M A Y 4 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind…” — 1 Peter 5:2

Money and the Ministry

How often do we hear accusations against ministers or ministries, “Oh, they’re just in it for the money”? The Bible tells us that those who work should be paid, including ministers. But no one should pursue the “ministry” for greed’s sake. Yet tragically some do. I receive a great many invitations to speak, and I turn down well over 99 percent of them. Very frequently I am asked ,”How much do you... More

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M A Y 3 “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly…” — Philippians 3:19

Those Whose God Is Their Belly

Paul talks about enemies of Christianity “whose god is their belly.” As commentators would agree, I think here he is referring not merely to food. Though many of them no doubt are gluttons, this would be a metaphor for an inordinate love of all earthly, worldly and material things. Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Thus, it is fine to ask God to meet our material needs. But the person whose god is his... More

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M A Y 2 “For many are walking in such a way that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. I have told you of them often and tell you again, even weeping.” — Philippians 3:18

Enemies of the Cross

I remember my old pastor telling me one time when he visited me at seminary, “James, remember that the enemies of Christ will always attack the Cross, the blood of Christ and this will be the object of their attack and their ridicule,” and I have found that to be so. Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 1:22: “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.” And so it is; there are those who seek miracles and... More

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M A Y 1 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19

Heavenly Calling

We are called to something altogether different than the things of this world. We are called to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ. We are called to be those who never lose sight of the fact that we have been made for eternity and that human beings are either saved or lost. They are on their way to eternal paradise or eternal perdition and it is up to us to bring to them that message. I think of a lay minister of our church who had a clear... More

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A P R I L 3 0 “Who of you by worrying can add one cubit to his height?” — Luke 12:25

Dealing With Worry

The French word for “wooden shoe” is sabot. From this word comes “sabotage,” and it seemed that Dutchmen had a way of sabotaging French plants by casting their wooden shoes into the machinery. Worry is sabotage to our lives. Worry is a great destroyer of the body as well as the mind. Worry is also harmful to the spiritual life. Jesus said that the cares of this world choke out the good seed and keep it from being... More

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A P R I L 2 9 “After several days, when Felix arrived…he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ…Felix was afraid and answered, ‘For now, leave! When time permits, I will send for you.’” — Acts 24:24-25

“When Time Permits”

How true it is that has been said, “Of all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: it might have been.” We all know that the road to hell is lined with good intentions. But why? Because of procrastination. Procrastination is what keeps good intentions from materializing into good works. If procrastination is harmful in the spiritual exercises of this life, it is most deadly and fatal when it comes to our eternal... More

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A P R I L 2 8 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” — Proverbs 27:1

Boast Not of Tomorrow

Though we usually joke about it, psychologists tell us that procrastination can be a very harmful addiction with disastrous consequences. Many people addicted to procrastinating just can’t seem to stop, no matter what. During the American Revolution, General Washington had conceived his bold plan to cross the Delaware in the midst of winter and to surprise the Hessian army at Trenton on Christmas night 1776, but a British sympathizer... More

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Standing for Truth and Defending Your Freedom

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Money and the Ministry

Those Whose God Is Their Belly

Enemies of the Cross

Heavenly Calling

Dealing With Worry

“When Time Permits”

Boast Not of Tomorrow