A very dear friend of mine, wonderful preacher, licensed therapist, and brother in Christ, Lonnie Jones used a statement some years ago in a lesson designed to reach younger souls that has stuck with me ever since…and I think it is just as valuable to us “older” folks as well and maybe you will agree. Here is the phrase:
Read MoreYou must decide which you want…is it what you want most, or what you want right now.
“Death & Life Are in the Power of the Tongue” (Prov. 18:21). “Watch your words & Hold Your Tongue; You’ll save yourself a lot of grief” (Prov. 21:23, The Message Paraphrase)
Read MoreOftentimes, we hear this particular statement relating to assembling to worship together. Unfortunately, it has also been used to alleviate the idea that we need to worship TOGETHER as a group of like-minded individuals as the church. So…was Jesus wrong in stating this? Well, we must look at the context of the verse to see why it really doesn’t mean what some may think that it means! Study along…
Read MoreA while back I did a topical study of the Book of Proverbs that I thought was a very helpful way to study this Book. Here is the first lesson in that series on Anger.
Read MoreThe Kind of Preaching You Should Expect
Those who preach the gospel of Christ don’t get to decide what kind of preaching is acceptable. As the apostle Paul’s life was nearing the end, he gave Timothy instructions that guide us on what kind of preaching we should expect from those who proclaim God’s Word.
Read MoreTheir journeys to the baptistry both began as young as 8 and 9 years old. You see both became denominational Christians at those ages. Their hearts were sincere with belief and they did exactly the steps they were told. Fast forward, they are married and continue following the traditions that they were raised in, the Southern Baptist Church.
Read MoreIn our world, the Bible is often laughed at, mocked, and ridiculed. In our schools, children are taught that evolution is correct and Genesis 1:1 is only a myth. Even among many preachers, the validity and authenticity of the Bible is in doubt. However, the Bible claims that it is fully inspired. Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16).
Read MoreThe Holy Spirit says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Heb. 9:22). The Old Testament Levitical system was a very bloody system (Lev. 1-5). For every sin, there was a blood sacrifice to be offered (Lev. 4:1-12). Yet, the Scripture records that the blood of bulls and goats could never really take away sin (Heb. 10:3-4). How thankful we should be that Jesus was willing to shed His blood once for sin so that the sin problem would have a permanent solution (Heb. 10:12). Notice just how important the blood of Christ is to our salvation.
Read MoreIn today’s society, we often hear things that are not customary to scripture. There is violence that is condoned, gender confusion, sexual deviation, dishonesty and this list could go on and on regarding the immorality of our world. But what about God’s people? Those whom have done what God has commanded to do…but, they take it upon themselves to make a decision or simply take the seat of God in judgment to say that “it is okay, God wants me happy?”
Read MoreDo you ever feel like you need to do more for the cause of Christ? Does the feeling that you aren’t everything you need to be trouble you? Maybe these feelings are something you struggle with every day. I have a friend who constantly struggles with this problem. He would often get discouraged by the feeling of imperfection and deeply distressed over the fact that he just didn’t feel like he was doing enough in the kingdom. As I thought about his situation and the inward struggle that each of us faces, I wondered “Are these feelings of imperfection a good or bad thing”?
Read MoreThe title says it all. Sin. That is what has been on my mind…well, not the actual sin itself, but the idea of sin. From the very time that man first sinned in the Garden of Eden, until today…and even into the future, sin lives on, and it is our worst enemy at work.
Read More“It’s my life and I’ll do what I want!” Perhaps the tune reverberates through your mind as you recall the 1965 song recorded by the Animals, or several newer renditions covered by various bands. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the much newer “The Heart Wants What it Wants” by Selena Gomez? But do these hit singles really reflect the truth?
Read MoreTo illustrate the power of our influence an Old Korean Proverb says, “Power lasts ten years, influence not more than a hundred.” Sometimes we may think, “Am I influencing anyone? The question asked is really a faulty one. It’s not IF we are influencing anyone, but HOW are we influencing them. All of us are an influence on others either for good, bad, or indifference. What type of influence should a Christian possess? Let’s notice what God says.
Read MoreA few months ago, I posted an article regarding the method of evangelism seen in the gospels. In particular, we talked about the efforts of those that Jesus had taught and sent out…and the reward of evangelism that they saw in that Jesus told them to “Rejoice not in these things, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” What a beautiful passage…but there is more to learn.
Read More“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether” (Psalm 139:1-4).
Read MoreHere we are…once again at the end of a year. A year that may have been prosperous for you individually…or it may have been challenging in one way or another. In some ways, all of us can say that we have been prosperous, can we not? We have lived yet another day on this earth and we are alive and somewhat well enough to even read this article. And then…some of us may have had the absolute worst financial, emotional, physical…and maybe even spiritual years we have ever had.
Read More"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). With these words our Lord teaches us the folly of material wealth and the splendor of heavenly riches. There are many worldly temptations that the Devil throws before us each day: money, power, luxuries, etc,. Jesus clearly teaches us that none of these are more important than our eternal soul. Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Mk. 8:36-37). Nothing is more important than your soul! Notice several reasons why we must not put our focus on earthly treasures.
Read MoreEvangelism. You may have heard this word many times and not really understand the meaning behind it. After all, you will not find the word evangelism in your Bibles. But, the concept is definitely there, and we must understand the significance and the importance of utilizing evangelism in our day and time.
Read More“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5). With the recent Thanksgiving holiday upon us, many are counting their blessings. But shouldn’t thanksgiving be an everyday event instead of a once a year holiday. To the child of God, everyday is a day of thanksgiving. But, what should we thank God for?
Read MoreEach and every day, we are faced with battles, trials and temptations. Some wars we engage in are against ourselves, others, or even circumstances that exist around us. Many times, we can feel like we are losing our battles. Whether they be emotional, spiritual, or even moral battles we cans often feel vulnerable and desperate. The good news is that we have someone on our side who helps us in every battle that we face. We have someone who is "able to deliver" and someone who "helps in time of need."
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