Before electricity, a famous musician performed a sold-out concert on a pump organ. After the concert, the young man who pumped the organ said to the musician, “We had a great concert tonight, didn’t we?” “We did not have anything,” replied the offended maestro. “I had a great performance.” Nothing happened the following evening when the musician began to tickle the keys. He kept playing, waiting for the sound of music, but to no avail. The musician finally went behind the organ and asked the young man, “What’s going on?” He replied, “It looks like you’re not having a performance tonight!”  That...

In Springs in the Valley, Lettie Cowman writes of a man who found a barn where Satan stored the seeds he sows in the human heart. The seeds of discouragement were more numerous than the others. Satan claimed they could be made to grow almost anywhere. But Satan reluctantly admitted there was one place he could never get the seeds of discouragement to grow. “Where is that?” the man asked. Satan answered, “In the heart of a grateful person.” The story is mythical. The point is accurate. Discouragement cannot grow in the heart of a grateful person. The Apostle Paul is exhibit A. Satan did...

Warren Wiersbe wrote of a pastor concerned about unsavory businesses that opened near a school. His protests led to a court case. The defense attorney tried to embarrass the minister. “Are you not a pastor?” the lawyer asked. “And doesn’t the word ‘pastor’ mean ‘shepherd’?” The pastor agreed. “Well, if you are a shepherd, why are you not out taking care of the sheep?” The pastor answered, “Because I’m here today fighting the wolves.”  Epaphras visited Paul, who was under house arrest in Rome. He reported about the church at Colossae. Paul thanked God when he heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all the...

The Supremacy of Jesus Christ 2017

Living With Heavenly Priorities (Colossians 3:1-4)

Evangelism As A Way Of Life (Colossians 4:5-6)