Blogs by Leland Maples

If we listen to the “big preachers,” the “popular ministries” or the “accepted by the scholars” modern day preaching, we get the idea that every dedicated, “sold out for God” Christian will be a financial and personal success. It seems the only thing standing between us and God’s abundant blessings is our lack of faith. If only we would really mean business with God He would pour out more blessings than we could imagine; poverty would vanish, illness would disappear and everyone would “live happily ever after.”

There is no doubt that this kind of teaching appeals to our flesh. Who...

When I walked into the Big Spring Federal Prison Camp 25 years ago next month, I had no idea that God was going to change everything about my life. I had no burden for inmates…I was only going to teach a Bible class in prison because I could not get out of it. For six years I drove 120 miles round trip every Friday night for that class. The last two years of the six we drove back over on Saturday afternoon after visitation to work with the families. It was during this time that the prison system began to expand at a rapid pace. When we started into the prison in Big Spring, it was the only...

Every month I promise myself that I will just write about good things, try not to be controversial and be positive like the popular preachers are. Something always jars me back to reality and the seriousness of God’s calling. Five years ago doctors diagnosed me with a rapid growing lung cancer and gave me a year to live. God Almighty changed that, gave me additional duties and this year the doctors announced me cancer free. Seven times each week God lets me stand before different classes and tell them about His Son. I get to serve as a jail chaplain and a police/fire chaplain. Sometimes I...

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

The Bible has always been fairly specific when it comes to naming sin. Today we have crafted euphoric terms to define sin. We have the "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" instead of car theft. Whether the speaker be Paul, Jesus or another, they called sin...