Jimmy Hinton

October 16, 2025

Overcoming negative thinking

Scientific studies suggest that reducing negative thinking is significantly more impactful for well-being than simply increasing positive thoughts. This principle is based on the premise that identifying, challenging, and reframing negative thought patterns is the cornerstone of good mental health. Jesus, addressing critics who were offended at his disciples not washing their hands, said, “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him” (Mark 7:15).

He went on to address issues of the heart (evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness). Jesus said, “All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (vs. 23). Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Paul is not simply advocating for positive thinking; he’s actively dismantling and eliminating every argument and opinion that’s opposed to the knowledge of God and takes every thought captive to obey Christ. Science agrees with the Bible that eliminating negative thinking is the key to being impactful in this world.

October 8, 2025

Jesus’ prayer for unity

photo of people s hand on top of wooden table

In John 17, John records a lengthy prayer by Jesus. It’s a prayer that he said shortly before he was arrested. Jesus prayed for unity, both for his disciples and for the world. When his prayer shifted to the world, it was for a very specific purpose: “I do not ask for those only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17: 20-21).

This powerful prayer reminds us that we are all in this world together–both believers and unbelievers. Without us teaching people the good news, they don’t stand much of a chance of ever knowing God or the saving power of grace through the blood of Christ. Jesus didn’t die for us. He died for everyone. And he longs for us to all meet together. This is evident when Jesus said, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (vs. 24).

It’s not only our duty to bring people together through Christ, but it’s also our honor! Jesus ended his prayer by saying, “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (vs. 26). We all owe it to our neighbors to bring the good news of Jesus to them!

September 30, 2025

Fighting the good fight

When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he charged him to keep preaching the Word with complete patience and teaching. He warned that people would surround themselves with people who would tell them what their itching ears wanted to hear, but Timothy should always preach the truth. Paul warned, “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Paul knew that his time on Earth had a shelf life. He said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race” (vs. 6-7). Paul knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that God would award to him the crown of righteousness on that day, “and not only me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (vs. 8). This is a great reminder for all of us to keep fighting the good fight and finish the race.

As we close the doors of a church building that served us for 109 years, we look back to all the faithful people who already are receiving the crown of righteousness. We vow to pick up the baton of faith and carry it to the finish line. We will run the race to the finish line and will continue in a new building to do the work of the Lord. We will fight the good fight as we fight the spiritual battle and teach others to put God and Christ above all else!

September 24, 2025

For such a time as this

The story of Esther is one of divine providence. She was being raised by her relative Mordecai, who was in Susa due to the Babylonian exile of the Jews, because she had no living parents. They likely died when the exile took place. The short story is that she became queen to King Ahasuerus but he didn’t know she was a Jew. When Mordecai became aware of a plot by Haman to kill the Jews, he secretly devised a plan with Esther.

Esther was scared to tell the king but Mordecai was quick to call her out on it and reminded her of her purpose. He said, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). We know the rest of the story, and Esther saved the Jews through her courage and faithfulness.

A lot of us struggle, like Esther did, to understand our purpose. Was it a coincidence that she became queen? Was she really the one to save the Jews? And on the questions and doubt come. Paul makes it crystal clear in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s “handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Yet often, like Esther, we hesitate. Mordecai was also put there for a purpose, to remind Esther that she was put in her position by God “for such a time as this.” We need both Modecais and Esthers in this life. When you struggle with finding your purpose, find a Mordecai who will help you see it. When you see it, live it to the best of your ability.

September 17, 2025

Building up one another

Lots of scriptures talk about edifying others. The word literally means to “build up,” as in to build a house from the ground up. Building others up has a very specific purpose in the scriptures. In Ephesians 4, the word is used several times in succession. For example, Paul says that God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (vs. 12). This is to take place until everyone attains the unity of faith and grows up into Christ, “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (vs. 16).

A few verses later, Paul says, “Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (vs. 29). 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Romans 15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Paul uses the same word when he says that we are God’s fellow workers, God’s field, and God’s building (1 Cor. 3:9). Paul told the Corinthians that the spiritual gifts they seek should be for the building up of one another.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul said that “it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved” (2 Cor. 12:19). There are plenty more times that this expression is used. The Bible is clear that we are to build each other up with both our words and actions, and when we do, a beautiful house of the Lord emerges!

September 9, 2025

The meekness of wisdom

corn fields under white clouds with blue sky during daytime

James spoke about wisdom that comes from above and he clearly said, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13 ESV). Let him show his works in the humility (meekness) of wisdom. That’s a powerful statement. Wisdom is humble. It’s mild. Wisdom doesn’t get in people’s faces or tear others down.

In fact, James calls earthly “wisdom” unspiritual and demonic. Earthly wisdom is when people have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. And, “where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (vs. 16). Jealousy and selfish ambition are clearly condemned. They lead to disorder and vile practices. There is zero room for jealousy and self gain at the cost of others. Zero.

James counters this with what Godly wisdom is: “But the wisdom above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (vs. 17). This is quite the opposite of jealousy and selfish ambition. Godly wisdom puts others first. It has the fruit of the Spirit. When we use wisdom from above, the results are tremendous: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (vs. 18). Let us be peacemakers who rely on our wisdom from above!

September 3, 2025

The sin of partiality

James, the brother of Jesus, wrote at length about partiality. Perhaps this was partially influenced by intimately knowing Jesus, and how he went out of his way to minister to the poor, the lame, and the blind. Whatever the reason, James is clear: “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1 ESV). Then he gave an example of two people coming into the assembly; one wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and the other poor and wearing shabby clothing.

James says that it is wrong to put the rich man at a seat of honor while telling the poor man to “sit over there.” James went on to say: “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (vs. 5). But, in this example, the church chose the rich man who oppresses over the poor man who is an heir of the kindom.

He warns the Christians of walking a fine line to the point that he says, “If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (vs. 9). Partiality is a sin, and the Lord’s church has no room for it. If the church is going to grow, we need to embrace people of all kinds of backgrounds and show hospitality. When we do this, we become the hands and the feet of Jesus!