In Spirit & Truth

We mistakenly put a lot of faith in our emotions; we think that living a happy life is what it all comes down to. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that there is more to us than our emotions. And even if you’re living life based on feelings, you’re still better off not letting them rule you. Happiness is circumstantial. Joy is invariable in Christ.

Sometimes we give ourselves way too much credit. We often think that we have a much bigger effect on life than we really do. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that, as much as we do, we cannot disrupt the plan of God. We can walk in His will, and we can walk independently of God’s will, but His Will will prevail all the same.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to know how something works to know that it works. In the same way, Pastor JD reminds us today that, faith is confidence in things unseen. You don’t have to see God to know that He’s real. You don’t have to understand in order to obey… that’s what faith really is.

When we look throughout the Bible we can read about people who are “Christians” who are believing in a false Gospel. In today’s message, Pastor JD will share the importance of the one true Gospel. Any Gospel apart from what the Bible has clearly laid out is a false Gospel and people end up believing a lie from the enemy!

Throughout the Old Testament, we can see the Prophets of God go against many false prophets at that time. This isn't something specific to the Old Testament though. The New Testament addresses False Prophets as well! In today’s message, Pastor JD will be sharing about the enemy's tactic in warfare, deception!

Why should God let you into Heaven? Have you been good enough to get in? Pastor JD, today, reminds us that no one is good enough to get into Heaven on their own merits. Our trust must be in Jesus, not in our own morals or material things. Before it’s too late, let's make sure that our trust is seated firmly in Jesus alone.

It can be difficult to understand true obedience when we only receive commands from imperfect people. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that having faith in Christ, means being obedient, even when you don’t understand or comprehend what’s at stake. Obedience is simply the action that follows a statement of faith.

We often overthink things into the ground. When you have a lot on your plate, it’s hard to not analyze it constantly and try to figure out a solution for everything. But today, Pastor JD reminds us of Noah, who had no idea what a boat was, but out of faith, decided he would build it anyway; because that’s what God commanded him to do.

Nobody’s perfect. Even the folks in the Bible who we think of as being holy had their moments of doubt. So - Pastor JD reminds us today that - when they talk about Noah being perfect, the actual translation is, “he was found intact in his DNA.” If we start messing around with our genetics, then we mess with God’s creation.

Where is your hope? Do you place your hope in man's ability to fix his own problems? Today, Pastor JD implores us to place our hope in Jesus, not in the world's systems. The money system, the judicial system, nor the government system can remedy sin. Only Jesus can fix the world's issues. Only He can remove sin.

End-time Biblical prophecy can be scary. It’s filled with lots of bitterness. Pastor JD, today, explains that these prophecies are bittersweet on purpose. They are designed to be a catalyst that moves the sinner to salvation in Jesus Christ. Let's remember that the end times are not bitter, but sweet for those who love Jesus.

The days we live in are very polarized. The two camps always seem angry with each other. In today's message, Pastor JD teaches us that folks in both camps need Jesus. Salvation only comes from Him. There's no other way to enter Heaven. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the fray that surrounds us.

Sometimes we want to take the good and leave the bad behind. But how good is the good when the bad is gone? Today, Pastor JD reminds us why it’s important that God allows us to go through trials and tribulations: He needs to break us so that He can bless us. But above all, He needs us to learn to rely on Him.

Nobody enjoys trials, but today, Pastor JD reminds us why we should be grateful for them, nevertheless. It’s in times of suffering that we grow and moves beyond our selfish ambitions. Though the last few years have been particularly tough, we can be thankful that, throughout the chaos, Jesus has been working in people’s lives.

In relationships, we quickly learn how to remedy our wrongs. We’re bound to mess things up, and we figure out what we need to sacrifice in order to make things right. However, Pastor JD reminds us today that, obedience is always better than sacrifice. Not doing the problematic thing in the first place is better than making amends.

Many folks think that Satan is God's equal. Satan was created by God and fell from Heaven because of pride. Today, Pastor JD teaches us that Satan can appear as a false light, but God is greater. We must be discerning about what we see around us. Let's remember that not everything that shines, is from God.

Are you afraid to read The Book of Revelation? There's lots of scary stuff in there and it’s so confusing. In his message today, Pastor JD teaches us that The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals Jesus to us, and reading this book brings a blessing. Let's not let our fear cause us to miss out on God's blessing.

Times are always changing. Our grandparents talk about it, our parents talk about it, and even those of us who are getting older talk about how things used to be. But Pastor JD reminds us today, things aren’t that way anymore. Now, more than ever, we need to be prepared for what’s coming. The Bible lays it out, we just need to spread the Word.

Have you ever pictured your faith journey like you’re in a warm embrace, like dancing the tango? This might sound silly, but what Pastor JD is getting at today is that your faith journey is the opposite of a peaceful, swaying dance. No, showing your faith in God is a battle you face every day. Are you up for the challenge?

A popular trend these days is what’s called the “prosperity gospel.” It’s promising that if you believe it, then it will come about. Some claim this way of thinking as having “faith.” But today, Pastor JD sets the record straight on what true faith is. It’s something you work at trusting God in, from start to finish.

We often ask God for things when we already have an idea of how He should do them. But our ways are not His ways. And today, Pastor JD reminds us that God loves us; He wants us to ask of Him, but we’re not always ready for how He answers. It’s the trials He allows us to go through that teach us the qualities that we desire.

Everyone knows what it feels like to run out of time: you end up rushing and forgetting and something falls by the wayside. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that, you don’t want to be caught unprepared when Jesus returns. The world will do everything to distract you from what’s at stake, but you want to be ready when that trumpet sounds.

We often let our emotions drive us, and while that’s not what we want, God knows how to use it for His glory. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that God uses trials to bring us closer to Him. He wants us to rely on Him, and it’s during those rough periods that we become so much more aware of how much we truly need Him.

Some of Satan’s best tactics when opposing us is his ability to distract and deceive. If the enemy can distract us then we won’t be effective. If he can deceive us, we will never be free because we don’t have the truth. In today’s message, Pastor JD will be sharing about the role of distraction and deception during the Last Days.

We often come to rely on things that aren’t reliable. Our entire system is built upon trusting things that don’t have the substance to make them trustworthy. But today, as Pastor JD reminds us, God is the same as He’s always been: loving, trustworthy, and mighty. Let’s put our trust in the one who ought to have it.

So often, we think of Satan as being God’s archrival, but as Pastor JD reminds us today, that gives the devil way more power than he actually has. Satan is a created being, just like you and I. It’s not like only God can defeat him. In fact, it doesn’t even require a well-versed angel to take him down, just an intern will do.

We’ve all sought a glimpse into the future at some point in our lives; we want the comfort of knowing everything’s going to be okay. So why isn’t Revelation a more popular book, if it speaks to the future? As Pastor JD reminds us today, it’s because Satan will always try to deter and distract you from what is good and beneficial.

God has made many promises in the Bible. Some were specific to people, others were promises that He made to everyone through His Son Jesus Christ. In today’s message, Pastor JD will be sharing about the importance that Israel has in the Last Days. God has promised to protect the nation of Israel because they are His people.

In many of Paul's letters, he makes a distinction between “We” and “They.” In the last few days, there will be many people who will openly oppose the message of Jesus and align themselves with the enemy. In today’s message, Pastor JD will be sharing about how the Bible says these people will act during that time.

Does it ever feel like everything bad happens all at once? Sometimes, life can feel so heavy. And it seems like it’s only getting heavier. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that we need to be ready and watchful. We’ve been told what the signs of the end are, and if we’re not ready for it, we only have ourselves to blame.

We often do ourselves a disservice by acting like something isn’t important, or by not acting with urgency when we should. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that we – who are alive today, 2,000 years after Paul – need to be living with the same urgency as him. Jesus could return at any time, and we don’t want to be found wasting our time.

We like to think that we’re in control of our own lives. We even twist the scriptures in order to pretend that we have power. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that – at the end of the day – we control nothing but our own attitude. There’s nothing that can save you, outside of faith in Jesus Christ’s burial and resurrection.

Throughout our lives, we put our faith in a lot of people who – end up proving to us – don’t deserve it. For years, we can spend time with someone and not know who they really are. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that God is exactly who He says He is. He cannot lie because He IS Truth. Put your hope in the One whose very nature is Love.

Our emotions are a huge part of our humanity, but they can be fickle! In the same way, we try to help little children regulate and understand how they’re feeling, we need to turn to the Lord for the same. Pastor JD reminds us today how detrimental it can be to allow feelings to drive you, instead of the Word of God.

Nobody likes to feel unprepared. In fact, I’m sure some of the worst days you’ve had, are when you oversleep and wake up scrambling. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that, if we don’t expect Jesus’ return, then He’s going to catch us off, guard! If you think being unprepared is embarrassing to your boss, just imagine the God of the Universe.

We all have things we run to when the going gets rough, but when things get extra rough, those vices don’t always cut it. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that, as this world falls evermore into chaos and destruction, God will always be your comfort. As we get nearer to the end, refrain and repent, and don’t forget to look up!

There are so many different ways to get advice nowadays; we can ask around or, more likely, we can look it up and see what thousands of different people have to say. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that – at the end of the day – God’s is the only guidance we should put stock in. His instructions are only for your benefit.

Shame and guilt can be healthy emotions that push us toward better decisions. But today, Pastor JD reminds us how dangerous they can be once we’re saved in Christ. If Jesus forgets our sins, why should we hang on to them? They’ve been paid for, so there’s no reason to wallow in the shame anymore.

The problem with the covenant of the Old Testament – as well as Catholicism and other factions – is that it did nothing to bring us closer to God. In fact, it pointed out how distant we are from Him. Today, Pastor JD reminds us that there’s nothing between us and Christ; you can talk to Him any time, and He’ll be there.

No one likes to be taken advantage of. But what if you found out that everything that’s happened in the past decade has been carefully planned and executed? Pastor JD reminds us in today’s update that, while Satan will stop at nothing to destroy God’s creation, God is still a step ahead; He won’t take advantage of you.

Many people have a skewed idea of what Love actually is. Some think it’s tolerance and acceptance, but today, Pastor JD reminds us why that’s not true. You don’t let your kids do whatever they want without discipline, you have to teach them. In the same way, God loves you way too much to let you continue to walk in sin.

Life is full of distractions, but we usually think of distractions as being bad, and today, Pastor JD reminds us that that’s not always the case. Anything can become a distraction if you give it too much attention. Money isn’t evil, but it is the root of evil. Be it good or bad, don’t let anything be above your relationship with Jesus.

It’s hard to control your thoughts; the Bible tells us to think about things that are lovely and pure, but why is it so difficult? Today, Pastor JD reminds us what it is we’re meant to remember; since God forgets our sins, why should we hold on to them? The guilt we feel stays with us, but Jesus wants us to remember His sacrifice instead.

We all know how tough the truth can be to hear. Pastor JD reminds us today that, it’s rare anymore, to find a church that teaches the Truth without dumbing it down. We don’t learn from sweet nothings – we learn from hard truths. And dumbing down the Gospel won’t change anyone, because it’s the Holy Spirit who does that.

Our society today is all about the life-hacks; we want the best, easiest, and quickest way possible to get what we want. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that, if we have that attitude when it comes to Christ, we’re going to get a cheap copy of Him. Why would you settle for a copy when you can have the Almighty Original?

How many times have you felt like everything is falling apart around you? Pastor JD reminds us in today’s update that, while things are looking grim - and they’re only going to get worse - we, who are alive in Christ, have all the hope we could ever need. If you can hold on just a little longer, Jesus will make it all worth it.

It’s far too easy to let behaviors become habits. Even bad habits - that we don’t like - are hard to break. Today, Pastor JD reminds us how God must refine us before He can truly bless us. There are things in our life that need to be cut out, and God - because He loves us so - is willing to do the cutting, so that we might be able to grow.

People often talk about how God can’t be all that loving, since He allows us to go through such horrific trials. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that, we have to allow the people we love most to mess up, in order that they might learn from their mistakes. God didn’t bring death into this world, we managed that all on our own.

How many times have you heard “judgment is coming?” At first, it sounds harsh and unloving. But In today's teaching, Pastor JD will show us how it doesn't come as a contradiction to a loving God. And for those who follow God, ultimate security lies within the judgment that Christ took on our behalf!

The certainty of being fully satisfied in Christ is attractive. But more than that, it's a reality for followers of Christ! In today's teaching with Pastor JD, we'll hear where this is written in scripture and how we can trust it. It'll give peace and hope for the days ahead, knowing more about the kingdom of our Lord.