The Blessing of Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1 opens: “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!”

The world has an entirely different idea of what it means to be blessed.  They would put it (whether stated or not) “How blessed is the RICH person” or the “famous” person, or the “attractive” person, or the person who has achieved the worldly definition of “success.”  And unfortunately, too many of God’s people have bought into those same conceptions of the blessed life.  We feel good when we have these “blessings”, or envy those who do. Continue reading

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When The Moral Compass Is Broken

Genesis 34 is an ugly chapter in the history of the Patriarchs.  In it, Shechem, a young Canaanite, takes Jacob’s daughter Dinah and “lay with her by force.”  Dinah’s brothers then deceive Shechem and his whole town, telling them that they will consent to intermarry with them if they will only be circumcised.  Then, when the entire male population is in the throes of recuperation from the procedure, Jacob’s sons kill Shechem and every male citizen, and pillage their town.  It is a sordid tale. Continue reading

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My Times Are In Your Hand

David Boudia, who just won the gold medal in the 10 meter platform diving in the 2012 Olympics in London, had a very shaky preliminary round, and thought he might not even make it to the finals.  But he was calm about it.  He was quoted in the Baptist Press (8-13-12) as saying: “The coolest thing about this is that I know that God is perfect and sovereign, and if I made it, great.  If I didn’t, great.  I was totally content …”.  Boudia had peace about his Olympic results, because he knew that God was sovereign.  His attitude was similar to that of David’s in Psalm 31:15, when he wrote: “My times are in Your hand.” Continue reading

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Memorizing James

Last Sunday morning, as we began a new sermon series at First Baptist Moss Bluff on the Book of James, I encouraged each of our church members to begin to memorize the book. 

I am excited about the response to this challenge so far.  A number of people have told me that they have started memorizing James, and I have seen others post on Facebook and indicate in other ways that they are doing the same thing.  Whether you are a member of FBC Moss Bluff or not, I would encourage you to join us, and hide this powerful portion of God’s word in your heart.  You will not regret it!

As encouraging as the response has been, many confess to having difficulty memorizing scripture.  While all of us do not have the same gift for memorizing, we can all make an effort.  Let me offer a few “helpful hints” for memorizing James, or any larger portion of scripture: Continue reading

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A Divine Decision

Proverbs 16:10 is a good word for anyone holding a position of authority or influence:  “A divine decision is in the lips of the king; his mouth should not err (be unfaithful) in judgment.”

At first one might wonder why the Proverb calls it a “divine decision”? Continue reading

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This Week in “Paradise” August 13

Did I Do That?

Cheryl hates the little lawnmower we have here in “Paradise”; she has lodged complaints against it on several occasions. Thus I must admit that I was more than a little suspicious when she “accidentally” left it out in a pouring thunderstorm Monday.

“Oh, did I leave that out there?” she said, innocently. I couldn’t help but think of the mom who “accidentally” broke her husband’s risque lamp in the movie, “A Christmas Story”!

Continue reading

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Simple Praise

Someone may ask: “How should I praise God?  What exactly should I do?”  One might think that there is some complicated, Biblical formula for praise, but the truth is there is a very simple one found in the Book of Psalms. Continue reading

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Introduction to the Book of James: “What Real Faith Looks Like”

      A few weeks ago I had a phone conversation with a pastor in another town here in Southwest Louisiana, and he was talking about how there are well over 30 churches in their small community.  He said, “You know how it is down here; everyone says they are a Christian.”  I agreed with him; virtually everyone you run into in this area says they are a member of a church, and thinks they are going to heaven. But the problem is, they aren’t! 

     Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  In other words, there are going to be a lot of us who think we have saving faith, but don’t.  How do you know if your faith is genuine, Biblical, saving faith, or not? 

     The book we are going to begin to study today answers that question.  The Book of James shows us what REAL faith looks like.  Now I can tell you right off the top that there are some things that genuine, saving faith does NOT look like: Continue reading

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Praying For Worship

Psalm 29 is a great passage to pray for our Sunday worship services, as it addresses so many scriptural things that we should want to see happen in our churches: Continue reading

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Not So Among You

In Mark 10:43 Jesus said: “But it is not so among you.”  He spoke these words to His disciples in response to James & John’s ambitious request to be seated at His left and right in His kingdom — and the indignation of the other 10 at the pair’s request.  He told them all that things were different in His kingdom than they are in the world.  His leaders would be servants.  As for worldly-type ambitions, He said to them: “It is not so among you.”  Continue reading

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