Tag: Christian living

Does God Expect Christians To Attend Every Church Service?

Carl Pollard

Is it a sin to miss Wednesday night Bible study? What about Sunday evening? Does God expect a Christian to be present every single time the church building is open?

Those questions can make people uncomfortable because Christians sometimes answer them in one of two extremes.

One extreme says, “If the doors are open, you better be there.” The other says, “Church attendance really doesn’t matter as long as I believe in Jesus.”

Neither approach tells the whole story.

Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.”

God clearly expects Christians to assemble. Gathering with the church isn’t an optional extra for especially dedicated Christians. It’s part of belonging to the body of Christ. The early church devoted themselves to fellowship, worship, teaching, and being together (Acts 2:42–47).

At the same time, the Bible never gives a command saying, “Thou shalt attend Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening.” Those particular meeting times are arrangements congregations have made for worship, study, encouragement, and spiritual growth.

But that doesn’t mean those times are meaningless.

In a congregation with elders, those men have been entrusted with the spiritual care of the flock. Hebrews 13:17 says they are “keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” When elders choose regular times for the church to worship, study, and encourage one another, they’re doing so as shepherds trying to help the congregation grow spiritually.

That doesn’t mean every absence is sinful or that elders have the authority to invent new laws for Christians. But it should make us hesitate before treating the times they’ve set aside for our spiritual good as unimportant.

So maybe we’ve sometimes asked the wrong question.

Instead of asking, “How many services can I miss before I’m sinning?” perhaps we should ask, “Why am I looking for reasons to stay away from people God has called me to love and from opportunities my spiritual shepherds have provided for my growth?”

There are legitimate reasons Christians sometimes cannot assemble. Sickness happens. Work responsibilities happen. Emergencies happen. Caring for someone may keep us home. Scripture doesn’t portray God as keeping an attendance sheet and condemning someone because circumstances prevented them from being present.

But there’s a difference between being unable to assemble and simply not valuing the assembly.

That’s where Hebrews 10 challenges us.

Notice that the passage isn’t merely about what I get from attending. We assemble to “stir up one another” and “encourage one another.” When I’m absent, the question isn’t only, “What did I miss?” It’s also, “Who missed the encouragement I could have given?” There are few things more discouraging as a preacher than an empty room. But imagine how God feels when we put more value on secular life than spiritual growth and fellowship. 

Christians shouldn’t need a rule specifying the minimum number of services required.

When you love your church family, respect the shepherds watching over your soul, and genuinely want to grow, you’ll want to be there whenever you reasonably can.

The goal isn’t perfect attendance. The goal is a heart that values the church, values spiritual growth, and values the people Jesus died to make your family.

This Is How They’ll Know

Carl Pollard

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately known what mattered there? Walk into someone’s house and see family pictures covering the walls, and you know what matters. Walk into a teenager’s room and see posters, trophies, instruments, and jerseys, and you get an idea of what matters to them. Usually, what matters eventually becomes visible.

That raises an important question. If someone walked into our congregation knowing absolutely nothing about us, what would tell them that we belong to Jesus?

Jesus gave an answer on the night before He died. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you… By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34–35

Jesus calls love a commandment. That means biblical love has to be more than an emotion. You can’t command chemistry or warm feelings, but you can command patience, kindness, forgiveness, sacrifice, service, and compassion.

That becomes especially important because the closer you get to people, the more of their flaws you see. From a distance, everybody is fairly easy to love. Get close enough and you’ll discover annoying habits, disagreements, selfishness, bad days, and disappointments. And they’ll discover the same things in us! 

Jesus never said His people would always be easy to love. He simply said, “Love one another.” Then He raised the standard even higher. “Just as I have loved you.”

Think about who was sitting around Jesus when He said those words. Peter would deny Him. Thomas would doubt. The disciples would scatter. Judas had already arranged to betray Him. Yet Jesus had just knelt down and washed their feet.

Jesus loved imperfect people. He loved people who disappointed Him. Within hours, He would go to the cross for them. That’s our standard! And Jesus says the world should be able to see it.

They see it when Christians visit the hospital, bring food to a grieving family, forgive each other, notice the lonely, check on someone who’s missing, carry burdens, and genuinely enjoy being together.

None of those things will make headlines, but they make Jesus visible.

There will be times when your faith is strong and you’re carrying someone else. There will also be times when you walk through the church doors barely holding it together and someone has to carry you.

That’s why God gave us one another.

May we become the kind of church where someone can spend time around us, watch how we treat each other, and leave thinking, “Those people really belong to Jesus.”

Because Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples.” This is how they’ll know.

The Danger Of Normal

Carl Pollard

One of the most dangerous things about the wrong road is that it rarely feels wrong. And in Matthew 7:13, Jesus warns, “For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

Why is the broad road so dangerous? Because it feels normal. It’s wide. It’s comfortable. It’s crowded. There’s plenty of room, and nobody has to change very much to travel it. You can carry your pride, your bitterness, your greed, lust, selfishness, and your own version of truth. There’s plenty of room for all of it.

That’s why the broad road is so popular.

Imagine two hiking trails. One is wide, paved, and crowded with thousands of people. Along the way are signs saying, You’re doing great. Follow your heart. Live your truth. Do whatever makes you happy.

The other trail is narrow. It’s steep and rocky, and relatively few people are walking it.

Which trail naturally feels like the right one?

Probably the crowded one. There’s something reassuring about looking around and seeing thousands of people going the same direction. We think, Surely all these people can’t be wrong.

Jesus says they can.

Popularity is a terrible test for truth.

There were more people outside Noah’s ark than inside it. There were more Israelites worshiping the golden calf than standing against it. Most of the spies believed Canaan couldn’t be conquered. And when Jesus stood before Pilate, the crowd shouted for Him to be crucified.

Truth has never depended on a majority vote.

Yet we’re still deeply influenced by what everybody else is doing. Social media has only amplified this. An opinion gets 500,000 likes, and suddenly it feels authoritative. A behavior becomes accepted by everyone around us, and eventually it starts feeling normal.

And once something feels normal, we can stop asking whether it’s right.

That may be one of the greatest dangers Christians face today. We can become more concerned with being normal than being holy.

Paul warned in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world.” The world is constantly trying to press us into its mold. The frightening part is that we can conform so gradually that we hardly notice it happening.

Maybe we need to ask ourselves a difficult question, If everybody around me completely agrees with the way I live, which road am I traveling?

Following Jesus will eventually make you different. Not strange for the sake of being strange. Not rude. Not arrogant or self-righteous. Different because Jesus is different.

The narrow road won’t always feel normal. It won’t always be popular. There may be moments when you look around and wonder why so few people seem to be traveling with you.

But the size of the crowd has never determined where a road ends.

Jesus tells us where it ends.

The broad road leads to destruction.

The narrow road leads to life.

What Would Jesus Ask You To Give Up

Carl Pollard

If Jesus looked you in the eyes today and said, “Sell everything you own,” what would you do?

Most of us immediately start explaining why He couldn’t possibly mean that. We tell ourselves He was speaking to one man in a unique situation. While that’s true, it still leaves an important question, why did Jesus say it?

The rich young ruler came running to Jesus with one of the greatest questions anyone has ever asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). He was young, successful, influential, moral, and sincere. Yet something was missing.

After hearing the man’s confidence in his own obedience, Mark records this, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (Mark 10:21). Everything Jesus said next came from love. Love doesn’t ignore the biggest problem in someone’s life. Love exposes it.

Jesus told the man, “Go, sell all that you have…and come, follow Me.” Was Jesus teaching that every Christian must live in poverty? No. Scripture records many faithful servants of God who were wealthy. The issue wasn’t the man’s possessions. The issue was that his possessions possessed him.

Money had become his security, his identity, and his confidence. When Jesus asked for complete submission, the man walked away grieving because he loved his wealth more than the One standing in front of him.

Jesus has a way of putting His finger on whatever sits on the throne of our hearts. For one person it may be money. For another it could be a relationship, a career, comfort, popularity, or control. Whatever we’re unwilling to surrender has become our idol.

The rich young ruler walked away with everything he owned, but without Jesus.

The disciples left everything to follow Christ, yet they gained far more than they could ever lose. They found forgiveness, purpose, hope, and an eternal family.

Jesus doesn’t want to know how much money you have. He wants to know who is ruling your life. 

Jesus still calls people to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Mark 8:34). The cost of discipleship is real, but nothing we surrender compares to what we gain in Christ.

The question is simple, if Jesus said, “One thing you lack…” what would He name?

God’s Instructions For Being Patient

Neal Pollard

Lately, I’ve put together toys and furniture that came with “instructions,” only they are a series of steps with pictures and illustrations and no words! As a lefty in a right-handed world, I find that doubly difficult. But, ultimately, even these instructions prove helpful enough to finish the job.

The Bible is a divine instruction manual, designed not only to reveal God’s sovereign, immutable will, but to give us guidance in how to improve our lives in this world. What Jesus calls the “abundant” life (John 10:10) is not primarily aimed at the financial, material, or even physical, but it applies to every sphere in which we operate. That includes disciplines and characteristics of our lives, like patience.

Most of us, if asked, would confess of the need to be more patient. So much tries our patience–traffic, deadlines, children, spouses, peers, expectations, failures (ours and others), sin (ours and others), unfairness, ineptitude, etc., etc. Impatience is not portrayed in a positive light in Scripture (see Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Saul, Esau, the Israelites when Moses was up on Sinai, Martha, the Prodigal Son, and others, some righteous and some evil, whose impatience cost them in some way).

Patience is commanded in the first part of James 5:7. It is said as a response to those whose patience was being inflamed by the sinful actions of those discussed in the previous six verses. In just a few words, James has some pretty exhaustive instruction on being patient.

He Addresses The WHO: “Be patient brethren.” There’s an ethic and morality expected of those in God’s family that exceeds that for everyone else. Almost every use of “brethren” in the New Testament is obviously addressed to Christians, and several times with the word “brethren.” As light-shiners and salt-spreaders, we must exhibit patience with each other and especially other Christians.

He Addresses The WHEN: This command has a duration (an expiration date): “Until the coming of the Lord.” How long are we to remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper? “Until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). How long was Thyatira to hold onto what they had? Until Jesus would come (Revelation 2:25). How long was Corinth to refrain from unrighteously judging one another? “Until the Lord comes” (1 Corinthians 4:5). You don’t encounter the phrase very often, but every time it regards a matter of significance. There will not come a point in time when you can cease being patient. It’s as long as you live or until Christ comes again, which ever comes first.

He Addresses The HOW: You’ve got to strengthen your heart. This speaks of being inwardly firm, committed, and stronger. James is saying, “Steel yourself because this will be hard sometimes.” When I think of people who have fallen away from the Lord, I think of conversations with people who say they gave up on the church or the elders or the preacher. These weren’t responsive enough, caring enough, were too nosy or not what they needed to have been. But, ultimately, this points to the wayward one not being firm or unchanging within. Strengthening the heart is something only we can do for ourselves!

He Addresses The WHY: “The coming of the Lord is near.” Don’t focus on a time element here, but on the need to endure for as long as the time is. It’s constantly drawing nearer, not in a chronological sense, but as an expectation and assurance that we expect it any time. I don’t want to be caught living in a state of impatience with my brethren. If I am, it means I’ve lost focus on Christ’s Second Coming.

I don’t know what you are facing in your Christian life, even at the hands of another Christian. But I know this. You won’t answer for their sin and misbehavior, but realize that you are accountable for your response.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Volunteer Fatigue

Carl Pollard

One of the greatest blessings in the church is people who willingly serve. Every congregation depends on Christians who quietly teach classes, prepare communion, clean the building, visit the sick, organize events, lead singing, mow the lawn, and do a hundred other jobs that often go unnoticed. The church couldn’t function without servants.  But there’s a danger that every congregation faces, volunteer fatigue.

Volunteer fatigue happens when faithful workers become physically exhausted, emotionally drained, or spiritually discouraged because they have carried too much responsibility for too long. The problem isn’t necessarily that people stop loving the Lord, rather that they simply become tired.

Even Jesus recognized the reality of human limitations. After an intense period of ministry, He told His apostles, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). If the Son of God understood the need for rest, we shouldn’t feel guilty acknowledging our own limitations.

One of the clearest biblical examples is found in Exodus 18. Moses spent all day judging disputes among the Israelites. From morning until evening, everyone depended on him. His father-in-law, Jethro, saw what was happening and gave him some advice. 

“What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.” (Exodus 18:17-18)

Notice that overwork didn’t just hurt Moses, it hurt the people as well. Jethro told Moses to appoint qualified men to share the workload. God’s work was never intended to rest on the shoulders of one person or a handful of faithful servants.

Acts 6 records another example. As the church in Jerusalem grew, the apostles found themselves overwhelmed by the daily distribution to widows. Instead of trying to do everything themselves, they delegated responsibility to seven qualified men.

When responsibilities were shared, the apostles remained devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word, the physical needs of the widows continued to be met, and “the word of God continued to increase” (Acts 6:7)

Healthy churches don’t rely on exhausted people. Healthy churches develop more servants. Galatians 6:9 days, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Paul knew that doing good can become exhausting. He didn’t say Christians never become weary. He encouraged them not to quit because weariness is a real battle.

Paul describes the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12. Every member has a different function, but every function matters. Problems arise when only a few parts of the body are doing all the work while everyone else watches. Imagine a human body where one arm had to do everything while the rest of the body remained inactive. That arm would eventually fail. The same principle applies to the church. God never intended for 20 percent of the members to accomplish 80 percent of the work. Every Christian has been gifted to serve (1 Peter 4:10)!

If you’re one of those servants who always says “yes,” thank you! The Lord sees your labor even when others don’t (Hebrews 6:10). Your work matters. But remember that even faithful servants need encouragement, help, and rest. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Allow others the opportunity to grow by sharing the work with them.

Volunteer fatigue is often a symptom of another problem. Too few people are serving. If you’ve been content to let others carry the load, perhaps you need to ask, “Where can I help?” You may never stand in a pulpit or lead singing, but there are countless ways to strengthen the Lord’s church. Every act of service, no matter how small, glorifies God when done with the right heart.

The healthiest congregations arent the ones with a handful of exhausted and burnt out workers. They are congregations where every member understands that ministry belongs to all of God’s people. When burdens are shared, servants are encouraged. When servants are encouraged, ministries flourish. And when ministries flourish, God is glorified.

May we never take our volunteers for granted! 

Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? Answering the Loaded Question

Brent Pollard

Type it into any search engine, and the question appears predictably: if God exists, why does He permit pain? The skeptic asks it as a checkmate. The grieving parent whispers it through tears. The college sophomore hurls it like a stone. The believer wonders it himself in the small hours, when the house is quiet, and the news will not stop.

Yet this is a loaded question—one whose phrasing smuggles in conclusions before any response can be given. If we answer it as posed, we risk losing the conversation at the outset.

The Hidden Assumptions Behind the Challenge

Notice what the question quietly assumes. It assumes God must love as we do. It assumes good means avoiding all discomfort. It assumes that freedom and goodness go together, and that a loving Creator must protect His creatures from harm, as if wrapping them in cotton. The question has already decided what God must be before it asks whether He is.

Given this, the honest seeker should pause before answering too quickly. To engage well, he must instead reframe the prompt and unwrap its hidden parcels, one by one.

The Moral Standard Behind the Outrage

Press the skeptic for a moment. To call something evil, we must have a fixed measure of right and wrong. A bent stick can only be named bent because we know what a straight one looks like. Where does that straight stick come from?

If morality is shifting group opinion, then evil is only what most people dislike this decade. But if it is more written on the conscience itself, we have stumbled into the very God the question denies. Paul says those without the Law “show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness” (Romans 2.15). The protest against evil is an unwitting prayer.

Free Will and Its Frightful Cost

God did not make us machines. He made us in His image. We can love, but we can also refuse. A robot does not love. A puppet does not worship. True devotion needs the real chance of rebellion.

This is the high cost of being human. The freedom that lets a mother cradle her child also lets a tyrant order a massacre. The same tongue that sings can also slander. Without the risk of cruelty, there could be no real love. God, in His wisdom, judged a world with true sons and daughters to be worth the risk of true sin.

Suffering as the School of the Soul

Suffering is not an unexpected flaw in the divine plan. Scripture calls it a workshop where God shapes character. James says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1.2-3).

A surgeon’s scalpel is terrible in an enemy’s hand but merciful in a healer’s. The same cut changes depending on who holds the blade. The question is not if we will bleed, but whose hands will hold us when we do. Paul promises, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8.28). This is not just a verse for coffee mugs. It is a fortress for the soul.

The Serpent We Often Forget

Notice how often people debate as if Satan did not exist. The Word will not let us forget him. Jesus called him “a murderer from the beginning” and “the father of lies” (John 8.44).

Here is the dark whisper in many tragedies. He does not force; he flatters. He does not command; he hints. He coaxed Eve while in the garden. He coaxes us in the supermarket, the boardroom, and the bedroom. Every war begins in someone’s heart. Every malice is first a thought. The blood is human, but the poison behind it is ancient.

Yet Satan is not a rival god. He is a creature on a leash, allowed to snarl only within the boundaries God has set. In Job, he asks permission. He does not seize power. He is real, deadly, and on a chain.

The God Who Entered Our Suffering

Here, the Christian answer stands apart. God not only explains suffering from above. He comes down and bears it. The cross is not a footnote to the problem of evil. It is its center.

Peter writes, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Peter 2.24). Think about that. The One who could end all suffering with a word chose to take it into His own flesh. He did not excuse Himself from the world He made. He entered it, suffered in it, died in it, and rose to redeem it.

A Conclusion Worth Standing On

The skeptic’s question does not destroy faith. It shows that we are not framing the conversation well. Suffering does not refute God’s existence, for even the idea of evil borrows from His moral light. His goodness endures pain, for He has given purpose to our wounds and faced worse than we ever will.

Until the day when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be mourning, or crying, or pain” (Revelation 21.4), we live by faith. It is not a faith that denies the dark, but a faith that sees Light moving through it. Lean on the One who is good, even when life is not.

LET IT NOT BE SAID OF ME 

Dale Pollard

Saul is dead. 

David has just been appointed king. 

Who but the leader of Sauls army, Abner, wages war with David at Gibeon. 

It was a fierce battle and many died on both sides. David defeats Abner and the Israelites and at the end of the battle an interesting event unfolds. 

There’s an oddly brief mention of a man named Asahel among the many men in David’s army. 

Not much is really known about the man— expect that he was as quick as a gazelle! He attempts to chase down Abner but Abner spears him through and kills him (2 Sam. 2:18). We don’t know much, but we know he was fast. 

What will we be remembered for above all else? 

The judge, Abimelech (Judges 9), captures the city of Thebez. Inside the city is a strong tower and all the women and children hid inside. Abimelech tried to burn it down but just moments before the fire is lit, a woman drops a millstone on his head. Abimelech calls out to his armor bearer “run me through so that it can’t be said of me that a woman has slain me!” 

To this day It is said of Abimelech— that a woman slew him. 

When we pass from this life, we’ll be remembered for something. Let’s make it something good. Let’s make it something godly!

On the Mountain or on the Plain? A Clear Understanding of Jesus’ Sermons in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6.20-49.

Brent Pollard

Throughout human history, there are moments when eternity meets time—when the divine voice breaks through earthly noise with clarity that future generations will recognize. One such moment was when Jesus of Nazareth, the Word made flesh, ascended the hills of Galilee to deliver a profoundly transformative sermon.

Picture the scene in first-century Palestine, where a diverse crowd gathers—not only to observe but to seek truth, find solace from the burdens of religious facades, and heal from the pain of Roman oppression and spiritual emptiness. They long for what their scribes and Pharisees cannot provide: genuine hope, fundamental transformation, and a direct message from God.

The Setting: Mountain and Plain as One Theater

Skeptics may view this as a contradiction, while thoughtful believers see it as the intricate beauty of divine revelation through human witnesses. Matthew mentions a mountain, and Luke describes a plain. This illustrates that divine wisdom offers us not a single rigid narrative, but a range of perspectives that together provide a fuller understanding.

Imagine the hill country of Galilee, where the mountains are gentle slopes topped with flat plateaus—ideal natural amphitheaters for a teacher. Jesus, a master communicator, seeks out this setting. He stands with His disciples on level ground, allowing His voice to reach the gathered crowd.

Deeper factors are at play here. It is fitting that the One who connects heaven and earth, making the lofty accessible to the humble, would share His kingdom manifesto from a place that symbolizes both mountain and plain. This setting is not just a coincidence; it is a deliberate symbol. Christ’s message is both elevated—rooted in divine insight—and open to all who wish to listen.

The Message: One Truth, Multiple Tellings

Let’s pause to reflect on an essential aspect of divine revelation. Are we discussing a single sermon or two distinct ones? This question shows our tendency to view God’s revelations as a unified whole. For example, when musicians perform a grand symphony in different concert halls, are they presenting one symphony or separate performances? The answer is both.

Jesus, the most remarkable Teacher in history, recognized that to share a meaningful truth, He must repeat, adapt, and present it anew for each audience. As He spoke to congregations across Galilee, He consistently revisited His core messages, tailoring them to resonate with different hearts and diverse needs in the unique moments of His ministry.

This is a remarkable gift! Matthew addresses Jewish believers by echoing Moses’ proclamation of the law from Mount Sinai, presenting Jesus as the new and greater lawgiver who fulfills sacred promises rather than abolishing them. In contrast, Luke, with his compassionate focus on the marginalized and Gentile readers, highlights God’s unique care for the forgotten and forsaken.

The Heart of Both Accounts: Revolutionary Love

Whether we examine Matthew’s detailed account or Luke’s brief narrative, a common transformative message shines through, resembling the dawn illuminating the hills of Galilee. This is not just a moral lesson or a philosophical debate; it is the proclamation of a kingdom that operates on principles distinctly different from the kingdoms of this world.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Jesus proclaims, shaking the foundations of the established order. In a society that values power, achievement, and independence, Christ highlights the significance of a humble spirit. This humility isn’t about material poverty; instead, it’s the fortunate acknowledgment of our deep need for God, which He sees as essential for His kingdom.

“Love your enemies,” He commands, highlighting a tension between divine principles and human justice. This profound truth reveals that loving those who hurt us embodies God’s essence, as He bestows blessings on both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Reflect on the profound reasoning behind this idea. If we only love those who love us back, what value does that hold? Even tax collectors, the most despised individuals in Jesus’ time, practice this fundamental reciprocity. Kingdom love, however, mirrors our heavenly Father; it offers grace to the ungracious, mercy to the unmerciful, and blessings to those who curse us.

The Foundation That Cannot Be Shaken

Jesus masterfully concludes His profound sermon with a timeless image that has both haunted and comforted believers for two millennia: the story of two builders. One builds on solid ground, while the other builds on unstable terrain. When storms inevitably arrive, only one house withstands the test.

Now is the time to show genuine compassion. Many of us have built our lives on seemingly solid foundations—career achievements, personal relationships, financial security, and religious beliefs—only to see them collapse when faced with life’s inevitable challenges. A divorce can shatter our faith in lasting commitment, job loss can expose our reliance on worldly resources, and a health diagnosis reminds us of the fragility of our carefully constructed lives.

The hope presented in this timeless parable is remarkable. There is an unshakable foundation, a rock that withstands any storm—Jesus Christ. His words hold the creative power that formed the universe, and His promises resonate with the weight of eternity.

Living the Great Reversal

Jesus’ teachings from the hillside—whether delivered on one occasion or many, on a mountain or on flat land—reveal the profound transformation of His kingdom. The last will become first, the humble will be lifted, the grieving will find comfort, the hungry will be satisfied, and those who show mercy will receive mercy in return.

This is not merely sound advice; it reflects the reality seen by God, illustrating how things truly are in His kingdom, both now and in the future. Embracing principles like loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, giving generously, and forgiving freely does not make us unrealistic idealists. Instead, it keeps us practical, aligning our lives with the true nature of existence in God’s universe.

The Call That Echoes Still

The crowds that once gathered on the hillside in Galilee may have faded into dust, but the words of Jesus endure. Each generation faces the same choice: Will we build our lives on the shaky foundations of worldly wisdom, or will we ground ourselves firmly in the solid rock of Christ’s teachings?

The skeptic wrestles with the differences between Matthew’s mountain and Luke’s plain, questioning whether Christ spoke once or multiple times. In contrast, the disciple sees something more profound: the steadfastness of grace, the reliability of truth, and the enduring nature of the One whose words remain timeless.

It’s uncertain whether Jesus conveyed these truths on a single occasion or throughout His ministry. However, this ambiguity enriches our understanding, regardless of whether His teachings are found in one account or multiple instances, their transformative power remains constant.

The exact location of Jesus, whether on a hillside or flat ground, matters less than our openness to listen to His voice and follow His guidance. His kingdom continues to transform the world for all who are willing to believe.

Come now, weary builder. Bring your broken foundations and lost aspirations. The Rock continues to provide a reliable foundation. The Teacher continues to call. The kingdom continues to embrace the downtrodden, offers solace to the grieving, and fulfills the desires of those yearning for justice.

His words endure. His promise remains. His love never gives up.

Build on the Rock.

The Power Of Kindness

You don’t have to look any further than Jesus’ life. Kindness is seen in His compassionate interactions with the poor and needy. He showed kindness by healing the leper (Mark 1:40-42) and forgiving the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11).

Carl Pollard

Kindness, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), is a profound expression of God’s character and a cornerstone of Christian living. The Greek word chrēstotēs is best described as goodness, generosity, and a disposition to act with compassion. When we study the idea of kindness in scripture, it is filled with theological depth and practical implications, calling us to embody Christ’s love in a broken world.

Scripture consistently portrays kindness as a reflection of God’s nature. In Titus 3:4, Paul writes of “the kindness and love of God our Savior” appearing through Christ’s redemptive work, emphasizing that divine kindness is the basis for salvation. This is also seen in Ephesians 2:7, where God’s grace is expressed “in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” So kindness isn’t just a human virtue but a divine attribute christians are called to imitate! You don’t have to look any further than Jesus’ life. Kindness is seen in His compassionate interactions with the poor and needy. He showed kindness by healing the leper (Mark 1:40-42) and forgiving the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11).

The call to kindness is active and intentional. Colossians 3:12 instructs Christians, as God’s chosen ones, to “put on… kindness,” suggesting a deliberate choice to clothe ourselves in compassionate actions. This is seen with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where kindness transcends cultural and social barriers, demonstrating love through sacrificial care. Kindness is not passive; it requires courage to act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8), even when inconvenient or costly.

In a world marked by division, kindness becomes a powerful tool for the spreading of the gospel. Romans 2:4 says that God’s kindness leads to repentance, suggesting that our acts of kindness can draw others to Christ. A kind word, a generous deed, or a forgiving spirit can soften hearts and reflect God’s love. 

Kindness is a daily calling to mirror Christ’s compassion. It challenges us to extend grace to the undeserving, forgive the offender, and serve the overlooked. As we practice kindness, we participate in God’s redemptive work, softening hearts to His love. 

Let’s live kindly, reflecting the Savior’s heart in every interaction.

People Skills From God

Dispersed throughout the Bible we find several sections of scripture that teach us how to communicate, empathize, and get along with others effectively. God’s interpersonal skills cannot be matched. As the Creator, He understands exactly how humans think and behave.

Dale Pollard

Some people just seem to be born with great people skills. Perhaps their personality type just naturally draws others to them. While natural ability may give some a leg up, the great news is that anyone can learn to work well with others and you can develop better interpersonal skills. In fact, it’s really a biblical command! The church is made up of all kinds of people and that being the case, we must all be in the people business. Thankfully, our Lord doesn’t leave us high and dry to try and figure these things out on our own. 

Dispersed throughout the Bible we find several sections of scripture that teach us how to communicate, empathize, and get along with others effectively. God’s interpersonal skills cannot be matched. As the Creator, He understands exactly how humans think and behave. Here are twelve insights on interpersonal skills sent to us from above.

 

  1. Speak evil of no one (I Thess. 5:14) 
  2. A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1) 
  3. The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness (Proverbs 16:21)
  4. Be gentle and show courtesy to all people (Titus 3:2) 
  5. Do good to everyone (Gal. 6:10) 
  6. Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)  
  7. As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them (Luke 6:31) 
  8. Discern your own thoughts, identify your intentions (Heb. 4:12) 
  9. Treat others like you would treat Jesus. How would you interact with Him? (Matthew 25:40) 
  10. Season your speech with grace. It’s the saviors All-Spice for every relationship building goal (Col. 4:5-6) 
  11. Praise God and be joyful, it attracts people (Psalm 100:1-5)
  12. Be ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, show courtesy to all people (Titus 3:1-15) 

Notice how many passages in the Bible command us to speak differently than everyone else? All of these insights can be simply summed up in just one sentence. Talk, walk, and live more like Jesus. He was perfect in every way and that includes how he interacted with others. Modeling ourselves after the Savior will not only improve our relationship skills with others, but also with Him. Jesus also teaches us that no matter how gentle and loving we are, we’ll still make some people upset. That’s alright! As long as we’re acting like the Lord in all things. 

Walk As A Disciple

Carl Pollard

The story is told of a father and son stepping off a rickety stagecoach in a dusty western town, looking for an uncle they’ve never met. Across the town square, a man strides away, and the father says, “That’s him!” The son, puzzled, asks, “How do you know? You’ve never seen him!” With a grin, the father replies, “Son, he walks just like my dad.” That’s the thing about a walk—it gives you away. As Christians, our lives should shout that we’ve been with Jesus, even to those who’ve never seen Him. Like Peter, spotted as a disciple by a servant girl despite his fear (Luke 22:56-57), our walk should tell the world who we follow.

We’ve all felt that tug to live for something bigger, haven’t we? To wonder if our faith is making a difference or if we’re really following Jesus the way He meant. I’ve wrestled with that myself, wanting my life to count in a world that’s starving for hope. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 isn’t just a pep talk—it’s a command: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded.” Paul backs this up in Colossians 1:28-29, pushing us to proclaim Christ and work hard to help others grow in Him. This isn’t about just showing up to church or believing quietly—it’s about being all-in, living as disciples who reflect Jesus through our words, love, and actions.

What’s a Disciple? 

The Greek word for “disciple,” mathetes, means someone who learns by imitating their teacher. Jesus put it plainly in Luke 6:40: a disciple, when fully trained, becomes like their teacher. God’s plan is to shape us into Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). A woman once asked a preacher, “What’s discipleship in one word?” He held up a blank piece of paper and said, “It’s signing your name at the bottom and letting God fill in the rest.” That’s it—handing over your life, like Peter or Mary Magdalene did, leaving everything to follow Jesus. Are you ready to give God the signed blank paper? 

How do I know I’m walking the walk? 

Jesus gave us three clear signs of a true disciple. First, stick to His Word. John 8:31 says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” This means diving into Scripture and living it out, like the Bereans who studied daily (Acts 17:11). It’s not just reading—it’s letting God’s truth change how you live. Second, love each other. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The early church shared everything, and their love drew thousands to faith (Acts 2:44-45). Are you forgiving, serving, or lifting up your brothers and sisters? Third, bear fruit that lasts. John 15:8 says God is glorified when we produce “much fruit.” This isn’t a one-off good deed but a life of impact that points to Jesus. Is your life showing His work?

Following Jesus isn’t cheap. He said in Luke 14:26 that He comes before family, friends, even your own desires. It might mean sacrifice or persecution (Luke 14:27). Polycarp, facing death in 156 AD, said, “Eighty-six years I’ve served Him, and He’s never done me wrong.” What do you need to let go of—pride, plans, fears? But here’s the good news: you don’t do it alone. Colossians 1:29 talks about God’s power working mightily in us. That same power turned the Roman Empire upside down through ordinary disciples. It can help you share your faith, mentor someone, or stand firm today.

At the end of the day, discipleship isn’t about what you get but what you give—how you love, serve, and sacrifice. The rewards? Eternal life free from pain (Revelation 21:1-8), plus peace, joy, and a spiritual family right now (John 14:27; Mark 10:28-30). It starts with baptism, uniting you with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4), and continues with a life of learning and obeying His commands (Matthew 28:20).

Jesus calls us to live as His disciples—loving deeply, bearing fruit, and surrendering fully. Let your walk show the world you’ve been with Him. Sign that blank page, let God fill it, and pass your faith on. He promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). So, share your faith with a neighbor, encourage a new believer, or let go of what’s holding you back. The world needs disciples who shine with Christ’s light. Are you ready to walk the walk?

Encouragement

Travis Harrison

It’s not hard in today’s world to find things that discourage us. There are plenty of things that can bring us down. At times it really does feel like wherever we go, whatever we do, or say, there is something ready to discourage us. Unfortunately, people can be those roadblocks as well. That’s far from what we as Christians are called to do.

It was important in the days of the early church to encourage one another. So important that God commands it. It was important to God then – its important now.  Thankfully we have blessings such as the church and our church family to help us through those discouraging times. How do we go about finding ways to encourage each other? Is it the way we speak or how we live, or is it in our faith? Is it all the above? The fellowship we have with our friends, our family, along with worshipping and singing praises, and studying God’s Word are just a few. These are blessings that we receive when we meet together no doubt, but let’s not contain our encouragements just to the assembly. Our everyday lives are just as important and those around us everywhere need to feel encouraged regularly.  I just want to share briefly a few examples of what the Bible says about encouraging others and ways we can do just that.

Encouraging others is important, it’s necessary, it’s a command. Paul was one, if not the, most influential apostles of the first century church. He was a great teacher, preacher, mentor, and guess what? He was great at encouraging people. At the beginning of most of his letters he would begin with words of praise and thanks. (1 Thess. 1:2-3,) (Phil. 1:3-8,) (1 Cor. 1:4-5) are a few examples. In (Romans 1:12) Paul writes that he longs to be with them so that they can encourage one another in the faith. These types of encouragements were part of his everyday life.

We can’t discuss encouragement without mentioning Barnabas, the “son of encouragement.” He is mentioned several times in the New Testament, but he wasn’t a main character like Paul – he played a smaller, but still very important role.  Paul spent his early life persecuting Christians. The people of the first churches, as well as the disciples feared this man, and rightfully so. After he became a Christian, the disciples didn’t believe he was one of them, so what did Barnabas do? He encouraged Paul by standing up for him in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-31). He was a fellow missionary with Paul, Mark, Titus, and others. He encouraged those in Antioch to remain faithful in the Lord with steadfast purpose, (Acts 11:23.) Paul and Barnabas visited these churches, they taught, and they lived out their teachings. They encouraged them in their works and through their faith. They instilled hope, strengthening the church’s faith. (1Thessalonians 5:11) – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We can all benefit from their examples. 

Let’s face it, life is hard at times. Certain situations bring us discouragement and can distort and change our thinking. Who wouldn’t want to be encouraged and uplifted in these hard times?  It might not seem like a big deal to some, but kind words of encouragement and praise could make all the difference in the world. (Proverbs 16:24) – Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Proverbs 12:25) -Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. We shouldn’t be surprised that little things like sending a card or giving a compliment, sending a text message, phone call or email, could make a big difference. How underrated but so appreciated those things can be!  It’s hard not to smile and be filled with some kind of encouragement if someone messages you to say they’ve missed you, and been thinking about you, been praying for you.  Check in on those you haven’t seen recently – Invite someone new to dinner – someone not typically in your crowd or someone new to the church. Practice hospitality as it says in (Romans 12:13.) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor, (Romans 12:10.) 

When we encourage people we show our love, compassion, understanding, and we give them hope. It helps reset our minds, builds our confidence in each other, and allows us to see God more clearly. More than anything we are showing others how we live our faith just as Paul and Barnabas did. We show we want to be like Christ and people can see God through our actions towards them. Encouragement is powerful! Just remember that sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impacts. 

Why You Must Repent

Carl Pollard

There’s a story told of a man who came forward every Sunday to ask for prayers. 

He continued responding every week for several months. Every time he would confess this same sin he would say, “Lord, take the cobwebs out of my life.” 

Finally, one Sunday, the man responded again with the same sin, and asked for the cobwebs to be taken out of his life. To which the preacher responded, “just kill the spider already.” Often, we come to God asking for forgiveness from the same sin time and time again, and yet we continue to leave the source of temptation in our lives. 

Sin always requires forgiveness. Forgiveness requires repentance. Repentance requires change! Repentance is a topic we are all familiar with. The word repent/repentance is used over 170 times in the Bible It is stressed as a part of the process by which we are forgiven of our sin. Verses like Acts 2:38 come to mind when we hear this word. To repent means to change your mind which leads to a change in direction. It means to feel remorse for sin, and it includes a change in lifestyle. 

When faced with temptation, true repentance is choosing not to sin. When caught in sin, repentance is a godly remorse. It is sincerity in your desire to “go and sin no more.” We understand this. It’s important for the born again Christian, but also for those who are wanting to be immersed and added to the body of Christ. 

We know what it is, but we also need to realize what it isn’t. Repentance isn’t just feeling sad. Paul tells us that worldly remorse is just feeling sorry that you were caught. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Godly grief that leads to repentance is remorse that you have sinned against the God of our salvation. 

Worldly repentance is hollow and empty. 

It isn’t feeling remorse just because you were caught doing what you shouldn’t. True repentance is so much more. True repentance does not regret parting with sin, false repentance does. True repentance hates sin, false repentance hates the consequences of sin. True repentance accepts godly counsel and accountability, false repentance avoids accountability. 

Our goal must be to practice true repentance, and we can’t fool ourselves. We are ALL in need of forgiveness, but we must be willing to confess our sins, to hate the sin, and change our lives to mirror Christ. 

Why Is repentance needed? Whether it is in relationships, in the church or in the world, God will not forgive us if we are unwilling to change sinful behavior.

Repentance isn’t just guilt, although guilt can sometimes motivate us to repent. 

In Luke 13:3,5, Jesus tells those who come to him to repent or they will perish. In this section several people come to Jesus to talk not about their own sins, but the sins of others. It’s a whole lot easier to see the faults in others rather than the blatantly obvious faults we have in our own lives. 

Here the people have done exactly what we continue to do today, talk about the sins of others rather than their own. But Jesus tells them they are horribly mistaken. There is power in repentance, and twice in this one conversation Jesus tells them to repent.

If I am honest, there have been far too many times I have failed to just “kill the spider.” I am ashamed of the sin I continued to feed all the while pointing out sin in everyone else’s lives. God will look at each and every one of us. He sees our sins and there is no one to blame but ourselves. Repent. Before your conscience is seared or the end comes. Repent.

The Solo Cup Christian

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

Solo cups are fantastic. They’re cheap, disposable (so no dishes), and they’re great for holding drinks. But recently I discovered something that theyre not so great at…holding hot liquid. I was faced with a decision the other day: use a plastic solo cup that holds more coffee or use a styrofoam cup that holds less coffee but is intended for hot beverages. I obviously went for the solo cup, and immediately regretted it. The cup was impossible to hold because it was plastic and felt like the surface of the sun. Plus the coffee had a slight plastic taste. The purpose of a solo cup is not to hold scalding hot drinks. Because I didn’t use it for its intended purpose I faced the consequences. 

As Christians we have a purpose given to us. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” ‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭2:10).‬

Paul tells us that we are God’s creation, created for GOOD works. So what are we doing when we don’t do good works? We are going against our intended purpose! If we continue to live a life of sin after baptism, we are failing to fulfill our duty as sons and daughters of the King. We are His workmanship! He saved us for a purpose! We are called to live a life of good works, not a life of sin. 

Are we living in Christ and doing good works? If not, we are failing to be what God expects of us. Don’t be a solo cup Christian. Be what God wants you to be.

Carl Pollard

The Three “Ps” Of Godliness

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

On Sunday mornings in the multipurpose room, Derek Johnson and I are co-teaching a book by Donald S. Whitney entitled Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. It is a very challenging book based on Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8. The NAS renders it, “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

First, notice Paul’s emphasis on discipline. It is from the Greek word that gives us our word “gymnasium.” It suggests training and exercise or, as Louw-Nida defines it, “to experience vigorous training and control, with the implication of increased physical and/or moral strength” (466). We are to vigorously exercise ourselves in pursuit of godliness. Godliness is a key word and concept in this letter, found eight times in these six chapters. Godliness is the aim of life (2:2), the result of right doctrine (6:3), the fruit of contentment (6:6), and the evidence of being a man or woman of God (6:11). It is something that must be pursued. 

Notice the benefits that come when we discipline ourselves unto godliness. 

We find our purpose (7). The phrase “purpose of godliness” is actually the translators way of rendering the form of godliness in this verse. Literally, the idea is “train yourself for godliness” (ESV). Godliness is our purpose. We are here in this life to live like God. It’s the idea of showing God the awe and respect He deserves. We are not following the myths of this world. We are bowing down to the Great I Am with our lives. It’s why we’re on this earth!

We enjoy a profit (8). I try to exercise every day, to stave off the effects of old age and to stay in some semblance of shape. But my running times get slower and the amount of weight I can lift decreases. I may be delaying the inevitable, but they call it inevitable for a reason. Paul contrasts bodily exercise (and any other earthly discipline) with godliness. The difference with godliness and everything else is that only godliness is profitable “for all things.” That speaks to totality and entirety. No phase or aspect of your life can fail to be blessed and improved by the exercise of godliness, every relationship, activity, thought, word, and deed. 

We realize God’s promises (8).  Godliness is the gateway to a better life here and eternal life hereafter. The word for promise is a legal word, denoting a contract, agreement, or summons. It is a promissory note written on the integrity and character of God. Pursue godliness and have your best life now and then!

What’s the opposite of godliness? Paul uses it once in this letter (1:9). It refers to violating God’s rules and our relationship with Him. It’s “living without regard for religious belief or practice” (Swanson, np). That approach to life misses our purpose, our own profit, and God’s promises. It’s the way the world counsels us to live, but so many have discovered that it’s empty and unfulfilling. 

What then? Let’s strive to live godly lives! We were made for such a life! 

Neal Pollard

“Do As I Say, Not As I Do” 

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

Carl Pollard

At the 1993 annual meeting of The American Heart Association, 300,000 doctors, nurses, and researchers met in Atlanta to discuss, among other things, the importance a low fat diet plays in keeping our hearts healthy. Yet during meal times, they consumed fat-filled fast foods such as bacon cheeseburgers and fries at about the same rate as people from other conventions. When one cardiologist was asked whether or not his partaking in high fat meals set a bad example, he replied, “Not me, because I took my name tag off.”

Seeing hypocrisy in the church has caused many people to fall away. Sadly there are some who claim to be Christians, and it’s in name only. These people often give the church a bad reputation. Many in the world look at the church and say that it runs rampant with hypocritical people. 

Being a Christian means following Christ all the time. No natter the circumstances. We can’t just “take our name tag off” so to speak. People are always watching. They’re looking to us on how to act. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 reads, “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” 

Paul and the other apostles showed the Christians at Thessalonica, by example, how to act. Notice what Paul says: “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship.” The Thessalonians could look back and remember the example that the Apostles gave for them to follow. Are we like this? Or are we all talk? People will follow the examples that our actions portray. 

The example that our actions set are powerful. 

So the question is, “what kind of example are we setting?” We can have only two types of example–good or bad. Our example, whether good or bad, can decide the eternal fate of those that see our actions. Paul and the apostles set a great example for the church at Thessalonica. 

Paul writes in Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We see from this how Paul’s example was so good that he tells the Philippians to practice it and God would be with them. Are we confident enough to say this to another Christian? We must be careful that we show by the way we live that we truly believe what we preach to others. 

Light Of The World (Season 2: Episode 17)–Neal Pollard

“Jesus First In My Relationships”

Dear Christian Teen,

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

Carl Pollard

Dear Christian Teen, 

Most of you have heard 1 Timothy 4:12, “let no one look down on your youthfulness,” at some point in your lives. But what about the second half of the verse? In I Timothy Paul has been instructing Timothy on how to deal with men like Alexander and Hymenaeus. These men had been blaspheming and teaching false doctrine. Paul clearly states that the goal of their instruction should be love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith (1:5).

Skipping down to chapter four, Paul tells Timothy that no one should look down on him because of his age. Timothy is charged to teach the gospel and handle the men that have been teaching false doctrine. To do so, he can’t let others’ view of him cause him to stop doing his job. When Paul says “youthfulness,” the original text uses a word that could be ascribed to someone as old as 30. Paul’s main point is that in “speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” This is what Timothy should have been doing. Forget the age, forget what other men are saying, and LIVE as an example. Paul wanted Timothy to be a “tupos” or “type” that men can follow. Timothy could do nothing about his age, so his effectiveness was to be rooted in his example.

So, young Christians today, what can we do to be an example? There are five things we can do. First involves our speech. This is external. People can hear the way you talk in your everyday life. Make sure it is blameless and pure. Don’t give someone a reason to reject you because of how you speak in your private life. Second involves our conduct. Once again this is external. Having proper conduct is vital if people are to see you as something more than just a youth. Be a man/woman of God whether you’re being watched or not. Third involves love. This is more internal than external. This love is an agape love. Sacrifice for others at the expense of your own good. This also goes back to 1:5 “love from a pure heart.” Fourth involves faith. This is also internal. Work on your own faith. Build your own relationship with God. Last involves purity. Be pure in your relationships and in your life when no one else is around. Do these things as “an example (type) to those who believe.”

Paul continues on in verses 4:13ff to discuss other ways he can be an example: giving attention to the public reading of scripture, exhorting and teaching, and using his spiritual gift he had been given by the Holy Spirit. 

Paul wanted Timothy to be a living example. When these men were looking down on him for his age, Paul didn’t tell him to focus on his experience, but on the source. Focus on your own spiritual life, your own personal reading of God’s Word, your own prayer life. Don’t blame them or use them as an excuse. Be an example they can respect and follow. Show them what a true Christian looks like.

Timothy had a hard job on his hands, since he was facing false teachers and blasphemers that were tearing apart the church. He had to work and be the proper influence for the Christians there at Ephesus. As teens today, you also have a hard task ahead of you. Many in the church think that you don’t need to be working yet. God says otherwise. You can and should be an example for others to see. Each one of you has your own group of friends that only you can influence. So be the example. In your speech, in your conduct, in your love, your faith and your purity. Show them the truth, and never neglect your own Christianity.

Following The Will Of God

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

Carl Pollard

Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

As we enter chapter 12 the point is, “what are the practical implications of 1-11?” It is the start of a five chapter section on how we can put what Paul has said into action. In the first section of the book we learn that we all have sinned, but through faith we have received justification. This gift of justification should motivate us to faithful service. 

Paul begins 12:1 by saying “I urge,” which is the powerful petition verb (parakaleo). It is always used by Paul to indicate a significant point. 

Here it represents a transition from the doctrinal discussion to the practical. It also represents a key thought, that we must present ourselves to God as a “living sacrifice.” This is in contrast to the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament (slaying of innocent animals that wasn’t enough). 

We must give to God while we are young, alive, and capable of service.

We must present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice that is Holy and acceptable. Holy means we are free from moral filth. Holy means that we are devoted to serving God. Holy means that we are an instrument of righteousness. 

Then we come to verse 2 where Paul says, “Do not be conformed.” As Christians that are wanting to build our character we cannot let the world be our standard when it comes to: 

  • Our morals (the way we act) 
  • Philosophy (the way we think)
  • In context the way we dress and the way we worship. 

Rather than being conformed to the world, we must “renew our minds.” 

  • In intellect (change the way we reason, and think about things) 
  • In emotion (Renew our state of mind, the way we respond to different circumstances)
  • In will power (have the strength to restrain our human impulses) 

Have we found ourselves living without righteous thinking? We must renew our minds. When our gym membership runs out, we renew it. When our car insurance policy period is over, we renew it. When our thinking isn’t in line with God’s, we renew our minds. 

Why do we sacrifice, and renew our minds? To prove/discern: 

  • What the good will of God is
  • What the acceptable will of God is 
  • What the perfect will of God is

And by discerning these things, we can be known as Christians who think righteously.

via Bible Study Tools