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Five Steps to Peace Mike Johnson “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb (Ps. 37:1-2).” When we think of the word “fret,” we may think of someone excessively worrying or frequently […]
The Silent Killer Mike Johnson Doctors sometimes refer to high blood pressure as “the silent killer” because people often do not know they have it until the damage happens. This article is not about our physical health but rather about another silent killer condemned in the Scriptures, “bitterness.” Like high blood pressure, it often goes […]
My Sin Is Always Before Me (Psalm 51:3) Mike Johnson The writer of Psalm 51 expresses great sorrow for his sins. Most agree that David is the author, and he wrote it after his sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 11-12, we learn that David committed adultery, and then he committed murder trying to conceal […]
How Jesus Faced Temptation Mike Johnson Christians often face temptations, and new Christians are especially vulnerable to the “schemes” of the devil (Eph. 6:17). The Bible describes Satan in John 8:44, saying, “. . . He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in […]
Jesus: Intolerant, Confrontational, and Exclusionary Dan Gatlin The typical denominational view of both Father and Son is that “God is love,” and only love. What is so easily forgotten is His severity (Romans 11:22) and wrath (II Thessalonians 1:3-10). Jesus is depicted as quiet, soft-spoken, harmless, almost a wimp (nothing could be further from the […]
HOW JOSEPH RESISTED TEMPTATION Dan Richardson Temptation is something we all have in common. Scripture admonishes young people to “flee youthful lusts…” (2 Timothy 2:22), but young and old alike need to consider the temptations they face. How we respond to it is extremely important to our welfare and happiness in life, but also eternally […]
EXAGGERATION Shane Williams I heard a story recently of a woman who was talking to her preacher. She said, “I have a habit that I know is hurting my example — the habit of exaggeration. I start to tell something and I go on and on enlarging the story. People suspect that it’s not true. […]
Changing the Labels Makes Sin More Dangerous One of America’s great needs is to recognize sin for what it is. We are too prone to explain it away or to soften its horrors. Wilbur Chapman tells of a distinguished minister who preached on sin, and one of the leading members came to talk to him […]
What Is Sin? Kyle Campbell John wrote, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” By inspiration, we know the definition of sin. The word “sin” was used to describe transgression of the law, the breaking of God’s commandments. “Transgression” defined sin as rebellion against God and was […]
AN “UNFORGIVABLE” SIN? Mike Johnson 1 John 5:16 says, “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about […]
The Blessedness of Forgiveness (Psalm 32) Mike Johnson Psalm 32 describes the blessedness of forgiveness differently than in any other psalm. It describes the psychological, and perhaps physical, effects of unconfessed sins, and it speaks of the remedy for obtaining the forgiveness of sins and the happiness that follows. We often have to speculate regarding […]
WHAT IS SIN? Carrol R. Sutton There are four passages in the New Testament that state specifically what sin is. Let us Consider them. 1. ROMANS 14:23 says: “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” 2. JAMES 4:17says: “Therefore […]
Preacher’s Point “I would rather have thousands to say to me at the judgment, ‘We heard you preach, and you hurt our feelings,’ than to have just one lost soul to say, ‘[ heard you preach, but you did not tell me the truth.’” (John T. Lewis)
THE DEVIL’S YARD SALE There’s an old fable that says the Devil once held a sale and offered all the tools of his trade to anyone who would pay their price. They were spread out on the table and each one labeled. They were hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness, sensuality — all the weapons that […]
SIN “ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art- a chair affixed to a shot gun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undermined moment within the next hundred […]
DON’T PLAY WITH SIN Sin is nothing to play with. It has the strength to defeat you if you get too close to it with excessive confidence in your own strength. A well-to-do man advertised for a chauffeur. Three applicants came. His first question was, “How close to the edge of a cliff can you […]
“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 […]
“THERE’S A VAST DIFFERENCE” Selected Between being sorry for sin, And being sorry you were caught. Between confessing your sins, And confessing some other fellow’s. Between seeing your own faults, And seeing those of others. Between conversion of the head, And conversion of the heart. Between being led by the Holy Spirit, And being led […]
How Do You View Sin? Mike Johnson In our society today, there is often acceptance of sin. In the past, however, shame was often associated with sin. Today, it is common for people to openly engage in sinful practices, not even attempting to hide them. For example, although now prevalent, a couple living together was […]
The Lonely Frog John Gaines A lonely frog telephoned the Psychic Hotline and asked what his future holds. His Personal Psychic Advisor tells him, “You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you.” The frog is thrilled, “This is great!” ‘Will I meet her at a party?’” […]
LIES ABOUT SIN Becoming like Christ is a never ending process. A Christian will not come to a point when he can say there are no struggles with sin in his life. Only in heaven will we be without sin. I believe that ‘s why John warned us to look out for three lies about […]
LIFE WITHOUT LUMPS A carpet-layer had worked an hour past the time he was supposed to be home. As he was picking up his tools, he noticed a lump underneath the carpet. He felt his shirt pocket for his cigarettes (which he shouldn’t have had anyway), and sure enough, they were gone. Unwilling to spend […]
Presumptuous Sins Mike Johnson Psalm 19:13 says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.” What is a presumptuous sin? A presumptuous sin is a sin that is committed with arrogance and grows out of […]
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 […]
My Sin Is Always Before Me (Psalm 51:3) Mike Johnson The writer of Psalm 51 expresses great sorrow for his sins. Most agree that David is the author, and he wrote it after his sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 11-12, we learn that David committed adultery, and then he committed murder trying to conceal […]
Why Is Sin So Bad? (Psalm 51:4) Mike Johnson Psalm 51 is thought to have been written by David in connection with his sin with Bathsheba. You might recall that he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and he had her husband (Uriah) killed to cover up his deed. In Psalm 51, David was expressing his […]
Asking for God’s Mercy (Psalm 51:1-2) Mike Johnson Psalm 51:1-2 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” David wrote this Psalm, it is thought, after his sin […]
The Enslaving Power of Sin Mike Johnson People today often picture sin as a pleasant delight. Sin, according to many, is not something to be “avoided” but is something to be “pursued.” People view the moral teaching of God’s Word as “old-fashioned,” and those who try to adhere to the high standard of the Bible and […]
ARE WE COMPLACENT ABOUT SIN? Mike Johnson Many years ago, my wife and I moved into a house close to a well-traveled train track, which trains traveled on throughout the night. At first, the whistles from the trains woke us up. Before long, however, the passing trains rarely disturbed our sleep as we grew accustomed […]
IGNORING SIN Mike Johnson An often made statement made by people today is, “I just don’t let it bother me.” In many areas, we would all be better off taking this approach. With sin, however, this is very dangerous. Many people are very complacent regarding their sin, and instead of seeking a remedy, they ignore […]
Hate Sin! Mike Johnson The Bible has a great deal to say about the subject of hate. People typically think that Christians are not supposed to hate, and generally, this is true. However, the Bible teaches that Christians are to hate sin! Many passages speak about hating evil or sin. Romans 12:9 says that we are to […]
The “Come as You Are” Method of Church Growth Mike Johnson Churches want to grow in number, but, sadly, many improper methods are used by churches today to increase their membership. One of these is the “Come as You Are” method. This method of growth is prevalent today in denominationalism. Slogans such as “God […]
Lessons from the Tempting of Jesus Mike Johnson There are three accounts in the Bible of the temptation of Jesus. These are in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13. Matthew and Luke give a more detailed account. The accounts tell us that Satan tempted Jesus three times after he had fasted in the wilderness for […]
BLAMING OTHERS FOR OUR SINS Mike Johnson It is widespread for people to blame their mistakes on others; we tend to want to shift responsibility. People also blame SIN on other people. Many did this in biblical times; regrettably, the blaming of sin on others also takes place a lot today. Commonly blamed for people’s sins […]