How do you determine if you are going to do something or not? By whether you “want” to do it? If it will make you appear good to others? Because it will make you money? How do you decide?
The Apostle Paul had a method for his decision-making that impacted everything he did. We find it in I Corinthians 9:23: Continue reading
“But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (I Corinthians 9:27)
Paul wrote here that he “disciplined” his body. The New American Standard Bible indicates that the word “discipline” there is literaly “bruise.” The point is that Paul kept his body under control, so that it served him, and what he was seeking to accomplish on behalf of the gospel. In fact he said he made his body his “slave” for that purpose.
I wonder how many Christians in America today could say a similar thing about their bodies? Continue reading
“And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)
Significantly, this verse was written to God’s people in a time of impending distress and judgment. One invader was about to be destroyed, another was yet to come, the whole land was filled with uncertainty. What peace, what comfort was there to be found in such times? Isaiah gives the answer: Continue reading
Four little words found in Corinthians 8:6 would prove revolutionary if we would really understand and apply them. The words? “We exist for Him.” Continue reading
In Isaiah Chapter 33 we find a marvelous prayer from the lips of the prophet:
:2 “O YHWH, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their (our) strength every morning.”
When we break this verse down into phrases we see several things that can help guide us to pray for a personal prayer request, or for someone we know who needs God’s grace in a particular situation: Continue reading
Isaiah 30:18 must be one of the most encouraging verses in all of the word of God:
“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.”
God had spent the first part of Isaiah 30 rebuking His people for ignoring Him, and seeking refuge in men. He told them of the discipline which was coming upon them for their sin. But then He immediately followed that up, in the same chapter, with this most encouraging word: that He “longed” to be gracious to them. What a picture this gives us of God’s nature: Continue reading
“Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel …” (Isaiah 30:12)
In one of the most ironic interchanges in scripture, Isaiah had quoted the people of Israel in Isaiah 30:11 as saying, “Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.” Evidently, Isaiah had used this term for God repeatedly in his messages to the sinful people of Israel, but they were tired of hearing it. It is not hard to imagine them groaning: “Not THAT term again!” They wanted no more of it. “Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
And no wonder. They did not have much of a spiritual appetite. Continue reading
“O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it …”. (Isaiah 26:11)
The prophet Isaiah spoke a terrifying here to his generation. God was about to judge them for their sin. Verse 10 had just lamented how “Though the wicked is shown favor, he does not learn righteousness; he deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, and does not perceive the majesty of the LORD.” God is gracious; He had “shown favor” to these who were disobeying Him. But they did not turn to Him as they should have. Now the time of of His grace was over, and Isaiah solemnly proclaimed: “O Lord, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it.” Continue reading
ACTS 8:25-38 “This Is My Story: The Ethiopian Treasurer”
Cheryl & I love Stefan Berci (our Romanian pastor) and his family. They did a Facetime chat with us yesterday, and we had a great visit. One of the things I appreciate about Stefan is that he has such a balanced ministry. They have an outreach to the gypsy village, to the “down and out”, you might say — but he also has a heart for the intellectuals of the area, and ministers to them as well.
The salvation “story” that we are studying this morning reminds us of the need that everyone has for the Lord. You may be “down and out” today, and in desperate need of God — or you may also be very successful — but just as much in need of salvation, whether you realize it or not. Let’s look together at some truths we learn from the “story” of the Ethiopian Treasurer: Continue reading
I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
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