Read 1 Peter 5:1-9. Peter addressed this section particularly to elders or pastors. Pastors are to be shepherds, protecting their flock from danger. However, verses 5-9 also have a personal application for every Christian. In verses 8-9, Peter gives commands concerning our enemy, the devil. He and his countless demons are constantly trying to defeat […]
Many Charismatic churches seem to overemphasise the Holy Spirit. In contrast, most Independent Baptist churches underemphasize the Holy Spirit. He is rarely mentioned other than in doctrinal lessons. Perhaps that is the reason I was attracted to the phrase “praying in the Holy Ghost” as I read the book of Jude several weeks ago. It […]
For years, David fled from King Saul. Saul was jealous of him and desired to kill David. David fled from one hiding place in the mountains to another, in constant danger as people reported his presence to the king. On one occasion, David made an unwise decision to flee to Achish, the king of the […]
One of the first words children learn is the word “mine”. Many childhood fights occur when one child takes a toy from another child and says, “Mine!” We are selfish people from our earliest days. To bring us out of our selfishness and back to reality, God gave us Psalm 24:1. Read it! Transition This […]
There are many things in this life that we are unable to do. We just do not have the ability. We cannot flap our arms and fly. We cannot jump like a kangaroo. We cannot be in two places at once. We cannot defy gravity. We cannot even solve all our problems. None of this […]
The scribes and Pharisees had attacked Jesus, probably at Capernaum, for allowing his disciples to eat without the traditional hand-washing ceremony, Jesus countered their words with a sharp rebuke (Mt 15:1-20). Perhaps, that evening as Jesus and his disciples sat around the fire eating, he said, “Early tomorrow morning, we will travel north for a […]
Did you know that the word “understanding” is found over 62 times in the book of Proverbs. This makes it a key word that we must comprehend. After examining the uses in the KJV and studying the Hebrew definitions, I think that a biblical definition of this word is the God-given intelligence, skill, or insight […]
While building a shed, a father had to carry long, heavy poles to the locations where they would be used in the construction. His young boy was trying to help, but the poles were far too heavy for him to carry. Finally, the lad said, “Dad, I need help!” His father replied, “Son, you carry […]
Our text this evening is Proverbs 4:5. Here, Solomon quotes from his father, David, to his own son. David urged Solomon to “Get wisdom!” God possessed wisdom before creation. It is part of His eternal nature. With His wisdom, God designed and created all the complexities found in our universe. Because of His wisdom, God […]
Do you know the names of the two Bible characters that Scripture says, “walked with God”? They were Enoch (Ge 5:22) and Noah (Ge 6:9). Very likely, other Bible characters walked with God, but these are the only two specifically identified. Enoch, Noah’s great-grandfather, walked with God for no less than 300 years. Noah walked […]