When Trust Breaks Down
April 29, 2025Micah 7:5–7 “Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.”– Micah 7:5 (ESV) “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”–…
When Righteousness is a Shell: The Pharisees and the Motte-and-Bailey Fallacy
April 25, 2025In today’s culture of argument and opinion, it’s easy to spot flawed reasoning in the world around us. But some of the most dangerous fallacies are not new at all. In fact, they’re ancient—and Scripture shows us that even the most religious can fall into them. One of these is known today as the motte…
The Warrior’s Code: Living by the Code of Christ
March 29, 2025Back in December, I wrote about the idea of “Living by a Code.” Lately, I’ve felt compelled to expand on that theme—especially in a world where ethics and morality seem to be fading fast. What once anchored society now feels negotiable. But for those who follow Christ, our code is not up for debate. It’s…
“Close” Isn’t Close Enough
March 27, 2025Scripture: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—Matthew 7:21 (NIV) We’ve all heard the saying: “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” It’s a humorous reminder that “almost” doesn’t really count—except in rare exceptions.…
Heart Posture: Straighten Up
February 22, 2025I recently noted that when the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1), they were seeking more than a formula; they wanted the kind of deep intimacy and dependence on God that characterized Jesus’s own prayer life. This desire points to the idea of “heart posture.” What does “heart posture” mean? In…
Dealing with Loneliness: A Biblical Perspective
February 17, 2025Loneliness is a deeply human experience that we all face at different points in our lives. Whether it’s the feeling of being physically isolated or emotionally distant from others, it can be painful; I know this from a personal experience and, as I get older, the pain and emotions grow stronger. But the Bible offers…
Accepting the Pain: The Cost of Love
February 15, 2025There is a moment in every believer’s life when we wrestle with the pain of loving deeply and receiving hurt in return. A friend once asked me, “Why should I put up with everything others throw at me when all I do is give them love? What am I supposed to do?” All I could…
Living 1 Corinthians 13 in Real Life
February 10, 20251 Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings, painting a beautiful picture of love that is patient, kind, humble, and enduring. But this passage wasn’t written just for couples. It was written for all of us, in every aspect of life. What Does Love Look Like Beyond the Wedding Aisle? Love is easy when things…
Staying Connected to Christ
February 7, 2025I recently found myself advising others to “stay connected to Christ” but quickly realized that wasn’t a completely helpful statement. Here are ten suggestions that may be more helpful. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with God, sharing your thoughts, concerns, and gratitude. Prayer fosters a deeper relationship with Christ and keeps you attuned to His guidance.…
Easter Sunrise Service 2025
January 23, 2025Note: Scripture references are from the New International Version of the Bible (NIV) except as noted. This is the full text of the message but certain passages were omitted on the day, for brevity. Introduction: Good morning, everyone. My name is John Rains, and I am the pastor of Hope House Ministries, a non-denominational ministry that began…