Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

Stories of Redemption: Carol Lilly

Carol Lilly has been a dear sister and member of Peachtree Baptist Church for over 50 years. Carol along with her husband Jerry have encouraged the church through their faithful ministry and service and through their personal walk with Christ. My family lived in a neighborhood of College Park, GA in the 1950’s. We three sisters went to S.R. Young Elementary School…

The Power of a Godly Testimony

A testimony is a personal account of how God has worked in a peron’s life. As a Christian, our testimony speaks of what Christ has done in our lives for His glory. Each testimony is a miracle and witness of the power of God bringing life to us who were “dead in trespasses and sins.” When we share our testimonies, we acknowledge God’s presence…

Fear, Anxiety, and Worry

Are you fearful? Anxious? Worried? Do you wonder why situations arise or difficulties seem to plague you? Fear seems to run rampant in our culture. Yet, fear is produced when emotion overtakes sound thinking and peace is banished. And, fear is a toxin that paralyzes hope. Fear is At the Root of Our Questions I write of fear, because truth be told, it is often this very…

Is Acceptance with God Possible?

The big debate about acceptance boils down to understanding how we can truly know that God has forgiven our sins. Religion in its many forms continues to be man’s attempt to reconcile himself unto God, all futile. Let’s take a minute to review what Scripture has to say about “acceptance.” Acceptance is defined as “a favorable reception or…

What Does It Take to Believe? (part 2)

Resisting of Satan Natural men have insurmountable obstacles to their believing.  First of all, they are dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1), separated from God who is life.  As “alienated from the life of God,” their understanding is darkened, and they are ignorant, because of the blindness of their heart” (4:18).  Besides the blindness of a dead man, they…

What Does it Take To Believe? (part 1)

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31 To the Philippian jailer’s clear-cut question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v.30), Paul and Silas answered with the clear-cut answer above.  He had only to “believe upon”[i] the Lord Jesus Christ as the only object of trust.  The clear-cut promise: “You will be…

What is Life All About?

The first question in the old catechisms children had to learn in church was, “What is the chief end [goal] of man?” The answer: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” This is a good biblical answer, for I Corinthians 10:31 states:  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  So we are to…

Is Man Basically Good?

All philosophies and religions stand or fall by their view of sin.  If the disease is not properly diagnosed, there will never be a cure.  Our view of sin and the extent of its devastating effects upon man will subsequently affect our view of man’s salvation. The Word of God reveals that man is a fallen creature (Genesis 3).  By virtue of being created in the…

Will God Bless America?

An article by Dr. Robert Lescelius This question presents a possibility and a problem. The possibility is that God may not bless America, but the opposite. Judgment is a more realistic possibility. Then there is the problem of the Church. Is she, or can she become, an instrument of blessing? Where do God, the Bible, and the Church fit in the future of America? The…

Marking Men

I once heard an old man of God preach on “marking men for God”. He pointed out that Abraham “marked” Isaac for God, Moses “marked” Joshua for God, Elijah “marked” Elisha, and Paul “marked” Timothy. What he meant by “marking” men for God was “disciplining” or “mentoring” them in “the ways of God”. Once a young preacher experiences the reality and power of the Holy Spirit…

Meditations on Prayer

Real prayer includes “asking and receiving” (Luke 11:10). Biblical praying anticipates receiving. “Faith” is sandwiched between “asking” and “receiving”. It is insightful that Acts 6:4 teaches us that the office of a deacon was instituted that the pastors might give themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.” Let it be clear,…

Why Are You Faithful to God?

Faithfulness is becoming more and more an oddity in our local churches. I remember in the 1960-70’s that a young preacher could rent a “store front” to open a church and in a very short time, with the Lord’s help, he would have a local assembly up and running. Faithfulness was and still is an evidence of the believer’s faith and love for the Lord Jesus. It takes “new…

Women: Defending Against the Man-Eater

Be sober, vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 Dear mom,  does this concern you? Does it give you a heavy heart? It does for me. With the announcement of new and more horrifying headlines each day, I often feel overwhelmed at the task of defending our families against such a horrible…

Women: Free From Fear

FEAR. What comes to mind when you hear this word? Does your heart leap a bit? Do you think of your bank account? your children? an enemy? OR… do you think of THE strong and mighty one who stands for you? There are many meanings for this little word…FEAR… such a small little word yet so great. So, what does fear mean, exactly? There is a good side to this…

Becoming the Woman God Wants You To Be

Heroes are a good thing. We all have heroes/heroines, don’t we? In fact, I have a few very special heroines who have labored long and faithful for our Lord. These ladies have inspired me to be a godly mother, a faithful wife, and a steadfast child of the King. I love these women, and at times in my Christian walk I have found myself modeling my life to imitate theirs. In…

Women: Surrender Part I

There are two “types” of surrender for the Christian. Can you name them? Salvation – the initial surrender of our will to His. Sanctification (Lifetime – or daily surrender) of Mark 8:34 wherein we surrender our will every day by “denying ourselves.” God isn’t interested in part of us, half of our heart, or a little of our love. He wants ALL of us, and He wants to…

Women: Surrender Part II

This path of surrender is not easy. In fact, once you do surrender you will more than likely face battles. In my life, after I surrendered I returned to my “Christian” school to face ridicule for living for the Lord. I lost friends, but I had to learn how to stand for Him right away… Some face even deeper trials. …“Betty Scott grew up in china, where her parents were…