It is that time again. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and many have already frantically begun to prepare for Christmas. The sales are plentiful, the shoppers are swarming, and the decorations and music add warmth everywhere you visit. However, even with all of these things, we can still miss Christmas. To help prepare our hearts, please take … Continue reading Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas
The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Cor. 3:6) The law of God is holy and just and good; it is inexorable, and we have fallen under its just condemnation. That is at the bottom of what Paul means by the “the letter kills.’ He does not mean that attention to pedantic details shrivels … Continue reading The Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life
Kahinoor "Mountain of Light" Diamond worth $10 to $12 Billion One of the most wonderful diamonds in the world is the 'Mountain of Light'. It now belongs to England, but originally came from India. The gem was put into the hands of Lord John Lawrence for safe keeping. Half unconsciously, Lord John thrust the diamond, … Continue reading The Neglected Value of the Soul
David thought it was over. His sin had been exposed, he had sought the Lord's forgiveness, and it had been granted. A right spirit had been renewed, and a clean heart had been created. Then came the news that his child was gravely ill. The revelation threw David to the floor in anguish as thoughts of his sin filled his mind. Months had … Continue reading The Haunting Effects of Sin
If the Greeks had delivered their gift to the people of Troy and said, "This is a huge wooden horse filled with soldiers ready to kill you." the people of Troy would have known what they were getting. Instead, a real Trojan horse involves deception; it involves treachery you would not see coming. Here is the … Continue reading Trojan Horse Christians
But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. – Luke 15:20 The kiss of the father in the parable of the prodigal son is full of meaning. The prodigal has returned home, but only after forsaking his father and … Continue reading The Prodigal’s Return
Read part 1 here. Read part 2 here. He finished tightening the light bulb and stepped back to examine his work. Ever since his wife died a few years ago, he spends much of his time serving at the church. As a retired electrician, he enjoyed bringing out the old toolbox. He had wanted to … Continue reading The Broken Church Light (Part 3)
Read part 1 here. He decided to walk to church because several things were weighing heavy on his heart. After 13 years of pastoring the small congregation, the church appeared worse off than when he had started. It was a warm and bright August day, but the forerunners of fall were in the air announcing … Continue reading The Broken Church Light (Part 2)
"The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." Acts 11:26 The lives of the converts were so different from their unbelieving neighbors, that they were called Christians. It is supposed that the name was given them in mockery or contempt by the heathen people of Antioch. But the name stuck, and is now used universally … Continue reading Why We Are Called Christians
To the Christians in Afghanistan, especially those of you about to die for your faith, I doubt you will ever have the chance to read this, but my heart breaks for you. The Lord knows your anguish. He knows the trouble you face, and he is aware of your powerlessness. He also sees your poverty, … Continue reading To the Christians in Afghanistan
The Fight of Faith 