Anchored by the Word

Glory Revealed in Christ (feat. Josh Davis)

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Josh Davis (co-host and elder intern at Westlake) fills in for Pastor Justin to walk us through the powerful truths found in Exodus 33. This chapter confronts us with the reality that God’s greatest gift is not land, blessings, or comfort—but His very presence. Moses’ desperate plea, “If Your presence will not go with us, do not bring us up from here,” challenges us to examine what we value most in our walk with God.

As Josh unpacks the text, we see how Exodus 33 points us forward to Christ—the greater Mediator who intercedes for His people and reveals God’s glory in full through His incarnation, humility, and sacrifice. What Moses could only glimpse, we now see clearly in Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.

This episode closes with a practical challenge. Join us as we anchor ourselves in the Word and remember that life without God is empty, but in Christ we find fullness, rest, and glory.

Stepping Up & Stepping Out

In this week's episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin dives deep into the Old Testament book of Nehemiah—a powerful study in godly leadership, faithful prayer, and bold action. He unpacks the opening chapters of Nehemiah, revealing timeless lessons about how God prepares and uses His people for Kingdom work. Drawing from recent pastoral meetings and personal reflections, Justin highlights how Nehemiah's heart for God's people led to prayerful waiting, honest confession, and courageous obedience.

Listeners will be challenged to consider their own calling and role in the local church, reminded that waiting time is not wasted time, and encouraged to stay ready for when God says, “Go.” Whether you’re seeking clarity in a season of waiting or wrestling with your next step of faith, this episode will help you align your heart with God’s will, trust His timing, and walk boldly in obedience.

Are Verses Missing?

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin addresses an important and sometimes controversial topic: modern Bible translations. Prompted by a recent conversation with a "King James only" advocate and the concerns of a new believer, he takes time to answer the question, “Are modern translations missing verses?” and explains why we can have full confidence that God’s Word has been faithfully preserved.

Throughout the episode, Pastor Justin unpacks the history of chapters and verse divisions, the cultural differences between how Scripture was learned in biblical times versus today, and why some verses appear differently in various translations. Using examples such as Matthew 4:4, Jesus’ words from the cross, and Acts 8:37, he shows how translation differences do not change the gospel message or the person and work of Christ.

Ultimately, listeners are reminded that the greatest priority is not which translation they use, but whether they are truly reading, understanding, and obeying God’s Word. No matter the translation, the gospel shines clearly, and God’s faithfulness in preserving His Word gives believers confidence to trust, study, and live by Scripture.

Just Because You Can...

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin Likens explores what it means to live wisely as a follower of Christ. Building from 1 Corinthians 6:12 and other key passages, he shows that while Christians enjoy freedom in Christ, not everything we are free to do is ultimately helpful or glorifying to God. Instead of merely asking whether something is sinful, we should be asking whether it is wise, beneficial, and God-honoring.

Pastor Justin walks through practical questions every believer should consider: What does the Bible say about this choice? How will it impact my life? How will it affect others? Using examples like alcohol, relationships, and daily decisions, he emphasizes that discernment is about more than avoiding sin—it’s about pursuing the very best path that draws us closer to Christ and blesses others.

Ultimately, living wisely means surrendering control of our lives to the Holy Spirit, filling our hearts with Scripture, and seeking God’s glory in every decision. This episode challenges us to slow down, think biblically, and consider the long-term effects of our choices so that our lives point others to Christ.

”Did God Really Say?”

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin tackles the growing influence of a group called World’s Last Chance (WLC) and their nationwide billboard campaign spreading false teachings about the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and the return of Jesus. He explains why these claims are not just doctrinal differences but outright heresies that strike at the heart of the Christian faith.

Carefully walking through each of WLC’s main claims, Pastor Justin uses the scriptures to show us how their teachings distort the truth. From the biblical foundation of the Trinity, to Christ’s clear declaration of His divinity, to the biblical signs proclaiming His return, he dismantles WLC’s false teachings and warns believers not to be swayed by half-truths taken out of context.

Ultimately, this episode is both a call to discernment and a call to the believe the gospel. Pastor Justin urges listeners to hold fast to the sufficiency of Scripture, to test all teaching by God’s Word, and to repent and believe in the true gospel of Jesus Christ, who alone is our living hope.

The Church Gap (feat. Josh Davis)

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin Likens sits down with Josh Davis to talk about his family’s upcoming church plant—Borderlands Family Baptist Church—in El Paso, Texas. Together, they dive into a big question: Do we really need more churches in America? Their answer? Absolutely! But not just more buildings...the need is for healthy, gospel-driven, disciple-making churches.

Together, they explore why church planting is so urgent: population growth is outpacing the reach of existing congregations, many churches close each year, and theological drift is leaving communities spiritually underfed. They discuss the life cycle of churches, how biblical fidelity fuels longevity, and why methods may change but doctrine must not. Healthy church plants, they argue, multiply disciples, strengthen the body, and can even bring struggling churches back to life.

The conversation also addresses megachurches, the dangers of consumer Christianity, and the risk of letting tradition overshadow mission. Whether large or small, churches must keep the gospel central and adapt their ministry approach to their community without compromising truth. Pastor Justin and Josh close with a strong call to view church planting not as a trend, but as a direct command of the Great Commission—growing God’s kingdom one faithful congregation at a time.

Make sure to visit the Borderlands FBC website to sign up for the Davis's mailing list, and to support church planting with a monthly donation if you feel so led! You can also join their Facebook group HERE!

Is Free Will Real?

In this week’s episode of Anchored by the Word, we tackle a thought-provoking and sometimes controversial question: Does man truly have free will? As summer draws to a close and routines shift, we take time to dive deep into Scripture to better understand the nature of human choice, responsibility, and the condition of the heart.

Drawing from Genesis, Romans, and key theological concepts, Pastor Justin walks through the doctrine of the Imago Dei and the four key attributes humans share as image-bearers of God: spirit, intellect, emotions, and will. But how does sin impact the will? And how does salvation restore our ability to live in obedience to God? These questions lead us into a biblical exploration of the fallen nature of man and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. With clarity and conviction, we learn that while we make choices, those choices are always influenced by who—or what—is on the throne of our hearts.

This episode is a must-listen for those wrestling with assurance of salvation, the struggle against sin, and the call to live a life that truly pleases God. Whether you're new to the topic or have wrestled with it for years, this discussion will encourage you to examine your life through the lens of Scripture. Be sure to subscribe, share this episode, and join the conversation on our Anchored by the Word social media pages as we continue growing together in truth.

Kingdom Cooperation

In this episode of Anchored by the Word, Pastor Justin reflects on the lives and ministries of two theological giants—R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur—who, despite their significant doctrinal differences, modeled faithful cooperation for the sake of the gospel. Pastor Justin discusses how these men courageously stood against cultural compromise while maintaining theological integrity and mutual respect across denominational lines.

Using their example, the episode explores how Christians today can wisely discern when and how to partner with others in gospel work. Pastor Justin explains the importance of distinguishing between primary, secondary, and tertiary doctrines, encouraging believers to pursue unity in the essentials while showing humility and charity in other areas.

Listeners are reminded that the ultimate goal isn’t the expansion of personal platforms or denominational lines, but the advancement of God’s kingdom. Whether you're in the pulpit or the pew, this conversation offers both challenge and encouragement for gospel cooperation in an increasingly divided and secular culture.