https://pastorjoshblevins.com Josh Blevins is the lead pastor of Grace Calvary Chapel in Saint Joseph, MO — an author, communicator, and shepherd helping people encounter the grace of Jesus Christ. en-us https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/patriotism-nationalism-and-christian-loyalty https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/patriotism-nationalism-and-christian-loyalty Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT We must not idolize America, but neither should we abandon her to darkness while we enjoy the liberties God has allowed us to inherit. Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/why-i-switched-to-an-all-in-one-sermon-builder-and-havent-looked-back https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/why-i-switched-to-an-all-in-one-sermon-builder-and-havent-looked-back Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT SermonBuild is the best platform for sermon preparation, study, and storage that I've used to date. Leadership https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/what-child-is-this-the-king-hidden-in-plain-sight https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/what-child-is-this-the-king-hidden-in-plain-sight Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT There are some questions that shape the world. There are others that shape the soul. The question at the heart of this carol does both. _What Child is this_ is not poetic curiosity. It’s the very inquiry every man and wo… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/o-holy-night-the-worlds-problems-and-gods-answer https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/o-holy-night-the-worlds-problems-and-gods-answer Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT No, this isn’t the beginning of a bad joke, but you may find the outcome slightly humorous, if not deeply ironic. One of the most powerful Christmas carols ever sung—_O Holy Night_—has stirred the heart of Christendom fo… Christmas https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/candace-calvary-and-the-conspiracy-culture-crisis-a-pastors-response https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/candace-calvary-and-the-conspiracy-culture-crisis-a-pastors-response Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT Have you ever noticed how the enemy's oldest trick is also his most effective? In the Garden of Eden, Satan didn't come with obvious lies. He came with questions: "Did God really say…?" He took something true (there was … Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/when-god-says-israel-he-means-israel https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/when-god-says-israel-he-means-israel Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT When pastor and Bible commentator John MacArthur was once asked why he held a dispensational, pre-millennial eschatology, his answer was remarkably simple: "That's easy. Israel." Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/honoring-charlie-kirk https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/honoring-charlie-kirk Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT Today, we stand under the shadow of sorrow, reminded that our world is still under the sway of the wicked one. Yet our hearts are also full of hope and gratitude for the life and legacy of a man God raised up for such a … Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/christian-nationalism-vs-christian-stewardship https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/christian-nationalism-vs-christian-stewardship Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT The term 'Christian nationalist' has devolved into a derogatory label—but what truly motivates Christian political engagement? The answer, I'd argue, is stewardship. Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/official-response https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/official-response Sun, 25 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT An official response to those who have engaged my previous posts regarding the LGBTQ movement and the Library board decision in Saint Joseph, MO. Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/an-ongoing-project https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/an-ongoing-project Thu, 26 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT I hate to admit it, but I'm pretty competent at leaving some jobs half-finished. At times I think I can tackle a project only to discover that it's outside my skill set, ability, or resources to accomplish. Thank God for… Devotional https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/suffering-faith-and-doubt https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/suffering-faith-and-doubt Thu, 26 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT It's astounding to me how fragile our faith can be. Sometimes circumstances, trials, and difficulties can cause a shaking in the foundations of our faith and trust in the Lord. Paul's words to the church at Thessalonica … Devotional https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/diligence-through-discouragement https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/diligence-through-discouragement Wed, 04 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT This week, the theme of discouragement has been on my mind. I've been reading through Nehemiah again and have observed that one of the enemy's prime tactics is to try and discourage those who are working for the Lord. He… Devotional https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/memorial-day-matters https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/memorial-day-matters Mon, 27 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT This weekend should be a weekend of reminders. While we sit in front of our grills and enjoy a weekend of fun with friends, we must remember that the freedom to do such things (and so many more important things) has come… Culture https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/living-in-sad-saturday https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/living-in-sad-saturday Sun, 21 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT Traditionally, the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday has been called Holy Saturday. It is considered by many to be a day of reflection on the completed work of Jesus at the cross. Easter https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/the-reminders-of-the-cross https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/the-reminders-of-the-cross Fri, 19 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT That God was not content to leave us dead in our trespasses and sin. (Romans 5:6-8) Easter https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/the-week-from-heaven https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/the-week-from-heaven Wed, 17 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT There was a time, many eons ago, when I was a young, strapping athlete (exaggeration) in high school. The sport was Water Polo. Beyond getting past the idea of running around outside in a speedo, there was that dreaded w… Easter https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/celebrity-pastors-and-pastor-celebrities https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/celebrity-pastors-and-pastor-celebrities Sun, 24 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT I was having some difficulty determining where to start, so I’ll just come right out with it. We live in a Christian culture that has largely turned pastors into celebrities and made celebrities their pastors, and it is … Leadership https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/the-stewardship-of-influence https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/the-stewardship-of-influence Wed, 23 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT We often underestimate the power of influence. As I examine my life, I see it riddled with men and women who took the time to teach me, discipline me, hold me accountable, prophecy over me, and pour God’s Word into me. I… Leadership https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/o-come-o-come-emmanuel-one-savior-many-titles https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/o-come-o-come-emmanuel-one-savior-many-titles Mon, 24 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT What you observe of something on the surface doesn't always give the complete picture of its actual substance. To many who look at Jesus, He appears to be nothing more than a good, moral teacher who left humanity with so… Christmas https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/silent-night-the-humility-of-christs-glory https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/silent-night-the-humility-of-christs-glory Sat, 22 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT Go into any store, restaurant, or other consumer establishments shortly after Thanksgiving ends, and you’re sure to hear familiar tunes over the bustling crowds that only show up once every year. In between "Jingle Bells… Christmas https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-angels-sang-and-we-must-continue-to-listen https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-angels-sang-and-we-must-continue-to-listen Thu, 20 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT There was once a young boy who was singing this well-loved Christmas carol in church when he, with a perplexed look on his face, turned and asked his mother, "Mom, who is Herald?" Likewise, many of us have probably sung … Christmas https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/o-little-town-of-bethlehem-christ-still-enters-the-humble-heart https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/o-little-town-of-bethlehem-christ-still-enters-the-humble-heart Sat, 15 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT It would be difficult for any of us to conceive of what life and ministry would have been like during the height of the American Civil War. Who would have imagined that the Civil War would have been a backdrop for one of… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/come-thou-long-expected-jesus-god-is-always-right-on-time https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/come-thou-long-expected-jesus-god-is-always-right-on-time Wed, 12 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" is a hymn that centers around expectation. What comes to mind when you think of the word "expectation?" Perhaps the fantastic time you're planning to have on your long-anticipated summer v… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/joy-to-the-world-the-king-has-come-the-king-is-coming https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/joy-to-the-world-the-king-has-come-the-king-is-coming Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT PREFACE: I recently had the blessing of writing six devotional pieces that briefly share the history, content, and meaning of some of our favorite Christmas carols. Between now and Christmas I will be releasing two per w… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/californias-wounds-and-the-christians-willingness https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/californias-wounds-and-the-christians-willingness Mon, 12 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT Our state is hurting. From north to south, its deep wounds are gushing blood of fire and bullets. It desperately needs the healing touch of God; it needs a new heart. From where can such a healing touch come? Through who… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/thoughts-on-leaving-california-calexit https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/thoughts-on-leaving-california-calexit Thu, 08 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT I offer this post very thoughtfully, graciously, and without any judgment. I’ve heard a lot of talk about #CalExit and leaving the state of California due to our progressive political atmosphere, liberal state leadership… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/vote-in-jesus-name https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/vote-in-jesus-name Fri, 12 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT The Bible conveys an interesting principle for believers. Our lives are to be full of decisions and actions that are carried out, "In Jesus name." What's in a name? Well, when it comes to Jesus, just about everything. Wh… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/charisma-and-truth https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/charisma-and-truth Fri, 05 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT Charisma and confidence can often be the masks under which a lie masquerades as the truth. The sincerity of a communicator cannot establish truth, for truth is rooted, not in a person’s passion, but in unchanging absolut… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/an-exhortation-on-sexual-sin https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/an-exhortation-on-sexual-sin Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT As a society, we have minimized the horrific nature of sexual perversion and its long-lasting, damaging effects. Our culture sells sex at every mall and billboard; on every big screen and small screen alike. We romantici… Faith https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/joy-in-obedience https://pastorjoshblevins.com/blog/joy-in-obedience Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT As I've been reading again through the book of Joshua, one declaration made by the author struck me. It's found in chapter 12 right after Joshua solidified the tribal allotments of the land. It simply reads, _"Not a word… Faith