A Joshua 1 Selah Moment
Joshua 1 details a very exciting moment in the history of Israel. After being in Egypt for 430 years (1876-1446 BC) and after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years the nation is positioned to receive the long awaited gift of land. Unfortunately, the gift of land could not be unwrapped and enjoyed without a challenging fight. The land that God promised to Israel was occupied and the residents had to be driven out. Now, although a challenge was associated with enjoying God’s gift, God did not leave Israel on their own to figure out how to...
read moreCome Let Us Adore Him!
The wise men who came from the east asked King Herod, “Where is He born King of the Jews? We have seen His star and we have come to worship Him” (Matt 2:2). I invite you along with the wise men of old to come, “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” What is it about Christ that is so beautiful, that is so worth adoring? What was it about Christ, the Lord that stirred the affections of Mary in her Luke 1 hymn of praise? What caused her heart to grow with affection for the Lord so much so that she wanted to exalt Him? What did...
read moreGospel-Centered Christmas Celebration – Part 3
Evil days require making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16). When interacting with those outside the Christian faith, “buy up” every opportunity for gospel speaking (Colossians 4:5). Given the Christmas season that is upon us, how can we be gospel-centered in our celebrations? Joy will definitely diminish in the fog of any life season when our focus moves away from Christ. In my last post, I encouraged a steady concentration on Christ that contemplates in a satisfying manner the awe and wonder of the incarnation. In...
read moreGospel-Centered Christmas Celebration – Part 2
In a day and time when a seasonal holiday with deep Christian roots is under attack, it is imperative that we stay focused on Christ and His redemptive work. So, is it possible to make the most of your Christmas by simply staying focused on Christ? Christmas after all is about Christ. The WHO of Christmas is the incarnate Son of God. The WHAT of Christmas is the gift of salvation provided by the person of Christ and our proclamation of that gift. The HOW of Christmas is the opportunity to model the self-sacrificing life of Christ in all our...
read moreGospel-Centered Christmas Celebration – Part 1
The Lord allowed me to pastor two different churches for short periods of time in my ministry life. In each church, the Christmas season brought both challenge and opportunity to my preaching schedule. In my last pastoral assignment, I enjoyed preparing the church family to think biblically about how to celebrate Christmas. I am returning to this thought once again, especially because I believe the meaning of Christmas is under aggressive assault. As I venture into this discussion about Christmas with you, I am not trying to elevate one day...
read moreFriday Encouragement – You are the apple of my eye!
“You are the apple of my eye” is an Old English expression attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom in AD 885. This expression is actually much older and is found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The literal translation of what we find in our Hebrew text is the “little man of my eye” and it appears in four Old Testament texts. Deuteronomy 32:10 (the Song of Moses) – He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye....
read moreGod and Missions
The Trinity, the gospel, evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and church growth are the core ingredients associated with missionary work in the New Testament. These are the things that our missionaries highlight in their reports to us and these are the things that indeed glorify the Lord. So it seems appropriate to ask, “How is God most glorified in the work of missions?” God is most glorified in missions as He works out His eternal plan of redemption to bring His creation into a right relationship with Himself. According...
read more1 Thessalonians 4 – Genuine Gospel Hope
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” Paul exhorts us in this manner at the end of 1 Thessalonians 4. What are “these words” that Paul wants us to use to encourage one another? The words and the subject of encouragement relate to the return of Christ for you and me and the resurrection of “in Christ” believers who die before His return. In other words, Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians and us with the Bible details related to the return of Christ. Specifically he wants them to know how the Lord’s return will affect both the...
read more1 Thessalonians 3 – Encouragement to Love God and One Another
Both testaments of God’s Word emphasize a two-fold focus for the spiritual life that involves loving God and loving one another. This two-fold focus is the emphasis of Paul’s remarks to the Thessalonians in chapter 3 of his first letter to them. So how would you evaluate your love for God and your love for one another? Do you ever wonder if you will be able to continue loving God and continue loving one another up to the end of your earthly life, or up to the return of Christ? When Paul wondered about the faith of the Thessalonians he sent...
read more1 Thessalonians 2 – The Long Term Payoff of People Investments
Did you think about heaven or the Lord’s return this week? If you did, what sort of thoughts filled your mind and heart? When the Apostle Paul thought about the return of Jesus Christ he thought about people who were transformed by the gospel. Specifically, he thought about how the Thessalonians would be a source of joy for him at the appearing of the Lord. During his ministry in Thessalonica, Paul made a major investment in the lives of the Thessalonians. He ministered the Word of God to them in a gentle and affectionate manner. Despite...
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