By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 7:13-15, 19-21, 25-26; 8:1 I remember those days playing high school football when occasionally the whole team was required to run extra laps because of the infraction of one player. At the time this didn’t always seem “fair.” However, at this stage of life I understand the team mentality our coaches were trying to instill in us. Our

By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 6:1-5, 12-16, 20 Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” It is a reminder that our own wisdom is limited and flawed. God, when He works, tends to do things in a way that brings glory to Himself. The battle plan God reveals to

By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 3:7-17 There is an old gospel song titled, “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone.” It is a song about entering Glory at life’s end, but its premise is true for Joshua. He was able to enter into the Promised Land, not under his own power, but by the power of God who exalted, empowered, and enabled him.

By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 1:1-9 Oswald Sanders said, “Simply stated, leadership is the ability to move and influence people.” You may question your role as a leader, but followers of Christ, are called to be used by Him to move and influence people. The Lord calls us salt and light. The Apostle Paul, Peter, and John remind us of our important role

By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Romans 14:1-4, 13-19 My father tells a sermon illustration about a man who did not know the meaning of the word “ancestor.” When someone told this man that he had “ancestors” he thought it was some disease or parasite. Consequently, he would swear that he DID NOT have “ancestors” (though certainly he did). The topic of Romans 14 is another word

By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Philippians 2:1-5, 13-15 The essentials to maintaining a healthy physical body are familiar. Doctors, physical trainers, and nutritionists agree with the basic components: Eat a balanced diet covering all the needed vitamins and minerals, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, and get a good night’s sleep. But what is essential to maintain good health as the body of Christ? Paul tells us

By Brent Moore Pastor, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Malachi 1:1-11 Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who knows exactly what you are thinking? The intimacy is so close they ask questions even when they already know the answers. This friend uses questions to extract the truth of your peril so that you may see the point. When your soul is laid bare, these “wounds of

By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Matthew 18:21-28, 32-33 Today’s Bible Study applies to everybody. It does not matter if you are 4 years old or 104. Everyone knows the experience of being hurt by someone else. Often it is just your feelings that are wounded. But we also can experience damage financially and physically at the hands of another person. As a young preacher I was

By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Acts 9:26-28, 11:21-26 Like a lot of folks, the name by which I am called is not my real name. From birth, my parents referred to me by the nickname “Jay.” Few people would recognize me by my legal name. Today’s Bible lesson is about a man whose formal name was “Joseph.” But he is much better known by his nickname

By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: John 15:9-14 In 1984 the musical band “Foreigner” declared “I want to know what love is! I want you to show me!” Those two statements can be thought of as a prayer. We certainly long to know what love is. Who better to show us than the Lord Himself? In this passage, Jesus helps His disciples know how to recognize love.