July 12, 2013 · 6:36 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Jesus Became “Sin For Us”

Cross.Failures

The Conscience Fund.  It’s real.  You can check it out.  It’s used for voluntary contributions from people who have stolen from or defrauded the US Government.  It was created in 1811 when a private citizen sent a check for $5.00 saying he had “misappropriated government funds while serving as a quartermaster in the Army.”  He said he felt guilty.

“Suppose we call this a contribution to the conscience fund and get it announced in the newspapers,” suggested Treasury Secretary Francis Spinner. “Perhaps we will get some more.”

In the first twenty years the fund received $250,000.  Here are some interesting contributions. Continue reading →

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July 11, 2013 · 8:38 am

How Does God Regard Sin?

Bible.Judge

There is an old joke about a man and his son who went to hear a famous preacher in a revival.  When he returned home, his wife asked her husband, a man of a few words, “How was the preaching?”

“Fine.” he responded.

“What did he preach on? She asked. Continue reading →

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July 10, 2013 · 6:39 am

Four Things Sin Can Do To You

SinSepartes

I heard a story, probably apocryphal, about the principal of a small middle school who had a problem with the girls starting to use lipstick.  After applying it in the bathroom, they would then press their lips to the mirror and leave lip prints.

Before it got out of hand he devised a plan to stop it.  He announced that all girls who wore lipstick should meet in the girls’ restroom following their lunch break.  When they arrived they found the principal and the school custodian waiting for them. Continue reading →

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July 9, 2013 · 6:10 am

What’s So Bad About Sin, Anyway?

Sin.7.DeadlySins

Several years ago MTV did a special series on the “Theology of Sin.”  I didn’t see it.  But John MacArthur tells about it.  The series was built around the Medieval list of “The Seven Deadly Sins.”  Pride. Covetousness. Lust.  Anger.  Envy. Gluttony.  Sloth.

MacArthur writes that it was ‘an entirely humanistic rationalization that portrayed sin as something that wasn’t evil.”  They used “sound bites” from cartoon characters, quotes from interviews with celebrities and clips from movies to make their point.  Here’s some of their responses.  Continue reading →

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July 8, 2013 · 7:36 am

Word of the Week: Joy

joy2

“There is no virtue in the Christian life which is not made radiant with joy,” wrote William Barclay. “There is no circumstance and no occasion which is not illuminated with joy.  A joyless life is not a Christian life, for joy is the one constant in the recipe of Christian living.”

The word of the week is joy. Continue reading →

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July 5, 2013 · 6:53 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! The Importance of the Cross

Cross.Jesus

Some things are just more important than other things.

This is true in business. Sports. Government.  Our homes.  It is true in life’s tasks.  My Franklin planner teaches priorities.  You list all your tasks for the day and rank them in order of importance.  Then begin with the most important.

It is also true in Christianity.  While everything is important, there are some fundamentals that must rank with greater importance.  James Montgomery Boice expressed it this way.  Continue reading →

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July 4, 2013 · 7:04 am

Is America A God Fearing Nation?

Flag.OneNationUnderGod

Can you guess which political leader said, “This nation is a God-fearing nation.  We believe in God.”

Was it President Barack Obama?  Vice-President Joe Biden?  Speaker of the House John Boehner?  Senate Major Leader Harry Reid? Continue reading →

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July 3, 2013 · 6:52 am

No Standard

Bible.Standard

Since the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision last week in overturning DOMA, I’ve been wanting to write something about it.  About America’s headlong decent into the moral abyss. About the importance of moral boundaries and standards.  However, today, I read this piece by columnist, Cal Thomas, and want to share it on ThePreachersWord since it expresses my thoughts succinctly, accurately, and Biblically.  Continue reading →

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July 2, 2013 · 6:27 am

Are You Getting Enough Exercise?

Exercise.BallAbout three weeks ago I experienced some lower back problems.  Again!  Since moving I had neglected regular visits to the Chiropractor.  Now I was paying the price.  Fortunately, through the recommendation of a friend I’ve found a good Doctor and am receiving excellent treatments.

But I learned something that surprised me.  I was asked to sit on an exercise ball.  Hold my foot off the ground for 30 seconds.  I could only do it for 5 seconds!  The Doc said the muscles that control my balance were weak.  He pointed out that often when we work-out we think of aerobic exercise or weight training, but neglect the core.  The weakness of those muscles will affect my back!  And have an impact on his adjustments holding. Continue reading →

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July 1, 2013 · 7:36 am

Word of the Week: Integrity

Plants

There is an ancient fable of  an Emperor from China who had no children and needed to choose a successor.

Thousands of children from across the kingdom were called to the palace and were shocked when the Emperor exclaimed, “I have decided to choose one of you.”

“I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!” Continue reading →

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