Steven H Miller, Th.M.

  Words That Wound: A Biblical Response to a Familiar Lie Introduction “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This phrase has been passed down as a shield against verbal harm. Yet it is not rooted in truth—it is rooted in denial. Scripture does not deny the power of words; it exposes it. Anyone who has lived long enough understands that words can leave wounds deeper than physical injury. Bones heal. Bruises fade. But words often linger in the heart, shaping identity, memory, and perception. The Bible affirms what experience confirms: words matter, and they matter deeply. Rather than minimizing speech, God calls His people to understand its weight, take responsibility for it, and use it for His purposes.   The God Who Speaks The power of words begins with God Himself. In Genesis 1:3, God speaks light into existence. Creation responds to His voice. His words are not empty—they accomplish what He intends. In John 1:1, Jesus Christ is...

  Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord': A Teaching on Matthew 7:21–23   Introduction Matthew 7:21–23 stands as one of the most sobering warnings ever spoken by Jesus Christ. These words come at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus contrasts true righteousness with outward religiosity. This passage forces us to confront a reality many would rather ignore: it is possible to appear spiritual, to speak Christian language, and even to be involved in ministry activity—yet still be unknown to Christ. The Danger of Verbal Profession Without Obedience Jesus begins with a striking statement: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” This immediately dismantles the assumption that verbal confession alone guarantees salvation. The repetition of 'Lord' suggests sincerity and intensity. Yet sincerity is not the standard—obedience is. Jesus clarifies that entrance into the kingdom belongs to “the one who does the will of my Fa...

  Seeing as God Sees: A Teaching on 1 Samuel 16:7   “Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” Introduction In a world dominated by appearance, achievement, and outward success, 1 Samuel 16:7 stands as a direct confrontation to human thinking. This verse does more than correct Samuel—it reveals the very nature of how God evaluates people. It challenges our assumptions, exposes our misplaced priorities, and calls us to a deeper understanding of spiritual reality. What God says in this moment reshapes how we understand leadership, calling, and even our own walk with Him. If we misunderstand this principle, we will consistently value the wrong things. But if we grasp it, it will transform how we live. The Context: A Lesson in Misguided Evaluation Samuel arrives at Jesse’s house to anoint a new king. As he sees Eliab, he immediately assumes this must be the Lord’s anointed because of his appearance. This react...

  Growing in Grace and Assurance A Teaching on 2 Peter 1:2–15 Text Focus: 2 Peter 1:2–15 (ESV) Theme: The believer’s calling to grow in grace, pursue godliness, and confirm the reality of faith through a fruitful life. Introduction: A Faith That Must Grow Second Peter 1:2–15 is one of the clearest passages in the New Testament on the connection between salvation and spiritual growth. Peter is writing to believers who have already received “a faith of equal standing” through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He is not questioning whether salvation is by grace. He is not placing believers back under a system of human merit. Instead, he is showing that the grace that saves also begins a transforming work in the life of the believer. This passage speaks to a danger that is still common in the church: the idea that a person can profess Christ and yet remain permanently unchanged, spiritually careless, and content with little or no growth. Peter will not allow that ki...

  The Things God Hates A Sobering Look at Proverbs 6:16–19 ▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭▭ Proverbs 6:16–19 gives one of Scripture’s clearest and most searching summaries of the attitudes and actions that offend the holiness of God. Far from being a mere list of moral failures, these verses expose the deep corruption of the fallen heart and call the believer to humility, truth, purity, and peace. Introduction In a culture that often emphasizes that “God is love,” many people overlook an equally serious truth: God also hates. That statement may sound unsettling to modern ears, but it is neither harsh nor inconsistent with His character. God’s hatred is not sinful irritation or unstable passion. It is His holy opposition to everything that is evil, false, cruel, and corrupt. Because God is perfectly righteous, He must oppose what contradicts His nature. Proverbs 6:16–19 confronts us with that reality in direct language. These verses are not included in Scripture merely to inform us abou...

  Living as the Redeemed: A Call to Holiness and Enduring Faith An Expanded Reflection on 1 Peter 1:13–25 (ESV)   Introduction: The Mindset of the Redeemed The Apostle Peter writes to believers who are scattered, pressured, and living as spiritual exiles in a hostile world. After unfolding the beauty and security of their salvation in the opening verses, he now shifts to the practical implications of that salvation. Grace is not passive. It is transforming. It does not leave a believer unchanged—it reshapes the mind, redirects the heart, and reforms the life. The Christian life is not merely about what we have escaped, but about what we are now called to become. The reality of redemption demands a response. This passage is a call to live with intentionality, holiness, reverence, love, and eternal perspective.   1. A Prepared Mind and a Fixed Hope (v.13) Peter begins with a command that strikes at the center of spiritual life: the mind. “Prepare your minds for action.” The...