GSLCVA Podcast

What is God like? Join us today as Pastor James shares the message of how God is like a loving father who is so full of grace. What can we do with God’s grace? We can accept it and live into it; we can experience it; we can open our hearts and lives to it. Or we can reject God’s grace. The choice is ours, to accept His grace or reject it, but God’s love and mercy know no bounds.

Peter witnessed much of Christ’s ministry on earth. Today we see Peter at his lowest point, as he denies Jesus three times, resulting in a massive amount of guilt. Each of us can relate to that unwanted flood of self-disgust that comes when we remember past sin. But guilt is not the final word for Peter, or for us. After his resurrection, Jesus restores and forgives Peter. Jesus offered Peter grace. Jesus also gives us grace, forgiveness, and restoration at the cross.

It is common to attribute disaster directly to sins. However, God does not single people out and punish them for their sins. Join us today as Pastor Johann discusses how the abounding grace of God does not want to bring judgment but allows time for repentance and living a life that loves Jesus. God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to reach repentance and confirm to His will.

Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, was a witness to Christ as recorded in John’s Gospel. As Jesus and many others are gathered for dinner, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with an ointment that was worth a year’s wages. What a generous act! Mary’s generosity is contrasted with Judas’ greed. While Mary is generous towards Jesus, Judas seeks his own advantage. We remember Mary’s generosity and love, which point us to Jesus.

Are you so busy that you often do not accomplish what you set out to do? Are the obstacles, or roadblocks, just too great? Join us as Pastor James discusses how Jesus would allow no roadblocks to stand in the way of His mission of delivering our salvation. We may fail but Jesus overcame every roadblock as His word, unlimited love, and promise are true in delivering our salvation.

Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, was a witness to Christ as recorded in John’s Gospel. As Jesus and many others are gathered for dinner, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with an ointment that was worth a year’s wages. What a generous act! Mary’s generosity is contrasted with Judas’ greed. While Mary is generous towards Jesus, Judas seeks his own advantage. We remember Mary’s generosity and love, which point us to Jesus.

Do the ends justify the means? Does the duality between good and bad, right and wrong underlie our understanding of temptation? Join us this first Sunday in Lent as Pastor Johann discusses how every temptation is an opportunity to rediscover, affirm, and claim our identity as a beloved child of God.

As we begin our Lenten journey, we focus our attention upon various witnesses to Christ, starting with John the Baptist, a man on a mission. God sent John to witness concerning the light, so that through him all people might believe. Join us as Pastor Johann discusses how John points us to Jesus, the light, who takes away our sin, our guilt, and our shame at the cross.

The Transfiguration of Jesus was high up on Mount Sinai. Where a glimpse of heaven on earth and the life-changing experience of glory divine occurred. Staying atop the mountain provides the comforting presence of God. Yet in the valley, where reality lies, is where we must be. Join us today as Pastor James discusses the journey of growing in grace, transforming through maturing faith, and coming down from the mountain and into the valley dedicating our lives to God. 

How can we overflow with God’s blessing? By attempting to live in the light of God’s extravagant grace. Join us today as Pastor Johann discusses the way to live in God’s blessing: by loving your enemies instead of hating them; giving away our possessions instead of holding on to them; and seeing what is wrong with ourselves rather than what is wrong with other people.