Written by: April J. Buchanan A Friendly Reminder A friendly reminder, saint: Turn on the lights, turn off the music, and separate yourself from the antics that seek to hype you up and disengage your mind. Now, read the transcript. If you were to read the words that have been spoken, would it produce in…

Written by: April J. Buchanan The Danger of Pride in Belief If you think, “I could never be deceived,” you reveal that you think far too highly of yourself and far too little of the warnings God gives in Scripture. Pride whispers, “I could never.” If we believe we could never be misled, we will…

Written by: April J. Buchanan Preaching the Word, Not Feelings If I could sit with you over coffee and we opened our Bibles to the text our pastors preached yesterday, could you walk me through the text and show me where it says and means what your pastor taught? Could I go to the text…

Written by: April J. Buchanan The Purifying Power of God’s Word The most purifying effect on the church is the Word of God faithfully exposited. It produces godliness, holiness, purity, love, and unity. The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word, rightly opened and proclaimed. Sound doctrine leads to sound living. Sound doctrine leads to high…

Written by: April J. Buchanan If all our holiness is merely external—putting off and putting on, doing and not doing—then we are no better than the Pharisees. If our righteousness is not that of perfection, then we are most to be pitied. But if we stand in the righteousness of another—the righteousness of Christ—then though…

Written by: April J. Buchanan The Weight of True Gospel Ministry As one weeps tears of joy at the grace of God demonstrated in the life of one dead in sin and now alive in Christ, ought not our hearts also be deeply grieved when we see large numbers gathering around a message that promises…

Written by: April J. Buchanan God’s Sovereignty Over What Is Contrary Can God use what is otherwise contrary—against—Him, a counterfeit that takes a form or appearance as good and draws men away from God in His name? Yes, God can sovereignly use even what is evil, false, or counterfeit to accomplish His purposes. But that…

Written by: April J. Buchanan Change is not always easy for us. Even changes that may be good can feel difficult, and we often struggle with them. But what if it is not the external changes that ought to capture our attention? What if the greater changes are what God is doing in us, and…

Written by: April J. Buchanan Emboldened Obedience A quick search gives this definition: “‘Emboldened obedience’ refers to acting with courage and confidence in response to a known command or authority, particularly within a religious context. It is a proactive, courageous form of compliance, as opposed to passive or reluctant submission.” A Grievous Shift It has…

Written by: April J. Buchanan Have you ever heard, “Jesus does not want religion; He wants relationship?” How did we come to that conclusion? Did we assume it was true? Why? Is it true that Jesus does not like religion? “True religion is not a matter of form but of power; it is the heart…