THE CALL TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS When I was young, my grandmother told me that she thought I was going to be a preacher when I grew up. I disagreed and insisted I was going to raise chickens with Papaw. Turns out, she was right. God called me to preach. But I do still

LEARNING TO SAY NO TO THINGS THAT DONT MATTER Nehemiah knew when to say Yes and when to say No. He was focused on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and he didnt have time for distractions, especially for those that meant him harm. Learning when to say No may be one of the most important

DONT BE ABSORBED BY TEMPORARY CONDITIONS Are you weeping over a loss today? Be mindful that the Lord will soon wipe away every tear (Rev. 21:4), turning your mourning into dancing (Psa. 30:11). Are you rejoicing in your blessings today? Wonderful. Yet, let the One who blesses be the focus of your joy, rather than

DOES GOD FORGET HIS PROMISES? When Nehemiah heard the report about the broken down condition of Jerusalems walls, he fasted and prayed with weeping. As he poured out his heart to God, he reminded God to remember His Word. This seems a little strange doesnt it? Asking the omniscient God to remember His own Word?

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHOSE YOU ARE When Paul wrote this to the Corinthians he was primarily addressing the problem of sexual sin that was so prevalent in their culture. Believers were to live differently than the culture around them. This was not a call to an outward asceticism, but a reminder of an

GODS SPIRITUAL EKG Our self-awareness is limited. And we rarely hold a mirror up to our own attitudes and actions. We tend to judge others harshly, but we always have an excuse for our own shortcomings and sins. In our hypocrisy, we often declare ourselves righteous in our own eyes. Yet the Lord knows us

THE NEW SPIRITUAL REALITY: WE ARE GODS FAMILY! Paul reminded the Corinthians of their spiritual relationship to him. He had become their spiritual father because he was the one who had first preached the Gospel to them. Yet, they were treating him disgracefully by comparing him to other preachers, such as Apollos, who had come

WHO GETS THE CREDIT? Paul was concerned with the church at Corinth because of reports that there were divisions among them concerning which teacher they followed. Some were claiming to be followers of Paul and others, followers of Apollos. This was heartbreaking news to Paul, for he knew the foundation he had laid when he

WE CAN KNOW Have you ever been asked how you can know that God has saved you? The question may come from someone who lacks assurance of salvation themselves, so they want to understand from where you get your confidence. Or the question may come from an agnostic who wishes to challenge the basis for

GOD WILL FULFILL HIS WORD King Cyrus of Persia enabled the Jews who had been captured by the Babylonian king to return to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of their temple. Persia (modern day Iran) overthrew Babylon and showed favor to the Jews by not only allowing their return, but also giving back whatever temple implements