I found out recently that one of my most faithful, trusted leaders and his family is being relocated due to a job transfer. It was really hard news to hear. This is a man who has taught for me, led Sunday School and Discipleship classes, counseled hurting individuals and families as well as done everything from cooking to cleaning to repair work around the church for the past ten years. I not only appreciate him as a church member, I love him as a friend. So, it was hard to hear this week that the time has finally come and this will be their last Sunday at Temple Baptist Church. Continue Reading…

“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2

I once heard my pastor Adrian Rogers say, “If it’s true it isn’t new.” Had the apostle Paul heard him he would have given a loud and hearty, “Amen!”  I say this because I believe this is the essence of Paul’s point in this statement to the church at Corinth. I understand Paul to teach that there shouldn’t be anything purely original in a revelation. When he writes about “commending ourselves to every man’s conscience,” I believe he’s talking about commending truth to the “consciousness” of man.  Paul’s point is that divine truth, like any other truth, must first speak to man’s experience. It must appeal to something that the hearer already knows to be true. In other words it is “a faithful saying worthy of all acceptation.” Continue Reading…

“Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?” Job 37:16

It was Elihu – one of the five primary actors in the book of Job – who spoke these words. He shared his belief after two other opinions had been given to explain God’s government. The first opinion that was expressed came from Job’s three antagonists – Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. It was their opinion that God is harsh and cruel in his dealings with man. The second opinion was presented by Job himself. It was his belief that the clouds of life are so unequal in their distribution that the pain and joy that comes into the life of man does so regardless of how good or bad he is. It was at this point that Elihu stepped forward and gave his opinion regarding the government of God. He said to Job, “Conceding that clouds come equally into the life that is sinful and the life that is righteous, how does that prove that those who are righteous suffer the same as those who are evil? Do you know how the clouds are balanced? Do you know for certain that the same tragedy falling on two men at the same time produces the same amount of suffering? Have you taken into consideration the condition of the soul onto which the clouds fall? Don’t you know that every tragedy that comes into a life is counterbalanced by the strength of the soul onto which it falls? Until you learn this Job, you are in no position to give an opinion concerning the government or justice of God.” I have to add a hearty amen to the sermon Elihu preached to Job that day. You see, before I can accurately assess any tragedy or consider any calamity that comes into my life I must know whether or not there is something to counterbalance or compensate against it. Continue Reading…

Let’s be honest, there are some days when even those of us who are always “up” and “happy” end up in a melancholy mood. There are days when we cry easier, get upset faster, or just want to pull away and hide from the world. There are days when, no matter how hard we try, we walk around with a frown on our face and a tear in our eye. We’re sad, mad, fearful, upset – whatever you want to call it. In short, there are days in our lives, even as adults, where we just don’t feel so “swell.” Continue Reading…

“But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:39

It’s a question that has caused considerable consternation: “How can a person know if they have received the gift of the Holy Spirit?” Is there any test to help determine the Spirit’s presence or absence in the life of an individual? John says that there is indeed such a test.  He says that the Holy Spirit had not been given yet, “because Jesus was not yet glorified.”  So, the test that tells of the Spirit’s absence is that of an unglorified Jesus, and the proof that proves His presence is a heart where Jesus is honored. Continue Reading…

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” Matthew 14:22

Jesus “made His disciples get into the boat.” I understand this to mean that Jesus forced them, He compelled, constrained them to get into the boat and set sail.  Surely, if there ever was a promise that a mission would be successful, this should have been it. These disciples were literally forced to put out to sea! They were compelled by a command they couldn’t refuse – Jesus had told them to go. If they were ever going to be safe, secure and successful this should have been the time and place. There was no doubt about it. They were where Jesus told them to be, when He told them to be there.  They were away from the distractions and dangers of the world. Yet, as I read the account, at first it appears that in obeying Jesus they actually put themselves at the greatest risk of danger, disappointment and failure – He sent them straight into a storm. And what a storm it was! It was such a storm that even these experienced men of the sea had never seen its like before. Continue Reading…

As a pastor I’m often asked what I think is the number one reason for divorce. I always give the same answer, “Money.” Now, to be a little more circumspect, I must admit this answer is not only very simplistic, but it also overlooks a whole host of evident spiritual and personal shortcomings in both parties. However, I think it is fair to say that the majority of couples that come into my office for counseling do so because of something to do with their finances. Maybe the problem stems from the husband wanting more and more money, so he works more and more and never spends time with his family. Maybe the problem is found in a wife that doesn’t realize that you can’t spend more than you have – at least not for very long. Maybe the issue is that she “came from money” and he didn’t have “pot to spit in or a window to throw it out of” when he was growing up. Maybe it it simply the stress that comes from not enough money coming into the family and the constant struggle to just keep the utilities on. Whatever the situation or the circumstance, the majority of couples who come to my office with marital problems do so because of issues related to money.

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