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…