The Biblical Encouragement For Christian “Joy”
Twice in the Philippian letter Paul encouraged Christians to “Rejoice in the Lord (3:1 and 4:4). This second time he repeats the encouragement twice. “Rejoice...and again I say Rejoice!” and adds the word “Always”. Clearly, the Joy of the Christian is not transient or...
What If God Commanded Christmas?
If God commanded the Christmas season where would He have placed the emphasis? Since people have made this time of the year the season for “giving”, perhaps the following illustration is helpful in answering this question. One Christmas season a man who usually mailed...
The Focus is Jesus
If Christ as Lord is the center of our lives, the circumference will take care of itself. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of faith…” (Hebrews 12:2) One thing a carpenter learns quickly is how to drive nails. He hammers hundreds of nails a day, and...
Appealing To The Unchurched
Can today’s church in its Lord’s Day Assembly actually reach people with Jesus’ message? In order to appeal to people should we change our emphasis on Christian principles and Bible salvation? The issue is not what should we change to reach those who have little or no...
Having A Personal Thirst For God
Chapter 55 of Isaiah is like the Gospel of John in its passionate appeal to people to open their eyes to the gifts that God is offering so freely and to grasp them in faith and repentance while there is time. We are not encouraged to seek the “Gifts” apart from God...
God’s Provision For The Storms of Life
Isaiah 43:1-3 Storms in our lives can make us feel off course and unsure of our direction. The disciples knew they were on the Sea of Galilee, headed for Gennesaret, but in the battering gale, they couldn't gauge their direction or distance from shore. The guiding...
Claiming God’s Ownership
J esus stated that to be His disciples requires the giving up “all rights to ourselves” and taking up the cross to follow Him (Matthew 16:24) The Lord’s command gives one measurement of discipleship. The measurement is not how much we KNOW or how many people we can...
The Reality of Disappointment
The caliber of our congregation is dependent upon the lives and attitudes of the membership. Of course, exemplary spiritual leadership is indispensable to a Spirit led congregation. However, in God’s view the impact we have for good is predicated upon the spiritual...
The Importance of Arriving At Biblical Truth
How may we be sure that our Christian principles and practices are biblically supported? I believe that most people who desire to establish and sustain a relationship to Christ desire the approbation of our Heavenly Father. However, it is sometimes fascinating and...
Principles For Serving Together We Serve Together When:
► WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS -The Bible teaches that we are individually responsible to the Lord. Yet God’s conception of the church assumes we are going to have a serving relationship with each other. We are commanded to stimulate others to Love and Good Work (Hebrews...