In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon tackle one of the most harmful clichés floating around modern Christianity: "If you're struggling, you just aren't trusting God enough."

Is that what the Bible actually teaches? Or is it another well-meaning saying that sounds spiritual but falls apart under biblical scrutiny?

The guys take a hard look at the lives of biblical heroes like Job, David, Elijah, Paul, and even Jesus Himself. They discuss how Scripture consistently shows that faithful believers experience suffering, discouragement, grief, persecution, and seasons of deep struggle—not because they lacked faith, but often because they were faithfully following God.

Along the way, Jonathan and Brandon push back against the false promises of the prosperity gospel, exposing the dangerous idea that enough faith guarantees health, wealth, or a struggle-free life. Instead, they point listeners to the biblical truth that God's presence is often most evident in our suffering, not in our escape from it.

Fair warning: if your favorite preacher says that enough faith guarantees a bigger paycheck, perfect health, and zero problems, this episode may cause you to reach for the remote... or your Bible. We recommend the Bible.

Because while trusting God through suffering is absolutely in the Bible..."Real Christians never struggle"?Yeah... that ain't in the Bible.

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In today’s sermon, Gethsemane: The Place of Burden, Pastor Mark takes us into the garden where Jesus faced the weight of what was about to come. Mark 14 gives us a glimpse into the humanity of Jesus as He wrestled in prayer while carrying a burden unlike anything we could ever fully understand.

As Jesus looked toward the cross, He saw three profound realities represented by the cup He was about to drink:

The cup of isolation — Jesus would face the cross alone.

The cup of physical pain — He knew the suffering and agony that awaited Him.

The cup of sinful shame — He would bear the weight of our sin and separation from the Father.

Yet in the middle of His anguish, Jesus prayed and surrendered Himself to the Father's will: "Not what I will, but what You will."

Pastor Mark reminds us that Gethsemane gives us an example for how we should respond when we face our own burdens. We can bring our deepest struggles honestly before God, pray with faith, and ultimately surrender our will to His.

We may not understand every burden God allows us to carry, but we can trust the One who carried the greatest burden for us.

What does ministry look like just across the border? In this special interview, Jonathan and Brandon sit down with Jerry Vincent, Pastor of College Baptist Church in Big Spring, to talk about his recent mission trip to Saskatchewan, Canada.

Jerry shares stories from an incredible week of ministry alongside churches across the province, including opportunities to preach the Word, lead Vacation Bible School, serve through community projects, and encourage local congregations. The conversation also includes a unique behind-the-scenes look at meeting with government leaders inside the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, providing a fascinating glimpse into how God is opening doors for gospel conversations in unexpected places.

Throughout the episode, they why Canada remains a strategic mission field, the importance of partnering with churches to strengthen gospel ministry, and how God is at work in ways many believers in the United States may never realize.

Whether you're considering going on a future mission trip, curious about ministry in Canada, or simply love hearing stories of God at work, this conversation will encourage and challenge you to think beyond your own community and embrace the Great Commission wherever God calls.

Join us as we celebrate what God is doing north of the border—and discover why the mission field might be a whole lot closer than you think.

In today's sermon, Burning Daylight, Pastor Mark takes us to Romans 13:11–14, where the Apostle Paul reminds believers that the time is short and the call to live for Christ is urgent. As followers of Jesus, we cannot afford to drift through life spiritually asleep.

Pastor Mark challenges us with three simple but powerful commands:

Wake up – Recognize the urgency of the times and our need to live with spiritual awareness.

Get dressed – Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and live in a way that reflects His holiness and righteousness.

Be ready – Live each day prepared to fulfill the mission Christ has given His Church.

This message reminds us that our ultimate purpose is found in The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20). Every believer has been called to make disciples, and every church has been commissioned to take the gospel to the world.

Pastor Mark also gives a timely reminder that the enemy often distracts the church with internal disagreements. Instead of allowing conflict and personal preferences to divide us, we are called to pursue unity, love one another, and stay focused on the mission Jesus has entrusted to us.

Join Jonathan and Brandon for this episode as they discuss the topic of have business meetings become more important than prayer meetings? They'll weigh in the topic, discuss their predictions about whether more people would attend a church wide call to prayer or a business meeting to vote on a difficult topic. Don't miss this one and if you get upset, re-double your efforts to cry out the Holy Spirit for Him to bless our local church.

In today's sermon, God Tests Your Faith, Pastor Mark walks through the life of Abraham in Hebrews 11:8–19, reminding us that faith is not merely something we profess—it is something God grows through testing.

Using Abraham's journey as our example, Pastor Mark shows us four questions every believer will face and how faith responds to each one:

• The "Where?" Test – A believer follows where God is leading without knowing where.
• The "When?" Test – A believer waits for God's timing without knowing when.
• The "How?" Test – A believer expects God to do the impossible without knowing how.
• The "Why?" Test – A believer trusts God's purpose without knowing why.

Each of these tests calls us to deeper trust in God's character rather than our own understanding. Like Abraham, we are invited to walk by faith, even when the path ahead is unclear and the answers we want have yet to come.

Brandon recaps Youth Camp 2026.

In today's sermon, The Presence of God, Pastor Mark takes us to Exodus 33, where Moses makes one of the greatest requests in all of Scripture: "If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."

Through this powerful passage, we are reminded that God's people should never be content with simply going through the motions of religion. More than programs, plans, or accomplishments, we desperately need the presence of God.

Pastor Mark challenges us to consider why we should fear losing God's presence. While God never abandons His children, churches can grieve the Holy Spirit and lose His evident blessing and power when there is persistent disobedience among God's people. A church can have full calendars, crowded buildings, and excellent ministries, yet still desperately need a fresh dependence on God's Spirit.

This message calls every believer to examine their own heart and to seek God with humility, repentance, and obedience. It reminds us that the greatest blessing God gives us is not simply what He does for us—but that He is with us.

Listen in and be encouraged to pursue the presence of God above everything else, knowing that apart from Him, we can accomplish nothing of eternal value.

Jonathan is back with Part 2 of his recap from the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, and this time the conversation dives deeper into what makes Southern Baptists... well... Southern Baptists.

In this episode, you'll hear about the surprisingly democratic process behind the Convention, how over 45,000 churches voluntarily cooperate together for the sake of the Great Commission, and why that cooperation matters far more than most people realize. Jonathan also shares the exciting news that one of First Baptist Church Big Spring's former ministers is now serving on an SBC committee.

The episode also highlights one of the most encouraging moments of the week—the International Mission Board Sending Celebration, where missionaries are commissioned to take the gospel to the nations. And don't miss the unforgettable story of how God worked through a deaf pastor, reminding us that the gospel truly is for every tribe, tongue, people... and every language, spoken or signed.

Along the way, Jonathan reflects on what it's like to be surrounded by 12,000 Southern Baptists at what is affectionately known as the world's largest business meeting. Imagine a church business meeting... then add about 11,900 people. Surprisingly, there was less arguing than Facebook or Twitter/X promised, more cooperation than the internet gives us credit for, and enough motions, microphones, and parliamentary procedure to make your local moderator tear up with joy.

Whether you've never heard of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting or you've attended for years, this episode offers an encouraging look at how churches work together to advance the gospel—and why cooperation is still one of our greatest strengths.

Article on IMB Challenges

Deaf Pastor Makes Motion

In today’s sermon, Running on Empty, Pastor Mark takes us to Jesus’ first recorded miracle at the wedding in Cana, where He transformed water into wine. More than a miracle of provision, this passage points us to the One who alone can fill the emptiness in our lives with lasting joy.

Using John 2:1–11, Pastor Mark reminds us of four essential truths for every follower of Christ:

Admit your need for joy. We all experience seasons where we feel empty, weary, or spiritually dry.

Bring your need to Jesus. The answer to our deepest needs is not found in ourselves, but in the Savior.

Do whatever Jesus tells you to do. Obedience is often the pathway through which God works in our lives.

Commit yourself fully to Jesus. Real transformation begins when we trust Him completely and surrender every area of our lives.

This message reminds us that Jesus doesn't simply meet our needs—He transforms our emptiness into something far greater than we could imagine. When we come to Him in faith and obedience, He fills our lives with the joy and hope that only He can provide.