You likely think of yourself as honest. So why is there that one struggle you keep to yourself? Here's the problem with that: Unconfessed sin doesn’t go away—it grows. In this message, you'll see why God calls you to confess—not just to him but to others—so you can find the freedom, healing, and grace he wants for you. Because almost honest isn’t honest enough.
Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson explore the vital roles of honesty, vulnerability, and courage in the Christian journey, as they preview Pastor Mike's upcoming sermon series, "Almost Honest Isn't Honest Enough." They candidly discuss why confessing sins, engaging in thoughtful confrontation, and asking sincere questions are essential steps for spiritual growth and community health. Together, they emphasize creating safe spaces where believers can share struggles openly, fostering healing and...
What if you feel too broken with too much baggage? Can you still be saved? Pastor Mike walks us through the account of one of Jesus' closest female friends and shows us that no matter our stories, our struggles, or our secrets, it doesn’t matter how broken we might be—because the broken belong with Jesus.
Anger can do real damage to our relationships and our lives. So, Pastor Mike says, we need to ask ourselves: how are we going to deal with our anger? Or more important, what is God going to do with us before we blow up his blessings with our anger issues? Pastor Mike looks at the story of two brothers and how Jesus dealt with their anger—and how he can help us with ours too.
We all know a highly organized person who loves checking boxes, planning everything, and getting things done, and we are blessed to have them in our lives. Maybe we ARE that person. But what happens when these strengths of organization and productivity are turned up too high? Diving into the account of two sisters in the Bible, Pastor Mike gives us three takeaways to help stressed overachievers learn how to rest in Jesus.
We often have to be among the best to be chosen. But what if we're not the best? Or even close to it? Good thing for us that Jesus isn't like that. He didn't choose the best and the brightest. Instead, he picked people just like us: sinful, complicated people who sometimes aren't even considered good. Or, in the case of the apostle Peter, Jesus picked proud people who talked too much. WHY would Jesus do that? Through the story of Peter, Pastor Mike gives a message of hope to those who can relate...
The impact of generosity can transform your life and those around you. Pastor Mike concludes the series on money, teaching about the power of giving—whether through financial support, your time, or acts of kindness. By being generous, you become a reflection of God's own generosity to you.
We're facing a "generosity crisis." There's a staggering decline in charitable giving despite an increase in wealth. Why are people consumed by getting instead of giving? Pastor Mike looks at the famous verse from 1 Timothy 6 that talks about the love of money being the root of all kinds of evil, warning us of what happens if greed gets to our hearts. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them...
The Bible talks about money. A lot. So should we. Pastor Mike delves into the vital yet often overlooked conversation about money, exploring its dual nature as both a blessing and a potential challenge to your faith. Understanding the key principle of stewardship—everything you own is ultimately God's on loan—can transform your relationship with money. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask the...
Money. It's a topic many would rather avoid. But Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson tackle it head on, addressing the fears and challenges many face in managing finances. They emphasize the spiritual nature of money struggles, encouraging listeners to view money as a tool entrusted by God rather than personal property. They also highlight practical steps like budgeting, generosity, and honest communication, especially in marriage, while also cautioning against greed and materialism. You can be ...
What kind of life do you expect God to give his most faithful followers? In Pastor Mike's last message from the book of Daniel, he explores your expectations of God through the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Drawing from Daniel's story, he helps you understand the importance of having unwavering faith—because you can expect both blessings and hardship when obeying God. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or e...
What happens when you have to choose between pleasing others and staying true to your biblical faith? In Pastor Mike's second message from the book of Daniel, he uses the story of the three men in the fiery furnace to encourage you as you face your own tough decisions: What happens when you disappoint people by choosing to prioritize your faith? Learn how putting God first can reshape your life. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pas...
The societal pressures to conform to the way the world does things can be overwhelming. But Jesus calls us to be in the world, not of it. In this first message from Pastor Mike's new series from the book of Daniel, he encourages you to stand firm in your faith against the pressures to go along with cultural beliefs and behaviors that are not biblical. Using the story of Daniel and his friends, he teaches how to resolve living out your faith. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have...
Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson preview the next sermon series that looks at the book of Daniel. They explore how Daniel faced immense challenges—from assimilation pressures to standing firm against idolatry. They highlight Daniel’s unwavering faith, humility, and courage as powerful examples for Christians today living in a world that often feels chaotic and hostile to truth. The discussion also connects Daniel’s story to practical issues like setting spiritual boundaries, engaging with non...
For those who are sick of something—sick of sins, sick of aches and pains you can't fix, sick of the worry in your life, sick of the injustice in the world—Pastor Mike's final message from the book of Revelation gives you the Bible's final promise: There's a whole new world at the end for the people of God where everything is good and perfect. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety? Your self is the last place you should look. But God’s help . . . t...
The struggle seems real. Surveys show a growing disconnect from the church, and there's a stark decline in spiritual leaders, all while more people identify with no religion. You also wonder why you struggle so much with your own personal challenges. But instead of letting you live with the tension and suspense of what will happen amidst all this struggle, Jesus, who has a clear view of the future, spoils the ending by revealing the future of everyone who follows him. Where do you turn to overco...
How far would you go for Jesus? In a world where you will always be tempted to compromise, to sell out, and to cut theological corners, Pastor Mike's message today from the book of Revelation encourages you to stand firm in your faith so you know you are not marked by the beast and this world, but instead you are marked by God. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety? Your self is the last place you should look. But God’s help . . . that’s a differen...
Here's a hard truth: Satan knows you. The father of lies knows what tempts you and what will lead you astray. How do you combat him? In this new series that looks at the book of Revelation, Pastor Mike teaches that though the devil will attack you in various ways, you can overcome him. Uncover practical insights on how to protect your spirit and embrace the peace that comes from Jesus. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety? Your self is the last pl...
Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson are back with a preview of the new upcoming sermon series, "Revelation." They dive into the book of Revelation, a book many Christians avoid out of confusion or fear. But instead of avoiding it, Pastor Mike and Amber discuss how you should approach it: with the end in mind. Be comforted by how your story ends so you'll know how to begin each day and live the rest of your life. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiet...
What does Easter mean for your life? It's not just a story. It's an event, Pastor Mike says, that changes you—regardless of your baggage or brokenness. Seeing how Easter changes you starts with seeing how Jesus has always shown up for you. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety? Your self is the last place you should look. But God’s help . . . that’s a different story. In Amber Albee Swenson's new book, The Key to Confidence: Where to Go When You Fe...
Why should you celebrate Communion? What is Communion? For starters, Jesus gave us two miracles in Communion, or the Lord's Supper. And, Pastor Mike says, if you realize what these two miracles are, you will see and understand the greatest gift the universe has ever known. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety? Your self is the last place you should look. But God’s help . . . that’s a different story. In Amber Albee Swenson's new book, The Key to C...
Are you a confident person? Actually, the more important question according to Pastor Mike is: Do you consider yourself a spiritually confident person? Becoming a confident follower of Jesus starts with understanding the needs of your body and your soul. Where do you turn to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety? Your self is the last place you should look. But God’s help . . . that’s a different story. In Amber Albee Swenson's new book, The Key to Confidence: Where to...
What do you do when life gets scary? Do you question God and wonder if he’s working for your good? Can your faith withstand the trials? Pastor Mike teaches that if you know who Jesus is, you can have a peace that goes beyond understanding, even in your troubles. And knowing Jesus starts with recognizing these four keys about his identity. Do you feel out of place in this world, wondering how to follow God in a godless culture? Generations of believers have lived in the cultures of their times an...
In this Behind the Series episode, Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson give you a glimpse at the new sermon series, “Jesus Can.” They talk about the big idea—how you can't, but Jesus can—by looking at the real-life implications of Jesus’ miracles and teachings, diving into topics like finding peace in chaos, building confidence amid uncertainty, and understanding the significance of the Lord's Supper and Easter. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wa...
How do we know if God is speaking to us or if it's just us feeling and thinking what our own hearts want to hear under the guise of "God told me"? Throughout the Bible, God spoke in different ways to different people, using a burning bush, a whisper, visions, even a talking donkey. How does God speak to us today? Pastor Mike teaches how God promised to speak personally to each of us. To help you stay rooted in God's Word, we'd like to offer you a new book by Time of Grace's very own Dr. Bruce Be...
"Self-care" simply means to care for one's self. And in today's world where so many people deal with burnout, self-care has become a trending topic. But how do we care for ourselves without falling into the danger zone of thinking of ourselves too much and not honoring God? What does God say about work and rest and how to find a balance? Pastor Mike teaches two big ideas that can help us be right where God wants us to be. To help you stay rooted in God's Word, we'd like to offer you a new book b...
"Do not judge" is one of the most quoted passages in modern times. Because, culture tells us, who are we to judge others when we're not perfect either? But, Pastor Mike says, as counterintuitive as it seems, the Bible actually tells us to judge. Pastor Mike walks us through the Bible's teaching on judgment, giving us four parts on how to judge the right way. To help you stay rooted in God's Word, we'd like to offer you a new book by Time of Grace's very own Dr. Bruce Becker. It's called Torn: Li...
Just because we feel something doesn't make it right. So when we say that "love is love," what we're really doing is instinctively applying the terms and conditions of what we think love should be. But, Pastor Mike challenges, are we really qualified to define and impose those limits? Pastor Mike opens up the Bible to see what God says about love—to straight people, to gay people—and about how hard love is. To help you stay rooted in God's Word, we'd like to offer you a new book by Time of Grace...
Our modern culture proudly tells us to "be you"—because we're all different from one another and should embrace our uniqueness. But what does God think about "be you"? Does he want us to be true to ourselves? To look inside and to live that out? Pastor Mike says according to the Bible, God says, "Be you!" — but with an asterisk. To help you understand how to love like God, we have a new book called A Better Love: God's Love Transforms You by Dr. Paul Kelm. This book cuts through the confusion on...
Everyone loves someone. The challenge is loving everyone—that means not limiting your love to just those in your inner circle or who treat you well. Jesus calls you to that standard—to imitate the God who loves different people—and to serve your friends, enemies, and everyone in between. To help you understand how to love like God, we have a new book called A Better Love: God's Love Transforms You by Dr. Paul Kelm. This book cuts through the confusion on how the world views love, and shows you h...
