Posted by Ray Pritchard on 1.8.10 in Church Trends, Devotional
I had breakfast with a friend who told me that working in the church is like “moving the elephant.” He explained that moving an elephant can be quite difficult, especially if the elephant doesn’t want to be moved. You can get in front and pull on the trunk or you can stand behind and push with all your might. Eventually if you pul…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 1.8.10 in Devotional
A wise man gave me some advice on how to make good decisions:Don’t ask, “Lord, what do want me to do?” or “Where do you want me to go?"Instead you should ask, “Who do you want me to go with?"Most of the time the “who” matters more than the “what” or the “where.” Not that …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 1.3.10 in Devotional
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).How much can God do in 2010?The answer is, no one knows because no one has ever come to the end of God’s infinite ability.It is not our prayers that mark his ability. He can do far more tha…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 1.1.10 in Devotional
On Christmas Day 1939, King George VI of England gave a brief radio address to his troubled nation. England was already at war with Germany. Soon all of Europe would be plunged into the horror of brutal, unrestrained warfare. Hoping to calm the troubled hearts of his countrymen, the king offered words of encouragement as the storm clouds gathered o…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.31.09 in Devotional
At long last we’ve made it to the end of 2009. Not triumphantly perhaps, but we’ve made it. So how did you do these last twelve months? What kind of year did you have?Probably your year was a lot like mine. Some great victories, some surprising defeats, and a few “no decisions” along the way.Maybe you had one of those years …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.29.09 in Devotional
The Bible tells us to “be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 Phillips). That command turns on the last phrase, “whatever the circumstances may be.” After all, it’s one thing to praise God when you’ve got a good job, your marriage is strong, your kids are doing well, your career is …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.12.09 in Devotional
I have a good friend who emails me from time to time with thoughts about forgiveness. They are really just bullet points about lessons he has learned from his own personal journey. This morning he sent five thoughts. The following two really stuck in my mind:1. “If you have forgiven a person, that means that you don’t make them pay in t…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.11.09 in Devotional
This morning Al Mohler spoke to the December graduates at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY on the theme Start Something You Cannot Finish based on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” I love this challenge because it reminds me that someone was here before I …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.6.09 in Devotional
Each day I receive a quote by email from a ministry called Of First Importance. Each quotation comes from a noted Christian leader past or present and each focuses on some aspect of the gospel. If you haven’t subscribed yet, I recommend “Of First Importance” to you. Wednesday’s selection stayed in my mind because it gave me …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.5.09 in Devotional
Seventeen years ago Jim Warren shared a principle with me that I have repeated many times. In last week’s message I mentioned it again. And on Wednesday night when I gave that message at the First Baptist Church of Tupelo, I noticed people writing it down. When I shared it at the Men’s Bible Study on Thursday night, the same thing happe…
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