The beginning of a new year is a fascinating time. Many people optimistically make plans and resolutions for the coming year, deciding what they want to accomplish and feeling excited about what the year may bring. Others might feel indifferent about the new year, anticipating another year of the same old grind. Some people may even dread the new year, fearing some unknown event or dreading challenges it may bring, and feeling concerned that they will not live up to some stan

It was the night before Christmas, when all through the house people were grumpy, even Aunt Gail. Uncle George brought up politics without any care, grandpa lost his temper right then and right there. Grandma hid in her room consumed with dread, while visions of disaster danced in her head. Aunt Jill and Uncle Tom were fuming that James brought that girl to dinner, and his sister was stoking the fire with her sarcastic ire...

According to certain theologians, some of God’s commands seem to unequally impact those who have been harmed by cruel people. Because of this the argument is made that God’s commands don’t pertain in certain situations. These are often presented in hypothetical “what if” statements. These statements are formed in such a way where following God’s commands looks like the cruel option, and going against God’s law seems like the merciful option...

While sin in general hinders the work of ministry, one specific sin will absolutely destroy a person’s effectiveness: the sin of pride. Pride is probably one of the hardest sins to overcome, because the prideful person doesn’t think they have anything to overcome. As the old saying goes, “Admitting you have a problem is the first step in recovery.” The Bible has a lot to say about how pride will hinder the work of ministry.

We live in a very negative and pessimistic society. Doom and gloom permeate every aspect of culture. Unfortunately, that pessimism has also permeated the church. Many Christians will only look at the negatives of any given situation. They see how hard it is to resist sin, so they despair of ever being able to overcome their bad habits. They see how difficult evangelism is, so they start to think that the church can never grow...

For many years we have hosted an annual Apologetics seminar in November. Two important questions often arise about this practice. The first question is, what does apologetics mean? The second is, why do we host these seminars on such a frequent basis? These are great questions! This brief explanation will help everyone better understand the value of these seminars and hopefully motivate us to share this opportunity with everyone we know...

Many people think that Bible reading and Bible study are the same. They are not. Simply reading the Bible is great for familiarizing ourselves with scripture, and for setting our minds on things above, rather than on things bellow. Bible study, however, goes deeper than Bible reading.

Sometimes the most impactful areas of ministry are the quietest...

A rebellious spirit leads to temptation. Temptation leads to lies. Lies entice you and draw you away from the truth of God’s word. When desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin. Sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death (James 1:13-16).

How quickly can one fall away or become ensnared by the temptations and lusts of the world and step outside the security of the Kingdom?

To “abide,” in biblical context, most often refers to living or dwelling in a state of faith and obedience to God.

In Psalm 32:8, the psalmist pens God’s guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go: I will counsel guide you with My eye upon you.” In this passage we should notice that our Creator loves us so that He would not leave us without attention and direction.

Some might despair at what the passage asks of us: rejoicing all the time, even when we’re down; being reasonable all the time, even when we don’t feel gentle or reasonable; being anxious for nothing when we in fact feel anxiety. However, this is an application passage: the application of a foundation. We need to develop a mind set on peace, a mind that is focused on and dwelling on peace of Christ.

The Almighty God is ever present to faithfully honor His promises of covenant and mercy.

Who will carry the torch for you once you have gone to your eternal reward?

God, in His perfect wisdom, knows what makes a good leader: character, faith, and wisdom.

Someone somewhere in your life has made, or still makes decisions toward the care and benefit of your wellbeing.

...appearing ignorant might be embarrassing, and maybe your faith was shaken enough that your trust in them has been eroded. What do you do?

No matter how many times you may read the Sermon on the Mount over a lifetime, it just keeps giving, providing spiritual sustenance...

Not only do the elders and evangelist help us grow, but each member of the body has a part in helping us mature.