Latest Lessons
Here are the most recent items added.
Thu. Nov 21st
Conquest of Jericho and Ai
In this lesson Mike reviews the reasons for both the Israelite's victories and defeat in their campaigns to capture both these cities in an effort to settle the Promised Land.
Mon. Nov 18th
Honor to Whom It is Due
Many years ago I took a trip in one of our church vans. When the weather suddenly changed and it began to rain so hard that the windshield wipers couldn't keep up.
Thu. Nov 14th
Joshua's Commission and the Crossing of the Jordan
This lesson deals with Joshua's first act of leadership as the new head of the people, crossing the Jordan river and entering the Promised Land for the first time.
Mon. Nov 11th
Freedom from Sin
What does Paul mean when he says that we have been freed from sin; that we become slaves to righteousness?
Sun. Nov 10th
Odds and Ends About Grace
In this lesson Mike introduces four new ideas about the grace of God not mentioned in the 76 sermons, classes and articles he has produced over the years concerning this topic.
Thu. Nov 7th
Introduction to Joshua and Judges
In this first lesson Mike covers introductory material such as, authorship, dating, historical context, along with a comparison of authors and other points of interest to prepare students for the study of these two books in proper context.
Thu. Nov 7th
Joshua / Judges for Beginners
This series based on the books of Joshua and Judges reviews the significant changes and turmoil experienced by the Jewish people as they transitioned from a nomadic existence in the wilderness to a settled nation occupying the Promised Land.
Mon. Nov 4th
How Important is 1 Vote?
Sometimes when we listen to the news and they talk about the number of people there are in the world and the magnitude of the problems, we feel rather insignificant.
Mon. Oct 28th
True Awakenings
In 1990 there was an unusual movie called "Awakenings" with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. It was about a man who, for some reason, was in a coma for years and then suddenly came out of it for a while with the help of his doctor.
Mon. Oct 21st
Seek the Kingdom
This devotional looks at the profound difference between "keeping" and "seeking" God's kingdom, finding freedom and hope in the promise that those who earnestly seek will ultimately find it.
Mon. Oct 14th
Kissing Up
There is a modern expression that describes an old human need. The expression is "kissing up" and it means to curtsy or cultivate favor with a superior.
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Can I Be Forgiven After Falling Away From the Church?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Was Jesus Married and Did He Have Kids?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Who Wrote the Book of Genesis?
Mike explores various theories regarding the authorship of Genesis, discussing views that include Moses as the writer through divine guidance, the involvement of later writers compiling oral histories, and Moses compiling and editing existing testimonies.
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
When Are Children Old Enough to Be Baptized?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Where Does Evil Come From?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Does Speaking in Tongues Still Take Place Today?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Why Do You Not Have Any Series on the Apocrypha / Other Books?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
What Happens to Your Soul After Death, Before Judgment?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Why Do Some Churches Use a Single Cup for Communion?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Can a Woman Baptize Someone, Make Announcements, or Serve Communion?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Why Did Jesus Send the Demons Into a Herd of Pigs?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Is It Necessary to Attend Multiple Church Services Per Week?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
How Do You Suggest I Study the Bible and Use Commentaries?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Can a Man Be an Elder if He Has Been Married More Than Once?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Is It Okay to Belong to a Moose Lodge Organization?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Who was the "Naked Man in the Garden" in Mark 14?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
What is the Difference Between the 'indwelling' and the 'empowerment' of the Holy Spirit?
Church 101
Wed. Oct 9th
Is it Possible to Blaspheme the Holy Spirit nowadays?
Church 101
Tue. Oct 8th
Can You Lose the Holy Spirit?
Church 101
Tue. Oct 8th
Why Can't I Stop Feeling Guilty and Fearful Since My Divorce?
Church 101
Tue. Oct 8th
Can Women Lead Adult Bible Classes?
Church 101
Tue. Oct 8th
How Can I Be Right with God After a Divorce?
Mon. Oct 7th
Ministering to the Minister
Several years ago, I was visiting a congregation whose "prime" had passed. The attendance was half of what it used to be as empty pews marked the places where entire families once sat. The singing only echoed the full voices that had previously stirred the building with sweet praise.
Sun. Oct 6th
The Power of Blood
In this sermon Mike examines the very real power of the blood of Christ and how that power affects each Christian in ways few can imagine.
Church 101
Sun. Oct 6th
Can You Remarry After Divorce?
I have read the writings of the early church fathers my understanding is all of them say you can not remarry after divorce for any reason?
Mon. Sep 30th
Guarding Against Greed
We need to protect ourselves against continually desiring what we don't have or constantly craving more of what we do.
Mon. Sep 23rd
Miracles Don't Save
Discover the true source of salvation and the pitfalls of modern faith healers, emphasizing that only the gospel, not miraculous healings, has the power to save our souls.
Mon. Sep 16th
When Someone Leaves...
Gain valuable insights on how to handle the challenging situation of dealing with disfellowshipped members, guided by biblical principles and a compassionate approach.
Mon. Sep 9th
The Suicide Doctor
Discover how embracing life's challenges with faith and perseverance can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper connection with God.
Mon. Sep 2nd
The Problem of Procrastination
In this devotional, the focus is on procrastinators, urging them to overcome the habit by highlighting its negative consequences, such as missed opportunities, entrenched laziness, and the erroneous assumption of ample time, all while drawing on biblical wisdom from Solomon and James to emphasize the importance of timely action and the unpredictability of life.
Mon. Aug 26th
She was a Good Dog
Bristo, a female Boxer belonging to our eldest daughter, died recently from a combination of age (13 years) and various ailments that are common in dogs of that type.
Mon. Aug 19th
Wednesday Night: What's in it for me?
The Wednesday night service is as inconvenient a habit as you can have. You have to rush home from work and rush through supper or delay supper until late.
Thu. Aug 15th
Renewal of the Covenant and Moses' Final Days
In this final lesson, Mike summarizes the final eight chapters of Deuteronomy while highlighting the major differences between this last section and the first section of the book from chapter 1 to 26. In addition to this there is commentary about the extensive use of poetry and the final application lessons drawn from three different perspectives to complete the series.
Mon. Aug 12th
How to Persevere in Preaching
5 indispensable rules that pave the way for your present-day survival and future prosperity as a preacher.
Thu. Aug 8th
Detailed Laws for Living
Mike reviews the 18 different laws Moses refers to in this section with special emphasis on key ordinances as well as lesser known rules for living explained by the Jewish leaders nearing the end of his life.
Mon. Aug 5th
Before You Say "Why Not"
When faced with a decision to do something or get involved in some scheme or plan, people sometimes base their choice on the popular saying "why not?"
Thu. Aug 1st
The Essence of the Law
These chapters cover Moses' review of the commandments and the covenant between God and the Jewish people as they are poised to enter, conquer, and settle the land promised to their forefathers Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
Mon. Jul 29th
Friendship Stew
In an article entitled, "Enjoying the Enduring Magic of Long-Term Friendship," Katherine Lowry lists several important ingredients found in friendships that are able to last for many years.
Thu. Jul 25th
Introduction to Deuteronomy
In this introductory lesson, Mike will examine both the differences and similarities of Numbers and Deuteronomy, review the main events of these opening chapters and provide main lessons from this material for both the Jews it was first written for as well as modern Christians who read this material today.
Mon. Jul 22nd
The Rod of Discipline
Solomon, in Proverbs 13:24, emphasizes that discipline, akin to a shepherd's rod, is an essential expression of love necessary for a child's growth, as it teaches them accountability and obedience, ultimately preventing a life without direction and self-discipline.
Thu. Jul 18th
Preparing to Enter the Promised Land
In the final lesson for the Book of Numbers, Mike details the various preparations made by the Jewish people before finally entering the Promised Land.
Mon. Jul 15th
No Good Time to Die
When I lived in Montréal, I remember a shocking news story about a young woman who died instantly when a piece of concrete fell on her as she was eating supper with her husband in a downtown restaurant.
Thu. Jul 11th
Journey to the Plains of Moab
These chapters highlight the various events that prepare the second generation of Jewish people for their entry into the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness.
Mon. Jul 8th
Forever Praise
Let's begin our week by reading a psalm of praise.
Thu. Jul 4th
Rebellion and Leadership
This lesson covers the principle events from the spies mission in surveying the Promised Land to the deaths of Miriam and Aaron as the Israelites near the end of their wilderness wanderings.
Tue. Jul 2nd
3 Steps to Contentment
Recent studies reveal a paradox: despite success and happiness, many struggle with dissatisfaction in themselves, public life, and family, leading to stress and conflict. Drawing from the Apostle Paul's wisdom, this article presents three essential steps to finding contentment.
Mon. Jul 1st
The Good Idea of America
In July of 1776 the American Congress approved the Declaration of the Independence of the 13 United States of America. One of the key figures behind the Declaration was Thomas Jefferson, whose writing in "Defense of Liberty and Rights of Man" was the intellectual force behind the Revolution.
Thu. Jun 27th
From Sinai to Kadesh
The title of this lesson mentions the place where Israel left after camping for a year (Sinai) and the locale (Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran) where many events that shaped their lives occurred. This lesson reviews several of these experiences.
Mon. Jun 24th
What is Maturity?
An important topic that parents and teens often discuss is what is, or is not, mature. Parents and teens do not have the same idea about what maturity actually means.
Sun. Jun 23rd
Fearless Trust
In Psalm 27 David provides an example of the kind of attitude a believer should have when facing tough times.
Thu. Jun 20th
Preparing to Depart
This lesson reviews the instructions God gave the Israelites concerning a census, the order for camps, travel and the responsibilities of both the priests and Levites.
Mon. Jun 17th
Lap Talk
I'd like to talk to you about an experience I had as a young father many years ago. It began when my youngest son, William, came home from school one day feeling a little low.
Thu. Jun 13th
Introduction
In this first lesson Mike will introduce the fourth and fifth books of the Pentateuch and examine their main characteristics as well as their similarities and differences.
Thu. Jun 13th
Numbers / Deuteronomy for Beginners
The books of Numbers and Deuteronomy are natural companions and profitable for a study together since they both provide information about the observation of laws and rituals as well as detailed information about the Jewish peoples' 40 years in the wilderness.
Mon. Jun 10th
Raising Christian Kids
It seems that older people are the ones who are interested in religion and younger ones have little time for spiritual things.
Thu. Jun 6th
Zechariah / Malachi
In this last lesson, Mike reviews the longest book of the Minor Prophets and the last prophet to speak in the Old Testament.
Mon. Jun 3rd
A Father's Prayer
Over the years I've learned that each child in a family has specific needs and, as a father who knows his children, I often pray for God to bless them in particular ways.
Thu. May 30th
Zephaniah / Haggai
Mike reviews the work of the last prophet to serve before the destruction of Jerusalem (Zephaniah) and the first prophet to speak to the exiles who returned home after 70 years of captivity (Haggai).
Tue. May 28th
How Christians Grieve
In this session, Mike compares the five stages of grief originally taught by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to the grieving process outlined in the Book of Job.
Mon. May 27th
Trust is like a Rope
In the Old Testament the word for trusting faith was a Hebrew word that meant a rope. I'd like to use this imagery to explain something about how trust is built and how trust is destroyed.
Thu. May 23rd
Nahum / Habakkuk
Both Nahum and Habakkuk are unusual in that they spoke primarily about the foreign nations of Assyria and Babylonia (Chaldeans) and how God would both use and deal with these empires.
Mon. May 20th
Effective Prayer
In Matthew 6:9, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. "Pray, then, in this way:" This was not so much the teaching of what words to say because the Jews were trained to memorize the psalms and were experienced in offering praise and worship at the temple.
Thu. May 16th
Jonah
We finish up Jonah's book with a series of lessons applied to the prophet's contemporaries as well as helpful insights for the modern reader of today.
Mon. May 13th
How to Help the Unsaved Die
Several years ago, a Christian woman asked me what she could do for her father, who was not a Christian, and who was dying of cancer. After prayer, and some serious soul-searching, I provided her with three suggestions for helping her unsaved father pass.
Thu. May 9th
Jonah
In this first part of Jonah's book, Mike will review the good and bad traits of Jonah's character as well as how these play against his most unusual experience in the belly of a fish.
Mon. May 6th
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
In the summer of 1992, I watched a girl from Oklahoma, Shannon Miller, rise to the lead in the individual gymnastics competition at the Olympics and then win her medals.
Thu. May 2nd
Obadiah / Micah
Mike continues his review of the Minor Prophets with a look at the times, message, book and applications from two eighth century BC prophets, Obadiah and Micah.
Mon. Apr 29th
Facts About Prayer
Here are a few commonly asked questions regarding the act of praying.
Sun. Apr 28th
Can He Preach?
In this lesson Mike provides the church with the basic criteria needed to discern which candidate to choose when hiring a preaching minister.
Thu. Apr 25th
Joel / Amos
Mike reviews the lives, ministry, messages and times of both Joel and Amos – two of the 12 Minor Prophets.
Mon. Apr 22nd
Deny Sin, Not Self
In Colossians 2:20-23, Paul teaches that the denial of the flesh does not necessarily decrease the power nor the attraction of the flesh.
Thu. Apr 18th
Hosea
In the story of Hosea, the first of the Minor Prophets, the class will review information about the Prophet Hosea as well as his times, message, book and lesson drawn from his writings.
Mon. Apr 15th
Cup Fever
Montréal is best known for its hockey madness. When the Canadiens are in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup Championship there is a total media blitz about the team and its chances to score the biggest prize in hockey.
Thu. Apr 11th
The Call of the Prophet
This lesson examines the special characteristics of the prophet's call to ministry.
Mon. Apr 8th
Keeping Your Vows
Most of us who look back on our wedding day know that weddings are for making vows, but marriages are where we work at keeping those vows.
Thu. Apr 4th
Introduction
This first lesson will review the historical appearance of each prophet as well as a comparison of the Hebrew Bible to the Old Testament.
Wed. Apr 3rd
The Minor Prophets for Beginners
In this series, Mike introduces the books of the Minor Prophets providing a summary of content, history, main features and information about each author as well as modern applications from each book.
Mon. Apr 1st
He Could Have Done More
Jesus had the potential of doing so much, but He didn't. He could have cured all the lepers, freed the Jews from Roman domination, stopped the hunger and suffering of the poor, but He didn't.
Mon. Mar 25th
Jesus Doesn't do Funerals
Have you ever noticed that Jesus spoiled every funeral He attended?
Sun. Mar 24th
Why I am a Member of the Church of Christ
With 100's of church types to choose from – Mike explains the three reasons why he deliberately chose to be a member of the Church of Christ.
Mon. Mar 18th
Bringing Your Friend to Christ
I have noticed something about our teens lately that is quite encouraging: they are not ashamed of us.
Mon. Mar 11th
The Fight for Faith
It seems that atheists are in need of publicity.
Thu. Mar 7th
Book of Esther
The story of Esther is used to illustrate how God's providence works in the life of believers.
Mon. Mar 4th
Giving God 100%
Today, I would like to talk about the need to give God 100% and why we should not be afraid of doing so.
Thu. Feb 29th
Book of Ruth
The book of Ruth teaches us the five basic elements that produce strong, satisfying and long lasting relationships.
Thu. Feb 29th
Ruth/Esther for Beginners
Ruth and Esther both demonstrate the type of faith and courage believing women of any era can project when called upon to rise up beyond their perceived strength.
Mon. Feb 26th
The Gift of Forgiveness
The pleasure of most gifts is to unwrap and examine them. In this lesson, I would like to do this with our most precious gift, forgiveness.
Thu. Feb 22nd
When Ordinary Men and Women do Extraordinary Work
This final lesson wraps up Nehemiah's task, highlighting the way God provides for all of His builders, and finishes with a final encouragement contained in a segment called, "the art of finishing."
Mon. Feb 19th
Lessons on Leadership
In I Chronicles 14:12 we read about David's military leaders waging a successful battle against the Philistines and taking some of the spoils including foreign idols. David forced them to destroy these objects because they violated God's commands. In this brief episode we see several qualities to look for in leaders of any place or time.