Category Archives: Passage To Ponder

1 Thessalonians 5:11- The Ministry of Encouragement

This past Sunday I preached a lesson entitled “Disciples Bear Burdens.” One of the points I made was that we bear one another’s burdens through encouragement.

In studying for the lesson, I found this great quote by author David Jeremiah. Continue reading

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Romans 2:1-16: God’s Judgment vs Man’s Judgment

One morning, as Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, a group of scribes and Pharisees dragged a woman before Him. They said she had been caught in the very act of adultery.

According to the Law of Moses, they reminded Jesus, such a woman should be stoned. “What do you say?” they asked, hoping to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him. Continue reading

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Acts 26: Almost or Altogether?

There’s an old quote by the prolific author anonymous that captures the heartbreak of a relationship that never came to be.

“We were almost in love, almost forever, almost happy. Almost.”

Almost. “It’s a sad word, isn’t it? In a way, it’s a promise that never got made.” Indeed. As Beau Taplin opined, “It is the ‘almosts’ that break your heart.” Continue reading

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Acts 20:7–First Day Focus

My friend, preaching colleague, and fellow blogger, Roger Shouse, is fond of saying, “Sunday is the best day of the week.”

He often speaks in his blogs about how special Sunday is to him and how much he looks forward to it. In one post, he gushed, “I love Sundays.”

Why? What makes Sunday so special? Why would someone speak of loving Sunday above another day? Continue reading

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Ps 119:71– When Affliction is Good

 

There are many apocryphal stories and quotes floating around about C. S. Lewis. This may be one of them.

I read where a man who was dealing with doubts once questioned the British author asking, “Why do the righteous suffer?” Continue reading

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Psalm 25:7– Remember Not, O Lord

This week I am in a meeting with the church in Belleville, Indiana. It’s a pleasure to be back in Hendricks County where I grew up. Returning “home” has unearthed so many memories.

Saturday we drove past the church building where I attended throughout my childhood and teenage years. It was where I went to Bible classes twice a week. Where I was baptized. Participated in worship services. Gave my first talk. And listened to and learned from the powerful preaching of Aude McKee. The building is now owned by another religious group, but there was a car in the parking lot. So we stopped and they invited us in. We walked into the auditorium and through the classrooms, thinking of Bible teachers and times spent learning God’s Word. So, many precious memories flooded my soul.

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James 3:16

On their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple was asked their secret to a long and happy marriage.

The husband said, “I have tried never to be selfish. After all, there is no ’I’ in the word ‘marriage.’” Continue reading

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Psalm 23–#4 Still Waters

“He leads me beside the still waters”

How do you view God?

Several years ago USA Today published a survey that found over 31% of Americans saw God as an “Authoritarian.” They felt he was mostly angry and was ready to punish us if we didn’t shape up.

More than 24% viewed God as “distant,” and 16% saw God as “critical” and “judgmental.”

So, more than 70% held a view of God contrary to the teaching of the Bible and the thesis of this Psalm–”The Lord is my Shepherd. Continue reading

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Psalm 23–#3 Green Pastures

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures”

“”The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very makeup it is almost impossible fo them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met,” wrote the East African born W. Phillip Keller in “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.” Continue reading

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Psalm 23: #2 I Shall Not Want

Students in a Bible class were once asked to memorize Psalm 23. One little girl stood up and began “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then she paused, as her mind went blank.

Quickly, she smiled and blurted out, “And that’s all I want.” Continue reading

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