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The American Church Needs a New Reformation

December 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Something is wrong with the American church.

Just look around. Our pews are emptying, not filling. Our younger generations are leaving, not staying. In a world desperate for truth, love, and purpose, we’re offering shallow programs, culture wars, and clichés. We preach grace but practice judgment. We sing about God’s power while hoarding human control. The gap between the Jesus of the Bible and the Christianity we practice has grown so wide it threatens to swallow us whole.

We need a new Reformation.

The original Reformation in the early 1500s, led by Martin Luther and several others, exposed how far the church had strayed from the gospel. At its core the Reformation was a cry to return to Scripture and reclaim God’s authority. They dealt with issues of indulgences (selling of forgiveness) and excessive emphasis on paying for salvation with good deeds and with money.

Today, the issue isn’t selling indulgences; it’s peddling irrelevance. We’ve exchanged the radical call of Jesus to love God and neighbor for cheap entertainment, partisan politics, and a consumer mindset.

We’ve turned church into a product—marketed, polished, and packaged to please the masses. And when people inevitably see through the facade, they leave. Some leave the faith altogether. Others leave for churches that embrace authenticity, however messy it may be.

The Weight of Our Failure

This is where the pain sets in. We’re not just losing attendees; we’re losing credibility. The broader culture sees the church as judgmental, hypocritical, and frankly out of touch. How can we blame them? We preach about the sanctity of life while ignoring the cries of the marginalized. We talk about Jesus’ love but fail to embody that love in our own homes, neighborhoods, and communities.

It’s easy to point fingers at the culture for abandoning Christian values. But maybe the culture didn’t abandon us. Maybe we abandoned the Jesus they need to see.

This is bigger than declining numbers or shrinking influence. It’s about souls. People are walking away from the hope of Jesus because they don’t see it in us.

The good news? Reformation isn’t about destruction; it’s about renewal. The first Reformation didn’t burn the church to the ground. It called it back to its foundation. Today’s Reformation must do the exact same thing.

We don’t need better branding. We need deeper discipleship. We don’t need bigger buildings. We need communities that feel like family. And we certainly don’t need more culture wars. We need to take up the only war Jesus called us to fight: against sin, darkness, and injustice.

This new Reformation must start with humility. The American church doesn’t need a PR strategy; it needs repentance. Let’s confess where we’ve put comfort over calling, self-righteousness over servanthood, and fear over faith.

The church also needs courage. The truth is, a reformed church won’t make everyone happy. But our goal isn’t to please people; it’s to glorify God. Let’s have the guts to challenge the idols we’ve built in His name—idols of politics, tradition, and power.

A reformed church could be a breathtaking force for good. Imagine churches known for their generosity, not their greed. Imagine Christians famous for their kindness, not their outrage. Imagine communities transformed because the love of Jesus shines so brightly that people can’t help but be drawn to it.

We’ve seen glimpses of this throughout history. The early church grew because it loved so radically that outsiders said, “See how they love one another!” The Wesleyan revival in England led to societal reforms that changed the nation. The Jesus Movement of the 70s brought countless young people to faith.

God isn’t done with His church. But He’s waiting for us to stop clinging to the past and start embracing His future.

The new Reformation won’t come from church growth seminars or celebrity pastors. It will come from ordinary Christians rediscovering what it means to follow Jesus. It will come from pastors bold enough to preach the gospel and lead with integrity. It will come when we stop playing church and start being the church.

Let’s not wait for someone else to start it. Revival begins in hearts, homes, and local congregations like yours and mine. Let’s pray for it. Let’s work for it. Let’s believe for it.

The world doesn’t need more American Christianity. It needs more Jesus. Are we ready to give it to them?

Hope for the Nations

December 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Imagine the darkest night you’ve ever experienced. The sun has set. The moon isn’t shining. The stars are mysteriously absent. Now picture a sunrise bursting across the horizon, chasing away every shadow. Not just any sunrise either. This is the fastest, most complete sunrise you can imagine. Dark to full sunshine in the blink of an eye. That’s what Isaiah describes when he says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is that light!

Isaiah prophesied about a child born to bring peace, justice, and righteousness to the world. And boy did they need it! Israel had fallen into the hands of foreign nations over and over again. They went their own way, walking away from God’s command, only to find themselves in a pile of…well you know. This wasn’t just good news for Israel—it’s for everyone!

The promise of light breaking into the darkness was for all people, not just those who were part of Israel. The season of Advent reminds us that Jesus’ love shines far beyond our little corner of the world. It shines through us into every relationship we have.

Reflection: How can you be a “light” to those around you this Advent season?

Application: Let’s reflect Christ’s light through acts of kindness, making the world a little brighter.

Foreshadowing Christmas

December 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The very first Christmas promise wasn’t made to Mary or Joseph—it was whispered in Eden’s garden! Right after Adam and Eve ate that one fruit they were told not to eat, God declared war on the serpent, saying the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. That promise planted a seed of hope in the darkest moment of history.

Advent is a time of waiting. It’s like waiting for Christmas morning as a kid. You know the presents are there, but you have to wait to unwrap them! God’s promise of a Savior was the ultimate gift, wrapped in prophecy and fulfilled in Jesus. This season, remember that the Savior’s arrival was promised long before Bethlehem, showing us God’s perfect plan, perfect time and perfectly executed rescue.

Reflection: What “wrapped up” promises of God are you waiting to see fulfilled in your life?

Application: Trust that God always keeps His promises, even when the wait feels long.

A Thanksgiving Transformation

November 27, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Gratitude has an incredible way of reshaping how we see the world. When we take the time to give thanks, our perspective shifts from what we lack to what we have, from what’s wrong to what’s right. In a culture that constantly tells us we need more—more success, more possessions, more accolades—thanksgiving refocuses our hearts toward contentment and opens our eyes to God’s daily work in our lives.

This isn’t just some feel-good idea. It’s a core biblical truth. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Did you catch that? Thanksgiving leads to peace. When we cultivate gratitude, it doesn’t mean all our problems disappear, but it does change how we approach them. Instead of fixating on our challenges, we become more aware of God’s provision, faithfulness, and presence.

This shift in focus isn’t just some ethereal spiritual exercise. It’s actually transformative. When we’re thankful, we begin to see life through a different lens—one that highlights God’s blessings, both big and small. It’s easy to notice the obvious gifts, like family, friends, or answered prayers. But thanksgiving also helps us recognize the quieter blessings: the sunrise that greeted us this morning, the strength to face another day, or the peace that carried us through a storm we didn’t think we’d survive.

The more we practice gratitude, the more attuned we become to what God is doing in our lives. Suddenly, moments that might have seemed mundane take on new meaning. The kindness of a stranger feels like God’s hand at work. The resolution of a small problem becomes a reminder of His care. Thanksgiving trains our hearts to see the sacred in the ordinary, and in doing so, it draws us closer to God.

This closeness is the foundation for spiritual growth. As we acknowledge God’s goodness, our trust in Him deepens. We’re reminded of His faithfulness in the past, which strengthens our faith for the future. Thanksgiving also keeps us humble, grounding us in the truth that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17).

But gratitude isn’t automatic; it’s a choice. It requires intentionality, especially when life feels hard. On those days when thanksgiving doesn’t come naturally, we can still choose to start small. Write down three things you’re thankful for each day. Speak a prayer of gratitude before you get out of bed in the morning. Keep a journal of God’s faithfulness, and revisit it when doubt creeps in.

The more you practice being thankful, the more gratitude will become a habit. And as it does, you’ll find yourself more in tune with God’s presence and purposes in your life. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday; it’s a powerful spiritual discipline. It sets the stage for joy, peace, and growth, transforming not just how we see life, but how we live it.

This week, pause and give thanks—not just for what you have, but for who God is. You’ll be amazed at how He uses that gratitude to transform your heart and draw you closer to Him.

Make Faith Real Again

November 26, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Faith isn’t something you learn at church or in Sunday School; it’s something you live. Too often, Christians settle for reading, hearing, and seeing when God has called us to actually live out in our day to day lives.

Have you ever heard the statistics about what you remember? You remember 10% of what you read, 20% of what you hear, 30% of what you see, 50% of what you see and hear, but 70% of what you experience is remembered. If we want a faith that sticks—one that changes lives, including our own—we must move from passive absorption to active engagement.

Faith That Doesn’t Move Isn’t Faith

James 2:17 couldn’t be more clear. “Faith without works is dead.” Yet so many of us are stuck in the comfortable rhythms of church life: attending a service, hearing a sermon, maybe cracking open the Bible during the week. It’s good, but it’s not enough. Why? Because faith isn’t just about knowing; it’s about doing.

Think about it: Jesus didn’t sit His disciples down for weekly lectures and send them off with a pat on the back. He took them on a journey. He showed them how to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and love the outcast. Then He sent them out to do it themselves.

You can memorize every verse on love, but until you sit down with someone who’s hurting and listen, it’s just head knowledge. You can attend every Bible study on evangelism, but until you open your mouth to share the gospel with a neighbor, you haven’t truly learned it. Faith grows in the doing.

It’s no accident that we remember 70% of what we experience. God wired us this way because faith was never meant to be a spectator sport. It’s hands-on. Even Jesus was to “Follow me,” not “Listen to me.” Following requires movement.

Here’s the truth: if your faith feels stagnant, it’s because you’re not stepping into the experience of it. Reading about God’s love is one thing, but serving at a soup kitchen or mentoring a struggling teenager brings that love to life. Hearing a sermon about forgiveness is valuable, but going to someone who’s wronged you and saying, “I forgive you” burns it into your own heart the way nothing else can.

Christianity isn’t a weekly TED Talk; it’s a lifestyle. Every act of service, every step of obedience, every leap of faith engrains God’s truths deeper into your soul.

This isn’t just about retention rates—it’s about transformation. When you put your faith into action, it doesn’t just stick with you—it impacts the world around you.

  • Read about God’s call to feed the hungry, but then go and pack lunches for the homeless.
  • Hear a sermon on loving your enemies, then invite someone you’ve been avoiding out for coffee.
  • See a video about the power of prayer, but then get on your knees and cry out to God for someone in need.

You’ll be amazed at how much more these truths resonate when they’re tied to an experience. It’s not about “earning” your faith; it’s about letting your actions solidify what God is teaching you.

A little challenge for you this week – stop sitting in the pew and start stepping into the world. Don’t just hear the Word—do something with it. If we want our faith to stick, we’ve got to get our hands dirty.

This week, pick one area where you can shift from hearing to experiencing. Serve, give, forgive, pray, or take a step into the unknown. Whatever it is, make it tangible.

Faith that sits still fades quickly. Faith that moves grows roots. Let’s be Christians who don’t just listen to the call of Jesus but answer it with bold, undeniable action.

You remember 70% of what you experience—so start living a faith you’ll never forget.

From Gratitude to Generosity

November 25, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The holiday season naturally stirs feelings of gratitude. We count our blessings around the Thanksgiving table, reflect on the year during Advent, and celebrate the greatest gift of all—Jesus—on Christmas Day. But what if our gratitude didn’t stop at words? What if it sparked something deeper?

Gratitude and generosity are like two sides of the same coin. When we truly recognize the abundance of God’s blessings in our lives, the natural response is a desire to share those blessings with others. It’s a theme woven throughout Scripture: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). God’s gifts are never meant to stop with us. Instead, they’re meant to flow through us, blessing others in the process.

Consider the story of the early church in Acts 2. These believers were so overwhelmed by God’s goodness that they shared everything they had, ensuring no one among them was in need. Their generosity was a direct outpouring of their gratitude for the new life they had found in Jesus. It wasn’t forced or begrudging—it was a joyful overflow.

This kind of generosity can feel countercultural in a season often marked by consumerism and stress. Advertisements and sales constantly urge us to focus on what we can get, not what we can give. But as followers of Jesus, we’re called to live differently. The holiday season is a perfect time to step off the treadmill of self-focus and ask, How can I use what God has given me to bless someone else?

Generosity doesn’t have to mean writing a big check or making grand gestures. Sometimes, the most impactful acts of generosity are the small, intentional ones. It could be baking cookies for a neighbor, leaving an encouraging note for a co-worker, or volunteering at a local shelter. It might look like paying for someone’s coffee in the drive-thru or giving a little extra in your church’s offering.

But generosity isn’t limited to finances or material things. It includes your time, your energy, and your relationships. Think about the single mom who needs help watching her kids or the elderly neighbor who would love a visit. Sometimes, the greatest gift you can give is to simply show up for someone who feels forgotten.

Here’s the challenge: This holiday season, find one way to be intentionally generous. Maybe it’s adopting a family in need, starting a new family tradition of volunteering, or simply looking for everyday opportunities to give. Whatever you choose, let it be something that stretches you just a little—something that turns gratitude into action.

But don’t stop there.

As you practice generosity during the holidays, ask God to help you make it a year-round habit. Generosity, like gratitude, grows with practice. Over time, it becomes less of an obligation and more of a joy-filled way of life.

Jesus is the ultimate example of generosity. He gave not out of obligation, but out of love—a love so great that He gave His very life for us. As we reflect on His gift this season, let it inspire us to be His hands and feet in the world.

Imagine how different this holiday season could feel—not hollow or stressful, but filled with purpose and joy. And imagine how different our world could look if more of us lived lives marked by gratitude and generosity. And it all starts with small, faithful steps.

Will you take the challenge? This year, let your gratitude inspire generosity. And watch how God uses it to bless others—and transform your own heart in the process.

Hollow Holidays

November 21, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for many, it can feel painfully hollow. The festive decorations, cheerful music, and laughter of others can highlight what’s missing in your own life—a loved one who isn’t there, a relationship that’s fractured, or a dream that remains unfulfilled. Instead of joy, there’s a deep ache that whispers, “Everyone else is happy except me.”

If that’s you, know this: you are not alone.

The Bible is full of people who faced that “hollow” seasons of life. Take David, for example. His psalms are a raw mix of lament and praise. In Psalm 42, he writes, “My tears have been my food day and night… Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” David knew what it felt like to live in the tension of longing for God’s joy while experiencing deep sorrow. Yet even in his pain, he declared, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him.”

This is the power of gratitude in the hard seasons. It doesn’t erase the pain or deny the struggle. Instead, it shifts our focus from what’s missing to the One who remains faithful. When we choose to give thanks—not for the pain, but in the midst of it—we open our hearts to God’s presence. And His presence changes everything.

You might be wondering, How can I possibly give thanks when everything feels so broken? Start small. Gratitude doesn’t have to be loud or elaborate. It can be as simple as whispering, “Thank You, God, for carrying me through today.” Or noticing the beauty of a sunrise, the warmth of a cup of coffee, or the kindness of a friend. These small acts of gratitude build a bridge between the hollow places in your heart and the fullness of God’s love.

Jesus understands the hollowness of brokenness better than anyone. He left the glory of heaven to walk this earth, experiencing rejection, loss, and suffering. He wept at Lazarus’s tomb, even though He knew He was about to raise him from the dead. He felt the weight of abandonment on the cross. Yet He gave thanks, even on the night He was betrayed, breaking bread and pouring out wine as reminders of the sacrifice He was about to make.

This holiday season, you may not feel like celebrating. That’s okay. God doesn’t ask for perfect joy or forced smiles. He simply invites you to come as you are—to bring Him your emptiness, your pain, and your questions. In return, He promises to fill you with His peace, the kind that doesn’t depend on circumstances.

Your holidays may not look the way you hoped. They may still feel hollow in some ways. But as you make space for gratitude, even in the smallest moments, you’ll find that God’s love fills the emptiness with hope. And hope is the light that guides us through the darkest seasons.

You are not alone. And you are deeply loved.

Never Make a Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem

November 20, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Life has a way of throwing us curveballs. Challenges pile up, situations feel hopeless, and the weight of it all can seem unbearable. It’s tempting to believe that what we’re facing right now will never change—that the pain, confusion, or frustration is here to stay. In moments like these, it’s easy to think about drastic solutions to problems that feel insurmountable. But I can promise you this: no matter how dark it feels, there is light ahead. Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary situation.

When life feels overwhelming, it’s hard to think clearly. Emotions cloud your mind and convince you that no one cares, no one is watching out for you, and no one understands. But let me assure you—someone does.

In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). This isn’t just a poetic metaphor. It’s a powerful truth. A shepherd’s job isn’t easy; it involves getting messy, walking through valleys, and being present in the middle of chaos. But the Good Shepherd never abandons His sheep. He knows each one by name. He knows their struggles. He knows their fears. He knows every one of their wounds. And He leads them with care.

You are not forgotten. Even when it feels like you’re lost in the chaos of life, Jesus knows exactly where you are. He’s walking with you, even when you can’t see Him. He’s working for your good, even when you don’t feel it. He knows the way out of every valley, no matter how deep – no matter how thick.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t just watch over you from some far away place of safety; He calls others to join Him in caring for you. There are people in your life—family, friends, mentors, your church family, and even strangers—who care deeply about you. Sometimes, the hardest part is letting them know what you’re going through. That vulnerability can be scary, but it’s the key to experiencing the love and support that is already around you.

Problems, no matter how large they feel, are never permanent. Seasons change. Circumstances evolve. Healing happens. God’s promises remain true: “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). The night might be the longest night of your life, but morning is always on the horizon – always.

If you’re carrying a burden today, remember this: You are seen. You are known. You are loved. The Good Shepherd has not forgotten you, and He never will. He’s calling your name and inviting you to trust Him, even in the darkest valley. And He’s placed people around you who want to walk with you, support you, and remind you that there’s always hope.

Dear friends take heart. The mess of life is temporary, but the love of the Good Shepherd is eternal. Please – never make a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Love Wins…Kind Of

November 7, 2024 / / 1 Comment

We hear it everywhere: “Love wins.” It’s on T-shirts, social media, and bumper stickers. It’s a feel-good phrase, right? Just love each other, and everything will magically work out. But here’s the harsh reality: our love alone doesn’t win a thing.

Our love is conditional, selfish, and pretty pathetic. It gets tired. It gets offended. We say we’ll love unconditionally, but the second someone hurts us, or something doesn’t go our way, that so-called “unconditional” love suddenly has a lot of conditions. We fall in love as easily as we fall out of it, and we struggle to love people who challenge us. So, let’s cut the crap: if love depends on us to “win,” we’re doomed.

But here’s the twist that changes everything: Jesus’ love. Now, that love? That’s the love that wins. It’s not some mushy, feel-good sentiment. It’s radical, all-consuming, and completely unselfish. It’s a love that didn’t just say nice things but laid itself on the line—literally. Jesus gave up everything. He didn’t just love us when it was easy; He loved us when we nailed Him to a cross. His love didn’t give up when it got hard; His love didn’t turn away even when we turned away from Him. He didn’t stop loving when we lied. He kept on loving even in spite of our harsh words and unkind actions. Jesus’ love won in the only way that matters.

Think about it: Jesus’ love goes deeper than a smile or a kind word. Our love for a significant other is pathetic compared to this crazy, radical love. His love stared sin, death, and hell in the face—and it won. Our own efforts to love can’t even touch that. No amount of human effort or good intentions could win the fight against sin. We couldn’t love ourselves into God’s good graces. That’s why Jesus was essential. He did what we couldn’t do, no matter how much we loved.

When people say “love wins,” they’re often thinking of human love fixing things. They’re hoping that if we just love hard enough, the world’s problems will melt away. But here’s the cold, hard truth: without Jesus’ victory, our love accomplishes very little. Our love doesn’t heal hearts or change souls. It doesn’t break chains of sin or death. Jesus’ love does. He won that battle on the cross—one that our love couldn’t even enter.

So, what does that mean for us? Should we just stop trying to love others? Absolutely not. Jesus’ love calls us to love, but it also tells us to recognize our limits. Our love matters, but it’s not the foundation. It’s not the thing that holds eternity in place. That role belongs to Jesus’ love alone. We love others because He first loved us, but let’s not confuse the order here. We’re not the heroes of this story; we’re the ones who needed saving. Our love is the grateful response, not the game-changer.

So, next time you see “Love Wins,” take a moment to think about who made that possible. Let it remind you of the power, depth, and sacrifice of Jesus’ love, the only love that truly won. Without Him, our love is merely a shadow. With Him, our love has purpose.

That Kind of Sucks

November 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

James 2:10 says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” In the words of a friend from my small group “Now, that kind of sucks, doesn’t it?” Imagine working hard all week to keep your room clean, finish your homework, and stay on top of everything, only to fail by not taking out the trash. According to this, your whole week is ruined, shot, a total failure, like it was all for nothing.

That’s the image we get of how the law works from this verse. We can strive to keep it perfectly, and honestly we can be rocking it for a good little bit. But if we break just one small part, we’re guilty of breaking the whole thing. That means if you’ve done a bang up job following Jesus. I mean reading the Bible, going to church, giving that perfect tithe off your income, keeping your language clean, discipling a group from work. Then your child leaves a lego on the floor in the living room, and you get up early in the morning. Yeah you know where this is going. You stop on that little grenade of pain buried in your carpet. The pain shoots through your body like a jolt of electricity, and a phrase of what we’ll call colorful language comes bursting from your lips like Niagara Falls.

Yep the whole deal is down the tubes. One little lego ruined your streak of perfection and now it’s all over.

Another way to look at it is to think of it like a chain. Each commandment is a link, and together, they form a strong chain. But break just one link, and the entire chain is useless. Whether you lie, steal, hate, or gossip, by breaking that one command you’ve broken the whole law completely.

The truth is, we will never be able to fully obey all of the law. We try to be good, to do what’s right, to keep things as neat and tidy as we possibly can, but we mess up. It’s just that simple. Even when we’re doing our best, we slip. And in God’s eyes, stumbling once is enough to declare us guilty of all of it. It’s an all or nothing kind of thing, if you let the law be in the driver seat.

As impossible as this all sounds, there is some hope. Here’s the good news: that lego grenade is exactly why Jesus came. He knew you’d step on it and blow your stride of perfection. He knew we couldn’t fulfill the law on our own, so He did it for us.

The Bible tells us that Jesus lived his life perfectly. That means he didn’t sin. He didn’t cuss when he stepped on his little brother’s lego. He didn’t fly off the handle when Mary told Him to clean His room. Being a carpenter’s son, He didn’t fly off in a fit of rage when He measured once and had to cut three times. He did it all perfectly. And His perfection covers our imperfection. His sacrifice wipes out our failures. We don’t have to live in fear of breaking the law anymore because His grace is greater than our flaws.

True, it’s impossible to keep the law perfectly. And yeah, that kind of sucks. But because of Jesus, we’re not stuck in the suck of failure—we’re set free in grace.

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