All articles filed in Craig Smith

The Word From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he…

The Word They will be my people, and I will be their God.  And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, (Jeremiah 32:38, 39) Thought Mankind was made by God for the purpose of glorifying him, honoring him in worship.  The ultimate treasure mined from human history, is not…

The Word Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. (Psalm 29:2) Thought The winds are strong today as they blow through the small valley where our home is situated. A variety of trees surround what I call The Nook, a simple room, eight feet…

The Word Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it…

The Word You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way. (Nehemiah 9:12) Thought Here Nehemiah reflects on God’s past faithfulness to clearly guide his people by pillars of cloud and fire. Nehemiah then transitions and appeals for…

The Word Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15) Thought Forgiveness is the escape key from the deepest and darkest of spiritual, mental, and emotional captivity, and leads to freedom’s highest mount. Those recipients of God’s forgiveness testify fervently of it’s liberating power to heart…

The Word And his name will be the hope of all the world. (Matthew 12:21) Thought Hopelessness fills the schedules and waiting rooms of psychiatrists and psychologists. Pharmaceutical industries continue to develop and produce increasing quantities of personality altering medications to help the growing number of people struggling with hopelessness and oppression. Certainly there are…

The Word A farmer went out to plant some seeds. (Matthew 13:3) Thought Sermons and writings abound using the familiar parable of the farmer sowing seed. Often the point is concerned with the varied results of sowing, and it’s important we understand the variables. The emphasis this morning, though, is not upon the varied results,…

The Word See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! (1 John 3:1) Thought Some years ago we began a ministry to assist what our culture has labeled, “children-at-risk.” Whether children in our western culture or ones living in third world locations, they…

The Word God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. Isaiah 42:5 Thought I recently had the opportunity to watch a small group of antelope suddenly burst into a run through a large…