Category Archives: Uncategorized

by Tom Wacaster On April 30th, 2013, the first Dutch King in more than 123 years was inaugurated with great pomp and ceremony. It would appear that no expense was spared. Pictures portray an event fitting for, well, fitting for … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster If the Sermon on the Mount were all that Matthew recorded, that small piece of inspiration would declare the very majesty of the One Who spoke those words. The very first words we encounter as we enter … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Someone once noted, “Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.” I don’t know who wrote those pithy words, but he must have been some blood kin to Solomon. The … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Our study of this wonderful epistle to the Philippians has provided a glimpse into the optimistic outlook of the apostle Paul. I have often pointed out that Paul was the eternal optimist, looking at the opportunities rather … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster It has been said that behind every cloud is a silver lining. A little clip on Fox News website noted that with the onslaught of the coronavirus has come a dramatic cut back in the number of … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster To many a man, death is the final farewell, the ultimate defeat at the end of life’s long journey toward the unknown. With each tick of the clock we draw ever closer to death and eternity. Herbert … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster I have started in earnest my next volume of New Testament commentaries. This one is going to be a study of the Gospel of Luke. Having titled my two-volume work on Matthew, “The Majesty of Jesus,” and … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Have you ever noticed how many times the word “must” is used in reference to some felt necessity on the part of our Lord? Here is a small sampling: “But he said unto them, I must preach … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster “And he came preaching the baptism of repentance” (Luke 3:3) I am sure that all of us have, at one time or another, had someone jokingly say, “You can’t get there from here.” Uncertain as to the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Over a span of almost 50 years of preaching, I have frequently been asked, “How can I be sure that I am saved?” I have no doubt that those asking the question were sincere, and in many … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Studying the parable of the lost coin provides rich spiritual treasures. It is informative, for it tells us of the joy in heaven over one lost soul. It is instructive, for it teaches us the value of … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Luke uses only four words to describe the extent to which wicked men will go when once they have developed a hatred for the God Who loves them. Arrested and quickly rushed through a mock trial in … Continue reading →

“And the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 1:14). Not only does the grace of God abound, it abounds exceedingly. Two English words translate one Greek word (‘huperpleonazo’) which … Continue reading →

Each one of us has the responsibility of rendering worship to God. No one can offer homage to God for another, nor can the congregation as a “group” fulfill the obligation of the individual. An important truth regarding worship was … Continue reading →

One of the qualifications of the deacon is that he not be “given to much wine” (1 Tim):8). Because of the wording of the text in the American Standard Version and the King James Version, it is often argued that … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster by Tom Wacaster For many years the Bible has been the bestselling book, not only in America, but in every country where God’s word is allowed to have free run. Non-profit organizations such as the American Bible … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Some of the most profound statements were made by John in the first few verses of his account of the life of Christ. First, there is an affirmation of the eternality of the Word. With words that … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The angel said of John the Baptist, “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15a). Throughout the centuries figures in history have been given the title of “Great.” Greece had Alexander the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels played center on the 1928 University of California football team, The Golden Bears, which had 6-1-2 record at the close of the 1928 regular season. On January 1, 1929, the Golden Bears faced … Continue reading →

By Tom Wacaster “Duplicity” is defined by Mirriam-Webster as “the belying of one’s true intentions by deceptive words or action” (Online, www.mirriam-webster.com). One can easily see the idea of doubleness at the root of this word duplicity. Our English word … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Occasionally I stop at the local Good Will to drop something off and while there I take a few minutes to peruse the books they have on display. Most of what lines the shelves of the “book … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster I have been taking some courses at Amridge University, and one of my courses for the summer was The Life and Ministry of Christ. In these classes we are expected to engage in discussions on some per-determined … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Since the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, former heads of terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere, there have continued to be suicide bombings around the world. At this writing they do not seem … Continue reading →

By Tom Wacaster Someone once said, “Thanksgiving is a state of mind, and not necessarily an expression of thought.” Was he implying that one could “be” thankful while failing to express that thanks in so many words? If so, he … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The HealthCare.gov website tells its visitors that until your deduction is met, you are responsible for all costs relating to doctor visits, hospital stays, or any other medical expense. In that context, “out of pocket” means all … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Back when I was growing up religion was affirmed and practiced by a much larger percentage of the population than today. While there were those who saw no need for spiritual nutrition, the general attitude toward the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster It has not been all that long ago when being “into Jesus” was the popular thing for teens to embrace. Now, as well as then, Jesus was depicted as some kind of “pale Galilean” (that’s how one … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster While perusing the internet I came across the following observation about dogs: “Dogs take each moment at a time and enjoy it; they don’t hold grudges; they are everyone’s best friend. Dogs savor the simple things in … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster In Matthew 16:16-18 our Lord makes an astonishing promise. This is especially true when we consider the historical and political setting. The tide was beginning to turn on our Lord. The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The late evangelist Billy Sunday is reported to have said, “Put a polecat in the parlor: which changes first? Parlor or polecat?” Please permit me to define a couple of words before I seek to make application … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Over the course of a few short years the twelve men whom Jesus had chosen began to grow and mature into the material that God could, and would use to proclaim the gospel to a lost humanity. … Continue reading →

By Tom Wacaster   It has been slightly more than four years since she sat across from me, both of us with our Bibles opened. After a number of previous studies, she had obeyed the gospel, and she was still … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster It has been quite some time since I donned a fisherman’s attire, along with the necessary equipment to successfully bring home a morsel of fish for supper. I made a futile attempt at several years ago when … Continue reading →

By Tom Wacaster Benjamin Franklin has been credited with a lot of wise sayings, not the least of which is this: “A little neglect may breed great mischief; for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Good-byes are never easy. Unfortunately the closer we are to someone, the more difficult the farewell, and the more heart-rending the separation. When the final moment comes for separation words escape us and the uncertainty of the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The invitation that Jesus extended to Matthew is as timely today as it was almost two-thousand years ago. “Follow me” is the standing invitation that heaven extends to all men. It is an invitation to enter into … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster There is no doubt that our battle is a spiritual battle: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my high tower; I shall not be greatly moved (Psalms 62:1-2). There is something … Continue reading →

By Tom Wacaster David wrote, “Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11). God’s word is a powerful seed that, when laid up in the good and honest heart, will … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster In 1 Corinthians 3:6 the apostle Paul, by divine inspiration, penned these words: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” The last time I attempted to grow a garden was in the late 80’s. … Continue reading →