✟ Clothed in Compassion: Restoring, Not Condemning

As followers of Christ, we are not called to mimic the world’s harshness, bitterness, or divisiveness. We are called to something higher, something nobler. The Apostle Paul reminds us of our sacred identity when he writes, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12, NLT). These words are not merely an invitation—they are a divine summons to a lifestyle that reflects the heart of our Savior.

Being chosen by God does not elevate us above others; rather, it binds us to a holy responsibility. We are not called to boast in our standing but to serve in humility. Yet in today’s world, it is a grievous truth that many who claim the name of Christ do not walk in the virtues Paul outlines. Instead of mercy, there is meanness. Instead of kindness, cold judgment. Instead of humility, pride. Instead of gentleness, harshness. Instead of patience, condemnation.

Too many wield religion as a sword to wound rather than as a balm to heal. Their actions drive the broken away from the church, when the church ought to be a sanctuary for the weary and a refuge for the fallen. But Paul’s exhortation is clear—we must clothe ourselves not in superiority, but in sanctified compassion.

Our lives, then, must be adorned daily with the spiritual garments of Christ. These are not optional accessories, but essential vestments for anyone who professes faith in Him. Let this verse be a mirror and a map—a reflection of who we are and a direction toward who we are called to be.

Let us take a moment to reflect more deeply on the attire of grace that Paul outlines in verse 12. These are not mere personality traits—they are manifestations of a transformed heart:

• Tenderhearted mercy speaks of a compassionate soul moved by the sufferings of others. It compels us to lift up rather than tear down.
• Kindness and humility walk hand in hand, reminding us that every person is made in the image of God and deserving of dignity—not condescension.
• Gentleness and patience guide us to endure offenses with grace and to correct others without arrogance.

The Apostle Paul calls us to clothe ourselves with these virtues. Much like we dress our physical bodies each morning, we are to clothe our spirits with these divine qualities, presenting ourselves not as judges, but as servants of grace.

Romans 3:23 serves as a sobering reminder: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” If we all fall short, then who among us has the right to sit in judgment over another? We must cast off the garments of pride and self-righteousness, and instead wear the humility of Christ, who washed the feet of His disciples.

Paul continues, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13, NLT). These words are not a suggestion, but a command rooted in the example of our Savior.

The measure of a believer is not how well they speak of grace, but how generously they extend it. Forgiveness is the outflow of a heart touched by divine mercy. To withhold it is to forget what has been done for us on the cross.

I have witnessed individuals leave churches in tears, not because of the convicting power of the Word, but because of the condemning spirit of the congregation. Their faults were magnified, their struggles broadcast, and their hearts left wounded rather than restored. But Paul calls us to make allowance for one another—to recognize that spiritual growth is a process and that we are each on a journey.

Christ's forgiveness was not earned; it was given. And if we have received it so freely, then we are called to give it freely in return.

Paul elevates the conversation in verse 14: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Love is the ultimate garment, the crowning piece of our spiritual wardrobe. Without it, all other virtues fall apart.

Love does not expose weaknesses—it covers them (1 Peter 4:8). Love does not puff itself up—it humbles itself. Love does not cast out—it draws near.

The Church should be known for its love—not for its legalism. When we look down on those who have stumbled, when we refuse to walk with them toward healing, we defy the very nature of the Gospel.

In John 13:35, Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Not our eloquent sermons. Not our theological knowledge. Not even our moral record. But our love.

Let us then put on love as the belt that holds all the other garments of grace together, uniting us in harmony rather than dividing us with judgment.

Paul concludes this powerful exhortation with these words: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, NLT).

Peace does not dwell in a heart consumed with superiority. It cannot coexist with spiritual pride. The peace of Christ rules only in hearts surrendered to His lordship and softened by His love.

We are called to live in peace—not merely coexist, but thrive together as a unified body. And this peace is nurtured by a spirit of thankfulness. When we remember what Christ has done for us, we are moved not to judge others, but to bless them.

Gratitude humbles the soul. It reminds us that every gift we possess—including salvation, wisdom, and righteousness—is from God. And from that wellspring of humility, peace flows like a river, washing away arrogance and replacing it with unity.

There was a time in my life when I had to confront my own tendency to judge. I had forgotten how deeply I once needed grace—how at twelve years old, I encountered the life-changing love of Christ Jesus and was baptized under Reverend Joe Broadway at Eastwood Baptist Church in Gatesville, Texas. That moment shaped my life. And yet, there came seasons when I was tempted to look down on others who were struggling.

But the Lord gently reminded me: “Were it not for My mercy, where would you be?” I have since ministered to many individuals who were ready to walk away from their faith, not because of God’s Word, but because of God’s people. They felt excluded, shamed, judged.

Let us never be the reason someone walks away from the Church. Let us instead be the reason they come back.

Paul’s exhortation in Colossians is echoed in Galatians 6:1 (NLT): “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” Gently. Humbly. With the garments of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

We are not spiritual law enforcement. We are spiritual caregivers. The church is not a courtroom; it is a hospital. Let us tend to the wounded, not interrogate them.

As you go about your week, ask yourself: Am I clothed in mercy, or covered in pride? Am I lifting others up, or tearing them down? Reach out to someone who may be struggling in their faith. Let them know they are not forgotten. Help them rise again in the strength of God’s grace. Be the one who restores, not the one who rejects.

Let us put aside the garments of judgment and adorn ourselves with compassion, humility, forgiveness, and love. For these are the true garments of Christ.

So, I say to you, “May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”

✟ The Gift and the Consequence: Belief in the Light of the World

There are few passages in all of Scripture more widely known or more deeply cherished than John 3:16. Yet the truth of this passage extends far beyond the simple beauty of its opening words. In it, our Savior presents both the magnificence of God's love and the sobering reality of humanity's response to that love.

For some, these verses are a balm—a reassurance of eternal life. For others, they are a mirror reflecting the choice to remain in spiritual darkness. We would do well to consider both the gift and the consequence that are presented in this sacred portion of God's Word.

This message is not one of condemnation, but of truth. It is an invitation to step into the light of God’s love—fully, honestly, and eternally.

John 3:16 (NLT) says,

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

In these sacred words, we behold the divine motivation behind the Gospel: love. God’s love is not cold or detached—it is passionate, purposeful, and profoundly sacrificial. He did not send a prophet or an angel. He gave His only begotten Son—Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God.

And this love was extended to the world—not merely to Israel, not to a favored elite, but to everyone. The gate to salvation swings open wide for all who believe.

This truth took root in my own life when I was but twelve years old. A pivotal moment in my spiritual journey unfolded at that tender age when I embraced the transformative grace of Christ Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. Baptized under the auspices of Reverend Joe Broadway, the esteemed shepherd of Eastwood Baptist Church in Gatesville, Texas, I embarked upon a lifelong pilgrimage of faith, steadfastly walking in communion with the Divine.

I was not perfect, nor did I understand everything, but I understood enough: God loved me. Jesus died for me. And through Him, I could have eternal life.

That invitation remains open today—to all who will believe.

John 3:17 (NLT) declares,

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

How marvelous and comforting are these words! Contrary to the image many carry of an angry God peering down from Heaven with wrath, the truth is much more beautiful. Jesus did not come as a judge to strike down, but as a Savior to lift up. His mission was not condemnation—it was redemption.

When Christ came to earth, He came not with thunder, but with tears; not to hurl stones, but to bear a cross. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. This mission was—and is—an act of divine compassion.

God’s desire is not to cast away, but to draw near. And yet, as we shall see, that nearness requires a response.

In John 3:18 (NLT), Jesus continues:

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

Here lies the dividing line of all eternity: belief or unbelief. Those who trust in Jesus—who place their full faith in His death, burial, and resurrection—are freed from judgment. Their sins are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. They are not condemned, but justified.

However, those who refuse to believe are not neutral in their standing—they are already judged. Not because God is cruel or unjust, but because they have rejected the only means of salvation. The penalty of sin remains upon them because they have turned away from the One who bore that penalty on their behalf.

Let us understand this clearly: God has offered us salvation, but He will not force it upon us. Love must be received, not imposed.

John 3:19–20 (NLT) explains this tragic reality:

“And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.”

Christ, the Light of the World, has come. But rather than rejoice in that light, many turn away from it. Why? Because light reveals what we would rather keep hidden. Sin thrives in secrecy. And when exposed to the truth of God’s holiness, many hearts recoil in fear or defiance.

This is not a matter of misunderstanding—it is a matter of preference. Some love their sin more than they love the Savior.

Even in my own journey, there were seasons of struggle—times when I wrestled with God's will and tried to run from His calling. I gave Him excuses, tried to drown out His voice with work and distraction. But just as the light exposes what is hidden, it also gently leads the wandering heart back home. Eventually, I came to see that hiding from the light only led to darkness, and in darkness, there is no life.

Jesus concludes this passage with hope in John 3:21 (NLT):

“But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

This is the call: to come into the light—not as one perfect, but as one willing. The one who believes walks in transparency, truth, and trust. There is no longer a need to hide, for the grace of God covers all.

The believer’s life becomes a testimony—not of self-righteousness, but of God’s transforming power. When others see a faithful walk, they glimpse the handiwork of a Savior who changes hearts from the inside out.

And so, the invitation remains open even now. Christ bids us come—not to a religion of rules, but to a relationship with Him. To come into the light is to be seen, known, and loved.

Beloved friends, there is a choice before each of us. The message is simple, but its implications are eternal.

God has extended His love in the form of a gift—His one and only Son. Through Him, we can receive eternal life. But to reject this gift is to choose judgment.

I chose to believe at twelve years old, kneeling in the sanctuary of a small Baptist church in Gatesville, Texas. That choice changed my life. I was not promised a life free of pain or struggle, but I was promised peace, hope, and eternal life in Christ.

That same promise is offered to you.

If you have already received this gift, then let your life shine with the light of Christ. Let your faith bear fruit, and let your walk reflect your witness.

And if you have not yet believed, I urge you—do not delay. The light has come. Step out of the shadows and into the grace of the Savior. The gift is free, but it must be received.

Lastly, let us all live out our faith not only in word, but in deed. Reach out to those in need. Give to your local food pantry. Extend mercy in the name of Christ. For as our Lord said in Matthew 25:45 (NLT):

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”

So, I say to you, "May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence."

Mid-Week Message - Carrying on His Mission

"This is my commandment:  Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command."  John 15:12-14 (NLT) 

When my daughter was in junior high school, she encountered a group of girls who were less than kind to her.  Although these girls had been together for several years in a small Christian school, when puberty hit, suddenly these young ladies began comparing themselves to one another and found the need to find someone to elevate themselves over.  Unfortunately it was my child they chose.   She handled it fairly well until one of her closest friends joined with the bullies.  That was simply more than she could handle.  She felt totally isolated and her self esteem fell to the point that her comment to me was, "I'd rather die than go to school."  

Friends have great power in our lives.  Who we choose to align ourselves with will influence our thoughts, our choices and how we see ourselves and others.  That is why it is so important to choose wisely.  So many lives have tumbled out of control by "getting in with the wrong crowd."  

Jesus laid down His life for us.  His command to us is that we love each other the way He loved us.  As He reached out to us with the love of the Father, so we are to reach out to others.  He says we are His "friends" if we do what He commands.  In other words, He wishes for us to align ourselves with His purpose, His mission to bring salvation to the world.  He wishes for us to spend our lives sharing His love and honoring the Lord.  The greatest friend we can be to someone else is by sharing the gospel message and by living our lives for Him rather than blending in with the depravity of this world.  In order accomplish this, we must be willing to allow Him to change us from the innermost parts of ourselves, to call out sin when we see it in ourselves and others, and to speak truth as it is revealed in God's Word.  This will definitely not make us popular with the world but if others are able to see Jesus in us and make a decision to follow Him, then that is the greatest gift we can give.  

My daughter's heart was troubled that she was not part of the "popular" circle.  We may experience the same feelings when we are scorned for seeking to live our lives for Jesus.  We live in a time in this country when more and more people are moving away from churches and are developing their own ideas of spirituality and what they want to have faith in.  False religions are becoming more prevalent and the idea that "all paths lead to Heaven" is becoming more acceptable.  Scripture tells us that the only way to the Father is through His Son.  That is the ultimate truth.  We are to be the messengers that boldly carry that message in a time when it is not popular.  This is one way that we "lay down our lives" for our friends.  We will be laughed at.  We will be argued with.  Many will call us crazy and tell us that we are believing in fairy tales.  However, we must not lose heart.  Too much is at stake if we give up.  

I know that what I have spoken about today is difficult.  None of us want others to turn their backs on us or slam doors in our faces.  Sometimes we tend to think that loving others means that we stay quiet about what we know is sin.  Jesus did not do that.  He loved, but He was truthful.  When we consider though that by not speaking truth we are aiding and abetting sinful choices, then we know that we are not truly being loving at all.  The greatest love is the love of God and it is honest and convicting and life changing.  I pray that we all examine our hearts, that we repent of the sin in our own lives and ask the Lord to help us fulfill His desire for us to carry out the mission He has laid before us.  With sincerity of heart, God bless. 

The Center of Love: Why God Must Be the Center of Our Lives

There is a question that often arises in the hearts of many—sometimes spoken aloud, and other times pondered in the quiet recesses of the soul: “Why should God be the center of my life?” It is a fair question in a world filled with distractions, competing loyalties, and endless demands on our attention. In a society that urges us to center our lives around careers, ambitions, relationships, or even personal fulfillment, the idea of placing God at the very core of our existence may seem unusual or even impractical.

But I would answer this question with a statement that turns the perspective completely around: God should be the center of our lives because He made us the center of His. Before we ever knew Him, before we were formed in the womb, and before a single breath escaped our lungs, God had already set His divine affection upon us. As Scripture proclaims in 1 John 4:19 (NLT), “We love each other because he loved us first.” The very ability to love—to love God, to love one another—is a reflection of His initiating love toward us.

God’s love is not abstract or philosophical. It is deeply personal and sacrificial. Jesus Himself affirmed this when He declared, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16–17, NLT). That is not the love of a distant deity. That is the intimate and selfless love of a Father who places His children at the center of His redemptive plan.

Thus, when we speak of the first pillar of a God-centered life—the importance of keeping God as the focus of everything—we are not advocating for a cold religious ritual. We are responding to a holy relationship that God Himself initiated. It is not about obligation, but about devotion. It is not about performance, but about presence—His presence in every part of our lives.

As we continue, we will explore how God’s love came first, what it cost Him, and how our response must be a life centered wholly upon Him. Let us now turn our hearts to that foundation of divine love that beckons us closer.

When we reflect upon the nature of our love for God, it is essential to understand that it is always a response, never an initiation. The Apostle John declares this foundational truth plainly in 1 John 4:19 (NLT): “We love each other because he loved us first.” That simple, powerful statement anchors our faith and compels us to reorder our lives around the One who reached for us before we could even grasp His name.

But the beauty of God's initiating love does not begin in the New Testament. It stretches all the way back to the dawn of time, in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 1:26–27 (NLT), we read, “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.’ … So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Unlike any other creature, mankind was crafted in the image and likeness of the Almighty. This was not an afterthought or an incidental detail of creation—this was the very heart of His design. He did not merely speak us into being as He did with the stars and seas. When it came to humanity, He formed us with divine intention and intimacy.

Even more profoundly, Genesis 2:7 (NLT) tells us, “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” Consider the tenderness in that moment. The Creator stooped down to shape us from the dust, and then He did something He did not do for any other living creature—He breathed His own breath into us. His breath became our life. That divine breath still animates us today, reminding us with every inhale that we were made by Him and for Him.

Such love and intentionality cannot be ignored. From the very beginning, God made us the center of His creative focus. He made us in His image. He gave us His breath. And when we strayed, He gave us His Son. Everything about God's relationship with humanity reveals a love that precedes us, surrounds us, and calls us home.

So when we ask why God should be at the center of our lives, the answer is etched in both dust and divinity. He formed us. He breathed into us. He loved us first. The only fitting response is to return that love with our whole hearts, placing Him at the center of all we are and all we do.

If the story of God’s love began in the Garden with His breath in our lungs, it reached its glorious climax at Calvary with His Son upon the cross. In John 3:16–17 (NLT), we find a familiar passage—so often quoted that its power can be overlooked if we are not careful. Yet within these two verses lies the deepest truth our hearts can ever embrace: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Let us pause and truly absorb what this means. God did not merely say He loves us—He demonstrated it by giving us what was most precious to Him: His only begotten Son. This was not a gift offered out of abundance, but a sacrifice offered from the deepest place of love. When the Father sent Jesus into the world, He did not do so to condemn us, though He had every right to. Instead, He came to rescue us from the very judgment our sin had earned.

We must see the cross not as a symbol of guilt, but as the purest expression of divine love. It is there that love was nailed to wood and crowned with thorns. It is there that the same God who breathed life into Adam willingly gave up His own breath so that we might live eternally. That is what it means when we say that God gave His best.

This sacrificial act reveals God's unrelenting pursuit of our hearts. He did not abandon His creation when sin entered the world. He did not give up when we rejected Him time and again. Instead, He gave Himself. The God who formed us from the dust and filled us with His breath also bore the weight of our sin and carried it to Golgotha.

If God made us the center of His creation and then gave His very best to redeem us, how can we possibly relegate Him to the margins of our lives? How can we keep Him at arm’s length when His arms were stretched wide in love for us?

This is the heart of the Gospel and the heart of the first pillar—that our lives should revolve entirely around God because He has already revolved His divine plan around us. We are the objects of His grace, the recipients of His mercy, and the reason He endured the cross. This love is not casual—it is covenantal. It does not ask for a portion of our attention—it demands our entire allegiance.

When we understand what God gave, how can we not give Him everything in return?

When we are confronted with the depth of God’s love—formed in creation, confirmed in Christ, and poured out through the cross—there can only be one appropriate response: to place Him at the very center of our lives. This is not merely an emotional reaction to divine affection; it is an act of sacred devotion. We align our lives around God not out of ritual or fear, but out of reverence and love.

To make God the center of our lives means that every decision, every ambition, every relationship, and every moment is filtered through His presence and guided by His Word. It is the daily act of surrender—rising each morning with the prayer, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.” It is the deliberate reorientation of our hearts away from self and toward the Savior who gave Himself for us.

When God is at the center, love becomes our motivation, not obligation. We no longer seek to earn His approval, for we already have it in Christ. Instead, we live in joyful response to His grace. We serve not because we must, but because we long to. We give not because we are compelled, but because we are grateful. We forgive, not because it is easy, but because we have been forgiven.

This is the essence of true worship—not confined to a church building or a Sunday morning service, but lived out in the rhythms of ordinary life. Worship is not just what we sing with our lips, but how we live with our lives. As Romans 12:1 reminds us, our bodies and choices are to be presented as “a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

God must be the center of our lives because He is the source of our life. From His breath in Eden to the blood of Calvary, everything we are is owed to Him. When we drift from that center, we lose our sense of direction, purpose, and peace. But when we return to Him—when we reestablish Him as the axis upon which our entire existence turns—we find not only our identity but our eternal hope.

The first pillar calls us to this very life: a God-centered life. It is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment, a moment-by-moment choice to let Him lead, guide, and shape every part of who we are. It is in keeping God at the center that we become most fully alive, most deeply rooted, and most richly blessed.

Beloved, we have walked through the story of love—beginning in the Garden, where God shaped man with His hands and gave him breath with His own Spirit; moving through the pages of Scripture, where God's love was revealed time and time again; and culminating on a rugged cross, where He gave His one and only Son so that we might have life. We are not spectators to this love—we are its beneficiaries. And with such great love bestowed upon us, we must now ask a soul-searching question: What will we do in response?

Is God truly the center of your life? Or has He been gently pushed to the side, replaced by the fleeting priorities of this world? We must be honest with ourselves, for the Lord desires not a portion of our hearts but their entirety. He desires not a place among many but to reign supreme as the center, the anchor, the foundation of everything.

The first pillar—the importance of keeping God as your focus—is not a theological concept to merely discuss. It is a life to be lived. And it begins by acknowledging that we are not our own. We belong to the One who formed us, redeemed us, and sustains us. He must be our first thought in the morning, our guiding hand throughout the day, and our comfort and rest in the evening hours.

I encourage you today to examine your life. What sits at the center of your thoughts, your ambitions, your decisions? Is it comfort? Career? Control? Or is it Christ? Because only when God is at the center will the rest of life fall into place. Only then will our love be rightly ordered, our purpose clearly understood, and our steps firmly directed.

So I challenge you, dear friends, not just to feel love for God—but to live it. Let your life reflect the divine order He established from the beginning. Love Him first. Love Him most. And make Him the center—not merely in word, but in deed. Let everything you do—how you work, how you speak, how you serve, how you love others—be a reflection of the truth that God loved you first.

And let us remember, as we close, that living with God at the center will shape how we love one another. The love that begins in our Creator flows through us into every relationship we touch. In this way, our God-centered life becomes a living testimony to a world in need of that very same love.

So, I say to you, "May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence."

Mid-Week Message - The Peasant and the Visitor

"So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son."  John 1:14 (NLT)

He was the poorest of the poor.  His crudely built shack was at the foot of the mountain upon which sat the King's castle.  The peasant hated the King because he knew that the King could end the hardships that he experienced every day, if only he desired to do so.  

Day by day, the poor man toiled in a garden that yielded only the weakest of crops, walked over a mile to collect water from the stream that was almost running dry and sat in loneliness as he looked up the mountain with animosity.  

One day there was a knock at the peasant's door.  This had never happened, not even once.  He opened it to find a man in rags.  The visitor was dirty, hungry and in need of a place to lay his head.  Cautiously, the peasant let him in.  He shared his meager rations and made another trip to the stream so that he could serve cool water.  At night, he allowed the visitor to sleep on the only straw bed in the shack, listening as the only person he had ever shared his space with drew breath.  

When the sun rose the next morning, the two men worked in the garden together and talked.  The peasant told the visitor all about the King on the mountain and how much he despised him for allowing him to live in such poverty.  

"If only he would come down from his lofty throne and experience this life for himself, then surely he would help me," the peasant moaned.  

At this, the visitor turned and started walking toward the mountain.  Confused, the peasant asked him where he was going and urged him to stop because the King might be angry if his castle was approached.  The visitor continued to climb and called to the peasant to follow him.  Side by side they trudged upwards until finally they were facing the lowered drawbridge.  

As the visitor entered the castle, the peasant tentatively followed.  His eyes grew wide as he beheld the opulent contents.  The floors were pure gold.  The walls were covered with beautiful tapestries woven with threads that appeared to be made of every gem he had ever heard about.  As he marveled at his surroundings he became aware that he was alone.  The visitor had vanished and he was fearful that he would be found where he should not be.  

Silently and with trepidation, he searched for his friend.  Finally he came to a jeweled door.  He opened it just enough to peek through.  The light from inside was almost blinding but he thought he heard a familiar voice so he tiptoed in.  As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he could just make out a person sitting on a throne at the far end of the enormous room and he realized in terror that he was in the king's chamber.  

"Come closer," said the voice.  Shaking, the peasant inched forward and fell on his face in fear before the throne.  

"There is no need to fear me,"  said the voice as the peasant felt a hand upon his shoulder.  As he cautiously lifted his head, the peasant gazed upon the face of his visitor friend who was no longer in rags, but in a kingly robe, and he as smiling.  

"I do not understand," said the peasant.  "Surely I am seeing things."

"Your eyes do not deceive you," spoke the king.  "I am the same person that knocked upon your door.  I became as you were in order to win your faith and bring you here to live with me forever."  

This simple story is a reminder of how dear we are to our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  He loved us so much that he left Heaven and became human in order to live among us and, ultimately, to sacrifice Himself so that we can live with Him in Heaven forever.  Just as the peasant, we toil and struggle and wonder why life has to be so difficult.  Jesus came to give us hope and to make sure we know that we are not alone.  His love, his grace, will see us through the trials of this life if we turn to Him.  As the visitor knocked upon the peasant's door, so the Son knocks upon our hearts.  All we have to do is open them and let Him in.  

I pray for each person reading this that your heart will be open and you will know the joy of His glorious presence.  God bless. 

Faith Begins at Home

Before there were churches, before there were kings, and before any human institutions were formed, God, in His infinite wisdom, ordained the family. In the garden of Eden, God declared, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” (Genesis 2:24, NLT). The family, therefore, is not a product of culture or human design—it is divine in origin.

As Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor charged with shepherding the church in Ephesus, he does not shy away from the foundational matters of the faith. In 1 Timothy 5:8 (NLT), we find this sobering declaration: “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” These words are not simply a command—they are a piercing indictment of what it means to neglect the sacred calling to care for one’s family.

The Second Pillar of a God-Centered Life, The Importance of Family, is not just a value we hold dear; it is a responsibility woven into the very fabric of our faith. Our homes must reflect our devotion to God, not only in prayer and worship but in compassion, provision, and everyday sacrifice. A strong and faithful walk with the Lord begins not in public worship but in the quiet, unseen moments of familial faithfulness.

In this message, we will explore why Paul placed such high importance on caring for one’s household, how this care is directly tied to our profession of faith, and what it means today to live out the Gospel starting at home. For if we fail to love and lead within our own walls, how can we expect to be credible ambassadors for Christ beyond them?

The Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, does not mince words in 1 Timothy 5:8. The verse is a striking admonition: “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” Such language demands our full attention, for it draws a line not merely between belief and unbelief, but between genuine faith and hypocrisy.

At the heart of Paul’s instruction is the understanding that our care for family is not optional—it is spiritual. To neglect the needs of those within our household is not merely a failure of responsibility; it is a denial of the very faith we claim to possess. In a world where faith is often seen as what one professes with their lips, Scripture reminds us that faith is more accurately measured by what we practice with our lives.

Paul was addressing a specific context in the early church—how to care for widows and dependent family members—but the principle applies universally. A person who claims to follow Christ but fails to meet the needs of their own family brings reproach upon the Gospel. In fact, Paul says that such a person is worse than an unbeliever—not because they have sinned more grievously, but because their conduct undermines the truth they claim to uphold.

Let us be clear: the faith we carry into the world must be born in the home. It is not enough to serve on church committees or speak eloquently of theology if one is neglectful, dismissive, or absent when it comes to the well-being of their spouse, their children, or their aging parents. If our faith is real, it will first manifest in daily, tangible acts of love and provision within our household.

There is a sacredness to family care. Whether it is ensuring food is on the table, listening with patience, or praying with and for your loved ones, each act of love becomes a living testimony of Christ’s love within us. The spiritual weight of this responsibility cannot be overstated—it is a foundational expression of true, Christ-centered discipleship.

If the Church is the body of Christ, then the family is its beating heart. It is within the sacred space of our homes that the Gospel is first seen, heard, and either confirmed or contradicted. Yet in our modern age, the nuclear family faces relentless assault—not only from cultural norms that devalue marriage and parental roles, but from a spirit of distraction that fractures unity and silences godly engagement.

Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 5:8 is not isolated from today’s realities. Fathers, once recognized as spiritual heads of the household, are often absent—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Mothers, overwhelmed and under-supported, struggle to carry burdens they were never meant to bear alone. Children are frequently raised by digital devices instead of parents, and shared meals have become times of isolation, where faces glow not from candlelight or conversation, but from cell phone screens.

This was not God’s design.

The family was intended to be the first sanctuary, the first classroom, the first congregation. It is within the home that children are to be taught the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). It is where husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25), and where wives respect and support their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). It is the very soil in which the next generation of disciples is to be planted and nurtured.

And yet, we see the sacred undone by the secular. We see commitment traded for convenience. Conversations replaced by notifications. Covenant love dismantled by casual living.

If we are to reclaim our homes for Christ, we must restore the family as our first ministry field. That means fathers must rise and reclaim their God-given role as spiritual leaders—not through domination, but through devotion. It means families must carve out time to read Scripture, pray together, and speak life to one another. It means putting down devices, turning off the noise, and being fully present in the sacred fellowship of home.

Our homes should echo with hymns, with laughter, with loving correction, and with grace. This is not a fantasy—it is a holy calling. The Church will never be stronger than the families that compose it. The Second Pillar—The Importance of Family—is not an accessory to faith. It is its very proving ground.

The enemy is subtle. He does not always attack the family with a sword—sometimes he does so with a screen, a schedule, or a subtle shift in values. One of the greatest challenges of our time is not open rebellion, but quiet neglect. Families are not always torn apart by storms—they often drift apart slowly in silence.

We live in a world where busyness is worn like a badge of honor. Parents are stretched thin, chasing after promotions, extracurriculars, social obligations, and digital distractions. But in this relentless pursuit of more, something sacred is often left behind: the intentional care and spiritual nurturing of the family. Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 5:8 expose this danger. We may be busy “doing good,” but if we are failing our family, we are failing our faith.

How many fathers have sacrificed spiritual leadership for career advancement? How many mothers are so overburdened that they have no time to reflect on their own spiritual well-being, let alone guide their children in it? How many children are being raised not with God’s Word, but by YouTube, TikTok, and whatever ideology comes through their feeds? And how often do families sit in the same room, each lost in their own digital world, strangers to one another in heart and soul?

This is not just a cultural concern—it is a spiritual crisis.

The Word of God does not conform to the times—it confronts them. We are called to steward our families with reverence, attentiveness, and sacrificial love. Stewardship means more than providing financially—it means being emotionally available, spiritually engaged, and relationally invested. It means saying no to the good so we can say yes to the godly.

Our faith must interrupt our routines. It must reclaim our time and rearrange our priorities. If our family life does not reflect our faith, then we are not truly living by faith. Paul’s rebuke is a holy warning: when we neglect our family, especially those in our own household, we do violence to the Gospel we profess.

But there is hope. Always hope. The Holy Spirit empowers us to reset, to return, to restore. The first step is recognizing that our home is not a side concern—it is the front lines of spiritual warfare. We must rise with courage, humility, and conviction to take it back.

If ever there were a moment when a person could be excused from concern for family—when the weight of divine mission, physical suffering, and eternal consequence might overshadow earthly relationships—it would be at Calvary. And yet, Jesus, from the cross, paused amid His agony to ensure the care of His mother. In John 19:26–27 (NLT), we read: “When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And he said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”

Let the weight of that moment rest upon us. Jesus, pierced and dying, still fulfilled His duty as a Son. He modeled for us a love that does not forsake family, even when burdened with the salvation of the world. That is more than a gesture—it is a divine testimony to the sacred bond of family.

Our Savior did not only preach love—He lived it, and in His final breaths, He honored it. We are to do the same.

Today, many seek to live out their faith in public spaces, in platforms, in ministries, and missions. But our first and foremost calling is to live out our faith in our homes. That is where love must first be seen. That is where forgiveness must take root. That is where Christ must be enthroned.

Every word we speak to our spouse in love, every prayer whispered over a sleeping child, every tear shed in intercession for a wayward son or daughter—these are the true marks of a living faith. A family rooted in Christ is a witness that preaches louder than any pulpit ever could.

Paul’s charge to Timothy was not about institutional caretaking alone—it was about embodying Christ in the most personal and practical way: by honoring those whom God has placed in our charge. Whether aging parents, young children, or struggling relatives, the home is where our theology becomes our testimony.

And so, we are reminded that the Second Pillar—The Importance of Family—is not an accessory to faith but an essential fruit of it. Our families are not perfect, but when they are grounded in Christ, they become places of grace, discipleship, restoration, and peace.

We have heard the Word. We have felt its weight. Now we must respond—not merely with agreement, but with action. For the family, as God designed it, is not a social convenience; it is a sacred covenant. It is where faith is forged, where love is lived, and where Christ is first known.

Paul’s charge in 1 Timothy 5:8 stands not as a relic of ancient instruction, but as a burning standard for today. “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” These are not words to gloss over—they are words to awaken us. For what good is it to profess Christ if we deny Him in our homes?

So today, I call upon you—fathers, rise up and become the spiritual leaders of your families. Your children need more than provision—they need prayerful direction. Your wives need more than support—they need to see your faith in action, lived out in humility and strength.

Mothers, your nurturing hands shape the soul of the household. Never underestimate the power of your love, your prayers, your perseverance. You are not just raising children—you are raising future disciples.

Sons and daughters, honor those who raised you. Whether you are still under your parents’ roof or now raising families of your own, do not forget the commandment: “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12, NLT). Let respect, gratitude, and reconciliation be the fruit of your walk in Christ.

And to all—put down your phones at the dinner table. Turn off the noise. Reclaim conversation. Rediscover what it means to share a meal, to pray aloud, to weep together, to laugh without distraction. Let your homes ring not with the silence of disengagement but with the sound of godly fellowship.

If your family has fractured, pray. If communication has dried up, speak. If leadership has been abdicated, return. The Lord is merciful and ready to restore what the world has tried to tear down. But we must act—deliberately, urgently, prayerfully.

Let today be the day you recommit to the sacred stewardship of your home. The Second Pillar—The Importance of Family—demands no less. For in caring for those within your household, you proclaim a faith that is not only confessed with the lips but lived with the heart.

So, I say to you, "May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence."

Live What You Claim: Responding to Cruelty with Christlike Character

We live in an age where communication travels at the speed of thought and is broadcast with the simple tap of a finger. Social media platforms, once intended as means of connection, fellowship, and encouragement, have sadly become fertile ground for misunderstanding, division, and even malice. What once might have been said in hushed tones or in the privacy of closed doors is now flung into the world with thoughtless ease. And what’s worse—many of those words are being spoken or typed by individuals who boldly proclaim the name of Christ.

Let us be clear from the very beginning of this message: calling oneself a Christian is not the same as living as a Christian. The true test of faith is not in the title we bear, but in the fruit we produce—in our actions, our speech, and yes, even our online interactions. Christ did not call us to a convenient or selective discipleship. He called us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow Him in word, in deed, and in character.

It grieves the heart to witness how some have used social media as a modern-day slingshot, hurling criticisms, passive-aggressive jabs, and open condemnation under the guise of righteousness. Behind the veil of a profile picture and a keyboard, they lash out at others, sometimes even at fellow believers, forgetting the very words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “Never pay back evil with more evil... Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17–18, NLT). Sadly, the weaponization of words—especially in public forums—has become commonplace, and tragically, it often masquerades as spiritual boldness.

But, beloved, true spiritual boldness is not found in tearing others down—it is found in lifting Christ up through grace, truth, and humility. This message is a call to reexamine how we live out our faith, not only in our homes and churches but in our digital lives. It is a challenge to those who bear the name of Christ to also bear His heart in every setting—especially in those places where temptation whispers, “No one will hold you accountable.”

In the verses we will explore today, from Romans 12 and the Gospel of John, we will uncover the mandate to act with Christlike mercy, to extend grace even when it is undeserved, and to let our conduct reflect the One who forgave us when we were at our worst. This is the beginning of repentance for those who have misused their voice, and it is the beginning of healing for those who have been wounded by such misuse.

Let us journey now into the Word of God, with open hearts and yielded spirits, and ask ourselves: Am I truly living what I claim to believe?

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:17–21 (NLT), “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone... Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

When the Apostle Paul penned these words to the believers in Rome, he did not write as one who was unfamiliar with persecution or cruelty. He wrote as a man who had suffered beatings, imprisonment, slander, and betrayal—all for the sake of Christ. Yet his exhortation was not to retaliate, not to return insult for insult, but to live in such a way that all could see the honor and holiness of God reflected in the believer’s life.

This is the essence of the first pillar of a God-centered life: keeping God as your focus. When our eyes are fixed on Him, our behavior—our decisions, our reactions, our speech—is filtered through His holiness. We no longer operate out of pride or emotion, but out of reverence and obedience. The Christian who has truly centered their life on God will ask before every interaction, “Will this glorify the Lord?”

Nowhere is this more tested than in our digital lives. In the heat of disagreement, when a post angers us or someone takes a jab at our beliefs, the temptation to fire back is real. But here is the truth, dear brothers and sisters: vengeance belongs to God, not to us. Romans 12:19 says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” The moment we repay evil with evil, whether by word, post, or meme, we have taken our eyes off God and placed them on ourselves.

Social media offers instant gratification. A clever insult. A sarcastic retort. A viral rebuttal. But what does it cost? The approval of men is fleeting, but the favor of God is eternal. When we make Him our focus, we are no longer concerned with “winning” an argument or “clapping back” at someone online. We are instead committed to winning souls, extending grace, and being peacemakers in a hostile world.

We must remember that we are always representing someone higher than ourselves. We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). When others look at our conduct—especially when tensions are high—they should be able to say, “That person walks with God.”

So the question we must all ask ourselves today is simple, but convicting: Are my words—spoken or typed—a reflection of the God I claim to serve? If not, then our focus needs to return to the One who gave us a better way. For the Christian life is not one of retaliation, but of reconciliation. Not of cruelty, but of compassion. Not of pride, but of peace.

In John 8:1–11 (NLT), Jesus looks at the crowd surrounding the woman caught in the act of adultery and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

The second pillar of a God-centered life is the importance of family, and this extends far beyond the walls of our homes. It reaches into our churches, our communities, and even our digital fellowship. We are, in Christ, members of one body—a spiritual family called to love, restore, and uplift one another.

In John 8, we are presented with a powerful encounter between Jesus, the Pharisees, and a woman caught in the act of adultery. The religious leaders dragged her publicly into the temple courts, not out of concern for righteousness, but in an attempt to trap Jesus and parade their own self-righteousness. They shamed her, condemned her, and demanded judgment. They saw her as a tool in their plot, not a soul in need of mercy.

But Jesus saw her differently.

Instead of answering their cries for condemnation, He stooped down and wrote in the dust. Then He spoke the words that continue to echo through the centuries: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” And one by one, they walked away—silenced not by clever argument, but by the weight of their own guilt. Jesus, the only one qualified to condemn her, offered her forgiveness and a new beginning.

This is the posture we must take—not just in moments of face-to-face confrontation but in our responses online, where modern-day Pharisees often wield their keyboards like stones. It is heartbreaking to see how believers, who are supposed to be part of one spiritual family, often devour each other in public view. Posts meant to encourage become battlefields. Threads of conversation become threads of condemnation. And what is most tragic is that the watching world sees not the grace of Christ, but the fury of religious pride.

Beloved, our families—both biological and spiritual—learn from what we model. Our children see our interactions. Our spouses observe our tone. Our fellow believers take note of our witness. And our words, though typed in pixels, carry weight in the spiritual realm. When we attack others, even in the name of truth, without love and grace, we betray the unity of the body of Christ.

Jesus could have used that moment in the temple to issue a public rebuke of sin. Instead, He issued a private call to repentance and a public display of mercy. What would happen if we, too, embraced mercy over condemnation? What would change in our churches, our homes, and our social media feeds if we acted not out of pride, but out of familial concern for one another's well-being?

To love our spiritual family means to protect one another from shame, to restore gently, to bear burdens, and to reflect the patience and kindness of Christ. This love extends to our online behavior. The anonymity of the internet does not excuse us from biblical decency; it only tests the sincerity of our discipleship.

So I ask you now: Are we casting stones with our posts, or are we stooping down like Jesus, drawing mercy in the dust and offering restoration instead of ruin?

As we draw this message to a close, let us return once more to the powerful words of Paul in Romans 12: “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” And let us recall the voice of our Savior as He stood beside a broken, humiliated woman and declared, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” These are not just holy words preserved on ancient scrolls. They are divine instructions for every believer who walks the path of grace in a world soaked in cruelty.

We have considered the first two pillars of a God-centered life—Keeping God as Your Focus and The Importance of Family. These are not merely theological concepts; they are anchors that keep us grounded in righteousness when the world tempts us toward vengeance, sarcasm, and self-righteousness.

When we keep God at the center, we are reminded that our every action is seen by Him. Nothing is hidden, not even the comments we post or the messages we send in private. Our pursuit is not to be right in the eyes of men, but to be righteous before a holy God.

When we honor our spiritual family—our brothers and sisters in Christ—we reflect the love that binds us together through the blood of the Lamb. We are not spiritual vigilantes called to expose and shame; we are servants of the cross called to restore, forgive, and build up.

The question, then, is not, “Do I call myself a Christian?” The real question is: “Am I living in a Christlike manner—especially when no one else is?”

The world is watching. Our families are watching. But more importantly, God is watching. And He is calling His children to rise above the noise, to speak with gentleness, to post with wisdom, and to shine with the light of Christ in all they do.

If you have misused your words—whether online or offline—take heart. Grace is not withheld from the repentant. Jesus still stoops beside the guilty, not to cast a stone, but to offer a new beginning. Today can be that day of renewal.

And if you have been wounded by the cruelty of others, know this: the Savior who defended the woman in the temple stands to defend you as well. He knows your pain, and His mercy is your healing.

So let us commit ourselves anew to the calling of Christ—not just in name, but in truth. Let us be slow to speak, quick to listen, rich in mercy, and steadfast in love. And when we are tempted to cast stones, let us instead draw mercy in the sand.

So, I say to you, "May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence."

The Table of Servanthood: Love in Action

On this holy evening, as we recall the final hours of our Lord’s earthly ministry before the cross, we are drawn to an upper room where eternity touched time, and divine love was poured out not only in bread and cup, but in basin and towel.

Maundy Thursday—derived from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment”—commemorates the new commandment our Lord gave: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34, NLT). This love was not theoretical or poetic. It was gritty, tangible, and humbling. The Son of God—on His knees—washing the feet of men who would soon betray, deny, and abandon Him.

He washed them anyway.

Jesus' act of foot washing was more than cultural hospitality—it was the revelation of true leadership in God’s kingdom. It was the embodiment of grace, of servant-hearted love that kneels in humility to lift another. In doing so, He provided not just a demonstration but a directive. “Do as I have done to you.”

As we gather in remembrance, may we not merely commemorate the Last Supper or acknowledge a distant historical act. Let us draw near to the table of Christ and examine our hearts. Are we living lives of servanthood? Are we washing the feet of others through acts of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice?

Let us not rush past the basin and towel. For before the cross, there was the cleansing. Before the sacrifice, there was the serving.

May tonight awaken in us a deeper desire to embody the love of Christ, not just in sacred gatherings, but in the quiet, unseen moments of daily living.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.

Being Healthy to Serve God

As we arrive at the fourth and final pillar in our “Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life” series, we come to a truth that is often overlooked in discussions of spiritual living, yet it is one of great significance: being healthy in order to serve God. Over the past several weeks, we have reflected on the importance of keeping God as our focus, nurturing our families with love and faith, and simplifying our lives to make space for what matters most. Each of these pillars has helped us realign our lives with God’s purpose. Now we turn to the vessel through which all ministry, service, and worship is carried out—our physical bodies.

Scripture teaches us that our bodies are not our own. They are temples of the Holy Spirit, purchased with the precious blood of Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” These verses are not simply about avoiding sin—they are a call to sacred stewardship. Our health—physical, mental, and emotional—plays a vital role in our ability to walk in obedience, to lead our families, to love our neighbors, and to serve God with energy and joy.

This message is not about worldly fitness or appearance. It is about faithful readiness. It is about recognizing that when we neglect our health, we may also limit our ability to carry out the good works God has prepared for us. Let us now explore what it means to live a life that honors the Lord through our bodies, and how we may be strengthened—not for self—but for the glory of God and the service of His Kingdom.

The body, though physical and temporal, plays a sacred role in the believer’s spiritual life. It is the vessel through which we speak words of encouragement, extend hands of compassion, and walk the paths of obedience that God has set before us. Our bodies are not incidental to our faith—they are instruments of worship and service. As such, they must not be neglected or abused, but rather cared for with the reverence due to something entrusted by God for His divine purposes.

In Romans 12:1, Paul makes this appeal: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” This offering is not symbolic—it is practical. It involves how we treat our physical selves, how we rest, how we nourish, and how we preserve the strength God has given us so that we might be useful in His Kingdom.

Even the simplest acts—cooking a meal for a neighbor, teaching a child, standing in worship, or going where God sends us—require the cooperation of the body. When we neglect our health, we limit not only our comfort but also our capacity to serve. Our physical vitality, when rightly stewarded, becomes a tool for ministry. And in honoring our bodies, we honor the Lord who designed them and dwells within them through His Spirit.

It is a truth we must confront with both humility and hope: when we neglect our health—whether through inaction, poor habits, or the relentless busyness of life—we often limit the very vessel God has entrusted to us for His service. A weary, burdened, or broken-down body can hinder the joyful execution of ministry. Fatigue steals energy meant for compassion. Poor choices weaken the strength needed for obedience. And unresolved stress clouds the clarity of God's calling.

We do not speak of perfection, nor do we speak with condemnation. Rather, we speak with the understanding that a healthy body is a gift that equips us to love, serve, and glorify God more fully. When we care for our health in the spirit of stewardship, we are not chasing vanity—we are choosing vitality for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

The importance of this truth becomes even clearer when we look to the example of our Lord in John 2:13–17. Upon entering the temple courts, Jesus found them filled not with reverence, but with distraction—money changers, merchants, and exploitation. In righteous indignation, He cleansed the temple, declaring, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” He was not just restoring order—He was reestablishing sacred purpose.

In much the same way, our bodies—temples of the Holy Spirit—can become cluttered and misused. We may fill them with unhealthy habits, neglect, stress, or indulgence. Yet the Spirit of Christ calls us to cleanse and restore this sacred space—not with violence, but with discipline, repentance, and reverence. We are invited to reclaim our bodies for the purpose for which they were created: to be vessels of worship and instruments of holy service.

Let us be willing to examine our lives, to cast out what distracts and defiles, and to rededicate these earthly temples to the glory of the One who bought us at a price.

When we embrace a simplified life—as we explored in the previous message—we open our hearts and homes to the gentle order of God’s design. That same simplification, when applied to our health, allows us to steward our physical well-being with greater clarity and intention. Simplicity is not merely about having less—it is about living with purpose. And that purpose includes caring for the body God has entrusted to us.

When our lives are overfilled with commitments, stress, and distractions, our health often suffers. Meals are rushed or skipped. Rest becomes secondary. Exercise is postponed. We push our limits until fatigue becomes familiar and illness is quietly accepted. But when we simplify, we reclaim time for things that nourish—not just the soul, but also the body. We are better able to eat mindfully, rest intentionally, and move regularly—all acts that support our ability to serve with strength and joy.

As with every other area of our lives, health is a matter of stewardship. We are called to manage our time, our resources, and our relationships for God's glory. Our bodies are no different. They are not to be neglected, nor idolized, but cared for in a way that reflects gratitude to our Creator. Just as simplifying our possessions helped my wife and me refocus on what truly mattered, attending to our health becomes an act of honoring the Lord—giving Him our best, so that we may be fully present, ready, and able to do His will.

In this way, the third and fourth pillars stand side by side. A simplified life prepares the way for faithful stewardship of the body. And a healthy body, in turn, supports a more focused, fruitful, and God-honoring life.

When we speak of honoring God with our bodies, we are not merely discussing wellness—we are bearing witness to our faith. Every act of care we extend toward our health becomes a quiet testimony that we believe our lives are not our own, but belong fully to the One who redeemed us. Stewarding our physical health with diligence and humility proclaims to the world, “My body is a vessel of worship, a tool for service, and a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.”

This testimony is most powerful when it is lived out in the everyday—when we choose to rest instead of overextend, to eat with wisdom instead of indulgence, to move in strength instead of remain idle, and to approach each day not with self-centered goals, but with a desire to be ready for whatever God may call us to do. In this way, caring for our bodies becomes an extension of discipleship.

It is not about perfection, nor is it about appearance. It is about readiness. A healthy body allows us to minister without hesitation, to serve without fatigue becoming a constant obstacle, and to be present for our families and our fellow believers in meaningful, lasting ways. It means we are able to pray longer, stand stronger, endure more, and love better. Even in times of sickness or physical limitation, our willingness to honor God through how we care for ourselves can be a beacon of hope and a model of faithfulness.

In a world that often seeks health for self-glory, we seek it for God's glory. That is the difference. That is the witness. Our bodies, though temporary, are sacred. When we care for them in reverence and gratitude, we show the world that we serve a living God who is worthy of every part of our lives—even our physical strength.

As we bring this series to its final message, I pray that these four pillars—keeping God as your focus, nurturing the family, simplifying life, and being healthy to serve—have not only spoken to your heart, but have also offered practical direction for your walk with Christ. Though today’s message marks the end of this particular series, it is by no means the end of the journey. In truth, it is the beginning of a renewed way of life, built upon the firm foundation of God’s truth, love, and purpose.

In the weeks ahead, I will be prayerfully seeking how the Lord might lead us to build further upon these truths—perhaps through expanded messages, devotionals, or even a published work that gathers the fullness of these teachings into one unified volume. However the Lord leads, my prayer is that you will continue walking forward, applying these pillars not as distant ideals, but as daily, Spirit-led practices.

The strength of a God-centered life is not measured in grand moments, but in quiet obedience—day by day, choice by choice, step by step. May you be encouraged to live that kind of life, shaped by God’s Word and sustained by His grace.

Beloved, as we close this message and complete our journey through the Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life, I urge you to prayerfully consider the stewardship of your body as an offering to the Lord. Just as we are called to honor Him with our hearts, our time, and our resources, so too are we called to honor Him with our physical selves. This is not a call to vanity or self-reliance, but a call to readiness—to be fully present and able to serve God with joy, strength, and endurance.

Ask yourself today: Am I honoring God with the way I care for the body He has entrusted to me? Are there habits, patterns, or neglect that hinder my ability to serve Him and others? What one step can I take this week to restore this temple and prepare it for His service?

Perhaps it is getting more rest, taking a walk, preparing a healthier meal, setting boundaries that protect your peace, or seeking medical or emotional help where needed. Whatever that step may be, let it be an act of worship. Let it be a declaration that your body belongs to God, and that you desire to be a faithful steward of every part of your life.

Let us not wait until our strength is gone to offer ourselves to the Lord. Let us offer our best today. And in doing so, may our lives be a living sacrifice—holy, pleasing, and wholly devoted to His glory.

As we conclude this message and bring the Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life to a close, let us do so with the sobering and empowering reminder found in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 (NIV):

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober... putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

These words remind us to live alert, intentional, and prepared—not only spiritually, but also physically and emotionally. A God-centered life is not a passive existence. It is a deliberate, daily commitment to walk in the light of His Word, to guard the sacred gifts we’ve been given, and to use every part of our lives—including our health—for the glory of the One who has redeemed us.

You are not your own. You were bought with a price. Therefore, let your whole life—heart, soul, mind, and body—be a testimony of gratitude and reverence.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.

Mid-Week Message - This is Who We Are

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."  John 1:12-13 (NLT)

One of the fun memories I have of my daughter when she was little comes from a time that we were a one car family.  When she and I would go to pick her father up from work, we would arrive a bit early and park in front of the building.  As people were coming out she would ask, "Is that my Daddy?" She would ask it about every man that exited then get very excited when she saw her dad.  It was a game.  We had lots of games we played in the car.  I'm sure you did as well.  

As Christians, we never have to ask, "Is that my Daddy?", because we know that our true Father is Almighty God.  Our identity is in Him and was sealed with the blood of Christ.  We are told that we are co-heirs, children of the Most High God, paid for with the most precious possession He had.  We have a home in Heaven where we will spend eternity in praise and worship.  Oh, what a promise!  

As I was thinking about this article, several other things occurred to me as to who we really are.  The scriptures tell us many stories and introduce us to people just like us, through whom we learn about the grace and mercy of our Lord.  So, who are we?  

We are the lepers who were touched by the Savior and healed.  We are the blind who have had our sight restored.  We are the lame who walk because His power is greater than our own.  We are the deaf who hear and respond to the voice of our Shepherd.  We are the wanderers who find our way through and by His direction.  We are the lonely that He has promised never to leave.  We are the grievers to whom He sends His comfort.  We are the poor who find our wealth in innumerable blessings and lay up our treasures in Heaven.  We are the dead who are dead no more but raised up in His likeness.  We are the sinners who are forgiven and adopted as family.  We are the bride who waits expectantly for her groom.  We are the wordless to whom was delivered the Living Word.  We are the orphans who are now members of an eternal family. We are the prodigals whose Father runs to welcome.  We are prisoners whose chains have been removed.  We are the outcast who have been sought out and brought into holy fellowship.  We are the lost who have been found, the frightened who have reassurance and the homeless who have found our forever home.  

I could go on and on.  What I hope that you see is that He is the answer for wherever we find ourselves in life.  Nothing is beyond His power.  You cannot out-love Him nor out-give Him. He is greater than any problem you may encounter.  Hear me.  He is greater than ANY problem you will ever have.  All He asks of us is that we turn to Him and let Him be who He is.  He loves it when His children ask Him to be present in their lives.  His angels rejoice when we accept Him as our Lord. 

Who are we?  We are His.  Created in His likeness and fully loved and accepted.  There is nowhere better to be than in His arms.  He chose to love us.  He chooses each day to give us life.  Our choice is this, what do we do with the life He gives us?  Oh, brothers and sisters, my prayer for each of us is that we learn to rest in the miraculous reality of being His children and that we lovingly share that with those around us.  I look forward to the day that I can look each of you in the face and share a heavenly hug.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Someone

"Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.'"  John 11:1-3 (NIV)

Stop and think.  How many times do you tell another person that you will pray for them?  I would imagine it is fairly often because that is what we do out of compassion for our friends and family.  Now, how often do you actually follow through?  I'm not trying to be nosy or cast any doubt on anyone.  It's just that I know from experience that we say it, then get busy and forget.  What I have had to train myself to do is to pray immediately otherwise my mind will wander and before I know it, the next day has come and I will realize that I have missed crucial hours when I could have been lifting needs up to the Father.

This hit home with me one day as I was having my quiet time and reading my daily devotions.  The act of prayer is a gift and a vitally important one.  I can't count how many times I have encountered a friend with a need and said these words, "I wish I could do more but all I can do is pray."  All I can do?  We have the privilege of being able to go straight to the Master Himself!  We don't have to be priests, rabbis or preachers.  We don't have to have any special degree or have any special skills.  We are children of the Most High God, co-heirs with Christ.  We simply have to be willing to go before Him and talk to Him about what the problem is.  That's it.  No fanfare.  No waiting for an appointment.  He is available at all times to each of us.  Jesus secured this pathway for us through His sacrifice. 

Look carefully at the verse above.  What do you notice?  Look specifically at the last sentence.  "So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.'"  Read it again.  Do you see it now?  I can't even count how many times I have read this and didn't notice.  In order to "send word", someone had to go to Jesus.  Who was it?  We have no idea.  What we do know is that it was someone that was willing to carry the news that Lazarus was sick and needed His help.  That someone performed the most important task, that of delivering the need to the Master. If you read more of the story you will see that Jesus stopped and listened, exactly what He does when we go to Him.

I would love to have the resources to physically meet the needs I encounter.  Unlimited funds would go a long way with being able to help a lot of hurting people in one way or the other.  However, unless He blesses me with them in the future, that is simply not possible.  I am always available to listen and will do my best to exercise my personal spiritual gift, which is encouragement.  I will lend my shoulder to cry on and I will share whatever I have that might be needed.  But the most important thing I, or anyone else, can do for another is talk to Jesus on their behalf.  "Lord, there is a problem that needs your help."  Someone did that for Lazarus.  We can all be someone too.  God bless you!

Mid-Week Message - Loss of a Friend

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35 (MSG)

Her name was Deborah.  I would never have met her if my mother's health had not declined to the point that she was falling regularly.  After Mom had been hospitalized for two days for"failure to thrive" which had been decided upon by the emergency room doctor, we were told by the hospitalist that they could not keep her for that reason and she would be discharged.  My father was beside himself with worry because taking her home meant more middle of the night falls and visits by the fire department and EMT's to pick her up and check her over for any injury.  So (and if you know me this won't surprise you) I refused to take her home which did not please the doctor trying to discharge her.  Because of my refusal, however, he got her into an in-patient rehab program to help her gain strength. And her roommate just happened to be Deborah.  

Deborah was a fifty something year old black Apostolic preacher.  The first time I met her she was lying in her bed watching football, which she loved, with her Bible, which she loved even more, open upon her lap.  As Dad chatted with Mom, I struck up a conversation with Deborah.  She was more than eager to tell me about her grandchildren and to produce pictures of them from her purse. Most of all though, she wanted to know if I loved the Lord.  I found out that she was in the rehab because she had a massive stroke.  One that should have killed her instantly but didn't.  She had to learn to walk again but her speech was fine and she had no paralysis.  She was a living miracle!  I can't remember all we talked about but when it was time to leave and Mom was telling us what we needed to bring her during our next visit, I asked Deborah if there was anything she needed.  She was dumbfounded that I would ask but when I assured her I was serious, she meekly asked for some socks because she couldn't get her feet warm.

In the years following our initial meeting, we stayed connected through phone calls and letters.  She loved to write and get letters!  When my Dad passed away, and then my Mom, she was heartbroken.  She loved them though she only knew them from the rehab facility and through me.  And, God bless her sweet heart, she loved me.  She also felt like I was a part of her family so she felt comfortable letting me know when she was short on money or needed Bibles for her prison ministry.  I was glad to help her out as I could.  My husband and I had our ministry at the retirement facility and the money donated to us was used to help people in need, so we helped her.  At first she only asked occasionally, but later she asked in every letter and every phone call.  

When we moved to Georgia, we no longer had our ministry, therefore we had no donations and were unable to assist Deborah financially.  I felt so awful for having to say no each time, that eventually I let her letters and calls go unanswered and, after a time, they stopped coming.  She had always said she was afraid she would run me off and though I promised her I would never let that happen, I did.  

I tell you this because one night when she was on my mind  I "googled" her.  Sadly, I found that she passed away.  She passed without me telling her how much I loved her and allowing her any other chances to love me. I let my fear of telling her I couldn't send her money take away the last times that I would have a chance to tell her how much I appreciated her.  She always said I was her angel and she was very sincere.  And she was always so grateful when we helped her.  She really had next to nothing and her health kept her isolated in her home.  

Friendships are gifts. Some last forever, some eventually dissolve because of distance or as a result of friends growing apart, some are very toxic and need to be ended, but others, like this one, end for reasons that could be alleviated with honesty and communication.  The two greatest commandments, according to Jesus, are to love God and to love each other.  We only have a limited time to love each other on this earth and we have no way of knowing when that time will end.  I know she is in Heaven now and knows the greatest love of all and one day I will get to see her again, ask her forgiveness and hug her for eternity.  

Mid-Week Message - Not Perfect But Created Perfectly

 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 (NIV)

As most young people do, I daydreamed about having the perfect life.  Once I became an adult, I would find the perfect job then rent the perfect apartment.  I would find a perfect husband, settle down and have perfect children, live in a perfect neighborhood and spend the rest of my life in the perfect happily ever after.  There was one large detail that I failed to consider though.  I, myself, wasn't perfect.

I went to a wonderful college.  Not perfect, but it certainly met my needs as far as education goes.  I met great friends there.  They weren't perfect either, but I loved them and still keep in touch with many of them today.  When I lived in an apartment during my last year, the air conditioner had continual problems and the upstairs bathroom floor sank down in one place.  It wasn't perfect but I have very happy memories of my times with the two women that I shared it with.  My jobs weren't perfect either.  In fact, during a couple of them I threw up every night because of the nerves I had about returning the next day.  They were extremely stressful.  But, they did pay my bills.  I didn't marry until the age of 33.  My husband was handpicked by the Lord just for me, and while he isn't perfect, I couldn't love him more.  We have one child and although as her mother I tend to think she is perfect, I guess she isn't in reality.  

I have come to realize that we weren't created to be perfect.  However, we are created perfectly.  God knew just what He was doing when He gave us our bodies and personalities.  He knew we would have weaknesses and that we would make mistakes but He also used those "imperfections" to teach us about Himself and to show us our need for a Redeemer.  Had He created us as perfect beings, what need would we have for Him?  

None of us are perfect.  Not physically, mentally, emotionally or even spiritually.  However, we are being perfected through our relationship with Jesus and one day, when we live with Him in Heaven, we will be perfect.  And what better way to say "thank you" than to spend eternity praising our Creator and Perfector?

This week will bring many reminders of just how imperfect we are.  I pray that you will be encouraged in the knowledge that being imperfect does not mean that you were not created perfectly.  Praise the Lord!  He knows everything about us and loves us still.  God bless you!