How to Find Joy When Life Gets Hard: Lessons from the Book of James Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it. Whether it’s a health scare, a broken relationship, financial pressure, or grief, most of us have asked at some point: where is God in all of this? The book of James opens with one of the most challenging commands in all of Scripture, and it speaks directly to that question. Who Wrote the Book…
The Greatest Miracle: Why Salvation Is Unlike Anything Else Salvation is not something you earn. It is not the result of working harder, being good enough, or checking off a religious list. It is a miracle. And it may be the greatest miracle of all. Why Do All Religions Basically Say the Same Thing? After studying the major world religions, a pattern becomes clear. Whether it is Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or others, the formula is essentially the same: The Bible…
The Greatest Miracle: What the Story of Abraham Reveals About Salvation Salvation is not just a religious concept. It is the most astonishing, impossible, and mind-bending miracle in all of Scripture. The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 is one of the most well-known passages in the Bible, but when you understand the ancient covenant behind it, everything changes. What Does It Mean to “Cut a Deal”? You have probably heard the phrase “let’s cut a deal.” It…
September always feels like a season of transition. School is back in session, routines are settling into place, fall is just around the corner, and here at Lakeview, there is a lot to look forward to! But as I think about everything happening in the life of our church, I keep coming back to a simple truth: God has not called us simply to be busy—He has called us to be faithful. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of…
What is the kingdom worth to you? Working on content for First Connections and sermon stuff for our Lakeview Baptist Church family and thought I would share… What does it really mean to “sell everything” for the Kingdom? When Jesus told the parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45–46), He wasn’t calling everyone to literally sell all their possessions. He was teaching that the Kingdom of God is worth valuing above everything else. As followers of Christ, we are stewards—not owners.…
We were saved to serve Church Family, One of the easiest habits to develop in the Christian life is familiarity. We know where we sit. We know the songs we’ll sing. We know what the order of service will probably look like. And before long, we can begin attending church without truly expecting God to do something extraordinary. But every Sunday is a divine appointment. Every time God’s people gather, His Word is proclaimed, prayers are lifted, and Christ is…
For I Hear the Sound of Heavy Rain There are moments in Scripture when God’s people stand at a crossroads—between drought and downpour, weariness and renewal. One of those moments unfolds on Mount Carmel, where the prophet Elijah, after years of devastating drought, boldly declared, “For I hear the sound of heavy rain” (1 Kings 18:41). Though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, Elijah heard by faith what others could not yet see. At Lakeview Baptist Church, we too…
God is generous and so He calls us to be as well. What we do with what God has given us shows the world where our hearts are at and helps proclaim the gospel. We want to glorify God with every area of our lives, and that includes what we do with our finances. Thank you for your gift, we know it changes lives…ours and the people we are reaching.