Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (Psalm 119:37) God Used a “Dead in the Water” Sermon James Smith approached Pastor Hugh Litchfield and asked, “Do you remember me?” James explained that 10 years earlier he had visited the church where Litchfield was serving. James was facing jail time over tax violations, that …
Teaching and Preaching the Bible (Part 2)
Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. (Psalm 119:17) Not Just Pointing at People Pastor David Roseberry went to see a doctor for pain in his shoulder. It hurt whenever he moved it. The doctor diagnosed it as “frozen shoulder” and said it comes with age and over-use. The doctor prescribed physical therapy …
Teaching and Preaching the Bible (Part 1)
How can a person stay on the path of purity? By living according to the Lord’s word. (Psalm 119:9) A God-blessed Message Stuart Briscoe, author and long-time pastor tells this story: In the 1990s, I traveled to Poland for itinerant ministry while Poland was occupied by Russia (USSR). One winter day my sponsors drove me in the dead of night …
Seek First God’s Kingdom
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 24:4-5) Christ Still Teaches Jesus is the unique Son of God, fully divine and fully human in one person. He came down from His throne to save …
Loving Enemies and Forgiving
Jesus, teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but He (God the Father) who sent me is true. You do not know Him, but I know Him because I am from Him and He sent me. (John 7:28-29) Christ is Captivating …
Loving God and Neighbor
Nicodemus said, “Rabbi, we know we know without any doubt that you have come from God as a teacher and God is with you.” Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.” (John 3:12; 13:13) Sitting at Jesus’ Feet One day Christ and His disciples visited the home of two sisters, …
Grace Focused Optimism (Part 2)
I will make an everlasting covenant with them. I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear and respect Me, so that they will never turn away from Me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all My heart and soul. (Jeremiah 32:40-41) Note: This …
Better Than Optimism
I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” In my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.” What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Psalm 116:10-13) Do Optimists Live Longer? Faith in God (Father, …
Rest in the Lord
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 116:7-9) A Sweeter Song Ancient Greek sailors faced many perils at sea and this was reflected …
Love for God Should Drive Us
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:1-2) Success in Running and Life Jess Movold is a runner and coach in New York City. In a 2020 interview, she discussed principles for successful running …