Refuge Church Ojai Valley

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

Ask God: Get Wisdom

When it comes to life every single one of us faces trial and difficulty.  We all have times of suffering. What is a follower of Jesus supposed to do in those moments? What is promised us? James gets very specific in the Bible that in those moments God is ready and willing to give us exactly what we need. #faith #wisdom #trustingod #encouragement

Vintage Faith: "Consider it Joy"

Real faith considers. Real faith produces endurance. Real faith makes us complete.This week we begin a new series through the book of James called Vintage Faith. In chapter 1 we're encouraged and challenged that even in trials we have hope that God is working in way that will change everything. We don’t have to fake joy and we don’t have to pretend it's easy, but God can grow authentic Faith in us as we endure difficulties while he makes us complete. #faith #endurance #trials #bookofjames

The Unhurried Mind

Ever find yourself there but not really there? How about easily annoyed with people? This week, our guest speaker, Conor Le Blanc of Real Life Church, helps us see how Jesus modeled being present and, if we are going to live like He did, why it's so important that we also figure out how to live present! #beingpresent #unhurried #hurry #peace

Bootcamp: "This is How We Fight Our Battles"

Last week we learned that God doesn’t mature us and grow us up just to be silent and complacent. One of the ways he calls us to live is through spiritual warfare. We are called to announce his kingdom and do battle on his behalf. But battle is a big word and brings all kinds of things to mind. What does God mean? What does it look like to live it out? This week we will dive deep into what it means to be his people and exactly what it looks like to fight our battle.  #spiritualwarfare #faith #followingGod