A new convert recently brought up to me how she’s noticed that a lot of people in various churches lift their hands up high and close their eyes while singing, praying, and listening to the sermon. She asked my why they do this. I’ve asked the same question over the years to some whom I’ve… Read More Lifting Holy Hands In Worship — Jon Mitchell, Editor (Editorial: March/April, 2023)
Even when casually reading the New Testament one cannot help but notice the many names for Jesus. Son of Man and the Christ are two names that immediately come to mind. One name which fascinates me is Immanuel, which means “God with us” in Hebrew. While recording Jesus’ birth, Matthew wrote, “All this took place… Read More Immanuel: God With Us — Jeffry E. McGee
Psalm 134 pays tribute to those who stand by night in the house of the Lord. It is a short psalm; only Psalm 117 is of shorter length. It is the last of the fifteen “Psalms or Songs of Degrees.” As this series come to a close, this psalm carries us in spirit to the… Read More Standing By Night In The House Of The Lord — Bill Boyd
Remember the Levi Strauss & Co logo? Two horses, going in opposite directions with a pair of Levi blue jeans secured between them, showing the strength of the blue jeans. What is really being accomplished? Nothing! Why? The horses are pulling in opposite directions. Now, if those jeans are that strong, imagine what the pioneers… Read More The Benefits of Unity — Larry Judd
We live in a world full of suffering, heartache and wickedness. In astonishment some may ask: “Is there any hope?” YES! There is an everlasting hope. You can find peace. A follow up question might be: “Where can we find this hope?” The answer is found in His Word! In fact, in our text for… Read More In His Word I Hope — Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
Psalm 127 is one of two Psalms attributed to Solomon. It speaks of God’s sovereignty and the blessings that come from depending on Him. The reader is reminded of the futility of seeking success on one’s own merit without trusting in God. The psalm begins: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain… Read More Unless The Lord Builds A House — Michael Grooms
When I was a young lad my granddad and I would often tease one another with harmless jokes, tricks and horseplay. Sometimes, when I would “get one over on him,” he would take his cap off, rub his sparsely haired head, and reply, “Now Steve, you’re just not trying to get along, are you!” That… Read More Where To Look In Times Of Scorn — Steve Vice
With gratitude for Jehovah’s goodness, the psalmist in Psalm 118 begins with a fourfold declaration of God’s never failing mercy. The nation, the priests, and all that fear the Lord are urged to say with him “that his mercy endures forever.” This is much on the psalmist’s heart as he describes how God had answered… Read More The Steadfast Love Of God — David R. Pharr
Psalm 116 is attributed to David and is a psalm of praise for the Lord’s deliverance. One can readily see these words escaping from David’s pen as he hides in the wilderness from Saul or as he flees for his life from his son Absalom. Verses 1-2 are a plea for help as well as… Read More You Have Delivered My Soul From Death — Roy Knight
Psalm 112 is an acrostic poem that uses the Hebrew alphabet to express the greatness and blessedness of those with the right attitude about God and His commandments. Verses 1-3 say, “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth;… Read More Greatly Delighting In God’s Commandments — Cougan Collins
Study 1 Peter 1:3. The apostle praises our Father in heaven for blessings which he has given to every Christian, blessings such as “caus(ing) us to be born again” (cf. v. 23). Jesus spoke of being born again of water and the Spirit as necessary to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:3-5), a clear reference to… Read More A Reminder of the Blessings We Receive From Our Father — Jon Mitchell, Editor (Editorial: January/February, 2023)
In reflecting upon my time as a full-time minister, I’m thankful for the opportunities I had to serve in two different congregations as a preacher. I encountered many wonderful people, many of whom I remember fondly and miss dearly. Unfortunately, many people have no idea what it takes to be a successful minister or how… Read More 11 Things You Need To Know About Your Preacher — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Psalm 106 is one of the fifteen “Hallelujah” psalms. These are the psalms that have in them that ancient Hebrew word. In the King James Version, “hallelujah” is translated “Praise ye the Lord.” It is a call to worship. The beginning and the end of this Psalm was sung when David brought the ark of… Read More “We Have Sinned” — Bill Boyd
The author of Psalm 104 is not identified, but is assumed by many scholars to be David—though there are those who assert that it dates from the exile. No evidence from the text itself gives credence to an exilic date; the fact that the translators of the Septuagint ascribed it to David lends more weight… Read More God Is Our Creator — David W. Hester
The children of God must understand that He sees and knows our struggles. He sees every heartache and every tear; He is not emotionally distant from what we are going through. God understands our suffering, and He allows us to petition Him for guidance and comfort. The Psalms demonstrate this fact, showing the deepest emotions… Read More “The Lord Has Made Known His Salvation” — Kenneth Moore
The inscription of Psalm 92 declares it to be a song for the Sabbath day. It was sung to direct the worshipper’s mind upward to God with a spirit of thankfulness. Though the author is unknown, many ascribe the psalm to David as one can readily see his life unfold throughout these verses. The theme… Read More “Give Thanks To The Lord!” — Roy Knight
Do you ever feel like the world is against you? Have you ever cried out to God to take away your afflictions? It seems that such were the feelings of the psalmist in Psalm 83, a psalm of Asaph. Israel had faced many enemies since the time of its conquest of the land of Canaan.… Read More “You Alone Are The Most High!” — Michael Grooms
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