June 2024

Encouragement for Fathers

[401 words] Being a Dad is one of the greatest honors in life, but it’s also one of the most difficult jobs out there. Culture’s skewed expectations and diminishing view of fatherhood haven’t made our work as dads any easier. We know the importance of providing, protecting and leading; but, how do we do that…

How We Honor Our Fathers

[201 words] My father passed away in 1996. My maternal grandfather left this earth in the 1960s. My dad’s dad died in the mid-1970s. Yet, I plan on honoring my “fathers” today in a special way. While we are worshipping and praising the Lord, I plan to thank the Lord for the influence my father…

Thanks Dad

[207 words] William woke up at his usual time on Sunday morning and headed for the kitchen. As he walked down the hall, he remembered that it was Father’s Day. But this would be a different Father’s Day than all the ones before because this would be the first one in which his 18-year-old son,…

Cross Cutting

[248 words] I once saw a cartoon reminiscent of the scene from Mark 8:34 in which the Lord Jesus challenged believers to “take up your cross.” Within the cartoon, numerous figures were dragging large crosses. Each moved slowly under the weight of the oversized burden. Suddenly, a character spoke out and asked, “Is there a…

What’s In A Nickname?

[193 words] Abraham Lincoln once served as a character witness, although it is doubtful he did much good. When asked about the word of a man named Peter Lukins, Lincoln responded honestly, “Well, he is called Lyin’ Pete Lukins.” In the Scriptures, we get some insight into the nature of some biblical characters by the…

The Treasure Stores of Our Hearts

[412 words] After Mary’s scary episode where she and Joseph “lost” the Son of God, when they found and heard Jesus in the temple give His reason why He did what He did, the Bible says, “they did not understand…but His mother kept all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51-52). We treasure things and…

Ready for Worship! 

[193 words] At worship, I am given the opportunity to… …revere my Maker. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” (Psalm 89:7) …rejoice in my salvation. “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in…

Something Spiritual

[306 words] The Lord’s Supper is not just another “act” it is not something we just do. It is not just a tradition. It is not mystical. It is Scriptural. It is spiritual. Because the crucifixion of Jesus was spiritual and Scriptural. Jesus states, He could have called twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). He…

Whose Battle Is It?

[160 words] In Joshua chapter 10, we read how God fought on Israel’s side to defeat their enemies (the Amorites). In verse 11, we find this verse: “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from…

Planting Seeds

[358 words] The springtime is seed time. Some seeds have already been planted for this year. Throughout the year those seeds will need to be watered for the plants to develop. Further nurturing will need to be done before harvest in the Fall. In the Bible the seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).…

Competing with Culture

[370 words] King Solomon knew he was in for a fight. He knew it would be a challenge to keep his children from giving in to the pagan culture that surrounded them. He would plead with his son to listen (knowing it was a very real possibility he wouldn’t): “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,…

Patience and Praise

[284 words] David wrote Psalm 59 while he was holed up in a house and Saul’s men were waiting outside to get the opportunity to kill him. We can only imagine the tense situation and what all David was going through. He begins the Psalm with a plea to God: “Deliver me from my enemies,…

Timely Issues in First Timothy

[537 words] Is homosexuality against the Bible? The law is made “for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10). Will God forgive blasphemy? “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained…

Bearing Fruit

[319 words] In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Fig Tree.” A certain man had a fig tree in his vineyard and one day went to get some of the sweet fruit but found none. He then told the gardener to cut down the tree because it had been barren for three years…

Thank God for the Aaron’s and the Hur’s of the Church!

[121 words] As Moses found out, the hands of a leader can get heavy (Exodus 17:8-13). Amalek had declared war on Israel and Israel was assured victory as long as Moses could hold up the staff of God, but the battle outlasted Moses’ arms and he was in need of help. Enter Aaron and Hur.…

Divine Abundance

[45 words] The grasses are clothedAnd the ravens are fedFrom His store;But you, who are lovedAnd guarded and led,How much moreWill He clothe and feed you and give you His care?Then leave it with Him; He has everywhereAmple store. Anonymous… We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members only. You either…

Eternal Goodness

[67 words] I know not what the future hathOf marvel or surprise,Assured alone that life and death,His mercy underlies: And so beside the Silent SeaI wait the muffled oar;No harm from Him can come to meOn ocean or on shore. I know not where His islands liftTheir fronded palms in air;I only know I cannot…

More Than We Ask

[107 words] I asked for just a crumb of bread.Within His banquet-hall he spreadA bounteous feast on every side-My hungry soul was satisfied. I asked for just a ray of lightTo guide me through the gloomy night,And lo, there shone along my wayThe noon-tide glory of the day. I asked for just a little aid,As…

Broken Toys

[75 words] As children bring their broken toysWith tears for us to mend,I brought my broken dreams to God,Because He was my friend.But then instead of leaving HimIn peace to work alone,I hung around and tried to help,With ways that were my own.At last I snatched them back and cried,“How can you be so slow?””My…

Showing Compassion

[104 words] In Luke 10:30, Jesus teaches the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is interesting to note that the man half dead made no call for help. In verse 33, it says, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.” Maybe…

Dumb Animals?

[81 words] Birds build their nests and rear their young, and so far as is known no bird ever tried to build more nests than its neighbor; no fox ever fretted because he had only one den; no squirrel ever died of anxiety because he had not laid up enough nuts for two or three…

Thankfulness to God

[51 words] I often wonder how God feels at His creation’s ingratitude. How many have felt God’s sunshine, breathed God’s air, been blessed with God’s rain, and yet never stopped to think of—or thank—the Creator of all such? We should be always thankful, always grateful, always appreciative, to our great God. John M. Brown… We…

Encouragement

[53 words] It’s easy to complain. Anyone can do it! It takes a special person to encourage. Complaining focuses on self. Encouragement focuses on others. The world needs encouragement from people who know how to overcome discouragement. God expects you to do that! If you’re a child of God, actively seek to encourage others daily….…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 6:8-15

[51 words] True or False: God knows the things you need before you ask Him. “Our Father in __, __ be Your name.” “Give us this day our daily __.” Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray to be delivered from the __ one. “But if you do not forgive men their __, neither will your…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 6:16-21

[56 words] “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the __, with a __ countenance.” True or False: Jesus said when you fast, try to appear as if you are not. “…and your Father who sees in __ will reward you __.” Jesus said to lay up for yourselves __ in heaven. “For where…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 6:22-27

[91 words] “The __ of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of __.” “If therefore the light that is in you is __, how great is that darkness!” “No one can serve two __; for either he will hate the one and love the…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 6:28-34

[73 words] What flower did Jesus point to in speaking of God’s provision for His people? “…and yet I say to you that even __ in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” True or False: Jesus said the Gentiles focused on physical needs. “But seek first the __ of God and…

Quotes and Sayings (June 2024)

“The strongest, toughest men all have compassion. They’re not heartless and cold. You have to be man enough to have compassion—to care about people and about your children.” — Denzel Washington “Lately all my friends are worried they’re turning into their fathers. I’m worried I’m not.” — Dan Zevin “Daddies don’t just love their children…

On the Lighter Side (June 2024)

Unwanted Visitor A man, down on his luck, went into a church which catered to the “uppity.” Spotting the man’s dirty clothes a deacon, worried about the church image, went to the man and asked him if he needed help. The man said, “I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this…