When a person places faith in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation, they are saved (John 3:14-19, 36; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; John 5:24; Acts 16:30-31; Titus 3:5). At the moment of salvation, a person receives the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5-6; … Continue reading The Fruits of Saving Faith
Scripture
Signs of Backsliding
The story of the Prodigal Son is the go-to story of a backslider in the Bible. The man demands his inheritance early. Dad gives it to him, and he is off to the party life. Wine, woman, and song become the norm. Eventually, the money runs out, and the fellow finds himself working on a … Continue reading Signs of Backsliding
Knowing God’s Will For Your Life
Christian, do you know what God wants you to do, what He created you to do? God does call people to preach. God calls people to leave family and possessions behind and move to a foreign land to spread the gospel. God calls people to work or volunteer at Church; things like cleaning, teaching, cooking, … Continue reading Knowing God’s Will For Your Life
Iran: How Does It All Fit?
In January 2016, I was talking with then-Indiana Governor Mike Pence. We were talking about the nuclear deal President Obama made with Iran six months earlier. Knowing that Governor Pence served in the US House of Representatives and knowing from Scripture that Iran, along with Russia, Turkey, Libya, and several other nations, will invade Israel … Continue reading Iran: How Does It All Fit?
The Fulfilling of Prophecy
I love having conversations with people. I love talking to people about what they believe; not just about God and religion, but what they believe about any subject, which team will win the World Series, who they are going to vote for, what their dream car is, their favorite meal, and so on. Regardless of … Continue reading The Fulfilling of Prophecy
Peter’s Conversion
The most significant thing Peter did during his three years being discipled by Jesus was not walking on water, it was a statement he made. One day, Jesus asked the Apostles about who other people thought He was. They responded that some people thought he was John the Baptist risen from the dead or one … Continue reading Peter’s Conversion
The Creation
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” These are the first words of the Holy Bible. More than a statement, I believe this is God’s great take-it-or-leave-it verse, setting up the rest of Scripture. The reason Genesis 1:1 sets up the rest of Scripture is that God wants us to … Continue reading The Creation
The Importance of the Cross
About once a quarter, our local fairgrounds hosts a "Vendors and Yard Sale Day," where both professionals and locals rent spaces to sell their items. Our church will often acquire space at these events. We don’t sell a thing; we give things away. In December, we gave away ten different styles of tree ornaments that … Continue reading The Importance of the Cross
Why Do Things Work Out For Good?
“All things work together for good” is a phrase many people find comforting. Those words are often spoken to people who are suffering hardships, difficult times, or tragedy. Often, people in these heartbreaking circumstances use these words themselves to find peace amid the storms of life. These words are Biblical words and are only a … Continue reading Why Do Things Work Out For Good?
Your Cup
When I think of the symbolic Biblical definition of "cup," I think of the phrases "Your lot in life" or "The hand you are delt." But these do not quite fit the bill. Those two phrases address a situation that spans a person's entire life. Yet, sometimes our "cup" can be a temporary situation. Our … Continue reading Your Cup
Preacher's Point 