BLESSED ASSURANCE

1 John 1:9; John 3:16-18 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse up from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 Isn’t it wonderful to know that no matter how much we mess up, how much we may have done wrong in our lives, we can

BORN OF THE SPIRIT

Luke 11:9-13; Rev. 3:20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:5-6 I’m going to ask if you agree

THE DISCIPLINES OF HOLY LIVING

2 Peter 1:3-11 “For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affections and brotherly affection with love.” (vs. 5-7 ESV) In A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, John Wesley summarizes the

DISOBEDIENCE ALWAYS AFFECTS OTHERS

1 Samuel 30:1-14 “. . .the LORD sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’  Why then did you not obey the void of the LORD?  Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the

WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?

Philippians 1:27-28 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . .you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, . . .” (v. 27 ESV) Why do farmers farm?  Why do business people trade?  Why

CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP

Philippians 1:1-11 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,” (v. 3, 4 KJV) Not long ago I made a pastoral visit to one of our elderly church members.  I inquired about his spiritual and physical well-being, discussed church matters, read

The Christmas Story

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss

THE CALL OF THE STAR

Matthew 2:7-12 “And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (v. 9b-10 ESV) TO THE NEIGHBORS It meant nothing to them.  Just a very bright star. 

AND RENEW A “RIGHT SPIRIT” WITHIN ME

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” I know many, especially those who seek and profess holiness in their walk and lives often use this verse in the promotion of holiness or a clean or “pure” heart.  I know I have and do from time

THE BLESSING OF HEART CLEANSING

Psalm 51:10; Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 The 51st Psalm is an Old Testament setting of the way of salvation.  Pardon and purity are prayed for.  And in the New Testament Jesus expresses the same Ah, yes! A clean heart – a clear vision! “Blest