Refuge Church Ojai Valley

Shame into Shouts

At the heart of the Bible is a claim that God is a God of making things new.  Jesus even says that is part of his work. So what does that look like? Is that just in the Bible or is that for us too? Do we have to wait until we die to experience redemption and renewal or can God make that happen for us today? Join us as we dive into the story of Esther in our "Jesus is Better" series. #bible #sermons #sermon

David: "Flannel Board Failure"

The story of David and Goliath is often, even in church circles, twisted into a moral tale of how you can conquer your Goliaths. That is not the story of Jesus. David’s life is one of beauty and tragedy, but it is not one to emulate. When Jesus comes he shows us that “we” are terrible saviors but thankfully God has provided exactly what we need. #savior #kingjesus #faith #dependance #trustGod

The God Who Climbs Mountains

There is a story in the bible that raises all kinds of questions. The father (Abraham) is asked by God to sacrifice his son (Isaac.) Its a wild event that can leave readers asking why. When you dig deep into this story it starts to reveal powerful themes of what it looks like to trust God and just how loving and trustworthy He is in how he provides. #faith #sermon

Jesus is Better: Trust and Faith

Join our Guest Speaker, Scott Harland from Real Life Church, as we look at the life of Abraham and how God used his failures and flaws to shape into a man of faith and trust. #faith #trust

Jesus is Better: Justice and Mercy

Everyone thinks they know the story of Cain and Abel. A jealous brother lets his anger get the best of him and he kills his brother. But what is really happening there? What does the story of Cain and Abel tell us about God, and ultimately how does Jesus figure into the story? It's a powerful and grace filled lesson for people who are guilty and need mercy and it's a liberating and freeing story for those who desire justice. 

What Do I Deserve?

There are two stories in two different gardens that get at the heart of who God is and who we are. One is a story of disobedience and blame and the other is a story of trust and sacrifice. One story is our inheritance and in our DNA and the other is our gift if we choose to receive it. #sermons

Good News Next Door - Michael Johnson

Just like every hiking trail has a path to follow, God has laid out a path to salvation for us to follow. This week, Michael Johnson from Shepherds Church in Porter Ranch, shares with us from Romans 10 on the path to salvation and the heart of God. #sermons #church #salvation

Pray Always

For a Christian, prayer is like breathing; we can’t exist without it.  James makes that clear when he calls the whole church into a lifestyle of prayer. He says if you are hurting or are sick then pray. Or if you are happy and cheerful then pray. His book is an invitations into bringing anything and everything to God in prayer. #prayer #livingpower #livingword #sermons #praying #howtopray 

Watch Your Mouth

The tongue is the most powerful weapon that each of us controls. James is very clear about that. He says bluntly that our tongue can be used to start raging wildfires that destroy, or it can be used to praise God and resist the devil. When our world today talks about the tongue it invites all of us to say what we want when we want, but James says thats a foolish way to live your the faith and the Jesus way to live your faith is by controlling and submitting your tongue to God. 

The True Pathway to “Do”

It’s hard to find a person who enjoys being a hypocrite. We don’t like thinking one way and acting another, but often its what we find ourselves doing.  We want to be “good” people and we want to do “good” things, but its not as easy as it sounds.  So where does that leave us as followers of Jesus? James shows us the heart of what it means to love God and “do” good things. #faith #followingjesus