Monthly Archives: January 2025

“Philip” means “lover of horses.” The name is Greek but, like all of the twelve apostles, Philip was a Jew. He was from the town Bethsaida, ruled by Philip the Tetrarch, brother of Herod. (Luke 3:1) Philip the Tetrarch named the city Bethsaida after the death of the emperor Augustus. He was a popular ruler,Continue reading “Philip the Apostle (4th in a series on the Apostles)”

Asked to define a home, one person said: “A place where there is a roof to keep out rain, four walls to keep out the wind; floors to keep out the cold, yes, but a home is so much more. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength ofContinue reading “Home, Sweet Home”

The Bible has been called a biography of the human race, and rightly so. It sets forth our record from creation, to the fall, to our death for sin and our death to sin through redemption and regeneration through Christ. Not only does it give us a record of man, it also tells us ofContinue reading “John, “Whom Jesus Loved” (3nd in a series on the Apostles)”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2021, with 46 states reporting, there were in the U.S. 625,000 abortions; and, in the years 2013 through 2022, there were on average 625,000 abortions reported. One will find varying statistics, and some have reported that the number of abortions annually in our landContinue reading “Everyday Holocaust”

Since I have spent more than 50 years preaching, often several times a week, I am always interested in learning more about what kind of preaching God is pleased with, and what kind of preaching the Holy Spirit uses to transform the lives of the preacher’s hearers. “Preach the Word,” Paul exhorted Timothy in hisContinue reading “On Preaching”

A great conductor was once asked: “What is the hardest position in your orchestra to fill?” His reply: “2nd fiddle. Everyone wants to fill the first chair, but not many enjoy being 2nd fiddle.” Andrew, the apostle, was a man who in many ways was “2nd fiddle.” He wrote no books that bear his name. He preached noContinue reading “Andrew, Brother of Peter (2nd in a series on the Apostles)”

If there is a fundamental attribute or characteristic of God, it must surely be His holiness, for at the very center of every concept of the nature of God is—and ever has been, and must always be—the pillar of His holy and righteous character. It may be debated that there is one fundamental attribute ofContinue reading “I Saw the Lord”

Jesus chose 12 to be with Him and that He might send them forth to preach. Though the Lord Jesus had some half- (or step-) brothers, they were not chosen as members of the select group who would perpetuate His teachings and propagate His truths. Following the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection and ascension of JesusContinue reading “Peter the Apostle (1st in a series on the 12 Apostles)”

It was time for God’s people to enter the long-awaited “Promised Land.” After 40 years of wilderness wandering, the Lord directed Joshua to lead the congregation—through 12 ark-bearing priests—through the overflowing river of Jordan. How could this be? Well, when the priests’ feet hit the water and went into it, God would command the watersContinue reading “The River Stood at Attention!”