( NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS COPIED WORD FOR WORD FROM THOM S. RAINER, CHURCH ANSWERS)
We are back.
I get it. The church never closed. The church is the people, not the building. Someone reminds me of those points daily.
But the doors to the church facilities closed. The opportunity to gather for worship in-person closed. A lot has transpired over the past few months.
Now it is time to exhort your members to return to in-person gathered worship. Though this statement is not theologically precise, it is time … Continue Reading ››
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (Psalm 100:4).
In her daily devotional book Edges of His Ways, Amy Carmichael wrote,
"I believe that if we are to be and to do for others what God means us to be and to do, we must not let adoration and worship slip into second place. For it is the central service asked by God of human souls; and its neglect is responsible for much lack … Continue Reading ››
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
Most of us are familiar with the great Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11. Hebrews 12:1 is a transition verse, as indicated by the opening word, "wherefore." As chapter 12 begins, the writer quits referring to the faith … Continue Reading ››
I have been in full-time ministry now for almost 46 years, a good while perhaps to some, and just a short time to others. But I can honestly say that I've never seen times quite as difficult as the ones we are living in are right now. Uncertainty seems to be the watchword for these days on this planet. Deadly plagues like COVID-19, devastating earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, civil disturbances, terrorism, health crises, threats of war, financial distress, and so many more problems seem to … Continue Reading ››
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2).
Eighteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, we witnessed the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the world and the most disastrous foreign attack on American soil since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The images displayed on television screens and in newspapers of the plane hitting the twin towers and their subsequent collapse are forever etched in my mind. But many of the details of that day … Continue Reading ››
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday of September, and it celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. The Central Labor Union of New York City observed the first Labor Day in 1882. Laboring men and women took the day off to march through the city streets in parades and then gather in parks for picnics. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.
In 1956, the United States Post Office … Continue Reading ››
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
This verse is rich in positive statements about the person and power of the God of this universe for every soul. Notice three things that should give comfort to the heart of every believer and inspire courage and confidence.
1. THE PROTECTION OF GOD IS PROMISED"God is our refuge." The place of safety and security is found in the loving care of God, Who has promised to be with His own (Isaiah 43:2), … Continue Reading ››
"And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following..." (John 1:37-38b).
Seven times it is recorded in the Gospel of John that the Lord Jesus Christ "saw" something which caused Him to act.
First, in the verse referenced above, Jesus saw two of John the Baptist's disciples and invited them to come home with Him. As a result, their lives were changed forever, and they brought others to Jesus!
Second, "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him..." (John 1:47a). Jesus … Continue Reading ››
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8).
Before beginning his famous franchise, Col. Harland Sanders worked as a streetcar conductor, a railroad fireman, a justice of the peace, an insurance salesman, and held other occupations. In 1930, at the age of forty, he … Continue Reading ››
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).
D. L. Moody told the story of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship. He was terribly seasick and confined to his cabin. One night he heard the cry, "Man overboard!" He felt that there was nothing he could do to help, but then said to himself, "I can at least put my lantern in the porthole." He struggled to … Continue Reading ››
A Bible-believing, Independent Baptist Church with a heart for people! Located in Fruitland Park in close proximity to the Villages, Lady Lake, Wildwood and the Tri-County Area!
