The Song of a Soul Set Free- Psalm 32
It has been very well said throughout the years that sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go. Sin will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay. Sin will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay. Sin will require of you more than you ever wanted to give. In our modern culture, the word sin is rarely, if ever, used. However, God’s Word speaks plainly to the idea of sin. Sin is the…
Prepare for the feast!
Growing up on the farm, Sunday dinner (city people call it lunch) was always a treat. Mom threw out all stops as the table was overflowing with homemade dishes she had cooked during the early morning hours before we left for worship services. I called Sunday dinner FEAST DAY, as my entire family gathered at our house after worship service for this grand meal. Today is the kickoff for our SPIRITUAL FEAST DAYS as our elders have lined up a…
KFC & Jr. Jam
This has been a strange and weird time for everyone, especially our young groups. We all have gotten very comfortable with summer fun, weeks of camp, VBS and evangelistic efforts to other states. When the pandemic of COVID 19 hit our nation and the subsequent quarantine, everything changed. It is important to live after the following motto: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” Under this motto, we reinvented the wheel. Every Tuesday morning for the past two months, we…
Who might you encourage this week?
II Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord…
How do you see others?
This past week I was recording the MANNA IN THE MORNING classes that will run just after our upcoming ‘Virtual PTP: God’s Vision for Hot Springs’ and the text was the last chapters of Acts. Acts 26:25-27 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things…
How is your commitment level?
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” ESV For one of our online Bible video classes last week I spoke about the need for commitment to the Lord. In the passage above Jesus is pointing out that our commitment level to Him must be higher than any other. He must be number…
Life After Death
I guess eternal life has been a much-debated issue for centuries. In fact, Socrates said, “All men’s souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are both immortal and divine.” Aristotle said, “Whatsoever that be within us that feels, thinks, desires, and animates, is something celestial, divine, and, consequently, imperishable.” Job said after his body was destroyed he would see God. (Job 19:24-25). Jesus assured us of life after death in John 11:25-26. Many ask before entering into anything…
Sharing the Bible
Over the past, almost four months of doing the BIBLE INVESTIGATION class, the questions have run the gauntlet from emotional (“My family died in a tornado. Where was your God when I needed him most?”) to searching (“What does God want me to do with my life?”) to accusative (“What about all the contradictions and mistakes in the Bible?” – that question is coming up in August). The flood of questions coming in for our BIBLE INVESTIGATION class tells me…
Can a man stand before a Holy God justified?
The answer is an emphatic YES! However, to understand this question in its fullness, we need to understand the question and how our God answers that question in His Holy Word. Let us take some time and explore the question. Can a man stand before a Holy God justified? What is meant by man? The word anthropos is the word in question. It means the totality of mankind; male and female. This word also includes EVERY race of men. Mankind can…
Unsung Heroes
In so many ways ministering here at 70 West is so easy. I’m surrounded by encouraging folks who give many pats on the back, even when I do not deserve them. When you are working in the spotlight where people see you, it’s natural for your service to be acknowledged. But how about those folks who are serving but not in the spotlight? It’s easy to overlook them. It’s easy to take them for granted. It’s easy to fail to…
What then?
A young boy and his grandfather were in a conversation one day. The conversation was revolving around future plans. The grandfather asked, “What will be after High School for you?” The boy replied, “College.” So the old man said “What then?” Thinking hard, the boy said, “Marriage?!?” The Grandfather said, “What then?” “Kids, I think” replied the boy. “What then?” said grandfather. The boy started getting frustrated. He said, angrily, “Work for about 25 years.” Then the retort of the…
An Update About Our Online Classes
Thanks so much for making our online video Bible lessons (Manna in the Morning, Two Minutes that can Make a Difference in Your Life, Message of Hope, and Bible Investigation) such big successes. The viewership remains constant and that is because of YOU. YOU have shared these messages with your Facebook friends by clicking on SHARE and SHARE NOW, thus increasing our potential audience. Thanks for the helpful SHARES, the encouraging LIKES, and the many great COMMENTS. Looking for a…