The UK's Kier Starmer resigns as Labor leader and prime minister, sparking a party contest to choose his successor. Meanwhile, the EU passes a strict immigration reform, and Iran's nuclear negotiations with the US continue to be a point of contention. In other news, Team USA's soccer team stops to pray after a victory, and identity theft remains a significant concern for many individuals. [... more]

When we evaluate our own goodness, we often rely on a distorted definition of moral goodness, comparing ourselves to others rather than to the character of God. Jesus teaches that only God is good, and our attempts to keep the law are insufficient for inheriting eternal life. The rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus reveals the importance of relying on grace and the righteousness of Christ, rather than our own merits. [... more]

The debate between Martin Luther and Erasmus on the concept of free will and its relationship to salvation is a matter of critical importance in the Christian faith. Luther argues that our salvation is the work of God, while Erasmus believes that it is something that can be accomplished by our own efforts. The discussion touches on the doctrine of election, predestination, and the sovereignty of divine grace. [... more]

The origins of everyday expressions and phrases are often rooted in historical events, cultural practices, and linguistic evolution. From the 16th century Amuco warriors to the early milling towns of England, the stories behind these expressions reveal the complexities of human experience and the power of language to shape our understanding of the world. [... more]

The book of Revelation reveals a heavenly temple where Jesus Christ is present among the seven churches, encouraging faithful Christian living and warning against worldliness and idolatry. Jesus' description in the book is symbolic, representing his power and purity, and his words are determinative in judgment. The churches are reminded to remain faithful and not compromise with the world, and to be aware of their guardian angels, who demonstrate God's personal care and love for them. [... more]

Dads share their regrets, including not spending enough time with their kids, working too much, and being passive in their relationships. They discuss the importance of spiritual leadership, vulnerability, and partnership in marriage and parenting, and how these qualities can help build stronger relationships and a deeper connection with God. [... more]

The book of Revelation is a source of comfort and encouragement for Christians, reminding us that our suffering doesn't mean we're not beloved. John's introduction to the book highlights the importance of faithfulness and patient endurance, and shows us that heaven is not just a future hope, but a present reality that we can experience even in the midst of suffering. [... more]

Marriage is normal and for the majority, but singleness is a gift of God. When married to an unbeliever, let them stay if they want to, but let them go if they want to leave, as God has called you to peace. The believer's presence in the home sanctifies the unbeliever, and the believer's children are also sanctified by the same grace. [... more]

The Book of Revelation is a source of blessing and encouragement for Christians, offering a revelation of Jesus Christ and his purpose for his people. It's a book that has been approached in various ways throughout history, including the preterist, church historical, futurist, and idealist schools of interpretation. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey explores the structure of the book, identifying seven sections and seven subsections, and emphasizing the importance of understanding the book's message as a whole. [... more]

God's design for marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and it is not an absolute commandment for everybody. Some people have the gift of being single, and it is a unique gift of God that should be maintained because it puts them in a position to be used by Him in a very unique way. The Bible teaches that marriage is normal, but it is not an absolute necessity for everyone. Christians should not divorce their partners, except in the case of adultery, and even then, the divorce is allowed, but remarriage is not. The most important thing in marriage is not finding the right person, but being the right person, and that means walking in the Spirit, demonstrating love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. [... more]

The Bible teaches that death is a transition to either heaven or hell, determined by one's relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are made perfectly holy at death, immediately entering the presence of God, while unbelievers are cast into hell, awaiting judgment. The hope of the resurrection body is a glorious portion of every believer, and the call of the church is to make Christ known, sharing the good news of salvation with others. [... more]

The Protestant Reformation emphasized the importance of giving God alone the glory in salvation and worship. This concept, known as Sola Deo Gloria, is rooted in the Bible and is essential to understanding the Christian faith. It highlights the need to avoid idolatry and to recognize God's sovereignty and attributes, such as holiness and justice. [... more]

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, knowledge, and true understanding of oneself. It brings believers to adore God, loathe sin, and long to be like Him. The fear of God makes us happy, large-hearted, and humble, giving us strength to rise above anxieties and pursue a righteous course. [... more]

Today Pastor Jack teaches that discernment is the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies right and wrong or God's way vs other influences It's a discipline that takes a renewal of our minds through prayer scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit to guide our decision making process [... more]

The fear of God is not a gloomy flip side to joy, but a way of speaking about the sheer intensity of the saints' happiness in God. It is a trembling and wonder-filled, yes, fearful joy, for the object of our joy is so fearfully wonderful. This right fear of God is a blessing of the new covenant, and it is a way of speaking about the intensity of our love for God, which is a love that is fitting for God. [... more]

The fear of God can be a complex and multifaceted concept, with both positive and negative connotations. On one hand, a healthy fear of God can motivate individuals to live a virtuous life and avoid sin. On the other hand, a sinful fear of God can lead people to run from Him and seek security elsewhere. This teaching series explores the different types of fear of God, including the fear of success, the fear of failure, and the fear of the unknown, and how they can impact our relationship with God. [... more]

Jesus teaches that true abundance is not found in possessions, but in an abiding relationship with Him. Financial decisions should be guided by faith, not just dollars and cents. A budget becomes a reflection of what we treasure, and saving, giving, and spending should be done with a heart of worship and trust in God's provision. [... more]

The book of Esther reveals God's plan for unexpected people with unpretentious character, upholding a universal message that brings hope and redemption to a world in need. [... more]

Our culture has lost God as the proper object of fear, leading to an increase in anxiety and a culture of fear. The fear of God is not a negative thing, but rather a healthy fear that controls our other fears and brings us closer to God. [... more]

Bruce Paddock shares the story of his father's impact on his life, including the lessons he learned about work ethic, entrepreneurship, and the importance of inspecting what you expect. He also talks about how his father's early death affected his family and how he found mentors to guide him through difficult times. [... more]

When encountering someone on the street who is homeless, it's essential to consider the biblical foundation of caring for the poor and the importance of showing love and compassion without enabling sinful behavior. Dr. David W. Jones, a senior professor of Christian ethics, discusses the ethics of giving to homeless people and how to show compassion without causing harm, highlighting the need to consider the root causes of poverty and the importance of long-term involvement in addressing it. [... more]

The story of Esther, a woman of strength and restraint, shows us that triumphant hope isn't wishful thinking, but the very heartbeat of the Christian faith. God's plan is to bring ultimate victory and peace, and He uses unexpected people to achieve it, as seen in the life of Mordecai, who rose from a humble gatekeeper to a prime minister in the kingdom of Persia. [... more]

Dr. Michael Reeves discusses the importance of beholding Christ and rejoicing in him, highlighting the transformative power of the gospel and the role of suffering in spiritual growth. [... more]

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura, a central tenet of the Protestant Reformation, holds that Scripture alone is the final authority for the Christian conscience. This principle was championed by Martin Luther and other Reformers, who argued that Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture itself, rather than by tradition or the authority of the church. [... more]

The existence of God is a question that has been debated for centuries, with various arguments for and against its existence. One approach to proving the existence of God is through the classical method, which involves establishing a sufficient reason to explain reality as we encounter it. This method involves looking at four possible explanations for reality: that our experience of reality is an illusion, that reality is self-created, that reality is self-existent, and that reality is created by something that is self-existent. The classical approach aims to provide a rational proof for the existence of a self-existent eternal being, rather than just evidence or persuasion. [... more]

The case for God's existence is a central theme in apologetics, with various approaches, including classical and presuppositional methods. Classical apologetics aims to prove God's existence through rational arguments, while presuppositional apologetics starts with the assumption of God's existence. The debate between these two approaches highlights the importance of establishing God's existence in the process of knowing. [... more]

Immanuel Kant's critique of traditional arguments for the existence of God challenged the notion that reason can prove God's existence, leading to a crisis in the Christian Church and a shift towards fideism. However, Christian philosophers and theologians have sought to reconstruct natural theology to answer Kant's objections, citing the Apostle Paul's declaration that the invisible things of God are known through the things that are made. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains how prophecy is meant to draw us closer to Christ and help us live with an eternal perspective, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's plan for the future and the prophetic word in our lives. [... more]

Guiding children through trials and sorrow, parents can help their kids process grief by being aware of their emotions, responding with love and care, and teaching them how to think biblically about difficult situations. [... more]

The early church had to deal with the heresy of Gnosticism, which rejected the physical world and saw matter as inherently evil. Gnostics believed in a cosmology where God emanated from a higher spiritual realm, and the material world was a result of an intermediate creator. They also believed in a dualistic view of reality, separating spirit and matter. The Gnostics' view of Jesus was as a spiritual being who appeared in human form, but not as a physical person. This view was rejected by the early church, which saw it as fundamentally anti-Christian. [... more]

The story of the pilgrims, who sought to establish a nation based on biblical Judeo-Christian values, paved the way for the values that were later incorporated into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Led by Pastor John Robinson, the group of dissenters left England and emigrated to Holland, eventually settling in the New World aboard the Mayflower and establishing the city of Boston. [... more]

The doctrine of election anchors our assurance of salvation in God's sovereign grace, and understanding the false teaching of Gnosticism is crucial for Christians today. Gnosticism involves a religion of redemption through gnosis or elite knowledge, rather than faith, and its influence can be seen in modern forms of eclecticism and syncretism. The church must be aware of the basic strains of historic Gnosticism and stay tied to the written word of God to avoid being carried away by feelings or so-called secret knowledge. [... more]

A couple's decision to file for Social Security benefits at 68 instead of 70 results in an additional $125,000 in income over two years, highlighting the importance of individualized planning and considering the impact on estate planning and taxes. [... more]

The doctrine of salvation by grace rests on the principle that the law of God has been fulfilled by Christ. The covenant of works is fulfilled by Christ's passive obedience, and his active obedience secures our redemption. The mediatorship of Christ is essential for our justification, and it is through his obedience that we are reconciled to God. [... more]

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit that changes the inclination of the soul, kindling the love of God and giving us the earnest or guarantee of full and final payment of our salvation. This is the basis of our assurance, and it's confirmed by the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit through the word of God. [... more]

Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Shannon Warden discuss the importance of DIY home improvement in building strong family relationships, focusing on character development, trust, and addressing selfishness, apathy, and resentment. They emphasize the need for parents to prioritize family time, discipline themselves to make time for their loved ones, and maintain a positive home environment through regular maintenance and do-overs. [... more]

Understanding the proper biblical doctrine of election and salvation is crucial for gaining true assurance of one's salvation. Dr. R.C. Sproll examines the relationship between election and assurance, highlighting the importance of theology and the role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and salvation. [... more]

Cody Hobelman shares his personal journey of moving from accumulation to impact, setting a financial finish line, and experiencing transformation in his life and finances. He discusses how this shift in perspective has allowed him to live with greater purpose, clarity, and generosity, and how others can start their own journey by defining what is enough and taking the first step towards setting a financial finish line. [... more]

The doctrine of election anchors our assurance of salvation in God's sovereign grace, but false assurance can arise from universalism, works righteousness, sacerdotalism, and other counterfeit methods. Understanding the proper biblical doctrine of election and salvation is essential for gaining true assurance. [... more]

Church leaders can effectively engage with their local community by meeting with senior church leadership, understanding the church's mission and values, and participating in community events such as the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. By doing so, they can identify and meet real needs in their community, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper sense of purpose. [... more]