Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: Titus 3:1-11 Found throughout the pages of the New Testament is the glorious truth and simple fact that nobody meets Jesus and stays the same. A crazed demoniac, living in the shadows of the tombs, an outcast Samaritan woman of questionable character and even a zealous religious Pharisee on the Damascus road, all became living testimonies of this
By Mike Kemper Retired Baptist Pastor & Director of Missions Focal Passage: II Chronicles 17:1-13 Living life that sets a good example for others, especially for your own children and family is a worthy effort. King Asa, though he had his failures, had sought to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He had acted with courage strengthening himself and his people commanding religious reform, destroying idols
By Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: Titus 2:1-15 In today’s focal passage (Titus 2:1-15), Paul presents a level of godly expectations, not only for church leaders but for all believers. According to Charles Ray, “The goal of his instructions was for believers to be above reproach (v. 5), to preempt opponents from having reasons to accuse believers (v. 8), and to make the gospel
By Mike Kemper Focal Passage: II Chronicles 16:1-13 In review, we have learned that King Asa was the third king of Judah, the first “good” king. He had determined to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, torn down idols, renovated the temple and commanded the people to seek the Lord. As a result, Asa and the people of Judah had times of peace and they strengthened
Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: Titus 1:1-5, 10-16 Are you familiar with the term “smokejumper?” A smokejumper is a highly trained firefighter who specializes in fighting wildfires. Often, they must parachute into rugged and remote areas to provide a frontline defense against raging wildfires. Upon examination of a young pastor named Titus, I believe he could have been given the title “pastoral smokejumper!”
By Mike Kemper Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:10-19 As King Asa began his rule he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, before his time, worship and an obedient relationship with God had been token if at all. King Asa repeatedly insists that the people “seek the Lord.” Though Asa had been successful to a degree, turning the hearts of the people back to their God,
By Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: II Timothy 3:12-17; 4:1-8 I grew up in Town Creek, Ala., a small town in northwest Alabama. My dad was a sharecropper and construction laborer. His formal education was completed in the sixth grade. Although lacking in formal education he was a wealth of wisdom for my brothers and me. One important truth he taught us was
By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:1-9 Honoring and obeying God always brings blessings and benefits. Good King Asa had initially done what was right by bringing spiritual reforms. Blessings came. But, consistency in doing right things for the entire nation of Israel had always been “off and on,” sometimes yes, sometimes no. The prophet Azariah went to King Asa with a reminder
Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:14-26 In today’s passage, II Timothy 2:14-26, Paul continues to address the problem of false teachers spreading false doctrine within the church at Ephesus. He begins in verse 14 with the words, “remind them of these things.” In reference to “these things” Paul is no doubt calling attention to the preceding verses in II Timothy 2,
By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:9-15 How thankful we are for the many encouraging examples of the power and greatness of the Almighty God we know and serve! Such encouraging verses give vivid examples, and our own experiences with God continue to resound over and over as living testimonies to the power and greatness of God. As you read and meditate on
Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: Titus 3:1-11 Found throughout the pages of the New Testament is the glorious
By Mike Kemper Retired Baptist Pastor & Director of Missions Focal Passage: II Chronicles 17:1-13 Living life that sets a good example for others, especially
By Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: Titus 2:1-15 In today’s focal passage (Titus 2:1-15), Paul presents a level of
By Mike Kemper Focal Passage: II Chronicles 16:1-13 In review, we have learned that King Asa was the third king of Judah, the first “good”
Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: Titus 1:1-5, 10-16 Are you familiar with the term “smokejumper?” A smokejumper is
By Mike Kemper Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:10-19 As King Asa began his rule he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
By Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: II Timothy 3:12-17; 4:1-8 I grew up in Town Creek, Ala., a
By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:1-9 Honoring and obeying God always brings blessings and benefits. Good King
Mickey D. Brackin Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:14-26 In today’s passage, II Timothy 2:14-26, Paul continues to address
By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:9-15 How thankful we are for the many encouraging examples of the
