Adam Dooley

Feb 04

What Do Storms Reveal About Us?

By Adam Dooley Christian Living, Obedience, Suffering, Trials, Worry No Comments

All of us are headed toward a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm. I do not remember the first time I heard those words or the first time I repeated them. Most pastors have offered a version of the remark in more than a few sermons. The prevalence of this biblical truism reminds us that trials are commonplace for all people without exception. Both the righteous and the wicked experience blessings and difficulties again and again (Matt. 5:45).

To illustrate the point, Jesus shared a story about two men that built their homes on different foundations (Matt. 7:24-29). Both subsequently faced rain that fell, floods that came, and winds that blew against their houses (Matt. 7:25, 27). We can certainly relate. The pressures of life come from above, below, and all around us. Nothing we accumulate, construct, or secure is ever entirely safe in our broken world.

Live out West and you will have to weather earthquakes and fires. Make your dwelling in the South and you will battle tornadoes. Call the North your home and flooding will always be a threat. Take refuge on the East coast and hurricanes may unsettle you. No region is without its problems just like no life is free from trouble. When it comes to heartache, it is not a matter of IF but WHEN (James 1:2).

How we handle the storms of life, though, depends upon the foundation upon which we build our lives. Jesus delineates between a wise man who builds his house on a rock and foolish man who chooses to erect his residence on the sand (7:24, 26). The rock in the parable is a picture of safety (Ps. 27:4-5) pointing to Christ Himself (Isa. 28:16). By contrast, the sand depicts instability, illustrating a life outside of the faith.

Above the surface, the two homes look incredibly similar. Made with comparable material and a common design, the two buildings are equally attractive. Lurking beneath the surface, however, is the difference. Some people appear to be self-sufficient without the Lord until the rain starts falling. Others appear to be religiously well-kept, until the floods commence and many fall apart when the wind begins to blow. Yet, there are also those who remain remarkably strong when storms rage around them.

So, how do we explain the contrast? The foundation is key. Navigating the storms of life is impossible outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Neither atheistic independence nor dead religion will strengthen us when adversities rise. So, how should we evaluate our commitment to Jesus? Thankfully, our Savior specifically explained that the man or woman who “hears these words of Mine and acts on them” is like the wise man who built his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24).

Here, Jesus distinguishes between the religious establishment and those who really love Him. Building on His previous application, He insists that true righteousness is much more than religious conformity to external standards (Matt. 5:20). While the Pharisees were stricter than any other Jewish sect, inwardly thy were dead toward God. These religious hypocrites sought to obey God’s commands without imitating His character. Despite giving the appearance of righteousness, they did not sincerely love the Lord. Their lives serve as a sober warning that religious activity and biblical salvation are not always the same.

Be careful, though. Jesus is not advocating for a version of love that places no value on obeying God’s commandments. Those who say they know God yet live in perpetual disobedience are untruthful (1 John 2:3-6). Claiming to love God without obeying Him is just as damning as seeking to obey Him without loving Him. Both errors lead us away from God. The Lord will evaluate the conduct of our lives, but He is equally concerned about the condition of our hearts.

Thus, throughout the Sermon on the Mount Jesus emphasizes both inward and outward commitment. Before offering guidelines about marriage, money, prayer, and revenge, our Savior admonishes us that blessing comes through a poor spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering for righteousness, showing mercy, and a pure heart (Matt. 5:1-12). Refusing to murder is important, but so is our unwillingness to harbor hatred in our hearts (Matt. 5:21-26). Resisting adultery is key, but so is our determination to fight secret lusts (Matt. 5:27-30). Telling the truth is important, but opposing other deceptions is, too (Matt. 5:32-37).

So, what about it, church member? How healthy is your heart? Despite projecting religious fervor, do you hate, curse, and slander inside? Are lust, cheating, and rebellion in your soul? Are you continually worried because you do not trust God with your life and future? Do you judge others for standards that you simultaneously refuse to live by yourself? Is prayer far from you because of a hidden independence? Are you a professing believer who lives like a practical atheist?

Unfortunately, the sands of religion are a poor substitute for the foundational rock of Jesus Christ. He isNOT shaken when the storm comes! He is NOT washed away by the rain of trouble! He will NOT sink in the flood of adversity! He will NOT wilt under the winds of tragedy! Christ will stand tall though the world around Him rages. And so will you, if you plant your life firmly upon Him.

Adam B. Dooley
February 4, 2026

Jan 28

Love0

How Can I Know For Sure?

By Adam Dooley Assurance, Christian Living, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Holiness, Obedience, Sanctification No Comments

How can I know for sure that I am a Christian?

The frequency of this question over the years has been staggering. Initially, we might falsely assume that the concern signals weakness. The reality, though, is that most Christians doubt at some point whether they are truly born again. From the youngest to the oldest, from the newest convert to the seasoned saint, churchgoers of all kinds sometimes struggle with questions about their salvation.

The famed preacher Charles Spurgeon began his ministry in London, England at age 17 and remained in the pastorate until his death at 57. If you are unfamiliar, Spurgeon was the Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Tom Brady of pastors during the late 1800s. Long before the modern mega church movement, more than 6000 congregants crowded into services in order to hear him preach. At 27, he shared a message before 23,000 people without any electronic amplification. Newspapers around the world printed his sermons weekly. Today, those collected messages fill 63 volumes, making him the most prolific author in the history of Christendom.

Yet, at the height of his spiritual power and popularity, Spurgeon shared an honest confession in his autobiography, “I felt at that time very weary and very sad and very heavy at heart; I began to doubt in my own mind whether I really enjoyed the things which I preached to others” (Autobiography, Vol. 2). Likewise, in his Lectures to My Students, Spurgeon lamented, “There are times when the believer questions whether he has ever been converted at all, and fears that all his religious experience has been a mistake.” Remarkably, the greatest preacher since biblical times wrestled with seasons of doubt, too.

Testimonies like these reassure us that we are not alone in our struggles but do little to guide us toward clarity. So, what is the greatest evidence that an individual has experienced genuine salvation? In a word, obedience. More than mere outward conformity, true obedience flows out of our inward transformation. God not only expects us to keep His commandments, but He also empowers us to do so by writing His law on our hearts (Jer. 31:31-34). Grace encompasses both the gift of forgiveness and the means of perseverance.

No wonder Jesus insisted, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Ultimately, the thin line between religious hypocrisy and sincere affection for Christ is a heartfelt willingness to obey what God says. At the conclusion of His Sermon on the Mount, our Savior even warned, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).

Admittedly, the subject of personal holiness has, in many ways, fallen on difficult times. On the one hand, some erroneously teach that Christians can reach a state of moral perfection, always obeying everything that Scripture teaches. Yet, an honest reading of the Bible does not bear out such lofty expectations (1 John 1:8-10). Additionally, the failed efforts and lifestyles of biblical saints stand in stark contrast to any quest for unblemished purity. Abraham’s lying, Jacob’s deceptions, David’s adultery, Solomon’s hedonism, and Jonah’s selfishness illustrate our shortcomings. Peter’s hunger to be the greatest in God’s kingdom, his threefold denial of Jesus, and his capitulation to legalism in Galatia all prove that we continue to fall short of God’s standards even after we are born again.

On the other hand, though, are those who readily admit their flaws but quickly jettison any talk of personal obedience or holiness as legalistic. For these, loving God becomes a substitute for adherence to any and all scriptural commands. The idea is that we simply love God rather than obey, as if the former contradicts the latter. To the contrary, according to the Bible, “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

None of this means that an unbeliever can obey one time in order to be saved, nor that a believer becomes unsaved after committing a single transgression. The point is that Christians display a pattern of life change. “By this we know that we are in Him,” wrote the Apostle John (1 John 2:5). Or, to simplify, the more you obey God the more assurance you will have that you belong to Him. As your love for God grows, so does your obedience, giving you increased confidence that your faith and commitment are real.

Good works may not be the cause of our relationship with the Almighty, but they are the consequence of it. Scripture describes faith in God that fails to produce life change as dead and worthless (James 2:14-26), even as it encourages us to look for deeds appropriate to repentance (Acts 26:20). Jesus Himself explained, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32).”

The key to avoiding legalism here is understanding good works an expression of love to our heavenly Father (2 John 6). The world says, “I’ll do what I want to get what I want.” Lust says, “I’ll do you want to get what I want.” But only love says, “I’ll do what God wants to get what He wants.” Seeking the Lord’s will above our own is the greatest witness of love for Him. Openly celebrating or continually practicing sinful behavior is entirely contrary to saving faith, no matter how passionately we insist otherwise. Frankly, doing so is the opposite of loving our Savior.

Adam B. Dooley
January 28, 2025

Jan 21

Love0

How Much Does It Cost To Follow Jesus?

By Adam Dooley Christian Living, Discipleship, Love, Priorities, Righteousness, Surrender No Comments

How much does it cost to know Jesus? Well, it depends.

In one sense, following the Lord is entirely free. Scripture is robustly clear that we cannot earn the grace of God. We cannot buy His forgiveness. None of us deserve the salvation that our Savior alone provides. No amount of sacrifice, effort, or work would ever be enough to merit any part of our redemption. Grace through faith alone is the recipe (Eph. 2:8-9).

Yet, in another sense, the grace by which we are saved never remains alone (Eph. 2:10). Ultimately, walking with God will cost you everything. He demands your whole heart and life. Your family and loved ones belong to Him. Your wealth and possessions are rightly His. Your future and dreams must bend to His direction. We are but stewards who manage the reality God entrusts to us.

C.S. Lewis aptly explained, “Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given to you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.”

Thus, every moment of every day is for Him. Every dollar we accumulate is for Him. The job we go to is for Him. The family we enjoy is for Him. The future we seek is for Him. Nothing about our lives is off limits when we identify as a Christ follower. These parameters are key to understanding one of the stranger statements Jesus made during His earthly ministry. The first time I read these particular words it took my breath away.

“If anyone comes to Me,” He said, “and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26).” Even when you understand that Jesus is using hyperbole, the statement remains jarring.

How can these words possibly be true in light of the Bible’s seemingly contradictory imperatives? Scripture instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25); wives are told to respect their husbands (Eph. 5:33); children are to honor their parents (Ex. 20:12); and a refusal to provide for your family is a sign of unbelief (1 Tim. 5:8). Even more broadly, Jesus Himself insisted that we should love our neighbors (Matt. 22:39) and enemies alike (Luke 6:27). Christians from every generation have correctly understood that love is a hallmark of genuine faith.

So, what biblical principle could possibly emerge from such a direct, unexpected command? To understand our Savior’s application, we need to first appreciate that varying degrees of love are not only normal, but also healthy. For instance, as a Christian man I want to love all people generally by being a good neighbor. But, as the pastor of a local church, I love the congregation I serve differently because of the beautiful relationship that exists between a flock of believers and their earthly shepherd. Additionally, though, I have close friends that I have laughed with, hurt with, and rejoiced with whom I love at an even greater level.

Yet, none of these remarkable friendships even compare to the deep connection I have with my family. I love my parents more than anyone on the outside because they gave me life and shaped the man I am today. My children are at a greater level still, because as bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh I see myself and the future in their eyes. But my wife, my precious helpmate, is my greatest earthly love. Because we are one flesh, both her successes and burdens are equally mine. No one even begins to compare to her.

These degrees of love are not only proper, but they also promote healthy boundaries by which I protect the people closest to me. We should love ALL people, but NOT in the same way. Relationships of all kinds are important, but none should compare to those between parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives.

Except for one.

When Jesus speaks of hating those who are closest to us, He is not suggesting that we loathe, resent, or despise family members. Rather, His principle is intended to compare and contrast. The idea is that as much as you care for your relatives, and even yourself, you should love them LESS than you love God. The things and people you prize the most in this life must pale in comparison to your love for Christ. In terms of depth and degree, being a disciple of Jesus means that we love Him even more than our families.

Realizing how costly such a commitment is, our Savior offers two parables to drive His point further home. Just like a builder who constructs a tower will first assess the obligations of construction (Luke 14:28-30), we must decide if we are willing to pledge ourselves to the Lord without reservation. Or, if you prefer, like a king who calculates the probability of victory before going to war (Luke 14:31-32), we reckon with the price to be paid before identifying ourselves with Christ.

In a modern world that continually dumbs down the gospel and dismisses the importance of doctrine in an effort to make it as easy as possible to follow Jesus, these words are particularly sobering. To the contrary, our Savior is saying that every person is free to decide that the Christian faith is not for him, but he is not free to redefine what biblical faith is. You are free to make whatever choice seems right to you, but you are not free to categorize anything less that total surrender, affection, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Christianity. Count the cost and choose carefully.

Adam B. Dooley
January 21, 2026

Jan 14

Love0

How NOT to Respond When People Are Hurting

By Adam Dooley Brokenness, Happiness, Repentance, Suffering, Trials No Comments

A family of four dies unexpectedly on the highway.

A routine visit to the doctor’s office reveals a terminal illness.

A late Friday afternoon meeting concludes with a single father losing his job.

A tornado rips through a small town leaving nothing but debris in its wake.

A vacation trip turns tragic with the disappearance of a young child.

Examples like these illustrate how vulnerable all of us are to the unexpected tragedies that can change our lives forever. Thankfully, the most severe hardships often bring out the very best in our neighbors who are eager to love, support, and encourage the downcast. Good friends are often God’s healing balm in our lives when everything else falls apart.

An ugly underbelly, however, also exists when adversity knocks on our door. Demeaning insecurities often plague us when trials invade our lives. We wonder if God still loves us. We worry that our pain is the direct result of our sin. We grieve what we perceive to be the absence of God in our lives.

Though these attitudes won’t cause us to stumble when we aren’t on the receiving end of calamity, there are other temptations when we witness others hurting. Most of us would never vocalize our darkest thoughts, but sometimes we sit in judgment over the misfortunes of others as if they are deserving of the difficulties we avoid. By inflating our sense of self-righteousness, we magnify the perceived inadequacies of those in the fires of misfortune. Driven by inward arrogance and outward apathy, our presumption reeks of sanctimonious foolishness.

Considering these dangers, allow me to offer a necessary biblical principle to remember when hardships arise. Namely, the presence of tragedy does not reveal the presence of sin. In Luke 13 Jesus addresses a well-known atrocity that left the Galileans bewildered and confused. Apparently, Pilate killed a group of Jews who were making sacrifices in the temple because he suspected them of sedition. Unfortunately, the common belief then, and even today, was that victims of such calamities were guilty of extraordinary sins.

Though unspoken, this idea also suggests that those who emerge unscathed from close destruction must do so because of their unparalleled morality. Interestingly, however, is that Jesus refused to assign guilt to those who were killed even as He resisted the urge to assign innocence to those who were not. The positive or negative nature of a people’s circumstances is not an indicator of their need or lack thereof for repentance.

Jesus simply answers, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3).” Then, to drive the point further, our Savior shares another example about the danger of presumptuous interpretation when trials come. When a tower in Siloam fell and killed eighteen people, Jesus again refused to make reckless judgments (Luke 13:4). Though our Savior does not deny that some events are acts of judgment or that sin often causes pain, He does insist that we should never feel safe or proud because bad things do not happen to us. Again, He simply retorts, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:5).”

My first reaction to any disaster should not be a moral evaluation of those who suffer and those who do not. Many wicked people live carefree lives, and many godly individuals face immense challenges. Could it be that God sometimes uses calamity to bring those of us who are spectators to repentance rather than to punish those who are immoral? Do bad things sometimes happen for reasons we do not understand? The painful realities of a fallen world should lead to our humble repentance rather than our boastful reassurances.

So how should we respond to blessings, trials, and hardships?

First, we should humble ourselves. Humble yourself before God and yield to His plan even when you are hurting. Humble yourself if you emerge unscathed after life’s storms. Humble yourself as you enjoy the blessings of safety and tranquility. Refuse to use God’s blessings as an occasion for boasting.

Second, we should pray for our neighbors when they hurt. Pray for wisdom about how you might encourage them. Pray that God will bring our community together when we face difficulties. Pray for a deeper, more sincere walk with God. Pray with thanksgiving for God’s mercy and protection each day of your life.

Third, we should love more. Love God more than you did before your life fell apart. Love your neighbors as yourself when they suffer. Love your community and friends as precious parts of your life. Love your enemies when tragedies strike by burying past grudges. Love your place of worship and the believers there.

Finally, we should thank God. Ask Him to make you more aware of the blessings you take for granted. Thank God for His protection and care over the course of your life. Thank God for His unconditional love. Thank God that our circumstances do not reflect our eternal value. Thank God for the strength to endure our worst days.

Adam B. Dooley
January 14, 2026

Jan 07

Love0

The Beauty of Brokenness

By Adam Dooley Brokenness, Christian Living, Grief, Trials No Comments

It was not my best sermon.

After being away from my congregation for six weeks, the induction phase of my son’s chemotherapy ended, and we returned home from the Memphis Ronald McDonald House. Though he was now in remission, 128 consecutive weeks of treatment remained in order to prevent him from relapsing with leukemia. We were tired, emotionally spent, and fearful of what lay ahead of us.

With my pastoral duties resuming, I decided to preach through the Old Testament book of Job. What I did not anticipate, however, was the uncontrollable emotion I felt when I opened my Bible and began to speak. As an active participant in the story, the passage I read was neither theoretical nor flat. Each verse struck a different emotive cord as I shared about the inevitability of trials in a fallen world. And with every insight I explained, it seemed as though God was speaking directly to me through His Word.

That’s when the tears began to flow. At first, I was embarrassed. The vulnerability of the moment left me exposed like never before, and frankly, I did not like it. The more I tried to pull it together the less composure I seemed to have. Yet, as God carried me through the message, His strength was perfected through my weakness in an obvious way. I realized, perhaps for the first time, that God usually breaks us before He uses us.

Then, in a moment of spiritual clarity, I felt unexplainable joy. Joy because the Holy Spirit was so obviously present and active. Joy because others were benefitting from my hardship. Joy because of the manifest power of God’s Word. And joy because, unlike anything before or since, I needed the realities that I dared to proclaim. Don’t get me wrong, I never really doubted any of the doctrines in Scripture, but my son’s cancer forced me to lean on the Lord’s promises like I had not previously. When we move from merely explaining Scripture for the benefit of others to experiencing the same truth for ourselves, life change occurs.

Such is the beauty of brokenness.

Earthly pain is often God’s chosen method to help us live out the eternal truths we claim to believe (James 1:2-4). He sometimes uses unexpected affliction to add the depth of experience to the width of our knowledge (Psalm 147:3). Pastors in particular face the constant danger of being educated beyond their obedience level.

Without discipline, we will arrogantly project outward images of ourselves that contradict the inward realities of who we are. Even if unintentionally, we may prop up the professional holy man persona in an effort to meet the expectations of the people we serve. Hypocrisies like these will not only render us ineffective, but also jeopardize the health and vitality of our souls. Adversity usually represents a divine invitation toward greater authenticity. Tears, as unwelcome as they might be, are a powerful instrument to help us glory more in our Savior than ourselves (Psalm 6:8). The destination of obedience is often at the end of affliction’s road (Psalm 119:67).

So, I no longer run from the tears. And neither should you.

Today’s heartache may become a future pillow with which you can comfort others who are hurting (2 Cor. 1:3-4). In His goodness, God is thoroughly more strategic with our trials than we are, often allowing His children to share with others the strength and consolation they received directly from Him. One reason every believer needs to live in Christian community is the collaborative strength we find through the shared experiences of the body (Heb. 10:23-25).

God’s preachers are not immune from the burdens this requires or the blessings it produces. The Lord instructs us to love one another (Rom. 13:8), bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32), comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18), pray for one another (James 5:16), teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16), and serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).

Additionally, every trial is a potential platform for your declaring the gospel and demonstrating genuine faith (Phil. 1:12-14). Though it seems counterintuitive, our most powerful opportunities to be witnesses for Jesus will often come when our lives are falling apart. Because unbelievers frequently dismiss Christianity as unnecessary at best or a crutch at worst, observing faithful saints who suffer well is a powerful jolt of reality that opens wayward hearts to the claims of Christ. When non-Christians encounter the sustaining faith of a weary saint, the result is powerfully inspirational.

Better still is the hope that our troubles are often doorways that lead to deeper intimacy with Christ as our faith is proven and stretched (1 Peter 1:6-9). Perhaps one of the greater pitfalls of ministry is losing our passion for Christ in exchange for our pursuit of ministerial success and recognition. Hardships often serve as a needed wakeup call to remind us that the great reward of our faith is Christ Himself. As he recounted all that he lost to pursue Jesus, the Apostle Paul joyfully boasted that it was all . . .

. . . for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).
. . . that he might gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
. . . to be found Him (Phil. 3:9).
. . . that he might know Him (Phil. 3:10).

Apart from suffering, we simply cannot learn about God or relate to Him on an intimate level. Believing God is real and present is one thing. Trusting that He is enough no matter what you face is another matter entirely. Though we are quite capable of cognitively grasping these ideas, we cannot embrace them fully until we experience their reality for ourselves. Trials force us to move beyond superficial knowledge about Jesus into a meaningful, daily walk with Him. Much to our chagrin, the power of Christ’s resurrection is always preceded by the fellowship in His sufferings (Phil. 3:10).

No matter how God chooses to enter your pain and regardless of how many tears you shed, remember that He promises to wipe each one of them away (Rev. 21:4) and collects them in a bottle (Psa. 56:8). Against the backdrop of eternity, all trials are temporary. Isaiah prophesied of a day when “they will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).”

No wonder “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).” The Lord has the final say about all our adversities. When we worship through our deepest valleys our present struggles wilt under the magnificent shadow of the future.

Behind every tear that falls and every heartache we carry, God is actively working all things together for good for those who know Him and love Him (Rom. 8:28). Even on our darkest days, we can trust that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6). Though life is sometimes too short to heal all our hurts, the hindsight of eternity will make all things clear. Ironically, trials that make us doubt God’s purposes on this earth will lead us to praise His plans in heaven. Tears have a way of keeping our hope anchored to a world to which we’ve never been.

Maybe that sermon wasn’t so bad after all.

Adam B. Dooley
January 7, 2026

Dec 30

Love0

Eyes on the Future

By Adam Dooley Christian Living, Future, Priorities, Sanctification No Comments

What would you like for your life to be like one year from now? What about five years from today? Or ten? How about twenty years from now? What are the goals and ambitions that drive your life? With a New Year unfolding, what are the dreams that have you putting pen to paper in the form of resolutions and objectives?

Admittedly, not all our aspirations are pleasing to the Lord. Without a renewed mind, many of our daydreams quickly morph into selfish pursuits that dishonor God. So, if I could narrow the focus just a bit, how do you hope to become more like your Savior in the next twelve months? In what ways will you seek to grow His kingdom and serve His people? How do you hope the world will be a bit different because you are in it?

Certainly, we are in no position to presume tomorrow because, for some, it will not come (Luke 12:16-21). Nor should we seek to predict tomorrow because, despite our most informed calculations, not one of us knows what the future holds (James 4:14). Yet, wisdom still requires that we prepare for tomorrow in order to position ourselves for the Lord’s work and plan (James 4:15).

As 2026 unfolds, the Apostle Paul offers the practical guidance we need to ready ourselves for whatever lies ahead. Desiring to know Christ, both in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship His sufferings, God’s servant opens his heart of resolve for us to see and emulate (Phil. 3:10). By doing so, Paul demonstrates the balance of living in the moment while also anticipating what comes next. Continued growth as a Christian without haughty presumption requires three core commitments.

First, realize that the present can be deceiving. With uncanny humility and raw transparency, Paul acknowledges that he is neither perfect nor entirely mature in his faith (Phil. 3:12a). Remarkably, one of history’s greatest Christians was under no illusion that he had the right to boast of his present growth or condition. Though Paul had developed tremendously since his conversion, he laments, “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet (Phil. 3:13a).” In other words, our commitment to Christ is ever evolving and, this side of heaven, always has room to deepen and expand.

Such an honest assessment is important because of our tendency to exaggerate our accomplishments and minimize our failures. Our descriptions of the “good old days” paint them much brighter than they really were. Likewise, our appraisal of the present often lacks accuracy due to our stubborn pride. Thus, Scripture repeatedly warns us of the danger of thinking too highly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3).

When is the last time you sat alone with an open Bible and prayerfully asked God how you are doing spiritually? Can you identify your shortcomings? Do you allow compromised commitments to remain? Is your heart cold toward God? Are you guilty of simply going through the religious motions of Christianity?

With schedules that move at the speed of light, we seldom notice when our intimacy with God begins to wane. Our faith can easily devolve into performance mode because we tend to prize what people think of us more than what the Lord knows about us. If God’s missionary to the Gentiles had not arrived in his faith, it is safe to say that neither have we!

Second, refuse to let the past distract you. “One thing I do,” wrote Paul, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13b).” With singular focus, he strategically released what came before in order to take hold of the future that was coming. Doing so is easier said than done. Unfortunately, the past often functions as an anchor to which we cling rather than a platform from which we launch. Both positive and negative experiences can keep us bound by what has already occurred.

Sometimes our past sin intimidates us. Before his declaration for the future, Paul admitted his great regret over his previous transgressions. As a persecutor of the church, he murdered others and blasphemed God due to the blindness of his heart (Phil. 3:6). Perhaps you can relate. Is there a past sin that haunts you so much you cannot let it go? Maybe a previous act of adultery causes you shame? Maybe an exposed lie has left you embarrassed to show your face? Maybe an abortion long ago still haunts your soul? Maybe a failedcommitment continues to overcome you with guilt?

Or could it be that past suffering scars you? Paul was all too familiar with the hardships of faithfully walking with the Lord, including beatings, crimes, poverty, and the general burdens of life (2 Cor. 11:23-27). If anyone was vulnerable to bitterness or resentment toward others, it was God’s apostle! Undoubtedly, there is pain in your rearview mirror that letting go of is difficult, too. If friends betray us, it stings. If a spouse deserts you, it is lifechanging. If death rears its ugly head unexpectedly, it breaks our hearts. Traumas like these can be tough to shake.

On the other extreme, our past successes can often disillusion us. Some carry the burden of their inability to measure up in the present to the glory of years gone by. Paul’s recollection of his previous accomplishments reminds us that former blessings can weigh us down just as much as preceding trials (Phil. 3:4-6). Was your past so fulfilling that everything you do now leaves you frustrated and lacking? Do you find it impossible to live up to your prior accolades?

In all these instances, the key to our continued sanctification and growth is our refusal to dwell on the past. For some, turning the page to a new chapter of living will be the greatest victory in 2026. Learn from the past but refuse to live in it. Whatever you formerly counted as gain, consider it loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).

Finally, let your progress in the Lord motivate you. “I press on,” Paul continued, “so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:12b).” The goal was to seize whatever God had seized him for! Understanding that the Lord has a particular intention for your life is a necessary step toward living according to His design. With eyes fixed on finishing well, we should labor with vigor and concentration for the upward call of God (Phil. 3:14). Living without regrets requires a holy ambition to realize God’s unique purpose for our lives.

We should channel every passion, skill, and opportunity for the glory of God. What natural abilities or impulses fulfill you? Is it encouraging the hurting? Crunching numbers? Building a business? Creating a peaceful home? Understanding and teaching difficult concepts? The possibilities are endless, but every skill set is a tool to point others to Christ while also becoming more like Him. Use your personality and gifts as a means of spiritual growth and development. Socially, financially, professionally, recreationally, and vocationally, the goal is the same—to look for and submit to God’s will for our lives.

In addition, disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, sharing your faith, serving others and intentional generosity will surely transform your walk with the Lord. The small, seemingly mundane parts of life—details like how we use our time, how we treat other people, and what food we put into our bodies—will have an impact as well.

Foundational to all these commitments is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the doorway to trusting God, the way to acknowledge God, and the first step down the narrow road of walking with God. My prayer for you, and all in our community, is that you will experience God’s best in the coming year.

How will you reach for God in 2026? How will your life be different one year from now? In what ways will you be more like Christ? Here’s to taking hold of the future that God has for each of us!

Adam B. Dooley
December 30, 2025

Dec 24

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A Christmas Prayer for Jackson, Tennessee

By Adam Dooley Christmas, Prayer No Comments

Heavenly Father, as we gather in our homes with the people we love this Christmas, fill our hearts with the true meaning of the season. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son into a dark, sinful world as the way, the truth, and the life. We acknowledge that Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we might be saved and that there is salvation in no other. We marvel over His miraculous virgin birth, His humble arrival in Bethlehem, His sinless life and miracles, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection from the dead.

Realizing that Jesus’ birth fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, we renew our confidence in and commitment to Your Holy Word, the Bible. We acknowledge its divine inspiration and inerrancy. Use Your Scripture, God, as a light to our path and a lamp to our feet in the coming year. Forgive us when we lean on our own understanding rather than acknowledging Your ways. Transform our minds so that we do not conform to the misguided ways of this world.

Grant us the wisdom to turn from our sins, the humility to confess our transgressions, and the faith to look to Christ alone for the forgiveness we need. Cover us, we pray, with Your mercy and cleansing. Forgive us for expecting Your continual blessings while we simultaneously ignore Your commands. Forgive us for suppressing truth in the name of tolerance. Forgive us for embracing moral confusion in the name of freedom. Forgive us for celebrating perversion in the name of entertainment.

In our churches Lord, we pray for renewal. Forgive our Laodicean arrogance, which leads us to boast in our strength while denying our wretchedness. Forgive us for offering worldly solutions to spiritual problems, for turning the gospel into therapeutic deism, for justifying materialism in the name of personal comfort, and for jettisoning the truth of Scripture for the convenience of political correctness. Bring us back to the foot of the cross and the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

As our pride and arrogance fade, we pray that the peace promised at Jesus’ birth would become a reality here in Jackson. Pour Your Spirit out on us, heavenly Father, bringing spiritual renewal and revival to our city. Awaken those who do not know You, bringing them to repentance. Raise up men and women of faith who will stand firm on Your Word, unashamed of the Gospel, and courageous in the face of opposition. Transform our city into a beacon of light and hub of truth for surrounding areas.

Lord, break the chains of addiction, heal broken lives, and restore what the enemy has stolen from us. Set men and women free from alcohol and drug abuse. End the horrific crime of human trafficking. Restore marriages on the verge of divorce. Provide every child in our city a safe home where they are loved and cared for. Help us to value the unborn, celebrate the elderly, and encourage every age in between. Protect the most vulnerable among us, we pray.

We lift our civic leaders and those in authority. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and courage to govern according to Your righteousness. Help them to pursue justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Protect our first responders, law enforcement officers, and healthcare workers as they serve among us. Strengthen those who seek the best for our community and expose those who seek to do it harm.

For our families, we ask for Your divine provision and guidance. Preserve every marriage, restore broken relationships, and equip every parent to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Guard our homes from harmful influences that lead us away from truth. Help us to model obedience and faith to the next generation, to honor Christ together, and to forgive one another quickly. For those families that are hurting or suffering loss this Christmas, we ask for Your comfort.

Lord, realizing that every good and perfect gift comes from You, we pray Your greatest blessings will rest on our city. May the joy of Your presence and the comfort of Your peace abide on every street, in every neighborhood, and across our community. We dedicate our city to You, O Lord. May Your will be done here as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Adam B. Dooley
December 24, 2025

Dec 17

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The Tensions of Christmas

By Adam Dooley Christmas, Comfort, Doubt, Murder, Obedience, Salvation, Second Coming, Waiting No Comments

For many, images of glowing lights, nostalgic carols, bountiful tables, and family gatherings are synonymous with Christmas. Jubilant declarations of peace on earth and good will toward men warm our hearts with the hope of Jesus Christ. Yet, amidst our celebrations is a dark underbelly that, though suppressed, competes for our attention every December. The tension between the nativity story’s promises and the world’s fallen realities can be jarring.

Thus, in what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, our grief feels sharper. Our burdens seem heavier. Our conflicts appear more irreparable. Our brokenness becomes impossible to mask. Loneliness chases us mercilessly at Christmas. The deafening silence of an empty chair at the family table exposes our hidden sorrow. Our anguish, doubt, and anxiety compound while the world around us makes merry. The burdens of life can easily steal our festive joy.

These tensions should not surprise us.

We quickly forget that imperial injustice forced Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem on the first Christmas, making their already impoverished lives more difficult (Luke 2:1-7). Once they arrived, there was no room nor compassion for them at the local inn. All the while, in the background, were harsh, gossipy believers who reeked of superiority as they whispered about a pregnancy mistakenly assumed to be illegitimate. Circumstances like these were hardly joyful or triumphant.

In the months following our Savior’s birth, Herod plotted Jesus’ demise even as magi from the east were anxious to celebrate His arrival (Matt. 2). Matthew’s account of Bethlehem’s welcome reception for Jesus is nothing like a sentimental postcard, but abounds with jealousy, injustice, sin, and suffering instead. The contrasting hatred of King Herod with the hopeful presence of the wisemen exposes the same tension we often feel at Christmas even today (Matt. 2:1-12).

The good guys and villains in this familiar story are easy to identify. Perceiving the Christ child as a threat to his fragile kingdom, Herod plots to kill the toddler (Matt. 2:8). Equally offensive in the narrative are the religious leaders who knew exactly where the Messiah would be born but refused to worship Him due to their own insecurities (Matt. 2:4-6). The ordeal is not without hope, though. The presence of the magi is proof that Jesus would be a Savior for Jew and Gentile alike. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were fitting for the newborn King (Matt. 2:9-11).

The point is not, however, that we should celebrate some while loathing others. Matthew wants us to stop and consider who we are more like. Do we put our hope in Jesus, or do we express hate for Jesus? Before answering, we should acknowledge that the answer may not be as simple as it seems.

Far too often we are much more like Herod than we care to admit. Without scriptural diligence, we may very well worship a god made in our own image rather than the biblical Jesus. One who exists to make us happy. One who requires nothing of us and gives everything to us. One who is anxious to build our kingdom rather than his own. Could this be why we love the festivities of the season, but scoff at the notion of God’s holiness? Or that we are willing to bellow out Christmas hymns while simultaneously enjoying our blatant disobedience to God’s Word?

We might sing O Little Town of Bethlehem without having any interest in worshipping Jesus in every place, every day. We might sing O Holy Night without the slightest intention of living a life of holiness and obedience. We might sing Away in a Manger without being anxious for God to have His way in our lives. We might even ask Mary Did You Know? while never considering what we know and how it impacts our daily lives. Like Herod, we can easily be guilty of craving our own kingdom and doing anything to get it. Like the chief priests and scribes, we might choose to ignore what we know from Scripture simply because it interferes with our lust for power or influence.

And this is precisely the problem.

Tipping our hat toward Christ is not equal to bowing to Him as our King. Our Savior requires more than our leftovers. Mere acknowledgment of Jesus for the sake of the season is not salvation. He desires to be more than a good luck charm that justifies any means we choose in pursuit of our goals and aspirations. Christ refuses to be remade in our image. Part of the tension we feel is due to our chasing dreams that are outside of His will. Herod may very well be staring back at us in the mirror.

But, even when our lives resemble the worshipful hope of the wisemen, we remain in a broken world where many of God’s promises have yet to be realized. Sinful consequences obnoxiously obscure the comforting future reserved for the saints. Thus, we find ourselves waiting for what will be even though it currently is not. The tension is real, but Christmas is an invitation to keep going when you do not understand God’s ways, do not agree with His timing, and do not feel His presence.

Adam B. Dooley
December 17, 2025

Dec 10

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The Forgotten Gifts of Christmas

By Adam Dooley Christmas, Hope, Surrender, Uncategorized, Worship No Comments

Most have heard the ancient proverb, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Some trace the pithy premise back to Aesop’s fable of a fox that lived in such proximity to a lion that he was terribly afraid. Over time, though, the interaction between the animals became more casual. Soon, the fox strolled up to the lion, only to be devoured as a result.

No matter the origin, the principle is painfully clear. Constant exposure to anything can dull our sense of awe, gratitude, and reverence. Certainly, the lesson applies to the holy realities of our faith. Much to our chagrin, our commitment sometimes grows cold and our enthusiasm tends to wane. Regarding Christmas specifically, genuine Christians would never show open contempt for the nativity, but our familiarity can rob us of its joy.

Think I am overstating our pattern? When the is the last time you pondered the details surrounding Jesus’ birth? Do you still find the gift of God’s Son touching? Or, has the most remarkable story in history become mere wallpaper amidst a busy holiday schedule? Is it possible for us to understand what Christmas is about without being moved by it anymore? Sadly, we are quite capable of singing carols, attending services, and hanging decorations while our hearts barely flicker.

A quick survey of the first Christmas, however, paints a dramatically different picture. The wonder and astonishment of Mary uncovers what I refer to as the Forgotten Gifts of Christmas (Luke 1:46-56). Her perspective is the spiritual antidote to our seasonal boredom.

Admittedly, some have erroneously exalted the mother of our Lord to the place of God. Nowhere does Scripture instruct us to worship Mary or offer her our prayers. She did not live in perpetual virginity nor was she free from original sin. Yet, we ignore this godly woman to our peril. Her example is both inspirational and instructive.

Mary reminds us that worship is a gift. After the annunciation of Gabriel (Luke 1:28-37), Jesus’ mother marveled with worship, exalting the Lord for His grace (Luke 1:46). At this moment, God was bigger to Mary than ever before. His greatness loomed large as she contemplated that her Son would save God’s people from their sins (Luke 1:31). As God in human flesh, Jesus stepped out of eternity into time so that one day He could take us out of time into eternity. Even more, these realities were the messianic fulfillment of promises made to King David long ago (Luke 1:32-33; 2 Sam. 7:12-13).

Additionally, Mary understood that she, too, needed a Savior (Luke 1:47). Realizing her humble state, the teenager from Nazareth knew she had nothing to offer the Lord (Luke 1:48). She could no more save herself by good works than she could have chosen to have a child as a virgin. Thus, Mary became a disciple of Jesus even before she held Him as a mother. We, too, come to Christ empty handed. The only recourse is to admit our need, plead our guilt, and revere the Lord with our worship and praise (Luke 1:50).

Mary reminds us that surrender is a gift. By identifying herself as the Lord’s bondslave, Mary highlights her complete submission to the will of God. With the same posture that Jesus would later carry into Gethsemane (Luke 22:39–46), she yields to God’s desire and plan (Luke 1:38). The profundity of her commitment is often lost on us because we remember Mary as a heroine of the faith. Our modern accolades quickly gloss over the upheaval caused by her holy visitation.

At just 12-14 years old, Mary was busy planning her life with Joseph. She was probably giddy over how handsome he was. Likely, her mind was full of dreams about their first home together and how many children they might have. Then, in a dramatic moment marked by the stress of potential misunderstanding, Mary realized that hers was a story that few would believe. How would she explain it to Joseph? What would her family say? What would her friends think? Would the wedding still happen? Would anyone ever believe that she was still a woman of integrity?

Yet, with resolute determination, Mary insisted, “May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38).” Soon, God settled her heart in the home of Elizabeth where John the Baptist leapt in the womb due to the presence of God (Luke 1:39-45). By saying yes to the Lord, Mary experienced her Savior in a personal way.

The same is true for us. For some, surrender means receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior. For others, it will require formalizing membership in the church home of your choice. Yielding to God may result in baptism, service, giving, or sharing with others. But nothing unleashes the presence of God in our lives like surrendering ourselves fully to Him.

Finally, Mary reminds us that hope is a gift. Often forgotten this time of year is that God promises to make the world right and new. Luke emphasizes these themes by listing a series of role reversals where God scatters the proud, exalts the humble, and fills the hungry (Luke 1:51-53). In an age where the ruthless get ahead, the elite lord themselves over others, and the wealthy ignore the needs of the poor, Christmas encourages us that God will have the final say. Tis the season for Him with whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37)!

The hope of the nativity is not merely for Mary and Joseph, or even for Israel, but all spiritual descendants of Abraham as well (Luke 1:54-55). Because God took care of Abraham and Mary, He will take care of you and me, too, along with all of those who are in Christ Jesus.

Adam B. Dooley
December 10, 2025

Dec 03

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The Best Christmas Article Ever

By Adam Dooley Christmas, Grace, Salvation No Comments

If I were to ask you to name the best Christmas movies of all time, I am confident several titles would make the list: It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Home Alone, and Elf (no, Die Hard is NOT a Christmas movie).

No matter how many times you’ve watched these holiday films, chances are you will do it again this year, and every year, when Christmas rolls around. Box office hits like these become as much a part of our seasonal tradition as the music we listen to, the decorations we hang, or the food we enjoy.

Rarely, however, does a new movie come along that you instantly expect to enjoy from now on. Last Christmas, however, with the theatrical release of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, I knew immediately we would share it as a family every December. Based on the children’s book written by Barbara Robinson in 1972, the play tells the story of the Herdman children, the meanest kids in town, who took over the local Christmas pageant even though they had never heard the Nativity story.

Seeing the events surrounding Jesus’ birth through their inquisitive eyes offers a powerful reminder of what our favorite holiday is all about. Frankly, their fresh perspective is a needed experience for all Christians. Surprisingly, “the worst kids in the history of the world” have much to teach us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Their mere presence in the storyline reinforces the biblical truth that Christmas is a season for outcasts.

Don’t believe me? Even a cursory reading of Jesus’ genealogy reveals our categorical bias often identified as THOSE PEOPLE. I may fall short, we reason, but not like THOSE PEOPLE. I need salvation, but not as badly as THOSE PEOPLE. Church is for everybody, but THOSE PEOPLE would not be comfortable here. Yet, despite our internal prejudices, the family tree of our Lord is full of every kind of reject imaginable.

Consider the five women listed in our Savior’s lineage. For a society dominated by men, where the testimony of females was inadmissible in court, including these names was taboo. Amidst 39 recorded fathers, these five women stick out like thorns in a rose. Just as strange, though, are the female names omitted. Matriarchs like Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah are absent in exchange for Tamar (Matt. 1:3), Rahab (Matt. 1:5), Ruth (Matt. 1:5), Bathsheba (Matt. 1:6), and Mary (Matt. 1:16).

Four of these five women were Gentiles of the worst kind. Tamar and Rahab belonged to the forbidden Canaanites, a people known for their wickedness (Deut. 9:4-5). Ruth was a Moabite, a people descended from incestuous Lot (Gen. 19:30-38). Bathsheba was a Hittite by marriage to Uriah (2 Sam. 11:3). Jews viewed each of these groups as unclean by birth.

Even more remarkable is that three of these women were moral outcasts as well. Each experienced sexual liaisons that would have made Hollywood blush. Matthew hints at one such sordid affair by saying, “Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar (Matt. 1:3).” The statement hearkens back to the book of Genesis, where Tamar dressed as a prostitute in order to deceive Judah into fathering her child (Gen. 38).

Next, the record reveals that “Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab (Matt. 1:5).” We tend to be more familiar with Rahab because the New Testament heralds her as a hero of the faith (Heb. 11:31; James 2:25). In light of her later praise, it is easy to forget that what Tamar pretended to be, Rahab actually was—a prostitute.

Finally, the Bible’s curious way of referring to Bathsheba should not be lost on us. Matthew says bluntly, “David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah (Matt. 1:6).” With no effort to hide the uncomfortable truth, Scripture reminds us that Bathsheba was an adulterer.

But what is the point of all this dirty laundry? Simply, the invite list for the biblical Christmas party had a lot of unexpected guests. These were not people who felt comfortable in church. They were not family members you would be eager to tell others about. They were outcasts.

By the way, the more recognizable, respectable names on Matthew’s list were not all that impressive either. They, too, were outcasts. Two times he mentions King David (Matt. 1:1, 6). Yet, in addition to being an adulterer with Bathsheba, Israel’s most famous king was also a murderer who plotted to have the husband of his mistress killed (2 Sam. 11:1-27).

When Abraham’s name appears (Matt. 1:1-2) it conjures up images of Israel’s greatest patriarch. Nonetheless, a closer examination of Old Testament history exposes his devastating flaws. Twice Abraham denied his wife, Sarah, allowing Pharaoh to violate her (Gen. 12:10-20, 20:1-18). Worse still, he repeatedly doubted God’s promises throughout his life (Gen. 12-21).

Each name surveyed bears similar outcomes. Judah, the father of the messianic tribe, sold his brother Joseph into slavery (Matt. 1:3). Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived, surrounded himself with hundreds of wives (Matt. 1:7). Despite his reforms, Hezekiah felt morally superior (Matt. 1:9). Wicked kings like Abijah, Joram, Ahaz, Manasseh, Amon, and Jeconiah presided over the decline and demise of the nation.

Some lived as social outcasts because their sins were open and bare, while others functioned as secret outcasts because their transgressions were hidden beneath the surface. And the same is true for us.

We are all outcasts by nature. Christmas is a reminder that none are so bad that they cannot be saved, but none are so good that they need not be saved either. Jesus was born through sinners, for sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Jesus’ family tree proves that God will accept those whom the world rejects if you abandon your sin and come to the Father through the Son. The Lord is willing to meet us in our failures, because that is where we need Him most.

Adam B. Dooley
December 3, 2025

Adam Dooley

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