During Jesus’ day, one of the groups of the Jews was known as the Sadducees.  Though they did not believe in a resurrection after death, one day they posed Jesus a hypothetical question.  If a woman married a sequence of seven men, each of whom died before the next wedding, who would she be married to in the after-life? Jesus certainly understood that they were attempting to trap or stump Him with the question.  He simply responded, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God”  (Matthew 22:29). Many of our struggles, anxieties, and doubts arise from the same two issues — ignorance and lack of faith.  Today, many people talk about the Bible, but they fail to read it with any depth or regularity.  Positive thinking and [...]

Human Resource officers report an alarming increase in workers habitually arriving late to work.  While traffic was cited as the number one reason for tardiness, a recent article highlighted some of the more unusual excuses.  One lady reported being late because she incorrectly thought she had won the lottery.  Another complained that her roommate was angry with her and cut the cord to her cell phone charger so her alarm didn’t go off.  One honest fellow said, “ I wasn’t late; I never intended to be there at 8:00.”  My personal favorite was the individual who blamed being late on her cat’s hiccups. We often use excuses, but seldom appreciate them in others.  Recently the cruise ship Costa Concordia struck an underwater reef and flipped sideways costing about 30 people their lives.  Countering charges that [...]

A number of years ago, a 92-year-old preacher in Atlanta was asked to speak to his old congregation.  He was asked to answer the simple question: “What is the greatest lesson you have learned through over 50 years of preaching?”  After a slow shuffle to the pulpit, he briefly, but boldly, said that the greatest lesson was summarized in these familiar lyrics: Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, We are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me… Yes, Jesus loves me… Yes, Jesus loves me… The Bible tells me so. Today may not be your best day.  You may have health or financial concerns.  There may be those in your family who have hurt you or written you out of their lives.  [...]

If I were to ask you what was at the center of an atom, you would reply, “the nucleus.”  Similarly, the sun is at the center of our solar system.  What is at the center of the church?  I suppose the simplest answer is that Jesus is at the center.  He is the cornerstone and the head of the church. However, if that question were asked regarding the functioning of the local church, what would the answer be?  What do you see as the most important cog in the church here?  Some would see the elders and their leadership.  Others might point to Mark or myself as full-time evangelists.  Still others would highlight the entire Bible class program or another ministry.  Would someone refer to the “prayer warriors” — men and women who regularly and [...]

As I got ready to come to the office this morning, I asked my wife, “Honey, what do I need to do today?”  She paused a few seconds and replied, “Eat a salad, drink more water, and smile a lot.” This was not what I really meant or what I expected, yet it was very much what I needed.  The same is probably true of most of our resolutions for 2012.  Most of us tend to resolve to diet better, exercise more, and spend less.  We like practical issues rather than spiritually healthy resolutions like, treating others better, showing more patience, and enjoying every day to the fullest.  We might all be benefitted by asking ourselves what the Lord would like for us to do. Three passages capture the heart of what I believe the [...]

I always find it exciting to have something new.  New clothes, new “toys,” new cars, and new jobs all bring a measure of anticipation.  Most of us experienced that feeling with every unwrapped Christmas present. At midnight this Saturday evening, we will turn our calendars to a new year–the year 2012.  With it comes a host of new dreams and activities.  None of us know exactly what it will bring, but we certainly have reason to possess great expectations. My prayer for your family and our entire congregation is that 2012 will be a year of great excitement filled with spiritual growth, familial joy, and good health.  May we all experience the beauties of peace, forgiveness, and wisdom.  Past years have been filled with blessings, but 2012 may be the best year ever. While some [...]

Paul Riddle is a spiritual care specialist who works with Lifeline Chaplaincy, a hospital ministry supported by churches of Christ in Houston.  Recently he shared a story about Emma, a lady who was in the last stages of pulmonary failure.  While gasping for air, she told him of her love for God and her abiding hope.  She described her life-long commitment to attend every worship service or Bible class, even though as a single parent she was often exhausted.  Paul asked her what about the church motivated her to go even when she didn’t really want to.  Her response was quick and simple, “My flowers needed watering.”  Without regular spiritual interaction our spiritual lives dry up. Certainly church attendance is an act of obedience — the Scriptures command our presence at the assemblies.  It is [...]

Terry Fator gained national fame as an impressionist and ventriloquist, when he won the “America’s Got Talent” competition.  Before this success earned him a lucrative entertainment deal, he recalls a performance at a fair where only one person showed up to hear him.  Instead of cancelling the show, he performed the very best that he could for that one patron.  This attitude of serving others with excellence has paid off. We need to remember that God is more interested in the quality of our effort than the stage or the audience where it is delivered.  The truth and passion of the sermon matter more than the number who hear it.  The Lord notices the heart of hospitality more than the number who actually eat the meal. John 4 records a day in the life of [...]

When Paul was searching for an illustration of why he had sacrificially served the Ephesians, he recalled the words of Jesus (Acts 20:35), “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  This great truth is played out every time that a loving heart has the opportunity to share a gift.  How did you feel when you gave your girlfriend a diamond?  Who really enjoys Christmas morning more — kids or parents? If giving brings joy, this congregation should be overflowing with happiness.  Recently you donated 122 coats for the Warm Coats from Warm Hearts project.  In addition you contributed a very large sack of Bibles to be passed out.  Your generosity has kept us $500 a week above budget for the year.  This surplus has allowed us to extend our local benevolence program thousands [...]

Several years ago, a noted author and his wife were leaving on a trip.  He convinced her that he had found a better route for their trip than the one the computer had generated.  It was 50 miles shorter and would save them over an hour of travel time.  The problem was that the highway came to a dead end at the Mississippi River.  Though it picked up on the other side, there was no bridge. There are no shortcuts to building a good marriage.  Both partners have to develop communication skills, practice patience and forgiveness, and persevere through the good and the bad times.  There are no shortcuts to a balanced budget–at home or in Washington.  There are no magic pills  to achieve weight loss or physical fitness. Likewise, there are no shortcuts to [...]