Better News Podcast

In a world that's constantly changing, it can be difficult to find your way. With so many conflicting messages and values, it's easy to feel lost and unsure of what direction to take. But in today's message, Pastor Ricky shares how the Bible is the perfect source of wisdom and guidance. It's timeless truths and powerful messages are just as relevant today as they were when they were first written. If you're looking for practical advice on how to live a fulfilling life, the Bible has something to offer. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Are you ready to make a difference in the world? As Christians, we're called to be the example of the love of God. So how can you possibly imitate the love of someone who loves you eternally? In today's message, Pastor Ricky shares about how Christians are called to be an example of the love of Christ. You'll learn how Christ loved by reading the Bible. You'll learn about the life of Jesus and how He unconditionally loved everyone. The Lord's love is the reason that you're here so share it with others. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Are you tired of living in a world that's filled with hate, bitterness, and division? In today's message, Pastor Ricky talks about how Christians are called to walk in the love of Christ. What does it mean to walk in love? It means being kind, forgiving, and patient even when it's difficult. It means extending grace to others just as Christ did for you. It means choosing love over hate and choosing to see the best in others, even when they fall short. When you share the love of God, you give light to others. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Normal isn't the word you use to describe a Christian's life. Oftentimes it's anything but that. But no matter what, it's always the best life - a life with the Holy Spirit giving you strength when you're weak or exhausted, hope when you're lost, peace when you're anxious, and the power to do whatever it is that God calls you to do. Pastor Ricky is going to remind us today that even though it's not always guaranteed to be easy, a life with God at the center is the most fulfilling and most blessed. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Have you noticed the ads that surround the end of the year that target New Year's resolutions? No other time of year sees more failed plans and trends than just a couple short months after that. But as Pastor Ricky is going to point out today, when your life is changed and set to a new trajectory in Christ you have a strength to draw from. When it's hard to stay faithful to Him, you can find it and be renewed in the Holy Spirit. Through Him you can find courage, strength, and power to live out your faith. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

If you're a believer and people around you know that you follow Jesus, how do they know? Jesus said that people would know His disciples by their love for one another and people should. Is that what they see when they see you? Pastor Ricky is going to encourage fellowship with other believers and to mutually build each other up in your walks with Christ. If you're made to live like Jesus, then you're to love everyone. He had compassion on all the hurting people around Him and that's what your life should look like too. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

In so many ways Jesus was the perfect example of what a Christian's life should look like. He was compassionate on the people that He met, He took time to be alone with God and as Pastor Ricky is going to show us today, He's gentle and loving to us. Even though He's all-powerful and has no limits, He exercised strength and authority when needed but also temperance and gentleness when needed. As followers of Jesus, that's what our life should look like. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

God has amazing plans for the Christians that follow his Word and live a life that's different from the world. While it's not guaranteed to be easy, you are guaranteed to have your needs met. God won't abandon or forsake you. Today Pastor Ricky is going to encourage you to remember Jesus' sacrifice for you and that you're meant to not just accept God's gift of salvation and then forget about it but to go out and live like you've been changed, to live like Jesus and to point other people to Him through how you live. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Nobody deserves salvation. Everyone has sinned and we've all done evil in the sight of God. We don't deserve to spend eternity with Him after going against His will. However, as Pastor Ricky is going to show us today, God still accepts us. We'll see the main message of the Bible is that Jesus came to save you and me from our sins and we have a purpose to live out once we come to know Him as our personal Savior. Everything in the scriptures points towards Jesus and what He did for you and me. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Christians are all a part of the body of Christ. They're all children of God and all part of the same family. That's why, as you'll get to see today with Pastor Ricky, fellowship with Unity in Christ. God wants all believers to live in unity with Christ and with each other. He loves to see the gathering of His people as they encourage each other in love and fellowship. God made all of us with the need for fellowship with other believers. Today Pastor Ricky is going to show us how important it is to know other believers in our walk with God. You're not meant to go through this life alone. You're a part of the body of Christ with others and everyone has a role to play for Christ. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Christians are all a part of the body of Christ. They're all children of God and all part of the same family. That's why, as you'll get to see today with Pastor Ricky, fellowship with other believers is so important. Everyone's made with the need for fellowship and friendship, whether you know it or not. God calls Christians to live in harmony with each other and to make it evident to anyone that's not a believer yet, how much love flows from your heart towards other believers. God calls us to live in harmony with one another. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

We've probably all heard that story about the ugly duckling, that poor little bird that couldn't walk like a duck, swim like a duck or quack like a duck. He knew that he was different from the other ducks but what he didn't know was that he wasn't a duck at all. He was a swan. In today's message, Pastor Ricky reminds you that you'll never find true identity in anything from this world. You might try to walk, quack, and swim like a duck but no matter where you think you fit in, the only place that you can be truly fulfilled is in Christ. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

The world is not right. We have divisions of ethnicity, race, class, economic status, and all kinds of other things. This isn't the way that it's supposed to be. We're not supposed to be at odds with each other over who's better and who's not. We were never meant to live that way. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches how we got this way and where restoration can be found. The problem isn't new. It's actually been around since the very first humans, Adam and Eve, but how can things be put back right? "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Have you ever heard of FOMO? It's an acronym that stands for Fear Of Missing Out. How many of us have this fear of missing out so much that it causes us to be control freaks? We go around in life taking control of everything because we're afraid of what we might miss out on. Well in today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches that you need to let go of that fear and trust that God has the perfect place for you in His plan. It might not be what you've expected but do you really want to miss out on what God has for your life? "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

It's very true that for most, if not all of us, in our own minds we're the center of the universe. We're constantly hearing and seeing messages like ‘Live your best life' and ‘Be all that you can be'. The world really encourages us to view ourselves as the main character in life. In today's message, Pastor Ricky gives you a shift in thinking from the book of Ephesians, chapter two. Instead of you being the main character, you'll see how the universe truly does revolve around God. The story is really about Him. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Doesn't that truth leave you profoundly in awe of God? There is nothing at all that we've done or can do to earn the love of God. Actually, we've earned His wrath and judgment, but He still loves us. Today in his message, Pastor Ricky will unwrap that great mystery, why would God still love us? The Bible says that you were God's enemy. You had turned your back on Him and yet God chose to come and enter human existence and die on a cross for you because of His great love for you. What an incredible mystery. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Do you ever find yourself questioning if people really are that bad? There's got to be some people who are good enough, right? The gap between us and God isn't really that wide. Well in today's message, Pastor Ricky is going to dispel that notion. The Bible says that there's none good enough on their own, but that truth should bring you more hope. It's by God's grace alone that you're saved. There's nothing that you can do to earn God's favor. You don't have to strive for perfection. God has filled that gap. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Have you ever imagined people coming to be led into the gates of heaven? You probably have that picture of Saint Peter like an eternal bouncer checking the list to see if people should be let in or not. Have you ever thought that that picture was kind of harsh and unmerciful to those that are turned away? Well in his message today, Pastor Ricky offers up a different way to look at that scene. You were running towards hell, but God graciously invited you to come with Him. With arms wide open, God chose you to be with Him. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Do you sometimes think of God's grace as meeting you halfway and saving you? It's easy to think that you aren't really all that bad or deserving of death. Maybe you were just struggling to tread water a little and God pulled you up and saved you. Well in today's message, Pastor Ricky reminds us of the incredibly powerful truth that we did nothing to deserve God's salvation. You had nothing to do with your own salvation. You were completely destitute and dead in your sins. It's God that brought you from death to life. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

You probably don't equate yourself with God, but do you sometimes forget just how different He is? In your mind, do you try to attach human qualities to God that don't really belong? He's infinitely different from us. In his message today, Pastor Ricky will impress on you just how completely distinct God is from us. His ways are higher and His knowledge is so much deeper. You can't even begin to grasp the mysteries of His love or justice and grace. It's important to remember that God is God, and we are not. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

As Christians, how often do we truly bless others? It's one thing to say bless you to a panhandler on the street, or to someone who has just sneezed, but it's an entirely different thing to say in the name of the Lord. In today's message, Pastor Ricky wants you to know that you need to be proactive in blessing others just as Paul did almost everywhere he went. You need to see every moment as an opportunity to bless the Lord. The more you sing His praises and raise up blessings in His name, the more fruit you'll bear. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

In your faith journey, do you ever take time to simply rejoice in the Lord? Do you take time out of your day to praise His name, or do you just save it for when you attend church? Today Pastor Ricky explains that you need to make a joyful noise unto the Lord in everything you do. The more you rejoice in His good tidings, the more of a witness you can be to the rest of the world. It's important to be serious about who you are in Christ but you also need time to let your hair down and simply rejoice in the Lord's greatness. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

As a Christian, when you're going about your daily routine, do you ever lose sight of the Lord? Do you ever turn on the autopilot and focus only on getting the things done that you don't want to be doing? Today Pastor Ricky wants you to know that you need to treat every moment as an opportunity to serve the Lord. There's always going to be those parts of life that are mundane and seemingly not a mission field but those are the exact moments where God wants to use you. Let Him do mighty things through you. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

In your walk with Christ, have you ever gotten so caught up in your own story that you forget what God's done in your life? Ever get so focused on what's going right, or what's going wrong, that you forget about God's promises? Well in today's message, Pastor Ricky wants you to know that you must never forget about the free gift that God has given to you, His grace. You don't deserve it but He offered it to you for free so that you might be saved. Live your life as a sacrifice to Jesus just as He did for you. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Sometimes a life of faith can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Maybe you've been there, trying to live your life and fit in while also not straying too far from your faith in the process. You want to be seen a certain way by your peers and your friends and you think that your faith is just a little too far outside the lines of the picture in your mind. Today Pastor Ricky says that he knows how that feels and that you need to be careful. Your faith in God isn't something that can be customized to the ways of this world. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Have you ever visited a church or any other event that just seemed to have it all together? From the moment you walked through the door, everything seemed to be in its place and the atmosphere, from the people to the paint, was inviting and sending all of the right signals. Well, today Pastor Ricky says it's not about the paint color or the worship style but the heart of the people that creates the atmosphere. A heart for Jesus creates an environment that stands out in this world in the best way. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

The Lord's Prayer teaches us so much about the character of God and the hope of redemption that we have in Christ. When we accept the gift of salvation not only is our past sin forgiven but we're also given a hope for a life free from sin. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, as long as we live in the flesh, we're subject to the temptations of this world. But when we allow God to lead us, He'll not lead us into temptation but further into righteousness and freedom. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

When we pray the words ‘deliver us from evil' we may picture God as an armored tank protecting us from the external forces of evil that surround us. While God certainly does offer that kind of protection, there is another danger lurking that we often overlook. As Pastor Ricky warns in today's message, all of us are born with sinful desires, like ticking time bombs in our hearts. We need to be alert and aware of these desires and be ready to run to Christ as soon as they rear their head. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Have you been hurt by someone? Maybe they harmed you or someone you love in a way that just seems unforgivable. As Pastor Ricky continues to lead us through the Lord's Prayer, we're challenged to do the impossible. It won't be easy, it won't feel as good as revenge does in the moment, and it'll take a lot of prayer and the Holy Spirit's helping hand but forgiveness is vital for all followers of Christ. We've been given an immeasurable grace and we need to extend that same grace to our debtors."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Most of us have opened a bill and found ourselves in a mild state of shock over the debt it contains. Medical bills, tax bills, loans, whatever it was, it may have felt insurmountable in that moment. Imagine if a benefactor walked up to us, took that bill, tore it up, and declared that they would take care of it. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, that is exactly what Christ has done for us. He took our debt of sin, a debt we could never pay, and He paid it with His own life on the cross."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

We tend to take great pride in our self-reliance. Whether it's a physical need or desire, or a spiritual one, we prefer not to ask for help until it's absolutely necessary. While this may seem like an admirable characteristic, it doesn't fit well in the life of a believer. As Pastor Ricky examines the Lord's Prayer in today's message, we're reminded of God's great providence and our dependence on Him. We may manage to get by on our own for a little while but before long our strength will run out."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Our culture strongly encourages hoarding. Whether it's food, money, or possessions, we never want to be without. Some have such a fear of not having that they even buy things that they have no intention of using simply because it's a good deal. In today's message, Pastor Ricky compares that mindset to our approach to prayer. We can't hoard God's blessings and guidance. As Jesus taught us to pray, we need to depend on God for our daily sustenance, both spiritual and physical."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

We only get one chance to live a life that glorifies God. Bringing Him glory is at the backbone of living within His will. As we walk in the flesh, in this temporary existence, we have free will. We have the choice to live for self or to live for Him. As Pastor Ricky leads us through our study of the Lord's Prayer, he challenges us to surrender ourselves fully to the will of God. Will we use our time on this earth to make a name for ourselves and accrue earthly treasures or will we live for Him?"Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

When we pray, “Thy will be done”, do we really know what we're asking? The answer is not as simple as it may seem. As Pastor Ricky continues to explore the Lord's Prayer, he asks the question, “What is God's will?” We often think of His will as a secret map directing us on every life decision that can only be deciphered through years of study and prayer. Often times His will is much more straightforward than that. He doesn't withhold it from us but instead offers to lead us as a Good Shepherd."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Whose kingdom are you advancing in your life? Are you praying for the Kingdom of God to come while making decisions and living a life focused chiefly on bringing about your own kingdom? It's a common error for many believers. In today's message, Pastor Ricky emphasizes the importance of praying for God's Kingdom. Even if we find ourselves stuck living for ourselves, praying this way from the heart will lead us toward a life that reflects the desire for that Kingdom over our own. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

When we imagine the rewards of heaven, we may have a tendency to picture the mega-mansions that will be given to Christianity's great icons, famous authors, and leaders who are nearly as well known as the apostles themselves. But in today's message, Pastor Ricky draws our attention to an act just as important as preaching the gospel in front of packed stadiums. Prayer warriors are the unsung heroes of our faith. Their great work is almost never seen by others but its influence cannot be ignored."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

When we die to ourselves and allow Christ to make us new in Him, we become citizens of a great kingdom. We can't realize it fully in the flesh but our actions will start to reflect the love that abounds in that kingdom. It knows no physical limitations or boundaries. From the land of the free, to lands oppressed by dictators. this kingdom reaches in and exists in the heart of believers. In today's message, Pastor Ricky urges us to actively involve and align ourselves with this beautiful kingdom. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

In our dreams as children, most of us never imagined our lives working 9 to 5 at a monotonous job. We dreamed of great fantastical lies. We wanted to be heroic soldiers, princes, princesses, or superheroes. Yet at some point, most of us decided to grow up and accept reality. As Pastor Ricky warns in today's message, many of us do the same thing in our lives as believers. We forgo the greatness God desires for His Kingdom replacing them with plans that we deem more realistic. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

So often our prayers are centered around asking God to accomplish our will. We may tack a “Thy will be done” on to our prayer but is that what we really want? As we continue to study the Lord's Prayer, Pastor Ricky reminds us that this prayer should reflect a state of our heart. When we hallow God's name, we put Him in a place above all else. That means His will begins to take precedence to ours, even if it means temporary hardship or discomfort it, becomes our foremost desire."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

When we recite the Lord's Prayer it's easy just to ramble off the words with little thought of what we're saying. Certain phrases may stand out but ‘hallowed be your name' isn't usually one of them. As Pastor Ricky explains, this phrase is much more meaningful than it's usually given credit for. It represents setting God above all else that battles for our heart's affection. Today's message will continue to reveal the heart of what Jesus intended when He taught His disciples this way of praying."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

There are many misconceptions and false doctrines regarding prayer. The Prosperity Gospel teaches that if we have enough faith and ask God for material wealth and blessings, we're guaranteed to receive them. Then there are those that believe that prayer has little, to no effect, in this world and things will just happen as they're supposed to happen. As Pastor Ricky continues his in-depth study of the Lord's Prayer we can gather a lot of insight into God's intentions for the gift of prayer."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Does prayer really work? It's a question many Christians don't want to ask. At its core, we want to say that we believe it does, but our lives often paint a different picture. Most of us spend very little time in prayer and it's often only a last resort. There are many different reasons but as Pastor Ricky suggests in today's message, our limited use of prayer most likely reflects a lack of faith in its effectiveness. If we really believe that prayer could influence outcomes, we would probably make it a much higher priority. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Every loving parent knows that feeling of having their child come to them scared or in need. All we want to do is help them feel safe and provided for. Most of us would quickly drop whatever we're doing and take the time to comfort them and address their needs. As Pastor Ricky explains in today's message, our parental love reflects the way God views His children. He loves us with a deep sacrificial love and when we pray He delights in listening to the cries of our heart. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

The gods that men create and imagine typically have power and authority in a form that men wish they possessed. These fake gods often sit on a pedestal, above their worshippers. They rarely, if ever, come down to the level of their subjects. Yet, as Pastor Ricky points out, the God of Israel loves to be amongst His subjects. He loves us so much that He endured the agonizing pain of the Cross, equating Himself with the lowest level of humanity. This type of love simply doesn't exist in the gods of man."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

We were designed to have an intimate connection with God. Adam and Eve walked with Him in the Garden and talked to Him every day. The consequence of their sin was a break in that relationship. All of mankind displays an innate longing to return to that intimacy. As Pastor Ricky explains in today's message, it's exhibited in various forms but our quest to understand our world and the universe around us can always be traced back to that intimacy that was lost in the Garden."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

One word that aptly describes our culture today would be, distracted. How many of us have spent more time watching shows or browsing social network feeds than we did reading the Bible and praying this week? As Pastor Ricky warns in today's message, these distractions while not bad in and of themselves, are designed to be addicting. If our time with God is taking second place to the diversions of life, the intimacy He desires to have with us is guaranteed to suffer. "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

The family tree from David to Jesus is not a list of heroes. It is a list of liars, failures, outcasts, and broken people. The kind of names you would rather not find on the first page of the New Testament. Yet there they are because this is not the House of David, it is the House of God, and God has never built His family the way anyone expected. Not by blood, not by status, not by merit, only by the steadfast love He has chosen to set on His people."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

David is on the throne, and he turns his attention to building God a house. It seems like a good idea. God's response is unexpected. He doesn't want David to build him a house; he wants to build David one. 2 Samuel 7 is one of the most sweeping promises in all of scripture, a covenant that reaches far beyond David and far beyond anything a dynasty built on human strength could sustain. What God promises in that moment reaches further than any king could have imagined, and it is still being fulfilled today."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Saul went looking for a word from God and refused the only word God had already given him. So many times we do the same thing. We are desperate for guidance, for comfort, for something solid to hold on to, and we reach for everything except the one place where it can actually be found. 1 Samuel gives us two men in crisis, making 2 completely different choices. One calls on the dead, the other strengthens himself in the Lord. The distance between those two moments is the distance between despair and hope."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Saul is facing the greatest military threat of his reign, and for the first time, he has no one to call. Samuel is dead. David is gone. The Lord has gone silent. So Saul disguises himself, slips out in the dead of night, and seeks out a medium to summon the dead. It is one of the most desperate moments in all of 1 Samuel. Most of us have never consulted a medium, but the impulse underneath it, the desperate reach for a presence, a word, anything solid to hold on to, is one every one of us knows."Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.

Foolishness has a way of multiplying. Nabal spoke without wisdom, David reacted without restraint, and now 400 armed men are marching toward a disaster that didn't have to happen. But a different voice steps into the middle of it, composed, clear, and grounded in the reality of God in a way that neither Nabal nor David had managed to be. The contrast between these two voices runs straight through this passage and straight through our own lives. The question is, which one are we actually listening to? "Mighty Fortress" by Sovereign Grace Music, used with permission.