Why Faithful Attendance Matters in Worship Assemblies
The Pew Research Center revealed that one-third of U.S. adults say they attend religious services in person at least once a month, including 25% who report going at least once a week. Far more Americans (67%) say they attend religious services in person a few times a year or less often. This includes about half […]
The Greatest Sermon
The word “sermon” comes from an old English word meaning a discourse, speech, or talk. In our society, it means a public lecture based on Scripture. Interestingly, “sermon” isn’t found in the Bible, but the idea definitely exists. There are approximately 15 sermons or addresses in Acts. These include the sermon on Pentecost, Stephen’s sermon […]
1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Peter wrote, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its […]
Do You Love Me?
In John 21:15-19, three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” An easy commentary is to state that Peter had denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus was mirroring that after the events of His death, but the question of “Do you love Me?” is one that Jesus, in a manner of speaking, still […]
Quitter’s Day
A new year has dawned, and many are settling into their New Year’s resolutions (or not!). Realistically speaking, there is a special day coming up on January 9th called “Quitter’s Day.” This is the average day New Year’s resolutions are broken or abandoned altogether. The “newness” of a thing, often something that should or needs […]
Saccharine
I dislike unsweet tea. I was born and raised in the south, and many could say that sweet tea is in my blood. The problem is that to make my tea sweet enough to my liking, the amount of sugar is not good. My lifestyle and exercise habits are just not sufficient to negate all […]
Heaping Burning Coals
The character traits of how we should act as a Christian are laid out in many different places in the New Testament, but few stand out so prominently as the Beatitudes. Jesus Himself tells us in His opening statements of His ministry that blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those […]
A Servant’s Heart
Simon Peter was incensed. How could He ever think about doing such a thing? Jesus had just confounded everyone saying that one of them would betray Him, and nobody seemed to understand. Eventually everyone moved on with dinner conversation and then the argument rose. It was an argument they had hashed repeatedly since they had […]
Sacrifice
I am proud of my daughter. Watching her grow and develop has filled me with peace and joy that is unique to parenthood. What happens one day when she grows up? My goal is to try and have her grow strong and be filled with the wisdom of God, as Jesus was (Luke 2:40). What […]
Giving Thanks
Luke 22:17-19 reads, “And He took a cup, and when he had given thanks He said, ‘Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took bread, and when He had […]