Pastor's Blog
By Pastor John Whitehead

Jesus answered him, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise. At Calvary, Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals. One mocks Him, demanding proof of His power. The other, broken and humbled, recognizes Jesus’ innocence and turns to Him with a simple plea: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” In that moment, Jesus offers one of the most profound promises in all of Scripture: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” This exchange remin

As Jesus gazes upon the grandeur of the temple, admired for its beauty and permanence, He speaks a sobering truth: “Not one stone will be left upon another.” The disciples, stunned, ask when such things will happen. Jesus doesn’t give a timeline. Instead, He offers a roadmap for faithfulness in the face of chaos. This passage is not just about the destruction of the temple or the trials of the early church—it’s about how we live when the world around us feels unstable. Wars,

Paul writes to a community unsettled by rumors and false teachings about the Day of the Lord. Some were convinced it had already come. Others were paralyzed by fear. Into this confusion, Paul speaks clarity: “Let no one deceive you in any way” (v.3). He outlines signs yet to unfold, but more importantly, he reminds the church that deception is not just external—it’s spiritual. The “man of lawlessness” is not merely a figure of history or prophecy, but a symbol of rebellion ag

The story of Lazarus is not just about a man raised from the dead—it’s about the God who meets us in our grief and transforms it. Martha’s words to Jesus are raw and real: “Lord, if you had been here…” It’s the cry of every heart that has known loss, disappointment, or delay. She doesn’t hide her pain. She names it. And yet, in the same breath, she utters a phrase that changes everything: “Even now…” Even now, when the tomb is sealed. Even now, when hope seems buried. Even no

God, be merciful to me, a sinner. — Luke 18:13 Jesus tells this parable to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. Two men go to pray: a Pharisee who boasts of his religious record, and a tax collector who pleads for mercy. Only one goes home justified—and it’s not the one with the résumé. This parable is a mirror. It asks not what we do, but how we approach God. The Pharisee’s prayer is a performance—he’s not really speakin

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. A persistent widow kept coming to an unjust judge asking for justice. At last the judge granted her request because of her persistence. Jesus contrasts the unjust judge with God, reminding his followers that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a loving God respond to those who cry out day and night for justice and faithfulness. The parable calls us to a pray

Jesus travels between Samaria and Galilee and encounters ten men with leprosy who call out for mercy. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they go, they are healed. Only one returns, a Samaritan, to give thanks, falling at Jesus’ feet. Jesus names the grateful man’s faith as his salvation. The passage exposes a surprising truth: healing and wholeness are gifts that may arrive before we have finished making sense of them. Nine of the healed move on with r

The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The disciples’ plea—“Increase our faith!”—feels so familiar. It’s the cry of every...

But Abraham said, Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but...

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a dishonest manager who, facing dismissal, shrewdly reduces the debts of his master’s debtors...

Jesus tells two parables—the lost sheep and the lost coin—to reveal the heart of God: a relentless, joyful pursuit of the lost. These...

Jesus doesn’t soften the message. As the crowds swell, He turns—not to charm them, but to challenge them. “Whoever does not carry the...

Jesus doesn’t just attend a meal in this passage—he transforms it. What begins as a Sabbath dinner at a Pharisee’s house becomes a moment...

In this passage, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue when he notices a woman who has been bent over for eighteen years. Without her...

Jesus’ words here are not gentle. They are fierce, prophetic, and unsettling. He speaks of fire—not destruction, but purification. He...

Devotional on Luke 12:32-40 A reflection on God’s promise, our eternal investment, and vigilant readiness “Do not be afraid, little...

Scripture: Luke 12:13–21 “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of...

In Luke 11:1–13, we encounter the disciples watching Jesus in prayer—not with curiosity, but longing. “Lord, teach us to pray,” they ask,...

Jesus steps into the home of two sisters—Martha, bustling with service, and Mary, seated at His feet. It’s a familiar tension. One...