“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1) Here’s a monumental point to be made about this verse: A worthy walk is fundamentally one that embodies the values found in the Gospel that called you to salvation. Paul's arguing that the... Continue Reading →
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hello, saints! 3 different musings today. Grace & Bass As many of you know, Laurie and I have been diving head-first into the world of AI-assisted music to create new grace-filled songs. And listen—I totally get the reservations. Nothing will ever replace real musicians with real talent, and we’d never pretend otherwise. They deserve preference... Continue Reading →
Catholics vs. the Bible
On yesterday’s podcast, Pastor Hal and I had a conversation about the Christian news articles that came out recently proclaiming the death of Mariology in the Catholic Church. CBN said, Pope Leo Declares Jesus Alone Saved the World, Rejects Title of Mary as 'Co-Redeemer'. One Christian writer asked, Is the Vatican Discouraging Marian Devotion? Evangelical... Continue Reading →
Questions For Deborah
1. What is the spiritual state of the Church at Ephesus? The Ephesians were built up saints, who understood foundational doctrine. So, Paul writes an epistle to progress them further in eternal things to stand confident. Ephesians 1 reminds this Church of the abundance of things God has provided ‘in Christ.’ Paul’s prays in Ephesians... Continue Reading →
Questions to Think About for Application
1. What does Scripture teach about women working outside the home? Generally, we are not given instructions about all situations or problems we encounter, as was Israel under the law. Paul provides general guidelines to guide us. At times, Paul gives his judgment on marriage using general principles he learned, which becomes the Word. (I... Continue Reading →
How Paul Handled Suffering
How did Paul handle those times of life that were full of suffering and tribulation? I thought we’d approach this topic from two perspectives: 1) what Paul understood before he went through suffering and 2) how Paul handled suffering. Let’s look at the first perspective: What Paul Understood Going into Suffering He knew sufferings were... Continue Reading →
The Death of Love
Here is something the Lord told the disciples at the beginning of His Olivet Discourse: “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one... Continue Reading →
The Israel of God
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. - Galatians 6:16 The word "Israel" is found 2,576 times in the King James Bible. Of the 2,576 times mentioned, all 2,576 times it refers to physical Israel, or the literal person named Israel,... Continue Reading →
Paul – Before & After His Conversion
Here’s something interesting to consider from our sermon Sunday. Compare and contrast how Paul treated believers before and after his conversion. Paul’s Treatment of Believers Before His Conversion: Persecuted the Church of God - He said in Phil. 3:6, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church…” In Gal. 1:13, he said, “…beyond measure I persecuted the church... Continue Reading →
Hate is Weak. Grace is Strong.
On yesterday’s podcast, Pastor Hal and I ruminated on how we, as believers, can combat hatred with grace, and there was one point I loved too much: Hate is weak. Grace is strong. This is a great thing to meditate upon. I loved this. Hate may look like strength, but in truth it’s weakness acting... Continue Reading →
The Word “Dispensation”
I’ll bet most of our readers know that the Bible word “dispensation” is a translation of the Greek word “oikonomia.” “Oikos” is “house”, and “nomos” is “law or rule”. The combination of these two root words literally translates to the "law of the household" or "household management." Or as most books say, “stewardship.” Same difference.... Continue Reading →
The One Word that Destroys Calvinism
With the recent passing of John MacArthur, Calvinism has come under scrutiny and debate in the public sphere, which is a very good thing. I daresay Calvinism is one of the most vile character assassinations of God that exists in Christianity. We had coincidentally published a couple strong takedowns of Calvinism: Calvinism Destroyed in One... Continue Reading →
Love Eyes
Learning to see someone’s heart and soul, rather than focusing on their flesh is beneficial as we minister. I call it having ‘love eyes’ for others. Godly love is unconditional love and kindness, yet we are to remember: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Col. 3:23)... Continue Reading →
Quality Controllers
We are to understand sound doctrine, be motivated by godly love, and separate from those causing discord: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17) This is not a license to be grace quality control inspectors, scrutinizing other saints... Continue Reading →
The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey... Continue Reading →
Feeling Like Your Held Captive
Why do we sometimes feel as if we are held captive and do things we don’t want to do? The reason is we still have the flesh, which has lust and sin. This will not change until we get our glorious new bodies. Satan is temporarily the god of this world (II Cor 4:4), but... Continue Reading →
Proverbs 31 & The Virtuous Woman
Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Pro 31:13 She... Continue Reading →
7 Insights into Spiritual Purity
There is a monumental shift in your thinking and how you live your life when you have reckoned that you have a perfect standing in His grace, when you know who you are in Christ. From that moment onward, you rest in those truths. You don’t worry about upsetting God because, say, you ate something... Continue Reading →
7 Principles for Biblical Perseverance
[These are some of the notes from my recent message at the 2025 Florida Regional Grace Conference. -Joel] Eph 6:18. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” This is the one and only time Paul mentions perseverance. Paul never really defines... Continue Reading →
Confess with Thy Mouth?
How about we start the new year with some controversial passages! Woo hoo! Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who... Continue Reading →
