“Pastor, I hope God will use my life as He is using yours.” Those were the words I spoke to my pastor as we rode in a car together one afternoon just outside our nation’s Capitol. I was about 21 years of age and very young in the Lord’s work. Pastor Sexton was quiet for…
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Family Night Friday night was family night at our house growing up. Dad traveled for business through the week and, once he started preaching, preached in area churches many nights. But Friday night was different. It had been, to borrow a Bible expression, “set apart” specifically for us to be together. As I have grown older…
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It was David, the man after God’s own heart, who wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). You may take an extended portion of Scripture to memorize, such as a chapter or a book. This certainly encourages you to see individual texts in their…
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Yes, Doctrine Matters! “We have found a new church and it is wonderful! Everyone has a great time, and they don’t talk about doctrine.” I cannot tell you how often in recent days I have heard something like this statement. Doctrine is not a dirty word. The word means “belief and teaching.” Why would you…
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A Tool For Bible Teachers The best teachers are those who never cease being students. This is especially so when it comes to teachers of God’s Word. Scripture is the inexhaustible mine of God’s infinite truth. It is a thrill to roll up your sleeves, gather your tools, and crawl into the deep treasure trove…
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Everybody Loves a Good Story! Life is a story. Moses said, “We spend our years as a tale that is told.” Perhaps that is why people around the world love to hear a good story (Listen to a full-length Bible Message on “The Rest of the Story”) – in some way, we can all identify. We…
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Gospel work is the work of local churches and, as an evangelist, it is a great privilege to partner with pastors and churches for the advancement of the gospel. The gospel is still the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16), the Holy Spirit is still at work (John 16:8), and Christ is still building His church (Matthew 16:18). If…
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How to Tell Others About Jesus Do you know how to tell others about Jesus? Every Christian is to be a witness of the Christ who lives in them! Yet most believers have a difficult time knowing where to begin and how to effectively share their faith. New Series! We dedicated this series on Enjoying the…
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The nation of Israel has been front and center in news broadcasts over the last few months. It has also been at the heart of endless conversations about prophecy being fulfilled. Personally, I can testify that the experience of studying the Word of God in the land of the Bible is transformative. The theological, historical,…
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The 7 Cries From the Cross The most important week in the history of the world, the week that changed eternity, was the week between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. The last week of Jesus Christ’s life was the beginning of every good thing we now enjoy! Those 7 days changed all of human history.…
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Each January, I adopt a Bible word or passage as my Scripture for the new year. Meditating consistently on one truth helps me concentrate on a specific area of my walk with Jesus. This year, I have been studying the “watch and pray” texts in God’s Word, and my heart has been so convicted and…
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“And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. For we were bondmen; yet our God…
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A Parable for Preachers Christ, the Master Teacher, very often used stories to help His disciples see what He was saying. Recently I came across the following story and thought it was a tremendous illustration of the spiritual sustenance people desperately need and often lack. Hearers do not need us to talk about the Bible – they need…
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This week someone asked me, “What is your Bible word for the year?” For many years I have adopted a word, a book, or a truth from Scripture as my watchword for the year. Our dear friend Don Sisk shared that he chose vine and branches this year as a reminder that “Christ is the Vine…
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Most believers are content to hear a sermon on Sunday or listen to a preacher a couple of times each week. God designed it that we would hear from Him every day! Physical hearing is a gift, but spiritual hearing is a discipline. Every day God speaks, but we must be on His frequency. In…
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One of my favorite authors through the years has been F.B. Meyer. His writings have stirred my thinking and warmed my heart. Recently as I browsed through a bookstore, I found the biography of Meyer by W.Y. Fullerton. It has been such a joy to read and I have learned a much about both the…
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Someone has rightly observed, “Life is a series of new beginnings.” Thankfully for the believer, our God is the God of new beginnings! The Creator who alone could make something out of nothing, can also make something beautiful out of our messes. Every time a sinner comes to Christ, He makes a “new creation” (2…
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For many families, Christmas becomes a multi-day marathon of celebrations, family visits, and gift exchange. Not all gifts are given on Christmas. It was many days after the birth of Christ that wise men from the east arrived bearing gifts. Matthew 2:11 records the scene, And when they were come into the house, they saw…
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As a 17 year old boy the Lord directed me to Crown College and brought me under the influence of Pastor Clarence Sexton. Little did I know how this relationship would be used to shape me in so many ways. It is not institutions that make the difference, but individuals. When I first met him,…
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What a year we have had studying the Bible together! This month we conclude our 6th year of Enjoying the Journey podcasts, and are so very grateful for the faithful listeners who journey through God’s Word with us each day. Over the last year, people from more than 150 nations have been regular listeners, and…
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“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” – Luke 2:20 Every day is a good day to give the gospel. The work of the Christian witness must not be reserved for a single day, limited to an organized…
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One of the blessings of the last few years has been the privilege of flying out of a small regional airport in our hometown. It is only about 20 minutes from my house (depending on who is driving!), and it is never busy. I can show up about 30 minutes before a flight, park a…
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For some time we have been praying about the next step for Enjoying the Journey. Our desire is very simple: “all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). Nothing more. Nothing less. In fact, the longer I live, the more I realize the importance of staying in step with Him. This is literally the meaning of…
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Did you know there is only one verse in the Bible that has the word eternity? Similar terms like everlasting and eternal are used frequently, but the Holy Spirit reserved the word eternity for one passage in Isaiah 57:15: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with…
Read More“The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.” – Psalm 119:130 Shortly, we will begin a new year…2024! The best way to start your year is to begin with the Bible. January is a natural time to start again in your reading of Scripture. Many believers look for ideas they can…
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“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” – 1 Peter 3:18 While serving as Pastor of Cranberry Baptist Church, I volunteered as a chaplain for a local hospital. Several years ago,…
Read MoreOn Monday, November 7, 2022 I was sitting in a hotel room in Iowa when I received one of the most difficult phone calls of my life. My friend, my brother, and fellow worker, Stephen Troell, had been taken to Heaven unexpectedly. Just fifteen minutes before he saw Jesus we had spoken at length by…
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Everybody Needs a Friend Some time ago I walked somberly through an exhibit that showed the horrors of Auschwitz. It was a stark reminder to me of how hatred consumes darkened hearts and how much pain it can inflict on others. We all would do well to remember that in these days. Near the end…
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The only real and lasting joy is found in Jesus. The only way to enjoy the journey is to find the companionship of Christ along the way. What a thrill to know that in the midst of a sad world, God has made provision for His children to have a glad heart! Are you a…
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Imagine going back in time more than 4,000 years and finding the ancient world, in many ways, like the world we are living in today. Some things never change. Solomon spoke the truth when he said “there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Noah is the classic example. The Lord Jesus said,…
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Let me begin by saying this is not an article about food or a healthy diet. The truth is that most of us are physically very well fed – perhaps even over fed! There is almost no preaching on gluttony today and the practice of fasting has become almost nonexistent. On the other hand, there…
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How well do you know the Holy Spirit? Many live their entire Christian life with the Spirit of God within, and yet fail to understand how He works in and through the believer. A true and growing knowledge of God includes knowledge of all three members of the Godhead – the Father, the Son, and…
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The last few months have been some of the most blessed and some of the most challenging of my life. I don’t understand how those two things coexist, but they usually do. The season we are currently in can be described best in one word: transition. You know – the “in between” times of life.…
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For the last thirty-three years my dad has faithfully served as the pastor of Cranberry Baptist Church in Beckley, West Virginia. He and my mother have labored tirelessly to reach the lost and minister to God’s people. Next month dad is retiring from the pastorate and beginning a new season of life and ministry. We…
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A preacher’s sermon should simply be an organized expression of a biblical message. The right kind of preaching will not be rooted in a man’s idea but in God’s Word. The “life” of any sermon is not personality, oratory, humor, gestures, or the antics of the one delivering it. True life comes from the life-giving…
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Eight years ago God began stirring in my heart about the evangelistic work He has now given us to do. The Holy Spirit led in unmistakable ways and we have simply tried to follow. More and more I am reminded that we are incapable of accomplishing anything of eternal value, but the Lord is able…
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Do you remember why you first got into the Lord’s work? In the early days of our Christian service there was a beautiful humility and sincerity about serving Christ. It truly was a “labour of love” (1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:10). Sadly, for far too many the joy has devolved into a job. Many in…
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Last year a wonderful group of friends traveled with us to Israel, and the Lord gave us such a precious time studying the Word together in the Holy Land. We are excited to announce that another ETJ tour has now been finalized for next year. God willing, we will journey through the land of the…
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The uttermost…ends of the earth…all the world…every creature…whosoever will. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the length of our mission and the breadth of God’s message. Christ’s gospel is not regional, national, or cultural. Its only limitation is the one we put on it by failing to share it! Let there be no doubt: God loves all people…
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Prayer is a conversation with our Lord…and we all need to work on our communication! Developing a life of communion with God is the process of a lifetime. I never hear a challenge about prayer that I do not feel deeply convicted that this is an area where I need to give more attention. While…
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Recently I was on a flight next to a fine Christian man. When people find out at 30,000 feet that I am a minister they usually have one of two reactions – they are either really glad they are sitting next to me or really wish they weren’t! My new friend kept me engaged in…
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Do you have a favorite portion of Scripture? Keith Kiser, one of my early Bible teachers, used to say that his favorite Scripture was whatever portion he was studying at the time. Good answer! It is all the Word of God, and it is all-sufficient and all-profitable to our lives. Yet you will find at…
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When Paul was sitting in a Roman prison, facing death, he was still growing. In his final letter to Timothy he requested a number of things, and notable in the list is the phrase: “bring…the books” (2 Timothy 4:13). Throughout the apostle’s writings he quotes from a number of sources and it is clear that…
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One of God’s greatest gifts is memory. If you have lived long enough, you have discovered that it can be both a blessing and a curse! Spurgeon said that “by some strange perversity we tend to remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember.” How easily we remember every hurt we have…
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The following story is not original. It has been shared by other preachers, and I am passing it on because of the way it has affected me. Our Lord Jesus often used simple parables to teach profound truth. He was not just a “story teller” but He could tell a story in such a way…
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Christian liberty. It is a term frequently used and rarely understood in our age of no restraint. The Scriptural expression is actually “the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” and this is an important designation (Galatians 5:1). Our liberty is not license to do as we please; it is the life we have through identification with…
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Welcome to the Family of God! Recently I have had the privilege of saying to several new believers: “Welcome to the family!” The joy of seeing others come into the family of God is second only to the joy of knowing you are in the family yourself. There are only two ways a person can…
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This past Lord’s Day we commemorated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. True believers celebrate this every Sunday! In fact, we celebrate our living Savior every day because He lives within us! A few months ago I stood in the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem and remembered the words of the angel, “He is not…
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Spiritual Exercise Medical doctors and health professionals are consistently reminding us to give attention to “diet and exercise.” Henry Drummond believed that everything we see in the natural world is simply a shadow of some spiritual reality. It is interesting to me that these two principles of diet (proper intake) and exercise (regular working out)…
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So much of life is measured in values. Real estate, the stock market, retirement portfolios…everything is discussed in terms of worth. But the greatest “values” are not physical, financial, or material – they are spiritual! Adrian Rogers used to say, “To find out how rich you are, add up everything that money cannot buy and…
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Today’s ETJ podcast concludes our study of the first section of Acts. What an encouragement this portion of Scripture has been to my faith! The Adventure Continues…and shortly we will return to our series in this amazing book. Over the next two weeks, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, we are excited to share with you a…
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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 must constantly work at. It…
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Unlike my wife, I do not read music. Though the notes on the page mean little to me, I know a good note or a bad note when I hear it! As you open the Hebrew Hymnal, known as the Psalms, there are certain notes that are very definitely sounded. We do not know the…
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Do You Want to See More People Saved in Your Church Meetings? All of us would like to see more souls come to Christ in the regular meetings of our local church. There is not a pastor that would not rejoice to see sinners consistently responding to the gospel. Some believe that those days are…
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Itinerant ministry, like any work, has its unique challenges and its special blessings. There is ample evidence in the New Testament that itinerant ministry has a valid place both in the advancement of the gospel and the edification of the local assembly. The early believers “went everywhere preaching the Word” (Acts 8:4). Study the life of…
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Few things are more important than children hearing and understanding the gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ openly received little children (Matthew 19:14), and taught that every one who is saved must come with the simple, humble faith of a child (Matthew 18:3). It is beautiful to see the plainness with which our Savior explained divine…
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10 of the Oldest Tricks in the Book Satan is a deceiver – he always has been and always will be (John 8:44). Some things never change! The enemy often dresses his lies in new clothes, but beneath the surface, they are the same deadly deceptions that Eve faced in the Garden. Read Genesis 3…
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Ask any veteran who has seen conflict – wartime is serious business. When people are engaged in conflict, some things don’t matter, and a few things become increasingly important. Selfishness and pettiness must be laid aside. There is an enemy to fight! Division and distraction can be deadly when the battle rages. This is war!…
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One of the highlights of our blog articles last year was a special series on hymn histories. (You may access all of them in the ETJ archive here.) Each Wednesday in the new year we are excited to share with you a new series of articles on “Christians You Should Know.” I believe that many…
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Businesses, churches, and organizations often choose an annual theme for their work. Several years ago I began selecting a passage of Scripture, Bible word, or specific emphasis for my own personal study each year. It has been a good thing for me to return again and again to some anchor truth. Anchors keep you from…
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There is no adventure like the adventure of following Jesus Christ! It is the grand adventure of a lifetime and it leads to an even greater adventure in eternity. In the New Testament book of Acts we find the adventure of the first followers of Christ. This book, which has been called the 5th gospel…
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The wise men from the east arrived in Bethlehem some time after the birth of Christ. The Lord Jesus was referred to as “the young child” and the family is no longer at the manger, but in a “house” (Matthew 2:9-11) by the time they arrive. It is a beautiful reminder that the worship of…
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The Lord Jesus Christ did not begin at Bethlehem. He is the eternal Son of the living God! He, with the Father and the Spirit, has always been. Yet He took a body – a real, human body (Hebrews 10:5). That body would only walk this earth for thirty-three and a half years, but what…
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“God with us” is not just a Christmas message; it is the heart of God and the golden thread woven throughout all of Scripture. However, the emphasis at this time of year brings us face to face with the miracle of mercy: God desires to be with man. The high, holy God of eternity wants…
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Each year Tammy and I are privileged to spend time with couples across the country in a variety of retreats and conferences. After 25 years of marriage we are more in love than ever and more convinced that the spiritual battle for our nation is being fought on the battlefield of the home. Satan always…
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God Came. In many ways, these two words summarize the message of the whole Bible! They encapsulate the love and mercy of our God. We could never come to Him – so He came to us. When things are at their worst, God comes. This is the message of creation. The earth was full of…
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This week we will walk where Jesus walked. My first immersion into Bible geography came during a three day stop in Egypt soon after I graduated from college. Standing at the Pyramids and floating down the Nile caused the stories of Joseph, Moses, and the children of Israel to come alive. Twenty years ago I…
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The Lord has a way of connecting co-laborers. More than a quarter of a century ago God allowed me to get acquainted with a young man from New Jersey named Stephen Troell. He had just come to Crown College and, in the providence of God, he was placed in my dormitory. Over the years that…
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When I was a child Christmas was my favorite holiday. As I have grown older, Thanksgiving has moved into that place. I love the time of year, the emphasis, the quiet, the moments with family, and yes, I love the food! Yet there is something greater than a week of Thanksgiving, and that is a…
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This year has been a year of loss. In God’s economy, loss is so often gain if we are ready to receive it. Somewhere in the midst of loss there is grace that God will give and wisdom He wants to teach. When we are forced to look at death, we must reflect on the…
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The world calls it addiction; the Word calls it bondage. Sin always makes men slaves, and only Christ can give liberty. This is very important to realize: enslaving sin is Satan’s cheap substitute for what only the Good Master can provide. What leads to addiction? We seek relief. We seek release. We seek refuge. All…
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My memory is still vivid of the first time I heard the Hallelujah Chorus given in a pubic meeting. I remember watching that vast crowd of people stand in honor of the One who was being praised. Every time I hear the chorus it brings a flood of thoughts and emotions to my heart as I imagine…
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8 Signs of a Healthy Church Tammy and I sat in a service recently and listened to believers in a local church give spontaneous testimonies. It was evident from what the people said that they had been shepherded. Their pastor had taught them to love Christ and the Word of God. My heart was so…
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Seeing God in Every Scripture The preacher speaks about the necessity of all Scripture and people politely nod their heads. We read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…” and everyone gives a hearty “Amen!” Yet, when it comes to our actual attention to the Word of God the scope is…
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The latest trend in social media is a new platform known as “Be Real.” Its niche is notifying users once each day to capture and share a post within two minutes. Oh yes, and it has to “be real.” No staging. No filters. No special lights. In fact, it actually shares two pictures – one…
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Western culture is far removed from the ancient culture of Bible times. Sadly, in the midst of so much modern “progress” there are many eternal values that have been lost. One of those is revealed in our attitude toward the aged. Contemporary culture, driven by media perception, places a premium on youth. Yet in Scripture…
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Just a few days ago we shared a helpful article on using gospel tracts. That post was written by Pastor Tom Sexton of the Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Soon after that resource was made available Hurricane Ian made landfall in the place where he ministers. Their church sustained damage and Pastor…
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Truth and the Danger of Overcorrection All of us who have driven for any length of time have experienced or witnessed the danger of overcorrecting. A slight distraction, a sudden movement by another driver, or an unexpected object in the road can cause an overcorrection that leads to disaster. This is true in all of…
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It is a great privilege to serve Christ in any way. The highest calling on earth is not the calling to be a preacher, but to simply be a follower of Jesus (Mark 3:14)! Out of that call the Lord makes clear to every minister his own calling from God. I am very grateful that…
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Over time believers tend to reduce their Christian lives to a list of things “to do.” This was the error of the Pharisees and is a mark of empty religion in every generation. Busyness, conformity, and externals too easily become the measurement of spirituality. Perhaps this temptation is because it seems simpler to just give…
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It has been a great joy living with Joseph for the last few months. Just think – we will spend eternity with all of these godly Bible characters! The more I have grown to know Joseph the more I have grown to love the God who was faithful to him at every season. He is…
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It is a pleasure to walk through God’s Word with so many of you on our daily podcast. The paths of Scripture are full of adventure and spiritual refreshment! Thank you for being a fellow traveler as we seek to follow our tour guide, the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus said of the Holy Spirit,…
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It was my privilege to moderate last year’s Southwide Baptist Fellowship in Raleigh, NC. God gave us a very special meeting and real encouragement from His Word. (You may watch the 2021 messages here.) Now, we are just over 10 weeks away from the 2022 meeting! Pastor Tim Rabon is serving as this year’s moderator,…
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A few week’s ago I asked friends who follow us on social media if they would help me pray for a mountain that needed to be moved. Since that time I have had numbers of kind, praying people ask me if the Lord has moved our mountain yet. It has been humbling to hear many…
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Dreams. Opportunity. Favor. Power. Blessings. Purpose. Jealousy. Conflict. Betrayal. Temptation. Prison. Difficulty. All of this and much more is found in the story of Joseph. His is a representative life in so many ways–an example for us all. Follow the adventures of Joseph and you will see both the positive and negative experiences of life.…
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(The following article is by Chase Whitten. He is now serving as an associate evangelist with ETJ and assisting with a number of gospel projects. You may read more about his evangelistic work here and reach him at [email protected].) Over the past fifteen years we have had great gospel opportunities in a variety of ministries,…
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Do you have a favorite psalm? The psalm I hear most often referred to is Psalm 23. Unfortunately, it has become so associated with funerals that we easily forget that the powerful words were not written for death, but for life! Psalm 23 is given to help sheep know their Good Shepherd. His presence brings…
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This week I have been speaking in a church in south Georgia. (Let me say that I am grateful it is not an outdoor meeting – it is hot!) In each place where God allows me to minister I am always looking for the message He has for me, not just the ones I am…
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Several years ago I heard the story of Australian, Arthur Stace. During a visit to Sydney I was able to verify the legitimacy of the account. The story of this man, who became known as Mr. Eternity, so affected me that I began to share it across the country. Recently some friends reminded me of…
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One of the divine designs in ministry is that we are to labor alongside one another. God gave Moses a Joshua and Elijah an Elisha. The Lord Jesus Christ sent His disciples out two by two on their mission. Paul took fellow laborers with him on each of his gospel journeys. There are many reasons…
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Have you noticed? It seems the whole world is “out of sync” and people everywhere have gone crazy! At times like these people reveal what is really in their hearts. At times like these the Lord’s people need to view our world through the lens of Scripture. Anxious, searching souls are looking for answers, and…
Read MoreThe greatest heroes often work behind the scenes. They labor where others cannot see and carry burdens when no one else knows. I am increasingly convinced that at the judgment seat of Christ many very public people will have to step aside as the real servants are brought to the forefront to receive their crowns.…
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Have you ever been so weak, so weary, so wounded that your legs gave out? You did not even have strength to stand up! Occasionally, I have heard people use the expression “weak in the knees.” It is just another way of stating what all of us experience at some point: we cannot stand on…
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The only way that we can truly know what another person is thinking is through their words. Words are an expression of the mind. In the words of Jesus, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). But, have you ever considered what Jesus Himself was thinking about on the cross?…
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Days are longer, schedules are different, and young people have more free time. Summer is the perfect season to give extra attention to your family. Over the next couple of weeks we have intentionally kept our travel schedule lighter, in order to give some time to our family before the summer marathon of meetings begins.…
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7 Things Christians Must Remember in Financial Crisis History does repeat itself. The most prosperous nations on earth have eventually and repeatedly faced their economic downturns. All of us who have lived a little while can echo the sentiment of the Bible writer that, at some point, “riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away…
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Have you ever stood in your mind at Calvary on the day that Jesus died? Use your sanctified imagination and stand quietly with Mary and John on that sad hill. There must have been an overload of the senses that afternoon. Not only in what they saw, but in what they heard… Listen to the…
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Questions About the Evangelist (Part 2) The gift of the evangelist has been sorely (and sadly) neglected in many places. This is to the detriment of the church and its work in this world. If ever there was a time that we needed a strong emphasis on calling both believers and unbelievers to repentance and…
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Questions About the Evangelist (Part 1) A few months ago, I answered a number of questions that had been given to me related to the work of the evangelist. Many of these same questions come up regularly in conversation and I thought that perhaps it would be helpful to share the answers with a wider…
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Dear friends, In 2018, Scott Pauley and I hosted the first Rest Conference at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hickory, NC. Our friend, Shane Lewis, who is now with the Lord, was our guest speaker. More than one hundred of our fellow laborers and friends, along with their wives, joined us for a special time of…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
