Better Than Life

Everything you experience, your whole personality and quirks, and even the specific time, month, and day you were born, is all on purpose. Your whole life is specifically and specially planned out for you to meet, experience, and surrender to God. In today's message, Pastor Jay will teach that your circumstances are there to point you to Christ and Christ alone, good and bad. Your life is designed...

The space that we make for ungratefulness and just plain discontentment is where idolatry grows. Idolatry thrives in our lack of thankfulness and satisfaction in Christ. In today's message, Pastor Jay will share about what idolatry is and how it's so much more than the physical idols we read about in the Bible. Idolatry looked like a little statue, but idolatry today can be anything we put above C...

God's leading of his people has never been absent. He has always been clear about how He would have his people live. Whether we look at God walking in the garden with Adam, the Ten Commandments given to ancient Israel, or the Bible that God has given us now, he has always been clear on his desire for us and how we ought to live. In today's message, Pastor Jay reminds us that as God directed the na...

 I was definitely that hard-headed kid growing up! There were times when I would be told not to do something because I could get hurt, and no sooner had my parents turned away than I figured, “Well, surely I can do it and not get injured!” I hate to say it, but doing things my way, more often than not, ended up disastrous for me! Israel, and as we’ll see in today’s message, the early church, also...

Are we actively engaging in our spiritual journey by obeying God’s call to share the gospel? Politicians strive to connect with different groups to win votes. The Apostle Paul encourages us to become like those we encounter so we can lead them to Christ. Today, Pastor Jay urges us to adopt a mindset focused on winning the prize by practicing temperance. Exercise self-control and maintain spiritual...

What does it mean to run the race of our Christian life in a way that leads to winning the prize? Today, Pastor Jay encourages us to live our Christian lives with intention. We should not live with uncertainty, but rather in a manner that enables us to win the race. Casual living leads to disqualification. If you want to live in a way that wins the prize, focus on three key aspects: establish a so...

Do our behavior, speech, and actions ever cause someone else to stumble? Today, Pastor Jay warns us about the potential of being a stumbling block to our weaker brothers and sisters in Christ. He emphasizes the importance of safeguarding our freedom in Christ so that it does not hinder someone else’s faith. Sometimes, stumbling blocks can be subtle. For instance, they may manifest as a lack of lov...

Is your church a welcoming community of love that draws others to attend? In today’s message, Pastor Jay reminds us of Paul’s message to the church in Corinth. This church struggled with selfishness, carnality, and pride, lacking genuine love for one another. The love among believers should be sacrificial. Although they knew God, their pride hindered their relationships. A true relationship with G...

What is the fundamental purpose of marriage? Why did God establish this institution? In his message today, Pastor Jay explains that although one purpose of marriage is to procreate and God permits sexual relationships, the primary purpose of marriage is companionship. God intended for two individuals to become one in spirit, soul, and mind. He provided a partner to comfort, encourage, and support....

Why does God have such strict requirements for remaining in a marriage? The Apostle Paul states that if a person leaves a marriage, they should remain unmarried. Today, Pastor Jay explains the importance of marriage. He reminds us that God established marriage before the church, businesses, or schools, and that it is the foundational element of all society. Marriage was meant to be eternal, which...

A Godly marriage encompasses several essential characteristics. Today, Pastor Jay explains the importance of these actions and attitudes. For a marriage to thrive, both partners must be submissive to each other, love one another, maintain exclusivity, and meet each other’s needs. This type of marriage honors God. We should be attentive to our partner’s spiritual condition and mindful of anything t...

What was God's intention for marriage? In his message today, Pastor Jay reminds us to approach marriage with seriousness. It is not an institution to be taken lightly. God designed marriage to reflect the relationship between the church and Christ. It symbolizes the union of two individuals becoming one. This union serves as a reminder of God's eternal commitment to His people. We should not enter...

It’s possible to look spiritual on the outside, reading Scripture, praying, and showing up to church, while completely missing the life of the Spirit on the inside. Samson thought he still had God’s strength until “The Spirit of God left him, and he did not know it.” The danger is the same for us: going through the motions of religion without true communion with Christ. In today’s message, Pastor...

Conflicts are unavoidable, at home, at work, even in the church. The question is, how do we handle them? Paul asks the Corinthians: “Can’t you figure out how to deal with your own skirmishes and challenges among you?” He reminds us that in Christ, we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness. Today, Pastor Jay calls us to be a people whose relationships reflect Christ to the world. G...

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to hold on to things you know aren’t good for you, habits, opinions, even stuff sitting on a shelf? Paul reminds you that God calls His people to live with sincerity and truth, not excuses and compromises. That means when His Word collides with your own desires, something must give, and it shouldn’t be His Word. In today’s message, Pastor Jay calls you to the k...

Most of us don’t like being corrected; it stings, but it humbles us. Scripture reminds us that in the body of Christ, correction isn’t meant to crush, it’s meant to redeem. As Christians, we should step into each other’s lives, not at arm’s length, but with enough closeness to notice when someone is drifting and enough courage to help bring them back. Today, Pastor Jay shares that the church isn’t...

Sometimes we think strength has to be loud, dramatic, or obvious. God’s power is often shown not in noise, but in quietly enabling His people to follow His commands. As you trust Him, something begins to happen: your attitudes shift, your perspective changes, and your heart starts dwelling on what is pure and holy. Today, Pastor Jay reminds you that real transformation doesn’t come overnight; it c...

Think about the talents, the opportunities, even the personality you have; did you really create those on your own? Paul asks the piercing question: “What do you have that you did not receive?” Every gift, from your ability to earn money to the influence you carry, comes from God’s hand. Today, Pastor Jay reminds us that pride has no place in the church because everything you are and everything yo...

It’s easy to spot when others are off track, but much harder to admit when we are struggling. Paul warns us, “Let no one deceive himself,” because we all have blind spots. We tell ourselves we’re doing fine when deep down we know we’ve drifted. In today’s message, Pastor Jay reminds us to pause, to examine our lives, and to let God’s wisdom lead us instead of our own. True wisdom isn’t found in ch...

We live in a world that loves to put people on pedestals, pastors, leaders, influencers, even ourselves. But here’s the truth: no matter how gifted the messenger, only God can truly change a heart. In today’s message, Pastor Jay reminds us that spiritual growth doesn’t come from human effort or charisma; it comes from the Lord alone. The question is: are your eyes fixed on the people God is using,...

Wow, that’s a powerful revelation from Pastor Jay! Maybe the reason you aren’t maturing in your walk with Jesus is because you’ve been relying on worldly wisdom? Maybe it’s time for you to turn away from worldly wisdom and turn toward the wisdom of God. And what would that look like? Well, listening to broadcasts like Better Than Life with Pastor Jay is a great start! Turning to the Word of God is...

With the advancement of AI and other technologies, it’s easy to think that humanity may eventually have the potential to solve all of our problems. As the so-called “wisdom of the world” grows, people will trust in themselves above anything else. Today, Pastor Jay reminds us to leave the wisdom of the world behind because it’s going to pass away. The wisdom that followers of Jesus should be chasin...

The last time you were with us, Pastor Jay began explaining how God uses the foolish things of the world to advance His kingdom. This goes against everything we understand in our world. Our world puts forth the smartest, the most powerful, the absolute best. God chooses to use the weakest among us so that He will receive all the honor and glory. If He did things the way the world does it, we’d all...

Sometimes folks with the most powerful intellects have a hard time believing the Gospel. It doesn’t make sense. Why would a god give his one and only son to die in the place of each person in order to pay for sins? This was the issue in Corinth. Pastor Jay will remind us that the wisdom of God is directly connected to the Gospel message. It’s a message of grace and mercy. It’s a message of love an...

Diverse but united. Does that describe your local church? We are reminded today that God wants us to be different but completely one in Him. Diversity doesn’t just mean ethnicity. It also means that you may see things differently politically or even have different interpretations of the Bible. While there are numerous absolute truths in the Bible that we MUST contend for, God does give us a lot of...