There is a well-known song that imagines what Christmas must be like in Heaven. In truth, Heaven is one endless season of joy. In that beautiful place the wonder of Christmas does not come just once a year. Years are not counted in that city; it is one endless day – one continuing celebration! At…
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Will You Thank God Tomorrow? Recently, an ad on the front page of the USA Today read, “WHO are you thankful for?” When most of us list the things for which we are most grateful, it is a list of what instead of who. O yes, we say we are thankful for family. But, who…
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Early this morning, I woke up with one phrase on my mind. It is repeated often in the Scripture – a familiar refrain. One psalm in particular uses this powerful statement in every one of its twenty-six verses. The inspired psalmist begins this way, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for…
Read MoreSeveral years ago a dear friend said to me, “You are the kind of person that has a hard time if things don’t turn out the way you think they should.” He was right. The Holy Spirit has brought those words to my mind many times through the years. There are moments in all of…
Read MoreIf your days are like mine they often resemble a whirlwind of people and tasks. Correspondence. Problems. Phone calls. Appointments. Projects. Meetings. Decisions. Life can become very crowded at times! Many times at the end of a very busy day I have pulled into my driveway and been reminded by the Holy Spirit that I…
Read MoreThis week a fine young man sent me a message asking how to keep his mind fixed on Christ while surrounded by so many distractions. It is not an easy question to answer because it is not an easy task to fulfill. It is the battle that all of us fight every day! My response…
Read MoreAs a young man beginning in the ministry I heard my pastor say that one of the most difficult things to discern was what to eliminate. At the time, I was so busy adding things to my life that I did not fully appreciate the truth that he expressed. Through the years I have found…
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3 Things You Could Write Today Writing is work! It takes time and more mental energy than most tasks. I am currently reading the biography of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards was one of the greatest theological minds that America has known, and this is no accident. His father worked diligently for the education of each of…
Read MoreTwo of God’s most blessed servants, one hundred years apart, practiced the same devotional habit. Both George Whitefield and George Mueller read the Bible each day on their knees. This was more than mere form. Their position represented an attitude of humility, reverence, and prayer. God’s revelation demands a response. Scripture should not be approached…
Read MoreOn January 1, 2014 I sat in my study and wrote out ten very specific goals for this year. They have served as reminders to both pray and pursue in many areas of my life. As we draw to the end of June I am reminded that the year is now officially half over. 6…
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Don’t Lose Your Joy! This world is full of joy stealers. Behind them all is a miserable devil whose only delight is to “steal, kill, and destroy.” It is a rare and refreshing thing to meet someone whose mission is to bring the joy of Jesus into other lives. Paul was such a man. In…
Read MoreWe have just returned from a couple of days away with the family. Travels took us to the real “Mayberry” – Mount Airy, North Carolina. The kids – and their daddy! – have watched every episode of The Andy Griffith Show several times through the years. This trip, like the show, was a throw back to…
Read MoreJust a few days ago I stood next to the old pond where my grandpa and I spent so much time together. Lots of memories. Good ones. I remember some of the catfish we pulled out of those waters, but mostly I just remember him. His laugh. His instruction. And his constant patience with me.…
Read MoreAccusations are damaging things. For sure there are times that sin must be addressed and sinners confronted. That is called restoration – at least that is what it should be called. The ministry of reconciliation always has as its goal the restoration of sinners to fellowship with God. Accusations are another thing altogether. Perhaps it…
Read MoreIt is my privilege to work each week with hundreds of middle school, high school, and college age young people. It is fascinating that the older I get the younger they seem! Not long ago (in my mind) I sat where they sit. Making decisions and seeking direction. Recently I spent several days just meeting…
Read More“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Timothy 1:5 To have a Timothy you need a Eunice. Long before the Apostle Paul influenced this young man the sincere faith of…
Read MoreWe were standing in a bookstore surrounded by thousands of good books when I asked the question: “How do you begin writing?” The advice of one of my spiritual fathers that afternoon has been of immeasurable help to me. He said three things. First, get a copy of William Safire’s Fumblerules. I still have that helpful…
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Keeping Your Prayer Life Fresh Good things can get stale. Even our prayer life. One of the great challenges of using a prayer list is not allowing it to become mechanical. How many days I have just gone through the motions! God doesn’t need me to read Him what is on the paper; He wants…
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In a world of strife, peace is a wonderful thing. There is a peace that is connected to truth, and there is a peace that compromises it. Peace can never become the goal; only the God of peace deserves that honor. But when the God of peace rules in a man’s heart, it will show…
Read MoreThe youth rally is not the entire youth ministry, but it is a component part. Like summer camp or Vacation Bible School it serves as an emphasis on the things you are trying to teach young people every week. Most people believe that if you have pizza, interesting props, and prizes to give away you…
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What to Do When You Are Tired We all get tired. Even the Lord Jesus in His perfect humanity experienced weariness. (Read more about that here).The best of men in the greatest of works battle fatigue. Take Elijah for example. No, not the prophet calling down fire from heaven. Not the man enjoying God’s provision…
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Getting More Out of This Sunday’s Sermon Over the last few weeks, I have been in numerous meetings where someone was preaching the Bible. The messages were delivered by different men with varied styles, but in each sermon, I heard the Voice of One far greater than the preacher. When someone preaches the Word of…
Read MoreDo 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. This week a dear friend pointed out…
Read MoreOne of God’s priceless gifts is friendship. Through the years I have begun to learn the lasting value of a true friend. This week I was talking on the phone to a man who has been a constant encouragement to me when the Lord reminded me of this truth. The right kind of friendships form…
Read MoreAnother trip. I am sitting in a hotel room in Fort Worth, Texas tonight. Tomorrow we host an Open House at Crown Southwest and begin a Regional Youth Congress. I have no complaints, only gratitude. Traveling is a privilege and an opportunity to grow. I learn something on every journey and, with Christ, it is…
Read MoreFor the last two decades I have had the joy of being under the same faithful pastor. Recently I spent some time reflecting on what a joy it is just to have a pastor. Growing up in a pastor’s home has helped me to realize that pastors are real people too! They hurt and grieve.…
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There once was a school that had but one rule. (Oh, what a wonderful place that would be!) It is now known as Washington and Lee University and Robert E. Lee was at one time the headmaster of this institution. During his tenure the story is told that only one rule was enforced. It was…
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Lester Roloff used to sing an old gospel song that said, “It’s a battlefield brother, not a recreation room. It’s a fight and not a game! So run if you want to, run if you will. But I came here to stay!” Our generation would much rather have a recreation room. Give us the games,…
Read MoreAmen. It is usually the last word. It is the last word in the model prayer. It is the last word of the Bible. It is found about 30 times in the Old Testament, and at least 50 times in the New Testament. It is a word that should be used by believers who know…
Read MoreRecently I wrote a post on the discipline and joys of staying where God put you. Like the Psalmist David we sometimes feel like we would like a change of scenery and circumstance. He wrote in Psalm 55, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at…
Read MoreIt is often easier to leave. Problems come and we think that is our cue to go. Our transient world tends to promote this idea. “Leave the marriage! Quit the job! Forget the friendship! Find another ministry! Move on and things will get better.” The result is a plethora of broken marriages, empty churches, and…
Read MoreOn Friday, January 24, 2014 the USA Today ran an article on a Texas politician. It opened with these words: “We don’t need a hero.” Perhaps. But there is something in all of us that desperately wants one. Even more, there is a tendency in many of us to think we have to be one.…
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3 Dangers of Technology Overload and What to Do About It Look around you. Heads are bowed. People are quiet. No, they are not praying. They are all looking at the device in their hands! The technological advances of the last few years have placed the whole world in the palm of our hand. And…
Read MoreThe wisest man who ever lived teaches us that “he that walketh with wise men shall be wise” (Proverbs 13:20). Friends have tremendous influence. For many years I have counseled teenagers to choose their friends carefully, not to let their friends choose them. Standing near the midway point of life (at least from my perspective)…
Read MoreTwo of life’s greatest enemies are the past and the future. I cannot change yesterday. I do not yet have tomorrow. And if I am not careful, I will allow the regrets of my past and plans for the future to rob me of God’s precious gift called “today.” We all have a past. The…
Read MoreI like to be liked. So do you! There is a great danger in seeking to please men – desiring to gain their compliments and avoid their criticism. “The fear of man bringeth a snare” (Proverbs 29:25). Living for the praise of men is empty. Accolades and acknowledgment do not bring fulfillment. Beware! Compliments will…
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7 Things to Pray for Your Pastor Everyone expects the pastor to pray for his people. But pastors need prayer too. In fact, they need much prayer. Their responsibility is great. Satan’s attacks are strong. We have made a practice of praying for our Pastor every day. We pray for wisdom, for strength, and protection.…
Read MoreHave you ever wondered why God blesses any of us? One thing is sure. It is not because we deserve it. All of His blessings are mercy. And all of His blessings are for more than our consumption. This consumer crazy culture has affected all of us. “Enjoy! Get all you can! Keep it for…
Read MoreSome of life’s greatest defeats come after great victories. Call it a lack of vigilance, a false sense of your own strength. There are many reasons. Be sure of this: If God is blessing, the devil is fighting! He always opposes what God ordains. The story is told of a young man in Napoleon’s army…
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A Word for Christians about President’s Day President’s Day should be a reminder to pray. To pray for our president and for our nation. It is easy to complain. It takes no effort to criticize. But prayer is hard work, and it is the only work that can truly make a difference. Our country is…
Read MoreI know, I know – I sound like an old man. Suddenly all of the things I heard the “old people” say years ago are making so much sense! Last week Morgan (our oldest) was going through some old pictures. Really old pictures. Back before iPods, iPhones, and digital photography. Back in the “old days”…
Read MoreMany years ago someone suggested to me that I make a practice of reading a passage in the book of Proverbs every day. It is a book of wisdom for living – and I for one need that wisdom! If you read the chapter that corresponds with the day of the month you can easily…
Read MoreOn a Thursday night in July of 1989 God made clear to me that He wanted me to be a preacher. I was 12 years old and full of fear about the future. Today I am more grateful to God than ever to be in the ministry. My first sermon behind a pulpit was given…
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What to Do When You Have Questions Questions are opportunities to teach. God gave explicit instructions to Israel about what to say when your children ask (Deuteronomy 6:20-25). And ask they will! All of us who have young people in our homes are well acquainted with the question, “Why?” It is the way we answer…
Read MoreI enjoy laughter and love life. I wish that every thought could be a happy one. But that is not the world in which we live. Ours is a day of spiritual warfare. It seems the attack is stronger than ever and the casualties are great. War is a terrible thing. Death is inevitable. In…
Read MoreCharles 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. Some would say…
Read MoreThere are few things as refreshing to me as standing on the shore and watching the ocean waves. I have always loved it. In Scripture the sea represents change. It is never the same. Life’s journey is in many respects a voyage. We have launched out, but we have not yet landed. The tide is…
Read MoreI love hymns and am grateful to be part of a church that still sings them. Meditate on the words of songs like Charles Wesley’s And Can It Be? Few modern songs exhibit such an understanding of doctrine. Real depth. The great hymns of the faith are not just for public worship. They are deeply personal.…
Read MoreAs I sit in my study at home there are two pictures of my parents on the desk in front of me. One is a photograph taken on the night that I graduated from high school. It is hard to believe that I will soon be the age that they were then. This picture is…
Read MoreSilence is a beautiful thing. Our noisy world seems to clamor for attention more and more. In a home with little children quiet is often at a premium. When our children are small we spend a great deal of energy trying to get them to quiet down. When they are teenagers we spend our time…
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A Message Christian Young People Desperately Need It is my privilege to speak to young people on a regular basis. I have to admit that they are my favorite group to preach to! You always know where you stand with teenagers. My heart is always stirred as I look into their faces and consider the…
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All of my books have my name in them. They are like members of the family (just ask my wife!). In part, I put my name in the flyleaf of my books because I enjoy sharing them with others, but I always want to get them back. To share a good book is to invest…
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How to Make Prayer More Meaningful The new year brings with it fresh thoughts about our devotional life. We all need to give more time and attention to prayer. To God. Recently a fine young man sent me a message to ask for a few pointers on prayer. I felt ashamed to speak on the…
Read MoreAnother “how to” post? Not exactly. There will be no formula. No equation. No list. No step by step instructions. But there is a truth – one powerful truth – that can help you make the most of the year ahead. We measure our lives in years. God measures them in days. Read Psalm 90…
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It is Christmas, 1939, in London, England. King George VI addresses the British Empire as he does every year at this time. In his speech he quotes a beautiful poem that his daughter has just given him. The powerful words would continue to be connected to the Royal Family for years to come. They are…
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Down times can often be down times. Activity, or lack of it, has a great deal of effect on our emotions. The closing days of a year or school year are a very reflective time for most people. Holidays and summer vacations mark the end of yet another season. Life is passing quickly. The danger…
Read MoreOne of the most famous Christmas songs of all time says, “I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams.” Bing Crosby made it popular but few people today know the background of the song. The lyrics are written from the perspective of an American soldier stationed overseas during World War II, writing home…
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We are only days away from the biggest birthday celebration in the world! No birthday on earth has more celebration or more misunderstanding. A recent Pew survey suggests that half of Americans will not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday this year. For more and more people Christmas is becoming a cultural holiday. “Happy holidays,”…
Read MoreI was walking across the parking lot. I did not see anyone watching me and was deeply engrossed in some meaningless thought. Then I heard him say, “Why are you grimacing?” Grimacing? Me? Was I grimacing? Perhaps, or perhaps my friend could not see my expression well. Either way we had a good laugh…
Read MoreThe wisest man who ever lived wrote, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Death is mentioned first because it is what naturally comes out. Only the grace of God can enable us to speak life. Those of us that basically talk for a living are always in danger. I…
Read MoreEarlier today our students at Crown College completed their final exams and departed for Christmas break. There is something terribly exciting about the successful conclusion to another semester of college. (Teachers feel this way too!) Miraculously, everyone seems to have a good day on the last day of school. It is one thing to finish…
Read MoreEvents are not everything; life is made up of many ordinary days. Yet special events are simply a way of emphasizing what is important. We have just returned from our annual Christmas Mission to New York City with the Crown College Choir. God blessed in an unusual way. It is my joy to be involved…
Read MoreI love books. Not long ago I was rummaging through my study, searching for a book that I knew was there… Instead, I found one that I didn’t know I had. It was a volume published in 1958 of one hundred and one famous poems. Poetry has always intrigued me. Frost’s The Road Not Taken and Kipling’s If are…
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“A prudent wife is from the Lord.” This verse means more to me the longer I am married. Tammy and I were driving along in the car recently. The kids were strangely quiet in the back seat, and we were talking. About nothing. About everything. I really don’t remember how we came to the topic,…
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A fine young man was driving me to the airport in another state recently. We had a pleasant conversation about many things. He is soon to be married and has much to look forward to in life and ministry. He reminded me of so many young men that I have the privilege to work with…
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Why Was Jesus Thankful? Like most of you, I try to make a list each Thanksgiving of reasons for which I am grateful to God. Obviously, it is never complete because the blessings never end. This year, I have decided not to make a list. I am taking the list of Another who is far…
Read MoreRoad trips are fun. At least if you make them that way! This week I drove several hours to speak in a youth rally. Often I travel alone and have learned that quiet moments to reflect are helpful. As much as possible I try to take my family or some member of the family with…
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Victory Over Temptation We all want to live in victory over sin. The key to victory over sin is learning victory over temptation. “Resist small beginnings”, a wise man once said. Deal with the seed and you will not have to overcome a forest of sin’s consequences. Temptation is a fleshly assault by the enemy.…
Read MoreMy dad and I had the privilege to be part of training several Iraqi pastors a number of years ago. For over a week we taught a group of men in Ammon, Jordan who were going back to Baghdad to start Baptist churches. It was an exciting work in a needy place. Near the end…
Read MoreSomeone once said in my presence, “Be kind to others. Everybody is having a hard time.” They were right. We all have our struggles and you may be surprised at the people who are hurting the most. Only God truly knows, and the all knowing God has designed a way for us to minister to…
Read MoreLife is full of questions. One of the first questions children ask about God is a question that continues into theological discussions of people of all ages. Ask a child, “Where is God?” and you will see them point up. Heaven! God is in Heaven. And so He is. Almighty God sits on the throne…
Read MoreWe have a lot of conferences and special meetings at Temple Baptist Church and Crown College. Without a doubt, the meeting we have just concluded was one of the richest and sweetest meetings we have ever enjoyed. God did a deep work in my heart. Pastor Sexton has said for years, “A great meeting is…
Read MoreSome of the most beautiful words I ever hear are: “I am praying for you.” (Especially if I know they are more than just words!) My precious wife prays for me. I have a praying mom and dad. My children pray for me. My pastor prays for me. I have many friends who pray for…
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Dealing with the “Noise” of Life Ours is a noisy world. Growing up in the country, there were certain noises you grew accustomed to. Crickets chirping at night. Birds singing in the trees. The sound of gunfire during hunting season. And at times, quiet. Beautiful quiet. I remember one of the first trips I ever…
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The Greatest Method of Bible Study “I have been reading the Bible, but I don’t know how to study it. Can you help?” We have all been there at some point. Have you ever felt this way? There are many systems and methods. I thank God for many lessons that have helped me deepen my…
Read MoreA friend and I were enjoying a time of fellowship together just a few days 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 the ministry but doing very well in…
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Like most children, when I was very young, I memorized the Ten Commandments. The fifth commandment says, “Honour thy father and thy mother.” It is repeated eight times in the Bible. As a boy, if my mother said something once I was supposed to listen. If she said it twice, I was definitely supposed to…
Read MoreGoodbyes are hard. I was standing in a security line at an airport not long ago preparing to go through the regular process that has become so much a part of flying. In front of me was a young lady who was weeping. Occasionally she would turn around and strain to see if her loved…
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Pop Culture and Pop Christianity The attitudes and ideas of “popular culture” expressed through music and current trends have exploded through the various means of mass communication. It is, in many respects, the enemy of God and God’s truth. Popular culture is not new – it is Satan’s way of binding generations by convincing them…
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The Power of a Personal Letter Recently I was sitting in my study at home when my oldest daughter came in and proudly announced, “Dad, I am about to write my first letter.” She is thirteen. How is that possible? Now, she has written cards, short notes, and plenty of text messages – but a letter?…
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Fall is my favorite time of the year. At least in the fall! I actually love all of the seasons and am blessed to live in a part of the country where there are four very distinct seasons. The older I get, the more I enjoy the change of seasons. It reminds me so much…
Read MoreToday we open the doors of Crown College for its 23rd year. I remember well the day 19 years ago this week when I showed up at Crown College for the first time. I remember those who showed me around. I remember Pastor Sexton’s interest in every student. I remember those I roomed with (some…
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I live around history…and I love it. Just outside my office at Crown College was a 30,000 square foot Christian Heritage Center. For me, history is alive and exciting. Yet with all of the access we have to historical information, it seems that the appreciation for it is sadly lacking in most young people. A…
Read MoreJust a few days ago I had the privilege of being back where I grew up in West Virginia. It was refreshing to walk around my grandparents farm again and enjoy a meal that only mom could make just right. I walked the halls of the school that I attended from the time I was…
Read MoreEvery 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 Muller said, “The first great…
Read MoreToday is a day for rest and reflection after a very busy week. We have just concluded our annual Baptist Friends Conference. This is always a special time of reunion with friends and wonderful preaching. This year was special. I cannot remember a meeting where the Lord’s presence was so strong. Day after day and…
Read MoreGod grants special gifts every day. Little do we realize all that He provides. One of the most wonderful gifts God gives is sleep. We live in a busy world. God has designed sleep to renew the body and refresh the mind. Psalm 127:2 says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to…
Read MoreToday we begin our annual Baptist Friends Conference at Temple Baptist Church and Crown College. Pastor Sexton and our precious people love hosting this meeting and seeking to encourage hundreds of friends in the work of world evangelism. There are always so many people working hard to prepare for a meeting like this. Yet we…
Read MoreNapoleon said that in every major conflict there is a ten to fifteen minute period when the battle is won or lost. It is the critical time. Conquer it and you win the battle. Lose that moment and all is lost. The spiritual battle is raging as never before. The enemy is attacking on every…
Read MoreEvery day is a precious gift from God. Even difficult days are reminders of God’s mercy and grace. I have enjoyed some wonderful days along the journey. June 13, 1997 was a great day. It was the day I married my best friend. (It was Friday the 13th, proving that good things do happen on…
Read MoreFrequently I have said to youth workers that the key to connecting with young people is simple: BE ENTHUSIASTIC! Not the fake, plastic “put on” that often passes as a cheap substitute, but the heart felt thrill of pointing people to the Lord. Many years ago I was driving to speak at a youth rally…
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Aquila and Priscilla: A Biblical Marriage God’s design is for families to serve Christ together in a New Testament church. As we find our place in the Lord’s work, every member of the family is blessed, and the local church is strengthened. Aquila and Priscilla demonstrate what a married couple should be in a New…
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Married Couples Serving God Together My wife and I just returned from our annual couples’ retreat. We had the joy of spending some extra time with my favorite couple: my dad and mom. Their example has been wonderful instruction. One of the great joys of my life has been to see my father and mother…
Read MoreToday we had the privilege to host a number of youth directors on our campus at Crown College. In the luncheon we discussed plans to begin a new youth fellowship for East Tennessee, the Smoky Mountain Youth Fellowship. I am excited about the possibilities and encouraged to know so many youth workers with a heart…
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10 Reasons I Use A Journal Every Day At the end of 2008, I decided that I would try to begin writing in a journal each day. I am sitting in my study tonight looking back through old journals. The Lord has been so very good to me. There have been difficult days, but these…
Read MoreWe 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 the time” ( Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). Are you…
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Today, the Lord spoke to my heart again concerning the matter of prayer. When I think of prayer, I think: what a great privilege! Then I think…what a great failure! My greatest opportunity is my greatest neglect. A friend of mine, Pastor Steve Kilpatrick, said something that helped me to see my lack of prayer…
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Advice for High School Seniors The senior year of high school can be both frightening and exciting. I love talking and praying with young people at this stage in life. Following the Lord is a great adventure if you keep your eyes on Him. Here are a few suggestions I like to share with teenagers…
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Google the word phobia. Fear has reached epidemic proportions. Millions of Americans live in fear every day. Worse, many believers have become content with allowing fear to control their lives. The first mention of fear in the Bible is in Genesis 3:10. Adam and Eve had sinned against God and, because of their sin, are afraid of the very…
Read MoreOne of the great joys of my life is the privilege to speak to young people. Recently I was listening to one of our youth workers at the Temple Baptist Church as he taught the Word of God to teenagers. He was doing a great job and the Lord used him. He is not a…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
