There are ways to worship God: singing; praying; offering of our means; preaching; and the Lord's Supper. But what makes these things to be worship? Simply obeying a command does not necessarily make that act worship. Some may practice the form of "rituals" without ever having truly worshiped God. Jesus said, "God is a Spirit: … Continue reading WHAT MAKES WORSHIP WORSHIP?

One of the most terrible things in life must be to have a child wonder away and not know where they have gone. You would call the police, your friends, and everyone who would help find the young child. When the search team assembled, you would give them a description of the child: his face, … Continue reading HOW WOULD WE IDENTIFY CHRIST?

"Receive every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God's goodness, as if you had seen it, and all things, new-created upon your account: and under the sense of so great a blessing, let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good … Continue reading COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS Ephesians 1.3-10

What things were gain to me, those I counted as loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do not count them but dung, that I may win Christ … Continue reading Our Crucified Lives

Agony, despair, vengeance, worship, and hope are the streams of human emotion which pour forth from the Psalms. The Bible is generally a record of God speaking to mankind. However, in the Psalms we find the inspired record of men pouring their hearts out to God. The Hebrew title for the song collection is tehillim, … Continue reading PRAISES EXALTATION, EXPECTATION, AND INTROSPECTION IN THE PSALMS

"Benjamin Franklin in remarks to the Continental Convention, June 28, 1787, says "I have lived, Sir, a long time [81 years-old], and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth —that God Governs in the affairs of men." Feeling overwhelmed? Is the world a discouraging place? Do you feel alone, … Continue reading THE LORD REIGNS Psalm 93

Earth holds no treasure but that which perishes with using. The way we invest these "treasures" has a tremendous impact on eternity. Timothy received this letter so that he might know how to behave in the house of God which is the church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15). In order to behave properly, … Continue reading EARTHLY TREASURES AND HEAVENLY INVESTMENTS 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19

The Scriptures speak of the church or kingdom in various phases: 1) the eternal purpose of God's mind--Eph. 3:10-11; 2) the promise of the patriarchs and prophets--Gen. 3:15; 22:22; 3) the prophecy of the hopeful--Dan. 2:44; 4) the preparation of the greatest of prophets--Matt. 3:1-5; 5) the perfection of Christ's work--Matt. 16:18-19 & Acts 2; … Continue reading When Did the Church Begin?

Take care of one another. Remember the forgotten virtues: honor, respect, dignity. These qualities every Christian should earn and deserve. These virtues are necessary if we are going to "let all things be done for edification." Paul wrote Timothy would know how to behave himself in the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15). In the … Continue reading HONOR OTHERS BY CARING FOR OTHERS 1 TIMOTHY 5

Jesus reminds us to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." With that admonition in mind, we can be certain that God will treat us in the very best possible way. Although the world is often discouraging, deplorable, and depressing we know that the sufferings of this present world are worthy … Continue reading COMFORT MY PEOPLE Isaiah 40:1-5