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As you see and experience brokenness in your life (and we all will), how will you respond? My encouragement to you is to allow God’s Word and God’s people to be sources of comfort to you, as they have been to me. Turn to God’s Word and find comfort in His truths and promises. Turn to God’s people and allow them to minister to you. I still feel the heartache. I’m sure I will for a time. But the aches will soften. The breaks will heal. My heart will be okay...because it belongs to Jesus and he will help me.... Keep Reading

Solomon, as he reflected back on his life, recognized only one thing mattered and that was to fear God and keep his commandments [Ecclesiastes 12:13]. As I reflect back on these last 20 years and look, Lord willing, to the next 20, my desire is to love the Lord with all my heart, serve his church faithfully, and love my family deeply.... Keep Reading

To our members: In an increasingly separatist, individualistic, and anti-authoritarian culture—where people are averse to commitment and accountability– we are asking the members of GBC to joyfully renew your commitment to one another as new covenant believers of this local church. You are already spiritually members of one another via the new birth and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You have already chosen to make GBC your church home so recall and reaffirm this decision in your heart before the Lord. ... Keep Reading

Maybe you’ll find that you occasionally need a smaller, more specific sabbatical. Something like...putting your phone down, turning off the news or stepping away from social media. It could be taking a break from something in your life that takes up time that isn’t a bad or sinful thing, but it complicates your life because of the time that it takes. Maybe give that thing a break for a season. Both of these types of sabbaticals are important. Both are seen in Scripture for us to learn from. So ask yourself...do you need a sabbatical? Do you really know Jesus and the rest he gives? Do you physically need a break from something in some way? I encourage you to seek more of Jesus through his word. Seek to understand to a greater depth the rest that he freely gives. And also to physically rest up a bit as well. Be thankful for the different types of rest that God gives us and practice both of them, one spiritual and one physical, for all of your days.... Keep Reading

We Christians know the end of the story while we also live in a world of unfolding drama that spans redemptive history, all right before our very eyes. There are no “if’s”, “and’s” or “but’s” with the promises of God; only “when’s”. And one of the greatest promises of all? Jesus is coming back, and it’s only a matter of “when”. There’s a wedding day coming [cf. Revelation 19:7], and it’s ours. Now is the time for readying ourselves for the Bridegroom to receive His bride.... Keep Reading

Boast in true wisdom. True power. Boast in true riches. Boast in Christ who is the wisdom of God, who being strong made himself weak. Who possessing riches made himself poor so that you and I might Boast in true wisdom. True power. Boast in true riches. Boast in Christ who is the wisdom of God, who being strong made himself weak. Who possessing riches made himself poor so that you and I might know the living God. This is the gospel! This is where true hope is found. This is where reconciliation is accomplished. This is what motivates us to love and serve one another [1 Corinthians 1:26-31].... Keep Reading

Allow me to urge all of you to become more involved in the community of grace this year. Whether it be a gift of speech or a gift of service we must all manifest the grace of God towards others. The encouraging news is that the grace of God is here already! It is hidden away in some of your lives. The grace we lack to have a full and improved Sunday School ministry, local outreach, media ministry, book store, music and youth ministry is all here. Sealed away in the gift that God has made you to be. ... Keep Reading

These are excellent reminders to us of how we are to live as we wait patiently for Jesus to come back. As Scripture teaches, no one knows when that day will be, but it will come. It may be in your lifetime, or it may not be. “Soon” will become “now” someday and the trump shall resound and the Lord will descend and we will all say it is well with our souls! ... Keep Reading

There is so much wisdom to be gleaned from God’s Word. It brings clarity to confusion. Theology to our thinking. Principles to our perspectives. Empathy to our emotions. All the while, guiding us towards God’s perfect righteousness and preparing us for every good deed! Let me ask you again...is Scripture ALONE your final authority? If yes, then dig deeply into it and seek answers and guidance in all areas of your life. If you are unsure about that, or your answer is no, I urge you to no longer allow other things to have that place of final authority in your life and turn to the wisdom and knowledge of Christ that has been given to us in God’s precious Word!... Keep Reading

While tired, perplexed and spent, we pastors “… give thanks in all circumstances”, [I Thessalonians 5:18a (ESV)] especially for you. Prayers, encouragements, patience, unity, forbearance and love allow us to shepherd “… with joy and not with groaning.” [Hebrews 13:17b ESV)] Let us all continue in this good work, with deep supplications on everyone’s behalf, including ours. We need you, and together with Jesus our head [Ephesians 5:23], as The Shepherd, we shall persevere through. What a glorious life He’s given in Him and in one another, the church.... Keep Reading