There is encouragement for you in the account of Jesus speaking with Peter as recorded in John 21:15-19. Peter was discouraged, he felt defeated, and not exactly engaged in the mission that he had previously responded to when the Lord called him. The focal point of this narrative is in John 21:17 when Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my sheep.” I point this out because you have likely been there, too. As a small church pastor it seems like there … Continue reading →
I’ve been thinking about Revelation 1:10 lately and how it relates to CrossHope Chapel. I probably need to mention that with this pandemic I’ve been thinking a lot about CrossHope Chapel, where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re heading. This coming January 2, 2021 when we gather we’ll be celebrating our 10th consecutive year of fellowship as a body of Christ, known as CrossHope Chapel. It has been a very rewarding pastoral ministry experience, to me. Not rewarding … Continue reading →
It’s not an uncommon question to ask, Why Sin? So I want to point out that we have some resources available to you at www.crosshopechapel.org if this question arises in your conversations or within your own heart. It’s a good question, and I personally think it shows that some one is thinking on spiritual things so if you hear it, please don’t assume some one is doubting God or being in open rebellion of Him. It’s easy to assume God … Continue reading →
I have had at least three conversations in the past two weeks with individuals who have told me that when their church goes back to regular in-person worship services, they will not. All three of these people were from different congregations representing Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, and Nondenominational but all three cited a similar reason as to why they are not planning on returning their church. All three agreed that they are happy watching their pastor’s sermon online and that they … Continue reading →
Many years ago I hosted a syndicated radio broadcast called Ask the Bible which was a listener call-in question and answer radio show in the South Carolina and North Carolina market. It’s hard for me to think of those days or use the phrase “Ask the Bible” without thinking about Les Waugh. Les was a parishioner and elder at a church I once served as pastor in Rock Hill, South Carolina back in 1990 – 1993. While serving there I had a … Continue reading →
A few months ago I was of the opinion that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to subside come summer, but today I am thinking differently. We are half way through July and the COVID culture is ramping up its influence upon our lives. The media is obsessed with reporting cases, exploiting stories of its spread, and contradicting medical professionals who dare to tear apart the narrative of the political opportunists. There is a growing sense of fear for a want … Continue reading →
In my last post titled “Will the COVID-19 Vaccine be the Mark of the Beast?” I attempted to encourage those who harbor some fears of taking the mark of the beast by learning that the verse in Revelation says the mark is not a visible or tangible thing, but a belief that puts the Beast power above Christ’s power. Revelation 13:17 says that the mark of the Beast is “the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” … Continue reading →
In recent years I have been going through a theological journey and have been deeply studying the questionable issues in Dispensationalism and Historicism views of eschatology. My own ministerial education has been in the Historicism school of eschatology but I have not been one to make an issue of those who hold to a Dispensationalism school of thought. For some reason I haven’t ran into pre-trib people ridiculing post-trib people, it has always been the post-trib that seem to want … Continue reading →
My short answer is No, but let me explain… Revelation 13:17 clearly says that “…no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” The verse literally says the mark of the beast is “the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” The meaning of “name” is more than identity, it’s about character. The character of the beast is one of anti-Christ. It’s … Continue reading →
This afternoon our Psalms Bible study at CrossHope Chapel became a Q&A study on the mark of the beast and the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine. I want to share with all of you two important points when you hear others declaring the COVID-19 vaccine as being the mark of the beast. First, no one is going to accidentally take the mark of the beast. We will not be tricked into taking the mark of the beast, either. The believer in Jesus … Continue reading →
Sunday I made reference to Dr. Voddie Baucham, a black Reformed Baptist minister, and his public statements on the anti-Christian positions being welcomed by social justice leaders in the church and the protesting organizations. If you search Voddie Baucham in YouTube you’ll find several sermons that are worth listening to, but here is a link to a video clip of a recent interview he participated in on the Glenn Beck Show: https://youtu.be/EtG0ylfWT_k. Also, last night’s Prophecy Update by J.D. Faraq … Continue reading →
I want to make some general statements regarding the Law of Moses, in hopes that I can shed some biblical light on the place of the law in our Christian walk. When the Bible makes mention of “the law” it sometimes speaks to a specific order of laws or general application as in when the Apostle John speaks of “commands” or the Psalms speak of “Thy law is good” but there are really three different uses to the word “law” … Continue reading →
I was reminded this morning by a friend still living in my home town of Rossford, Ohio that it was 40 years ago today that we graduated from High School in the class of 1980. After the shock wore off that it was 40 years already, it occurred to me that Payton is graduating from High School on this very date as well. 40 years ago I would never have thought that I would have a child graduating in 2020. … Continue reading →
There is a promise for every situation and circumstance of life. The Bible is one big promise of God’s response to the great conflict between Christ and Satan. Every word from Genesis to Revelation can be understood in the light of Calvary’s promise. Here, I want to share with you 50 life-issues with a related Bible promise that is appropriate to claim in prayer. These promises listed below are meant to encourage you to make a habit of turning to … Continue reading →
The church I serve as pastor, CrossHope Chapel, does not have an official sign on the dotted line type of local membership. You can’t sign anything that says you want to be a member of CrossHope Chapel or you can’t sign any commitment to be a member of CrossHope Chapel. One becomes a member of CrossHope Chapel by being a member of the larger universal body of Christ, by being in Christ in faith and in salvation and by being … Continue reading →
In recent days I have had a few questions asked about the Seventh-day Adventist teaching on National Sunday Law and the Mark of the Beast. Some have pointed out that they have seen an increase of social media posts from Seventh-day Adventist regarding statements about a National Sunday Law and the Mark of the Beast coming soon. So, I thought I would address some of these questions through a few bulleted points: • First, let me remind you that like … Continue reading →
I really can’t wait til we can all get back together because there has been a thousand times during this coronavirus pandemic that I thought I want to talk about a headlines or people’s statements or whatever issue that we would normally discuss on a Sunday morning as we recorded our prayer requests. Until then, I do want to ask that we continue to pray for each other. If you find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed or worried, there is … Continue reading →
The COVID-19 crises is changing the ways we do life in America, and it is yet to be seen how much of those normal ways of doing life will return. I suspect a good deal of what was normal a few months ago will come back, but I also suspect a lot will not. I also suspect that it won’t return to feeling the same. I am not convinced that on the other side of this crises we’ll be dancing … Continue reading →
It may not be the first Bible promise you have thought of when dealing with your coronavirus anxiety, but it is very applicable. Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Consider this encouraging truth: the Lord Jesus Christ is the same today as He was during any other season of anxiety in your life and that ought to bring you a sense of hope. Remember when you thought your life was over, when … Continue reading →
The book of Revelation spells out some details of the end time events that the Old Testament prophets proclaimed. What is interesting to me — in light of our current coronavirus crises —is the use of the phrase “shortly come to pass” used in it’s opening verse. Revelation 1:1 gives this introduction, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it … Continue reading →
