We have to trust that evil will end someday – for good – lest we be tempted to give up or join evil.
Psalm 125:3 (NKJV) For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. Sometimes evil is so relentless, so tiring, so draining that we are tempted to just give up. We live in that...
read moreWe get a lot of guarantees & have little trust they will be kept. But there is one guarantee that will ALWAYS be kept.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NKJV) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. “Ninety-day money back guarantees”. “Established in 1851”. “Sealed with a kiss”. “Giving...
read moreWe don’t hear much today about being serious and alert.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The main topic of most Christian teaching today is “what does it do for me”; why? That’s what sells books and fills churches....
read moreEternal glory? There’s a price to pay first.
1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. “After you have suffered for a while…” You won’t hear that preached in the “what’s...
read moreWhat is the one thing everyone longs for?
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. It’s been said that what we all have in common our need for love, longing for friendship, looking for acceptance, hoping for recognition, finding peace etc; a constant restlessness...
read morePure & Undefiled Chrisitianity
In the 20+ years I've been writing on SeriousFaith.com, I think I've only sent out a ministry request 2-3 times. My thanks to anyone who takes a moment to consider this. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to care for...
read moreWe hear about and see a lot of disasters and tragedy. As Christians we need not live in fear of these as the Lord is with us.
Proverbs 3:25 (NKJV) Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; Nuclear war. Crashing economy. ISIS. Syria. Terrorism. Riots. Natural disaster. Cancer. Lying. Murder. Theft. Persecution. Job loss. Divorce. Rebellion. Disease....
read moreWant peace? Jesus told you what you need to know. Check it out…
John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” “That you may have peace”. Either it’s true or Jesus is a liar. Let’s assume He’s not a...
read morePurpose in life? Feeling discouraged or weary? Here’s some thrilling encouragement.
2 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, For those in Christ (that the folks who have said to Jesus ‘be merciful to me a sinner’ and placed their eternal trust in Him) they have been established and anointed by...
read moreThis is not a very peaceful world and it is becoming less peaceful all the time. Why? Because the Prince of Peace is ignored.
John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Peace. Most everybody wants it but few seek it in the only place it can be found. Over the...
read moreThere is NO need to fear, ever. Don’t be discouraged either. You have all the help and strength you could ever need.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ If only I had more money. If only I lived in a safer place. If only the economy was more...
read moreThere is no need to fear life. God does not give us a spirit of fear but one of security and love where we can call God Father.
Romans 8:15 (NKJV) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” No Fear. A popular bumper sticker but nothing but false bravado unless backed up by a transcendent and divine...
read moreGoing Into a New Year
Here are the notes and audio to a sermon I preached on the first Sunday of the New Year. It teaches from the Bible the benefit of self examination, looking at the past year, and applying those lessons to the upcoming New year. New Years – Self Examination An...
read moreWhy Does Isaiah Call Jesus the Everlasting Father? Isaiah 9:6
A good friend of mine asked me this question, so I thought I would use the opportunity to publicly answer: In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace and Mighty God... why is He called "Everlasting Father"? Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is...
read moreSunday Messages – July 30th, 2017 | John 1:29-34; The Lamb of God
Audio Message: John 1:29-34 The Lamb of God 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before...
read moreThere is no need to envy what others have. It is meaningless, and a waste of time. Be content with God’s provision today.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. Advertising has a goal. To make you discontent. I’ve developed advertising and marketing for a couple of decades...
read moreSunday Messages – July 23rd, 2017 | John 1:19-28; John the Baptist
Audio Message: John 1:19-28 John the Baptist John 1:19–28 (NKJV) 19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And...
read moreSunday Messages – July 16th, 2017 | John 1:14-18; The Incarnation
Audio Message: John 1:14-18 The Incarnation John 1:14–18 (NKJV) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying,...
read moreSunday Messages – July 9th, 2017 | John 1:12-13; Q/A: Women’s Roles Biblically
I've been preaching every Sunday for about 6 years now, as well as teaching and doing "Bible Question and Answer". A few years ago I tried to record my messages and put them online but the process of microphones, editing, uploading, storage, etc was just too time...
read moreHumanity hasn’t changed. Neither has God.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV) “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Free download of my new book:...
read moreA Christian Nation?
Was America founded as a Christian nation? Is Christianity the basis upon which it became the greatest, most powerful, most benevolent and most evangelistic nation in human history? You decide... George Washington What youth should learn in America's schools "above...
read moreThe world today puts so much focus on wealth; wealth is amoral, neither right nor wrong. It is what we do with it & how we get it.
Proverbs 28:6 (NKJV) Better is the poor who walks in his integrity; Than one who is wicked in his ways, though he be rich. Books like Ecclesiastes tell us that being good does not always equal good fortune. We live in a sin-cursed world, and often righteous people are...
read moreThe Word become flesh. The eternal Jesus, one with God, became a man. How astonishing.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. We learn in John 1 from the very first verse some astonishing facts about Jesus. He was God. He was with God...
read moreThe Shadow Of Death… We Can Face The Worse In Life With NO FEAR And Be Comforted
Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. We could go deep into the specific meaning of “the valley of the shadow of death” in context of the...
read moreScriptural Armor: Contentment
"Scriptural Armor" is a series of short devotionals that contain nothing but Bible verses I've paraphrased in my own words on a given topic. My goal is to present straight Biblical thought on an relevant Christian subject without commentary. Be sure to look up the...
read moreScriptural Armor: Fear, Worry and Anxiety
"Scriptural Armor" is a series of short devotionals that contain nothing but Bible verses I've paraphrased in my own words on a given topic. My goal is to present straight Biblical thought on an relevant Christian subject without commentary. Be sure to look up the...
read moreScriptural Armor: Loneliness
"Scriptural Armor" is a series of short devotionals that contain nothing but Bible verses I've paraphrased in my own words on a given topic. My goal is to present straight Biblical thought on an relevant Christian subject without commentary. Be sure to look up the...
read moreThe Law reveals sin. Jesus came to fulfill the Law not get rid of it.
Matthew 5:17 (NKJV) “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. The Law. We don’t talk about it much in modern Christianity although in Scripture it is one half of the total Biblical equation: The Law and The...
read moreScriptural Armor: Lust
"Scriptural Armor" is a series of short devotionals that contain nothing but Bible verses I've paraphrased in my own words on a given topic. My goal is to present straight Biblical thought on an relevant Christian subject without commentary. Be sure to look up the...
read more“The Shack” The Movie
With the movie version of "The Shack" about to come about and no doubt a fresh wave of adulation ready to sweep through the undiscerning Church, it's a good time to remind you of what is dangerous and unScriptural about it. Here are some excerpts from other writers,...
read moreAdultery, Fornication, Pornography: IMMORALITY IS ALWAYS S-T-U-P-I-D
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; Recently I was asked (for the gagillionth time) what the Bible says about divorce. Predictably, that led to many questions about morality...
read moreThe best part of waking up, is Bible in your cup; mind over mattress; no Bible, no breakfast; the early bird gets the blessing.
Psalm 143:8 (ESV) Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Clichés don’t make a spiritual life but they can be good reminders about what is important. While it is certainly...
read moreSometimes we need a clean slate, a fresh start, a new beginning. God can clean your heart & give a right spirit if you ask.
Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. One of the blessings of the living the Christian life is the “do over”. God is the GOD of the “do over”. And thank God He is! It is one of the amazing privileges of being a...
read moreSocial media brings many friends but is that good? Can you really have hundreds or thousands of friends? What’s a real friend?
Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV) A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. There are some things about social media I really love. It’s put me in touch with old friends. I’ve been able to keep up with distant family....
read moreConsidering Divorce?
Malachi 2:16 – “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce…” I get a lot of emails and questions. Frequently it is about marriage and divorce. I thought I would revisit the topic today since it remains prevalent even in Christian homes. If you know someone...
read moreA Common Response: I Don’t Believe God Exists Because of All the Evil We See Around Us, A Loving God Would Not Allow This
Romans 1:18-20 The anger of God is against all the evil deeds of men who in their wickedness bury and silence the truth about God. That Truth has been made evident to all people ever since the creation of the world; the complexity, design, magnitude and order of...
read moreSin always leads to death; sometimes its SLOW coming, but it always comes. There is only way one to have victory over it…
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NKJV) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Sin in your life has one outcome: death. Death of happiness, death of a clear conscience,...
read moreShare in the suffering of the Gospel? Really? Isn’t that pretty much opposite of preaching we hear today about the good life?
2 Timothy 1:8 (NKJV) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, There is a real disconnect between Scripture and what you see on the Top Ten...
read morePeople don’t keep promises anymore. God keeps His for one thousand generations. I think I’ll put my trust in Him instead of man.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV) “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Whether politics, academics, sports or business, it seems like broken...
read morePeace… everyone is searching for it but there is only one TRUE source of lasting peace for troubled and fearful hearts.
John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The world is a scary place. Life can be very troubling. Dealing with this sin-cursed world and flesh is...
read moreOvercome, overcome, overcome… a single word that can define the daily Christian life. Overcome the world, your flesh, evil.
Romans 12:21 (NKJV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. The world is evil and getting worse. It’s open season on Christians. Just today I read that ISIS is raping, torturing and chopping up Christian girls, taking videos of it, and then sending...
read moreNo matter what happens, what tragedy, what calamity, what valley, the righteous always have a place of refuge. The wicked do not.
Proverbs 14:32 (NKJV) The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. The wicked never escape their wickedness. No matter how much it seems they get ahead, have fun, skirt the rules, get away with things or profit from their sin,...
read moreNeed some marching orders? Need things simple? Watch… stand fast… be faithful, be brave, be strong. Any questions?
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. I often get questions or hear Christians talk about how hard it is to figure out how to live the Christian life. Truth is, it’s not hard to KNOW, it’s hard to DO. Today’s verse, in typical...
read moreMany people get the best of others simply because it is within their power to do so. Taking advantage of someone weaker is wrong.
Proverbs 22:22 (NKJV) Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; Whether an individual, a business, a culture or a government, exploiting the weak, poor and sick is despicable. And yet, the frequency and severity of it is growing....
read moreDiscernment: Knowing Essentials from Non-Essentials… Unity vs. Liberty… Love in All Things
I have been teaching for many weeks on Wednesday night about discernment, and now focusing on knowing essentials vs non-essentials. Thought you might find this graphic I just created useful in your own teaching or personal study. Makes for a very practical and...
read moreLoved any enemies today? Prayed for anyone who has persecuted you? Yesterday? This year? Ever? How come? Don’t have any enemies?
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, This is one of the hardest commands to follow for Christians. It’s easy to nod your head in...
read moreLife & light… The hope & joy that comes with feeling alive and on the right path. You can find true life and light in one place.
John 1:4 (NKJV) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. Light and life. Just the phrase stirs up feelings of growth, joy, hope, happiness and energy. Jesus is all those things and infinitely more. He is the light of hope in a dark and dreadful world. He...
read moreLack self-control? All of us do to some degree. A lack of self-control is like an unguarded home. Self-control protects us from sin.
Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV) Whoever has no rule over his own spirit, Is like a city broken down, without walls. “Rule over his own spirit…” Translated: self-control. “A city broken down with no walls…” that’s a description not very familiar to us today but is perfectly...
read moreThese are Jesus’ own words, so call Him intolerant and judgmental if you want. Hear ME, believe in ME, I AM the Only Way.
John 5:24 (NKJV) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. We live in a “tolerant” culture that is anything but tolerant. “Tolerance”...
read moreJesus made Himself NOTHING for us; how hard is it for you to make yourself NOTHING for other people in order to serve them?
Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of...
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