In that great story about the providence of God in the book of Esther, Mordecai was persuading Esther to go before the king on behalf of her people, the Jews.  Mordecai said to his cousin, the queen, “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14).  Esther was in a unique position of…

A faithful forerunner.  An inquisitive teacher.  A soul-seeing brother.  An evangelistic friend.  A Samaritan woman.  A supportive father.  An infectious leper.  A military leader.  A sick servant.  An ill mother.  A royal official.  A hungry lad.  A demon-possessed man.  A paralytic.  A tax collector.  A civil ruler.  A young girl.  A sick woman.  A blind man.  A deaf-mute man.  A fisherman.  A…

What do you think of when you think of a “multitude”?  What sorts of things come to mind when you think of a “multitude” in the Bible?  “A multiple of people” (Gen. 48:4).  “A multitude of years” (Lev. 25:16).  “A multitude of livestock” (Num. 32:1).  “The multitude of Israel” (2 Kings 7:13).  “The multitude of words” (Prov. 10:19).  “The multitude of their…

The story in Numbers 20 of Moses striking the rock (when he was commanded to speak to it) is familiar to us.  In your mind, what size was the rock?  We may think of something small when we think “rock,” but remember that it gave enough water for all the Israelites (a couple million people).  By definition, the rock that Moses struck…

Some have the idea that if they have one good “spiritual moment” every year or so that it will carry them until they have another one.  “Spiritual moments” for some folks may vary from an especially pleasant day, to being extra generous to someone in need, to hiking to the summit of a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range.  Of course, for some, that…

As Christians, we must constantly be aware of our influence and the impact that it has on others.  However, the works and responsibilities for one to become a Christian and to live a faithful Christian life are more than “for show.” The Bible teaches that one must be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16).  It is more than “for show.”  The Bible…

In last night’s sermon, I made up a statistic that I figured was pretty close and was trying to illustrate a point.  (By the way, have you read that 79% of statistics are made up on the spot?)  For those who were not there, I admitted during the lesson that I was making it up (because I wanted to be honest, and…

It is a humbling and sobering thought to spend time reflecting upon and considering the implications of Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”  There is nothing, NOTHING that I can see, touch, pick up, borrow, own, sell, break or give away that does not already belong to God.  There…