James describes the kind of heart we need in order to profit from studying the Bible. Read His words carefully. “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:21-22). Every time we read the Bible, listen to Bible teaching or are studying the word,…

It was a very special family until the death of the most important member of the family. The circumstance surrounding his death was something that the family would never forget. They had shared a meal with him just hours before he died. They decided that they would continue a family practice which been part of their lives for so many years. They…

How the Holy Spirit changes us from our former life into a mirror image of Jesus is misunderstood by so many. The Bible nowhere teaches that the Spirit works directly on our hearts to make me a more spiritual person. The Spirit does change us, and the Bible clearly shows how this happens. It is true that the Spirit is part of…

The words of our eternal God are forever true. He cannot lie. Whenever He decrees a matter, no mortal can ever change it. David affirmed this truth when he said, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psa. 119:98, ESV). We should not be surprised that the phrase “forever and ever” is found forty-seven times in the Bible.…

It is remarkable how often we use the same phrases as we pray. There is nothing wrong with repetition, as long as it is not vain repetition (Matt. 6:7). Over the years I have heard others pray that the preacher might “have a happy recollection of the things he has studied.” I heard it for years but was unable to know what…

When the Bible speaks of inspiration it includes both testaments—both are inspired. It includes all sixty-six books of the Bible. It includes every chapter, every verse, every sentence, every phrase and every word. It all is inspired for all the scripture is inspired—God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16-17). One should never read the Bible without realizing how inspiration reaches to the choice of…

I have devoted several hours trying to ensure that this article it is not misunderstood. As I write these words there is a prayer ascending upward asking for God’s help. It is not the first time I have prayed this same prayer. My heart is heavy as I think about my brothers and sisters at Palm Beach Lakes. These words are not…

This is the third, and final, article dealing with uplifted eyes. The apostles had “eye-dropsy” and could not see the souls of the Samaritans. Even after they saw their souls, it was years before they could see the souls of the Gentiles. Ananias could not see Paul’s soul and feared going to him. We must never become like them. Write Jesus’ words…