Posts with the category “pastor-s-blog”

Grace that hurts is still grace. It’s the evidence that God is doing something deep, even in the places you never would have chosen to go.Next Up: Part 8 – “Grace for Others.”If you’ve truly received grace—even the painful kind—you’re called to extend it. In the next blog, we’ll explore how grace moves beyond you to the people around you.In Love,Pastor Jody...  Read More

If grace is the heartbeat of the Gospel, then justification is the proof that the heart is still beating.We’ve seen grace in the Garden. We’ve seen it in the Law. We’ve met grace in person through Jesus Christ. But now we come to one of the most life-changing truths in Scripture: justification by grace.To be justified means to be declared righteous. It’s a legal word, a courtroom verdict. And if y...  Read More

We’ve traced grace from the Garden to the Law. We’ve seen it in garments of skin, in sacrifices, and in God’s patient dealings with His people. But all of that was only a glimpse, a shadow pointing to something, or rather Someone, greater.Grace is not an abstract idea. Grace is a Person. And His name is Jesus.Grace Came Wrapped in FleshJohn 1:14 (LSB) says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt am...  Read More

A lot of Christians treat the Old Testament like the “angry part” of the Bible. Full of rules. Full of judgment. Full of wrath. We read the Law and wonder, “Where’s the grace?”But here’s the truth: God didn’t change between the Old and New Testaments. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. And grace didn’t begin at the cross; it was woven into the Law itself.Yes, the Law reveals God’s holine...  Read More

When we think of grace, most of us start at the cross. And rightfully so, it’s the ultimate picture of God’s love poured out for sinners. But what if I told you grace started much earlier? Like… in the very first chapters of the Bible?Grace wasn’t Plan B. It wasn’t God scrambling to fix a mistake. Grace has always been part of God’s plan, even in the Garden of Eden. And the moment humanity fell, g...  Read More

Grace is one of those words we toss around in the church so often that sometimes we stop feeling the weight of it. We sing about it, pray with it, tag it at the end of sermons, and yet many still don’t understand what grace really is.Grace isn’t just a soft, comforting idea or a spiritual safety net. Grace is the very heartbeat of the Gospel. Without grace, we have nothing. With grace, we have eve...  Read More

Let’s be honest, faith isn’t just a feeling. It’s not a spiritual buzzword. And it’s definitely not just something you believe in your head while playing it safe with your life. No, real faith does something. It moves. It obeys. It risks.I heard someone say at the Alpha Conference, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K,” and it hit me right between the eyes. Because it’s true. If your so-called faith never le...  Read More

In recent days, headlines have lit up with a troubling message being circulated in the name of the Pope: “Woke is not an insult, but rather a reflection of the gospel.” Although it has been deemed not associated with the pope, it's still being circulated and believed.  Let’s be clear: that statement is not just misleading—it’s dangerous. It confuses the holiness of God with the tolerance of man. I...  Read More

I was working on a deck today, it was hot, like H-E double hockey sticks hot. I was trying to keep enough fluids in my body so I didn't cramp up or pass out. I only worked for 4 hours in full sun, but it felt like an eternity.St. Louis heat is no joke. If you’ve walked outside, you know exactly what I mean. The moment you open the door, it hits you like a wall — thick, heavy, suffocating. You brea...  Read More

It started as just another concert.The lights were dim, the crowd was electric, and Coldplay was on stage, doing what they do best, captivating thousands with emotion-filled lyrics and soaring melodies. But in the middle of the noise, cameras caught more than a performance. A couple, wrapped up in intimacy, completely unaware, or unbothered, that they weren’t alone. The problem? They weren’t marri...  Read More

We live in a world where the word “Christian” has been watered down. It’s become more of a label than a lifestyle. But Jesus didn’t come to hand out labels; He came to call people to die to themselves and live for Him. That means if you’re truly a follower of Christ, then something in your life has changed. Not perfectly. Not instantly. But genuinely.Paul says it plainly in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Th...  Read More

We live in a world that craves the spectacular. People chase signs, demand wonders, and wait for the skies to part before they’ll believe. “If God is real,” they say, “then let Him prove it.” But here’s the truth: God doesn’t perform on command. He doesn’t cater to skepticism. And He doesn’t hand out miracles like party favors to satisfy a faithless crowd.Jesus Himself made that clear.In Matthew 1...  Read More

Let’s talk about something real. Something that’s easy to ignore or get defensive about. But something that matters deeply to God, and deeply to the mission of the Church.Tithing.Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: “Here we go again. The church wants my money.” But hear me out, not as a pastor asking for a budget boost, but as a shepherd caring for the spiritual health of our house.Tit...  Read More

There’s a sobering truth that echoes through Scripture and history alike:What one generation tolerates, the next generation will normalize—and eventually celebrate.The drift never feels dramatic in the moment. It’s subtle. Quiet. Cultural. A compromise here, a silence there. And before we know it, the things that once grieved the people of God become part of their rhythm of life. What was once a w...  Read More

We live in a time where deception doesn’t come dressed in red horns and a pitchfork—it comes dressed in half-truths, emotional slogans, and spiritual counterfeits. It sounds good. It feels right. It even quotes Scripture… but slightly twisted. And that’s the danger.Pastor Anthony Philip Mitchell said it clearly: “The less truth you know, the easier it will be to be led astray.”That’s not just a go...  Read More

As fireworks light up the skies and flags wave proudly across our nation, Americans everywhere pause on the 4th of July to celebrate liberty, freedom bought with the blood of patriots and secured through countless battles. We remember the courage of those who risked everything to break free from tyranny and establish a new nation founded on the promise of freedom.But as Christians, there’s another...  Read More

There are moments in life when the mask comes off, and sometimes, it’s worn by someone you thought you knew. That happened to me just yesterday. A friend I believed was in my corner, someone I thought was loyal and trustworthy, showed his true colors. And in that moment, I had to confront a hard truth: not everyone who walks with you is really for you.Friendship is a gift from God, but it’s also a...  Read More

There’s a tension in the gospel that makes people uncomfortable. We love the idea that Christianity is for everyone, “Come one, come all”, but we bristle when we hear that following Christ means saying no to ourselves and yes to Him. It’s a beautiful paradox: the gospel is radically inclusive in its invitation, but deeply exclusive in its demands.The Open InvitationLet’s start with the inclusivity...  Read More

There’s a subtle but deadly teaching, often disguised as passion, holiness, or deeper commitment. It sounds spiritual. It uses Bible words. It even borrows the language of revival and surrender. But underneath the surface, it’s poisonous. I’m talking about the doctrine of perfection — the belief that a Christian can reach a state of sinless perfection in this life.Let me say it plainly: this doctr...  Read More

When I was a kid, I had one of those old-school rock tumblers. You remember the kind—noisy, clunky, and always humming in the garage. I'd take these dull, jagged rocks I found in the yard, toss them in the barrel with some grit and water, seal the lid tight, and let it spin for weeks. And when I finally cracked it open, I was always amazed. What went in rough and ordinary came out smooth and beaut...  Read More

Pastor Jody...  Read More

Let’s be honest, most of us own more Bibles than we use. They sit on shelves, in nightstands, in car trunks, or on coffee tables as decorations. But when was the last time we actually opened it? Not for a verse of the day. Not for a Sunday sermon. But for a soul-deep pursuit of the God who breathed life into its pages?There’s an old saying: “If there’s dust on your Bible, there’s dust on your hear...  Read More

Have you ever found yourself wondering, Why am I running from God? Why do I keep drifting, hiding, resisting—when I know deep down that I should be running straight into His arms? You’re not alone. This tension between what we know is right and what we often do instead—is part of the human condition. It’s a spiritual tug-of-war that plays out in the hearts of believers everywhere.We run because we...  Read More

The idea of repentance has been watered down to something casual, like saying a quick “my bad” and moving on with life unchanged. But real, biblical repentance is far more than a moment of guilt or a tearful apology. It’s not just an emotional reaction—it’s a spiritual transformation.True repentance is not behavior modification. It’s heart renovation.When John the Baptist came preaching in the wil...  Read More

In the land of Israel, there are two well-known bodies of water: the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. They sit just about 100 miles apart, yet they couldn’t be more different. One teems with life. The other is completely barren. And the difference between them offers a powerful spiritual lesson, especially when it comes to discipleship.The Sea of Galilee – A Picture of LifeThe Sea of Galilee is vi...  Read More

We’re living in a time when quitting has become the American way. If something gets hard, uncomfortable, or doesn’t cater to our feelings, we walk away. Whether it's relationships, church, work, or even our commitment to God, many have adopted the mindset that if it costs me something, it must not be for me.But here's the truth: fruit never grows in comfort. It grows in discipline. It grows in the...  Read More

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12Let’s be honest—many people don’t want to read the Bible, and it’s not because they don’t have time or can’t understand it. It’s because they know what it will do...  Read More

As believers, we know sin is serious. It’s what separated us from God in the first place and what Jesus died to defeat. But not all sin is the same in practice. There’s a massive difference between what I call “continual sin” and “oops sin.” Let me break it down so you can examine your walk with Christ with honesty and clarity.After a conversation with Nan this morning over sin, salvation, and san...  Read More

As we step into the month of June—a time our culture has designated as "Pride Month"—it's essential for us as believers to pause, reflect, and align our hearts with the truth of God's Word. This isn’t about taking sides in politics or attacking individuals. It’s about standing on the Word with grace and truth.Pride was the very first sin. It was pride that led Lucifer to rebel against God. Isaiah ...  Read More

For centuries, the altar has been one of the most sacred and symbolic places in the life of God’s people. From the tabernacle in the wilderness to the modern church stage, the altar has always served one purpose: a place where we meet God.At Ignite, it’s time we reclaim the altar—not just as a piece of furniture or a platform—but as a place of power, presence, and personal transformation.The Altar...  Read More

I recently came across a powerful song that had a verse that struck me. It said this: “We live by dying.” I love that! Why? Because in a world that says "live your truth," "chase your dreams," and "put yourself first," the gospel comes in and flips the script. Jesus says, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23, LSB).Let that sink...  Read More

There’s a growing trend in the modern church that we don’t talk about enough—a shift in focus from altar to stage, from sacred to spectacle, from surrender to self-promotion. And while it might seem subtle, the impact is eternal.I saw a video recently that rocked me to my core. It posed a simple but profound question:“Does your church have an altar or a stage? Because one will make you worship God...  Read More

First, let me acknowledge something that is crucial: depression is real. It is not just a matter of “feeling sad” or a temporary mood shift. It is an illness that can affect every part of your life—your emotions, your mind, your relationships, and your sense of purpose.   Read More

One of the quiet struggles I often hear from fellow believers is this: “Why do I still mess up if I truly belong to Christ?” It's a question born out of sincere hearts that long to live rightly, to honor God, and to walk in holiness. And maybe you’ve asked it too.The root of that struggle lies in misunderstanding what it means to be perfected in Christ versus being perfect or sinless in our daily ...  Read More

Deconstruction has become a buzzword in Christian circles. For some, it starts with honest questions. But for many, it ends with abandoning biblical truth.Let me say this clearly: You can wrestle with your faith without rejecting it. You can have questions without tearing down the foundation God laid in His Word. But what we’re seeing today isn’t healthy doubt—it’s a full-blown demolition project,...  Read More

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world...the world hates you.  Read More

We live in a culture that loves comfort, avoids offense, and seeks the approval of others at all costs. But Jesus never called us to blend in. He called us to stand out.In Luke 14:26, Jesus gives one of His most radical and jarring statements:“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be M...  Read More

When many Christians hear the word grace, they immediately think of forgiveness. And that’s true—grace is unmerited favor, the gift of salvation, the love of God poured out on sinners who don’t deserve it. But grace is more than just pardon. Grace is power.The Apostle Paul understood this intimately. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (LSB), he writes:“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace tow...  Read More

It’s one of the simplest phrases we could ever speak, yet perhaps one of the most powerful:“Would you come to church with me?”That’s it. Just seven words.No seminary degree required. No perfectly polished gospel presentation. No debate or defense of doctrine. Just a question that carries eternal weight.Too often, we complicate evangelism. We think it requires a platform, a microphone, or a deep th...  Read More

Church family,One of the great blessings of the local church is that it becomes a refuge when life falls apart. I’ve watched as many of you have come through our doors during the hardest seasons of your life—when the diagnosis came, when the marriage crumbled, when the job was lost, or when the grief was too heavy to carry alone. And I want you to hear me loud and clear: we will always be here for...  Read More