Shows
Real Talk With Big JohnReal Talk with Big John and Robert McMath and Living Waters Big John interviews Robert McMath
2024-07-1129 min
Morning MeditationLonging for His ComingThe Bible can be summarized by three great truths about Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament books, Genesis through Malachi, we are told that Jesus is coming. In the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we are told that Jesus has come. From Romans to Revelation, we are assured that Jesus is coming again.
When Jesus comes again, it will be the end (1 Cor. 15:24), and He will judge the world (Acts 17:31). That is why so many dread His second coming, and view it with fear.
However, the writers of the Bible looked upon it with favor and even...
2021-01-0401 minMorning MeditationAre you Willing to Fail Again?In the past I was embarrassed to read about the sins and failings of the good people in the Bible. The list is long: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Paul, Peter, Mark, and others.
He struck out 1,330 times, a record in futility unapproached by any other player in the history of baseball. But that’s not what we remember about Babe Ruth. We remember his 714 home runs.
Cy Young, perhaps the greatest pitcher of all time accumulated 511 victories. But what is generally forgotten is that Young actually lost as many games as he won.
Now I am glad Go...
2020-12-1701 minMorning MeditationJesus' DeathThe death of Jesus of Nazareth was one of the most gruesome in history. He was arrested and falsely accused. He was spit upon and abused by His accusers. He was scourged (that is, beaten with something like a leather whip). Spikes were driven through His hands and feet, and His blood splattered on the ground while a mob made fun of Him.
Why would He endure all of that? One answer, “Love.” While we were unworthy of His love He died for us (Romans 5:8). God loved the whole world so much that He gave His son to die for us...
2020-12-0701 minMorning MeditationThe Authority of JesusIn the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as “the captain of our salvation,” “the head of the church,” “the King of kings, and Lord of lords,” and, “the Son of God.” Each of these appellations suggests supreme and absolute authority.
Jesus has authority in creation. All things were created by Him and for Him (Col. 1:17). Nothing exists or consists without the authority of Christ.
He has authority in revelation. Jesus is the source of the revelation of the New Covenant (Gal. 1:12). When the Holy Spirit revealed these things, He did not speak of Himself but of Jesus (John 15:26).
Jesus has authority in...
2020-12-0100 minMorning MeditationWorld's Greatest FoolA king once awarded his favorite jester a golden sash inscribed with, “World’s Greatest Fool.” The clown was given the honor because the king would delight in his antics. He was told if he ever found a fool greater than himself, he could give the sash to that man.
Years later the king lay dying as his sorrowing subjects came around to say a final word, the king said to the jester, “I am going on a long journey.” “Will you return?” asked the jester. “No, I am leaving forever,” the king stated. “Have you prepared for you journey,” the jester asked. The...
2020-11-3000 minMorning MeditationReligious UnityReligious division is a sad commentary on our modern society. It leaves many confused. To cause of Christ it is deadly.
In the past 500 years of human history, those who call themselves “Christian” have divided and fragmented into thousands of splinter groups. As the community church movement sweeps over the religious plain the problem seems to be getting worse.
Unity among His followers was so important to Jesus that just hours before His crucifixion He prayed for it (John 17:21). On the cross, He died for it (Eph. 2:14-16). And, through His apostles, He commanded it (Eph. 4:3). But, is it really poss...
2020-11-2700 minMorning MeditationThe Bible's Inherent QualitiesOne of the amazing qualities about the Bible is its inherent qualities. No other book has these qualities built right in.
One of the inherent qualities of the Bible is faith. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The one who truly hears the words of the Bible will be built up in his trust of Almighty God.
Another of these inherent qualities is saving power. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes…” (Romans 1:16). Once it produces faith, it likewis...
2020-11-2500 minMorning MeditationGood NewsDo you hear preachers refer often to the “Gospel” and wonder what they are talking about?
The word “Gospel” means good news. The primary message of the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:3,4).
You may wonder why someone’s death would be good news. It is good news because in Jesus’ death He paid the penalty for our sin. In His resurrection, He defeated the power of the Devil.
Because Jesus paid the penalty for sin it is not necessary that any of us die. By trusting in Him, we can live forever (John 11:25,26).
Now that is “goo
2020-11-0600 minMorning MeditationFornicationFornication is about as common today as drinking water. The “living together” arrangement is very popular. People speak about having “affairs” much in the same way they talk about having a vacation.
There is a real sexual revolution in our country. Venereal disease is at epidemic proportions. Nation-wide, more than one million reported abortions occur each year. The rate of illegitimacy is staggering.
Man has changed his mind about a lot of things in recent years and we have accepted many things as all right that are not all right. Fornication is one of those things.
Call it “fornication,” “shacking up,” a “meanin...
2020-10-2900 minMorning MeditationMake a Child go to ChurchA mother once asked, “Should I make my son go to church?” My answer, “Yes, absolutely.” Let me explain. What do you say when your son decides that he does not want to go to school? What did you do when he was little and did not want to take a bath? How did you react when he was sick and did not want his medicine?
Every right-thinking parent recognizes the importance of these matters and gives the child no opportunity to decide for himself. Instead, parents explain the importance of going to school, taking baths, or taking medicine when sick.
S...
2020-10-2800 minMorning MeditationImportant to YouWhat is the most important thing in your life? Really! Is it your music? Maybe it is your job? Could it be your family? If I were to ask you to write down the most important thing in your life, what would it be? Have you ever thought about it?
Here is a fact: Happiness—real happiness—the kind of happiness that makes you look forward to the next day is directly related to the thing that is most important in your life. That’s right. So, maybe the reason many are not happy is that they don’t have their pr...
2020-10-2700 minMorning MeditationJoining ChurchesWhat if I was to suggest to you that you join as many churches as you can? After all, where did man get this idea of joining just one church?
We do not practice this in other areas of life. Many of us buy our life insurance, health insurance, homeowners insurance, and auto insurance from different companies because one will offer better services and better rates than another will. Many people will join more than one civic club because of the various benefits they find to each. So why join just one church?
The fact is the Bible says Jesus...
2020-10-2600 minMorning MeditationProtecting ChildrenAs a father, I have often wished I could take my children somewhere and completely shield them from all of the evil and temptations of this world. Yet, I know that such is not only impossible; it would not be the best for my daughters. What then, should I do?
The answer comes from the Bible. In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul warned the young man, Timothy, that evil men would go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But, Paul told Timothy to simply continue in the Holy Scriptures that he had learned in childhood from his grandmother and...
2020-10-2300 minMorning MeditationTradition vs. ReasonA new husband watched his bride prepare a ham for the oven. He noticed she cut off a few inches of the end. When asked why, she replied that the only reason she could give was her mother had always done it that way. They called her mother who admitted she always cut off a few inches, because “my mother did it that way.” Finally, they consulted grandma who said, “Oh, I always did that because my pan was too small.”
This illustrates we may follow customs without even considering if we are doing the right thing.
Even in religion, some fol...
2020-10-2200 minMorning MeditationWhat Name Describes YouThe Indians used to give their children names that they earned. A girl would become “Timid One,” or “Laughing Water.” A boy might earn the name “Brave Warrior,” or “Running Feet.”
Suppose people gave us the names we earn. Some of us would be “Helping Hand,” “Generous Heart” or “Peacemaker.” But on the other hand, many would have names such as “Shirker,” “Stingy,” or “Evil Tongue.”
If people named you according to your life, what would be your name? Paul said in Galatians 5 that our actions indicate our real character. Some things indicate we are led by the Spirit of God while other actions show we are foll...
2020-10-2100 minMorning MeditationThe Only BibleIf you had something very valuable and you found out you were the only one in the world who had it, what would you do?
Well, what if you found out you had the only Bible in the world, what would you do with it? Would you toss it about carelessly, or lay it on the shelf to collect dust?
Of course, you do not have the only Bible. There are millions sold each year, and most homes have more than half a dozen copies.
Why do we take the Bible so lightly? Why do we not recognize it as...
2020-10-2000 minMorning MeditationTotal CommitmentThere is an old story of a chicken and a pig that illustrates on of the truths of life. A chicken and a pig were going down an old dirt road, when they noticed a sign telling of a banquet to be given for a charitable organization. Both the chicken and the pig thought they should help, but could not think of a way. Suddenly, the chicken said, “I know! I’ll donate a dozen eggs, and you can donate the ham.” The pig said, “Hold it. A dozen eggs from you is just a contribution but a ham from me is a...
2020-10-1900 minMorning MeditationFirst, Get the Man RightA small boy was asked to put together a map of the world that had been cut into numerous pieces. In just a few minutes, he completed the assignment. When asked how he completed the job so quickly, he said, “I saw the picture of a man on the back of the map. So, I put the man together, and when I got the man right, the world was right.”
That little boy taught a powerful lesson for us. If you and I want a better world, the place to start is with self. “A better world begins with me.”
The Bibl...
2020-10-1600 minMorning MeditationThey Loved MeWhen I was growing up, there were times when I knew my mother and daddy were the meanest and nosiest people in the world. They were strict on me. I just knew they didn’t want me to have fun with my buddies because I had to tell them where I was going, who I would be with, and when I would be home.
But, a few years later, I learned of a young man who could go anywhere he wanted, anytime he wanted, and his parents never told him “NO” about anything he wanted.
And — he was miserable. He said, “I...
2020-10-1500 minMorning MeditationFind Out WHAT Is RightWhen people disagree about how much something weighs, they can settle the disagreement by using scales — a standard of authority acceptable to both.
When people disagree about how long something is, they can resolve the matter by using a ruler or yardstick — a standard of authority acceptable to both.
When people disagree on the field of athletics, they resolve the matter by consulting the rulebook — a standard of authority acceptable to both.
When people disagree about any religious subject, they should go to a standard of authority acceptable to both — namely, the Bible. The apostle Paul said, “All scripture is inspired b...
2020-10-1400 minMorning MeditationWho's a Sissy?A young man who had just completed his work toward a degree in college was invited to attend an important meeting of his colleagues. At the meeting they began to serve beer. He calmly asked for a glass of milk. The waiter was surprised but the young man showed no signs of embarrassment. One of his colleagues spoke up so everyone would hear and said, “Hey, everybody, look at the sissy; he’s afraid to drink.”
Naturally, attention was centered on the young man. Without batting an eye he turned to his friend and said, “Who’s a sissy? I don’t drin...
2020-10-1300 minMorning MeditationYour Child's Greatest GiftWhen you are dead, what will your children remember about you? Will they think of one who was always running off to work; to play golf; to a friend’s house; to go shopping? Or, will they remember someone who took time to show their love?
Life is passing so quickly. What are you spending your life on that outweighs a loving relationship with your children? When they look back at your life, will they remember that you met the deadline, got the contract, and paid the bills, or will they remember that you took time to laugh and play wi...
2020-10-1200 minMorning MeditationRead the BibleHave you listened to people give reasons why they can’t read their Bible? The one reason that is given more than any other is: “I don’t have time.”
But, what if the doctor told you to stay in bed five hours each day or you will die in 3 months — do you suppose you would find time to do so? Of course you would!
Well, what if I tell you that God wants you to learn His Will and that to fail to do so leads to spiritual death. Why can we not exercise the same good judgment in spiritual...
2020-10-0900 minMorning MeditationHow Long Has It Been?How long has it been since you…
Took the time to go see someone who lives alone?
Wrote a letter to someone who means a lot to you?
Visited someone who recently lost a loved one?
Read the Bible to someone too ill to read for themselves?
Encouraged someone who was having a hard time?
Tried to have a Bible Study with someone you know is overcome with sin?
Told a teen that you were proud of their efforts?
Told your parents of your love and appreciation for them?
How long has it been? Maybe it is time to do what we know we sh...
2020-10-0800 minMorning MeditationA Million FrogsA farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs? Rather shocked he asked the farmer where he could get so many? The farmer said, “Well there’s a pond near my house, and it’s full of frogs. Why they croak night and day! They’re about to drive me crazy.
An agreement was made for the farmer to bring several hundred frog legs into the restaurant the next week. A week later the farmer returned with two scrawny little wet frogs and he said, “I was mistaken.” There were only tw...
2020-10-0700 minMorning MeditationWho Is He Kidding?When a person claims he can’t find the time to read his Bible a while each day but never misses the newspaper. Who is he kidding?
When a person says the church pews are too hard to sit on but sits on a bleacher for hours and watches football players push each other around in the mud. Who is he kidding?
When a person says he doesn’t have the time for Christ and the church but spends evenings shopping, bowling or watching television, who is he kidding?
When a person says he can’t afford to give to the Lo...
2020-10-0600 minMorning MeditationScared of SnakesMost of us are scared to death of snakes and especially, poisonous snakes. Well, the thought occurred to me that there is a snake that poisons everybody, it topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, damages reputations, causes heartaches, produces indigestion, spawns suspicion, generates grief and makes innocent people cry into their pillows.
Even its name hisses. It is called GOSSIP! Office gossip, shop gossip, family gossip, church gossip. It makes headlines and heartaches.
Before you repeat a story ask yourself?
1. Is it true?
2. Is it helpful?
3. Is it necessary?
And if not, please keep it to yourself!
The apostle Paul...
2020-10-0500 minMorning MeditationDirections for HappinessTo help each day be a happy and tranquil day, let us strive for the following goals:
• A little more patience to bear with ones we may not like.
• A little more humility to fulfill our duty; even if it is difficult.
• A little more courage and strength to bear the trials that disturb our peace of mind.
• A little more charity so as not to manifest our hurts.
• And, above all, a little more prayer to draw the righteous Father into our hearts and keep Him there.
The Bible says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.” (P...
2020-10-0200 minMorning MeditationStrugglesWhen David faced the giant Goliath he was only a teenager, but he had a maturity in his faith in God far beyond many who were older.
At a young age, David had learned the tried, tested and proven fact — there is nothing, absolutely nothing impossible for the Almighty Father.
Friends, we often face a mountain, a difficult struggle that seems impossible to overcome. God’s children must remember that there is no force, power, or obstacle too great for our heavenly Father!
Jesus said, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)
God has not prom...
2020-10-0100 minMorning MeditationHome for SaleSome time ago, I passed by a house with a sign in the yard that read “Home for Sale.” I thought, “They’ve got it all wrong. It’s a house for sale.”
Later I discovered the couple was getting a divorce, dividing everything, so maybe it was a home for sale.
The first of three divinely ordained institutions that God established was the home — the family.
May we express appreciation and praise to the men and women who are committed to keeping their home as God desires, and also being good fathers and mothers, training their children in the way of righteo...
2020-09-3000 minMorning MeditationIgnorance of the LawMy family and I used to enjoy wonderful vacations in northern New Mexico. As we were passing one time through the small town of Clayton, New Mexico, I had been driving the speed limit all day. Just then a police officer pulled me over and quickly informed me I was “SPEEDING!” I knew there must be a mistake. The officer said, “This is a 35 mile an hour zone!” I was still driving 50. The speed on the sign I had previously seen. I missed the 35 mile an hour sign.
What “I thought” did not matter. I was speeding. I was guilty, even if I th...
2020-09-2901 minMorning MeditationOn a TombstoneOn a tombstone in a cemetery the following words were found:
“Remember friend as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I;
As I am now, you soon will be
So prepare to die and follow me.”
Some one else had written with a black crayon under the above words:
“To follow you I am not content
Until I learn which way you went.”
Christ left us an example that we should follow His steps (I Peter 2:21). The apostle Paul said follow him, as he followed Christ (I Corinthians 11:1).
With the passing of each day, we are one day...
2020-09-2800 minMorning MeditationRoadsThere are over four million miles of roads in the United States. There are good roads and bad roads. There are horse trails that are now major highways. Trails once traveled by stagecoach are now traveled by eighteen-wheelers. Roads are more dangerous than ever because there are people on the road with more horsepower than horse sense!
Jesus talked about two roads that represent our lives. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the wa...
2020-09-2501 minMorning MeditationFree IndeedJesus once said, “If the Son therefore makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Living a pure life, means surrendering to Jesus Christ. But some people don’t want to surrender because they say they want to be free.
What if a train said, “I don’t want to run on these tracks? I want to be free.” Then off through the meadow it would go. What if the kite said, “I want to be free? I don’t want to be tied to a string.” The string breaks and down it goes. What if a tree said, “I don’t want to be p...
2020-09-2401 minMorning MeditationBlessedWould you like to be eternally happy? Many seek happiness in all the wrong places. They search and search for “synthetic salvation” at the bottom of a liquor bottle or pill bottle.
In His most memorable sermon, Jesus tells us the key to true happiness. When the Bible uses the word “blessed,” it refers to a happiness that finds its source in God and God alone. Notice Jesus’ keys to happiness:
“Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless…
Blessed are those who mourn…”
Blessed are those who are gentle…”
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval…”
Blessed are...
2020-09-2301 minMorning MeditationManufacturing MiseryThere was a preacher on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. The woman was complaining about everything...the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service. The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, "What does your wife do?" He said, "Oh, she's in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness."
There are a lot of people like that. They manufacture their misery because they fail to be...
2020-09-2201 minMorning MeditationPurityPurity is not in vogue these days, but let me tell you what a father told his daughter one day. She wrote him while away at college: “Dear Dad, My classmates make promiscuity sound so natural and so inevitable. There are times when I wonder what I am waiting for.” Her father wrote her back: “You are waiting to be free from the nagging voice of conscience and from the gray shadow of guilt, free to give all of yourself, not a panicky fraction. Some deep instinct in you knows what tremendous influence your first complete union with another person will b...
2020-09-2101 minMorning MeditationNarrow MindedOften the Christian may be accused of being narrow-minded because he insists that we MUST completely obey Christ. Yet, all of life is narrow.
There is no room for broad-mindedness in the chemical laboratory. Water is composed of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Deviation is forbidden. There is no room for broad-mindedness in music. There are only eight notes in an octave. In the mathematics classroom, things are narrow. Geometry, calculus, nor trigonometry allows zero variation from accuracy. The solution to the problem is either right or it is wrong. On the athletic field the game must be...
2020-09-1801 minMorning MeditationKnow God's WordIt takes 70 hours and 40 minutes to read the Bible (about 52 hours to read the Old Testament and 18 hours to read the New Testament). At the rate of an hour a day, it takes a mere two months and ten days to read the entire Bible.
The Bible tells us of our origin, our purpose for being on this earth, and of our eternal destiny.
God’s Word plainly, concisely, and boldly declares the desire of our heavenly Father to save us in heaven after our life on this earth, but informs us that ONLY those who completely obey Him will be...
2020-09-1701 minMorning MeditationAmerica of YesteryearIn America of yesterday, you paid your debts on time, and went without to do so. You spent less than you earned and wanted your government to do the same thing.
You disciplined your children, but disciplined yourself first. You went to church services regularly and took your children to Bible classes.
You would have been horrified at (and quick to change) any men in high places who made “deals.” You expected to prosper only by doing a better job.
That was the character that brought this great country victory in the two world wars, built it back from a shat...
2020-09-1601 minMorning MeditationStandard EquipmentThe Pony Express ran from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California — a long 1900 miles. Forty riders would cover the distance in 10 days. Everything had to be light. Saddles were small. Mail pouches were flat. No guns were carried. Letters were written on thin paper. Yet, when a rider first signed on, he was given what was considered standard equipment — a full sized Bible — and it was taken on every trip!
The Bible should always be considered standard equipment to everyone! It is the only book that meets the needs of man under all conditions of life.
Ps 119:105, “Your word is a lamp t...
2020-09-1501 minMorning MeditationLifequakesEarthquakes capture the interest of the world. The tragedy is indescribable. Homes, office buildings, the highways are built and people are assured they are safe. Yet the buildings and roadways give way. Great damage is done and lives are lost as a result.
Many people have earthquakes in their lives. Whether emotional, spiritual, financial, or physical, these “lifequakes” can really shake us to the core. Without the proper foundation and building, they can tear us apart.
Almost 2,000 years ago Jesus said we are wise if we build on a firm foundation, the solid rock (Matt. 7:24-27). To do this, He said...
2020-09-1401 minMorning MeditationNot Just OddHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
Some people think that to be holy means to be odd. No, we are to be different. We have too many Christians doing unbiblical things who claim to be holy and in reality they are just odd.
Holiness is not achieved by what we have on, where we sleep and eat, or how many spiritual things we do. It is not primarily a matter of dress or style of hair. And we don’t become holy if we live in a commune, monastery, or convent. There is no holiness in a...
2020-09-1101 minMorning MeditationNo ComparisonHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
Sometimes Christians look at people who have committed adultery or murder and compare themselves to them. I want to tell you something. They are no more dead in trespasses and sin than your sweet daughter or precious parent who has not received Jesus’ gift of salvation.
There may be degrees of corruption, but there are no degrees of deadness. All lost people are dead people in need of the Savior. You may think you don’t have an interesting story because you didn’t get a Ph.D. in sin before...
2020-09-1001 minMorning MeditationGod's StrengthHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
A little boy was trying to roll a rock as his father watched from a distance. The boy was heaving and sighing but he couldn't turn the stone over. His dad, with a smile said, “Son, are you using all of your strength?” He said, “Yes Daddy. I'm using all my strength.” And the father said, “No, you're not because you have not asked me to help you. My strength is your strength.”
Sometimes we wrestle with problems and say; "I don't know what to do." Our Father wants us to say, "I'v...
2020-09-0901 minMorning MeditationBold LightHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
How many of you turn on a lamp in your house only to throw a blanket over it? You say that is silly? You are exactly right.
However, if you are not allowing Jesus to shine in your life that is exactly what you are doing. Jesus said that no one lights a lamp to put it under a basket, but they put it on a lamp stand. A lamp stand holds the candle up in the air so that its light can permeate every area of the room.
Each...
2020-09-0800 minMorning MeditationBelieve in MiraclesHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
The miracles of Jesus were marvelous and amazing. So much so that they draw attention even today. Many people are interested in miracles.
However, Jesus’ miracles were not divine publicity stunts. Very often Jesus would tell the recipients of a miracle to tell no one. Jesus neither needs nor wants the kind of devotion that is based on miracles.
The purpose of miracles was to point to Jesus. In John 20:30-31, John writes, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in t...
2020-09-0700 minMorning MeditationProcrastinationHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
James writes, “Therefore to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
Just seeing the word procrastination makes me want to put off saying anything else. Procrastination is a form of disobedience. When God tells us to do something and we don’t do it, we can label our actions with all kinds of fancy words, but the bottom line is that it is sin. The days are passing and time cannot be stopped.
You can’t call a “time out” in life. And...
2020-09-0401 minMorning MeditationFear of FailureHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
In Matthew 25, we read three parables of Jesus. One of the most well known among them is the parable of the talents. When the master, who had distributed the talents, came to see the stewardship of those talents, one man had taken his talent and hid it in the ground.
You may have a buried talent, but you have been covered up with, as one person called it, “the sinister minister of fear” who keeps you from achieving your dreams. You say, “But what if I fail?” You can be so afrai...
2020-09-0301 minMorning MeditationDo Not Be TemptedHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
A great story about temptation is about a father who leaves his son at home one Saturday afternoon because his son isn't feeling well. The father tells his son, "Don't go swimming with your buddies." And the son says, "Yes sir!" The dad returns by way of the swimming hole and notices his son frolicking with the other boys. He stops the car, calls his son over and says, "I told you not to go swimming." The son responds, "But, I didn't intend to go swimming. I just came down...
2020-09-0201 minMorning MeditationWashing FeetHi, I'm John McMath, and this is the Morning Meditation!
The apostle Peter exhorts each of us, “all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) To be “clothed” in this verse means to tie a knot or put on a servant’s apron. Basically, this verse tells us to tie on the apron of a slave and be humble.
Why do you think Peter used that figure of speech? It was because Jesus laid aside His garments, girded Himself with a towel, and washed their feet...
2020-09-0101 minMorning MeditationSufferingHi, I'm John McMath and this is the Morning Meditation!
How do you react to suffering? Suffering is a part of all of our lives. All of us have seen it. Many of us have experienced it.
Here are three reactions you need to have when you encounter suffering. First, you are to rejoice (1 Peter 4:13) in what God is allowing to happen. Second, you need to review your life (1 Peter 4:17-18). Am I suffering because of something I have done? If you become convicted that your suffering is a result of your sin, then you need to repent. Third, when...
2020-08-3101 minMorning MeditationGod's SatisfactionIn the third chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul wrote that God had set forth Jesus “to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (Romans 3:25)
Propitiation is a big word that means satisfaction. Because God is a holy God, His anger and justice burns against sin. And He has sworn that sin will be punished. There must be a satisfactory payment for sin so God said, “If I punish man for his sin, man will die and go to hell. On the other...
2020-08-2801 minMorning MeditationStarving MenIn the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began with what we call the Beattitudes. Among them is: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
When Jesus said that, He was not talking about someone who had a mere appetite, He was talking about a starving man.
God made us in such a way that we couldn’t exist long without food. But, what is a starving man most interested in? The latest football scores? The flower arrangement at the pink lemonade society? The number of stars in the universe? No! He’s only i...
2020-08-2701 minMorning MeditationBoiling FrogsDo you know how to boil a frog? You do it GRADUALLY.
If you put a frog in water already boiling, it will jump out, but, if you put it in warm water, the frog will stay in. Then increase the temperature gradually. The frog will hardly notice and will get used to the hotter water until he is boiled to death.
I’m afraid America is boiling frogs, and we are the frogs. We are gradually getting used to some really terrible things. Adultery, premarital sex, disrespect for authority, and profanity are some examples. These things were repulsive to pa...
2020-08-2601 minMorning MeditationCentrality of the WordAuthor John MacArthur writes, “We live in a church culture that downplays sound biblical teaching -- a culture that shies away from preaching doctrine, biblical confrontation, and unashamed gospel proclamation...
Instead of a church that engages the world with God's truth while calling sinners to repentance in Christ, we have a church that seems more concerned with avoiding friction and just blending in. Attention-grabbing skits and media presentations are supplanting sermons. Recovery programs and support groups are replacing Bible study. In short, churches today are abandoning the life-changing Word of God for substitutes that can neither convert unbelief nor feed th...
2020-08-2501 minMorning MeditationSelf ContainedPhilippians 4:11 states, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”
Paul came to a place in his life — not a physical place, but a spiritual place — where he felt divine contentment. Most people think they know what this word “contentment” means, but let me tell you what it means in God’s Word. It means “self contained.”
In the context of this passage, we learn that Paul was thanking people for their fellowship gifts to him, but he wanted them also to know that he was not dependent upon them because God had br...
2020-08-2401 minMorning MeditationDo Things RightCan you see yourself as being right on target with every decision you make? Could you imagine your decisions and actions getting the divine nod of approval? Genesis 6:22 states, "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did"
Noah started building an ark before the rain came. His countrymen may have thought he had lost it... But Noah kept sawing and hammering. His audience was not the crowd that laughed. Noah's sole concern was God.
I have a tough time with that. Do you? I am pulled in so many directions. I have a job, bills...
2020-08-2101 min
Morning MeditationHeritage of FaithOur search for significance can often become really pathetic.
Now that his season home run record has been broken, how long will people remember Roger Maris? Who was the senior vice president of General Motors in 1975? Who were the two senators from Virginia in 1910? What are the names of those who climbed Mount Everest in 1991?
Few of us could answer more than one or two of these questions, if at all, and yet in their day their names were all over the most popular newspapers and magazines. Children teach us the profound and simple message that what popular society values...
2020-08-2001 minMorning MeditationWhat Will You Do With Jesus?In Matthew 22:42, Jesus asked an inquisitive audience, “What to you think about the Christ?” Every man, woman, boy, and girl must come into contact with Jesus Christ. And He will be either a stepping stone into heaven or a stumbling stone into hell. No one can be neutral about Jesus Christ.
Either you rise on Him, or you fall on Him. You cannot walk around Him. Either you are saved by Him or you are judged by Him.
You will encounter Jesus Christ. He is inevitable. He is unavoidable. He is inescapable. What you do with Jesus Christ determines what Jesu...
2020-08-1901 minMorning MeditationTrue Worship“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
The Father seeks to commune with you in worship. He is not looking for your money, your glory, or your strength. He is looking for your heart. C. S. Lewis said, “It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates His presence to men.”
If you are not worshiping God, but you are serving...
2020-08-1801 minMorning MeditationObey CompletelyIn 2 Kings 5:10, we read that God chose to heal Naaman, who was a leper, in a very unique way. God told Elisha to tell Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan and he would be healed. Why seven times? Why not eight or five times?
The number seven is the number of perfection in the Bible. One is the number of unity. Two is the number of witness. Three is the number of deity. Four is the earth number. Six is the number of man. When God told Naaman to dip seven times, He was saying, “If you want Me...
2020-08-1701 minMorning MeditationRedeeming LoveSamson, the mighty man of the Old Testament, learned three things about sin that I want to share with you today.
First, sin will take you further than you want to go. Second, sin will keep you longer than you want to stay. Third, sin will cost you more than you want to pay. Never has there been a greater failure than Samson, but in his remorse he began to think about the great God who loved him. And he thought of the fact that God is always willing to forgive. No matter how bad sin is, God is greater.
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