On his second missionary journey, Paul visited the cities of Thessalonica and Berea. Luke drew a sharp contrast between the receptivity of the gospel made by certain individuals in each of these cities, when he noted that those in “Berea…were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica” (Acts 17:10-11). What was it that set the Bereans apart? Let me ask this–when you went…

How do you listen? That is not asking “how well” do you listen. Nor is that asking anything about your hearing ability. Stop, consider, evaluate and be honest– how do you listen? When someone else is speaking, are you open or closed to them? Are you humble or haughty? Are you patient or pushy? Are you easy or demanding? Are you concentrating…

How should a Christian respond when a gunman kills dozens of people in a gay nightclub? How should a Christian respond when a bomb is set off in an abortion clinic? How should a Christian respond when a Muslim mosque is set on fire? Should we have joy? Should we feel a sense of satisfaction? No! We should never “rejoice at wrongdoing”…

It does not matter what thought you try to lay up against it, there is NO greater thought than these three words–Jesus loves me! We teach that song to our children at the very earliest age for a reason–not because the words are easy to remember, not because the tune is easy to catch. We teach the song because the message needs…

Growing up in South Florida, the roads and highways were littered with construction signs and barricades. And, if anyone asked whose name was on the barricades, everyone knew the answer–“Bob’s Barricades.” There was no other name, at that time, in barricades than Bob! But, now, that name has lost its significance and is just one of the many that are out there.…

In the last chapter of the book of Romans, Paul sends greetings to the brethren. This was a common practice in Paul’s letters, and it was common in personal messages of that day. But Romans 16 is unique in this way–Paul had never been to Rome, but he greets 27 brethren by name. Then, he mentions eight people by name who were…

A preacher moved with his family into a new home and decided to go door-knocking in the neighborhood, to introduce himself and possibly make some positive contacts for future studies. At one door, a lady very abruptly flung the door open and blurted, “I’m not interested!” The preacher calmly replied, “But, ma’am…I haven’t even introduced himself. I’m just a preacher for a…

A favorite hymn begins by asking this question, “What can wash away my sins?” What a tremendous question! There is nothing that could be more critical! Every accountable creature desperately needs the answer to that question! So, what does wash away my sin? Feeling guilt for my actions will not wash away my sin. Doing a host of good deeds will not…