My family and I had an extreme life-changing decision that we were going to make. Over several years, we had grown discontent and allowed bitterness to motivate our conversation and our little prayer life. Our grand scheme for overturning this unfortunate situation was to uproot our family and establish roots in another state, job, and…
Read moreLeadership Studies
The assignment was simple. Write and submit an essay about the principles learned during our sessions. I began to do the math; if there were four classes and the report was 1,000 words, I could reflect on each lesson and compose roughly 250 words for each topic. I cannot say that I am surprised, but…
Read moreThe Five-fold Blessing
We should pray daily for our Pastor and church leadership. Ideally, we should be praying for all leadership, for Daniel 2:21 states, “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” (KJV, Tyndale 1987). When we…
Read moreChrist’s Influence
Jesus influenced everyone around Him in one way or another. The multitudes thronged Him for His mighty works, and the protectors of the Law crucified Him for pointing out their shortcomings. One constant remained throughout Jesus’ ministry: love. His compassion for people was birthed long before He spoke the world into existence. In the beginning…
Read moreEarly Church Fundamental
When asked to identify something foundational for the early church, my mind gravitated directly to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the catalyst and most basic requirement for all we do. It brings “Spiritual birth” (John 3:5); the Spirit guides us into all truth (John16:13) and teaches us…
Read moreTimeless Evangelism
The types and methods of evangelism used by the 1st-century church and the church of today are still very similar. Certain freedoms and technological advancements have changed how we approach ministry, but the overall mission and mindset are the same. People have also developed a dependency on conveniences, which must be accounted for when…
Read moreHoliness Development pt. 2
Sanctification is defined as the action of making or declaring something holy and the process of being freed from sin or purified. In our daily journey of self-denial, seeking God’s perfect will, and giving up good to receive better, we move in the direction of Jesus. The most basic interpretation of being a Christian is…
Read moreHoliness Development pt. 1
The moment you begin to discuss holiness, those within earshot drift into a sadistic world where rules and oppression reign, life has had every bit of fun drained from its veins, and totalitarians come rummaging through your home to find evidence of rebellion and shame. Standards are not necessarily holiness, though…
Read morethe kingdom
quoting from John chapter 3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and…
Read morefaith works
the final four verses of Romans chapter 9 read, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it…
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