In 2 Chronicles, Chapter 7, King Solomon prays passionately in order to secure protection coverage for the people of God and the nation against perils of all kinds.  He wanted to assure God's favor in the event of any contingency or crisis they might face.  He recognized even in his own life the possibility of failure.  This message outlines the fix for a flawed faith revealed in this epic text.  

In many homes in America, the voice of the father has been muffled, muted, maligned, misrepresented or gone missing altogether.  This reality is deeply damaging to the fabric of our society of which biblical marriage and family is the foundation and the father and husband is the chief cornerstone.  This deficiency and disparity impact negatively our churches and ministries as well.  In Luke 1:62-66, Zacharias, a Jewish priest, found his voice after losing it because of a lapse and lack of faith, We can too!  This message tells us how!  

In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, verses 13 - 16, parents bring their children to Jesus.  He takes them into his arms and blesses them.  There is nothing more moving, meaningful or momentous for a parent or grandparent than believing that our children are safe in His arms.  In His presence, every child of God “backslides into the simplicity of childhood.”   

In Chapter 1, verse five of his first epistle, the Apostle Peter reminds persecuted Christians that they are “kept” by the power of God.  They were the bountiful beneficiaries of the very best in personal security.  Their experience of favor, exercise of faith and expectation of a glorious future in Jesus Christ was the basis of “an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled” that was reserved in heaven for them and for us.  

In Psalm 84, stanza six, the author mentions “the Valley of Baca”.  The Hebrew word translated “Baca” occurs only here in the Bible and means “weeping or sorrow.”  Whether an actual place or a symbol of the struggles of the spiritual life, this valley is unavoidable.  God uses our experiences there to advance us in His perfect plan.  It is not a detour but part of our destiny as children of God.   

In Chapter 55, verses 1 - 3 of his prophecy, Isaiah shares one of the most compelling invitations in the Bible with the Jewish nation in exile.  At the heart of God’s everlasting covenant was a priceless provision for all people that was comprehensive and Christ-centered.  It is still today’s best value at yesterday’s low price.  

In a message during chapel at Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis in March 2022, Dr. Stubblefield reminds faculty, staff and students that we are “originals and not copies.”  Using Psalm 8 as the biblical focus, he emphasizes our duty, dignity and destiny as God’s children through creation and redemption. 

Authentic and life changing worship is costly!  The real issue is not how much you will get or gain but what are you willing to give to experience wonderful worship.  In 2 Samuel 24:18-25, King David shows us how.  His worship was compelling because it was not convenient or casual but costly.  

A woman who could quality as a poster child for “bad luck magazine” is driven into Jesus's presence because of a personal crisis.  Her faith will not allow her to settle for crumbs from the Lord's table because she believes she can have the crust.   

In Part 3 of the series, “The Economics of Grace,” Dr. Stubblefield returns to 2 Corinthians 8:9.  The last movement of this verse reveals how Jesus’s voluntary and willful sacrifice and His undeserved shame and suffering for a broken and sinful world is the basis of an unfathomable provision that offers to every child of God, new possibilities, new potential and new perspective.