December 2022, Vol. 41, No. 12

There’s No Place Like Home

[329 words] A good home is such a wonderful place. It seems that we are always wanting to go home. And we especially love being home for the holidays. In fact, there is a traditional song that testifies to that fact. What is it that is so great about home? Let’s note a few of…

When a Family Member Acts Up

[271 words] When I was a young youth minister, a fellow with which I served had a young wife. It was disappointing to the congregation and devastating to the preacher when he returned home from a long day at work to discover that his wife had packed up nearly everything of value in the house,…

A New Hope

[142 words] The word “now” comes from a Latin phrase, novus homo, which means “a new man” or “man newly ennobled.” There is a powerful lesson in that. Each moment is a change we have to start over. To become a new person, to become a better person. “Now” is an important concept in the Bible.…

Jesus Loves the Little Children

[333 words] In Mark 10:1-16, we see Jesus sitting in a house doing some teaching when people started bringing children to Him. At first, the disciples of Christ forbad this from happening. But then we see that Jesus got upset and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for…

Peace In Your Personal Life

[324 words] The following story ran a number of years ago in the Fort Worth Star Telegram. “The man who spotted targets for American bombers over Hiroshima in August 1945 has been laid to rest in Texas soil after searching the last 33 years for some peace in his life. Claude Robert Eatherly was a…

What I Love About Being a Christian

[274 words] I love being a child of the King! Why? First, Christians have a family. God designed the physical family in the paradise of Eden (cf. Genesis 2:7; 18). Most of us enjoy that blessing from God. In the New Testament, God gave us a second family—relationships with other church members. If our physical…

The Gospel Is for All

[186 words] The gospel of Christ is: Free. Even the poor can obtain it: “The poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5). Plain. Even the uneducated can understand it: “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge” (Ephesians 3:1–6; cf. 2 Timothy 2:7). Equalizing. The humble are raised by it and the…

If Eli Could Speak to Parents

[519 words] First Samuel tells us of the life of Eli. He was the high priest of Israel. He loved God and was very sensitive to His word. During his time, spiritual conditions were not good. People mocked God and lived immoral lives. Tragically, Eli’s sons became ungodly. They were disrespectful to God in their…

God Hears My Cry for Mercy

[232 words] “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalms 28:6-7). In this psalm, David, inspired by the Holy Spirit,…

Follow the Instructions!

[239 words] Recently, I was putting together a futon that I purchased. It wasn’t particularly difficult, but was definitely time consuming. I was carefully following the instructions, when I got to a point where I was to use a very long bolt to fasten together two pieces of the frame. In my opinion, the bolt…

Giving and Receiving

[448 words] “What are you getting for Christmas?” “What do you want for Christmas?” How many times have you heard these questions lately? Christmas shopping is in full swing. For the next two weeks many gifts will be given and received. Which do you enjoy the most – giving or receiving? Unfortunately, for many people,…

The Not-So-Encouraging Words

[238 words] Richard Nixon had already had one nominee for the Supreme Court shot down by the Senate and it was looking like his second choice Harold Carswell was about to go down as well. Since he was attacked as a mediocre choice, Republicans were asked to help bolster the candidate. Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska…

Don’t Break the Bank

[164 words] Ah, it’s that time of the year when we show people how much we love them…by spending money on them. I miss you Thanksgiving! Now I know when it comes to gifts, it’s supposed to be the thought that counts. But I also know that any gift, no matter how thoughtful or thoughtless…

And it Came to Pass

[402 words] An older man once sat in on a class in a Bible college. That day the professor asked his students to share a verse that means a great deal to them. The students were eager to oblige. They offered many great verses, rich with theological implications. When the class finished, the professor asked…

Ready or Not

[357 words] In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave covered with huge slabs of granite and marble, fastened with heavy steel clasps. It belongs to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Yet she directed in her will that her grave be made so secure that if there…

Consumed

[383 words] An other monumental election season has come to an end. And, again, the season has consumed us! Let me give you an example: My family had to travel to St. Louis recently. On Saturday morning, as we were enjoying our complimentary breakfast with the rest of the weary travelers, the television in the…

Prominent Religious Subjects

[385 words] Some are surprised to learn that the Bible’s teachings differ from what they have always heard. What have you heard about these prominent doctrines? Falling from grace? The Bible teaches such is possible (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:1-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22). Inherited total depravity? The Bible teaches that sin is of such a nature…

The Bible, Short and Sweet

[292 words] The Bible is divided into two main parts. The Old Testament was God’s will primarily to the Jewish nation. Its requirements were binding until the covenant of Christ became effective (Colossians 2:14). The New Testament is God’s will through Christ to all men living today. The Old and the New Testament were written…

Alcohol in the USA

[86 words] Alcohol costs $239 billion dollars more a year than its taxes bring in. Each year, it is involved in the following:40 percent of the homicides.25 percent of suicides. Suicide is 120 times more prevalent in alcoholics.28 percent of all traffic-related deaths.50 percent of all liver-related deaths.5.9 percent of all global deaths.35 percent of…

Because of Sin

[78 words] Our Lord arrived at the Garden with darkness in full array, He poured out His heart to the Father, as He fell on His face to pray.He was carrying a heavy burden, And from it He must not run. With love He promised faithfullynot My will, but Yours be done.The cup of the…

To Die is Gain

[61 words] If for me to live is money — then to die is loss.If for me to live is self — then to die is loss.If for me to live is ambition — then to die is loss.If for me to live is sin — then to die is loss.But if for me to…

Let Each One Say

[111 words] As life goes onward day by day,Let each one to his conscience sayThat flesh is weak but God is strong,That right is right and wrong is wrong.That I have found my workday flies,But therein all my life’s hope lies.That on life’s upward path I’ll run,My face forever to the sun.That I shall do…

He Had No Servants

[63 words] Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.He had no army, yet kings feared Him.He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.He committed no crime, but they crucified Him.He was buried in a tomb,…

Just One Request

[93 words] Dear Master, for this coming yearJust one request I bring:I do not pray for happiness,Or any earthy thing…I do not ask to understandThe way Thou leadest me,But this I ask: Teach me to doThe thing that pleaseth Thee.I want to know Thy guiding voiceTo walk with Thee each day.Dear Master, make me swift…

Savior, Teach Me Day By Day

[119 words] Savior, teach me day by daylove’s sweet lesson to obey,sweeter lesson cannot be,loving him who first loved me. With a child’s glad heart of loveat thy bidding may I move,prompt to serve and follow thee,loving him who first loved me. Teach me thus thy steps to trace,strong to follow in thy grace,learning how…

Sunday Night

[149 words] I love the church that Jesus built,And I know that it is right.I go there on each Sunday morn,But not on Sunday night. I love to sing the songs to God;Such worship must be right.This I do each Sunday morn,But not on Sunday night. God bless our preacher, too,And give him power and…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 16:17-21

[58 words] The seventh angel poured his bowl of wrath out into the __. “…and a loud voice came out of the temple of __, from the throne, saying, ‘It is __!’” The great city was divided into how many parts? “Then every __ fled away, and the __ were not found.” “Men __ God…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 17:1-6

[65 words] “Come, I will show you the __ of the great __ who sits on many waters…” The angel carried John away in the Spirit into the __. “And I saw a __ sitting on a scarlet __ which was full of names of __, having seven heads and ten horns.” In what colors…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 17:7-11

[88 words] “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the __ of the woman and of the beast that __ her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.” The beast will ascend out of the __ pit. “And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 17:12-18

[61 words] For how long did the ten kings receive authority in verse 12? “These are of one __, and they will give their __ and __ to the beast.” Who did the kings make war with? “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are __, multitudes, __, and tongues.” “And the woman…

Quotes and Sayings (December 2022)

“The beginning of men’s rebellion against God was, and is, the lack of a thankful heart.” — Francis Schaeffer “God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you?’” — William A. Ward “Seeds of discouragement will not grow in a thankful heart.” — Anonymous “A thankful heart…

On the Lighter Side (December 2022)

The Lost Purse A lady lost her handbag in the bustle of Christmas shopping. It was found by an honest little boy and returned to her. Looking in her purse, she commented, “Hmmm…. That’s funny. When I lost my bag there was a $20 bill in it. Now there are twenty $1 bills.” The boy…