A Fruitful Winter
Today is the first day of the winter season, according to meteorologists who track winter weather from December through February. The official first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere...
A Thanksgiving Message from Mattaniah
This week, I have been reading again through the Old Testament historical record of Nehemiah. It is full of names and genealogies, and I am learning to pay attention to...
10 Things to Do When Everything Changes
When Everything Changes... Sometimes the straightest line between A and B is not the route God chooses for us. His ways and thoughts truly are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9)....
Family Devotions and Spiritual Awakenings
"I will get married in a few months. What advice do you have for me?" Working with hundreds of college students, these are words I have heard many times. As...
Our Advocate: Jesus Christ the Righteous
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And...
Acres of Diamonds
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be...
The Wisdom of God by Johnny Pope
The Wisdom of God We all need wisdom! The Bible says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). “For wisdom...
7 Truths to Overcome Boredom As A Believer
We live each day between two extremes. On one hand we fight the danger of idleness; on the other, the danger of busyness. Someone once said, "It is not so...
Your Habits: Routine or Rut?
Life is full of routine. This does not mean that days are dull and uneventful! It is often in the routines of life that God demonstrates His great power and...
It’s Never a Waste by Dr. Bob Sanders
Mark 14:3-5 “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard...
Keep Your Windows Open!
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three...
“Living in the Last Days” by Bob Sanders
Living in the Last Days “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know...
A Normal Day
Men are famous for their extraordinary days, but they are forged on their ordinary days. We revel in the accomplishments and bemoan the failures of others, yet, those highest and...
God’s Word and Our Way
God's Word and Our WayWe are creatures of habit. While the levels of habitual behavior vary from person to person, all of us tend to do many things the same...
Right On Time
Right On Time We live in time. 60 minutes an hour. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 52 weeks a year. For as many years as God chooses...
“Gideon, A Study in Contrasts” by Dr. Charles Keen
“And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house” (Judges 6:15)....
Study the Parables of Jesus
Everybody Loves a Good Story!Life is a story. Moses said, "We spend our years as a tale that is told." Perhaps that is why people around the world love to...
What Did Jesus Say On The Cross?
The 7 Cries From the CrossThe most important week in the history of the world, the week that changed eternity, was the week between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. The...
Hear the Word Every Day This Year!
Most believers are content to hear a sermon on Sunday or listen to a preacher a couple of times each week. God designed it that we would hear from Him...
A Prayer at the Door of a New Year
One of my favorite authors through the years has been F.B. Meyer. His writings have stirred my thinking and warmed my heart. Recently as I browsed through a bookstore, I...
Gifts After Christmas
For many families, Christmas becomes a multi-day marathon of celebrations, family visits, and gift exchange. Not all gifts are given on Christmas. It was many days after the birth of...
My Favorite Bible Story & Our New Podcast Study
Do you have a favorite portion of Scripture? Keith Kiser, one of my early Bible teachers, used to say that his favorite Scripture was whatever portion he was studying at...
The Library of Your Life – A Story to Make You Think
The following story is not original. It has been shared by other preachers, and I am passing it on because of the way it has affected me. Our Lord Jesus...
Spiritual Exercise
Spiritual Exercise Medical doctors and health professionals are consistently reminding us to give attention to “diet and exercise.” Henry Drummond believed that everything we see in the natural world is...
Improving Your Spiritual Memory through Scripture Memory
There are all types of memory. You may have an extremely good long term memory, or perhaps your short term memory is better. This is different for every person -...
Higgaion: A Note We All Need
Unlike my wife, I do not read music. Though the notes on the page mean little to me, I know a good note or a bad note when I hear...
Where Are the Calebs?
One phrase from God’s Word characterizes Caleb’s life: “he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.” (Joshua 14:14) What an example for us to follow! Caleb's life serves as a...
10 of the Oldest Tricks in the Book
10 of the Oldest Tricks in the Book Satan is a deceiver - he always has been and always will be (John 8:44). Some things never change! The enemy often...
The Need of Every Nation
Truth transcends all language, time, and cultural bounds. There are no social, moral, economic, or political solutions to a spiritual problem. Therefore, the only hope of a nation is in...
Looking Vertically
Looking vertically in a world where the majority looks horizontally can be quite the difference maker. To be a dynamic follower of Christ and not a discontent believer, we must...
There is Freedom in Christ!
The world calls it addiction; the Word calls it bondage. Sin always makes men slaves, and only Christ can give liberty. This is very important to realize: enslaving sin is...
Recapturing the Hallelujah
My memory is still vivid of the first time I heard the Hallelujah Chorus given in a pubic meeting. I remember watching that vast crowd of people stand in honor of the...
Seeing God in Every Scripture
Seeing God in Every ScriptureThe preacher speaks about the necessity of all Scripture and people politely nod their heads. We read, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and...
New Audio Book Now Available!
It has been a great joy living with Joseph for the last few months. Just think - we will spend eternity with all of these godly Bible characters! The more...
The Next Step for our ETJ Podcast
It is a pleasure to walk through God's Word with so many of you on our daily podcast. The paths of Scripture are full of adventure and spiritual refreshment! Thank...
God Still Moves Mountains
A few week's ago I asked friends who follow us on social media if they would help me pray for a mountain that needed to be moved. Since that time...
New Book Release!!!
Dreams. Opportunity. Favor. Power. Blessings. Purpose. Jealousy. Conflict. Betrayal. Temptation. Prison. Difficulty. All of this and much more is found in the story of Joseph. His is a representative life...
Comfort in Troubling Times
Do you have a favorite psalm? The psalm I hear most often referred to is Psalm 23. Unfortunately, it has become so associated with funerals that we easily forget that...
No Substitute for Faithfulness
This week I have been speaking in a church in south Georgia. (Let me say that I am grateful it is not an outdoor meeting - it is hot!) In...
When Life Brings Us to Our Knees
Have you ever been so weak, so weary, so wounded that your legs gave out? You did not even have strength to stand up! Occasionally, I have heard people use...
What was He Thinking?
The only way that we can truly know what another person is thinking is through their words. Words are an expression of the mind. In the words of Jesus, "Out...
Do You Know the Four Verses?
Recently I was sharing with a friend some of what God is teaching me through Psalm 119 this year. (Read more here.) It has been a joy to study it...
New 10 Day Study in Haggai Now Available!
Several people have reached out to let us know that our studies on the Bible App have been helpful to them devotionally. We are happy to provide these short series...
The 22 Day Challenge
Behavioral scientists have suggested that it takes 21 days to create a habit. I don’t know about that but I do know that in three weeks time much can be...
Prayer Help: Use a PRAYER CALENDAR
Satan hates prayer and will do anything in his power to stop it. Samuel Chadwick observed, "Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from...
Prayer Help: Take a PRAYER WALK
Prayer is a discipline and yet there is a danger in it becoming simply a dutiful routine. How quickly the time of prayer - our communion with the God of...
Love Is Not Just for Couples!
There are varying expressions of love - friendship love, marital love, love for enemies - but there is only one Source of love, and that is the God who “is...
A Devotional Discipline: Writing the Scriptures
God gave His Word once and promised to preserve it to every generation (Psalm 12:7). No new truth is being revealed and it is our conviction that God’s last word...
“Truth for Youth” Available on the Bible App!
Last month we made available for the first time a devotional plan on the YouVersion Bible App. “Which Way Do We Go?” is a fifteen day study on discerning the...
What Will This Year Hold?
Some "woke" theologians have decided of late to criticize the well known commentator Matthew Henry. While there are some things I would not fully agree with in his writings, I...
New Bible App Plan!
"Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not." (Psalm 17:5) We are firm believers in the power of God's Word. Enjoying the Journey is dedicated to...
5 Pieces of Advice I Was Given
5 Pieces of Advice I Was Given In nearly twenty years of serving on a church staff, I sat in hundreds of staff meetings and training sessions. Some were functional,...
Selah | Hitting the Pause Button
Selah | Hitting the Pause Button There are moments when we all need to hit the pause button. Life races on and, if we are not intentional and careful, we...
NEW SERIES: Why Jesus Came
When people speak about Christ coming to earth, the first time they usually talk about HOW He came. But the great emphasis of Scripture is on WHY He came! Today...
Bible Guideposts
“I know where I’m going.” Famous last words - just before the embarrassing admission that we have lost our way! Along the journey of life we all need direction. Sometimes...
How to Conquer Fear
Fear is real and it is paralyzing. A world in flux has produced a world filled with fear. Frequently I hear someone quote 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not...
Countdown to Christmas
Can you imagine the days leading up to the birth of Christ? No family has ever had thoughts, emotions, and Christmas preparation like that first family! Joseph and Mary, thrilled...
My First Sermon
Just a few days after my 13th birthday, I preached the first sermon I ever gave behind a pulpit. On that Sunday afternoon, in August, I spoke on the subject...
3 Connections to Make In Every Scripture Passage
Have you ever read a portion of God's Word only to find yourself totally disconnected from what you just read? Your hands held the Bible, your eyes scanned the page,...
5 Ways to Get More Out of Your Bible Reading
Would you like to get more out of your daily Bible reading? We all find ourselves at times going through the motions but missing the meaning. Routines very easily become...
Do You Want to Have a Great Week?
Today is actually not the beginning of the week...yesterday was. Sunday is the first day of the week! Like all of life each week is to begin with worship. I...
Days That Change You Forever
There are days in life that change you. God in His providence causes certain days to stand out in our memory as turning points. The day you are married is...
It Is Time To Move On!
Recently I had the privilege to talk and pray with a kind Christian lady where I was speaking. This sincere believer wondered if one decision in her past would prevent...
“They Never Smile.”
Some time back I heard an individual talking about a certain group of Christians and they described them with these sad words: "They never smile." Now, to be fair, I'm...
3 Times to Yield
Our son has just passed his driver's test and is now officially taking our prayer life to new heights! It is hard to believe that all of our children are...
Your Best Friend
As a child it always seemed important to have a "best friend." I don't know all of the reasons, but there is in all of us a desire for closeness...
Where Is Your Citizenship?
Our global world talks more and more about "world citizenship" - the idea that we belong to something bigger than our own country because we are a part of humanity....
NEW PODCAST SERIES: “Family Time”
It has been a great joy to meet so many people across the country who are listening each day to the broadcast and Enjoying the Journey with us through God’s...
It’s Time To Stop Being Sorry
Some people live their entire life in an apologetic tone. The words “I’m sorry” are necessary and helpful, but they cannot become your identity. Yes, there is a time for...
New Podcast Series: A Message We All Need
Today we conclude our study of "The Twelve" with a final word to all would-be followers of Jesus. I hope you will listen to this important application for every believer....
Why Does God Bless ANY of Us?
There are some meetings that stand out in your memory, not because of what God did in others but because of what God did in your own life. It was...
Don’t Lose Your Laughter!
Don't Lose Your Laughter! This week the Lord reminded me of a simple and yet profound truth. Tammy was taking me to the airport and we were talking about a...
Dealing with Sadness
In a generation deteriorating because of sin we must always guard against allowing our own spirits to deteriorate. Sad days must not become sad Christians! Many are sad because of...
The Worst Thing Job Lost & the One Thing We All Must Find
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job…” So begins the story of a man who knew more about suffering and loss than most people...
He Only Lived to 33.
Life is a vapor for every man, but for the God-Man it was especially brief. A short thirty-three and a half years was all that He lived on this earth....
Do You Really Believe In The Authority of the Bible?
Do You Really Believe In The Authority of the Bible? Few want to talk about it today and even fewer understand it. Yet all of life boils down to authority:...
How To Learn To Pray
We are all students when it comes to prayer. Andrew Murray wrote a classic book called With Christ In The School of Prayer. I must confess to you that I...
Victims or Victors?
It seems so many want to be the “victim” today. To be sure, there are wounded souls who have been victims of horrible abuse and heinous crimes and those hurts...
More To Come
Are you worn down? Nerves on edge? Wondering what is coming next? These have been challenging days for so many, but we should not be surprised. As we near the...
When We Are Blessed…
Blessed people often become the most rebellious. If you don't believe me, look at God's chosen people, the nation of Israel. When we are full of good things it is...
The Next Leg of the Race
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Each phase of the race is both distinct and essential to the whole. We have begun, in many respects, the next leg of...
Lessons Learned On A Walk Through the Woods
Henry Drummond who wrote the classic work on 1 Corinthians 13, The Greatest Thing In The World, was a naturalist. He believed that every spiritual reality has some natural parallel...
Revelation: The King Is Coming!
What are you expecting to happen next in our world? Every day brings new challenges and changing circumstances. I cannot tell you what the government will do, how the economy...
A Way To Escape
A Way To Escape One of Satan's lies is that the besetting sin in your life (you know the one) will always defeat you. "That's just the way you are...
“Just Use My Name.”
In times of need it is wonderful to know someone who has abundant resources. A friend may send you to another with the instructions: "Just use my name." They mean...
BIBLE STUDY: “A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ”
There is a great deal of discussion now about peace around the world. At the same time, there is increased strife and fighting in our own country. But the biggest...
How To Make The Most Of This Season In Life
Seasons are marked by change. The autumn leaves turning colors and falling to the ground are a reminder to us all that time is passing. And while we love some...
Wash Your Hands!
How many times have you heard about the importance of hand washing over the last few months? The entire world is being reeducated in basic hygiene that our mothers tried...
5 Books To Help With Your Personal Devotions
There is a delicate balance in the daily devotional life: we want to keep both discipline and freshness in our time with God. Very easily routines turn into ruts and...
3 Lists You Should Make Today
We live by lists! Grocery lists, to do lists, lists to keep up with our lists. At this particular time in our world people are more reflective. God has providentially...
Stop (Just) Reading the Bible!
Yes, that's what I said. Stop it. Stop reading the Bible. It is not that the Bible should not be read, rather, it is that too often we substitute Bible...
Living In Uncertain Times
The world is shaking...but God is not! These are uncertain days but the people of God have a certain future. He has not failed us, forgotten us, or forsaken us...
Dealing With Fear
What is ahead? As I write these words the news is filled with stories related to the Coronavirus that is sweeping the globe and the downturn of financial markets. Mix...
Our Next Step & A New Study
This week we concluded our series on The Great Journey's of the Bible. The Lord has been so gracious to allow us to study Scripture with people around the world...
Givers And Takers
As a boy my dad told me, "Son, there are two kinds of people in the world - givers and takers - and you're going to have to decide which...
A New Book On An Eternal Truth
Do you have a difficult time loving some people? Do you struggle to express love to others? Does it seem that even with those you love that your love falls...
3 Things To Look For As You Study the Bible
Are you hungry to know God in a deeper way? We come to know God through His Word - literally, through His words. We believe that the very words of...
Some Advice For Your Bible Reading This Year
We are one week into the new year. How are you doing with your devotional Bible reading so far? Many believers begin at the first of the year with some...
