I realize that some Christians don’t get very excited when it comes to sermons about the end-time events, books about tribulation timelines, or even Bible Prophecy Conferences. However, there are biblical reasons to watch and recognize the signs of our … Continue reading →
This year the Understanding the Times Prophecy Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota hosted by Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries will be live streamed at CrossHope Chapel in west Mobile, Alabama. The date is Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 8:30 AM to … Continue reading →
I just watched a documentary video on the issue of children and youth leaving their parents faith and practices behind as they enter adulthood. The YouTube video documentary is embedded below and the link is too, because I am aware … Continue reading →
I want to share with two video clips that are worth hearing if you have the time. The first one is by Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel on the recent developments on the Korean peninsula and the Iranian – Syrian … Continue reading →
Jesus is coming soon, and that’s the good news! I don’t want to call what I am about to share now as “bad news” but there are 2 things I want to drawer your attention to as needing prayer and … Continue reading →
At CrossHope Chapel we are all about doing things simply. We are different that way, but only because we want to be a church community that stays closely to the principles, practices, and patterns of the New Testament, as much … Continue reading →
I am going back to using my English Standard Version. Last August I bought a Christian Standard Bible and really liked it and I still do, but in recent months my enthusiasm for this new translation has developed into reservation. … Continue reading →
Here is a timeline of events (not original with me, but from a shared ministers resource [that means I have no idea where I got it from]). This timeline gives a good overview of Passion Week events… Thursday – … Continue reading →
While we were looking at the 4th chapter of 1 Corinthians, I pointed out that Paul’s understanding of a minister was very different than today’s “executive” or “celebrity” image often assigned to today’s pastors. 1 Corinthians 4:1 gives us the … Continue reading →
If you find the time, please take the 30 minutes or so to listen to Dr. Tony Evans, the founder and Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX, discusses a theological assessment of what is happening in the nation. … Continue reading →
When I first heard the news about the Florida High School shooting, my mind was already pondering a few other disappointing news stories of the day. I was thinking about the Lutheran minister in New Jersey who had a name … Continue reading →
The St. Valentine story as shared by History.com… “On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed. Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was … Continue reading →
In 1994 I had assumed the pastorate of a church where I had the opportunity to sit down with the outgoing pastor to discuss various issues of that congregation. As I was sitting with him in his office talking, he … Continue reading →
Merry Christmas to you and yours! One of my favorite Bible verses on Christmas is in Revelation 12:10, which says, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and … Continue reading →
The United Nations has voted 128 to 9 to make “null, void” the United States decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Our US Ambassador has said that we will be taking names and remembering those nations when it … Continue reading →
Many years ago a sincere church member once asked me, Is Jesus really God? They went on to explain that they see where the Bible says Jesus prayed to God the Father, was called the Son of God, and they even … Continue reading →
We commonly conclude our prayers by saying “In Jesus’ Name” and rightly so. When you say, “Lord, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen” you are sharing in His power by claiming His character, life, atonement, and righteousness – … Continue reading →
Please don’t let the haters of truth define what it means to “love one another” because they are pressing society to believe that love is equal to agreement with another’s sin and even celebration of another’s sin. We can love … Continue reading →
Yesterday at church, we backtracked just a bit to get a big picture look at 1 John by looking at the four stated purposes of why John wrote the book. First, we read in 1 John 1:4 “We are writing … Continue reading →
Evil is becoming common place in our society and it challenges us to wonder why. When we open the Bible we can find help in making sense of evil. In Isaiah 14:11-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-15, we understand that evil was … Continue reading →
There is a lot of chaos in our society and it is an intentional strategy of Satan, because we know from John 10:10 that he “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (ESV) and Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we “wrestle … Continue reading →
America may have finally squandered its moral stabilizing influence upon a world pushing for global Satanic rule, and the judgement of disasters may be God getting our attention. In 1948, God was able to use our president in the fulfillment … Continue reading →
Last Sunday as we looked through James 4:1-12, the topic of making our words mean something was discussed. We talked about a promise being a promise, and our words having worth. I had mentioned an Old Testament story that signified … Continue reading →
Here is the video we watched today on the eclipse, and if you can’t see the video below, link to it on YouTube is https://youtu.be/Pce4-VbNAe. Remember, we are governed by “thus saith the Lord” not a “thus saith the signs” … Continue reading →
Satan is happy to incite anger among all that will yield to it, because anger can quickly and easily be inflamed into his mission “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). But I say to you, forsake anger so you become … Continue reading →
The mission statement of CrossHope Chapel is very simple: “To love God and make His love known.” If you think of it, it is the love for God that distinguishes the believer from the unbeliever, the saved from the unsaved, … Continue reading →
Lately, my social media feed has been full with video clips of live church worship music and something has struck me as an oddity regarding these numerous church worship programs — light shows. I’ve noticed that there appears to be … Continue reading →
There is no question, from a Christian perspective, that America has gone through a recent period of leadership that has trampled on our religious freedom. Much of the harmful effects of elevating social ideologies over civil security and sexuality above … Continue reading →
Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, had an employee policy that said every Walmart employee was required to verbally acknowledge every customer within a 10 foot distance of the employee, whether the employee was standing still or walking somewhere. The … Continue reading →
Here is another video clip from Francis Chan on “How to hear from God” where he deals with comparison between the American Church and Jesus, with a godly balance speaking the truth in love. There are many speaking against the … Continue reading →
I’m sharing with you a brief post and video clip of Francs Chan from my own blog (www.stevedurkac.org) of Francis Chan talking with ministers and church leaders. The subject is right in line with some of the things we discussed … Continue reading →
We dealt with the topic of temptation last Sunday at CrossHope Chapel when we read James 1:12-14 in our current teaching series through the book of James. I thought it would be good to reiterate our study points from our … Continue reading →
We had a conversation Sunday during our study of James about what to do when we have sinned, and I want to share those Bible promises that I referenced again here. First, I mentioned a verse that I couldn’t locate … Continue reading →
The solution to unprovoked firearm violence in our society is not gun control, but self-control. Galatians 5:23 tells us that self-control is the result of the indwelling Spirit of God in one’s life, and without the Holy Spirit there is … Continue reading →
What are we to do when we realize we have made the wrong decision, are going down the wrong path, or have chosen evil over righteousness? Repent. The message of Jesus in Mark 1:15 is as applicable today as it … Continue reading →
Q: So when we get into heaven, will we have to literally eat of the tree of life to keep living forever, or is the tree of life a metaphorical object meaning we already have eternal life? A: In Genesis … Continue reading →
Last Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we spent a little more time on 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and the subject of “the man of lawlessness” and who this man could be. I shared a thought I had, but I couldn’t recall if … Continue reading →
What does the Bible say about the issue of climate change and global warming, of man destroying the seasons and the earth? In Genesis 8:22 the Creator of the climate says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and … Continue reading →
In our teaching series at CrossHope Chapel we are in 2 Thessalonians 2 which seems timely when placed as the backdrop to President Trump’s current trip to the Middle East. President Trump has traveled to Muslim Saudis Arabia, then to Jewish … Continue reading →
Today at CrossHope Chapel we took a cross-reference jump from 2 Thessalonians 2:5 to 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and read this: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, … Continue reading →
Here is a 15-point sequence of events of the rapture that I pieced together from a couple different sources… The Lord Jesus Himself descends from His Father’s House where He has been preparing a place for His bride, the church. … Continue reading →
As we get into 2 Thessalonians 2 in our teaching series at CrossHope Chapel, we’ll see that Paul is trying to explain to the believers there that they have not missed the rapture and they are not now in “the … Continue reading →
The necessary consequence of sin. Rom. 6:16, 21, 23; 8:13; James 1:15. The portion of the wicked. Matt. 25:41, 46; Rom. 1:32. The way to, described. Ps. 9:17; Prov. 14:12; Matt. 7:13. God alone can inflict. Matt. 10:28; James 4:12. Is described as… Away from the presence of God. … Continue reading →
Is from God. Lev. 26:18; Isa. 13:11; 2 Thess. 1:6. Because of… Their sin and iniquity. Jer. 36:31; Lam. 3:39; Ezek. 3:17–18; 18:4, 13, 20; Amos 3:2. Idolatry. Lev. 26:30; Isa. 10:10–11. Rejection of the law of God. 1 Sam. 15:23; Hos. 4:6–9. Disobedience of God. Neh. 9:26–27; Eph. 5:6; 2 Thess. 1:8. Evil ways and … Continue reading →
Last night at Midweek Fellowship we looked at Psalm 37, and this verse stood out for me… “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast … Continue reading →
From time to time we have visitors who come with an expectation that CrossHope Chapel is just like other churches in style, format, and programs, but just a little smaller in scale. We’re different. We don’t do big church in a … Continue reading →
I just read an article titled “Christianity Promises Suffering and Persecution: Here’s How to Prepare.” The author Zane Pratt, of the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, states that we “need to include the subject of suffering well in our … Continue reading →
What should be our attitude toward the return of Jesus and our rapture from the wrath of earth’s judgement? Well here are five Bible verses and my thoughts about that… 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – We are to eagerly be waiting … Continue reading →
This morning, as my Thursday custom is, I was studying for this Sunday’s teaching at CrossHope Chapel and sensed a need to share some thoughts on this verse: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received … Continue reading →
At CrossHope Chapel we have just started a series through the epistles of Thessalonians, and last week we looked in Acts by way of introduction. In Acts 17:5-6 we read were “the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men … Continue reading →
As a newly saved 18 year old I distinctly remember having a disappointing conversation with a local church pastor who told me “Don’t worry about trying to read Bible prophecy, because you don’t need to know that.” That was sadly funny … Continue reading →
A few weeks ago at CrossHope Chapel we were challenged by Steph to pick a word that has meaning for us as we go into a new year. I picked the word “steadfastness” and gave an emotional attempt to share … Continue reading →
The United Nation’s security council, solely by the help of Barrack Obama, has decisively set the nations of the world against God’s word and the people of Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu’s response states “The resolution that was adopted yesterday at the … Continue reading →
My favorite verse from the Christmas story is found in Luke 2:10 where the angel said to fearful shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (ESV). Recently … Continue reading →
In our study of John 20 on Sunday, I didn’t have all the answers to the questions being posed about verse 22-23 which says, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the … Continue reading →
I came across a great Christmas theme Bible study and devotional that you may be interested in called “Christmas Thoughts” by Pastor David Guzik of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara. I have a ton of respect for Pastor David Guzik of Calvary Chapel … Continue reading →
Here is a timeline of events (not original to me, but shared by ministers) that we are currently looking at in our Bible teaching series at CrossHope Chapel through the Gospel of John… Thursday – Passover Meal Peter and … Continue reading →
Wednesday evening at our Midweek Fellowship as we were looking through the promises in Psalms, we stopped and meditated awhile at Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV)… “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day … Continue reading →
I have been watching with interest lately, my former denomination (Seventh-day Adventist), fight among themselves over the issue of women’s ordination, so the topic of male and female roles in ministry has been something that has been on my mind … Continue reading →
I wrote a post last year at this time that answers the question of my perspective on Halloween and if you happen to be interested you can read it at: https://www.crosshopechapel.org/halloween/. Want to read more good balanced insights on the topic of … Continue reading →
In yesterday’s teaching we looked at the four requests of Jesus in His prayer as recorded in John 17. We saw that Jesus prayed that He would be glorified, that we would be kept from Satan, that we would be … Continue reading →
Last night at Midweek Fellowship we had a discussion about being confronted with the belief that if one has enough faith they can be healed. When I hear the phrase “enough faith” I cringe. It is a subtle error of … Continue reading →
CrossHope Chapel is a pro-life church that believes in the sanctity of human life. You can read our official theological statement on the sanctity of human life at our website page: https://www.crosshopechapel.org/about-us/doctrines-of-church. However, in this post I would like to speak … Continue reading →
Yesterday, Sunday, October 2, 2016 we looked at John’s mention of seven specific ministries of the Holy Spirit throughout John 14 – 16 and I want to share that with you here… In Scripture, Jesus spoke most about the endowment … Continue reading →
This morning in our gathering at CrossHope Chapel, my wife made mention of a dream that I had recently had where she woke me because I was repeating the name Jesus. She joked that she actually thought it was some kind … Continue reading →
Last Sunday when we were in John 9 we saw from verse 3 that the blindness in the man happened to him not because of any kind of sin or punishment but so “the works of God might be displayed … Continue reading →
Today at church we discussed the old adage that goes “When it’s your turn to go, it’s your turn to go” (or something to that effect). I had mentioned that I would look up some verses that would seem to … Continue reading →
No lives matter to Satan and his followers. Those who follow him may not walk around conscientiously declaring their allegiance to satanic forces, but their own behavior declares it. John 10:10 tells us that Satan is not interested in tolerance, … Continue reading →
When we signed up for the Christian life, we weren’t given a bubble to protect us from the pains and problems of the world around us. Being a believer in Jesus Christ doesn’t exempt us from the troubles of being human … Continue reading →
Here are a few follow-up thoughts from Sunday morning’s teaching on John 6:16-21 when Jesus walked on water… • Here are the verses that I had on the flip chart dealing with facing fear (remember that if you view this post … Continue reading →
Last night at our Midweek Fellowship we were talking about the topic of joy, and afterwards I remembered two other important Bible verses that we could have looked at: • Nehemiah 8:10 – “for the joy of the Lord is your strength” … Continue reading →
My prayer for the families of the Orlando terror victims and those who are struggling with God regarding this evil attack is Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (ESV). As a church family we prayed and talked … Continue reading →
Don’t settle for for a mediocre prayer life. If you will commit to praying with the very promises of God in your prayers, you will experience a breakthrough that will move heaven to answer in a fulfilling way. Here is a … Continue reading →
Memorial Day is a solemn holiday, a remembrance of our military men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. We enjoyed a few Memorial Day tribute videos today at CrossHope Chapel, including Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” and George Jones’ “50,000 … Continue reading →
John 4:1-45 was a big chunk of teaching and afterwards I found myself wishing I had invested more time on Jesus’ words “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23, ESV). I have been feeling that … Continue reading →
The political issue of bathrooms and gender identity is far more than meets the eye. Individuals who are crying foul on laws that protect American citizens from predators and perverts seem to be advertising their absence of biblical morals, common … Continue reading →
Last night at our Midweek Fellowship I made mention of Always Be Ready ministry with Charlie Campbell, a Calvary Chapel pastor and a popular apologetic speaker. Charlie’s website is at www.alwaysbeready.com and you’ll find a lot of helpful resources, both free and … Continue reading →
Yesterday we looked at John 2:13-25 “Jesus Cleanses the Temple” and we discussed God’s grace in the Passover, being angry without sinning (Ephesians 4:26) the Temple and it’s message of transference to Jesus Christ, those who want a “sign” rather than … Continue reading →
I’m still thinking about John 2:1-12 and yesterday’s teaching time, because I’m taking comfort in knowing that Jesus turned water to wine. It’s amazing when you consider that Jesus created something out of nothing. He took impure water from an … Continue reading →
Q: If the Anti-Christ is to be revealed first, before the church is raptured, wouldn’t that favor the post-tribulation position? A: My answer is No. In fact, the verse in question is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and it actually builds a higher pile … Continue reading →
Good Friday has always been the most meaningful to me, of the Holy week days from the triumphal entry to Easter. Mostly because growing up in my Catholic home, my mother insisted on a practice of silence in our house … Continue reading →
Two things I’d like to mention by way of follow-up on our introduction to the book of John on Sunday, March 6, 2016… • The Got Questions? website has a great reply to the question “What does it mean that Jesus … Continue reading →
With the presidential campaigning the term “evangelical” has been thrown around rather loosely and has many of us believing that the American public has come to interpret that term differently today than they once have. Like the definition of “marriage” … Continue reading →
A few weeks ago I made mention of an individual in Knoxville, Tennessee who visited over 40 churches before finding one that met his criteria of being a “teaching through the Bible” church. After that Sunday Bible teaching when I mentioned … Continue reading →
Most of you know that I am always on a lookout for Bible prophecy “timelines” and here is a good one that I want to share with you. It is good for an overview understanding or making sense of end time … Continue reading →
Let me make a final application on our Philippians 3 teaching series from this morning… Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body … Continue reading →
There is a point that I didn’t get to make from Philippians 1 today and it’s in verse 27-28 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am … Continue reading →
Throughout the Bible we encounter politics. God uses both good and bad leaders of nations and people to achieve His will and plan. Daniel 2:21 says that God “takes down and sets up kings.” The great Prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 … Continue reading →
The GotQuestions.org website has a new post titled “What is the end times time lines?” The brief overview is a good one that breaks it down these 12 events: 1. The rapture of the church. 2. The rise of the Antichrist. … Continue reading →
Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God? No. The main difference is Jesus. Jesus is God, and is called the Son of God. Jesus is mentioned in the Koran, but only as a prophet, not as God. In the … Continue reading →
What is the application of 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” ? This verse has been most popular in its use as a … Continue reading →
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Colossians 4:2 has a thought for us during this holiday week: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Too often when we rise from our prayer we haven’t left the trouble with God, but continue … Continue reading →
Here are three verses to mediate on when you are facing fearful times for whatever the circumstance is… “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will … Continue reading →
What about Halloween and do you think Christians should actually participate? Here are some of my thoughts on this question: • I don’t like Halloween. Yes I think it’s a little ghoulish, and I interpret it to too often glorify … Continue reading →
Here is the video that we saw in part today as we looked at Revelation 13. While I don’t want to imply that we as a church stand unequivocally behind it’s teaching, I do think its safe to assume that … Continue reading →
In our discussion tonight I made reference to 2 Corinthians 12:9 but realized on my drive home that I didn’t fully quote it, and I should have because I missed the part that was most pertinent to our conversation, so here it … Continue reading →
Last Sunday, as we were looking into Revelation and Gods hand upon the nation of Israel, we had a question about why God is so protective of Israel despite their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. We discussed how He … Continue reading →
In John 21:15-17 we read where Jesus asked Peter do you “agapa” me? Peter responded by using a lesser word for “love.” Jesus used the word meaning “unconditionally” while Peter used the word meaning “brotherly.” After the same a second … Continue reading →
Let me begin by saying, I don’t believe the seventh-day Sabbath has been terminated, only in the sense that Jesus came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:21-22) and all the laws, and I don’t believe the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath … Continue reading →
Revelation 11:2 left us with a question about the use of the word “gentiles” or “nations” depending on the translation. The word used is the same one that we get our English word “ethnic” from. Here is some thoughts on … Continue reading →
