“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there is just something about that name!”   Jesus has many other Names, seven of which can be found in Psalm 23:

Jehovah Rohi - The Lord is My Shepherd.

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will...

The body of Christ is made up of a diverse group of redeemed people.  Individually we come from different backgrounds and vocations. We have uniques gifts, interests and passions.  We also have different strengths and weaknesses.   Our lives have taken us down different paths in life and ministry.  From the “onlooker” some of our paths have been one of ease (looks are deceiving).  For others it has been one of many heartaches, disappointments and set-backs.  But, no matter which path we find ourselves currently on, life in general has a way of “robing” us of our Joy.  Even the everyday routines and responsibilities of life can “squeeze” the Joy from our souls.  But does this have to be the case?  Can we live our lives without losing our “Joy?”  The Bible says,...

As a follower of Christ, do you seek His will for you?   And if so, does God really have a perfect will for each one of us?   Well, what does the Bible say?  We read in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”   First, we know from scripture that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (cf. 2 Peter 3:9) (first work of grace).  Secondly, we know that...

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught be to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”  These lyrics by Horatio G. Spafford were birthed out of hardship.

Our response to the difficult situations and circumstances of life are in direct proportion to our...

When you think of the role of the Holy Spirit, what descriptive words might you use?  Convicts; purifies; empowers; reveals; teaches; helps; directs; comforts; heals; unifies -might be a few!   Jesus told us, His followers, that it was needful for Him to ascend back to His Heavenly Father so that He could send the Holy Spirit - the third person of the Trinity!  The Holy Spirit is a person, not an it!   The Holy Spirit continues to...

Becky and I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  It is the largest privately owned home in America.  Built in 1895, after having taken six years to complete.  George W. Vanderbilt invested his time, talent and money to create the finest in architecture, landscape and interior design.  Mr. Vanderbilt liked to travel and during his travels he collected furnishings and artwork from around the world.  He also loved books (man after my own heart), and had 23,000 in his personal library.  Words and pictures fall short to the magnitude of this family estate.  I say all that to say this, ...

I am thankful for the family of God.  I have been privileged to be a part of the Lord’s work in several different congregations now - each one, very special and unique.  I believe in the Lord’s Sovereignty, and I know...

“You are writing a gospel, A chapter each day, By the deeds that you do And the words that you say.  Men read what you write, Whether faithful or true: Just what is the gospel According to you?”   Source Unknown 

As Christ followers, we need to remember that for so many the only gospel they see and hear is our lives!  The Apostle Paul in Philippians reminds us of this when he writes,...

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”   Romans 1: 11-12  ESV

These words of the Apostle Paul ring just as true for you and me today.  We need each other, “…and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  (cf. Hebrews 10:24)   I am thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for those that Jesus “intentionally” brings across our path to encourage us and strengthen us in our faith - reminding and encouraging us...

The Necessity of Prayer.  Someone once said, “You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning.  You can tell how popular the pastor is by who comes on Sunday night.  But you can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting.”

I know what you’re thinking, “we don’t even have prayer meetings anymore -  That’s out of date.”  Maybe that kind of thinking is part of the problem.  I believe we have let the culture influence the church, instead of the church influencing the culture.  I agree, some things need to change. But some disciplines of the faith must never change - prayer being one of those.

Yes, we are to pray alone, in our “prayer closet.”  But we desperately need to...