The New Testament scriptures pertaining to music in worship command the church to sing. For instance, Paul urges the church at Ephesus to address “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart” (Eph. 5:19). The Colossians receive similar instructions: “Let the word of…
The Gospels include numerous accounts of healing miracles performed by Jesus. For instance, the Lord cured Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever (Luke 4:38-39). He gave vision to a man born blind (John 9:7). Jesus restored good health to lepers, epileptics, paralytics, the lame, the maimed, the deaf, the mute. These accounts raise an important…
After committing adultery David felt defiled, empty, and dispirited. The king longed for spiritual renewal. He prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of…
One December evening some years ago, Carolyn and I carried three bags down from the attic. It was time to put up and decorate the tree. We had a little problem, though. The stand was missing. It was nowhere to be seen in the attic, the utility closet, or the storage shed in the back…
One late spring evening in 2004, a Freed-Hardeman University Bible instructor named Roy Sharp was preaching a Gospel meeting for a small rural congregation about 20 miles from the college campus. It was my pleasure to be in the audience that night. Roy’s message included a personal story written by Mary Ann Bird. The author…
Whenever a congregation commits to a new project, someone is usually on hand to point out why it cannot be done. The pessimist may be a dedicated Christian with excellent personal character, but he has no vision and thinks that the best way to prevent failure is to avoid risk. On one occasion the apostle…
One Sunday evening in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a young dad entered the church auditorium lobby carrying a crying toddler. Apparently, their walk through the education wing had reminded the little guy of his Bible class that morning. Aden wanted to go to class again. I patted him on the back and consoled him with the offer…
Jesus says that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Christians often understand this to mean that no worship assembly is too small to be blessed by the Lord’s presence. If a man and his wife become missionaries in a distant land, for…
Introduction Considered in the light of Old Testament usage, a reference to the filling of the Spirit may bring to mind the mighty feats of Samson. The Bible says that “a young lion roared against him; and the Spirit came mightily upon him.” As easily as another man might tear the tender body of a…
Our closest relatives sweeten our joys and sustain us in difficult times. Sometimes, though, living with others creates a smothered feeling and a longing to escape. Humorist Erma Bombeck entitled one of her books Family: The Ties That Bind—and Gag! If this joke hits too close to home, then perhaps my family needs to revisit…