Author: Rev. David Gray

Few sins carry the weight, shame, and devastation of infidelity. Moreover, adultery destroys trust, shatters families, and leaves both parties wondering if there’s any path forward. Indeed, whether you’re the one who cheated or the one who was betrayed, you’re probably asking questions that keep you up at night: If I cheated: Can God really forgive me for this? Have I destroyed my relationship with God? Is there any hope for redemption? If I was betrayed: Should I forgive my spouse? Does the Bible require me to stay? How do I move past this pain? These aren’t theoretical questions—they’re gut-wrenching,…

“Kumbaya” might be one of the most recognizable songs in the world—and also one of the most misunderstood. Moreover, it’s become synonymous with naive idealism, campfire sing-alongs, and superficial unity. Indeed, the phrase “kumbaya moment” is often used mockingly to describe overly optimistic or simplistic approaches to serious problems. However, this dismissive attitude completely misses the profound spiritual depth and painful historical context of this song. Furthermore, “Kumbaya” isn’t a shallow campfire tune—it’s a powerful African American spiritual born from suffering, oppression, and desperate prayer. Today, we’re diving deep into the true origins of “Kumbaya,” what it really means, how…

That knot in your stomach won’t go away. Moreover, the pieces aren’t adding up. Your partner’s behavior has changed—late nights at work, secretive phone habits, emotional distance, unexplained absences. Furthermore, your gut is screaming that something’s wrong, but you don’t have proof. If you’re reading this, you’re probably in one of the most painful positions a person can experience: suspecting the person you love is being unfaithful. Indeed, the uncertainty might be even worse than knowing for sure. Additionally, you’re torn between wanting to find out the truth and being terrified of what you’ll discover. Whether you’re married, in a…

Countless Christians are trapped in relationships that are slowly destroying them. Moreover, they’re asking the same desperate question: “I know God hates divorce, but what do I do when my marriage is killing me?” It’s a fair question. Furthermore, it deserves an honest, biblical answer—not religious platitudes or simplistic advice that sounds spiritual but leaves people drowning in dysfunction. At Higher Praise, we believe in giving you Scripture-based truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Today, we’re going to talk about toxic relationships and marriages from a biblical perspective. Additionally, we’ll address when to fight for a relationship, when to set boundaries,…

Jesus told some uncomfortable stories. Moreover, the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 is one of the most unsettling passages in all of Scripture. Indeed, it’s a story that makes wealthy people squirm, challenges our priorities, and forces us to confront realities we’d rather avoid—specifically, the existence of hell, the permanence of our choices, and our responsibility toward those in need. In my years of preaching, I can tell you this: people don’t like this parable. Nevertheless, they need it. Furthermore, we all need it, because Jesus didn’t tell this story to make us comfortable—He told…

Your business is barely holding on. Meanwhile, your marriage feels like it’s hanging by a thread. Additionally, your kids won’t listen to anything you say. The house needs repairs you can’t afford. Furthermore, you’re two months behind on the mortgage. And just when you think it can’t get worse, your car breaks down in the middle of rush hour. You’re not imagining it—everything really is falling apart at the same time. I’ve pastored long enough to know this isn’t unusual. In fact, there are seasons in life when troubles don’t come one at a time like polite dinner guests. Instead,…

I’ve been a pastor for over 40 years, and I can tell you without hesitation: this is the question that keeps people up at night. It’s the one that makes believers doubt and skeptics dismiss faith altogether. “If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow suffering?” Over the years, I’ve sat in hospital rooms with parents watching their children die. Additionally, I’ve held the hands of cancer patients who served God faithfully their entire lives. Furthermore, I’ve counseled marriages destroyed by betrayal, families shattered by addiction, and good people crushed by circumstances they never deserved. And honestly? I’ve…

The Lord’s Prayer stands as Christianity’s most recognized prayer. Billions of believers have recited these words across two thousand years. Churches repeat it weekly. Children memorize it. Yet many who can quote it perfectly struggle to understand what they’re actually saying. Jesus didn’t give this prayer as a magic formula to repeat. He offered it as a model, a template showing how to approach God. When His disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray,” Jesus responded with these profound yet simple words found in Matthew 6:9-13. The Context: How Not to Pray Before giving the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus addressed two…

You’ve probably heard the term “reformed” used in Christian circles. Maybe someone mentioned they attend a Reformed church, or you’ve seen books about Reformed theology. But what does reformed actually mean? The word gets thrown around in different ways, and that can create confusion. Some use it narrowly to describe a specific set of beliefs about predestination. Others use it broadly to describe any church that came out of the Protestant Reformation. Understanding what “reformed” means requires looking at history, theology, and practice. The Historical Roots The term “reformed” traces back to the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, when church leaders like…

Every ministry leader eventually faces it: the board member who undermines decisions, the influential family resisting change, the finance committee questioning every expenditure, or the worship team divided over music styles. Welcome to church dynamics. Church politics refers to the power dynamics, relationships, and competing agendas within your congregation. It happens whenever people gather to make decisions. Different members have different visions, priorities, and levels of influence. These dynamics exist in every organization, but churches add another layer: everyone involved believes they’re following God’s will. Understanding Church Dynamics Church politics arise whenever people gather to make decisions. Many pastors leave…