“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

With the holidays and year-end reflections upon us, it's the perfect time to reassess our focus. This episode discusses the balance between pursuing personal goals and seeking God's will and how putting him first can transform not just our hearts but our lives. Tune in for a thought-provoking con...

When you stood at the altar and took your vows, neither one of you envisioned now being in what Pastor Mike calls a "C- marriage." So ... how do couples end up there? And if you are there, how do you get out of this rut? Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson—a Time of Grace podcaster, writer, and b...

“So do not fear, for I am with
you; do not be dismayed, for I
am your God. I will strengthen
you and help you; I will uphold
you with my righteous
right hand.”

Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Ho...

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

"The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”

In the eleventh episode of the Last Call series we'll take a look at God's challenge to the people: Give to me and see if I won't bless you. Why is it hard to trust God? And how can we loosen our grip on money and worldly goods?

What does the world see when it looks at you? From jerseys to tattoos, we all display something—whether it's our favorite sports team, political views, or even our social status. But what about your faith? Are you willing to display Christ in a world that might not always celebrate it? In this ep...

In the tenth episode of the Last Call series, we'll examine God's warning for people dabbling in sin as well as his open invitation to return to him no matter where we've been or what we've done.

You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
“You did not make me”?
Can the pot say to the potter,
“You know nothing”?

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerin...

12.20.24 The reason Christians celebrate Christmas is to worship the baby Jesus, right? The One who was laid in a manger. The One who was born of a virgin. Well, Pastor Mike says, the baby in the manger would not mean anything if that same baby were not to die on a cross and then rise again. The ...

The life a Christians lives most likely won't be understood by the world; that can be really tough. People may look at you like you're weird or something is wrong with you. The real thing to look at is: Are you conforming to be loved by the world, or are you embracing being rarely understood and ...

In the ninth episode of the Last Call series, we'll consider the role of suffering. Why does a good God allow his people to suffer? Malachi introduces us to the concept of purification, the process that metal goes through to get rid of contamination. Could it be that God uses suffering and afflic...

12.13.24. It's shocking, surprising, illogical, and supernatural. And it's for all of us. Pastor Mike explains the amazing gift of God's grace so we understand how grace is the one thing we need the most. . . Transcript: https://bit.ly/3OW0qX4

How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens . . .
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit."

Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.