Open Your Eyes and Heart, and You Will See

[235 words] There is a theory among some Christians that maybe God created the world and the things in it through the organic evolutionary process. This is an obvious attempt to combine macro evolution (being taught in our public schools) and the Bible. But if we read the Bible carefully, we see that this cannot…

That Little Extra

[143 words] At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling comes steam. Steam when channeled correctly can re-move stains, kill weeds, disinfects, and can even power an engine. One degree makes all the difference. In the Bible Jesus states, (Mat 5:40-41), “If someone wants to sue you in order…

The Mediation Of Christ

[519 words] The Master said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Mediator, our High Priest, and our Advocate. Jesus Christ is our SAVIOR. The angel directed Joseph to “call His name Jesus, for He will…

‘My Precioussss…’

[470 words]  Gollum/Smeagol is one of my favorite literary characters in Tolkien’s Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Gollum talks to himself obsessively over the One Ring—even after he loses it in the deep caverns of the Misty Mountains. He constantly seeks his “precious” ring which Baggins finds. While Peter writes some two thousand…

Are You A Good Listener?

[251 words] James tells us that we should be a people who are “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). There is certainly a gift that can be learned in becoming a better listener. James is concerned with the anger of man, within the context of this particular verse, when he…

What Can One Person Do?

[291 words] Nearly eight billion people now inhabit this planet! What difference can one person (you) make? Oh, sure, the President of the United States is only one person, but he can make a huge difference. A multi-millionaire can make a noticeable difference. But ordinary folks like you or me – do we really matter?…

What You Can’t See

[345 words] Sometimes I know when I’m in error. I’ve been around enough to know the sins that I am most tempted by. When my willpower fails and I commit one of these sins I know immediately afterward that I did wrong. God, forgive me for “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”…

The Word Of God Is…

[286 words] Powerful: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes…

Signs of Grace

[370 words] Paul began his second letter to the Thessalonian church with these encouraging words, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly…

When It Comes to Jesus, Never Assume

[196 words] It was about 8:30 when the rather fierce-looking father of the girl entered the parlor where the young man was courting her. The father had his watch in his hand. “Young man,” he said, “do you know what time it is?” “Y-y-yes sir,” stuttered the frightened lover, as he scrambled out into the…

Help in Time of Sadness

[322 words] Numerous are the occasions that may cause us to feel the emotion of sadness. Seeing someone we love make sinful choices will break our hearts. Seeing someone we love go away (either temporarily like moving or permanently like dying) will cause a wellspring of tears to overflow. Scripture prepares us to expect times…

The Gospel Message in “Modern” Language

[588 words] Language is constantly changing (and not always for the better!). With texting and posting on social media have come a whole host of abbreviated words and phrases. I do not know them very well, but I do know a few of them. Likely you do, too. Using some of them, let me offer…

Lessons from a Messed Up Church

[591 words] Corinth was a busy metropolitan city in the days that Paul helped start the church there. But Corinth also had a much-deserved reputation for moral bankruptcy. Folks who were in the practice of using prostitutes were said to have “Corinthianized.” This term later came to be used to describe moral decay in general.…

Can Our Conscience Be Our Guide?

[316 words] “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another” (Romans 2:15). You may have been told, “Let your conscience be your guide.” The conscience sits in judgment of man’s actions. According to Romans 2:15…

Giving Thanks

[209 words] The Apostle Paul gave us an important charge. He said: “Always and for everything give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:20). This means going to God in prayer and thanking him for what He has given us. And doing this every day. The word…

Two Battlefronts

[581 words] A Christian friend from a third world country told me, “America is in a war.” That war is inside our land. It is a moral and spiritual conflict. We have been saying this for years, and we sense it now more than ever. To hear someone who was raised in such a different…

We Gather Together

[438 words] As a young teenager, I was introduced to the song, “We Gather Together.” Some of you may remember it as a song used to celebrate Thanksgiving. I never really gave it much thought until this week when it came to mind as I read a bulletin article on worship. I googled the song…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 2:12-14

[72 words] True or False: John wrote to children, fathers, and mothers.“I write to you, little children, Because your sins are __ you for His name’s sake.”“I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the __.”True or False: John wrote to the young men because they have “overcome the wicked…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 2:15-17

[52 words] “Do not love the __ or the __ in the world.”“If anyone loves the world, the love of the __ is not in him.”What are the three types of temptations John says is in the world?True or False: The world will never pass away.“…but he who does the __ of God __ forever.”…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 2:18-23

[93 words] True or False: There is more than one antichrist.“They went __ from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have __ with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”“But you have an __…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 2:24-29

[86 words] True or False: Those who have the word of God abiding in them also will abide in the Son and in the Father.“And this is the __ that He has promised us—__ life.”True or False: No one was trying to deceive the Christians to whom John was writing.“And now, little children, __ in…

Quotes and Sayings (August 2021)

[238 words] “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” -Thomas Edison “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” ― Elisabeth Elliot “We need never shout across the…

On the Lighter Side (August 2021)

[181 words] Miniature GolfIt was at a miniature golf course on a brutally hot day when I saw a father with 3 kids. “Who’s winning?” I asked cheerfully. “I am” said one. “No, I am” said another. “No,” the father said, “their mother is!” Well That Makes SenseVacationing in Vermont, I picked up the local…

Equal Before God

[510 words] “There is no partiality with God” (Rom. 2:11). “All men are created equal” (Declaration of Independence). People are different and life is not fair. No government program can change this. These may be cold hard facts but they are the truth. God did not make everyone the same. He could have made us…

H.O.P.E.S

[519 words] One of the great needs of the church today is for our members to be more evangelistic. We have more people living in our world today and yet fewer people becoming Christians and being involved in the life of the church. There are people all around us, we have neighbors, co-workers, family, and…

Things for Which We Must Pray

[392 words] It’s a simple enough title and concept, but for each season and busy opportunity in our lives, there ought to be a reminder, “this is something for which I MUST pray” (Ps. 55:7; Zech. 8:21; 1 Thess. 5:17). Here are some things God’s people need to be lifting up and praying about NOW: …

Times Change

[354 words] Most of the time, change is good. We all want to grow, get stronger, learn more, see more places, etc. Certainly we are aware of the fact that our methods and tactics must change and adapt when we become ineffective. We must take advantage of opportunities as they are presented. On and on…

What a Pitcher!

[187 words] Last November, Lindy McDaniel passed away. If you look him up in the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, you will notice that he was well-known in baseball circles. His pitching career spanned 21 years (from 1955-1975). He was an amazing relief pitcher who “saved” many games.  Wikipedia makes one additional brief mention. It states: “He…

God Already Knew

[162 words] After a week of binge drinking, a man stumbled home, drunk, sick, and weak. As he fell into his bed, he asked his brother who was a preacher to pray for him. The brother agreed and prayed, “O Lord, please help this old miserable drunken fool…” When the drunken man heard this, he…

Why Should I Attend VBS?

[235 words] Vacation Bible School is upon us again and you may be asking, “Why should I attend VBS?” VBS is another opportunity for spiritual growth! Jesus established His church as a community of His followers to worship God, encourage one another, and spread the Good News. Attending VBS will allow you to grow closer…

Behold, I Thought; Now I Know

[287 words] Despite being a leper, Naaman the Syrian army commander retained his pride. Didn’t his status merit a dramatic healing ceremony from Elijah? “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal…

A Different Spirit

[403 words] At Kadesh Israel caught a terminal case of “the grasshopper complex” from the ten faithless spies. The reports of giants and walled cities blinded them to the greatness of God and deafened them to His promises. What a sad day in Israel’s history! Moses wrote, “we were like grasshoppers in our own sight,…

The Endurance Test

[68 words] 1. “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:22) 2. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9) 3. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that…

“Listen” to the Sky

[64 words] Each and every shining starTestifies from vast afarAll the planets do agreeThe moon joins in with unityThe marching clouds e’er proclaimAs does the sun with heat and flameThe brilliant sky and all beyondShouts “it’s through God that we spawned” “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”…

Empty Spaces

[396 words] Empty space gets filled. Have you never noticed this phenomenon when you move into a larger house? You think to yourself “oh, I’ll have so much room now!” But no…as time goes on various things encroach upon that space. You thought you were going to have a home office? Joke’s on you when…

Warning!

[154 words] 9:00 a.m., 1:42 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:40 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. During the course of April 14, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic received six warnings concerning icebergs. She received the last warning only 40 minutes before her collision. Six warnings! All of which were ignored! As a result, 1500 passengers and crew…

The Good Confession of Romans 10:9-10

[395 words] “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved” (Romans 9:9-10). When Bobbie was 9 years…

Everyone Needs a Sword!

[340 words] Growing up I often played with sticks, gift paper cardboard rolls, and basically anything that could have even resembled a sword. Thinking back, I realize that the image of a sword was something that I was exposed to in literature, TV, movies, and video games. Shows like Zorro, He-Man, Star Wars, Thunder Cats,…

When the Water is Still

[339 words] I went fishing for a couple of hours recently, caught one fish, and learned a lot. I drifted into a daydream as the ripples kept a steady rhythm on top of the water. As I thought a little deeper, I thought of the little ripples in the pond as kind of like the…

If You Stand Firm

[287 words] Paul was worried about the brethren in Thessalonica. He barely had any time with them before circumstances have driven him from the city. Paul had wanted to return to them but Satan had kept that from happening. All he really wanted to know was ‘were they faithful”? Finally, when he receives the news…

Wrong Revenge

[336 words] In September of 1982, relatively healthy people around the Chicago area began dying unexpectedly. Soon it was discovered they all had been poisoned with cyanide ingested from Tylenol they had taken. Panic ensued.  Tylenol was taken off the shelves and police searched for any clues to who had done the tampering. Authorities asked…

The Fear of the Lord

[419 words] I read a devotional thought earlier this week that made me stop to consider for a little while longer (Selah). It is a thought I have struggled with for a time now and a thought I share with you in the hopes that it will cause each of us to consider more deeply…

Stand Fast

[415 words] According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, the phrase “stand fast” means, “to be firm or unyielding.” It also reveals that: “This idiom, dating from the early 1600s, originally was applied to an army holding its territory against the enemy.” The phrase “stand fast” occurs in our English Bibles, as well. Actually…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 1:1-4

[90 words] True or False: The apostle John says he was a witness of all the things about Jesus.“That which was from the beginning, which we have __, which we have __ with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have __, concerning the Word of life”“…and declare to you that eternal…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 1:5-10

[90 words] “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is __ and in Him is no __ at all.”Can one walk in darkness and at the same time have fellowship with God?”But if we __ in the light as He is in the light, we have…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 2:1-6

[88 words] True or False: John says he is writing these things to Christians that they may not sin.“And He Himself is the __ for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole __.”True or False: If we claim to know Him, but do not obey His will, we are lying.“But…

Bible Quiz: 1 John 2:7-11

[94 words] “Brethren, I write no __ commandment to you, but an __ commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the __ which you heard from the beginning.”“…because the __ is passing away, and the true __ is already shining.”True or False: If you hate your brother, you are still…

Quotes and Sayings (July 2021)

[327 words] “America believes in education: the average professor earns more money in a year than a professional athlete earns in a whole week.” — Evan Esar “Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” — B.F. Skinner “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to…

On the Lighter Side (July 2021)

[168 words] Back to School FunniesWhat kind of school do you go to if you’re……an ice cream man? Sundae school.…a giant? High school.…a surfer? Boarding school.…King Arthur? Knight school. Mom: What did you do at school today?Mark: We did a guessing game.Mom: But I thought you were having a math exam.Mark: That’s right! Teacher: Daniel,…

The Flag We Fly

[279 words] As Americans, there are few sights that thrill us as much as seeing the “Stars and Stripes” billowing in the breeze over a free nation. When July 4th rolls around, many of us find ourselves rallying around our flag, thankful for the freedom we enjoy in our great country. The common purpose and…

Dad’s Wisdom

[199 words] How many of us heard our fathers make the statement: “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?” Of course, we were being scolded for doing something dangerous or hurtful. That’s when we offered our excuse: “but everyone was doing it.” As soon as those words hit my father’s ears, he…

It’s What You Do With It

[290 words] Walter Hunt was great at making things. He just wasn’t good at doing something with what he made. In 1834, he inventing the first sewing machine but never filed a patent on it. Someone else did and made a fortune. He didn’t make that mistake again with the first fountain pen and first…

True Happiness

[365 words] It is probably an understatement, but we live in a very unhappy world. Unhappiness is seen on the faces of so many as they try to maneuver through the difficult challenges of everyday life. Unhappiness is not only seen on the poor unfortunates of our world, but it can be seen on so…

God Still Wants Me!

[347 words] When it is first printed a $100 bill is crisp and clean and you can take that bill and buy $100 dollars worth of merchandise. That bill will then pass through many different hands in the next 15 years, the expected life of that bill. The bill will become crumpled, worn, wrinkled, possibly…

Some Things to Know About Suffering from Revelation 2:10

[164 words] “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer” – We have nothing to worry about when suffering comes. When we let fear, panic, and negativism rule, our suffering is always made worse. Suffering happens to everyone. Just stay calm. “Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of…

Darwin’s Arch Collapses

[502 words] So the headlines read when a massive stone bridge in the Galapagos islands named after the famous biologist broke in the middle and left two towers of solid rock jutting out of the ocean. But the recent fall of this monument was not merely the loss of a reminder of the work of…

Who is Dad?

[361 words] Who is dad? He is a man of Faith, that is, he is committed to the Lord Jesus and leads his family is the straight and narrow way. For a man who is a husband and father to not do this is to let his family down.  He is a man Assured of…

You Are of Your Father

[453 words] In the heart-felt book of John, Jesus has several confrontations with the Jews of that day to prove to them His deity. Of note, the discussion in John 8 is particularly passionate. The hardness of heart of these people broke the Savior’s heart as they claimed allegiance to God, to the things of…

To Be Noble

[283 words] According to Philippians 4:8, whatever is noble is listed second among the many things upon which we are to think (cf. NKJV). How often do we make the effort to focus on the noble? Do we even really know what the word means? After all, it isn’t a term that is used very…

Christ Wants Us!

[261 words] In Philippians 4, we see three things that Christ wants of us: Christ wants us to be what we ought to be. Phil. 4:11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Jesus wants us to be content and satisfied with…

Pain and Suffering

[332 words] We are dealing with pain and suffering. Our varying degrees of “hurt” are different because we all are on different journeys to the same place. Our labor and toil are met each day with emotional, social, financial, and physical pain. Our wounds can make us incapable of moving from one hour to another.…

Blood or Baptism?

[512 words] What saves us from our sins, is it the blood of Christ or baptism into Christ? This is a great question, one of which we should give great thought to, because our soul hangs in the balance. The New Testament speaks of those who obey not the Gospel receiving God’s wrath (2 Thess.…

Home Without A Bible

[68 words] What is home without a Bible?Tis a home where day is night.Starless night, for over life’s pathwayHeaven can shed no kindly light. What is home without a Bible?Tis a home where daily breadFor the body is provided,But the soul is never fed. What is home without a Bible?Tis a family out at sea,Compass…

God Can’t Do Everything

[518 words] These words can sound discouraging. Doesn’t the Bible say, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37)? Which way is it? The same Bible that says nothing is impossible with God also says there is something He cannot do. “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). God “cannot lie” (Titus…

For Your Heirs

[515 words] “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Prov. 13:22). The good side of an inheritance is that it gives children a start in life. It is one of the most effective forms of compound interest ever devised. The bad side is that children often fight over an inheritance. One man…

It is Impossible for God to Lie

[186 words] How many things can you absolutely count on in life today? Can you absolutely count on having hot water in your morning shower? Can you absolutely count on your refrigeration not dying during the night? Can you absolutely count on your car starting every morning? Can you absolutely count on the red lights…

What Can I Do?

[504 words] “I do not feel as close to the Lord as I once did. I know that I do not study and pray as I once did. I want to be close to God again. What can I do?” We have all felt this way! We have awakened to find ourselves adrift from God.…

Saved By The Book

[344 words] Rick Waggoner began driving his morning bus route just as he had for the last ten years. He was forced to pull over when his bus broke down. Three young men approached the bus and savagely proceeded to shoot Rick twice in the chest, once in the hip, and also stabbed him in…

Unapproachable Light

[207 words] The sun, as you know, is pretty hot. In 2018 NASA aimed straight for it, launching the Parker Solar Probe. It is now the first spacecraft to have flown into the low solar corona, the sun’s lower “atmosphere.” as it were. The probe is fitted with a four-inch-thick carbon-carbon material, the most sophisticated…

The Instruction of a Father

[582 words] Fathers are important to the development of children. We are thankful for those men who take seriously the command of Ephesians 6:4 by lovingly bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord rather than provoking them to anger. In their interactions with their children, fathers must avoid relating to…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 3:5-7

[64 words] “For this they willfully __: that by the word of God the __ were of old…””…and the __ standing out of water and in the water,”True or False: The world that existed perished by fire.True or False: The heavens and the earth are preserved by the word of God.True or False: On the…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 3:8-13

[62 words] “But, beloved, do not __ this one thing, that with the Lord one __ is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one __.”True or False: God desires for all men to come to repentance.The day of the Lord will come as a __ in the night.“…both the __ and the…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 3:14-18

[74 words] “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be __ to be __ by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…”True or False: The long-suffering of our Lord is salvation.True or False: People never twisted Paul’s writings.“…beware lest you also __ from your own steadfastness, being led away with the __ of the wicked;”“but…

Quotes and Sayings (June 2021)

[285 words] “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” — John Lubbock “Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the…

On the Lighter Side (June 2021)

Summer Riddles Q: What do cats like to eat in the summer?A: Mice Cream Cones! Q: What do you call a tiger that drinks lemonade?A: A sour puss! Q: What do frogs eat in the summer?A: Hopsicles!  Q: Why can’t you play hide and seek with mountains?A: Because their always peeking Q: Where do sheep…

If Not for Godly Mothers

[300 words] There are a lot of things in life that we might be able to do without, but the benefits of godly mothers are not one of them! Can anyone imagine what this world would be like if it were not for them? We would miss: The Teaching of Eunice. Timothy’s mother, along with…

Scars Tell a Story

[372 words] A few years ago, on a hot summer day in Florida, a young boy decided to go for a swim in the small pond behind his house. It was hot outside so the thought of a cool swim called to the lad. The boy ran and dove into the water – not realizing…

I Miss You Mom

[66 words] I thought of you with love today,but that is nothing new.I thought about you yesterday,and days before that too.I think of you in silence,I often speak your name.All I have are memories,and your picture in a frame.Your memory is my keepsake,with which I’ll never part.God has you in his keeping,I have you in…

Washington’s Mother

[110 words] A French officer once asked George Washington’s mother how she managed to rear such a splendid son. She simply replied, “I taught him to obey.” Obedience is something that must be taught. In the perilous times, there will be those who are “disobedient to parents” (2 Timothy 3:2). The whole idea of rebellion…

Right Thinking

[200 words] Our thoughts control our life. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). The God of peace…

Seems Right, or Actually Right?

[181 words] There are a lot of things I could tell you that you’d probably believe. How about: I went to the gym yesterday for about two hours. Just as you are about to compliment my efforts my wife walks by and says “No, he didn’t! He sat around like a bum and watched TV…

The Worst Part Was the Political Implications

[256 words] Alfred Packer was a man made infamous by his peculiar crime; cannibalism. The fact Packer had murdered and eaten five hunting companions during a Colorado blizzard in 1873 was horrifying. Hardly anyone could think of a worse crime, well except for one person. The judge at the trial M. B. Gerry was quoted…

Sign Me Up!

[358 words] Have you ever received an offer that seemed too good to refuse? Perhaps at a department store the clerk entices with 25 percent off your purchase if you sign up for a credit card. Or, you watch a demonstration of a fantastic new product but the catch is you must buy it right…

What’s Good About Guilt?

[440 words] Guilt is defined as “a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc.” What is good about this? When sin is committed and guilt follows, it could lead someone to repentance. It is good guilt that burdens the soul to the point that the need of a change is seen.…

Ten Percent

[278 words] In Malachi 1:8, the Lord is very put off about the sacrifices offered to Him. He calls out the people because what they offer to Him, they would not offer to a political leader. It is this way today, I am afraid. We offer to the Lord something, but if a prominent leader…

Who Is Jesus?

[474 words] Divine names are extremely significant and packed full of meaning Men like Abraham, Jacob, Moses and David received a progressive revelation of the character of God by means of those names. B.F. Westcott once wrote, “Each name authoritatively given to God is, so to speak, a fresh and lasting revelation of his nature.…

Seven Negative Effects of Missing Worship Services

[58 words] 1. Worship becomes less edifying for everyone. 2. Church leaders become discouraged. 3. You lose touch with congregational life. 4. The church is robbed of the resources it needs. 5. Another learning and growth opportunity is wasted. 6. Your conscience becomes more calloused with each missed service. 7. You teach by your example…

The Lessons of Loss

[336 words] “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2,4). I have not met anyone that really likes going…

Tomorrow

[273 words] I have a riddle for you! What is it that a man does not have, but that he often uses to rob himself of happiness here and heaven hereafter? You looked at the title, didn’t you? The answer is, “Tomorrow.” “Tomorrow” is one of the most dangerous words in our language. It robs…

At What Price?

[271 words] Let’s say a man show up at your home, knocks on the door and says, “I saw your car in the drive, I always wanted one just like it, can I buy it from you?”, what do you do? Well, I guess it depends on how much you like your car. If it…

Jesus Wants to Be Your Friend

[449 words] Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying, “The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.” We all like to have friends, but having close friends is a great blessing. The reason for this is that in close friendships, we have companionship, sympathy, encouragement, support, acceptance, love, trust—the positive list goes on and…

Taking the Correct Trail

[156 words] “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). When hiking, it can be dangerous to follow the wrong trail. In fact, wandering off trail is the number one reason that adult hikers require rescue. This is what happened to Sue Clements, a…

Is Your ‘Wish List’ Also Your ‘Work List?’

[235 words] There many out there who have wish lists. On this list are all the things they desire. The list proves that the individual is able to dream big. Those who look at the list often smile. The things on it are things that others dream of as well. However, the things on the…

Where Can We Find Peace?

[363 words] It seems this day and age there are not very many who are at peace. Nations are in dispute, families are in disarray, and people are dissatisfied. We rush about trying to bring peace and order to our lives, but to no avail. When we find a moment of peace, it seems to…

It’s a Small World After All

[393 words] While at Disney recently, our kids so enjoyed the “It’s a Small World” ride. If you have never had the “joy” of this, it is a boat trip through various animatronic cultures all singing the same song in different languages. Part of the song goes, “there’s so much that we share that it’s…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 2:1-3

[80 words] True or False: Peter says there will not be false teachers like there were in the past.False teachers bring in destructive __, even __ the Lord who bought them.“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this __, to stir you up by __ you…”True or False: The Lord…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 2:4-11

[82 words] “For if God did not spare the __ who __, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…”“…and did not spare the ancient __, but saved __, one of eight people…”What two cities does Peter mention as being examples of God’s judgment upon…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 2:12-17

[85 words] “But these, like natural brute __ made to be caught and __, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption…”“and will receive the wages of __, as those who count it pleasure to __ in the daytime.”What kind of children did Peter call those…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 2:18-22

[125 words] “For when they speak great swelling words of __, they allure through the __ of the flesh, through __, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.”These false teachers promised __, but were themselves __ of corruption.“For if, after they have escaped the __ of the world through the…

Bible Quiz: 2 Peter 3:1-4

[82 words] True or False: Peter said this was his third epistle to them.He said his purpose in writing was that they may be “mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy __, and of the commandment of us, the __ of the Lord and Savior…”True or False: Peter said that scoffers…
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