Last 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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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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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 toward 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…
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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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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 Family Vacation School is out, and summer will be in full swing soon. This is the time of year that young people (and their parents!) begin counting the days until vacation. Like many of you, we are planning a few days away with family this summer and look forward to the time together. The…
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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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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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Many of you faithfully read our Enjoying The Journey blog. Thank you for taking time to read, comment, and share the resources. This year we have had a guest author to post each month and the feedback has been very positive. I am excited to continue sharing the helpful thoughts and resources of others. A dear friend,…
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Hello, praying friends! Thank you for standing with us on your knees. We need your prayers more than ever and are conscious every day that someone is praying. God bless you. The summer is a busy one. We are taking a few days off the road in the middle of this month for some much…
Read MoreJust a few days ago we hosted a county-wide baccalaureate service for the graduating seniors of our home county. God blessed in a marvelous way. Hundreds of seniors, parents, grandparents, and friends gathered at a local high school auditorium. The Lord used a great team of volunteers, local churches, business sponsors, donors, and prayer partners.…
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Last week we celebrated our 100th “Enjoying the Journey” episode. Yesterday we concluded our journey through the Old Testament. On today’s broadcast we are examining what God was up to between Malachi and Matthew. Soon we will launch into the next phase of our journey as we begin to walk through the New Testament. I…
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Tomorrow is a big day for our family. In just a few hours Lauren will turn 16 and Morgan will graduate from high school. As a dad it is both joyful and sobering to watch my baby girls grow up. Later this summer our youngest, Grant, will turn 13. (Pray for us, please!) Today is…
Read MoreI love preachers. It was my privilege to grow up in a pastor’s home. For eighteen years I served under a faithful pastor. Now, it is my opportunity each week to spend a great deal of time with preachers across the country. One thing I know to be true: God’s men need times of refreshing…
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Proverbs opens with a father speaking to his son and closes with a mother speaking to her son. Children need the influence and instruction of both dad and mom. In the first chapter of this book of wisdom Solomon wrote, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy…
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I was baptized as a five-year old boy. I chose to be baptized to show that I had recently trusted Christ as my personal Savior. Now, in fact, I simply chose what Jesus had already chosen for me. 2,000 years ago He told His disciples that those who believed on Him should be baptized (Mark…
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Almost every day, the topic of the devotional life comes up. Let’s be honest. We all struggle with it. Not just consistency, but truly having a meaningful time with God. How can my quiet time become a true meeting with the Lord? In college I was given a copy of George Muller‘s Soul Nourishment First. It has…
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For nearly two decades I had the joy of serving on the staff of a wonderful church and college. After the first few years I had the responsibility of not only being a staff member but also having staff who answered to me. I told someone recently that I learned more about serving on a…
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I remember well the first Bible word study I ever did. It was an easy word. I already knew what it meant…or at least I thought I did. On that day one word opened up one of the greatest principles in Scripture to me. The word is found in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess…
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Pastor Scott Hooks is one of my dearest friends on earth. The work he has been chosen to lead in Hickory, NC is being blessed of the Lord in a wonderful way. In a personal way, God has used him in my life. I am pleased to share his guest post with you and to announce a…
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“This is the Lord‘s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:23-24). Every day is a gift. Every good thing the Lord does is grace. I am more conscious every day, in the words of Hudson Taylor, that…
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Our world and our churches are full of hurting people. Far too often, those hurts come from those who are supposed to be fighting in the same army. Friendly fire. The sword of another brother in arms. We are commanded in Scripture to use a spiritual sword – “the sword of the Spirit,” which is…
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It is something I hear often. People are interested in the “great churches” in our generation. What are they? Where are they? Who is even qualified to say that they are great? Over the last thirty months on the road full time I have had the joy of being in hundreds of churches. Churches of…
Read MoreDid you know that the first time the word “worship” is used in the Bible is in the context of the home? On top of Mount Moriah Abraham taught Isaac what it truly meant to worship God (Genesis 22:1-18). I promise you this was not a lesson that young man forgot! The first “worship leaders”…
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Below is one of the longest posts I have ever made and yet it will be one of the most enjoyable reads. As a college student, learning to learn, I was introduced to an old story that made a powerful impression on my life. It has helped me to study, to think, to meditate, to…
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10 Ways to Help a High School Senior Over the last ten years, I have been privileged to spend time with a number of high school seniors. Some of them living in my own home! Whenever I am on the campus of the school I graduated from, my heart is filled with both memories from…
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This generation has grown accustomed to the 24-hour news cycle. Our eyes, ears, minds, and emotions are bombarded by the constant flow of headlines and pictures. We know more detail and digest more information than any people who have ever lived. Yet our souls are starving. Hopelessness and despair are at an all time high.…
Read MoreIn just a few days Lincoln would “belong to the ages.” His life, like the Civil War, was soon to end. The final stages of battle were underway. Lincoln has always been my favorite president. On my desk are two volumes of Lincoln’s letters and speeches from 1832-1865. From time to time I enjoy seeing…
Read MoreEvangelist Byron Foxx has been a tremendous encouragement to me. He is a happy Christian and his enthusiasm is contagious! You may learn more about his ministry at BibleTruthMusic.com. I believe his brief article on attitude will be a help to you today… Have you ever had an experience with a person who had a…
Read MoreThis generation needs the good news of Jesus Christ! Young people are growing up in a world of violence and hate. Only the love of God can make the difference. In the past months we have seen repeated shootings on school campuses. Students are hurting. Families are afraid. Bullying is on the rise. Kids are…
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No two people are the same, and no two preachers are either. The gifts and callings of God are unique in the life of every one of His servants. It is a beautiful revelation of the wisdom of God and a reminder that He can use others who are not exactly like us. In my…
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When I was in college someone gave me a copy of an anonymous poem about the Bible as God’s revelation of Himself. Today we begin a new podcast series called “Journey Through the Scripture.” My prayer is that we all will come to know the written Word in a greater way, and through this journey,…
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It is hard to imagine that we are near the end of the first quarter of 2018! Next week we will publish our quarterly family newsletter with several special reports. We would love to send it to you. If you have not subscribed to our email newsletter you may do so here. We have seen…
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My Advice To A Young Preacher Recently a teenage boy wrote to tell me that God had called him to be a preacher. What a joy to see another generation of young people yielding their lives to serve Christ! He asked if I would give him some advice. Below are the simple things I wrote…
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Just this week as I was reading God’s Word I noticed a reference that Jesus made to the reading of Scripture. In Luke 6:3, Christ spoke to religious people when He said, “Have ye not read so much as this…? Those who knew so much about God had failed to read some of the most…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
