Discipline Makes the Difference

Through the years that I have been privileged to work in a Bible college I have met so many extremely talented, capable young people.  And yet, it has always puzzled me that the ones who seem to have the greatest promise often do not finish.  On the other hand, there are students with far less…

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Teens for Christ

One of the greatest privileges of my life has been the opportunity to work with young people. Youth ministry is not a stepping stone to another ministry. It is the work of a lifetime! D.L. Moody said if he had his whole life to live other he would give it all to working with children.…

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Social Media and the Great Commission

Tools are just that - resources to be used. We must choose how they will be used. Social media platforms can be a platform to carry out the great commission.

Social Media and the Great Commission Social media is here to stay. Over 5.35 billion people actively use the internet and just over 5 billion use some social networking site (Facebook, X, TikTok, Etc.). Of course, young people lead the way in this trend. One research group suggests that 98% of American 18-24 year olds…

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Our Theme for 2013

Today has been a wonderful Lord’s day – the last Sunday of the year.  Some Sunday will be our last Sunday on earth.  The dawn of a new year will be nothing in comparison with the dawn of a new age.  Jesus is coming! Pastor Sexton unveiled the new year’s emphasis for Temple Baptist Church…

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Making Christmas Gifts More Meaningful

Shiny packages and suspense are part of the excitement at Christmas.  Fascinating, isn’t it?  We spend weeks buying the gifts (or one crazy day if you are like me) and in about 30 minutes it is all over!  My grandma used to say, “It is just a big build up for a big let down.”…

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The End of the World

The Mayans were wrong.  Today was not the end of the world.  At least if it was, it has not yet arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee.  History is full of speculations and predictions about “the apocalypse.”  Again and again God’s Word has been proven true: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no,…

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Just for Men

Just for Men

Just for Men “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”  1 Corinthians 16:13 In a day of effeminate men, I am more grateful than I have ever been for real men who have influenced my life.  My grandpa was a real man. He taught me how to get my…

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Lessons My Children Are Teaching Me

Lessons My Children Are Teaching Me Children are often the best teachers…”out of the mouth of babes.”  Tammy and I want to teach our kids everything we possibly can, but I realize that often God is using them to teach us.  Many lessons have been learned through my own failures as a parent.  School is…

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Thank God for Teachers

Today I had the opportunity to be with a group of the elementary children in our Academy.  What formative years!  As I watched the wonderful teachers that God has given us I was reminded again of the powerful influence a teacher has in the life of a student. It was a kindergarten teacher that led…

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My Thoughts on the In-Laws

I am sitting in Michigan this morning listening to the wind howl outside.  Eighteen years ago I started making regular trips to the great white north.  Not to see the sights or exchange ideas with people who speak a different dialect than me.  No.  It was a much bigger reason.  You see, the love of…

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Pray for Your Pastor

It was a great privilege to grow up in a pastor’s home.  My dad has pastored the same church for over two decades.  My grandfather was a pastor and several uncles are pastors.  I love pastors.  For the last 15 years I have served under the same pastor, and am very grateful to God that…

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The Forgotten Ministry

In recent weeks the Lord has been dealing with me about so many weaknesses in my own prayer life.  One of the most glaring has been my failure in the matter of intercessory prayer.  Perhaps no where is our selfishness more on display than in our prayer life.  “Lord, bless my four, and no more”…

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Forward On The Journey!

Walking with God is a life long journey.  I am very grateful that along the way there are people who come along side to encourage us.  So many distractions would have become detours if it had not been for more mature travelers who guided us forward. The beloved apostle John tells us about a good…

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Help! I Have A Teenager?!?

This past Sunday our oldest daughter, Morgan, turned thirteen.  Is that possible?  Where have the years gone?  Tammy and I are very grateful to God for all of our children…and our teenager. I told someone recently that I have been preaching to teenagers for years, but I never had to take one home at night!…

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Having Good Days in the Midst of Evil Days

Having Good Days in the Midst of Evil Days One of the great privileges of serving at Crown College through the years was the opportunity to hear so many wonderful Bible messages. Pastor Sexton brought faithful preachers to the college chapel hour each week. I recall when my friend, Dr. Dan Reed, brought one of…

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What Did He Do the Day After the Victory?

It is often after victories that the greater defeat comes.  We win.  We rejoice.  We let down our guard.  The problem is that Satan never lets down his attack.  Vigilance is in short supply today and more desperately needed than ever. Remember that it was after the Spirit descended on Christ at the baptism that…

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The Tale of Two Brothers

Cain and Abel

 The Tale of Two Brothers This is the tale of two brothers. It is a true story.  I know that it is true because God told it in His Word.  It is one of the saddest stories in all of history.  Sadder still, it is being repeated in homes everywhere. Cain and Abel were the…

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My Favorite Biography

In this article, we learn about the life of William Borden and the impact he had on the world by the teaching of Christ...

My Favorite Biography Many years ago I learned that reading biographies of great men and women was a good way to keep my own heart hungry for more of God’s blessing. Well-written biographies both instruct and inspire. I have in my library many books that have been a tremendous blessing to me through the seasons…

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30 Days of Prayer

Prayer List

30 Days of Prayer Daniel – A Man of Prayer It is significant that the only thing God commands us to do without ceasing is to pray.  Dr. John R. Rice said often that, “All of our failures are prayer failures.”  Every matter in the Christian life grows out of our personal walk with the…

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Why Was Jesus Tempted?

Why was Jesus Tempted?

Why Was Jesus Tempted? Why is the temptation of Jesus Christ given to us in Scripture? We know that our Lord was without sin. In fact, as God, it was impossible for Him to sin. Yet, the Holy Spirit chose to record His earthly temptation three distinct times (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). Jesus…

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Enjoying the Journey

I have always enjoyed travel.  As a little boy I had the opportunity to visit a number of wonderful places with my dad and mom.  Now, it is a thrill to take my own children on adventures to new places.  One thing has changed about travel for me.  Like most young people I was always…

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Reflecting On Another Year of God’s Goodness

My elders were right when they said the years go faster as you get older.  I am sitting here this morning reflecting on another year of God’s goodness in my life.  The Lord has been so gracious to me.  My heart is full as I think about the wonderful heritage I have been handed through…

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A Worldwide Blessing

A Worldwide Blessing I have always loved the thought of visiting foreign lands.  My mind is still fresh with memories from my first trip outside of the United States.  It was a thrill to minister in Ghana, West Africa and Cairo, Egypt.  The faces of little children, beautiful children, remain in my thoughts to this…

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Just Too Busy!

There is too much haste in the home today. Hurry steals the heart away. Busyness is an action. Hurry is an attitude. Those who work hard and desire the best are going to be busy. But in our busyness we must not hurry past the Lord and those we love. Urgency is not living at a faster pace; it is living with properly placed priorities.   It is significant that twice in the New Testament the Holy Spirit reminds us to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5). In both instances the command is given in context of the family. The word "redeem" reminds us that someone owns our time. We have to buy it back. Who controls your schedule? What possesses your time? Our God is the God of eternity and the only One who never wastes time. Article talking about being too busy.

Just Too Busy! Years ago, I was asked to speak to a group of parents on the subject of pitfalls in the home. I read. I thought. I asked questions. I made a list. Hypocrisy, unrealistic expectations, division between those in authority, inconsistency, rules without relationship, religion without joy, passiveness, overuse of media, and on…

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It Must Be Personal – The Story of a Young Skeptic

Adoniram Judson Early Life Adoniram Judson was born August 9, 1788.  I first met him as a freshman in college through the pages of his life story.  Growing up in church I had heard the name of Adoniram Judson.  To me, he was a pioneer missionary to Burma.  Judson and his wife Ann were some…

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My Favorite Bible Passages

My Favorite Bible Passages Frank Boreham was a pastor in New Zealand about a century ago.  He had been trained in Charles Spurgeon’s Pastors’ College, being the last student personally admitted by Mr. Spurgeon.  Boreham became a prolific writer.  I once read a collection of his fascinating essays entitled Mushrooms on the Moor.  Anything you…

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A Few Thoughts on Books

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 stand before my classmates and…

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The Same Things

Truth is never new. Truth is timeless - it is eternal. Men do not need a new thing. They need to hear the same things again.

The Same Things The ancient city of Athens was famous for its schools and emphasis on philosophy. When the Apostle Paul arrived there he simply preached the same gospel message that he preached everywhere. This was very unusual because we are told that “all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in…

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Stay Out of the Snare

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”  Proverbs 29:25 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. …

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A Mark of Greatness

“Great men are not always wise.” Job 32:9 Greatness is difficult to define.  One thing is sure:  men view greatness much differently than the Lord does.  Some men are considered great because of intellectual power, others because of financial resources or business acumen.  But such men are not always wise. A careful study of history…

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Living in The Parenthesis

A parenthesis is a peculiar thing. Parentheses are used by writers to set apart information which they want you to know but do not feel is essential. The material in a parenthesis could be dropped without doing damage to the overall story but it does make a contribution. Not so with Scripture.  The Word of…

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Ordinary Days

Christopher Columbus kept a daily journal of his explorations. I have found that writing in a journal every day forces me to think through what I am doing with my days. It is a constant reminder that not one of them should be wasted. Many days, the only entry Columbus made was the words: "We sailed on." Some days, that is all we are supposed to do. Keep plodding. Sail on. Make the most of this day and see how God puts ordinary days together in an extraordinary way. Men are remembered for their outstanding days, but they are made during their ordinary ones. Life is full of “ordinary” days, days where nothing historic happens.

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 Men are remembered for their outstanding days, but they are made during their ordinary ones. William Carey, known as the father of modern missions, said if he were remembered as a plodder, he would be described justly.…

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Integrity

“Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”  Job 31:6 Integrity is not a product of environment or natural ability.  Imagine an orphan boy who struggled academically.  He was socially awkward and uncoordinated.  When he spoke it was in a high-pitched voice.  Yet he became a man renowned for…

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A Good Name

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”  Proverbs 22:1 I have always been grateful for our family name.  My dad and mom have lived lives of integrity and have given my sister and me a wonderful heritage.  The longer I live the more…

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Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

As a boy I remember people saying that in school there were three indispensable subjects: reading, writing, and arithmetic. I am sure that the history and science teachers took issue with this, but it is true that these three subjects form the foundation upon which all other learning builds. Again and again we return to…

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Women God Has Used In My Life

In a family of preachers perhaps it is inevitable that the men of the family receive much of the attention.  The older I get the more I realize how little those preachers could have accomplished without the women God placed into their lives. I am very grateful for the ladies that have influenced me. It…

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