July 2018, Vol. 37, No. 7 Archives

Diamonds

[424 words] You might have more in common with a diamond than you think. Scientists believe that most diamonds are made of carbon about 100 miles below the surface of the earth under tremendous pressure where temperatures reach 2000 degrees. The high heat and pressure combine to crystalize the carbon changing the arrangement of…

When Baptism is Meaningless

[358 words] It was Sunday afternoon. The phone rang. The voice on the line was that of a man who had been a member of this church in times past. He now lives in another city, but had returned to Little Rock for a visit. “I want to talk to you about my baptism,”…

What Prayer Does

[65 words] Prayer amplifies our feelings, certifies our relationship, clarifies our desires, dignifies our Christianity. Prayer exemplifies our commitment, fortifies our faith, identifies our needs, intensifies our emotions. Prayer justifies our belief, magnifies our hopes, notifies our Father, nullifies our fears. Prayer pacifies our worries, ratifies our conviction, sanctifies our lives, satisfies our longings.…

Why the Planes Crashed

[166 words] On August 16, 2015, near San Diego’s Brown Airfield, two airplanes crashed in mid-air. The two planes — a Cessna 172M, piloted by Michael Copeland, crashed head-long into a Sabreliner, piloted by Jeffrey Percy. The pilots and the others on the planes were all killed. Five people lost their lives that day.…

Psalm 119:1

[142 words] “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” Some folks have been known to lament that there is little enjoyment in a life lived under the restrictions of biblical morality and teaching. The most enjoyable life, we’re told, is in a life without moral…

Psalm 119:18

[74 words] Psalm 119:18 contains this petition: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” For some of us, reading the Bible has become dull, and consequently, unproductive. There may be any number of reasons why that tragedy has occurred. One may be that we have not saturated our Bible…

Psalm 119:23

[83 words] Sometimes I allow the most insignificant things to get in the way of my study of God’s word. Perhaps you do, too. We play right into one of Satan’s traps when we do. Let us keep in mind daily the words expressed by the psalmist in 119:23, “Even though princes sit and…

Psalm 119:30

[79 words] “I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.” Life is a series of choices. One will not be faithful to God simply because his parents were, or because he wishes to be, or because he sits in a church building a few times a week. One can…

Psalm 119:37

[110 words] “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in your ways.” So much of what we choose to look at day after day is worthless when viewed from eternity’s perspective. When all has been said and done and we stand before the judgment bar of Christ, how much…

What We Win Them With, We Win Them To

[352 words] Years ago, as a youth minister, I had a gentleman from a denominational organization call me and want our group to come to a denominational youth rally. He promised games, prizes, entertainment, a great concert with the latest bands, and that our youth group would be “stoked” to “be on fire for…

Feeling Defensive?

[302 words] Have you ever caught yourself being defensive? I know I have on more than one occasion. Defensiveness is a product of our desire for justice. We want others to treat us fairly, and when we perceive that isn’t happening, we get defensive. Defensiveness is also a mechanism for self-preservation. We assume that…

The Question of Why?

[228 words] The question of “why” is noble when we truly desire to understand the reasoning behind some statement, imperative, or suggestion. However, the question of “why” is often asked simply because we want to avoid something and is an indicator of a bad attitude and contentious spirit. Nothing may be more crucial to…

Gratitude

[66 words] For sunlit hours and visions clear, For all remembered faces dear; For comrades of a single day Who sent us stronger on our way; For friends who shared the year’s long road And bore with us the common load; For hours that levied heavy tolls, But brought us nearer to our goals;…

Don’t Give Up!

[310 words] Today, some of us somewhere are receiving bad news, having to deal with unexpected challenges, existing in the darkness of being alone, having our feelings hurt, aren’t sure where our next meal is coming from, wandering how are we going to make that payment or going through excruciating physical pain. During times…

Let God Handle It

[412 words] “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will…

Suffering? It Could Be Good!

[240 words] Most people do everything they can to get out of suffering. Untold amounts of money is spent to make us feel more comfortable and rid ourselves of pain and anguish. We have been indoctrinated that life should always be fun, easy, and pleasant. We are told that all suffering is bad and…

What If…

[163 words] “I can’t.” “I won’t.” “I don’t.” These are the words that keep people from reaching their potential. There’s no telling how different this world would be if people throughout the ages would not have lived up to their fullest potential. Consider this: What if…Michelangelo said, “I don’t do ceilings.” David said, “I…

Peace of Mind

[205 words] “How much are you willing to pay for peace of mind?” This is the question posed by a company that makes what they are calling a “Smart Water Bottle.” It will test and then purify your water if such is deemed necessary. Sounds amazing, right? They are charging more then $200 for…

How Much Are You Eating?

[268 words] The Lord’s disciples had walked into the city of Samaria to find something to eat while Jesus conversed with a woman about eternal things (John 4:7-10). When they returned with lunch and encouraged Jesus to eat, he replied, “I have food to eat that you do not know about…My food is to…

Good Reasons for Being a Christian

[215 words] Human beings are naturally curious, but sometimes our curiosity progresses to stubbornness. For instance, curiosity causes toddlers to always have the question “why?” on their lips, but it’s stubbornness that drives the teenager to ask the same question when they are receiving orders from their parents. Whether it’s curiosity or stubbornness that…

On the Lighter Side (July 2018)

[191 words] Forgiveness There was a man standing before a judge in California for shooting a Condor. This a protected bird and people who kill them must pay the consequences. The man pleaded with the judge by saying, “I just arrived in this state and I have never seen a bird that large before.…