Excerpt from the class “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Also used in pastoral care, counseling, and prison ministry. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8) A baseball card from 1982 was called “Baltimore Orioles Future Stars.” It originally cost a penny and it’s now worth $100. Three rookie …
Christ our Treasure
Excerpt from the class “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Also used in pastoral care, counseling, and prison ministry. In Christ all the treasures are stored (Colossians 2:3). Texas Tom was a billionaire who’s easily depressed. When he’s down, he doesn’t go to his pastor or a counselor. He goes to his banker and complains: “Nothing’s any good.” And the …
My Brother and Sister’s Keeper (Part 2)
Last time, we introduced the topic of caring for one another in Jesus’ family. Here are some practical helps on how to do it. If you wish, go back and read My Brother and Sister’s Keeper (Part 1). Two are better than one….If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and …
My Brother and Sister’s Keeper (Part 1)
Used in “Helping Those Who Hurt” class at River Pointe Church in Richmond, TX. Also used in other teaching/training classes, pastoral counseling, and prison ministry. Also helpful for building family unity. The LORD is your keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going …
Following Christ in a World That Doesn’t (Part 2)
I am grateful for your feedback that our last blog was helpful. Being a Christian means being a Christ-follower. We don’t follow the Lord to earn His salvation and favor. We follow Jesus because He has first saved us by His doing and dying and rising. Because we belong to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal …
Following Christ in a World That Doesn’t (Part 1)
I used this in New Testament Survey class at Belhaven University and also in other teaching/training, pastoral counseling, and prison ministry. Jonathan Goforth (1859-1936) was a Canadian missionary to China, serving with his wife, Rosalind. Goforth preached to large crowds and in small homes. He was stirred to serve Christ in China by the writings of Hudson Taylor. Jonathan was …
Authentic Manhood & John Croyle
We are doing another 36 week class on Authentic Manhood at Jester III Prison in Richmond, TX. This is the fourth time we have taught this, each time with a new group of fifty or more men. Six weeks are given each to these topics: A Man + His Design (Manhood Realities; Create + Cultivate; Manhood Definition; King/Warrior; Lover/Friend; Seasons …
Joy in Jesus, Physician of Repenting Sinners
Remember, repent, and live for Christ. (Revelation 2:5, paraphrase) I love the Lord Jesus! When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives me. When I am weak, He is strong. When I am lost, He is the way. When I am afraid, He is my courage. Jesus takes to heart the sufferings of His friends who …
Joy Before Jesus’ Awesome Throne
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) Even as a baby, Christ was fully God and fully human in one person. The Bible teaches that and I believe it and rejoice in it. Christ is my only hope in this life and in the world to come! He is the Creator God and the Sovereign …
Joy in Jesus’ Historicity
Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also …