July 2026

Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral

[355 words] Sometimes at the beginning of the classic guessing game Twenty Questions is the query “Animal, vegetable, or mineral?”. After receiving the answer, the 20 “yes” or “no” questions would then be asked. Well, if I were to choose Jesus as the answer for you to guess, I would have to answer “yes” to…

The Just Shall Live By Faith

[267 words] Remembering how God blessed you through former trials and troubles helps motivate you to remain faithful. Christians may have to suffer all kinds of afflictions, but heaven is worth it (Hebrews 10:32-34)! The Christian must never be like the cowardly soldiers, who, in the heat of the battle, throw down their shields and…

Embracing The Shadow

[330 words] Have you ever embraced a shadow? As a kid, did you ever chase your shadow? Did you catch it? I had much rather shake hands with a real person than to try to embrace a shadow. Still, there are many religious people attempting to embrace the shadow.  You may be familiar with the…

Infallibility

[250 words] The word “infallibility” means “the quality of being infallible; the inability to be wrong.” From that definition, and the teaching of the Bible, several things should be concluded. First, no man is infallible. The Bible teaches that all human beings sin, and therefore commit wrongs. “All have sinned,” the Bible declares (Rom. 3:23).…

My Way, or God’s Way

[293 words] We see many individuals who are leaving the truth and turning to man-made innovations and man-made religions.  We are told the the old needs to change. It is dull, dry, boring, uninspiring, and irrelevant. Those who depart tell us that the old, foundational teachings of the past no longer matter. The steps of…

Let God Send You

[428 words] When we think of the great apostle Paul, we think of a rugged warrior for Christ – a courageous, daring, fearless man who laughed in the face of danger. After all, he was the man who got up and walked back into the town that belonged to folks who had stoned him, drug…

Better Than the Alternative

[553 words] Once in a Bible class, I asked the question: “Why do you want to go to heaven?” One man answered, “It’s better than the alternative.” That is true, but wanting to go to heaven is much more than just keeping commands or choosing between two alternatives. Heaven is a heart choice. Just keeping…

One God

[225 words] Paul, upon entering Athens in Acts 17:16-34, found a deeply religious city. It was full of idols (v. 16). There was a Jewish synagogue (v. 17), and there were the religious philosophies of the Epicureans and Stoics (v. 18). There were so many different religious ideas that the Athenians even had an altar…

Trusting in God

[243 words] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way” (Proverbs 3:5-6, GNT). One of the hardest things to do is trust in someone else’s opinion when everything you know or think…

Five Things Members Need to Hear Regularly

[572 words] There are many congregations where members feel as if they do not hear from the elders, except when (1) there is a change in the staff, (2) an elder is being appointed or resigning, or (3) there is a great need for money. While that may not be completely true, without intentional effort…

What is a Boy?

[234 words] He is the person who is going to carry on what you have started. He is going to sit right where you are sitting and attend to those things you think are so important when you are gone. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they will be carried on…

Love’s Labors

[158 words] The strongest and greatest of all things is love. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). At Corinth, love did not abound for God nor brethren. Thus, the wearing of human names (1…

Lessons from a Wildfire

[250 words] In January 2005, wildfire swept through the nearby town of Cross Plains, Texas. A friend of mine from that town told me that Cross Plains looked like a war zone. Over half of the town burned to the ground. On that same day, wildfires swept throughout the state due to a combination of…

What Would Jesus Ask You To Give Up

[375 words] If Jesus looked you in the eyes today and said, “Sell everything you own,” what would you do? Most of us immediately start explaining why He couldn’t possibly mean that. We tell ourselves He was speaking to one man in a unique situation. While that’s true, it still leaves an important question, why did…

Kill the Messenger!

[299 words] A wise king seeks advisors who will tell the truth. whereas a foolish ruler wants yes men who will tell him what he wants to hear. Entirely too often the fools carry the day, as exemplified by King Jehoram of Israel. Because of Israel’s persistent idolatry under Jehoram and his predecessors, the Lord…

Too Much Religion?

[315 words] “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.” Those were the words of King Jeroboam to the people of Israel (1 Kings 12:28). He knew God said to come to Jerusalem and worship Him at the temple. That didn’t stop him from changing what God commanded. He made it easy…

Jealousy and the Christian

[389 words] Did you know that the United States had two Air Forces in its history? The first was established during the American Civil War. In 1861, Thaddeus Lowe impressed President Lincoln by telegraphing him from a “lighter-than-air” craft – a balloon that hovered over the White House. The President recognized the tactical advantage this could…

Do You Know Where You Placed Your Bible?

[146 words] Sandra was having a Bible study with the ladies from her congregation in her home. Before the meeting was to start, she couldn’t find her Bible, though she searched everywhere. She rushed down to the kitchen, where her new housekeeper was working.  “Have you seen my Bible?” she asked. “Great!” said the new…

Throwing Stones

[488 words] Sir Winston Churchill is supposed to have said, “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” We will face countless distractions in life. It can be difficult to stay on task and stay focused. It is especially challenging when the disturbances come from the…

It Seems Right to Me

[225 words] “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). When meditating on the preceding passage one begins to realize that mankind’s wisdom apart from God’s wisdom can leave one spiritually destitute. Society and tradition can set one’s moral compass to believe…

Lessons from the Garden

[81 words] Summer gardens remind us that growth takes time. A seed buried in the soil does not become a harvest overnight. Likewise, God patiently develops our faith through His Word and our daily obedience. Don’t become discouraged if spiritual growth seems slow. Keep trusting the Master Gardener. “And let us not grow weary while…

Finding Rest in the Shade

[77 words] On a hot summer afternoon, the shade of a large tree brings welcome relief. God offers an even greater refuge for weary hearts. Life’s burdens can leave us exhausted, but His presence refreshes our souls. Instead of running from God during difficult times, run to Him. “He who dwells in the secret place…

Making the Most of Summer

[72 words] The long days of summer remind us that every day is a gift from God. Each sunrise brings new opportunities to serve Him, encourage others, and share His love. Time passes quickly, so use it wisely. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the…

A Thirst Only Christ Can Satisfy

[81 words] Few things are more refreshing on a hot summer day than a cold drink of water. Yet physical thirst always returns. Jesus offers something far greater—the living water that satisfies forever. “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him…

Spying Out the Truth

[199 words] Twelve little guys spying Canaan’s landNow, they weren’t really small, for each was a man But the giants there made each feel like a bug Easily squashed and swept under the rug The land there was great and the produce, plentiful All, in all, in all, it was most incredibleYet those wicked inhabitants…

A Lamp Along the Way

[107 words] The road is long, the night is deep,Where doubts arise and shadows creep.Yet one small lamp before my feetMakes every careful step complete. It does not show tomorrow’s bend,Nor where the winding pathways end.It gives enough for faith to seeThe next step God has planned for me. His words are brighter than the…

Seeds of Grace

[105 words] A sower walked the waiting field,With open hand and hope concealed.Some seeds were lost on hardened ground,Where little life could there be found. Some sprang with joy, then quickly died,For shallow roots could not abide.But others found a faithful place,And flourished by the Father’s grace. So scatter kindness, speak His Word,Though not each…
Dark wooden cottage door with lion knocker, ivy, lantern, and potted flowers

The Father’s Door

[104 words] The wanderer walked a weary mile,Ashamed to seek the Father’s smile.His pockets held no lasting gain,Only regret and hidden pain. Yet while he stood with downcast eyes,Love reached beyond the distant skies.The Father ran with arms spread wide,And welcomed home the one who’d strayed. No ledger spoke, no debt remained;His mercy far outweighed…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 27:51-56

[58 words] The veil of the temple was torn in __________ from top to bottom. The earth __________ and the rocks were split. True or False: The centurion declared, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Many women followed Jesus from __________, ministering to Him. Among the women were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 27:45-50

[70 words] From the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was __________ over all the land. Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You __________ Me?” Some of those standing there thought Jesus was calling for __________. One man filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a __________, and gave…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 27:38-44

[68 words] Two __________ were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and another on the left. Those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their __________. The people mocked Jesus, saying, “If You are the Son of God, come down from the __________.” True or False: The chief priests, scribes, and elders said, “He saved…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 27:32-36

[56 words] As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, __________ by name. They compelled him to bear Jesus’ __________. The place where Jesus was crucified was called __________. Before the crucifixion, they gave Jesus sour wine mingled with __________ to drink. True or False: The inscription placed over Jesus’ head read, “THIS…

Quotes & Sayings (July 2026)

“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” — Charles H. Spurgeon “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” — Albert Schweitzer “Setting an example…

On the Lighter Side (July 2026)

Back to School Funnies On the first day back to school, the teacher asked, “Who can tell me what 2 + 2 equals?” A boy raised his hand and said, “It depends. During the school year it’s 4. During summer vacation it’s, ‘Ask me again in August!’” — A boy sighed on the first day…