Steven H Miller, Th.M.

  A Reflection on Psalm 5:1–12 Psalm 5 is a prayer that rises from the tension between distress and confidence, between the presence of wickedness in the world and the unwavering faithfulness of God. It is a morning prayer—honest, reverent, and filled with expectation. David approaches God not merely to vent his troubles, but to place his entire situation before the Lord, trusting that God both hears and acts. “Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.” (Psalm 5:1–2) David begins with humility and dependence. He does not present himself as self-sufficient or composed; instead, he comes with groaning and crying. This reminds us that God invites our raw honesty. Prayer is not about polished language but about sincere hearts. When we bring our confusion, fear, and pain before God, we acknowledge that He alone is our true refuge and authority. Calling God “my King and my God” reflects personal r...

  Living by Faith: Lessons from Hebrews Chapter 11 Hebrews chapter 11 stands as one of the most celebrated passages in Scripture, often called "the Hall of Faith." It does not present faith as a theory, but as a lived reality demonstrated through the lives of men and women who trusted God in difficult, uncertain, and sometimes painful circumstances. Their stories teach us that biblical faith is not mere intellectual agreement—it is active trust that expresses itself through obedience. At its heart, Hebrews 11 teaches that faith is essential to pleasing God, central to our relationship with Him, and powerful enough to shape how we live, suffer, endure, and hope. THE DEFINITION OF FAITH Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, ESV) Faith is described as assurance—confidence that what God has promised is certain. It is also conviction—inner certainty about realities we cannot physically see. Faith does not deny r...

  A Reflection on Mark 11:20–25 Scripture Text (Mark 11:20–25, ESV) “As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.’” 1. The Withered Fig Tree: A Picture of Spiritual Reality The fig tree had leaves but no fruit. Though it appeared alive, it was barren. This image exposes a sobering truth: outward religious appearance is not the same as inward spiri...

  Here is a list of blessings God has given you in Christ Jesus, taken from Ephesians 1: 1. He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. 2. He has chosen you in Him before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and without blame before Him in love. 3. He has adopted you as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself. 4. He has redeemed you through His blood. 5. He has forgiven you of sins. 6. He has given you the riches of His grace in all abundance and prudence. 7. He makes known to you the mystery of His will. 8. He has given you an inheritance. 9. He sealed you with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. 10. He made you alive in Christ. 11. He has given you His peace. 12. He has given you access to Him in Christ. 13. He made you a fellow citizen with the saints and the household of God

  Reflection on 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 The Wisdom of God and the Glory of the Cross   There is something in us that longs to be impressed. We admire brilliance, prestige, and power. We’re drawn to what looks strong, what sounds convincing, and what appears successful. But in 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, the Holy Spirit confronts our natural way of thinking and turns it upside down. Paul reminds us that God saves people in a way that strips human pride and leaves no room for boasting. The Cross Divides the World Paul begins with a bold statement: “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (v. 18) The cross will never be neutral. It’s either rejected as foolishness or received as God’s power. That’s because the cross exposes what humanity dislikes most: our helplessness. It tells us we cannot climb our way to God. We cannot earn salvation through effort, morality, or religious performance. We must be re...

  A Reflection on Proverbs 3:5–6   Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”   Trust in the Lord with all your heart This verse begins with a call that touches the center of who we are: our heart. Biblically, the heart isn’t merely emotion—it’s the core of our decisions, desires, motives, and direction. To trust God with all our heart means we surrender the right to keep part of our life “off limits.” Most people don’t struggle with trusting God in general. We struggle with trusting Him specifically—in the very area where we feel anxious, where we want to protect ourselves, where the risk feels too great. Yet Proverbs calls us to wholehearted trust: not half-trust, not occasional trust, not trust only when things make sense. Trusting God is not pretending everything is fine. It is choosing to believe that God’s wisdom is hi...

  Living the Gospel in Everyday Life A Teaching on Titus 2   Introduction: A Short Letter With a Powerful Message Titus is a short pastoral letter written by the apostle Paul to a trusted leader named Titus. Titus had been left in Crete to help establish and strengthen local churches. Crete was known for moral instability, and Paul wanted the church in that environment to shine with a clear gospel witness. Titus 2 is one of the most practical discipleship passages in the New Testament. Paul ties together sound doctrine and sound living, showing that the gospel must reshape attitudes, relationships, and daily habits. In this chapter, the Holy Spirit speaks to the entire church, not just to pastors, but to every season of life. 1) Sound Doctrine and Sound Living Belong Together (Titus 2:1) Titus 2:1 - “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Paul begins with a foundational truth: healthy teaching produces healthy living. Sound doctrine is not mere...

  What It Means to Be a Sinner in God’s Eyes—and How to Be Saved   Introduction: Why This Matters One of the most important questions any person can face is this: How does God see me—and what do I do about it? The Bible does not leave this unclear. God lovingly tells the truth about our condition and then offers the only cure: salvation through Jesus Christ. This teaching explains: • What sin is in God’s eyes • What it means to be a sinner • Why sin separates us from God • How God saves sinners • How a person can be saved today 1) What Sin Is in God’s Eyes Sin is not simply “mistakes.” Scripture reveals that sin is rebellion against God’s holiness, authority, and law. 1 John 3:4 — “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Sin is: • Lawlessness: living outside God’s rule • Self-rule: doing what is right in our own eyes • Heart corruption: not only wrong actions, but wrong desires Sin is both outward and...

  Hyssop at the Cross The Hidden Gospel Detail in John 19:29   In the crucifixion story, there is a small detail that many readers pass over without realizing its weight. It’s just one word, only mentioned briefly, but it carries deep spiritual meaning and reaches all the way back into the Old Testament. That word is hyssop. “A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.” (John 19:29, ESV) John could have simply said, “they lifted the sponge to Jesus,” but he intentionally points out the plant used in the moment. Hyssop is not random. It is biblical symbolism placed at the foot of the cross, and it quietly proclaims the message of salvation. 1. Hyssop and the Passover Lamb The clearest connection to hyssop comes from the first Passover in Exodus. On the night God delivered Israel from Egypt, He commanded every household to take the blood of a spotless lamb and mark the doorposts of t...

  The Truth That Sets Free A Teaching on John 8:32–38 (ESV)   Introduction In John 8:32–38, Jesus speaks words that have echoed across centuries—words many people quote, yet far fewer fully understand. In the middle of a heated conversation, Christ reveals that the deepest form of bondage is not political, cultural, or economic, but spiritual: the bondage of sin. He also reveals the only lasting solution: freedom given by the Son of God through the truth of His word. This passage is not merely a statement about ideas; it is a diagnosis of the human heart and a declaration of the gospel’s power. Jesus uncovers the illusion of freedom that comes from religious heritage and exposes the reality that true freedom is found only in relationship with Him. Scripture Reading (ESV) 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 33 They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will...

  When God Answers the Dedication A Teaching on 2 Chronicles 7:11–22   Scripture Text (ESV) — 2 Chronicles 7:11–22   11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the LORD and in his own house he successfully accomplished.  12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.  13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,  14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.  16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be...