Biblically-based MEssages for every season of life.

When Faith Gets Stuck: Moving Beyond the Mirror
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

When Faith Gets Stuck: Moving Beyond the Mirror

Are you tired of hearing the same spiritual truths but seeing no real change in your life? James 1 warns that listening to God’s word without doing what it says is like looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting your own face. Discover how to move past the "starting line" of grace and step into the authentic growth that only comes through action. Learn how simple practices like prayer, generosity, and service can transform your faith from a stagnant belief into a life-changing journey.

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How to Actually Change in the new year
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

How to Actually Change in the new year

Are you already struggling to keep your New Year’s resolutions? Most of us chase new outcomes using the same old habits, but the truth is that old keys can't unlock new doors. Instead of offering a slightly better version of your old self, Jesus invites you into a completely new identity. Discover how the ancient wisdom of "new wineskins" can break your cycle of frustration and help you trade self-improvement for a life of true, lasting transformation in 2026.

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What Does It mean to be born again?
Cigi Embry Cigi Embry

What Does It mean to be born again?

As the Christmas decorations come down and a new year begins, many of us are left wondering, "Now what?" Discover the profound meaning behind Jesus’s invitation to be "born again" as we explore the famous midnight conversation with Nicodemus. Learn why spiritual growth is about your heart’s posture rather than religious checkboxes, and how you can lean into the daily privilege of walking with the Spirit in 2026.

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God Is Closer Than You Think: The Christmas Message Behind "All I Want for Christmas Is You"
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

God Is Closer Than You Think: The Christmas Message Behind "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Could Mariah Carey’s iconic holiday anthem actually point to a profound spiritual truth? Behind the catchy melody of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" lies the story of a God who is constantly moving closer to His creation. From the garden of Genesis to the birth of Jesus, discover how the doctrine of prevenient grace proves that God has been chasing after you long before you ever started seeking Him.

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Finding True Joy in a Season of Stress: What "Joy to the World" Really Teaches Us
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Finding True Joy in a Season of Stress: What "Joy to the World" Really Teaches Us

Feeling stressed despite the Christmas season? Discover the surprising, non-holiday origins of the hymn "Joy to the World" and learn where true joy is really found. This message uses the powerful story of Paul and Silas in prison to show how genuine, Christ-anchored joy interrupts despair, brings healing, and fuels real-life transformation.

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Finding Our Way Home This Christmas: The Promise That Changes Everything
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Finding Our Way Home This Christmas: The Promise That Changes Everything

Do you long for a deeper sense of belonging and peace this Christmas? Discover the universal craving for "home" through Isaiah's prophecy and the birth of Jesus. Learn how the four titles of Christ—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace—offer the only true way out of chaos and into the safety of God's presence.

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When Hope Shines from Unexpected Places
Jim Preisig Jim Preisig

When Hope Shines from Unexpected Places

Feeling lost in the darkness of the "winter nights" of life? Discover the radical hope of Christmas that emerged not from a grand city, but from the obscurity of Nazareth. Learn from Mary's courageous "yes" how to choose hope over fear, find strength in God's presence, and persevere through life's blinding challenges.

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When Your Words Reveal Your Heart: Unsubscribing from Rudeness This Holiday Season
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

When Your Words Reveal Your Heart: Unsubscribing from Rudeness This Holiday Season

Do your words betray your best intentions, especially during the stressful holiday season? Discover Jesus' powerful teaching that "what you say flows from what is in your heart." Learn two practical steps to identify the root causes of rudeness, overcome negative speech patterns, and cultivate a heart that naturally produces kindness, peace, and grace.

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Unsubscribe from Anger: Finding Peace This Holiday Season
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Unsubscribe from Anger: Finding Peace This Holiday Season

Feeling overwhelmed by holiday stress and strong emotions? Discover how to "unsubscribe" from the anger, bitterness, and irritation that clutter your life. Based on the wisdom of James 1:19, learn three essential steps—being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger—to declutter your heart and find genuine peace this holiday season.

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15 Ways to Make Christmas More Meaningful This Year
The Summit Church The Summit Church

15 Ways to Make Christmas More Meaningful This Year

Christmas is a great time of year to make memories as a family, memories that will last a lifetime and may even be passed down to future generations. This time year gets busy very quickly with Christmas shopping, parties, and services. Here are 15 things to do this year to make Christmas more memorable.

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The 12 Best Things to Do in Lee’s Summit This Holiday Season
The Summit Church The Summit Church

The 12 Best Things to Do in Lee’s Summit This Holiday Season

The holidays in Lee’s Summit are filled with light, laughter, and community—and this year, there’s more happening than ever. Whether you’re looking for festive family traditions, ways to serve others, or a fun night out with friends, there’s something for everyone right here in our city (and just beyond).

Here are 12 of our favorite things to do in Lee’s Summit and the Kansas City area this Christmas season.

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Covered in the Dust of Jesus: How Following Him Transforms Everything
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Covered in the Dust of Jesus: How Following Him Transforms Everything

What if following Jesus meant getting "dusty"? Discover the profound meaning behind the ancient blessing, "May you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi," and how proximity to Christ transforms everything. Learn the 5 core practices that move you from being a church spectator to an active participant in a movement that brings life and hope to your community.

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How To Help With SNAP Benefits Lapsing
The Summit Church The Summit Church

How To Help With SNAP Benefits Lapsing

With the recent government shutdown affecting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding, many families in our community are struggling to put food on the table. The Summit Church in Lee’s Summit is stepping up to meet this need through our Thanksgiving outreach and local food pantry partnerships.

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To Infinity and Beyond: Experiencing God's Limitless Power in Your Life
Cigi Embry Cigi Embry

To Infinity and Beyond: Experiencing God's Limitless Power in Your Life

Stop limiting God! Inspired by Buzz Lightyear's famous phrase, discover how God's "mighty power at work within us" can accomplish infinitely more than you can ask or think, just as promised in Ephesians 3:20. Learn the five key practices that align your heart with God's and unlock limitless possibilities in your life.

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What is God’s love Like?
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

What is God’s love Like?

Are you tired of just knowing about God? Discover the profound difference between head knowledge and heart experience as explored in Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. Learn how to fully surrender to Christ's love—a love that is wider than your past, longer than your failures, and deeper than your shame—to find completeness and inner power.

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Is Jesus a Guest or Homeowner in Your Heart?
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Is Jesus a Guest or Homeowner in Your Heart?

Are you only giving God "smart lock" access to your life? Discover the difference between treating Jesus like a temporary visitor and inviting Him to take up permanent residence in your heart. Learn how surrendering full control unleashes God's unlimited inner strength, leading to true, lasting transformation.

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Are You Exhausted From Trying to Be God?
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Are You Exhausted From Trying to Be God?

Are 4 AM worries leaving you drained? Discover the surprising reason for your exhaustion: trying to carry weights meant only for God. This message, rooted in Paul's prayer of surrender, offers a countercultural path to peace by releasing control, embracing humility, and letting God's power work within you.

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Joy: The Serious Business of Heaven
The Summit Church The Summit Church

Joy: The Serious Business of Heaven

Why are so many Christians grumpy? Discover how to stop the "leak in your Christianity" and reclaim the profound, unshakable joy promised to believers. This message explores the serious business of heavenly joy, teaching you how to choose contentment, find spiritual refreshment ("your vine"), and leave a lasting legacy of hope, even in suffering.

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The Question That Changes Everything: Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

The Question That Changes Everything: Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Standing at the "gates of hell," Jesus asked a single question that still defines life today: "Who do you say I am?" Discover the profound difference between viewing Jesus as a vending machine or a Lord, and learn how Peter's bold declaration can transform your identity, priorities, and entire life.

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Salvation Is For Today: Why Following Jesus Matters Right Now
Ryan Schreckenghaust Ryan Schreckenghaust

Salvation Is For Today: Why Following Jesus Matters Right Now

Is salvation just about the afterlife? Discover why the answer is a resounding no. This message explores how salvation is a comprehensive rescue plan from God that offers present-day peace, ongoing transformation, and an unshakable hope for the future. Learn to live a life of purpose, starting right now.

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