Posts from 2024

The first century church came together on the first day of every week to worship God, and a commanded, regular discipline of their worship was purposeful giving. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. (1…

When we found out we were expecting our first child, we were thrilled. Kerry’s excitement immediately turned to wanting to pick names and nursery decorations. My excitement immediately turned to an overwhelming weight that now I was responsible for a wife and a child! I finally told Kerry, “The Good Lord in His wisdom gave a baby 9 months to fully develop in the womb, and I think part of that was to give people like me a little time…

Happy “Fall Back” Sunday! We should all be fully refreshed and rested for worship today since we all took advantage of our “extra hour” last night! Right!!?? Many people aren’t big fans of the “time change” system that is still being used in our country, but I definitely prefer what we encounter in the Fall over what we have in the Spring. And, from a worship service standpoint, I especially prefer the “Fall Back.” You may not regularly discipline yourself…

“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.” John 12:20-22 (NKJV) Greeks, who apparently were proselytes to Judaism, had come to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. They wanted to see Jesus. This interaction is believed to have taken…

God has always had His special servants. In the case of entering the land of Palestine, the Levites were given forty-eight cities (Jos. 21:3,41). God put these Levites out among the people so that they could serve the nation as a whole. They assisted some of the time at the tabernacle, but in the main, they served as assistants or servants of the entire nation. We are not surprised to see God manifesting His great concern for His entire nation…

We are thankful to be back home with you today, but also very appreciative of the time to be away. This trip was a combination of some final details related to my mother’s death, the chance to be spiritually fed and renewed at Harding’s Lectureship, and the chance to spend a few days catching our breath and recharging emotionally and physically after quite the world-wind of life-events over the last few months. We were blessed to be able to be…

We cannot be certain who wrote Psalm 116. It would be easy enough to attribute it to David. But, we can be certain that whoever wrote the psalm asked himself a very important question. Here it is: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12) The writer, like the rest of us, had the ability to look at his life and appreciate what he knew had been given to him. Unlike some, who…

I once asked a group of teenagers to describe “new” for me – give a mental description. One student’s reply: “New is like a beach with clean, white sand. No one is there – no footprints, no trash – the only marks that will be visible are the ones you now make.” What a beautiful thought – what a beautiful scene – what a beautiful opportunity! What’s more – this is exactly the opportunity God has placed before each one…

We usually get pretty indignant when we realize that someone has “used us,” don’t we? Read the following verse two or three times and spend some time thinking about what Paul is saying to the Christians at Philippi. “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” Philippians 2:17 He is saying, “In order for your sacrifice to be…

“God Is So Good” For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5   A very popular hymn right now is entitled, The Goodness of God. It begins… I love You, Lord O h Your mercy never fails me All my days I’ve been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh I will sing of the goodness of God All my…

“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.” (Psalm 66:16–20) We must remember…

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 God’s word gives us a clear view of the life to which God calls us. God wants His people to prosper and has promised true/ eternal blessings if we will abide in Him, and by His commandments. We do not need to wander down dark alleys of disillusionment and disappointment in which so many in our world grope. The Light of the World, Jesus…