Happy New Year!
We often use this time of year to notice some things in our personal life that need to change– good or bad. We take the opportunity to restart or revamp our daily schedule and daily habits. It seems like the perfect time to do so. While our physical bodies and life need to be addressed from time to time, so does our spiritual life. We are given that opportunity each time we meditate in the Word of God. Today let’s…
It Doesn’t Say NOT To…
Imagine this: you walk into a fast-food restaurant and order a hamburger, fries, and a coke – the all-American meal! But then, you notice that it seems to take an unusually long time to get your food. Finally, the gal at the counter brings up your order – piles of food on three separate trays! “What’s all of this?” you ask. “Well,” answers the waitress, “it’s one of every item on our menu. Your bill comes to $85.68.” You protest:…
I Really Had No Clue…
I really had no clue that I was going to die today. I hadn’t scheduled it or set a reminder. It wasn’t something I had even been thinking about. Yet, here I am, dead. I knew eventually it would happen, but not like this. I had wanted to go peacefully in my sleep at some undetermined but appropriate age—at an age when I had all my affairs in order, nothing left undone or unsaid. I wanted to go out with…
The Answer to Racism
I try to do as the Apostle Paul did, to preach the whole counsel of God.” I try to preach that every man ought to love every other man on this Earth; that if there is any answer to the racism we find in the world, it is in the religion of Jesus Christ; that the gospel has the great purpose of drawing all men into one body, that we may all be one in Christ, no matter whether you…
Singing, Humming, Whistling?
Just a few years ago no member of the church known to me would have contended that humming would be acceptable in Christian worship. Yet, some time ago I received a phone call from a preacher in another state; and during our conversation, he stated that he was disturbed that a well known song director had recently visited in his section of the country, and while there participated in a worship service, during which he sang a solo while the…
Praying in Faith
The Bible says that we should “Pray without ceasing” (1Th.5:17). Those prayers can be “effective” (Jm.5:16) – or, by implication, ineffective. One thing that is necessary to make our prayers effective, is to pray in faith (Jm.1:6). In fact, if we don’t pray in faith, we need not expect an answer from God (v.7)! But what does it mean to pray in faith? What kinds of things are involved in this admonition? Let’s examine some of them here. We must…
Not Just a Book for Preachers
Some seem to have the idea that the Bible is only a book for preachers to find a text in. I have known some preachers whose sermons showed that is what they thought. They selected a text and never got back to it or else paid no attention to its context. Preachers have no monopoly on understanding the Bible. Preachers gain a knowledge of the Bible in the same way as anyone else, through study. It is a mistake to…
The Existence of God
Where did God come from? Most everyone knows the Christian’s response to this question: “God is eternal. He did not ‘come from’ anywhere.” Although atheists may think that this answer is unscientific and merely an attempt to avoid the question, in truth, observation and reason declare otherwise. The question “Where did God come from?” (or “What caused God?”) assumes that God had a cause. However, by definition, an eternal spirit (“the everlasting God”) cannot logically have a cause. Asking about…
What is the Value?
A young set of parents were discussing how they wanted to raise their child. They ultimately settled on the fact that they would let the child make his own choices- good, bad, or indifferent. They figured that the child would probably make some good decisions and some bad ones. They also thought as the poor choices were made, the child would learn from that and change. So, through the years, the child never brushes his teeth, never ate well, nor…
What We Need in the Church Today
More knocking on doors and less knocking on each other. The great commission demands that we busy ourselves in taking the gospel to others (Mark 16:5). The Bible says, “speak not evil on of another” (James 4:11). It is so much better to be busy doing good rather than evil. More sound heads and fewer soreheads. Perhaps there has never been a time in the history of the church in which we have had a greater need for men sound…
God’s Plan for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure! That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss! The Father turns His face away; As wounds which marred the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory. Behold the man upon a cross: My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there…
Come unto ME
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This is the invitation given to mankind by the Savior of all. This invitation was given to us by the grace and mercy of God. Notice…