By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:35-42 There was the reigning, but rejected by God, King Saul. There was the heir apparent to the throne, Saul’s son, Jonathan. There was also Jonathan’s friend, the newly anointed but not yet reigning king, David. But this was no stage play. It was real life drama portraying the faithfulness of two friends and the faithfulness of the
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:6-11 Hard work is a Christian virtue. It is a sign of increasing godliness. God does not want a person to waste their life but to move forward using all the opportunities that God has placed within each person’s path. Even before “The Fall,” Adam was to tend the garden. Hard work leads to a purposeful life and
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 17:32-37, 42-50 Has anyone ever sought to discourage you for a task God wanted you to accomplish? Such was David’s situation. His father Jesse sent him to the place where the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. He was to take food to his three soldier brothers, and get information on how the battle was going. Upon arrival,
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:1-5, 22:7 Solomon, the man who asked for and received wisdom, warns about the snare of over-extended financial obligations. His words are needed as society is drowning in debt, both consumer and national debt. The average credit card debt is over $16,000. The national debt is about 18.9 trillion dollars. “Spending out of control” seems to be a
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 16:4-13 Saul had been chosen as Israel’s first king, but had failed miserably as he repeatedly disobeyed God. God rejected him as king, and revealed to Samuel that He would choose another man to be king, a man after His own heart (I Samuel 13:14). The new king was not immediately identified, and Saul continued to reign. Only God
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 23:4-5, 30:5-9 So much of a person’s life is consumed with matters concerning money. Therefore it is important that “money matters” are kept in proper perspective. Security is not to be found in our wealth but in God. Wealth is to be used for the glory of God. One of the areas where wisdom from God is needed
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 15:7-15, 22-23 In I Samuel chapters 13-14 we see over time that Saul fought the Philistines and established his reign over Israel. Despite the fact that he stood head and shoulders taller than the average man, his heart lacked complete loyalty to God. At times, he acted foolishly and seemed to have allowed success to go to his head
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 7:13-27 Every day choices have to be made in life. The choices made today affect the outcome of our tomorrows. Jesus warns us to carefully consider the outcome of those choices especially concerning spiritual matters. Jesus commands us to choose the narrow road or the narrow gate that leads to life (vv. 13-14). However, many will choose the
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 12:12-22 Do you fear the Lord? A healthy respect for our Creator is a good thing which should motivate us to worship and obey Him. The Israelites were involved in a cycle of fearing the Lord, then rebelling against Him, then experiencing His judgment through the attack of their enemies. When they were beaten, they repented and called on
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 7:1-12 In this passage Jesus speaks first of our relationship with other people (ch. 7:1-6). A Christian is to be a brother who loves rather than a judge who judges. Then Jesus deals with our relationship with God. A Christian is to be a child of God who asks for good things and receives His providential blessings. Perhaps
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:35-42 There was the reigning, but rejected by God, King Saul. There was
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:6-11 Hard work is a Christian virtue. It is a sign of increasing
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 17:32-37, 42-50 Has anyone ever sought to discourage you for a task God wanted
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:1-5, 22:7 Solomon, the man who asked for and received wisdom, warns about
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 16:4-13 Saul had been chosen as Israel’s first king, but had failed miserably as
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 23:4-5, 30:5-9 So much of a person’s life is consumed with matters concerning
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 15:7-15, 22-23 In I Samuel chapters 13-14 we see over time that Saul fought
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 7:13-27 Every day choices have to be made in life. The choices made
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 12:12-22 Do you fear the Lord? A healthy respect for our Creator is a
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 7:1-12 In this passage Jesus speaks first of our relationship with other people