The Lord’s House
Isaiah’s 1 detailed Israel’s condition in the prophet’s own time. From the dark picture of Zion as a forsaken shed in the midst of desolation and as an unfaithful wife, the prophet turns to the future and sees Zion glorified above all cities and nations. The prophet declares, “And it shall come to pass in […]
Are You “Essential” to Your Church?
Lufkin, like almost all places in the US, has issued a “stay at home” order for the citizens of the city and Angelina County. This means that all “non-essential” businesses must close but “essential” businesses and “essential” travel is still permitted (like going to the doctor and pharmacy). Lufkin explicitly defined what was “essential” and […]
Steps to Stagnation
In Revelation 3:15-16, the brethren at Laodicea were told, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” In a word, they were stagnant. Stagnation is defined […]
Holy Spirit Baptism and Joel
Holy Spirit baptism is the only one of seven baptisms in the New Testament that is specifically mentioned in the Old Testament, although there are implications of Jesus’ baptism of suffering (Isa. 53) and the baptism of the great commission. That is, in the seed of Abraham all nations of the earth would be blessed […]
“Sing and be Happy”
There’s probably not a lot to feel happy about today: fears over a virus, lost work, lost wages, financial troubles, etc. But there is always a God in heaven. He wants you to sing and be happy, for glorifying Him is a great way to use this day. The book of Psalms has a lot […]
He Said the “H” Word!
“Daddy,” the little boy whispered, “he said the ‘H’ word!” The word was “hell,” and the preacher was the one who said it — from the pulpit. It is good that a young child realizes that the word “hell” may be used as a “bad word.” It is sad that many people rarely hear the […]
How Does the Lord “Open” Hearts?
In Acts 16 we read, “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lyda, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped […]
Holy Spirit Baptism
It was a sad day for the eleven apostles. Their Master was about to leave them and return to His Father in heaven, just as He had promised (John 14:1-2). For forty days Jesus had been teaching and preparing them for this separation and now it was here. He charged them “not to depart from Jerusalem […]
