The Unbreakable Bond of Salvation in Christ

Posted on by pastordarryl68

You have probably heard people say, “I used to be a Christian.” They speak as though being a follower of Christ is something that can be undone. It’s a phrase that raises questions. It also offers an opportunity to clarify an important truth. When someone is genuinely transformed by the Holy Spirit, that transformation is permanent.

There’s no such thing as a “former Christian.” If you have truly been saved by Jesus and the Holy Spirit has entered your heart, there is no going back. It’s not just an emotional decision or a fleeting commitment. It’s a lifelong journey of transformation that begins the moment we accept Christ. This journey continues throughout our lives.

Jesus Himself assures us of this in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

This passage speaks to the security we have in Christ. Once you’re in His hands, you belong to Him forever. It’s not something that depends on our strength or ability to stay faithful—it’s grounded in Christ’s power to keep us.

It’s easy to get confused when we see people who once appeared committed to the faith suddenly drift away or declare they are no longer Christians. Does this mean salvation can be lost? Not at all. 1 John 2:19 explains it clearly: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

True salvation bears lasting fruit. While some may have experiences with the church or outward signs of faith, those who truly know Christ remain rooted in Him, even through difficult seasons.

One of the most powerful assurances we have as believers comes from Ephesians 4:30:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts is not temporary. When we are saved, we are sealed for eternity. This means that the transformation that takes place when we give our lives to Christ is something no one—not even ourselves—can undo.

Of course, the Christian walk is not without challenges. There will be times of doubt, struggle, and even moments where we may feel distant from God. But instead of these moments pushing us away from our faith, they often become opportunities for God to draw us closer to Him. Through trials and hardships, we grow, learn, and depend on Christ even more.

As Romans 8:38-39 beautifully reminds us: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There is no undoing the work of salvation once it has taken root in your heart. If you’ve been saved by Jesus, you are His forever. Let’s be encouraged by the truth that our salvation is secure in Christ, and no matter what, the Holy Spirit continues to work in us to bring us closer to the likeness of Christ.

The True Calling of a Pastor: Beyond Numbers

Posted on by pastordarryl68

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for church leaders to focus on numbers—how many attend services, how much engagement programs receive, or how popular a ministry appears. However, the true calling of pastors goes far beyond these metrics. We aren’t tasked with adapting to the trends of culture or tailoring our message to reach those who aren’t yet converted.

As John MacArthur reminds us: “We are called to serve the redeemed people of God as an agent of sanctification and protection.” The mission of spiritual leadership is to nurture and guide the congregation—the body of believers—so they can grow in their relationship with Christ. A pastor’s effectiveness isn’t based on crowd size but on the Christlike character being cultivated within the church.

The critical question becomes: Are we leading people into deeper holiness, truth, and love? Are we helping them embody the heart of Christ in their daily walk? While society may place value on outward success, God looks at the transformation happening within His people.

Pastors act as shepherds of spiritual growth, fostering sanctification in the lives of believers. This involves equipping them with the wisdom, faith, and resilience to navigate life’s challenges, standing firm in their identity in Christ.

“He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV)

Ultimately, the strength of a church is measured by the spiritual depth and fitness of its members, not by attendance figures. Our priority should always be to develop disciples who reflect Christ in all aspects of their lives, whether at home, work, or in their communities.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” — 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)

Let us commit to raising a congregation that lives out their faith boldly, growing more like Christ each day.

Self Entitlement

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Self-entitlement: when someone deems themselves entitled to treatment, privileges, rights, etc. not extended to others; when someone believes they are the exception to established procedures, rules, guidelines, etc. that provide for order within a community; when someone takes advantage of the kindness or generosity of others for their own advancement.

There are few things that fire me up more than when people profess to be followers of Jesus but behave with self-entitlement. That’s how the Pharisees behaved.

If following Jesus isn’t changing me daily, then I’m not following Jesus.

Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Don’t Surrender Your Children

Posted on by pastordarryl68

I’m so grateful for the godly men and women who teach and administrate in our public institutions, funded by our taxes. It is the greatest and most difficult mission field in the Western Hemisphere today. I pray the power of the Lord our God, KING of the Universe, Creator of our souls over each of them as they return to face a world of darkness, confusion, chaos, and deception in the agenda of the public education system.

Public education is one of the biggest gambling institutions in the US today. Children’s programming on media platforms is a close 2nd.

You’ve got a better chance of winning a million dollars at the slots today than you do of your children NOT being groomed for slavery to the enemy by the curriculum, teachers, actors, animations, and gaming to which parents enable and expose them.

PARENTS: I know homeschooling is not possible for everyone and this is not a condemnation of those who choose to utilize the public education system. BUT…whether you utilize the services of the public education system OR even a private, “christian” school — DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR CHILDREN to their schools and teachers. DO NOT SIT THEM UNATTENDED in front of any form of media.

God entrusts children to parents for a reason: parenting is a RESPONSIBILITY. Nurture, educate, instruct, model, correct, encourage, support, build up, hold them accountable, hold them responsible, advocate for them, stand up for them, protect them. This is all spelled out in scripture as the responsibility of the PARENT.

This was NEVER intended to be the responsibility of a teacher, administrator, actor, illustrator, or writer. Do not put that responsibility on already overwhelmed teachers and don’t enable the wolves that desire the hearts and minds of your children.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Don’t Leave So Soon

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Am I really THAT strange? Don’t answer that too quickly!

When I’m in good company with people that I love (not talking about a crowd), like with my family, my church family or with good friends, I never wanna leave.

I often observe people that just can’t seem to wait to leave whatever environment they happen to find themselves. They seem to impatiently, always be ready to move on to the next environment and never find contentment and joy in just “being” in the current environment.

I’m not talking about making someone late for their next appt. I’m talking about the person who seems annoyed that their phone scrolling on the couch is delayed by a good conversation they’re not a part of. It’s annoying to have a good conversation interrupted by another who just can’t wait to leave.

Or maybe they just don’t find the company as enjoyable or lovable as I do. Or maybe it’s me that’s not enjoyable or lovable.

Live in harmony with one another. ~ Romans 12:16a

Selfish Ambition

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Philippians 2:3
Do NOTHING from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Have you ever thought of how easily we dismiss the full impact of the simple commands scripture and just slap a “good enough” label on our behaviors and/or thoughts? So much conviction from the painful truth of this one verse.

How many times TODAY have I thought or behaved in a way that was motivated or manipulated by my selfish ambition or conceit???

And yet scripture tells me to do NOTHING out of selfish ambition or conceit. Jesus > me!

A Real Love for Jesus

Posted on by pastordarryl68

“Jesus First”, “I Love Jesus”, or “Jesus Follower” can’t be a slogan or catch phrase that we apply only when the crowd and conditions are convenient.

Those words not only set us apart for His use, they set us apart for accountability and responsibility. Those words are a confession by which we will be judged by both heaven and earth (see Luke 9:23-24).

Isn’t it heartbreaking when followers of Jesus who share similar doctrinal understanding cannot dwell together in unity? When they can’t deal with their differences in opinion, preference, pet doctrines, misunderstandings, control, or conflict the way Jesus taught us to do?

It is not only heartbreaking to the Father but it is in direct opposition to Jesus’ prayer to the Father for us. How is it that we cannot accomplish what Jesus prayed for to the Father and gave us the Holy Spirit to help?

When the Father, Son, and Spirit are all in cooperation toward one goal and it fails, there is only one cause – selfish sin.

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. – John 17:20-23

According to John 14, this heartbreaking act is due to a lack of love for Jesus. That’s TOUGH but it’s true.

We Must Protect Our Lane

Posted on by pastordarryl68

I believe that the church should not be political. Let’s stay in our lane, but let’s protect our lane.

The problem is that politics has not stayed in its lane. The politicians who run your government of the people, by the people, and for the people, have run roughshod over our God Almighty, our homes, our Bibles, and our churches.

Leaders of the home and the church, it is not only our right but also our responsibility to stand up and protect our lane.

The church didn’t move. The Bible never moved. Your government didn’t just move. It invaded.

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. – Acts 20:28

Be Real

Posted on by pastordarryl68

There are some who have the keen awareness of everything wrong in the world — everybody and everything — and they share it far and wide. They don’t miss the opportunity for a negative review. They are the cloudy pessimists. There are others who only see and/or comment about the good. They are the sunny optimists.

I like to think I’m a realist. There is no life where it’s all roses and rainbows or all gloom, despair and hopelessness, regardless of your station, status or class. I hope to encourage others with edifying statements of positivity, while also acknowledging the struggles and evil in the world, with the resolve to do my part to help eliminate it. We can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge…but it does no one any good to just blast negativity without any constructive solutions and/or lessons learned through those experiences.

Which one are you?

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. ~ Nahum 1:7

Rejoice and Weep

Posted on by pastordarryl68

There are hard pills to swallow in life.
Sometimes life’s not fair.
Sometimes circumstances don’t fall in our favor.
A storm may ruin one person’s wedding while simultaneously nourishing his neighbor’s crops.
Every race, game, competition, etc. has a victor and one who is not – regardless of how well-played, trained or executed by both parties.
One man’s joyful plans may be dashed by another’s plans for the same.
One man’s savory seasoning is another man’s salt in his wound.
One man’s inconvenience or hardship is another man’s blessing.
One man’s selfish indulgence is another man’s cross to bear.
Maybe it’s just a matter of perspective. Maybe it’s God’s hand of blessing on one and His hand of correction on the other. Maybe it’s for God’s greater glory and results beyond what we can see.
It’s hard to celebrate with others when the same action brings us pain.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15