Podcasts about pastor dave

Book tour dates and ticket info here.Just as every market has its first movers, every religion has its martyrs — the people willing to risk everything for what they believe. Pastor Dave Hodges just might be a little bit of both. He's the spiritual leader of the Zide Door Church of Entheogenic Plants, in Oakland, California which places psilocybin mushrooms at the center of their religious practice.Today on the show, like its 130,000+ members, we're going to take a trip through the psychedelic mushroom megachurch. We'll meet one of the lawyers trying to keep psychedelic religious leaders like Pastor Dave from running afoul of the law, and get a peek into how the government decides whether a belief system counts as sincere religion.This episode was reported with support from the Ferris-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship. Subscribe to Planet Money+Listen free: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.This episode was hosted by Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and edited by Eric Mennel. It was fact checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Kwesi Lee with help from Robert Rodriguez. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The story of Noah reveals both the depth of human depravity and the surprising patience of God. Even as civilization advanced in innovation, culture, and technology, the human heart plunged into unrestrained evil, proving that progress does not sanctify. In response, God judged the world justly, unmaking creation through the flood, yet He did not abandon His promise. Through Noah, God offered a second chance - not because humanity improved, but because He bound Himself by covenant to preserve the world until redemption would come. The rainbow, God's hung-up bow, became a sign of restraint: judgment postponed, not removed. That judgment would ultimately fall not on the world again, but on Jesus Christ at the cross, where God kept His promise by absorbing His own wrath. The patience of God, then, is not permission to sin, but mercy meant to lead hearts to repentance, faith, and transformed lives.

In this episode of The Living It Out Podcast, Pastor Dave Maestas teaches from 2 Samuel 3:1–39, confronting a hard but necessary truth: you can be surrounded by the right people and still be headed in the wrong direction. This chapter highlights the danger of misplaced loyalty. As David grows stronger, the house of Saul grows weaker—but many characters remain committed to systems, leaders, and patterns God is clearly moving away from. Abner's power struggles, shifting allegiances, and eventual downfall reveal how pride, fear, and self-interest can keep people fighting for the wrong cause. Pastor Dave unpacks how this passage speaks directly to our lives today—our friendships, leadership structures, workplaces, and even churches. In this message, you'll learn: Why loyalty without discernment can become disobedience How pride and control can blind us to where God is moving The difference between being faithful and being stubborn Why following God sometimes requires leaving familiar teams or systems How to evaluate whether you're aligned with God's direction or just comfortable people

Have you ever felt the enemy trying to derail your divine purpose? Through a powerful examination of Peter's story, Pastor Dave reveals how Satan specifically targets those marked for God's greatest work. In this stirring message from the "Triggered" series, discover how to shift from being triggered by past trauma to being triggered by holy purpose. Through biblical insight and raw authenticity, Pastor Dave shows how opposition often signals you're on the right path - the enemy wouldn't waste time if you weren't a threat to darkness. Ready to turn your triggers into triumph? This message will equip you to stand firm, knowing that while Satan may ask for you, God's protective shield and limitless purpose prevail. Don't miss this transformative word!Luke 22:24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.' 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

In week three of Upside Down Glory, Pastor Dave Hentschel addresses one of the most difficult and misunderstood questions Christians face: where does disability come from, and what does it mean for our faith when God does not remove weakness? Walking through Exodus 4, Genesis 32, and John 20, this message confronts the popular but unbiblical idea that “God never gives you more than you can handle,” and instead reveals a God who sometimes wounds, withholds healing, and still sends His servants on mission. From Moses' speech impediment, to Jacob's lifelong limp, to the resurrected Christ who still bears His scars, Scripture shows that weakness is not accidental, meaningless, or disqualifying—but often the very means through which God dismantles self-reliance and displays His glory. This sermon challenges prosperity-driven assumptions about healing, reframes disability as a place of dependence rather than failure, and calls believers to trust God's wisdom even when strength is diminished.God's Kingdom advances not through unimpaired servants, but through those who cling to Him because they cannot stand on their own.

Historically, the book of Revelation has led to some people to some pretty sketchy interpretations and conclusions. But what does it really say to us? How are we to approach this important book and read it correctly? As we enter into a new sermon series walking through the book of Revelation, John sits down with Pastor Eric and Pastor Dave to address this question. Here is part one of a two part episode on how to read the book of Revelation.

Jesus shows the heart of God, His heart for the lost, and His heart for the people to know God.

What if God doesn't just love you—but actually delights in you?In this message from Isaiah 62, we explore a powerful truth many believers struggle to accept: God pursues His people, gives them a new name, and rejoices over them with joy. Discover how seeing yourself the way God sees you leads not to pride, but to deeper holiness, freedom, and joy in Jesus.

In this episode of The Living It Out Podcast, Pastor David Maestas teaches from 2 Samuel 2:1–3:5, reminding us that just because God has promised something doesn't mean the battle is over. In fact, sometimes the fight intensifies after the anointing. As David steps into leadership over Judah, conflict immediately follows. The house of Saul and the house of David enter a long, exhausting struggle—one marked by opposition, loss, and slow progress. This passage shows us a hard but necessary truth: spiritual battles are often prolonged, personal, and refining. Pastor Dave unpacks what it looks like to: Trust God while progress feels slow Lead faithfully in seasons of opposition Stay obedient when the promise hasn't fully materialized Recognize that growth often happens through resistance This teaching challenges listeners to stop interpreting hardship as failure and instead see it as part of God's forming process. David didn't rush the throne, manipulate outcomes, or fight in his own strength, he waited on God while walking faithfully through conflict.

In Week 2 of What Do You Want From Me?, we explore how God uses friendships as a primary tool for spiritual formation. Drawing from Scripture, this message invites us to seek relationships with purpose, anchor our friendships in faithful presence, and encourage one another toward growth in Christ. As Jesus asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?”, we're challenged to consider who we are walking with—and who we are becoming together.

Genesis 1–3 shows a God who lavishes humanity with blessing, purpose, and intimate relationship, only to be met with a clear-eyed, stubborn rejection of His promise. Adam's sin is not weakness but willful resistance in the face of overwhelming grace. Yet the shock of the passage is not merely human rebellion, but divine persistence. Even as judgment falls - exile, fracture, frustration, and death - God refuses to abandon His promise. He clothes the guilty, feels the wound of betrayal, and commits Himself to sustaining His covenant at infinite cost. From Eden forward, Scripture tells one story: sin is fierce, but God's promise is fiercer still, ultimately upheld through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

What triggers you - past trauma or divine purpose? Pastor Dave challenges us to stop letting the enemy's triggers keep us stuck and instead be motivated by God's calling. Through Nehemiah's story of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, we see how God prepares, provides, and protects those who pursue their purpose, even in the face of opposition. Your survival through trials isn't just survival - it's preparation for your calling. Ready to serve? God wants to use your story to help others find freedom. Watch now to be inspired!Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.Look at Nehemiah 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”Nehemiah 2:1-6 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.”6 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.Nehemiah 2:6-9 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.7 Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the [c]temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”Nehemiah 2:12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode.Nehemiah 4:6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.Nehemiah 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. NKJV

What triggers you - past trauma or divine purpose? Pastor Dave challenges us to stop letting the enemy's triggers keep us stuck and instead be motivated by God's calling. Through Nehemiah's story of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, we see how God prepares, provides, and protects those who pursue their purpose, even in the face of opposition. Your survival through trials isn't just survival - it's preparation for your calling. Ready to serve? God wants to use your story to help others find freedom. Watch now to be inspired!Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.Look at Nehemiah 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”Nehemiah 2:1-6 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.”6 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.Nehemiah 2:6-9 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.7 Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the [c]temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”Nehemiah 2:12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode.Nehemiah 4:6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.Nehemiah 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. NKJV

What does God's face look like when He thinks about you?

In this opening message of the What Do You Want? series, we explore why Jesus asked the blind man a question He already knew the answer to. Not to gather information—but to recognize human value, clarify desire, and invite unique faith. Jesus pauses, gives His full attention, and draws out the heart before performing a miracle.

Genesis 1 begins by putting God at the center of history - the timeless Creator who is wholly above His creation - and then it names what human life often feels like on this side of the boundary: tohu wa bohu, darkness, and the deep, the threat of everything unraveling. Yet before light breaks in, the Spirit of God hovers - a picture of attentive care, not distance - and then God creates by sheer command: "Let there be." The passage reframes anxiety and dread: chaos is not proof of God's indifference, and the unknown is not ruled by chance. The Creator who speaks order into darkness gives mercies, provision, and guidance the way He creates - in days - teaching dependence, humility, and daily trust as we live between promise and fulfillment.

Are life's triggers holding you back from God's purpose? Pastor Dave challenges us to shift from being controlled by past trauma to being motivated by divine purpose. Through Romans 8:28, he reveals how God foreknew our struggles yet predestined us for greatness—not despite our past, but through it. Drawing on the powerful image of ancient showbread, Pastor Dave explains how God wants to put our transformed lives on display as evidence of His power. Ready to break free from old triggers and embrace your calling? This message inspires hope for anyone seeking to move from past pain to purposeful living. Watch now!Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works……………………but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Are life's triggers holding you back from God's purpose? Pastor Dave challenges us to shift from being controlled by past trauma to being motivated by divine purpose. Through Romans 8:28, he reveals how God foreknew our struggles yet predestined us for greatness—not despite our past, but through it. Drawing on the powerful image of ancient showbread, Pastor Dave explains how God wants to put our transformed lives on display as evidence of His power. Ready to break free from old triggers and embrace your calling? This message inspires hope for anyone seeking to move from past pain to purposeful living. Watch now!Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works……………………but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Christmas may be over, but why we celebrate is true all year! We read about the heavenly host joining the angels to rejoice as they announce the coming of the Messiah. But do we stop long enough to consider what it really means when they declare “peace on earth”? Today, Pastor Dave Ross joins us to explain why this is one of his favorite parts of the Christmas story… and the reason might just surprise you!Read Luke 2

In the final message of our From Ruin to Redemption: The Gospel According to Isaiah series, Pastor Dave Hentschel brings us to the summit of Isaiah's prophetic vision in Isaiah 65:17–25. This passage unveils God's promised future—a new heavens and new earth—where sorrow, injustice, futility, and fear are no more. Isaiah is not offering speculative timelines, but reshaping our moral imagination, showing us the world as God originally intended it to be: a world marked by joy instead of weeping, security instead of loss, fruitful work instead of frustration, intimacy with God instead of distance, and peace instead of violence. This sermon challenges the assumption that brokenness is normal or permanent, reminding us that God is not patching the old order but replacing it entirely. As God's people stand between two worlds—the one that is and the one that is coming—we are called to live now as citizens of that future kingdom, allowing God's promised world to shape our faith, ethics, hope, and daily lives.God's promised future is not an excuse to wait—it is a summons to live now in the joy, justice, and peace of the world He is bringing.

Pastor Dave's Sermon from 12/28/25:  “A Voice Crying out in Traffic" Scripture Reading: John 1:19-34

Have you ever felt surrounded by overwhelming challenges, wondering where to turn? In 2nd Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat faced three enemy armies, yet discovered the secret to victory through prayer and praise. Pastor Dave reveals how this ancient story offers hope for our modern battles, sharing four powerful prayer principles that transform fear into faith. Through vivid examples from his own 3:30 AM prayer sessions and pastoral experience, he shows how recognizing God's hand, remembering His faithfulness, believing He hears us, and approaching Him with humility can turn any situation around. Whether you're facing work stress, relationship conflicts, or personal struggles, this message will revolutionize your prayer life and remind you that "the battle is not yours, but God's." Watch now to unlock the power of prayer that produces results!2 Chronicles 20:1-12 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. 23 For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they [e]had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.Vs 24 So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.Vs 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.vs 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? vs 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.

Have you ever felt surrounded by overwhelming challenges, wondering where to turn? In 2nd Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat faced three enemy armies, yet discovered the secret to victory through prayer and praise. Pastor Dave reveals how this ancient story offers hope for our modern battles, sharing four powerful prayer principles that transform fear into faith. Through vivid examples from his own 3:30 AM prayer sessions and pastoral experience, he shows how recognizing God's hand, remembering His faithfulness, believing He hears us, and approaching Him with humility can turn any situation around. Whether you're facing work stress, relationship conflicts, or personal struggles, this message will revolutionize your prayer life and remind you that "the battle is not yours, but God's." Watch now to unlock the power of prayer that produces results!2 Chronicles 20:1-12 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. 23 For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they [e]had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.Vs 24 So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.Vs 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.vs 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? vs 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.

In this post-Christmas message from LifeChurchNV, we slow down with Luke 2:16–20 to discover why Christmas was never meant to be rushed. As Mary treasures and ponders and the shepherds respond with worship, we're invited to linger long enough for the story of Jesus to truly shape us.

As we experience the wonder of christmas traditions, Pastor Dave challenges us to remember what these traditions point us to; the birth and life of Jesus Christ.Dave GustavsenDecember 24, 2025Visit our website or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Christmas story doesn't end at the manger. In Luke 2, an old man named Simeon finally sees the promise he's been waiting for his entire life when Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus into the temple. God had told Simeon he would not die until he saw the Messiah — and on that ordinary day, the promise walked into the room. This message reminds us that God always keeps His word, and that Christmas is about more than celebrating Jesus' first coming. We are living between two promises: Christ has come once, and He is coming again. As we explore the theology of Christmas and the hope of Jesus' return, we're challenged to live with faith, urgency, and expectation as we wait for the fulfillment of God's second promise.

Pastor Dave joins us the day before Christmas to talk about Christmas time in the church, where the word "carol" is derived from, The Christmas Carol - and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this message from our From Ruin to Redemption: The Gospel According to Isaiah series, Pastor Dave Hentschel walks through Isaiah 61:1–11 to reveal God's promise of the reset we all long for. Speaking to weary hearts marked by loss, regret, captivity, and brokenness, Isaiah announces the arrival of God's Anointed Servant—the Messiah—who comes to bring good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for captives, and declare the year of the Lord's favor. This passage shows that God's plan is not mere improvement or reform, but full restoration: beauty instead of ashes, joy instead of mourning, and righteousness that springs up like a new Eden before all nations. Ultimately, this promised reset is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who stands in the synagogue and declares that Isaiah's words are accomplished in Him.Isaiah 61 reminds us that we are not forever defined by what has ruined us—because in Jesus, God has come to reset, restore, and redeem.

At Christmas, God does not send advice or a pep talk to worn-out people - He sends a King. Humanity is fractured, society is divided, and even our own hearts feel like a room full of voices arguing for control. The hope is not that we will finally manage ourselves better, but that the Maker who knows us perfectly has come near to rule us rightly. And this King is unlike every strongman in history: He does not rise by taking, He descends by giving. He comes gentle, disarming our false saviors, speaking peace, knocking instead of kicking down the door. The clearest picture is the towel around His waist - the King washing feet, choosing humiliation, then the cross, so the dirty can be made clean. That is why the message of Christmas is not forced submission but glad surrender: His control does not dehumanize - it restores.

What if discovering authentic faith meant moving beyond just saying we believe? In this powerful message about the movie "The Santa Clause," Pastor Dave explores how true belief transforms lives when we move from mere words to living proof. Through Scott Calvin's journey from skeptic to believer, we see how faith requires both conviction and action. Drawing from Hebrews 11, Pastor Dave reminds us that "believing is seeing"—not the other way around. Struggling with doubt or feeling stuck? This message inspires us to take that first step of faith, knowing that God's promises are true even when we can't see the outcome. Watch or listen to discover how your faith can become contagious and impact those around you!Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot seeHebrew 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.Psalms 27:13 AMP I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.Psalms 27:13 NIV I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Luke 1:38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”Luke 2:15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.1 Peter 3:15b And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What if discovering authentic faith meant moving beyond just saying we believe? In this powerful message about the movie "The Santa Clause," Pastor Dave explores how true belief transforms lives when we move from mere words to living proof. Through Scott Calvin's journey from skeptic to believer, we see how faith requires both conviction and action. Drawing from Hebrews 11, Pastor Dave reminds us that "believing is seeing"—not the other way around. Struggling with doubt or feeling stuck? This message inspires us to take that first step of faith, knowing that God's promises are true even when we can't see the outcome. Watch or listen to discover how your faith can become contagious and impact those around you!Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot seeHebrew 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.Psalms 27:13 AMP I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.Psalms 27:13 NIV I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Luke 1:38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”Luke 2:15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.1 Peter 3:15b And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In this Christmas message from Matthew 1:18–25, we take a deeper look at the doctrine of the Incarnation—God with us. The Christmas story is more than a familiar tradition; it is rich with theology that reveals who Jesus is and why He came. In this sermon, we explore what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully man, why the virgin birth matters, and how the Incarnation is essential to our salvation. Discover how this truth not only secures our forgiveness, but also transforms our identity and daily walk as followers of Christ.

Pastor Dave preached from Luke 2, and reminded us that Christmas is God's move toward us.

How would you define sympathy, empathy and compassion? Which of them are a divine attribute of God? Which of them implement aid and care in the world? What are the similarities and differences between them? The Bible offers the world a unique and inspiring look into a deeper meaning, source and impact of compassion! Take a few minutes with Pastor Dave to see how compassion is at the very heart of God's nature, Jesus' incarnation, and the heartbeat of every Christian!

Pastor Dave and SAM Michelle discuss the welcoming, hospitable life that Jesus calls us into.

In this message, Pastor Dave opens our Christmas series by…

In this Christmas message, we unpack the line “He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.” From Eden to Bethlehem, Calvary to the New Creation, we see how Jesus breaks the curse of sin and brings restoration to every corner of creation. This sermon will deepen your understanding of the gospel story and renew your hope as we look toward Christ's return.

In this message from our From Ruin to Redemption: The Gospel According to Isaiah series, Pastor Dave Hentschel walks through Isaiah 58:1–14, confronting the danger of empty religion and calling God's people back to the kind of worship that reflects His heart for righteousness, justice, mercy, and peace. Isaiah exposes the worship God rejects—religious activity divorced from love for neighbor—and reveals the worship God desires: lives marked by compassion, integrity, generosity, and the pursuit of restoration in both society and the home. Through Scripture and a powerful closing drama that brings Truth, Mercy, Justice, and Peace into conversation, this message points us to reconciliation as the meeting place of God's character—and ultimately to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills what Isaiah calls us to become.In the end, Isaiah 58 reminds us that God restores what we have ruined by drawing us out of hollow religion and into lives shaped by justice, mercy, and reconciliation through Christ.

 In this heartwarming message through the lens of "Elf," Pastor Dave explores how Buddy's journey to find his father mirrors our own spiritual search for identity and belonging. Just as Buddy discovers his true identity, we too are invited into God's family through spiritual adoption. Drawing from Ephesians 1, we learn that God planned our adoption through Jesus Christ from the beginning. This Christmas message reminds us that God's greatest gift isn't just presents under the tree—it's His invitation to become part of His eternal family.Ephesians 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. 7-10 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.11-12 It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.13-14 It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.Ephesians 2:1-6 message It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us.(adopted us) He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.Galatians 3:26-29New Life Version26 You are now children of God because you have put your trust in Christ Jesus. 27 All of you who have been baptized to show you belong to Christ have become like Christ. 28 God does not see you as a Jew or as a Greek. He does not see you as a servant or as a person free to work. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you have become the true children of Abraham. What God promised to him is now yours.

In this message, we take a fresh look at the birth of Jesus—not as a fairy tale, but as a true, world-shaping moment filled with real people, real places, and the unmistakable Sovereignty of God. Through Luke's Gospel and the prophecies of Micah, we see how God orchestrated every detail to fulfill His promises and reveal His heart. As we unpack the doctrines woven into the Christmas account, we're reminded that God is still sovereign, still working, and still worthy of our trust in every season of life.

In Genesis 3:15, God responds to humanity's first sin not by abandoning his image-bearers, but by announcing a long war between the serpent and the woman, between their respective offspring. This “enmity” is both judgment and grace: it exposes how deeply evil will now work through human sin, yet it also marks a permanent separation so that humanity will never be fully at peace with the powers of darkness. At the heart of the verse is a singular promise - “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” - which points to a coming deliverer from the woman's line whose own wounding will be real but not final, while his decisive blow will crush the serpent's head and ultimately overthrow evil.

In this Advent message, Pastor Dave reflects on Mary's encounter with Gabriel and her stunning prayer, the Magnificat. He shows how Mary embodies the repeated patterns of Scripture, reveals God's upside-down view of power, and celebrates the fulfillment of God's ancient promises—all pointing to the coming Savior who will make all things new.

We can face the impossible because God is with us.