2 Samuel 12:24-31 Jim Corley met his friend, Alex, at the dealership whereAlex worked.“Jim, I feel like a hypocrite every time I go to churchbecause I fail to live for Christ so often.”“Alex, what do you call this part of the dealership?” Jimasked, nodding to the area outside his cubicle.“You mean the showroom?”“Yes. And what’s…
2 Samuel 12:13-23 Susie Hawkins – wife of OS Hawkins tells this story:Several years ago when we were still in the pastorate, Iexperienced God’s discipline in a very unexpected way. Myhusband and I were going to our church Leadership Dinnerone evening, where a popular pastor from across the countrywould be speaking. Late that afternoon I…
Acts 13:1-12 Thank you all for being here this morning. Today we aregoing to see what God’s word has to say about sendingmissionaries into the field. My daughter Meghan is goingto be leaving for Paris, France in a few short weeks.Today we are going to have a commissioning service anda time of prayer for her…
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 One of the senior leaders in my department at workshared his family tradition for the new year withus.Every family member writes down some things thatdidn’t go as they hoped/planned for the currentyear. They read it out loud, then they throw thepaper in the fire symbolizing a fresh start for thenew year. Then they…
Matthew 2:1-12 Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and goodking.He loved his people. He wanted to know how theylived.He wanted to know about their hardships.Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man ora beggar, and went to the homes of the poor.No one whom he visited thought that he was theirruler.One…
Luke 2:1-7 I read about a little boy who was in his firstChristmas pageant. He was 5. He was one of theshepherds–you know, they wear their bathrobesand their sandals and carry cardboard crooks–nota lead shepherd, just a common shepherd standingin the back. But when it came time for the Nativity,he crowded around to the front…
Luke 2:8-20 If our greatest need had been information,God would have sent us an educator;If our greatest need had been technology,God would have sent us a scientist;If our greatest need had been money,God would have sent us an economist;If our greatest need had been pleasure,God would have sent us an entertainer;But our greatest need was…
Luke 1:46-55 In New York’s Hayden Planetarium a specialChristmas holiday show was enhanced by an addedfeature. A giant lollipop tree was projected onto theplanetarium dome, surrounded by a horizon filledwith brilliantly colored toys which came to life andcavorted to the tune of “Jingle Bells.” At the climaxa huge figure of Santa Claus faded out in…
Luke 1:26-38 As we paid nothing for God’s eternal love andnothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for HisSpirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for oureternal rest…What an astonishing thought it will beto think of the unmeasurable difference betweenour deservings and our receivings. O, how free wasall this love, and how…
2 Samuel 7:18-29 Matthew Henry, the famous Bible expositor, wasonce accosted by thieves and robbed of hispocketbook. He wrote these lines in his diary: Let me be thankful,first, because I was never robbed before;second, because, although they took my purse,they did not take my life;third, because, although they took my all, it wasnot much; andfourth,…