A Better Word

Pastor Nick Gatzke rethinks a popular, uplifting verse––Joshua 1:9, “be strong and courageous!” It’s written on walls, etched on coffee mugs, and recorded in prayer journals to remind us not to be afraid. But courage isn’t just for extraordinary moments––it’s needed for everyday life. 

There’s a popular mantra trending today that declares: “We can do hard things!” It’s inspirational!  And yet there are times when our courage fails and our fear paralyzes us. Pastor Nick Gatzke reveals where real courage comes from when fear has us frozen in place. 

As we celebrate the 250th birthday of our country, many people are asking: Can America be saved? And, tucked into these conversations, one verse is quoted more than any other––a verse that promises God will heal our land. Pastor Nick Gatzke re-examines this verse to find out what God has actually promised and to whom. 

Some Bible verses get more attention than others––like John 3:16 plastered on billboards, printed on coffee mugs, and even tattooed on forearms! Pastor Nick Gatzke kicks off a series called Rethinking Your Favorite Bible Verses to help us get a better biblical understanding of the verses we love to recite, but often misunderstand. 

No one likes to suffer the consequences of their mistakes. But it’s even worse when someone else suffers because of our sins.Pastor Nick Gatzke reveals the dramatic moment when King David realized that the people around him were suffering for something he did. How would David respond? 

The average adult makes 35,000 decisions every day––from what to eat, to how to spend our money, and who to trust. While most choices seem minor, some have far-reaching consequences. Pastor Nick Gatzke reveals a pivotal moment in Israel when a single decision triggered a cascade of consequences for the entire nation. 

We give our trust away pretty easily—to people who’ve barely earned it. Then time after time we’re shocked when they let us down.  Friday Pastor Nick Gatzke walks us through King David’s startling admission about leadership, power, and why none of us trust worthy to run even our own lives. 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who knew the end was near? It’s remarkable, how their focus shifts to things that last beyond this lifetime. Pastor Nick Gatzke shares the final words of King David—and what he chooses to say––speaks volumes about what truly matters. 

Some of us like to think we’re in control. We carefully plan every step, congratulating ourselves when things go our way. But what happens when life gets out of control? Pastor Nick Gatzke takes a hard look at the ups and downs of life to help us see who really gets the credit for our success. 

Have you ever looked back at your life and realized just how close you came to losing everything? At the end of his life, King David reflected on God’s powerful protection. Pastor Nick Gatzke takes a closer look at who’s behind the tragedies avoided, near-misses, and threats we survived. 

As Christians, we often say, “forgive and forget”, and we hope others will do the same for us. But sometimes the most dangerous sins are the ones we sweep under the rug. Pastor Nick Gatzke pauses to consider how God deals with sin... especially the ones we thought we left in the past! 

You’ve heard the saying: “Getting away with murder.”  But have you ever really thought about it?  Does anyone truly escape their past?  Pastor Nick Gatzke explains that no matter how carefully we conceal our sin, there’s someone who sees every deed—and justice isn’t something we sidestep. 

Do you treat Jesus like a consultant––someone who offers good advice that you can pick and choose from, or is He your Master? Pastor Nick Gatzke shares a powerful message that cuts right to the heart of what it means to truly surrender to Christ. 

We all know people who publicly say they believe in God, but privately do whatever they think is best. They talk a big game about faith. But when it comes to obeying God their own plans are more important. Pastor Nick Gatzke helps us identify our motivations and look out for this dangerous pattern in ourselves. 

Think about the people who have hurt you.  Maybe they betrayed you. Maybe they abandoned you when you needed them most. The natural response—the human response—is anger, distance, or even revenge. But Pastor Nick Gatzke shares a different response––one based on supernatural grace. 

Most world leaders handle rebellion with force, revenge, and political maneuvering to make sure it never happens again. But Pastor Nick Gatzke reveals how King David handled the aftermath of a civil war against his own son. The kingdom was divided—some people backed the rebellion, others stayed loyal. Find out what happened next! 

Pastor Nick Gatzke returns to David’s story at the moment when one of his own son turns against him.  David finds himself caught between two impossible demands—the king’s duty to punish rebellion and a father’s desperate love for his son. How would you respond? Find out what David chose. 

Have you ever had a family member turn on you? Not just a disagreement over dinner––but a real betrayal––the kind that makes you question everything? Pastor Nick Gatzke turns to a tragic chapter in the life of King David when his son Absalom conspires against him. 

Some stories in the Bible are deeply troubling. Do you ever wonder why stories like this are included in Scripture? Pastor Nick Gatzke returns to a troubling passage in Second Samuel, where the sins of one father passed down to the next generation with devastating consequences. We’re learning about God’s perfect justice and grace.