Growth is essential to life. Throughout the years I have heard countless people say that the only way to grow is to be willing to change. Change has become the contemporary buzzword and measurement of growth. This is very dangerous. Just because a man is changing does not mean he is growing – he may…
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Yesterday I opened the USA Today to find a full page ad with the names of a wide range of religious leaders calling for a day of prayer for our President. Sunday, June 2, has been unofficially declared a day of prayer for the President of the United States. I am very happy that many…
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“Living on the edge” is considered to be adventurous or dangerous, depending on your perspective. The person on the edge is close to peril. In fact, we are all living there! Every person alive is at this moment living on the edge of eternity. At any moment we may be face to face with a…
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We all love the lunch hour! A few moments of quiet from the busyness of the work day. The halfway point. And, most of all…the food! But have you ever considered how your lunch hour could be used for God? It could actually be the most important work you do all day – and the…
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June is a big month for families and always a special time for young people getting out of school! I love this time of year for the opportunities to minister to both. Would you help us pray for these exciting days just around the corner? Saturday-Monday, June 1-3, Sunday services & Deacons/Staff Training, Faith Baptist…
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Several months ago, I preached a message on the tears of Jesus. Our Savior was a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:5). This is more than mere emotionalism or shallow sentimentality – it is a reminder that He cares and that He carries our burdens. There are three times in Scripture that Jesus…
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When the Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon it was not just his riches and wisdom that she observed with amazement. It was his servants. She noted, “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom” (1 Kings 10:8). The joyful servants were…
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A dear man asked me the other day where we were going next in our “Enjoying the Journey” Bible study. It is a pleasure to walk through Scripture together and to know that many of you are making that journey with us! Here is a brief overview of our next steps… Today’s episode is very…
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Have you ever thought you would like to study the Bible in the very places where it all happened? Just this week I read devotionally the account of Moses looking over into the Promised Land from Mt. Pisgah. I recalled what it was like for me, several years ago, standing in that same mountain range…
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The last few weeks have been some of the busiest and most blessed we have seen in our evangelistic work. I know this is due to the Lord’s grace and the faithful prayers of so many people. With the intense schedule I have not posted as many articles as normal. We hope to return to…
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Today I leave for a 10 day preaching trip. The Lord is helping us and we are seeing His hand. At the same time there is always spiritual warfare because everything God ordains, Satan opposes! The “great door” and the “many adversaries” always go together (1 Corinthians 16:9). I know that I need the Lord…
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On Tuesday a dear man in the church where I was preaching asked if we could go witnessing together. It was such a privilege to listen to him share Christ with holy enthusiasm. He has been doing it for over half a century. I asked him how he started sharing his faith. He said that…
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Thank you for praying with us and for us month after month. The Lord is so very gracious and we are humbled just to be in His work. Several folks have said recently, “I would never want to do what you are doing.” The truth is that when God calls you to something He gives…
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Recently I wrote a brief article on “Why You Should Use Gospel Tracts.” If you have not read it already I hope you will do so now. I am convinced that this is one of the great tools at our disposal for the advancement of the gospel! It is something everyone can do. Like every…
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Gospel literature is one means of communicating the message of Christ to great numbers of people one at a time. Imagine how many people could be reached if every believer simply carried tracts and gave them out as they went about their normal routines! The power of the literature is not in the words of…
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Recently I have had several kind believers come to me in meetings and ask, “What can we pray for you and your family specifically?” Nothing could be more encouraging! Such a question reveals that the people are not simply saying they will pray, but that they plan to pray – and pray specifically. The Lord…
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Every day should be a day of prayer, but it is a good thing to set aside specific seasons to give yourself to concentrated prayer. Extended periods of prayer help us to both consecrate ourselves and concentrate our petitions. In Scripture the number 40 is often associated with a season of proving or testing… The…
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Rest is not a dirty word. It is, in fact, essential to all good work. God instituted rest before the fall of man. It is hardwired into creation and indispensable to man. Rest for spirit, soul, and body is designed to bring us nearer to the God who created us! If Adam needed rest before…
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The other day a friend I had not talked to for some time asked if I was still running. Yes, my times have not been quite as good as I would like but I am still running. Travel schedules and winter weather pose challenges – but, if it is not one thing it is always…
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It is hard to believe that the first quarter of the year will soon be gone! We are grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness and the faithful prayers of so many of you. Over the last days of this month I will be preaching in Ohio, Georgia, and Florida. You can find more details on the…
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That’s right. No matter where you are or how cold it is, today is officially the first day of spring! The first of warmer, brighter days ahead…we hope. The seasons of nature are an amazing illustration of the seasons of spiritual life. Sometimes we all go through “winter” of the soul. Coldness comes. Darkness descends.…
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We are very grateful to have our daily Enjoying The Journey broadcast being broadcast on a number of traditional and online radio stations. (For a full list visit enjoyingthejourney.org/broadcast.) We have heard from many who are journeying with us through the Scriptures. New stations are being added as the Lord opens doors. I am happy…
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People around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with little thought of the man for which the day is named. In fact, much of what is associated with Patrick is based on falsehoods… Patrick was not Irish – he was Scottish. He was not a canonized “Saint” of the church, but he was a believer…
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Why did Jesus wait until He was 30 years of age to begin His ministry when He was so full of wisdom at the age of 12? Why did the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus only last three and a half years when He could have lived a long, full life? Why in those…
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Frequently I hear it said of someone that he is still trying to “find his way” in life. Our world is full of aimless drifters and empty souls. Another toy. Another trip. Another lover. Everyone just trying to find their way – but, to where? Many people have traveled all of life on a certain…
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Bob Crichton and I had the joy of laboring together in the Lord’s work for many years. He has been a faithful friend and spiritual counselor to me. Brother Crichton is a Spirit-filled man who walks with God. He has studied for many years the life of D.L. Moody and is full of helpful insights…
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Recently we have heard from precious friends who are watching and listening to messages given at recent meetings. Sometimes the churches that we are in livestream their services or archive their messages on their church website. A number of messages have also been made available on sites like Sermon Audio. My desire is to get…
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I arrived a half hour before the evening service was to start. One hundred people were already seated in the auditorium. Why were they early? The church was meeting for important business: it was meeting to pray. There was little talk to one another. The preaching would not take place for another hour. God’s people…
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A pastor that is being mightily used of God told me this week that doctors had advised his parents to abort him. Today, I am thinking not only of the millions of babies who missed the opportunity to live their lives but also what we have missed! Doctors, teachers, pastors, laborers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters…never…
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The life and ministry of D.L. Moody has always been a great challenge to me. This humble servant of God knew the power of the Holy Spirit and was used to shake two continents with the gospel. Perhaps his greatest work was in enlisting others to work for Christ. The Lord used Moody to set…
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Life is not about things “to-do” but about things “to-pray” for. Every event should be an opportunity to pray. The calendar should become part of our prayer list! As I look over our schedule week by week I am praying that in every place the Lord Jesus will be glorified, the Holy Spirit will have…
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Every preacher is different. The same all-wise God who used the unique personalities and gifts of the Bible writers continues to minister through all different types of men. Over time a man learns how God speaks to him and how he best can receive and relay the Lord’s message to others. Preaching day after day…
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My favorite traveling companion is the one that God is allowing me to make this journey through life with. Every place is better with her. Every day brighter. Tammy has been for the last nearly twenty five years my best friend, over twenty one of those as my wife. She is God’s best gift to…
Read More“Do you enjoy what you are doing?” I hear this question often. The answer for me is…absolutely! While there are challenges in every work, there is nothing as fulfilling as being in the will of God. There are many needy places around this world and one individual cannot go everywhere or do everything. We all…
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This afternoon I am helping to conduct a prayer rally in the Akron-Canton, Ohio area. This meeting with churches from around the region is for one purpose: to set ourselves right with God and to seek God’s face for revival and the advancement of the gospel. Will you help us pray? Today’s prayer meeting is…
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We all know we ought to pray more. We all want to pray more effectively. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God wrote a manual on prayer? Indeed, He has! God’s Word is the most thorough, powerful prayer book in the world. If you want to be a person of prayer then you must be a…
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We are all concerned about the direction of our communities and our country. It is easy to spend all of our time listening to the commentators and talking about how wicked the world has become. God’s people have a work to do – the one work that can truly make a difference. Only the gospel…
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Dr. Mike Edwards served for 37 years as the pastor of the Heritage Baptist Church in Woodbridge, VA. He is a man of wisdom and a great encouragement to those who are serving the Lord. I am very grateful to call him my friend and happy to pass along this helpful article. He and his wife are now traveling…
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The bad news and news of bad people seems to keep piling up. Like many of you I am sickened this week by the blatant rebellion in our country against what is true and good and decent. Our beloved nation is quickly moving toward the judgment of God. We need a spiritual awakening! One of…
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It is a privilege to labor with others for the cause of Christ. The Lord is doing some wonderful things in churches all over this country. I thank God for faithful pastors and praying people in so many places. Let’s pray for one another and commit to be faithful until Jesus comes! January has been…
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This week I am preaching for a dear friend and wonderful pastor in south Florida. Tom Odom pastors the First Baptist Church of Southwest Broward in Cooper City. God is using him and his beautiful family and the work is being especially blessed of God. One of the joys in the ministry God has given…
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Podcasts are a wonderful resource for personal, daily growth. Listening to the faithful teaching of God’s Word has often been used to instruct and inspire me along the way. My prayer for our Enjoying The Journey podcast is that the Lord would use it to help people get into the Word of God for themselves. Nothing should…
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One of the early gospel efforts Tammy and I were privileged to serve in at Temple Baptist Church was the Christian Volunteers ministry on the campus of the University of Tennessee. During that time over twenty years ago God stirred a deep burden in my heart to reach college students for Christ. Kyle Austin also…
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Bible reading schedules have not been a great help to me. While I can appreciate the discipline they develop, for me they often became a distraction, a duty, a drudgery. Personally I have found it better through the years to take a smaller portion of Scripture each day and meditate on it. Each person has…
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Early this week I was in Fort Myers, Florida. One afternoon between meetings I had the joy of visiting Thomas Edison’s and Henry Ford’s winter homes. It was fascinating to read about the lives of these famous innovators. And a little sad. As I sat watching a film about the bitter relationship between Henry Ford…
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I love the gospel. It was the good news of Jesus Christ that changed my life and my eternal destiny! Every good thing in my life grows out of the gospel. Day after day I am witnessing the power of the gospel to change hearts and homes. It is the only true light for our…
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It was embarrassing to say the least. There I stood in a public restroom waving my hands furiously under the faucet, grumbling that someone really should fix the sensor. Why on earth wouldn’t the water come out? Then I realized – it’s not automatic. That’s right, it was one of the old fashioned kind. The…
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Today I have the opportunity to preach to a wonderful group of preachers. My heart is to encourage them. Thank the Lord for faithful ministers! Like their Chief Shepherd they live “not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Yet in the midst of busy lives and labors ministers must pause long enough to minister…
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It was 5:30 a.m. when it went off. I am used to early flights, wake up calls, and alarms. This was different. In fact, the noise was so loud it almost vibrated me out of bed! The fire alarm in our hotel was deafening. In a matter of moments a knock on the door confirmed…
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In the world of finance it is referred to as the Pareto Principle. Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, suggested that 20% of a nation’s people will control 80% of the wealth. This 80/20 rule has been applied to churches, not as it relates to money, but as it relates to manpower. The Lord does not…
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Henry Longfellow was once asked how he managed a long and happy life. He pointed to an apple tree and said, “The secret of the apple tree is that it grows a little new wood every year.” Today many of us are returning to work and school, to the schedules and demands of normal life.…
Read MoreToday we stand on the threshold of 2019. How gracious God has been to us! If the Lord allows us to live until tomorrow, we will turn another page in the calendar of time. Will you make it a new beginning in your Christian life? All this week on Enjoying The Journey we are looking at great…
Read MoreThese are days of preparation as we look forward to the year ahead. Thank you for praying for us. We would love to see you at one of these meetings in January… Wednesday-Friday, January 2-4 – Conference on Revival and Evangelism, Beacon Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC, Pastor Tim Rabon (more details at core2019.com) Sunday, January…
Read MoreThroughout this year I have had a number of guest authors on our blog. This one is my favorite. I thank the Lord for my sweet wife. Tammy is a precious helpmeet to me and a wonderful mother to our three children. She has been an inestimable blessing in the work God has called us…
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As many of you know, my favorite book of the Bible is the New Testament book of Philippians. But, like one of my college professors, I too would have to say that my favorite book of the Bible is whichever one I am studying at the time! “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…
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As a boy my dad taught me that there are two types of people in the world: takers and givers. Our world is full of takers, but givers are the ones who make a real difference. These are the ones who live Christ’s way, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).…
Read MoreLast night I was asked to share a few thoughts at a memorial service for one of my childhood friends. Ramie and I attended kindergarten through high school together. He was my friend and now, at age 42, he is with Jesus. He leaves behind two beautiful little girls, a grieving mother, and a host…
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When I first went into evangelism a dear friend serving in a “closed country” asked if I would ever consider having a podcast. I must confess that at the time I barely knew what a podcast was! She explained to me and my wife that most Christian programming and preaching is blocked in that part…
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Occasionally I enjoy passing along a resource that has been a blessing to me. My friend Dan Cox from New Smyrna Beach, FL has written a thought-provoking article on the difference between seeking goodness from God and greatness in the eyes of men. Just this week I read in Charles Spurgeon’s The Soulwinner these words: “In…
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In our last article I wrote about the geographical and circumstantial reasons that some loved ones cannot be home for Christmas. But there is another reason. Some people may even be around our tables and under our roof, but they are still away from home. Spiritually they are wandering from the Lord and His people.…
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“I’ll be home for Christmas…” Familiar words from one of the most beloved Christmas carols. There truly is something wonderful about being home at this time of year. And yet, they are not always reality. Some cannot be home for Christmas this year. As a frequent traveler I often think at this time of year…
Read MoreThis week a dear pastor friend and I corresponded about helpful books to share with others. As we near the end of the year I would challenge you to create a reading list for the next twelve months. Be intentional. Begin collecting the ones you do not have. Make a plan to read purposefully in…
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“Why didn’t I see that? Where did that preacher get the understanding of that passage…and how could I have missed it?” Sound familiar? We have all had these questions. Perhaps you have had the experience of reading a well-known Scripture and suddenly seeing something you did not see before. This is the adventure of God’s…
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Can you believe that it is December? The month ahead will be a busy one for families and church families. We must never allow our schedules to crowd out time in the Scripture. Every day is a day to celebrate our Savior and one of the best ways to do so is to spend time…
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I don’t know when the word devotions started to mean the daily meeting with God in prayer and the Word. The only two times the word is used in our English Bible is in the negative. The Apostle Paul beheld the devotions of the idolatrous people in Athens. In his own words, “For as I…
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Across the U.S. the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has come to be known as “giving Tuesday,” an opportunity to help the needy and invest in charitable causes. There are many ministries that are being used of God to reach and teach people for Christ. Tammy and I are very happy to have a part in supporting…
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It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is over and we are about to enter the last week of November. The Lord has been gracious and faithful. We hope that you and your family have had a wonderful time together over the last few days and pray that God will help us all to finish…
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All month on Enjoying the Journey we have been studying the life of thankfulness. Around many tables today people will share a list of things for which they are grateful. On this Thanksgiving Day I am taking a few moments to reflect on one question: Am I truly a thankful person? Are you? You might…
Read MoreMany years ago I learned how to say thank you in a variety of different languages. I am no linguist. The languages that I have taken have not taken on me! But it was enjoyable to learn how to say thank you in Spanish, German, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Russian, and French. I have used…
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As I ran along the coast in a Florida community some time ago I saw one of the most vivid reminders of the dangers of life. The sun was shining bright and the skies were clear. People around me mingled in the park, walking their dogs and talking to one another. Expensive private boats floated…
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Over the next six weeks believers will have more opportunities to witness than perhaps at any other time of the year. Even secular people tend to think about spiritual things more during Thanksgiving and Christmas. For believers every day is a gospel day, but some days provide special open doors to unbelievers. We must not…
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In the Old Testament the holy day was Saturday, the Sabbath. New Testament believers gather to celebrate the risen Christ on Sunday, the first day of the week. I am writing these words on a Monday. This article will publish on a Wednesday. You may be reading it on another day. The truth is…it doesn’t…
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It is one thing to be a friend to sinners and quite another to be a friend to their sin. The Lord Jesus Christ was known as “the friend of sinners” and yet those sinners would have been the first to tell you that He did not condone their wickedness. Modern church goers have developed…
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In our day of cheap facades, strange additives, and generic substitutes it is appealing when anyone offers something that is completely natural. Entire brands are now built on the idea of being “all natural.” But in this fallen world of ours even that which is “natural” is so often tainted by sin and the curse.…
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Twenty five years ago I shared a college dormitory with a friend who would become my brother-in-law. Jason Caldwell and his family have committed themselves to reaching and teaching children for Christ. Their work is being blessed of God and I am happy to share with you the following brief article that he has written…
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There are many commands given to God’s people. Each of the Lord’s commands are given for our good and His glory. This is certainly the case for the command most often repeated in Scripture. More than any other admonition in the Word of God we are commanded to praise the Lord! Why does God repeat…
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It has been my privilege to have several blind friends. As a college student I met a blind young man who had read several times through the Scriptures using his braille Bible. One of my greatest encouragers now is a blind missionary. Indeed, in the words of Fanny Crosby, “I sometimes think that blind people…
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Their names are some of the most famous in all of Christian history. Their writings comprise the first four books of our New Testament. Who are they? Evangelists. It is never recorded that any of them served as a pastor. Every minister’s calling is unique and chosen for them by the Holy Spirit. The highest…
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There is a tremendous debate in Christian work over whether certain practices are rooted in tradition or truth. Such discussion is not new. In fact, both the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul addressed this issue with the religious leaders of their day. Case #1: Mark 7:1-13 The Pharisees were consumed with minute details of…
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An opioid epidemic is now sweeping our nation. Everywhere I travel I read the horrific stories of death and destruction being caused by illegal drugs. Even as politicians and health care professionals try to find some solution marijuana use has become generally accepted and legalized. The original drug of alcohol is being accepted now by…
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Family was God’s idea. It is the perfect expression of the Heavenly Father’s heart. “God setteth the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:6). From the beginning He knew that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). And yet in our sin cursed world, even with the existence of physical families, there are…
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Would you pray with us for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in each one of these meetings? I know that apart from the Holy Spirit using God’s Word all of the meetings in the world will never get the job done. We need God! Thank you for your prayers. Thursday-Saturday, November 1-3, Married…
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They were called “the Big Red Machine” when I was a little boy. It was the days before the baseball strike and before Pete Rose was kicked out of the game for gambling. The Cincinnati Reds were my team and I loved to watch them. The names of Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony…
Read MoreIt has been a great blessing to me personally to meet so many people recently who are listening to Enjoying The Journey each day through the podcast or radio broadcast. God has been gracious to grow the reach of the Bible study over this first year. Many of you have been kind to let us…
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I am nearing the end of another journal and, God willing, will begin another soon. This is always a reminder to me of the passing of life and the importance of making every day count. In this particular journal I have some thoughts written in the front and back flyleaf. In the front I have…
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Call it what you will. We all have those times when things seem just a little off the normal pace. The schedule may be the same or even heavier than normal, but something inside is just…off. It may be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. At times you may not know what the true cause is. Even…
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The last two days I have been speaking in Michigan at a wonderful Christian Educator’s Convention. It has been a privilege to spend time with men and women who are giving their lives to help families as they seek to provide their children with a true Christian education. Tammy and I both had the joy…
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Sometimes as you read a book God will cause a couple of words to capture you. That happened to me recently. Two words seemed to take up the whole page. They invaded my thinking and seemed to become the Lord’s message to me that day. Permit me to share the whole paragraph so that you…
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One of the great stumbling blocks to the gospel and road blocks to revival is the party spirit that exists among many of God’s people. This is more than human nature. This is the devil’s nature – always to divide, to splinter, and to break up. This week I was preaching through the works of…
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October is a busy month for special meetings in local churches. I hope you will be actively engaged in any special meetings in your own local church! There is nothing more encouraging than to see faithful people working together, praying together, and coming together to hear the Word of God. As you pray for the…
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The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution states the right of American citizens “to keep and bear arms.” In 1791 our forefathers saw the need for people to defend their own liberties against tyranny. From the beginning of our nation, an armed citizenry was connected to freedom. The goal was not death but preserving…
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At every stage on the journey we face crossroads – choices that will have long-lasting effects on both ourselves and others. Direction determines destination. There is never a day that we do not need God’s wisdom and never a season of life that we can afford to make decisions on our own. Week after week…
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Several people have asked in recent weeks if I am working toward publishing any books. The answer is yes and the key word is “working”! My pastor wisely advised me not to publish much too early and to begin with smaller projects. I have tried to do that through writing weekly articles over the last…
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You would have laughed at me. In fact, I laughed at myself. I was sitting on our front porch studying what the Bible has to say about thunder. Suddenly the largest crack of thunder I have ever heard in my life sounded right next to me! Before I was even conscious of what I was…
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When the Lord led me into evangelistic work one of the great desires of my heart was to help provide resources that would encourage and equip others to give the gospel. My prayer in each meeting is that God will give both new believers and new witnesses who will continue after we are gone. Only…
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People imagine that preachers jump out of bed every day with a strong urge to pray. Nothing could be further from the truth! We all battle flesh and flesh doesn’t like spiritual work. There are times when I just don’t feel like praying. It is then that I most need to pray. Prayer is not…
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As preachers of God’s truth we must always be growing. Certainly we must continue to mature in our understanding of the truth itself, but we must also develop in our delivery of it. God’s Word is perfect – we are not. The message cannot be improved, but the messenger can! Young preachers are challenged to…
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Many of you have prayed for us this week as we conducted The Preacher’s Rest in Hickory, NC. The Tabernacle Baptist Church family worked hard to host friends from many places. They demonstrated the love and grace of God in a special way. Nearly one hundred fellow laborers – preachers and their wives – joined…
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Men must learn to work. They must also learn to rest. The first mention of rest in Scripture is found in Genesis 2 where it is tied directly to the work of God. Man needs rest that only the Creator can provide. In our fast paced society we often find it hard to rest. The…
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This week I had the joy of hearing a couple of reports that were overwhelming. In a world of bad news it is encouraging to hear of definite answers to prayer, spiritual victories being won. As a family we rejoiced in the way God is at work in the lives of people for whom we…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
