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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Questions You Can’t Answer 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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
The True Church Business Meeting 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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
“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…
Read More
“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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
