There is a general sense in which every person is a recipient of the kindness of God that sustains life. But it is a far greater thing to be enriched by divine favor. In this regard, some of blessed; others are not. Deep down, every human soul desires to be blessed by God. Many do not acknowledge, understand, or embrace this longing. They spend their lives seeking worldly blessings that do not satisfy. Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow to it.” What is the blessed life? Psalm 128 answers.  The ascription reads: A Song of Ascents. Psalms 120-134...

Warren Wiersbe wrote of Native American chiefs and warriors who met in 1805 at Buffalo Creek, New York, to hear a minister from the Boston Missionary Society present the gospel. In response, Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs, responded: “Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then...

Identity crisis is a developmental event in which a person experiences confusion, uncertainty, or reorientationof their sense of self. It is to struggle with the question, “Who am I?” It happens when children become teenagers. It happens when youth pass from adolescence to adulthood. It happens when adults face postpartum depression, midlife crisis, or empty-nest syndrome.  An identity crisis is not exclusive to people. Institutions can also suffer an identity crisis. An organization can lose its sense of purpose, mission, and calling. The church can also suffer an identity crisis. The 16th-century Protestant Reformation was a turning point in which the church worked through an identity crisis. Revival functions the same way. Revival is secondarily about...

Under Construction. Excuse Our Mess.Open During Renovation.  When you see these signs, what is your response? Do you boycott that establishment until changes are made? You will if that place or thing does not matter to you. If it is important to you, you will continue to patronize it even with some things out of order.  We respond that way to every institution except the church. Many people’s commitment to the church is sustained as long as they can maintain some false notion of the perfect church. Once they discover something that fails to live up to expectations, they change churches, devalue the church, or abandon the church. There are no perfect churches. The church is...

Isaiah 49 begins with what is called a Servant Songs There are four Servant Songs in Isaiah’s. These songs are about the Servant of the Lord, the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel had failed God as his representative to the nations. But God's redemptive plan was not thwarted. God’s anointed Servant would fulfill his plans for Israel and the nations.  Verse 13 records the proper response to this good news: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.” Sovereign grace invokes universal praise. All creation should sing praise for God’s comfort and compassion toward his afflicted people. ...

Jeremiah’s warnings of judgment were finally coming to pass. Nebuchadnezzar surrounded Jerusalem. His armies would soon attack Judah, destroy the holy city, and take the people into Babylonian Captivity. Jeremiah was in prison. He had counseled Judah’s king to surrender Nebuchadnezzar. Defeat was inevitable. The prophet was arrested for treason for telling the truth. Jeremiah 33:1 says, “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard.” God is good all the time. God is at his best when things are at their worst.  In this moment of crisis, the word of the Lord...

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2:4-5 "How the Lord Builds the Church" (1 Peter 2:4-5) | H.B. Charles Jr.

During a panel discussion at a pastor’s conference, a well-known pastor was asked what he had done to build his church. The questioner wanted him to share insights into successful church growth. The pastor claimed he had done nothing to build his church. Surprised by the answer, the questioner pressed the pastor to say more. With such a large and prominent church, surely the pastor had done something to build it up. The pastor held his ground. He had done nothing to build up the church. “I didn’t know that was my job,” he added. “I thought it was Jesus’...

1 Thessalonians is about what it means to live in anticipation of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, Paul teaches the church how to live for Christ in the meantime. These final instructions of the letter fall into four categories: Verses 12-13 teach the church to submit to their leaders. Verses 14-15 teach the responsibility members have to one another. Verses 16-18 teach the saints to live joyfully in the will of God. Verses 19-21 teach the congregation how to respond to divine revelation. These final instructions begin with a lesson about the harmony in...

The opening chapter of 1 Peter has two sections: Verses 3-12 praise God for our great salvation in Christ. Verses 13-25 teach us how to respond to our great salvation. This lesson is Christian conduct consists of four exhortations. Verse 13 says, "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Verse 15 says, "As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." Verse 17 says, "Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile." Verse 22 says, "Love one another earnestly from...

Emperor Domitian deemed the aged Apostle John a threat to the Roman Empire. Domitian canceled John banishing him to the deserted isle of Patmos. His planned backfired. John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. As he worshiped, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed himself to John. John's persecution was a microcosm of what churches throughout the Roman Empire faced. The Lord wanted them to know that he cared. He wanted them to know that he was at work and would prevail in the end. The Lord commissioned John to write seven churches in Asia Minor. Before John could represent...

John 19 records three words from the cross. John 19:26-27 is the word of compassion: "Woman, behold, your son!" "Behold, your mother." John 19:28-29 is the word of suffering: "I thirst." John 19:30 is the word of victory: "It is finished." Feel the tension between the word of suffering and the word of victory. On the tree of death, the Water of Life cried out, "I thirst." The word of suffering was not the last word. From the parched lips of this crucified Savior comes a shout of victory: "It is finished!" Jesus did not say, "I am finished." He...