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…
Tolerance vs. Truth
January 23, 2025Christian living requires carefully balancing the call to love others unconditionally with the responsibility to uphold and share God’s truth. While the world often promotes a form of tolerance that avoids addressing sin, true love compels Christians to point people to the hope and redemption found in Christ. This must always be done with grace,…
Trust God in Impossible Situations
January 14, 2025“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.’”— Exodus 14:13–14 (NASB) I must…
Peter in the Bible
January 8, 2025Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman and one of Jesus’ closest disciples, playing a foundational role in the early Christian Church. His story reflects a journey of transformation, faith, and leadership. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock” (Greek: Petros), signifying his future role in the Church (John 1:42, Matthew 16:18). He is…
Living by a Code
December 23, 2024The idea of “living by a code” is deeply philosophical and can offer a profound sense of direction, purpose, and discipline. In contrast to those who float through life, living by a personal or moral code provides clarity, shaping decisions, behaviors, and interactions with others. It serves as a foundation for navigating challenges, setting priorities,…
What is Life Expectancy?
December 7, 2024Without becoming overly somber, this question has been on my mind lately. Turning to the Bible, we find a fascinating perspective on longevity through the lives of various characters, especially in the Old Testament. Longevity Before the Flood Before the global flood, lifespans were extraordinary by today’s standards. For example: These extended lifespans enabled early…
Exploring the Relationships Between Sin, Bad, and Evil
November 22, 2024When my sister asked, “Are people inherently bad?”, I offered a reply, but the question lingered in my mind. It prompted me to delve deeper into the topic, exploring the concepts of sin, bad, and evil—terms that are interconnected yet distinct in their meanings and implications. Understanding their relationships requires an examination of their definitions,…
Are People Inherently Bad?
November 20, 2024My sister Eileen recently shared that she had been contemplating whether people are inherently bad and asked for my opinion. My immediate response was a quick “yes,” but then I reconsidered and said, “I think people learn to be bad.” She challenged me to explore the topic further, so here are my thoughts. The question…