March 16, 2022 · 7:34 am

Psalm 35

Last night Norma Jean and I ate at the College of the Ozarks at the Keeter Center, the Dobyns Dining Room. If you ever come to Branson, MO, I highly recommend it.

The restaurant is staffed by all college students who are working their way through school. College of the Ozarks is known as Hard Work U, where their 1500 students work at more than 120 campus workstations to pay for their tuition.

We were served by a delightful young man, with a slight accent, who was polite, prompt, and very professional in serving us. At the end of the meal, I asked,” Where are you from?” Continue reading →

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March 15, 2022 · 8:36 am

Jesus’ Perscription for Worry

There is a great story that comes out of Greece in the 5th century B.C. During the war between two city-states, a spy was captured and sentenced to death. Before the execution, he demanded an audience with the Ruler of that city. When the interview was granted, he stood before the Ruler and pled “O great king, if you do not execute me, but instead allow me to live a mere two years longer, I will teach your favorite horse to sing.”

The king thought about it, and finally decided, “What’s two years? I can always kill him at the end of it.” So he agreed, and the spy was led away. Continue reading →

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March 14, 2022 · 5:45 am

Word of the Week: Holiness

Several years ago Barna Researchers conducted a survey to find out what people knew about holiness. Surprisingly, they discovered that “though the Bible talks a lot about holiness, most adults are confused and even daunted by the concept.”

Only 1 in 4 of the Church goers they interviewed believed they were holy.

And when asked what holiness meant, the most common answer was “I don’t know!” Continue reading →

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March 13, 2022 · 7:56 am

Redeeming the TIme

Last night we set our clocks up one hour to begin the semi-annual debate about Daylight Savings Time. Some like it. Others loathe it.

One sage quipped, “Daylight saving time: Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket.”

However, regardless of the time zone we’re living in, we should be conscious of the stewardship of time. The Bible exhorts us to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16). The means, as the ESV renders it, “making the best use of the time.” Continue reading →

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March 12, 2022 · 3:12 am

Weekly Recap: March 6-11

Good morning from Branson, MO

After a wonderful time sharing the Word with the Eastside Church in Denton, we decided to come to Branson for a little R & R.  Someone asked, “What do you like to do there?”  Three things.  See shows. Eat. And relax.

Just realized this is my first free Sunday this year from preaching.  So, I guess I’m not really “retired” after all.

This post is a recap of the past week’s posts.  It’s not only a good way to catch up if you’ve missed one, but a way to share ThePreachersWord either by email or on social media with your friends.  Also, included is a bonus post, Guard Your Heart, that I encourage you to read. Continue reading →

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March 11, 2022 · 3:11 am

Friday’s List To Live By #76

The apostle Peter commands Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

The apostle Paul offers this thought-provoking challenge. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5

So, today’s list a series of questions to help you apply those two commands. Continue reading →

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March 9, 2022 · 6:01 pm

Overcoming Evil With Good

Andrew Moroz is a Ukrainian-American preacher who reports that Christians in his home country are “putting their faith into practice” and shining the light of Christ despite not knowing what will remain of their homeland after the war, as reported by Michael Foust on ChristianHeadlines.com

Moroz says it’s both “beautiful” and “heartbreaking” to see how churches have responded to the Russian invasion.

In describing how people were helping, encouraging, and serving one another in such dire circumstances, Moroz said, “By God’s grace we can overcome evil with good.” Continue reading →

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March 9, 2022 · 3:09 am

Colossians 4:5-6

“Christians are to be the good news before they share the good news,” opined Jospeh Aldrich in his book Lifestyle Evangelism.

Aldrich’s observation reminds me of a quote credited to Francis of Assisi who said, “Always preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.”

Both ideas suggest that evangelism is more than just a Monday night event. More than joining an outreach group. More than giving away free Bibles at Starbucks. More than going door to door to find prospects. Continue reading →

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March 8, 2022 · 8:03 am

An Acts 29 Church

“Can I get a volunteer to read our text this morning?” asked the Bible class teacher.

Quickly a hand was raised.

“Thank you. Turn to the end of the book of Acts. And begin reading chapter 29, verse one. Continue reading →

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March 7, 2022 · 8:13 am

Word of the Week: Compassion

The graphic scenes we’re seeing from the Russian invasion of Ukraine remind us of the problem of human suffering in this sinful world.

Suffering, however, isn’t confined to faraway places. Nor is it always the result of the intentions of evil men. Or the impact of something as overt as war. You don’t have to look very far to see hurting people.

Hurting people are everywhere. In your community. Your church. Maybe in your home. Continue reading →

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