In Spirit & Truth

One of the most fascinating things about the animal kingdom is watching how predators catch their prey. They use tactics such as lying in wait until a meal crosses their path. Today, Pastor JD teaches that Satan is the same way. He will attack you with clever tricks, so stay diligent, and don’t let your guard down.

How many things do we have today that were unimaginable a century ago? How many things do we accept today that were unthinkable just a few years ago? Today, Pastor JD urges us to remember. This world will always try to lure you away. You must hold faithfully to Christ and not be swayed by the times.

People all around you today are pretty worried – about the present and about the future. But, as Pastor JD reminds us today – as Christians, the future is always “looking up”. Because our future is in the eternal power of Christ. So, keep this focus, and let the people around you wonder what you’re up to.

It’s easy to become so comfortable with this world that we think we live here – permanently. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that this world is only temporary. So, be sure that your eyesight has an eternal perspective. And while you are here – temporarily – do everything you can to help others see what you see.

Why are there so many false teachers and teachings out there? They try to be a counterfeit Christ or counterfeit Christianity… but in the end, they are just that—a counterfeit. Today, Pastor JD teaches that not every doctrine should be believed, because many of them are false, trying to impersonate the true Christ.

The flesh is a powerful thing, isn’t it? Pastor JD’s metaphor of the flesh being a lion is so accurate because it’s hungry and wants to be fed. But today, take his advice. Starve the lion, and feed the lamb. Feed your spirit with what is good, and holy, and let the Lamb of God defeat that hungry, roaring lion inside you.

As Pastor JD continues his teaching series through the book of 1 John, he’ll be exhorting you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus during times of adversity and trials. If the enemy can throw off your walk with the Lord by a particular temptation or hardship, he’ll keep coming at you with that same temptation.

The story of Noah and the Ark is very well known. As we think of it, our minds typically go to the animals being boarded two by two… But have you ever thought, “Why Noah?” Pastor JD shares with you in today’s update, that the Bible describes Noah as having been an uncorrupted man. Can the same be said of you?

The Internet is full of ideas about where the world is on the prophetic timeline. One popular notion being perpetuated is that the COVID-19 vaccine is the mark of the beast. Pastor JD reassures you in today’s update, that according to scripture, the COVID-19 vaccine CANNOT be the mark of the beast.

There’s no doubt that the days we live in are filled with evil. Do you know who’s behind it all? No, it’s not a political party. It’s not the UN or the World Economic Forum. In today’s update, Pastor JD reminds you that the evil you see happening all around you today, is a spiritual assault. It’s an attack from the enemy of your soul.

Today, Pastor JD will be reminding you that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, lives within you. You now have power over sin! The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can truly function as the Comforter and Counselor that Jesus promised He would be.

Too often, people go to church and hear a sermon but leave the church building and never become more like Jesus. Today, Pastor JD will be encouraging you to not only be a hearer of the Word, but a doer of the Word. It’s not enough to simply read the Bible, you need to apply the Lord's commands.

Today, Pastor JD will be talking about the identity of the Holy Spirit. Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force. Others see the Holy Spirit as an impersonal power that God makes available to followers of Christ. The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is God. He’s a divine person, with a mind, emotions, and a will.

Conflict in Israel has been a reality whenever Israel has existed as a nation. Whether it was the Egyptians, Amalekites, Assyrians, or Romans, the nation of Israel has always been persecuted by its neighbors. It’s because God has a special plan for the nation of Israel, and Satan wants to defeat that plan.

Today, Pastor JD will explain how after the church is raptured out of the way, a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace. He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist.

God tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ Today, Pastor JD will be reminding you that only Jesus will eventually bring true peace to the Middle East when He returns!

Bitterness is resentful cynicism that spreads throughout your entire life. Today, Pastor JD will be reminding you to “get rid of all bitterness, and then He goes on to explain how to deal with such bitterness and its fruits by being “kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.

Today, Pastor JD calls out a challenge to people who have turned their hearts away from God and fallen in love with the world. The goals and objectives of “the world” are in direct contrast to God’s commands. To cling to the world is to choose to be an enemy of God. Pursue the Lord, not the world!

There is a very real enemy who wants to use the temptations of your own flesh, and influences of the world system, to cause you to walk away from the Lord. Today, Pastor JD will be reminding you that greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world. You have the power to say no to sin, for sin no longer has dominion over you!

Sometimes it seems like we have plenty of time. Especially for spiritual things. We think to ourselves: “There’s so much in this world that needs to be taken care of first!” But today, Pastor JD reminds us that our focus must be totally on the spiritual dimension. So, be sure you’re looking to God, and Him only.

Everyone has a plan for the future! Each political candidate, every newspaper editorial, and even your buddies in the break room at work. But today, Pastor JD reminds us that only ONE plan for the future will succeed: God’s! So, put your hope in His trustworthiness, and you’ll be on solid ground that will never fail.

There are many things in this world today that people “worship”. It may be their job, their status, or anything that they place at the center of their life. But, as Pastor JD reminds us today, God will accept no rivals. And as long as you’re worshiping God through Jesus, you can be sure that the object of your worship is secure.

As Pastor JD continues his teaching series through the book of 1 John, he’ll be exhorting you to live as though Jesus is returning imminently. The early church lived, having faith that Jesus would be returning at any moment. How much more should you be expecting His imminent return?

All the destruction and mess you see in the world today is all due to sin. All the destruction and mess you see in your own life, is because of the result of sin. Don’t allow sin to decay your life. Today, Pastor JD will be encouraging you to obey God's commands, because they are boundaries for a better life.

Have you ever considered it a good thing to be commanded to do something? In today’s message, Pastor JD explains that when God commands you to do something, that is a good thing! Because if He commands you to do it then He will give you the strength to do it. So God’s commands come with the power to uphold them.