2015

|Discipleship
Finding true purpose starts with understanding your identity in Christ.
What’s God’s Will For My Life?
Image: Erick Hodge

If I had a five-dollar bill for every time I’ve been asked, “What’s God’s will for my life?,” I would be a wealthy man. The frequency with which this question comes up gives insight into just how important it is to many people. They want to know, ...

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|Leadership
There’s a massive difference between being a great communicator and being a great communicator of the gospel.
The Six Cs of Life-Transformative Preaching
Image: Erick Hodge

There’s a massive difference between being a great communicator and being a great communicator of the gospel. This blog is for fellow preachers because I care about Jesus, his church, reaching the lost, and discipleship. I want to challenge preachers to preach the gospel, ...

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|Discipleship
The longer we hold on to unforgiveness, the longer we stay hurt.
Only Forgiveness Can Heal Us
Image: Unsplash & Erick Hodge

In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus tells us to forgive because we have been forgiven. So, who have you not forgiven? Jesus challenges us to extend forgiveness, even when it is painful, because of the gift we have received.

Many of us have gone through difficult or even truly horrendous ...

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|Discipleship
When we are reminded that we are not home yet, Jesus’ grace is sufficient.
Constant Reminders
Image: Death to Stock

I celebrated my birthday last week, and as I have reflected on another year passing I know that I’ve lived an amazing life. I have lived the American Dream.

I was born to teenage parents and raised by my grandparents. Blessedly, I escaped poverty, drugs, gangs, and ...

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|Gospel of Grace
In Christ, we become the very righteousness of God himself.
More Than Forgiven
Image: Death to Stock & Erick Hodge

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV).

Jesus did so much more than forgive our sins. Jesus actually became our sin on the cross so we could become the very righteousness of ...

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|Gospel of Grace
A look at the unfair mathematics of grace.
Grace and More Grace
Image: Unsplash

Grace is not a theme of the Christian life. Grace is the Christian life because grace is Jesus himself. Jesus is full of grace and truth, and in him, we have received grace upon grace (see John 1:14; 16).

Grace is God the Father giving us Jesus as a gift. By faith, we are ...

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|Evangelism
There is power in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Are You Ashamed of the Gospel?
Image: Unsplash

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).

Are you ashamed of the gospel? Many would say, “Of course not.” Then why don’t you share it more with people ...

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|Church
Grace is fuel that empowers us to grow as God’s children.
Grace Is So Much More
Image: Erick Hodge

“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:20–21, ESV). ...

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|Church
How can the church flourish in a post-Christian America?
This Can Happen in America, Part 2
Image: Derwin L. Gray

In part one of this blog, I shared how Germany, the home of the Protestant Reformation, is now only marginally evangelical, with just three percent of citizens identifying that way. I shared some thoughts why I believe this happened including a dead gospel preached in dead ...

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|Church
How Germany’s post-Christian culture could be America’s future.
This Can Happen in America, Part 1
Image: Derwin L. Gray

This past week, I had the honor of partnering with the Willow Creek Association in Erfurt, Germany for a leadership conference. Erfurt is a beautiful city, with rich culture and marvelous food. Erfurt is also where Martin Luther, one of the fathers of the Reformation, attended ...

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|Discipleship
When you are in the shadow, look for the light.
Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Image: Unsplash

The 23rd Psalm is one of greatest pieces of literature ever penned. But more importantly, it is also God-inspired scripture that flowed from the heart of King David during a dark, painful time in his life.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ...

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|Discipleship
When we accept each other, we give God glory.
Who Are You Accepting?
Image: Erick Hodge

When we accept each other and our differences, we give God glory. Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (ESV). The foundation for this acceptance begins when we understand God’s acceptance of ...

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|Church
How the church can help people with mental illness.
Silent Cries
Image: Flickr

I remember my family life while growing up in San Antonio, Texas as being tattooed by chaos, conflict, and consistent pain. My older relatives were often haunted by drug and alcohol abuse, violent relationships, and illegal activities. Like a bomb that explodes, the pain ...

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|Discipleship
There is only one place to find true refuge and strength.
Where Do You Find Refuge?
Image: Unsplash & Erick Hodge

After each day of elementary school, I had to run home because of bullies who threatened me and because of a gang that lived in a house near my school. I knew that if I could just make it home, I would find refuge. I felt safe there because my older cousin would be at home ...

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|Discipleship
Five ways to cope in a tough season.
When Winter Lasts Too Long
Image: Unsplash

Sometimes winter lasts too long.

The winter I speak of is not referring to the weather, but rather a season of life when pain, suffering, disappointment, confusion, and helplessness fall on you like snow on a cold, gray February day.

Sometimes life is like spring when ...

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