Proving the Will of God

[278 words] When you were in school, didn’t you just love it when your math teacher would give you a problem to solve and say, “Show your work?” That meant she wanted you to not just give the correct answer, but to demonstrate the process by which you came to that answer. Christians are commanded…

She Directed Her Child’s Steps

[152 words] There once was a church pouring new cement for the walkway to the meeting house.  One of the young mothers of the congregation took her 2-year-old baby and imprinted his hand in the wet cement pointing to the door of the building.  She wanted a constant reminder to herself and everyone else that…

Ears, Hands, and Feet for God

[330 words] We tend to think that books like the Old Testament book of Leviticus are not relevant for us today. But we need to remember Paul’s words in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”…

Being Habitually Late

[168 words] Sometimes things happen that are outside of our control, causing us to arrive late for certain events, but what about someone who is habitually late for spiritual events when they did not have to be? Being habitually late generally indicates several things:  • Selfishness• Laziness• Disrespect for other people• Disrespect for God• Misplaced…

Benevolence in the Old Testament

[313 words] We all know that Jesus taught us to care for the poor and needy. Benevolence is to be an active part of every Christian’s life. However, giving to those in need is not only a New Testament practice. God has always required His people to care for the less fortunate. God required His…

Try + Umph = Triumph

[226 words] Dad always used to say “Can’t never could do nothing.” I know that isn’t grammatically correct but it is correct when it comes to life. If we think it can’t be done, we prove it to be so, even if it wasn’t true to begin with. However, it isn’t just can’t that will…

What is in Your Heart?

[313 words] Listen to these words: “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you…

A Chalk-Board Lesson

[551 words] On the blackboard in the classroom adjacent to the foyer hallway was this writing: “God isn’t good, He’s GREAT!!” Clearly the expression is to elevate the Lord to the highest of the highs. If “good” is high, then “great” is even higher. At least, that is the way most will understand it in…

Holy Rest

[192 words] We know that under the old covenant, God commanded the Jews to keep a Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11). But did you know that God also commanded that the Jews take various weeks off, too? (Leviticus 23:4-8, 34). These “Sabbath weeks” are similar to our vacations. Today, God no longer requires Sabbath-keeping under the…

You Can’t Push a Chain

[192 words] A chain is a handy device. You use it to pull a car out of the ditch. You can hoist a heavy item. You can use one to anchor a boat or secure a gate. But can’t push with a chain. It will pull or hold but try to push and it’s pretty…

Are You ‘In Love’ With Your Brethren?

[307 words] It has been said that you should never fall in love with a tennis player—to them, love means nothing. Love should mean something to us. Love is an important concept to God and it should be to us, as well. A common phrase we use is “in love” meaning that we are in…

A Sound Mind

[469 words] There is a real need for us to take care of our bodies. The Bible teaches that we are to “glorify God” in our bodies, and that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God (1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 12:1). Both of these passages enjoin upon us the responsibility to…

Church Hurt

[465 words] Nearly twenty years ago, I was on the phone with someone in the congregation where we were attending at the time. I made the phone call while on my break at my workplace. Unbeknownst to me, one of my coworkers was listening to the conversation. Well, he could only hear me talking with…

Getting the Most Out of Sermons and Bible Lessons

[329 words] Have you ever left a Bible class or worship service and thought, “I just didn’t get much out of that.” I daresay we all have at one time or another. Let me offer some suggestions that may help us. • I know it’s not always possible, but come to worship or Bible class…

Today’s Sins

[516 words] Though I cannot recall the source, I remember the following illustration and its applicability to the topic at hand. Jewelers display diamonds and pearls on black cloth to create great contrast and thereby enhance the brightness of the jewels. In the first three chapters of Romans, Paul lays out the black cloth. In…

A Son Not Like His Father

[657 words] “She is just like her mother.” “He is exactly like his dad.” It is amazing how much children favor their parents, especially when they become adults. They look like their parents. They talk and walk and sit like them. They respond with the same words, gestures and facial expressions. For good or bad,…

A Warning from the Past

[498 words] As one studies the book of Hebrews one of the things he will be impressed with is the superiority of Jesus. Specifically, we see the superiority of Jesus over one of the most influential individuals in the Old Testament, Moses. Moses was the author of the first five books of the Bible—the Torah.…

Know the Enemy

[469 words] In order to be successful in battle, it is imperative that one knows his enemy. He must know the way the enemy thinks and acts. The more one understands the maneuvers of his foe the better equipped he will be to counter them. The adversary of every child of God is Satan. The…

Lessons from the Eunuch, Part 2 of 5

[111 words] Open hearts are needed to hear God’s truth! While traveling, the eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. Some people may have taken offense at the question, but the eunuch instead said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” The…

Lessons from the Eunuch, Part 3 of 5

[94 words] Teachers are needed! When Philip asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading, the eunuch said, “How can I unless someone guides me?” He was in need of someone to help clarify the scriptures! Granted, he was reading an Old Testament text without the New Testament revelation, but nevertheless, as Romans…

Lessons from the Eunuch, Part 4 of 5

[72 words] You can’t understand the Old Testament without the New! In Acts 8:30, the eunuch was reading from Old Testament prophet Isaiah, but he couldn’t understand fully without the revelation that Jesus the Messiah had come. Philip preached Jesus to him and in effect removed the veil from his eyes (2 Cor. 3:14). The…

Lessons from the Eunuch, Part 5 of 5

[70 words] Baptism is essential to salvation, and the preaching of the gospel! When Philip “preached Jesus” to the eunuch, his response was to say, “See, here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Baptism in water is man’s response to the preaching of the gospel. Jesus Himself declares this (Mark 16:16;…

Hidden Treasures

[107 words] A South Dakota rancher and his bride received a nice Bible as a wedding gift from his grandfather. They wrote a thank you note and stowed the Bible in a closet. The grandfather asked every so often how they liked it. Eventually, they became curious, dug it out, and leafed through it. They…

Trust

[102 words] He holds the key to all unknown,And I am glad;If other hands should hold the key,I might be sad. What if tomorrow’s cares werehere without its rest?I’d rather He unlocked the dayAnd as it’s hours swung open,say “My will is best.” I cannot read His future plans,But this I know,I have the smiling…

Still Together

[134 words] Let me hold your hand, as we go downhill,We’ve shared our strength, and we share it still,It hasn’t been easy to make the climb,But the way was eased by your hand in mine. Like the lake, our life, has had ripples too,Ill health and worries, and payments due,With happy pauses along the way,A…

Afterwards

[74 words] Light after darkness, gain after loss,Strength after weakness, crown after cross;Sweet after bitter, hope after fears,Home after wandering, praise after tears. Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain,Sight after mystery, peace after pain;Joy after sorrow, calm after blast,Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last. Near after distant, gleam after gloom,Love after loneliness, life after…

The Precious Book Devine

[43 words] How precious is the Book divine,by inspiration giv’n! Bright as a lamp its precepts shine,to guide my soul to heav’n. Holy Book divine!Precious treasure mine! Lamp to my feet and a light to my wayto guide me safely home.  John Fawcett1739-1817… This content is for Annual and Lifetime Members only! Please log in…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 20:7-15

[92 words] After one thousand years, __ would be released from prison to go out and deceive the nations. The number of the nations in the battle would like the __ of the __. “They went up on the breadth of the earth and __ the camp of the __ and the beloved city. And…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 21:1-8

[80 words] The first heaven and the first earth had __ __. “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New __, coming down out of __ from God, prepared as a bride __ for her husband.” God will wipe away every __ from their __. “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 21:9-16

[46 words] How many angels, bowls, and plagues are mentioned? “Come, I will show you the __, the Lamb’s __.” “Her light was like a most precious __, like a __ stone, clear as __.” How many gates were there? “The city is laid out as a __; its __ is as great as its…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 21:17-27

[78 words] The wall measured __ cubits. “The construction of its wall was of __; and the city was pure __, like clear __. The twelve gates were of what previous gem? “The city had no need of the __ or of the __ to shine in it, for the glory of God __ it.…

Quotes and Sayings (March 2023)

“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” — George S. Patton “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.” — Ernest Hemingway “I firmly believe that any man’s finest…

On the Lighter Side (March 2023)

Lesson Learned! A businessman was driving home from work when he was pulled over for not wearing a seat belt. Two days later–same ticket, same cop. “So,” the officer said, “have you learned anything?” “Yes, I have,” said the man. “I’ve learned I need to take a different way home from work.” — “If you…

Kyle Butt to Debate Skeptic at Faulkner

Montgomery, AL — Kyle Butt, a Christian apologetics writer and speaker, will debate skeptic Michael Shermer on October 25, 2023 during the Faulkner Bible Lectureship. Butt is well-known among churches of Christ for his work with Apologetics Press, an organization dedicated to producing scripturally sound and scientifically accurate materials in the field of Christian…

Illustration: Young Boy Taking Initiative

Talk about taking initiative! An 8-year-old boy wrote and illustrated his own book, and snuck it onto the shelves of the Lake Hazel Branch of the Ada Community Library in Idaho. Instead of getting rejected, the book built up a waiting list of 135 people wanting to check it out. The story is here and…

Sermon Outline: Anything is Wrong That is Almost Right

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This devotional or sermon outline is by Bill Dillon, a gospel preacher for many years. He left this earthly life in 2020, but his lessons and sermons still live on. This one is found in his book, Gospel Gems Volume 1.] Introduction. Men’s choices in religion are limited to two: the right way…

Outlines: Five W’s of the Second Coming

From God’s Perspective: WHO: Jesus (Matt. 25:31; Acts 1:11; 2 Thess. 1:7)WHAT: Coming Again (John 14:3; Heb. 9:28; 1 John 3:2)WHEN: The last day – a day that God has appointed (John 6:40; John 12:48; Acts 17:30-31)WHERE: In the clouds (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 1:7).WHY: To judge the world and to deliver the…

Outline: Plant the ‘Let Us’

With spring around the corner, early season crops can be seeded in the garden, such as lettuce. Using a play on “lettuce,” a sermon on the “let us” passages could be used in a sermon encouraging Christians to take action. Hebrews uses the phrase 13 times. Hebrews 4:1 — let us fear lest any of…

Outlines: Four Arguments Against Gambling

Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). In order to win, someone must lose their money. If you don’t want to lose your own money, you shouldn’t take that of others. Stewardship (1 Chronicles 29:10-15). Since every good gift comes from God (James 1:17), and all things belong to Him (1 Chronicles 29:14), we are duty-bound to use…
+ More