“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Prov. 18:10)                In the city I live in, there is an old fort called James White’s Fort.  I can remember taking field trips there as a child.  From our studies in school we learned that a fort is a place of protection.  As a youngster I can remember standing outside the walls of the fort and thinking of how ...  Read More

“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” (Psalm 71:18)                We go through many stages in life – infant, toddler, child, youth, adult, and finally senior adult.  Maybe you’re already a senior citizen, or perhaps you’re making plans for the time when you’ll reach advanced age ...  Read More

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)                The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It’s also the world’s leading cause of disability.  That said, there are many forms of depression – r...  Read More

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)                The use of the word “love” has become pretty trivial in our English language.  Don’t get wrong – sometimes it is used to express that deep-seated emotion that can’t be adequately expressed with words.  At other times, it is used in reference to trivial things.  We say, “I love pizza,” “I l...  Read More

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”  (John 14:6)                The Gospel of John gives us a very special glimpse into the final hours of Jesus on this earth.  John chapters 13-21 focus on the final 24 hours of Christ’s life.  Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, washed their feet, then proceeded to give then som...  Read More

“Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God…Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.” (1 Kings 18:24, 38)                Since the beginning of time, men have been fashioning other gods in their quest f...  Read More

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:3-5)                We live in a day filled with man...  Read More

“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43)                When you get right down to it, there are two kinds of people in the world – man-pleasers and God-pleasers.  Let’s start with man-pleasers – they’re...  Read More

“’You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love.”  (1 Kings 11:2)                When you read the term “intermarriage” what comes to mind?  In our culture, most people would probably think about a person of one race marrying a person of a different race.  You might be surprised to know that interraci...  Read More

“Jesus wept.”  (John 11:35)                Have you ever made a commitment to memorize more of God’s Word?  If so, how are things going?  If your answer is “not so good,” then I suggest you start with today’s verse.  As you may know, this is the shortest verse in the Word of God.  Though it is very brief, entire sermons and volumes have been written about its meaning.  This verse is inserted by Jo...  Read More

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26)                The Gospel of John is like none other, and it contains seven “I AM” statements from the lips of Jesus.  For instance, Jesus said, “I am the Bread of life…the Light of the world…t...  Read More

“The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.”     (Prov. 17:14)                Some things were a constant in the house I grew up in.  For instance, we went to church every Lord’s Day.  When Sunday morning rolled around, we didn’t even have to ask, “Are we going to church today?”.  The answer was always YES.  In the Stinnett household, we als...  Read More