Scripture“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.”— Galatians 5:7–9 (NASB)DevotionPastor Darren highlighted Paul’s stern words to the Galatians: there was no “attaboy” in that letter. They had started well, but they had allowed something small—but poisonous—to creep in. Paul ...  Read More

Scripture“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”— Galatians 5:1 (NASB)DevotionPastor Darren used the image of two oxen under one wooden yoke: one labeled “ME,” the other labeled “MY STUFF.” That yoke keeps their heads close and forces them to walk together. That’s how many of us live—yoked to our “stuff.”“Stuff” c...  Read More

Scripture“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”— 1 John 1:8–9 (NASB)DevotionPastor Darren described the red clay, manure, and grime he tracks from the barn to the shop, the garage, the shower—only to realize, even after doing his be...  Read More

Scripture“…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”— 1 Peter 1:15–16 (NASB)DevotionPastor Darren reminded us that holiness simply means “separated”—set apart to God, and different from the world around us. It’s not about pretending to be perfect; it’s about belonging fully to a holy God.From Levi...  Read More

Scripture“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God… that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”— Hebrews 12:15–17 (ESV)DevotionAs Pastor Darren reflected on Esau, he wrote on his de...  Read More

Scripture“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”— 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”— Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)DevotionPastor Darren emphasized that sanctification—a life being made holy—is not a “one altar trip deal.” It is a lifelong journey. You do not become perfectly holy in a single moment, but...  Read More

Scripture“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”— Romans 12:1 (ESV)DevotionAt youth camp, Pastor Darren watched something powerful. A speaker called the young people to radical living by radical behavior:“Bring me your vapes. Bring me what’s hidden in your suitcase. Brin...  Read More

Scripture“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”— 1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)Devoti...  Read More

Scripture“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”— 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)DevotionPastor Darren used a vivid picture: if you walked into his shop, you could tell where he’d been by what was stuck to his boots—dog lot, chicken pen, goat pasture, creek sand, grass clippings. Every p...  Read More

Scripture“…but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”— 1 Peter 1:15–16 (ESV)“For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy… For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”— Leviticus 11:44–45 (ESV...  Read More

Scripture“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”— Philippians 4:19 (ESV)DevotionPastor Darren begins by reminding the church: God has never run out, and He never will. He put breath in your lungs and blood in your veins today. You are not where you are by accident; you are here on purpose, for a purpose.We often live as if God’s grace, patienc...  Read More

Scripture“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  — 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)DevotionPastor described thinking about his funeral. He said he didn’t even want a casket—just a box—but he wanted that box to be “packed” with a certain kind of life: a man who loved Jesus, his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and the world around him; a man people could say, “You...  Read More