In this exploration of Deuteronomy 20, we delve into the challenging topic of war and peace from a biblical perspective. The passage outlines God's instructions to ancient Israel on how to wage war justly, emphasizing the pursuit of peace whenever possible. As we grapple with these difficult concepts, we're reminded that our ultimate trust should be in Jesus, who has already won the spiritual war on our behalf. The text draws fascinating parallels between physical and spiritual warfare, encouraging us to fight our battles with faith rather than fear. As modern believers, we're called to be peacemakers in a world of conflict, always seeking reconciliation while standing firm in our convictions. This message challenges us to examine how we handle conflicts in our own lives and to consider how we can be agents of God's peace in a tumultuous world.  Read More

In Deuteronomy 19 and 21, we're confronted with God's profound value for human life and justice. The passage reveals how God instructed the Israelites to establish cities of refuge, protecting those who accidentally caused death while ensuring true murderers face consequences. This teaches us about the delicate balance between mercy and justice in God's eyes. The text also emphasizes the sanctity of property rights and the gravity of false testimony, reminding us that our words and actions have real consequences. Perhaps most striking is the ritual for unsolved murders, showing that even unknown crimes matter to God. As we reflect on these laws, we're challenged to examine our own hearts. Have we harbored hatred, stolen, or lied? These, too, are serious in God's sight. Ultimately, this passage points us to Christ, who perfectly fulfilled both justice and grace, offering us redemption from our guilt and calling us to value life as God does.  Read More

In Deuteronomy 18:9-14, we're challenged to consider what it means to live blamelessly before God. The passage warns against engaging in abominable practices like divination or sorcery, reminding us that these acts are detestable to the Lord. But it's not just about avoiding certain behaviors - it's about aligning our hearts fully with God's will. We're called to wholehearted devotion, rejecting the world's voices and seeking God's guidance alone. This message resonates deeply in our modern world, where we're often tempted to seek answers and control through means other than trusting in God. By examining our own lives, we can identify areas where we might be divided in our loyalties or listening to voices other than God's. The ultimate goal is to live blamelessly, not through our own perfection, but through the transformative power of Christ in us. This journey of sanctification is ongoing, challenging us to grow more like Jesus each day.  Read More

Is the Bible relevant today? Does what it has to say really affect my day to day life? We discuss these questions and more in today's blog post.  Read More

In Deuteronomy 17 and 18, we're invited to see how Jesus fulfills and surpasses the roles of judge, king, priest, and prophet in Israel's history. We learn that while human leaders often failed, Jesus is the perfect embodiment of these roles. As the better judge, He brings true justice and peace. As the ultimate king, He models humble servanthood and complete devotion to God. As our great high priest, He offers the final, perfect sacrifice. And as the prophet like Moses, He speaks God's words with ultimate authority. This message challenges us to examine our own dependence on God, our devotion to His Word, and our willingness to listen to Christ's voice. It reminds us that in Jesus, we have a leader who perfectly meets our deepest needs for justice, guidance, reconciliation, and truth.  Read More

In a culture filled with noise and distractions, it’s easy for our worship to drift off course without us even realizing it. This sermon invites readers on a journey through Deuteronomy to explore how ancient warnings about idolatry still speak powerfully to our modern lives. Whether it’s success, comfort, or even good things like family, anything we elevate alongside or above God can quietly become an “Asherah pole” in our hearts. This post offers a reflective yet practical look at how misplaced affections, grumbling attitudes, and surface-level faith reveal deeper worship issues. Drawing from Scripture and everyday examples, it challenges us to tear down the idols we’ve built, offer God our best, and pursue peace that only comes from a right relationship with Him. With Christ as our perfect sacrifice, we are freed not only from sin but also from the trap of false worship. Through heart-checks, authentic community, and vertical dependence on God, we can become people of undivided devotion—shining with a peace the world can’t manufacture.  Read More

Every Sunday, we gather to hear God’s Word—but how often do we walk away unchanged, like the message bounced off instead of sinking in? This article invites you to rethink how you listen to sermons. What if hearing a sermon became one of the most meaningful parts of your week—not just something to sit through, but something that actually shapes your heart, strengthens your faith, and fuels your walk with Jesus?   Read More

In Deuteronomy 16:18-20 we study the profound connection between justice and peace. We learn that true justice isn't just about identifying wrongs, but about aligning our actions with God's righteous standards. The message challenges us to pursue justice not as an abstract concept, but as a lived reality in our daily lives. We're reminded that peace isn't something we can manufacture on our own - it's the fruit that grows from the seed of justice, nurtured in the soil of God's covenant. This teaching invites us to examine our own hearts and actions, asking whether we're truly pursuing justice or merely seeking fairness or vengeance. It's a call to live with integrity, doing the right thing for the right reasons, even when it's difficult. As we reflect on this message, we're encouraged to seek true justice - not in our own strength, but through faith in Jesus Christ, who alone can make us righteous and empower us to live justly.  Read More

In Deuteronomy 15 and 16, we're reminded of God's desire for His people to gather in worship, remembering His faithfulness, rejoicing in His present goodness, and trusting in His future promises. The passage discusses some of the key celebrations for ancient Israel: the consecration of firstborn males, Passover, and the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths. These rituals weren't mere obligations, but invitations from God to experience His presence and goodness. As we reflect on these practices, we're challenged to consider how our own worship today incorporates these three 'tenses' of faith. Are we remembering God's past deliverance, rejoicing in His current blessings, and trusting in His future faithfulness? This message encourages us to view our gatherings not as burdens, but as opportunities to encounter God's love and renew our faith. It's a call to approach our gatherings together as more than just routine, but as transformative experiences that shape our daily lives and deepens our relationship with God.  Read More

This blog post explores the common question, “If God’s grace is free, why am I expected to obey Him or love and serve others?” by unpacking a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature and effect of grace. Rather than demanding anything, true grace—God’s undeserved, unmerited, and unobligated favor—transforms those who receive it. Through a biblical lens, the post explains that grace meets us in our spiritual death, makes us alive in Christ, and empowers us to live differently, not out of obligation but as a joyful response. Obedience, love, and service are not expectations placed on us to earn grace, but the fruit produced by grace within us. The right question is not why grace expects something, but how grace so deeply changes us that we long to obey and serve in return.  Read More

This week, we're challenged to reflect on our role as our brother's keeper. The central message revolves around God's call for His people to be generous and compassionate, mirroring His own nature. We're reminded that as God's children, we're not just recipients of His blessings, but channels through which His love flows to others. The tithe, often seen as a burden, is reframed as a joyful act of worship and a means to support God's mission and care for the needy. This passage beautifully illustrates how our generosity isn't just about giving money, but about reflecting God's character in our relationships and community. As we consider the Sabbath year of release and the call to open-handedness, we're invited to examine our own hearts. Are we holding tightly to what we think we've earned, or are we living with the same generous spirit that God has shown us? This message challenges us to see our resources, whether financial or relational, as tools to bless others and glorify God.  Read More

Many people wrestle with the question, “Do I really need to go to church?” On the surface, it seems simple—but underneath lies a deeper conversation about what it means to follow Jesus and grow in faith. The truth is, church attendance isn’t a condition for salvation. You don’t become—or remain—a Christian by showing up on Sundays. Salvation is entirely the work of Christ, not of human effort. But while church isn’t necessary to be a Christian, it is vital to grow as one. God didn’t design faith to be lived in isolation. The church is more than a place—it’s a people. It’s in the context of Christian community that we learn to apply God’s Word, love others well, and serve with the gifts we’ve been given. Simply put, if we want to mature in our faith and reflect Christ more fully, we need the church—and the church needs us.  Read More