Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

Follow Jesus and the world might not approve. “You’re wasting time. Wasting money. Wasting energy. Wasting your life.” But Jesus defends those who love him. His approval is what matters the most, since it lasts forever.

Jesus’ “pep talk” about the end of the age was less than comforting. Wars. Earthquakes. Flogging. Arrest. Hatred. Are we willing to walk with Jesus during the end times? Be hated? Die for him? If you know his promise of salvation and election, the answer is easy—Yes!

Listen to the entire devotional series from this week, as Pastor Mike helps us see the importance of the Bible in our lives.

Why should you be compelled to read and trust the Bible?

The rich gave massive offerings on a particular day in the temple. But Jesus noticed and praised the poorest widow who quietly gave the “smallest offering.” In our day of public recognition, what would Jesus say? He would ignore those who praise themselves and praise those who serve God in secret.

Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t speak directly to you? Actually, he does.

If you want to start reading the Bible, where do you start? Pastor Mike can't tell you where to start, but he can tell you how.

The Bible can be a complicated book, but it is simply about you being with God.

Why is the Bible so important? Pastor Mike tells us why.

September 29, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. The apostle Paul was unashamed to say that being financially generous is a key to joy, blessing, and so much more. In the same way, many Christians have learned that it is more blessed to give than to receive!

September 22, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. How does a person have any peace in a world where everything seems so uncertain? Grow! Although the Bible is a hard book to read, it produces knowledge to keep you secure in your faith until Jesus returns.

September 15, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. The Sabbath Day commandment proves that knowing God as your Creator and Savior is one of our Father’s highest priorities for us. We gather each week to celebrate those timeless truths—God made us. God saved us. Those facts produce joy and peace deep in our hearts, “fruit” that feeds us throughout our week.

September 8, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. When you personally know and are personally known in a spiritual community, you find your spiritual and physical needs being met.

September 7, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. Whether you're married, single, separated, or divorced, Pastor Mike's series this week had something for all of us to consider when dealing with the difficult topic of divorce. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2Zc5lHT You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://youtube.com/TimeofGrace

September 6, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. Divorce is complex. So be quick to listen. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2Zc5lHT You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://youtube.com/TimeofGrace

September 5, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. God doesn’t hate divorced people, but he hates divorce. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2Zc5lHT You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://youtube.com/TimeofGrace

September 4, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. When it feels like there is no love left in marriage, what do you do? Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2Zc5lHT You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://youtube.com/TimeofGrace

September 3, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. And guess who’s in the world? Divorced people too. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2Zc5lHT You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://youtube.com/TimeofGrace

September 2, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. Where in the Bible do you go when you want answers about divorce? Pastor Mike digs into the grace and truth of God’s Word. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2Zc5lHT You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://youtube.com/TimeofGrace

September 1, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. God has great plans for his people, but they don’t always involve a quick fix to all earthly problems. In the same way, God’s plan to prosper your spiritual life might not be the path you prayed for.

August 25, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. The Bible does not talk about God not allowing you to be tempted “beyond what you can bear.” Make sure to read the context! The apostle Paul wrote those words as a warning not to rely on our own spiritual strength and a comfort to rely on the God who can sustain us in all kinds of temptation.

August 18, 2019 / Pastor Mike Novotny. Jesus spoke these words at the end of his message on dealing with sin in the church. He offered a great comfort to churches that do the hard work of dealing with sin, warning the hardhearted, and practicing church discipline.

Jesus was not against being judgmental. Yet he was very against the hypocrisy of many judgmental people who overlook their own flaws in a zealous attempt to point out the flaws of others. His words, clearly understood, encourage us to look in the mirror first and judge others in love afterward.Transcript

Aug. 5, 2019. We may not know why the mass shootings in El Paso, TX, and Dayton, OH, happened this weekend, but we do know that God’s love and grace for us is sufficient. Pastor Mike shares some thoughts.

In the strangest scene of Jacob’s story, God appears and wrestles with him for hours. Despite God’s superior strength, “Jake the Snake” refuses to loosen his python grip until God blesses him. After decades of grabbing on to sin, Jacob finally grabs on to God. In the same way, we grip God in prayer, holding on to his promises until he blesses us.Transcript

While karma is not a Christian teaching, a form of karma exists. The cycle of sin spins every time we give each other what we deserve. Jacob and Laban’s story is proof. Greed and lies spin back and forth, destroying a family. This same destructive cycle happens in our lives and points us to Jacob’s descendant who turned the other cheek on the cross, giving grace to sinners.Transcript

After his lies, deceit, and dishonor, Jacob fled for his life and found . . . a forgiving God. Jacob’s dream teaches us a classic truth—there is a way for sinners to be with God. Jesus’ words prove that the same is true for “Jacobs” today. He is the true stairway to heaven!Transcript

Rebekah, the “godly” wife of Isaac, was willing to deceive her husband to steal a blessing for her favorite child. This story shows us that while parents are to be honored, they are not always to be imitated. We are invited to reflect on the spiritual climate of our homes and remember Jesus, who was willing to disobey the mother who tried to stop his messianic ministry.Transcript

July 13, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. Listen to the entire devotional series from this week, as Pastor Mike tackles tough questions about mental health, #MeToo, heaven, relationships in accordance with God, and how to help others without coming off as self-righteous. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

July 12, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. How do you lovingly correct someone who is making mistakes? Pastor Mike tackles this question as part of his "Tough Questions With Pastor Mike, Round 4" series. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

July 11, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. How do you keep doing right in the eyes of God when those around you are not living biblically? Pastor Mike tackles this question as part of his "Tough Questions With Pastor Mike, Round 4" series. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

July 10, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. Will we recognize people in heaven? Will we have memories of our time on earth? Pastor Mike tackles this question as part of his "Tough Questions With Pastor Mike, Round 4" series. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

July 9, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. As a Christian, how should you respond to #MeToo? Pastor Mike tackles this question as part of his "Tough Questions With Pastor Mike, Round 4" series. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

July 7, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. Where can you turn when you're dealing with mental illness? Pastor Mike tackles this question as part of his "Tough Questions With Pastor Mike, Round 4" series. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

Despite God’s promise to bless Jacob, he hustled his brother. What seemed small started a pattern of behavior that ruined Jacob’s family and nearly destroyed his life. This account warns us of the “small” sins that become a pattern of something greater. Finally, it serves as a contrast with Jesus, who chose to give up his birthright of blessing to sinners like us.Transcript

The ending of Bible book of Judges requires an adult I.D. to read. A woman chopped into pieces and mailed throughout Israel? That’s really messed up! But the Spirit inspired this story to prove two points. First, that life falls apart when everyone does what he or she thinks is right. Second, that God does not give up on people after the most disgusting sins.Transcript

Gideon seemed so good. The humble farmer who became a Sunday school hero. But the fame went to his head, and good ol’ Gideon died as a spiritual adulterer and snare for his people. That’s messed up! But the story reminds us to fight the good fight through the final round, run the race until the last step, and worship God until our final breaths.Transcript

A quivering commander. A female savior. A housewife who plunges a tent peg through a general’s brain. That’s messed up! But that’s what happened in Deborah’s day. Her unlikely story proves that God blesses and saves his people through those we would least expect—little children, common mothers, and a carpenter from Nazareth.Transcript

June 9, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. The teachers of the law knew Jesus spoke his scathing parable of the tenants against them. Yet instead of repenting, they looked for a way to kill Jesus. They cared more about their embarrassment than their relationship with God. How about you? Will you cling to your image? Or will Jesus become marvelous in your eyes?

Authority. Jesus’ enemies adored it. They refused to submit to Jesus’ teaching, even when caught in their own duplicity. They missed finding true life because they refused to die to having the last word. Modern Americans face the same dilemma. Will Jesus be the Lord who gets the last word? Or will we cling to our plastic gavels and tell Jesus what to do?Transcript

The book of Proverbs might imply that hanging out with unbelievers is a bad idea, but the Bible is more nuanced than that. Rubbing shoulders with those who don’t know Jesus is the best way to share the hope that only the Savior can give. This message explores the way Christians can invest in those who do not yet believe in Christ.Transcript

“Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.” That wisdom is repeated in the book of Proverbs. This message is God’s reminder to choose your friends carefully, since they have an incredible influence on your choices and future.Transcript

What does it mean to find a Christian friend? Is that the same as being part of the fellowship of a church? This message explores what it means to have friends who share your faith as well as the important distinction between the fellowship of Christians and the self-selected blessing called friendship.Transcript

May 11, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. Listen to the entire devotional series from this week, as Pastor Mike Novotny explores friendship as Christians. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

May 10, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. A good friend works through the hard conversations. Do you have a friend like that? Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

May 9, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. If you struggle with loneliness and friendship, don't forget about this friend. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

May 8, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. Do you have to be friends with people at church? Just don't forget about fellowship. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

May 7, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. Friendship is not easy in the grown-up world. But Pastor Mike shares some ways to make your friendships rock. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

May 6, 2019. Pastor Mike Novotny. How can you become a better friend? How can you find better friends? Pastor Mike teaches about friendship from a biblical perspective. Time of Grace is a donor-supported effort. If you would like to give a gift of support. please donate here: http://bit.ly/2DS4ztC You can also watch Time of Grace daily video devotionals by subscribing on YouTube to get new videos each weekday: http://YourTimeOfGrace.com

The Bible speaks of God befriending people in the Bible, a term of incredible closeness and intimacy. How does that compare to the modern, social media-driven idea of a “friend request”? What would it mean for our lives if the Almighty God was actually our ever-present friend?Transcript