When the apostle Paul picked up his pen to write to the churches in Galatia, he wasn't wasting any words. Right there in the opening verses—before any pleasantries or small talk—he laid out the entire framework of what he was about to defend: the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's walk through what Paul establishes... Continue Reading →
Repentance: A January for the Soul
There's something uniquely refreshing about January. It arrives with an air of possibility, a sense of new beginnings and fresh starts. It seems like God has woven certain reset points into the fabric of time itself— the changing seasons, the rhythm of day and night, the weekly Sabbath rest, and yes, even the turning of... Continue Reading →
The Good Shepherd’s Security: Why Jesus is the Only Door (Understanding John 10)
The image of a shepherd guiding and guarding his flock is one of the most comforting and profound analogies in all of Scripture. In John chapter 10, Jesus used the rustic setting of the sheepfold to reveal deep truths about His divine identity and the unique security He offers His followers. This passage is a... Continue Reading →
The God Who Controls Flying Lumber
"God is sovereign." It's a common phrase, especially among those of us who cherish the Reformed "doctrines of grace." God is sovereign over salvation - yes - but that is because God is sovereign over every detail in His universe. As R.C. Sproul used to say: "There are no maverick molecules." We read in Isaiah... Continue Reading →
Three Roles Assumed By Christ In His Saving Sympathy: A Joyful Spiritual Inventory Taken From the Incarnation (Hebrews 2:14-18)
As we enter this season, our minds naturally turn toward the Incarnation—the astonishing truth that God became man. For the author of Hebrews (as well as the other biblical writers) this wasn't just a sweet story; it was as essential step that made our salvation complete. It’s good practice to regularly take spiritual inventory. We must... Continue Reading →
The Glorious Reversal
“A Christian knows that death shall be the funeral of all his sins, all his sorrows, his afflictions, his temptations, his vexations, his oppressions, his persecutions… he knows that death shall be the resurrection of all his hopes, his joys, his delights, his comforts, his contentments.” (Thomas Brooks) The soft piano music and slideshow full of... Continue Reading →
The Unchanging Anchor: Why God’s Immutability is Our Greatest Hope
We live in a universe defined by change. Our bodies weaken, relationships evolve, careers shift, and even our most firmly held opinions can soften over time. Everything is in a state of becoming. But what if your greatest hope rested on a single, unmovable reality? That’s the profound truth at the heart of the Prophet Malachi’s... Continue Reading →
More Than A Feeling: Thanksgiving Based On God’s Character
The Bible presents thanksgiving as far more than a fleeting sentiment—it calls us to embrace it as a spiritual discipline. Throughout Scripture, believers are repeatedly commanded to "give thanks to the LORD, for he is good" (Ps. 107:1, 118:1, 136:1). Our thanksgiving flows from recognizing God's character. This is why we can "give thanks in... Continue Reading →
Is Church Membership Actually in the Bible? A Case for Commitment
If you scan the New Testament looking for a specific verse that says, "Thou shalt become a formal member of a local church," you won’t find it. Because of this, many Christians today operate with a "consumer" mindset. We treat church like a gym or a Costco—we attend when it’s convenient, we consume the goods, but we... Continue Reading →
MUSIC: “Psalm 150”
Writers Matt Papa and Matt Boswell have taken Psalm 150 and expanded upon it. It calls upon every creature - "everything that has breath" - to praise the Lord. He's worthy of it all! You made the starry hostsYou traced the mountain peaksYou paint the evening sky with wondersThe earth, it is Your throneFrom desert... Continue Reading →
Things We Take For Granted
Today, during our morning prayer meeting, we chose to pray through some of the things that we all often take for granted. It was such a sweet time of prayer hearing the saints pour out their hearts in thanksgiving for some of these things. We actually had so many things listed that we didn't even... Continue Reading →
Thomas Goodwin – The Heart of Christ
The puritan, Thomas Goodwin, in expounding Hebrews 4:15 gives us the following encouragement. As you read it, take heart, Christian, for this is Christ's disposition towards you: "There is comfort concerning such infirmities, in that your very sins move him to pity more than to anger. This text is plain for it, for he suffers with... Continue Reading →
Flashback Friday: Coming Judgment
The first time Jesus came to us, He came to save sinners. The next time He comes will be for a different purpose. He will come to exercise His office as Judge against unrepentant sinners. A reminder of this truth will keep us sober. On October 11 & 18, 2015, Pastor Allen Cantrell delivered 2... Continue Reading →
A Poem on Jesus’ Passion
Bethlehem. A humble town. A nobody’s town. Perfect. The mountains would have bowed down. The seas would have roared in praise. The trees clapped their hands. But not for this Ancient of Days. All He needed were a few shepherds and angels. And in this was His glory, not the towering greatness He laid aside,... Continue Reading →
Twitter Recommendations
Have you been wanting to try out twitter but don't really know who to follow? On the other hand, maybe you've been using twitter for a while now but are unaware of some of the best Christian accounts to follow. Twitter, like any social media, can be used for good and bad. With that being... Continue Reading →
“Delighting In the Trinity” On Sale Now
One of the books on our "Recommended Reading From the Pastor" list is Michael Reeves' book Delighting in the Trinity. Today it is on sale from Amazon in kindle format for $4.99. If you read with a kindle device or with a kindle app on your phone or tablet, you might want to take advantage... Continue Reading →
Failure and Faith
"After so many years I have made so little progress. Yet failure has a positive result: Less confidence in self & more confidence in Christ."--Paul Washer on Twitter
Abortion
"I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born" - Ronald Wilson Reagan
No Dim Bulb Was Isaac Watts
No dim bulb was Isaac Watts, No shallow pen had he. But Bible truth in every jot, And solid help for me!
Watts’ hymns
HYMN 110. (c. m.) Death and immediate glory. 2 Corinthians v. 1, 5—8. Isaac Watts (1674–1748) THERE is a house not made with hands, Eternal and on high; And here my spirit waiting stands, Till God shall bid it fly. Shortly this prison of my clay Must be dissolv’d and fall; Then, O my soul!... Continue Reading →
"This & That" 