In our entertainment-oriented culture, many churches find themselves trying to 'out do' themselves with more and more elaborate additions to worship. What began as special music by a choir becomes a full orchestra with professional soloists. A dramatic reading necessitates a full Broadway stage production. And as long as those who come to worship enjoy what is offered, anything goes. The expectation is that sermons will be shorter, wittier, and more uplifting. Anything in worship that cannot be 'jazzed up' must be abandoned as boring — and there is nothing worse than being boring, we are led to believe.

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While working out I was pressing more weight than I should have. In my mind I am still in my twenties. I started my third set … 5… 6 … halfway through the last rep my arms decided enough was enough. I was abruptly reminded that the half-century is in my rear-view mirror by several years. Seeing no other option, I shifted a little to the right, dropped the weight and fell off the bench. Now if this had occurred at home, that would have been the end of the story. However, I was blessed to enjoy this…

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Acts 11 records disciples bringing the gospel to Syrian Antioch. “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord” (verse 21, NASB).

“A large number who believed turned to the Lord.” Does this imply that some who believed did not turn to the Lord? How sad to think it could be so. Yet the New Testament elsewhere describes people who believed in Jesus, but for one reason or another were unwilling to be his disciples. Some who believed were afraid to confess…

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THE BRONZE SERPENT AND UNANSWERED PRAYERS
(Jacob Hudgins)

As the Israelites approach the land of Canaan, they "became impatient on the way" (Num. 21:4). They begin to criticize God and Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food"(Num 21:5). Fed up with their complaining, Jehovah sends "fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died"(Num 21:6).

This has an immediate impact. The disposition of the…

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