When Righteousness is a Shell: The Pharisees and the Motte-and-Bailey Fallacy
April 25, 2025In today’s culture of argument and opinion, it’s easy to spot flawed reasoning in the world around us. But some of the most dangerous fallacies are not new at all. In fact, they’re ancient—and Scripture shows us that even the most religious can fall into them. One of these is known today as the motte…
The Warrior’s Code: Living by the Code of Christ
March 29, 2025Back in December, I wrote about the idea of “Living by a Code.” Lately, I’ve felt compelled to expand on that theme—especially in a world where ethics and morality seem to be fading fast. What once anchored society now feels negotiable. But for those who follow Christ, our code is not up for debate. It’s…
Heart Posture: Straighten Up
February 22, 2025I recently noted that when the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1), they were seeking more than a formula; they wanted the kind of deep intimacy and dependence on God that characterized Jesus’s own prayer life. This desire points to the idea of “heart posture.” What does “heart posture” mean? In…
Dealing with Loneliness: A Biblical Perspective
February 17, 2025Loneliness is a deeply human experience that we all face at different points in our lives. Whether it’s the feeling of being physically isolated or emotionally distant from others, it can be painful; I know this from a personal experience and, as I get older, the pain and emotions grow stronger. But the Bible offers…
Living 1 Corinthians 13 in Real Life
February 10, 20251 Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings, painting a beautiful picture of love that is patient, kind, humble, and enduring. But this passage wasn’t written just for couples. It was written for all of us, in every aspect of life. What Does Love Look Like Beyond the Wedding Aisle? Love is easy when things…
Staying Connected to Christ
February 7, 2025I recently found myself advising others to “stay connected to Christ” but quickly realized that wasn’t a completely helpful statement. Here are ten suggestions that may be more helpful. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with God, sharing your thoughts, concerns, and gratitude. Prayer fosters a deeper relationship with Christ and keeps you attuned to His guidance.…
Easter Sunrise Service 2025
January 23, 2025Note: Scripture references are from the New International Version of the Bible (NIV) except as noted. This is the full text of the message but certain passages were omitted on the day, for brevity. Introduction: Good morning, everyone. My name is John Rains, and I am the pastor of Hope House Ministries, a non-denominational ministry that began…
Tolerance vs. Truth
January 23, 2025Christian living requires carefully balancing the call to love others unconditionally with the responsibility to uphold and share God’s truth. While the world often promotes a form of tolerance that avoids addressing sin, true love compels Christians to point people to the hope and redemption found in Christ. This must always be done with grace,…
Trust God in Impossible Situations
January 14, 2025“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.’”— Exodus 14:13–14 (NASB) I must…
Peter in the Bible
January 8, 2025Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman and one of Jesus’ closest disciples, playing a foundational role in the early Christian Church. His story reflects a journey of transformation, faith, and leadership. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock” (Greek: Petros), signifying his future role in the Church (John 1:42, Matthew 16:18). He is…