One of the hardest things we ever learn as Christ followers is waiting on God. Yet it is one of the Lord’s favorite tools to purify our desires and to mature in our faith. Today we will look at a rarely talked about part of the Christmas story, but one that has so much to draw from to help us in our times of waiting.

When people met Jesus and realized that he was the Messiah, their lives were forever changed. The title “Messiah” literally means the “anointed one” or the “chosen one” sent by God to bring liberation. The title “Christ” also means the same.

The good news is that it is still the same today as it was 2000 years ago. When people today come to realize that Jesus is indeed the Messiah who sets them free from the penalty of sin, death and evil, their faith in him enables them to begin a new life with Christ - having received his forgiveness and the power of a new birth.

God’s mission is still in effect and followers of Jesus are still the ones to bring hope to our world. This week we will take a very hands-on and practical approach to applying the message. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses….” While we’re not all called to be evangelists, every Christian is called to share the Good News of Jesus.

How many hours have you spent searching for that perfect Christmas present for the ones you love? Constantly seeing options, and constantly questioning which one is the right option. Hoping and waiting for that perfect gift to make itself known to you. Much like that, we are constantly searching in our lives. Throughout every season of life, people are searching—searching for purpose, peace, direction, hope, or the “one thing” they feel is missing. In the same way, throughout generations the people of God were waiting and searching for one thing above all else: the Messiah — the anointed one sent by God to save the world. They waited through seasons of struggle, despair, sin, and joy looking for the One who would bring salvation and restoration. The Christmas story reveals to the world that Jesus is what the world has been waiting for. He is that Messiah, the Christ, the One sent to bring light, new life, and the presence of God into the world. The Gospels show us not only what Jesus did, but what He still does in the lives of those who encounter Him.

Hello and welcome to Episode 2 of the Dwelling Place with Pastor Kristine Ashley.

On today's episode, we welcome a very special guest, Laura Littleton, as we discuss her journey and the heart of worship.

We hope this episode is a blessing to you, and we are so excited to continue this journey with you all!

As we step into the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we’re surrounded by opportunities for joy — yet many of us still feel like something is missing. In this message, we’re reminded that the joy we need isn’t found in holidays, possessions, or perfect circumstances. Paul’s call to “always be full of joy in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4) may seem unrealistic — until we realize that true joy is not about what happens around us, but what’s happening within us through the Holy Spirit. Christian joy is deep and beautiful. But in order to really discover the Joy we need we must define it to understand it. Let’s use this definition of joy for the next couple of weeks.

Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, and expressed through our life, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in and around the world.

Trust doesn’t happen instantly—it’s something that develops over time as we experience God’s faithfulness. From the Israelites’ journey in Exodus, we learn that God doesn’t just want to deliver us; He wants to teach us to trust Him in every step—through His direction, provision, and presence. This study invites us to reflect on how God has revealed His character and proven Himself trustworthy, even when life doesn’t make sense. Just like Israel, we are invited to trust Him not only in our words but in our choices, our perspective, and our daily obedience.

Hello and welcome to The Dwelling Place, a Bridge Church Podcast with Pastor Kristine.

Hello and welcome to the Dwelling Place, a podcast where we reflect on the beauty of our Savior and build relationships with our fellow sisters. I pray this space is sacred for you, and that you can enter into God's presence in peace and love through discussion and encouragement!

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