Seven Miracles in John: 1 – Water into Wine

John, the beloved disciple, shared his purpose for writing his Gospel account. He wrote, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31).  His presentation of the life of Christ is focused on showing theContinue reading “Seven Miracles in John: 1 – Water into Wine”

Waiting

My wife and I are expecting our third child at any moment.  She will be induced in less than a week, but the waiting is almost unbearable.  The anticipation is growing by each passing moment.  In fact, this week during our Sunday evening service, my friends and I were singing a song during worship whenContinue reading “Waiting”

Is Your Faith Growing Cold?

We are quickly entering into spring revival season.  I am still a supporter of church revivals.  There is nothing wrong with a congregation seeking to set out more time in their schedule for increased spiritual emphasis.  We all need revival at times.  Life has a way of wearing us down.  It is easy to allow our faithContinue reading “Is Your Faith Growing Cold?”

God’s design of the Church

Regardless of whether you are called to pastoral ministry or itinerant (evangelistic travel), it is important that you understand the Biblical foundation and design of the church. The ministry of the church is astoundingly vital to every believer. For those that are homebound, there must be a ministry to show them the compassion of Jesus.Continue reading “God’s design of the Church”

The beauty of praise

The scene is set in Heaven right now.  It establishes a precedent for the promise of the new Heaven to come.  The example we find teaches us valuable praise.  I am referring to the fourth and fifth chapter of The Revelation of Jesus Christ that was given to John on the Isle of Patmos.  TheseContinue reading “The beauty of praise”

Why do we lack discernment?

When Jesus was asked to speak about the end times, one of the signs He gave was the deception of God’s people (Mt. 24:24).  Other passages warn us of false prophets (2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Tim. 4:1, 3-42 Pet. 2:2, 12-13), Satan (2 Thess. 2:9-12), and personal deception (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 6:6-8).  How doesContinue reading “Why do we lack discernment?”

The need for learning pastors.

If one thing is clear from the pastoral epistles (I, II Timothy and Titus), the burden to be learners.  Perhaps the most straightforward command is found in II Timothy 2:15-16, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane andContinue reading “The need for learning pastors.”

Going to Church: Why do we gather?

In a recent presentation by Barna Research and Pepperdine University, it was shared that Church attendance is a decreasing expectation (watch here; find it at the 48:30 mark).  Changes in family dynamics, more distractions, and a lack of commitment to a local congregation have all contributed to this new reality.  As Church leaders, this isContinue reading “Going to Church: Why do we gather?”