By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay

Focal Passage: I Peter 2:1-10

Charlie Brown said to Lucy: “Lucy, wouldn’t it be great, knowing what we know now, to get to live our lives over?” Lucy responded: “Charlie Brown, what do we know now?” Not even Christians get to live their lives over, but persons who receive Jesus as their Savior, do get to live a new life.

“Therefore” in I Peter 2:1 refers back to I Peter 1:23: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” The implication is that the new life will be a different kind of life because the Christian is born of imperishable seed. This should remind one of what Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:6 NIV).  Peter speaks to the change that believers experience when he says: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 2:3, NIV).  [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Psalm 33:6-9, 13-15; Colossians 1:15-17

One of the things I do not love to do is put things together for my children.  I love getting things they need and sometimes want. I also love helping them learn to use the things in question, but I do not love the phrase “Some assembly required.” And the reason I do not love it is the instructions. Invariably I am left with a piece of plastic, rubber or frame and have no idea where it goes or its intended purpose.

Everything has a purpose and every person has a purpose. The general purpose of everyone is to know God and have a relationship with Him. But, I believe God also has a specific purpose and mission for your life and mine. God spoke to Jeremiah the prophet telling him that his purpose was determined while in his mother’s womb. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Psalms 33:6-9, 13-15; Colossians 1:15-17

“The Bible is not a science book.” Have you ever heard this? There is some truth to this statement. The Scripture was not ever intended to be a treatise on science, and yet being the very Word of God it does contain many truths found in science. So, this statement should not be used to discount what the Bible teaches as truth.

Contrary to what we have been taught most of our lives through secular media and government schools, science and Scripture are not necessarily opposed to one another.  The scientists who now believe in an omnipotent, omniscient creator are on the rise.  [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Jesus encounters an expert in the law. This expert knew the first five books of the Bible backwards and forward. Jesus uses this occasion to teach a very important truth. That truth is that a person cannot separate their relationship with God from their relationship with their fellowman. Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what loving compassion looks like. He coupled that with describing and illustrating how believers should go the extra mile to demonstrate acts of kindness. [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Proverbs 11:23-29

Proverbs offers practical instructions on the use of money. Money is essential for living; however, believers are to recognize that God requires accountability. No matter how hard a person has toiled, in reality God is the source of all blessings. God’s blessings are not given to be hoarded but to be shared (II Kings 4:1-7). The blessing of God is promised to those who give generously to God’s work and God’s people.

A believer is to be generous with what God has given (Proverbs 11:23-26).  In v. 23 the desires of the righteous and the desires of the wicked are seen. The righteous desire what is good and beneficial. In contrast, the desires of the wicked lead to wrath. [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

God desires for His children to be good stewards both in their life and finances. Herschel Hobbs said, “Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes the writer identified two key concerns connected to wealth: (1) Don’t be consumed with the quest for wealth; and (2) Don’t fall into poverty through laziness or misfortune.” There has to be a balance between those two statements. A godly person is to plan well, and make investments wisely; and then leave it in God’s hands. [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Proverbs 31:13-21

Often Proverbs 31 is viewed as a passage written describing an ideal wife. Yet this Proverb contains many business principles that apply to both men and women. The Proverbs 31 “business woman” understands that her business and its success are directly related to her God-given talents, skills, abilities, and the plan He has for her life. Her goal for both her business plan and her life is to seek God and to glorify Him in all her endeavors. All business activities should be viewed as a ministry for God.  [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:6-11

Hard work is a Christian virtue. It is a sign of increasing godliness. God does not want a person to waste their life but to move forward using all the opportunities that God has placed within each person’s path. Even before “The Fall,” Adam was to tend the garden. Hard work leads to a purposeful life and a balanced life. God does want a person to work (if able bodied) but He never wants a person to be a workaholic.

Solomon used the ant as an example of how a person is to approach work.  An ant has a tireless work ethic. An ant does not have someone standing over them making sure that their daily work is done. An ant has something inside of them that causes them to work diligently. The only way to keep an ant from working is to kill it. Ants do not procrastinate. The ant prepares its provisions in summer. [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:1-5, 22:7

Solomon, the man who asked for and received wisdom, warns about the snare of over-extended financial obligations. His words are needed as society is drowning in debt, both consumer and national debt. The average credit card debt is over $16,000. The national debt is about 18.9 trillion dollars. “Spending out of control” seems to be a way of life.

Proverbs 22:7 warns that debt enslaves a person. Debt causes a person to lose their freedom. People who owe money work for their creditors. Work then enjoy possessions is now enjoy possessions then work to pay for them. Debt causes all kinds of problems. Debt brings stress into a person’s life, and leads them to make bad decisions that cause even more problems. [Read more…]

By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason

Focal Passage: Proverbs 23:4-5, 30:5-9

So much of a person’s life is consumed with matters concerning money. Therefore it is important that “money matters” are kept in proper perspective. Security is not to be found in our wealth but in God. Wealth is to be used for the glory of God. One of the areas where wisdom from God is needed is in personal finances. There has to be a proper balance between hoarding and generosity.

A believer is not to seek after riches in the same way that the world does (Proverbs 23:4). A believer should seek riches but in a way that brings God’s blessings. Mere riches just for riches’ sake are not to be sought. Common sense should be used in all business dealings; however, it is a mistake to seek anything in life without asking God for His direction and His blessings.  A person should seek God’s help in all areas of life, but especially in personal finances. Riches give a false sense of security (v. 5). When a person seeks protection under the wings of their wealth, it is a false protection. If riches are not taken away from man by theft, taxes or poor management, eventually riches will be taken away by death (I John 2:15-17).  Under the wings of the Almighty God is sure protection. Our Heavenly Father cares for His own. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Read more…]