Maybe you’ve heard the phrase "standing on business." In our modern context, it often refers to integrity, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of your goals. You're serious about your grind. You don't let excuses dictate your actions. What does it mean to "stand on business" when it comes to accountability? It's not about being aggressive or defensive. It's about a deep, internal commitment to taking responsibility. It's about recognizing that your actions have consequences

If the New Testament had a "How-To" manual for actually living out your faith, the Book of James would be it. It is often called the "Proverbs of the New Testament," James doesn't spend much time on abstract theology or debating heretics. Instead, he focuses on what faith looks like when the rubber meets the road. Whether you're struggling with a short fuse, wondering why life is so hard, or trying to figure out how to treat people, James has a blunt, loving, and practical wo

If you were to step into a time machine and travel back to the first century to visit a gathering of early Christians, what would you see? You wouldn't find light shows, professional rock bands, or complex rituals directed by a centralized hierarchy. Instead, you would find a group of believers gathered in simplicity, focused entirely on the "apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" ( Acts 2:42 ). In the church of Christ, our goal is not to

It’s easy to say we love people. It’s easy to feel love when things are going well. But biblical love is more than words and more than intention— love shows up. It steps into the mess. It takes time. It sacrifices comfort. It moves toward people instead of away from them. 1 John 3:16–18 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us… My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” That’s about as clear as it gets. Jes

In a world where you can find a different church on every street corner—each with its own name, its own set of rules, and its own unique "flavor"—it is easy to become overwhelmed. Many people have concluded that the church is simply a "human club" where like-minded people gather. But if we look into the pages of the New Testament, we find something far more profound. We find that Jesus Christ did not come to start a collection of competing denominations; He came to build His

One of the biggest misunderstandings in our world today is the idea that love and truth are enemies. Some people act like if you love someone, you’ll never challenge them. Others act like if you speak truth, you can’t be loving. But Scripture refuses to separate the two. Biblical love speaks truth—and biblical truth is spoken in love. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to be “speaking the truth in love.” That verse is simple, but it’s challenging. It means truth matters. It means love m

In a world overflowing with opinions, "influencers," and ever-changing social norms, where can a soul find a solid place to stand? If you walk into any ten churches in your town, you are likely to find ten different sets of rules, varying worship styles, and conflicting doctrines. This religious confusion leads many to ask: Who has the right to say what is true? For the churches of Christ ( Romans 16:16 ), the answer is simple, though it is increasingly radical in today’s cul

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to become a part of the church? It’s more than just joining a club or attending a weekend service; it’s about a beautiful, life-changing journey guided by God Himself. When we look to the Bible, we see a clear and encouraging pattern of how we can enter into a relationship with Him and find our place in His family. While these are often called the "steps to salvation," they are really milestones of a growing heart, reflecting the sam

When most people think about love, they think about their feelings. The love Jesus calls us to is deeper than a feeling. Biblical love is a decision. It’s a choice we make because we belong to Christ. Jesus said in John 13:34–35 , “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are Mydisciples, if you have love for one another .” Notice that Jesus didn’t describe love as an idea or a mood, He gave it as a comma

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to become a part of the church? It’s more than just joining a club or attending a weekend service; it’s about a beautiful, life-changing journey guided by God Himself. When we look to the Bible, we see a clear and encouraging pattern of how we can enter into a relationship with Him and find our place in His family. While these are often called the "steps to salvation," they are really milestones of a growing heart, reflecting the sam

Last Tuesday, I woke up to the news that a high school classmate of mine had passed away. This makes two that I have lost in the last five years or so. It made me think. Travis came from a loving family. Both his parents and brothers are faithful members of the Lord’s church. He grew up with me at Mobile Christian, and we were both in the youth group together. We played football together. On paper, he had everything one would think to live a full, faithful and productive life

In the corporate world, quarterly audits are non-negotiable. Businesses scrutinize their ledgers, pivot their strategies, and trim the fat to ensure they haven't drifted from their mission statement. Yet, when it comes to the most vital enterprise of human existence—our relationship with the Divine—we often settle for a vague, unexamined "religiousness." We must ask ourselves: Is our faith a living organism or merely a historical monument? The Paradox of the Hollow Tree True

Recently, I listened to one of my dad’s sermons entitled “Courage to Answer the Call.“ In it he said something that has stayed with me: “Do not look to your courage to find your identity in Christ. Look to your identity in Christ, to find your courage.” That sentence speaks to a struggle many of us face. We often think, “If I can just feel brave enough, then I’ll do what I know I need to do.” We wait for courage before we obey. We wait until we feel confident to serve. We wa

Sunday morning I preached on Ephesians 4:11-16 and discussed the need to grow in Christ. In our Sunday evening men's class we discussed the roles of apostles and prophets, mentioned in the first part of this text. This discussion included the " miracles and wonders and signs " that were preformed by Jesus and the apostles ( Acts 2:22, John 2:11 ). While supernatural spiritual gifts could be given to any believer at any time, these roles represent people who were themselves "

What a wonderful and powerful weekend EYC was. There’s something special about being surrounded by thousands of believers, singing together, hearing God’s Word preached, and watching hearts respond. Events like that can give us a real spiritual high—our faith feels strong, our focus feels clear, and we come home fired up to live differently. But if we’re honest, that fire can start to fade once we get back into normal life. School starts back. Work piles up. The routine retur

This year I’ll be directing my sermons and classes to help us focus on spiritual growth. Last year we focused on getting back to the Bible. What’s next? We need to move on to spiritual maturity. Think about your role in the body of Christ, the Lord’s church. Ephesians 4:11-16 emphasizes that we are not an organization but a healthy organism that naturally develops. What do we need to grow in Christ? There are three key concepts that can help us grow in Christ: empower, equi

Hello. My name is Ray Reynolds and I suffer from A.C.S. This is commonly known as “After Christmas Syndrome.” The gifts have been unwrapped. My trash cans are full. The leftovers are gone. The tree is down. The lights and ornaments have been put away. Our friends and family have stopped calling, sending cards, and visiting for the holidays. Another Christmas has come and gone. I wonder how many of you are suffering from the post-holiday blues?!? What do we do now th

Hello. My name is Ray Reynolds and I suffer from A.C.S. This is commonly known as “After Christmas Syndrome.” The gifts have been unwrapped. My trash cans are full. The leftovers are gone. The tree is down. The lights and ornaments have been put away. Our friends and family have stopped calling, sending cards, and visiting for the holidays. Another Christmas has come and gone. I wonder how many of you are suffering from the post-holiday blues?!? What do we do now th

The Christmas story, often painted with cozy scenes of manger, shepherds, and a star, would be incomplete without the arrival of the Magi. These enigmatic figures, traditionally known as the Three Wise Men, bring an element of intrigue, prophecy, and profound significance to the nativity narrative. But who were they really? And what can we learn from their journey? The Gospel of Matthew is the sole biblical account of the Magi, yet it offers surprisingly few details. It speak

This time of year, we hear the phrase “peace on earth” everywhere. It’s printed on signs, sung in songs, and spoken in greetings. But if we’re honest, the world doesn’t feel very peaceful. Many families are stressed, schedules are packed, and hearts are heavy. So what does “peace on earth” really mean? The Bible reminds us that true peace isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it’s found in a perfect Savior. When the angels announced Jesus’ coming, they proclaimed peace because