President Washington’s Prayer
President Washington's Prayer This is a challenging season for our nation and for the world. Entire nations are reeling from leaders who will not seek Almighty God. The laws of...
How to Tell Others About Jesus
How to Tell Others About Jesus Do you know how to tell others about Jesus? Every Christian is to be a witness of the Christ who lives in them! Yet...
Winning Athletes
Winning Athletes Champions are not afraid of conflict and labor while giving their best in competition. Very few athletes ever win by accident. Winning in the athletic world results from hard...
God Uses Opposition!
God Uses Opposition! Recently, a spirit of great discouragement seems to permeate many churches. It’s as if God’s people believe this is the only time of difficulty believers have ever...
Honoring a Partner in the Gospel
On Monday, November 7, 2022 I was sitting in a hotel room in Iowa when I received one of the most difficult phone calls of my life. My friend, my...
Learning to Rejoice Again
The only real and lasting joy is found in Jesus. The only way to enjoy the journey is to find the companionship of Christ along the way. What a thrill...
A Meditation on Psalms, Sirens, and Terror
Enjoying the Journey has many friends in the ministry who help and encourage us along the way. John Buckner is a real student of God’s Word. He has spent the last several...
2348 B.C. All Over Again?
Imagine going back in time more than 4,000 years and finding the ancient world, in many ways, like the world we are living in today. Some things never change. Solomon...
Christians You Should Know: Noah Webster
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep...
Meet the Holy Spirit
How well do you know the Holy Spirit? Many live their entire Christian life with the Spirit of God within, and yet fail to understand how He works in and...
God’s Timing and the Next Step
Eight years ago God began stirring in my heart about the evangelistic work He has now given us to do. The Holy Spirit led in unmistakable ways and we have...
What Are Your Eyes Saying?
What Are Your Eyes Saying? Recently, while studying Proverbs 4, I began to wonder about the physical connection between the various members of the body and the heart; this theme...
Living in the Age of the Gospel
This past Lord's Day we commemorated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. True believers celebrate this every Sunday! In fact, we celebrate our living Savior every day because He...
Responding in Faith
(Luke 1:26-45) As we study Mary’s response to God, we learn much about how to respond in faith. The Lord wants to use our lives, but without the proper response,...
Listen to the Old Man!
Western culture is far removed from the ancient culture of Bible times. Sadly, in the midst of so much modern “progress” there are many eternal values that have been lost....
Hymn History: Let the Lower Lights Be Burning
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" – Matthew 5:16 We are thrilled to share a...
Hymn History: I Will Sing of My Redeemer
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." – Titus 2:14 We are thrilled to share...
Hymn History: Safe in the Arms of Jesus
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” – Deuteronomy 33:27...
Hymn History: Hold the Fort
“ And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” – Revelation 22:12 We are thrilled to share a...
Hymn History: Rock of Ages
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” – Psalm...
Hymn History: He Keeps Me Singing
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." - Job 13:15 We are thrilled to share a series of...
Hymn History: Have I Done My Best For Jesus?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 We are thrilled to share a series of brief...
Hymn History: Day By Day
"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." - Deuteronomy 33:25 We are thrilled to share a series of brief accounts of...
“My Lord and My God”
Many of you have been journeying with us through the Miracles of Jesus on our ETJ Broadcast. It is always wonderful to be reminded that Christ is enough, and we...
Hymn History: Blessed Assurance
" Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." - Hebrews...
God’s Security Detail
Yes, these are dangerous days. Illness, violence, accidents and a host of other unknowns surround us. However, some Christians have forgotten that our lives are not in the hands of...
Hymn History: What A Friend We Have In Jesus
" A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 We are thrilled to share a series of...
4 “All’s” that Make All the Difference
ALL. It is one of God's favorite words, used 5,606 times in His Word. This little word is a great revelation of the thoroughness of the Lord and a reminder...
Hymn History: All The Way My Savior Leads Me
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3 We are thrilled to be sharing several brief accounts of how some...
A Single Moment
A Single Moment Many years ago the Lord providentially brought across my path a young man by the name of Micah Hendry. Little did I know that he would become...
Hymn History: Revive Us Again
"Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" (Psalm 85:6) We are thrilled to begin sharing several brief accounts of how some of the great...
ETJ Beginning Its 5th Year!
As I sit alone in my study recording daily broadcasts I am always conscious that people I will never see will listen to them. We broadcast in faith. Solomon wrote,...
My Besetting Sin
Do you know your besetting sin? Mine is not yours and yours is not mine, but we all have them. You know the one...the thing that is constantly getting you...
“One Thing”
We are living in a complex world! Sin complicates everything it touches and only the truth of Christ can return us to simplicity. Today we begin a new study on...
7 Ways You Can Help Your Pastor
During the month of October many churches celebrate a pastor appreciation emphasis. Other congregations do this during another time of year such as the pastor's anniversary or a special day...
Energy to Endure
People frequently refer to Wednesday as "hump day" with the idea that they have made it "over the hump" - halfway through another week. The truth is that the mid-way...
Stop Trying to Be An “Equal Opportunity” Servant!
There is a great deal of debate in our world about what is commonly called "equal opportunity." The term is generally accepted as meaning that people are to be treated...
March Ministry
It was one year ago this month that so many things came to a halt. Isn't it wonderful to know that God continued to work? We are grateful to be...
Don’t Stop Using the Altar!
It was a joy again yesterday to see people on their knees, seeking the Lord. There is something wonderfully refreshing about definite, united prayer among God’s people. In these strange...
Podcast Series For Valentine’s Week
Our world has some mixed up ideas about love! The devil and the flesh always try to pervert what is perfect. Only the God who is love can teach us...
Come, Go With Us!
In just over a year we will be hosting a special Bible study tour in the land of the Bible. If you have ever wanted to go to Israel, this...
A Brand New Series Of Bible Messages Now Available
When I was a student in college, Dr. Frank Sells once challenged us to choose a “life book” – a book of the Bible to immerse ourselves in and to...
A Word To Our Praying Friends
It is just after 4:30 a.m. as I write these words. No, I have not become one of those ridiculously early risers! My body clock is still on Australia time...
The Greatest Giver
As a boy my dad taught me that there are two types of people in the world: takers and givers. Our world is full of takers, but givers are the...
“God’s Gentlemen”
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....
Exciting News!
We 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...
“When the Cameras Were Off”
In recent years we have seen an epidemic of high profile people committing terrible acts. Preachers, politicians, prominent entertainers, powerful business people. It seems the news is always new and...
3 Christmas Traditions
We 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...
My Advice to Church Staff Members
Over 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...
Our Greatest Need
Over the last several weeks I have had the privilege of meeting so many praying people. I have been honored and humbled to meet people who I do not know...
My New Favorite Airport
This week I have been in multiple airports. Some are better than others. All are the same after awhile! In a few minutes I am landing at my new favorite...
Too Busy to Pray?
Aunt Goldie is with the Lord now. I rode my bike past her house hundreds of times as a boy. In the summer she was almost always sitting on the...
Christmas in Heaven?
There is a well-known song that imagines what Christmas must be like in Heaven. In truth, Heaven is one endless season of joy. In that beautiful place the wonder of...
Will You Thank God Tomorrow?
Recently, an ad on the front page of the USA Today read, "WHO are you thankful for?" When most of us list the things for which we are most grateful...
My Thanksgiving List in One Sentence
Early this morning, I woke up with one phrase on my mind. It is repeated often in the Scripture - a familiar refrain. One psalm in particular uses this powerful...
A 31 Day Devotional Challenge that Could Change the Way You Approach the Bible
Two of God's most blessed servants, one hundred years apart, practiced the same devotional habit. Both George Whitefield and George Mueller read the Bible each day on their knees. This...
Dealing with “Down Time”
Down times can often be down times. Activity, or lack of it, has a great deal of effect on our emotions. The closing days of a year are a very...
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 beginnings", a wise man once...
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 be surprised at the people...
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 was one of the richest...
Christianity is a Crutch
Recently I was in Vancouver, British Columbia for a meeting. On Saturday night I had a little time alone at the hotel and decided to do the Christian (and Canadian)...
Pop Culture and Pop Christianity
Pop culture has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Television and the Internet gave it momentum and the proliferation of social media has only increased its influence. ...
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 up at Crown College for...
The Power of History
I live around history...and I love it. Just outside my office at Crown College is a 30,000 square foot Christian Heritage Center. For me, history is alive and exciting. Yet...
A Remedy for Every Fear
Google the word phobia. Fear has reached epidemic proportions. Millions of Americans live in fear every day. Worse, many believers have become content with allowing fear to control their lives. The first mention...
Reflecting On Another Year of God’s Goodness
My elders were right when they said the years go faster as you get older. I am sitting here this morning reflecting on another year of God's goodness in my...
My Favorite Bible Passages
Frank Boreham was a pastor in New Zealand about a century ago. He had been trained in Charles Spurgeon's Pastors' College, being the last student personally admitted by Mr. Spurgeon....
A Word for Those Who Love Young People
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 For many years I have heard this...
Stay Out of the Snare
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Proverbs 29:25 Over forty million people in the United States live in...
A Mark of Greatness
"Great men are not always wise." Job 32:9 Greatness is difficult to define. One thing is sure: men view greatness much differently than the Lord does. Some men are considered...
Living in The Parenthesis
A parenthesis is a peculiar thing. Parentheses are used by writers to set apart information which they want you to know but do not feel is essential. The material in...
Ordinary Days
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 Men are remembered for their outstanding days, but they are made...