I don’t suppose it’s a New Year’s Resolution, but I have chosen to read through my Bible chronologically this year.  There is an app on my phone that makes this easier than trying to divide it up myself.  Naturally, the first couple of days I read in the book of Genesis, up until chapter eleven.  There was then a gap between Genesis eleven and twelve, which put me in the book of Job.  One advantage to reading this way is that I end up reading accounts side by side that are several books apart.

In Job 23:10, he writes, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  We all know the story of Job.  Everything, save his own life, was suddenly stripped away from him at once.  God allowed Job to suffer trials during a season of his life.  Also, this testing was not the result of any wrong doing on the part of Job.  Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, Read more…

We live in an age when technology and its practical and everyday uses are exploding. The fields of medicine, industry, finance, and especially communication are all being dramatically impacted by the use of technology. The cell phone and computer are chief among those innovations directly impacting our lives. Not only have they influenced our communication, but in some ways they have fundamentally altered how we communicate and with whom we can communicate. This technological revolution is something we must learn both how to cope and contend with. It is not my proposition that technology in the area of social networking is evil, but that it can be used foolishly and increases our opportunity for evil if we do not handle it wisely. FaceBook is a communication tool that many in our churches are already using, but many have not stopped to consider how to apply biblical principles to its use. That is the purpose of this article: to try and provide some scriptural guidelines for the cultural phenomenon known as social networking. Here are some basic truths that I would like to posit for you to contemplate: Read more…

I just LOVE Christmas! I love the music, the great spirit of giving that surrounds it, and the joy of seeing loved ones and friends enjoying themselves in the days of a “break” from the daily grind of life! I recently read the story of a young mother, who, after reading the Christmas story to her young son, saw a puzzled look on his face as he sorted it all out.  After much thought, the boy said with a grin, “Let me see if I’ve got this straight…Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, but I get the presents?… Wow, is this a great religion or what?!”

Well, it’s obvious as we look around that not everyone really understands, or believes, what Christmas is all about…They may not even know the “ABC’s” of Christmas!  It’s good for all of us to see through the tinsel and fantasy to the truth of the great story of Bethlehem. Read more…

Before reading the following article please understand that is written by a man for men. Ladies, you may gain helpful insight, but this one is for the guys!

We live in an impure world – and that’s an understatement! Men have always struggled with their thought life. Christ recognized our struggle when He stated, “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” He recognized the challenge that His own disciples faced in keeping their thoughts pure. King Solomon instructed, “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart.”

Technology has completely changed the game for men and made lust easier than it’s ever been. Portals have been opened for men that have never before existed. No longer do we have to leave our home or even our car or office to view images and fill our hearts with lust. We now can gain access to the Internet through laptops, tablet computers, and even cell phones.

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It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us once again!  What a time of great memories and wonderful times of fellowship and rest with those we love…As Christians, our celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas cause us to look up – to remember the Source of our blessings and the Savior Who came to be our sacrifice for sin…

The art of giving thanks is one thing that separates man from the animals, or at least it should. Ray Stedman, in his book Folk Songs of Faith, relates an experience of Dr. Harry Ironside in a crowded restaurant.  The story goes that just as Dr. Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked to join him.  Ironside invited him to have a seat.  Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer.  When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, “Do you have a headache?”  Ironside replied, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.”  The man said, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat.  I just start right in!”  Ironside said, “Yes, you’re just like my dog.  That’s what he does too!” Read more…