If you’ve thought about Jesus’s parable about the shepherd who loses only one out of a hundred sheep, you may have wondered about his priorities. After all, isn’t ninety-nine sheep a pretty good flock? Today, Pastor John reminds us that Jesus’s story isn’t about sheep; it’s about people. God cares about every person in His flock. If you’re the one …

A familiar theme in stories or movies involves a person who gets into a situation from which it’s impossible to save himself. Then the hero comes along and rescues him. Today, Pastor John shows how God, the good Shepherd, comes along to rescue his helpless and hopeless sheep. You may be like a sheep that’s lost and can’t find its way home, or has f…

When you’re looking for nourishment and refreshment, where do you go? Well, you could go to your favorite restaurant. That’s for physical food. But what about nourishment for your life and refreshment for your soul? What restaurant has that on the menu? Today, Pastor John finds that menu for you. It’s called the Twenty-Third Psalm. God wants to be …

We live in a complicated world. There are plenty of things to worry about. And there’s always just SO MUCH work that has to get done. The idea of “rest” is a pretty foreign word today. Many people can’t translate that word into real life. But today, Pastor John shows that there is one sure source of rest. And that’s the Lord, the Good Shepherd. Whe…

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” These may be the most well-known and most beloved words ever written. But today, as Pastor John explores the Twenty-Third Psalm, he shows that it’s more than just a nice sentiment for times of trouble. This Psalm contains one of the fullest descriptions of God’s provision that you’ll find anywhere in the…

What do you think of the Twenty-Third Psalm, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” how do you picture David as he was writing it? Perhaps he was a young man, sitting under a tree, peacefully watching his sheep. Maybe he wrote it as a warrior king. But today, Pastor John suggests that he may have written it in his elder years. Perhaps he looked back on everyth…

If you were to ask people what’s in the Bible, what kind of answers would you get? Many people think it’s pages and pages of rules, like reading the Congressional Record. Others think of it like a history book that’s just a bunch of facts and dates. But Pastor John has a much different take on it today. The Bible is God “speaking.” And when you lis…

You’ve probably heard that the Bible is “inspired” by God. But what’s so unusual about that? After all, the word “inspired” can mean a lot of things. You could be inspired by seeing a beautiful sunset in the mountains. Maybe you see a situation in your community, and you’re inspired to do something about it. But today, Pastor John explains two impo…

Who do you listen to? What voices do you hear: from your friends, your social media, your consumption of movies and television? Today, Pastor John has a warning: whatever you listen to, eventually is what you’ll believe. The best way to control what your mind thinks about, is by controlling what you put into it. The apostle Paul lists six very spec…

Have you ever been sitting somewhere and noticed that your mind has been wandering? Have you ever been listening to someone and then realized you didn’t hear a thing they just said? Today, Pastor John has a pretty simple message: “think about what you think about.” Don’t turn your mind off and let it go wherever it wants to go. It probably won’t go…

If you’ve ever gone to a doctor, you’ve probably gotten a prescription. Then you go to the pharmacy, get the prescription filled, take the medicine, and hopefully you feel better. Today, Pastor John has a prescription for something way more important than your physical health. It’s a prescription for having the peace of God. It’s a peace that passe…

Most people in this world are seeking something. Some want to be famous or significant. Others just want to live a quiet and peaceful life. And some just want some particular thrill or pleasure. But behind all these longings is usually just a desire for happiness. But what IS happiness? Today, Pastor John has something to talk about that’s much bet…

People want to be part of something special. It could be their local sports team that is going to the big game. Or a candidate for political office for whom they’ve campaigned tirelessly. But people want to be part of something that matters. Today, Pastor John shows that all Christians are part of something vastly more important than anything on ea…

People will say, “you have to have hope.” Maybe it’s the last quarter of a football game and your team is losing. Maybe it’s a failing project at work, or a troubled family at home. But today, Pastor John establishes that there is only one true hope, and that’s the Lord Jesus Christ. And the best news for most of us is that Jesus is the Messiah not…

Everyone wants “peace.” From yard signs saying “visualize world peace” to peace within your own household to “just be nice to each other,” peace is a universal aspiration. But what actually IS peace? Today, Pastor John explains two kinds of peace related to God. First, you can have peace with God through faith in Christ. Then, you can have the peac…

When you think of salt, what do you think of? Probably the fact that it’s really tasty, especially on popcorn! You might also think of it as something that makes you really thirsty, like after you eat too much salty popcorn. And lastly, you know that it’s used as a preservative, especially for meats. Today, Pastor John explains what it means to be …

The idea of people being in opposition to one another is not unusual. It could simply be two football teams playing each other. Or it’s a strong difference of opinion at your job about how this project should be run. And then, there are always opposing political parties. But today, Pastor John talks about an opposition which runs much deeper than a…

You’ve probably seen yard signs like “visualize world peace” or “just be kind.” Most people want peace. Peace in their neighborhood; peace in their families; peace in the world. But today, Pastor John asks a question: how can you have peace? If you don’t have peace inside, how can you make peace outside? And the most fundamental peace of all is pea…

Imagine someone finishes off a big bowl of spaghetti. He picks up the bowl, thoroughly washes off the outside, then sticks it back in his cupboard. But he never washes the inside of the bowl. Pretty ridiculous, right? Today, as Pastor John explains the Beatitude “blessed are the pure in heart,” he reminds us that the purity Jesus is talking about i…

There’s a general principle in life that before you can go out and help others, you have to prepare yourself first. If you want to be a school teacher, first you have to learn your subject. If you want to participate on an athletic team, it starts with getting yourself into condition. Today, Pastor John shows how that same principle is applied in J…

What are some of the things that people in this world pursue? Obviously, money is one. And there’s honor, success, fame, and popularity. Or simply, pleasure. And behind it all is often the pursuit of happiness. But today, Pastor John shows, in another of Jesus’s upside-down Beatitudes, that happiness doesn’t come from desiring happiness. It comes f…

Who are the most celebrated people in the world today? If you ask, you’ll probably hear about sports superstars, the extremely rich, or those with tremendous political power. But today, Pastor John asks: Who are the people God celebrates? And as you make your way through the Beatitudes, you’ll see the progression: poor in spirit, mourning, and now:…

If you’re familiar with “The Beatitudes,” you may know that there’s a total of eight “Blessed Ares.” And they’re about as opposite from the “Blessed Ares” that you find in our culture as they could possibly be. Today, Pastor John describes the second Beatitude, showing how it grows out of the first. You’re poor in spirit – you recognize your comple…

What does it mean for someone to be “poor in spirit”? Does it mean they’re just naturally shy? Or is it a showy humility – someone who puts himself down so others will try to stroke him up? Today, Pastor John explains that being poor in spirit isn’t about how you act; it’s about how you see yourself before God. It’s not about who you are, but what …

You’re probably heard “The Beatitudes” before. Also known as the “Blessed Ares.” And maybe you’ve thought, well, yes, I’m pretty good at that one. Or, ouch, I’m not so great on this other one. But today, Pastor John introduces the Beatitudes by explaining that they’re not just natural tendencies or habits that you may or may not have. These are cha…

We all need a little help from our friends. Actually, a lot. Think of some of the friendships you’ve had during your lifetime. What was the content of those relationships? Did you hang around and talk shop, sports, or politics? Or did you share your Christian lives and pray for each other? Today, Pastor John emphasizes the value of Christian friend…

Sometimes when you’re reading one of Paul’s epistles, and you get to the last chapter, it seems like it’s just a bunch of “say hi to so-and-so” stuff, and it’s not really very important. Well, today, Pastor John looks at Paul’s closing greetings in Colossians and pulls together some fascinating insights from these verses. Have you heard of Ty-CHEEK…

It’s important that we learn how to pray properly. And this is especially true when it comes to how we pray for people. Are you praying for someone you know to come to faith? Are you praying that God will open the door and that you’ll be able to speak clearly? Today, Pastor John shows the correlation between how you pray and how you witness. The Ap…

What kind of work do you do? Is it sacred or secular? How would you define that? A pastor – that’s sacred. A maintenance worker – that’s secular. Except if it’s at a church or a Christian school – then it’s sacred… Maybe. Don’t worry: today, Pastor John explains that ALL labor performed by a Christian, in the Name of Christ, IS sacred. You can glor…

Wherever you go, throughout your day, you see people “at work.” There’s the truck driver on the highway, the server at the restaurant, the person who answers the phone when you call in with a problem. How do those people seem to be doing? Today, Pastor John shows that your work satisfaction is not based on how cool your job is or how much money you…

The topic of how to parent your children has seldom been more confusing than it is in our culture today. There are so many conflicting ideas that it’s hard to know where to start. Today, Pastor John looks at God’s Word to provide the correct answers. If you’re a parent, there are several great ways that you can set your children up for success – wi…

If you were to look for a word today that would probably get a negative reaction, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one than “authority.” Especially given our glorification of the “pursuit of happiness,” nothing can be more dislikeable. But today, Pastor John shows that respect for authority is foundational to a successful life. And if you’re …

There are a lot of definitions of “love” in our culture today. And many of them are simply assertions of one’s own will to do things their own way. But is that really what “love” is supposed to be? Today, Pastor John reminds us that God IS Love. And therefore, He gets to define it. And God defines love as a sacrificial giving for the good of the ot…

You may have heard that there’s a command in the Bible that husbands love their wives. But what if “the feeling’s gone and you just can’t get it back”? If that’s your situation, then Pastor John has some great news for you today: Love is NOT a feeling. It’s a decision. If you’re a husband, you’re called to love your wife. That means that you want t…

Of the various biblical concepts that come under criticism today, one of the biggest targets is the word: “submission.” It doesn’t cater to our modern sense of the autonomous self. Today, Pastor John explains that submission is a fundamental biblical concept that applies to many aspects of the Christian life. It doesn’t mean passive or inferior. Ra…

If you’ve been a Christian for very long, you’ve probably come across the New Testament’s teachings about marriage and the family. Or, you may have come across caricatures of those relationships that disparage those teachings. Today, Pastor John explains what could be the problem. If you’re just looking at the external commands, you may miss the po…

What does it mean for God’s Word to “dwell” in you? Is it just a matter of memorizing the Bible? Is it carrying a concordance with you, so you can look stuff up when you need it? Today, Pastor John explains that the Word of God must be allowed to have access to every part of your life. If you want to be a Spirit-filled believer, you must be a Word-…

How do you follow God’s will in your life? And, how can you follow it, if you don’t know it? So, how can you know it? Today, Pastor John shares three elements that will always be in alignment when you’re in God’s will. First, the peace of God will be in your heart. Second, the will of God will always conform to the Word of God. And third, God’s han…

If you wanted to improve in a skill – whether it’s playing tennis or playing the cello – you’d want to find a qualified instructor. And that instructor would want to train you in good habits. But first, they’d probably have to fix some bad habits. Maybe you’re holding the tennis racket or the cello bow incorrectly. Today, Pastor John shows how the …

There are some amazing things that can be done with the human body. Someone can drive a golf ball hundreds of yards. People have walked on the surface of the moon. And beautiful paintings, sculptures, and music have been created. As Pastor John emphasizes today, the bodies that God created are good. It's only how it’s used that’s questionable. The …

Have you ever had a “stretch goal”? Maybe you’re a runner, and you had an optimistic but challenging target for running a Ten K. Or, at your job, you were trying for a new position that was well above your current level. If so, you’ll recognize the constant, diligent effort that it requires. Today, Pastor John explains that if you want to have an a…

When you ask people about their quote-“spirituality,” what kinds of answers do you get? Some people may be into Eastern forms of religious experience. Many do their own thing. Often, you’ll hear of self-actualization, self-enlightenment, or some other self-something. Today, Pastor John reminds us that true spirituality is only found in Jesus Christ…

As Christians, there’s always the temptation to look for Jesus… plus. Jesus plus rules. Jesus plus some mystical or spiritual experience. Jesus plus physical disciplines. Today, Pastor John shows from the book of Colossians that there is no “plus” in Jesus. And he warns us against those who might be trying to push their personal “spirituality” agen…

If God could give you any gift, what would be the most amazing gift He could give you? How about a life free from pain? Perhaps the perfect family? Or, just paying off all your credit card debts. Plus your mortgage. Today, Pastor John shows that what God gave you far exceeds any of that or anything you could possibly imagine. Did you know that God …

Imagine if someone left you an inheritance of ten million dollars and you were living in poverty. But somehow, you didn’t know that you had inherited the money. Would it do you any good? Today, Pastor John stresses how crucial it is to know what your position is in Christ in order to live the victorious Christian life. You need to know that you are…

Most people in the Western world have heard of Jesus. They know that He was a teacher. Probably a very insightful teacher. Some people try to follow some of His teachings, such as the “golden rule.” But today, Pastor John reminds us that being a Christian isn’t just about doing certain things. It’s having a genuine relationship with God. And you ca…

There are a lot of people who believe a lot of things. And usually, if you ask them, they’ll have reasons that are inwardly based. It “feels” right. Or, it “works for me.” Or sometimes, people believe whatever they happen to have been taught without really thinking through it themselves. Today, Pastor John warns: don’t base your beliefs on yourself…

How should we live? What should be the basis of our thoughts and ideas, our decisions and actions? Many people will align their lives with a particular political party. Others will subscribe to one of our pop culture ideals. Some just “do their own thing.” Today, Pastor John urges us to plant our feet on the only immovable, eternal, solid foundatio…

All we need is love. Love is the answer. But what IS love? Is it simply a bland tolerance for everybody? Live and let live? As Pastor John turns the corner into the second chapter of the book of Colossians today, he gives us a true and genuine example of real love: the apostle Paul. Paul’s concern for these believers was intense from his heart. But…

What responsibilities do you have in your life? If you have a job, then you have to answer to your boss. If you’re married and/or have children, then you’re responsible for taking care of your family. When you drive a car, you’re accountable to the laws of the road. Today, Pastor John shows that your greatest responsibility is to the gifts you’ve r…