Today's Verse: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; ~1 Corinthians 1:4-5 Corinth was a large and thriving city during the first century. It was a city where idolatrous practices and sin abounded. God placed this city on Paul’s heart to plant a church there. God worked mightily through Paul’s ministry — many were saved and baptized, an

Today's Verse: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: ~John 11:25 The word "Easter" is found once in the Bible, and it is the word “paschal,” from which we get "Passover." Easter refers to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” In this one sentence, Jesus powerfully

Today's Verse: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: ~John 11:25 The entertainment industry has mesmerized America with the concept of dead people coming back to life as zombies that terrorize communities. It is an accepted fact that once all life activity in a person ceases, that person is dead. When there is a death, it is accepted that the deceased is gone from this life. When Lazarus di

Today's Verse: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ~Acts 13:2 Missions is the work of the church sending laborers into the fields that are white unto harvest. It is the church taking the gospel message to local and foreign communities and bringing the multitudes that are lost in sin to Christ. Henry Martyn said, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we

Today's Verse: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ~1 Peter 2:21 Has anyone ever said to you, “That’s a step in the right direction”? It’s a way of saying that you are headed on the right path, that you are making progress, and that you are going forward and not backwards. Our sinful nature tends to reject and go against what is right. When we decide to follow the Lord Jesus in every

Today's Verse: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: ~1 Peter 3:15 Many times people have questions about the Bible and the Christian life. They might hear something said in the pastor’s message that they did not completely understand. In order to help someone get a good grasp on a subject, you allow them to ask questions. This enables them to o

Today's Verse: Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: ~Amos 7:7-8 If you have ever tried to make a straight line, you probably realized that you need a measuring device to help you make sure the line was truly

Today's Verse: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. ~Revelation 2:17 Some people are collectors of stones. They collect stones that are colorful. They collect stones that date back to a different era. In some cases, they use these stones as decoration piece

Today's Verse: But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: ~ Malachi 3:2 Have you ever done a load of white laundry only to be disappointed that the white clothes did not come out as clean as you had anticipated? Perhaps you tried applying a stronger detergent or more bleach to get the effect you wanted. At His Second Coming, our Lord Jesus is described as a refiner’s fire and a ful

Today's Verse: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. ~Malachi 4:2 Malachi 4 is prophetic in its message. In this chapter, we see the judgment of sinners. "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall

Today's Verse: Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. ~Daniel 2:34 Our church area is surrounded by many companies specializing in the sale of granite and stonework for kitchen countertops, flooring, and decoration. Before stonework comes to the marketplace for sale, it has to be cut out of larger masses of rock. In many cases, it is cut from an actual mountain, recut

Today's Verse: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ~1 John 3:2 As a pastor, I have the privilege of visiting many people during a week’s time. I encourage members to introduce me to other family members. Sometimes after a visit, my wife comments on how family members either look alike or do not look alike. Those who look alike are easier

Today's Verse: And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:8 Today is Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, it is associated with love and romance. The highest word for "love" is the Greek word "agape." Agape refers to the love of God. When we use it in the context of loving people, it implies loving people as God loves them. The word “charity” that the King James translators used for agape love had a much

Today's Verse: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~1 John 1:9 Many times after someone receives Christ as Savior, they are concerned about what happens when they sin. They are concerned if they will lose their salvation. They are concerned about how to deal with sin after they are saved. So, this morning, let us consider the sin question after we’re saved. We see the impact of our covering.

Today's Verse: They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. ~Deuteronomy 32:5 Do you have a birthmark? This is typically a blemish you are born with that stays with you for your entire life. It is an identifier for an individual. For parents who have identical twins or triplets, a birthmark helps them tell the children apart. In our passage this morning, God speaks of people who were spotted or had b

Today's Verse: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. ~1 John 2:18 What does the phrase “the last time” bring to your mind? Paul, Peter, and John all wrote that we are in the last time. The phrase refers to the closing days of this world before Jesus comes for every true believer and, following that, a time of terrible judgment and the wrath of God

Today's Verse: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. ~Acts 1:11 Years ago, I took a missions trip to an upper interior area of China. This area was once a part of the rule of Genghis Khan, the Mongolian conqueror. My team and I met at a house church there that was very friendly and inquisitive of us. After 3-4 days of pr

Today's Verse: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. ~Psalm 48:1 Is there a bucket list of cities you hope to visit one day? Is there a city that stands out as your favored city? When we think of a favored city, we think of iconic sites, eateries, people, and things to do. We prefer places that are safe. We prefer places where others share the same good opinion about those places. This morning, we are taking a

Today's Verse: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ~Luke 2:11 Today is Christmas! Most people will spend this day with family over a sumptuous meal, open presents, and just having a well-deserved day off. However, above all of these traditions is the fact that Christmas Day is about Jesus and His entry into this world. This morning, let us reflect on the announcement the angels gave to the shepherds the night Jesus was bo

Today's Verse: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7 One of the things I like about presents is how beautifully they are wrapped. Some people really put a lot of effort into getting beautiful gift wrapping, bows, and ribbons. Then, they are craftsmen on how well they wrap the present. I sometimes feel bad tearing apart a beautifully wrapped gift! When