The world has lost many good businessmen by having them become preachers. Jonah learned more in the fish than some learn in seminary. The pastor is called to be a shepherd, not a sheepdog. Some preachers have a wealth of thought; others have a thought of wealth. There is no pulpit so vacant as the…
Author: Alan Holden
Faithful Christian Living
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Pray and Be Patient, vv. 1-5 A. Pray B. Be Patient–>Persevere in the Love of the Lord’s promise of His Coming and Expect it at any moment. Work if You Want to Eat, vv. 6-13 A. Separate from the disorderly. B. Don’t be chargeable to someone else. C. Be not weary in…
Day of the Lord
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Introduction The Christians were shaken instead of “established” (see 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 13). They were told falsely that the Day of the Lord was already happening. Paul explains what has to occur BEFORE this day of wrath comes to the world. The Apostasy Must Take Place, vv. 1-3, cf 1 Timothy 4:1-16…
Smyrna: Persecuted Church
Revelation 2:8-11 The Character of the City A. Smyrna means “bitter.:” B. Smyrna was a rich, beautiful, resort Port City. C. God of Smyrna was Dionysius / Bacchus: the god of drunkenness and sexual revelry. The Christ of the Church A. Christ is not some mythical god. He is the First, the Creator and the…
Old Age
Vacation is one time when older people find out they are not as young as they feel. To avoid old age, keep overdrinking, overeating, and overachieving. In gardening, it’s a race between your back and enthusiasm–to see which will give out first. Middle age is when you’re not inclined to exercise anything but caution. You…
Obedience
Although God created man without man’s help, He will not save man without his consent or obedience. One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. There is no harmony in the heart without the joyful notes of obedience. The most fitting response to undeserved blessing is unreserved obedience. He is wise…
Nostalgia
Living in the past has it advantage–it’s cheaper. Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson; you find the present tense and the past perfect. Nostalgia consists of longing for the place you wouldn’t move back to. Nostalgia is trying to recapture the feel of the good old daze. <<Back<<
Mothers
Mothers are handicapped; they have but two hands. A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary. Mother is a bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries. The successful mother sets her children free and becomes more free herself in the process. A godly mother will…
Money
Sign in the store window: Use our easy credit plan–100 percent down, nothing to pay each month. A fine cage won’t feed the bird. We live in a jet-age. Many want to change this to get-age. A thing is worth what it can do for you, not what you can pay for it. God looks…
Modesty
Where modesty is absent, virtue has no means of protection. The closer we get to God, the more modest we shall become. Modesty is the triumph of mind over flatter. The modest person is one who doesn’t blow all he knows. The hardest secret for a man to keep is his opinion to himself. Modesty…