July 2022, Vol. 41, No. 7

True Freedom

[357 words] In 1776, the 13 British colonies in North America protested the tyranny of the king of England and engaged in a struggle that gave birth to a brand new republic. The infant nation soon adopted that now famous document known as the Declaration of Independence. We celebrate this emancipation every July 4th. Almost…

Celebrate Freedom

[311 words] In a letter dated July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife: “This will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, …

Cussing Coaches

[458 words] I have often thought about the challenges of coaching sports. Coaches are often scrutinized and criticized for the many tough decisions they make. I’m sure it is a difficult job. However, all jobs have pros and cons. Regardless of one’s occupation, there will be good days and days when we feel as if…

Don’t Sell the Farm!

[279 words] There was a man that owned a wonderful farm, but over the years he began to take it for granted, and reached the point where he was tired of it. He decided that he would put it up for sale and find a better one. He called a realtor who came out and…

Hearing Your Name

[286 words] There is just something about hearing your name. On some occasions, it is scary. If your mom or dad ever calls you by your whole name—first, middle, and last—you are likely in pretty big trouble. On other occasions, it is a special honor. Graduation ceremonies are a great example of this. Why in…

Abraham and God

[388 words] Among the greatest names in the roll call of faithful saints down through the ages, the name of Abraham must surely rank high on the list. Abraham’s distinction lies in the fact that Abraham listened to God, loved God and leaned upon God. Abraham Listened to God. In Genesis 22:1, God spoke the…

Phone Home?

[569 words] “Mr. Duke, what do you think about the question of life on other planets?” More than one Russian student asked me this question in a Moscow university over thirty years ago. I had expected questions about God, and there were many. But I was surprised at the number of times they asked about…

It’s Okay to Wonder Why, But Don’t Forget Who

[201 words] “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ and You will not save…For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous…” Twenty-six hundred…

Teaching the Important Things 

[209 words] A mother-mouse was taking her two little mice-kids for a walk. Suddenly, a big ol’ cat jumped out of the bushes. However, the older mouse shouted “Bark!” At that, the cat ran away. Then, the mother-mouse told her youngsters, “See, children, that’s why it’s important to learn a foreign language.” Tongue-in-cheek example aside,…

A Compassionate God

[409 words] In the Bible, we are first introduced to the prophet Jonah in 2 Kings 14:25. “He [King of Israel Jeroboam II] was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant…

Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace

[349 words] How does one keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? When people willingly join themselves together, they do so with good intentions. Each one comes from a place that is not shared by the others in that group. We all have our experiences, perspectives, and we launch into the…

Hey There Delilah 

[158 words] I don’t know what Samson saw in Delilah, but whatever it was it was enough to destroy him. I don’t think we can hold women like this as a positive example expect maybe in one aspect: persistence. This woman was able to do what no man ever could: She brought down Samson. She…

Lessons from Samson

[391 words] The story of Samson can be found in Judges chapters 13-16. Samson allowed his lust to control his actions and made poor decisions based on impulsive thoughts driven by that same lust. What are some lessons that we can learn from Samson and his pursuit of a wife? Be teachable. Always have a…

Absence And Alarm!

[299 words] There is a correlation, you know. When a Christian is absent from the worshiping assembly, there is cause for alarm. “Why? Whose business is it?” says the absentee, “If I want to miss, let me be — what does it hurt anyway?” Glad you asked the question. It hurts a lot! It hurts…

Should We Preach Jesus and Ignore Doctrine?

[455 words] Sometimes we hear individuals say, “Why should we be so concerned about doctrine? We should just preach Jesus and ignore doctrine. Preaching doctrine creates division, but preaching Jesus will bring unity.” Those who say these things often are motivated to bring about harmony among those who follow Jesus, but we must begin by…

The King of Us All

[179 words] God is the rightful King of us all. As Acts 17:24 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.” Since God made you, and all you have is because of Him, He is your King. I encourage you to be okay with that,…

The Danger of Popularity

[352 words] So many people base their life on the pursuit of popularity. I do not believe that I have ever been popular, but as a teenager I can remember wanting to be. The desire to be liked and to have the praise of the people around us can be a strong temptation. Our young…

Diligence and Neglect

[320 words] The apostle Peter, in the early part of his second letter, gives emphasis to the importance of Christians being diligent in the development of spiritual qualities. How diligent did he want them to be? He urges, “…giving all diligence…” (2 Pet. 1:5). Later, he adds, “…be even more diligent…” (2 Pet. 1:12). Since…

We Need Fathers!

[470 words] The TV show “60 Minutes” ran a segment that revealed some disturbing news. Park rangers at a South African wildlife preserve were concerned about the slaughter of 39 rare white rhinos. It turned out that the rhinos were killed not by poachers but rather by juvenile delinquents. You see the story began a…

God Asks, ‘Where is the Honor Due Me?’

[190 words] Using the language of his times, the prophet Malachi spoke words from the mind of God to His people. God asked this question, “‘A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect…

More Than Milk

[443 words] There are several passages in the New Testament that admonish Christians to mature. They need to mature in several facets of their spiritual lives. The one we look at today is the need for growth in their study and understanding of God’s word. There is no other way to mature in all aspects…

Obey God

[428 words] “When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered,…

‘The Church Has Let Me Down’

[115 words] Does this describe the way you feel? If it does, let me warn you. Don’t expect to get more out than you put in. If you choose to stand aloof from the church, refusing to participate in her programs of work, fail to support her financially, and only occasionally attend worship services, the…

A Christian Pledge of Allegiance

[33 words] I pledge allegiance to the Fatherof the united saints of the kingdom,and to the Redeemerby Whom we stand,one Body, unified in Spirit,indivisible,with liberty and charity for all Author Unknown…

The Time to Trust

[27 words] When nothing whereon to lean remains,When strongholds crumble to dust;When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,That is just the time to trust.…

Special Times

[72 words] There are times when we let favors go unmentioned.When we leave a warm and loving word unsaid,There are times when we forget our kind intentions,When we’re wrapped up in our private world instead– But though we often fail to show our feelings,We hope the ones we love will somehow know–And that’s why there…

Take Time

[100 words] Take time to laughIt is the music of the soul.Take time to thinkIt is the source of power.Take time to playIt is the source of perpetual youth.Take time to readIt is the fountain of wisdom.Take time to prayIt is the greatest power on earth.Take time to love and be lovedIt is a God-given…

The Unerring Guide

[71 words] I have a proved, unerring Guide,Whose love I’m loth to grieve;He brings me golden promisesMy heart can scare receive;He leaders me, and hope and cheerDoth for my path provide,For dreary nights and days of drought:Have you not so sure a Guide?Quench not the faintest whisperThat the heavenly dove may bring;He seeks with holy…

Teach Me to Obey

[48 words] I do not ask to understandThe way Thou leadest me,But this I ask: Teach me to doThe thing that pleases Thee.I want to know Thy guiding voice,To walk with Thee each day.Dear Master, make me swift to hearAnd ready to obey Author Unknown…

Consider

[90 words]      ConsiderThe lilies of the field whose bloom is brief:—     We are as they;     Like them we fade away,As doth a leaf.      ConsiderThe sparrows of the air of small account:     Our God doth viewWhether they fall or mount,—     He guards us too.      ConsiderThe lilies that do neither spin nor toil,     Yet are most fair:—     What profits all this careAnd all…

If God Should Go on Strike…

[192 words] How good it is that God abovehas never gone on strike,Because He was not treated fairin things He didn’t like. If only once, He’d given up andsaid, “That’s it. I’m through,I’ve had enough of those on Earthso this is what I’ll do: I’ll give my orders to the sun,cut off the heat supply!And…

A Hymn of Morning Praise

[135 words] O God, inspire our morning hymnOf love and gratitude;Oh, bless the sacrifice we bring,Thou Source of every good.Thy miracle of love so sweetPreserved us all secure;While helpless in unconscious sleep,Thy presence kept us pure. ’Tis blest to rise, O Lord, and joinWith nature’s minstrelsy;To hymn Thy praise at early morn,And offer thanks to…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 8:1-6

[69 words] “When He opened the __ seal, there was __ in heaven for about half an hour.”How many angels are said to stand before God in this section?What object did the angel hold who came and stood at the altar?“And the smoke of the __, with the __ of the saints, ascended before God…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 8:7-13

[79 words] At the first trumpet, __ and __, mingled with __ were thrown to the earth.What was burned up during the first trumpet?“Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great __ burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became __.”What was the name of the…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 9:1-12

[95 words] When the fifth angel sounded the trumpet, what fell from heaven to the earth?What came out of the smoke that arose from the bottomless pit?“They were commanded not to harm the __ of the earth, or any green thing, or any __, but only those men who do not have the seal of…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 9:13-21

[64 words] “Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four __ of the golden __ which is before God…”Where were the four angels bound?How much of mankind was killed by the plagues?For their power is in their __ and in their __; for their tails are like __, having heads;…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 10:1-7

[119 words] This mighty angel was clothed with a __.“He had a little __ open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the __ and his left foot on the __, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars.”How many thunders uttered their voices?“__ up the things which the…

Quotes and Sayings (July 2022)

“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” — George Herbert “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” — Jim Valvano “A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.” — Frank A. Clark “If…

On the Lighter Side (July 2022)

A mangy-looking guy walks into a very classy restaurant and orders a steak. The waitress says: “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you can pay for your meal.” The guy admits, “You’re right. I don’t have any money, but if I show you something you haven’t seen before, will you give me my supper?” The…