I have always loved to drive. If it has four tires and a steering wheel, I will try it. Even from an early age, I longed for the freedom, adventure and destination; similar to our walk with Jesus. In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul tells us to look ahead and press on. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark

At times, we can feel very unsafe in this world. Whether it be in a large crowd or somewhere isolated, fear can creep in and cover us completely. Along with times of feeling physically unsafe, we can also feel that way spiritually and mentally. Perhaps you are experiencing fear as you read this message. If so, I have great news: there is a strong tower you can run to. Proverbs 18:10 tells us, The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and are saf

Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus placed great emphasis on children. In the Book of Matthew (18:1-6,14 and 19:14), He answers the question, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" by using a child as the example. For some, it is debatable whether infants or young children will go to heaven if their life ends before they ask for and receive salvation. As I read and interpret God's Word, it could not be more clear that they do. From the Catholic Church who recog

As Christians, we are often mistaken for being soft. The world looks at us as somebody who can be pushed around and intimitated because of our love for Jesus. In other words, we are supposed to be timid. Gentleness is even on of the fruits of the Spirit. Look at Paul's letter to the church in Galatia, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who b

From time to time, believing Christians may discuss and/or debate topics found in God's Word. One such subject is backsliding. By definition, backsliding is when someone who has known and walked with God begins to move (slide) back in their faith instead of forward. There are numerous biblical references both in the Old and New Testament. Jeremiah (2:19) says that your backsliding will rebuke you. The Apostle Paul asks the church in Galatia, But now that you know God—or r

Have you ever squinted while looking at a bright light? Or, like me when trying to read small print? Whatever the case may be, all of us have done so while trying to see better. What we forget when doing so is we miss the entire view. Similar to reading God's Word, we sometimes squint and only see a particular verse and not the entire passage. Psalm 119:18 says, Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. We miss things when we do not have our eyes fully

One of the more powerful, yet sometimes forgotten scenes of Jesus' crucifixion is the opportunity Pontius Pilate gave for His life to be saved. As was customary during the time of Passover, Roman law allowed for the release of a prisoner and gave the people a choice. The account of Barabbas being chosen by the people of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:18-24 and John 18:40). This very fact should tell us two things: the story is

At one time or another, most of us have attended a wedding. Whether it was our own, or a close friend or family member the union between a man (husband) and woman(wife) is ordained and sanctified by God. The celebration of marriage depicted throughout the bible symbolizes a wedding between Jesus and His church, which is comprised of the body of believers. Paul references this union in his letter to the church of Ephesus (5:25-32), Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ

Our lives seem to be full of plans. Whether it be personal or professional schedules, our calendars are packed with things we want and need to do. But what about your spiritual plans? In the Book of Jeremiah, we read where the prophet is sharing words directly from God, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Too many Christians are walking around spiritually aimless. They work

Even though we may do many of the things on our Christian "checklist", if we do not place Christ first in our everyday life and give fully and freely to Him, we will remain incomplete. A lot of good, moral people believe in God and go to church for an hour on Sunday. What do they do with the rest of their time? Paul speaks about being fully alive in Christ in the Book of Ephesians, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we

My favorite movie genre is a good western, many of which depict the U.S. Cavalry protecting the untamed west from danger. In many of these films, there is a fort that houses the military, their families and all those seeking refuge from danger. Even today, our military bases has the word fort in their names. Forts like Benning, Campbell, Bragg and Pendleton stir the memories of those that have served and been stationed there. Each is a stronghold and, for some, a place of ref

Did you know the tree of life is mentioned in the bible multiple times? Most associate it with the Book of Genesis and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. At times, it is also confused with the tree of good and evil that bore the forbidden fruit. On the other hand, the tree of life's fruit offered eternal life. Prior to the fall of man (through Adam), it was offered to all. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for

In the Bible, edification means to "build up" spiritually. It is derived from a Greek word that literally means to build up a house. In the New Testament, it describes strengthening believers in faith, love, and holiness so the entire church grows closer to Christ. Similarly, believers are built up in their increasing knowledge of God through His Word and the desire to live out these principles. It is also vital to notice that the importance of corporate (church) edificat

I have always marveled at the importance Jesus placed on children during His earthly ministry and the heart He has given me for our young people. Whether it was growing up, coaching sports or in my law enforcement career, I have also felt a special burden to protect children. Reading God's Word, we see several examples of Jesus interacting with kids. In the Book of Mark (10:13-16), Jesus even rebukes His disciples when they try to keep the children from being around Him.

Sometimes it is very relaxing to go on a long walk. It allows you to talk, de-stress, reconnect and clear your mind. Many characters in the Bible were described as "walking" with God. In the Book of Genesis, we read about Noah's relationship with God, Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God (6:9). And later in Genesis (17:1), we read that God commanded Abram/Abraham to walk before Him. In Malachi, we read about Levi, And you will know that I

Of the many mysteries within the Bible revolves around why Jesus had to die. Knowing that God is all-powerful, why did He need a sacrifice? The answer lies in the love He has for you and me. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul tells us this, And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (5:2). While John tells us in his first letter that And He Himself is the propitiation for o

Jeremiah has often been referred to as the "weeping prophet", and rightfully so. His writings contain serious warnings, heartaches, isolation, as well as emotional and spiritual anguish. However, through his words, we can find insight and hope for our lives. In the Book of Jeremiah (29:11), he tells us this, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. God's plan for us is very simple.

Of the many great lessons taught by the Bible, humility is one of the toughest yet most important. Certainly, John the Baptist was a great example of being humble in service. As he is baptizing several believers and being complimented by the masses, John speaks of the greatness of Jesus (3:22-30). Notice in verse 30 when he says, He must become greater, I must become less. In preparation for His death on the cross, Jesus spent time in deep fellowship with His disciples. I

They say you begin to slow down as you age. To some degree, I believe that to be true. It is a natural part of the aging process. However, I do not believe that we should ever just stop. Our schedules should reflect a healthy balance of work and rest, just like God intended. Perhaps it is the season of life I am in, or the amount of miles I have put on my mind and body. Regardless of the reasons, society seems to be moving way too fast. Everyone seems to be in a hurry.

In the Book of Isaiah (53:2-12), we read a prophecy that speaks about the suffering that Christ endured for you and me. It is incredible to think God loves us to the point of being willing to offer His only Son as a sacrifice. One of the most important biblical truths to remember is that while every sacrifice is an offering, not every offering is a sacrifice. An offering is when you give something to someone. A sacrifice is when you give up something for someone. In the O