By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland

Focal Passage: Isaiah 53:2-12

Life is not fair. It is true. You do not always get a square deal. Things do not always work out evenly. “Justice for all” is a worthy ideal, but it is not reality. And no one likes to feel cheated, receiving less than we deserve.

Isaiah 53 is a prophetic description of a terrible injustice. Written hundreds of years before the crucifixion, this text poetically foretells of Jesus dying on the cross. There is no reference to nails, wooden beams, or shed blood. But there is a powerful description of Jesus’ sacrificial exchange of His innocence for our guilt. [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 4:3-8

In his book Wired for Intimacy, Christian psychologist William M. Struthers lists the following stages of how men get hooked on pornography:

• Denial — “Sure,” they may say, “I’ve looked at it in the past, but I don’t anymore.” Most men will confess their struggle with pornography only under the conditions of anonymity and confidentiality.

• Minimization — At this stage a man will argue that his pornography use is insignificant and has no real effect on his life. He might say, “Well, I do look at porn, but only occasionally. It’s not like I’m addicted to it or anything.”

• Normalization — At the next stage men say, “Everybody does it.” Explaining the use of pornography as a common form of entertainment is referred to as normalization. [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

During a family vacation, Sarah got a little ornery and pushed Hannah. “Did you push your sister?” I asked. “No,” she denied. Since this was becoming a growing pattern for Sarah, I decided to take a walk with her to get to the bottom of things. “Sarah,” I told her, “I’m really disappointed with your behavior. What do you need to do about it?” [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: Ephesians 5:1-10

Pastor Andy Stanley recently gathered with about 250 singles to answer questions on the topic of love, sex, and dating. The most pointed question of the night came from a middle-aged gentleman. “Why save sex for marriage?” [Read more…]

By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel

Focal Passage: II Corinthians 4:16-18; 12:7-10

After living as a quadriplegic for 45 years, Joni Eareckson Tada reflected on the diving accident that changed her life. Immediately after the accident, Joni told God, “You’ll never be trusted with another of my prayers.” But after struggling with anguish and anger Joni said, “I prayed one short prayer that changed my life: ‘Oh God, if I can’t die, show me how to live.’ That was probably the most powerful prayer I had ever prayed.” [Source: Marvin Olasky, “Loving Life,” World (1-12-13)] [Read more…]