Many of you have heard me talk about the man I refer to as “Uncle Eustace” over the years. He is actually my dad’s uncle and has been a faithful preacher of the gospel for many decades. At the time of this writing, Eustace is 95 and still happy in Jesus. As a young preacher,…
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The First Family of the New Testament Jesus Himself said of one man that there was no greater man born of woman. The first great character we are introduced to in the New Testament is John the Baptist. He stands head and shoulders above so many other Bible characters. The Holy Spirit chose to emphasize…
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Editor’s note: The following article contains an address by Dr. Larry Clayton on enduring afflictions in ministry. This faithful evangelist has been preaching for over 70 years in dozens of nations around the world. He speaks from a place of faithfulness, experience, and a deep knowledge of God’s Word. Along with his remarks is a…
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The Responsibility of Leadership The study of leadership is one that is as conflicted as it is popular. There is often more discussion and debate about leadership than there is real demonstration of it. Like every subject, what we believe about the life and influence of a leader should be guided by what God teaches…
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Paul’s Farewell Address In 2 Timothy chapter 1, we come to Paul’s farewell address—his final letter written to his son in the faith. Sitting in a cold Roman prison cell, taking pen in hand, he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In this final epistle, he introduces us to a man who appears…
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As I write these words, Tammy and I have just returned from several extended ministry trips. I am grateful that she can travel with me most of the time now, and the Lord is good to allow us to serve together. The last three months have been extremely busy with 95 services in 12 states.…
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You Have to Work Hard to Keep it Simple He was an engineer who had been responsible for the invention of things too intricate for me to understand. Yet the message he conveyed to me was one that I not only understood, I needed to hear. Many years ago, over a meal in a city…
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Discouragement is rampant these days. Spiritual warfare has intensified, and the battle for truth, righteousness, and souls has never been fiercer. It should be a reminder to us that victory is soon! The battle is always hottest just before it is won. And until the fight is finished, we must seek to encourage ourselves and…
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There are two books in our Bible that are named after women who were greatly used by God. Both of them reveal the sovereign purpose of the Lord and the beautiful way He uses those who simply believe and obey Him. In Esther we have a thrilling record of the providence and protection of God.…
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In a small New Testament book, we find a short account of a runaway named Onesimus. His entire story comprises just one page of the New Testament: the little book of Philemon. It is an amazing account, one filled with the grace, mercy, and goodness of our God. Someone may say, ‘Well, I thought the…
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Scripture Memory Improves Spiritual Memory There are all types of memory. You may have an extremely good long term memory, or perhaps your short term memory is better. This is different for every person — and it is often different at varying stages in life! There is one type of memory that all of us…
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Joy on the Journey I have always enjoyed travel. As a boy, I had the opportunity to visit many wonderful places with my dad and mom. However, one thing about travel has changed for me. Like most young people, I was always anxious to “get there.” The anticipation of what we would do once we…
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Lessons God is Teaching Me about My Family My kids are growing up so quickly. We are entering a new season as “empty-nesters.” I feel like I am getting old so quickly! Life moves along at a rapid pace, and God is teaching me many things. I am not the husband or father that I…
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A Biblical Perspective on Israel One of the most hotly debated topics right now is the nation of Israel. If we do not use discernment, we can allow political agendas or current events to color our understanding of what God says in Holy Scripture. It should be the exact opposite; we must always begin with…
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Begin Your Study of the New Testament The most important journeys should always be planned before you set out on a long adventure. Chart your course! We have charted a course through the Old Testament in a previous study. As you begin your study of the New Testament books in the Bible, there are several…
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A Few Reflections on My 50th Birthday A half a century. How is that possible? I look at my children and wonder how they got that old…then I look in the mirror and wonder how I got that old! (Tammy is the only one in the family not aging it seems.) Rarely do I write…
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Thank God for Teachers! The average student will spend nearly 15,000 hours in their kindergarten-to-twelfth-grade education. Thousands of hours are spent under various teachers. Those influences matter. We should thank God and pray for the wonderful teachers that God has placed into the lives of our children, especially as we consider the powerful influence teachers…
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Our Greatest Need — Thoughts on Prayer Over the last several weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting so many praying people. I have been honored and humbled to meet people whom I do not know and hear them say, “I pray for you every day.” Never in my life have I felt more…
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Great Expectations Charles Dickens’ classic novel Great Expectations is on my Kindle. I must confess that I have read and stopped reading the story several times through the years. It is a strange book. Pip, the young orphan in the tale, provides insight into the ambition of the human heart. We all have it. Great expectations.…
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Journey Through 3 John The little letter of 3 John is the shortest book in the New Testament. It only has 299 words. But its message is powerful. Let us journey through 3 John and see what God wants to teach us. Listen: Journeying through 3 John Unchanging Truth for Men As you open your…
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Journey Through 2 Thessalonians At different phases in your journey of life, God provides specific messages for you. “Truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). What is true yesterday is true today. It will be true forever. But at particular times in life, there are certain messages that you need to hear. A good illustration…
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Begin Your Study of the Old Testament The most important journeys should always be planned before you set out on a long adventure. Chart your course. As you begin your study of Old Testament books in the Bible, there are several truths to take with you. * NOTE: Be sure to visit our Journey Through…
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Journey Through 2 Peter Do you have a good memory? Everyone’s memory works differently. Some people excel in short-term memory, while others are more adept at long-term memory. Memory is a gift, and some people are more gifted than others. Memory is like a muscle; we must exercise it. A walk through 2 Peter reveals…
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Journey Through Revelation We come now to the closing, climactic Revelation of Jesus Christ. It has a host of comparisons with Genesis, the first book of the Bible, as well as some contrasts: In Genesis, God creates the sun. In Revelation, there will be no need for the sun, for Jesus is the light. In…
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Journey Through 2 John We have been journeying through Scripture, and we come now to the one New Testament letter that was written to a woman and her children. It is the little book of 2 John. 2 John 1 says, “The elder,” that is John, “unto the elect lady and her children, whom I…
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Seven Principles for Young Believers Seeking Direction The Urgency of Youth Youth is hard to define. When does it end? Suddenly, without warning it is gone and…where did it go? Flipping through an old poetry book recently, I found one poem that captured my attention on the subject. The Flight of Youth by Richard Henry Stoddard…
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Those who love Christ should have a special love for their own people and a desire to see them come to the truth (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1). I do love the Lord and I love the country where God sovereignly allowed me to be born. I love America. A Critical Time for America These are critical…
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The What, Who, and Why of Thankfulness WHAT Are You Thankful For? Some time ago my wife challenged each member of our family to share three things for which we were grateful each night as we went to bed. It is easy to say the same things again and again (and hope that no one…
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8 Words That Have Helped Me Redeem the Time We all have 1,440 minutes in a day. Try as you might, it is impossible to add time! It is possible, however, to make a wiser investment of the time that you have. Paul was led of the Holy Spirit to tell us twice about “redeeming…
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A Few Remarks On Reading As a boy my parents encouraged me to read. Without such encouragement, television, video games, and other distractions are apt to keep a young person away from the riches found in a good book. My sixth grade teacher took a special interest in me. Mr. Hess would often have me…
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Journey Through Jude Imagine a bookshelf with several books on it. On each end of that row of books are bookends holding them up. A starting point and an ending point. As we have journeyed through the New Testament, there are multiple letters. These are epistles. On each end of these books that detail for…
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A Conversation About Pastoral Transition Life is full of transitions, and ministry is no exception. In a sense, every minister is an “interim” minister because we are all just passing through! Like a relay race, God’s men in every generation are called on to faithfully carry the baton and pass it on to those coming…
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Living By Faith Living in the Parenthesis A parenthesis is a peculiar thing. Parentheses are used by writers to set apart information that they want you to know but do not feel is essential. The material in parentheses could be dropped without damaging the overall story, but it makes a contribution. Not so with Scripture.…
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Journey Through Titus The island of Crete was known as a barbarous place. It was full of people who were liars and corrupt. Morality there was at an absolute low. In the midst of that place, God built a church. I am glad God always has a people! God is taking out a people for…
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Journey Through James Our journey through Scripture brings us to James. This book is often referred to as “The Proverbs of the New Testament.” There are a couple of reasons for this. One, James emphasizes wisdom from above. It shows us the divine, heavenly wisdom that we all need. The other reason is that it…
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Finding God’s Choice for Your Life’s Mate “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8). Everywhere I go, I am approached by young adults who want to serve God during their single years. While Scripture teaches that some people are…
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How to Handle Criticism and Accusation Over forty million people in the United States live in what they consider to be a state of constant fear. One million of them live in such fear that they will not leave their homes. Doctors have now named fears such as “ablutohobia” – the fear of bathing, “cacophobia”…
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The Old, The New, The Eternal Truth is not “old,” and truth is not “new.” God’s truth is rooted in His eternal character. Truth is eternal! And the same truth preached in ancient times is applicable in our day. When you hold the Bible in your hand, you have millennia of divine revelation, recorded for…
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Victories and Defeats We all experience victories and defeats in our lives. They are inevitable. God is working, and Satan is fighting. At Enjoying the Journey, we are grateful to see people saved and surrendering their lives to serve the Lord on a weekly basis. Our ETJ team has the privilege of working on many…
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Journey Through Hebrews It seems that everybody is looking for something better – a better life, a better job, a better family situation, a better place to live, a better car, better health, better benefits…better everything. The whole world seems to long after something better. One book in Scripture reveals a better way. The book…
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Integrity: The Importance of a Good Name Many years ago, I was driving through the town I grew up in with my mother in the front seat and my sister in the back seat. I was driving too fast. My mother (the “prophetess”) spoke evil into my life! As soon as the words came out…
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Journey Through Joel We know very little about the prophet Joel. We know the name of his father, and we know that he lived in Judah. Outside of that, nothing else is known of him. His name is such a common name that it is used for at least 12 different people in the Bible.…
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Thank God for Pastors Thank the Lord for faithful preachers of God’s Word. We need them more than ever, and we need more of them! As I travel, my appreciation for the Lord’s servants grows. Most pastors are not well known; many are carrying a load no one knows about. They are shepherds. I am…
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The Household of Faith: Unity in the Family of God Family was God’s idea. It is the perfect expression of the Heavenly Father’s heart. “God setteth the solitary in families.” (Psalm 68:6) From the beginning, He knew that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). And yet in our sin-cursed world,…
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Journey Through Colossians One of the great principles of Bible study is comparing Scripture with Scripture. As someone has suggested, the greatest commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself, and I truly believe that. We have come in our study now in our journey to the book of Colossians. There is much we can…
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Do you love mornings? I have never considered myself a true morning person. In fact, I have always envied those people who seem to rise cheerfully “a great while before day.” Yet the older I get, the more the quiet of the early morning hours means to me. I have come to realize the power…
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We are blessed each week to hear from listeners about their favorite studies and what God is doing in their lives. But our next series may not be for you… If you do not want to be challenged to become everything God saved you to be, don’t listen to this series! If you are content…
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Staying and Leaving: Following God’s Leading in Hard Times A friend and I were enjoying a time of fellowship together some time ago. During the conversation, I asked about a man who had been a pastor in the town where I was visiting. The answer was all too familiar — he was no longer in…
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Journey Through 2 Timothy God is so very good to give us faithful ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am a minister, but let me testify as a Christian and as a church member. I am so grateful for the faithful pastors whom I have been under. People who have loved the Lord,…
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Journey Through 1 Timothy I had the privilege of growing up in a pastor’s home. Not only that, but I also served under the same pastor for nearly two decades of my life. Now, every week of my life, I am with different pastors. I love preachers. If you have a faithful pastor, you ought…
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Journey Through Amos I grew up in the hill country, in the mountains, and so I am partial to them. If I had to identify with an Old Testament prophet, it would be Amos – he was from the hill country. Let’s begin our journey and see what God has for us from the pen…
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Thoughts for a Dynamic Devotional Life Every generation requires true men of God who carry on the work of the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit. An entry in the journal of Henry Martyn reads, “Let me be taught that the first great business on earth is the sanctification of my own soul.” George Müller said, “The…
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Journey Through Philippians Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? On our journey, we come to my favorite today. The Enjoying the Journey broadcast began with a study of Philippians. We have spent a lot of time in it. Let us begin our journey through Philippians. Listen: Journeying through Philippians Overview of Philippians…
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Journey Through Obadiah Many years ago, I was traveling in Jordan, and we were training preachers of the Word of God. It was an amazing time. Before I left the country, the Jordanian pastor who was hosting me said, “I want to show you a few of the sights.” So, he took my father and…
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10 Recommendations for Local Church Youth Ministries In many seasons of my life, I have had the joy of being involved in youth ministry in some way. It is the passion of my life to point another generation to the Lord Jesus and His truth. I am more convinced than I have ever been that…
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Journey Through Galatians 2 Timothy 3:16 says that God’s Word is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We are looking at the Epistle to the Galatians, but I bring up this verse because there is a beautiful order found in it. It is actually the order of the epistles found…
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Journey Through Hosea There is no trouble like family trouble. When families have problems, it is one of the hardest earthly things to deal with. The book we have come to in our series is the Old Testament book of family trouble. It is the book of Hosea. Listen: Journeying through Hosea Overview of Hosea…
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Editor’s Note: This article is a modified transcript of a recent message by Scott Pauley. Connecting Your Gifts to the Gospel The most important thing a person can learn is why God made them. Why are you breathing? Why are you at this moment still living on this planet? The answers are found in 1…
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Over the last few years, I have had the privilege of spending time with a number of church staff members in the places where I have been preaching. This is always a great joy for me. More than eighteen years of my life and ministry were spent as a staff member. Tammy and I were…
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Journey Through Daniel Our journey through Scripture takes us to the final book of the major prophets. It is interesting because it is a very brief book. We will journey through Daniel. Of the five major prophets, Daniel is probably the book with which you are the most familiar. For example, you know the story…
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Journey Through Zechariah The Minor Prophets, for the most part, are fairly brief. That is why they are referred to as Minor Prophets. And yet, the prophet we come to today is the longest of the Minor Prophets. His name is Zechariah. His name actually means the one Jehovah remembers. Aren’t you glad God has…
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Our Lives are a Vapor Winter can be a strange time in Beckley, West Virginia. Snow one hour…sunshine the next. One recent morning, I awoke to see a thick, freezing fog. The Lord reminded me of one of the most powerful verses in Scripture, a reminder to make every day count: “Whereas ye know not…
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Journey Through Habakkuk Every generation is different, yet the need of every generation is the same. Every generation needs a spiritual revival in their generation. I hope your heart today is hungry to see a great spiritual awakening in your own life and your family, in your church, and in our world. Because that is…
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One at a Time Through the years, I have met many interesting people on airplanes. Everyone has a story, and a simple conversation with a stranger can be memorable. I have tried to pray as I board a flight that God would put me next to the person He wants me to get acquainted with.…
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Journey Through Malachi Our journey through Scripture has brought us to the last stop in the Old Testament. We have come to the final Old Testament book, the prophet Malachi. This was a man who was chosen by God at the end of the Old Testament era to give God’s final great message before the…
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Journey Through Nahum Two books of the Bible deal with Nineveh. The first is famous: The Book of Jonah. Two books later, a second prophet deals with the same city and the very same sins. The record is found in the little book of Nahum. Let us journey through Nahum, discover what was happening in…
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Learning from the Ultimate Traveler As many of you know, we spend a good deal of time on the road. Another frequent traveler, the Apostle Paul, once wrote, “all things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21-22). Traveling is a privilege and an opportunity to grow. F.B. Meyer observed that everything is God’s classroom and serves to…
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At Enjoying the Journey, we are truly thankful for the rich heritage of Bible teaching and preaching that has been passed down to us. Christians must believe, apply, and minister the Word of God in the present day, but that is best done with an appreciation for those who stood for truth in previous generations.…
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Journey Through Ezekiel How much do you know about the Book of Ezekiel? That is one of the books of the Bible, and it is probably in the part of your Old Testament where the pages still stick together. When you even mention the name Ezekiel, people get a little scared because they think, “I…
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Everyone Loves A Good Story Communicators in every field have come to understand the significance of stories. During one of my busy travel days, I sat down on an American Airlines flight and picked up a copy of their monthly magazine. The editor’s comments were shown under the title: “The Power of Story.” Everybody loves…
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Journey Through Lamentations The old radio commentator, Paul Harvey, could tell a story like no one could tell a story. And then, right in the middle of it, he would say, “And now for the rest of the story.” The book we have come to on our journey today is just that: it is the…
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Winter brings with it the beauty of fresh falling snow…and sometimes the drudgery of shorter days and cold nights. As a child, I loved winter and the snow days that inevitably accompanied that season. I still love winter and thrill at the sight of a good snow, but the thrill seems to wear off faster…
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Journey Through Song of Solomon The Bible is the greatest love story on earth. There is no love story like the story of God’s love for us. In the Bible, one book stands out above all others as a book primarily about love: the Song of Solomon. We discover much about God and His love…
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Journey Through Proverbs Many years ago, someone told me, “A proverb a day keeps the devil away.” While I am not sure that is entirely true, I do believe a proverb a day helps you know what to do when the devil comes around. My friend, the truth is we all need wisdom for living,…
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Journey Through 2 Chronicles Our journey now takes us through 2 Chronicles. We view life in terms ofthe past, the present, and the future. With God, there is no past, present, or future. He transcends time. God is the I AM. The Lord is the Great Eternal. While we are bound by time, He is…
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12 Ways to Make the Most of Online Meetings About 30 states will be grappling with the effects of a major winter storm in the next few days. We make our home in the mountains of West Virginia, and for many who live in regions like ours, this is just a way of life for…
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Journey Through 1 Chronicles The Book of 1 Chronicles chronicles for us perhaps the longest span of any book of the Bible. For example, the first word of Chronicles is Adam. It goes all the way back to the very beginning, and it covers 3600 years. There are 1500 names in the first nine chapters…
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CBS News has reported several times in recent months on the rise of nondenominational churches. They cite professor and researcher Ryan Burge, who records that more American adults than ever now identify as non-denominational, more than all mainline denominations together. There are more people connected to nondenominational churches than the two largest Protestant denominations –…
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Journey Through 1 Peter In the United States, we know very little about real persecution. Yet, around the world, at this very present hour, millions of believers are suffering and even dying for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have suffered for your faith. Yet, this is nothing new. Persecution has always…
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Journey Through Isaiah What if I could show you one book of the Bible that is, in a very real sense, the Bible in miniature, a microcosm of the entire Bible? That is exactly what we have come to in our journey through Scripture — to the amazing Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament.…
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A decade of life seems to go so quickly, even more so when you are in itinerant work. “Just passing through” becomes a living reality! Ten years ago this month, my family and I entered into full-time evangelism. After two decades in the same local church ministry, God led us to take a step of…
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We know Matthew Henry as a man of the Word. His expositions of Scripture continue to help generations of Bible students. But it is the prayers of a man that truly reveal his heart. The spiritual insight that he demonstrated in his published commentaries was cultivated in the secret place of communion with God. 4…
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You Have Not Passed This Way Before. In Joshua 3, the people of God are on the brink of a new season. They are on the verge of a new day. A new chapter in their story was unfolding. If God lets us live, and Jesus tarries His coming, we too are on the brink…
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“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Memories sometimes magnify the good of past days. At other times, they can diminish what has been enjoyed. But when those memories are rooted…
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Journey Through Job The oldest book of the Bible is not the book of Genesis. Genesis goes back to the very beginning, no doubt, but the oldest book of the Bible predates the writing of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), and that is the Book of Job. It is an interesting…
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As I write these words, I am sitting in my study at home watching snow fall gently on the already blanketed ground outside. I can hear the familiar strain of Bing Crosby’s voice singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” and for the first time this year, I am beginning to feel what…
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Journey Through Joshua Are you living the victorious Christian life today? That is God’s will for every one of His children — not for some of us, but for all of us. Charles Spurgeon said, “There is a point of grace as much above the ordinary Christian as the ordinary Christian is above the world.”…
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Journey Through 1 John Five men in the New Testament bear the name John. The name means “Jehovah is gracious,” but one of them seems to stand head and shoulders above all the rest. Before he became a disciple, he was a fisherman. He was actually a cousin of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their mothers…
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Journey Through Haggai There seems to be a lot of weeping when you read through the Old Testament prophets. And yet, there is a prophet whose name means ‘festive’ — literally, his name means ‘celebration.’ And there is a celebration in the book. We now begin our journey through Haggai. Let us examine this little…
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Journey Through Micah In the 1950s, the Quakers coined an expression. Maybe you have heard it: “speaking truth to power.” We sometimes hear this phrase in different contexts, such as in the news. Perhaps you have heard that phrase recently. It is interesting how things come back around. There is a resurgence of certain ideas…
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Today is the first day of the winter season, according to meteorologists who track winter weather from December through February. The official first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is later this month. At 10:03 a.m. on December 21, the North Pole will tilt to its farthest point from the sun, making it the…
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I have been reading again through the Old Testament historical record of Nehemiah. It is full of names and genealogies, and I am learning to pay attention to the lesser-known characters of Scripture. They often hold a much-needed message for us all. Mattaniah was such a man. Mattaniah in the Book of Nehemiah His name…
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Journey Through Philemon It only takes up one page in our New Testament, yet it is quite a story. In our journey through Scripture, we come now to the letter of Philemon. It only has 25 verses, containing 445 words. It is the shortest letter the Apostle Paul ever wrote, and it has been called…
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The coming holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas reminds us of both the goodness and grace of God. Turkeys and trees, family and festivities, gatherings and gifts are all peripheral to the praise of the Lord. There are only 45 days left in this year. No doubt, they will be busy days filled with the…
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Journey Through Numbers In our journey through Scripture, we have now come to a most interesting book in the Old Testament, the Book of Numbers. Interestingly enough, of all of the books in Scripture, this book truly is the book of the journey. It covers the 40-year wanderings of the children of Israel through the…
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Editor’s Note: This article is a modified transcript of a recent message by Scott Pauley. The timeframe was soon after the public assassination of Charlie Kirk. In it, Scott delves into the eternal truths of Ecclesiastes 7. We trust it will stir and encourage your heart. Lessons Learned At the Funeral Ecclesiastes is a book…
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Journey Through Leviticus A Christian lady was once asked if she had ever read the Bible all the way through. Her response was brutally honest, and frankly, if most of us were honest, we would have to say the same thing. She responded that she had started three times, that she had enjoyed Genesis very…
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Journey Through 2 Corinthians Many years ago, William Burns was asked, “Are you ready to preach?” His answer: “Not yet. I have not yet got a morsel for myself.” Burns understood that his own soul must be fed if he was to pass the bread on to anyone else. Keep that account in mind as…
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It was a sunny, crisp fall day when Tammy and I visited the Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Our trip to the historic cemetery was purposeful – to visit the grave of the prolific songwriter Fanny Crosby. Fanny was the blind author who penned more than 3,000 hymns and poems that are still used…
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Journey Through Jonah Jonah is the one Old Testament minor prophet that almost every child in Sunday School knows. This is the one book that if I asked, “Tell me everything you know about Jonah”, most people could tell me at least the general story they know of that great fish that swallowed Jonah. However,…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
