Articles

1. If not for a serpent, their lives could have been much easier. Genesis 3:1-24   2. They both laughted about having a child. Genesis 17:17 & 18:12   3. She rode into his life on a camel. Genesis 24:64   4. He loved her enough to work fourteen years to marry her. Genesis 29:15-30   5. God used their son to part the Red Sea and do many other miraculous things. Exodus 6...

One of the saddest, most tragic events recorded in scripture is the death of Uriah the Hittite due to David’s attempt to cover his own sin.  The account is given in 2nd Samuel chapter eleven. Below are seven observations about Uriah based on Samuel’s account.  I believe every member of God’s kingdom would do well to emulate him.   1. Though he was a foreigner ...

You may notice if you read the Revelation that there are at least five seeming counterfeits to God’s originals.   First there is the figure of God’s servants pictured as being “sealed on their foreheads”, 7:3.  Contrast this holy sealing with the “mark of the beast” on those who worship the  beast that rises up from the earth, 13:16. &nb...

1. Be sexually pure because it is right.  God even used the image of sexual purity to express righteousness in Revelation 14:1-5.  Genesis 1:26-31 and 2:18-25 make it clear that marriage is a pure relationship (so do many other Biblical passages).  Defilement comes from sexual relationships outside of marriage.   2. Be sexually pure to maintain your dignity and s...

In several weeks we will be celebrating the graduation of our high school & college seniors. As a congregation we are proud of their achievement and share their joy in reaching this important milestone.As in every success story, there are usually many individuals who have contributed to the final outcome and graduation is no exception. One person that probably figures most in these young persons’ ...

A wise patriot in our land stated: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Knowing the eternal consequences, no Christian dares to fail! Brother or Sister, how prepared are you to respond to Peter’s challenge to be “ready to answer every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you” (I Pet. 3:15)? If you ARE NOT READY, serio...

In an environment where sin rules, anyone who attempts to introduce God’s teachings will almost instantly be vilified.  This is how the world responded to Jesus.  If we do  things His way today, we should expect the same.   Isaiah said there were those who in his day called evil good and good evil.  They substituted darkness for light and light for darkness, bit...

Senior “moments” usually refer to bouts of forgetfulness that seem to overtake all of us as we grow older. However, these moments can also refer to insights and lessons that come if you have been around for a while. I will be 65 in a few weeks and have had my own moments when the brain synapses were not all firing but along with these were a few moments of clarity about life that only age can reve...

Brother Norman Gipson came into a noon-gathering of fellow teachers at the Sunset School of Preaching, looking tired and weary. His explanation related to a home Bible study the previous evening, resulting in a disturbed and long night of song writing. The song related to what had transpired that night. Carefully note the words of that song:  “I talked to a man about Jesu...

The word god is not God’s name.  That is not to say that using the term flippantly is a virtuous practice.  All references, even allusions to the creator of the universe should be of utmost respect.  But “God” is not God’s name.  So what is His name?   When Moses asked this question, God told him that he was to refer to Him as I Am Wh...

Isaiah spoke of Jesus in a passage that looked to the coming salvation of God (Isaiah 52 & 53). He said that, “...his visage was so marred more then any man…”. He was like a root out of a dry ground and when he would be seen there would be no beauty that would make him desirable. He said that he would be despised and rejected and acquainted with grief and...

I wonder how many times I said that, or something similar, while my children were growing up.  It was the ultimatum that said that there would be no negotiation; this was the way it was to be.  As long as my children remained under my roof they were to abide by my authority.  After all, aren’t parents responsible to prepare and teach them for “life&rd...

As a preacher I’ve long ago discovered that home is where you’re preaching at the moment. My wife and I often talk about the disconnect we feel because of a ministry that leads us to move an average of every seven years or so.In my prayers I’ve asked God to help me feel “at home” wherever I happen to be working and He’s accommodated me in a peculiar way. I always feel the same familiar comfort whe...

I am always amazed at how Biblical concepts are mangled when expressed in popular books by well-meaning authors. Such is the case with the newest edition stirring up debate entitled, “The Surrendered Wife.”The premise is simple: Modern wives need to acquiesce to their husbands in order to build their self-esteem, create marital harmony, and restore respect to the role of the husband in the family....

The above word is the name that was given to the place where Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried.  It means “oak of weeping”.  Genesis 35:8 is nearly the only passage telling us anything at all about her life.  There is one other reference in 24:59 simply reporting that when Rebekah left home to become the wife of Isaac that “her nurse&rdq...

Quarterback Tim Tebow’s public display of faith has ignited a debate over the role that religion plays in sports. Does God care about who wins or loses? Can prayer alter the results of a sporting event? Will the most spiritually minded team win Super Bowl XLVI? In all fairness to Mr. Tebow, he has said that he prays not for victory but for direction in life and the ability to make g...

Time is a sobering commodity granted to all— rich, poor, young, old, male, female— and the use of it has timeless, eternal implications! Unless each day is organized and properly managed, it can waste away without accomplishment and pass by without attachment to any purpose.   God’s Word challenges us to “redeem the time,” especially when the days are e...

Christmas is over.  Homes and businesses previously decorated with bright and cheery holiday lighting are all taking those lights down again.  What about you and me?  Jesus was speaking to people just like us when he said to them, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16).  He defined their “light” as good works that they could do...

The Christmas season of 2011 was different. There was an old practice revived due to the economic situation in the U.S.  Those “seasoned” Santa’s will recall the ways which businesses conducted “lay-a-way” plans. This was credit before there were credit cards. You paid some money down, and some each week, until you could get your merchandise out of...

Christmas is a busy time and the last thing we need is one more “job” to do.But that’s exactly what we’re asking of you with our “Brown Bag Christmas” appeal - to take the time to do one more thing (two if you count decorating the bag). But this extra chore will have important results if you bring your decorated bag full of groceries to church next Sunday, December 22nd (hey, that’s three things!)...