In Spirit & Truth

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.