Welcome to the Grace Free Church Podcast. At Grace Free Church, we believe that everyone deserves a place to belong, and we’re committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment where real life meets real faith. Each week, you’ll hear messages from the Bible that are relevant, inspiring, and down-to-earth-designed to connect deeply with the challenges and joys of everyday life. Our talks are crafted to be practical and uplifting, with takeaways that you can immediately put into action to make your whole week better. Expect moments of encouragement, insight, and maybe even some laughter along the way as we explore timeless truths in a way that’s honest and relatable. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time, returning after time away, or simply looking to grow, we’re here for you. Join us as we discover together what it means to be loved, accepted, and empowered to live a life of purpose. Tune in to feel uplifted, connected, and inspired to take on your week with a fresh perspective.
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Welcome to the Grace Free Church Podcast. At Grace Free Church, we believe that everyone deserves a place to belong, and we’re committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment where real life meets real faith. Each week, you’ll hear messages from the Bible that are relevant, inspiring, and down-to-earth-designed to connect deeply with the challenges and joys of everyday life. Our talks are crafted to be practical and uplifting, with takeaways that you can immediately put into action to make your whole week better. Expect moments of encouragement, insight, and maybe even some laughter along the way as we explore timeless truths in a way that’s honest and relatable. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time, returning after time away, or simply looking to grow, we’re here for you. Join us as we discover together what it means to be loved, accepted, and empowered to live a life of purpose. Tune in to feel uplifted, connected, and inspired to take on your week with a fresh perspective.
The Christmas story didn’t start with luxury or polish — it started in a messy, inconvenient, lowly place. Mary and Joseph make this exhausting trip, arrive with zero comfort waiting for them, and Jesus is literally laid in a feeding trough because there’s no guest room. And the point isn’t “wow, that’s unfortunate.” The point is: it was intentional. From the very beginning, Jesus shows us what He’s like — humble, not flashy; purposeful even when it doesn’t make sense; and close enough that anyone can come near. If life feels messy or disappointing right now, that’s not a sign you’re disqualified — it’s exactly the kind of place Jesus steps into. Faith doesn’t avoid the mess — it finds Jesus in it. Your faith was made for the mess. (Talk by Josh Daubert)
Life rarely hands out clear directions—especially around the holidays. When you want clarity but all you have is confusion, it can feel unsettling: detours you didn’t plan for, decisions you’re afraid to get wrong, and “why is this happening now?” moments that mess with your peace. Mary and Joseph didn’t receive a detailed plan—they were given an inconvenient push, and God still used it to move them exactly where they needed to be. The reminder is simple: you may feel lost, but you’re not abandoned. God can direct even when you don’t understand it, and the “Caesars” in your life don’t get the final say. Faith doesn’t avoid the mess — it finds Jesus in it. Your faith was made for the mess. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Life rarely gives us “easy,” even at Christmas. But instead of removing the hard stuff, God meets us in it with purpose. Mary’s story shows that God calls ordinary, unprepared people into something bigger than themselves—and that calling often arrives wrapped in uncertainty, discomfort, and mess. Her response of surrender, trust, and courage shows us how to follow God when life is anything but simple. But faith doesn’t avoid the mess; it finds Jesus right in the middle of it. Your faith was made for moments just like these. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
We often end up “riding the wrong horse” in life—trying to win God’s approval through performance or treating Him like a transaction. Micah 6 reminds us God isn’t after grand gestures but hearts that reflect Him: doing what’s right, loving with compassion, and walking humbly with Him. Real faith remembers how God has shown up, steps into the mess with courage, and lives with open hands instead of fear. Your faith was made for the mess. (Talk by Don Baker)
We’re all really good at remembering what went wrong and almost blind to how often God has actually shown up for us. Forgetting His track record fills our hearts with fear, anxiety, and worst-case thinking, while remembering it fills us with courage and peace. When we don’t intentionally remember His faithfulness, something else takes over—control, regret, worry, or doubt—and we end up missing the good things He’s trying to lead us into. God doesn’t ask us to take blind leaps; He invites us to trust the patterns of His goodness in our lives and to remember how He’s carried us through the mess before. Faith doesn’t avoid the mess—it finds Jesus in it, remembers what He’s already done, and steps forward with a grateful, steady heart. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Faith doesn’t shut down when life gets messy—it’s actually made for it. In John 9, Jesus meets a man born blind, turns a painful lifelong struggle into a place for God to show up, and shows us that our hard seasons aren’t punishment but invitations to trust Him, take the next step, worship in the middle of the chaos, and see Him more clearly—even in the mud. Faith doesn’t avoid the mess—it finds Jesus in it. Your faith was made for the mess. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Ten men with leprosy cry out to Jesus from a distance, and He tells them to go show themselves to the priests—before they’re even healed. As they walk, healing comes, but only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank Him. The story reminds us to stop seeking Jesus just for what He can do and start seeing Him for who He is. Real faith calls out, obeys before results, responds with gratitude, and lets Jesus make us whole inside and out. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Faith isn’t about having zero doubts—it’s about what you do with them. A worn-out dad brings his tormented son to Jesus after years of disappointment and can only muster, “If you can…” Jesus draws out his doubt, and the dad responds with raw honesty: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” That prayer becomes a pattern for us—naming our doubts, bringing them to God, and steadily replacing lies with His truth until it sinks in. Even small, messy, in-between kind of faith is still real faith, and it’s more than enough for Jesus to work with. (Talk by Josh Daubert)
Jesus isn’t impressed by big numbers or loud moments—He notices trust and surrender. In a temple culture where giving had become a show, a poor widow quietly drops in two tiny coins—everything she had—and Jesus calls it “more.” Her story flips our idea of value and success, challenging us to loosen our grip on control, comfort, and security. God’s math is different: He weighs trust and multiplies surrender. Even small, hidden acts of faith can move big things when placed in His hands. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Real change rarely happens solo. When a paralyzed man couldn’t reach Jesus on his own, four friends carried him, climbed a roof, ripped it open, and lowered him down. Jesus saw their faith, forgave him, and healed him. Stop living on islands—surround yourself with “crazy good friends,” and be that kind of friend for others. Breakthrough faith moves, carries, creates new paths when doors are blocked, and celebrates loudly when God comes through. It’s practical, gritty, and deeply communal. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
When life feels unfair and your prayers hit a wall, what do you do? We dig into the story of a mom who refused to give up when everything went quiet. She doesn’t have all the right words or background—just raw desperation and stubborn faith. Jesus doesn’t shame her; He pushes her deeper until her belief becomes real, not borrowed. It’s a story about holding on when you want to walk away, trusting that even a tiny bit of hope—a “crumb”—can change everything. When life goes silent, don’t shut down. Lean in. Keep asking. Let the pressure forge something real inside you. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
The “bleeding woman” in Mark 5:25–34—a nameless person with twelve years of pain, medical dead ends, financial strain, and social isolation—reaches for Jesus in desperate faith and is instantly healed. Jesus stops, draws her into the open, and calls her “Daughter,” showing that He doesn’t just fix problems; He restores identity. Real faith moves before the miracle, refuses to be defined by circumstances, pursues Jesus, and believes God can do immeasurably more—right in the middle of our mess. (Talk by Josh Daubert)
Kicking off “Nameless Faith,” we zoom in on the Roman centurion — a man whose name we don’t get, but whose faith amazed Jesus. He’d tried everything, hit a wall, and still believed Jesus could heal from a distance with just a word. That’s the heart of real faith: not treating Jesus as a helpful teacher when life wobbles, but trusting Him as Lord with actual authority. Your past, your drift, your distance—none of it disqualifies you. God’s word won’t fail. Learn His promises, trust them in your situation, and let your faith outlive your name. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Life on “autopilot” makes us drift, so 1 Peter 4:7–11 calls us to live on purpose: serve with urgency because time is short, serve with love that shows up in actions, serve through the gifts and passions God already put in you, and serve for one reason—to point people to Jesus. We weren’t designed to warm the bench but to do good that helps others and glorifies God. So ask what you’re doing for God and for people—then do it today, not someday. (Talk by Josh Daubert)
Baptism Sunday is all about saying “yes” to God’s invitation and celebrating new life. Acts 8 shows us that God always moves first—pursuing, stirring, and setting things in motion. Our role? Simply respond. Sometimes faith is slow and steady, sometimes it’s a bold leap, but baptism is the moment to go public and declare, “I belong to Jesus.” It’s not about perfection, it’s about taking the next step—and cheering on others who do the same. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
We were built to belong. Stuff, status, and busyness can’t replace people. Real community makes us stronger, helps us grow, and holds us up when life gets heavy—like a braided cord that won’t snap under pressure. The challenge? Get off autopilot, find your people, and be that person for someone else. (Talk by Josh Daubert)
Our lives are cluttered tables—piled with stuff that never really satisfies. Fasting clears the space so God can fill it. It’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’ you fast—Jesus expected it to be part of our rhythm of soul care. We’ll try all kinds of diets to fix our bodies; why not fast to strengthen our souls? (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Just like muscles need steady nutrition to grow strong, our souls need the steady intake of God’s Word. A Sunday “shake” isn’t enough to face life’s pressure and lies. Jesus Himself relied on Scripture when He was weak and tempted, showing us that truth is more powerful than opinion, feelings, or the voices around us. The Bible isn’t just an old book—it’s alive, active, and meant to fuel, guide, and strengthen us every single day. If Jesus needed it, so do we. Don’t just sip once in a while—make God’s Word part of your daily rhythm. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Jesus didn’t just step away from the crowds to chill, find a distraction, change the pace, or empty Himself — He got away, found solitude, and prayed. Breaking the insane pace of life is important. It’s good to find time to rest, but don’t go silent. Prayer — honest conversation with God — is a vital part of caring for your soul. Have those honest conversations with Him often. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Life doesn’t just move fast—it stacks. We carry around pressure, responsibilities, and expectations until we’re exhausted. In Mark 1:29–39, we see that even Jesus made time to pause, withdraw, and reset. When the demands piled up, He didn’t hustle harder—He sought solitude with God. Practicing solitude isn’t selfish or lazy; it’s spiritual obedience. It’s how we drop the boxes and find clarity, peace, and strength. Build intentional soul care into your rhythm—because if Jesus did it, we definitely need it. (Talk by Joshua Ott)
Welcome to the Grace Free Church Podcast. At Grace Free Church, we believe that everyone deserves a place to belong, and we’re committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment where real life meets real faith. Each week, you’ll hear messages from the Bible that are relevant, inspiring, and down-to-earth-designed to connect deeply with the challenges and joys of everyday life. Our talks are crafted to be practical and uplifting, with takeaways that you can immediately put into action to make your whole week better. Expect moments of encouragement, insight, and maybe even some laughter along the way as we explore timeless truths in a way that’s honest and relatable. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time, returning after time away, or simply looking to grow, we’re here for you. Join us as we discover together what it means to be loved, accepted, and empowered to live a life of purpose. Tune in to feel uplifted, connected, and inspired to take on your week with a fresh perspective.
