The past two Sundays I have preached on the two key issues that the apostle John states are the evidence of a person’s salvation. The first one has to do with our obedience to Christ. John states that whoever practices righteousness is born of Him. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil (1 John 2:29;…

As you well know, your pastor loves to read. Along with always working through a book or two, I enjoy good articles that challenge, expand, and reinforce my thinking. I do want you to know that this is not at the expense of also spending regular time in God’s Word. It is truth and it…

Our vacation has ended. Kyle and Kimberly are married. Carmela and I officially have an empty nest. Time moves on. It was just a few years ago that we started our family and it seemed that life promised many years of family enjoyment and raising children. Now we are at the stage of watching our…

I am sitting here in my study at church reflecting on the past year. All of our lives have been impacted by the ‘unexpected’ this year. Typically, in the past years of our lives there has been a certain amount of predictability. Yes, the ‘unexpected’ would come into our lives, but for the most part, our lives have…

In the midst of my recent suffering with Covid-19, I finished reading the book of Job. Finishing the book caused me to ask questions and reflect. Questions like, “If in the beginning of Job God says of him, Job 1:8 (NLT) Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man…

Over the past few weeks, the Covid-19 virus has hit much closer to home for our church family. If you contracted the virus, perhaps you have thought, “I wasn’t careless. I washed my hands, I stayed away from others (safely), and wore my mask! Why did I come down with this sickness?” I have found…

Recently, after reading through Nehemiah 8-10, a couple of prevailing thoughts came to my mind. First, I thought of Hebrews 4:12 (NLT), “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” We…

I finished the book of Ezra a week ago and have been reflecting on it. Perhaps some of you were not even aware there was such a book in the Bible! Sometimes we might overlook it and forget it is there. Consider this background of Ezra given by the ESV Bible, “The book of Ezra begins where…

The Mercy and Grace of God on Display (2 Chronicles 33) Hezekiah was a great king. He was man who sought to obey the Lord and desired His leading. He was not a perfect man, but his life was marked by seeking the Lord wholeheartedly (31:20, 21). After his death, the Bible says that his son “Manasseh…