October 2026

Styrofoam Strength

[432 words] Polystyrene was accidentally discovered by a German apothecary named Eduard Simon in 1839. He had no idea what to do with the polymer and it would not be used in manufacturing for more than a century. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1950s that it was used in packaging, insulation, and food containers.…

Modern-Day Idolatry 

[364 words] As one considers the Old Testament narrative, one sinful act is predominately evident, idolatry. When consulting our bible dictionaries, we find that idolatry is “the worship of deity in a visible form, whether the images to which homage is paid are symbolical representations of the true God or of the false divinities which…

The Danger of Slowly Drifting Away

[299 words] Most Christians do not wake up one morning and suddenly decide to leave the Lord. Spiritual decline usually happens slowly. A missed prayer here, neglected Bible study there, worship becoming less important, sin becoming easier to excuse, and before long the heart has drifted farther than expected. Hebrews 2:1 warns, “Therefore we must…

Don’t Complicate Things

[382 words] In 2 Kings 5, we read about Naaman. Naaman was a good man, honorable and courageous, but he also had a debilitating disease. He had leprosy. Naaman was told of a prophet in Israel who could heal his leprosy, so he departed on a journey to Israel to be cleansed of his leprosy.…

Blessed Are the Merciful

[470 words] If you were asked to list some of the most important characteristics of a child of God, which characteristics would you list? Many of us would quickly affirm that a child of God is one who attends worship services faithfully, gives to the church generously, and is pure in morals. These are qualities…

Jesus Is Everything to Me

[94 words] Lamb and Shepherd(John 1:29, 36; Revelation 7:17; Isaiah 53:7) Builder and Buyer(Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23, 25) Servant and Master(Mark 10:45; Luke 22:27; Matthew 23:8, 10; Mark 4:38; John 13:13; Colossians 4:1) Sacrifice and High Priest(Ephesians 5:2; Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 4:15)…

It’s About Time

[65 words] If there is someoneWho’s made your life greater Be sure to tell themSooner, not laterIf there is someoneWho’s brightened your way Don’t wait till tomorrow Thank them todayIf there is someone Deserving your bow Then do it, please do it Do it right nowPotential existsIn every minuteThe time to show love Is while…

Time to Vote!

[281 words] Election time is near and we often hear of the importance of voting during this time. We have all heard of elections that were decided by one vote. It happens from time to time. Elections like that remind us of the power of our vote. Whether you decide to vote in the upcoming…

The Power of God’s Word

[424 words] “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). “Therefore  put a way all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with the meekness…

Christian Enthusiasm

[222 words] When I started graduate school, I had an engaging teacher that loved his material. I looked forward to going to his class every session. Why? Enthusiasm. Every class. Every day. Everything he taught, he shared with a great enthusiasm. Students couldn’t help but be excited about what he was teaching because you could…

Your Journey to Jesus

[385 words] Let me speculate for a moment. It is at least possible that there would have been individuals who were there and cheered when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, heard His final words of teaching in the temple, then had been at His trial and got caught up with the fervor to…

What Is It To Be A Servant?

[371 words] “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:5-6). Today we hold Paul and  those who worked with him in very high esteem. We study their…

Be a Leader

[71 words] Some parents adopt a philosophy of letting their children follow their “natural bent.” Some say, “I am not going to try to influence my child when it comes to reli­gion. I will let him make his own decision.” One might as well reason, “I am not go­ ing to try to prejudice my…

Forgive, As We Forgive

[104 words] Lord, may I live to help the manwho tries to keep me down.May I greet him with a smilewho greets me with a frown;And may I never hold a grudgeNor hunt up scattered strife,May I never seek to judge theFaults found in another’s life,And always be too big to see theThings that others…

When Chosen of the Chosen Chooses

[507 words] The sovereignty of God empowered Him to chosen individuals, groups or nations to accomplish His plan. When the Jews left Egypt, God said to them, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord you God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above…

Use What the Lord Has Given You

[185 words] “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8). The church at Philadelphia had a “little strength.” I’ve often wondered about the wording of this.…

It Doesn’t Worry the Devil

[297 words] The Apostle Peter warned us saying, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The metaphor places in our minds an image of an ever-pursuing enemy who is constantly on the lookout for the weak, the lonely, or…

Finishing Strong

[408 words] In his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson said, “Our attention spans have been conditioned by thirty-second commercials. Our sense of reality has been flattened by thirty-page abridgments.” He went on to conclude: “It is not difficult in such a world to get a person interested in the…

When Nobody is Watching

[308 words] It is easy to appear faithful when others are watching. The greater test of character is what we do when no one else can see us. Integrity means that our private life agrees with the faith we profess publicly. Proverbs 15:3 reminds us, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping…

When Christ is Lifted Up in Our Heart

[50 words] Christ lifted up in our heart will redeem our feelings, emotions, and passions by the love, grace, and understanding of the Son of God. Inharmony has no hold on us, passion no place in us, hatred nor misunderstanding no expression through us when Christ is lifted up in our heart.…

Love is the Filling

[99 words] Love is the filling from one’s ownAnother’s cup;Love is the daily laying downAnd taking up.A choosing of the stony pathThrough each new dayThat other feet may tread with easeA smoother way.Love is not blind, but looks abroadThrough other eyes;And asks not,“Must I give?’ but” May I sacrifice?”Love hides its grief, that other heartsAnd…

When Unfair Things Happen to You

[486 words] Three years ago, a stranger tried to lure a 12-year-old girl to leave with him from a McDonald’s restaurant in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The girl immediately reported the fellow and the police were called. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, the suspect had left. The police began an investigation using an Artificial Intelligence…

Death at the Tree

[155 words] In July 2025, a lightning strike in Jeffersonville, Ohio, killed 14 cattle. The cattle were found dead around the base of a tree, likely struck during a storm, resulting in an estimated economic loss of nearly $40,000. This disaster is a sad reminder of the danger of gathering under trees during a lightning storm.…

Judging Righteously

[346 words] “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). On occasion, we hear people quote a Bible verse such as this without a clear understanding of the verse or the context of the verse. Matthew 7:1 is misapplied many times in an attempt to garner support or approval for something being done contrary…

Time to Grow Up

[268 words] The Oxford English Dictionary describes the word “grow” as: “become larger or greater over a period of time.” As Christians, we need to become “larger” and “greater” in maturity, service, and influence as time goes by. Please seriously consider these Scriptures that mention growing, increasing, and even abounding: We are to grow in…

God’s Love for Us Can Motivate Us to Love Others

[373 words] As time moves on, I am thankful for Jesus and the church. While having an attitude of gratitude, I also have a feeling of concern. I am concerned about the world not knowing Jesus or understanding the church. I know this is not a new concept, but our concern for others should not…

Generous With Love

[60 words] A man may be a miser of his wealth; he may tie up his talent in a napkin; he may hug himself in his reputation; but he is always generous in his love. Love cannot stay at home; a man cannot keep it to himself. Like light, it is constantly traveling. A man…

Love

[41 words] Love that asketh love againFinds the barter naught but pain;Love that giveth in full storeAye receives as much and more.Love exacting nothing backNever knoweth any lack;Love, compelling love to paySees him bankrupt every day. Author Unknown…

Bible Quiz: Acts 2:1-13

[93 words] “When the Day of __________ had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty __________, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of __________, and one…

Bible Quiz: Acts 2:14-21

[67 words] “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his __________ and said to them…” “For these are not __________, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.” “But this is what was spoken by the prophet __________.” “Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream…

Bible Quiz: Acts 2:22-28

[69 words] “Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, __________, and signs…” “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and __________ of God…” “Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of __________, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” “For David says concerning Him:…

Bible Quiz: Acts 2:29-36

[81 words] “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch __________, that he is both dead and buried…” “Therefore, being a __________, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him…” “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all __________.” “Therefore being exalted to the right…

Quotes & Sayings (October 2026)

“The leaves are falling, falling as from far, as if far gardens in the skies were dying.” — Rainer Maria Rilke “Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it.” — George Eliot “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald “Gratitude is not only the greatest…

On the Lighter Side (October 2026)

Life moves fast. One day you are driving around listening to loud music. Then one day you’re turning it down so you can see better.—I spent my childhood terrified of quicksand, spontaneous combustion, and the Bermuda Triangle. Turns out I should’ve been more worried about my knees.—Whoever designed wet wipe packs where you pull one…