I  had a drinking problem for nearly two decades before I became a pastor. Through my faith in Christ, I am now strong enough not to drink when others around me...

Paul discusses consuming meat sacrificed to idols from two perspectives: knowledge and love. This issue concerned the Christians in Corinth in particular, but Paul’s guidance deals with more than food. His...

Each time we read the Bible, it can speak to us in a new way. I have preached on today’s reading many times in my thirteen years of ministry; each time...

The word authority can mean different things based on several factors. If you are young, you might think of a teacher or parent as an authority. You may hold high regard...

It always gives me pause when someone begins a conversation with, “The Lord told me to tell you. . . . ” More often than not, the speaker follows the statement...

How often have we yearned to hear God’s voice? The Israelites desired such instruction. Yet, Moses reminds the people of the time God spoke and the divine was made manifest in...

The image of God as refuge is powerful. At its core, a refuge is any space that provides safety and shelter from danger or chaos. But as followers of Christ, we...

For those in healthy marriages or with material “creature” comforts, this passage can seem harsh or unwieldy. Why would Paul disregard the importance of a healthy relationship or the opportunity to...

James and John quickly leave their father with the nets and the boat; scripture offers no commentary on their father’s feelings. Mark’s sense of urgency in moving the story forward doesn’t...

Mark’s account of Jesus’ life is one of the more dramatic Gospels. In some scripture versions, Mark uses the word immediately about forty times throughout the Gospel. When John the Baptist...