February 2017, Vol. 36, No. 2 Archives

The Best We Can Be

[107 words] I think that I shall never see A church that’s all it ought to be; A church whose members never stray Beyond the straight and narrow way. A church that has no empty pews; Whose preacher never has the blues; Where elders “eld” and deacons “deek.” And none are proud, all are meek.…

Before He’s One

[55 words] Before your child has come to seven Teach him well the way to heaven! Better still the truth will thrive, If he knows it when he’s five! Better yet, if at your knee He learns it when he is only three! Best of all when you have begun To teach of Jesus before…

If God is Love

[100 words] What Word of love to rule the heart And change my selfish attitude! Let blessed Scripture do its part, With grace my table’s daily food. A bruised reed he will not break, This humble, lowly servant Lord; Though all the hills with justice shake, The smoldering wick will be restored. No cry ignored,…

The Salt Life

[283 words] Just a few years ago, I began seeing a new name brand spread like wild ﬁre through society. The name brand was interesting, catchy, and embodied the “redneck beach bum” persona that so many were striving to carry. The brand was called “Salt Life” and it took the south by storm. In such…

We Ought Not Be Surprised

[264 words] How should a preacher evaluate his sermon? More importantly, how should he evaluate his preaching ministry? Hershel York, professor of preaching at a Louisville seminary has published a guideline to address those questions. One of his tools is this question: Does the sermon divide the audience? Solid preaching leads to some amens and…

On Being Perfect

[202 words] Matthew 5:48 states, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Can a human being with all their failing, inconsistencies, and sin ever be perfect? The answer is no! What then does this statement mean? I believe that Jesus is presenting us with a message on how…

Heart to Heart, Face to Facebook

[525 words] “A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine” (Ecc. 8:1). What about the example you set before others on the internet? Does your Christian light shine on Facebook? Do you use wisdom about what you post or share? There is no question that this avenue of communication is used for good. Family, friends,…

As We Headed Out the Door

[365 words] As we headed out the door of our house to load (or should I say cram) our daughter’s final bag of luggage into the car. I went back inside to make sure we had turned off all the lights. For whatever reason, l walked down the hallway to my daughters bedroom, opened the…

Somewhere…

[163 words] …A mother is trying to make up her mind whether to let a surgeon do an operation on her only child that may take her life. …A man whose son didn’t come home last night is walking through a door marked “City Morgue.” …A man is sitting on his bed toying with a…

Why Come Back?

[355 words] Is it mandatory? Is it a sin not to? These are questions every Christian needs to be asking and answering from God’s word. (Hebrews 10:24-26 is a good text to study for the right answer.) However, this article takes a look at the benefits of coming back. The first beneﬁt that is available…

Hypocrisy

[398 words] Hypocrisy is an unpleasant word signaling an empty existence and shallow life. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be what he is not, or one who pretends to be better than he really is, or wishes to be seen as virtuous without really being so. Thayer defines hypocrisy as “the acting of…

Everything I Needed to Know About Life I Learned from a Jigsaw Puzzle

[207 words] 1. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return (compare Mark 6:31). 2. Be sure to look at the big picture (John 4:35). Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration. 3. Don’t force a ﬁt (Philippians 2:4). 4. Perseverance pays off.…

Who is This?

[143 words] When Herod the tetrarch heard about Jesus, and the apostles preaching throughout the villages of Israel, plus the healing they were carrying out, he was perplexed (Luke 9:1-7). Some said John had risen from the dead (though Herod had killed him). Others thought that Elijah had appeared, or one of the prophets had…

Pickles

[231 words] I don’t like pickles. Any pickles, all pickles. I don’t like sour pickles, sweet pickles, dill pickles, hot pickles…I don’t like pickles. Every time I order a hamburger, I say, “no pickles,” because I don’t like pickles! However, I am given pickles often. Sometimes I send them back and say “I ordered NO…

Doubting Thomas

[111 words] Doubting Thomas has received a bad reputation. You remember why. He was not present on that first day of the week when Jesus appeared to the rest of the apostles. As a result he expressed his doubt saying, “No, I have to see before I will believe” (John 20:19-25). Thomas’ absence resulted in…

Remember

[254 words] A few days ago John Wills and I were visiting Glennis Parker and he told us about a visit to the doctor. “The doctor gave me some new pills,” he said, “and I asked him what they were for.“ The doctor replied, “They will help you remember.” Glennis told the doctor, “I don’t…

Do You Hear God?

[279 words] After more than 100 years brother Charles Hodge remains one of the most famous preachers in our brotherhood. He is reported to have baptized more than any other man in the late 19‘“ and 20″‘ centuries. His quips, answers and comments are still quoted in many sermons today. Near the end of his…

Why The Ship Is Sinking

[257 words] In 1628 the Swedish warship Vasa was set to take its maiden voyage. The ship was built upon completion was one of the most powerfully armed vessels in the world. However the maiden voyage didn’t go that well. Less than a mile offshore the ship encountered what was described as a slight breeze…

15 Reasons to Read the Bible Daily

[138 words] 1. To be rid of anxiety and have peace (Psalm 119:165). 2. To set things right when life is out of control (Psalm 19:7-8). 3. To have direction and know God’s will (Psalm 119:105). 4. To experience healing and deliverance (Psalm 107:20). 5. To grow in the Lord (1 Peter 2:2). 6. To…

What Can I Do?

[418 words] There is a disinterest in spiritual matters within our country. People do not attach an importance to morality like they did in the past. Our nation cannot be described as a “Christian” nation as people were in a habit of doing in days gone by. In view of these matters let me make…

How to Observe the Lord’s Supper

[67 words] The Lord’s Supper is observed: • “In spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). • “Decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). • In remembrance of Christ’s sacriﬁce (Luke 22: 19). • In anticipation of Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 11:26). • On the first day of each week (Acts 20:7). • Upon self-examination (1…

No More Excuses!

[391 words] We all know the common excuses people make at times when it pertains to the work of the church. If we were to list them in order of their most frequent use they would fall as follows: 1. l don’t have the time. 2. I don’t have the talent. 3. l don’t…

What ls Conscience?

[75 words] “Ah,” said an Indian. “I know what my conscience is. It is a little triangular thing in here,” and he laid his hand over his heart, “which stands perfectly still when I do what is right, but when I do what is wrong, it turns slowly and causes much pain. And, if I…

God’s Color Line

[182 words] The Bible teaches that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth… ” (Acts 17:26). Through the years, man has drawn racial distinctions of black, white, yellow, red, etc. Racial prejudice was sinful in the life of Simon Peter, whom Paul,…

The Study of Love

[203 words] In 1997 Western Christian Foundation published a book by Nelson M. Smith, entitled Agape Study Manual. Brother Smith identified all the places the word love and its related terms appeared in the KJV Bible. Then he wrote comments on every single verse where love was mentioned. The book has 475 pages. Brother Smith…