Gracious Faithfulness

[377 words] “Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given…

He Shall Be Like a Tree

[181 words] Man is said to be several things in the Bible: builders, sheep, branches, salt, light, withering grass, and fading flowers. Psalm 1:1-3 speaks of a righteous man being like a tree “planted by the rivers of water.” Christians have also been “planted” (Romans 6:3-5). Here are some other ways Christians are like trees.…
Black Bear

Surviving the Shock

[252 words] Last year, a Summersville, West Virginia, school principal got quite a surprise as he prepared to begin the new day. It was 7 a.m. and teachers and staff were getting ready for the students to arrive. The Zela Elementary School custodian had a problem. He couldn’t get the lid to unlock on the…

A Traveler’s Guide to Heaven

[228 words] ACCOMMODATIONS: Arrangements for accommodation must be made in advance (John 14:2). PASSPORTS: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority (Revelation 21:27). DEPARTURE TIME: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be…

There Must Be Conversion

[143 words] If we are to become like Jesus, there must be conversion. We must preach the gospel and people must obey our Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. “And Jesus said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation. He who believes and is baptized will…

The Lesson of The Ants

[155 words] Several missionaries were having tea one afternoon when an ant appeared on the white tablecloth, made its way to a tea cake, walked around it, and finding nothing to eat, made straight for the sugar bowl. After eating several bits, it walked off with a small piece. They watched it disappear underneath the…

Don’t Let Sin In

[49 words] Don’t get used to sin. Just because we are bombarded with worldliness and sin day and night does not give us the excuse to become apathetic toward such things. God still expects His children to talk, dress, act and think differently than the world. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18…. We are sorry, but this…

Don’t Tie Me Down!

[64 words] A preacher was trying to persuade a capable man to teach a Bible class. The man responded, “I just don’t want to be tied down at this time!” With kind firmness the preacher looked him right straight in the eyes and said, “You know, we serve a Master who was willing to be…

Old Age

[131 words] A little boy asked his grandpa, “Grandad, were you in the ark?” “No, I wasn’t Billy.” The perplexed little boy replied, “Then, why weren’t you drowned?” Regardless of modern views, old age is not a disease! In fact, the Bible represents old age as an asset, in many respects. The faithful aged person…

Genesis Account of Creation a Myth?

[96 words] There are some in the religious world who try to teach that it is, but Jesus did not treat any of Genesis as if it were a myth. For instance, Matthew 19:4-6 (Adam and Eve); 24:37-39 (Noah); Luke 17:32 (Lot and his wife); John 8:56 (Abraham); Matthew 8:11 (Isaac and Jacob); and on…

God’s Love

[70 words] “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). We can only see a little of the ocean,A few miles distant from the rocky shore;But out there—beyond, beyond our eyes’ horizon,There’s more—there’s more. We can only see a little of God’s loving—A few rich treasures from His mighty store;But out there—beyond,…

The Love of the Father

[105 words] It comes to me more and more,Each day as I pass along,The love of the Father eternalIs over us tender and strong. ’Tis not alone in the sunshineOur lives grow pure and true;There is growth as well in the shadow,And pain has a work to do. A message comes in the heartache,A whisper…

Service

[109 words] O Master, let me walk with theeIn lowly paths of service free;Tell me thy secret; help me bearThe strain of toil, the fret of care. Help me the slow of heart to moveBy some clear, winning word of love;Teach me the wayward feet to stay,And guide them in the homeward way. Teach me…

Moment by Moment

[91 words] Never a trial that He is not there:Never a burden that He doth not bear;Never a sorrow that He doth not share,Moment by moment I’m under His care. Never a heartache, and never a groan,Never a tear-drop, and never a moan,Never a danger but there, on the throne,Moment by moment, He thinks of…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:23-27

[47 words] What kind of vehicle did Jesus get into? “And suddenly a great __ arose on the __…” “Then His disciples came to Him and __ Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are __!’” “Why are you __, O you of little __?” “Who can this be, that even the __ and the __…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:28-34

[78 words] In the country of the __, Jesus was met by two __-possessed men coming out of the __. “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You __ of __? Have You come here to __ us before the time?” What sort of animal herd was grazing nearby? The demons __ Jesus to…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 9:1-8

[76 words] “Then behold, they brought to Him a __ lying on a __.” “Son, be of good __; your sins are __ you.” Because Jesus forgave the man’s sins, the __ said within themselves, “This Man __!” “‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has __ on earth to forgive sins’—then…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 9:9-13

[70 words] Who did Jesus see sitting at the tax office? “And He said to him, ‘__ Me.’ So he __ and followed Him.” “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the __ in the house, that behold, many __ collectors and __ came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” What group of…

Quotes and Sayings (September 2024)

“Grant me the courage not to give up, even though I think it is hopeless.” — Admiral Chester W. Nimitz “Pray not for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.” — Theodore Roosevelt “Pray devoutly, but hammer stoutly.” — Sir William Gurney Benham “Nothing is easier than self-deceit.” — Demosthenes “One may understand the cosmos, but…

On the Lighter Side (September 2024)

Boss: “I can’t believe you’re just standing there leaning against that crate. How much are you getting a week?”  Young man: “Me? Ah, about $150.” Boss: “Here’s your $150. Now get out! You’re through!” As the young man hurried out, the boss turned to a worker and said, “How long has that fellow been with…

Back to School: Hammer or Nail?

[183 words] Yes, it’s that time again! Our young people, teachers, and administrative workers are heading back to the old school “grind.” That routine includes daily interactions with a wide variety of people from all backgrounds. What a fertile ground for showing people the light of Christ! An old football coach used to say that…

Does Secular Education Benefit Christianity?

[304 words] It has always been God’s will that His people teach their children about Him. Speaking of His commands He said, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise…

First a String

[289 words] In November of 1847, a civil engineer named Charles Ellet Jr. was commissioned to build a bridge across the Niagara Gorge. As you can imagine the greatest challenge was the start. How could you get the first cable across an 825-foot chasm with 225-foot cliffs on either side?  The solution came from a…

A Second Chance

[227 words] In Luke 7:11-17, there is reported a very special interaction between Jesus and a widow who was now grieving the loss of her only son. Apparently the whole town of Nain felt sorry for her as they were mourning with her. Jesus had compassion on her—He raised her son from the dead and…

Spiritual Standards

[287 words] Several years ago, it was reported that the telephone operator in a town in Cape Cod received a call every morning asking for the correct time. Finally, overcome with curiosity, she asked the inquirer, “Would you mind telling me why you call about this time every day and ask for the correct time?”…

What Motivates You?

[370 words] We all could use some motivation from time to time to stay on the “strait and narrow.” And it’s always good to get advice from a seasoned Christian concerning matters like this. So let’s do so. Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 5:9, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to…

‘Are You the Church That __?’

[357 words] I used to get phone calls frequently asking if we were the church that gave away furniture. There was another group in town that did. I do not ever get a call asking if we are the church mentioned in the Bible. People may not ask that question. Doctrine alone may not attract…

The Great Gift

[165 words] Everything we have, and everything we are is a gift of God’s grace (2 Peter 1:3-9). The fullest expression of grace is this: “We, who were once dead in trespasses and sin, but we have been made alive through faith in Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). Here is God’s grace in action. “And being…

The City of Can’t

[399 words] You may have never heard of the city of Can’t. It was founded by settlers who didn’t want to go any further, since it was too much work to keep going, so they sat down and said, “We Can’t!”  Can’t became a place simply because folks had it in their heads that this…

Leaving Something Behind

[192 words] Before officials at the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco started using electronic tolling, drivers had to pay cash to cross the bridge. Sometimes, people found themselves at the toll booth without the money necessary to make the crossing. The drivers couldn’t turn around because of the intense traffic. So, the toll booth…

Prodigals Do Come Home

[161 words] Prodigal sons or daughters need forgiveness. The good news is some do come home. While caring for pigs the prodigal in the parable recorded in Luke 15:11-32 came to himself and decided to return to his father. The story of the Prodigal Son is not glorious. He spent his father’s money to enjoy…

Real Zeal

[315 words] What do you call an aquamarine aquatic mammal that expresses genuine enthusiasm for gelatinous foods? A teal seal that feels real zeal for congealed meals! (Go ahead and groan, if you must.) No, I didn’t write that joke, though those who know my sense of humor could easily see me coming up with…

Why We Fail…Sometimes

[289 words] Let’s just face the facts: Sometimes we fail. However, Jesus never fails. Multiplying the loaves and the fishes is one of the most amazing of all Christ’s miracles. Jesus set aside laws of physics and science to multiply and magnify matter. At the same time He multiplied and magnified His name. When He…

The God of the Storm

[484 words] A storm spells trouble if you work outside. But not for God. He is the Master of bringing good out of chaos. The first book of the Bible shows that the conflict and confusion we cause cannot hinder Him. We talk about family troubles today. But this is as old as mankind. The…

Can I Really Know?

[168 words] One of the greatest weapons Satan has is the powerful weapon of doubt. Doubt in the Savior, doubt in the brethren, and doubt in ourselves. Doubt is the world’s most powerful weapon. Satan discourages Christians with these thoughts: “Are you sure you are a Christian? Do you really think you can stay faithful?…

God’s Side Of The Story

[134 words] Adam and Eve already knew God’s side of the story. God had warned them that if they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they would surely die. But the devil said, “You will not surely die. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes…

What Matters is Faith

[168 words] Two of the most prominent individuals in the Old Testament are David and Moses. One began to serve the Lord when he was a very young man. The other began to serve the Lord when he was much older. Whether young or old it didn’t matter. What mattered was their faith. One faced…

Mistakes of ‘Successful’ Men

[197 words] We have put “successful” in quotation marks, because these men were successful only from the world’s point of view. The rich young ruler was rich, religious, and young (Matt. 19:16-22). However, he loved material wealth more than the Lord, (1 Tim. 6:9-10).  The rich man in the story with Lazarus would have been…

How Wealthy Are We?

[90 words] No matter how much wealth the rich young ruler had, he could not ride in a car or fly in a plane, get a shot of penicillin, get a flu shot or take any of a multitude of patent medicines, have surgery, turn on an electric light, wash dishes in heated running water,…

Even When He is Silent

[74 words] A young girl whose name may never be known died in a Nazi concentration camp during World War Two. But her faith will never be forgotten. On the wall of the cell she occupied until her death, an Allied soldier found these words she had written: “I believe in the sun even when…

Special Dog

[98 words] A minister delivered a sermon in ten minutes one Sunday, about a third of the usual length. He explained, “I regret to inform you that my dog, who is very fond of eating paper, ate portions of my sermon which I was unable to deliver this morning.” After the service, a visitor from…

Christian: Label or Life?

[91 words] The New Testament teaches that the early disciples of the Lord bore the name of their Savior and Master (Acts 11:26). But, they did much more. They sought to bear His likeness, His image (Rom. 8:29). They walked in His footsteps, and developed His mind (1 Pet. 2:21). They “learned Christ” when they…

Omissions

[122 words] It is not so much the things I do that cause me to regret;It’s the little things I leave undone, the things that I forget: It’s the words I fail to utter, the songs I fail to sing,The letters I forget to write, that comfort they may bring. It’s the little acts of…

What Am I?

[63 words] The normal lifespan we far exceededBecause we were so badly needed.Though made by mortal manWe were used in God’s plan.Some of us were stepped uponBut we never complained or groaned.We were all essential every dayWe served right well the whole way.We literally covered God’s nationAs they went from station to station.What am I?…

Do It Yourself

[100 words] “How-to” books are the thing today.They fill up many a shelf.The Bible is the original oneOn how to help yourself.”How to Live Happily Ever After””How to Leave Worry Far Behind””How to Grow in Grace and Wisdom”Are these subjects on your mind?”How to Have A Blessed Marriage””How to be A Saint””How to Behave as…

Help me Lord

[48 words] Oh, Lord, don’t let me falter,Don’t let me lose my way;Don’t let me cease to carryMy burden, day by day.Oh, Lord, don’t let me stumble,Don’t let me fall and quit,Oh Lord, please help me find my “job”And help me shoulder it…. We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:1-4

[53 words] When Jesus came down from the __, great __ followed Him. Who came and worshiped Jesus? “Lord, if You are __, You can make me __.” Jesus healed the man of his __. “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the __, and offer the gift that…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:5-13

[78 words] When Jesus came to __, a __ came to Him pleased on behalf of his servant. “Lord, I am not __ that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be __.” Jesus said He had not found such great __, not even in __. “But…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:14-17

[61 words] Whose house did Jesus go to? The man’s mother-in-law was __ with a __. “So He __ her hand, and the __ left her. And she arose and served them.” That evening people brought to Jesus many who were __-possessed. “And He cast out the __ with a __, and healed all who…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:18-22

[70 words] “And when Jesus saw great __ about Him, He gave a command to __ to the other side.” A certain __ told Jesus he would __ Him wherever He went. “Foxes have __ and __ of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” “Then another…

Quotes and Sayings (August 2024)

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of becoming.” — Goethe “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the…

On the Lighter Side (August 2024)

The Good SamaritanSunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the good Samaritan. She asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?” A thoughtful little girl broke the silence, “! think I’d throw up.” — Golfing FunA golfer’s ball landed on…

A Hero

[372 words] The events that took place Saturday, July 13, at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania have the entire world talking. Some of the discussion centers around the apparent lack of security and ease with which the shooter got into position to attempt his evil deed. Nevertheless, one thing that jumped out to me (and…

Helping Them See

[257 words] A report by Dr. William Martin to the American Medical Association in 1913 didn’t pull any punches. In his assessment of public school children in New York, he found forty pupils he described “as the worst in the school” and eighteen of which being “so stupid they were in ungraded classes.” He also…

Guess Who’s Coming to Church Next Sunday!

[276 words] One of the most humbling passages in the whole Bible is this one: “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). Jesus told this to His disciples as He…

Conduct Worthy of the Calling

[429 words] The fabled “Pony Express” was short lived. It lasted only about a year and a half (April 1860—October 1861). The transcontinental telegraph put an end to the need for the horses and their riders. However, in the brief time it existed, the service made a lasting impact on American history. Before the creation…

The Local Church that God Desires

[358 words] As I study about the church in the pages of the New Testament, three important concepts concerning the local congregation keep coming to mind. It is very obvious that each congregation, as God desires it, must be… Scriptural. The church was founded by the Lord Himself (Matt. 16:18), and it is His desire…

Proceed!

[412 words] Earnest Shackleton and his men sailed for Antarctica on the very day that England declared war on Germany in World War One. At their first port of call the party sent word they would abandon their expedition and offered themselves and the ship to their country. But Shackleton received a cable from a…

The ‘Art’ of Singing

[423 words] As a preacher I often sit and look around at the people who are singing. We are singing songs of praise to the God of the universe. We stand in awe at the power and majesty of God. We know this is the same God who created the universe and who will bring…

He Who Has An Ear

[376 words] “I think a Christian can go anywhere,” said a young woman who was defending her attendance at some very doubtful places. “Certainly she can, why not?” said her friend. An older man spoke up and said, “There is nothing keeping her from going but many things will come back with her.” He went…

Not the Same

[494 words] I drive an SUV. It is called a “crossover.” I noticed many of the “crossovers” that are made by different companies in the same year as mine look very similar. If you were to put them all side by side, it would be difficult to tell what company made which vehicle. If you…

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

[531 words] I used to coach high school football with a gentlemen who also served our state as a Kentucky State Trooper. Kids loved him (and still do) and I learned about life while being in his presence. When it came to dealing with emotions or people, he was, as my momma would say, “cool…

Life Is a Journey with Daily Choices

[511 words] One simple way to view life is to think of how it is a journey up a mountain trail. There are many times when on this journey there are forks in the path ahead of us, and we must choose which one to take, knowing that one of them leads to the place…

Bird Fight in the Church Parking Lot at Dawn!

[395 words] Wednesday morning, as I drove in, I noticed dark feathers flopping around on the parking lot. It looked like a bird had a broken wing and was trying to right himself. The wings kept fluttering, but the bird silhouette that is normal for a bird never emerged. I immediately wondered what happened. Was…

No One Came to Our Party

[306 words] After a few days of hard work, all the preparations had been made and it was time for the party. The tables were ready, filled with stacks of paper plates, plastic flatware, and cups. Cold drinks were iced and ready while the grill belched out smoke with the smell of cooking steaks. There…

The Unimportant Church Member

[335 words] Have you ever met a member of the church who was unimportant? You know the type—the one who says, “My presence in worship services is really not important. After all, I’m not a preacher, Bible class teacher, or a song leader.” Or someone might say, “I’m just a one-talent man. The service I…

Then Who, What, When, Where, Why?

[381 words] We are all familiar with the Five W’s of writing/reporting/journalism: Who? What? When? Where? and Why? Answering these helps people to understand all the details about certain situations. I have seen some of these used in the form of a personal question to help motivate people to action. Let’s use all of them…

No Fool like an Old Fool

[242 words] I’ve heard this phrase all my life – There’s no fool like an old fool. This usually refers to an older man who starts behaving like a child with no sense. Sometimes such fellows had more sense as a teenager than they exhibited in the later life. In the Bible, Solomon began life…

Let’s Invest In People!

[236 words] After being warned by the prophet Daniel about his sinful pride (Proverbs 6:16-17; Psalm 101:5; cf. Proverbs 16:18), the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was struck with insanity. The Lord restored his mind, but only after he spent a long period of time in a field thinking he was a wild animal (Daniel 4:28-37). Nebuchadnezzar…

An Easier Way?

[496 words] The journey to the promised land was a long, hard road. I am not just talking about the forty years in the wilderness. Long before that trial when Abraham didn’t even have a son, God told him that his descendants would suffer many years in another country. “Know certainly that your descendants will…

Have You Not Read?

[54 words] Jesus was constantly asking people about their Bible reading: “Have you not read…?” (Matthew 12:3) “Have you not read in the law…?” (Matthew 12:5) “Have you not read…?” (Matthew 19:4) “Have you never read…?” (Matthew 21:16) “Have you not read…?” (Matthew 22:31) What about you? Have you not read?… We are sorry, but…

Six Stewardship Principles

[68 words] 1. You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7). 2. The attitude of the giver is more important than the gift itself (2 Corinthians 9:7). 3. The time to give/commit is now (2 Corinthians 9:5). 4. We must give ourselves to God first (2 Corinthians 8:5). 5. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew…

Life is a Gift

[63 words] Today before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can’t speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat. When depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and remember that you’re alive and still around. Always…

Why Do You Believe That?

[67 words] Most people’s religious beliefs are really not their own, but what they’ve gleaned from others (family, friends, media, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, etc.). The majority will admit they have not taken the time to see what the Bible actually teaches. Frighteningly, all people will one day stand before Almighty God in Judgment based on…

I Forgot to Live

[71 words] First, I was dying to finish high school and start college.And then, I was dying to finish college and start working.And then, I was dying to marry and have children.And then, I was dying for my children to growold enough for school so I could return to work.And then, I was dying to…

You Tell on Yourself

[139 words] You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,By the very manner in which you speak,By the way you employ your leisure time,By the use you make of the dollar and dime. You tell on yourself by the things you wear,By the spirit in which your burden bear,By the kind of things that…

You Tell Me I Am Getting Old

[170 words] You tell me I am getting old;I tell you that’s not so!The “house” I live in is worn out,And that, of course, I know.It’s been in use a long, long while;The color’s changing on the roof;The windows are getting dim,The walls a bit transparentAnd looking rather thin.The foundation’s not so steadyAs once it…

The Greatest Thing You Can Do

[69 words] The greatest thinganyone can do forGod and man is pray.It is not the only thing, but is thechief thing. The great people ofearth are the people who pray. I do notmean those who talk about prayer;nor those who say they believe inprayer; nor yet thosewho can explainabout prayer; but Imean those peoplewho take…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 7:1-6

[78 words] “__ not, that you be not judged.” True or False: Jesus is condemning hypocritical judging, not all judging. “And why do you look at the __ in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the __ in your own eye?” True or False: Jesus said to work on your brother’s faults before your…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 7:7-14

[97 words] “Ask, and it will be __ to you; __, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” True or False: Jesus said a father would give his son a stone if he asked for bread. “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a __?” “If…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 7:15-23

[69 words] False prophets come to you in __’s clothing. “You will know them by their __. Do men gather __ from thornbushes or __ from thistles?” True or False: Trees that do not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. True or False: Those who say to Jesus “Lord,…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 7:24-29

[102 words] Those who hear and do the words of Jesus will be like a __ man who built his house on the __. “…and the winds __ and beat on that __; and it did not fall, for it was __ on the rock.” Those who reject Jesus’ words will be like a __…

Quotes and Sayings (July 2024)

“Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.” — Washington Irving “Unless you give yourself to some great cause, you haven’t even begun to live.” — William P. Merrill “A useless life is an early death.” — Johann von Goethe “The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without…

On the Lighter Side (July 2024)

It’s All in How You Look at It A fisherman returned to shore with a giant marlin that was bigger and heavier than he was. On the way to the cleaning shed, he ran into a second fisherman who had a stringer with a dozen baby minnows. The second fisherman looked at the marlin, then…

Encouragement for Fathers

[401 words] Being a Dad is one of the greatest honors in life, but it’s also one of the most difficult jobs out there. Culture’s skewed expectations and diminishing view of fatherhood haven’t made our work as dads any easier. We know the importance of providing, protecting and leading; but, how do we do that…

How We Honor Our Fathers

[201 words] My father passed away in 1996. My maternal grandfather left this earth in the 1960s. My dad’s dad died in the mid-1970s. Yet, I plan on honoring my “fathers” today in a special way. While we are worshipping and praising the Lord, I plan to thank the Lord for the influence my father…

Thanks Dad

[207 words] William woke up at his usual time on Sunday morning and headed for the kitchen. As he walked down the hall, he remembered that it was Father’s Day. But this would be a different Father’s Day than all the ones before because this would be the first one in which his 18-year-old son,…

Cross Cutting

[248 words] I once saw a cartoon reminiscent of the scene from Mark 8:34 in which the Lord Jesus challenged believers to “take up your cross.” Within the cartoon, numerous figures were dragging large crosses. Each moved slowly under the weight of the oversized burden. Suddenly, a character spoke out and asked, “Is there a…

What’s In A Nickname?

[193 words] Abraham Lincoln once served as a character witness, although it is doubtful he did much good. When asked about the word of a man named Peter Lukins, Lincoln responded honestly, “Well, he is called Lyin’ Pete Lukins.” In the Scriptures, we get some insight into the nature of some biblical characters by the…

The Treasure Stores of Our Hearts

[412 words] After Mary’s scary episode where she and Joseph “lost” the Son of God, when they found and heard Jesus in the temple give His reason why He did what He did, the Bible says, “they did not understand…but His mother kept all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51-52). We treasure things and…

Ready for Worship! 

[193 words] At worship, I am given the opportunity to… …revere my Maker. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” (Psalm 89:7) …rejoice in my salvation. “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in…

Something Spiritual

[306 words] The Lord’s Supper is not just another “act” it is not something we just do. It is not just a tradition. It is not mystical. It is Scriptural. It is spiritual. Because the crucifixion of Jesus was spiritual and Scriptural. Jesus states, He could have called twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). He…

Whose Battle Is It?

[160 words] In Joshua chapter 10, we read how God fought on Israel’s side to defeat their enemies (the Amorites). In verse 11, we find this verse: “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from…

Planting Seeds

[358 words] The springtime is seed time. Some seeds have already been planted for this year. Throughout the year those seeds will need to be watered for the plants to develop. Further nurturing will need to be done before harvest in the Fall. In the Bible the seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).…

Competing with Culture

[370 words] King Solomon knew he was in for a fight. He knew it would be a challenge to keep his children from giving in to the pagan culture that surrounded them. He would plead with his son to listen (knowing it was a very real possibility he wouldn’t): “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,…

Patience and Praise

[284 words] David wrote Psalm 59 while he was holed up in a house and Saul’s men were waiting outside to get the opportunity to kill him. We can only imagine the tense situation and what all David was going through. He begins the Psalm with a plea to God: “Deliver me from my enemies,…

Timely Issues in First Timothy

[537 words] Is homosexuality against the Bible? The law is made “for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10). Will God forgive blasphemy? “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained…

Sermon Outline: Essential Ingredients for Unity

Humility. Philippians 2:2 says, “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one ac- cord, of one mind.” It has been said, “pride divides.” Always wanting to solve problems with a “my way” attitude will soon leave one on the journey alienated and alone. Gentleness. Ephesians 4:15 says, “but, speaking the…

Sermon Outline: Perfect Protection Plan Against the Devil

Respond in faith to the Word of God: (Rom. 10:17); by repenting (Acts 17:30); confessing Christ (Rom. 10:9); being baptized (Acts 2:38). Do not love this present world (1 John 2:15-17); Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thess. 5:22) Stay faithful in the ministry of Christ and the church. (Ephesians 4:11-16) Put on the…

Bearing Fruit

[319 words] In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Fig Tree.” A certain man had a fig tree in his vineyard and one day went to get some of the sweet fruit but found none. He then told the gardener to cut down the tree because it had been barren for three years…
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