Yesterday, after church, I had four separate conversations with people about those we might label as “suspicious” in the congregation. Some said they felt uneasy about a visitor/ visitors who didn’t look or act like everyone else. Others admitted they struggled to know whether their concern was the Holy Spirit’s warning or just their own discomfort. And let’s be honest, there is a real fear after ...  Read More

Yesterday, the unthinkable happened. Charlie Kirk, voice to many, leader, father, public figure, was fatally shot at a public event. Lives changed irrevocably. Hearts broken. Families shattered. Yet even as we grieve, as Christians we hold on to a truth that is greater than death: Our God is sovereign. He sees. He knows. He is not distant. Charlie knew this.The Shock, the Questions, the GriefWhen ...  Read More

I am at another conference in Nashville, TN, and the speaker said something that stuck with me, and it needs to be shared with you. The image was simple but powerful: our worship of God is like a bucket. If that bucket is empty, everything else in our lives will eventually run dry. If it is full, not only will we be sustained, but we will overflow into our families, our church, our work, and our f...  Read More

I can tell you this with absolute certainty: you will never share the gospel until you believe it yourself. Not just in your head. Not just because you grew up in church. Not because you can quote a few verses. You have to believe it in your heart. The gospel is not a nice story or a religious tradition. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16, LSB). And if you d...  Read More

When I was younger, I always heard “you are saved through Faith by Grace, not by works, so no one may boast.” Many of us are familiar with the verse from Ephesians 2:8-9, but it was never explained to me. So, for the longest time, I just understood it as all I had to do was say the prayer and believe in God, and I had my ticket to heaven; nothing else I needed to do. While those things are true, R...  Read More

One of the greatest tools God has given us in evangelism is our personal testimony. When we share what Christ has done in our lives, how He saved us, changed us, and is still working in us, it can be powerful. People lean in when they hear real stories of brokenness, redemption, and hope. But as valuable as your testimony is, let me be clear: your testimony is not the gospel.Your testimony is pre-...  Read More

Ask the Pastor: A Question from Matt GarciaOne of the most heartbreaking lies the enemy whispers into the ears of people is this: “You are too far gone for God to save you.” Maybe you have heard it yourself. Perhaps you have thought, “After all I have done, how could God ever forgive me?” It is a heavyweight, a lie that chains people to shame and despair. However, the truth of Scripture reveals so...  Read More

Ask the Pastor: A question from Matt Garcia- Can Someone Lose Their Anointing? The word anointing carries weight. It speaks of God’s empowerment, His setting apart of a person for a task, and His Spirit resting upon someone to accomplish His work. From the Old Testament prophets to the apostles of the New Testament, anointing is never about personal glory. It is always about God’s purpose.But the ...  Read More

Ask the Pastor: A great question from Lindsey Reed: How do you guard your heart and not close it off?Every once in a while, God presses a phrase into your life in such a way that you cannot escape it. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (LSB). It is a clear command, and yet, it raises a very real question: How do you guard your heart with...  Read More

One of the greatest privileges God gives us as believers is the opportunity to share the gospel. Yet many Christians hesitate because they feel unqualified, nervous, or unsure where to start. The truth is that sharing your faith does not require a seminary degree or a perfect script. It requires love for people, confidence in the Word of God, and a willingness to open your mouth. Paul wrote in Rom...  Read More

As a pastor, I see something that breaks my heart week after week. God has given us incredible privileges, but many of us waste them. We hold in our hands the living Word of God. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. We have the church, the very body of Christ. And we have fellowship with other believers who are supposed to sharpen us and hold us up. These are priceless gifts, and yet too...  Read More

So many Christians are waiting on God to speak before they act. They say things like, “I’m just waiting for God to give me a sign” or “I’ll move when I hear His voice.” But here’s the truth: you don’t always need a voice when you already have a verse.God has spoken through His Word. The Bible is not silent. It is alive, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Too many believer...  Read More