This week I celebrated my 45th birthday. At this point in life, I can honestly say there is nothing I really want. God has been good to meet every need, and just the joy of being with family was enough. Still, it is always enjoyable to open gifts from those you love. We had a…
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Tammy and I have been looking forward to traveling through Israel and studying God’s Word with a group of friends. As you may know, this trip was originally planned for last year and was postponed due to the pandemic shut down. It was our hope that by the end of this year international travel would…
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When I was in high school my dad came into my room early one morning and announced, “I have something for you!” My teenage mind hoped that perhaps it was money or some other much desired item. He walked to my mirror and placed something on it. Groggily I got out of bed, wiped the…
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Students are starting back to schools and colleges across the nation. Parents and educators alike are hopeful that this year will be the greatest year our young people have ever had academically, athletically, and socially. But the most important part of this year for every student is their spiritual growth. The only description of the…
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In youth we sometimes imagine that we must comment on every world event, but through experience we learn that no one needs our opinion on everything! There is both a time to speak and a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). One of the chief things we all can do when we hear bad news…
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Earlier this week it was our privilege to spend some time with a group of business leaders in preparation for an upcoming gospel crusade. Too often those who are working in business have been neglected when it comes to the work of the Lord. I love the fact that the Apostle Paul did not just…
Read MoreWeariness is a part of life and certainly a reality for those who are intent on working for the Lord. Even Jesus grew weary on His journey (John 4:6). Yet as you read the rest of the story in John 4 you discover that He knew how to get Himself refreshed and in the midst…
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Depression is rampant and suicide is on the rise. One of the factors feeding this tragedy is that so many people are very alone. We are the most technologically connected and the most personally disconnected generation in the history of the world! All too often when we face disappointment or discouragement we all have the…
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Recently I had the privilege to talk and pray with a kind Christian lady where I was speaking. This sincere believer wondered if one decision in her past would prevent her from ever knowing God’s blessing. What a joy came over her countenance as we spoke about the God who rules the good and overrules…
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Some time back I heard an individual talking about a certain group of Christians and they described them with these sad words: “They never smile.” Now, to be fair, I’m sure those people smile sometimes! And, the truth is that all of us have days when the pressures of life weigh us down. But the…
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This week our dear brother, Evangelist Tom Farrell, will be buried. He was a faithful preacher of Christ and a kind friend to me. I am preaching at the Wilds right now and thinking about so many weeks where he stood in this place and spoke God’s truth to another generation. Now He is with…
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Our son has just passed his driver’s test and is now officially taking our prayer life to new heights! It is hard to believe that all of our children are now driving. (I am personally indebted to Tammy for her patience in helping each of them…and me.) As we have discussed and practiced certain basic…
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As a child it always seemed important to have a “best friend.” I don’t know all of the reasons, but there is in all of us a desire for closeness and connection with someone. God made us to be social and relational beings. Sin, on the other hand, perverts that in so many ways and…
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Dear Friend, These are challenging and exciting days to be serving the Lord Jesus. The need of our world is great and Christ is coming soon! We are praying that this year’s Southwide Baptist Fellowship will encourage and equip God’s servants to press on with even greater intensity. Our theme for 2021 comes from Hebrews 10:25, “…and…
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Our global world talks more and more about “world citizenship” – the idea that we belong to something bigger than our own country because we are a part of humanity. On the other end of this spectrum there are those who hold to strong nationalist ideas, loving their own nation to the point of ignoring…
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It has been a great joy to meet so many people across the country who are listening each day to the broadcast and Enjoying the Journey with us through God’s Word. I am alone in my study when the episodes are recorded so it is a special blessing to put faces (and stories) to the…
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God works in every generation. His truth transcends time and His power supersedes spiritual opposition. My hope for revival in our day is not rooted in men – it is rooted in who I believe God to be, and what I believe He can do! Like most summers, I have spent a great deal of…
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Oswald J. Smith, the great missionary pastor, identified in his book The Passion for Souls several reasons why the church has failed to evangelize the world. One of them was an improper emphasis on education. He wrote, Today we worship diplomas, we glory in degrees…It is not what a man has in his head, but…
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People frequently refer to Wednesday as “hump day” with the idea that they have made it “over the hump” – halfway through another week. The truth is that the mid-way point of anything is a critical time. More people quit in the second half than the first half. So many marriages fail in the middle…
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There is a great deal of debate in our world about what is commonly called “equal opportunity.” The term is generally accepted as meaning that people are to be treated without discrimination. For the record, I believe that both men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and that all people…
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Let me begin by saying that I am no song leader! However, I am in meetings every week with people who lead singing and have learned so many things from watching them. As a preacher I can tell you that strong, evangelistic singing is such a help to any meeting, and the greatest singing is…
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There is no message like the gospel and no time like now to share it with someone! All of us are called to be witnesses for Jesus Christ and every person you see is a candidate for the gospel. My pastor used to say, “You cannot witness to the wrong person.” God loves all people…
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What Will You Do With Your Summer? Summer is now in full swing and people are taking advantage of it! These months provide the opportunity for many people to “get away.” This can be a very good thing…or it can become a sad detour. I have seen so many people in these seasons go into…
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Citizens can love their country and not love Christ, but if you truly love Christ you should love your country as Christ does. In our beloved America there is an inherent danger in conflating patriotism and Christianity. They are not the same. The faith of Christ is never national; it is always personal. Yet we…
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One year ago we released the first book from Enjoying the Journey, a simple study of Ezra 9 called Revival Praying. The publisher just sent me a report this week that we now have over 7,600 copies of Revival Praying in circulation. To God be the glory! I have been praying this verse in recent…
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Summer is a wonderful season to invest in young people. Over the last few days I have had the opportunity to spend substantial time with several hundred teenagers. In that group were our two youngest children and I was reminded how quickly this season of life passes. In a very short time our oldest daughter will…
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Some people live their entire life in an apologetic tone. The words “I’m sorry” are necessary and helpful, but they cannot become your identity. Yes, there is a time for sorrow and a time to say it (James 4:9). Solomon tells us that there is “a time to weep” (Ecclesiastes 3:4), but that is only…
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For many years summer camp was an institution for young people across the country. In recent years the proliferation of so many other events have often substituted for a week of camp, but I still believe it is one of the best means of communicating God’s truth in a concentrated way to children and teens.…
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Today we conclude our study of “The Twelve” with a final word to all would-be followers of Jesus. I hope you will listen to this important application for every believer. If you missed any of the study you can find it in the ETJ archives. (Click here for more.) On Monday we will begin a…
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Rest was built into the creation week for a reason. Have you ever considered that the first day man ever lived on this planet was a day of rest? Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day and the very next day God declared a day of rest! Modern culture says work until you…
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“Have you ever thought about doing a podcast?” The young lady who first asked me this question was a missionary in China and interested in one thing – being able to access Bible content anywhere, anytime. She was used of God to plant the seed in my own mind. (At the time, I did not…
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In a world marred by sin and marked by suffering God’s people must constantly be reminded of the admonition: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). The thought life of a Christian should be Godward. There is always a temptation to become consumed with the ruin around us…
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When I was a young man in Bible College I remember Pastor Sexton telling us that as we grew we must always work to bring our families along with us. This principle is true both in life and ministry. Influence begins at home and the impact on our own families cannot be underestimated. Personal choices…
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There are all types of preachers and a variety of delivery styles. For years I told young men in homiletics that the important thing was that they become a Bible preacher, and I believe that more now than ever before. The power in in the Word. Yet I see a grave danger in our preaching…
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There are some meetings that stand out in your memory, not because of what God did in others but because of what God did in your own life. It was one of those nights. I stood in the pulpit during the invitation as people prayed. God was at work…and I was a spectator. You see,…
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I love preserves…grape, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry…yes, I like them all! The preservative principle is that some substance is used to prevent something whole and fresh from decaying. God provides divine preservatives for life. They are woven throughout the fabric of Scripture and must be built into the lives of sincere followers of Christ. God wisely…
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Monday is a special day of remembrance across our nation as we reflect on those who have given their lives to protect our liberty. For a Christian, every celebration should be a rededication. We must not only enjoy the blessings that have come to us, we must seek the Lord for ourselves and our generation.…
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Most communities at this time report that local businesses are experiencing a shortage of workers. Ask owners and managers and you will find that many are hiring. The signs are everywhere! HELP WANTED. What is currently true in our economy has always been true in God’s economy. Our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, said it…
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Every week I speak with pastors who are trying to keep their local church moving forward in the face of intense opposition. Pastors are called on to feed and lead God’s flock both when things seem calm and also during times of spiritual conflict. In the words of Scripture, “in season, out of season” (2 Timothy…
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This week the Lord reminded me of a simple and yet profound truth. Tammy was taking me to the airport and we were talking about a number of things. Throughout the conversation she laughed several times and her laughter was God’s messenger to me. I am grateful to have a wife who is contented and…
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“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it” (Psalm 68:11). Technology and media platforms have provided amazing ways of multiplying the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. Media can at times be overpowering, and it can certainly be used for evil. However, I am convinced that we can and…
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This is not the worst time to be alive and serving God – this is the best time! Never before have people been more hopeless and searching. Never before has the coming of Christ been closer. Never before has the church been more relevant. We have truth that everyone needs. Haggai 2:7 says of the…
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My heart has been helped studying through the Revelation of Jesus Christ over the last several months. Christians have no reason to dread and every reason to hope! The King is Coming! We have heard from so many listeners who have been strengthened through our time in the last book of Scripture. There is a…
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These are crisis days in our country. What can we do about it? In “The Need of Our Nation” we examine two Old Testament passages and two New Testament passages that help us to see what God’s people are to do in every generation. Times change. Trends change. Truth never does. This new 50 page…
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In a generation deteriorating because of sin we must always guard against allowing our own spirits to deteriorate. Sad days must not become sad Christians! Many are sad because of circumstances in our world. Look again…all around is the goodness of God! Every breath, every ray of sunshine, every bird singing, every new day. The world…
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Do you know what sets people apart in a crowded world? It is not skin color, educational background, ethnicity, language, economic standing, professional title, talent, or even physical appearance. It is how they treat others. Our world has become increasingly crude and rude. The “manners” mom insisted on have become rare. This is what sin…
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“Did you ever imagine that you would be an evangelist?” This question from a pastor recently was a reminder that for the first half of my life I never thought that I would be “an evangelist.” No, I had no such plans. That’s the funny thing about God’s will – it doesn’t follow our plans,…
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The progressive Christianity of our day is nothing new. Those who have studied history will recognize it as a resurgence of theological liberalism. Solomon was right: “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under…
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Certain songs have become old standards in most revival meetings. The one I hear sung more than any other is the great hymn “Revive Us Again.” Just this week a friend told me that Harold Sightler would never have a revival meeting without singing “Come Thou Fount.” The truth is that any song that brings…
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“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job…” So begins the story of a man who knew more about suffering and loss than most people will ever understand. This record, the oldest book in the Bible, articulates the struggle, stress, and strain that godly people endure living in a fallen…
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Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). This is the life verse of every college student! In fact, each year in the United States alone there are between 600,000 and 1 million books published. We all have a long list of…
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Life is a vapor for every man, but for the God-Man it was especially brief. A short thirty-three and a half years was all that He lived on this earth. Theologically we know that He lived before He came because He is the eternal Son of God, and thankfully He continues to live as the…
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Do You Really Believe In The Authority of the Bible? Few want to talk about it today and even fewer understand it. Yet all of life boils down to authority: whose authority will we live under? The world is full of a spirit of rebellion, but even many believers do not seem to understand that…
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Everyone is busy and there are so many things vying for our attention. It is impossible to keep up with it all! Today I would like to ask you to give me about six minutes of your time, and I would like to give you a new Bible study resource that I hope will be…
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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 in His Word. Only…
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Early Sunday morning I sat in a quiet place and reread the resurrection account in each of the four gospel records. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit continues to open familiar texts again and again to us. I recently heard a friend say that if you want to stay in love with Jesus read…
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The message of the resurrection is not just to be preached to the lost; it is a truth to be repeated, remembered, and reflected on again and again among believers. It is the heart of the Christian message and the greatest revelation of the Christ we serve. All of our hope is rooted in Him.…
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The famous line of a poem that dates back to 1610 says, “April showers bring May flowers.” Tomorrow we begin the month of April. While many are expecting April showers associated with this spring season, I am asking God to give us His showers of blessing on the ministry of the Word. Would you help…
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Such a beautiful word: truth. Its substance is much the same as its sound – simple and straightforward. There seems to be a short supply of it in our world today. Who do you believe? How can you know that what you are hearing is accurate? In a world of lies we must always return…
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All of life is better when we pray our way through it. Prayer is the means by which we stay in constant contact with God and it enables us to keep a proper perspective on everything else. This principle works in face to face relationships and also in our online interactions. As I write these…
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We are all students when it comes to prayer. Andrew Murray wrote a classic book called With Christ In The School of Prayer. I must confess to you that I feel as if I have not yet graduated from kindergarten when it comes to my prayer life! Indeed, until faith becomes sight we are all…
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It seems so many want to be the “victim” today. To be sure, there are wounded souls who have been victims of horrible abuse and heinous crimes and those hurts are very real. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ must be the place where people can find present help and future hope. But neither…
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There is something very special and deeply spiritual about the moment when we are called to stand before a group of people – any people! anywhere! – and preach the eternal truth of God’s Word. How easy it is for us to lose the awe and humility that characterized early sermons. In the beginning, truly…
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For the last several years we have been publishing devotional articles on our website and sending them to friends who were subscribed to the blog. We have tried to share as much of this as possible through social media links. Each quarter we also send a family update newsletter. The truth is that everyone is…
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The only reason people have to knowingly promote a lie is that, for some reason, they are afraid of the truth. God’s people never have to fear the truth! Truth sets you free (John 8:32). In today’s society it is no longer sufficient to disagree or debate – if you don’t like the person or…
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Satan is a liar and a critic. Scripture identifies him as “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10). Sadly, he gets a lot of help from many “brethren” and he obviously doesn’t need any assistance! Did you know that as surely as God desires to use you, so does the devil? The serpent didn’t want…
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It was one year ago this month that so many things came to a halt. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God continued to work? We are grateful to be able to travel and minister God’s Word in so many places again. Recently I have been thinking of how exciting it will be when we…
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Typically in February the President of the United States addresses a joint session of Congress and delivers the traditional “State of the Union.” This year’s address was much different. In a symbolic way, it reminds us that the state of our union is somewhat uncertain at this moment. There is always plenty of political maneuvering…
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It is hard to believe it has been almost a year! The international shutdown at the beginning of the pandemic has become a point of reference in a variety of ways, a turning point for many. During the quarantine we began using a Youtube channel to post Bible messages and words of encouragement. I must…
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Rush Limbaugh died today. He was one of the most loved and hated men in America, like so many who hold strong positions on anything. As I scrolled through the posts about his passing I was struck, not by the many tributes, but by the vitriolic and even violent comments about his death. When “Satan,”…
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Are you worn down? Nerves on edge? Wondering what is coming next? These have been challenging days for so many, but we should not be surprised. As we near the end of time things in this world will no doubt seem more and more “out of sync.” Ours is a world out of step with…
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Have you wondered in recent weeks what more you can do for your country? On this President’s Day I am excited to announce the publication of a new booklet, The Need of Our Nation. We all are concerned about the direction of our beloved nation and burdened to see a spiritual awakening in our day.…
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This morning Tammy and I had the joy of participating in a special couple’s brunch and marriage seminar. Like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day provides an emphasis that should be remembered year round. Husbands, we are to love our wives (and show it) every day! People around the world are speaking the language of love…at…
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Blessed people often become the most rebellious. If you don’t believe me, look at God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel. When we are full of good things it is easy to get full of ourselves. How quickly we forget! When we are seeing answers to prayer, opportunities to serve, favor with people, and gifts…
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A little over a month ago we sold out of the hardback edition of Revival Praying. I am truly grateful to God for the reception the book has received in the first few months since its release. All over the country there are groups of believers studying these prayer principles from Ezra 9 and seeking…
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Born in the 1970’s, I just missed the civil rights movement of the previous decade. My friends and I read about the injustices and racial tensions in our history books but, gratefully saw little of it in the area where we were raised. I thank God that my parents and those who influenced me modeled…
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It was only after I went into full time evangelism that I began to appreciate how much good preaching I had been privileged to listen to…and how much I still need to hear it. Those of us in full time ministry are almost always the ones doing the preaching. While this is a tremendous privilege,…
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I am happy that in the early years of my life and ministry I was put in a position where there was more to get done than there was time. Hard work never hurt anyone and my pastor was right when he told me that most people never become what they could because no one…
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We are one month into the new year! How are your resolutions holding up? I am not a critic of resolutions; they have very often marked turning points in my own life. (More on that here.) But I am convinced that fresh resolve will never be enough for the change that is needed in our…
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Every year that I can remember my dad has conducted a special meeting at the beginning of the year for those who labor in our home church. For the last thirty years he has tried to begin with a challenge for those who lead to keep following, growing in their own faith and walk with…
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Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Each phase of the race is both distinct and essential to the whole. We have begun, in many respects, the next leg of our race. What will we do with this part of our race? In this race you must know how to push yourself. There is no…
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Recently I saw where a prominent Christian leader suggested that perhaps this would be a good time for churches to begin having prayer meetings again. The real question is: why did we ever stop having them at all? Even the churches that advertise a weekly “prayer meeting” typically do more talking about prayer or rehearsing…
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Yesterday was the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. In less than a half a century over 61 million babies have been put to death by abortion. This barbarity parades as “reproductive health” but it is still what God called it in Scripture…”murder” (Exodus 20:13). The new administration put out a statement of their renewed…
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Every job has its drawbacks and even its dangers. But, what is the scariest job in the world? It is a job that many of us have! The scariest job in the world is parenting. The demands, the implications, the complications…about the time you start to figure a few things out your kids are almost…
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All Christians have a dual citizenship. We are temporary, earthly citizens of the nation where God has providentially allowed us to live and we are eternal, heavenly citizens of a much better country! In the words of the old song, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.” The Lord’s people ought to…
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Henry Drummond who wrote the classic work on 1 Corinthians 13, The Greatest Thing In The World, was a naturalist. He believed that every spiritual reality has some natural parallel in this physical world that reflects it. In this way the Creator gives evidence of the greater reality. This would seem to make sense when…
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What are you expecting to happen next in our world? Every day brings new challenges and changing circumstances. I cannot tell you what the government will do, how the economy will respond, or when the pandemic will end. But what I do know is what the Bible tells us – The King Is Coming! God’s…
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One of Satan’s lies is that the besetting sin in your life (you know the one) will always defeat you. “That’s just the way you are and it will never change.” Remember that the devil is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). The God of truth says something quite different: There…
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Are your burdened for our nation? Here is something we call can do. Please take a moment to read this challenge and join our Revival Praying effort!
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Everyone has their favorite media platform to stream content – there are certainly plenty to choose from! Our daily broadcast is heard on a number of radio stations across the country, internet radio, and a variety of podcast platforms. Over the last year we have also been able to add Enjoying the Journey to Pandora,…
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In times of need it is wonderful to know someone who has abundant resources. A friend may send you to another with the instructions: “Just use my name.” They mean of course that you have access to supply on their good credit. I am convinced that most believers do not sufficiently appreciate nor appropriate our…
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Tomorrow we begin the first meetings of a brand new year. We are grateful to God for allowing us to give the last five years to the work of evangelism and look forward to all God has for us in the days ahead. Thank you for keeping up with us and going with us through…
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The end of the year is often a reflective time. Dr. Frank Sells, one of my favorite Bible teachers, used to warn us of becoming “morbidly introspective.” If our reflection concentrates on us it is likely to become pretty discouraging! Our failures. Our burdens. Our disappointments. The right reflection will cause us to look to…
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Did you see the star? Over the last few days there has been a great deal of talk about the rare convergence of Saturn and Jupiter in the night sky. The appearance of this Christmas Star stirred lots of discussion and a little debate over whether it was the same star that the wise men…
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Dad and mom made it a practice to read the Christmas story with our family each Christmas morning. As a little boy this was a serious delay in the opening of presents! However, through the years I have come to love this time and Tammy and I continued the tradition with our kids. It is…
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It was Sunday, September 7, 2015. My mind was racing in so many directions. I knew that God was working in my life to show me His will but it still was not clear. After church that afternoon I sat down alone in my study and opened my Bible with no real idea of where…
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I do love Christmas. While there are so many enjoyable aspects to this time of year, we must never forget that, for a Christian, every holiday should be a holy day and every celebration an opportunity to worship. You see, the reality is: I do love Christ. He has changed my life and eternal destiny!…
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Everyone’s favorite verse to quote in recent times has been, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). While this is absolutely true and evidently happening I would encourage you to read the next verse: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and…
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Go ahead and sing it – you know the words! We have always had a lot of fun singing and acting out the old Christmas classic The Twelve Days of Christmas. This English Christmas Carol was based on the twelve days of Christmas celebration that actually began on December 25 and ended on January 5.…
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Have you sent out your Christmas cards yet? Through the years it has become increasingly difficult to send cards to everyone that we love and want to greet. For the last several years we have simply given cards to family and send greetings by media and email to many others. However you may send your…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
