In Spirit & Truth

Daniel stood out from the crowd, catching the King's eye. Do you have any idea why? Do you wonder what unique thing he did to stand out from others? Today, Pastor JD shares insights on how cultivating a prayer life enhances your connection with God and enriches your life, making you stand out from others around you.

Today, Pastor JD brings you Jesus’ clear warning: do not fear those who can only kill the body. Instead, fear the One who has authority over your eternal soul. This isn’t meant to terrify you but to set your priorities right. When you fear God first, you’re able to live for Him above the threats or demands of anyone else.

In the life of Job, the enemy had to ask permission before he could do anything. In today’s message, Pastor JD explains that Satan is not free to do whatever. God remains fully in control, even during spiritual attacks. Stay cautious, evil forces are real and active, but they can never act outside of what God allows.

In today's message, Pastor JD explains that you can be firmly anchored in the Lord and still find yourself overwhelmed by emotions. If you shift your focus away from Christ and onto your circumstances, you can begin to sink. The key is where you fix your eyes. Looking to Christ is what keeps you from sinking.

Have you ever wondered why the king’s advisors couldn’t pin anything on Daniel? It’s because Daniel chose to follow God's guidance rather than the rules set by mankind. Today, Pastor JD highlights how following God’s commands not only aligns you with Him but also helps you navigate the world around you!

In today's message, Pastor JD explains that God holds your very breath in His hand. And He continues to give you that breath, second after second. Even when you have used that same breath to pursue other things or turn away from Him, He still sustains you. That is incredible mercy and entirely undeserved grace.

How quick are you in a crisis to turn to every person for help except the One who can actually do something? Today, Pastor JD describes when Belshazzar did just that. In moments of fear, you might often run to everyone but God. Don’t look for answers in people while the Lord waits to be called upon.

As hard as the truth is to swallow, we’re all sinners, and that makes us bad people, but the good news is that we get to have redemption from that! In today’s message, Pastor JD talks about the truth of your sin, whether you think you’re a good person or not, you are a sinner in need of a Savior who has already come.

Spiritual attacks are scary. The closer you are to God, the higher on the enemy’s target list you are. Never fight that battle alone; the Church is a community that will stand alongside you. In today’s message, Pastor JD talks about the battle you may face as a believer and the importance of responding in faith and courage.

In our world, there’s ALWAYS something trying to grab our attention. Within that, God is calling out to us, but it’s your choice whether you reach out or not. In today’s message, Pastor JD says that in these days, you need to take captive your thoughts and focus on God, His Will, and His Mission.

As a devoted man of prayer, Daniel didn’t stop at merely interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams; he likely lifted up heartfelt prayers for the King’s salvation as well. Today, Pastor JD encourages you to pray for the people around you, so that they can find Jesus and have eternal life as well!

Jesus most always appeared to speak gently with others. However, there was one little exception. He unleashed the toughest words on the Pharisees, calling out their wrongdoings with no hesitation. Today, Pastor JD shares some insights on how to express yourself with kindness and respect in your conversations.

Have you ever thought about how God puts your honesty and integrity to the test? It's an intriguing concept, isn't it? He places someone before you, and in that moment, the situation calls for you to reveal the truth to that person. In today’s message, Pastor JD dives into how God guides you in embracing honesty in your life.

When you wake up in the morning, what is the FIRST thing on your mind? Breakfast? Your phone? Maybe… Jesus? In today’s message, Pastor JD talks about what you consume in your life and how that can affect your mind and your thinking. You may not realize it, but your mind is the product of what you put into it daily.

The devil has been scheming for decades, centuries, millennia, for how to dismantle the Kingdom of God, and despite all of his planning and schemes, he knows that he can never overcome or defeat the King of creation! While we may worry in the moment over the plans of the enemy, we can have confidence in God’s ultimate triumph!

There have always been shady figures making furtive movements within the shadows, and that will never change on this side of Heaven. However, we need not fear, for we have the power of the Holy Spirit residing within us! While the world around us may crumble in fear and failure, we can rest in Christ.

What is God’s purpose in permitting you to experience trials? Today, Pastor JD emphasizes that God’s intention is to bless you through adversity, not to cause harm. In the narrative of the fiery furnace, only the ropes binding the men were consumed. God may use trials to free you from the constraints that bind you.

How should we respond to adversity? Today, Pastor JD states that understanding painful trials requires a willingness to say, “Thy will not mine.” We must place our complete trust in the Lord, even when circumstances do not align with ours. It may not be easy, but God will provide a way where there is no way.

The biblical account of the fiery furnace illustrates the decision between remaining faithful to God and compromising one's convictions. Today, Pastor JD examines the circumstances around the choices these young Israelite men made. Despite the genuine threats, they remained steadfast in their decision.

The Holy Spirit is always with us to aid us in our walk with Christ. We need the power of the Spirit to be refreshed and renewed in our walk daily, and we can always count on that! However, we should not get complacent and should continue to be wary of the world around us – watch for coming hostility and temptation!

The fact that God is restraining evil at all right now is such a huge blessing that many of us do not recognize! It’s easy to be distracted by the current evil that exists in our world, but things could be far worse! Thank God for His control over all things! Today, though, we’ll take a look at why this restraint is temporary.

Pastor JD today discusses the purpose of prophecy. God didn’t put prophecy in His word for fun, or for casual, light reading, but as a warning and a heads-up for us! God desires to see us prepare for the coming days – challenges and blessings included – so that we may share the Gospel effectively with as many people as possible!

Sometimes we read about the heroes of the Bible and think they were on a completely different level than us. Today, Pastor JD will explain to you how they were ordinary people: imperfect, weak, and often afraid. The difference was that God used them anyway. And the same God still delights in using imperfect people today.

It’s tempting to take credit for our successes, our talents, or the good things happening in our lives. But every good gift comes from God. Pastor JD will talk to you today about giving God the glory He alone deserves for what He’s done. The strength, wisdom, and opportunities you have are because of Him.

Worry feels productive sometimes, as if we think about something long enough, we can control the outcome. But Jesus tells us that worrying adds nothing to our lives. Today, Pastor JD will remind you that worry only steals your peace and your time. God calls you instead to trust Him with what you can’t carry on your own.

Strategies – they're used by football coaches, war generals, teachers, organizations, and governments. They’re good for organizing efforts and resources toward achieving a goal. This doesn’t make strategies good or bad, but what it does show is intent. Pastor JD talks today about the purpose behind these strategies.

God doesn’t need reminders – He’s all-knowing and all-powerful! We need to remember that God has our best interest at heart, and that He has not forsaken or forgotten about us, not once! Unlike you and me, God does not forget His promises, and He always keeps His word to us! Trust that God will continue to be there for us!

God’s sovereignty is not something He wields with wanton disregard for you and me. Rather, God desires to see all people be saved, so that we may find our fulfilment and our ultimate joy in Him! However, God is not willing to violate our free will to complete that. This is why we must continue to talk and share about Jesus!

Every parent loves when their child is genuinely thankful. Not because they need recognition, but because gratitude shows love. Pastor JD will explain to you today that God delights when you remember what He’s done for you and thank Him for it. A grateful heart draws you closer to the goodness of God.

If we follow Jesus, our lives should look different from the world around us. Not in a prideful way, but in a way that makes people wonder why we have peace, hope, and love that stand out. Today, Pastor JD will share with you that God calls you to shine brightly so others are drawn toward Him through your life.

As Christians, we’re called to walk in the light, not flirt with darkness. The influences we allow into our minds and hearts matter more than we think. Pastor JD will warn you today that God warns you to stay away from things that pull you toward darkness and instead pursue what is pure, holy, and full of His presence.

The urgency of getting the Gospel to the people around us should be tantamount to saving someone from an oncoming car! We can see what is coming, and we know how they can be saved – we should concern ourselves less with the opinions of others, and more with the continual sharing of the hope of Jesus with others!

The second coming of Christ will be swift and sudden upon us, and we do not know when that day will be! However, as Pastor JD makes clear in today’s message, there are clear signs that Jesus’ arrival is quickly approaching! As we look at the world around us through the lens of God’s Word, this reality becomes more apparent.

We humans, are simple creatures. As much as we like to attempt to muddy the waters and look at the “gray” in situations, we are, many times, brought back to the black-and-white reality of Scripture. We can choose to believe objective truth, or we can embrace lies. There is light, and there is dark – and that is made clear in today’s text.

The world tells us to chase recognition from people, but Scripture says God honors those who honor Him. Today, Pastor JD will share with you what it means to live a life that honors God first. When God honors someone, it’s not small or temporary. God rewards faithfulness, obedience, and devotion.

We love comfort. We settle into routines, familiar places, and predictable lives. Pastor JD will explain to you today that sometimes God allows discomfort to shake you loose from where you’ve stayed too long. Not to harm you, but to move you. God wants to lead you into the purpose He’s calling you to.

We ask everybody for advice. Friends, podcasts, influencers, experts. But how often do we stop and ask God for wisdom? Scripture says if anyone lacks wisdom, we should ask God, and He gives generously. Today, Pastor JD will tell you that God isn’t hiding direction from you. God delights in leading His children.

Shouldn’t we be used to the idea that God always knows what’s going to happen? While God may be mysterious, He gives us the opportunity to see His plans revealed through His word! If you’re ever uncertain of what is coming down the road, know that Scripture contains the whole story – and rest assured that God wins the day!

If you’ve listened to Pastor JD’s updates before, you might have caught on that he always makes a point to share the ABC’s of the gospel. Well, today is no different. The message of the gospel is the single most important message you will ever hear in your life. It’s not complicated, but it is life-changing.

A teacher’s job in the classroom is to prepare the students for the field in which they’re studying. It wouldn’t do any good to talk about math without ever learning calculations. Today, Pastor JD wants you not to miss the forest for the trees. It’s imperative that you understand the point of the Scriptures is to know Jesus.