In the early days of my ministry, an elderly minister said to me, “Don’t ever turn down an opportunity to preach. Always be ready.” Six decades later I’ve done pretty well following his counsel and I am finally learning why he offered that advice, Every time I preach, I receive a special and unique blessing. Maybe it is the…
Have you ever known anyone who gave every appearance that they could make it on their own, without any need to obey an authority or set of regulations? Sometimes it is the least likely, who obey. When God called Jonah, there were a series of disobediences. Jonah went to Joppa rather then to Nineveh. He…
I do not have an accurate count, but after twenty-two years on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Seminary and an additional four years as a retired, adjunct professor, I had approximately 5000 students. Recently I have been receiving invitations from some of them to preach in their churches. When there, I am frequently asked about…
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. As I pray for my Pastor this month, I am led to Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica, where he prays that “God will consider you worthy of His calling” (2 Thessalonians 1:11, HCSB). This “calling” began at conversion (according to 1 Thessalonians 4:7) and continued through a…
I just spent a great two-days at my college Homecoming. Most conversations began with “Do you remember . . .” One fascinating discussion centered around the great discoveries made during our freshman year. It set me to reflecting on many great discoveries of my freshman year. The first great discovery and perhaps my greatest, happened…
The Chinese Fortune Cookie said, “A part of us remains wherever we have been.” My first thought was no wonder I’m so tired. I’m spread over all fifty states, every Canadian province and fifty-nine countries. However, a lot of travelers have been to these places and not left any of themselves behind, so the proverb…
I have heard several athletes use an interesting phrase lately – “Pressure is a privilege.” The phrase may have originated from a book title by Tennis great, Billie Jean King. Perhaps the idea was birthed from James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.” We are indeed “blessed” and “privileged” when we…
I have heard several athletes use an interesting phrase lately – “Pressure is a privilege.” The phrase may have originated from a book title by Tennis great, Billie Jean King. Perhaps the idea was birthed from James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.” We are indeed “blessed” and “privileged” when we…
According to Wikipedia, a benediction “is a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance.” From the earliest, Christians adopted benedictions into their worship, particularly at the end of a service. Such benedictions have been regularly practiced ever since. Perhaps the best known biblical benediction is the one at the end of the tiny book…
As he admitted to a wrongdoing, the young man said, “I just couldn’t control myself.” Self-control is a difficult thing. It has to do with discipline, and discipline is hard. We live in an out-of-control society and If you don’t discipline yourself, someone else will control you. Thus the importance of self-control. It is similar…