The mission of VBC Bridge Ministry is to equip and minister to God’s people by skillfully applying the word of God to the difficulties of life. I am passionate about that work because I have become convinced that out of all the possible options, the Bible has better answers to the challenges we face.

This sin-cursed world we live in is filled with troubles and trials – Jesus himself assured us that this was the case. “In this world, you will have tribulation,” he says to his disciples in John 16. “But take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus encouraged his disciples with these words, and they are for our encouragement as well. But sometimes we forget that the part quoted above isn’t the whole verse – it’s the second half.

Having just told his disciples that they would be scattered, that they would abandon him, that they would face deep grief and be parted from him. One might think that Jesus is complaining, or lashing out at his friends whom he knows will abandon him. But that’s not the point he’s making. He’s pointing them to a much bigger truth:

“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32, emphasis added).

Jesus is warning his disciples that trouble is coming – but he is also pointing them toward hope. Jesus is not excited about the coming trials; indeed, his agony and his apprehension will be on clear display in the Garden of Gethsemane later on in the narrative. But he knows where his hope comes from – his Father is with him.

And because his disciples believe in him, they (and by extension, we) have access to the same kind of solace:

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, emphasis added).

This is not the only place in Scripture where we see this truth laid out. Over and over throughout God’s word we are told to seek peace, joy, contentment, rest, and hope in Christ. Not in a pill or a bottle; not in human relationships or the latest mindfulness trend; not in mediation, yoga, or long walks on the beach; but in Christ.

But how do we do that, practically? That’s the topic I’m so excited to begin discussing more and more with you over the next months and years. It’s long past time for the church to regain it’s lost skill of applying God’s word to the difficulties of life – a skill that can and must go far past the “take two verses and call me in the morning” approach that many well-meaning Christians have been guilty of.

This Sunday, we’ll be starting a Sunday School class in the 9:30 hour that will begin discussing some of these topics; and later on this Fall, we’ll be hosting an Intro to Biblical Counseling course taught by the incredible team from Faith Bible Church. All of God’s people should be well-equipped to come alongside one another and point to the hope found in God’s words, and I’m grateful for these two upcoming opportunities to dive into how to do that effectively.

The Bible really does have better answers than our culture for the matters of the heart, soul, and mind – the very words of life, living and active, given to us that we might have everything needed for a soul to be at rest.

I hope to see some of you at the Sunday School class this weekend! And for those of you interested in registering for the Biblical Counseling course, you can do so here (https://fbchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2864352). If you are a member or regular attender of Valley Bible Church, we would like to cover part of the cost of this training – please send me an email for a discount code you can use when registering!