December 2017, Vol. 36, No. 12 Archives

God is The Giver

[326 words] God is a giver. Better yet, God is the giver. And when God gives, He goes all out. He doesn’t give a little of what He’s able to. He doesn’t give only some of what He’s willing to. No, when God decides to give, He goes big, because He is the giver. From…

Charges of Sexual Misconduct

[455 words] Sexual scandals among high-proﬁle people in politics and the media don’t surprise us. We’ve heard so much of it that we’re sick of hearing about it. What else can we expect from Godless people who lie for a living? A few generations ago there was a clear line between what should be mentioned…

The Earth is Losing Its Darkness

[243 words] According to an article in the science journal, Science Advance, artificially lit surfaces around the world are spreading, growing brighter, and producing more light at night. There are many ramifications of having too much light shining in the world at night. Nocturnal animals’ sleep patterns are thrown off according to Franz Holker of…

Elementary School Rules

[181 words] We gave our son three key rules to help him get through primary school without causing too many incidences. They worked, and he came close to admitting they continue to help make him successful now. In light of all the misconduct and abuse being recently revealed about some powerful people, I thought I…

Rejoicing Angels

[372 words] Ever wonder what causes the angels in heaven to shout for joy? There are several instances of angels proclaiming joy, and they all seem to have a common thread. The first instance of the heavenly host expressing joy is during the creation of the heavens and the earth. Recounting the incident, God tells…

What Christ Is To Me

[87 words] The Shield from every dart; The Balm for every smart; The Sharer of each load; Companion on the road. The Door into the fold; The Anchor that will hold; The Shepherd of the sheep; The Guardian of my sleep. The Friend with Whom I talk; The Way by which I walk; The Light…

The Gospel is for All!

[344 words] One thing that impresses me every time I read the book of Acts is the fact that the gospel is for all. Before leaving for heaven, Jesus told His apostles “and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Fulfilling…

You Can Be a Teachers’ Aid

[375 words] Several of our classes have assistants to the Bible class teacher. She (or perhaps in select cases “he”) serves in a support role, helping students do handwork, find Bible verses, or occasionally keep order. These are vital roles, and often a teacher’s aid later actually becomes a teacher. Teachers’ aids are part…

Satan Met a Brick Wall

[402 words] “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Temptations to forsake good works have ever plagued mankind. Satan has always known that the quickest and surest way to bring a good work to a halt is simply by discouraging…

Depending Upon God’s Grace

[281 words] “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). After these forty-two years of ministry, I have learned two important things. First, God’s servants are totally dependent upon the grace…

Putting God First, Not Second

[307 words] God and Christ must be first in our lives, and not second. Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our number one priority in this short life must be to go to Heaven or otherwise we most…

Relationships Are Like Old Barns

[306 words] Not too long ago I read the story of a farmer who was just devastated over the fact that his barn’s roof fell in. Someone asked the farmer, “what happened?” The farmer told the one asking the question that the roof had been leaking so long that the timbers just rotted through. Of…

Why Hidest Thou?

[156 words] Why do We sometimes feel that God is far away? There are times we need to feel He is nearby. Psalm 10:1 says “Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” David dared to ask the question. It is okay to ask questions of God. All the great people of the Bible had…

Learning To Do God’s Will

[211 words] In school we would learn about different Bible scholars’ theories concerning different topics or verses and it really was a shock to know how many bible scholars there are who do not believe in God, or do not believe in the claims Christ made. First of all, how do you know this book…

On The Lighter Side (December 2017)

[199 words] Cookie Knowledge As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one. “No problem,” I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate. “You can’t do that,” argued my four-year-old. “Don’t worry. Santa will never know.” He shot me a look.…