It’s the day after. (The day after “what” is somewhat immaterial.) It could be the day after you got an unexpected diagnosis. It could be the day after you lost someone very dear to you. It could be the day after the loss of a job or after a hard-fought proposal or after some catastrophe. Regardless of what transpired the previous day,…

The apostle Paul endured “persecutions” and “afflictions” more than any Christian in America today can fathom. Yet, he said, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:11-12). He looked toward the future and foretold of a time when “evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (3:13, ESV). The…

One of the most memorable parts of the Disney movie “Up” is the dog that is repeatedly distracted by the “Squirrel!” While trying to pay attention (“Squirrel!”) to some very important instructions, the dog has a hard time not being distracted (“Squirrel!”). What a silly dog! Fortunately, as humans, we have advanced completely beyond such distractions in our lives. Right? Um, wrong!…

One of the qualifications for a deacon is that he must not be “double-tongued” (1 Tim. 3:8). The expression describes a man who says one thing to one person and then something different to another person. A deacon must be honest and straightforward in his dealings with all people. So, is that just a qualification for deacons, or is that a responsibility…

Some disciples in Corinth were claiming, “I am of Paul” (1 Cor. 1:12). One essential condition of making such a claim was that such persons must have been “baptized in the name of Paul” (1:13). Since they were not “baptized in the name of Paul,” they could not be “of Paul”! Some today are claiming, “I am of Christ” (i.e., I am…

Dear friends, the Bible teaches us that we are to “work.” Regardless of how your parents raised you, regardless of how our society has conditioned you, regardless of how you personally feel about the matter, God commands us to “work.” A Christian is to “labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have…” (Eph. 4:28). “Labor” is a present…

Being a parent is not easy, and it is hard to see the ramifications that some decisions will have, especially “at the moment.” But, to parents who  still have children living at home, would you please consider the message that your children are receiving from you about the church? Young children do not understand the nature of the church as explained in…

Christmas seems to come faster every year! And, as kids (especially girls) get older, the challenge of what to buy seems to increase! I have a humble, fatherly, brotherly, heart-felt request to make of every parent who has a daughter. Instead of buying her toys this year (whatever those “toys” are now), please buy her shirts that cover her cleavage. We expect…