“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
Having just admonished His disciples to enter by the narrow way to heaven (:13-14) Jesus now warns against false prophets. These are those who are calling people to follow them in “the broad way that leads to destruction”. God’s people must understand the significance of His warning. Continue reading
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
When Jesus admonished His hearers with these words in this conclusion of His Sermon on the Mount, He was undoubtedly referring to eternal salvation. There are not many ways to heaven; in fact there is just ONE, as He makes clear in John 14:6, “I am THE way … no one comes to the Father except through Me.” The followers of Jesus who claim that He is the only way to heaven are often accused of being “narrow-minded” — but that is just what Jesus commended here: following the narrow way which leads to eternal life.
Although that is undoubtedly the primary application of that verse, there may be another for us to consider: Continue reading
“He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.” (Matthew 8:15)
It is one thing to tell someone “Thank you!” for a deed done on your behalf — it is another thing to really demonstrate your gratitude with your actions. Peter’s mother-in-law did that here. Continue reading
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
The word “therefore” in Jesus’ familiar “Golden Rule” verse is very significant. It lets us know that this verse does not stand on its own, in isolation, but points us back to something to which it is related. When you read back, you find that Jesus has just been speaking of our requests to God: “Ask, and it shall be given to you …” (:7) and “your Father who is in heaven (will) give what is good to those who ask Him.” (:11). So the “therefore” links together two aspects of Christianity that God’s people sometimes erroneously separate. Continue reading
In 1939 Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the leading Christian preachers and teachers in Germany — but the country had been taken over by Adolph Hitler, and the noose of his control was beginning to tighten over the country. Soon it would be impossible to leave. Bonhoeffer, who was starting to become known internationally, was offered an opportunity to leave Germany, and take a teaching position in the United States. What should he do? Should he take the position? Or stay where he was? How should he make his decision?
One of the most common questions Christian people ask is, How can I know God’s will? How do I make the right choice when I am faced with a difficult decision? One of the most helpful things I have ever learned in that regard was from Henry Blackaby in his study, “Experiencing God.” In it he wrote that there are 4 things you should consider whenever you are making a decision: 1) God’s word 2) prayer 3) circumstances, and 4) godly counsel. Those are good things to turn to in every decision you make: pray, look at what God’s word says, consider your circumstances, and then get godly (the word “godly” is a key here!) counsel to help direct you.
But as I was reading through the book of I Corinthians a few months ago, I came across a series of verses that, I believe, also give us some valuable help in making decisions from a Christian perspective. Here we find 3 verses that each provide a question that can help guide you into making both good and godly decisions: I Corinthians 9:23; I Corinthians 10:24; and I Corinthians 10:31. Continue reading
Sometimes when you are looking for something specific, you find something 
unexpected, and even better, instead. That may have happened today. I was searching for a theater which might be showing the newly released “Love And Friendship”, a Jane Austen movie, for which the previews and clips have looked very good. “Get used to disappointment ” (“Princess Bride” quote). It is actually playing in literally 5 theaters in NY & CA today, so no dice on that front. But while searching, I came across another movie: “The Man Who Knew Infinity”, that was playing in Asheville & Charlotte today. The plot line sounded interesting: a poor newlywed from India sends his mathematical formulas to Cambridge, and is invited there in 1914 (during the outbreak of World War I) to expound on and prove his theories. Now the field of math (especially when it begins to involve letters!) is not my forte, but it turns out that this movie was well worth the 90 minute drive to Charlotte. Continue reading
Cheryl & I are so grateful to God for a safe mission trip to and from Romania the past couple of weeks, for the ministries we shared in, and especially the relationships we were able to establish and deepen. There were many answered prayers along the way — but also some moments we will smile about and remember forever. Following are some of them:
5 BOTTLES OF HONEY
We all enjoyed eating from a little bottle of honey that Stefan (our host pastor) bought early in our trip, so it was getting low by the time we all finished breakfast one day, and headed to town to shop in some of the markets. Cheryl & Sara (pastor Stefan’s daughter) & I went in one direction by ourselves, and in one of the first stands we saw, was a row of jars of honey. “Oh, let’s get some more honey for Stefan,” Cheryl suggested. I responded that I was not necessarily opposed to that (one of my standard put-offish replies:-) “but what if someone else buys some?” “Well, it won’t hurt if they get two”, Cheryl said. She wanted to get a big one to replenish his stock, and I thought that two smaller ones would be more manageable, which we subsequently bought. But when we got back to the group, we were in for a surprise: “Stefan, we got honey!” Cheryl said. “We did too” he responded. “So did we” Ray & Norine chipped in. “Well, we got two” I said. “We did too!” Ray said. In all, we ended up with FIVE jars of honey!” I guess that’ll hold them for a while — in fact, our July mission team may be tasting some of that honey!
Oh, and speaking of Pastor Stefan, here’s one of my favorite pictures of him while we were shopping. He is a very serious guy: 😉
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
You would think from interacting with people, reading internet posts, or watching interviews on television, that Matthew 7:1 was the single most important verse in the Bible to most Americans — perhaps the only one that most really know or act upon: “Do not judge.” Continue reading
“My soul clings to (after) You; Your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8)
We get glimpses in several of the Psalms of the kind of deep spiritual relationship that David had with the Lord. Psalm 63 is one of those. He writes in its first verses that because God is HIS God, he will seek Him earnestly (literally “early”), and that in a desert land, his greatest need is not for food or water, but “You”! (:1b) Verse 8 continues to reveal the nature of the relationship that David — and every true believer — has with the Lord: Continue reading
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink …”. (Matthew 6:25)
Many Christians would admit that anxiety is one of the biggest problems in their spiritual life. Everyone knows that we “shouldn’t” worry, but knowing that, and not doing it, are often two different things. But in context Matthew 6:25 gives followers of Christ a really good reason not to worry, by encouraging them to focus their attention elsewhere: 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.
shawnethomas 