Tribulation Is Part Of God’s Plan For Believers

by Kevin Burton    I just created my 32nd set of memory verses. On a good day I can recite most of the verses on the first try. But today my mind is on one I would rather forget.    Acts 14:22 is the fourth verse in the set I have on index cards with …

What To Think Of A “Check Please” Christian

by Kevin Burton    God knows this, so you might as well know it too.     Right now, you could call me a “check please” Christian.    You get the reference, right?  In American situation comedies there is this line that writers use. I’ve seen the line delivered over and over in any number of …

Forget Self-Help, Seek God’s Heart Surgery

by Dane Massey    (Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)       Spent this week thinking about the personal words that describe the Gospel.  Words that describe what happens inwardly when one enters into the Gospel of Christ, the power of God unto …

Weighing Philippians 1:21 “To Live Is Christ”

by Kevin Burton    When people think of you, what comes first to their mind? Or asked another way, what should  go into the first paragraph of your obituary?    I’m asking these questions today in the context of devotion to Christ, and Phil. 1:21 where the Apostle Paul writes “For to me to live …

Jesus Can Heal Your Hurt, Even Church Hurt

by Kevin Burton    I have a friend, more of a Facebook friend really, who I wish would read these words. Chances are, you know someone is her position.    The person I am thinking of could not be any more dynamic, energetic, positive, intelligent. Some people just have that charisma that makes them stand …

Christmas “Reax”: Go Now, With Haste

by Kevin Burton    Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Savior of the world. We wrap it in things that don’t matter a whit. But Jesus is the whole story.    He’s the whole story all the time by the way, not just at Christmas.     The story of the birth …

More Quiz Questions About The Birth Of Jesus

by Kevin Burton    Thanks to my friend Tracy for sending the quiz questions about the birth of Jesus we ran on Page 7 yesterday and are completing today.    There are popular Christmas traditions and carols that play fast and loose with the actual truth of the birth of the Savior. It’s important to …

Test Your Knowledge Of The Birth of Jesus

by David LangerfeldThe Daily Encourager    How well do you know the Biblical story of Jesus’ birth? Do you know what’s really in the scriptures, or have you assumed some things about the story from all the Christmas stories you’ve read and Christmas plays you’ve seen?    Take the following IQ Quiz. See how well …

The Spiritual Danger Of Procrastination

by Kevin Burton    Twice on Page 7 I have taken a light-hearted look at procrastination, in essence winking at the practice.    No real harm if all we’re talking about is cleaning out the garage.    In the spiritual realm however, putting off important decisions can go from the comedic to the tragic. And …

The Apostle Paul Says “Dress For Success”

by Kevin Burton    Some of us, as high school seniors, went to classes called “College Prep.,” and what an honor that was. Somebody thought we were “college material.”     One of my teachers, can’t remember which one, clued me in on what might be coming just around the corner by getting creative with my …