People wanted to know what Jesus believed about the status of marriage in heaven. Jesus emphasized that what we receive in heaven will be greater than what we take with us to heaven. Mark 12:18-27 18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying,19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if …
I have often watched frustrated leaders bemoan why people won’t follow them. While the reasons may vary, oftentimes, people don’t follow because they are unsure of the direction. If the leaders are unsure of the destination, it is unlikely that the followers will just arrive there on their own. In Judges 4, there is an interesting leadership lesson. Barak is …
If we truly desire godliness, Scripture memory must be prioritized in our lives. While the task can seem daunting, we have to start somewhere. In this episode, discover some practical steps to go the 2nd mile in Scripture memory. You can listen to the 2nd Mile Podcast above or download it on your favorite app (Anchor, Apple Podcasts, GooglePodcasts, Spotify, Breaker, Overcast, PocketCasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher). Some …
Most people see work as…well, work. You might even be reading this article while at work trying to avoid work. Why is that? Is work evil? It can’t be. It is important to rethink of your work as being a part of your worship. RELEARN Work isn’t a consequence of sin – frustration with work is. Too many people wrongly …
After God’s good Creation, Mankind rebelled against their Creator. With the first sin, history was forever altered and the plan for redemption began. The Role of Satan Scripture gives insight into Satan’s fall in Isaiah 14:12-14 & Ezekiel 28:12-18. Satan is a fallen angel who desired to take God’s place. Satan comes in the form of a serpent which …
Trying to trap Jesus in His words, His enemies collaborated in an attempt to force Him to choose a side between God and government. Jesus’ response teaches us what our commitment to both should be. Mark 12:13-17 13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came …
“After years of fighting for the passage of this essential protection for women, our moment has finally arrived. The New York State Assembly has kept the torch lit for years, and we are extremely excited to be able to pass the torch to a Senate dedicated to the respect of women and the protection of their basic right to make …
It’s a rarity when the task of visiting churches proves to be an exciting experience. The reason I say that is because normally when you look for another church, it implies that a significant change is taking place. Sometimes people move due to hurt feelings, disagreeing directions, or frustrating experiences with a previous church. Some people are visiting churches because …
Many disciples of Jesus struggle with distracted, neglected, and boring prayer lives. The problem of prayer is not the content or the recipient – it’s the method. In this episode, discover some tips to stop boring prayer times. Prayer Distractions Lack of Faith – Relying on a God we cannot see with requests we cannot handle requires faith. …
Untouched yet by Mankind, Creation was perfect in the beginning. God displayed His goodness and purpose in what He created and how He created it. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). The Creator of Creation The names of God used in Scripture usually signify something unique is transpiring. El is the Hebrew name for …
If you read the New Testament, it seems as if the role of the Holy Spirit is critical for the daily life of the believers. Why then do we neglect His presence to our detriment? John 16:5-15 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I …
As believers, we should be in a state of spiritual growth, but too often, we seem to be stuck in the same place. If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith. In this episode of The 2nd Mile Podcast, we discuss the importance of selecting that next spiritual discipline to make intentional …
There is tension in how, when, and if someone should lead. On one side, we live in a culture that prioritizes education and experience being necessary for additional opportunities. On the other side, we love the one-in-a-million success story that an available opportunity provided for a go-getter. When it comes to ministry, I have oftentimes seen people fail at opportunities …
To understand the Old Testament fully, you need to understand it within the context of the entire Bible. Here is a summary of the story of the Bible. Old Testament Sections Creation – God created the world out of nothing. Fall – Mankind rebelled against God. Flood – God punished sin. Covenant – God made a covenant with Abraham’s family. …
As soon as Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He intentionally targeted the religious community. Followers of Jesus must continually evaluate if we are fulfilling the call He has placed upon us. Mark 11:1-25 11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to …
You made up your mind. This is going to be the year that you make Bible reading a priority, but something happened within a few short days. The motivation is already waning. You just aren’t as committed as you intended to be. Why is that? It might be because you have been going about Bible reading all wrong. It’s time …
It was a Saturday adventure. We just decided to get in the car and drive to downtown Greenville and enjoy the afternoon as a family. As we drew closer, we noticed that traffic seemed busier than normal. Apparently, we had arrived at the Annual Duck Derby. We didn’t even know such a thing existed. As numerous people purchased a rubber …
As fans of Clemson Tigers, my family really enjoyed the National Championship game after a great season. Finishing 15-0, ACC champions, CFP Champions, beating Notre Dame (30-3) in the semifinal, and then beating Alabama (44-16) in the final game was an incredible list of accomplishments. The mid-season had its fair share of uncertainties. Dabo chose freshman Trevor Lawrence to start …
The Old Testament is a foundational pillar of the Christian faith. Unfortunately, it is often avoided due to its complex nature, extensive lists, and historical distance. As believers, we are called to embrace the entirety of God’s Word for our sanctification. God’s Word teaches us regarding the importance of knowing the entire counsel of God: Joshua 1:8 Psalm 119:160 Acts …
As Jesus attempted to prepare His disciples for His death, their priorities were severely misaligned with His. Jesus came to serve, and we should seek to give our lives away as well. Mark 10:32-52 “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. …
What does the Bible say about money? While it can be used for good, it can be the downfall of many people. Here is what the Word teaches on material wealth. 1 Timothy 6:7-10 – For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these …
I have started a podcast in 2019 entitled The 2nd Mile. While our church has a podcast that archives weekly sermons, I wanted a platform to equip others in their pursuit of Christ. I have grown so much from listening to podcasts, and I want to take advantage of this platform and opportunity to speak some specific truth into willing …
A rich young man wanted to follow Jesus, but he loved his possessions too much. We must be careful that our riches don’t rob us of following Jesus. Mark 10:17-31 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. VERSE OF THE WEEK The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone [Isaiah 9:2]. BOOK OF THE WEEK How to Get Unstuck: Breaking Free from Barriers to Your Productivity by Matt Perman …
As 2018 comes to a close, I wanted to share with you a list of the top posts written on the blog in 2018. #1. What We Know for Sure The courtroom drama and the national firestorm that was the Supreme Court hearing of appointed Judge Brett Kavanaugh and accuser Dr. Christine Blasey Ford taught me something on lying and how we …
In a time when people viewed children as distracting annoyances, Jesus intentionally prioritized them. Not only should we prioritize children, but we should start acting like them when it comes to the Kingdom of God. Mark 10:13-16 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.14 But when Jesus saw it, he was …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. VERSE OF THE WEEK Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded [James 4:8]. BOOK OF THE WEEK The 10 Commandments by Kevin DeYoung Are the 10 Commandments still relevant today? Do they still apply? Which ones? What do they …
If you are a disciple of Jesus in a dating relationship, how much consideration do you give towards boundaries? How do you stay pure during this season of dating? The most important conversation for a couple progressing in their relationship to have is concerning how far is too far in their physical relationship. This conversation is the E.T.B. or …
The methodology regarding church buildings used to be simple – once you get bigger, build bigger. There were a few options of how to design the space and pay it off as quickly as you can. Not anymore. So much change is happening around us and the thought process around church buildings is also changing. In recent years, I …
Jesus was questioned regarding the nature of marriage and the opportunity for divorce. When an eternal God puts something together, it should last forever. Let Nothing Separate By determining what issues are worthy of divorce, many people attempt to discover a way out of their marriage. Due to the stubborn nature of people, God provided a civil manner through divorce …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. Verse of the Week The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone [Isa. 9:2]. Book of the Week Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate by J. Clif Christopher People don’t give to church because we don’t offer them …
We all have more goals that we talk about than we actually accomplish. Have you ever wondered why? In the book Your Best Year Ever, Michael Hyatt teaches how to make SMARTER goals that you can actually accomplish. Here are 7 reasons why some people don’t meet their goals: The goal isn’t Specific. Too many people are too vague …
At Christmas time, people are searching for peace in all the wrong places. Christ has come not to bring us peace but to be our peace. Micah 5:1-5 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us;with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. Verse of the Week God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it [Num. 23:19]? Book of the Week Your Best Year …
imposter – a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain This post isn’t what you think it is. I’m not describing an imposter church as those who teach subpar doctrine or use worldly practices or practice unwise methods. In fact, I’m not talking about anything that calls itself a “church.” I’m writing …
LifeWay Research conducted a national survey of 1,200 adults with children under 18 at home. They attempted to discover what parents defined as “successful parenting.” Their findings were interesting yet not shocking. 25% of those interviewed would view their jobs as parents as successful if their children were happy as adults. 22% were hoping their children would find success in …
Anselm of Canterbury was an Italian monk who was born in the 11th century. His work in theology and philosophy greatly assisted the Church. He once posed an important question to God: “How dost Thou spare the wicked if Thou art just, supremely just?” His question and the biblical answer is important to our personal theology as we wrestle with …
Jesus never categorized any sins as acceptable in the life of His followers. Playing with sin has severe repercussions for our lives and great consequences for those closest to us. Mark 9:42-50 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. Verse of the Week For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. [Col. 1:29]. Book of the Week The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret …
In the summer of 2018, I got the privilege to preach for Fuge Camps at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. It was a part my alumni summer as I spent a week there and a week at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. I received my undergraduate from NGU and my masters and doctorate from Southern. It …
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