#PassageToPonder

[preacherman316]

Matthew 26:36-46--When The Flesh is Weak

It was the beginning of 3 days that these 3 men would never forget. Never. The hour was late. Much had happened. The last supper. Prideful posturing. Washing feet. Judas’ departure. And the ensuing walk across the Kedron valley with Jesus teaching. Encouraging. Comforting. Promising. Continue reading Matthew 26:36-46–When The Flesh is Weak

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1 Corinthians 1:18

The famed Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, who died in 1950, made this request regarding his funeral and burial. Continue reading 1 Corinthians 1:18

[preacherman316]

Psalm 119:18--Open My Eyes

Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth thou hast for me; Place in my hand the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free. The words of this hymn, written by Midwesterner, Clara H. Scott, have been sung by Christians for over 125 years. Each stanza speaks to an increasing awareness and receptivity to God’s Word. Open eyes. Open ears. Open mouth. Open heart. Continue reading Psalm…

[preacherman316]

Daniel 3--Unbending Commitment

Yesterday’s lesson at the Temple Terrace VBS was instructive, exciting, challenging, and inspiring. And not just for the kids My good friend and preaching colleague, Ralph Walker, presented an engaging lesson that paralleled the children study of the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who along with Daniel were in Babylonian captivity. While there is no way we can capture the…

[preacherman316]

Romans 12:17-21

Missouri minister William Hooper tells a story about a mother working in the kitchen and hearing her 7 year-old son screaming at the top of lungs. When she ran into the next room to see what was wrong, she discovered her 2 year-old daughter was pulling her brother’s hair. After unclenching the baby’s hand she says to her son who’s very angry, “You have to overlook this. Your sister doesn’t know…

[preacherman316]

Romans 6:20-23

  The late Erskine “Erk” Russell was an American football, basketball, track and baseball player and coach. For 17 years Russell served as the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs (1964-1981). As the first head coach of the of the Georgia Southern Eagles (1981-1989), he revived the program from a “40 year dormancy” and “established a standard of excellent during his tenure.” Known for…

[preacherman316]

Psalm 63--"Soul Thirst"

“In the deep recesses of man’s soul lies an overwhelming yearning toward the Creator,” penned A. W. Tozer in the beginning lines of his book “Experiencing the Presence of God.” That yearning has been described and depicted in various ways by a variety of authors over the years. Mike Cope calls it a “holy hunger.” Martin De Hann refers to it as a “radical reliance.” Continue reading Psalm 63–“Soul…

[preacherman316]

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

  “Conscience tells us that we ought to do right, but it does not tell us what right is–that we are taught by God’s word,” once wrote the 19th century editor and author H. C. Trumbull This text deals with matters of conscience, Christian freedom, and personal responsibility. It speaks our relationship to fellow Christians to respect their conscience, while not allowing their conscience to be our…

[preacherman316]

Acts 13:36

John W. Gardner, who wrote the book “Excellence” says we have the potential to make a difference, not only in our own lives. But also in the lives of those we meet. Gardner illustrates that point by relating the true story of a cheerful gentleman who invested his life in others. When the old fellow met people he never asked the conventional questions that we usually ask such as “What do you do…

[preacherman316]

Acts 4:5-31

Names mean something. For instance in America when you hear the name Patrick Henry, you think of patriotism, heroism, and courage. “Give me liberty, or give me death!” he proclaimed. On the other hand, Benedict Arnold conjurers up thoughts of betrayal, treason and disgrace. Continue reading Acts 4:5-31

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Luke 10:25-37

Good Samaritan Hospital. Good Samaritan Clinic. Good Samaritan Society. Good Samaritan Inn. Good Samaritan Community. Good Samaritan Church. Good Samaritan Academy. All of the above plus Samaritan’s Purse, Samaritan Project, Samaritan Ministry and many more institutions of mercy derive their name from today’s text and its hero, identified for all time as “The Good Samaritan.” Continue reading…

[preacherman316]

Ephesians 2:1-10

Today’s text reminds us of the popular hymn penned by Julia H. Johnston (1849-1919), “Grace Greater Than Our Sin.” Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured– There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt {shed} In Ephesians  2:1-10, Paul takes them (and us) from the depths of despair and Satan’s snare to the heights of greater…

[preacherman316]

Mark 8:34-38

Remember the Ukrainian born comedian Yakov Smirnoff who began his career in Russia, then migrated to the United States? He’s actually still performing in Branson. When Smirnoff first came to the US he said that he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in grocery stores. “On my first shopping trip, I saw powered milk. You just add water, and you get…

[preacherman316]

Psalm 136:1-3

Sunday our family visited the Skyview Church in Pinellas Park where Charles Murray serves as one of the pastors as well as a preacher. His sermon text was from Psalm 136 on the topic of “Thanksgiving,” which is a wonderful passage for us to ponder prior to our American Thanksgiving Day. Continue reading Untitled

[preacherman316]

John 18:15-26

Bob Russell, a Kentucky preacher, recalls a class when his 5th grade Bible class teacher told about a King who was looking for a new chariot driver. Three men sought the job and were taken up a winding mountain road to a dangerous precipice. As a test of their driving skills they were each asked, “How close could you drive your chariot to the edge of this cliff?” The first replied, “I think I…

[preacherman316]

John 14:1-16:33

There’s an old saying regarding Biblical interpretation that “a text taken out of context is a pretext.” In other words, it speaks to the perils of proof texting, making the Bible say whatever you want it to mean. In today’s passage  (highlighted in Mark Robert’s 5 Day Bible Reading program this week) many have lifted verses from this section to apply them in ways Jesus never intended regarding…