What Voracity Reveals

Posted on 2014/01/02 by Shawn Thomas

Hebrews 12:16 exhorts: “that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.”
This verse is very revealing, not only about Esau, but many people today as well. It teaches us that Esau was NOT a “good guy” who just didn’t happen to be God’s chosen ancestor for the Messiah. It describes him as “immoral” and “godless.” And what was the manifestation of that? He “sold his own birthright for a single meal.” His voracious actions betrayed his character. Continue reading →

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Christmas in Carolina

Posted on 2014/01/01 by Shawn Thomas

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Since two of our children are married with families, attending Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and one has a baby and the other is expecting, we needed to take a trip east if we were going to have all the kids together for Christmas. So following our church’s Christmas musical the morning of the 22nd, Cheryl, Paul, Michael & I headed out immediately to the east. Almost 24 hours later, we arrived, a bit weary, but so excited to see everyone that we had no trouble staying awake — especially when we saw little Corley Jane, whom we had missed greatly:

Continue reading →

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An Edifying Syllogism

Posted on 2014/01/01 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 139:14 says: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made … wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Here is a word of genuine, Biblical self-esteem. GOD made us, “wove” us in our mother’s womb (:13). We are “wonderfully made.” His works are “wonderful” – therefore, Biblical Christians should understand that because God has created them, they are WONDERFUL!
Here is the logic spelled out in a syllogism:

— God’s works are wonderful.
— God made me.
— Therefore, I am wonderful!

NOW: it is important that all of this be kept in a humble, Biblical balance. There has been too much promulgation in America of a gospel of “self-esteem” which is not Biblical. However, this does not negate the truth we find in this scripture. Each of us is indeed fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Undoubtedly, no small number of people today really need to hear this word: “God has made you; therefore you are wonderful!”

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Awakening to God’s Blessings

Posted on 2013/12/31 by Shawn Thomas

II Samuel 5:12 says: “And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.” This verse comes in the context of David having come to be king over all Israel, and experiencing God’s blessings in battle (he had captured “the city of David” from the Jebusites, :6-9) and in gifts from Hiram, King of Tyre (:11). He had been experiencing the blessing of God on his life and kingdom, but :12 indicates that in a sense, one day David “woke up” to what was happening: God had indeed established and blessed him.

Perhaps some of us need to have that same kind of “awakening.”

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God Will Fulfill Your Purpose

Posted on 2013/12/30 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 138:8 David declares confidently that God’s purposes for him will come to pass: “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” (ESV) Each of us can have this same confidence, based on the truths of this verse: Continue reading →

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The Fear of Man Exemplified

Posted on 2013/12/27 by Shawn Thomas

I Samuel 3 relates how King Ish-bosheth rebuked his general, Abner, for immorality. Abner responded with indignation and anger and promised to deliver the rest of the kingdom of Israel to David. Ish-bosheth was mortified. Verse 11 says: “And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.”

Ish-bosheth had a fundamental problem. A leader cannot have subordinates or “staff” that he is afraid of! Of course, the problem here began with how Ish-bosheth was made king. Chapter 2:8 says that when David became king of Judah, Abner had taken Ish-bosheth and made him king over the other tribes. So Ish-bosheth was a puppet. Given his position by a man, he knew he could have it taken away by the same man. Continue reading →

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An Oft-Unwanted Token of God’s Love

Posted on 2013/12/26 by Shawn Thomas

The many of us who sometimes question God’s love during times of difficulty or trial would do well to remember Hebrews 12:6, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him. For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.”
This verse tells us: Continue reading →

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A Post From Christmas Past

Posted on 2013/12/24 by Shawn Thomas

Since we are involved with family worship and other activities today — as I hope you are — I thought I would share some highlights from LAST year’s Christmas which I never published:

At one point during the week, the kids decided to take a break from their Christmas Playstation marathon and go for a walk. But after storms and wind all day, the cold front had finally come through. After ceremoniously waving and bidding me a grandiose “goodbye” just a few moments previously, they all scurried right back into the house 20 seconds later, whining and screaming, “It’s too COOOLLLDD!!!” I had to laugh at the quick turnabout!

Overhead during the Christmas holiday: Continue reading →

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God With Us

Posted on 2013/12/24 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 132:13-14 says: “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” We find in these verses several expressions of how God will be among His people: “Habitation … resting place … dwell …” It is God WITH His people, among them. This is the whole thing; THIS is what it is all about; this is what we were made for: that God would be among us.

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Putting Hardship In Perspective

Posted on 2013/12/23 by Shawn Thomas

If you ever think about how hard things are for you as you live and serve in the Christian life, Hebrews 12 may have some good words for you: get a little perspective by pondering the hardships that Jesus endured for you. Continue reading →

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