The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL DIVISION Some people naively believe that everyone should be united, that we should all just "get along" regardless of the issues involved. But they fail to understand the nature of spiritual disunity. IN THE BEGINNING … of the church, right after Christ had ascended and the fledgling church had begun, we see this division in Acts 14. 1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. Paul and Barnabas went to the religious establishment (t...

Jesus Saves by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and saw about three thousand people saved (Acts 2:41). Here are three highlights from his sermon that reveal his approach and appeal. First, note the authenticity of Jesus is verified and exhibited. Acts 2:22-24 reads, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it." Peter emphasizes your need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Make certain you trust the real Jesus. Second, note the activity of Jesus is magnified and exalted. Acts 2:32-36 reads, "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witne...

The last thing a narcissist does before cutting you off. You'd think they'd just leave. That when they're done with you, they'd walk away quietly and move on. But narcissists don't operate that way. They can't just end things and go. Because leaving isn't enough for them—they need to destroy you on the way out. They need to make sure that even after they're gone, you're still dealing with the damage they caused. So here's what they do right before cutting you off: they destroy your reputation. They launch a final, comprehensive smear campaign designed to ensure that when you're no longer together, no one believes your side of the story. They poison every mutual connection against you. They tell lies so convincing that people who've known you for years start questioning your character. They paint themselves as the victim and you as the abuser. They take every private vulnerability you shared and weaponize it publicly. They twist e...

Putting a Face on Forgiveness by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Joseph enjoyed a blissful situation for his first seventeen years of life. His doting father gave him special privileges signified by his multicolored coat. Then suddenly, Joseph entered a black situation not of his own choosing but through the evil act of his brothers who hated him. After thirteen years of separation from his father and his favorite son status, Joseph encountered a blessed situation that was a blessing to his father, who thought he was dead, and to his entire family. Without forgiveness, it never would have happened. What can we learn from Joseph about forgiveness? Here are three snap shots from some of his darkest days. First, see Joseph forging purposefully ahead with God's attendance. Joseph did not give up. In Genesis 39:2 we read, "The Lord was with Joseph." Joseph was still a man on a mission. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, note how he responded in Genesis 39:8-9, ...

The Narcissists favorite gaslighting abuse tactic is to set you up to be angry and then shame you for the anger, it's practically a form of entertainment for them. They provoke you intentionally—through subtle digs, blatant disrespect, lies, or by twisting your words—until you naturally react. Then, the moment you express hurt, frustration, or anger, they flip the script. Suddenly you're "too sensitive," "crazy," "overreacting," or "the problem." What they engineered becomes your fault. This cycle is designed to destabilize you. First comes the push. Then comes your emotional response. Then comes the blame and humiliation. Over time, this pattern can make you question your own perceptions and feel ashamed for having completely normal reactions to mistreatment. That confusion is not accidental—it's the point. By making your anger the focus instead of their behavior, they avoid accountability and maintain control. They get to p...

Why not to engage a narcissist in debate about their behaviour Ask a Narcissist to explain why they did the hurtful, destructive things they did and they will ALWAYS bring it back to something you said or did (or else failed to say or do). They will rewrite history in real time. They will nitpick your tone, your timing, your reaction, your silence—anything except their own behavior. Suddenly, their betrayal becomes your "attitude." Their cruelty becomes your "provocation." Their lies become your "lack of trust." This is how they escape accountability: by making you the cause of the harm they chose to inflict. None of that is true. The real reason is simple: they are lying, heartless manipulative monsters, with the emotional maturity of a toddler. They lack empathy, not awareness. They knew exactly what they were doing. They saw the impact. They just didn't care—as long as they stayed in control, protected their image, and avoided shame. ...

Every secret you share with a narcissist becomes a weapon they'll use against you later. You trusted them. You opened up. You shared things you'd never told anyone—your fears, your traumas, your insecurities, your past mistakes. And in that moment, they seemed safe. They listened. They validated. They made you feel understood. So you kept sharing, kept being vulnerable, kept giving them access to the most private parts of yourself. But they weren't listening to understand you. They were listening to collect ammunition. Every secret you shared was filed away for future use. Every vulnerability you exposed became a target they'd aim for later. Every piece of your past became leverage they'd use when convenient. And when things go bad, when you set a boundary or call out their behavior, they weaponize everything. They throw your secrets in your face. They use your traumas against you. They mock your insecurities. They expose what you trusted them with to hurt ...

Maybe you see that your church is headed in the wrong direction. You know the church needs a turnaround, but you're not sure where to start. Here are some basic first steps in the right direction. Commit to personal gut-wrenching prayer and fasting. Prayer says, "We need God," and fasting says, "We want God more than anything, including food." If you're unwilling to seek God this deeply, don't expect much to change. Admit the problem.  Something's  happening when a church has plateaued or is in decline. Any tendency to whitewash the problem will only prolong it. Be aware of the  specific  trends. If your church is decreasing in attendance, don't ignore that. If the giving is decreasing, take note. The sooner you recognize any negative trends, the sooner you can address them. The more specific you are about the concerns, the more your response can be targeted.  Lovingly help the church see the problem.  Sometimes only the leaders see the problem, ...

DON'T STRIVE TO BE A LEADER UNLESS… by  Dave Kraft  |  Feb 9, 2026   It was president Harry Truman who said,  "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."  There are certain things that "go with the territory" as it were. Leadership is not simple and it's not easy most of the time. It can be lonely, and you will not always be the most popular person around. "If your goal in life is to keep everybody happy, don't become a leader, sell ice-cream" – Eric Geiger Here are a few "Goes-with-the-territory" I've thought of: Which of these are you willing to live with, to take responsibility for, and expect as you trust Jesus? 1.  You are okay with being misunderstood, disliked, and unpopular 2.  You can delegate responsibility for making decisions to others, not just tasks  3.  You are willing to feel alone and lonely at times 4.  You can make decisions without second-guessing yourself or being fearful of what others may say ...

HB Charles writes   STAY IN THE WILL OF GOD "REJOICE ALWAYS"  What is the shortest verse in the Bible? The most obvious answer is John 11:35: "Jesus wept." That answer is right and wrong. John 11:35 is the shortest verse in English translations. In the Greek New Testament, the shortest verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16: "Rejoice always."    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 records three instructions: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." This snapshot of  spiritual devotion begins with rejoicing. "Rejoice" was a watchword among early Christians. The Greek term was used as a salutation. Jesus used it as a greeting in Matthew 28:9. Paul used it as a farewell in 2 Corinthians 13:11. We greet one another with "Hello" and "Goodbye."  What encour...

"Great church Fights" Paul had rivals at Philippi 1:12-18 Depressive.  Be angry but do not sin.  Phil 1:27. Strive together with one mind.   Do you remember those wonderful times of genuine comfort as you understood the gospel ? Do you remember the times of fellowship in the Spirit with other like minded believers?  Philippians 2:1-5 ESV - So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,  But hurts come in.  Self centredness can dominate.  Selfish ambition for power or pleasure or fame or fortune.  And the wondered fellowship is gone. And of course it's not our fault!  You should have Harmony. Vs 3 Philippians 2: 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his ow...

CONCENTRIC CIRCLES ... Every Member Spreading the Gospel! Person X may be in the high crime streets of a big city or in a third world, or in a poverty-stricken country, or in a rescue mission, or a jail— SO, WE go to them! We evangelize. We come home. We tell others about our efforts. We go back to our business, job, home, church, and/or daily routines; and every so often we repeat the cycle. HOWEVER, WHY is it that all too often We do not GO TO THE FOLKS, close to us, IN CIRCLES 2 - 6? [1] IT COULD BE because they know us! They know our salty language, lustful looks, greedy grasping, anger, business deceit, gossip, etc. They see how we are at work or at school or in our home. THUS: We might need to, first of all, ask for their forgiveness or give forgiveness— which if that is what we need to do— just do it! That is powerful witnessing! [2] ANOTHER REALITY: With Person X, we don't have to deal with our 'hang-ups' … OR THEIRS … and we can 'love them and...

More Than We Can Bear?  Does God put on us more than we can bear? Yes, He does! Maybe you are thinking about 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." This promise refers specifically to temptation. It is critically important to rightly divide the Word of truth these days. In his book titled, The Place of Help, Oswald Chambers explains, "There are disasters to be faced by the one who is in real fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. God has never promised to keep us immune from trouble. He says, 'I will be with him in trouble,' [Psalm 91:15] which is a very different thing." Here are three outstanding Old Testament examples who were overwhelmed by the trouble they faced. Moses said, "I am not able to bear all these people alone, because...