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The latest at Calvary Baptist Church

Stay up to date with the happenings of Calvary Baptist Church by visiting our blog. You'll find information such as announcements, sermon notes and thoughts from our pastor to encourage and challenge your walk with the Lord.

Make the Right Choice

by: Gene Ziesel

11/13/2025

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15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”With so many things demanding our time and attention, serving the LORD truly should not be overlooked by believers. In our passage, Joshua gently reminds us of a few important truths.One, there is the Necessity of...


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Examine Yourself

by: Gene Ziesel

11/12/2025

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2 Corinthians 13:5— "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test.This verse is a sharp, personal call to introspection. Paul isn't asking us to glance at our spiritual lives casually; he's challenging us to conduct a serious, honest audit of our hearts. The word "examine" is often used in the context of testing metals to see if the

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Obedient Rest

by: Gene Ziesel

11/11/2025

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The Christian life is often seen as a continuous effort, a relentless push to accomplish more, improve ourselves, and follow every rule. However, Jesus paints a different picture in John 15. Instead of urging us to strive constantly, He invites us to simply abide. He calls us to a gentle, obedient rest that brings peace and connection.

To abide is to make our home in Christ. It’s a warm place of security and dependence, not a source of anxious effort. Think of a branch—no n

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Inching Toward God

by: Gene Ziesel

11/10/2025

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God“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8When you hear ‘inching,’ you might think of sluggish movement or worms. The phrase “inching toward God” suggests slow progress, but the Bible’s invitation is about the direction and heart, not speed.We often feel a gap between our busy lives and God's holiness, thinking we must first clean up or act righteously. In reality, Jesus has already bridged that gap; His shed blood opened the way into God's presence.Jam...


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Keep Moving Forward

by: Gene Ziesel

11/06/2025

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Persecution occurred in Thessalonica as a group broke from social norms by adopting a radical new faith in Jesus instead of state-sanctioned idol worship. However, Jesus hadn’t returned as quickly as hoped. So, the apostle Paul was concerned by what he was hearing and wrote two letters to them.Paul had reason to be concerned, and so, in his letters, he writes to encourage the fledgling yet faithful community of believers, informing them that when faced with difficulties, a

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Be Prepared

by: Gene Ziesel

11/05/2025

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My heart feels heavy, not because of the elections but because of their implications. Many Christians' heads are in the sand, but the Church has been under attack since its inception, even though we haven’t felt it as much in the States. I’m not fear-mongering, just reminding us of Biblical teachings that warn us to expect opposition and persecution for our faith.According to opendoors.org, over 380 million Christians face severe persecution and discrimination, mostly in I

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The Pull of Sin Winning the Race of Faith

by: Gene Ziesel

11/04/2025

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The writer of Hebrews writes—“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”—Hebrews 12:1I know it's a cliché to say, but it's true: as believers, we are all in a race—a marathon of faith. Our finish line is our dwelling place with Jesus, and the path is marked out for us by God. But as we run, the pull of sin is a consta

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Cast Your Cares

by: Gene Ziesel

11/03/2025

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It feels like we're hearing Paul's words more now than ever: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7Yesterday, I spoke from John 14:1-14, emphasizing that Jesus is our way, truth, and life—the antidote to fear. With the ongoing political season, many feel anxious, as if carrying a heavy backpack that weighs down our hearts and minds. We try to handle every scenario and 'what if' on our own. The Greek for "anxiety" means being pulled in multip

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Safely Hidden

by: Gene Ziesel

10/31/2025

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“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” 

—Colossians 3:3

In Christ, a profound transformation has occurred. Paul says we have "died"—not physically, but spiritually—separating from our old, sin-driven life and the world's values. Our old self was crucified with Christ; it no longer controls us.

The verse's second part offers assurance: "your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Notice our life is Hidden, not Lost. This "hidden" life means we're secure a

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Who Do You Work For?

by: Gene Ziesel

10/30/2025

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The apostle Paul gives the Believers at the church in Ephesus this challenge: “rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,” (Ephesians 6:7)

This verse provides a revolutionary view on work, addressing bondservants and masters in a culture where servants were treated as mere tools. Paul urges believers to change their motivation, emphasizing that whatever they do should be done as service to the Lord, not for human approval or reward.

Paul gently reminds

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Finding Peace in God’s Promises: Faith over Fear

by: Gene Ziesel

10/29/2025

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Let me ask: When did you last feel that knot in your stomach, racing heart about tomorrow's uncertainties? Maybe it was lying awake at 2 AM, checking your bank account, awaiting test results, or watching the news. Here's the truth we often hide in church: anxiety doesn't respect faith. Worry doesn't ask before coming in. Even the most devoted believers feel fear pressing down on them. That's where today's psalm meets us.In Psalm 56, verses 3 and 4. David writes: "When I am

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Having a Peaceful Life

by: Gene Ziesel

10/28/2025

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Paul wrote to young Timothy, likely in his late 20s or early 30s, though we can't be sure, in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the know...


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Creativity

by: Gene Ziesel

10/27/2025

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Genesis begins with: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). He didn't just create a functional world; He designed one with majestic mountains, vibrant colors, and complex life. God made humans in his image, embedding a part of his creative spirit in us (Genesis 1:27).

Your creativity, whether through art, problem-solving, teaching, or leadership, reflects God's character and is a gift for His purposes. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew

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God Hears

by: Gene Ziesel

10/24/2025

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Jeremiah 29:12 states, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”

During Babylonian exile, Israelites were displaced, suffering, waiting for God's promise of hope (Jeremiah 29:11). What was their role in receiving it? The Lord told them, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you”. 

God’s provision often comes after honest, dependent prayer. He invites us to ask and participate in his work. The true supply is not

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The Fruit of Diligence

by: Gene Ziesel

10/23/2025

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Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15—Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.Picture a fruit tree in an orchard. The owner's attention—pruning, watering, and nurturing—is meant to be evident. The primary purpose of this care is the visible harvest: plentiful, ripe fruit that others can see and enjoy.Similarly, the apostle Paul encourages his protege, Timothy, to fully dedicate himself to his spiritual responsibilities. These "

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