The Scripture says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me” (Psalm 103:1). I know that most of us certainly want God to bless us, but the psalmist calls for us to bless God to pour out our praise and adoration and blessings toward Him. In just a few days all [...]
Ephesians 6:10-20 As we reach the final lesson from Ephesians, let’s review what we have been taught: We are justified by faith not by works. We are sanctified by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In order for God to be glorified, we must be unified and our lives must be well-ordered [...]
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 A Day of Thanksgiving traces back to the early Pilgrims in this country. Their understanding of thanksgiving might correspond to the definition given in Thomas Wilson’s Christian Dictionary (1612). Part of his lengthy definition lists four essentials in authentic thanksgiving: “1) remembrance of good done to us, 2) mention of it, 3) [...]
Fall is a beautiful time of the year. While every season has its grand features — spring with all the blooming flowers, summer with its magnificent green leaves and grass, winter with its stunning grayness, and winter’s occasional covering of white — it is fairly easy to make the argument that fall is the most [...]
Ephesians 5:22-6:4 Order is a part of life and without it chaos rules. My brain does not function in chaos. I become paralyzed, not able to make a move. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (KJV). Perhaps the confusion [...]
John 11:1-4, 38-45 Everything Jesus said and did was for the glory of God the Father. In John 11, Jesus speaks and demonstrates the miraculous power of God for the magnificent glory of God. God’s glory and will is never too late (John 11:1-4). God might not work on our timetable, but He does work [...]
In the Gospel of John 19:30, the memorable, iconic, and chilling words of Jesus were spoken from the cross: “It is finished.” A lifetime of living on this earth among people who in every case were sinners and enemies of God. These people in one way or another participated in Jesus being led to the [...]
Ephesians 5:15-21 I believe we all would agree we live in evil times, but this is not a new phenomenon. The Apostle Paul mentions the same sentiment in our lesson today: “Making the most of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5 15-16 CSB). Wouldn’t it be great if we had a clear [...]
Romans 8:26-32 Romans chapter eight is so profound that some people I know have memorized it. The big lesson this great chapter teaches is that God is for His children. These verses show us at least three ways. The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). If you can’t see any way out of your situation, [...]
Directions, the weekly article that has appeared in The Baptist Record for 21 years, is now a book. A book with a directional thought for each day throughout the twelve months. Through the years, so many of you have requested that I put Directions together so that you would have them in book form, and [...]
