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In our first installment on perseverance, we learned that our confidence is based not on our own faithfulness, but God's. Paul assures his readers, in Philippians 1:6, that God is the one who guarantees the completion of the work begun in us: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at... Keep Reading

We are nearly a week removed from Resurrection Sunday, and my thoughts have gravitated to the first disciples who needed time to reflect and process. Much had happened in the final week of Jesus’ life as they considered what was accomplished on the cross and the subsequent resurrection of their Savior. When the women heard the angelic ... Keep Reading

This is the second post considering the impact of the cell phone on the Christian life.  Tony Reinke’s insightful book, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You, has stirred my thoughts on how the advent of the cell phone has changed life as we know it, and much of the change is not good to nurturing a heart of worship. ... Keep Reading

From the time I was a boy, and all the way up through my early teen years, my dad and I loved to go fishing together. We have a lot of great memories that weave through the south Louisiana waterways: Belle River and Lake Verret and Bayou Sorrel. One such trip was very "special," in the sense that we had a few boat problems, got turned a... Keep Reading

Through the years I have really enjoyed reading books together with my fellow Elders and Pastoral Staff at FBCG. We try to do this together twice a year with an extended staff meeting which includes a detailed discussion of the book followed by lunch. These times have brought about good connections and conversations for life and ministry. Re... Keep Reading

In this final, brief look at sanctification, I want to consider the phrase “slaves to God” (Romans 6:22). We've already seen that when we were lost, we were slaves to sin. We also saw that conversion leads to a change of heart that makes us slaves to righteousness. This next phrase, "slaves to God," doesn't indicate a third, diff... Keep Reading

When our church celebrated our 100thyear anniversary, I discovered that we were constituted around the same time as Harley Davidson, United Parcel Service (UPS), Blue Bell, Walgreens, and Kelloggs. In thinking about our local congregation compared to these corporate giants, I was taken by the contrast in purpose. Jesus Christ commended Pete... Keep Reading

In this second part of our look at sanctification, we continue on through Romans 6. Previously, Paul established that we were slaves to sin. But now, he reveals an astounding truth: we have been made slaves to righteousness. Once, we committed sins because we were under the power of sin… we did the things we wanted to do, and we reck... Keep Reading

One of the recurring themes of the Bible is that no matter how great the trial, the shame, or the pain, God is greater still. He delights to guide those who seek Him through any storm, sorrow, or setback. In the context of fleeing from his son Absalom, King David wrote, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the l... Keep Reading

Sanctification sometimes feels as though God is bringing about circumstances in life which will make us both very holy and very unhappy. But that isn’t how it really is. Sanctification is an ongoing struggle, a battle waged against sin and the flesh. But while the battle sometimes seems to be trench warfare, there also great joys that ... Keep Reading