Are You In A Holding Pattern? There are few things more frustrating than the pilot’s announcement that your flight is in a holding pattern! How long? Why? What is the problem? When will this end? In recent days, I have counseled with a number of people whose lives and ministries seem to be in such…
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A Word to Younger Preachers Recently a precious friend introduced me as “a young preacher.” I love those words. I am now at the age where I want to hang onto them as long as possible! As a preacher, I am increasingly aware of the investment that older men have made in my life. All…
Read MoreBooks become friends. They instruct and inspire. As my wife will tell you, there are a lot of books around our home! At any given time there are several off the shelf, in the process of being read. I have previously written several articles on reading and developing a library. There is both a discipline…
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Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart he is well-nigh gone.” There is no way to underestimate the power of thankfulness, in a heart or in a home! For believers, thanksgiving should not be a single day – it should be a way of life.…
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10 Ways to Begin Bringing Others to Jesus Have you ever had the joy of sharing Christ with someone and seeing that person come to know the Lord as their personal Savior? If so, you know there is nothing in this world like it! We know that Jesus said, “ye shall be witnesses unto me”…
Read MoreFrequently in my sermons I tell the story of some great Christian hymn. The background to a song often opens up the message in a more meaningful way. I am currently reading Al Smith’s Treasury of Hymn Histories and my heart has been blessed again by the way God works in the hearts of His…
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This is my favorite season of the year and a busy season of ministry. God has been faithful and we are seeing Him work in many places. Thank you for praying for us. Our itinerary for the month of November is below. I would deeply appreciate your prayers and, as always, would be encouraged to…
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The service had just ended and an older woman whom I did not know came to speak to me. She told me that she prays for me and for my family every day. I cannot think of anything more encouraging than that! Then she asked the question that few people ever ask. It revealed a…
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A Simple Principle That Has Had A Profound Effect On My Life Dr. Frank Sells was one of my favorite Bible teachers. I can see him now, sitting on the platform, in his conversational way, showing some of the most powerful truths I have ever seen in the Word of God. Many of his statements…
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Suicide is More Than A Statistic Suicide is up 300% from my father’s generation. Over the last few months, I have read an alarming number of articles on the suicide rate in our nation. A quick Google search will reveal that suicide is on the rise in almost every region, and most alarmingly, it is…
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The Greatest Thing In The World What is the greatest thing in all the world? Henry Drummond was a Scottish evangelist who was mightily used of the Lord. D.L. Moody called him the most Christ-like young man he ever knew. Though I cannot endorse everything that Drummond wrote, I wholeheartedly recommend to you his commentary…
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Are you looking for a study that will stir your heart for the advancement of the gospel? Are you interested in a brief series on witnessing that could be used in a Sunday School class, youth group, or small Bible study? Are you needing a training resource to prepare believers to share their faith? It…
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Living on the road can be a challenge. In fact, life itself is a challenge! The duties and demands of every day. The pull and pressure of people. It is so easy for all of us to grow weary…to let our souls grow stale. How do you stay fresh? Apply these simple ideas today… Read!…
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Dear friends, Communication is so important in life and ministry! Technology has made this much easier for our generation. In the work God has called us to do, we have tried to share prayer requests and updates with our friends and are always grateful to hear from you. I am working hard to stay…
Read MoreA little over two years ago I started running. I didn’t plan to do it. In fact, I’m not sure why I went out that first day. I remember saying to my wife, “I’m going for a run.” Her loving, tender answer was, “You’re not a runner!” And she was right. In fact, I’ve never…
Read MoreSomeone said to me not long ago, “You must really love to travel!” Anyone who has spent much time on the road will tell you that the initial thrill and adventure wears off fairly quickly. Something else has to keep you going. Life itself is a journey – full of goodbyes, unexpected circumstances, and change. These…
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My favorite book of the Bible is the little New Testament book of Philippians. I love it for many reasons, but most of all, because it is a book of joy. Repeatedly we are told to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). God not only commands us to rejoice,…
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Thank you for your continued prayers. A precious lady at a church recently asked me, “What can I pray for specifically?” I love that. Specific prayers bring specific answers. Please pray that God would give His strength for a busy season of ministry. Without Him we can do nothing. With God all things are possible.…
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Four months from today I will fly to India. One of my prayers in evangelism was that God would open doors for us to preach the gospel in other countries and help to train gospel laborers in those places. He is answering that prayer. Dr. P.D. Cherian is being mightily used of God at the…
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Every week I read things that I think are helpful. Often I recommend these resources to others or quote a particularly helpful statement from an author. Occasionally I read something that so convicts me and challenges me I go back to it again and again. Such is the case with a brief piece written by…
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Last night I had the joy to be in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for a wonderful tent meeting. God met with us in a special way. In just 4 weeks the Southwide Baptist Fellowship will meet here at the Franklin Road Baptist Church. Pastor Mike Norris and his gracious people will be wonderful hosts and this is…
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We are only days away from 9/11. So many thoughts and emotions come to our minds as we approach this day of memorial. For those of us who know Christ, one of our thoughts should be that people who are bound in false religion desperately need the good news of Jesus. Recently I was speaking…
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A few days ago I had the joy of addressing a group of college students in a local church. There were freshmen and upperclassmen, full of hope and excitement as they approached the beginning of a new year. Life is divided into seasons and every season has a purpose (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). The college years are a…
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What is your morning routine? We all have one. Typically, mine begins with a trip to the coffee maker! While there are simple variations to my morning routine I try to follow the same pattern each morning regardless of where I am. The course of the day is charted in the first moments of the…
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Several weeks ago I published a short post on how to know when you have been called. (You may read the original post here.) It was encouraging to hear from so many who are sincerely praying about the Lord’s will for their life. We need more people laboring for souls, not fewer! I had the…
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Relax. I’m not going to ask you to give up something important like chocolate or coffee. I want to ask you to give up something far more destructive. A few days ago I started to say something in casual conversation to a family member. It was a thoughtless comment. A negative word about someone I…
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How To Keep the Next Generation A fellow preacher and personal friend asked me recently how I believed we could do a better job of retaining young people in our churches. It is a problem of epidemic proportions. The vast majority of young people are exiting the local church by the time they are eighteen.…
Read MoreAlong the journey God brings people across your path who will forever affect your life. He did that for me in August of 1994. In the good providence of God I enrolled as a freshman at Crown College in Powell, Tennessee. Little did I know the lasting influence that Pastor Sexton would have on me…
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This months resource is one of my favorites. In fact, it is my favorite book of the Bible! One of my instructors in college said that his favorite book of the Bible was the one he was reading at the time. Without doubt, all Scripture is wonderful. But many years ago I was challenged to…
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In 1948, Winston Churchill said to the House of Commons, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Our own nation is in the midst of a revolution. An outright revolt against history. While not everything in our history is good, it is true. And only truth can guide us forward. The attack…
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“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Not every day is the same. In fact, in itinerant evangelism, every day is different! The schedule changes. The surroundings vary. But one thing is sure: every day is a gift from God, a day to…
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Late last night I returned from meetings in Georgia and Tennessee. Soon I will leave for another appointment in Ohio. It is a way of life in itinerant evangelism. A friend said to me this week, “You must really love to travel!” Not always. I love the Lord. I love preaching His Word. I love…
Read More19 months ago God led us into full-time evangelistic work. We have seen His direction at each step on this journey. Some time ago the Lord began to stir in my heart a desire to have a younger man, a new evangelist, to travel with me in meetings. Divine confirmations have come repeatedly that this…
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How to Study the Psalms So many people are looking for a Bible plan or devotional help. Some are looking for a place to get started. Others are looking for a place to start again. It is easy to allow your devotional life to grow stale. Remember that your soul may grow dry but the…
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Tammy and I thank the Lord for our children. Like every parent we pray that they will desire to follow Christ. More and more I understand the words of John, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). Recently our oldest daughter Morgan posted some thoughts…
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How Do You Know When You Have Been Called? When the Lord first began dealing with me about being a preacher, I asked my dad, “How do you know when you are called to preach?” He gave what I thought was a vague answer at the time. “You’ll just know.” Now, I find myself giving…
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Just a few month’s ago I had the privilege of writing five Bible studies on witnessing. They are designed to both inspire and instruct believers to begin sharing their faith right where they are. Each lesson provides a thorough exposition of a passage of Scripture, a teachable outline, helpful illustrations, and practical applications. There are…
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This summer has been exceedingly busy and blessed. We thank the Lord for His goodness in our lives and in the work He has called us to do. God has allowed us to see much fruit and I am praying that He will cause it to be “fruit that remains” for His glory. Over the…
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The other day I wrote a short post about how the devil loves to use our words to tear others down. Permit me to share the positive side of this truth: the Lord desires to use our words to build others up! The Scripture says, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11). But it…
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The Devil Doesn’t Need Our Help! Dr. Lee Roberson used to say, “It takes no size to criticize.” Indeed, one of the smallest things a man can do is to tear someone else down. Christ always sought to build men up – it is the devil who seeks to devour. There are many names used…
Read MoreOn a recent flight a lady commented to me that she loved the hymns but found it very difficult to find a church now that would sing them. This is increasingly becoming the norm. While I am not opposed to new songs and choruses, I thank the Lord for the great hymns of our faith.…
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This week I am preaching a revival meeting in the low desert of Arizona. (Yes, it is hot. No, it is not a tent meeting!) The pastor has worked diligently to prepare the church and hearts have been very responsive to God’s Word. I have come to realize that the most important days in a…
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A Simple Idea for Families Families are busier than they have ever been. One of the most challenging things to do as a spouse or parent is to consistently read the Bible with your family. I must confess that I feel I have failed in this area more often than I have succeeded. We have…
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Emotions are a gift from God. They are also marred with the sin nature of Adam. When they are under God’s reign they feel as He feels, but when they are “out of control” they are both deceptive and destructive. The longer I work with people, the more I come to see my own depraved heart,…
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As I write these words Tammy and the kids are with me for a conference with young adults in Florida. It has been such a joy to have my entire family traveling with me this month. The Lord has been gracious to allow us to spend some very special days together and to see the…
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Dr. Tom Malone used to joke about having five sermons and five hundred titles. My pastor challenged me years ago to work constantly at preparing new Bible messages. That counsel has been of inestimable value to me. It is easy to let your soul grow stale when the Bible is so fresh! As I have…
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Words are powerful things. Spoken, written, typed, or texted – they are vehicles of communication that tend to last. If not on paper, in the hearts and minds of others. With our words, we build up, and with our words, we tear down. Solomon declared, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”…
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Amy Carmichaels’s Dream Amy Carmichael was an amazing servant of Christ. As a young woman, she sat in a meeting where D.L. Moody was preaching on the elder brother of Luke 15. When he came to the father’s words, “All that I have is thine,” the Holy Spirit spoke to her in a definite way.…
Read MoreOn this unofficial beginning of summer our family is ministering in North Carolina. School is out and it is a special joy to have Tammy and the kids with me on the road. The weeks ahead will be filled with meetings along with a little down time with the family. Please pray that God would…
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Over the last few months we have been clearing a fence row around our new home. The underbrush was thick and the work was slow going. Thanks to my dad’s tractor and my father-in-law’s chain saw some progress has been made, but the work continues! One afternoon, covered in brush and perspiration, the truth of…
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Go East, Young Man! Our culture displays an obsession with the ability, beauty, and virility of youth. Somehow, in all of this obsession, we have forgotten the wisdom of age. Young people miss the examples of parents and grandparents. New couples fail to draw from the experience of more mature married couples. Young ministers often…
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Are you spiritually fit? Spiritual health does not come on accident – it is a product of purposeful disciplines. In recent days the Lord has taken me again to the words of 1 Timothy 4:6-8, If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished…
Read MoreIt is a joy to be home for a couple of days after a busy season of meetings. Just a few days ago we conducted a Go Reach America Campaign in the Tri-Cities region. The Lord blessed in a wonderful way and we give Him the glory for it! As I have had some time…
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Forgive me! Over the last few weeks I have heard from many of you who regularly read the blog and pray for us. The month of April was exceptionally full and I posted very few articles. I hope to get back on a more regular schedule in May! Thank you for keeping up with our…
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Each month this year we are offering a free resource to help encourage Christians and churches. These tools are designed to encourage prayer, Bible reading, witnessing, and personal ministry to others. I hope you will use them and pass them along! Several months ago I wrote in my private journal a simple prayer concerning the…
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I have just returned home from several meetings. The Lord is blessing and we are grateful to be in His work. Over the last few days we have heard from so many precious people and have been reminded that we have faithful friends praying in many places. Thank you. Every three months we send out…
Read MoreIn a few weeks school will be out and summer will be in full swing. 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 and look forward to the time together. As a…
Read MoreWe are quickly approaching an exciting 4 day campaign in May. Please help us pray and share this important information. Below I am posting an open letter that is being sent to area churches throughout the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia. There are three ways you can help us: Add this to your personal…
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Are you facing any decision right now? In need of guidance? Searching for direction? Years ago, I came to a crossroad in my life. We all make many decisions every day, but there are seasons of decision-making that alter the course of our own life and the lives of others. These are critical moments. Reflecting…
Read MoreThank God for faithful youth workers. While raising our children I realized more than ever that no one raises their children alone. My wife and I praise God for every youth pastor, youth pastor’s wife, teacher, coach, administrator, and choir leader who influenced our children…and we pray for them. We need them. Our kids need…
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The last few days of March will be very busy. We are excited about the opportunities before us in April. Only the Lord knows how long we have to serve Him – Jesus could come today! Until then, we want to be faithful in the work of revival and the gospel. Several folks have asked about…
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Some time ago, a friend said to me, “Do you ever have a bad day?” I laughed. Of course, we all have bad days. When I inquired as to why he would ask such a question, he said that my social media posts always seemed to be very positive. He was right. I have purposefully…
Read MoreIn two months we will conduct a very special campaign in the Tri-Cities region of Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, Tennessee. 17 sponsoring churches are working together for the purpose of winning souls and training soul winners! The campaign begins at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 3 with an area-wide prayer rally. On Thursday and…
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Praying for the Preacher Many years ago my pastor taught me that I could have a part in helping all of those the preacher ministers to if I would labor with the preacher in prayer. God will multiply the fruit of your prayers in the lives of so many people! Prayer is the greatest work. “Ye…
Read MoreIt is a great joy to announce the release of a writing project I have been working on for some time. The burden on my heart as an evangelist is to help train as many people as possible to engage where they are in the work of evangelism. Everyone needs the gospel of Jesus Christ! And…
Read MoreIn my office at home is a bust of my favorite U.S. President. Since I was a boy I have admired the strength and gentleness of Abraham Lincoln. On a recent trip though Washington I made sure to drive our kids by Ford’s Theatre and the house across the street where Lincoln spent his last…
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Making the Most of the Evening Hours Through the years I have written a number of things about making the most of the mornings. (You may read several articles about how to begin your mornings here.) In Genesis 1, we repeatedly find the phrase, “the evening and the morning.” Evening hours and morning hours serve as bookends…
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It is a joy to be home for a few days with the family. Preparations are being made for busy days ahead. We covet your prayers as we approach the month of March. Join us for one of these special meetings… Friday-Saturday, March 3-4 – Bound by Love Marriage Retreat, Northside Baptist Church, Nolansville, TX, Pastor…
Read MoreThe Power of A Small Church Our generation is mesmerized by mega churches. As I have had the privilege to be in churches of all sizes, the words of my mentor, Pastor Clarence Sexton, have become more meaningful: “The greatness of a church is not in its size, but in its likeness to Jesus Christ.”…
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As children we were always instructed to think before we speak. Now, with children of my own, I realize that this is good advice for adults too. This simple rule would transform relationships and the very atmosphere in most homes! God’s Book of Wisdom cautions us not to be “hasty” with our words (Prov. 29:20). In…
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In recent years I have come to realize the importance of the morning hours. There is something special about the quiet – and the coffee! – before the noise of the day. God desires, and deserves, the first. (Read more about the blessing of early mornings.) A friend once said to me that it was his…
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We would like to make available to you this “Tool to Strengthen Believers.” It serves to accompany our current series on Watch and Pray. Several years ago as I studied the life of Daniel the Holy Spirit drew my attention to the fact that the devil tried to get Daniel to stop the discipline of…
Read MoreTomorrow we will drive to Gray, Tennessee. At 2:00 p.m., Saturday we will be part of a special prayer rally with churches from around the Tri-Cities. For weeks we have been talking and praying with pastors. Our burden is simple: to see souls saved and to train soul winners. True revival among believers always leads…
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I want to thank you for taking time to read the posts on Enjoying the Journey. Thank you for keeping up with our family and praying for us. Every week I meet people who are faithfully interceding. Almost daily I hear from individuals who are laboring with us in prayer. There are many more who…
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At the end of this post I have a special announcement to make and a number of free resources to offer you. Permit me to explain why this is on my heart… The battle is real and our Captain has given us weapons with which to fight. Scripture teaches that “the weapons of our warfare are not…
Read MoreRecently I encouraged a dear friend who is living through a trial to keep a daily journal of what God is doing in his life. My suggestion grew out of personal experience. On the shelf before me is a stack of leather-bound books. They are deeply personal and very precious to me. Occasionally I sit…
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An Item for Praise and Prayer Yesterday I had the privilege to speak to a group of pastoral staff men in the church where I am preaching. It was a joy to share with them truths that God and my pastor graciously taught me as a staff member. As I spoke to them, I was…
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How to Keep Yourself Stirred One of the hardest things in serving the Lord is keeping your own heart stirred about the work you have been given to do. We all struggle with it. It is called flesh. Flesh is weak. Flesh grows weary. You cannot trust the flesh. It is not difficult to get…
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We do not need more sermonizers, organizers, and motivators. We need more evangelists. Not just the kind who travel from place to place preaching in meetings. Our world is in desperate need for gospel consumed, Spirit-controlled, eternity conscious believers. People passionate about reaching souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. Evangelists. The Work of Evangelism The…
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What I Have Learned in My First Year of Evangelism It has been a privilege this week to take part in a special conference on revival and evangelism. I have enjoyed the fellowship with a number of wonderful evangelists and pastors, and have been honored to labor alongside men who have been in this work for…
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I often hear wonderful messages on the subject of reading the Word of God. The Scriptures are so wonderful! We may grow stale, but the Lord is perennially fresh! We are instructed in 1 Timothy 4:13 to “give attendance to reading.” Reading the Bible is not the end of what we should do with the…
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This morning I preached the first meeting of the new year. The Lord’s Word and Spirit was so very precious. Only God knows how many more meetings we will be allowed. “Our times are in his hand.” I want to make every one of them count for eternity. January 1, Sunday morning service, Clearbrook Baptist…
Read MoreA special hour-glass sits on the desk in my study. It was a gift from my family and means a great deal to me. It actually measures fifteen minutes of time and is a constant reminder to me that every moment counts. Minutes become hours. Hours become days. And days become – well, you get the…
Read MoreThe final week of the year is perhaps the strangest week of the year. It is like living in limbo. One year seems all but gone and the next is not yet here. Many will wait until January 1 to begin their resolutions. But wise men know “better is the end of a thing than…
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Missing Messiah While preaching recently in the beautiful state of Connecticut, I drove through several old cemeteries. Very old. It was fascinating to see markers going back to the 1600’s! It may sound strange, but I have always enjoyed visiting cemeteries. Reading the epitaphs. Noticing the ages. Imagining the stories. Every memorial is a reminder…
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This is a busy time of the year. It seems that every season has become a hectic one! So much noise. Beneath the surface our hearts long for quiet – true quiet in a noisy world. I have been blessed by the writings of S.D. Gordon. He makes me think. His book titles are very…
Read MoreWe all have them. At times they must be adjusted, but always they live in our memory. Traditions held with family and friends. Fixed reference points in a world that is constantly changing. Christmas is especially a time for tradition. There is a danger in allowing traditions to take the place only truth should hold…
Read MoreYou will be tempted not to finish reading this post. Could I ask you now to read to the very end? I have just completed a wonderful biography on the Life of John Newton, originally published by the American Sunday School Union in 1831. The account details how God took a slave trader (who became…
Read MoreThis has been a whirlwind year! In just a few days we will publish a year-end newsletter and report on this year’s meetings. If you have not subscribed to receive our quarterly email we would love to include you in it! Click here to subscribe. These are days of opportunity…and days of spiritual opposition. Everything…
Read MoreGod’s Word and God’s Spirit have become very precious to me this year. In cities and rural communities, in church meetings and area rallies, we have witnessed the Lord at work. These are exciting days to serve Christ! This week I am preaching the last revival meeting of the year. So many friends have kept up…
Read MoreSome time ago my wife challenged each member of our family to share three things for which we were grateful each night as we went to bed. It is easy to say the same things again and again (and hope that no one “steals” your list first!). The exercise was good for our home and…
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Life in a fallen world is full of disappointments. Situations don’t always turn out the way you hope. The best people let you down. Your own intentions fail to become reality. It is easy for disappointment to become disillusionment. Perhaps this is why there are so many cynical people in our world. The question is not…
Read MoreOver the last few weeks I have had the privilege of spending time with a number of church staff members in the places where I have been preaching. This is always a great joy for me. More than eighteen years of my life and ministry were spent as a staff member. Every day I thank…
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A Spoiled Generation Recently I drove through the cemetery where all of my grandparents are now buried. I paused for a few moments at each grave and thought of the heritage they had passed down to me. My Grandpa Pauley gets a great deal of discussion because of his ministry as a preacher of the…
Read MoreIn the last few days we have moved into our new home in West Virginia. Thank you for praying for our family during this season of transition. The beautiful changing leaves at this time of year are a reminder that the seasons of life are constantly changing. The Creator and Sustainer of life is at…
Read MoreThis week I am preaching a revival meeting in the Washington, D.C. area. My heart has been stirred afresh. The future of our nation hangs in the balance. In just a few days we will elect a new president of the United States. That election will determine more than the presidency. It will decide the…
Read MoreOne of Satan’s greatest tools is discouragement. I am afraid that many preachers are so disillusioned with the condition of our nation that they wonder if there is anything they can do to make a difference. This is a strategy of the wicked one. Never has a generation of believers had so much opportunity for the…
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28,835. That is the estimated number of days the average American now lives. Sounds like a long time, doesn’t it? Until you start figuring up how many days you have already lived. The other problem is that, though you may be able to tell how many you have lived, you cannot know how many you…
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Boredom seems to be the order of the day. Why go to church anyhow? Church attendance nationally is on the decline. Even among those who go, few seem to enjoy being there. It is a religious routine. An empty form. Surely this is not what the Lord had in mind when He said, “Not forsaking…
Read MoreMy favorite season has arrived. Fall is officially here. This year our family is celebrating the changing of the leaves in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. It is a new season of life and ministry. So many of you have prayed and encouraged us this year. Thank you for your friendship. A few days…
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I will join you in prayer for a spiritual awakening among God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
