Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 9, 2024
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 12:21-32 From early childhood I remember singing the old hymn, “When I See the Blood.” Taken directly from Exodus 12:23, the hymn reminds us that the Passover points directly to Jesus. As wonderful as the annual Passover celebration was, it would be fulfilled by […]
December 9, 2024
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorFocal Passage: Luke 2:4-14 “Merry CHRISTmas!” Not “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays,” but Merry CHRISTmas! Our current series of Bible in Life lessons is entitled Looking Forward to CHRISTmas, and today’s topic is Looking Forward to JOY. The focal passage, Luke 2:4-14, includes one of most read and quoted sentences in the […]
December 2, 2024
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 5:1-4; 6:2-9 People crave freedom. Unfortunately, many desire an auto- cracy where they answer to no one but themselves. In the poem, “Invictus,” William Ernest Henley declared, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” Ironically, I have […]
December 2, 2024
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorFocal Passage: Isaiah 8:20-9:7 I was in high school the first time I heard a live performance of Handel’s Messiah. The climax was The Hallelujah Chorus; everyone stood. But I’d been even more impressed earlier as the tympani drummer in the orchestra pounded the rhythm and the exuberant choir sang: “And His […]
November 25, 2024
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-15 “But you promised! Remember?” Have you ever been reminded of a promise made in a moment of desperation that you had quickly forgotten? Whether is was part of negotiating with your child for better behavior or better grades, it clearly meant more […]
November 25, 2024
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorFocal Passage: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 This is the first of six Bible Studies for Life entitled: Looking Forward to CHRISTmas. (I always spell it “CHRISTmas,” by the way. For years I have put CHRIST in all caps. It’s a reminder to me and everyone that we are not the reason for the […]
November 18, 2024
By Darrell NimmoRetired Tennessee pastorFocal Passage:Acts 27:31-44 Life is often pictured as a journey. All journeys start at one destination and travel to another. We are born, which begins our journey in life and we die which ends our journey in life. Between the beginning and the end, life is full of all kinds of […]
November 18, 2024
By Joshua MoorePastor, First Baptist Church, SharonFocal Passages: Psalm 30 We turn our attention this last lesson of the fall quarter to Thanksgiving, a favorite holiday for many believers. Psalm 30 highlights many reasons for God’s children to be grateful. Entitled “A Dedication Song for the House,” this Psalm of David focuses on the individual’s […]
November 11, 2024
By Darrell NimmoRetired Tennessee pastorFocal Passage: Acts 26:19-29 There are many things in life that demand a response. We are faced with these things each and every day of our lives. Some of them are small things that alter our lives very little. Then there are the big things that completely change the direction and […]
November 11, 2024
By Joshua MoorePastor, First Baptist Church, Sharon Focal Passage: Genesis 42:3-5, 21-24a, 45:1-5 The story of Joseph and his brothers teaches us that it is better to work toward restoration and reconciliation than to seek revenge. While Hollywood can earn millions with a movie plot centered on a protagonist seeking to claim vengeance, God demonstrates […]
November 4, 2024
By Darrell NimmoRetired Tennessee pastor Focal Passage: Acts 22:7-21 I can remember growing up and how I loved getting together as a family for the holidays and other occasions. It was a special time and the evenings were my favorite. That’s when everyone would share stories. Some were funny, some were sad, but all of […]
November 4, 2024
By Joshua MoorePastor, First Baptist Church, SharonFocal Passages: Genesis 37:1-4, 18-24, 31-34 The greatest family dynamic in the Book of Genesis must be Joseph and his brothers. God demonstrates His faithfulness even through betrayal, setbacks and suffering. This story also illustrates that family reconciliation is possible, even in the most extreme cases, when the love […]