100-199 words

Take a Moment to Listen

[116 words] Take a moment to listen todayTo what your children are trying to say;Listen today, whatever you doOr they won’t be there to listen to you. Listen to their problems, listen for their needsPraise their smallest triumphs, praise their smartest deeds;Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,Find out what’s the matter, find out what they’re…

How to Have a Happy New Year

[166 words] What phrases are you tired of hearing? I asked this question once in a class and was surprised by the number of statements that came from the students. Among those mentioned was the simple wish: “Happy New Year!” I must confess that I love to hear the phrase because it reminds me of…

The Disease of Discouragement

[196 words] dis·cour·age·ment dəˈskərəjm(ə)nt  a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness. an attempt to prevent something by showing disapproval or creating difficulties; deterrent. Where does discouragement come from? Let’s consider an interesting comment in the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra tells the story of the rebuilding of the temple. Though the act is brought…

Why We Need To Confess

[180 words] As John Dewey exclaimed, “A problem well-put is half solved.” For us to fix something we have to know what is wrong and what is causing the problem. Too many times we face an issue and are unable—or maybe better said unwilling—to examine ourselves to see what is wrong. That is what makes…

High Anxiety and Blessed Relief

[189 words] Christians are not completely immune to anxiety. However, as Holy Spirit-filled followers of the will of God, we do have access to a God who cares for us and who will help us cope with this human reality. Consider, for instance, some things that have been discovered about human anxiety. Objective studies indicate…

Have You Memorized God’s Number?

[178 words] Do you have a phone number you have memorized? Mine was my grandparent’s phone number, 363-3009. They have been dead for several years now. I have not used that number for a long time, but I still know their old number. Many people today do not memorize phone numbers much, we often store…

A Human Jesus

[144 words] The Gospel Accounts present a truly human Jesus, not a ghostly figure who only appeared to be flesh and blood. Jesus spoke of His own body (Mark 14:8), head (Luke 7:44–46), hands, feet, flesh, and bones (Luke 24:39), and blood (Matthew 26:28). He also displayed distinctly human feelings and qualities: He was moved…

Pulling on Both Oars

[157 words] An old Scotsman operated a small rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the old man had carved on one oar the word “Faith” and on the other oar the word “Works.” Curious, he asked the meaning. The old man replied, “I’ll show you.” He dropped the “faith” oar and…

Living It Day by Day

[161 words] She sat alone in an old people’s home,Lonely and old and gray;She wished that someone, just anyone,Would call on her that day.Did you? He lay for days on his hospital bed;The hours were long and hard.He wished someone, just anyone,Would send him a cheery card.Did you? He was far from home on foreign…

He Crowns the Humble with Salvation

[172 words] Winston Churchill was once asked, “Doesn’t it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?” “It’s quite flattering,” replied Sir Winston. “But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd…

An Important Ratio

[181 words] The fact that God gave us two ears and two eyes and only one mouth should give us some indication on how he expects us to use them.  “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” (James 1:19). John Maxwell once…

Authority and Power

[149 words] What’s the difference between an ineffective teacher and a school yard bully? The former has authority without power and the latter has power without authority. Our world is full of ineffective authorities and highly effective bullies. When Jesus went to Capernaum, He taught the people and they remarked that He spoke “with authority”…

An Exceptional Lesson

[144 words] It is widely believed and preached that to be saved all that is necessary is to “believe only” or “just receive Jesus as your personal Savior.” These expressions leave us with the erroneous impression that there is nothing for sinners to do to be saved. The Bible teaches differently; there is something you…

Earth’s Most Sacred Spot

[108 words] Some time ago I bought a fine little devotional book on the death of Christ. One of the chapters was on “Earth’s Most Sacred Spot.” The author was referring to Golgotha, “the place which is called Calvary.” Because our Savior suffered and died there, the author considered it the most sacred of all…

10 Reasons for Going to Hell

[129 words] 1. It requires no effort at all to get there.2. You can associate freely with bad company there.3. You won’t have the constant watchful eye of God over you.4. You won’t be expected to attend Bible Study or worship.5. You won’t have to give anything of yourself to God.6. Purity and goodness will…

What Does God Expect from Our Elders?

[145 words] The following acrostic describes many of the attributes and behaviors that God expects of elders. We can read more about what God expects of elders by reading Eph. 4:11-16, 1 Tim. 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5. E – Encouraging members, enthusiastic about the Lord’s work. L – Leader, looking after one’s…

The Bible is God’s Unchanging Standard

[189 words] Man is not left to “do his own thing” religiously. He has the Bible, God’s unchanging standard upon which to build his life. Confusion comes when “Every man does that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). When man becomes a law to himself and tries to direct his own affairs…

What Have You Got to Smile About?

[185 words] Smiling is a natural reaction to having a happy heart. I’m not talking about a smirk, leer or a sneer but a genuine, radiant, beaming smile. Actually, there is a lot about “smiling” in the Bible although the actual word isn’t used much in most English translations. For instance, Proverbs 15:13 in the…

Questions Regarding Your Faith

[112 words] We are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5 that we are to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith. To help us do this, may I offer the following questions for you to answer. Be honest and deeply examine yourselves. • Am I growing spiritually? • Am I able to truly…

The Letters in ‘All’

[184 words] A teacher once gave me some advice: On a test, “all the above” is often the right answer, but rarely is it in life.  When the claim is “everyone” or “always,” it usually isn’t accurate because there is most likely some exception. Consider Romans 3:23: “…for all have sinned and fall short of…

Christians Need Balance

[182 words] Christians need balance in their life. Life is a lot like riding a bicycle. You must have balance if you ride a bicycle safely. We need balance if we are to live a happy and productive life for Jesus. If we have balance; if we “love” God and “fear” God we will avoid…

Courage, Strength, Compassion

[151 words] Standing for what you believe in, regardless of the odds against you and the pressure that tears at your resistance…Means Courage. Keeping a smile on your face, when inside you feel like dying, for the sake of supporting others…Means Strength. Stopping at nothing and doing what, in your heart, you know is right…Means…

You’ve Never Tried It

[198 words] I recall when I was a boy that sometimes I would turn my nose up at foods that Mama would offer. The answer Mom would give would be, “You’ve never even tried it,” followed by, “Try it; you might like it!” ​It has come to mind many times about those who find Christianity…

Can’t Swim, But Does

[153 words] The Byram River in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the crest was running twelve to fifteen feet deep. A family picnicking at the edge watched in horror as their two-year-old daughter fell into the water. Her 23-year-old mother, who could not swim and was horrified by water, jumped in and pulled her little girl to…

Making God Second Best

[137 words] I’m always prompt to punch the clock;I never miss a date,But when I go to worship God,I’m usually always late.I wouldn’t think of leaving work,To visit brother Fred;I just wait ‘til Sunday comes,And forsake the church instead.I never miss a day at work;Perfection’s what I seek;But I miss the worship of my God,Once…

Love That Lives

[122 words] From day to day, from heart to heart There lives the hope of a love apart— Apart from the commonplace, content That this is a gift that God has sent.A love that builds, from day to day, A sense of worthiness, and not dismay A bit of heaven, a bit of home — …

Candidates for Dumbest Criminals

[159 words] Three years ago, Florida police pulled over a speeding car traveling over 90 mph on one of the state’s major intersections. As an officer approached the car, he noticed two zip-lock bags labeled “bag full of drugs.” A drug-sniffing dog alerted the police that illegal drugs were inside the automobile. This gave the…

H.A.B.I.T.

[186 words] HABIT. The only way to get rid of a bad habit is to stop it at once. If you try tapering off, this is the result. You drop the “H” and you still have… A BIT. You think you are getting over it by dropping a little bit of the evil thing, so…

Revelation

[101 words] If all my days were summer, could I knowThe meaning of my Lord’s “made white as snow”? If all my hours were joyous could I say,“In His fair land, all tears are wiped away”? If I were never weary could I keepClose to my heart, “He gives His loved ones sleep”? Were no…

Joy Springs from Your Relationship with God

[136 words] David wrote Psalm 16 as a prayer to God. In it, David asks for the Lord’s protection during a trying time. Also, David begs the Lord for His guidance. Then David made a commitment to follow God’s direction. Many call this a “messianic psalm” (a prophecy of some aspect of Jesus’ life). From…

Not My Worry

[148 words] Two women were talking one day when one shared she had a mountain of credit card debt, she had lost her job, the bank was taking the car, and her house was in foreclosure, but she was not worried about it. Her friend got excited and asked why she was not going to…

Service

[112 words] There’s a clever young guy namedSomebody Else, There’s nothing this guy can’t do.He is busy from morningtill way late at night,Just substituting for you.You’re asked to do this or you’reasked to do that,And what is your ready reply?“Set Somebody Else to do that job,He’ll do it much better than I.“So much to do…

The Heartbeat of God

[179 words] The darkened earth wept in silence,Alone.The sun, black and cold,A dark and rugged stone cast into the sky;God’s face, turned from His creation,Eyes closed, His gentle heartBeating as a resounding drum,Its loud echo ringing throughThe spheres of space and time.The anguished voice of His blessed SonCried out,Though the spirit, strong, remained unmarred,Untouched by…

The Bible Speaks

[109 words] I am the Bible, God’s wonderful Library.I am always–and above all–the truth.To the weary pilgrim, I am a strong staff.To the one who sits in darkness, I amglorious light.To those who stumble beneath heavyburdens, I am sweet rest.To him who has lost his way, I am a safeguide.To those who are sick in…

Our Declaration of Independence

[148 words] On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the United States Declaration of Independence. This declared the original 13 colonies’ freedom from the oppressive rule of England. We celebrate this emancipation as a nation every year on July 4—and well we should. We live in the freest, greatest, most abundant land of opportunity…

On Independence Day Remember our King!

[164 words] When this country was born, one of the great slogans was, “We have no king but Jesus.” As the Bible says: “He is the King of kings and the Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:15). Despite what history “revisionists” and so-called fact checkers spin, this country was founded by people who…

No Time for God?

[139 words] No time for God?What fools we are, to clutter upOur lives with common thingsAnd leave without heart’s gateThe Lord of life and Life itself—Our God. No time for God?As soon to say, no timeTo eat or sleep or love or die.Take time for GodOr you shall dwarf your soul,And when the angel deathComes…

My Daddy is Here

[169 words] David Elkind, the famous child psychologist and author of the best-selling The Hurried Child, tells this true story about his role as a parent: “I remember visiting my middle son’s nursery school class, at the request of his teacher, so that I could observe a “problem child” in the class. It so happened…

16 Tips to Live Happily

[194 words] 1. Learn to laugh with others, and at yourself (Proverbs 17:22). 2. Spend time with older people; learn from their wisdom (Proverbs 19:20). 3. Enjoy the innocence and purity of children (Matthew 18:1–6). 4. Work with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10). 5. Live life like you will live forever, because you will (Ecclesiastes…

Is This the Place?

[109 words] If this is not a place where tears are understood—Where do I go to cry?If this is not a place where my spirit can take wing—Where do I go to fly?If this is not a place where my questions can be asked—Where do I go to seek?If this is not a place where…

Strong Faith, Young Hearts

[121 words] In New Albany, Mississippi, a young man who starred on the baseball team had a conflict when a game was scheduled on Wednesday night during Bible class. He told his coach, who said, “Play or turn your suit in.” He went to church and the next day took his uniform to turn it…

He Has Not Left That Open to Us

[133 words] “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice.…

Honor Mom

[168 words] Today is “Mother’s Day.” It is a day when gratitude is expressed to our mothers. Mother’s Day in America began a century ago when Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother and the ladies in her church. Anna was so intent on calling on Americans to honor all mothers, she petitioned Congress and…

A Mother’s Prayer

[177 words] If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper not a homemaker. If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness not godliness. Love leaves the dust in search of a…

A Father’s Advice

[166 words] Did you have a father who gave you advice? Maybe he gave you advice on relationships, how to take care of your money, car, or a hundred other things. I guess fathers have been giving advice as long as there have been fathers. Take for example Solomon who said, in Proverbs 5:7, “And…

What Jesus Offers

[104 words] On January 6, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress about the state of the war in Europe. As he closed, he said that he looked forward to a world founded upon four essential freedoms: • Freedom of speech• Freedom of worship• Freedom from want• Freedom from fear Upon consideration, is not this what…

Just What the Doctor Ordered

[161 words] Some years ago, a doctor called in his staff to tell them of a medical experiment he wanted to conduct in his clinic. All their patients were to be treated with massive doses of kindness, care, and concern. As he expected he discovered that this love that was shown was conducive to healing.…

He Brings Good Things To Life

[195 words] There are those times when it all seems too much. Paul wrote about a time he was in that place in 2 Corinthians 7:5. Worn out physically, surrounded by problems, “conflicts without, fear within”. You probably know that feeling. When it seems the whole world is against you and that includes you. Depressed. Downcast.…

The Colors of Love

[146 words] Purple was the robe,the beaten Jesus wore (John 19:2)Brown, the thorny crownwhich in much pain He bore (Matt. 27:19) White, the sinlessnessfrom which He didn’t shrink (Heb. 4:15)Yellow, the bitter gallthat He’d refuse to drink (Matt. 27:34) Green, the lovely plantsnearby Calvary’s hill (John 19:41)Red, the precious bloodthat today heals us still (1…

He Chose to Take the Nails

[193 words] His friends turned against HimIn a brutal act of betrayalBut, His love enduredAnd, He chose to take the nails. To the ground from his browHis sweat drops of blood fellFor He knew His life on earth was overAnd, He chose to take the nails. Soldiers approached Him from all sidesAnd, to the ground…

The Very Least I Can Do

[105 words] Jesus has created in me a marvelous new life…the least I can do is to always for Him be living Jesus have given me many wonderful blessings…the least I can do is pass that on in blessed giving Jesus have lovingly pardoned all of my sins…the least I can do is show compassion…

She Directed Her Child’s Steps

[152 words] There once was a church pouring new cement for the walkway to the meeting house.  One of the young mothers of the congregation took her 2-year-old baby and imprinted his hand in the wet cement pointing to the door of the building.  She wanted a constant reminder to herself and everyone else that…

Being Habitually Late

[168 words] Sometimes things happen that are outside of our control, causing us to arrive late for certain events, but what about someone who is habitually late for spiritual events when they did not have to be? Being habitually late generally indicates several things:  • Selfishness• Laziness• Disrespect for other people• Disrespect for God• Misplaced…

Holy Rest

[192 words] We know that under the old covenant, God commanded the Jews to keep a Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11). But did you know that God also commanded that the Jews take various weeks off, too? (Leviticus 23:4-8, 34). These “Sabbath weeks” are similar to our vacations. Today, God no longer requires Sabbath-keeping under the…

You Can’t Push a Chain

[192 words] A chain is a handy device. You use it to pull a car out of the ditch. You can hoist a heavy item. You can use one to anchor a boat or secure a gate. But can’t push with a chain. It will pull or hold but try to push and it’s pretty…

Lessons from the Eunuch, Part 2 of 5

[111 words] Open hearts are needed to hear God’s truth! While traveling, the eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. Some people may have taken offense at the question, but the eunuch instead said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” The…

Hidden Treasures

[107 words] A South Dakota rancher and his bride received a nice Bible as a wedding gift from his grandfather. They wrote a thank you note and stowed the Bible in a closet. The grandfather asked every so often how they liked it. Eventually, they became curious, dug it out, and leafed through it. They…

Trust

[102 words] He holds the key to all unknown,And I am glad;If other hands should hold the key,I might be sad. What if tomorrow’s cares werehere without its rest?I’d rather He unlocked the dayAnd as it’s hours swung open,say “My will is best.” I cannot read His future plans,But this I know,I have the smiling…

Still Together

[134 words] Let me hold your hand, as we go downhill,We’ve shared our strength, and we share it still,It hasn’t been easy to make the climb,But the way was eased by your hand in mine. Like the lake, our life, has had ripples too,Ill health and worries, and payments due,With happy pauses along the way,A…

A Christian Needs a Super Bowl Discipline

[156 words] Today is Superbowl Sunday. As I thought about “The Big Game,” I remembered something that Coach Tom Landry once said. According to the former Dallas Cowboy, “The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be.”…

A 3×4 Fence

[165 words] A person might as well put his shoulder to the burning sun and seek to stop it on its flaming course as to seek to destroy and stop the circulation of the Word of God. The Bible is like the Irishman who had trouble with his neighbor knocking his fence over. He built…

One Last Chance

[191 words] A man never opened the car door for his wife or any other woman. He felt it was a sissy, Emily Post kind of thing to do. “Besides,” he was fond of saying, “she doesn’t have two broken arms.” After many years of marriage, his wife died and he was heartbroken because he…

A Great Challenge to Christians

[189 words] Our challenge in this life is to make a positive difference for the Lord while we are on earth. The Bible clearly teaches us that serving God is vitally important (Matthew 22:37-40). Our main purpose is not working, hunting, texting, or hanging out with friends. Instead our purpose is that of serving God…

The Christian and ‘Presents’

[177 words] Concerning others, Christians should be present and be a present. Let me explain. Webster’s defines “present” as: “being in view or at hand.” The same resource also gives another definition of “present” as “something presented: gift.” So concerning others, Christians should be present (in their company) and be a present (a blessing to…

How Did You Get That?

[115 words] A little girl once asked her mother, who had a withered hand, how it came to be deformed. She replied that it had occurred when she had rescued that little girl from a fire in her crib. “It was for you, my child,” she said, “that this poor hand suffered.” To some it…

Thanks to God for My Redeemer

[146 words] Thanks to God for my Redeemer,Thanks for all Thou dost provide!Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,Thanks for Jesus by my side! Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,Thanks for dark and stormy fall!Thanks for tears by now forgotten,Thanks for peace within my soul! Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,Thanks for what Thou dost…

Definition of a Christian

[117 words] He has a mind and knows it.He has a will and shows it.He sees the way and goes it.He draws the line and toes it. He has a chance and takes it.A friendly hand, he shakes it.A rule, he never breaks it.If there’s not time, he makes it. He loves the truth, stands…

What is Your Focus?

[164 words] A New Year is before us. What your heart is focused on is eternally important. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). Are you passionate to have a heart like Jesus, and to focus on what He was focused on? A heart like Jesus is…

And Where Are Your Parents?

[163 words] Prosecutors in Knox county Tennessee decide to do something about a numbers of students that had been chronically absent from school. Under Tennessee law, parents can be held responsible for their children’s missed days. So they sent a letter to 582 parents of habitually truant students telling of a meeting they could attend…

Sincerity is Not Enough

[193 words] In a New York hospital several years ago, carbon dioxide instead of oxygen was mistakenly administered to a patient. According to the police report, the patient died almost instantly. The unfortunate patient died in spite of his own sincerity and that of the hospital authorities, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeon. In the same…

Men of Valor

[177 words] There is a description of several groups within the genealogies of Israel which deserve our focused consideration. Several are recognized for posterity as being “mighty men of valor.” While many men will live such lives as to garner no real lasting impression on subsequent generations this shouldn’t be the case with the children…

New Year Reminder

[101 words] The New Year always brings to mind new goals, new expectations, new plans, and fresh starts. As we enter into this year, remember the greatest of these never change! Our greatest goal is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-30). Our greatest expectation is…

The Maid of the Mist

[108 words] A cartoon from the past shows a boy standing in the very front of the boat called The Maid of the Mist. This boat carries sightseers so close to Niagara Falls that they must wear rain gear to keep from being drenched by the spray. Wearing his raincoat and hat, the boy stood…

Living It Day by Day

[161 words] She sat alone in an old people’s home,Lonely and old and gray;She wished that someone, just anyone,Would call on her that day.Did you? He lay for days on his hospital bed;The hours were long and hard.He wished someone, just anyone,Would send him a cheery card.Did you? He was far from home on foreign…

Other Things to Do

[102 words] When it is time to worship GodAnd to occupy my pew,Will I assemble with the saintsOr find other things to do?When God needs my service to HimAnd wants me to help a few,Will I do what needs to be doneOr find other things to do?When I sit down to rest awhileWith quiet reading…

A New Hope

[142 words] The word “now” comes from a Latin phrase, novus homo, which means “a new man” or “man newly ennobled.” There is a powerful lesson in that. Each moment is a change we have to start over. To become a new person, to become a better person. “Now” is an important concept in the Bible.…

The Gospel Is for All

[186 words] The gospel of Christ is: Free. Even the poor can obtain it: “The poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5). Plain. Even the uneducated can understand it: “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge” (Ephesians 3:1–6; cf. 2 Timothy 2:7). Equalizing. The humble are raised by it and the…

Don’t Break the Bank

[164 words] Ah, it’s that time of the year when we show people how much we love them…by spending money on them. I miss you Thanksgiving! Now I know when it comes to gifts, it’s supposed to be the thought that counts. But I also know that any gift, no matter how thoughtful or thoughtless…

Let Each One Say

[111 words] As life goes onward day by day,Let each one to his conscience sayThat flesh is weak but God is strong,That right is right and wrong is wrong.That I have found my workday flies,But therein all my life’s hope lies.That on life’s upward path I’ll run,My face forever to the sun.That I shall do…

Savior, Teach Me Day By Day

[119 words] Savior, teach me day by daylove’s sweet lesson to obey,sweeter lesson cannot be,loving him who first loved me. With a child’s glad heart of loveat thy bidding may I move,prompt to serve and follow thee,loving him who first loved me. Teach me thus thy steps to trace,strong to follow in thy grace,learning how…

Sunday Night

[149 words] I love the church that Jesus built,And I know that it is right.I go there on each Sunday morn,But not on Sunday night. I love to sing the songs to God;Such worship must be right.This I do each Sunday morn,But not on Sunday night. God bless our preacher, too,And give him power and…

Be of Good Cheer

[151 words] You cannot be sour and be a Christian! True Christianity chases gloom. Solomon said, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22), and again in chapter 15:13, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” More than once Jesus commanded his disciples to “Be of Good…

What Are You Masking?

[162 words] Seems like this time of year many are focused on people’s fears, scary movies, frightful decorations, and creepy whatever’s displayed along our streets. What is often overlooked—or maybe be masked—is the true fears we face: a broken relationship, a bad health diagnosis, or financial uncertainty. There are many fears that face us today, but…

A Family Is…

[107 words] A deeply rooted treewith branchesof different strengthsall receiving nourishment from our Father in heaven. Where character is formed, values are learned,and society is preserved. Where all members contribute a share, cooperate and work,and accept their responsibilities toward the good of the group. Where holidays are celebrated with feastingbirthdays are acknowledged with gifts,and thoughts…

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

[147 words] If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hillBe a scrub in the valley – but be The best little scrub by the side of the rill;Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,And some highway some happier make;If…

A Consistent Christian

[144 words] Could I be called a Christian ifeverybody knewMy secret thoughts and feelings,and everything I do?Oh, can they see the likenessof Christ in me each dayAnd do they hear Him speakingin every word I say?Could I be called a Christianif other folk would knowThat I am found in placeswhere Jesus would not go?Oh, do…

Keep Serving!

[183 words] One way to find joy in life, even through our own personal struggles, is to keep serving others. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Being one who serves is part of what…

Come, Sound His Praise Abroad

[128 words] Come, sound His praise abroad,And hymns of glory sing;Jehovah is the sovereign God,The universal King. He formed the deeps unknown;He gave the seas their bound;The watery worlds are all His own,And all the solid ground. Come, worship at His throne;Come, bow before the Lord:We are His works, and not our own;He formed us…

Our Savior’s Triumph

[133 words] Thou sweet gliding Kedron, by thy silver streamOur Savior at midnight, when moonlight’s pale beamShone bright on thy waters, would frequently stray,And lose in thy murmurs the toils of the day. How damp were the vapors that fell on his head!How hard was his pillow! how humble his bed!The angels, astonished, grew sad…

There is a Green Hill Far Away

[122 words] There is a green hill far away,outside a city wall,where our dear Lord was crucifiedwho died to save us all. We may not know, we cannot tell,what pains he had to bear,but we believe it was for ushe hung and suffered there. He died that we might be forgiven,he died to make us…

A Persian Fable

[114 words] A Persian fable says: One dayA wanderer found a lump of claySo savory of sweet perfumeIts odor scented all the room.“What are you?”was his quick demand,“Are you some gem from Samarkand,Or pure nard in this plain disguise,Or other costly merchandise?”“No, I am but a lump of clay.”“Then whence this wondrous perfume–say!”“Friend, if the…

Your Bible

[173 words] A young child watched her mother reading from the Bible for a few minutes each morning. Finally one day she asked, “Aren’t you ever going to get finished reading that book?” The mother replied, “No honey, we never get finished with this Book. It always has something that helps encourage, challenge, and make…

Worse Before It Gets Better

[193 words] Standing up for what’s right can make things worse before they get better. Like when Moses went to Pharaoh and said it was time to let the people go. I’m sure the enslaved Israelites were thrilled that someone was sticking up for them. But not for long. Pharaoh’s response was to make their…

Keep Seeking the Kingdom

[176 words] I was a new minister right out of college, and I was performing my third wedding ceremony. It was one of those days like Murphy’s Law when everything that could go wrong did. I forgot a couple of cues. The groom could not remember the lines he had planned to say. The ring…

Make Good on Your Promises

[191 words] “Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain” (Proverbs 25:14). Over the past few weeks, the afternoon clouds have gathered with pregnant possibility. The smell of rain has come and the cool wind has blown promising my scorched yard some relief. Yet, for weeks, the clouds with such promise…

The Changing Seasons

[157 words] One of the times of year I like the most is fall. The leaves begin to change colors. The weather becomes cooler. It reminds me of what the Psalmist wrote: “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Ps.19:1 KNJV). God indirectly speaks to us through nature. When…

Do You Believe the Bible?

[162 words] The late Batsell Barrett Baxter once told the story about the 19th century agnostic, Robert Ingersoll, who often displayed animosity toward the Christian faith. One noted denominational preacher wanted to debate Ingersoll, but the atheist refused every challenge. Then, one day, the two met by accident. The preacher said, “Mr. Ingersoll, some months…

Harmony with One Another

[180 words] In some ways, being a Christian would be easier if you didn’t have to deal with people. You could just study God’s Word and have a personal relationship with God. But that lifestyle (isolation) isn’t what being a Christian is all about. If we are truly “Christ-Like” we must interact and have relationships…

Faith Despite Persecution

[186 words] Approximately 64 A.D., The Great Fire of Rome devastated the city. If you were alive during that time, it would have had the sort of shock value that we all experienced in our own national tragedy. Before then, Christianity was growing. However, it was thought of as “just another religion” in the mixing…

Christ the Friend We Need

[124 words] Oft my heart has bled with sorrow,Not a friend my grief to share;But I yielded, Christ to follow,And He took my load of care. Once I sighed for peace and pleasure,Felt a painful void within;Life was gloomy, death a terror,Till my soul was saved from sin. All this world is dark and dreary,And…
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