Category: Christian Living

This past week I came across an article that was being shared on Facebook. It was a nice, “feel good” article. The article was reporting on a recent visit to the metroplex by movie star Kevin Costner. It seems that he had rented a car and was traveling west, when he had a flat on his rental car near Weatherford. He was grateful that several complete strangers stopped to help him change the tire. He noted that such friendliness is rare, and not to be found in Los Angeles.

Problem is, the story was a hoax, as many such posts are on the internet. Some such false reports are very destructive, as lies are told, retold and spread, often to bolster a particular political position or point of view. Too often, Christians participate (often unintentionally) in spreading such lies.

Continue reading “Think Before You Share!” →

Our lives consist of a series of choices. The choices we make determine the path that our life will take. Wrong turns can have tragic consequences, but good choices can make for a joyous and fulfilling tenure here on earth. Of course, our choices can also impact our eternal standing with God. The mansion prepared for us by the Lord (cf. John 14:1-2) hangs in the balance, dependent upon the decisions we make.

The life of Moses serves as a wonderful example in this regard. His life was first influenced by the decision made by his mother. “So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months” (Exodus 2:2). When she could hide him no longer, her desperate act to save her son resulted in Moses being raised by the daughter of Pharaoh.

Continue reading “Making Good Choices” →

The most potent weapon Christians have in combating life’s difficulties and the despair that accompanies them is the realization that our ultimate victory has already been secured through the work of our Lord. Paul acknowledged this reality in 1 Corinthians 15 as he wrote of the significance of Christ’s resurrection.

If Christ has not been raised from the dead after dying for our sins, Paul noted, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (17-18). But, because Christ has gained victory over death, the reality is far different! “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (19). Our confidence lies in the fact of Christ’s accomplishment. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the faithful will be as well, as He promised! Paul wrote, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (57).

Continue reading “Superconquerors!” →

It is a bit disconcerting how far our world has strayed from the paths of righteousness. The wise man once wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). These words are true wisdom, and the sinfulness of our society certainly is a reproach to our nation.

It is hard for the Christian to understand how the world has reached the state it is presently in. We are truly living in a time similar to that which existed during Isaiah’s tenure on earth, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21). How did we get here? Consider the following anecdote.

Continue reading ““We are … the thought leaders”” →

The wise man of Ecclesiastes had it right in despairing of a contemplated life without God’s presence. “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Life only has meaning if God is in the picture. Otherwise, it is without any lasting value or purpose. Men everywhere live out their short existence on earth without hope beyond the grave. Such an existence is truly vain. “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever” (1:4).

Many of the problems we have with sorrow and despair come from this flawed perspective on life. Above all other things, we must recognize our purpose on earth is to serve God. If we do, we can with that realization have a happy and productive life, and after, a sure hope of eternal bliss. As the wise man concluded in his contemplation of life, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (12:13-14).

Continue reading “The Path to Joy” →

In Acts 10 we have the record of Peter’s sermon in Cornelius’ house. In verse 38 Peter related how, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

A major point of Peter’s statement was the power given to Jesus. This power to perform such miracles identifies Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

However, you might also note that He went about doing good. Jesus is not only our Master, He is a righteous Master! In this, He serves as our example. We are to do good, because we are to strive to be like Him! “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master…” (Matthew 10:24-25).

Jesus went about doing good! Are you?

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Relationships are hard. Lots of women are looking for love. Hopefully, Christian women are searching for a man who is worthy of a possible lifetime commitment.

While some care about whether a man is athletic, good looking, funny or educated, hopefully a Christian woman is more interested in finding a man who will represent, (as closely as possible), the ideal for a potential future husband and father.

Continue reading “Video Transcript: 6 Traits of a “Dateworthy” Man” →

Sermon by Bob Ward

In 1 Peter 2:13-17, the Apostle Peter indicated that we are to “Honor the King.” The lesson discusses the appropriateness of Christians involving themselves in the political process, and the issues of the day.

Audio

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

• Sojourners (a foreigner or stranger), and pilgrims (a resident foreigner) describe the Christian’s presence on earth. Your citizenship is elsewhere, though you labor on this earth for a short while before going to the eternal kingdom to which you rightly belong.
• This world is characterized by ungodliness. This ungodliness is destructive to the eternal soul, and should be avoided. As a Christian, you are in the world, but you are not to be of the world.
• By living righteously, you serve as a wonderful influence to those who are not Christians. While enemies of the cross will speak evil of you and your faith, a righteous life will win many converts to God’s way. Jesus said you are to be “the light of the world.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16).

Like Timothy, you are to take heed to God’s will for you. As you live righteously before Him, you will be able to “save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).

David asked, what can the righteous do? A question we should ask in our world today, where enemies of the cross abound. As we trust in our God, we know that a prayerful, righteous life will bring hope and victory.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

In Romans 13:11-14, the apostle Paul informs Christians of the need to fulfill their reponsibilities of faith, as the day of salvation nears.

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Powerpoint Slides

In Exodus 4, God showed Moses that the rod in his hand could be used to prove to the people that He had chosen Moses to lead them out of Egyptian bondage.

We also have things in our hand, which if used well, can accomplish God’s purposes for us in our lives.

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The good confession Paul refers to in 1 Timothy 6:6-11 is that Jesus is the King of the Jews, the Annointed, the Son of the living God. This is why it is so important to live for Him.

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“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the ineritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24).

Have you considered that every aspect of your existence here on earth is to be controlled by the Lord? That in every relationship you have – familial, fraternal, civic or business – your words and actions are to accord with the will of Jesus Christ.

The words, “for you serve the Lord Christ” require of you honesty, industry, mercy and love. Respect for authority comes directly from a respect for Christ’s authority. A flouting of any authority, be it the President, a police officer, or your employer, constitutes a flouting of the authority of your Lord.

Remember, whatever you do is to be done, not as to men, but rather “as to the Lord.” You belong to Him!

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