Calvary Gulf Coast

Calvary Gulf Coast https://calvarygulfcoast.com Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:39:54 +0000 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:39:54 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Real or Shadow? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/04/real-or-shadow Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:18:34 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/04/real-or-shadow

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

These are still the same things religious self righteous people will judge you by. Why? Because they really dont have a lot going for them in their hearts toward God. There is no change in their lives. All they have to invest in is outward optics! What appears holy or righteous must validate them. None of these things could or will make one righteous. They are actually all shadows of Who is to come, Jesus! They are tutors to open up thought and dialogue about what they actually mean. They are like parables that Jesus gave. An earthly well known example that are to inspire questions about what they mean? And its in those questions, you will find the answer in Christ. Its hard to focus a conversation with one of these self righteous fools when all they want to talk about is how you took the mark of the beast because you worship on Sunday instead of Saturday! Its easy to get weighted down by the legalistic arguments made and miss the substance of Christ. I have made the choice to not argue these things anymore but to put the focus on Christ at all costs, with all my resources, with all my intellect, and most of all, in all humility walking after the Spirit of God in love & truth.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/04/real-or-shadow#comments 0 Proof We Know God https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/03/proof-we-know-god Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/03/proof-we-know-god

1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

There is only one way to walk in Christs steps that I know personally. This is to allow the Spirits leading in our lives. The Spirit will lead us to follow Jesus. We will naturally do His commands. He places His desires in our hearts. I find it amazing how there are so many religions that command man to do this or tell them they must do that, yet it yields zero real godly fruit. They deny one bad thing only to accept many others in its place.
I know the LORD is powerful in my life because I actually can do what He commands. It sounds strange but to see a Christian actually live like Christ is a rarity in our day. But its this rarity, that can be our reality when we truly know Him.
What is the proof you know God? John tells us simply, we do His commandments. We love as He loves.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/03/proof-we-know-god#comments 1 God is Light. https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/02/god-is-light Tue, 02 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/02/god-is-light

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Here is one of a few simple statements about God. God is light. This is true in every bit of the word. Light illuminates. Light defines a lit up path. Light keeps us from stumbling. Light reveals and cast out darkness. Darkness cannot stick around where light shows up.
There is a lot we don't know about God, yet these simple statements declare who He is. God wants you to know Him. He desires you to walk without stumbling. Darkness doesn't stand a chance when the Light of God shines. Gods word is light and and we hear it and do it, we see His radiance of light with no shade of darkness. Just know this, God reveals who He is. God doesn't work behind closed doors. He works openly and freely and treads all over the enemies camp! His work is to be celebrated every time.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/02/god-is-light#comments 0 If Not For the LORD? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/01/if-not-for-the-lord Mon, 01 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/01/if-not-for-the-lord

1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

From high school, counselors have been helping kids find out what direction in life they are going to take. College, trade school, some other career field? There is one field men cant call you into, the ministry of pastor/teacher. No, this is uniquely set for Christ to give the shepherds of His liking. Now, I know in this world, this is not how this works currently. Men, and now of course women, choose to enter the ministry for a variety of reasons and none of them are Spirit driven! The call Paul speaks of was not his choosing. For anybody to actually choose the ministry in this capacity, well they might need examined or they are doing it all for the wrong reasons.
I wont go into the finer details about the descriptions of the ministry and the tasks one must sign up for but I can tell you, I'm NOT qualified in my eyes. Yes I meet the check list of chapter 3 coming up, to be a pastor, the practical stuff. As Paul here, I can relate.
He knows the only reason he is in ministry is because God enabled him. God counted him faithful. God placed him in the position he was in. I know God has done all three of those for me but I also know, I had nothing to do with it. I sought out to be a drafter and then in hopes of being an architect. But God! He gave me a compassion for His people. He gave me a love for His word. He called me into the ministry and that began a whole new world.
If God isn't in this, I don't want it! If God hasn't called me, what am I doing? If God isn't faithful, I wouldn't of made it this long. Thank You LORD Jesus for Your great calling.
What God calls us to do He will enable us to do them.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/06/01/if-not-for-the-lord#comments 0 Complete Word of God https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/29/complete-word-of-god Fri, 29 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/29/complete-word-of-god

Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Paul wasn't just exaggerating on giving all of Gods word. Lots of preachers give bits of the bible but very few can truly say they have shared all of the bible. It is an amazing accomplishment to take Christs church through the whole bible from Genesis to Revelation. I have done it and it took six years to do. There is so much of the bible the church misses by topical preaching. Most of the deep golden nuggets of Scripture is mixed in the areas often skipped over. Paul didn't cover to give all Gods word and that's a fitting phrase. There have been many passages I would never of covered but by the Spirits lead and expository chapter by chapter teaching disciplines. There are no contradictions in the Bible and the best way to proceed that is to go through all of it. This process has a great way of bringing the central theme of the message out and our bibles become a lot more understandable.
what if a doctor learned in med school how most churches teach the small limited sections of the Bible? I wouldn't want to have him treat me. Neither would I these topical preachers. But this is just my opinion and life experience talking. The full picture of the Bible is redemption.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/29/complete-word-of-god#comments 0 Jesus is For All https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/28/jesus-is-for-all Thu, 28 May 2026 10:20:54 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/28/jesus-is-for-all

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

Holding the faith of our LORD. What an honor. We are representatives of Christ, not to do our own thing, but to relay His message. In our country as a republic, we sent representatives to Washington to speak for us the people. What a mess we have come to where they have gotten so bold to no longer speak for us but do their own agendas. What evil this has brought on our nation. This is also happening in churches. Those who have been commissioned to spread Gods message instead spreading their own. James, Jesus' half brother, now fully on board with Christ, says don't hold this faith of our LORD Jesus Christ with partiality. Don't assume who is worthy of salvation or who will be damned. Don't take what is so amazing and lessen it to a secular thing that always excludes the majority of people. We must be consistent to being Jesus to everyone. Not one single person on this planet needs my opinions. The practical expression of this in action is the vast array of people with various backgrounds both rich and poor all being treated with love & grace. We put value on certain people whereas God places value on everyone.
We are saved by grace through faith.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/28/jesus-is-for-all#comments 1 Glory or Humility? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/27/glory-or-humility Wed, 27 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/27/glory-or-humility

James 1:9 Let the humble brother glory in his exaltation,10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

I really didn't see this contrast before although the principle of living I've witnessed. The humble brother with little to nothing will be overjoyed at the provision and exaltation of the Lord in his life. He obviously doesn't glory about himself but knows he didn't achieve anything on his own.
The brother who has everything and seems to not lack well, rejoice when not if, you are humbled knowing the same God who blessed you with plenty now will show you what He can do with your nothing. This is a huge blessing and what the church of Laeodicia needed.
What state are you in currently? Rejoice because God will exalt or humble you. Will you trust Him? Paul said it this way in his life. I've had abundance and I've lacked yet in whatever state I'm in I will be content.
Its unreal to expect to not experience what Paul spoke of as a Christian. How else will you truly know God is your provider?
My mom, after she had me, was living on tough times financially. My parents both just got baptized in the Holy Spirit, couldnt get a job if they paid for it in the economy at the time, with only enough biscuit mix to make one biscuit for a household of 6 people. She planned on feeding my brother's and that would be it but she prayed! Immediately after the phone rang. My dad's dad just had a heart attack and was summoned to come home. How humbling to be in a place he couldn't even travel 350 miles home. My grandmother wired them some money and they never was close to that season of life again! This is what Christians are made of in humility and plenty! Where are you right now? It may change for your good.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/27/glory-or-humility#comments 0 Who or What Do You Run Too? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/26/who-or-what-do-you-run-too Tue, 26 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/26/who-or-what-do-you-run-too

Psalm 25:1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

When I read this, something about it really takes hold of my heart. David had no one other than the LORD at this point. Often, he had little to no time to think about his next moves for his very life from king Saul. His soul in utter fear and turmoil. Yet this stalwart discipline to press through all the hardships life brought him enabled him to see his Hope in the LORD. I lift up this broken hurting soul to You Jesus! This wasn't easy for David and its never easy for you to do this but its our only refuge & hope. God time after time miraculously saved David. Why? I believe because of where David ran to. Not away from enemies but unto God. God, I want to run to you every time Im in distress. I want to lift up my soul to the One that matters and can truly help me. LORD, I lift up my soul to You. Who else is with David on this?

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/26/who-or-what-do-you-run-too#comments 3 God Uses The Insignificant Things https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/25/god-uses-the-insignificant-things Mon, 25 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/25/god-uses-the-insignificant-things

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

This is a promise of the coming Messiah to be born in Bethlehem, of the region of Judah some 700 years before Christ came. Bethlehem is still small with under 35,000 residents today but at this time it was about 300 folks. Who would ever choose Bethlehem for the King of kings. Mens wisdom would at least say Jerusalem, the city of God. Yet, God has a pattern of using insignificant things and makes them of greatest importance to Him. Look at the church. We are the foolishness of this world yet look what God has done in His bride? I must realize who I am and who I am not. I am not anything in of myself to be admired. But in Christ, I am His chosen son. I love how He can transform a broken wretched sinner into a Jesus freak who has a life desire to live for Jesus! If you are insignificant to this world, rejoice, you are very important to God.
I'm positive a multitude of city counsels and mayors would play politics to get the Messiah into their towns yet God would never go against His word. Today, they would offer tax breaks and freebies. Why even Caesar Augustus thought his plan to get more money had a part to play in getting Joseph & Mary back home to hickville Bethlehem.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/25/god-uses-the-insignificant-things#comments 0 Kingdom of Heaven Focused https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/22/kingdom-of-heaven-focused Fri, 22 May 2026 10:22:45 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/22/kingdom-of-heaven-focused

Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

We don't know the time of Jesus' appearing when He comes to gather His church and take us to always be with Him. Jesus Himself told us that in like manner of the days of Noah, business was being done as usual. The focus wasn't on the handwriting on the wall for say, as Noah built this thing now known as a ship! They ignored the message of judgment being proclaimed for 120 years. They were at the place as Peter states in the last days, they mocked Gods word and His promise of His coming! Then the rains came, the door was shut. Those who wasn't repentant and God focused perished in the flood. Everyone has been given Gods word. What we do with it will matter where we will spend eternity in the life to come. We are given the right frame of heart by Jesus in this next verse:
24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

We are to be actively watching, waiting, doing what God says now! Jesus is coming again! Jesus will come for His church, He said so! Jesus never has idle words.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/22/kingdom-of-heaven-focused#comments 0 Born At Perfect Timing https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/21/born-at-perfect-timing Thu, 21 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/21/born-at-perfect-timing

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

This is obviously speaking of Jesus Christ. God had promised & knew from the foundation of the world that He would humble Himself and become a Man. There were a lot of generations Jesus could of been born but never as perfect and fulfilling as when He came. He came when the world basically had one language, common greek. He came when the world was connected in the greatest ways ever known by roads in the Roman Empire. He most importantly came when His word said He would, before the scepter departed from Israel. This passage is all about our wonderful LORD and His glorious right on time coming!
I see a secondary conjecture point here. No means interpreted in our text here but maybe implied by the very nature of God. He is all knowing. I see myself, not born in Messiahs timing, but born in Gods perfect timing when He said I want you to exist. All of us are wonderfully and fearfully made after Gods image. I am amazed how God allowed me to be born and greater yet years later come into fellowship with Him. We are born in the right timing of God, never early, never late. We are not fulfilling any scripture however we are to glorify God and walk in His word. Today, 50 years ago, I was born! I am blown away that God included me and created me and am His servant by choice forever! Im grateful for the life He has given me and the people He has placed in my life. I am thankful that He has reconciled me to my Father in heaven.
You were also born with purpose and at the right time. God doesnt make mistakes. Again, this verse has nothing to do with us at all. It just inspired me to think about the timing of God for my personal life and yours! Yet it does have something for us, because He came in perfect timing, we can live in eternity with Him! Just know this, we are no mistake! We were born when God called us to be born.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/21/born-at-perfect-timing#comments 1 Respecting the Office from God over Politics https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/20/respecting-the-office-from-god-over-politics Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/20/respecting-the-office-from-god-over-politics

1 Kings 12:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.

This was Rehoboams big day. He is now a leader! Well, leadership also will come with the need to lead people and that can get messy.

2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt), 3 that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”

Most people are common sense good people yet there are those like Jeroboam, that are real sons of their father, the devil. They appear on the surface as logical good guys but look at him. He had some kind of rift with king Solomon and now sees an opportunity with Solomons son to advance his political agenda. Leaders must consider all the facts before them. There is a reason evil men may now come to you and its not because your some amazing listener or wise person. He was rejected by the wisest man known thus far in Solomon. Rehoboam, what do you now have to offer him? Well as the story proves out, Rehoboam takes it to the other extreme and shuts him down even more than his father. This is not good leadership. "You think my father taxed you, you aint felt nothing yet under me." Again, leaders must lead by facts not feelings. We must get to know the spiritual temperatures of the room. If you dont, this is what takes place next:

25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.”28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.

Jeroboam split Israel. Ten tribes seceded from Judahs king Rehoboam and introduced idolatry for the 1st time to Israel as a state religion. Leviticus 17 strictly forbade this practice. You had to go to Jerusalem to worship. To help these traitor tribes feel like they are doing gods work, he set up two golden calves, one in Bethel, the other in Dan to avoid allowing them to go to Jerusalem. Had they gone, they would have been convicted of their sin and reconciled with the true king of Judah.

Point is folks, dont choose politics over Gods word, Gods plan, Gods will! Make sure the topics of politics dont over power the biblical word of God. Your politics should come into submission to Gods word.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/20/respecting-the-office-from-god-over-politics#comments 1 Joy through Trials? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/19/joy-through-trials Tue, 19 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/19/joy-through-trials

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Joy in trials? How? First of all, James addresses the Christian. The Christian has a hope he never had in the world. The promise from the living God that though he would have trials and tribulations in this world, he would overcome them all in Jesus. I see too many Christians living defeated lives because they neglect God's promises. The Lord gives us peace through the storms. We have joy even during the most chaotic trials because we know the living God has us in His hands. No weapon formed against us will prosper. The only way possible that a Christian can be defeated is listen to satans lies. When you go through trials, wear them proudly as a badge of honor knowing you are right over target of where you need to be to see the amazing power of God work. Or does God need perfect conditions to do His job? Lord help me believe. Forgive my unbelief!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/19/joy-through-trials#comments 0 Where is God in the Chaos? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/18/where-is-god-in-the-chaos Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/18/where-is-god-in-the-chaos

Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Israel was propelled into chaos! Uzziah has a distinguished career as Judahs king and mostly did what was right in the sight of the Lord. At the end of his days however, he allowed pride to enter his heart and thought he could take the position of priest and lift of insense unto God. It doesn't work that way and God struck him with leprosy until his death. What happens when a nation loses a good leader? We know too many examples of horrible ones. What Isaiah see's next lifts us to the next level. He see's the LORD on the throne. The LORD has always been on the throne. The LORD is in full control in this chaotic world. No matter your problems today, the LORD is on the throne. Our circumstances chance like the Missouri weather from day to day but God never changes. He is the only stable denominator. He is the same yesterday, today, & forever! In the midst of your chaos look up and see what Isaiah saw. The LORD is on His throne in full control.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/18/where-is-god-in-the-chaos#comments 1 Jesus is the Lamb of God Who Takes Away Our Sin https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/15/jesus-is-the-lamb-of-god-who-takes-away-our-sin Fri, 15 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/15/jesus-is-the-lamb-of-god-who-takes-away-our-sin

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John the Baptizer see's his cousin Jesus coming toward him to the Jordan River. John being the forerunner of Christ points all to Jesus and gives Jesus this title not worthy of anybody else. Jesus is the Lamb of God. All throughout the religious system of Judaism, over three million animals were sacrificed. All of them pointing to the One Lamb from God that will not only cover sins but take them away. The world is fallen due to Adams sin. We sin because we are sinners by nature. Jesus came to pay the penalty He did not owe to wash us of all sin and its penalty of death. Jesus' sacrifice didnt just void out all of the worlds sin. It broke the penalty for those who would by faith apply His sacrifice personally for their sin. I'm only forgiven because I believe Jesus died in my place for my sin. Millions will stand before His throne one day, who have rejected His free gift, and will have to give account for their sin. The Father is only pleased in the offering of His sinless Son and its only through Jesus we are forgiven.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/15/jesus-is-the-lamb-of-god-who-takes-away-our-sin#comments 2 Shadows vs Substance https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/14/shadows-vs-substance Thu, 14 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/14/shadows-vs-substance

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

How many people have been slaughtered for these causes? How many dis justices have been committed due to misunderstanding these shadows. A shadow isn't anything but a reflection of something. Everything of its make up is found in the object by which it is cast from. Light forms the shadow. Now, everything in the Old Testament of holy significance is just a shadow. The substance is Christ. All the organized religious system of Judaism is summed up in Christ. Without Jesus, one is just chasing shadows at best.
This example hits home for me. When I see my wife and her shadow, I don't kiss the shadow! Why do men chase after shadows when the substance is where it is at?

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/14/shadows-vs-substance#comments 0 The Rapture is a Great Comfort https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/13/the-rapture-is-a-great-comfort Wed, 13 May 2026 08:12:08 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/13/the-rapture-is-a-great-comfort

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

All believers who have passed away are not dead! They have not lost their promise of life. In fact, they are enjoying it right now. One day, if I don't go to be with the LORD first, I will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. Caught up is the Greek word harpazo. This is were we get the English word rapture. Paul under the inspiration of the Spirit, says we are to comfort on another with these words. To be absent from this body is to be present with the LORD. This event of the rapture is not so much a coming as it will be an appearing of Jesus. He wont step foot on earth for another seven years from this point. We will be ever with Jesus and enjoying the Marriage Feast of the Lamb at that time.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/13/the-rapture-is-a-great-comfort#comments 1 Children Obey Your Parents https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/12/children-obey-your-parents Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/12/children-obey-your-parents

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.

To whom is this given? If you think to only little children, you would not be entirely correct. This admonition is given to all men. This is taken from Gods 5th command and the only one with promise of reward. They all have reward if honored but here it is clearly stated. I heard some parents say, "son, I brought you into this world and I can take you out." This is not actually true these days but it was in those.
Is there ever an age we are no longer children? Does this command only apply to a specific grouping? The answer is an obvious no. We are always children. Though when we become adults, we are no longer under our parents authority, we are always to honor them. This is the most basic foundational command we teach our kids as we raise them so the state will not. It takes true love to raise children.
The greatest impact to this command that we cant miss is this: We are children of our Father. Life or death is found in Him. There is living and then there is existing until you physically die. The LORD promises real living as you honor Him in this.
We are never to old to be someones child.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/12/children-obey-your-parents#comments 0 Hope Through the Sorrow https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/11/hope-through-the-sorrow Mon, 11 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/11/hope-through-the-sorrow

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

We as believers in Christ have the promise of eternal life. One day I will take my last breath here in this mortal body and my next will be in the presence of my LORD. Until then, the many that have already passed this life unto the next, we miss a lot. Yet we don't sorrow in such a way as those who have no hope. Those who think this life is the best it will ever be. Those who believe in reincarnation and you come back as a fly or a rat or something. If not for Jesus, what hopeless despair I would find myself in.
I want to live life to the fullest now yet I also don't fear death. I know my greatest days are ahead of me in Christ my LORD. I know I will receive the crown of life my LORD has promised me.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/11/hope-through-the-sorrow#comments 0 Speaking Truth in Love https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/08/speaking-truth-in-love Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/08/speaking-truth-in-love

Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Truth & love go together. They both define each other. You cant have one without the other. These are Gods attributes.
some speak truth, but are very harsh and condemning. They give no place for others and worse, they are self confemning.
others are all about love, or at least their definitions of it. Their love is everything but Gods love because Gods love is truth. They say you must be accepting of others lifestyles or ideas as loving. They say you cant accuse their love of being harmful. Some even used the slogan love over hate. Of course we all want love over hate but only Gods clear defined love conquered hate. While they require you accept their form of love, you see no fruits of love in their lives.
Those who are just all truth become harsh legalists. Those who are all love become wishy washy and fall for every evil thing.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/08/speaking-truth-in-love#comments 0 Wives Command From God https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/07/wives-command-from-god Thu, 07 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/07/wives-command-from-god

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Now, this can be a very difficult passage to give since I'm a man and not a woman yet it isn't because its not from me, its from our LORD. This command is not a suggestion and neither is the husbands command by God to love their wives. To submit to your own husband is an impossible task in of yourself. He doesn't always deserve your submission. He often makes horrible decisions that effects you. He isn't Jesus!
Yet none of this matters to Gods command to you. You submit and respect your husband because God said so. This command is honored and respected by God if you obey it. I think of the example of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham is the father of faith yet he made many bad decisions yet Sarah submitted and honored him all the way.
God knows what husbands and wives need most. Do you trust God in that? God knows that husbands need their wives support. They are to be right beside them, not above them or under their feet. You as a wife must be your husbands biggest supporter ever! He is not getting that in the world and from no other but he will conquer the world if you are by his side. When, not if, he fails, your unending support will elevate him to a higher lever to never fail you again. Its one thing for me to fail but if my decisions cause my wife to hurt, well I need to take things to a higher lever so that never happens again. Since she trusts me and supports me and all. Wives, giving your husbands the room to fail and the support to win is exactly what they need. This is for your benefit as well as theirs. Ive never seen a husband who gets undeserved support from his wife then never love her more in return. Its a downward spiral. Its a relationship destroyer! The husband that is respected by the wive will naturally begin to love his wife more and in turn she gives more submission and then he loves more. I hope you can see the trend here in Gods commands to husbands and here, to you, the wife.
Personally, I would not be the man I am today if not for the woman God gave me and her unlimited support for me. She has witnessed a few successes of mine and many failures but has faithfully been by my side through them all. Because of her submission, I love her more than ever before!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/07/wives-command-from-god#comments 2 Husbands Need to Love Their Wives https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/05/husbands-need-to-love-their-wives Tue, 05 May 2026 09:44:28 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/05/husbands-need-to-love-their-wives

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her

This morning, I want to speak to us husbands. Here is the clear command by our LORD given multiple times throughout scripture. Our wives greatest need is to be loved. This is humanities greatest need. We often try to go around this inadvertently by trying to fix her or something. We try to demonstrate our love by providing for her. There are a multiple things we do that are good but they are not fulfilling this command to love her.
This is an unconditional love only found in the example of Christ. The church, the bride of Christ, is so loved by God that He gave His only Son for her.
Our love for our wives is a love that will sacrifice our very own lives not if but when we must for her well being. Its a love that goes beyond asking her what she needs but doing it! Whatever time she needs. Whatever patience she needs. Whatever thing she loves to talk about that you don't, being interested in her every word. We have only succeeded if after the conversation is done, she feels & knows she is valued, respected, and the only woman adored.
This is a tall task men! This is an impossible command in of our abilities. This is why we must draw from Gods strength. The Holy Spirit will enable you to love your wives as Christ does. There is no second place trophies. There is no substitute. Providing external things instead of love to her will never satisfy the God craving in her life, to simply feel loved. This isnt her issue after the fall. It was wonderfully designed by God before she was created. You & I are to love our wives.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/05/husbands-need-to-love-their-wives#comments 2 What Makes Jesus Marvel? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/04/what-makes-jesus-marvel Mon, 04 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/04/what-makes-jesus-marvel

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

Jesus marvels at this great faith the gentiles Roman centurion had. The only other time Jesus marveled was at His hometown peeps for their unbelief. This great faith is only attainable by a heart saturated in grace. The understanding that you are never worthy. This man exhibited a faith that moves God. I definitely want to walk in his steps.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/04/what-makes-jesus-marvel#comments 0 The Great Commission or Suggestion? https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/01/the-great-commission-or-suggestion Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/01/the-great-commission-or-suggestion

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

These are some of Jesus' last words before He ascended into heaven, after His Resurrection. We call this the great commission to Jesus' followers. Somewhere over time, the gravitas of this commission has been put on the back burner. Jesus did not give up His work here on earth but just commissioned His followers to His work. What makes anyone think that they are to be spectators in such an important calling? I can only speak for the power of the Spirit in my life to radically cause me to change course. I went from the devils commission to Jesus' commission and haven't regretted one moment of it. I Him to be with me but am I with Him on these things? The God who created you also has commissioned you to bring heaven here on earth. No excuses! No complaints! Just simply say, here I am send me. As a born again believer, you have the cure to sin, Jesus Christ. It would be a great dis justice to keep Him to ourselves when multitudes are marching into eternal damnation every second.
Yes, Jesus is with us but not for our stupid petty worldly ambitions that mean nothing for eternity's sake. I want my life to count and the best way for that to take place is listen and obey this command. I go because He said so...

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/05/01/the-great-commission-or-suggestion#comments 0 Sound Doctrine https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/04/30/sound-doctrine Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:39:54 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/04/30/sound-doctrine

Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Sound means true. Doctrine meaning teaching. There are a plethora of teachings out there in churches alone that are not sound. Traditions of men passed down over thousands of years but have nothing in regards to holiness. Our speech and confessions are very important. They are evidences of what is coming from the heart. As our hearts our made new by the power of the Spirit, our speech will follow that heart. I dont hate those who have false doctrine I just cant entertain any of those garbage doctrines for one second. Sound doctrine makes us whole. It just feels right. It just makes sense. Sound doctrine reconciles all of Scripture.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/04/30/sound-doctrine#comments 0