Are You Still Learning?                                      September 20, 2026

When was the last time you learned something about God or His Word?  Hopefully, the answer is “recently.”  Experienced Bible students will tell you that they are constantly learning new things.  Every reading brings fresh insights into life and the world we live in.

The enemies of growth are complacency and pride.  When we think “I know it all” or “I know enough” or “I’m good and don’t need more,” we are not open to learning.  The truth is, we can always learn more.  If we truly desire to know the living God (Psalms 42:2), then we should seek to understand His words continually.

Maybe we have stopped learning the Word because we are too busy learning other things.  We have to keep learning new skills for our jobs or spend countless hours learning about our interests, hobbies, sports, or DIY projects.  Why not our faith?  Is it because learning something we want to learn is enjoyable, but the Bible is not?  The truth is that reading Scripture requires discipline, time, prayer, and effort to benefit from.  The wisdom of the world may not be as immediate as what we can learn on our phones.

If we stop learning, we will stop growing as Christians.  When we fail to apply the Words of Life to our daily lives, we will cease to walk in the light.  As a tree without water dies, so will the one who stops delighting in the law of the Lord (Psalms 1:1-2).  When we close our minds to the teaching of the Word, how can we expect to thrive in the faith?  As the world becomes more complex and immoral, we will need the insights of the Word of God to learn how to live faithfully in a wicked generation.  Never stop learning.  Make the time to read and reflect deeply on the life-giving words of our Lord.

By Spencer Clark

Bible study is essential for spiritual maturity:

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall away from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (II Peter 3:17-18)

A Famine In The Land                      September 13, 2026

The prophet Amos tells the Israelites that a time is coming where He would send a famine on the land.  This would not be a famine of bread and water but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord (Amos 8:11).

Our Heavenly Father has historically chosen to speak to His people in diverse ways:

● Direct Speech: God spoke directly with divine speech to certain key men, like Moses and Samuel. Exodus 33:11 notes that God spoke to Moses “face to face as a friend,” while 1 Samuel 3 records God speaking to the boy Samuel about the impending judgment on Eli’s house.
● Dreams and Visions: He also spoke to men through dreams and visions. Daniel in Daniel 7:1, Joseph in Genesis 37:5 and the apostle Peter in Acts 10:10-11 are examples of this.
● Prophets: God raised up prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah and Amos to deliver His specific messages, warnings, and promises directly to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 18:18, Jeremiah 7:25, Hebrews 1:1).
● His Son: God sent His Son Jesus to this world and He was the Word which became flesh in order to proclaim the Good News (John 1:14).
● His Inspired Word: Today God speaks to us through his Holy Word (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 4:12).

Tragically, God’s people have a history of rejecting the hearing of His word.  Acts 7:35 tells us Moses was rejected.  II Chronicles 36:15–16 tells us the words of the prophets were despised, and Christ Himself was rejected as seen in John 1:11, “He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.”  Amos tells Israel they had ignored, silenced, and rejected God’s prophets (Amos 2:12; 7:12–13).  He further explains in Amos 8:11 the ironic consequence of their behavior – since they refused to listen to God’s voice when it was offered, God would withdraw His word completely. People would wander “from sea to sea” seeking divine guidance, only to find silence.

Today scripture is probably more accessible than at any other point in human history.  Many of us have access to printed Bibles, digital Bibles, various translations, podcasts, commentaries, radio TV and internet broadcasting. With all this it is hard to imagine we could have a famine of hearing the word of the Lord today.  Even with this incredible access to God’s Holy word, we need to guard ourselves against a famine of not hearing, receiving and obeying God’s Word.  If we choose to not hear, receive and obey God’s word, His word will be unable to change us into the principled and faithful servants He expects us to be.

Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 we need to be diligently study the scriptures daily, recognizing  that God’s word is inspired, complete and fully capable of equipping us for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17).  As we reflect on the silence the Israelites brought upon themselves, let us remain diligent and faithful, allowing God’s living Word to transform us into the people He has called us to be.

Kevin Pickles

Cell Phones and Social Media Will Not Prepare You for Eternity September 4, 2026

In today’s world, cell phones and social media have become an obsession with many, dominating time, attention, and emotions. These technologies keep us informed, entertained, and connected—but can never prepare our souls for eternity. While technology is not evil in itself, the spiritual danger lurking in the shadows is when it replaces our dependence on God, and distracts us from eternal truth.

Cell phones and Social Media provide Satan with some of his most powerful weapons. 1Peter 5:8 warns us to be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Scripture reminds us that this world is temporary. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17, NKJV). Social media thrives on trends, popularity, and instant gratification—things that fade quickly. Eternity, however, is unchanging and demands preparation that no device can provide.

Cell phones can fill our minds with endless information, but only God’s Word gives wisdom that leads to eternal life. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Scrolling cannot replace studying Scripture. Notifications cannot replace the voice of the Holy Spirit. A strong signal cannot replace a strong prayer life.

Jesus Himself warned about misplaced priorities: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Many gain followers online while losing focus on following Christ. Likes and shares may boost self-esteem, but they cannot secure salvation. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ prepares us for what comes after this life.

Social media often promotes comparison, pride, anger, and distraction. Scripture calls us instead to set our minds on eternal things. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). When our hearts are consumed with screens, we risk neglecting prayer, worship, and obedience—disciplines essential for spiritual growth.

Eternity is not prepared for accidentally; it requires intentional faith. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). No app can prepare us for judgment. No digital profile can speak for us before God. Preparation comes through repentance, faith, and obedience to Christ. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

This is not a call to abandon technology, but to put it in proper perspective. Use your phone as a tool, not a master. Let Scripture shape your thinking more than social media feeds. Spend more time in God’s presence than online presence. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Cell phones may connect us to people, however, only Jesus connects us to eternity. Choose wisely where you invest your time. Eternity is too important. Prepare to meet thy God. Meditate seriously on these matters.

Geoff Hanover

Follow Your Heart                                                        August 30, 2026

The more we are immersed in the world, the harder it can be to see the contrast between the world’s view of life and that of Jesus Christ.  We hear popular sayings like “Follow your heart,” “Believe in yourself,” “Discover yourself,” or “Be true to yourself.”  These kinds of statements are everywhere, from t-shirts to social media, to greeting cards, Disney movies, and engraved on cups and mugs.

On the surface, they seem fairly innocent.  But when compared to the teachings of Jesus, their error comes into sharper focus.  Freddie Klein, admissions director for Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies, shared a post that perfectly captures this concept.  Here it is with a few minor edits:

World: Follow your heart

Jesus: Follow Me (Matthew 4:19)

World: Believe in yourself

Jesus: Believe in Me (John 14:1)

World: Discover yourself

Jesus: Deny yourself (Matthew 16:24)

World: Be true to yourself

Jesus: Be faithful to Me (Acts 11:23)

The philosophies of the world are foolish compared to the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:20).  When placed alongside the teachings of Jesus, we learn just how selfish this world wants us to be.  It is all about us, all about living our best life, all about personalization, and all about our happiness.  Yet Christ calls us to live differently.  He calls us to live a life that is focused on Him rather than ourselves.

That means we can’t just follow our heart and seek to fulfill all of our fleshly desires.  That means we can’t focus our life on “finding ourselves” except by finding ourselves in Christ.  We should be people of integrity and be honest with ourselves, yet be faithful to Christ unto death.

Following Christ means rejecting the philosophies of this world and following the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  We need to resist the influences of worldliness and not allow ourselves to be captivated by human philosophies, but rather embrace the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ.                       By Spencer Clark

Miracles in the Bible                                                    August 23, 2026

In Psalms 119:160 David says, “The entirety of Thy Word is true.”  That great chapter (incidentally, the longest chapter in the Bible), has to do almost exclusively with the Word of God.  Over and over, David uses the phrase “Word of God,” but in verse 160 he says, “Thy word is true from the beginning” (or in its entirety – KJV).

Verse 160 establishes that if one accepts Genesis 1, they will also accept the text through Revelation 22.  The text in Genesis 1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  The fact of creation is established.

When someone reads Genesis 1:1-2 and accepts these at face value, they will not have difficulty believing other miracles found in Scripture.

The reader would not have any problem with the prophet being swallowed by a large fish and remaining in its belly for three days and nights.  There would be no issue with Joshua marching around Jericho once each day for six days, seven times on the seventh day as commanded, and the walls falling.  There would be no problem with Moses stretching out his arm and rod over the Red Sea and its waters parting.  One would not believe Jesus had to look for stumps when He walked on the water.

They would be pledged to accept the Bible record of miracles.  Any problems with miracles in the Bible would be solved when they accept the Genesis account of creation.  Establishing the existence of God solves the problem of all miracles of the Bible.  If God exists, then the miracles are so.  If this is God’s book, then the account of the miracles are factual, accurate and reliable.

Therefore, how someone views the first part of the Bible determines how they view the remainder.  When one rejects the first part of the Bible, they have no real reason to believe any of the rest.  On what basis could a man reject any part of the Bible and then accept another part?

Conversely, if we receive the first part of the Bible as God’s Will and Word (factual, reliable, and inspired), then we can turn each page with confidence.

By Tony Williams

Stay In Today!                                                    August 16, 2026

We, as a society, are remarkably good at borrowing trouble from the future.  We lie awake solving problems that haven’t happened yet, rehearsing conversations that may never occur, and carrying the weight of next month on today’s shoulders.  It’s exhausting – and most of us know it, yet we keep doing it anyway.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34, ESV).

This verse comes in one of the most remarkable passages Jesus taught – the section in the Sermon on the Mount where He points to birds and wildflowers as evidence that God provides.  And then He lands on this: don’t borrow tomorrow’s worry.

Jesus doesn’t pretend today has no trouble.  He acknowledges it plainly – sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  He’s not offering a life without difficulty.  He’s offering something more realistic and more useful: stay here.  Stay in today.

There’s a reason worry always pulls us forward in time.  Today is where God’s grace actually lives.  The manna God gave Israel in the wilderness came one day at a time – deliberately.  When they tried to hoard it for the next day, it spoiled.  God was teaching them something we need to learn: I will provide, but you have to show up for today to receive it.

Jesus teaches us to pray towards the beginning of this same chapter “give us this day our daily bread” – not our weekly bread, not our monthly bread.  Today’s bread.  Today’s grace.  Today’s strength.

That doesn’t mean we don’t plan.  It means we don’t worry.  Planning is wisdom.  Concern takes action.  Worry is just suffering in advance.

Whatever this week holds for you – whatever you’re dreading about tomorrow, or next month, or next year – the grace for that moment hasn’t been issued yet.  It will be there when you need it.  It always has been.

By Michael King

“The Truth Will Set You Free”                                 August 9, 2026

Many in the world are familiar with the phrase “the truth will set you free,” which originates from John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Considering this Biblical truth, what is the truth about Jesus?

Jesus was in the very beginning, and through Him all things were created.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).

Jesus is the only way to God, the Father in Heaven.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Something is required of everyone.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

What is the will of the Father to enter the kingdom of heaven?

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Baptism (immersion, burial) is vitally important; it is the only way to be freed from sin and to put on Christ.

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life…For he who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:3-7).

“For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Baptism does save us! (I Peter 3:21).

By Terry Clark

Cut Flower Faith                                                                   August 2, 2026

While listening to a podcast recently, I heard the podcaster make a reference to something he called a “cut-flower civilization.”  He explained that the description did not originate with him and provided its source.  I did a little research and found the source of the quote and how it was used in its original context.

A theologian by the name of Elton Trueblood lived during the last century and used that term in a book he wrote in 1969.  Here is the quote in its original context:  “A quarter of a century ago a few of us began to say that faith in the possibility of a cut-flower civilization is a faith which is bound to fail.  What we meant was that it is impossible to sustain certain elements of human dignity, once these have been severed from their cultural roots.  The sorrowful fact is that, while the cut flowers seem to go on living and may even exhibit some brightness for a while, they cannot do so permanently, for they will eventually wither and be discarded.  This metaphor of a “cut-flower civilization” severed from its cultural roots and left seeking a moral center remains a powerful image of contemporary society today.”

As I type these words, I need to remind myself and all of us that Dr. Trueblood’s words were written in 1969.  That means that his reference to a quarter of a century ago would take us back to the mid 1940’s.  Would any of us argue that we, as a civilization, are closer to our moral roots now then we were then?

While I am very concerned about our society, I started thinking of an application that is much more personal.  I cannot answer for an entire civilization, but I am taught that I will answer for myself and that I need to do some serious self-examination.  “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (II Corinthians 13:5, ESV).

The concern expressed by Dr. Trueblood sounds a lot like the parable of Jesus in which some good seeds “…fell on rocky ground…,” but did not produce because “…they had no depth of soil” (both quotes are from Matthew 13:5, ESV).  It should be obvious that roots cannot go very deep in rocky soil.  To apply Dr. Trueblood’s description to individuals, it should also be obvious that the faith of an individual that has no roots at all will not last long.

I started wondering if it was possible for good soil to be available and for a person to still not have much (or any) faith.  As I thought about that, some passages of scripture came to mind.

In Ephesians 3:17-19 Paul tells the church about his prayer for them, “…Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  You may remember that in Ephesians 3:8 Paul wrote about “…the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Another passage that came to my mind is found in Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

It seems to me that I cannot blame any deficiencies in my faith on either the seed or the soil.  If my faith is not what it should be, maybe I need to reassess both my relationship with Jesus and the amount of quality time I spend with God’s word.

There is a solution for “cut-flower faith.”  It’s up to me to take advantage of it.       

By Jim Faughn (Adapted)

Is All Sin the Same?                                               July 26, 2026

Sin is sin, right?  Aren’t all sins the same before God?  Don’t all sins carry the same consequences?  Won’t any and all sin separate us from God?  These questions are not really nuanced enough, because the answer, without clarification, is a confusing “yes” and “no.”  It takes further consideration to know what we are really asking.

First, we should establish that, yes, all sin does damage and leads to the loss of one’s relationship with God (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2).  We do not, in any way, want to downplay sin.  Sin, in any and every form, needs to be seen for what it is (I Thessalonians 5:22).  It is ugly.  It is painful.  It will cause us to lose our souls.  In that sense, then, all sin is the same.  Yet this broad answer is not enough when it comes to understanding the consequences.

Not all sins bear identical rotten fruit, so in this sense, no, not all sin is the same.  The problem here is that when we say that a specific sin is worse than another, we may sound like we are making some sins to be inconsequential.  That is not the case.  We are simply recognizing that some sins carry a larger burden and have greater consequences, especially in time, than others.

For example, it is a sin to insult another and carry a grudge (Matthew 5:21-22).  Souls can be lost because of this.  However, far more consequential in this world is the carrying out of actual murder.  The first won’t get a person locked up as a criminal; the second will.  Further, lust is a sin that, without repentance, will cause souls to be lost.  Yet there is a difference between lusting in the mind and carrying out physical fornication (Matthew 5:27-28).  One may give the occasion for the other, but they are not the same in terms of physical, temporal consequences.  Sin begins in the mind, but carrying out physical actions lead to greater physical ramifications (James 1:14-15; Matthew 15:18-29).  One might think evil thoughts, but even speaking them out loud to the harm of another carries a greater weight, and once something comes out of the mouth, there is no retrieving it.  This is why guarding the heart is so important.  When something is in the heart, it often comes out in action.  If we stop it in the heart, we can curtail the action and avoid the worse situation.

There are a number of passages teaching that some are given a stricter judgment than others.  When Pilate challenged Jesus’ authority, Jesus responded, “You would have no authority over Me at all unless it had been given you from above.  Therefore he who delivered Me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11).  Jesus taught, “And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to His will, will receive a severe beating.  But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating.  Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:47-48).  In speaking of cities that did not repent, Jesus said, “But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the Day of Judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you” (Matthew 11:22).  Teachers are warned that they will receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1).

This is similar to the point Jesus made with respect to weightier matters: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness.  These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23).  None of this means that the “lesser” is not important, but on the scale, some matters carry more weight.  Recognizing that there are differences does not excuse the other sins, but we must not think that all sins result in the same exact consequences.

Does forgiveness wipe out the consequences?  Again, yes and no.  “Yes,” in the sense that we need not bear the eternal consequences of our sins, no matter their weight.  Jesus died to release us from that fear, and thank God that He did!  However, “no,” in that there are often physical consequences we bear that will not be overturned by repentance and forgiveness.  Sins like murder, drunken outburst, sins of passion that hurt others, crimes committed, adulteries and fornications, thievery, and so on, often cause consequences that cannot be undone no matter how much we regret our actions.  A criminal can be forgiven of his sins and be saved eternally, but this will not overturn a conviction and subsequent imprisonment.

Not all sin is the same.  Yet all sin does result in eternal consequences if we fail to repent and turn in trust to Jesus.  We must all stand before His judgment seat, and we will be held accountable (II Corinthians 5:10).  However, instead of facing condemnation, by the grace of God, we can stand forgiven, eternally safe with Him.  Will we accept this precious gift of God?                    

By Doy Moyer

In Your Brokenness                                     July 19, 2026

There are times in life when you may be fearful, overwhelmed, or broken, and don’t really know what to do or if you can even keep on going.  It may be because of sin you have committed or a situation you find yourself in that is causing great uncertainty or anguish.  In these times, you can turn to the One who knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) – the One who lovingly handcrafted you (Psalms 139:13).  God KNOWS you and the heaviness of your heart.  Psalms 34:18 tells is that God “is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Oftentimes, it may not be you, but someone you know who is going through something very difficult, and empathy causes your heart to cry out for them.

Not only does He know you intimately, but He sent His Spirit to intercede for you when the words and thoughts of your prayers are not able to articulate your sorrow, your suffering, or even what you need.  Romans 8:26 assures you that “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.”  You have a helper in the Spirit who can translate your heartache to God.

In these difficult times, consider the example of Jehoshaphat and his prayer in II Chronicles 20:1-12.  In that passage, Judah is facing an invading army, and they are very afraid.  The part of the prayer that I want to highlight is the latter part of verse 12, which reads, “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”  Even though their distress and fear were paralyzing, Judah turned to and trusted in the Lord.

Throughout Scripture, you can clearly see that God has a protective love for you and no detail escapes His notice.  Trust Him.  Trust Him in times of distress.  Trust Him even if the outcome is not what you want.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)                                                      

By John Seibel