Meet the Pauleys

Frequently I am asked what Bible commentaries I would recommend. This is a broad question without an easy answer. Some commentators are better on some books than others. For example, if I am going to study the Psalms I would be sure to have Charles Spurgeon’s Treasury of David. I would not think of studying Philippians without Guy King’s Joy Way. And it would be very wise to have Andrew Murray’s The Holiest of All nearby as you walk through Hebrews. Personally I love F.B. Meyers expositions of Scripture and especially Bible characters. (Click here to view a good recommended book list compiled by Dr. Clarence Sexton on each book of the Bible.) There is not one book that is…

The adventure continues! Following Christ is always an adventure but the current situation in our world makes it even more so. These are days where we must exercise faith at every turn, and how wonderful it is to see the Lord leading. Today I have had the joy of speaking to a group of pastors from Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia in an online meeting. I preached a recorded gospel message to be used in England in a few days and tonight I am to speak to a group of teenagers through a zoom conference. Who would have imagined?!? Still, with all of the technological opportunities, I am most happy to be back in churches for in-person meetings and…

Much of my ministry has been connected to young people. It was my privilege to serve for many years as a church youth director. I enjoyed teaching youth ministry at a college level and continue to enjoy working with camps and youth conferences. The most important “youth ministry” I have been part of is having teenagers of our own! I wish that there were many books that I felt comfortable recommending on youth ministry. Far too much that is written is man-centered and felt-needs oriented. We must always begin with God’s truth and then make the application to people of every age. Here are a few books that provide a variety of helps for young people and those who work…

Life is a journey and the fourth section of the Psalms, known as the Numbers Psalms, shows us the goodness and guidance of God along that journey. If we want to move forward we must look up! At every twist and turn in life God’s Word provides direction to make right decisions. Today on our Enjoying the Journey broadcast we begin Psalms 90-106 with a study of the oldest Psalm in the Bible. I hope you will open God’s Word with us and open your heart to all the Lord has for you at this stage on your journey. Thank you for listening each day. It is a privilege to study the Scriptures with you. (If you would like to…

Many of you have asked in recent days about this year’s Rest Conference. Pastor Scott Hooks and I, along with our wives, love hosting this meeting each September. It is a refreshing time in God’s Word and with many of God’s servants. Due to the unusual situation this year with COVID-19 restrictions we have decided to make some adjustments to the schedule. We will not be gathering in Hickory, NC as normal. Please note the following: We will be hosting an online conversation on Tuesday, September 8 for pastors, evangelists, and Christian workers. This will be an encouraging few minutes and I hope you will make plans to join us. More details will be sent out soon about how you…

The key to a nation is a generation. I believe if we lose the next generation we lose the nation. Truth endures to every generation but every generation must hear the truth! We have just concluded the third section of Psalms (the Leviticus Psalms) on our daily Enjoying the Journey broadcast. God willing, next week we will launch into the fourth stage of our study through that amazing book of Scripture. But I wanted to take three days this week to share some “Truth for Youth.” Truth is in short supply in our world today, and it is the greatest need of the next generation. Young people–all people–need God’s truth! Would you make it your business to pass this truth…

In a previous post I shared some recommended reading on preaching, but all of us who have been in the Lord’s work for any period of time know that there is more to daily ministry than the preaching of sermons. Much more. Ministry is helping people where they are and leading the church as you follow Christ. These are unusual days in which to minister, but God’s eternal message and timeless methods do not change. The following books have been a blessing to me, both as I labored with a pastor and now as an evangelist: An All-Round Ministry by Charles Spurgeon (Spurgeon’s Lectures to My Students is more well known, but this volume addresses the biblical philosophy of ministry…

One of the great joys of my life is the fellowship and friendship we enjoy with the people of God. There is nothing like being in the greatest family on earth! I am very grateful for the connections the Lord continues to give us with His people around the world and the partnership we have in the work of the gospel. I want to ask if you would be willing to help me with a special project that God has given us. As most of you know, during the COVID-19 travel ban we were restricted from a number of scheduled meetings. Yet in the good providence of God it was during that time that the Lord allowed me to write…

Ours is an age of questions, skeptics, and debate. Paul described the last days well when he wrote, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). This is a day for believers to know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to express it to others. Apologetics is the defense of truth. I agree with Spurgeon that the gospel is like a caged lion – it does not need to be defended so much as we simply need to open the cage door and let it out! Or to use an athletic analogy, the best defense is a good offense. Truth faithfully preached and taught will convince and convict. The…

How many times have you heard about the importance of hand washing over the last few months? The entire world is being reeducated in basic hygiene that our mothers tried to teach us! What is true for physical wellness is a picture of a higher truth – it is a principle of spiritual health. In the Old Testament there were daily, ritual washings that were required of the priests who were to enter into the presence of God. When the Lord Jesus Christ came He said to His disciples, “Now ye are clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you” In fact, one of the lasting pictures of Christ and His disciples is the image of the Master…