“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 →
Before we were justified, saved from the penalty of sin, we had a dire need, deserved wrath, and were considered to be ‘the Lost:’ “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world.”... Continue Reading →
As I’m sure many know, Dr. James Dobson passed away last this week. He was 89. Millions knew him as the host of Focus on the Family. He was the child psychologist who “answered hundreds of thousands of parenting questions and urged Christians to fight in America’s ‘civil war of values.’” Hmm. “A civil war... Continue Reading →
One would think that no one would be their own ‘worst enemy,’ but many oftentimes, we could be those who could by our own decisions, cause life changing circumstances that could shape our lives. And those who are in Christ have been given the provision by our Father to protect us from the snare of... Continue Reading →
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Notice how Paul begins with the word “For.” This word connects this verse to what came before it in verses 8-9. Vs. 8 also begins with For, which connects it... Continue Reading →
Hello, saints! We recently overhauled our church's website, and we have a new Beginner's Guide for anyone who just got saved or is new to the Grace Movement. Plus, we offer A Guide Through Scripture, a comprehensive overview of the entire Bible through the lens of time past, but now, and ages to come with... Continue Reading →
[This is an excerpt from my Sunday message and new series on Ephesians. PTL! -Joel] Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Notice that we have in this one verse, blessed, blessed, and blessings, all variations... Continue Reading →
Rom.5:3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. At first glance, the word tribulation... Continue Reading →
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 →
[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 →
1Co 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1Co 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity. 1Co 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the... Continue Reading →
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 →
666 is, arguably, one of the most symbolically rich numbers in the Bible. Bullinger would write, “666 is very far-reaching, and is filled with a meaning deeper, perhaps, than anything we have yet discovered. One thing, however, is certain, and that is, that the triple 6 marks the culmination of man's opposition to God in... Continue Reading →
Psa. 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Is this not a fascinating verse? "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." That's amazing! Does this verse remind you of anything... Continue Reading →
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 →
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that... Continue Reading →
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 →
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded,... Continue Reading →
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk... Continue Reading →
1 Timothy 1:18-20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom... Continue Reading →
SUPPLY OF GRACE 