September 2016, Vol. 35, No. 9 Archives

‘But I Don’t Want to Do It!’

I read about a chef that was fired. He was a good chef. Trained at the best cooking school. Had a flair for bringing out the best taste in food. His work ethic was beyond reproach. So, why was he fired? Because he wouldn’t wash his hands. Customers had noticed in the restaurant’s restroom and…

The Source Matters

How much would you pay for a baseball? Not a baseball made of gold—one made of leather with red stitching just like any other baseball. You can get a whole bag of baseballs from a place like Wal-Mart for about $20. So what is the maximum you would pay for a baseball? What if I…

God’s Minorities

During the time NOAH was building an ark, he was very much in the minority – but he won in the end. When JOSEPH was sold into Egypt by his brothers, he was a decided minority – but he won in the end. When GIDEON and his 300 followers, with their broken pitchers and lamps,…

Stoke the Folk!

Have you ever just sat around a fire? It is incredibly therapeutic. A fire seems to bring out wonderful moments of reflection and conversation. Fires are beneficial in many ways with the heat, light, and mood it produces. God’s word is compared to a fire in Jeremiah 23:39. Like a fire it enlightens and penetrates.…

Watch and Pray

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Mark 14:38). In the midst of His own storm, our Savior prayed in the preparation He had made for Himself. He had brought three of his followers farther into the garden for the fellowship and…

At Your House

Will priorities be established in your children when… • You are early for their ballgame, but late for worship? • You check on their homework regularly, but never check on their Bible class lessons? • You won’t let them miss school even though they don’t want to go, but let them miss church worship services?…

A Direct Influence

If from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and one can be known by the quality of the fruit produced, then it is reasonable to conclude that both the words spoken and the deeds done are indicative of the person’s heart. People are able to see this and judge. People of maturity can…

On the Lighter Side (September 2016)

Method of Identification Wally and Dallas, each bought a horse and they rode them together for the summer. When winter came, they didn’t want to pay to have them stabled for the winter. Instead, they decided to release them in a pasture and get them in the spring. Wally asked, “How’re we going to know…

Ring Your Bell

There sure is a lot of noise in the world today. These noises demand our attention. “Hey! Pay attention to the election!” “No! Pay attention to the Olympics!” “What about these riots?” “No, listen to these headlines!” In the world we live in there are constant distractions. That is no news, but are we as…

Send the Fire Truck!

In a small eastern Kentucky town, the local police chief also served as part of the Volunteer Fire Department. His job was to answer the phone and in the event of a ﬁre was to ring the ﬁre bell to summon all the volunteer firemen in the county. One Saturday morning, the phone rang and…

Make America Great Again

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Pro. 14:34). Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign slogan is, “Make America Great Again.” His ideas and proposed policies to make America great again include the construction of walls along our southern border, corporate tax cuts, bans on certain governmental regulations, stronger military,…

Behind the Scenes

When you’re watching a movie at home or at the theater, when do you typically stop watching? Do you press “stop” when the camera pans out to a wide angle and the closing music begins playing? Do you exit when the lights come up? Or do you do the unthinkable and actually watch the credits?…

Not Just Another God

Many times in recent years, I have heard statements such as, “all religions are the same” or “there is no ‘right’ religion.” Coupled with the modern trend of the “Coexist” bumper stickers and a post-modern mindset, Christians of today have faced and will continue to face persecution for our beliefs. We are told that our…

The Names for God’s Church Define Its Work and Purpose

The NT church is unique in that her name depicts the intended purpose of its members. The Bible teaches God intended to save those who are added to the church (Acts 2:47). When God adds the saved to the church they make a commitment to do God’s work on the earth. Let us see how…

When Change Doesn’t Last

A Confederate soldier was captured and sent to a Maryland prison in 1865. While there he decided to write about his experiences as a soldier in the Civil War. As he described “the vices of army life,” he revealed an old familiar side of human nature. Gambling was a favorite pastime of many soldiers. Some…

Look Back And You Lose!

I didn’t run many races when I was a kid. I was too fat for that. In fact, if I ever actually participated with the skinny folk, there was no doubt l would lose. That is, unless I was racing my friend Darrell. He was a bit chunky in the midsection, and had an affinity…

Are You the Potter or the Clay?

In view of what God’s word states, this seems to be a silly question. Would we say, “Why did you make me like this?” (Rom. 9:20). Would we deny this principle? “Or does not the potter (God) have a right over the clay (us) to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use…

How Much Must I Know to Become a Christian?

How many lessons does it take to become a Christian? Let’s look brieﬂy at some biblical examples: 3000 on Pentecost heard one sermon—Acts 2. The Ethiopian Eunuch got one Bible lesson—Acts 8. Cornelius and his family and friends heard one lesson—Acts 10. The Philippian jailor and his family heard one lesson—Acts 16. What do I…

Soma Tonga

In India, if you’re walking through rural roads, you’ll occasionally come across a post with a sturdy shelf about shoulder height. It is called “Soma Tonga,” which means “resting place.” When people are traveling with a heavy load, they place their heavy load on the shelf for relief. Once rested, they continue their journey. What…

The Simplicity of the Gospel

Salvation is in Christ, and only in Christ. God sent His Son into the world to seek and save the lost, which is all of us. The good news (gospel) is that Jesus gave His life on the cross to redeem us from our sins. He died, was buried, but arose again, all to purchase…

Opportunities and Connections

As a family will sit around a dinner table, they will grab hands to say the prayer for the meal. A connection is made in that brief moment that brings them closer together. Each holding a hand, grasped in union with each other and with God—the Father, Son, and Spirit. As a family, they know…

A New Perspective for an Old Problem

One morning this summer, I arose early to go to the farm and spray weeds. It was about an hour and a half before sunrise. After putting on my work clothes and shoes, I grabbed my glasses and headed out the door. I took off driving and immediately I was confronted by near blindness. I…

Live for Today

There are two days in every week about which we should never worry or fear. One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and faults and its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. We can not bring it back. The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with…

The Lord Knows

Many times when we think about the Lord knowing our minds we think about the evil that people do. We must understand the Lord knows our needs, our plans, our headaches, and even the thoughts our hearts. Always include the Lord in every aspect of your life. He loves you even more than you love…

This Will Make You Sad!

I grew up watching “Father Knows Best,” and “Life With Father.” These shows revealed a father that cared for his family, loved his wife and children, and was looked upon as wise. Contrast that with so-called family shows on TV today. The family is revealed as similar to a cage full of monkeys. The father…

Measuring Growth

We measure the growth of children with a yardstick. We measure the growth of knowledge by testing students in school. But how do you measure spiritual growth? Second Peter gives us the measuring stick. We must “add to our faith” (2 Pet. 1:5-8). Our children grow to be six feet tall, but they do it…

A Message from the Devil

Dear Members and Friends of the Church, I secretly visited your Bible classes recently and was overjoyed to see that so many of you had not come. I heard some lessons that were not very well prepared and others teachers said no visits had been made during the week. I was simply delighted! It thrilled…

A Petite But Potent Word

Some writers consider “no” to be the hardest word to say. Of course, whether or not this is true depends on the context. For example, most parents don’t have a problem dropping this word if their children get out of line. You can picture it, can’t you? A tiny hand is reaching for a hot…

The Way to Heaven

Most people when asked will say and honestly believe that they are going to heaven, but it is important to be absolutely sure! There is a way that seems to be right but is not: There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs…

Enjoy Your Hot Chocolate!

The old preacher brought out a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of glass, crystal, and plain looking cheap cups. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in their hands, the preacher said: “Notice that all the nice looking expensive cups were taken, but not the plain and cheap ones. What…

Vegetarians

Paul Harvey, much beloved radio personality, once quipped, “Vegetarian is an old Indian word for ‘doesn’t hunt well.'” I like vegetables, but I am no vegetarian; I like meat – all kinds. I like beef, pork, chicken, fish, and squirrel. You didn’t expect the last one, did you? Did you forget that I grew up…