"But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20b).The biography of John Newton is one of the most well-known in church history. It is the story of how God transformed a blasphemous sailor and slave trader into a godly pastor and influential abolitionist. John Newton is the author of the most famous hymn ever written in the English language - "Amazing Grace." The lyrics tell of a sinner who was once lost, blind, and wretched before being found and rescued through no effort or … Continue Reading ››
Real Success
"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
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 New Perspective
A very wise person once said, "It is more important to ask the right question than to discover the right answers." Peter asked a familiar question in Matthew 19:27 - "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?"
Many Christians today are still asking the question, "What will I get out of this? What's in it for me?" Many church members, when asked to serve in the local church in some capacity or … Continue Reading ››
Let’s Just Praise the Lord
The triumphant nations went wild with joy at the defeat of Germany. The noise of drums, horns, and other things was deafening. The sights were indescribable. It was V Day.
Psalm 33 sends out a clarion call to go wild with joy, the joy of the Lord. "Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully … Continue Reading ››
America’s Godly Heritage
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance" (Psalm 33:12).In spite of what some history revisionists are propagating today, there is overwhelming historical evidence that commitment to Christ and biblical Christianity were the driving forces behind the founding of the United States of America. Consider the following facts which are only a fraction of the evidence that could be presented.
- In 1607, when the first permanent English-speaking settlers in America landed on the … Continue Reading ››
The Race to Save Lives
It's got to be one of the most unique sporting events in the entire world. It's called the Iditarod, the ultimate sled dog race. Every year, dozens of teams line up for the historic 1,000-mile race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. However, it didn't start out as a sporting competition. It began in 1925 when the stakes were much higher than a cash prize. It was the lives of countless children in Nome who had been exposed to the dreaded disease diphtheria.
The only serum in … Continue Reading ››
Jesus Only
When Jesus was transfigured on the Holy Mountain, "...there talked with two men, which were Moses and Elijah" (Luke 9:30). Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. What did they talk about? Scripture gives us the answer: they communed about the Cross (v. 31).
When Peter suggested paying homage to Moses, Elijah, and Jesus (v. 33), it seems God wasn't too interested with the proposal. He spoke from heaven, telling the disciples to listen to Jesus (vv. 34-35). Then Moses and Elijah disappeared, and … Continue Reading ››
More is Caught Than Taught
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).What can we do to protect our children? Remember this - "More is caught than taught." The home is the schoolhouse of life. Studies have proven that the home produces 80% or more of the influences - good or bad - that will mold the life of a child. This is precisely why we must, as Christian parents, increase our involvement to influence … Continue Reading ››
A Great Commission Lifestyle
The following is a verbatim quotation from Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia. It's about as clear as it gets.
"Missions was not an afterthought for Jesus as He talked with the disciples on the mountain prior to His ascension. The missions theme that filters through the pages of the Bible is basic to its very existence. If you stop and think about it, there would be no need for the Bible were it not for the fact that God's heart … Continue Reading ››