Enjoying the Journey

5 Books To Read About The Holy Spirit

How well do you know the Spirit of God? Though we live in the age of the Spirit, there is so much confusion about Him. Some fall short of really understanding the Holy Ghost, while others go beyond what Scripture reveals about the third person of the Godhead. I love the Holy Spirit. He is the One who first told me about Jesus (John 16:13-14), and the One who continues to teach me God’s truth (John 14:26). He is my prayer partner (Romans 8:26-27), and constant Comforter (John 14:16). Yes, I love the Holy Spirit! If we do not have to be afraid of the truth, then we have nothing to fear about getting better acquainted with the Spirit of…

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How Sensitive Are You?

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It is ironic that we are living in a world where people are easily offended by others and yet so often hardened to the needs of others around them. Such skewed sensitivity is really just the sin nature – the self-life on full display.  And Christians are not exempt.  Selfishness is often robed in church garb. It uses new language but thinks like the old man. The most deceptive, disgusting, destructive, flesh is religious flesh. That’s why Jesus reserved His harshest words for religious leaders who were hard on others but easy on themselves. How sensitive are you? The insensitive– This is the person who cares nothing about the needs of those around them. In a harsh world it is easy…

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3 Simple Helps For Bible Study

It is truly amazing the number of Bible study helps that are now available at our fingertips. The proliferation of tools and the accessibility of technology has changed study forever. As a person who spends a great deal of time on the road I am truly grateful for these conveniences. However, in every age the greatest helps are simple methods that do not change. They can be utilized if the internet is down or if search engines are not available. The 2 Timothy 2:15 principle is still in effect: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” No one can do that for you. Nothing substitutes for…

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What I Do When I Don’t Feel Like Praying

People imagine that preachers jump out of bed every day with a strong urge to pray. Nothing could be further from the truth! We all battle flesh and flesh doesn’t like spiritual work. There are times when I just don’t feel like praying. It is then that I most need to pray. Prayer is not a discipline of feelings – it is a discipline of faith. Begin with praise instead of prayer. If I begin naming the blessings of God and blessing Him my heart begins to warm toward the Lord. Meditating on His goodness increases my faith to ask for more. Get outside. There is something sweet about sitting or walking in the world that God created. This helps…

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The 3 Most Important Times in A Revival Meeting

We have just come through one of the busiest seasons of the year for revival meetings. In reality, God chooses the season for revival. It cannot be scheduled or planned. It will not be confined to our calendar. Revival comes in God’s time and God’s way. As I sit in meetings week after week, preaching and praying for revival, the Lord has impressed this truth on my heart… In every revival there are divine moments that must not be missed.  Is it possible that the Lord Jesus could show up in a meeting and His own people fail to recognize Him? I fear that the Holy Spirit is often a stranger in the places where “spiritual” men conduct the annual…

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Getting More Out of This Sunday’s Sermon

Over the last few days I have been in numerous meetings where someone was preaching the Bible.  The messages were delivered by different men with varied styles, but in each sermon I heard the Voice of One far greater than the preacher.  When someone is preaching the Word of God it is the Spirit of truth that is speaking.  And there is nothing like hearing His voice. I was reminded of this recently when I arrived in another city to preach.  I was scheduled to speak second after a man who I did not know well.  Because of travel I came in a few minutes after the meeting had begun and took my seat in the auditorium.  My mind immediately…

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Why this Week has been So Special

Today is a day for rest and reflection after a very busy week.  We have just concluded our annual Baptist Friends Conference.  This is always a special time of reunion with friends and wonderful preaching.  This year was special. I cannot remember a meeting where the Lord’s presence was so strong.  Day after day and message after message the Holy Spirit worked in our hearts.  It was a deep work – convicting, searching, teaching.  God was among us. As I have thought on what made this year’s conference so special, one thought seems to keep surfacing.  It was all about the Lord Jesus Christ.  It was not the preachers.  This conference was not a preaching competition or a platform to…

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