Devotional Blog

On every trip, decisions are made. Along the road of life, we inevitably face intersections and decisions about which way to go. It is at those moments that we must live by faith, asking God for wisdom and believing that He will never lead in the wrong direction. It is our hope that each article on the blog will encourage you to keep enjoying the journey…and look for Jesus along the way.

Latest Post

In antiquity, Pella in Macedonia was a major metropolis. Alexander the Great was born here. Nearby you can visit the intact tombs of his ancestors. Photo by John Buckner. In New Testament times, Macedonia was the region in the north of Greece and is estimated to have had a population of 1.5 million people. Thessalonica was the major city, but the region had other cities such as Philippi and Berea. The province housed the boyhood home of Alexander the Great, and the great road, the Via Egnatia, crossed it. The Roman province of Macedonia extended beyond the boundaries of the old kingdom of Macedonia all the way to the Aegean Sea.  

Nothing Left to Do in Greece 

“So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.” (I Thessalonians 1:7-8) In New…

Picture to describe a young person missing out. Young people reared in God-fearing homes and taught Christian principles often believe the devil's lie: They are missing out!

For Christian Young People: You ARE Missing Out!

"A prudent wife is from the Lord."  This verse means more to me the longer I am married. Tammy and I were driving along in...
Learn to Preach Out of the Overflow.Preaching is not to be “worked up.”  It is to be the natural (or perhaps more accurately, supernatural) overflow of God’s work in your own heart. 

An Encouraging Word for Preachers: Preaching out of the Overflow

A fine young man was driving me to the airport in another state recently.  We had a pleasant conversation about many things.  He is soon...

A Bible Lesson from an Eight Year Old

Road trips are fun.  At least if you make them that way!  This week I drove several hours to speak in a youth rally.  Often...
nikolett-emmert-9Fxl3MDylqE-unsplash

Victory Over Temptation

Victory Over Temptation We all want to live in victory over sin. The key to victory over sin is learning victory over temptation. "Resist small...

What I Learned at the Dead Sea

My dad and I had the privilege to be part of training several Iraqi pastors a number of years ago.  For over a week we...

How to Speak “A Good Word”

Someone once said in my presence, "Be kind to others.  Everybody is having a hard time."They were right.We all have our struggles and you may...

One of Life’s Greatest Questions: Where Is God?

Life is full of questions.  One of the first questions children ask about God is a question that continues into theological discussions of people of...

Reflections on our World Mission Conference

We have a lot of conferences and special meetings at Temple Baptist Church and Crown College.  Without a doubt, the meeting we have just concluded...

I Am Praying for You!

Some of the most beautiful words I ever hear are: "I am praying for you."  (Especially if I know they are more than just words!)...
Dealing with the "Noise" of Life There is an increasing noise to life. Yet the Lord speaks loudest in quiet places, but how does one reach these quiet places?

Dealing with the “Noise” of Life

Dealing with the "Noise" of Life Ours is a noisy world. Growing up in the country, there were certain noises you grew accustomed to. Crickets...
The Greatest Method of Bible Study

The Greatest Method of Bible Study

The Greatest Method of Bible Study "I have been reading the Bible, but I don't know how to study it. Can you help?" We have...

What About Eternity?

A friend and I were enjoying a time of fellowship together just a few days ago.  During the conversation I asked about a man who...
A Word for Young People About Parents: God says, “Honour thy father and thy mother,” He is saying that parents are to be valued, prized as God’s gift.

A Word for Young People About Parents

Like most children, when I was very young, I memorized the Ten Commandments. The fifth commandment says, “Honour thy father and thy mother.” It is...

Dealing with Goodbyes

Goodbyes are hard.  I was standing in a security line at an airport not long ago preparing to go through the regular process that has...
Pop Culture and Pop Christianity

Pop Culture and Pop Christianity

 Pop Culture and Pop Christianity The attitudes and ideas of “popular culture” expressed through music and current trends have exploded through the various means of...
Writing letters, the power of writing letters

The Power of a Personal Letter

The Power of a Personal Letter Recently I was sitting in my study at home when my oldest daughter came in and proudly announced, “Dad,...
More than 65 verses in Scripture refer to seasons. Seasons are God's measurement of the stages of life. God is in the Changing Seasons of Life

The Changing Seasons of Life

Fall is my favorite time of the year. At least in the fall! I actually love all of the seasons and am blessed to live...

New Beginnings

Today we open the doors of Crown College for its 23rd year.  I remember well the day 19 years ago this week when I showed...