How is your thought life? I ask this question because there are many who strive to influence or control your thoughts for their purposes. Scientists say we think around 62,000 thoughts a day. Some scientists who study these kinds of things say we think up to 70,000 thoughts a day. The point is, we think a lot of thoughts every day.
Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (NKJV).

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

We see how a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee reveals both the fear of the disciples and the authority of Jesus. While chaos surrounds them, Jesus remains calm—reminding us that His presence is greater than our panic. This message highlights a powerful truth: storms are inevitable, but we are never alone in them. Even when God feels silent, He is still at work. Through this story, we’re challenged to shift from fear to faith. Ultimately, it leads us to ask one important question—who is Jesus to us in the middle of life’s storms?

I remember our honeymoon like it was yesterday—full of adventure, spontaneity, and a few unexpected challenges along the way. From carefree road trips to moments of uncertainty, those early days were unforgettable. But like every relationship, the excitement of the beginning eventually gave way to the realities of life. What started as a beautiful journey soon faced tests we never saw coming. Looking back, those moments shaped far more than just our marriage. They revealed something deeper about how we grow through both joy and hardship.

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

Jesus uses the Parable of the Sower to reveal that spiritual growth is less about the message and more about the condition of our hearts. While God generously spreads His truth, our response determines whether it takes root. Some hearts are hard, some shallow, and others crowded with distractions—but only a receptive heart produces lasting fruit. This message challenges us to examine what might be blocking growth in our lives. It also reminds us that change is possible through humility, repentance, and obedience. Ultimately, the question isn’t whether God is speaking, but whether we are truly listening and responding.

I realize it must sound weird or strange for a pastor to say they have a problem with religious people, but please hear me out.
Religion itself can be positive or negative. I did a Bible (AI) search on the word religion or religious. The results were interesting. It said the positives and negatives of those words have much to do with the particular translation of the Bible. Apparently, English translations lean more negative than the original translations. Maybe that’s why I struggle with those words.

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

We see how Jesus addresses our deepest need—not just outward problems, but the condition of our hearts. When a paralyzed man is brought to Him, Jesus begins with forgiveness, showing that true healing starts from within. We also see Jesus calling Levi, a rejected tax collector, reminding us that no one is beyond His reach. Rather than demanding perfection, Jesus invites people into relationship. Finally, He introduces a new way of life marked by joy, grace, and freedom—not rules and performance. This message challenges us to stop trying to fix ourselves and instead come to Jesus for true healing.

I’ve always been fascinated with how Jesus called people to follow him. In Mark's Gospel, Jesus called a bunch of commercial fishermen to follow him. They didn’t hesitate—they dropped their nets to follow Jesus. This was a very unique and specific calling. Jesus said to them, “I’m going to teach you how to catch people instead of fish.” I’m pretty sure the disciples had no idea what they were signing up for. In fact, that’s part of the adventure of following Jesus. We never quite know where our calling will take us.

In this message from The Book of Mark, we see how Jesus begins His ministry by calling ordinary people to follow Him. Instead of choosing the most qualified or educated, He invites fishermen—demonstrating that calling is about availability, not credentials. As Jesus teaches and performs miracles, His authority becomes undeniable, even over spiritual forces. Yet His power is rooted in something simple but profound: a consistent prayer life. We also see His deep compassion as He reaches out to those society avoids. This message challenges us to consider how we are responding to Jesus’ call in our own lives.

Last Sunday we began a brand new sermon series on the Gospel of Mark. Mark is one of those writers that gets right to the point. I love the simplicity of how he presents John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist came with a powerful message of repentance. The common people, mostly Jews from the surrounding areas, were very receptive to what John was preaching. Hundreds and thousands of people were coming out to hear John. After listening to John’s fiery messages, many of them made a decision to be baptized.

When Jesus began his public ministry, he immediately began proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus also taught that repentance was necessary for salvation. Many of the Old Testament prophets put a heavy emphasis on repentance. The New Testament writers, including Paul, Peter, James, and John, talked about repentance. Since we know repentance is important and necessary, the question is: what does it mean to repent?

In this opening message of The Book of Mark, we are introduced to the fast-paced and powerful Gospel that reveals Jesus as the Suffering Servant. Pastor Steve walks through the background of Mark, highlighting his story of failure and restoration as a reminder of God’s grace. Mark chapter 1 begins in the wilderness with a call to repentance, pointing to a fresh start and a new way of relating to God. As Jesus steps into baptism, He identifies with humanity and is confirmed as the Son of God. The message is clear: the kingdom of God has arrived, and it calls for a response. This sermon challenges us to consider whether the Gospel is still good news in our lives today.

Maybe you have heard these famous words, “It’s Friday but Sunday is coming!” This is about Good Friday leading into Easter Sunday. There is great anticipation for Christians starting on Good Friday and building up to Resurrection Sunday.
But what about Monday?
Churches are packed on Easter Sunday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Resurrection songs are sung, and most people leave their churches feeling happy and blessed. But what about Monday? Monday might just be the most important day.

In this Easter message, Pastor Steve explores why the resurrection of Jesus is more than a historical event—it’s a life-changing reality. Through the story of the road to Emmaus, we see two followers overwhelmed with despair, walking away from hope. Yet Jesus meets them in their confusion, opens their eyes to the truth, and completely transforms their direction. The resurrection turns fear into courage and despair into purpose. It reminds us that we are not meant to simply exist, but to experience a full and meaningful life. This message challenges us to consider which road we are walking—despair or life.

Last Sunday I finished a sermon series on the book of Genesis. I want to highlight a few thoughts from my message.

We focused on the story of Joseph, his father Jacob, and Joseph’s eleven brothers. This was a troubled family. Maybe you can relate? Personally, I don’t know of any families that don’t have some kind of problems or struggles.

This particular family was full of secrets. The biggest secret was a lie the brothers told their father about Joseph. They convinced their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal after they sold him to slave traders. The problem with living with a lie is that you have to tell more lies to cover up the original lie. After a while, the guilt associated with the lies begins to take its toll on the keepers of the lies.

Pastor Steve brings the story of Joseph to a powerful conclusion. After years of betrayal, suffering, and separation, Joseph comes face to face with the very brothers who wronged him. Through this emotional encounter, we see that forgiveness is not easy—it requires humility, honesty, and a willingness to take the first step. Yet God uses even guilt and brokenness to lead people toward healing and restoration. Joseph’s story reminds us that while others may intend harm, God can still work everything for good. This message challenges us to consider what relationships in our lives need to be restored.

One of the questions I’ve been asked throughout my years of ministry is, “What is the unpardonable sin?” I think what triggers most people to ask that particular question is fear. And I totally understand why it would strike fear in the hearts of people. Jesus is full of grace and mercy. Everything he does is based on love and forgiveness, but suddenly he makes a statement about a sin that cannot be forgiven and we think, “Where did that come from and why did he say it?”

Pastor Steve explores the life of Joseph and the many injustices he endured. Betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, and thrown into prison, Joseph had every reason to become bitter—but he chose faithfulness instead. Through his story, we learn that doing the right thing doesn’t always lead to immediate reward, but God is always at work behind the scenes. Even in seasons of waiting and disappointment, Joseph remained faithful and trusted God’s plan. His journey reminds us that God can use even our hardest moments to prepare us for something greater.

Something happened to me on the way to fulfilling my dreams—God forgot about me. Well, actually He didn’t, but at the time it certainly felt like He did. I stepped into ministry at a young age with high hopes, only to find myself facing unexpected setbacks and confusion. Doors that once seemed open suddenly closed, and nothing made sense. It left me questioning everything—my calling, my future, even where God was in it all. But what I couldn’t see in the moment was that something deeper was unfolding behind the scenes.