“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints…” (Jude 3). The Greek word hapax translated “once for all” means that it is “of perpetual […]
The story is told of two chimney sweeps who worked together on an extremely large chimney.
By chance, their security rope snapped and they both banged their way down to the bottom of the chimney. Neither was hurt, but by pure happenstance, each of them rubbed against the chimney differently. One man’s face was covered in soot while the other’s face was unaffected. The man whose face was dirty looked at […]
THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BIBLE
Point #1: There are great similarities of both the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to our Christian Bible… the Constitution often MIRRORS the Bible. I asked one of our town’s most renowned liberals her opinion of Christianity and the Constitution – and I was blown away with her answer — good!! She said well our […]
“PLANNED PUPPYHOOD”
A significant problem in our country is the excess of puppies. Many puppies are unplanned and perhaps unexpected. Sadly, there are many instances where the expenses of additional puppies create a financial hardship upon the entire family. The adoption of unwanted puppies has helped, but there remains a significant excessive number of puppies without loving […]
What My Giving ‘Says’
It is clear that our giving to the Lord reflects our basic attitudes in several important ways. Consider … IF I GIVE NOTHING: I’m really saying, “Let’s close the doors and disband the church”. I take a “free ride” based on what others have given. WHEN I GIVE LESS THAT 10% OF MY INCOME: I […]
The Sin of Murmuring
The word “murmur” is defined as “low, muttered complaints; grumbling.” (Webster). It is condemned by God as being sinful. We are commended to “do all things without murmuring and disputings.” (Philippians 2:16). The apostle Paul warned Christians against this sin in his letter to the Corinthians: “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured […]
Singing Is God’s Idea
I love to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5.19). Perhaps you do too. I was blessed to grow up in an extended family that loved to sing. We sang at home, at family gatherings, in the car, when alone, and of course, at church assemblies. I was privileged to sing in choirs at […]
Three Kinds of Christians
There are three kinds of Christians in any local congregation. Which kind are you? 1) There are those Christians you can always count on. When there is work to be done, when a volunteer is needed, when a need must be met, you can depend on these folks to step forward. They carry their own […]
Need For Specific Preaching
Several years ago I was delivering a lesson on “Distinctive Preaching.” One young preacher in the audience took issue with some points that I made and said, “I just preach principles, I don’t make application. I let each person do that for himself.” I replied, “Don’t you think David was glad that Nathan didn’t do […]
Sometimes It Is Not Enough!
One of the earliest jobs my dad had was teaching school – he began while he was still in his teens, with a one room school in upstate Mississippi. Some of his students in the higher grades were as old and as big as he was, and more than one time he maintained discipline with […]