“Love is an act of service for one in need, not necessarily an emotion.” – John MacArthur (1939 – 2025) I recently heard the above quote from a recorded message on Spotify taught by Pastor MacArthur titled, Love Your Enemies. In it he expounded upon the Biblical definition of love in order to qualify Jesus’ […]
How To Love Like Jesus Read More »
KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE: “rejoice” – from chairete [present-active-imperative is used for commands, urging ongoing or repeated action] – means rejoice, be glad, be joyful. Human emotions are the result of proper Biblical thinking. The mind leads our emotions. So, when God commands our emotions (e.g., “rejoice always”) we are only able to obey if our state of mind is dominated by Truth. Bad doctrine
Part 2 – Set Your Mind On the Things of the Spirit Read More »
KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE: 2026 – It’s a New Year! – blog 1/3/26 As I think about this, I realize that my excitement changes as I get older and wiser. I mean, without Christ first in my life, what would I really have to be excited about? Nothing, to be blunt. He’s all that matters
Part 1 – Set Your Mind On the Things of the Spirit Read More »
KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE: “Freedom comes through servitude.” – Pastor Barfield of High Plains Fellowship Church We are always a slave. Freedom and slavery are not mutually exclusive terms (that’s what Satan wants you to believe). LOVE is not a vapid emotion that “feels” its way to righteousness. Love isn’t love if it lacks
Part 1 – Commitment, Responsibility, and Accountability To the Local Church Read More »
Without light, we walk in darkness. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. – 1 John
This is a difficult topic to write about because it lays bare one of the most insidious, though relatively common, practices humankind has ever known. In your mind, raise your hand if you’ve ever broken a vow. Now, be honest, why was that the case? Chances are you had a change of heart on a
Most Vows Never Surpass a Person’s Selfishness Read More »
When I was in grade school, an award (along with a patch) was given to the top 15% of students as part of the President Physical Fitness Award Program (PPFAP) created by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Each student was put through a battery of seven physical tests: 1) Pull-ups (for boys), modified pull-ups (for girls), 2) sit-ups,
Fitness Is a Way of Life Read More »
OUTLINE:“where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”This “freedom” is a function of salvation and yet it is even misunderstood by believers. This is why we must abide the Word of God, so that we learn and be delivered (saved daily) from our preconceptions (this is sanctification, which takes time). Love Isn’t Sterile,
Part 13 – This Is My Commandment, That You Love One Another Read More »
OUTLINE:Lk 14:26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”1Co 14:33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.The Context of 1Co 14:33God is not in the business of
Part 5 – This Is My Commandment, That You Love One Another Read More »
It’s imperative we understand love. The real blessing of love is abiding in it, not just hoarding the pleasure of receiving it. I hope you see the difference – the prior is ubiquitous, directionless, all-encompassing; whereas, the latter is limited, directional, and situational. Which do you think is greater? Which gives you the greater ability to respond
Learning to Think Before We Emote Read More »