The Comparison Trap | Brad Straarup

Don't Go Back | Brad Straarup

What do you do when following God gets harder than you expected? In Week 3 of In the Waiting, Brad teaches from Joshua 7 and reminds us that just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you misheard God. Israel had crossed the Jordan, seen Jericho fall, and stepped into the land God promised them. But after one painful defeat at Ai, Joshua started wondering if they should have stayed on the other side. Sometimes the same thing happens to us. We obey God. We take the step. We start moving forward. And then the process gets harder than we thought. But hard doesn’t mean go back. This message is for anyone who has started following Jesus, started building something, started healing, started obeying, or started walking into what God promised, but now feels tempted to retreat to what was familiar. Hard doesn’t mean you misheard God. Hard doesn’t mean God left you. Hard doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Don’t go back. LINKS * Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.spiritchurch.co/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church [https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church [https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church]

Walk While You Wait | Brad Straarup

This week in our series “In the Waiting,” Brad shares a message for anyone who feels stuck between what God said and what they’re currently experiencing. Through the story of the blind man in John 9, we’re reminded that sometimes the greatest act of faith isn’t sitting still — it’s taking the next step before you have all the answers. Because often, we’re not actually waiting on God… we’re waiting on certainty. Waiting on clarity. Waiting until we feel ready. But what if God has already spoken? In this message, we talk about: • The difference between waiting and procrastinating • Why delayed obedience is still disobedience • What to do when you don’t have certainty or clarity • How to keep walking when life doesn’t make sense • Why faith often means moving before you see the outcome If you’ve been waiting for healing, freedom, restoration, direction, or breakthrough — we pray this message encourages you to trust God enough to take the next step. Even when you can’t see the full picture yet. Because sometimes the miracle doesn’t happen before the movement… it happens in the middle of your obedience. LINKS * Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.spiritchurch.co/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church [https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church [https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church]

Work the Wait | Brad Straarup

This week, we kicked off a brand new series called “In the Waiting.” If you’ve ever felt stuck between what God promised and what you’re currently experiencing… this message is for you. In this message, Brad walks through the story of David’s anointing in 1 Samuel 16 and reminds us that some of the most important work God does in our lives happens in the middle — between the promise and the payoff. Because waiting seasons aren’t wasted seasons. They’re preparation seasons. In this message, you’ll discover: • Why God often develops us in hidden seasons • How to trust God when life feels delayed • Why pain and waiting still have purpose • What David’s waiting season teaches us about preparation • How to “work your wait” instead of wasting it Just because you’re not there yet… doesn’t mean God isn’t working. LINKS * Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.spiritchurch.co/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church [https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church [https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church]

The Comparison Trap | Brad Straarup

Ever feel like you’re doing okay… until you start looking at someone else’s life? Comparison has a way of quietly stealing your joy, distorting your identity, and distracting you from the life God actually called you to live. In this message, we look at the story of Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29 and uncover how comparison leads to striving, insecurity, and rivalry—and how God invites us into something better. In this message, you’ll learn: • Why comparison is the fastest way to kill your joy • How to stop measuring your life against others • The difference between learning from others vs. comparing yourself to them • How to rediscover your God-given calling and dream again • Why gratitude and praise are the key to contentment Because the problem isn’t what you see… it’s what you say to yourself after you see it. 📖 Scriptures referenced: Genesis 29:30–35 • Hebrews 12:1–2 • 2 Corinthians 10:12 • Ephesians 2:10 • Proverbs 29:18 • Galatians 6:4–5 🙌 Next Step: Take time this week to ask God: “Where am I comparing—and what have You actually called me to?” Write it down. Refocus. Run your race. 🌐 spiritchurch.co 📍 Spirit Church (Chandler, AZ) Sundays • 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM LINKS * Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.spiritchurch.co/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church [https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church [https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church]

How to Read the Letters | Brad Straarup

Why does the New Testament feel confusing sometimes? Because we often read the letters like random verses… when they were actually written as real messages to real people, in real situations. In the final week of our “How to Read the Bible” series, we unpack how to read the New Testament letters the way they were meant to be read—so they actually make sense and transform your life. In this message, you’ll learn: • What the New Testament letters (epistles) actually are • Why context changes everything when you read the Bible • How to understand what was happening then before applying it now • The big picture of every New Testament letter—from Romans to Jude • Why reading a few verses at a time might be missing the point Because our goal can’t be just to know Scripture, we have to understand what it means—and respond to what it says. 📖 Scriptures referenced: Matthew 4:4 • Acts 1:8 • Matthew 28:19–20 • James 1:22 • Romans 1:16 • Philippians 4:4 • Revelation 21:3–5 🙌 Next Step: This week, don’t just read a verse—read a whole letter. Start with Philippians, Ephesians, or James. Watch what changes when you see the full picture. 🌐 spiritchurch.co [http://spiritchurch.co] 📍 Spirit Church (Chandler, AZ) Sundays • 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM LINKS * Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.spiritchurch.co/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church [https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church [https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church]