(SN039) I’ve always heard that the searing process is required because it seals in the juices which makes the steak more flavorful. I’ve now come to learn that is only a myth. Read more to learn how searing meat is related to trials.

(SN038) Even the greatest and most vocal skeptics of Jesus do not debate that he lived and that he died by means of a crucifixion. Where the debate typically comes in is over whether or not he is God. They typically argue, he was a great teacher who got crucified, but that’s where they stop.

(SN037) Matthew 7:12 is a perfect example of why we should slowdown a bit when reading the Bible and focus on each word or phrase as we just might gain a deeper understanding of what we are reading. Sometimes gaining a deeper understanding of one word can change everything.

(SN036) No one likes to fail, but unfortunately, failure is often our greatest teacher because its in our failure where we find wisdom, if we choose to look for it. However, our desire to look, to learn, to find wisdom will be driven by how we emotionally respond to our failure, with conviction or with condemnation.

(SN035) Throughout Colossians, Paul is confronting the false teachings of that time. He is reminding the church at Colossae of who Jesus is and what he did for us that day at the cross and of the strength and healing he provided there. It is equally as important for us to understand these truths as well.

(SN034) Psalm 15 provides a list of 10 traits of a godly, unshakable lifestyle. David starts with two questions, provides the list of 10 traits, and closes with the product or result of exemplifying these traits in your life.

(SN033) When you hear the term ‘Bible Thumping’ what comes to mind? Do street preachers, or TV evangelists with sermons about going to hell come to mind?

(SN032) Superficial relationships are mere surface relationships based on generalized perceptions of each other. However, deep relationships are based on a knowledge of who we are at our core and yet remain connected nonetheless.

(SN031) Once we realize “I’ve got nothing” is a reality, we will also begin to understand “I’ve got nothing” is not where it ends, but where thanksgiving and praise begins.

(SN030) Life is not easy and often times makes no sense. But regardless of what is directly in front of us, we are to keep our eyes on the Lord and by Faith, trust that he will always be with us and will be glorified in every situation. All we have to do is trust and follow his lead so we too can be blessed.

(SN029) Roots are the lifeline of a tree and they are the lifeline of a Christian as well. What if the soil in which you find yourself is not good soil such as a toxic work environment, a tough marriage or other relationship, hard financial times, etc., what then?

(SN028) Jesus who healed the blind and the sick, who could raise Lazarus from the dead, who was God himself, marveled at the faith of the centurion. I’m marveling at the fact that Jesus bestowed such honor on the centurion because of his faith.

(SN027) No matter the country, the small children laugh, chase each other, play silly games, and appear to behave in a way which indicates their only concern is to be a kid.

(SN026) The most interesting person that day, and the only speaker with whom I interacted, was a self-proclaimed Christian Atheist. He was preaching Christ as a great teacher but stopped short of Christ being God.

(SN025) In October of 2023, the FBI released the 2022 Hate Crime Report which reported an increase in hate based crimes from 10,840 in 2021 to 11,634 in 2022. To put that into perspective, in 2022 there were 21,154 reported murders. Even worse is the 893,980 aggravated assault cases reported in America in 2022. Unfortunately, 2024 will dwarf those numbers.

(SN024) As powerful as The Force was in the Star Wars sagas, there is an even greater power available to us. And unlike the Star Wars characters who received the force from midi-chlorians (fictitious microscopic, intelligent lifeforms), we receive our power, a real force, from Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit…

(SN023) This morning I was reading Philemon (a very short letter) and the opening remarks caught my attention. As the case, Paul often opened his letters by letting the recipient(s) know that he prays for them. Several thoughts came to mind as I studied the opening remarks in Paul’s letters, but one in particular really got my attention. 

(SN022) Many people express difficulty reading the Bible. Reasons include it’s a book of rules, it’s depressing (O/T mainly), hard to understand, outdated or irrelevant, and so forth. The one that gets me the most is when people say it’s boring. The Bible is filled with all kinds of nuances, humor, some sarcasm, but mostly hope. Not sure how that can be boring or irrelevant.

(SN021) The two Greatest Commandments, in a nutshell, are to love God and love each other. If we can get just those two right, everything else generally falls into place. I didn’t say everything becomes easy, what I mean is our priorities, and our life balance fall into place: God first, Family second, Friends next, everything else after that. However, we tend to make that formula way more complicated.

(SN020) Today's study is of a command that is actually quite easy to understand. It’s a command that God presents in a straight forward, clear manner. There is no confusion about what we are being told to do. So you may be asking, if it’s so easy to understand why study it?.  We’re studying it because it’s a critically important command and while it’s easy to understand, it’s extremely difficult in today’s day and age to obey.