Welcome to the fourth post in our blog series on The Sanctity of Life. Having examined the distinction between killing and murder, abortion at the beginning of life, and euthanasia at life’s end, we now address a topic that touches countless lives with profound sorrow: suicide, self-harm, and the valuation of self under the Sixth Commandment ("You shall not murder," Exodus 20:13, NKJV). Is Suicide a Violation of the Sixth Commandment? Historically and modernly, Christian theo

Welcome to the third installment of our blog series on The Sanctity of Life. In our previous posts, we established the distinction between killing and murder under the Sixth Commandment ("You shall not murder," Exodus 20:13, NKJV) and evaluated the moral status of human life at its beginning. Now, we turn our attention to the end of life—examining euthanasia, assisted dying, and how biblical ethics speak to suffering, medical technology, and human dignity. Active vs. Passive

Welcome back to our ongoing blog series on The Sanctity of Life. In our previous post, we established the critical legal and moral distinction between killing and murder, looking closely at the Sixth Commandment ("You shall not murder," Exodus 20:13, NKJV). Having laid that foundation, we now turn to one of the most intense and sensitive ethical questions of our day: the moral status of the unborn and the nature of personhood at the beginning of life. When Personhood Begins:

Welcome to the first entry of our blog series on The Sanctity of Life. Over the coming days, we will explore some of the most critical, sensitive, and deeply personal ethical issues of our time. Before we dive into complex ethical debates, we must begin by establishing a clear foundation. To engage in thoughtful, biblically grounded discourse, we need to clarify our terms—starting with the vital distinction between killing and murder. Setting the Ground Rules Discussions arou

We often treat procrastination as a harmless personal flaws or a minor habit of putting off until tomorrow what we should do today. We laugh at memes about deadline stress or justify an extra hour of late-night scrolling as well-deserved "me time." However, when avoidance and delay scale up from individual habits to organizational cultures and societal norms, the consequences are anything but harmless. Scripture repeatedly warns us against the quiet decay caused by passivity.

Life has a way of throwing continuous trials our way. Just as soon as one struggle feels resolved, another seems to pop up, leaving us feeling emotionally exhausted and tempted to give up. If you feel overwhelmed by hardship today, you are far from alone. Consider this story of a father who taught his struggling daughter a powerful lesson in their kitchen. He filled three pots with water. In the first, he placed carrots; in the second, eggs; and in the third, ground coffe

We live in a culture that glorifies the hustle. Busy calendars are treated like badges of honor, and taking a step back is often mistaken for laziness. Yet, as believers, we are called to live by a different standard. Running on empty isn’t a sign of faithfulness—it is a recipe for burnout. When we neglect rest, we compromise our health, our relationships, and our walk with God. On Sunday mornings, our congregation is studying the Ten Commandments. This week we are considerin

When we think about the Holy Spirit our minds often jump to external displays of divine power. We might think of charismatic “preachers” and “healing” services. Scripture speaks of 1) miracles—supernatural acts that intervene in the natural order; 2) wonders—jaw-dropping events designed to inspire awe and point to God's authority; 3) gifts—divine endowments distributed to believers to serve the body of Christ; and 4) outward works of power that demonstrate the Spirit in actio

It is easy to misinterpret the purpose of the Old Testament Law. We often default to thinking that rules exist primarily to earn salvation, but Scripture paints a completely different picture. God never intended the Law to save us. Israel was already in a covenant relationship with Him (Genesis 15) long before the Law came at Mount Sinai. As Paul clearly states, "no one is justified by the law in the sight of God" (Galatians 3:11) and "by the deeds of the law no flesh will be

Attending “Polishing the Pulpit” (PTP) this week was an incredibly uplifting and encouraging experience. We really appreciate the elders support for encouraging us to attend! Having attended PTP since the early 2000s, it is remarkable to reflect on how much this event has grown. In those early years, back when celebrating the 10-year anniversary was a major milestone, the stage was graced by dynamic gospel preachers like Wendell Winkler, Johnnie Ramsey, Tom Holland, and J.J.

Have you ever looked at your spouse and thought, “Why do they operate so differently than I do?” It’s easy to let our differences become points of friction in our homes and relationships. But when we look at Scripture, we realize that God created men and women intentionally different—not to divide us, but to complete us. In a culture that often attempts to minimize gender differences or turn them into a battlefield, the Bible offers a far more beautiful perspective. God did n

Our eternal destiny hangs in the balance, yet endless confusion surrounds the topic of baptism. Satan has deceived millions into believing that baptism is merely an optional outward sign, an unnecessary work, or that sprinkling and pouring are valid substitutes for God's clear command. There is no time to waste today on human opinions. Eternity is too long and our souls are too precious to rely on anything less than the pure truth. We must turn immediately to the New Testamen

To study the Book of Proverbs is to step into the royal court of ancient Israel’s most prosperous era. Written and compiled largely by King Solomon, a leader famous for his staggering wealth and sharp mind, this ancient text gives us a front-row seat to the intersection of royalty, riches, and stewardship. Solomon knew firsthand the heavy weight of influence and the dangerous lure of material gain. His observations aren't just ancient religious advice; they form a masterclass

When we think about spiritual gifts, our minds often jump to dramatic, miraculous manifestations—prophecy, healings, or speaking in tongues. These sensational gifts easily grab our attention. Yet, when the Apostle Paul outlines the practical life of the Church in Romans 12, he places quietly powerful, non-miraculous gifts right alongside them. Among these everyday graces is a spiritual gift that directly reflects the generous nature of God Himself: benevolence, or the gift of

In our walk with God, growth rarely happens in isolation. God beautifully designed the Christian life to be lived in community, where the wisdom of one generation pours into the passion of the next. True biblical mentoring is not just about professional coaching, corporate networking, or casual life advice; it is the sacred work of discipleship intentionally walking alongside someone to help them look more like Jesus Christ. Whether you are looking to step into a mentor's sho

When we open the pages of Scripture, we naturally expect to find God speaking to His chosen instruments. We look for His voice in the quiet whispers to Elijah, the dramatic burning bush of Moses, or the late-night call to a young Samuel. It is a comforting narrative: the Holy God communicating with holy people, guiding the faithful, and building His kingdom through the righteous. However, a closer examination of the biblical narrative reveals a startling and disruptive truth.

In January I was challenged to produce some material on the Holy Spirit and the miracles of the Bible. I quickly compiled some research on how to identify "biblical miracles" and why modern day "faith healers" prey on unsuspecting believers. You can read my blog on this subject (click here). This past Sunday night we chose to dive a little deeper in our Men's Study to answer some important questions: What happened in the ministry of Jesus? Why did God allow the supernatural g

We live in a world deeply fascinated by the supernatural. Turn on any streaming service, browse a bookstore, or look at pop culture trends, and you will find an endless obsession with the spirit world, demonic possession, and dramatic exorcisms. But as Bible students, we have to look past Hollywood’s smoke and mirrors and ask a fundamental question: “What do the Scripture actually teach?” When we open the New Testament, we notice a striking phenomenon. There was a sudden, int

We are on the cusp of an extraordinary milestone. On July 4, 2026, the United States of America marks its 250th birthday. Across the nation, fireworks will paint the night sky, parades will march down main streets, and families will gather over backyard barbecues. It is a moment of profound celebration—a Semiquincentennial. But as the smoke from the fireworks clears, a deeper question calls for our attention: *Do we truly understand the cost of the ground we stand on?* When

We live in a culture obsessed with optimization. We optimize our schedules to squeeze out every drop of productivity. We optimize our budgets to maximize personal comfort. We pack our lives so tightly that we leave zero margin. But what happens when God places a need right in front of us? If our calendars are booked to the minute and our bank accounts are stretched to the limit, we cannot respond. We may have the desire to help, but we lack the capacity. God does not call us