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 →
Self-Reflection Helps Us Serve
In order to be a faithful ambassador to hold forth Truth, godly love is to be the foundation. As a living sacrifice, love teaches us to prefer others above ourselves. (Romans 12:1-16) Corinth had given themselves over to carnality, rather than living what they were taught, and even despised their own Apostle. Even so, Paul... Continue Reading →
Humbleness, No Presumption (Poem)
What a fright that the grace of God is so manifestly spurned, So many ignorant of the wrath of God that they have so earned, The world prances about in the arrogance of their wanton haughtiness, Being so unwitting of their own sinful naughtiness, How so many presume on God, that He will simply look... Continue Reading →
Shew Thyself Approved?
2 Timothy 2:15 Study – why? – to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. What does that mean to shew thyself approved unto God? Study Webster would tell us that study is a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject.... Continue Reading →
In Christ Before Me
We MAD BAD believers teach that when a person gets saved, he or she becomes a member of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). We also teach that the phrase in Christ encapsulates all the rich positional and spiritual blessings we have as members of the Body of Christ. What we have in Christ... Continue Reading →
Paul Set the Tone
In 1 Thess. 2:7. Paul says, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” Then, in vs. 10. Paul... Continue Reading →
Grace and Peace
Each of the epistles of the apostle Paul begins with this wonderful phrase or one similarly worded: “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Is this just a nice way of beginning a letter to all his churches? In fact, this is much more than that!... Continue Reading →
Think On These Things
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8 In the closing of the Book of Philippians is... Continue Reading →
One Nation Under God
Have you ever wondered about some of the terms that we have used throughout the years, such as, “One nation under God,” and “God’s Country?” It’s election time once again, and we are sure to hear these phrases to prop up America, even placing it in “Most Favored Nation” status by God! I am as... Continue Reading →
Gatekeepers of the Grace Message
You may have heard about the hullabaloo online last week. A very sweet saint posted a David Reid video on her timeline on Facebook. The new editor of the Berean Searchlight decided to leave this comment: “I’d be careful; KJV Only groups are very cultish. I’ve heard him say that you are an idiot if... Continue Reading →
A Well Worn Path
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. - Psalm 16:11 A trip down memory lane. My recollection some years later is of a flat rock, that was just outside of the boundary of a ball field. This was... Continue Reading →
Paul’s “Fear” For Godliness Sake For The Saint
2Cor.11:3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or... Continue Reading →
Always
People sometimes read my 5,000+-word articles and say, “Joel’s a bit wordy.” I don’t deny it. So, I’m going to start off the new year with a SHORT JOEL HAYES ARTICLE! That's right! It’s a miracle! Have you ever studied all the times Paul writes always? Because of all-sufficiency of the cross, because of the... Continue Reading →
Kindness to the Crazy Family at Christmastime
I know how it can be. Christmas is here. Your crazy family is coming over. Oh, did I say “crazy?” In fact, I’ll bet “crazy” is an understatement for your family, am I wrong? They’re nutjobs. You love them, sure, but they will drive you up the wall at 100 mph before breakfast. You’ll be... Continue Reading →
