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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This has been a strange year for all of us. One of the words that we have heard repeatedly is the word canceled. Business meetings canceled. Church programs canceled. Sporting events canceled. Concerts canceled. Parties canceled. Family trips canceled. It has such a ring of finality and loss in it that many people have found…
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It is always an encouragement to hear from friends who are studying God’s Word with us each day on Enjoying the Journey. I just received a very kind email question from a man who listens to the daily broadcast. His question prompted me to go back and review one of last week’s episodes on the…
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I had to laugh as I thought of how we all spoke of 2020 as the year to emphasize vision, only to discover that this year would bring so many things we could never have envisioned! What a blessing to remember that God sees much better than we do. He sees the end from the…
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Change of plans – we have all heard those words a lot this year! On this day we had planned to be touring the land of the Bible. God knew all along that those plans would change. Proverbs 16:9 says it best, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” It is a…
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Yesterday was the day that Americans spent all of their money online and today is the day they are encouraged to give whatever they have left over to worthy causes! All joking aside, I think Giving Tuesday is a good thing. God’s people are taught the principles of giving throughout the Word of God and,…
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2020 has become a byword for the unexpected and unusual. While we have all laughed and cried at the twists and turns of this year, let me encourage you not to blame 2020. God gave us this year to live and serve. 2020 will forever be a historical marker, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if…
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There is no name like the name of our great God! The apostles said of the name of Jesus, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). We are told in Philippians 2:9, “Wherefore God also hath highly…
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Several years ago I had the joy of speaking to a large group of children on the subject of thanksgiving. In preparation I learned how to say thank you in several languages. While I am quite sure that my pronunciation was not perfect, we had fun teaching the kids to say thanks in Japanese, Chinese,…
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Thankful In Difficult Days God’s people are commanded to give thanks at all times and in all circumstances – not when we feel like it. Praise is a choice and gratitude is a discipline. Thanks doesn’t begin in the emotion, it begins in the will. Will we obey? “Giving thanks always for all things unto…
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A few nights ago I had the privilege after a meeting to spend some time with a group of young preachers. We had a wonderful conversation on a range of subjects. Near the end of the evening one of the young men asked how I chose what I was going to read. My answer was…
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As Americans citizens we have been blessed – spoiled, in fact – to grow up in freedom. It is a freedom that few have enjoyed throughout history and many will never know. The blessings of God always come with a responsibility, a response of gratitude and obedience. Christianity is not American, and being American is…
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As we approach this Thanksgiving month I am both grateful and prayerful. The Lord continues to guide and protect us. Week after week we see His hand at work and rejoice to be allowed to serve Christ where He sends us. All glory to our great God! A dear friend texted me recently and pointed…
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For the last nine years I have enjoyed writing regular articles for our Enjoying the Journey blog. The archive of more than 700 posts deal with a wide range of topics. We are excited to roll out something brand new in January that will make these and other resources more usable. (More on that later!)…
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In “Christian” America you would imagine that you could walk up to anyone and begin to talk about Jesus Christ and everyone would have some context. Perhaps at one time that was true. We are now living not only in what is “post modern” but in what has been referred to as a “post truth”…
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There is a great deal of discussion now about peace around the world. At the same time, there is increased strife and fighting in our own country. But the biggest war in the world is being waged and few are talking about it. You will not find it in the news or trending on social…
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Seasons are marked by change. The autumn leaves turning colors and falling to the ground are a reminder to us all that time is passing. And while we love some seasons more than others, God uses every season in life to bring us closer to Himself. He is the One who transcends it all –…
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It was a joy again yesterday to see people on their knees, seeking the Lord. There is something wonderfully refreshing about definite, united prayer among God’s people. In these strange days in our world churches have had to make a number of adjustment to their meetings. Most of these are logistical – issues such as…
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My heart is full of the goodness of the Lord to us! Over the last few days it was a privilege to gather with so many pastors and Christian workers in Walkertown, NC. As we planned and prepared for this year’s Southwide Baptist Fellowship none of us knew if it would be possible for friends…
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We all know that this year has been particularly challenging. Clouds of doubt and a fog of uncertainty have come into a world that was already dark with sin. It is at this time, more than ever, that we must remember our “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John…
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A few days ago I put a copy of the United States Constitution in my briefcase as I left for a trip. On board a flight I determined to read it through at one sitting, slowly and thoughtfully. As a Christian I am a citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). In the words of the old…
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It has been a joy over recent months to share with you some of my favorite books on a variety of subjects. The weekly “short list” is really just a starting point for those who want to read more, and I hope the recommendations will be a good starting point for some. We have tried…
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This evening I will fly to Pennsylvania for the first meeting of a new month. It is a privilege to serve the Lord alongside pastors each week. October is designated as “Pastor Appreciation Month” and it is my hope that local churches will do all they can to encourage their pastors during this challenging time.…
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There is no book on earth like God’s Book – it is the very Word of the Living God, and every word of it is for us! I love the Bible. This library of 66 books has changed and continues to change my life. We should never allow our reading of good books to substitute…
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Leadership has become a buzzword in our culture. Without a doubt there can be an unhealthy, man-centered, humanistic emphasis on leadership. Yet a careful student of history must admit that God leads men to lead others and, at critical times in civilization, He raises up leaders to make a difference in the world. Dr. Lee…
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Last night I preached in a tent meeting on “It’s Prayer Time In America.” Yes, these are turbulent times, political times, chaotic times, dark times – but, for the people of God, it is prayer time! If ever there was a nation and a generation that needed to seek the Lord it is ours…and it…
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This is hard for me. The lives of so many faithful ministers have ministered to me through the years! Yet as I look at my shelves and consider the ones that have had the greatest impact on my life there are a few that stand out. Hudson Taylor and Maria by J.C. Pollock (We all…
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Sometimes God scatters His people. This is seen in the early church when believers were scattered because of persecution (Acts 8:4). But there is a huge difference between the scattering of persecution and the scattering of neglect. When God scatters a flock He does it to multiply and reproduce the flock in other places. If…
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Reading is not just for information! It can be a healthy habit and constructive distraction for busy people. While I spend much of my reading time in research and study I have learned that keeping some “light” reading nearby is good for me. My favorite books for pleasure reading are usually biographies or something on…
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As most of you know we are looking forward to taking a group of friends to the land of the Bible. We have a great group of folks planning to travel and study God’s Word with us. I am personally excited about being there with family and friends. The tour was scheduled for this year,…
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There is increased interest right now in the subject of prophecy. The entertainment world is full of speculation about apocalyptic events and the “end of the world” seems to be on the minds of many. As believers, we know that the eternal God is the Source of all truth – He alone knows the beginning…
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I have had a verse on my mind the last few days. Proverbs 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” We plan and prepare. We do our part, but only God can protect us and cause us to be victorious. Our lives and labors are…
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This week I had the privilege of speaking in a special seminar on the Christian home. The people in attendance were young and old, single and married, people with children and grandchildren. It was a reminder to me that there are seasons of life and family, and at every season we need God’s wisdom! If…
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One of the great joys of serving the Lord is watching Him work in ways we could never have planned. Yes, we are “laborers together with God” and He has graciously allowed us to be participants, partners in His mission. But, in the end, all of us recognize that we are just along for the…
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What if you received a letter from the Founder of the church? In fact, you have it in your hands each time you hold the Word of God! The Lord has written in black and white exactly what He designed and desires for His church to be. The New Testament is the divine manual on…
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I love America. God has been gracious to our land and I thank the Lord for the privilege of being born in this country. Like so many of you, I am burdened about the spiritual condition of our country and praying that there will be real repentance and revival at this critical time. The sad…
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It is a strange day. I can’t get use to seeing everyone in masks. The last few days I have been flying frequently and wearing my mandatory mask in airports and planes. The arguments for and against range from medical to political, from governmental to personal. It is not my purpose to stir that debate,…
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Have you watched the news lately? At times it seems that the whole world has gone crazy. Logic has disappeared and common sense is at an all-time low. Some say it is a sign of the times, and, while I would agree, I would also say it is a sign of sin. There is a…
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Let me begin by saying that I am not a musician! The books that I am recommending are not related to the technical aspects of music, but rather to the use of great songs and the stories behind them. I do love music and have a collection of hymn books in our home. However, I…
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Frequently I am asked what Bible commentaries I would recommend. This is a broad question without an easy answer. Some commentators are better on some books than others. For example, if I am going to study the Psalms I would be sure to have Charles Spurgeon’s Treasury of David. I would not think of studying…
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The adventure continues! Following Christ is always an adventure but the current situation in our world makes it even more so. These are days where we must exercise faith at every turn, and how wonderful it is to see the Lord leading. Today I have had the joy of speaking to a group of pastors…
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Much of my ministry has been connected to young people. It was my privilege to serve for many years as a church youth director. I enjoyed teaching youth ministry at a college level and continue to enjoy working with camps and youth conferences. The most important “youth ministry” I have been part of is having…
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Life is a journey and the fourth section of the Psalms, known as the Numbers Psalms, shows us the goodness and guidance of God along that journey. If we want to move forward we must look up! At every twist and turn in life God’s Word provides direction to make right decisions. Today on our…
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Many of you have asked in recent days about this year’s Rest Conference. Pastor Scott Hooks and I, along with our wives, love hosting this meeting each September. It is a refreshing time in God’s Word and with many of God’s servants. Due to the unusual situation this year with COVID-19 restrictions we have decided…
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The key to a nation is a generation. I believe if we lose the next generation we lose the nation. Truth endures to every generation but every generation must hear the truth! We have just concluded the third section of Psalms (the Leviticus Psalms) on our daily Enjoying the Journey broadcast. God willing, next week…
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In a previous post I shared some recommended reading on preaching, but all of us who have been in the Lord’s work for any period of time know that there is more to daily ministry than the preaching of sermons. Much more. Ministry is helping people where they are and leading the church as you…
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One of the great joys of my life is the fellowship and friendship we enjoy with the people of God. There is nothing like being in the greatest family on earth! I am very grateful for the connections the Lord continues to give us with His people around the world and the partnership we have…
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Ours is an age of questions, skeptics, and debate. Paul described the last days well when he wrote, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). This is a day for believers to know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to express it to…
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How many times have you heard about the importance of hand washing over the last few months? The entire world is being reeducated in basic hygiene that our mothers tried to teach us! What is true for physical wellness is a picture of a higher truth – it is a principle of spiritual health. In…
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Someone once said that everybody is having a hard time with something. The longer I live the more I think they were right. We are sinners living with other sinners in a sin cursed world. The oldest book in the Bible says it best, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days…
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These are unusual days for God’s people and many are fighting discouragement. A dear friend who labors in a challenging part of the world recently shared an encouraging article full of wise advice and I wanted to pass it along to you. I am doing so with his permission and with the prayer that the…
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Change is a reality of life and we have had plenty of reality over the last few months! These are strange but exciting days to be serving the Lord. With God there is always the adventure of faith and the certainty of His guidance. Though the summer schedule is much different than the “norm” we…
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This week we sat around the dinner table with our children and had a most interesting conversation about finances. The discussion was not just about our finances but about theirs. Each of our kids are now at the age and stage in life where they are beginning to make serious decisions about saving and spending.…
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Earlier this week I posted 5 Books to Read on Witnessing. In this season of “social distancing” and health fears it is possible that we could all lose sight of the greatest danger – souls being eternally lost. It would be a tragedy if, while we give attention to physical things, we neglect spiritual realities.…
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Every believer is to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8). In fact, every Christian is a witness – we may be a good one or a poor one, but we all testify to those around us about the reality of Christ in us! Gypsy Smith said that God wrote…
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All of us who are called “dad” know that, while we want the best for our children, we do not always choose the best ourselves. There are no perfect fathers, but there is one perfect Father. Paul called Him “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). He gives perfect…
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Grant decided he was going to plant a garden this year. His very own. He wanted to work it from scratch and use no plants, just seeds. The primitive, pioneer way. It has been fun to watch and instructive for us all. You can learn a lot about life in a garden! Here are…
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The goal of reading and studying should not be knowing, it is should be living. Many people have a head full of facts but a life empty of truth. In fact, the very educated and learned Apostle declared, “Knowledge puffeth up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Our desire is to grow, not just just know. Through the…
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This has been an exciting week with the release of Revival Praying on Monday. We have been encouraged by the initial reception to the book and especially the response of many who are seeking the Lord for a spiritual awakening in our day. If you have not yet downloaded your free digital copy or preordered…
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Preaching the Word of God is a grand privilege and great responsibility. For the faithful minister there is a joy and a soberness in standing to deliver the Lord’s message. The preacher’s objective is simple: to use Scripture and be used by the Spirit to point people to God. Thirty-one years ago this summer I…
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There is a delicate balance in the daily devotional life: we want to keep both discipline and freshness in our time with God. Very easily routines turn into ruts and delight becomes drudgery. Today’s list is unique because each book must be used. Reading is not enough. Let me begin by clarifying that there is…
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I am not discouraged. Yes, I have watched the news in recent days and have been saddened by the state of affairs in our nation. But God’s people should not be in despair! At the darkest moments in history the Lord has brought the greatest spiritual breakthroughs. We may very well be standing on the…
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Churches are beginning to open back up. Pastors are trying to find some rhythm again. It will take some time to get everyone back and schedules fully normal, but it is a start. In fact, it is an opportunity for a new beginning! Over the last months I have had the privilege of working with…
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Every Christian should read biography. Through the years God has used the story of believers in history to both instruct and inspire me. First, let me say that not every biography I read is Christian. There are lessons to be learned from military leaders, businesspeople, athletes, and government figures. Sometimes we learn what to do…
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America is in desperate need of revival. Our nation needs the healing that only God’s holy presence can bring. But great awakenings never begin as national movements – they begin as personal meetings with God. Spiritual awakenings come when God’s people connect their prayers to God’s purpose. I am frequently asked when I plan to…
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These are unusual days for everyone and unique days to serve in a church. Over the last few weeks I have spent a great deal of time talking and praying with pastors who are doing their best, under God, to lead their churches through this crisis time. While these faithful pastors are working to help…
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“Truly God is good…it is good for me to draw near to God” (Ps. 73:1, 28). In these unusual days I am reminded that God is good, and that it is good for me to stay as close to Him as possible! Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we seek to fulfill…
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Everywhere we look, we see reminders of our desperate need for godly men to set the pace for another generation coming along behind them. Personally, I am grateful that my dad is a spiritual man, hopeful that my son will follow Christ all of his life, and convicted that I must be the link that…
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We live by lists! Grocery lists, to do lists, lists to keep up with our lists. At this particular time in our world people are more reflective. God has providentially allowed us to have time to meditate and ponder what is truly important. The question is: will we remember what we are learning? Someone said…
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Yes, that’s what I said. Stop it. Stop reading the Bible. It is not that the Bible should not be read, rather, it is that too often we substitute Bible reading for the greater work. Reading Scripture passages is just the entry point! Our communication with God must be much more than that. American Christianity…
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It is a great privilege to stand and preach God’s Word to others. In fact, it is a high and holy calling that should never be taken for granted! Preachers who are serious about what God has given them to do will not only work on sermons, they will work on themselves. You cannot separate…
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As many of you know we have been praying and working for some time toward a regional God Bless America Rally in our “Jerusalem” of southern West Virginia. 33 churches are laboring together for this gospel effort and there is a real expectancy about what the Lord will do! This is a pivotal time in…
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How well do you know the Spirit of God? Though we live in the age of the Spirit, there is so much confusion about Him. Some fall short of really understanding the Holy Ghost, while others go beyond what Scripture reveals about the third person of the Godhead. I love the Holy Spirit. He is…
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Perhaps like me you are beginning to get impatient or bored with the current state of things in our nation. A little stir crazy? We must remember that, like everything in this world, “this too shall pass.” Soon the crisis will be over. The great question is not: “Will the crisis every pass?” but, rather,…
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Yesterday we concluded the first stage of our journey through the Psalms. The Genesis Psalms, Psalm 1-41, help us to see God as the beginning of all good things. I have greatly enjoyed the trip so far! Today we take a brief stop before continuing our journey. Along the path of life sometimes the Lord…
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This is a hard one. I have so many books that have been a tremendous help to me on the subject of prayer. There are a host of “classics” – such as the writings of E.M. Bounds – that you would expect to find on this list. However, I would like to simply recommend a…
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Today a precious friend, a faithful preacher, a man of prayer went home to be with Jesus. He walked with God and, in the last few hours, like Enoch, “he was not, for God took him.” I imagine that at this moment he is rejoicing at the throne, and while I grieve for his loved…
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Someone said that man plans and God laughs. Scripture says it better, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). In recent weeks we have all been reminded that we may schedule and plan but the final direction is given by God alone. While our itinerary over the last…
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The wisest man who ever lived said, “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That is because truth is never new – it is eternal. One of the dangers in our world today is the Athenian nature to always “tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21). While there are good…
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The most dangerous battle ground on earth is the human mind. Each day is a war zone. Satanic attacks must be met with God’s help and every thought must be captured and yielded to Christ. The victory or defeat of your Christian life hinges on your thought life. “For though we walk in the flesh,…
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Many of God’s people believe that we are on the verge of a revival in our day. There is a disruption of norms, a hunger for God, a deep sense of need. Only the Lord knows – and only He can send a spiritual awakening. In the words of G. Campbell Morgan, “We cannot organize…
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Mobile devices and on-demand media have changed our world forever. More specifically, they have changed our families and our lives. Homes no longer revolve around a big screen in the living room, but around little screens in our hand. That is a greater danger now than ever. As we spend less time with people there…
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Did you know that the word “quarantine” actually comes from an Italian word that has biblical roots? It means 40 days – a reference to the 40 days of purification and the 40 day testings found throughout the Scriptures. While the immediate purpose is medical and physical in nature, I believe that God is using…
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“Nothing is more dreaded than the national government meddling with religion.” These were the words of President John Adams in 1812 and they express a truth that translates well into this generation in our nation. We are all concerned about the protection of religious liberty…or at least we should be. Adams, who knew something about…
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For at least one day this week people thought of Christ. We have just come through Easter and much of the world has considered the story of Jesus and the resurrection. But the person and work of the Lord should not be examined once a year – He should be pursued every day! There is…
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What are you currently reading? Do you have any books to recommend? Who are some authors you enjoy? These are questions that I frequently get from friends, but in the last few days it seems everyone is trying to find something good to read! With the current world situation we all have a little more…
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My grandpa remembered where he was when Pearl Harbor was attacked. My dad remembers where he was when JFK was shot. I remember where I was when the planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11. My children will remember the global pandemic of 2020. There are moments in every generation that fix themselves forever…
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If you are a teenager I am quite sure that your social life has been disrupted and your school year has been less than you imagined. (Or perhaps, better than you imagined – depending on your perspective!) After a few days at home most young people begin to get bored. Maybe you are way past…
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We have become a nation of “shut-ins” in many ways. (This should make us more compassionate and caring of those who truly are shut-in and unable to ever leave their homes!) The current shift in schedule has disrupted a mobile society and the ripple effects are just beginning to be felt. What should Christians do?…
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Just a few days ago it was my privilege to be back in our nation’s capitol. Washington D.C. is more than the seat of government for our country – it is a city with millions of eternal souls. Sometimes in the frustration with politics it is easy to forget that souls are at stake. National…
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The term has been lost with the passing of time – and so has the use. Few people today think much about a “family altar.” Yet in days of revival in our nation the principle of families praying and worshiping together was vital. True revival does not start at the church house, it starts at…
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Tomorrow we begin a brand new month. April is usually filled with revival meetings and Bible conferences, but the Lord has allowed a much different itinerary. Like most of you, our travel is limited and work is adjusted because of the global pandemic. I am not discouraged or worried. In fact, I have great peace…
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In crisis hours we are all reminded of what is most important in life, and who truly watches for our souls. We are all living through a season that reminds us of the importance of the local church. This season will pass but the church remains. Christ is building His church even now! He is…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
