by Corey Waddell
[Recently] we observed how easy it is to become dulled to the world around us and the damage such desensitization can do to us. However, it is not sufficient to just acknowledge the undesirable. We must also work proactively to make ourselves better. This week we will explore some suggestions of how we can do more than just avoid being dulled. How can we sharpen our spiritual senses in an era of constant exposure to undesirable things?
(You’ve likely heard some of this terminology that refers to generational age groups – Millennials are young people born from 1981 to 1996. Gen Z includes those born from 1997 to around 2015. A lot has been said about the different thought processes and value systems of the younger generations. Brother Harrub addresses
very well. Read it through to the end, and give it fair consideration. jdp)
by Brad Harrub
Thank you for opening our eyes to some serious needs to change. I know that may not be what you were expecting to hear. I know your generation has taken a beating in the media (and even in church). I am more than familiar with the Millennial stereotype. But the reality is, your generation has pointed out some things that past generations really need to hear. So I begin by offering my sincere thanks.
By Hugh Fulford
On one occasion, Leonard Johnson, one of the founders of what is now Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, was preaching in a gospel meeting in a small Alabama town. One night he preached a sermon on the church. In the midst of his sermon brother Johnson said, “Now within the next four to five minutes I am going to tell you everything the New Testament says about the name of the church.” For the next four to five minutes brother Johnson was completely silent. He did not utter a word. Then he said, “There you have it – everything the New Testament says about the name of the church!”
By Jonathan McAnulty
A useful tip for the Bible student who wants to truly get a better understanding of the text is this: always use more than one translation when doing an in-depth study. Most often translations will agree with one another, but sometimes you will come across differences in wording which will cause you to have to examine the meaning more closely. Different translations can sometime bring up questions good to examine.
by Tyler King
Few and far between have I heard people on December 31st proclaim their success in completing resolutions they had set on January 1st of that year. Goals typically go adrift somewhere around the February or March time frame. I personally have seen resolutions flunk as early as January 2nd. I had all the intention in the world to start waking up earlier this year. However, the 17th round of “snooze” going off at 7:30AM told a different story. These ghosted goals can leave an individual feeling defeated and lethargic; not quite the recipe for conquerors.
By Dan Jenkins
“I will never forget the first time I saw him. It was love at first sight. He had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, and then when I looked into his eyes—they were beyond beautiful.” Words like this are sometimes part of conversations in our land, but one thing you will never hear. “He had the most beautiful feet I have ever seen. I was captivated by their beauty.” Now as strange as it might seem, the Bible does talk about beautiful feet.
By David Phillips
The numerical designation for the coming year lends itself as a good illustration for how we would like to see – with 20-20 vision. Anyone who has 20-20 vision has great eyesight. For the year 2020, one of the important things to pray for and work toward is to have better spiritual vision. In the interest of helping to accomplish that, our personal study theme for the coming year will be “Looking Beyond Me”.
By Tim Dooley
Some folks get so full of themselves that they never hunger for God. In fact, they put themselves in the place of God in order to fill their own desires. No matter how much wealth, affluence, and power one attains these things will not, and cannot, sustain us or save us in the day of God’s great wrath.Continue reading
By Dan Jenkins
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall be raised.” Are there any words more comforting than these? We sing about it, and our hearts are filled with comfort. If there is no resurrection, we are of all men most miserable; our lives have been wasted, and we should have lived our lives by the philosophy of “let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die.” Many have heard the following words and have been blessed every time they sang them.
By Wayne Jackson
In his parting address to the elders of the church in Ephesus, Paul prophesied, I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch …” (Acts 20:29-31). Elders have a sober responsibility of guarding the flock against grievous wolves. Within such a framework, a number of things are necessarily implied.