[187 words] Last November, Lindy McDaniel passed away. If you look him up in the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, you will notice that he was well-known in baseball circles. His pitching career spanned 21 years (from 1955-1975). He was an amazing relief pitcher who...
[162 words] After a week of binge drinking, a man stumbled home, drunk, sick, and weak. As he fell into his bed, he asked his brother who was a preacher to pray for him. The brother agreed and prayed, “O Lord, please help this old miserable drunken fool…” When the...
[154 words] 9:00 a.m., 1:42 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:40 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. During the course of April 14, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic received six warnings concerning icebergs. She received the last warning only 40 minutes before her collision. Six warnings! All...
[199 words] How many of us heard our fathers make the statement: “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?” Of course, we were being scolded for doing something dangerous or hurtful. That’s when we offered our excuse: “but everyone was doing it.” As soon as...
[164 words] “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer” - We have nothing to worry about when suffering comes. When we let fear, panic, and negativism rule, our suffering is always made worse. Suffering happens to everyone. Just stay calm. “Indeed,...
[186 words] How many things can you absolutely count on in life today? Can you absolutely count on having hot water in your morning shower? Can you absolutely count on your refrigeration not dying during the night? Can you absolutely count on your car starting every...
[110 words] A French officer once asked George Washington’s mother how she managed to rear such a splendid son. She simply replied, “I taught him to obey.” Obedience is something that must be taught. In the perilous times, there will be those who are “disobedient to...
[181 words] There are a lot of things I could tell you that you’d probably believe. How about: I went to the gym yesterday for about two hours. Just as you are about to compliment my efforts my wife walks by and says “No, he didn’t! He sat around like a bum and...
[156 words] "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). When hiking, it can be dangerous to follow the wrong trail. In fact, wandering off trail is the number one reason that adult hikers require rescue. This is what...
[175 words] Let’s talk about the good ‘ole days. I’m sure you’ve heard about them. Perhaps from a sentence starting with “back in my day...” And that’s followed by all kinds of things. Back in my day kids respected their parents. Back in my day you didn’t have to...
[170 words] The Bible is not a museum piece to be admired at a distance and dusted now and again. It is a treasure to be polished. It is a tool to be used. It is a light to be shined. It is a mirror to be viewed. It is a sword to be sharpened. It is a food to be...
[183 words] It’s hard for us to conceive of someone standing face-to-face with God and saying, “Lord, you don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m smarter than you.” And yet, in reality, people do that all the time, even many who claim to be Christians. I once...
[148 words] We live in a troubled world. Many have chosen to forget God in order to have the fleeting pleasures of this life. My brethren, there is no spiritual peace in living as the world! The inspired apostle Paul penned, “And do not be conformed to this world, but...
[176 words] Paul gave young Timothy some great advice concerning commitment to the Lord. It is great advice for us, as well: Commit to Faithfulness. “This charge I commit to you...that ...you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience” (1 Tim....
[139 words] "Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy” (Psalms 99:5). What does the word “holy” mean? It means to be set aside away from everything that is bad or wrong. Our God is perfect. He doesn't commit sin. To say that God is holy means...
[191 words] George Washington Carver was a man who lived very close to God’s creation. As a youngster he was very interested in plants and experimented with natural pesticides, fungicides, and soil conditioners, earning the nickname “the plant doctor” for his ability...
[122 words] It seems so hard to trust people these days. Who can be counted on to tell us the truth? Here is what we know: Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Additionally, we know: It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). ...
[169 words] Before Jesus Christ came into the world, the name Jesus (the Greek form of name Joshua) was an extremely common name. And yet, Jesus took an ordinary name of his day, and made it something unique and special—a name by which all can be saved (Acts 4:12)....
[165 words] Do you know what it is? If you listen to people in the denominational world, many of them (if not all) will tell you that if you obey any of God’s commands to be saved, then you are trying to be saved by works. Not only is this a flat lie, but it is a...
[160 words] C.S. Lewis once wrote, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." We know that we were made for another world. Scripture teaches it. Our own experience...
[188 words] This week, we witnessed first-hand what happens when negative emotions are allowed to dominate our thinking. We watched as folks – most of which had good intentions – stormed our capitol building in Washington, D.C. Property was damaged. Individuals were...
[160 words] What are you thinking about these days? I am guessing if you are like a lot of people and have a steady diet of listening to the media, then you might not be thinking on the best of things. In fact, listening to the media can be depressing. One counselor...
[176 words] Even though we have moved into the digital age, I continue to use a paper planner. I like being able to write thoughts, ideas, and make plans while turning pages. Each little block on a calendar represents 24 hours. As we write and plan on each block, do...
[140 words] She heard all his stories andlaughed at all his jokes. She listened to every sermonWhich he ever spoke. She took care of their children All alone in the pew.As she listened to her husband Proclaim the good news. She saw him in tears as on his knees he did...
[177 words] The United States of America needs to make some serious changes toward serving God. We need to begin today to speak only kind, loving and respectful words. The faithful Christian speaks kind, loving words of appreciation to others. “Let your speech be...
[156 words] The Thanksgiving holiday is over and most of us are having leftovers until the food is gone. While we enjoy family and friends during such days, the significance of giving thanks to God every day is far more important than any earthly joy we receive from...
[175 words] In one of the most powerful anti-smoking ads I’ve ever seen the promises of the cigarette ads are examined. You’ll look cool. Smoking makes you independent and mysterious. But then the curtain is pulled away and a man in a wheelchair who can barely breathe...
[126 words] When Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, he opened his letter with these words: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in...
[125 words] Jesus said, “The great and first commandment:” “you shall love the Lord your God with all your…mind” (Matthew 22:18,17). The current spiritual battle is not fought with carnal weapons (swords, guns, bombs), but with ideas from the word of God. “For the...
[177 words] Many of the psalms David wrote referred to his many enemies surrounding him. In Psalm 57, he says, “My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men, Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword” (v.4). Despite...
[173 words] The first American multi-page newspaper was published on September 25, 1690, with a single edition of “Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick” appearing in Boston, Massachusetts. However, British authorities considered the newspaper offensive and...
[132 words] Scripture pictures Jesus as a Teacher come from God. Scripture says, “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one...
[111 words] Racism is a terrible sin. The KJV calls it “respect of persons.” Every translation calls it “sin” (James 2:9). We are no to distinguish by race or nationality (Acts 10:24) or by dress or wealth (James 2:1-9) or by social or economic status (Ephesians 6:9)....
[182 words] A friend shared this tongue-in-cheek warning: “Do not let them take your temperature as you are going into the store! It’s a scam! They’re erasing your memory! I went for bread, eggs, and vegetables...but I came home with soda pop, ice cream and candy!” I...
[150 words] Everyone loves a hero! We marvel at the mighty deeds of brave folks around us, and we wonder what it would take to be just like them. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “A man is a hero, not because he is braver than anyone else, but because he is brave for...
[144 words] A city dweller was being driven by a rancher over a blistering and almost barren stretch of desert when a large brightly-colored bird scurried across the road in front of them. The visitor asked what it was. “That’s a bird of paradise,” said the rancher....
[185 words] If a Christian were a tree, what should it look like? It would have roots that grow downward. Roots help with strength and stability. Roots also bring nutrients to the tree. Deeply rooted in the Scriptures the Christian can stand strong. It would be...
[129 words] If people are to become like Jesus there must be heart changes. The result of these changes of heart will be changes in our behavior. The heart change is what gives room for God to work in our life. Realizing certain truths helps us to change our heart. We...
[117 words] It's a real danger for Christians to become so desensitized by the entertainment we consume or the causes we support that we revert back to talking as if we never were born again. Maybe some rationalize their crude language, saying, "I only say these words...
[145 words] At the time of the hottest, most humid part of the summer months, the ancient Greeks and Romans saw the appearance of the “Dog Star” Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Thus, they called them the “Dog Days of Summer”...
[136 words] God dwells in eternity and time means nothing to Him (2 Peter 3:8). However, His word and His promises mean everything to Him. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any...
[148 words] I recently found an interesting quote from Robert Byrne. It is this: “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Many people live their lives without purpose and most of them are quite frustrated and dissatisfied. But for those who find a life purpose that...
[191 words] A home ruled by God is a place where we develop a heart that will help the poor, weak, and unfortunate people around you. God expects us to reach out to the weak. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please...
[170 words] When Coca-Cola began marketing their product in China in 1928, they ran into a problem translating their name into Chinese. Mandarin Chinese is a language of symbols rather than sound. Retailers tried to translate the title of the new drink using symbols...
[115 words] As I progress through my life,more clearly do I see,it is not what I gather, Lord,but what I give to Thee. I give to Thee by pouring out,my body, heart, and soul,in glory and devotion,trusting Thee to make me whole. I give to Thee by kindly helping,all...
[198 words] Every one of us has done something in our life that we regretted deeply. We must deal with those things in the best way that we can and move on. Several years ago I saw a note in a church bulletin that challenged its readers to strive to do things that we...
[175 words] For some, religion is a fairy tale for children and a false hope for the aged. To those folks, God is the product of a weak mind and Jesus is a fanatic who demonstrated this characteristic. They believe heaven is a Christian’s wishful thinking and hell...
[171 words] A good Christian attitude will mean that we love the Lord, and are growing as a Christian. This kind of attitude will help you win in your struggle against sin. A good Christian attitude will help you be humble, and submissive toward God and His word. As a...
[159 words] What did Paul mean when he wrote to Timothy, exhorting him to charge men not to teach a different doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3)? There are some doctrines easily understood and affirmed, but some are rather complicated and confusing. How can one know which...
[169 words] In Rom. 1:14-16, Paul not only gives the importance of the gospel, but what our relationship should be with it. It is seen in the three “I am” statements. Concerning the Gospel… We Need to Realize Our Obligation (“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to...