The story of Saul, the first king of the twelve tribes of Israel, is, for the most part, a troubling and sad story. He started with such promise. In the beginning, he was a humble man, feeling unworthy to be king. Apparently, however, he let the position fill him with arrogance and pride, causing him…
Like many of you, I grew up hearing people testify to being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. It was a three-step process, and you should be able to identify when each one happened. I know a minister who was initially refused a ministerial license because he could not tell the committee when…
The ancient way of establishing a covenant was to “cut a covenant.” The Hebrew word for “covenant” is “berîyth” and it is derived from a root word that means “to cut.” Ancient covenants were established by the cutting of animals into two parts. The contracting parties would then pass between the animal parts. They were…
From my youth, I was taught that a man is only as good as his word. I remember when significant agreements were finalized with just a handshake. No signed document was needed; just a promise and a handshake were sufficient. Of course, not everyone is trustworthy. In that case, no amount of signed papers will…
1 John chapter 2 discusses those who desire to overcome the “wicked one.” In verses 15-17, he says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of…
Around 1973, the comedian, Flip Wilson, no relation to me, created an expression that became famous. One of his characters, Geraldine, said, “The devil made me do it.” While people have been using that excuse since the Garden of Eden, whether or not they actually said it in those words, it suddenly was ingrained in…