August 2023, Vol. 42, No. 8

Bring Christ Your Broken Life

[395 words] When I visited Ukraine several years ago, I was impressed how beautiful everyone looked on the street and in the community. Men were wearing their finest suits and polished shoes, and women were wearing their most beautiful dresses, designer heels, and name-brand accessories. When I asked one of my Ukrainian companions about their…

What Can You Do to Help?

[443 words] Church growth is not an accident—it’s deliberate. Churches that do not have plans or goals for growth usually do not grow. Having goals are nice, but every member must do their part to achieve these goals. Here are some suggestions for helping the church achieve its goals in attendance and conversions. Identify people.…

Fight, Finish, Fulfill

[271 words] Second Timothy 4:7 has often been referred to as Paul’s valedictory: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” It has also been observed that this statement had something for every group of people in the first century. The idea of fighting the fight appealed…

Considering the Shepherd

[321 words] Considering men who may serve as elders in the church is a critical time within the life of a congregation. They will be entrusted with leadership which will affect the health and future of the congregation. The process is never to be taken lightly, and biblical guidance must be the criteria upon which…

Joy Springs from Your Relationship with God

[136 words] David wrote Psalm 16 as a prayer to God. In it, David asks for the Lord’s protection during a trying time. Also, David begs the Lord for His guidance. Then David made a commitment to follow God’s direction. Many call this a “messianic psalm” (a prophecy of some aspect of Jesus’ life). From…

We Don’t Study the Bible

[472 words] In a Bible study a few years ago at an assisted living facility, a lady made a startling revelation. She mentioned the name of the group she was associated with; then she said, “We don’t study the Bible.” She then admitted they needed to study it more. When another lady in the class…

Was Paul a Woman-Hater?

[525 words] “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. I praise and appreciate you because you remember me in everything and you firmly hold to the traditions [the substance of my instructions], just as I have passed them on to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of…

Supper with the King

[208 words] I want you to imagine a scene with me, a scene of beauty and wonder and grace. The King of heaven and earth has prepared a feast in honor of His Son. The table has been prepared, the Son has taken His place at the head, and we are the ones who have…

The Demise of the Sunday Night Service

[282 words] Traditions come and go. One such tradition in American churches is the Sunday evening service. It’s unclear when the tradition started, but records would indicate that churches have been holding evening services for well over 100 years. In recent history, there has been a sharp decline in those who attend Sunday evening services.…

Jesus is a Priest Forever

[354 words] Jesus is “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7:17). What does that even mean? Melchizedek is described earlier in the chapter as the “king of righteousness,” the “king of Salem,” and the “king of peace” (vs. 2). He is the one to whom Abraham paid tithes following his victory…

A Godly Conduit

[420 words] An electrical conduit is a pathway that delivers electricity safely to an outlet. When electrical wires are not properly passed through a conduit, they carry the potential of being extremely dangerous. The wires need to be protected from fraying and grounding and likewise, we need to be protected from the potential threat of…

Jesus’ Family Tree

[315 words] Someone said, “Don’t shake the family tree too hard because some fruits and nuts may fall out!” I’ve found that to be true in my own family history research, and it holds true in the genealogy of Jesus too. I wonder how many people, as they begin reading the New Testament, just skip…

Assumptions: Some Do’s and Don’ts

[295 words] You can safely assume: • That God loves you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). • That the price of your sins was paid by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). • That your past sins were washed away— forgiven—at your baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). • That you can be faithful to God (Revelation 2:10).…

I Love the Mountains

[418 words] Although I was born and bred in central Illinois, I love the mountains. I love the thought of them, I love their grandeur, and I love the way they majestically and seemingly endlessly march in procession as far as the eye can see. Maybe there is something about mountains and their connection to…

Not My Worry

[148 words] Two women were talking one day when one shared she had a mountain of credit card debt, she had lost her job, the bank was taking the car, and her house was in foreclosure, but she was not worried about it. Her friend got excited and asked why she was not going to…

OT Books in the NT

[33 words] Which Old Testament books are cited the most times in the New Testament? Isaiah (419) Psalms (414) Exodus (240) Genesis (238) Deuteronomy (196) Ezekiel (141) Daniel (133) Jeremiah (125) Leviticus (107) Numbers (73)… We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members only. You either are not yet a member…

Shortest Verse in the Bible?

[54 words] Many people are familiar with the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). But it’s only the shortest verse in English! In the original Greek, the shortest verse is actually 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always.” John 11:35 contains three Greek words, whereas 1 Thess. 5:16 has only two…. We are sorry,…

Preparing for the Messiah

[50 words] The Old Testament is the story of a nation preparing for a Messiah. The New Testament is the story of a Messiah preparing a nation of believers for God. There are over 200 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus, and about 30 of them were fulfilled at the crucifixion…. We are sorry,…

The Incomparable Bible

[55 words] The Bible contains: —The Mind of God— The State of Man— The Way of Salvation— The Doom of Sinners— The Happiness of Believers It’s doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, it histories are true, and its decisions are unchangeable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to…

Cooperation

[47 words] A horse can’t pull while kicking;This fact I merely mention;And he can’t kick while pulling,Which is my chief contention.Let’s imitate the good old horse,And lead a life that’s fitting;Just pull an honest load, and then, There’ll be no time for kicking…. We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members…

Service

[112 words] There’s a clever young guy namedSomebody Else, There’s nothing this guy can’t do.He is busy from morningtill way late at night,Just substituting for you.You’re asked to do this or you’reasked to do that,And what is your ready reply?“Set Somebody Else to do that job,He’ll do it much better than I.“So much to do…

The Heartbeat of God

[179 words] The darkened earth wept in silence,Alone.The sun, black and cold,A dark and rugged stone cast into the sky;God’s face, turned from His creation,Eyes closed, His gentle heartBeating as a resounding drum,Its loud echo ringing throughThe spheres of space and time.The anguished voice of His blessed SonCried out,Though the spirit, strong, remained unmarred,Untouched by…

The Bible Speaks

[109 words] I am the Bible, God’s wonderful Library.I am always–and above all–the truth.To the weary pilgrim, I am a strong staff.To the one who sits in darkness, I amglorious light.To those who stumble beneath heavyburdens, I am sweet rest.To him who has lost his way, I am a safeguide.To those who are sick in…

Bible Quiz: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

[56 words] “This is a __ saying: If a man desires the position of a __, he desires a good work.” How many wives must a candidate for elder have? “…one who rules his own __ well, having his __ in submission with all reverence…” A novice might fall prey to __. An elder should…

Bible Quiz: 1 Timothy 3:8-16

[77 words] Deacons must not be __—tongued. “But let these also first be __; then let them serve as deacons, being found __.” “Likewise, their wives must be __, not slanderers, __, faithful in all things.” “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good __ and great __ in the…

Bible Quiz: 1 Timothy 4:1-8

[89 words] In __ times some will __ from the faith. Two doctrines said were lies were __ to marry, and commanding to __ from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving. “For every __ of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with __; for it…

Bible Quiz: 1 Timothy 4:9-16

[72 words] “This is a __ saying and worthy of all __.” True or False: God is the Savior of some men. “Let no one despise your __, but be an __ to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Who laid hands on Timothy in v. 14?…

Quotes and Sayings (August 2023)

“The man who fails because he aims astray, or because he does not aim at all, is to be found everywhere.” — Frank Swinnerton “Much pleasure and little grief is every man’s desire.” — Spanish proverb “Without duty, life is soft and boneless.” — Joseph Joubert “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the…

On the Lighter Side (August 2023)

Wise Rules for Pilots 1. Every takeoff is optional. Every landing is mandatory.        2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.        3. Flying isn’t dangerous. Crashing…