<![CDATA[Carolinas Cornerstone Church | Fort Mill, SC - Blog]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:35:28 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Feeling Forced?]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:07:16 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/feeling-forced
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​The event that we are going to read today is of a woman who was forced into Jesus' presence. I can tell there are some people here who identify with being forced in front of someone. Some of you were forced to go to church growing up.
You are married to a spouse who forces you; you feel forced to be here. Some of you are younger; you are living with your parents, and they force you to come. Those of you that are dating someone. You were not coming to church until this relationship started when she said, “Do you go to church?” and you looked at her and said, “I do now.” So, if you feel forced, you will be able to really identify with the woman in this event.

If you come today willingly and have been before, I ask you if you can listen to this as if you were hearing it for the first time. 

It is found in the gospel of John, the eighth chapter, starting with verse one: “Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives but early the next morning He was back again at the temple. A crowd soon gathered and He sat down and taught them.” 

The Bible tells us that everywhere Jesus went there was a crowd. People wanted to hear Him teach; people wanted to be around Him; they wanted to see Him. This crowd adds to the drama of everything that is happening here. With this event, the more people that are around, the juicier it gets.

They were so concerned about the external, and Jesus was concerned about the internal. There was often tension. 

Now, two thousand years ago, things have not changed all that much. When it comes to adultery, there must be two involved. Right? She is by herself. Where is the guy in this story? Sleeping in? Reading the paper?

Did he slip out of the back when the intruders scared the camels and they barked? Why is he not there? It really does not matter. Because the religious leaders who brought this woman really were not concerned about justice at all. 

This happens in today’s church…They did this; do not look at me. Because if they were concerned about justice, it would have been man and woman. That was the Law. They were not concerned about that at all. In fact, this woman was meaningless. She was an object; she was a pawn.

She was the bait to catch a bigger fish. And she was well chosen bait too because Jesus had a reputation among the Pharisees of being the champion of women. I must imagine these religious leaders were smug and prideful at this point. “We have got Him!” They are high fiving each other.

Surprise! Notice it would have been quite easy for Jesus to move into the role of judge, but He does not. He avoids that role. I do not think the religious leaders and the Pharisees counted on the fact that Jesus was putting people before practices. They had not gotten their arms around His central message yet, which was to love one another, not to law one another. His brilliant response broke the dilemma. Are you not glad that Jesus sees what we cannot?

Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[Extra! Extra! Read all about it!]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:58:32 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/extra-extra-read-all-about-it
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Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar because the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from the dead is the most important event in the history of this world and the entire universe. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, “It’s what the whole story has been about…” He was placed in a borrowed tomb and resurrected on the third day. He walked among the people for 40 days and ascended into heaven, and He will come back for those who trust Him as Savior and Lord of their lives. Now that is some great news!

This coming Sunday we are starting a new sermon series. It is called “Extra, Extra Read all about it”! Extra! Extra! Read all about it! A cliché stock phrase from the 1890s through the 1940s used to denote breaking news! I have great news for you today. Jesus died on the cross of Calvary for our sins. The cross was the goal of Jesus from the very beginning. His birth was so there would be His death. The incarnation was for our atonement. He was born to die so that we might live. And when He had accomplished the purpose He had come to fulfill, He summed it up with a single word: “finished.”

In Matthew we see the life-transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ. True faith leaves all to follow the Savior. The question from Matthew to you is,  “Have you heard Jesus’ call?”  Will you follow?

Do not be afraid to follow Jesus. You will never regret starting down the “Jesus Road.”  You will only regret that you waited so long to do it.

Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[What is Holding You Back?]]>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:21:00 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/what-is-holding-you-back
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​What is holding you back from following and serving God? I have found that fear is a major, often primary, factor preventing Christians from fully following Christ, manifesting as fear of sacrifice, failure, rejection, or the unknown. While not the only cause, it serves as a significant obstacle to obedience and, in the context of evangelism, it is cited as a top reason for inaction. 
People have been kept back from following Jesus by their fear of what others think. They have not committed their lives to Christ because they are worried about the opinion of someone else. Maybe it is a boyfriend or girlfriend, or maybe it is a husband or a wife. Maybe it is a close friend or a group of friends they hang around with. Maybe it is even their parents.

They know if they were to fully give their lives to Christ, they would lose a bunch of so-called friends. Or it would be the end of a relationship. Or it would cause friction in their home. That is what holds them back.
​
Make Every Day Count
]]><![CDATA[Let Revival Begin With Me]]>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:13:15 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/let-revival-begin-with-me
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Let Revival Begin with Me: What comes to mind when you hear the word “revival”? A widespread movement sparked by a prayer meeting or a sermon? Outdoor services held under a tent? An emotional experience?

In a world filled with chaos, division, and strife, the concept of revival often seems like a distant dream. We long for change, for renewal, for a fresh start. What if the key to revival lies not in pointing fingers at others, but in looking inward and examining our own hearts first? If we were to draw a circle around ourselves and focus on everything within that circle, what would need to change? 
Reflecting on the inward parts of ourselves challenges us to take responsibility for our own actions, attitudes, and beliefs and prevents us from rushing to judge or criticize others. It requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to confront our own shortcomings and areas in need of growth.

To help you honestly examine your need for revival, ask yourself the following questions:
  • Was there a time in my life when I placed all my trust in Jesus Christ alone to save me?
  • Do I love to read and meditate on the Word of God?
  • Are my personal devotions consistent and meaningful?
  • Do I apply God’s Word to my everyday life?
  • Am I quick to admit when I am wrong?
  • Am I willing to give up all sin for God?
  • Is my conscience clear with every person?
  • Does my schedule reveal that God is first in my life?
  • Does my checkbook reveal that God is first in my life?
  • Do I love what God loves and hate what God hates?
  • Am I allowing Jesus to be Lord of every area of my life?
  • Am I devoted to Jesus, filled with His joy and peace, and making Him the continual object of my affection?
  • Am I more concerned with what God thinks about my life than with what others think?

​Revival is not only for the unsaved, but it is for the children of God who have drifted away from following His Word. It is for believers who have become allured and ensnared by lust and worldly pleasures. It is for the self-righteous, the ignorant, and the rebellious. It is for you, and it is for me. We cannot content ourselves simply praying for revival for the masses. Revival begins with the reflection you see in your mirror.

Make Every Day Count
]]><![CDATA[Dangerous Enemies]]>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:03:00 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/dangerous-enemies
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​Have you ever thought about the fact that you have enemies? These are dangerous, vicious enemies who will use any method to defeat you in your Christian life. Within minutes after you made your decision you found these enemies already at work: either you are tempted to commit some sin, or you had a moment of discouragement. To be sure, everything is exciting and thrilling just after you have made your decision for Christ! But it is also natural to have doubts, problems, questions, temptations, discouragements, and even difficulties.
The Bible says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12.)

The Bible teaches that you have enemies that will be warring against you as long as you live. But the enemy would love nothing more than to fill our minds with discouragement and defeat. You must be prepared. They must be warded off. 

But I want to go one step farther. Do you realize that sometimes we do this to ourselves? For example, take the word pride. Yes, pride is considered a significant, foundational problem for a Christian, often described as the root of all other sins, a precursor to destruction, and a direct hindrance to a proper relationship with God. “Pride is defined as the attitude that oneself is superior to others.” Pride stops us from seeking God. (Psalm 10:4) It is characterized as self-centeredness, independence from God, and a haughty spirit that resists humility.

God gives specific instructions in his Word. He gives us all we need to stand strong in this life and have victory over the battlefields of our mind, heart, and soul. Yet all too often we race through busy, full days, ill-equipped, unprepared, or simply not aware of what we are up against, or who the real enemy even is.

Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[A Heart for the World]]>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:14:46 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/a-heart-for-the-world
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​True revival happens when we gain a right view of God, a right view of self, and a heart for the world. Knowing who God is calls us into action for His name. Studying God's character is not an abstract discipline for a select group of gifted Christians but the responsibility of every believer. When we see who God is, we must respond. We must go, full and filled from the forgiveness we have received in Jesus Christ.
​We do not experience revival because we have been content to live without it. We need a fresh vision of God. He can do more in a moment than any man, machine, or method can mass-produce in a lifetime. Are you ready?
Let a few of God’s people—they don’t need to be many—get thoroughly right with God themselves; the rest will count for nothing unless you start right there; then let them band themselves together to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down. Then let them put themselves at God’s disposal to use them as He sees fit. That will bring a revival to any church, any community."
​ - R. A. Torrey
​Everything changes when God comes among us! Let us pray that He will revive each of our HEARTS with Himself, TRANSFORMING as we are transformed as His PEOPLE.

Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[How Does God See You?]]>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:40:38 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/how-does-god-see-youHave you ever stopped and thought about how your perspective would be different if you saw yourself the way others see you? But more importantly, how does God see me? I have talked with people over the years, and I have heard people say, “Most of my life I have never felt quite enough -  not pretty enough, not outspoken enough, not listened to enough, just not enough, always feeling less than adequate.” 
​Many Christians are experiencing an identity crisis. They know they are saved, but they do not really know what to think about themselves. Let us take a little test. Do you consider yourself a sinner saved by grace or a saint who occasionally sins? Both statements are true, but the first one dwells on your past identity, whereas the second focuses on the Lord’s view of you.

Let me share 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NLT. 
I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
​
I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
If you are a believer, God’s Word says that you are a saint (look at verse 2). But too many of us still see ourselves as the same old sinner, who has been forgiven and patched up and yet is unchanged inside. But the Lord says anyone in Christ “is a new creature; the old things passed away” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). That is what being born again is all about. We can never go back to the way we were.

The solution to this identity crisis is to change the way we think about ourselves. If we do not, we will rely on how we feel, and Satan will bombard us with reminders of our failures and sins. 

Do you realize that Satan has many different tools he uses to get you to think wrong? One of its tools is the opinions of other people. Your parents said things about you. Your peers have said things about you. Your partners have said things about you. Enemies and friends have said things about you. Some of them were true; some of them were not true. But they were all trying to mold you into their image. People all your life have been trying to get you to be what they want you to be, not what God wants you to be. Satan uses the opinions of others to keep you from the true you – what you were meant to be by God.

But the number one tool that Satan uses in your life to cause your true identity to be stolen is to get you to repeat what he has told you. Because he will plant an idea in your mind, a seed, and then he does not have to mention it ever again. You just repeat it over and over and over because you heard it and you believed it: “I am worthless, I’m no good, I’m never going to amount to anything, I can’t do that, I can’t, I can’t.  I should not, I should not. I am ashamed, I am ashamed.” Satan does not have to mess with most of you because he has put an idea in your mind and you just keep repeating it to yourself and now it is part of your identity. “It is just like me to be this way. It is just like me to be that way.” It is part of your identity, and you miss who you truly are.

Satan wants to keep us focused on being a sinner, because he knows that the recognition of our sainthood will lead us to live like saints. We will be motivated and empowered to obey God, and the Devil will lose his foothold in our lives.

Jesus did not come just to save you from hell; He wants to live His life through you. In Christ, you have a new identity that has replaced your old one. If you will focus on who you are now, your actions will follow, and you will experience the enjoyment of a victorious Christian life.

Please let me remind you, you are the sons and daughters of the King, and He made you just the way you are. I want you to learn to embrace that and use the gifts He has given you to be a better you. You are enough, perfectly orchestrated by a God who created you in His image. He loves you just the way you are, and you can love yourself and be all that He created you to be!
You are:
• Created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)
• Fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• Precious and honored in His sight. (Isaiah 43:4)
• Redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)
• A new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Holy and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:30)
• Chosen by God. (1 Peter 2:9)
• God's masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
• Created with purpose to do great works for God's Kingdom. (Ephesians 2:10)
​Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[How are You Spending Your Life?]]>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:53:49 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/how-are-you-spending-your-life​How are you spending your life? Are you WASTING it? Or are you INVESTING in it? Do you want to make a difference in the place you live? Do you want to make an impact on the state and area you live in? Do you want to make a difference in the United States? What about the world? I hope you have answered YES!
Your life is a series of choices. From the instant you wake up in the morning until the moment you nod off to sleep at night, you make countless decisions—decisions about the things you do, decisions about the words you speak, and decisions about the way that you choose to direct your thoughts.

As a believer who has been transformed by the love of Jesus, you have every reason to make wise choices. But sometimes, when the daily grind threatens to grind you up and spit you out, you may make choices that are displeasing to God.

If you really want to make a difference, you and I need to change the way we think. The Bible gives a powerful statement in James 1:23-25 NIV: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

Typically, we all have daily opportunities to make a positive difference in the life of another person. We know what we ought to do, but we pass up opportunities right and left. We are too busy or distracted by “more important things.”  Perhaps inconvenience prevents us from acting. Really, there are uncounted excuses that can keep us from doing anything. If you were to keep reading the book of James, you would find later on in chapter 4, verse 17, he wrote very clearly, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”  James was serious about conveying the importance of doing what is right! 

James is saying that inactivity can amount to sin. Ouch! If you are like me, so many times I have passed on the opportunity to do good and, in doing nothing, have sinned. That stings, doesn’t it? 
​Life is pretty much like a cafeteria line—it offers us many choices,
both good and bad. The Christian must have a spiritual radar that detects the difference not only between bad and good but
​also among good, better, and best.”
- Dennis Swanberg
Today can be different. Each of us can make a difference in the life of someone else. So, when you see the opportunity arise, seize it.

So, are you ready to do something about the way you think and live? This is where you say YES!  So, if you want to have an influence, I have an idea for you. Change the way you think.

Try this:
​Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.


I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.


I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously! No failure is fatal. It is OK to stumble…. I will get up. It is OK to fail…. I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.


I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking, hugging, thanking, or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends. Today I will make a difference.”

- Max Lucado
I want to share one more verse with you. It is found in the book of Psalm 138:8 NLT, “The Lord will work out his plans for my life for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon me, for you made me.”

Let us go make a difference today!

Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[Please Wake Up!]]>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:35:08 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/please-wake-up
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Jonah was one of the worst leaders in the Bible. Growing up, I thought Jonah was a hero of the faith. Yes, he ran away from God, but he repented and did what he was supposed to do, saving the people of Nineveh.
​When you read the Biblical story, however, it is tough to see Jonah as a hero. As a prophet, he heard directly from God, but Jonah rejected God’s commands multiple times and became furious with God because of His mercy. Despite Jonah’s failure as a hero or as a leader, there is still much for us to learn.

One writer put it this way, “The story of Jonah holds up a mirror to the one who reads it. In Jonah we see the worst parts of our own character magnified, which should generate humility and gratitude that God would love His enemies, and put up with Jonah in all of us.”

So, when God called him to go and preach to the city of Nineveh, Jonah was outraged. Instead of obeying, he makes a run for it. Do we act like that? What causes us to act like that? God wants us to obey what He asks us to do.

What we can learn from Jonah is what not to do! When God speaks, we should go. We should say yes and go for it. When we do what God asks us to do, we will see results of His power in others’ lives. For example, when Jonah preached to them, this is what happened. The people of Nineveh believed God's message, from the greatest to the least, and they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. 

When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes and dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. And everyone prayed earnestly to God. And when God saw what they had done, how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

This is a stunning turnaround. An entire city filled with thousands of people turned to God, and a revival took place, and the judgment of God was turned away. 

It just shows us that no one is beyond the reach of God. We need to be a part of God’s movement. 

Make Every Day Count!
]]><![CDATA[What is a Revival]]>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:20:37 GMThttps://www.carolinascornerstone.org/blog/what-is-a-revival
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​When you hear the word Revival, what comes to mind? Maybe you associate the word with a church service that takes place under a big tent with fiery preaching. You may think of revivals as spiritual movements that have occurred in other places but never as part of your own personal experience. You think about a time in your life when your faith had grown stale but was suddenly awakened to become fresh and new. Or you think in terms of the word's explicit meaning: "restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength."
Our homes need revival. Our churches need revival. This nation needs revival. The world needs Jesus! No military power can bring revival. No economic upturn brings revival. And no election can bring revival. Revival is the work of Almighty God.

When we encounter God, three things happen—we get a right view of God, a right view of self, and a heart for the world.

Everything changes when God comes among us! Let us pray that He will revive each of our hearts with Himself, transforming our nation as we are transformed as His people.

Do you really want to see Revival? I pray you answered YES!
​
Make Every Day Count!
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