Jesus Loves You, 1 Timothy 1:12-15 A Christian prison guard was assigned to duty on death row. He was so appalled at the crimes the prisoners had committed that at first he felt only contempt for them. It’s not difficult to understand why. He told of one convict who joked about the fact that the […]
IMMANUEL The name “Immanuel” appears twice in the Hebrew Scriptures and once in the New Testament. In Greek it is rendered “Emmanouel.” One of the most comforting of all names and titles of Jesus, it is literally translated “with us is God” or, as Matthew puts it, “God with us. When our sins made it […]
Overflowing with Gratitude, Colossians 2:6-8 The meaning of Thanksgiving has changed over the years, The name was given to our national holiday dedicated to thanking God for His protection and provision. More recently, though it has become synonymous with feasting, football, and family. In most homes, God probably isn’t even mentioned. But for believers, Thanksgiving […]
A New Location, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 A bank in Binghamton, New York, has some flowers sent to a competitor who had recently moved into a new building. There was a mix-up at the flower shop, and the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our […]
Watch What You Say, 1 Corinthians 16:17-18 Most of us have no idea how much other people’s emotions, self-esteem and hopes are influenced by what we say. Paul said, “Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus…for what was lacking on your part they supplied (have been a wonderful encouragement to me)” ( If you have never heard of […]
As a leader of the Flock of God, I have a responsibility to do all within my power to get our folks ready for the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If there ever was a time to stand for truth and get the Word of God out, it is today! The […]
It Happens to the Best of Us! 1 Corinthians 10:11 A pastor was building a fence while the neighbor’s twelve year old son watched. The pastor smiled and said, “interested in carpentry, huh?” “Nope,” the boy replied. “Just want to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer!” You are […]
The Hebrew Scriptures — that is the Old Testament — included many prophecies about the coming Messiah. A few of them probably left Israelite scholars and laymen alike scratching their heads and wondering how one individual could fulfill such lofty promises. The birth of such a person would be “good news of great joy,” just […]
When Burdens Weigh Us Down, Psalm 37:5-7 When we are overburdened, the world seems a colder place. The sun may be shining, but our heads are bowed low, so we don’t notice. The birds sing, but our ears are filled with the cries of our hearts—-exclamations of pain, sorrow and weariness. We put distance between […]