Opened Scriptures, Burning Hearts

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” - Luke 24:32 When did their hearts burn? They had just seen the risen Lord Jesus. Did their hearts burn when they saw him? No, they were blinded … Continue reading Opened Scriptures, Burning Hearts

We Confess and Commit: The Entire Local Church’s Confession and Commitment in Water Baptism

Note: The following charge has been prepared for First Baptist Church of Ticonderoga, NY for a baptism service on September 7, 2025. I have made this public in advance for our church family to review before the baptism. I have removed the baptism candidate’s name and replaced it with “our Brother” for privacy. I want … Continue reading We Confess and Commit: The Entire Local Church’s Confession and Commitment in Water Baptism

A Biblical Study of Water Baptism

“Baptize” - A Definition “Baptize” is a word that was carried over from biblical Greek (baptidzo). It means “to immerse” or “dunk.” There are different kinds of baptism in the Bible. There is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This takes place when the Lord Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit into his body … Continue reading A Biblical Study of Water Baptism

Lesson Learned: The Need for Strong Teaching

"Strong teaching makes strong Christians. And it makes soft-hearted, tender, loving Christians. But soft teaching makes hard, callused Christians. Soft teaching is for people who have itching ears. They do not wish to have their lives interfered with." - Jim Wilson1 Jim Wilson is becoming one of my favorite authors. He went to be with … Continue reading Lesson Learned: The Need for Strong Teaching

Lesson Learned: Slow Change Is Still Change

"Be patient with yourself. A sense of urgency, yes; but not a sense of hurry. Overnight transformations are the exception, not the norm. Slow change is still real change." - Dane Ortlund1 I have enjoyed Dane Ortlund's books. I read Gentle and Lowly2 when I was facing a dark time of struggling with assurance of … Continue reading Lesson Learned: Slow Change Is Still Change

A Plea to Our Young Adults (and Everyone Else)

Blogger Note: Our church elders kindly agreed to purchase the book Don't Waste Your Life (Crossway) by John Piper for the young adults in our church. This is a letter I wrote to our young adults to go along with the book. It is a personal plea that echoes Dr. Piper's book. I am posting … Continue reading A Plea to Our Young Adults (and Everyone Else)

BE SOBER, BE ALERT

BE SOBER, BE ALERTA Topical Study of the Enemy This is an outline of a sermon preached at Pioneer Bible Church on March 20, 2022. Scriptures: Genesis 3:14-15; Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2; Colossians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 5:6-11; Revelation 20:7-10 Some of Satan’s Schemes: Accusation (Job 1:6-12; Revelation 12:7-11)Temptation (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5)Murder (John 8:44; 1 … Continue reading BE SOBER, BE ALERT

Psalm 23:1 Meditation Pt. 2

This is another meditation from Psalm 23. The more I meditate on this Psalm, the more I see what a powerful tool it is to preach truth to myself. Today, I am confronting my doubts and fears head-on with Psalm 23:1. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1) For something I … Continue reading Psalm 23:1 Meditation Pt. 2