July 2025

The Old Way to Get Saved Didn’t Work

[361 words] It was getting late one night in a revival at Millersburg, Kentucky in 1821. Several people responded to the preaching and came down front to the mourner’s bench. But after the preachers talked with them and prayed with them, they still didn’t feel saved. The popular belief at the time was that the…

The Thing About Judas

[373 words] There is an interesting text in the book of Matthew that reveals a subtle insight into the mindset of Judas Iscariot, which may also be found in many professing disciples of Jesus today. Let’s take a closer look at a familiar passage. In Matthew 26:17-25, Jesus was celebrating the Passover with his disciples…

What Does Real Faith Involve?

[193 words] In that great chapter on faith, Hebrews 11, we can gain a clear picture what real faith involves. From the examples given in verses 4-10 we can see that real faith is much more than belief alone. Real faith involves the word of God. Abel “obtained witness” from God (v.4). Enoch had “testimony”…

For Sale

[159 words] You will never read these FOR SALE ads in a secular newspaper or magazine, but they do exist in unwritten, but very powerful, recesses of the human heart. FOR SALE: One cross, nearly new. I cannot carry it and keep up with the world and its crowd. FOR SALE: One talent. New, except…

A Great Verse for Our Day

[477 words] If I had to pick one Bible verse that would best fit the needs of our day it would be John 14:6.Many people have lost their way in life. Some don’t know what truth is and some would say it is not attainable. The value of life has been diminished, especially with abortion…

Old Greek Americans

[335 words] “Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:22). But the wisdom they sought after in Paul’s day was human wisdom, not the wisdom of God. That caused all kinds of problems in the church at Corinth. Sadly, we are seeing the same philosophy in our land, even in the church. Here are some features…

Closer Than It Has Ever Been

[544 words] In Paul’s letter to Rome, he uses an interesting phrase. He said, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:11-12).…

Will You Not Forgive?

[270 words] There once was a woman who hurt her friend. The friend gossiped widely about the hurt and repaid the hurt in a thousand slights and putdowns. Their relationship deteriorated, and they went to a wise woman in their village to get her help to restore their relationship. The wise woman sent the first…

The Reality of Eternity

[405 words] “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side” (Luke 16:22-23). Among the many lessons we learn from the story of…

Jesus’ Prayer of Submission at Gethsemane

[565 words] “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Your will’” (Mt. 26:39). As the cross drew near, Jesus prepared Himself through prayer for it. He went to…

Can You Say, ‘Jesus Christ, My Lord’?

[395 words] In Rom. 5:21, Paul states that eternal life is through “Jesus Christ our Lord.” That threefold name of our Savior is an interesting progression that we must go through to truly have salvation in Him. Jesus. Jesus was His given name. Although it means “Savior,” we have to remember that it was a…

The Daylily

[323 words] In the many flower beds in our yard, one flower stands out as prominent and most prolific: the daylily. They vary in color, from yellow, orange, or multi-colored. Some are a foot tall while the old-fashioned ones stand nearly four feet tall. They are a hardy perennial, withstanding the cold of winter in…

Am I OK?

[274 words] In the 1970’s Denver running back Floyd Little was facing off against the big bad linebacker Dick Butkus. When describing a collision he said, “Dick Butkus hit me so hard my body almost liquified.” Not wanting to look weak, Little pulled himself up quickly as if nothing had happened. Butkus then said to…

Ashamed?

[292 words] There is a growing sense of embarrassment in our fellowship over what we believe and teach. Some folks, wanting to be accepted by the denominational world, cringe when preachers teach the truth on subjects like the role of women, the use of the instrument, and baptism. They no longer want their preachers to…

Things to Keep in Mind When Studying Your Bible

[393 words] Bible study is vital to the life of a faithful Christian.  The Bible is food.The Bible is water.The Bible is counsel.The Bible is guidance.The Bible is comfort.The Bible is protection.The Bible is authority. Every Christian needs to devote as much time to Bible study as possible. This might mean that the child of…

Did You Know This About Obadiah?

[92 words] The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, and the only one-chapter book in Old Testament. Obadiah’s message was was one of the coming judgment upon the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau.  The Edomites had opposed the Jews for a long time. In the 5th century BC…

Did You Know This About Jonah?

[138 words] Many people know about the events surrounding the prophet Jonah. He was told by God to prophesy to the people of Nineveh and tell them to repent, but instead he ran away, boarded a ship, and was eventually tossed overboard and swallowed by a great fish. After this, Jonah agreed to prophesy.  But…

Did You Know This About Micah?

[112 words] Micah was a prophet who lived about the same time as Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied mostly to the southern kingdom of Judah, but also to the northern kingdom of Israel. One amazing fact about Micah is that he revealed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Though you…

Did You Know This About Nahum?

[130 words] One hundred years after Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, the prophet Nahum was sent to deliver a message of coming destruction because the Ninevites had returned to their old ways. Nineveh boasted a defensive wall that was 100 feet high and wide enough that three chariots could ride side by side.…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 17:1-13

[68 words] What three disciples did Jesus take up with Him on the mountain?  For what three people did one disciple want to make tabernacles? “This is My __ Son, in whom I am well __. Hear Him!” True or False: Jesus told the disciples to go and tell everyone about what they had seen…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 17:14-21

[61 words] A man came to Jesus whose son was an __. “So I brought him to Your __, but they could not cure him.” “O __ and __ generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?” Jesus said the disciples could not cast the demon out because…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 17:22-27

[95 words] “The Son of Man is about to be __ into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be __ up.” When they came to the city of __, someone asked Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax. “What do you think, Simon? From whom do…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 18:1-9

[118 words] When the disciples asked Jesus who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus called a little __ to Him. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are __ and become as little __, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” “But whoever causes one of these little ones who…

The Voice of God

[97 words] You’ve never heard the voice of God?Look at the stars above,Their luminous orbs of many rays,Speak of infinite love. The universe to you doth speakYou need not know her lawsThe grass the flowers all growing things,In them there are no flaws. The seasons as they come and goThe wind, the sun, the rain;The…

The Heart’s Proof

[113 words] Do you ask me how I proveThat our Father, God, is love?By this world which he hath made,By the songs of grove and blade,By the brooks that singing run,By the shining of the sun,By the breeze that cools my brow,By fresh odors from the plow,By the daisy’s golden head,Shining in the fields I…

On the Lighter Side (July 2025)

“Johnny,” called the mother, “tell your sister to come in the house out of the rain.””I can’t, Mom,” the boy called back.“And just why can’t you?” demanded his mother.“We’re playing Noah’s Ark, and she’s a sinner!” — One thing that might solve the problem of bringing up children in the way they should go would…

Quotes and Sayings (July 2025)

“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.” — Pierre Corneille “I would have a man generous to his country, his neighbors, his friends, and most of all his poor friends. Not like some who are most lavish with those who are able to give most to them.” — Pliny the Younger “Alms-giving…