A new month, a new year, a new day, a new chance to change your life and grow in Christ! What goals have you made for this year? Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” From this simple verse let…
Eleven Suggestions for 2011: Read the Bible consistently. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” We need to experience God’s love and faithfulness to us every morning. Set aside at…
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them,…
Okay, we all overdid it at the table. I could not resist three desserts, chocolate pie, pecan pie, and fresh apple cake. So what now? How do we keep the true spirit of thanksgiving going? Here are a few post thanksgiving suggestions: Get out and walk! You will feel better…
I am in a car dealership waiting room as I compose this blog. I put off for a long time taking this Camry in for the much publicized recall that was issued months ago. To be honest, I did not think it needed it nor did I look forward to…
The Great Commission text in Matthew 28:16-20 is very familiar to most of us. We have quoted it, preached it, and taught it numerous times. We must be careful with Scripture that is most familiar lest we overlook some truth that has escaped our notice. Matthew 28:17 is one of…
When you think of descriptive passages of Scripture that relate to discipleship, what comes to mind? Maybe Mathew 28:16-20 where Jesus said “make disciples,” or Jesus’ description of what a kingdom person is and does in the Sermon on the Mount or in one of the Gospels like Luke 9:23,…
Okay, do I have your attention? Everyone is talking about the Cooperative Program these days. Suddenly the CP is headline news. It’s in all our state papers and there are lots of opinions about where CP giving will go in the next five years. My intentions are not to debate…
In 1870, the Methodists were having their annual conference in Indiana. The presiding Bishop was asking a group for an interpretation of current events, when the president of the college where the conference was held volunteered his input: “I think we are living in a very exciting age. I believe…
As I write this, my wife and I are in a motel room waiting for our furniture to arrive at our new house in the morning. Our old house is not ours anymore and our new house just became ours a few hours ago. Actually the mortgage company says we…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.