Homehttp://electronicgospel.com/home/en-US2012-06-02T14:35:05ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Handle With Carehttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/5/31/handle-with-care.htmlJeff Smith2012-05-31T18:07:54ZApostasy Denominationalism WorshipWisdom Calls now available in printhttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/5/24/wisdom-calls-now-available-in-print.htmlJeff Smith2012-05-25T01:22:03ZWisdom Calls, long available as a Kindle-exlusive, is now available in paperback for $6.99.

 

 

"Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares" (Proverbs 1:20 NKJV). In WISDOM CALLS, Jeff Smith mines the Old Testament Proverbs for Twenty-first century applications, finding nuggets of truth amid the axioms of Solomon and other inspired sages. The biblical proverbs personify Wisdom as a sage woman, offering guidance and the benefit of experience to those who would strive to prosper spiritually in this life. Drawing upon a selection of 120 proverbs and passages, WISDOM CALLS is useful as a daily devotional book or for a little light reading when only weighty subject matter will do.

 

 

]]>Lighten the Yokehttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/5/24/lighten-the-yoke.htmlJeff Smith2012-05-24T19:13:22ZAuthority Church of Christ Conversion Discipleship Evangelism False Teaching LeadershipFrom Where I Stand: Memorialhttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/5/15/from-where-i-stand-memorial.htmlJeff Smith2012-05-15T14:17:25ZFrom Where I Stand Godhead WorshipAmerica’s Memorial Day dates to the Reconstruction era when it was known as Decoration Day after the practice of adorning the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers. Since, the holiday has been extended to honor veterans of all our wars and renamed to focus our attention upon remembering their sacrifice. It is always wise and humbling to acknowledge those who sacrificed in your behalf, especially those who paid the ultimate earthly price. That, after all, is what makes the Lord’s Supper sufficiently significant to observe on the first day of every week, and with worthy discernment and proclamation.

]]>From Where I Stand: Mothershttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/5/1/from-where-i-stand-mothers-1.htmlJeff Smith2012-05-01T14:22:00ZFrom Where I Stand HomeThe Bible is filled with examples of motherhood, most of them very good, but some rather bad. None of them is perfect, of course, not even Mary, even if the sacred texts do not explore their flaws in print. Motherhood is more than a biological or instinctive exercise in reproduction, you see. Motherhood is a spiritual relationship, best informed by the wisdom of our Creator, and one which touches the very depths of a child’s soul. Motherhood provides life and sustenance, guidance and correction, admonition and healing. Motherhood provides the Bible writers with dramatic illustrations of her concern for her offspring, peering into the animal world to honor the protectiveness of the she-bear and the succor of the hen (Proverbs 17:12, Matthew 23:37). To have a mom who combines the finest of the often disparate qualities is to enjoy rich blessing. Why not give her a call?

]]>Me, A Sinnerhttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/4/25/me-a-sinner.htmlJeff Smith2012-04-25T17:31:19ZDiscipleship Judgment WorldlinessFrom Where I Stand: Hopehttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/4/24/from-where-i-stand-hope-1.htmlJeff Smith2012-04-24T17:32:00ZDiscipleship From Where I Stand JudgmentThe Hebrew writer’s goal was to emphasize the superiority of the covenant of Christ to a generation of people who pondered a return to the Law of Moses. He was certainly not short on arguments, and many of them continue to resonate today among disciples who contemplate a renewal of affections for this lost world. For instance, he wrote, "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 6:19-20). Hope continues to serve as our spiritual, emotional, and moral anchor when the waves of weariness, discouragement, or temptation crash upon us. We hope to persevere, to endure, to reach the eternal shore. Our hope rests not in things temporal or earthly, but in the person of Christ who stills the winds, calms the waves, and lights the way, even into Heaven. When all else fails – and it just might – the hope we derive from trusting in a risen savior who has proven resurrection and purchased redemption steadies our nerves and soothes our consciences. Our hope is built on nothing less.

]]>From Where I Stand: Uncanny Resemblancehttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/4/18/from-where-i-stand-uncanny-resemblance.htmlJeff Smith2012-04-18T17:49:57ZFrom Where I Stand PreachingJust a few weeks ago, I was reentering Bass Performance Hall during intermission. With Schubert on my mind, an older gentleman took me aside, saying, “You probably hear this all the time – You look just like Al-Assad, the dictator from Syria.” Actually, that was the first time I had heard that, but a quick Google image search uncovered a few photos of the Syrian that bear more than a passing resemblance. Presumably, the similarities end there – I dictate infrequently and my Arabic is limited. On the other hand, it is startling how two such disparate creatures can look enough alike to fool the casual observer. That is surely why the Holy Spirit warns us about false gospels and false christs. The most insidious draw power from superficial similarity to the genuine article, differing where it matters beneath the surface, where fewer bother to look (Mark 13:22, Galatians 1:6-9).

]]>Fury of Firehttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/4/13/fury-of-fire.htmlJeff Smith2012-04-13T18:20:41ZApostasy Conversion Discipleship Judgment WorldlinessLording It Overhttp://electronicgospel.com/home/2012/4/4/lording-it-over.htmlJeff Smith2012-04-04T17:33:39ZChurch Life Church of Christ Discipleship