Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 23, 2024
By Troy Rust Associational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationFocal Passage: Exodus 14:19-31 Despite the pain of the death of the firstborn brought on by the Passover, Pharaoh, whose heart God had once again hardened, pursued the Israelites as they fled. Why did God harden his heart? While it is not easy for us to […]
December 23, 2024
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastor Focal Passage: Matthew 2:1-11; 16-18 The very “first CHRISTmas” was over. Jesus’ birthday had come to pass. Some research scientists of that day had gotten word of it, and had traveled a long way to see the newborn Child. Even though theirs was an after CHRISTmas visit, it was memorable: they […]
December 16, 2024
By Troy Rust Associational mission strategist • Holston Baptist AssociationShe had no idea it would be her. As a young Jewish girl, Mary had likely heard Isaiah’s prophecy, “the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14b). However, she did not know when and how that prophecy would be fulfilled until […]
December 16, 2024
By Mike DawsonTennessee pastorNote from the writer: I returned to Tennessee to become pastor of FBC Columbia in 1996; two years later Lonnie Wilkey became editor of the B&R. So he has been my ‘window’ into Tennessee Baptist life — and into Kingdom work beyond — for nearly 30 years. Lonnie is truly a gentle […]
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 […]
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