Posts

The Vital Role of Fathers in the Family

     In a world where the importance of mothers is universally acknowledged, the role of fathers often gets overshadowed. However, fathers play an equally crucial role in children's upbringing and the family unit's stability. Fathers should be focused, confident, and engaged in their children's lives, as guided by biblical principles.      Our society tends to pigeonhole fathers into the role of providers, often at the expense of their involvement in the family. Television and media frequently portray fathers as out of touch or less competent than mothers, which can undermine their confidence and influence within the family.      Fathers need to embody three key attributes: focus, confidence, and engagement. Being focused means prioritizing family over work or personal interests. Confidence comes from trusting in God's guidance rather than one's own abilities. Engagement involves active participation in children's lives, offering them time an...

Fostering Grace, Peace, and Love in Our Lives

     In our journey of faith, we often seek to understand the profound elements that define our Christian walk. Grace, peace, and love are foundational pillars that not only shape our relationship with God but also influence how we interact with the world around us.      Grace is the unmerited favor we receive from God. It's a gift that we cannot earn through our deeds but is freely given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2 reminds us that we were once dead in our sins, but God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. It's essential to remember that our salvation is not a result of our works but a testament to God's love and grace. As recipients of this grace, we are called to extend it to others, reflecting God's love in our daily interactions.      True peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of Christ in our lives. Matthew 5:9 calls us peacemakers, identifying us as children of God when we embody this t...

Embracing True Freedom in Christ

     In our journey of faith, we often encounter the concept of freedom. But what does it truly mean to be free in a biblical sense? This exploration delves into the depths of spiritual liberty, examining the life of David, the laws of the Old Testament, and the transformative message of the New Testament.      David's story is one of triumphs and tragedies. Despite his many successes, such as defeating Goliath and becoming king, he also faced significant hardships, including family turmoil and personal sin. Yet, in Psalm 18, David speaks of the freedom he experiences through God's deliverance, highlighting the joy of being in God's will.      The Greek word "Eleutheria" captures the essence of liberty in the Bible. It signifies the freedom to either engage in or omit actions unrelated to salvation, as well as the true liberty of living as we ought, not merely as we desire.      The Old Testament law, consisting of 613 commandm...

The Call to Share the Gospel

     Many believe that church is merely a Sunday event, but it's so much more. The church is a movement of people transformed by Jesus Christ. It's about gathering in His name and experiencing His presence together. If you're new to faith or exploring Christianity, know that church is an invitation to witness the miraculous work of God in our lives.      In the early church, there were two distinct groups: those who came to sit and those who went to tell. Newcomers were welcomed to sit and experience Jesus among His followers. However, the spread of the gospel depended on the latter group, those who actively shared their faith. If you know Jesus, your mission is to go and tell others about Him.      Jesus' command to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, known as the Great Commission, is clear. We are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. This mission isn't just for a select few; it's the callin...

A Historic Day at Multiply Church: Embracing New Beginnings and Ordaining Elders

     Today feels different. It's one of those mornings where the air buzzes with the potential of something significant, a turning point for our beloved Multiply Church. As I stand before our congregation, the weight of this moment isn't lost on me—we're stepping into uncharted territory, making historic moves that, though we may not fully grasp now, will shape our future in profound ways.      Historic events aren't always recognized in the moment. Sometimes, their significance is only understood in retrospect. Think about those pivotal moments in your own life, perhaps the first time you saw your spouse and thought, “That’s the one for me.” It didn’t seem monumental then, but it indeed was—a moment that altered the course of your life.      Today, we're making history in a way that's new for us but as old as faith itself for God’s church. We're ordaining our first set of elders—men who've been called to shepherd our congregation—and we're a...

Living Out the Process: Trusting God's Plan in Our Lives

I want to pause and reflect on the song, "Too Good to Not Believe." The lyrics are so powerful and timely:  "We've seen cancer disappear   We've seen broken bodies healed   We've seen real-life resurrection   We've seen mental health restored   We've seen families reunited   We've seen prodigals return   We've seen troubled souls delivered   We've seen addicts finally free." And it continues with, "Don't tell me that He can't do it."        However, not every story ends with healing on this side of eternity. Sometimes cancer doesn't disappear, broken bodies remain unhealed, and addicts struggle. Yet, even in those moments, we serve a God who is faithful, trustworthy, and loves us unconditionally. When life doesn't turn out how we hope, God remains good. If we have put our trust in Jesus, we know that ultimate healing and restoration await us beyond this life.      With that...

Enjoy The Process

     I want to talk about something we don't often discuss but holds immense significance in our spiritual lives—our theology. Theology, simply put, is how we understand God, His workings, and His purpose for us. While the term might evoke images of dry, academic discussions, its implications in our lives are anything but.      The importance of theology lies not just in intellectual understanding but in shaping our very approach to life and faith. If you've ever sat through a theology class you might recall the struggle to stay engaged with what seemed like abstract concepts. However, theology is far from being merely academic—it's about having an accurate biblical understanding of how God operates and how His world works.      Today, I felt a strong prompting to share a perspective that’s both personal and deeply connected to the reality of our lives. Often, we envision following God as a beautiful narrative—akin to a fairy tale where every...