Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Made to Flourish #5 - Spirituality
In this message from Genesis 1:26-28, Pastor Bryce Vaught reveals how we can truly flourish spiritually in three essential ways: by grounding our lives in God's truth, growing in unwavering trust, and cultivating authentic community with others. Discover how to break free from the lies that hold you back and step into the abundant spiritual life God designed you to live.
The Ted Cruz-Tucker Carlson Debate: What Does the Bible Really Say About Supporting Israel?
Pastor Brady Randall tackles the complex question of whether Christians are biblically mandated to support modern-day Israel, examining what Scripture really says about God's chosen people today. Discover how biblical passages like Genesis 12 and Romans 9-11 should shape Christian perspectives on Israel, salvation, and Middle East policy.
Made to Flourish #4 - Money
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-24 about money's spiritual power, revealing how our treasure leads our heart rather than the reverse. Discover how to avoid the seven spiritual dangers of money and unlock God's blessing through faithful stewardship that creates opportunity rather than bondage.
Made to Flourish #3 - Family
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund examines Ephesians 6:1-4 to reveal God's design for family, emphasizing that parents are called primarily to nurture their children's spiritual well-being rather than merely pursuing worldly success. This message reminds us that while we should balance encouragement with admonishment in raising children, God offers abundant mercy and peace even when—like the perfect Father whose children sometimes rebel—we don't get everything right.
Seven Ancient Worship Disciplines from Richard Foster's Timeless Wisdom
Dan Shields explores Richard Foster's wisdom on worship, showing how we need more than knowing about God—we must experience His presence. Discover seven ancient disciplines that transform worship from routine religious activity into life-giving encounters with the living God in both corporate gatherings and daily life.
Made to Flourish #2 - Marriage
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Genesis 1-2 and Jesus' teaching in Mark 10 to reveal how God designed marriage as a picture of Christ's relationship with the church, showing that even imperfect relationships can flourish when we understand this profound mystery. Whether you're single, married, or struggling in your relationship, discover how God's perfect love through Jesus transforms our ability to love others and gives us hope that transcends our earthly circumstances.
Made to Flourish #1 - Work
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund begins a new message series called Made to Flourish. He explores Genesis 1-2 to reveal God's original design for work as a pre-fall mandate, showing that our value comes from being created in God's image rather than from our productivity. This powerful message challenges our culture's tendency to define ourselves by our careers, inviting us to embrace both meaningful work and sacred rest as God intended, finding true flourishing in the balance He established from creation.
Messages in Malachi: Minutes, Marriage, and Mindset
In her insightful exploration of Malachi, Emily DeAngelo unpacks three transformative themes—minutes, marriage, and mindset—challenging us to examine how we worship, honor our covenant relationships, and fix our thoughts on Christ's redemptive promise for our everyday lives.
Encountering the Risen Christ #6 - Sacrifice
Jonathan Thiede concludes the Encountering the Risen Christ series exploring John 21:18-23. He reveals how Jesus calls each believer to a uniquely personal path of sacrifice rather than comparing our journeys with others. He invites us to find freedom and contentment by fixing our eyes on Jesus and surrendering to God's will, even when our sacrifices seem disproportionate or unfair.
From Captive to Bride: How Deuteronomy 21 Foreshadows Christ's Grace
Considering a challenging passage in Deuteronomy 21, Matt Wicks reveals how this passage beautifully foreshadows the Gospel Message and highlights how foreign and undeserved God’s grace is to us. Just as captive women were conquered, cleansed, and elevated to the status of bride, so too are believers—once captives of sin—conquered by Christ, born again, and made the bride of Christ.
Encountering the Risen Christ #5 - Insecurity
Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, explores John 21:1-19, revealing how Jesus meets us exactly where we are—even in our insecurity and failure—while inviting us to something greater than worldly comfort and priorities. Through Peter's restoration after denying Christ, we learn that God's grace empowers us to follow Him despite our shortcomings, challenging us to invest our lives in what truly matters beyond this world.
Encountering the Risen Christ #4 - Doubt
Russ Brasher and Emily DeAngelo explore John 20:24-31, revealing how Jesus compassionately meets Thomas in his doubts, demonstrating that our questions aren't obstacles but opportunities for deeper faith. Their message offers profound hope that Jesus isn't intimidated by our uncertainties but instead uses them to strengthen our belief, encouraging us to bring our doubts directly to Him rather than hiding them.
Contrasting Saul and David: How to Be a Man After God’s Heart
Bryce Vaught explores three key differences between these biblical kings that reveal what it means to reflect God's heart. David's faithful shepherding, spiritual sensitivity, and humble repentance stand in stark contrast to Saul's negligence, spiritual dullness, and pride. Ultimately, David points us to Jesus—the perfect embodiment of God's heart whom we're called to emulate.
Encountering the Risen Christ #3 - Mission
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues the Encountering the Risen Christ series looking at John 20:19-23. Experience how encountering the risen Christ brings genuine peace and a transformative mission to share this peace with others—not through self-righteous moral demands but as "one beggar showing another beggar where they found bread," offering hope to all who know they're insufficient on their own.
How to Study the Bible for All It’s Worth
Discover a deeper understanding of the Bible with How to Study the Bible for All It's Worth. This blog teaches the inductive study method, helping you let Scripture interpret itself and uncover its true meaning. Whether you're new to Bible study or seeking deeper insight, this approach will transform how you read and apply God’s Word. Start your journey today!
Encountering the Risen Christ #2 - Hope
Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, continues the Encountering the Risen Christ series looking at Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ. He emphasizing how Jesus brings hope and restoration in our suffering by reminding us that our current struggles are temporary compared to the eternal restoration God promises.
Living Wholly for God: Escaping the Trap of Spiritual Seasonality
God isn't meant to be just another hobby we pick up and put down when life gets busy—He's meant to be the foundation of our entire existence. Discover how shifting your perspective from seeing faith as a compartment of your life to the framework for everything you do can transform your relationship with God and bring lasting fulfillment.
Encountering the Risen Christ #1 - Belief
Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, kicks off a new series starting with Easter called Encountering the Risen Christ. He examines how the disciples' discovery of Jesus's empty tomb led to belief in the resurrection, highlighting the historical evidence and prophetic fulfillment that demands our attention and response to this transformative event.
Sola Gratia #7 - Glorified by Grace
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund concludes the Sola Gratia series focusing on the doctrine of grace. He focuses on the topic of glorification showing how believers have an eternal inheritance through God's grace that, unlike earthly possessions, will never perish, spoil, or fade, offering hope and strength during life's trials.
No U-Hauls Behind Hearses: Embracing God’s Perspective on Wealth
This reflective blog post explores how financial volatility can test our relationship with God when it comes to managing our finances and planning for the future. Drawing from 1 Timothy 6, Brady Randall reminds us that true security comes not from wealth but from trusting God, who provides everything we need and calls us to generosity rather than anxiety over temporary possessions.