Years ago, I played in a church basketball league. For this particular game, I had the keys to the building in which we were going to play. I arrived about two hours early. It had snowed about an inch and a half that day, and the parking lot had not yet been plowed. I parked … Continue reading What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You
Acts
The Fruits of Saving Faith
When a person places faith in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation, they are saved (John 3:14-19, 36; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; John 5:24; Acts 16:30-31; Titus 3:5). At the moment of salvation, a person receives the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5-6; … Continue reading The Fruits of Saving Faith
Church
Countryside Baptist celebrated its forty-first anniversary yesterday. The church started on the first Sunday of May 1985. Bill Howard was the original Pastor, and I came along ten years later. It was a wonderful day! We had a slideshow with pictures going all the way back to the beginning, presented gifts to the congregation, and … Continue reading Church
World Wide Missions
Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins … Continue reading World Wide Missions
Life Changing Events
As I write this, I am three days from another birthday. When I look back on life, I can see God working in every part. We all go through life-changing events. Nearly everyone can include marriage, the birth of children, and grandchildren on the list. Still, I will set those aside for the moment and … Continue reading Life Changing Events
Everyone Has A Relationship With God
We interact with people all the time. Some are acquaintances, others are good friends, some are relatives, and others are work colleagues. There are people we love, like, dislike, and maybe even hate. Some people may fall into more than one category; that cousin you do not know well and only see at weddings and … Continue reading Everyone Has A Relationship With God
How To Live A Quiet Life
2 Chronicles 20:30, "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest round about." Often, we describe life as noisy. Many things are confusing, complicated, and nerve-wracking. Problems overwhelm the soul. "When will it ever end!" is a cry often heard. Illnesses, crime, stress, financial woes, relationship problems, the heartaches involved … Continue reading How To Live A Quiet Life
Finding An Expert
We all have experts in our lives, people who know more than we do about a particular subject. When we have a physical ailment that home or over-the-counter remedies will not cure, we go to a doctor - a medical expert. People see an attorney - a law expert - if legal issues arise. If … Continue reading Finding An Expert
Fixing The Church
There are seven churches listed in Revelation chapters two and three. I believe that every church, in any place or time, can point at one of the seven churches and say, "There we are." In other words, every church holds the characteristics of one of the seven churches. If we look back at church history, … Continue reading Fixing The Church
End Times – Really?
Are we in the end times? I reckon the answer may depend more on someone's definition of "end times" than on what is happening in the world. But this column will look at Bible prophecies and current events. In Acts 2, Peter announces the fulfillment of a prophecy from the book of Joel. The prophecy … Continue reading End Times – Really?
Preacher's Point 