The text for this consideration comes from Romans 3:23says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.”  In the English language, the word “propitiation” is defined as “to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of; to appease.” full story

Over the years, I have run across money that people have lost. Once, I found someone’s rental check in the floor of a local Walmart we occasionally shopped at in the middle Tennessee area. The check was for well over eight hundred dollars, and I promptly returned it to the service desk for the original owner to retrieve. Sometimes money is returnable and sometimes it is not.

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In 1906, churches of Christ officially split with the Christian church denomination over the introduction of instruments into the worship assembly. In the twenty-first century, we have “progressives” who want to argue for the inclusion of instruments into the worship services. Why are we at the same bifurcation that split the Lord’s church a century ago? “In my opinion we now have a generation who do not know the lessons of the past.”

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Most services of the church are concluded by the offering of the invitation.  While this is not a requirement, it does provide a convenient time for one to respond to the message in an affirmative manner.  Over the years, I have been privileged to help baptize, restore, or pray with people who had various spiritual needs. full story

Oftentimes, Christians are constrained to the idea of blessings that happen exclusively after one goes to Heaven. While many of our blessings are in conjunction with dwelling in Heaven eternally, there are many passages which teach that the blessings that come from being in Christ are in the here and now for the child of God.

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The act of anointing a person to serve as king over God’s people had a special significance. Samuel was privileged to anoint two of the first kings over the United Kingdom of Israel—Saul and David. The Old Testament and the New Testament have much to say about the meaning of “anointing” a person and its messianic importance. full story

     Matthew chapter eighteen has an interesting parable regarding a wicked servant who needed to have a debt forgiven by his king.  The text reads in Matthew 18:24-26, “And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” full story

Over the last few months, a gentleman has been calling the church offices to make comments and ask questions about the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Our dialogue has been cordial, and it seems that the gentleman asking the questions is taking my comments on the matter seriously.  He attended a denomination that had a “healing meeting” some years ago at the invitation of a co-worker.  To his surprise, he came forward complaining of back pain, and he left the meeting with improved function and lessened pain in his back. full story

Many in the Middle Tennessee area have been following the road rage murder of a nurse.  Caitlyn Kaufman was on her way to work when two assailants peppered the vehicle she was driving with six bullet holes.  One of the rounds stuck Ms. Kaufman, and she died from the wound. full story

     The congregation I preach for is blessed to have several young children in attendance for Bible studies and worship. It is always a pleasure to see them come to the congregation in their cute dresses and little suits, while carrying their little things into the doors of the church building. Many times, our smallest attendees and even some in the elementary school age group come running into the building. As I watch their little faces glow with anticipation, I often find myself wishing that many more of our members would develop this same expectation of the joy that can await them in assembling with the saints in corporate Bible study and worship.

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Recent studies indicate that Christians will be in a minority in the United States by the year 2070. There is already evidence that Christians forty years old and younger are in a minority in our nation. A recent paper reveals the following.

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     On the last day of Stephen’s life, he delivered one of the longest sermons recorded anywhere in the New Testament.  Even though he related the truth of Israelite history to their murder of the Messiah, his auditors would not allow themselves to change from opposing God’s plan for the redemption of lost humanity.  It is obvious from the text of Acts that Stephen’s logic and wisdom was something his audience could not contend with or refute.  The text says, in Act 6:10, “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.”

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The United States senate in all its wisdom has sought to codify the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision that forced states to recognize marriages between same sex individuals.  The first action of the post-election legislative body was to pass the Respect of Marriage Act.  Never mind the economic and foreign policy problems that we are facing right now—we are more interested in helping people engage in immoral marital unions. full story

Typically, when one’s canine approaches and wants to be acknowledged, their human pats them on the head or pets the side of the dog’s bodhy.  It is a joy when one’s dog desires nothing more than a good pet from his owner, but there are times when one might want to refrain from petting his dog.   full story

The Apostle Peter is told that he would be given the “keys” to the kingdom in Matthew chapter sixteen. Jesus says, in verse nineteen, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” What did it mean for Jesus to symbolically give the “keys” to Peter?  What does the Bible and secular history record about imparting keys to various individuals? full story

When I worked with the summer staff at Short Mountain Bible Camp, I became very familiar with laying stone. I had done very minor mason work helping my father to lay cinder blocks in various types of foundations, but stonework was a different type of animal in nature. Much of the stonework that one sees at the camp was done by various individuals, but I had a hand in laying and helping with much of what was done. In many respects, there is an art to laying stone. It is almost like working a giant puzzle putting the sones in place to make some beautiful creation. In doing this work, I obtained a great education that was vocational in nature and learned a few spiritual truths along the way. full story

Our family loves to listen to music on the radio. Sometimes my wife and I hear songs that we listened to when we were much younger. When we were children, we would sing along with those songs with a lack of understanding regarding the wording of the music. As we grew older, we learned that we had been singing the wrong lyrics for many, many years. full story

Some have wondered why the Apostle Paul was chosen to serve Christ among the many that might have been chosen. Any answer that is offered might be speculative in nature, but we know that Paul was selected by Christ to serve and minister primarily among the Gentile nation. Acts 9:15 reveals, “But the Lord said to him [Ananias--JOT], "Go, for he [Saul or Paul—JOT] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” For a moment, one might consider some of the reasons why Paul was selected. full story

Just about any person who has internet access gets emails that contain fraudulent messages that attempt to trick a person into sending money to a third party or giving over sensitive account information. This has become commonplace, and it is disturbing on many different levels. A few days ago, I received one such email.

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Every parent has had to deal with at least one child who has tried the limits of parental authority.  Hopefully, parents step up and let their children know that they are in control of the home.  This is biblical and God expects parental leadership of children.  Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "That it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."   Sadly, there are homes where there is no discipline or boundaries for a child’s behavior. full story