Posts with the category “pastor-s-blog”

Christianity: Inclusive to All, Exclusive to Follow
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 30th, 2025
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
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The Doctrine of Perfection: A Dangerous Heresy
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 28th, 2025
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
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Christianity Is Like a Rock Tumbler
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 26th, 2025
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
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War or Murder? A Biblical Response to the Iran Conflict—and Why We Stand with Israel
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 23rd, 2025
Pastor Jody...  Read More
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If There Is Dust on Your Bible, There Is Dust on Your Heart
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 20th, 2025
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
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Why Do I Keep Running from God When I Know I Should Run Toward Him?
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 19th, 2025
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
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True Repentance: More Than Just Saying “Sorry”
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 18th, 2025
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
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Two Seas, Two Lives: What the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee Teach Us About Discipleship
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 12th, 2025
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
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Quitting Has Become the American Way — But Fruit Comes Through Faithful Endurance
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 10th, 2025
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
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Confronted by the Living Word
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 9th, 2025
“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
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The Difference Between Continual Sin and Oops Sin
by Pastor Jody on June 3rd, 2025
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
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Pride: The Root of All Sin
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 2nd, 2025
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
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The Altar: A Sacred Space for Encounter and Surrender
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 29th, 2025
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
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We Live By Dying
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 28th, 2025
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
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Altar or Stage? The Difference That Changes Everything
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 22nd, 2025
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
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Battling Depression with Scripture and Prayer: A Pastor’s Heartfelt Encouragement
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 21st, 2025
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
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Perfected in Christ — Not Perfect Yet
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 17th, 2025
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
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The Dangers of Deconstructing Christianity as a Christ Follower
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 16th, 2025
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
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Why Is It Only Offensive When You Talk About Jesus?
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 15th, 2025
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
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Our Love for Jesus Should Look Like Hate to Others
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 13th, 2025
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
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Grace: The Power to Do What He’s Called You to Do
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 8th, 2025
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
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Would You Come to Church With Me?” – The Simple Words That Could Change a Life
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 3rd, 2025
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
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We’re Here for You—In the Valleys and on the Mountaintops
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 29th, 2025
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
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​Laziness and Complacency in a Christian’s Life: A Wake-Up Call for the Family, the Church, and the Kingdom​
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 25th, 2025
As a pastor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how spiritual laziness and complacency can quietly infiltrate the lives of believers. These subtle adversaries hinder individual spiritual growth and ripple outward, affecting families, churches, and the broader advancement of God's Kingdom.  Read More
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Gossip: A Spiritual Battle We Must Fight
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 24th, 2025
Gossip is subtle but deadly. It creeps in quietly, disguised as innocent conversation, and before you know it, friendships fracture, trust erodes, and church unity is threatened. As followers of Christ, we must recognize gossip for what it truly is—a spiritual battle.The enemy knows that if he can divide believers, he weakens the effectiveness of the church. Gossip is one of his favorite tactics. ...  Read More
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Head in the Sand: The Danger of Ignoring Holiness
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 21st, 2025
In today’s world, it’s easy to play the spiritual ostrich—burying our heads in the sand when it comes to living a life of holiness and righteousness. We tell ourselves things like, “God knows my heart,” “Nobody’s perfect,” or “At least I’m not as bad as that guy.” We downplay sin, excuse compromise, and ignore the call to pursue godliness. But here’s the truth: God never called us to be comfortabl...  Read More
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Man Up and Lead – God's Design for the Home
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 19th, 2025
When God created the family, He didn’t just form a structure—He established a mission. And at the heart of that mission is you, man of God. You were never meant to sit back and let the world shape your home. You were called to rise up, stand firm, and lead with biblical authority, sacrificial love, and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.Leadership Begins at HomeBefore a man can lead a ministry,...  Read More
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Bible Study in 2023
by Jody Burkeen on December 30th, 2022
2023 can be the year you finally get through the bible. Here are some tips for studying the Bible:1. Set aside dedicated time for Bible study. It can be helpful to choose a regular time and place to study, such as in the morning before starting your day or in the evening before going to bed. I start the morning off with a cup of coffee, my bible and prayer journal.2. Choose a translation of the Bi...  Read More
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