Connect Church Big Rapids Michigan

06/08/2026

The Mask We Wear
Devotional
We've all been there - standing in church, smiling and saying we're "blessed" while our hearts are breaking inside. The pressure to appear spiritually perfect can be overwhelming, leading us to hide behind carefully crafted masks. We rehearse our responses, polish our exterior, and present a version of ourselves that looks nothing like our internal reality. But here's the truth that might surprise you: God sees right through our performance. He knows when we're bleeding behind our blessings, when we're struggling behind our smiles. The mask we think protects us actually becomes a barrier between us and the healing we desperately need. God didn't come for the polished and perfect - He came for the broken and struggling. When we hide our true selves, we're essentially telling God that His grace isn't sufficient for our mess. But His love is big enough for our biggest failures, His mercy deep enough for our deepest wounds. Today, consider what mask you might be wearing. Is it the "I've got it all together" mask? The "my faith never wavers" mask? Whatever it is, know that God is inviting you to something better - authentic relationship where healing can actually begin.

Bible Verse
'I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living."' - Psalm 142:5 (New King James Version)
Reflection Question
What mask have you been wearing that might be preventing God from reaching the real you?

Quote
God cannot heal the fake version of you. He won't, because you're not even being honest with yourself.
Prayer
Father, help me recognize the masks I wear and give me courage to be authentic with You. You love the real me, not the performance I think I need to give.

06/08/2026

"God cannot heal a mask that you wear. He can only heal the heart that you bear." 💔➡️❤️ Time to tip your container upside down and let the weight hit the floor. Stop pretending you have it all together - God wants your honest struggle, not your polished performance.

06/08/2026

06/07/2026

Peter denied Jesus three times, but when their eyes met, Jesus didn't look at him with disgust - He looked at him with conviction and love. Your failures don't disqualify you from God's love! 🐓❤️

06/06/2026

Please join us for a night of worship and teaching from Pastor Mark! Join the live stream by clicking on the link below.

Worship with along with teaching from Pastor Mark!

06/06/2026

He is Risen
Devotional
The women arrived at the tomb expecting to find a body, but instead they found an angel with the most life-changing announcement in history: 'He is not here, he is risen.' Even Jesus' closest disciples struggled to believe it at first. The empty tomb was so unexpected, so impossible by human standards, that doubt was a natural response. Yet this empty tomb changes everything. It means that Jesus didn't just talk about having power over death - He proved it. It means that every promise He made is trustworthy because He backed up His words with the ultimate demonstration of power. The empty tomb is your guarantee that the same Jesus who conquered death is alive and present with you today. Sometimes we struggle to believe that Jesus is truly with us in our daily challenges. We might feel alone, abandoned, or forgotten. But the empty tomb reminds us that Jesus isn't a distant historical figure - He's a living Savior who walks with you through every season of life. When you feel overwhelmed, remember: the tomb is empty. When you face impossible circumstances, remember: the tomb is empty. When you doubt God's love for you, remember: the tomb is empty. This isn't just ancient history; it's your present hope.

Bible Verse
The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.' - Matthew 28:5-6
Reflection Question
How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection impact your daily struggles and fears?

Quote
He is not here, he is risen.
Prayer
Living Jesus, help me live with the confidence that comes from knowing You are alive and present with me every day.

06/06/2026

Stop letting your offenders write your story! 🔥 You have the authority in Christ to evict toxic people from your heart and mind. Fire them from being the authors of your destiny!