In our spiritual war, it's not just important to know the gospel—but to share it. But for many of us, fear keeps us silent. What if we say the wrong thing? What if it ruins a relationship? Even the apostle Paul, one of history’s boldest evangelists, asked for prayers to share the gospel fearlessly. In this message, Pastor Mike helps you learn how to overcome fear, seize the right moments, and boldly proclaim the hope of Jesus in a world that desperately needs it. The battle is real, but so is the power of the gospel.
Spiritual battles aren’t won with willpower alone—they’re won on our knees in prayer. Yet for many of us, prayer feels like a struggle. We forget, we feel unworthy, or we simply don’t know where to start. But in Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul reminds us that prayer isn’t just a part of the Christian life—it’s essential to standing firm against the enemy. In this message, you’ll discover why prayer is both your greatest weapon and your deepest connection to God and how even the smallest prayer in Jesus’ name can have a powerful impact.
No soldier walks into battle without the right gear, and no Christian can stand strong without the armor of God. The enemy isn’t just attacking—you’re in a spiritual war whether you realize it or not. But God has provided everything you need to stand firm. In this message, Pastor Mike breaks down each piece of the armor of God from Ephesians 6 and shows how to “fit check” your faith daily so that when the battle comes, you’re ready to stand strong in God’s mighty power.
Spiritual warfare isn’t always obvious. Temptation doesn’t always look like something terrible. Often it’s disguised as something good taken too far. So how do you stand firm when the battle comes to you? In this message, Pastor Mike teaches you that one powerful verse from Ephesians 6 reveals how to prepare for “the day of evil” so that when it comes—not if, but when—you’ll be ready to stand your ground and fight the good fight of faith.
Every day you wake up in the middle of a battle. The enemy isn’t firing bullets but lies, temptations, and distractions—scheming to pull you away from faith, hope, and the truth of God’s Word. The good news? You don’t have to fight alone. God gives you his strength, his armor, and his power to stand firm. In this kickoff to our series on spiritual warfare, you’ll learn why the key to victory isn’t found in your own strength but in being strong in God. Because when your feet are firmly planted in Jesus, you don’t just take hits—you fight back.
Spiritual warfare is real. As Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson preview the new sermon series, "War Zone," they dive into spiritual warfare, unpacking what it means to fight daily battles that most of us can't even see. They open up about the unseen forces working against our efforts to love God and love others—and the practical ways we can push back. They unpack how staying anchored in Scripture—and leaning into prayer, community, and Christ—shapes the way we stand in the fight.
Amber mentions the "I Am" PDF that reminds us what God says about us. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/IAm-ToG.
Pastor Mike mentions the new book "When the Devil Attacks: Winning in the War Zones" by Time of Grace's own Dr. Bruce Becker. You can request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org.
So much of life hinges on this single thing we call self-control—because there are so many temptations that can overcome us. So how do we get more self-control? Pastor Mike zeroes in on two big ways that God helps us have more self-control.
Some of us never stop working; some of us struggle to start. In a world that glorifies both hustle and comfort, how do we find the right balance? Today we dive into God’s design for work and rest—why doing too much can drain us, why doing too little can burden others, and how the cross of Jesus gives us both the motivation to work and the freedom to rest.
Words are everywhere—spoken, texted, posted, whispered. And yet for all the words we use, some have the power to build while others quietly destroy. Slander isn’t just a legal term or a political tactic; it’s what happens when our words assume, exaggerate, or tear down. Why do we do it? How does it affect our relationships? And what does God want to replace it with? Pastor Mike helps us see why Jesus takes our words so seriously and how speaking the right words can change everything—starting with the words he speaks over us.
Everyone worships something. Whether it’s success, relationships, comfort, control, or even our own opinions, there’s always something fighting for first place in our hearts. That’s what the Bible calls idolatry—not just statues and shrines but anything we fear, love, or trust in more than God. Today's message looks at how idols promise fulfillment but leave us empty and how only Jesus can truly satisfy our hearts.
Some sins are obvious, marked by shame and confession. But what about the ones we don’t think twice about—habits so ingrained in our lives that they no longer feel like sins at all? That's the premise of this new sermon series. The first message hones in on gluttony, where it’s not about the number on a scale but the posture of our hearts toward food. Could it be that our overindulgence, excessive cravings, and disregard for self-control are keeping us from the purpose God has for us? Pastor Mike helps us explore what Scripture says about gluttony, why it matters, and how Jesus meets us at the table—not with condemnation but with grace that leads to change.
They may not make headlines, but gluttony, idolatry, slander, and laziness quietly shape our lives more than we’d like to admit. Pastor Mike and Amber preview the new sermon series, "Not So Scarlet Letters," and explore why these “less scandalous” sins can be just as damaging to our souls—especially when they become habits we justify, ignore, or even celebrate. Through humor, vulnerability, and biblical truth, we’ll be challenged to examine our hearts, confront what’s quietly taking God’s place, and take small but powerful steps toward freedom.
Pastor Mike mentions how you can get a Leathersoft NIV Value Thinline Bible this month as thanks for your gift in support of Time of Grace. This slim, easy-to-read Bible is a great way to engage with God’s Word every single day. We’ll also send you a Time of Grace bookmark with some Bible study tips from Pastor Mike. Already have your own favorite Bible? Consider getting one to give as a gift to a friend or relative who doesn’t have one. These Bibles are only available while supplies last. You can request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org.
The Bible is challenging to read. There are weird words and weird names in it. There’s an Old Testament and a New Testament. There are prophecies and prophets. And if you’re new to the Bible, if you’ve never deeply studied it, it can leave you confused. That's why in this message, Pastor Mike helps us learn how to approach the Bible. Spoiler: It's okay if we don't understand it right away. The important thing is to admit this.
Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.
We all want to grow in faith, but sometimes pride gets in the way. When you don’t understand something about God, the Bible, or faith, it’s easier to fake it than admit it. But real growth happens when you're honest about what you don’t know. In this message, you'll see why God doesn’t want you to pretend—you grow stronger when you admit your questions and seek understanding. Because honest Christians don’t just show up to church—they ask, they learn, and they get it.
Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.
Most of us don’t like confrontation. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and there’s no guarantee it will go well. But when a fellow Christian is caught in sin, looking the other way isn’t love—it’s avoidance. In this message, you'll see how Jesus calls you to speak the truth in love, not to tear people down but to help them turn back to him. Because honest Christians don’t just confess their own sins—they love others enough to speak up.
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 deeper faith without judgment. This conversation invites listeners to embrace authenticity and practical faith building with grace and wisdom.
Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.
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.