Sensitive, Not Just Spiritual

Jay Overbay • Pastor
May 21, 2026

5 Minute Read

More Available, and yet, Less Impactful

We are the most spiritually RESOURCED generation in the history of the church.

Think about that for a moment.

We have greater access to the Word of God and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God than any other generation before us (posts, podcasts, and playlists).

We’ve made “faith” CONVENIENT, COMFORTABLE, and even CUSTOMIZABLE - designed to fit around our schedule and our personal preferences. And yet, we’re missing the INGREDIENT that we need the most - a HEART that TREMBLES.

Here’s the reality: we can CONSUME CHRISTIAN CONTENT and not be MOVED ANY CLOSER TO GOD. And that’s the danger that we all face.

When Familiar Becomes Normal

The danger most of us face isn't OUTRIGHT REBELLION; it’s a SLOW DRIFT AWAY FROM GOD.

Our walk with God turns into a HABIT instead of being a HUNGER. Our Bible reading, prayer time, and attendance becomes more ROUTINE than a RELATIONSHIP. We stop expecting God to speak, we sing without considering the meaning of the words, and we sit through our devotion time and the preaching of God’s Word unmoved and unchanged.

We have allowed that which is FAMILIAR to replace CONVICTION with COMFORT and CONVENIENCE, and it came at the COST of CLOSENESS.

Sin is terrible, but it’s noticeable. Spiritual numbness and spiritual drift, in many ways, can be more dangerous because it quietly takes place under the guise of being spiritual.

The Kind Of Heart God Is Looking For

In Isaiah 66:2, God says, “…but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

God is looking for a heart that TREMBLES. And He tells us exactly what that looks like.

It's a heart that is POOR IN SPIRIT (one that has come to the end of itself; one that has stopped trusting in its own goodness and its own ability; and one that has recognized its absolute dependence on God).

It's a heart that is CONTRITE (broken over its own sin; not comfortable with what God calls wrong; that still feels the weight of failure before a just and holy God).

And it's a heart that TREMBLES AT HIS WORD (one that doesn't just read the Bible, but expects it to work; one that doesn't just hear truth, but actually responds to it).

Here’s the reality: before a heart will TREMBLE before God, it must first be EMPTIED of PRIDE. Pride is the greatest barrier to everything that God wants to do and everything that God is willing to do in and through us. A heart already full of itself has no room for what God wants to fill it with.

Sensitive vs. Spiritual

There is a difference between being SPIRITUAL and being SENSITIVE.

A person can be spiritual in APPEARANCE (attendance; activity) and still have an ATTITUDE that is insensitive to the voice and to the work of God in their heart.

True sensitivity to God isn't measured by how much Scripture you KNOW; it’s measured by whether or not God's Word still has the ability to REACH YOUR HEART (to convict you; to genuinely change you). It's measured by whether SIN still bothers you, and by whether HOLINESS still matters to you.

Does the Word of God still have authority in your heart?

Does it still have a say in your life?

Does it still stir you?

Or has it simply become familiar?

When God speaks, is your heart still soft enough to hear Him and to respond correctly to Him?

It’s Time To Tremble Again

What we need more than anything isn’t self- discipline (although they are important) and it isn’t more religious activity (although they are helpful). What we need is a heart that is TENDER and a heart that TREMBLES once again. We need a heart that is willing to be EMPTIED and willing to be BROKEN.

But how do we get there?

It requires HONESTY. We have to acknowledge the DRIFT that has taken place and the DISTANCE that has been created.

It requires CONSISTENCY. Not routine, but necessity. We must put ourselves before the Word of God and under the preaching of the Word of God consistently. Spiritual growth builds. Line upon line...precept upon precept...here a little...there a little. While we might not see it along the way, when we look back, we can see that the path that God has taken us closer to Him is intricately and perfectly connected from one step and one season to another.

It requires COURAGE. The courage to ask God to speak to you and the courage to listen to the truth, even when it hurts. The courage to let the Word of God accomplish its work in our heart and the courage to not let the noise of our life or the resistance of our flesh prevent the work that God’s Word is trying to accomplish.

So, don’t just appear spiritual. Keep your heart SENSITIVE to God’s Word.

Song - Give Me A Heart That Trembles


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May 21, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Sensitive, Not Just Spiritual
More Available, and yet, Less Impactful We are the most spiritually RESOURCED generation in the history of the church. Think about that for a moment. We have greater access to the Word of God and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God than any other generation before us (posts, podcasts, and playlists). We’ve made “faith” CONVENIENT, COMFORTABLE, and even CUSTOMIZABLE - designed to fit around our schedule and our personal preferences. And yet, we’re missing the INGREDIENT that we need the most - a HEART that TREMBLES. Here’s the reality: we can CONSUME CHRISTIAN CONTENT and not be MOVED ANY CLOSER TO GOD. And that’s the danger that we all face. When Familiar Becomes Normal The danger most of us face isn't OUTRIGHT REBELLION; it’s a SLOW DRIFT AWAY FROM GOD. Our walk with God turns into a HABIT instead of being a HUNGER. Our Bible reading, prayer time, and attendance becomes more ROUTINE than a RELATIONSHIP. We stop expecting God to speak, we sing without considering the meaning of the words, and we sit through our devotion time and the preaching of God’s Word unmoved and unchanged. We have allowed that which is FAMILIAR to replace CONVICTION with COMFORT and CONVENIENCE, and it came at the COST of CLOSENESS. Sin is terrible, but it’s noticeable. Spiritual numbness and spiritual drift, in many ways, can be more dangerous because it quietly takes place under the guise of being spiritual. The Kind Of Heart God Is Looking For In Isaiah 66:2, God says, “…but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” God is looking for a heart that TREMBLES. And He tells us exactly what that looks like. It's a heart that is POOR IN SPIRIT (one that has come to the end of itself; one that has stopped trusting in its own goodness and its own ability; and one that has recognized its absolute dependence on God). It's a heart that is CONTRITE (broken over its own sin; not comfortable with what God calls wrong; that still feels the weight of failure before a just and holy God). And it's a heart that TREMBLES AT HIS WORD (one that doesn't just read the Bible, but expects it to work; one that doesn't just hear truth, but actually responds to it). Here’s the reality: before a heart will TREMBLE before God, it must first be EMPTIED of PRIDE. Pride is the greatest barrier to everything that God wants to do and everything that God is willing to do in and through us. A heart already full of itself has no room for what God wants to fill it with. Sensitive vs. Spiritual There is a difference between being SPIRITUAL and being SENSITIVE. A person can be spiritual in APPEARANCE (attendance; activity) and still have an ATTITUDE that is insensitive to the voice and to the work of God in their heart. True sensitivity to God isn't measured by how much Scripture you KNOW; it’s measured by whether or not God's Word still has the ability to REACH YOUR HEART (to convict you; to genuinely change you). It's measured by whether SIN still bothers you, and by whether HOLINESS still matters to you. Does the Word of God still have authority in your heart? Does it still have a say in your life? Does it still stir you? Or has it simply become familiar? When God speaks, is your heart still soft enough to hear Him and to respond correctly to Him? It’s Time To Tremble Again What we need more than anything isn’t self- discipline (although they are important) and it isn’t more religious activity (although they are helpful). What we need is a heart that is TENDER and a heart that TREMBLES once again. We need a heart that is willing to be EMPTIED and willing to be BROKEN. But how do we get there? It requires HONESTY. We have to acknowledge the DRIFT that has taken place and the DISTANCE that has been created. It requires CONSISTENCY. Not routine, but necessity. We must put ourselves before the Word of God and under the preaching of the Word of God consistently. Spiritual growth builds. Line upon line...precept upon precept...here a little...there a little. While we might not see it along the way, when we look back, we can see that the path that God has taken us closer to Him is intricately and perfectly connected from one step and one season to another. It requires COURAGE. The courage to ask God to speak to you and the courage to listen to the truth, even when it hurts. The courage to let the Word of God accomplish its work in our heart and the courage to not let the noise of our life or the resistance of our flesh prevent the work that God’s Word is trying to accomplish. So, don’t just appear spiritual. Keep your heart SENSITIVE to God’s Word.Song - Give Me A Heart That Trembles

Jay Overbay

Pastor

May 11, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Roots, Not Just Memories
The Highlight Reel Isn’t Enough We live in a culture that lives for the REEL - the highlights, the experiences, the moments. So much so, that we spend countless hours and endless finances to CREATE and to CATCH (document) - for us, for our family, and, let’s be honest, for the world to see. And honestly? Those moments do matter. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to give your family good memories and keepsakes to remember. There’s nothing wrong with wanting laughter in your home, experiences together, and moments your family will never forget. Those things are gifts from God, and we ought to thank Him for them. But if we’re honest, somewhere underneath all those beautiful moments is a question that we must CONSIDER and that we must WRESTLE with: When life gets hard…will memories alone be enough? When your child faces temptation… When they walk through heartbreak… When they feel pressure from the world… When they stand at a crossroads where they have to decide what they actually believe… Will the highlight reel hold them together? Deep down, we already know the answer. No. Why? Because the highlight reel isn’t going to help our family navigate the real world, overcome obstacles, or make wise decisions. We’re Not Just Sharing Life; We’re Shaping It One of the greatest truths a parent can ever understand is this: there’s a difference between spending time with our children and shaping them. A lot of people are present in the room without realizing they’re building something in the room. Every reaction teaches, every priority communicates, and every pattern forms something. What we CELEBRATE tells them what MATTERS. What we TOLERATE tells them what’s ACCEPTABLE. What we PURSUE and PRIORITIZE tells them what’s VALUABLE. And over time, what becomes familiar eventually becomes normal, and what becomes normal eventually becomes part of who they are. That’s not meant to create panic or pressure. It’s meant to bring clarity. God hasn’t simply called us to provide experiences; He’s called us to make an investment (spiritually) in the next generation. And the question isn’t if we’re building something in our children. The question is: what are we building or what are we allowing to be built in our children.? Because the world is already trying to shape them. The world is loud; sin is aggressive, and pressures are real, but they most often push us away from God and towards thins that are shallow, temporary, and unable to hold us together when life starts to fall apart. So what are we giving them that will actually last? What Lois and Eunice Understood In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes these words to Timothy: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” Think about that for a moment. Timothy is facing pressure, opposition, responsibility, and difficulty. He’s trying to stand for God in a world that doesn’t want him to and that rejects the truth’s of God’s word. And when Paul wants to strengthen him, what does he point to? Not memories. Not experiences. Not achievements. Not activities. He points to a faith that had been living in his grandmother and mother long before it was living in him. And here’s what stands out to me: the Bible tells us almost nothing about Lois and Eunice except the fact that their faith was real and it was strong enough to influence another generation. And years later, that investment was still standing and still going. That’s powerful. Because the greatest thing you can leave behind isn’t success, possessions, or even memories. The greatest thing you can leave behind is a genuine faith that continues influencing people after you are gone. A Faith Worth Passing Down Paul described their faith as unfeigned. That word simply means “sincere; genuine; real; not fake. It wasn’t something they turned on around spiritual people (at church) and turned off the rest of the week. It was real enough to shape everyday life. And that’s where this becomes personal for all of us. Because the faith that impacts our children most isn’t the faith we display PUBLICLY; it’s the faith that they SEE PRIVATELY (with you). What do they see when pressure shows up? What do they see when things don’t go your way? What do they hear when you’re frustrated, discouraged, or hurt? Children are incredibly perceptive. 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Jay Overbay

Pastor