Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

Every one of us has lies in our head that we can’t seem to shake. What can we do when we get stuck in our own heads with these deceptive thoughts? The apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians gives us encouragement in how we can take back our minds from those lies that have lived there for far too long. Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://yout...

So much of our thoughts start from this simple thing: words. Words turn into what we think, which turns into what we do, which eventually shapes us. And that’s why it’s important for us to examine the kinds of words we find ourselves reading and listening to. Are they the right words that will speak love to us so we don’t fall apart? That will help us keep our thoughts with God? Pastor Mike has on...

We’re constantly thinking. We think about ourselves, relationships, life, challenges, and blessings. What we think about determines how we are in our day-to-day lives. So that begs the question: Are we thinking the right thoughts? Are our thoughts aligned with God’s? With guidance from the apostle Paul, Pastor Mike helps us learn how to take control of our thoughts, bringing us closer to the peace...

How often do you feel the need to think about what you're thinking about? That's the premise of Pastor Mike's new upcoming sermon series, What Was I Thinking? Pastor Mike and Amber dive into this four-part series that looks at whether what we're thinking matches with what God's thinking. In their always-interesting dialogue, we discover what are Pastor Mike's Monday blues and how he combats them,...

Pastor Mike reminds us that it truly is a miracle that God came down from heaven for us. To stay rooted in Jesus, subscribe to our daily email! https://timeofgrace.org/subscribe/ If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he think of you, what exactly was Jesus all about, how do you get “saved” and just what exactly does it mean to “get saved,” and what you should do nex...

The Christmas season can be crazy busy with shopping, presents, and parties. Or it can be crazy hard, with difficult relationships, anxiety, and depression. It's not a stretch to say we're all feeling a little stressed. And yet, two thousand years ago when the world was even more chaotic, Jesus came right into the middle of the craziness—because it was his first step into something even crazier fo...

What do you think about yourself, especially compared to others? How we answer that question reveals a lot about us. Because, Pastor Mike says, God will flip it: God will smash the pride of people who think they’re so good. And those who know they’re not will be raised up. Why does God do this? When you give to our $150,000 Challenge Grant by December 31, you’ll receive an inspiring set of resourc...

Why is it so hard for us to pray? If we believe in God and know he can change things, why do we end up praying so little? If we're honest, Pastor Mike says, maybe it's because it's hard to believe prayer really works. Pastor Mike opens up the Bible to an account in the gospel of Luke that teaches us valuable lessons about the power of prayer. When you give to our $150,000 Challenge Grant by Decemb...

As we head into the Christmas season, we can find ourselves doubting. Did a virgin really give birth to God's Son? Did Jesus really die on a cross, rise on the third day, then float up to heaven? And if I believe in him, I'll get to go to heaven? Pastor Mike wrestles with this tension: we prefer not to have doubts about our faith and God, but so many questions like these pop into our minds. Throug...

It's Christmastime . . . which also means it's a time full of stress. Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson preview the December sermon series, "Christmas Stress," and look at some of the stressors we all deal with: doubt, prayer, pride, and feeling overwhelmed. As they give us a sneak peek, we also learn that Pastor Mike had a custom-built altar of incense in one of his messages to provide a powerf...

Most religions teach that if we mess up a relationship with the divine, we have to fix it. If our karma is bad or our scale shows more bad deeds than good or if we've broken a few too many commandments, we'd better make up for it. And that's what makes Christianity different: God reconciled us. But what does that actually mean? Pastor Mike digs deep into one of the most emotional words in the Bibl...

Every year around this time, Pastor Mike comes to a realization of gratitude. It’s something we can all relate to as well—especially on this Thanksgiving Day. Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://youtu.be/UWHreTMY788 Check out our other podcasts! Search for these on your favorite podcast app. – The Nonmicrowaved Truth with C.L. Whiteside – Little Thin...

It's not unusual to wonder if we're significant, if we've really made a difference in other people's lives. We often feel that way because we're not where we think we should be in life. But, as Pastor Jeremy reminds us, we actually are exactly where God wants us to be. In this Thanksgiving message, Pastor Jeremy digs into the book of Esther and shows us how we are impacting others. Get your copy o...

This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week's devotional series by Pastor Mike is also featured on our Grace Talks Daily Devotional podcast! Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://youtu.be/UWHreTMY788 Check out our other podcasts! Search for these o...

When does our identity change into someone who is saved, especially since we know we will sin again? This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week's devotional series by Pastor Mike is also featured on our Grace Talks Daily Devotionals podcast! Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://youtu.be/UWHreTMY788 Check out our ot...

We want to do the right, godly thing and help our addict parents. But it would be so much easier to cut ties with them, especially with all the pain they have caused. Here's Pastor Mike's advice on finding balance on that narrow road of bitterness and having no boundaries. This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week's devotional series by Pastor Mike is also fea...

We are in a constant war zone against the devil, Pastor Mike says. Here's what we need to know in order to fight this battle. This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week's devotional series by Pastor Mike is also featured on our Grace Talks Daily Devotionals podcast! Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://youtu.be/UWH...

We don't find the word "Trinity" in the Bible. But the concept of three separate people in one God is exactly what the Bible teaches. This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week's devotional series by Pastor Mike is also featured on our Grace Talks Daily Devotionals podcast! Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://yout...

Many people say they follow Jesus, but how do we really know? This week, Pastor Mike answers tough questions from viewers like you. This week's devotional series by Pastor Mike is also featured on our Grace Talks Daily Devotionals podcast! Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Mattek! https://youtu.be/UWHreTMY788 Check out our other podcasts! Search for these on your...

What kind of connection is there between God and music? We often take music for granted but, Pastor Mike reminds us, it is a miracle that the Bible has so much to say about. Pastor Mike covers two big ideas that attest to the power of God and music. Get your copy of our new 365-day devotion, In God's Presence Every Day! https://bit.ly/3WmqGwp Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With P...

So much of life hinges on this single thing we call self-control—because there are so many temptations that can overcome us. So how do we get more self-control? Pastor Mike zeroes in on two big ways that God helps us have more self-control. Get your copy of our new 365-day devotion, In God's Presence Every Day! https://bit.ly/3WmqGwp Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jer...

At the very end of the book of Job, God shows up to talk to Job, who needed an answer to why he had to suffer and endure such unfathomable pain. But spoiler alert: Job never gets an answer. That's because, Pastor Mike says, we need to remember who we are and who God is. Get your copy of "When Life Hurts": https://bit.ly/3RzKMQh Check out our newest video project, Bible Breath With Pastor Jeremy Ma...

When we're in pain or when tragedy has struck, it's natural to ask, "Why?" But, Pastor Mike warns, demanding an answer to that question can be dangerous. Because when we incorrectly answer it or insist on trying to find out why, it can all go wrong. Instead, reading through the book of Job, we discover two truths that help us when we don't know the why's. Get your copy of "When Life Hurts": https:...

How should we respond when people we care about are in pain? We want to say the right words and do the right things. But we don't know exactly what those right things are, making it easy to get it wrong and cause more pain. Instead, here are two big ideas Pastor Mike shares on what we can expect after tragedy—and what we can do. Get your copy of "When Life Hurts": https://bit.ly/3RzKMQh Check out...

When life is hard and it doesn't feel like God is doing enough to relieve us of the pain, we start to question God and his love for us. But, Pastor Mike warns, to do that is exactly what the devil wants. Instead, we can follow the example of a man named Job who suffered a level of pain and loss we can't begin to imagine. How can we respond like Job in the face of our darkest moments? Get your copy...