A MOTHER’S SONG

By

Shelby G. Floyd

The Lord God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to rebellious Israel and her treacherous sister Judah! God’s people had rebelled and were worshiping idols and committing the immoralities of those who did know God. It was the job of Jeremiah to call their hand. God let Jeremiah know that he and everyone is known before they are formed in the womb:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
(Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV)

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THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Our lesson today is one of a series from the book of James. You can prepare to learn more by reading this very practical book each week.

OUR FAITH MUST BE TESTED

In almost every area of life things must be tested before there can be any benefit to the human family. Medicine is one example where much testing must be done before it is made available to the public. These wonderful drugs are often tested for years to see if they will do what they were designed to do. Aerospace is another area where repeated testing is done to see if planes, rockets and missiles will do what they were designed to do by the engineers.

The same thing is true with computer products. Software companies test these products for months before they are marketed to businesses and the private sector of our economy. Even after much testing often the consumer will discover that the product has a “bug” that must be corrected.

Even nations are not exempt from testing. Our country was severely tested on Sept. 11, 2001 like it has not been tested for some time. This tragic event tested our people to see what we are made out of and to see if our country will do what it was designed to do—live in liberty and have justice for all.

In like manner God has chosen to test your faith and my faith. God does not test our faith for his benefit, but for our benefit to see if our faith is genuine. This testing is to see if our faith will do what it was designed to do. Scripture says, “Without faith we cannot please God” (Hebrews 11: 6). Faith is therefore the basis of our hope of eternal life and heaven. We may think that our faith is strong, but until it has been tested we do not really know for sure. We may say, “I will survive anything that comes my way.” But we do not know until we have come through the various trials that come our way. Continue reading “THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH”

CHRISTIAN CONSECRATION–LIVING FOR CHRIST

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Our Scripture reading is from Romans 12:1-2, where Paul says,

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

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THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

By

Shelby G. Floyd

One of the favorite figures of speech applied to the church is that of a way, a path, and a road that leads from one place to another.

DO ALL RELIGIOUS ROADS LEAD TO HEAVEN?

Christianity is a definite way over which the redeemed pass from earth to heaven. In a day when highways and roads are so familiar, it is easy for some people to get the idea that there are many ways for one to reach heaven. It is a popular doctrine that we are all going to heaven in different ways. While this is popular, is it the truth? Continue reading “THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS”

Enthusiastic Evangelism

By

Shelby G. Floyd

1 Cor 15-58

There is plenty of work in the congregation for each one of us to do if we will do it. Solomon sagely advises people to work while we can: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Life is short and we only live here once. Whatever we can accomplish for the Lord must be done now. We cannot come back and take care of lost opportunities. Continue reading “Enthusiastic Evangelism”

YOU ARE THE LIGHT

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Light

Light and darkness are antipodal. We live in a physical world of darkness and light. Modern technology enables us with better light to see and penetrate the darkness. Also in the spiritual realm Christ enables us to let our light shine in the world:

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
NIV

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WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF LIFE

By

Shelby G. Floyd

John-8-12-Again-therefore-Jesus-spoke-to-them-saying-I-am-the-light-of-the-world-he-who-follows-Me-shall-by-no-means-walk-in-darkness-but-shall-have-the-light-of-life
Credit: Google Images

The Bible teaches that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). God is the one who created the light in the beginning and he said it is good (Genesis 1:3-4). Light is good because it has the qualities to dispel darkness and give direction and discovery. Continue reading “WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF LIFE”