Better News Podcast

There is a whole lot of insanity going on in the world these days. We observe the wars and threats of war and ask ourselves if these people really know what they're doing. We often find ourselves praying for wisdom for our leaders. God often pleads for His people, Israel, to take advantage of the wisdom that He had to offer. Pastor Ricky will teach about God's wisdom versus man's wisdom and the importance of our asking for the insight that comes only from the author of the universe and using it.

It certainly seems that keeping in the loop in regards to our surrounding circumstances is the wise thing to do, and that's exactly what the Israelites of Isaiah's time did. After all, they thought their nation was being threatened by the big power of the time. As Pastor Ricky will be teaching, Israel missed the point. God was their refuge and strength. The prophet Isaiah was trying to point this out to them. In the same way, we need to let God be our refuge and strength in spite of what danger surrounds us.

It's difficult, or even impossible, to conceive how good can come out of accidents or disasters. We hear the verse that Pastor Ricky quoted and wonder how that can even be. It's difficult, or even impossible, to conceive how good can come out of accidents or disasters. We hear the verse that Pastor Ricky quoted and wonder how that can even be. Surely the Israelites in exile asked themselves what good would come from their situation as well. Pastor Ricky will be sharing from the book of Esther, and other scriptures, teaching us about the sovereign will of God. He'll be teaching us how God with His ability to see the end from the beginning orchestrates events for our benefit.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see where God's people turned to foreign idols and God has to discipline them to bring them back to Himself. We in the New Testament era like to think that because we have chosen to follow Jesus, we don't have those kinds of problems. Not true. We can at times put things like money or jobs ahead of our relationship with God. Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the disastrous result of Israel's turning away from God and His faithfulness to them nevertheless.

There's no question that there are unjust actions occurring in our world. There are wrong things being done on a personal level, as well as the corporate and even international level all the time. Part of the story in the book of Esther deals with a threat that is real faced from a man who is a member of a tribe that was hostile to Israel. Pastor Ricky will be teaching on this and showing how man's rebellion against God allowed injustice to enter the world and how God saves the day for the Jews.

As we see events going on around us, particularly in the government, we're tempted to feel completely helpless. We want things to change for the better and we elect people we think will do good things yet nothing changes. “Where's God?” we might be tempted to ask. Certainly, the Jews must have felt like this being under the control of a heathen king, far from their homeland. Pastor Ricky will continue with the story of Esther and how God used this king to accomplish His purposes.

We all know the saying, “Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.” Many girls dream of being a princess, having the king fall in love with them and then becoming the queen. We don't know if this is what Esther wanted but it happened to her nonetheless. Pastor Ricky will be teaching about this story and the apparent comprises Esther made in her life along the way to becoming a queen. This certainly can be a warning to us against putting aside Godly principles for seeming advancement.

As we witness our society's descent into further ungodliness in normal living, we may find ourselves pulled toward the darkness as well. As much as we want to live godly lives, the sin nature resident in us is allured by the things of the world around us. As Pastor Ricky will be sharing, the Jews in Persia may have had the same difficulty. At such times, it's all but impossible to give in and go along with everyone else. We'll find out how Hadassah, also known as Esther, deals with this circumstance.

As we travel through our daily lives, mundane as they may seem to be, it can be hard to imagine that God is working behind the scenes on our behalf. As we consider the story of Esther, it seems like this is just a story about a king that got mad at his wife and decided to get another one. As Pastor Ricky will be teaching, much of this story seems to just kind of go along until the end where we see how God has been using the events of these people's lives to accomplish His purpose for His people.

Sometimes in our lives, we can feel as though we're inside a blender, being swirled around in a million directions. It's often difficult to see what the point of events and circumstances in our lives are. The Israelites that were in exile in the book of Esther may have felt similar, “Where is God in all of this? We've lost everything”. As Pastor Ricky will be teaching, what we see is often not the full extent of what's actually happening in our lives. God is working behind the scenes on our behalf.

Today, Paul testifies that the Lord stands near and strengthens. Even with death looming, he asked for cloak, book, and parchments because grace keeps serving until the finish. Beyond every near rescue lies the final rescue when the King brings His people safely home. For anyone tired, sidelined, or unsure, this is fuel for the last miles.

Paul writes as an old soldier of the gospel, finishing his race, and coaching Timothy for the miles ahead. Friends drift, others are called elsewhere, and yet God supplies tough friends for tough times and even writes surprising restorations into the story. This isn't cynicism. It's clarity that frees us to love people wisely while placing our greatest expectations on the Lord. In the world of transient loyalties and weary hearts, this passage steadies our pace and renews our courage.

We live in a world filled with noise. There's a constant pull towards what entertains, affirms, or distracts. But Paul calls Timothy, and every believer, to something deeper, to hear the word when it's hard, to stay anchored in truth when others wander, and to let God's voice cut through the clamor of the age. In today's message, we'll learn how to listen safely and wisely so that our hearts stay grounded in what's clear and life-giving.

Paul's charge to Timothy wasn't just to preach but to do so with character, courage without arrogance, conviction without cruelty, and with patience wrapped in truth. Today, we'll see what kind of man God entrusts with His word and how the church can discern faithful preaching from mere performance. This message reminds us that every listener shares in the work—to lean in, to endure truth when it's hard, and to love the Word more than comfort.

Paul is nearing the end of his race. Writing from a cold prison cell, with eternity in view, his words to Timothy carry both urgency and tenderness—a passing of the torch to keep preaching the truth when the world grows tired of hearing it. In today's message, we are reminded that faithful preaching still matters deeply today, not as performance but as the means by which God's Word speaks, corrects, and comforts His people.

Every generation needs courage to hold what holds us. We've been learning that the God-breathed Word is not one more book in the stack but the compass for life. Today we're invited to begin as beginners—opening the Bible, thinking, and praying so truth can shape our loves, steady our steps, and train us for every good work. When the winds rise and voices multiply, we don't drift. We hold fast to what is enough.

Paul's final letter to Timothy carries the weight of a dying man's words. Every line is meant to strengthen the next generation. From a cold prison cell, he writes to his spiritual son— urging him to stand firm when others fall away, to remember the faith handed down through his mother, his grandmother, and through their years of shared ministry. The world around them is unraveling, yet Paul's call remains steady and timeless. When trials come and truth is tested, don't let go.

Some warnings are mercy in disguise. Today's passage calls us to reorder our loves--loving God above self so compassion, integrity, and discernment flow from the heart. We are not to judge leadership by charisma, clicks, or crowds, but by character you can see up close. Look in the mirror first, then choose friends and guides who make you more like Christ. In a culture hungry for celebrities, Jesus forms servants.

Some passages lift our spirits. Others flash a warning light. Today is one of those merciful warnings. Today, Paul hangs a wanted poster, teaching us to discern appearances from the loves that steer a life. It's not about winning debates or spotting flaws, but examining our hearts, weighing leaders by character, and refusing quarrels that multiply. God calls us to truth with gentleness, courage with humility, and a faith that works.

When conflict flares and words fly faster than wisdom, Paul's words to Timothy cut through the noise. The call isn't to win the room but to look within—do I resemble Christ? Flee the heat of youthful reactions, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Teach with clarity, correct with gentleness, and carry the measured strength of Jesus into hard spaces so people, not points, are won.

Paul writes to Timothy from his cell while Timothy faces a church brawl-- quarrelling controversies, counterfeit teaching. It feels less like a sanctuary and more like a saloon as chaos spreads. In moments like that, what does a servant of Jesus do? Paul aims Timothy's heart--see the goal, examine yourself, refuse foolish fights, and display the measured strength of Christ. Conviction with gentleness, clarity with patience, for the good of God's household and a watching world.

As Paul writes his final words to Timothy, his body may be chained, but his hope is free. Nothing can silence the gospel's advance. Empires crumble, leaders fade, yet Christ's work keeps moving forward, alive and unbound. Even in the fog of war, when faith feels fragile, we're called to remember the one we follow and the message we carry.

Paul's final letter to Timothy was written from a prison cell, a message born in the fog of war. Both men were weary and surrounded by uncertainty, yet Paul's words cut through the chaos with a single command: remember. When life feels cluttered by fear or suffering, remembering Christ rekindles our faith and helps us see through the storm. In this moment of deep clarity and conviction, Paul passes the torch once again.

In every generation, the gospel advances through ordinary people with extraordinary perseverance. Paul's words remind us that following Christ isn't polished work; it's patient, steady labor done with calloused hands and steadfast hearts. Like a soldier who won't abandon his post, an athlete who endures the strain, and a farmer who waits for the harvest, we are called to endure for what lasts forever. This is how faith is forged and passed on.

Paul reminds us that true strength doesn't come from effort but from grace, the kind that grows as we lean fully on the Lord. Like a climber trusting the rock beneath him, we find stability not in control but independence. Faith is shaped through daily reliance on God's strength rather than our own. The hands of a Christian are strengthened by grace, joined with others and marked by faithful work that carries the Gospel forward.

Paul's final instructions to Timothy paint a vivid portrait of Christian discipleship: strength that comes from grace, a trust that passes truth to others, and a willingness to suffer for Christ. In just a few verses, he calls us to the kind of rugged faith you can feel in the hands—hands strengthened by Christ, linked to others, and ready to work the field God assigns. This is not a theory, it's the shape of a life.

Paul writes from death row, but his words burn with unshakable confidence. Awaiting the executioner's call, he proclaims that Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. For Paul, the cross is not defeat, it's victory. Shame may come with the message, but eternal gain far outweighs it. His charge to Timothy still calls to us today: hold fast to the gospel that gives life.

Paul's final letter carries the weight of a man who knows his time is short. From a Roman cell, he writes with urgency, handing Timothy the sacred trust of the Gospel, a message to be guarded, proclaimed, and lived. This charge echoes across centuries, reminding us that the faith we hold was preserved at a great cost. The call is the same today: tighten your grip on the Gospel and hold fast to the truth that saves.

Paul was the purest of the pure, a Pharisee of Pharisees, trained by the most prominent scholars. Timothy, by contrast, came from a mixed home, uncircumcised, belonging to neither side. By every natural measure, their paths should not have crossed, but Christian relationships are forged by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Christ, barriers fall, lives are rewritten, and strangers become brothers. That is the heartbeat of 2 Timothy and our series, Pass the Torch.

For generations, the flame of the Olympic torch has been passed from hand to hand, symbolizing endurance and unity across the world. In the same way, Paul's final letter to Timothy calls us to carry forward something far greater, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, Pastor Ricky begins our new series, Pass the Torch, walking through the book of 2 Timothy. Together, let's discover how the good news is entrusted to us— to live it, love it, and pass it on to the next generation.

The approaching judgment can make us a bit uncomfortable as Christians. Even though we can have confidence in our salvation by the blood of Christ, the idea of hell might sound a bit harsh. But as Pastor Ricky points us today, Revelation tells us that we will actually be rejoicing at the coming judgment. God will enact justice for all the evil deeds of humanity. Furthermore, we'll rejoice in the salvation that we received, knowing that we too deserve to be thrown into hell, but have been saved by Jesus' sacrifice.

What the Bible says about hell tends to make us uncomfortable. It's a difficult teaching to accept but that doesn't stop Jesus from talking about it. While some label Jesus' words about hell as unkind, the reality is that warning about hell is an act of love. As Pastor Ricky points out today, knowing the truth about hell allows us to be adequately warned to know the true consequences of our actions. Jesus didn't tell us about hell and then leave us to suffer, He sacrificed Himself to provide salvation.

What the Bible says about hell tends to make us uncomfortable. It's a difficult teaching to accept but that doesn't stop Jesus from talking about it. While some label Jesus' words about hell as unkind, the reality is that warning about hell is an act of love. As Pastor Ricky points out today, knowing the truth about hell allows us to be adequately warned to know the true consequences of our actions. Jesus didn't tell us about hell and then leave us to suffer, He sacrificed Himself to provide salvation.

In America, people love to say, “Don't judge me”. The irony is that Americans also love to judge others. Whether it be family members, coworkers, or the celebrities on tv, judgment is a common American pastime. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us that our hope is in the one that judges justly. In this life we may get worried about the ways others are judging us, maybe a boss or a peer, maybe even a family member, but in the end, only God's judgment really matters and He'll judge righteously and perfectly.

Jesus warned us that the Christian walk would involve suffering but He also gave us the book of Revelation and today, Pastor Ricky reminds us of the encouragement that this book gives us. The day is coming when Christ will return and set everything right. Although we might feel like we're losing in life, the reality is that followers of Jesus will win in the end. As Pastor Ricky explains, we don't know what the next chapters of our lives entail but we do know how the story ends, with the victory of Christ.

The Bible declares that Jesus is King over every king, and Lord over every lord. Yet all over the earth, people are fighting for power. Pastor Ricky reminds us today that no matter how strong someone seems, their power is insignificant compared to that of King Jesus. The book of Revelations shows us that one day, Jesus' reign and sovereignty will be total and every knee will bow to His authority. For those of us that follow Jesus, this is great news. Our King will reign with justice and goodness.

Pastor Ricky reminds us today that we are at war. While life might seem peaceful and mundane at times, as Christians we recognize that there is a spiritual war taking place and it's important that we keep this in mind because otherwise, it's easy to get sidetracked. While there are many important things in our lives like careers and relationships, and politics, we need to keep everything in perspective. As the apostle Paul points out, soldiers don't get caught up in civilian affairs, and neither should we.

The Bible refers to Christians as members of a larger body, the church, and the church is also referred to as the bride of Christ. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us of the implications of these truths. The Christian walk isn't designed to be taken alone. As followers of Jesus, we need the church just as a hand is useless if not attached to the body. It's not always easy. The church is full of sinful people and serious wounds take place within the church but even still, the church is Christ's bride.

Pastor Ricky points out today that many Christians want Jesus but don't want the church. The problem is as Pastor Ricky explains, having Jesus without the church isn't an option. Christ loves the church so much that He shed His blood for it. The church is constantly referred to throughout the scriptures as the bride of Christ. Jesus chooses to pour His love into the church, broken as it might be, so if we love Jesus we can't then hate the very church that Jesus loves and gave Himself for.

The book of Revelation sheds light on some deeply ingrained lies in this world. As Pastor Ricky points out today, Revelation speaks of the ways the world promises to fulfill us but the truth is the world can't deliver on these promises and that genuine fulfillment for now, and all eternity, can only be found in Jesus Christ. True joy doesn't come by indulging our flesh but by dying to it and pursuing Christ instead. He's the one that satisfies us and in the end, the corrupt world will only experience His judgment.

The world offers us what it can't deliver. No matter what society tells us will bring satisfaction, it never lasts. This is one of the points that Pastor Ricky makes today as he teaches from the book of Revelation. Ultimately, God will judge the world. Sometimes it seems like people get away with doing wicked things but the truth is that God will bring justice and while many people will reject God and choose to indulge in their flesh, thinking that this is going to bring fulfillment only leads them to destruction.

As Pastor Ricky teaches from the book of Revelation today, he shows us how these passages are relevant for us. Much of the symbolism of Revelation seems to be referencing ancient civilizations as well as civilizations in the last days but it also refers to civilizations in our day. The warnings about Babylon are simultaneously warnings to Christians in the 1st century, in the 21st century, and in the future. The point is, we need to take heed of these warnings rather than passing them off as wisdom for somebody else.

The enemy is a master of deception and it's only going to get worse as the days become darker and we wait for our rescuer to come and take us home. He's even manipulated branches of the church using a message that sounds really appealing. He says, you just need to be you, you were born with these desires and identities so they must be good and right. But as Pastor Ricky will explain in today's message, we were born in sin and the feelings of our hearts can't be trusted.

As we look back over history, there are some truly atrocious leaders and governments that have inflicted oppression that we can't even imagine. If you think the violations on people's rights have been these past few years, an in-depth look at history can offer a helpful perspective. As Pastor Ricky will warn us in today's message, things are going to get bad before the end but ultimately God has already secured the victory for His kingdom and wickedness will be put down.

Prayer is powerful. Singing worship songs inspires your heart and draws you closer to your father in Heaven. Meeting together to listen to God's Word and fellowship is essential to our growth and health as believers. They are all important factors for believers but as Pastor Ricky continues to examine the book of Revelation, he's going to draw our attention to a vital truth that it reveals. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful weapon we have as we face the attack of our enemy.

If you're the type that really enjoys apocalyptic stories, then today's message is going to be right up your alley. We've come to the part of Revelation where things get really intense. We've got dragons and imagery of spiritual warfare in cosmic proportions. It sounds made up but this vision was given to John as prophecy of real events to come. As Pastor Ricky will explain in today's message, this chapter isn't meant to frighten. As believers, we'll find that it contains hope for us as evil incarnate comes to its end.

Jesus dreaded the suffering of the cross as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest. He knew it would mean separation from His father and unimaginable physical and emotional pain, yet He still went through with it because He knew the results it would bring. In today's message, Pastor Ricky is going to challenge us to face suffering with that in mind. When you suffer in the name of Jesus, it will bring life to those who witness it and it's worth the temporary pain.

Many believers are under the misunderstanding that when you've become a Christian, you've side-stepped the suffering this world has to offer. While salvation does relieve you from the oppression of sin, there's still plenty of suffering for those who truly follow Jesus. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation in today's message, he's going to point out the way this book clearly outlines suffering as a necessary and inevitable part of every believer's journey.

Johnny Cash was a living example of the destruction of sin and the restorative power of grace and he knew firsthand how sin tears down your soul as well as the people around you that you care about most. We all deserve judgment for our choice to rebel against God and serve self. In today's message, Pastor Ricky will address the wrath that's to come but not without reminding us of us the incredible grace that wants to rescue us from the immediate and eternal destruction that sin brings in our lives.

All the way back to the first few months following Christ's ascension, believers have been waiting for His return. At many times, including right now, world events have felt like His return was imminent, yet here we are still waiting. Why is it so hard to judge when the time is really at hand? As Pastor Ricky will clarify in today's message, the prophecies contained in Revelation have been and are currently in the process of being fulfilled and the problem is more our interpretation of the timeline.

God does not grow weary or get tired. That applies to His dealings with you, even the thousandth time you stumbled off and sinned. The love that He expressed in Jesus still goes strong and He'll welcome you back in grace. It also applies to how he deals with humanity across the arch of time. His creation on the other hand, including us, does grow old and weary. As Pastor Ricky will point out in today's message, only God is steadfast and sure and He'll remain so even after everything we see has fallen apart.