Bible Quiz: James 1:21-25

[43 words] What does James say we should lay aside?What does James say we should receive instead?“But be __ of the word, and not __ only, deceiving yourselves.”What illustration does James use in verses 23-24?James calls the gospel the __ law of liberty. Solution: filthiness and overflow of wickedness; the implanted word; doers, hearers; man…

Bible Quiz: James 1:26-27

[49 words] What does James say we should bridle?If you can’t hold your tongue, your religion may be __.Is it possible to think you have pure religion, but be wrong?What two things does James say are indicators of pure religion?Is separation from the deeds of the world important? Solution: tongue; useless; yes; visiting widows and…

Bible Quiz: James 2:1-4

[79 words] Who is James speaking to in verse 1, as indicated by his use of the word “brethren?”Is it a sin to practice the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with partiality?“For if there should come into your __ a man with __ rings and __ apparel…”Using James 2:1-4 as a guide, would it…

Bible Quiz: James 2:5-9

[66 words] “Has not God chosen the __ of this world to be __ in faith and __ of the kingdom…”True or False: God has promised the kingdom to those who love Him.Those who oppress Christians blaspheme that “__ name by which you are called.”What does James call the principle, “You shall love your neighbor…

Quotes and Sayings (August 2020)

[184 words] “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” ― John Muir “Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that.” ― Benjamin Franklin “It’s not the…

Quotes and Sayings (July 2020)

[227 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 “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels…

On the Lighter Side (August 2020)

[116 words] Back to SchoolMy teachers told me I’d never amount to much because I procrastinate so much.I told them, “Just you wait!” What is the difference between a school teacher and a train?The teacher says spit your gum out and the train says “chew chew chew.” Math Teacher: “If I have 5 bottles in…

On the Lighter Side (July 2020)

[86 words] The LegalistA guy goes into a lawyer’s office and asks the lawyer, “Excuse me, how much do you charge?”The lawyer responds: “I charge $1,000 to answer three questions.”“That’s a bit expensive isn’t it?”“Yes. Now what’s your third question?” My boss just texted me: “Send me one of your funny jokes!”I texted him back:…

How High Can You Count?

[336 words] When 156,000 American, British, and Canadian soldiers landed at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history. More than 4,000 Allied soldiers died during that World War II battle. What a high price, and an enormous sacrifice! Most people agree that although the cost was high, the…

Is Racism A Sin?

[330 words] Before answering the question, it is imperative that the terms, racism, and sin be defined. First, the term racism is defined as “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.” As important as defining the term is understanding what racism…

One Thing

[219 words] There are many voices competing for our attention. There are many destinations pleading for our arrival. There are many products and companies begging for our money. Yet only one voice matters. Only one destination is of any consequence. Only one being can inform us as what to do with / how to look…

A Home Ruled by God

[191 words] A home ruled by God is a place where we develop a heart that will help the poor, weak, and unfortunate people around you. God expects us to reach out to the weak. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Romans 15:1)…

The Bad Samaritan

[533 words] “Which one?” That’s what a typical Jew in Jesus’ time would have asked about this title. To many Jewish people, all Samaritans were bad. There was no such thing as a good Samaritan. The truth, of course, is that Samaritans were like other people. Some were good and some were bad. Although the…

Bite the Wax Tadpole

[170 words] When Coca-Cola began marketing their product in China in 1928, they ran into a problem translating their name into Chinese. Mandarin Chinese is a language of symbols rather than sound. Retailers tried to translate the title of the new drink using symbols representing the sound rather than what the words the symbols meant.…

Breaking Down The Barriers To Biblical Fellowship

[206 words] There is no greater relationship on earth than the relationship that exists as a result of being in Christ. Fellowship with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all who are in Christ, is limited by culture, by color, or by country. Unfortunately, the barriers to fellowship that were torn down by the cross…

The GIFT of a Great Relationship

[388 words] We just love getting gifts, don’t we? How wonderful it is having someone think of us and spend time and resources to get us something special. It lets us know that we are loved. And, of course, we should be most thankful for the love and gift God has given us in Christ…

Adaptability, Attitude, and Always Abounding

[354 words] For some people, when they encounter changes to their environment or routines, it is unsettling, unnerving, and can be a very traumatic experience. For others, when they encounter change, it can be exciting, thrilling, and a roller-coaster ride of new experiences (either good and bad). For all of us, whether we have positive…

Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood

[354 words] Stephen Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker. His most famous book is entitled, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” This book highlights seven ways one can be more effective in life, work, or their profession as they seek to hone their craft. Habit #5 is: Seek first to…

When God Leads A Nation, Mercy Triumphs

[229 words] “May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth” (Psalms 67:4). Today, many people throughout the world are seeking justice. Many more cry out for mercy. In the United States, right now, minority groups are asking for racial justice.…

As We Listen

[381 words] In Luke 8:18 Jesus warned, “Therefore take heed how you hear.” He had said earlier, “And hearing they may not understand” (vs. 10). The words “hear” and “heard” are also found in vs. 12, 13, 14, and 15. Later, Jesus would add, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word…

He’s Still Around

[516 words] As I write this article, two days have passed since a tragedy occurred in our community. At a spot just one-half mile from where I sit in my office, a little four-year-old boy was visiting his uncle. While the family was taking group pictures in the house, the little boy sneaked out the…

The Parable of the Sower

[452 words] Jesus explained to the disciples that He spoke in parables, “…because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). Parables were stories teaching practical lessons to those who wanted to hear and understand and to hide His message from those who were…

Contentment and Purpose

[367 words] We live in a country that is wealthy and even though we may be going through a hard time we are still considered some of the richest people in the world. The Bible teaches that contentment with what we have, if we are rich or poor, is an important character trait we all…

Begone, Unbelief

[32 words] Begone, unbelief,My Savior is near,And for my reliefWill surely appear;By prayer let me wrestle,And He will perform;With Christ in the vessel,I smile at the storm. John Newton1725-1807… We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members only. You either are not yet a member (Register), have yet to confirm your…

What Do You Do When Things Go Bad?

[523 words] Life is full of ups and downs. If we made a list of all of the positive things in our life, all of the blessings, that list would almost certainly far exceed a similar list of all of the negative things in our life. Despite that fact, we tend to focus more on…

No Cheap Repentance

[423 words] Sin has a cost. That’s a concept we should be careful not to forget. If we do committing sin becomes much less of a big deal. (At least in our own minds). I think this is a reason why Israel’s law commanded a thief to give back more than he stole. Think about…

Choose Your Friends Wisely

[248 words] Life is filled with choices. We chose what we do for a living, what we eat, where we live, etc. One of the most challenging is the choice of friends. Solomon the wise prophet told us: “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).…

Bible Quiz: James 1:1-8

[50 words] To whom did James write this letter?“Count it all __ when you fall into various trials…”James says the testing of your faith produces __.What should a Christian do if they lack wisdom?A man that asks God for something but doubts he will receive it is called a __-__ man. Solution: “The twelve tribes”…

Bible Quiz: James 1:9-11

[49 words] “Let the lowly brother glory in his __,”“…but the rich in his __,”James says the rich will pass away like a __ of the field.“For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it __ the grass…”“So the fish man also will fade away in his __.” Solution: exaltation; humiliation;…

Bible Quiz: James 1:12-18

[52 words] “Blessed is the man who endures __.”Who is promised the crown of life?God doesn’t tempt people, but instead we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own __.“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from __,”True or False: God is called the “Father of lights” in this section. Solution: temptation;…

Bible Quiz: James 1:19-20

[26 words] “So then, my __ brethren…”“…let every man be __ to hear…”“…__ to speak…”“…slow to __…”James says the wrath of man does not produce the __ of God. Solution: beloved; swift; slow; wrath; righteousness BulletinDigest.com… We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members only. You either are not yet a…

Quotes and Sayings (June 2020)

[242 words] “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” — Jim Valvano “A father carries pictures where his money used to be.” — Steve Martin “When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.” — William Shakespeare…

On the Lighter Side (June 2020)

Father Funnies Son: Dad, I’m hungry.Dad: Hello, Hungry, I’m Dad.Son: Dad, I’m serious.Dad: I thought you were Hungry? You can tell it’s almost Father’s Day. The kids suddenly want to stop at all the garage sales. Dad Wisdom: Why, in a country of free speech, are there phone bills? Being a great father is like…

Christ Over Conspiracy

[267 words] When tragedies and disasters occur—like our present pandemic—conspiracies abound. The temptation to believe them is strong because they make sense of an otherwise senseless event. They grant us the power to place blame at the feet of someone, rather than remain a victim of confusion. They provide comfort in the calamity by legitimizing…

What Made Him Pray?

[339 words] The scriptures show us clearly that Daniel was a man of prayer (Dan. 6:10), so it’s no surprise to see him pouring his heart out to God in Daniel chapter 9. Several clues in this chapter teach us what motivated Daniel to pray on this occasion.  Scripture made him pray (Dan. 9:2,11-13). Realizing…

Take Time to Be Holy

[429 words] In this current crisis, some people are experiencing challenges using time wisely. Many people have time on their hands! But one benefit of this change is that our “no time” excuse for not devoting time to God has been taken away. While contemplating this thought, the old song, “Take Time to Be Holy”…

Expressions of Faith

[386 words] Isn’t it frustrating when our plans get hindered? As the apostle Paul was writing the letter to the Romans, he told them that he had often planned to come to them, but had been hindered (Romans 1:13). Many of us today during this current crisis are feeling the weight of altered plans. Careers,…

David’s Prayer in the Cave

[264 words] It was in one of the lowest points in his life that David finds himself hiding in a cave praying to God. He says, “With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord” (Psa. 142:1). David describes the circumstances that have caused him…

The Ocean Waves of Life!

[273 words] Have you ever stood in the ocean when the waves are rolling in? If you are not prepared and standing with your feet firmly set, the waves can easily knock you down. The Bible uses this idea of “standing firm” and “holding fast” when describing how we need to be living our lives.…

Eternal Spring

[405 words] Of all the seasons, I think I enjoy watching springtime come more than any of the others. After the long slumber of gloomy winter, it’s so wonderful seeing the earth awaken with the grass greening, trees budding, flowers blooming, busy birds flitting about, etc. Truly, spring is a time of rebirth, renewal, and…

His Eyes Are Upon You

[343 words] Recently, I read a story about an 11-year-old boy up north. He was eagerly looking forward to attending a friend’s birthday party. Days before the event, he and his mother had picked the perfect gift. They had carefully wrapped it. Friday night, all was ready for the occasion. But, Saturday morning, everyone awoke…

Our Strength

[359 words] There are a number of interesting scenes presented in the book of Nehemiah. One, often overlooked, is found in chapter 8. People were gathered in an open square to hear God’s word read to them. Ezra was the reader and it was an extensive reading, to say the least. All morning long he…

The Destructive Nature of Selfishness

[428 words] “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). Two locations are widely recognized as the most likely spots for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One, the…

Giving to Thee

[115 words] As I progress through my life,more clearly do I see,it is not what I gather, Lord,but what I give to Thee. I give to Thee by pouring out,my body, heart, and soul,in glory and devotion,trusting Thee to make me whole. I give to Thee by kindly helping,all others, great and small,humbly loving, serving,…

Honey, or Venom?

[388 words] Honey has a very sweet, pleasant taste. It can be eaten by itself. It can also be used to sweeten other foods. Some believe that there are some healing benefits to honey as well. Most people would welcome having a jar of honey in the house. Venom? Well, venom is poison. When I…

Things You Will Never Regret

[198 words] Every one of us has done something in our life that we regretted deeply. We must deal with those things in the best way that we can and move on. Several years ago I saw a note in a church bulletin that challenged its readers to strive to do things that we would…

No One Wants Society Based on Unbelief

[175 words] For some, religion is a fairy tale for children and a false hope for the aged. To those folks, God is the product of a weak mind and Jesus is a fanatic who demonstrated this characteristic. They believe heaven is a Christian’s wishful thinking and hell only a believer’s nightmare. They charge that…

A Good Christian Attitude

[171 words] A good Christian attitude will mean that we love the Lord, and are growing as a Christian. This kind of attitude will help you win in your struggle against sin. A good Christian attitude will help you be humble, and submissive toward God and His word. As a general rule, persons who have…

What to Do With Treasures

[407 words] In one of Jesus’ parables a servant was handed a mina (a piece of valuable currency). There were clear instructions on what to do with it: “Put this money to work…until I come back” (Luke 19:13). Some of his fellow servants did a great job with this. They used what talent they have…

Words Matter

[299 words] We have so many ways in which we use our words. We have the spoken word. We have the written word. We have the texted word. We have the emailed word. We have the posted word. Thank-fully, we have the Inspired Word! James 1:19-20 is clear when it comes to how we are…

Let’s Read the Writing on the Wall

[303 words] In Daniel chapter 5, we read about how a man was stripped of his blessings. The man’s name was Belshazzar, one of the rulers of ancient Babylon. This fellow was rich and powerful. As is often the case with those born rich, he was arrogant and irreligious. One night, Belshazzar was partying and…

Being a Disciple of Jesus

[379 words] “But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and scourge you in their synagogues” (Matthew 10:17). Jesus was sending His disciples out to preach the gospel of Christ telling the people to repent of their sins. He also told them all of the things which they would encounter. When we…

What If God Took Your Excuses Away?

[327 words] Several years ago, while living in another city, one of the elders in the church here and this writer were making some calls on some of our members who had become negligent in their attendance with the house of God at the times of worship. As we sat in one home, we listened…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 12:25-29

[53 words] Which verse shows we will not escape judgment if we turn away from God?“Yet once more I will __ not only the earth, but also heaven.”We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be __.“Let us have __, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”“Our God is a __…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 13:1-6

[35 words] “Let __ love continue.”Who does verse two tell us not to forget to “entertain?”Who does verse three encourage us to remember?“__ is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled…”“Let your conduct be without __…” Solution: brotherly; strangers; prisoners; marriage; covetousness BulletinDigest.com… We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 13:7-12

[70 words] “Remember those who __ over you, who have spoken the __ of God to you…”Who does verse two say has an unchanging nature?“Do not be carried about with various and strange __.”Do those who continue to live under the Law of Moses have a right to participate in the new covenant?True or False:…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 13:13-19

[67 words] True or False: Christians must bear Christ’s reproach.True or False: It is by Jesus that we are able to offer the sacrifice of praise to God.“But do not forget to do __ and to __…”“__ those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out  for your __.”“__ for us; for…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 13:20-25

[61 words] True or False: Jesus is called “that great Shepherd of the sheep.”True or False: The blood of the new covenant is everlasting.“…make you __ in every good work to do His __…”True or False: Timothy was still in chains at the time of the writing of the letter to the Hebrews.“__ all those…

Quotes and Sayings (May 2020)

[175 words] “Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heart throb.” — Leroy Brownlow “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” — Abraham Lincoln “A mother understands what a child does not say.” — Jewish proverb “Mother’s love is…

On the Lighter Side (May 2020)

[102 words] Corny Mom RiddlesQ: What did the mother rope say to her child?A: Don’t be knotty. Q: What did the mother spider say to her baby spider?A: You spend too much time on the web. Q: Why did the monster’s mom knit him three socks?A: Because he grew another foot. Q: What do you…

What Will We Tell Our Kids?

[392 words] Someday we are going to tell our children and grandchildren about 2020. We will tell them about this virus and all of these weird changes that we had to make. We will talk about social distancing and how big corporations turned over their production to provide essential medical equipment. Maybe we will end…

Shelter in Place

[398 words] “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many Americans have been told to stay home.  That means do not go to work, do not go to school, do not leave the house at all unless…

Dealing With Chickens

[314 words] I loved visiting my Aunt Maureen and my  Uncle Tolle Chapman in Nobob, KY when I was a little boy. They always had chickens in their backyard! I would spend hours watching the chickens peck the ground and interact in their little space. My aunt Margaret lived just up the road. She too,…

Quarantine is a Biblical Practice

[335 words] Peter’s first letter addressed the difficulties the church was facing in the first century A.D. Today, we are facing a pandemic unlike anyone has ever seen in our generation. To the faithful, the hardest thing is having to self-isolate away from our friends at the Lord’s church. We do this so we won’t…

Finding Some Normalcy

[300 words] The other day I talked about my work life during “limited shelter in place.” That reflects part of my strategy for dealing with all of this craziness: find ways to create normalcy. I have found times when I found myself stressed without really knowing why. That made me realize how disorienting a loss…

What it Takes to Be God

[310 words] In part of John’s glimpse of heaven, he saw four living creatures who did not rest from praising God saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come” (Rev. 4:8). In this saying of honor, three great attributes of God are given. Holiness. God is the Holy…

Lockdown Lament

[60 words] Alone and then, lonely – two different words,So alike and yet standing apart;One speaks of location, of not “being there,”The other, of bruising the heart. We may be at distance while we are confined,Unable to share the same space;Though love remains still and our hearts remain joined,How we ache for that sweet face…

The Christian’s Advantage

[257 words] There is not a person in the world who can live totally above sin. Paul told us in Romans 3:23 that “All have sinned” and in John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Everyone makes mistakes and fails a…

The Power of Hope

[408 words] Have you been struggling with some feelings of hopelessness lately? Whenever we have a hard time seeing the end in sight or we face uncertainty or are exposed to fears and anxieties, it can undermine our determination to have hope. Yet, over a hundred times in Scripture, God points us to the hope…

‘Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock’

[209 words] In Luke 12, we read how Jesus told his followers “do not worry.” He said, don’t worry about getting the necessities of life or even how long you will live. He then pointed to world of unbelievers and said: “they worry about these things.” But you should seek God’s kingdom and He’ll take…

Are Monsters Due in Abilene?

[306 words] An episode of the classic TV show Twilight Zone was called “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” In this episode, the power goes out in a neighborhood. Someone suggests the possibility that this is the work of aliens and that one family is in cahoots with the invaders. Later power is restored…

Don’t Be a Mosquito

[420 words] I have loved living in Alabama for the past two years, but there’s one major problem I’ve run into since moving: the mosquitos. These bugs are a nightmare. The one good thing about the winter is there aren’t any of these blood sucking demons. It honestly seems like there are two kinds of…

Beating Cabin Fever

[451 words] All of us are being impacted by the temporary shutdowns and physical distancing. We need to do our part to take care of ourselves and our families. This week I want us to look at some practical ways to help us through this time. Our mental health is important and the stress of…

Keep Praying

[273 words] If there is one aspect that Jesus seems to emphasize in his teaching about prayer, it is that it is not a “one-and-done” thing (Luke 18:1-8, Luke 11:5-13). Prayer takes constancy to work. If I ask and don’t receive, it shouldn’t be taken as a reason to not pray anymore. Take the example…

Measuring Doctrines

[159 words] What did Paul mean when he wrote to Timothy, exhorting him to charge men not to teach a different doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3)? There are some doctrines easily understood and affirmed, but some are rather complicated and confusing. How can one know which doctrine (tprileaching) to oppose? We need to start here: “If…

The Gospel and Us

[169 words] In Rom. 1:14-16, Paul not only gives the importance of the gospel, but what our relationship should be with it. It is seen in the three “I am” statements. Concerning the Gospel… We Need to Realize Our Obligation (“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise”,…

Is Our Savior Sleeping?

[540 words] Have you ever been afraid of your imagination? At times that fear can be so convincing that you truly believe that the worst case scenario is somehow inevitable. Try and make that opening question relevant to your life. Think about a specific event or experience where you were afraid of something that never…

God’s Promise

[284 words] Over the centuries, the enemies of God’s people have sought to harm the Lord’s family. Today, we are fighting a virus instead of soldiers. Our weapons are good sanitation and medical practices. But our greatest munition is our faith in God. Jesus Christ is the Great Physician (Luke 5:17-32). The most dreaded disease…

Cultivating Your Spiritual Garden

[528 words] Wisteria is beautiful. Despite its beauty, though, wisteria can be an invasive vine if it is not carefully cultivated, becoming genteel kudzu. As I had to go to a doctor’s appointment in Gainesville, Georgia, yesterday, I noted how much wisteria grows around that city. For the most part, it was not managed well.…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 12:1-2

[59 words] The writer says we are surround by a cloud of __.What two things are we encouraged to lay aside?“…let us run with __ the race that is set before us…”Who is the author and finisher of our faith?“…and has sat down at the right hand of the __ of God.” Solution: Witnesses; every…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 12:3-11

[56 words] “For consider Him who endured such __ from sinners against Himself…”“You have not yet resisted to __, striving against sin.”According to verse 8, if you are without chastening you are __.“Shall we not much more readily be in __ to the Father of spirits and live?”“Now no chastening seems to be __ for…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 12:12-17

[47 words] “Therefore strengthen the __ which hang down, and the feeble __…”According to verse 14, what should Christians pursue?Which verse says a person can fall short of the grace of God?“…lest any root of __ springing up cause trouble…”Who was said to have been a “profane” person? Solution: hands, knees; peace and holiness; verse…

Bible Quiz: Hebrews 12:18-24

[70 words] To what mountain is verses 18-21 referring?“…the voice of words, so that those who heard it __ that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.”“And so terrifying was the sight that __ said, ‘I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.’”“But you have come to Mount __ and to the city of the…

Quotes and Sayings (April 2020)

[230 words] “The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” — Mark Twain “Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders.” — …

On the Lighter Side (April 2020)

The Yolk’s On You Q: What is the Easter Bunny’s favorite kind of music?A: Hip-hop! Q: What did one Easter egg say to the other?A: “Heard any good yolks today?” Q: Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke?A: It might crack up! Q: What happened when the Easter Bunny met the rabbit of…

Yes, It’s a Pandemic

[395 words] Uncontrolled disease can be horrific. With the current worries about the spread of a new coronavirus dubbed “COVID-19,” we have heard the terms “epidemic” and “pandemic” tossed around quite a bit. An epidemic occurs when a disease affects a greater number of people than is usual for an area, and a pandemic is…

The Need to Fear God

[146 words] There is no greater need in our time or any time, than the need to fear God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). The fear of the Lord is that understanding of God’s greatness and power, and man’s accountability toward Him.…

Bless You!

[271 words] Blessed are you when you come to worship, even when you are not feeling the best in the world – your dedication is helping to inspire many in this congregation. Blessed are you when you leave your contribution, even when you cannot physically be here – you have helped this church to meet…

Security of Believers

[308 words] One of the basic doctrines of Calvinism is the impossibility of apostasy. This teaching says that once a person becomes a Christian there is nothing he or she can do to be lost One man went so far as to say that even if he murdered someone in cold blood he could not…

The Blessings of Friends and Family

[194 words] It is truly a blessing to be part of a loving family. In like fashion, it is a great blessing to have dear friends. Sadly, not everyone knows what it feels like to be part of such things. All too often we take our family and friends for granted.  If you are so…

My Brother

[335 words] “Afterwards the LORD asked Cain, “Where is Abel?” “How should I know?” he answered, “Am I supposed to look after my brother?” (Genesis 4:9 CEV) In 1964, a young woman was stabbed and raped outside her Queens apartment while witnesses observed and did nothing. The perp even left and returned to resume stabbing…

Making Marriage Great

[464 words] Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher hold the record for the longest marriage in American history: 86 years, 290 days. When asked to explain their secret, Zelmyra said, “There is no secret. It’s God who has kept us together.” She was not implying that marriage was always easy. It isn’t. Great marriages take hard work,…

What the Bible Says About Lent

[249 words] “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6). Do not add or subtract commands to the Bible! This teaching is found throughout the Old and New…

The Day Jesus Cleaned House

[336 words] Why did Jesus have to cleanse the temple? Why was He not content to just let things go on business as usual? In John 2, Jesus “cleans house” literally because those Jews had made the temple a “house of merchandise” (John 2:16). There were things, behaviors, and attitudes that didn’t belong in a…

Of Fools and Blind Faith

[335 words] Both evidence and reason point convincingly to faith in God. The charge of “blind faith,” often leveled against the conviction of believers, better describes the plight of those who see a world without God. “For every house is built by someone, and He that built all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4, McCord.) A…

Credibility from Mountaintops

[363 words] There are many people who look on those who are religious as naïve, that is, people with good intentions, but devoted people deluded by ideas not based in reality. Though this is hardly the case, it matters not; some just choose to think this because they desire to live in accordance with what…

Are You Tired?

[351 words] “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue.” Job 14:1-2 reminds us life is hard and short.  This is not “news” to any of us! We are all aware…

Wedding Vows Are to Be Honored

[357 words] “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife…through sickness and health, until death do you part?” “I do.” “Do you take this man…until death do you part?” “I do.” “Before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you man and wife.” Of course, you have heard or spoken similar words…

A Pregnant Ant

[491 words] I am as low as a person can be! There is no one that seems to have an interest in me; I can’t even buy a friend to shovel dirt on me at the time of my anticipated burial. I wait on the Lord, but does He want to give any attention to…

God’s GPS of Salvation

[351 words] Our technological society has become very familiar with the “GPS” which facilitates navigating from point A to point B. When properly set, the GPS ideally prevents one from becoming “lost” when driving. I totally depend upon my GPS to navigate me through an unfamiliar city or location. I love it for the miles…
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