Our word today, “sincere,” provides a pleasant flashback to one of my epistles Bible classes at Florida College many years ago.
We were studying Philippians taught by Clinton Hamilton, who was meticulously thorough in his scholarship (If you’ve read one of his commentaries you know what I mean.)
We came to Philippians 1:9-10 which reads: Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Today where I worship at the West Citrus Church, we’re beginning a study entitled, “Getting to Know God” from my Family Bible Study Series.
While this thought is not original with me, I’m always reminded that knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills
A friend asked me the other day, “When are you going back to Canada?”
I laughed.
Then explained the current complicated situation.
Filed under Weekly Recap
Our Wednesday night class at the West Citrus Church has been studying the beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
This week we discussed Matt. 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”
From this statement, we offered several Biblical suggestions on how peace is possible, which serves as today’s list. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
Although I’m a basketball fan, in recent years I’ve watched very few NBA games. This year I watched zero. Not even the NBA finals.
I’ve not only become disenchanted with the pro game itself but with so many chest-thumping, camera gawking, self-absorbed men enamored by their own greatness.
Now, I wish I have seen some of the finals just to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo. Continue reading
Filed under Blessing
Several years ago a Missouri preacher, Steve Shepherd, related a story about a woman who was in the grips of severe depression.
She felt helpless. Hopeless. And afraid. For weeks she wept constantly. She didn’t want to be left alone for fear she would take her own life. When she went to bed, she hoped she would never wake up.
Her Bible Study class intervened and purposed what they called “The Brave Christian’s experiment.” In desperation, the woman decided to try this plan which basically called for God to be at the center of one’s life.
The plan consisted of these five steps. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Passage To Ponder
“One of Satan’s great deceptions is convincing lost people they are not lost. A second deception is convincing Christians that lost people are not truly lost,” wrote cultural apologist and author, Jim Denison, in a recent post on his web page the Denison Forum.
Universalism is a philosophical and theological doctrine that basically believes and teaches that everyone will be saved and spend eternity with God in heaven, regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs. Continue reading
Filed under Salvation
One writer quipped that the word piety has become devalued about like the Canadian dollar. In all fairness to the Canadians, I think you could say that about the U.S. dollar as well.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary correctly states that “Pious has a bit of an image problem. From the beginning of its use in the 15th century, this Latin descendant has been used to describe those who are simply very religious—that is, who are deeply devoted to their religion—but it has for centuries also described those who make a show of their religiousness and use it to assert their superiority. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Power.
Leaders lust for it. People are impressed by it. And others are dominated by it.
Military might. Political position. Economic Status. Physical strength. All are symbols of power.
The power in Jesus’ day resided in Rome. Everyone knew it. Their empirical rule reached across the known world. The power was evident in their army. Their outposts of culture. Their massive building programs. Their roads. And, of course, their ruler. Pontifex Maximus. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good Morning from Citrus County, Florida
Well, we’re in the middle of July, Florida’s hottest month, and also its wettest month. The average high temperatures are 90-92 degrees F, and an average of 8″ of rain, which we’ve already surpassed due to Elsa.
Last summer we were in Montana, and the two years prior in Ontario, Canada. It sure would be nice to have a brief respite. But we’re enjoying being closer to our family and spoiling our grandkids. Plus, we’ve had an opportunity to preach and teach most Sunday’s we’re home for the West Citrus Church in Crystal River where I will be tomorrow.
Today’s post offers a recap of the past week. And provides an opportunity for you to catch up on any you may have missed. Also, there’s a bonus past post from 5 years ago, that you will enjoy entitled Bible Bloopers By Kids. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
ThePreachersWord 