Focal Passage: Exodus 34:1-9 How are we to discern the voice of God? How are we to know how to live for Him? One answer is that we are to live in ways that align with God’s character. God would never ask His people to do or say anything that He Himself would not do or say. Making sure we’re aligned with the character of God is essential. But who
Focal Passage: John 8:3-18 A few years ago, Emily and I made a quick trip north to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The cave is appropriately named because at 285 miles in length it’s the longest cavern system in the world. While we were inside, our eyes were opened to magnificent rock formations, spikey stalactites, tight passages and underground streams and waterfalls. But there was one part of our tour
Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6; 13-16 Discerning and obeying God’s voice calls for faith in God. But what is faith? Just as we talk about love without knowing what love is, we talk a great deal about faith without understanding its definition. What is the anatomy of faith that enables us to discern and do the will of God? Hebrews 11 is our guide. First, Hebrews 11:1 says that “Faith is
Focal Passage: John 7:14-29 As Jesus was standing trial following His arrest, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, asked Him if He was “King of the Jews.” Jesus affirmed that he was a king (not earthly, but spiritual), and concluded by saying, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of
Focal Passage: Acts 2:32-41 The word conviction is used in at least two ways in Scripture. First, it is used in reference to the Holy Spirit’s work of convicting us of sin, righteousness and judgment, so that we might repent and believe the gospel (John 16:8-11). Second, it is used with the notion of someone holding a belief with “great conviction.” The two are connected. The convicted sinner comes to
Focal Passage: John 6:26-40 World-renowned chef and culinary expert, James Beard, once noted, “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods.” I think this statement rings true for several reasons. First, whether you are a bread aficionado or not, when you sense hunger there is something deeply satisfying about eating a piece of warm bread, especially covered with salty butter. Second, not only does bread satisfy hunger, but
Focal Passage: Genesis 3:1-6 Discernment or making sound judgments is a lost art. We have allowed a wrong interpretation of the phrase “Judge not, that you be not judged” from Matthew 7:1 to frighten us away from discerning between right and wrong, of making value judgments based on eternal truths. God repeatedly calls His people to make judgments. We are called to discern between one thing and another. In fact,
Focal Passage: John 5:5-16 Few difficulties in life are more dangerous than hopelessness. In 2020, Anne Case and Angus Deaton co-authored a book titled, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism, where they researched a unique rise in death rates among white, middled-aged, American men. While life expectancy had been on the rise through the 1900s, studies revealed a noticeable decline among men, ages 45-54, since 2000 — a
Focal Passage: Psalm 139:1-10, 13-16 Though not a Catholic, we should appreciate the words of the late Pope John Paul II in his 1995 Papal Encyclical — Evangelium Vitae — when he compared two opposing cultures: the “culture of death” that devalued life and the “culture of life” that valued life from conception to death.As Baptists whose worldview ought to be grounded in Scripture, we value life from conception to
Focal Passage: John 4:11-26 Over the past few months, our church has been engaged in a search for two new ministry leaders. As numerous résumés have arrived and our committee has diligently considered each one, it doesn’t take long upon an initial glance to know if a candidate meets our criteria and is qualified for the role. Our team has been quick to set aside those who don’t qualify and
Focal Passage: Exodus 34:1-9 How are we to discern the voice of God? How are we to know how to live for Him? One answer
Focal Passage: John 8:3-18 A few years ago, Emily and I made a quick trip north to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The cave is
Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6; 13-16 Discerning and obeying God’s voice calls for faith in God. But what is faith? Just as we talk about love
Focal Passage: John 7:14-29 As Jesus was standing trial following His arrest, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, asked Him if He was “King
Focal Passage: Acts 2:32-41 The word conviction is used in at least two ways in Scripture. First, it is used in reference to the Holy
Focal Passage: John 6:26-40 World-renowned chef and culinary expert, James Beard, once noted, “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods.” I think
Focal Passage: Genesis 3:1-6 Discernment or making sound judgments is a lost art. We have allowed a wrong interpretation of the phrase “Judge not, that
Focal Passage: John 5:5-16 Few difficulties in life are more dangerous than hopelessness. In 2020, Anne Case and Angus Deaton co-authored a book titled, Deaths
Focal Passage: Psalm 139:1-10, 13-16 Though not a Catholic, we should appreciate the words of the late Pope John Paul II in his 1995 Papal
Focal Passage: John 4:11-26 Over the past few months, our church has been engaged in a search for two new ministry leaders. As numerous résumés
