Are you proficient playing an instrument or a sport? If so, then I have a second question: were you good at it the first time you tried? Your answer is probably, “no.” So why do many of us think we should be good at personal evangelism the first few times we try? To be clear,Continue reading “5 Next Steps in Personal Evangelism”
Tag Archives: prayer
New Year, New Opportunities
I’ve always loved “new” things. Whether it’s a project, idea, calendar or book, starting something new stirs up energy and creativity within me. January 2023 can be this “new” start we all need. Lots of folks will make resolutions and set goals, while others will move into it like it’s nothing more than the nextContinue reading “New Year, New Opportunities”
Why Memorize Proverbs?
For years now, I have been memorizing Bible verses. It only requires a little time and yields great rewards. Don Whitney says, “Memorizing Scripture strengthens your faith because it repeatedly reinforces the truth, often just when you need to hear it again.” More recently, however, I have begun memorizing verses from Proverbs. I have foundContinue reading “Why Memorize Proverbs?”
Finding Hope in Depression
Years ago, I found myself in a tunnel of depression. I call it a tunnel because I came into it suddenly, but walked through it for a long time—several months in fact—before seeing signs of light on the other end. There were several factors that likely contributed to me being in a depressed stateContinue reading “Finding Hope in Depression”
Is God Calling You?
Dr. Tim Searcy, former KBC president and Kentucky Baptist pastor, often tells the story of his call into the Christian ministry. He was 12 years old, attending the church where his father was the pastor. The church had scheduled a revival and one of the older deacons did some research on the last timeContinue reading “Is God Calling You?”
Praying for Pastors
For a long while now, I have been praying for pastors — but maybe not in the way you might think. I pray for many pastors by name because some are facing ministry challenges. I pray for others seeking guidance on their current place of service. I pray for some who see great open doorsContinue reading “Praying for Pastors”
Give Thanks Anyway?
One verse changed my perspective of hard times: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I came across these words during a particularly challenging time in my life, and they brought great comfort. I was hearing God say through His word that itContinue reading “Give Thanks Anyway?”
Where Do We Go from Here?
Where do we go from here? Sometimes that phrase is heard after a family tragedy, or an upending life or business event such as a divorce or bankruptcy. Many Kentucky Baptists and their neighbors were asking that very question after the historic west Kentucky tornadoes on Dec. 10, 2021, and the eastern Kentucky flooding thisContinue reading “Where Do We Go from Here?”
Benefits of a Scheduled Revival
I still remember attending revival services at Northside Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Ind. I was a 24-year-old Christian — excited about Jesus and His church. I looked for opportunities to be with God’s people and saw every gathering as a blessing. During that week of gathering, singing and preaching, we witnessed God move the heartsContinue reading “Benefits of a Scheduled Revival”
What Happened Here?
Usually the question, “What happened here?” comes on the heels of a crisis — a natural disaster, an automobile accident or a puppy left alone for too long in its owner’s kitchen. In this case, it has to do with a Kentucky Baptist church. Viney Fork Baptist Church of Tates Creek Association, in the SpeedwellContinue reading “What Happened Here?”
Dr. Todd Gray 