Articles
Written responses to Scripture questions and reflections on the Christian life from Pastor Paul LeBoutillier and Sue LeBoutillier.
God's Word is Sharp
My kids gave me a beautiful handmade Japanese chef knife for Mother’s Day. My kitchen knives were a wedding gift so they are technically antiques. I should have seen this gift coming, because for the last decade I’ve…
Sue LeBoutillier · May 18, 2026
Why are some words or phrases missing from modern Bible Translations?
Q: I recently read the Gospel of Matthew again using the King James Version and the ESV and I found that Matthew 17:21 is not in the ESV and several other translations. Why is that? Why did the ESV remove Matthew 17:21?
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · January 30, 2026
As an adult, how should I properly understand and apply the command to honor my father and mother?
Navigating the biblical command to honor one’s parents can create real challenges for adults. The exhortation from God’s Word is clear (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2) but the application can be difficult.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · October 1, 2023
Why does Jesus say the Father is greater than he and call him "my God" if they are equal?
The reason you're struggling with this question is entirely understandable. We don't call it _the mystery_ of the incarnation for no reason.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · July 15, 2023
Was Jesus really in the tomb three days and three nights?
Q:I was watching your teaching on Jonah tonight and it touched on something that has recently started confusing me. I always hear people saying Jesus rose on the 3rd day, and to me it always seemed that he died on the cross on Good Friday and rose from the dead early on resurrection Sunday.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · July 1, 2023
What would you say to the person who is fearful of praying against God's will?
QUESTION: What would you say to the person who is fearful of praying against God's will—His plan for their life? A: I would begin by cautioning against giving in to irrational fears and anything that could be exploited by the enemy.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · May 15, 2023
In light of God's sovereignty, does it really make a difference for us to spend time in prayer?
Q: The more that I learn about the sovereignty of God the more it seems like prayer can’t actually change things. The thought comes to my mind that it’s okay to not spend time in prayer because His will is going to happen anyway.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · May 1, 2023
Why did Jesus refer to Himself as "Son of Man"?
Q&A: Why did Jesus refer to Himself as "Son of Man"? A: Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man for two main reasons: 1\.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · April 1, 2023
What about the Apocrypha? Are there really lost books of the Bible?
Q: What about the Apocrypha? Are there really lost books of the Bible?
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · March 21, 2023
Is it implied or specifically addressed in the Bible that God will respect our free will choices?
Q: Is it implied in the Bible that God will respect our free will choices or is it specifically addressed in the Word? A: The divinely respected free will of man is everywhere implied in the Bible, especially in passages such as: "...choose this day whom you will serve," (Joshua 24:15) "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink." (John 7:37) "Come now, let us reason together,
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · March 14, 2023
How do I discover my spiritual gifts?
Q: How do I discover my spiritual gifts? A: I have five tips for discovering your spiritual gift.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · March 7, 2023
What is "Oneness" Theology and why is it wrong?
Q: What is "Oneness" Theology and why is it wrong? A: Quite simply, Oneness theology teaches that God is one person who manifests himself differently — sometimes as God the Father, other times as God the Son and sometimes as the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · March 1, 2023
How do I meditate on God's Word?
The Bible doesn't give instructions on meditating on the Word. In fact, the words _meditate and mediation_ don't even appear in the New Testament.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · January 3, 2023
Is it necessary to prove God's existence?
There is nothing in the Word of God that requires believers to prove the existence of God. In fact, the Bible itself never sets out to prove God's existence.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · October 2, 2022
How should Christians respond to the Prosperity or Ultra Faith Movement?
I believe the prosperity or "ultra faith" teaching is full of imbalance and such things almost always create danger. For starters, this teaching focuses the heart of the believer almost exclusively on material blessings and places the weight of seeing such things come to pass entirely on the faith of the recipient.
Pastor Paul LeBoutillier · September 1, 2022