Introduction         There are sermons that no preacher wants to preach, nor does a congregation want to hear. But those very same sermons are ones that a preacher needs to preach and a congregation needs to hear. The sentences sound exactly the same with the exception of one word. The difference of that one word changes the whole meaning of the sentence. Definitions —Random House Webster’s Dictionary Want— To feel a need for; wish or desire. Need— A requirement or an obligation.         A good example to show the difference in these two words is the subject of dessert after a meal. Most people want a piece of pie but they don’t need it. As the definitions above describe; people desire a piece of pie but it not a requirement. A basic meal is a requirement to get your daily nourishment and to keep your body going. Dessert is simply a reward for eating your meal; a way of saying, “Well done...

(from 2004)     Introduction People throughout the ages were and are fascinated with speaking to a loved one from beyond the grave. Many will pay a hefty sum of money to have a Medium conduct a séance to contact people from the “other side.” According to scripture, that is impossible.   In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31), the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers to speak to him of their fate. Abraham refused saying that if they would hear Moses and the Prophets; they surely won’t listen to a ghost.   Even Mediums in the Old Testament were frauds.   In the scenario to follow, however, God makes one of the Mediums the real thing for a short time. Burning Bridges There’s an old saying, “Don’t burn your bridges behind you.” This is especially noted in the workforce. Meaning always leave yourself a place to return to if you new job doesn’t work out. King Saul was one of these people.   Th...