The Word of God encourages us not to live in the gray twilight of existence. God’s Word not only encourages us, but commands us to become involved in the battle for truth! The very enemy who endeavored to withstand God in His own heaven and who withstood man in his innocence in the Garden of Eden is continuing to attempt to destroy all that God has done for His creation. Satan did all he could to stop the birth, life and resurrection of Christ, and now he tries to destroy the church and hinder service rendered by believers. If we do not recognize the enemy, understand something of his significance, and prepare for battle, and we will lose out in life y not fulfilling what God desires for you. Many today fail to stand because they are afraid of failure, or of falling short of their expectations of what we are supposed to do. Yet in their fear, people are crippled and they fail to understand that God will assist us through our failure, and that God’s expectations for our service are realized ever time we do our best for the Lord. His expectation is not our hardened concept of … READ MORE

As interest in Baptism has sort of decreased in our current church culture, it was a blessing to have 4 young men baptized at our church this past Sunday. What a wonderful opportunity for these young men to declare publicly their commitment to Christ, and desire to be a visual witness for Him. It is amazing how many people who proclaim Christ and confess Christ have never been properly baptized. May I be so bold as to suggest that failure to be obedient in the matter of baptism, is at the root of some of the immense problems in people’s lives and in the church in general? Because it allows the church to fill up with people who unfaithful to the simplest commands of the Lord and of His Word, and that is serious. When Jesus said, “Go unto all the world and make disciples, baptizing them . . .” Jesus was giving a command to us saying, as you go out there, evangelize, and make disciples, and hte mark of that is to baptize them, and teach them to observe the things I have commanded you. Even Peter speaking to those in Acts 2:38, said, Repent, and be baptized. … READ MORE

As Jesus clarifies his destination in John 14:6 He says to the disciples that not only is He “the Way” (drawing on His teaching found in John 10:1-30), and not only is He “the Truth” (drawing on his teaching found in John 8:12-36), but also, He says that He is “he Life”. Here He draws on the teaching found in John 6:22-59, where He shares that “He is the life of the world.” Without Christ in our life, we have no life. We are blind to the “Truth,” and have no clue the “Way.” Jesus was not “a” way to God, He is saying that His is the “only” means of access to the Father. This is exclusive language, there is no other access! This is what brought so much ire and wrath on Him from the religious leaders of His day and continues to bring the same response from those who do not understand this truth. The good news is that because it is exclusive, we know how to get to the Father. Jesus provides the hope and perspective for the life that we live as a follower of Christ. If you want to find peace in the midst … READ MORE