What If?
Have you ever heard of, or better yet, played the "what if" game? Surely, you are affirmatively shaking your head. In this game, a "what if" situation or event is given, and those participating are challenged to present different plausibilities to complete the scenario. Here's an example — what if Billy (that's me) walks into a Whataburger restaurant? I won't announce my thoughts, but rather leave the possible results to your imagination. Here’s a “what if” (well, maybe several) for you personally and/or your ministry to ask. "What if" we quit treating the Book of Acts as though it is just a...
What Translation of the Bible Are They Reading?
Many years ago, I heard the story of a group of pastors who were debating the merits of different Bible translations. One pastor told his peers that he always used the King James Version in his preaching because of its richness in conveying God’s Word. Another pastor said that the Amplified Translation was his favorite because it greatly enlarged the shades and meanings of various words in each verse. Another pastor stated that he loved to preach from the Living Translation because of its fluidity and ease. The discussion continued for some time until a young lady in the back of the...
Let’s Make History
Some blog postings require sentence after sentence and paragraph after paragraph in order to share my thoughts. Here’s a thought that only takes a few words. It’s taken from a brief quote from one of my favorite preachers, Leonard Ravenhill. “I’m sick and tired of (only) reading about church history; let’s make (some) by the grace of God!” ~ Leonard Ravenhill The Holy Spirit of old that equipped and empowered the men and women in the Book of Acts to impact lives, cities, and nations is still the same today. I can't write this more emphatically — lives, cities, and nations are waiting on you....
Want to Experience a Fresh Wind of the Spirit?
In recently reading Dr. Lester Sumrall’s Pioneers of Faith, I discovered a statement that is so, so, so, so (should I continue?) powerful. Here it is … “The majority of people throughout Church history never move beyond their first blessing from God – the salvation experience. When John Wesley began to preach sanctification – the cleaning up and discipline of your life – many denominations did not even look around. They said, “We’ve already got it all.” Once the average believer gets in a groove, that is exactly where he or she dies. We are creatures of habit. We move ahead in almost...
What Have We Done to His Church?
Some time ago, I came across a book that quickly became a much-welcomed addition to my library, J.B. Phillips’ The Young Church in Action. This book, published in 1955, is a translation of the Book of Acts and is a forerunner to his New Testament in Modern English. While I’ve had his New Testament in Modern English translation as part of my library for over 40 years, having The Young Church in Action excites me because this book adds something that wasn’t included in his translation of the entire New Testament, namely, Phillips’ preface to his translation. After reading this preface, I knew...
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