Enjoying the Journey

Thoughts for Christian Citizens

All Christians have a dual citizenship. We are temporary, earthly citizens of the nation where God has providentially allowed us to live and we are eternal, heavenly citizens of a much better country! In the words of the old song, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.” The Lord’s people ought to be the most caring, principled, and helpful citizens of their present nation, but they must also remember that they are only pilgrims on their way home (Hebrews 11:13-16). When Christ lived in one of the most pagan empires of world history He did not lead a revolt against Caesar. Think of it! He had to answer the interrogation of the Pharisees and live under the…

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5 Books To Read For Answers

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…

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5 Books To Read About Jesus (And One Bonus)

For at least one day this week people thought of Christ. We have just come through Easter and much of the world has considered the story of Jesus and the resurrection. But the person and work of the Lord should not be examined once a year – He should be pursued every day! There is so much more of Him to know and admire. You never exhaust infinite truth. Most people look better at a distance. Not so the Lord Jesus Christ. The closer you come to Him the more of His beauty and wisdom and grace you see. The more you investigate the more you will be attracted to the perfect Christ! Once again it goes without saying that…

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7 Excuses For Not Sharing Christ

Quote there is nothing wrong in this world that the Gospel cannot fix

This week I had the privilege of speaking at a special conference for revival and evangelism. My heart has been stirred and my hope renewed. Christ is still “able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 7:25). The gospel has not lost its power, it remains “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16)! God’s ability has not lessened and His promise has not expired. The problem is not with Him, but with us. A thousand and one excuses arise as to why we are not sharing Christ. The devil and our flesh will make sure of it. Here are 7 of the most common and an answer…

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The Miracle Continues

Around this time of year it is not uncommon to hear someone refer to “a Christmas miracle.” A miracle is something that cannot be explained by natural wisdom or human ability. It is an intersection with almighty God! To be sure there are many miracles associated with the coming of Christ to Bethlehem: There is the miracle of the incarnation itself! God became a man without ever ceasing to be God. Deity was robed with humanity, glory was veiled by humility. The highest became the lowest. (Philippians 2:5-8) There is the miracle of the virgin birth. Never before and not since has a child been born without the aid of a human father. The miracle was not Mary, but the…

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Your Favorite Christmas Song?

They have been playing in our home for nearly a month now… You know the ones! Songs of the season. Christmas carols. It seems the whole world begins to sing at this time of year. The great philosopher, Charlie Brown, asked, “Why can’t it be Christmas all year long?” Lucy sarcastically replied, “You are a FANATIC, Charlie Brown.” Perhaps. And perhaps I am too. But, wouldn’t it be wonderful if people could live all year with a song in their heart? There is only one way for that to happen. The only song that lasts is a song about a Person instead of an event. We couldn’t stand songs about snow and the commercial trappings of Christmas all year long!…

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Christmas Blessings

This is my favorite season of the year! I love the time with family and friends. But the older I get the more I realize that the greatest Christmas blessings are the ones that are wrapped up in Christ. Ones that are priceless and that do not change with the calendar. It is what Paul celebrated when he wrote to Philemon about, “acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ” (Philemon 6). The gift is Christ! The blessings are spiritual. As we study the Word of God we open those gifts, or rather, they are opened to us by the Holy Spirit. At this busiest time of the year beware of living so much in the fray…

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Questions You Can’t Answer

Why did Jesus wait until He was 30 years of age to begin His ministry when He was so full of wisdom at the age of 12? Why did the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus only last three and a half years when He could have lived a long, full life? Why in those three and a half years did He not go everywhere, heal everyone, do everything He could have done? There are many things we do not know and some things we cannot answer. One thing is sure. At the end of His short life He said to His Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). So often sincere believers…

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Announcing A Special Christmas Series!

Can you believe that it is December? The month ahead will be a busy one for families and church families. We must never allow our schedules to crowd out time in the Scripture. Every day is a day to celebrate our Savior and one of the best ways to do so is to spend time with Him each day. Beginning Monday on Enjoying The Journey we will study some of the great Scripture texts about the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be a month of Christmas on the podcast! We hope you will join us as we walk through God’s Word and meditate on our wonderful Savior. Each week we will look at a special part of the Christmas message……

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An Epidemic Of Loneliness

Recently NBC aired a special news report on the increase of loneliness in people around the world. The British government has now instituted a “minister for loneliness.” This new undersecretary in England has been commissioned to work on what the prime minister called “the sad reality of modern life.” How is it possible? We have more communication and more connection than ever and yet more people feel disconnected and alone. And it’s not just those living alone. Often those who are surrounded most by people – great crowds of people – feel very much isolated. In our own country medical professionals are now talking about loneliness as a public health issue. The former surgeon general went so far as to say…

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