Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

September 23, 2013 · 7:16 am

Word of the Week: Perseverance

John.Stephen.Akwani

Today is a special milestone for ThePreachersWord.  This is the 500th post!

We began January 1, 2012 with no readers!  No track record.  No idea of what to expect.  And certainly no thought of posting 500 times!  What began as an unexpected opportunity to minister in this manner has been a wonderful blessing to me.  And I  hope to those who are regular readers.

According to WordPress we have 2400 followers from various media sources. ThePreachersWord has been read in over 170 countries.  And we have posts in over 100 categories. Continue reading →

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September 20, 2013 · 5:20 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Name Above All Names

Jesus.Names

It’s Friday.  And I’m concluding a meeting in Trenton, Florida.  Norma Jean and I have been blessed by the fellowship of the brethren here and the gracious hospitality of Ricky and Marchene Hudson.

All week I have been writing and sending my posts from their office.  And on the wall behind me is a poster entitled “And He Shall Be Called.”  On it are 58 titles and designations of Jesus that I want to share with you.  When the angel appeared to Joseph and said Mary had conceived a child of the Holy Spirit.  He said, “You shall call his name Jesus.  For he shall save his people from their sins.”  Continue reading →

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September 19, 2013 · 6:30 am

Is Christianity a Part of Your Life?

JohnWittYesterday I had lunch with John Witt.  We had briefly met once, but never spent any time together. The lack of association has been my loss.

John is an energetic 89 years young. He’s a retired minister.  But not retired from ministering.

John shared with me his conversion story. How he was searching for Truth.  His journey.  And how he was converted to Christ.  It’s an intriguing and compelling story.  John was in his late 20’s when he bought his first Bible. Continue reading →

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September 18, 2013 · 6:10 am

Response to a Reader’s Questions

Bible.Question

“The topic you discuss today is more complex than a simple black/white description.” writes a reader regarding yesterdays post–“Is Just Following Your Conscience Good Enough for God?”

The reader then makes a sincere request.  “As a “teacher” please tell us your perspective of Cornelius (before his vision from God to contact Peter). Also, “teach” us about OT Scripture where God’s Word tells us about God imparting “conscience” to non-Jews that didn’t have the teachings of Moses to follow.” Continue reading →

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September 17, 2013 · 5:53 am

Is Just Following Your Conscience Good Enough For God?

Repubblicacover-255x337Does God “forgive those who are unbelievers and do not seek faith?”

The Catholic Pope, Francis, was asked this question by Eugenio Sscalfari, an avowed atheist and founder of the liberal Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The Pope responded with a recently published front page letter.

Here’s what he wrote. Continue reading →

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September 16, 2013 · 7:22 am

Word of the Week: Gospel

Bible.Cross.2This week I will be writing my posts from Trenton, Florida.  I’m in a gospel meeting with the Trenton church of Christ.  It is especially sweet since Trenton is Norma Jean’s home town.  So, she is enjoying seeing her relatives and reconnecting with old friends.

I love coming to Gilchrist county.  It’s a joy to preach the gospel here.  They turn out for Gospel Meetings from all the other churches in the county.  And they are very supportive and encouraging of gospel preaching.

As I reflect on preaching here, I am reminded of an old saying about the gospel by a 19th century preacher, Walter Scott.   Continue reading →

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September 13, 2013 · 6:45 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! A Time to Be Silent

jesusbeforepilat

In his book, The World of Silence, published in 1948, the  Swiss philosopher Max Picard opined: “Nothing has changed the nature of man so much as the loss of silence,” once as natural as the sky and air.”  I wonder what Max would think today?  With the constant chatter of our modern world of communication, there’s  not a lot silence!

There is an ancient proverb that says “Silence is golden.”  Sometimes it’s better to listen. To refrain from responding.  To ignore insults.  To turn a deaf ear to absurd accusations.  Continue reading →

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September 12, 2013 · 5:21 am

Reflections: 9/11, Twelve Years Later

WTC_Silhouette

Yesterday over our morning coffee, Norma Jean and I were reflecting about September 11, 2001.

We were living in Spring Hill, TN.  And I was preaching for the Jackson Heights church in Columbia.   As I was getting ready to go to the office Norma Jean yelled for me to come into the family room.  She said, “A plane has hit one of the twin towers.”  Like millions of Americans we watched in amazement as a plane hit the other tower.  Then the Pentagon was hit.  And then the report of the crash in PA. Later we learned of the heroism that prevented another catastrophic  strike.

That day I did not go to the office. Continue reading →

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September 11, 2013 · 6:46 am

9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance

I.WIll

“It’s been 12 years and a lot of times I get disappointed because Sept. 11 has just become another date on the calendar.” says Fairview, New Jersey Police Chief Frank Del Vecchio.

So Del Vecchio decided last year to do something to honor and help the families and friends who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.  He raised $12,000 for a children’s charity through a memorial run that began at his home in Ridgewood, NJ to the World Trade Center site.  This year he is running again.  And hopes to raise more money. Continue reading →

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September 10, 2013 · 6:16 am

How Can I Know God’s Will?

GodsWill

I was talking to a lady last week who was being evicted from her apartment.  She  expected the Judge to evict her in three days.  However, to her surprise,  she was given two weeks.

She suggested to me that it was God’s will.  God gave her an extra two weeks.  I’m not so sure that apartment manager thought it was the will of God for this woman to get two months of free rent! Continue reading →

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