July 2017, Vol. 36, No. 7 Archives

The Choice ls Ours

[378 words] A young psychology student went into the army. Drawing KP duty, he decided to test a long-held theory of his concerning the power of the positive. He was given the job of passing out apricots at the end of the chow line. Now if you have ever tasted army apricots, you will understand…

Something Special About That Day

[329 words] “Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7). Note the time: the first day of the week. Note the purpose: to break bread (the Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians…

Securing Your Future?

[473 words] “My family will never go hungry.” A famous athlete was talking about the millions of dollars he had made in his career. In one way we can appreciate his concern for his children and the way he had managed his money. He hadn’t neglected his family or squandered his wealth. But it was…

What Do You Believe?

[115 words] Give book and chapter, also verse for your belief today Otherwise you’d better find the right and better way. One day His word will judge your life is what your Savior said He died upon the cross for you then rose up from the dead. The perfect sacrifice for sin this precious Lamb…

On the Lighter Side (July 2017)

[327 words] Beware of Dog? As the stranger enters a country store, he spots a sign: “Danger! Beware of Dog!” Inside, he sees a harmless old hound asleep in the middle of the floor. “Is that the dog we’re supposed to beware of?” he asks the owner. “That’s him,” comes the reply. “He doesn’t look…

Jesus and Crowds

[233 words] Crowds followed Christ. He could have used the crowds that followed Him to have thrown Jerusalem and Palestine into a turmoil. But Christ would not sacrifice truth and righteousness for a crowd. When Christ saw that the crowds were following Him for what they could get, that their motives were wrong, and that…

‘The Internet Is Where Religion Goes To Die’

[318 words] On September 29, 2011, I debated Blair Scott, the Director of Communications for American Atheists, Inc. During the debate, he made several comments regarding religion in general and Christianity specifically. One of the more memorable statements he made was: “The Internet is where religion goes to die.” I remember sitting on stage thinking…

When God Is Silent

[488 words] Those reading this article will likely agree that we should do what God says in his word. When God has given a commandment, those who love God will obey (I John 5:3). But how should we interpret God’s silence? In cases in which God has given no instruction, do we have the authority…

Too Rich to Sleep?

[294 words] In Eccl. 5:12 we read: The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. Many are those who lose sleep worrying about bills. The visions of looming debt and hardship often chases sleep away. Were there…

When We All Get to Heaven

[195 words] There is a wondrously upbeat song that many love to sing in our worship services. The refrain goes like this: When we all get to Heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory! The problem with that song is that not…

How Can We Improve Our Self-Esteem?

[413 words] Self-esteem is a vital component in Christians growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). Here are some things to remember that can help us improve our self-esteem. Remember that we are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26). God has given us humans something that nothing else of His…

The Spring Will Come

[182 words] In the dead of winter, a young man was told by his father to fetch some firewood. When he got to the wood box outside, he found it empty. Not wanting to disappoint his father, we went looking about their farmstead and found a tree that looked quite dead and he sawed it…

Forgive and Forget

[396 words] The phrase “forgive and forget” has been in the English language for a long time. An older member of the church once commented to me concerning forgiving and forgetting, “I don’t know which is harder to do!” As difficult as they are for us humans to do–do them we must if we are…

No Matter What – Remember This

[84 words] • No matter what you’ve done– you’re not a terrible person. • No matter what you’ve done– it’s no worse than what I’ve done. • No matter what you’ve done– Jesus died for you. • No matter what you’ve done– His grace can cover your sins. • No matter what you’ve done– God…

Chain Up

[304 words] Imagine being caught up in a rip current and being helplessly swept away into the sea. Imagine nobody being around to help bring you to safety. That’s not what happened a few days ago on a Florida beach. While several members of a family were caught up in a very strong rip current…

10 Promises from the Book of Proverbs

[116 words] 1. God gives healing to those who confess Him (3:6-8). 2. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry (10:3). 3. The Lord protects those whose way is upright (10:29). 4. The Lord blesses the Godly giver with more (10:24). 5. When you are kind to the poor, the Lord repays our…

Missing Our Loved Ones

[325 words] Not an hour fades from the clock that doesn’t find us thinking about, missing, or longing to be with our friends, neighbors, family members, or spouse that has already passed away. We know the void we have is a result of the deep love we shared. We are confident in the expectation of…

Overcoming Temptation

[298 words] We are constantly tempted with sin. How do we prepare? How do we cope? Scripture says, “No temptations has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape,…

It Is a Lot of Garbage

[280 words] What the biggest man-made structure? You might be thinking the Pyramids, the Great Wall of China, or One World Trade Center. However, those are all wrong….maybe. What do we mean by biggest? Tallest? Widest? Takes up the most area? Even the term ‘man-made structure’ is problematic. What if we really weren’t planning on…

I Shall Not be Moved

[219 words] In Psalm 16:8 we read of the great support we receive through God’s strength: “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” The same faith held by the Psalmist is that which should uphold us today. As Paul says in Romans…