“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2).      If any of you grew up going to Sunday school, you know that you could never go wrong answering any question the…

“Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him,…

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).      A lot of people think, “I’m not perfect, but I’m a pretty good person. God will let me into heaven.” That reminds me of an old Esurance commercial: “That’s not how it works; that’s not…

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Every Sunday as we enter for worship, I am reminded that each…

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11).      Most of us did not grow up on a farm and have little to no experience with sheep and shepherds. And…

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).      Last evening came the crushing reality that I had forgotten something. I wanted to do some planning for our upcoming sermon series in Hebrews, and knew that if I worked at the…

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1).      We Americans love a story that captures the joys wrought from bursting the bonds of tyranny and slavery. We are roused to hear William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) in “Braveheart” cry…

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).      One of the more popular songs of 1975 was written by Morris Albert. The song…

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).      Today we mark 78 years since D-Day, one of the most defining moments that pushed the allies on to…

“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you” (Deuteronomy 32:7). I have had the privilege of being involved in many significant parts of peoples lives through the years as a pastor, whether in the bonds of matrimony…