Here I Raise My Ebenezer

From time to time we sing the song, “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The second verse begins with the phrase, “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’ve come.” This term (Ebenezer) is not one we use today, yet it is important for us to understand the words we sing. Paul said we are to “sing with the spirit, and…with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15, KJV).

In this article, we are going to look at the story in the Old Testament about the Ebenezer. This was a stone set up to remind the Israelites of an important lesson. As we look at this, we will see some lessons for us as well.Continue Reading

Remembering Jesus’ Words

Pointing at Bible

On the first day of the week following Jesus’ crucifixion, a group of women came to the tomb and discovered it to be empty (Luke 23:55-24:3). Instead of finding the body of Jesus, they saw two angels who explained why Jesus was not there:

Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:5-7).

At this point, Luke indicated that they “remembered His words” (Luke 24:8). After that, they went and told others (Luke 24:9). In other words, remembering what Jesus had said led them to action.

In this article, we are going to discuss why we are to remember Jesus’ words, how to do this, and what we should do with His words once we get to the point of remembering them.Continue Reading

Good Things to Do When You’re Older

Old man by the water

In a previous article, we discussed some good things to do when one is young. We focused on what young people are to do in order to enjoy life while also pleasing the Lord.

What if we are not young anymore? What responsibilities do we have when we are older?

This is not just about what we are to do when we are “old” (however we want to define that) or at the end of our lives (though it would certainly include that). This is a wide age range, from around 30 years old and up – old enough to influence young adults until death. What does the Bible say about what is good to do when we are older? We will notice six things.Continue Reading

Weekly and Yearly Observances (Season 3, Episode 6)

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Weekly and Yearly Observances (Season 3, Episode 6)

Leviticus 23 addresses the various weekly and yearly observances given by God for the people. There are eight of these in this chapter – one weekly observance (the Sabbath day) and seven yearly observances. Each of these was for a different purpose. In this episode, we’re going to look at seven of these observances and see how the reminders for the Israelites are just as necessary for us. So let’s consider the weekly and yearly observances given in the book of Leviticus.

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Advice to Young Preachers (Season 1, Episode 5)

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Advice to Young Preachers (Season 1, Episode 5)

This episode discusses several pieces of advice to young preachers. These are not bits of wisdom that I have discovered through decades of experience in preaching the gospel – in fact, I am still a relatively young preacher myself. Rather, they are admonitions that are taken from the word of God that all young (and older) preachers should follow. The following points are discussed in this episode:

  1. Preach the word.
  2. Study your Bible.
  3. Test all things carefully.
  4. Preach plainly and distinctly.
  5. Seek to please God and not man.
  6. Guard against a party spirit.
  7. Know when and when not to compromise.
  8. Do not view preaching as a “job.”
  9. Do not gauge success by numbers.
  10. Put the brethren in remembrance.

Article: Advice to Young Preachers

If you found this episode to be useful, please share it with others. Also, if you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. This also helps others hear about the podcast. Thanks.

The Psalm of the Word (Part 7): Remembrance

The Psalm of the Word

Remember the word to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me.

The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O Lord,
And comfort myself.

Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who forsake Your law.

Your statutes are my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.

O Lord, I remember Your name in the night,
And keep Your law.

This has become mine,
That I observe Your precepts.

(Psalm 119:49-56)

This lesson will address the importance of remembering God’s word. His word will not do us any good if we do not know it. Furthermore, God’s word will not help us if we forget it. So let us consider what the psalmist said about remembering God’s word – why to do it and how to do it.
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There Is No Lasting Remembrance (4/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Chronicles 1-2.

The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi and Oman. And the sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. The son of Anah was Dishon. And the sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran. The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran” (1 Chronicles 1:39-42).

The first two chapters of 1 Chronicles trace the genealogy from Adam, including the families that are somehow related to the record of Biblical history. Some names – such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – are familiar to us. However, many of the names are not. For most of these individuals, we know little (if any) more than the fact that they were part of these genealogies.
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