Category Archives: November 2023

Peter, writing to first-century saints who had been scattered due to persecution, exhorted them to “love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (I Pet.1:22) Two questions come to mind when contemplating that command: (1) Do I have a pure heart? (2) How can I love others fervently? It is possible to have a pureContinue reading “Love With a Pure Heart Fervently”

Those are the famous words of Shakespeare’s leading character from “Macbeth,” quoting Lady Macbeth dealing with the damning guilt she suffered after she and her husband conspired to brutally stab and kill their regal friend, Duncan. The play is a commentary on mankind’s dilemma, brought on by our plunge into sin in the Garden, whenContinue reading ““Out Damn Spot!””

Today, upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair.She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair.I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed—a smile.Oh, God, forgive me whenContinue reading “Thankful?  Why Not?”

I have asked Ellen to share one of her devotionals in this Thanksgiving week post. So, from the TRBC Times of November, 2009, here is what she wrote. Our granddaughters Audrey and Amy were 4 and 2 at the time. “Audrey and Amy eagerly waited for the mailman. They might get another package from GrandmaContinue reading “Nothing Over, Nothing Lacking”

Genesis says that in earth’s earliest days, the elder son of Adam and Eve, Cain, was angry. His wrath was directed at his brother, Abel, who had worshipped God with the prescribed offering; but ultimately it was aimed at God, who appeared to Cain and asked, “Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenanceContinue reading “A Deadly Sin”

Back in the mid-1960s, and probably before and surely after, the preacher boys’ class at Bob Jones University, where I was a ministerial student, began its weekly session in the then Fine Arts auditorium by singing the chorus, “Souls for Jesus.” About 800 young men bellowed out the words, “Souls for Jesus is our battleContinue reading “Souls for Jesus”

David said it with an exclamation: “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Ps.32:1) In another of his Psalms of praise, the sweet singer of Israel reminds us that God is one “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities.” (Ps.103:3) In fact, David continued, “As far as the east is from theContinue reading “Forgiven!”

Just after Peter had rebuked Jesus for revealing to the apostles that He would suffer, be rejected by the nation of Israel, and be killed by the chief priests and scribes before He would rise from dead after three days and three nights (Mark 8:31), Jesus taught His followers that discipleship was absolute, demanding evenContinue reading “Jesus On the Worth of the Soul”

A group of about 10 men in our church has met each week for several years, reading through various books that help us walk closer to our Lord so that we can serve Him more effectively. It has been my privilege to lead these men in our weekly book discussions, and to have witnessed spiritualContinue reading “You and God’s Church”