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What Might Have Been Barney L. Keith How painful is the thought expressed by one of the great poets, John Greenleaf Whittier: “For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘It might have been!”’ Many a person has thrown away his life in drug addiction (including alcohol). Numerous are those […]
TURNING FORGIVENESS AROUND Greg Gwin We hear it frequently in the news these days. It has been a common defense in some high-profile criminal cases. The basic argument is that people can be excused for committing even hideous crimes if they can demonstrate that something awful happened in their past. Unfortunately, this approach has proven […]
“. . . Except You Repent” Bobby Graham “. . . but unless you repent you will all like-wise perish” (Luke 13:3). The same requirement here stated regarding certain ones is elsewhere applied to all people, for “God commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Because it requires a change of mind and subsequent […]
Do We Honor Our Rulers? Dylan Stewart Social media is rampant with people – even Christians – making daily, sometimes hourly posts criticizing our governmental leaders. It does not matter what side of the political spectrum you may fall on, it is so easy to constantly dwell on the negative that the rulers of […]
The Parable of the Lost Son Mike Johnson There are three very well know parables recorded in Luke 15. They are the parables of the “Lost Sheep,” the “Lost Coin,” and the “Lost Son.” The setting in which Jesus presented these parables is in verses 1-2. The publicans and sinners had drawn near Christ, prompting the Pharisees and scribes […]
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS Mike Johnson This intriguing parable is recorded in Matthew 21:28-32. At this point, Jesus’ enemies were intensely trying to discredit Him. After their attempt, He presented “The Parable of the Two Sons.” Verses 23-27 reveal the circumstances surrounding this parable. The chief priests and elders had asked Jesus, “By […]
A PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS Mike Johnson Consider the following quote regarding Psalm 25. The sob of a great sorrow sounds throughout this psalm. The circumstances of its writing were those of desolation, affliction, distress, travail, as the latter part especially shows. Yet the main content is one full of help to all who are in […]
THE UNKNOWN GOD Mike Johnson At the Areopagus, in the very well know city of Athens, Paul preached a sermon to a group of philosophers and well-educated men. He started his lesson by saying, “for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: […]
“Blot Out My Transgressions” Mike Johnson In II Samuel 11 and 12, we can read the story where David committed adultery with Bathsheba. To cover up his sin, he had her husband, Uriah, murdered. Nathan, a prophet of God, eventually confronted him. At this point, David admitted he had sinned against the Lord. Most agree […]
“Have Mercy Upon Me, O God!” (Psalm 51) Mike Johnson In the Old Testament, there is a particular psalm in which the author expresses the depths of his heart in asking God for forgiveness. He seems to have a childlike faith in God’s mercy and shows much profoundness and tenderness. Psalm 51 is often called […]
A Broken & Contrite Heart (Psalm 51:16-17) Mike Johnson In Psalm 51, the writer expresses great sorrow for the sins he had committed. According to the notes at the beginning of this Psalm, David wrote it after his sin with Bathsheba. He repeatedly asked God for mercy and forgiveness. Consider verses 16-17, which say, “For You […]
Restore Unto Me the Joy of Your Salvation (Psalm 51:12) Mike Johnson According to the beginning notes of Psalm 51, David is its author, and he wrote the Psalm after his sin with Bathsheba. Engulfed with emotion, he is asking God to have mercy on him and extend His forgiveness. In the first part of […]