Combatting Complacency So I Press On Toward All God Has For Me

The Oxford dictionary defines “complacent” as “showing uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.” When I reflect on my spiritual life, that is, my walk with God, it is easy to become complacent. It is easy to become “uncritical” and settle for a certain level of progress in my life. Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher,…

Read More

Who Do We Trust: Almighty God or the Almighty Dollar?

On July 11, 1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill that would forever change the way American currency would look. From then on, all currency reads the phrase: “In God we trust.” Charles E. Bennett, the representative of Florida at the time, said that adding “In God we trust” would “serve as a constant…

Read More

Made For More Than Manna

You are made for more. This is something we have been talking about weekly as we go through a sermon series in the book of Joshua. Some of these passages and themes are accessible and easy to get excited about. Others, however, might cause us to raise an eyebrow, grit our teeth, or scratch our…

Read More

Where Does Courage Come From?

“Be strong and very courageous” (Joshua 1:7, NLT) God said to Joshua. These are the kinds of instructions you receive when something risky or dangerous lies ahead. For Joshua, taking possession of the promised land would not be like taking a stroll through Disneyland, where all the thrill and adventure are preset to come out…

Read More

Happy Are the Unhappy

John Lennon, a founding member of the Beatles, once famously said: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” Although Lennon never professed to be a Christ-follower, his statement reflects the kind of hope only a believer in Jesus could have—beyond sentiment. Honestly, doesn’t it feel like “it’s…

Read More

Leading Your Home Around Personalized, Christ-Centered Values

Have you ever taken some time to consider what values your home is built around? If not, no worries. This might be a great family activity to try! But first, let’s talk about where the Bible speaks to this. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all…

Read More

How Memory Cultivates Courage

Everyone has a condition, and only some are aware of it. But whether you acknowledge it or not, it affects you. It can even become a dangerous condition–it is called “spiritual amnesia.” Yes, spiritual amnesia is very real. It is our innate and undying propensity to forget the goodness of God and then doubt Him…

Read More

Regardless of Who You Voted For…

Regardless of who you voted for… regardless of if your desired candidate won or not, there is a Christian response to the election that we should all have. Consider the instruction from the apostle Peter. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives…

Read More

Trusting God with the Blank Spaces

Imagine reading a book to your child and in the middle of the story, closing the book, and having your child try to write the ending. How would it go? The chances are they would not write the same ending. Now think about life. How many of us wish we could take over sovereign control…

Read More

How Faith and Works Complete Each Other

Have you ever heard someone say the Bible has a lot of contradictions? Often, critics of the Christian faith will attempt to dismantle the validity of the Bible by suggesting that the Bible “contradicts itself.” One of the classic examples is the alleged contradiction between Paul and James. Here is how it goes.  “You see…

Read More