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“The people who have accomplished the most in this life have had their hearts and minds fixed on the next.” “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised but only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the...

“Oh God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:1-2 “The sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose...

“His throne is his pulpit; he stands in Christ’s stead; his message is the word of God; around him are immortal souls; the Savior, unseen, is beside him; the Holy Spirit broods over the congregation; angels gaze upon the scene, and heaven and hell await the issue. What associations, and what vast responsibility!” -Matthew Simpson In the next two weeks we are teaching our students on the subject, “How to Preach Biblically.” The Kingdom of God marches forward by the preaching...

“Peace if possible; truth at all costs.” -Martin Luther “Dear Friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3 The Bible and historical evidence reveal that the greatest danger to the life and mission of the church comes not from the diabolical tyrants outside the church, but from deceitful teachers within...

“The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” Isaiah 12:2-3 No one goes to the cliffs of the Pacific to gaze upon the spectacular and glorious sunset to build their self-esteem. As we gaze, our thoughts are captured by the breathtaking beauty on display. Our feelings are enthralled by the glory we have been privileged to enjoy spread out before us. In the...

I realized recently that I spent around 25 years in seminary studies from 1974-1999. I entered my seminary only a couple of years after it went through the famous “Battle for the Bible.” The two sides of the conflict differed on whether the Bible was inerrant, no mistakes or errors in the original manuscripts, or infallibility, only the teaching of the Bible could be considered without error. The inerrancy leadership left my seminary because the majority of the profs and...

It is early in my precious spot. The sun has not yet declared its glory over my Malawi home. I sit here with a cup of Pike’s Place on my left, my journal on my right, my Mom’s Bible on my lap, and a whole lot of mosquitoes attacking my ankles. But, what grips my mind and my heart are thoughts of the glory of my precious Lord. His holiness is infinite. His presence is intimate. He is so good...

“I am not concerned about myself, but I shall defend Christ’s word with a joyful heart and renewed courage, without regard to anyone. To this end God has given me a joyful and fearless spirit, which I trust they shall not harm in all eternity.” Martin Luther “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I have made a vow and confirmed it; I will follow your righteous laws.” (Psalm 105:1-2) It has been about 70...

“They came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to...

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; my lot is secure.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6 When I look back over the days of my life, and the road I have traveled, the blessings that have been poured out in my life: the awesome family, the great friends, the wonderful opportunities for service, a delightful and rewarding walk with Jesus, I have so many reasons to...