The UnSafe Bible

What if God's main purpose wasn't to make us comfortable, but to make us holy? Many approach Him like a personal assistant, expecting Him to meet every need, fulfill every dream, and keep life running smoothly. Today, Pastor Ken will show you how Scripture turns that thinking upside down. You were created for His glory, not the other way around. Your deepest purpose isn't to get everything you want, but to please the One who made you. How can you live in a way that delights God's heart and honors His name?

Some Christians tend to treat the Bible like a buffet. They pick the verses they like and leave the ones that challenge them, but this is a dangerous way to approach God's Word. Scripture isn't a menu we customize; it's the full, nourishing meal the Chef has prepared for our souls. Pastor Ken will warn you today not to twist the Bible's meaning to fit your desires or push aside truths that make you uncomfortable. If you do, you'll be in danger of starving yourself of the life-giving wisdom and correction you need.

Having everything we want can feel like the ultimate blessing, but it can also be a quiet danger. When every desire is met, we start to believe we can sustain ourselves, forgetting the One who gives every good gift. Self-sufficiency can sneak in, replacing dependence on God with trust in our own strength. This is a real problem. Today, Pastor Ken will share with you about how abundance can sometimes dull your need for God, and why true life is found only when you remain fully dependent on Him.

As we conclude our series in the book of Joel today, Pastor Ken will remind us of the overall picture this book paints. It gives us a glimpse of what's to come when God carries out His plan of redemption. Because of mankind's rebellion against Him, led by the deception of Satan, there must first be a judgment. In that event, God will bring justice to the earth in a way our hearts long for, but the wicked dread. Once sin has been removed completely, we can experience existence as He intended it to be.

Christ made all of what we know and experience in this world. He holds it altogether. Our hearts are drawn to His existence in an inexplicable way, and even science itself points to the need for an intelligent designer and a force that holds all things together. As Pastor Ken will warn in today's message, one day this will be made clear to all men. We can choose to trust in Him by faith, submitting ourselves to His Lordship, or we can wait and be subjected to judgment when He establishes His eternal Kingdom. 

The image we find portrayed in today's message is completely contradictory to the Kingdom that God is preparing for us. As we read in Micah, God will direct weapons – tools designed for destruction – to be turned into implements of agriculture. God brings peace and unity, but the enemy fosters a culture that thrives on violence, destructive pleasures, and serving self above all else. As Pastor Ken will warn in today's message, Armageddon will be the culmination of mankind's sin in one battle.

Salvation is for everyone. This presented an obstacle for many of the Jews who were confronted by the early Church. They understood God and their faith to be only for the Jews. But as Pastor Ken continues our study in the book of Joel today, we'll be reminded that Jesus came so that all men, no matter their race, ethnicity, nationality, or religious background, could have the opportunity to come and be saved and enter into a restored relationship with God. 

If you think back to the panic of the COVID pandemic, for many, there was a real fear that it was the end. Whether it was because of the virus or because our world ground to a halt in a matter of weeks, we didn't know what was going to happen next, and there was a collective anxiety. As Pastor Ken examines today's passage in Joel, we'll get another glimpse of what the end times will look like. There will be fear and chaos on a scale that will make mankind forget all about the worst we've experienced.  

There are many people in this world that are aware of Jesus and His saving grace, but they've convinced themselves that they can live for themselves now and turn to Jesus before they take their final breath. While Jesus will save you on your deathbed, He desires to save you from more than just eternal suffering, and you don't know when that time will come. As Pastor Ken will point out in today's message, the suffering in this world will continue to increase, but Jesus offers hope and peace.

All of Scripture is good and beneficial for the life of every believer. But that doesn't mean every single promise, prophecy, or curse you read in it directly applies to your life. We need the guidance and discernment provided by the Holy Spirit to discern and understand how Scripture relates to us. As Pastor Ken will point out today, we need to weigh all teaching and prophecy and test if it aligns with Scripture, remembering that only God knows when Jesus will come again.

If you've paid any attention to the end times prophecy found in Scripture, you'll have a hard time not seeing the parallels between what's happening in our modern world and the prophecies found there. Things are lining up in a way that can't be ignored, but many people have their own interpretations, with varying degrees of accuracy. As Pastor Ken challenges us in today's message, we need to be testing and weighing all teachings we take in against God's Word and His Spirit.

We tend to take our access to the Holy Spirit for granted, but as we'll be reminded in today's message from Pastor Ken, the Holy Spirit has not always dwelt with God's Children in the same way He does now. Because of Jesus' death on the cross, providing atonement for our souls, we can be made clean and become a welcome place for His Spirit to reside. Every believer has this amazing privilege – it's not just for a select few – and yet we often ignore His presence and guiding voice in our hearts.

The quintessential Thanksgiving decor piece is the Cornucopia, better known as the Horn of Plenty. If you're unfamiliar, it's the basket shaped like a bugle chip, with fruit and veggies pouring out of it. It is a symbol of abundance, originating from the days of ancient Greece. God is no stranger to providing above and beyond, and Pastor Ken speaks today on the abundance and blessing that God is planning to pour out upon His people. God desires to bless in abundance – are you prepared to receive it?

Thinking about World War I and the millions who perished during that massive conflict is a horrible thing to think about. The lives lost, the blood that was shed, and the resources destroyed throughout were a travesty, a testament to the craven depravity of war. While war may never change, we can trust that God will always provide for His people. In today's message, Pastor Ken takes us through some of the possibilities surrounding future conflicts that will occur and how God will protect His people.

When I was around 6 years old, I jabbed holes in multiple couch pillows. When my parents discovered this, were they done with me? “Well, you messed up? Alright, I guess it's been nice knowing ya.” Of course not! Sure, I was disciplined accordingly, but my parents didn't give up on me! We see in the Bible time and again where God is willing and ready to reconcile with His people, despite their repeated failures. Pastor Ken reminds us today that despite our shortcomings, God is always ready to welcome us back.

Hockey. Football. Rowing. What do each of these sports have in common? They're all team sports. Perhaps you've heard “there's no ‘i' in team.” Win together, lose together, the important thing is not the winning or losing, but the fact that you're doing it together. Similarly, the Bible calls believers to live life together, leaning on one another through good times and bad. Pastor Ken teaches on this principle today, that we weren't meant to go through life alone. We were made for a strong, supportive community.

Think of someone in your life who is reliable. For me, that's my dad. If I have a question about something, whether it's figuring out a problem in the garage, the backyard, or with the garbage disposal, he'll have a solution. I know if I call on him, there's no doubt that he will be there for me. Similarly, we can trust that God will always be there for his people. Pastor Ken encourages us today with this message, reminding us that God will always be there to save us, whether we're calling Him for the first time or the fiftieth time.

Taking a leap of faith is no easy task, especially at 18,000 feet out of a perfectly good airplane. But take skydiving out of the picture. Perhaps the slightly easier thing to do is to take a step in faith. Unless, of course, that step of faith is out of a perfectly good boat, in the midst of a raging storm, out in the middle of the sea. God asks for people to trust Him in all things, and it's tough to do in the hard times. In today's message, perhaps Pastor Ken can help you think about your next “step of faith” with God.

I decided to go for a hike one afternoon and spend some time in the great outdoors. I packed my gear, went to the trail, and when I was ready to make camp, I made an alarming discovery – I had forgotten all the food! Lucky for me, I could hike back to my car and drive back into town, but the people of Judah were in a much tougher situation! Today, Pastor Ken takes us through the dire straits that Judah was in, and how their terrible situation showed them their need for total dependence on the Lord.

The Bible says that there's no condemnation for those who believe in Christ Jesus. In today's message, Pastor Ken says all God asks us to do is repent of our sins and believe that He's the only one who can save. Is there any sin you're holding back from the Lord? Now's the time to repent and let Him in. He loves you and wants you to trust Him to take away your sins for good. God sent His Son, so you don't have to walk this walk on Earth alone. He gave you a way to have freedom. Walk in that freedom today!

There's destruction all around us. Every moment, it seems like there's another war or another country that's in shambles. In today's message, Pastor Ken says that though there's tragedy all around but God's still blessing His people. God loves you and wants you to depend on Him so He can bless you. Trust Him with your whole heart and allow Him to walk alongside you as you tread through the highs and lows of life. He wants your heart and won't stop fighting for you until He gets it. Allow Him in today!

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted something to happen, but it might come at the expense of others? Maybe everyone in your class cheated, and you didn't, so you wanted them to get caught because you felt it was unjust. Today, Pastor Ken says the believer feels the tension of wanting Jesus to return soon because that means those who don't believe will go through immense trials. Have urgency in sharing the gospel so more can be with Him for eternity. He wants all to believe in Him alone!

Sometimes God will strip us of everything we have, so we have no choice but to turn to Him. Today, Pastor Ken says Judah had all its crops stripped away, so they had to depend on the only one who could save them. Is all your hope in Jesus? He wants you to trust Him with any circumstance because He loves you. Give Jesus a chance to change your life. He wants you to follow Him and give all your burdens to Him. Allow Jesus to guide you through every circumstance and find peace in His loving arms.

When we look around us, all can seem lost. There's brokenness all around! It seems like anything humanity touches turns bad. This is a result of sin entering the world! Today, Pastor Ken says we only have one hope, and His name is Jesus. You must turn to Him to save you from this world. The things around you will always try to distract you from the truth, which is that Jesus is your only hope for true salvation. He wants all to know Him and believe.

When food becomes rotten, it's impossible to eat. Now, imagine if everything you bought or owned that was edible became rotten at the same time. In today's message, Pastor Ken says the locusts in Joel's time took over all the harvest and made it inedible. This caused everyone to rely on the Lord for their strength. Without any hope for food, they had no choice but to follow the Lord and trust that He would save them. Sometimes, God takes away all you own to remind you that He's all you need.

There's a constant fear in everyone's heart that they aren't doing enough. It causes us to worry and experience anxiety. In today's message, Pastor Ken says we must give all our hardships to the Lord. When you do that, He's able to take on all your burdens and fight with you. He loves you and wants you to be free from the bondage of sin! Jesus says His burden is light and His yoke is easy. Fight the lies of this world with the one who can take all burdens and make them lighter. He wants you to lean on Him!

If you've ever watched UFC, you'll know that when they go in the ring to fight, there's a set time that the fight ends. In today's message, Pastor Ken says we're in a fight of our own. You see, the enemy's constantly fighting for your heart. There's no end to this because he won't stop until he wins. You must stay on guard and alert! He can't win if you lean on Jesus and allow Him to guide you through any situation. Where the Lord is, the enemy flees! Trust in God and let Him fight this fight for you!

When a child takes their first steps, it's a moment that's cherished forever. A parent will never be able to recreate that first moment with their child, but they can have similar moments happen around them that remind them of it. In today's message, Pastor Ken says the tribulation will be a unique situation and that no one will be able to say, “I remember feeling like this before,” because there's nothing comparable to it. Christ is coming back for those who love Him. Be prepared for His return!

What's our instinct when something good happens to us? To go tell everyone we know so that they can celebrate with us! In today's message, Pastor Ken says there's urgency to share the gospel with others because we're always one generation away from the gospel being gone forever. You must share the love of Christ with others. If Jesus has changed your life, your job is to celebrate that from the rooftops! He's saved you and loves all! Don't be the reason the next generation doesn't know the love of Jesus.

While driving, it feels unjust that people can speed and pass others or even drive and cut others off. But have you ever had that happen and seen that person get pulled over? It's extremely satisfying to see, as there was justice in an otherwise unjust situation. In today's message, Pastor Ken says, you must love your enemies even if they've done wrong to you, because God will bring justice in the end. Your hope must be in the Lord, who guides and promises to one day bring justice to all things.

Would you ever read a book from the middle and describe the whole plot of the book just from that? No, because then you wouldn't have the entire context of why things are happening! Just like how you can't take a book out of context, you can't take the Bible out of context. Today, Pastor Ken says that what you read about in Joel directly correlates to what you'll read in the New Testament. The entire Bible is a story and must be read in its entirety. You don't get to pick and choose what you want to believe in.

Are you tired of the burdens that the world places on you? Are you worn out from the struggles you face in your life? In today's message, Pastor Ken invites you to give your life to Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can set you free from your sins because He has already paid the price for them. When you accept Him into your life, His Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you, washing away your sins and transforming them from scarlet red to white as snow. And in that moment, you're made new in Jesus.

For a long time, many people have assumed that there are multiple paths to salvation. They often claim to be good people or mention how they frequently give back to the community. But are good actions truly enough to achieve eternal life? Today, Pastor Ken emphasizes that there is only one way to everlasting life: through Jesus. To receive this gift, you only need to acknowledge that you are a sinner, believe in Christ's work on the cross, and confess Him as the Lord of your life.

Something is happening in our country that we haven't seen in a long time. People are awakening to the imperfections of this world and seeking deeper meaning in life. In today's message, Pastor Ken emphasizes the urgent need for us to awaken! He calls us to step out of our comfort zones, share the Word of God, and invite the Holy Spirit to fill our nation. This is our chance to unite in faith and share the Gospel of Jesus with those who are yearning for something more. So, what will you do about the message of Jesus?

Do you remember what it was like to grow up with your parents? While many of us may not have had the exact same childhood, everyone had someone they looked up to—someone they loved and felt safe with. That is how we should view God. Our Father in Heaven isn't just our Father by name; He is our Abba, and He loves you so much that He couldn't bear to be apart from you. That's why He sent His Son, Jesus. Today, Pastor Ken wants you to know that God will move Heaven and Earth to reach you.

Have you ever attended a church that doesn't read from the Word of God? While this may seem unusual, it's increasingly common for people to fall victim to churches that manipulate the Bible to fit their own ideologies. Unfortunately, many individuals who are unaware of this deception end up following a false version of God. That's why, in today's message, Pastor Ken encourages you to stay grounded in the Word of God. Walk with Jesus and allow His Word to be the ultimate authority in your life.

We live in a world where sin is prevalent, and at times, it can be difficult to let go of those sins in our walk with God. But what happens when we use the Bible to justify our sinful behavior? What occurs when we attempt to add or subtract from the Bible? Today, Pastor Ken warns us that when we reshape the Bible to fit our own ideals, we start to create a god in our own image, rather than the God of the Bible. This is why Pastor Ken encourages us, now more than ever, to stay grounded in the Word so that we can discern truth from lies.

Isn't it amazing to realize that the God of the universe loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to take our place on the cross? Jesus was the only one who was sinless and blameless, and He took our punishment so that we can have everlasting life with Him. In today's message, Pastor Ken reminds us that when you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you won't be eternally separated from Him when you leave this world; instead, you will have everlasting life with Him.

If you turn on the news, what do you see? You see an absence of God in this country. And the results of man-made efforts only prove that there are things in this life that man can't simply accomplish, and the biggest thing that people fool themselves into believing is that they can earn their way into salvation. But in today's message, Pastor Ken tells you that without Jesus Christ, there is no other way into eternal life. But when you give your life to Jesus and allow Him into your life, He offers you His Grace.

We live in a world filled with many gods. For some people, these gods may be money, wealth, celebrities, social status, or even loved ones. Today, Pastor Ken emphasizes that the Bible clearly states that if you are not following Jesus Christ, then you are following Satan. That is why Pastor Ken encourages you to engage with the Word daily, walk closely with Jesus, and make Him the top priority in your life. By doing so, you can find true fulfillment and purpose that transcends the temporary allure of worldly pleasures.

Sometimes in our lives, we can observe how the world responds to God and forget that we come from the same place. There are essentially two types of people on this earth: believers and unbelievers. At times, our worldly thoughts and feelings can hinder us from focusing on our true purpose, which is to share the gospel. That's why in today's message, Pastor Ken reminds us that before we judge those who are lost, we should remember that we were once lost ourselves. The grace of Jesus is available to all who believe in Him.

Imagine being in a room where you know the location of everything around you, but suddenly, you lose your ability to see. The familiar space becomes strange and disorienting, and this is similar to living life without God. Sometimes, when we think we have everything figured out, unexpected events can occur that obscure our view of the future, making it feel unfamiliar and daunting. However, today, Pastor Ken reminds us that it doesn't have to be that way. If you allow God to guide you, He will always take care of you.

No one has ever claimed that walking with Jesus is easy, and if someone has, they are not telling the truth. This journey is one of the hardest things you will ever have to endure. While this world is not perfect, at times, it may seem easier to distance yourself from God than to remain close to Him. However, no matter how far you may walk away from God, it only takes one step to come back to Him. Today, Pastor Ken wants you to remember that if you have spent time away from God, it is never too late to return to Him.

We live in a world where many people view the Bible as a source of universal teachings, but its significance goes much deeper than that. The Word of God is not merely a history book or a quick guide to success; it represents a way of life. In today's message, Pastor Ken emphasizes that when you apply the teachings of the Bible to your life, it becomes apparent to those around you. As a result, Jesus begins to make Himself known in the lives of others because of your influence!

I think it's safe to say that everyone has experienced a situation where one person fails to uphold their end of the bargain. Whether it's in the workplace or in a relationship, Pastor Ken wants you to understand that God takes commitment very seriously. God the Father is a covenant-keeping God; when He gives a promise, it is in His very nature to fulfill His commitments, and He expects the same from you and me. Today, Pastor Ken encourages you to keep your word just as God keeps His.

Isn't it amazing to realize that we have a God who will never abandon us? While the world teaches self-reliance, Christianity uniquely conveys that we are not saved by our actions, but by our faith in Jesus Christ. That's why, in today's message, Pastor Ken wants you to know that if you don't yet know Jesus and what He has done for you, the first step is to pray to Him. Ask Jesus to make Himself known in your life and express your desire for a relationship with Him. As you draw closer to Jesus, He will draw closer to you.

Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... With each passing day, more and more of the prophecy in the Old Testament is fulfilled. From Jesus fulfilling many of the messianic prophecies in Isaiah, to the turmoil that we see today… the clock is ticking, and the events of Revelation are on their way. Today, you will learn from Pastor Ken that the end times are closer than you think. In fact, one could argue that you're in them. The question is, will you be ready when the clock hits zero, or will you run out of time?

Have you ever been cancelled over your beliefs? Has society ever accused you of bigotry for standing for biblical truths instead of the latest social justice trend? If that hasn't happened in a public forum, it's probably still happened at a micro level where old friends refuse to talk to you for your beliefs. In today's message, Pastor Ken teaches that society has tried to silence, or in modern terms, “cancel,” God's people since way back in Hosea's day. They always attempted to silence the true prophets.

If there's anything great we could say about living in the 21st century, it's how convenient everything is. If there's anything bad we could say about living in the 21st century… It's how convenient everything is. It's spoiled all of us! Today, Pastor Ken teaches that we've lost our patience and expect God to move on our terms, at our pace. However, God's not on your schedule… you're on His. Your prayers may not be answered when you want, but they will be answered at the perfect time.

Hear me out… serving the Lord is a good, beautiful, wonderful thing. Every believer should be serving Jesus as an outpouring of their love for Him. However, as Pastor Ken, your service should not become more important than your relationship. In today's message, you will learn how the Israelites thought that they could replace a relationship with a trip to the altar, and many Christians believe they can do the same by stacking enough chairs, rather than communing with the Creator.

Many people believe that if they do enough things, that is enough to satisfy God at the end of their life. They think they can outweigh the bad with the good. Well… good news, and bad news. The good news is that all good people enter Heaven! The bad news… well, there aren't any good people. Today, Pastor Ken teaches that getting into heaven isn't about what you do but who you know. You cannot do enough good to outweigh the sin in your life, so instead, build a relationship with Jesus.