When we consider the conditions of men’s hearts in this world, one can’t help but get discouraged. God is clear that when we, as men, turn our backs on God—no longer trusting, honoring, or obeying Him—He will take His hand off of us. Unfortunately, when the hand that holds men together is taken off, a tailspin effect is created. The …
The Price of Preservation
“The descendants of these servants of King Solomon returned from exile . . . In all, the Temple servants and the descendants of Solomon’s servants numbered 392.” (Ezra 2:55, 58) Two kings, King David and his son King Solomon, while flawed, both felt that preserving God’s Word and the temple of God were critical to the kingdom for generations to …
High, High Hedges
Job feared the Lord! (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – Proverbs 9:10). Because of that reverent fear of God, the Lord prospered Job in many ways – family, business, and much more. In fact, God put a barrier or hedge around Job so he was protected. God had erected barriers for the sole purpose of …
Barn Builders & Barn Kickers
Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of …
Embracing God’s Assignment
Most of us know the story of Jonah and the whale and how Jonah was thrown from the ship and then saved by a great fish where he spent three days and three nights (‘Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. From inside …
Our Good, Good Shepherd
“For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore, O sons of Jacob, you have not come to an end.” Malachi 3:6 NKJV Throughout Scripture, God tells us that He never changes although we certainly do. Like a good father, He tells us the Truth through His Word and then He waits for us to be obedient and follow. …
Thank God for Unanswered Prayers
Garth Brooks has a song called “Thank God for Unanswered Prayers.” Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs That just because He doesn’t answer doesn’t mean He don’t care Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers As I listened to this in …
Lost Drifters
Have you ever known a man who is a drifter? Someone who seemingly has no real purpose, always blaming others for their bad times, and constantly changing direction without any real focus or ambition? Well, if you know this man, he is like the Israelites after being freed from the yoke of slavery under Pharaoh. God, in His mercy, heard …
The Delayed & Destructive Consequences of Sin
God’s grace is a central theme in the Bible. This unmerited favor is the greatest gift one could ever receive. Why? Because we, as men, are imperfect and flawed. We ALL have a tendency towards sin. Sin is an unbelievably destructive force. It wreaks havoc on marriages, families, relationships, businesses, and governments. God has a clear warning in His Word …
The Greatest Prayer
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed. John 17:1 Men, take a moment today to read and reflect on Jesus’ last prayer found in John 17. With the weight of the cross pressing in, Jesus makes a passionate plea to His Father on our behalf. Jesus’ hour has finally come. Judas and a battalion of Roman soldiers …