David, A Leader in Purity
Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.” This statement defines the real essence of leadership. Great leaders are not defined by past accomplishments of future endeavors. Great leaders are distinctly remembered for their integrity of heart. For example, David was a great military leader. His leadership accomplishments range from the defeat of Goliath to the conquering of the enemy nations. Yet, when we think of King David it is not those accomplishments that stand out. David is best remembered for that one statement God made concerning him: “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). David will forever be remembered as a leader after God’s own heart. What made David a leader in purity? And, what characteristics can we possess to be leaders in purity?
"If we never meet again..." - Joey Ferrell
It was a vibrant spring Saturday morning on March 31, 2012. I had plans to work in the yard, get the mower out and cut the early spring grass, daffodils and onions and just relax a bit
"Sharing the Greatest Gift" - Amy Lawrence
Whether we grew up in the church or came into the fold later in life, every Christian has a story of the where, when, why, and how they were taught the gospel.
If I Only Had This, I Would Be Happy—Wrong! - Ben Bailey
“My life would be happier if…”? If I had more money, if I had a better job, if I had a better education, I would be happier.
WRONG
"A Helper Comparable" - Amy Lawrence
(on Amazon) we as consumers can just type in a description of the item we seek, and hundreds if not thousands of possibilities present themselves at our fingertips.
My Most Contrary Convert - Ben Bailey
Who is the one person you must work on most with the Gospel? Who would you, more than anybody else, like to see conform to the image of Christ? If your answer is anyone other than self, you are not looking in the right direction.
Everything Makes Sense with God - Ben Bailey
How do we make sense of this short, temporary existence on this terrestrial ball? What does it all matter anyway? We are only going to be here a while, and in a few years it will all be over, right?
Evangelism or Benevolence? Both! - Joey Ferrell
Sometimes the church may get encumbered by the “works” of the church and maybe at time lose balance and even sometimes the focus of the work of the church.
Christian Relativity - A study on Time - Amy Lawrence
We can spend it, waste it, manage it, or measure it, but what we can never do is change its speed.
Time stands still for no one.
Time speeds up for no one.
Heaven, Our Forever Home - Ben Bailey
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). With these words the Hebrews writer reminds us of our forever home—Heaven. Unlike the Israelites who were heading toward the physical home of Canaan, Christians are journeying toward our final destination of Heaven. As we think about that forever home each of us are probably made to ask, “What will Heaven really be like?” Notice how the Bible describes the beauty of Heaven.
What Does the Lord Teach About Our Speech? - Ben Bailey
How should a Christian talk? What kind of things should or should not come out of a Christian’s mouth?
Are You Influential? - Ben Bailey
An old Korean Proverb illustrates the power of one’s influence when it says, “Power lasts ten years, influence not more than a hundred.” Sometimes we may think, “Am I influencing anyone? The question asked is really a faulty one. It’s not IF we are influencing anyone, but HOW are we influencing them. All of us are an influence on others either for good, bad, or indifference. What type of influence should a Christian possess? Let’s notice what God says.
The War on Gender - Amy Lawrence
It’s a crazy world in which we live. I will tell you a secret though; it always has been. Solomon wrote, “The thing that has been is what will be, and that which is done is that which will be done; and there is no new thing sunder the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9)
An Honest Look At the Reality of Satan in Our Life - Ben Bailey
Dwight Moody gave a candid look into the reality of Satan working in our lives when he said, “I believe Satan to exist for two reasons: first, the Bible says so; and second, I’ve done business with him.” If Christians are not careful, we can become immune to the idea of Satan and His Power and overlook the challenges he brings to our lives today.
It Never Gets Old - and You Had a Part! - Joey Ferrell
I received a video in an email a few weeks ago. It was from the man in the picture’s grandfather-in-law, He had reached out to tell us about his granddaughter’s husband watching one of the episodes on baptism that has been airing throughout October and November.
Be Not Anxious - Amy Lawrence
If one were to look at the statistics, it is a truth that women are more prone to worry and anxiety than men. Psychological studies show that this can be attributed to several factors; each gender’s social differences, hormones, size and strength, even sense of morality. It is agreed throughout the medical community that women, due to their worry, are better at staying alive than men - however, we are also more commonly diagnosed with anxiety disorders than men. The Holy Spirit commanded through the apostle Paul that we “be anxious in nothing”, Phil. 4:6. If we as women are both physically and psychologically disposed to worry, how can we keep this command? Let’s find out what God’s word has to say about the matter. If anyone can answer this question, it is our Creator.
"Decisions, Decisions..." - Joey Ferrell
A very dear friend of mine, wonderful preacher, licensed therapist, and brother in Christ, Lonnie Jones used a statement some years ago in a lesson designed to reach younger souls that has stuck with me ever since…and I think it is just as valuable to us “older” folks as well and maybe you will agree. Here is the phrase:
You must decide which you want…is it what you want most, or what you want right now.
Miracles - A Study of the Supernatural - Amy Lawrence - Women's Studies
I stood on my front porch one evening during a thunderstorm and watched bolts of lightning, one after the other, strike at random. Just as I decided to go back inside, a bolt struck so close to my house that it nearly knocked me back, blinding me with light. I immediately thought to myself, “It’s a miracle that didn’t hit something!!!” I didn’t think anything of it until I saw a video on Facebook of a bolt of lightning striking a tree and causing it to explode. The tree stood by itself in an open field. I thought, “It’s a miracle that bolt of lightning hit the only tree in that field!” That’s when I decided to put Google to the test and see if I could learn something about lightning. As it turned out, everything I saw was absolutely natural and explainable by natural laws. That led to my investigation into miracles.
"Slow to Anger" - Ben Bailey
A while back I did a topical study of the Book of Proverbs that I thought was a very helpful way to study this Book. Here is the first lesson in that series on Anger.
"The Kind of Preaching You Should Expect" - Jameson Steward
The Kind of Preaching You Should Expect
Those who preach the gospel of Christ don’t get to decide what kind of preaching is acceptable. As the apostle Paul’s life was nearing the end, he gave Timothy instructions that guide us on what kind of preaching we should expect from those who proclaim God’s Word.