WHO NEEDS THE CHURCH?
Over the past several decades there has been an increase in professing Christians who are disillusioned with the church. Many can be heard to say something like this: "I love the Lord, but I don't like the church." If you think about it, that's sort of like saying, "Jesus, I love You, but I can't stand Your wife." The church is called "the Bride of Christ." It's kind … Continue Reading ››
Hail the Incarnate Deity
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" (Philippians 2:5-7).
The entire Gospel message runs contrary to human thinking. The Creator being sacrificed for His creatures. The Judge of all the earth paying the penalty of the guilty. The immortal One dying. The … Continue Reading ››
Divine Preparation
"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:30-32).
Among those waiting for the Messiah was a devout man by the name of Simeon. Luke 2:26 says, "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." The "Lord's Christ" refers to "the anointed One, the Messiah." Simeon recognized the … Continue Reading ››
All People Are Important to God
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, an angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind, "glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind."
—While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, Nahum Tate (1700)
Above are the first two stanzas of the familiar Christmas carol, "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks." Adopted by virtually all hymnals since the time of its writing, … Continue Reading ››Thanks Living Is Better Than Thanksgiving
Psalm 100 is a well known psalm, probably second only in popularity to Psalm 23. It emphasizes the universal nature of God's kingship and is a benediction to that series of psalms (Psalms 93,95-100) which are devoted to the Lord's kingdom rule during the Millennium. Most of it is a call to praise and thanksgiving.
Thanking the Lord, however, is something we must do with our lives as well as with our lips. How shall we do it?
- BY SERVING - "Serve the LORD with gladness..." … Continue Reading ››
Don’t Forget God!
"I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old" (Psalm 77:11).According to the Guinness Book of Records, the most destructive earthquake ever was the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake that struck the Tokyo and Yokohama areas on September 1, 1923. The initial jolt, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, was followed by a 40-foot-high tsunami. About 80 percent of the dwellings in Yokohama and 60 percent of those in Tokyo were destroyed. A total of 142,907 people were killed … Continue Reading ››
Freedom is not Free
"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Romans 13:7, KJV).On Veterans Day, November 11, let us pause to reflect on the service and sacrifices of all those who have put on the uniform to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love of country time and time again. More than a million have died in service … Continue Reading ››
What a Privilege to be a Preacher
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12).This Sunday, November 7, 2021, will be 46 years that the Lord has allowed me to serve in full-time Christian ministry. I began as an associate pastor to Dr. John McCall at Faith Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida, on November 1, 1975. While the ministry has not been an easy life in many respects, it has certainly been a blessed life. … Continue Reading ››
Remain Focused on the Work!
"And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you"? (Nehemiah 6:3).Nehemiah was cupbearer to Artaxerxes, king of Persia. His heart was deeply troubled upon hearing the news of the sad conditions in Israel. With permission and authority from the king, Nehemiah set out to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and make it a fortified city once again. However, he encountered resistance … Continue Reading ››
Blessings Out of Brokenness
I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel" (Psalm 31:12).Psalm 31 is a song of trust. David, who was in constant danger and trouble, always implicitly trusted in God. This is a very encouraging Psalm as a whole. It speaks of great victories and trust in the Lord. It speaks of God strengthening the heart and preserving the faithful. However, in the middle of this encouraging Psalm, we find some verses that that are not very encouraging. … Continue Reading ››