“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 seem 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. The Four 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…
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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 a 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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Eight months ago we took another step on our own journey with the beginning of the Enjoying The Journey podcast. God has been gracious to give us favor and so many of you have been very kind to join us. We have just crossed the threshold of 95,000 listens to the Bible studies! Every where I…
Read MoreWe are thrilled at the number of preachers and their wives who have made plans to join us next week in Hickory, NC. This gathering has been designed to encourage and strengthen God’s servants. Please help us pray for the good hand of God on every person who is coming and each meeting that will…
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The month of August has been a month of transition as our oldest daughter, Morgan, has begun college and Lauren and Grant have returned to school. God has graciously allowed me to spend a little extra time at home and with our family during these days. Now we are about to begin a very busy…
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Birthday celebrations are special, especially when you get to enjoy them with family. The older I get the more my celebrations turn to meditations. (They tell me that reflection is just another sign of old age!) Every milestone in life is an opportunity to both glorify God and examine your own heart. I am very…
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Many years ago my pastor taught me that if you are a blessing to the preacher you have a part in helping all of those that he helps. God uses faithful preachers to teach us the Word of God. He uses faithful people to encourage the preacher. The Apostle Paul said it this way: “Let…
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American culture has invaded American churches. The desire for novelty, the tendency to boredom, the love for entertainment – all are now very prominent in the average local church. One by-product of this is the frequent migration of church members from one church to another. It is common for churches to “trade” members with some…
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Recently NBC aired a special news report on the increase of loneliness in people around the world. The British government has now instituted a “minister for loneliness.” This new undersecretary in England has been commissioned to work on what the prime minister called “the sad reality of modern life.” How is it possible? We have…
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All over the country young people are returning to school. Our own children start back this week. New beginnings are a wonderful opportunity to set so many things in motion. Regardless of what school your children are in, parents are always key to the education of their own children. Little things can make a big difference.…
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Preacher’s are engaged in the greatest work in the world. It is a work that will outlive this world! 1 Timothy 5:17 says, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” Those who are engaged in such labor must also have times…
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Preach In Faith All of us who have preached for any length of time can testify that some things are different every time we stand to preach. The truth never changes, but the preacher’s mind, the audience’s attitude, and the general circumstances do! Some days the message flows. Sometimes it does not. I have wondered…
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It was my privilege to serve as an assistant to a wonderful pastor for many years. Eighteen years were spent helping someone else fulfill the work God had put in his heart to do. Yet the great truth is that I was also fulfilling the work God had put in my heart to do! An…
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These words from Luke 11:1 are the prayer that opens the understanding to more prayer. How often we go through the motions and mechanics of prayer but fail to truly connect with Heaven. The adventure of faith, the thrill of communion with the God of the universe, the privilege of affecting eternity awaits…and we are…
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What a precious summer we have had so far! God has helped us and we have seen Him at work in so many places. Thank you for praying for us and for those we have the privilege to minister to. August is a special month in our family full of birthday celebrations and, this year,…
Read MoreThis week on our “Enjoying the Journey” podcast I am dealing with what the Word of God says about alcohol. (You may subscribe or listen at enjoyingthejourney.org.) As an accompanying resource, I wanted to pass along to you a most helpful article that my friend, Pastor Johnny Pope, has written on this subject. It will…
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This is not an article on health and wellness. It is much more important than that. (If my mother is reading this I want to go on record as saying that I do believe we all should eat our vegetables! Love you, mom.) The question is: why would we take better care of our bodies…
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Today is my son’s 13th birthday. We have had a wonderful time celebrating this week as a family. How could we have three teenagers?! I asked Grant to lead us in prayer for our meal the other night. Near the end of his prayer he said, “Thank you, God, for giving me 13 years.” It…
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We were in the middle of a service several weeks ago when a fine young man leaned over and asked me, “Do you have a favorite hymn?” I did not know that he was scheduled to play the offertory or that in a matter of moments this gifted young man would play one of the…
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Recently as I ministered in a beautiful southern city a local pastor began to describe all of the filth that has invaded their area. Immorality of every type. When I asked where it all began his answer was without hesitation, “The brewery’s came to town and every other evil followed them.” What’s true in a…
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As I write these words I am sitting in northern Michigan. It is a beautiful summer day at camp. This morning at breakfast I had an engaging conversation with a young man who is starting out in ministry. Near the end of our time together he asked me a question that seemed very broad. And…
Read MoreThe Christian witness should not be awkward. A rigid recitation of facts will never effectively introduce unbelievers to “the way, the truth, and the life.” Early on in my witnessing I was taught to use key Scriptures from the book of John and the book of Romans. While this is very helpful, we must never…
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Take the day off…Those are beautiful words. (Since you don’t work for me you should probably still show up for work today!) Why is it that we only seem to apply these words to areas of responsibility? For sure it is exciting to think about “a day off” from the normal routine, but what if…
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He was an engineer who had been responsible for the invention of things too intricate for me to understand. Yet the message he conveyed to me was one that I not only understood, I needed to hear. Over a meal in a city where I was speaking a very kind Christian gentleman was explaining to…
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The only hope of America, the only hope of any nation, is the mercy of God. In recent days we have all watched the national news and the deterioration of political debate into an outright spirit of anarchy. We are a divided nation, and only one Person brings true unity. There will always be differences…
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Today we finish our “Journey Through Scripture” podcast series. So many of you have let us know that you have been making the journey with us and have helped to share it with others. Thank you. Tomorrow we are releasing an episode that is a special word to our listeners. This informal conversation is the…
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Do you have a favorite Bible character? Each one has some message for us. They may serve as a positive example or a negative example. At different times, they may be both! Over the last few months I have been spending a lot of time with John the Baptist. He has come alive to me.…
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Thank the Lord for faithful preachers of God’s Word. We need them more than ever and we need more of them! As I travel my appreciation for the Lord’s servants grows. Most pastors are not well known, many are carrying a load no one knows about. They are shepherds. I am an evangelist, but I…
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How To Make This The Greatest Summer Of Your Life Everyone looks forward to summer. Students will tell you that summer begins the moment they are out of school. For adults, summer doesn’t seem to begin until you leave work for that first day of vacation. It means something different to everyone but almost everyone…
Read MoreWords cannot express how truly grateful I am for the prayers of God’s people. I am humbled and honored by the many who pray for us each day. Your labor is not in vain. One half of 2018 is almost gone! Next week we will email our quarterly newsletter and I would love to send…
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A Self-Made Man? Society is full of people who speak as though they made themselves what they are. Churches are too. It is so easy to think that it was our own effort or ability that brought us to where we are. It was not. Any good thing in our lives is because of God’s…
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The European’s have long taken their “holiday,” but it is America that has institutionalized the family vacation. American’s spend an inordinate amount of money every year on elaborate trips and extravagant adventures. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, the great thing about vacation is not the place or the activity – it is…
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Dr. Johnny Pope is the pastor of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship in Houston, Texas. His Spirit-filled preaching has always been a tremendous help to me. It is full of Scriptural substance that makes you think and stirs your heart. Brother Johnny has been a friend and encourager. I believe you will be helped by his writing.…
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Permit me to share with you something personal that God has been doing in my own heart. Week after week I am introduced to speak in some public meeting as an “evangelist.” Am I? Are you? In our world, the term has become synonymous with one who travels extensively and preaches publicly. The evangelist is…
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“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). We all want to be faithful…but what does that mean? Faithfulness is not a schedule; it is a spirit. There are many people who are present but not present. Fathers who are at home but not really with their family.…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
