Category Archives: Commitment

Baptists, Sacrifices, & Mark Twain

A man was robbing a train and came to the seat of a preacher. The robber shoved his gun into the preacher’s chest and said, “Gimme your money.” The preacher said, “But you wouldn’t rob a preacher, would you?” The … Continue reading

Posted in Alcohol, Backsliding, Character, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Drugs, Faithfulness, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Sin, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Spirit is Willing, But the Flesh is Weak

Let’s say that a man makes a weekly habit of taking a walk in the woods on Sunday rather than attending church. One Sunday he sees an angry bear running toward him. He says, “God, if you will keep me … Continue reading

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Obedience, Personal Holiness | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Native American Chief & Jesus

A Christian missionary preached to a tribe of Native Americans, telling them that Jesus Christ, who was God in human flesh, had voluntarily died for their sins. The tribe’s elderly Chief was very moved by Christ’s sacrifice and decided to … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Brokenness, Commitment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faith, Man's Freewill, Missions, Preaching, Sacrifice, Salvation, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Kind of Shape Are You in Spiritually?

Christian, perhaps you are one of the hordes of people who have hit the new year full bore with a new diet or workout routine. Well, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. But even as you try to get yourself … Continue reading

Posted in Balance, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Dieting, Discipleship, Giving, New Year, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Sanctification, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Maybe it’s Time to Sharpen Your Blade

If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10, N.K.J.V.) This verse teaches us the value of working smarter rather than harder. Obviously, sharpening the edge of a … Continue reading

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Church Attendance, Commitment, Confession, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, New Year, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Repentance, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Importance of Speaking Up

In the summer of 2011, Tonya and I loaded the boys into the Dodge Caravan and headed down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a vacation. Ryan was fourteen years old at the time and Royce was ten. One experience … Continue reading

Posted in Church Discipline, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Honesty, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Personal, Problems, Reward, Sanctification, Service, Sin, The Tongue, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Training to Be Used Mightily

A budding young soloist went to a great Italian musician for voice training. The master handed him a piece of music and said, “Practice this for one full year and then return here.” The request seemed a bit strange, but … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Commitment, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Impatience, Ministry, Music, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Rebellion, Reward, Submission, Teaching, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Danger of Silence

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give … Continue reading

Posted in Abortion, Adultery, Coming Judgment, Commitment, Communication, Criticism, Current Events, Doctrine, Doing Good, Drugs, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Homosexuality, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Politics, Preaching, Scripture, Service, Sin, The Bible, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Criticism

I once heard Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, tell a great story in his sermon. The story went as follows. A man and his wife walked into a store. A parrot sitting on a perch … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Commitment, Criticism, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, Humor, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Next Day

Let a man consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, N.K.J.V.) One day some of Napoleon’s officers came to him … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Work, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Righteousness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment