It’s never been easier to find spiritual advice. A quick search yields thousands of voices from preachers, influencers, bloggers, and “experts” of every possible background. They are offering opinions on everything from how to pray to what God thinks about your latest decision. Some speak with wisdom. Others speak loudly. A few are entirely wrong.

In a world of overwhelming content, it’s easy to confuse popularity with truth. But just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s trustworthy. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” That includes leaning too heavily on the internet.

God’s word remains our anchor. While podcasts, blogs, and reels can point us in the right direction, they should never replace Scripture or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself drowning in a sea of spiritual advice, step back. Open your Bible. Pray. Seek God’s voice above all others.

He still speaks. And he’s not competing for clicks and likes.

I have developed a habit over the past 20 years that I have found effective for me, and it might help you.

Whenever I come across what I think is a quality blog article or Social Media post, I save it. Because I use a blog reader called “Feedly,” this is usually easy to do. Although sometimes I have to print random pieces and then put them in a physical file. So, step one is to read and save all material that looks useful.

Then, about every six months, I go back through and reread all my saved material. Often, I find that upon second reading, the information resonates differently. Perhaps this is due to my mood on the day I read them or simply the line of thinking I was on at the time, but many articles do not seem to “click” when I read them later. 

Additionally, many things have a limited shelf life. Due to something happening in my life, at my Church, or even in our nation, I saved a post, and later it has almost no value because life has changed (think of everything written during the COVID pandemic). So, step two, delete everything that doesn’t currently resonate.

That leaves me with articles that have quality content that transcends the moment they were written. They contain some biblical or psychological truth that remains constant, regardless of what I am feeling or going through. These are the posts that I keep and revisit every year to reread.

Great material will always be great. Purge everything else repeatedly.

I came across this while searching the internet. Good stuff.

John Charles Ryle, better known as J. C. Ryle, was an English Anglican bishop and preacher of the late 19th century. He said this:

“We shall do well to bear in mind this fact. Ordination does not confer the saving grace of the Holy Spirit. Ordained men are not necessarily converted. We are not to regard them as infallible, either in doctrine or in practice. We are not to make popes or idols of them, and insensibly put them in Christ’s place. We are to regard them as ‘men of like passions’ with ourselves, liable to the same infirmities, and daily requiring the same grace. We are not to think it impossible for them to do very bad things, or to expect them to be above the reach of harm from flattery, covetousness, and the world. We are to prove their teaching by the word of God, and follow them so far as they follow Christ, but no further. Above all, we ought to pray for them, that they may be successors not of Judas Iscariot, but of James and John. It is a dreadful thing to be a minister of the Gospel! Ministers need many prayers.”

In a world where rudeness is often mistaken for strength, the practice of courtesy can feel outdated or weak. However, for followers of Jesus, true strength is demonstrated through humility, love, and even courtesy. Being polite and having a positive attitude is a rare gift a follower of Jesus can bring into the world.

Courageous courtesy means choosing gentleness when harshness is easier. It’s standing firm in truth without tearing others down. It’s listening before speaking and honoring people even when we disagree. Jesus modeled this beautifully. He spoke boldly, yet treated others, including his enemies, with dignity and compassion.

Philippians 2:3 reminds us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” That takes courage. It takes the Spirit of Christ in us.

In today’s divided world, Christians should be people who shine with kindness. Let’s show the kind of courtesy that comes from conviction, not convenience. That’s not weakness. That’s the strength of Jesus.

This phrase has been called the last words of a dying Church.

When a community of people, especially Christian people, loses sight of their mission and begins to focus on the past, their days are numbered. The people of God must be focused on the goal of making more and better disciples, and sometimes, that means doing things differently than before.

This year, the Church community I lead is making adjustments to several of our activities. We have added a Parent and Child Dedication Day to the list of annual events for our people. We have also adjusted our procedures for handling children when we close our worship program with a baptism. One major change is the closing night of our VBS program. We are planning “connect groups” in addition to our growth groups this fall. There will be a “Back-to-School Sunday,” a Fall “Chill and Grill,” and some other fun event for late fall.

All these changes have been made after much discussion, prayer, and analysis of past events. If our community is going to continue reaching people for Jesus and helping them grow into mature believers, then some aspects of the past will need to cease, and others will require change to improve them.

I recognize that these adjustments will make several people unhappy, lead them to question my leadership, and possibly result in some people leaving. As a pastor, I absolutely hate that, but we will continue to push forward and make changes, despite some people’s reactions.

The road to the future is paved with new ideas and activities, along with a whole list of things we have never done that way before.

“You let me down.”

“I value our relationship, and I’d love to find a way to rebuild that trust.”

Both address the same issue, but they create entirely different conversations. The first focuses on blame and past hurt. The second acknowledges the relationship’s importance while opening the door to solutions.

Most relationship conflicts stem from how we communicate, not what we’re trying to say. The message matters, but the delivery often determines whether we move toward resolution or deeper division.

Consider someone you’re currently at odds with. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, try reframing your approach around what you want to build together. Ask yourself: “How can I express this in a way that invites collaboration rather than creates defensiveness?”

Chances are, they want the same positive outcome you do. The breakthrough might simply be in how you both choose to present your perspectives.

Someone may own a nice leather Bible and not read a word of it.

Someone can take notes on every sermon they hear and not do anything the preacher says.

Someone can attend a Sunday worship program and never actually worship God.

Someone can be a member of a Church and not be growing spiritually.

All of those things are excellent tools that can be used to become more like Jesus, but one does not guarantee the other. Someone can have the best tools and be a part of a fantastic Church and still be a spiritual infant.

The only thing I know that is required for someone to become a mature believer is desire. If you desire to follow Jesus more closely, nothing can hold you back. If you don’t desire a close relationship with Jesus, even the best tools can’t help you.

Last week, I joined my family for a fishing trip that taught me something unexpected about faith. As evening approached each day, someone would inevitably announce, “One more cast, and then I’m calling it a day.”

Of course, “one more cast” was never actually one more cast. It usually meant four or five additional attempts, each one carrying the hope that this might be the one that would succeed. We weren’t quite ready to pack up our gear and head home.

This experience reminded me of Jesus’ words to his first disciples: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). When we truly follow Christ, our lives transform in two profound ways. First, our own actions and character change. Second, we naturally begin sharing Christ’s message with our family, friends, and neighbors. We become instruments in God’s work of drawing people into His kingdom.

What if we approached evangelism with the same persistence as those evening fishing sessions? What if we adopted the mindset of anglers who refuse to give up easily? What if we maintained the kind of determination that keeps us casting our line until the very last moment of opportunity?

The best fishermen understand that persistence often makes the difference between going home empty-handed and landing the catch of a lifetime. Whether we’re fishing for bass or fishing for souls, the principle remains the same: never give up too soon.

Sometimes our prayers being answered results in nothing happening.

I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed for someone to have safe travels, a medical test to come back negative, or comfort during a time of loss. Then I was given exactly what I prayed for.

The power of God can manifest itself in supernatural ways, but it can also prevent life from spinning out of control by giving us an uneventful day.

As fireworks light up the night sky and we celebrate the birth of our nation, the Fourth of July offers us more than a chance to celebrate; it also provides a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of freedom.

Galatians 5:1 reminds us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” While we give thanks for the political and personal liberties we enjoy in this country, Christians are called to rejoice even more in the spiritual freedom we have through Jesus. Freedom from sin, shame, fear, and condemnation is the true independence our souls long for.

As you gather with friends and family today, thank God not only for your earthly country but also for your eternal citizenship in heaven. May every sparkle in the sky remind you of grace, the ultimate gift of freedom that transforms lives and sets souls truly free.