Posts with the category “article”

by Jeremy ShafferHave you ever stopped to consider why the phrase “love one another” is a command in Scripture? I think the simple answer is that loving one another is not an easy task.  Loving one an...  Read More

by David LemmingPrayer is an incredibly powerful privilege that allows us to communicate with God, the Almighty Creator of our vast universe. It is a privilege that we should wholeheartedly embrace an...  Read More

by Tim YatesThe incarnation of Christ is one of the most incredible events in all history. In his book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis entitled his chapter on the Incarnation, “The Invasion.”1 Some tw...  Read More

by Bill BlankenshipAs we go through life it is good to be appreciated and thanked for the good we have done. The encouragement compels us to do more when we know we are appreciated for our efforts.Whe...  Read More

by Matt McClayMany of us have favorite authors who, the moment they publish a new book, we purchase it, often sight unseen, because of the writer’s reputation. In academic circles, researchers who are...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferTwenty-two years ago, when my wife and I were traveling to our honeymoon destination, we managed to get stuck in traffic. When we found ourselves stuck in traffic, I told her to reach...  Read More

by Nathan McClayThe family is seated at the Thanksgiving table with plates and silverware neatly arranged over a crisp, white tablecloth. Quite a spread of delectable fixings is before the folks that ...  Read More

by Tim YatesIn the Book of Exodus, God sent Moses to the most powerful man in Egypt (Pharaoh) to preach a message of deliverance, freedom, and liberation. The nation of Israel had been in slavery to E...  Read More

by Bill BlankenshipThere are many people in our world today who claim to be spiritual leaders. However, not all of them are led by the Spirit of God and are not of Godly theology. Within the evangelic...  Read More

by David LemmingIn the animal kingdom, a mother bear is known to be a powerful protector of her cubs (cf. Prov. 17:12). She will do whatever it takes to keep them safe from harm, even if it means putt...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferWhy is the day we celebrate Easter different each year? Have you ever asked that question? When I was younger, the holidays that did not change were always easy to remember, mainly be...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferINTRODUCTIONThis Passion Week guide is designed to help you make sense of the events of the most important week in the life of Christ while He was on earth. Each day has a brief summa...  Read More

by Tim YatesHow do you treat guests when they visit your Church? Yes! YOU. Do you treat them like a Prince or like a pauper? James gives us a story about a rich man and a poor man visiting a local “as...  Read More

by Matt McClayOn President’s Day weekend (February 17-19), Refuel, the student ministry of Lewis Memorial, will host our 10th annual D-Now weekend for middle and high school students. Over the years, ...  Read More

by David LemmingAs we come to a New Year that holds so much promise, let’s make the most of this year for reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the fall of 2022, at the beginning of our ...  Read More

by Matt McClayDespite popular Christmas songs to the contrary, those of us who believe in Christ know that the real reason for the holiday season is not that “Santa Claus is coming to town,” but, rath...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferWhen January of 2020 began, I had such high hopes for the year, especially because this would be the year in which I would get a chance to knock off the item at the very top of my buc...  Read More

by David LemmingIn Romans 15:20-21, Paul gives to us his ministry philosophy for spreading the Gospel. He was called specifically to take this message to people (Gentiles) that had never known the “na...  Read More

by Tim YatesDid you know the Church is a big deal to God? On the other hand, American Christianity has embraced the “pro-God” but “anti-church” mentality. Many profess to love God, but the Church not ...  Read More

by Mary Ellen BlackThe Prophecy of Anna37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she...  Read More

by Nathan McClayI received an email recently, notifying me that August 21 is Senior Citizen’s Day. I had not been aware that such a day even existed. Having just reached my 60th birthday, I will have ...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferFireworks, gathering with family, outdoor concerts, and good food have always been the ingredients to a proper celebration of America’s birthday. This July, the United States will cel...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferThe Jewish festival, which is termed in the Greek language as “Pentecost,” is the same festival we find in the Old Testament called the “Feast of Weeks” or “Feast of Harvest” (Lev.23:...  Read More

by Matt McClayDuring the summer of 2021, the world looked on at Tokyo as athletes from around the world participated in the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, which had been postponed from the previous year...  Read More

by Mary Ellen Black“Come, return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now He will heal us. He has injured us; now He will bandage our wounds. In just a short time He will restore us, so that we may ...  Read More

by Tim YatesThe Proverbs 31 model of womanhood is a beautiful description of a godly mother and a virtuous wife. Unfortunately, contemporary society has redefined gender roles and directly opposes the...  Read More

by Rebekah ShafferFor many of us we are feeling the return of some normalcy. The pandemic is receding into an endemic and many of the mandates and policies are changing. It has been a hard two years f...  Read More

by Mary Ellen BlackWomen from history ... the history of God’s people ... written down, remembered for sinful disobedience, mistakes, faith, hurts, heroics, deceit, loyalty, obedience, and lineage. Al...  Read More

by Nathan McClayThe winter nights are cold, dark, and long, while the daytime sky is often cloudy and gray.  The barren tree limbs sway helplessly, while the bitter winds whisper a mournful tune. If t...  Read More

by Matt McClayAs the student pastor at Lewis Memorial, I am often intrigued and entertained when fielding questions from well-meaning people who are curious about the day-to-day life of a youth minist...  Read More

by Tim YatesDo you have a personal growth plan for 2022? Peter commanded the believer to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:18). The word “grow” (auxanō) ...  Read More

by David LemmingThere are few seasons of the year that are as exciting as the Christmas season. There is just something about the colored lights, beautiful decorations, festive music, and family get-t...  Read More

by Jeremy ShafferIn 1 Thessalonians 5:18, it says, “give thanks in all circumstances...” This reminder from Paul teaches us that it is God’s will that we have a spirit of gratitude.Gratitude is easy w...  Read More

by Mary Ellen Black (all quotes by Ann Voskamp)What comes to mind when you think about the Thanksgiving Holiday? Whether it’s Turkey or shopping, football or Christmas movies, abundance or great needs...  Read More

by David LemmingWill you consider an important question with me in this article for just a few moments? No one will know your personal answer and I’m not asking you to make it public. However, if we w...  Read More

by Tim YatesChurch health is extremely important. However, I wonder if we really know how to evaluate the spiritual well-being of a Bible-believing Church. Things can appear healthy on the outside, bu...  Read More

by Nathan McClayDark, ominous clouds of God’s threatening judgment loomed over the city of Nineveh. This was the second time in Old Testament history that God would send a prophet to the city to warn ...  Read More

by Matt McClayIndependence Day in the United States is the quintessential American holiday, laden with cookouts, concerts, family get-togethers, and, of course, fireworks. As a nation, we set aside Ju...  Read More

by Tim YatesAnna Jarvis began a campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States when her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis passed away in 1905. Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at...  Read More

by Rebekah ShafferThe mind of a mother is a labored machine; the mind of a mother often works harder than her hands. From her waking to her sleeping and often even in her sleep, a mother’s mind is bus...  Read More