God is working even when the way forward is not yet visible (47:24, 49:31). Show up and walk by faith: Faith is an action; we are called to move forward in obedience while trusting in God's ultimate victory (51:21, 52:44). 0:00 Introduction and Announcements 5:07 Introduction to King Jehoshaphat 7:52 When Life Feels Like "Too Much" 17:48 Fact 1: Admitting the Situation is Bigger Than You 32:23 Fact 2: Bring Attention Back to God 42:20 Fact 3: Fill Your Mind With Praise Instead of Panic 47:24 Fact 4: Release the Need to Control 49:31 Fact 5: Trust That God is Working 51:21 Walking by Faith 54:22 Legacy of Faithfulness 57:49 Salvation and Closing Prayer

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose. To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ In this message titled "Don't Waste the Waiting," Pastor Rick Long explores the life of Joseph from the Old Testament to teach listeners how to find purpose during seasons of delay, struggle, and uncertainty. He emphasizes that for Christians, periods of waiting are not evidence of abandonment, but rather proof of divine preparation (9:02-9:21). Key Themes from Joseph's Life: • God Gives a Promise (13:06 - 24:00): Just as Joseph had dreams of leadership before his trials began, God often reveals a destination before showing the process. The pastor encourages viewers to hold onto God's promises even when the path is difficult. • God Develops Character in the Pit (24:11 - 31:12): The "pit" represents seasons of betrayal, rejection, and confusion. Pastor Rick clarifies that these moments are discipline and preparation, not punishment, meant to remove pride and shape one's character for future influence. • Endurance in Obscurity (31:14 - 44:00): Whether serving in Potiphar's house or prison, Joseph succeeded because the Lord was with him. The message highlights that faithfulness in small, mundane tasks is the prerequisite for greater responsibility. • Full Dependence on God (44:00 - 51:08): Through imprisonment and being forgotten, Joseph learned to rely entirely on God rather than his own circumstances or plans. • The Ultimate Purpose (51:10 - 57:00): Eventually, Joseph is elevated to the right hand of Pharaoh to save his family and the nation. The pastor connects this to the life of Jesus, who also endured suffering to offer salvation to many. Core Takeaway: God never wastes a hurt or a season of waiting. If you are currently in a "pit," a season of waiting, or a difficult job, the message encourages you to change your perspective: God is preparing you for something greater than you can currently imagine. At the end of the service, the pastor invites those who have not accepted Jesus to make that decision (58:55-1:01:13) and shares updates regarding the church's Forge Fury Classic golf tournament (1:01:46-1:03: 0:00 Welcome and Announcements 0:40 Introduction to the Series: Stories of Struggle 3:14 Defining "Don't Waste the Waiting" 10:57 The Life of Joseph: A Journey Through Seasons 13:04 1. God Gives a Promise 24:10 2. God Develops Character in the Pit 31:12 3. God Builds Endurance (Potiphar’s House) 43:56 4. God Teaches Full Dependence (Prison) 51:10 5. God Reveals the Ultimate Purpose (Palace) 58:55 Gospel Invitation and Conclusion 1:01:13 Ministry Updates and Closing

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose. To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ In this message titled Not Enough, Rick Long explores the biblical story of Gideon to address feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and fear. The sermon emphasizes that God frequently calls insecure individuals to significant missions, focusing not on personal capability, but on trust and obedience to Him (22:24 - 22:35). Key themes and principles discussed include: The Cycle of Sin: Long describes a five-step cycle found in the book of Judges: salvation, sin/rebellion, oppression/discipline, crying out for help, and restoration. He warns that even in times of peace, passivity and complacency can lead one back into this cycle (16:46 - 19:20). Overcoming Comparison: Gideon initially felt he was the least in his family and tribe (26:50 - 27:08). Long explains that insecurity grows when we measure our worth against others. He urges the audience to stop comparing themselves to their peers and instead focus on what God has gifted them to do (25:37 - 25:52, 32:00 - 32:40). Presence Over Performance: A central point is that fake confidence protects one's image but never heals the heart (42:23 - 42:28). True confidence comes from God’s presence, not personal performance (44:12 - 44:17). Long highlights that God's response to insecurity is "I am with you" (45:50 - 45:55). Faith Through Obedience: Long argues that faith grows when we obey before we feel fully confident or ready (49:31 - 49:55). Using the example of Gideon tearing down his father's altar to Baal, he encourages the audience to tear down their own idols and take steps of obedience, even while feeling scared (50:18 - 52:45). Dependence on God: The story of Gideon's army being reduced to 300 men demonstrates that God often allows situations larger than ourselves to ensure we rely on His power, not our own strength (57:06 - 58:05, 1:00:37 - 1:00:48). The sermon concludes by reminding viewers that their limitations do not have to be their identity, citing the example of Lionel Messi as a modern-day parallel of overcoming physical limitations through faith and persistence (1:01:32 - 1:03:50). The message ends with a call for the audience to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and to release whatever they are holding back from God (1:05:07 - 1:07:50). 0:00 Introduction & Announcements 0:41 Series Intro: Stories of Struggle 1:08 Anthem: The Power to Never Quit 4:46 Our Mission: Whiz Kids Partnership 8:30 Overcoming Insecurity: Gideon's Story 12:20 Four Reasons We Feel Inadequate 14:48 The Cycle of Sin 20:30 Gideon’s Calling in the Wine Press 24:52 Principle 1: Quit Measuring Yourself by Others 33:09 Principle 2: Be Honest With God About Insecurities 44:04 Principle 3: Confidence in God’s Presence 49:31 Principle 4: Obey Before You Feel Confident 57:06 Principle 5: Depend on God Instead of Proving Yourself 1:01:32 Modern Example: Lionel Messi 1:05:07 Closing & Salvation Call

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose. To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/ In this message titled Loving Through Betrayal, Pastor Rick Long explores the emotional and spiritual complexities of betrayal through the biblical story of the prophet Hosea (0:40). The sermon addresses how to navigate personal hurt and bitterness by focusing on God's grace and restoration. Key themes and takeaways: Understanding Betrayal: Pastor Long notes that while we have all been betrayed and have betrayed others, God is the only truly innocent party who has been consistently betrayed by humanity (1:53 - 12:51). The Lesson of Hosea: God commanded Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, Gomer, to serve as a living metaphor for God's relationship with a wayward Israel. Despite her repeated unfaithfulness, Hosea was called to love and buy her back, mirroring the redemptive love of Jesus Christ (8:00 - 12:11). Five Steps to Healing: Face your pain: Bring your hurts to God rather than suppressing them (18:10). Seek God in the desert: Use painful seasons as an opportunity for God to speak tenderly to you and draw you back to Him (26:46). Release bitterness immediately: Bitterness is a choice that poisons the heart; it must be surrendered to prevent it from destroying you (29:54). Receive healing: Focus on restoration rather than just reconciliation, allowing God to restore your ability to trust, love, and hope (41:52). Find your identity in God: When your worth is rooted in God's unconditional love, rejection and betrayal cannot destroy your purpose (48:31). Closing Encouragement: Pastor Long concludes by emphasizing that God’s response to brokenness is always restoration (46:08). He invites viewers to trust Jesus as their savior and to lean on the community of faith, such as Celebrate Recovery or small groups, to process grief and find healing (55:46 - 57:50). 0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - The Series: Stories of Struggle 1:53 - Understanding Betrayal 8:00 - The Story of Hosea and Gomer 12:51 - God's Perspective on Religious Activity vs. Love 18:10 - Step 1: Face Your Pain 23:31 - Step 2: Ask God into Your Brokenness 29:54 - Step 3: Release Bitterness Immediately 41:52 - Step 4: Receive Healing 48:31 - Step 5: Find Your Identity in God 55:46 - Invitation to Trust Jesus 58:50 - Church Announcements and Closing