100-199 words Archives - Page 5 of 6

Virtue of the Poor

[143 words] Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21, ESV). Some will interpret the Lord’s words as being the virtue of all virtues—selling what one has in order to help…

Which Soul Are You?

[147 words] The GREAT SOUL prays: “Lord, make me as big as my problem.” The LITTLE SOUL prays: “Lord, please let me off easy.” The GIANT SOUL asks: “Lord, please give me the strength that will be sufficient for me to stand before you after a hard day, sinless. I know it will be a…

You’re in the Wrong Church

[168 words] If you identify your congregation by a person (pastor or leader) other than Christ, either you’re not in the right church or you’re not the right kind of Christian. Christ does not brook the exaltation of man. The church belongs to him. No person has the right to be known for the work…

Do We Have A Direct Line To The Divine?

[191 words] Hillary Clinton, in a recent interview about the evolution of her view on homosexual marriage with Terry Gross, host of NPR’s “Fresh Air,” said, “One of my big problems right now is that too many people believe they have a direct line to the divine and they never want to change their mind…

Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness

[163 words] Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;Bow down in reverence, God’s glory proclaim;Gold of obedience and incense of lowlinessBring now, adoring the Lord’s holy name. Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness;High on his heart Jesus bears it for thee,Comforts thy sorrows and answers thy prayerfulness,Guiding thy steps as may…

Destructive Weapons

[150 words] Bombs are destructive weapons of warfare. A hand grenade will not kill as many people as an atomic bomb but it is still deadly. Land mines are destructive even though they are hidden from view. Peter uses the word “destructive” when he describes false teachers (2 Peter 2:1). Peter is writing this to…

This Man Receives Sinners

[177 words] “Now the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them'” (Lk 15:1-2). A.T. Robertson comments that there was a yawning chasm between these two groups. The Pharisees were grumbling, and…

Chutzpah

[112 words] Yiddish is a fascinating language. Its words capture nuances other languages miss. One such word is chutzpah, loosely defined as “unmitigated gall.” Its meaning is better illustrated: A woman street vendor sold a delicacy for a quarter. One man gave her a quarter every day, but never took a cookie. After several years,…

Old Age

[107 words] A little boy asked his grandpa, “Grandpa, were you in the ark?” “No, I wasn’t Billy,” grandpa said. The perplexed little boy replied, “Then, why didn’t you drown?” Regardless of modem views, old age is not a disease! In fact, the Bible represents old age as an asset. The faithful aged person has…

The Wise May Bring Their Learning

[135 words] The wise may bring their learning,The rich may bring their wealth,And some may bring their greatness,And some bring strength and health;We, too, would bring our treasuresTo offer to the King;We have no wealth or learning;What shall we children bring? We’ll bring Him hearts that love Him;We’ll bring Him thankful praise,And young souls meekly…

What Comes First?

[191 words] Even before his outstanding years as Harding University’s quarterback, Tom Ed Gooden was noted by the Arkansas Gazette as being the best high school quarterback in his district. The newspaper ran a picture of Tom Ed with the caption, “Not On Wednesday.” It seems that another school had tried to schedule a game…

Don’t Forget to Use All Your Strength

[138 words] A father was watching his young son struggle to lift a heavy rock. The little fellow grunted and strained, but couldn’t move it. The father said, “Son, are you sure you are using all your strength?” The exhausted boy said, “Yes, I am!” The father replied, “No, you are not. You haven’t asked…

That’s What I’ll Look Like When I’m Dead

[163 words] There was a lady who had to show her driver’s license at a store for identification, and she told the cashier, “Please don’t pay any attention to that picture, it’s awful! I guess that’s what I’ll look like when I’m dead.” Staring at the picture, the cashier said, “Oh, they’II make you look…

The World’s Most Important Book

[188 words] What was billed as the world’s most expensive new book went on display in 2008 at the New York Public Library. There are more expensive old books, but this is a new book produced by the Italian publisher Marilena Ferrari. Its cost: over $100,000! The book depicts the life and work of Michelangelo,…

Speak, Speak, Then Speak Again

[158 words] Fair topic of talk is today’s weather,The rain, tornadoes, cold and heat,And, mostly for men, in sports whetherThis team or that will win the meet. Then comes chat about dramas and series,Movies, actors, and famous folk,Jobs, economy, political theories,Cars and clothes, the inevitable joke. But talk of hope and life beyondThe grave? The…

The Value of a Godly Grandparent

[119 words] Godly grandparents are an uncommon commodity. They share the one thing that each new generation needs—advice learned through experience. Few parents like to be told how to raise their child, but advice asked for and advice needed is two different things. When it comes to advice needed, godly grandparents need to do three…

Happiness is a Choice

[156 words] Kenneth Joines lost his beloved wife Jan. I can only imagine what those who have suffered such loss are experiencing, but I do appreciate what he has written about it. “This year was the second anniversary without her. I have decided I have two choices: I can shed tears because she is gone,…

It’s a Bad World, But…

[141 words] A third century man nearing death wrote to a friend: “It’s a bad world, an incredibly bad world but I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of…

Personal Responsibility

[119 words] Am I really responsible? If there were only two verses in scriptures, I believe this question would be answered. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will…

Description of the Church

[167 words] The church is not made up of people who believe they are better than others, rather of those who believe they ought to be better than they are. The church is not made up of perfect people, but of people who follow a perfect Lord and realize they ought to do the best…

How to Handle a Tricky Situation

[157 words] When Paul wrote to Philemon, he was addressing a difficult situation. Philemon’s slave had run away, found Paul, and was obviously baptized into Christ (Philemon 1:10-16). Paul sent the slave (Onesimus) back to Philemon with the letter. How did Paul handle this tricky situation? 1. He recalls all the good things they have…

Psychics

[195 words] The March 2014 issue of Reader s Digest had an article by Robert Powell titled, “The Psychic, the Novelist, and the $17 Million Scam.” It is the true story of a writer who went to a psychic “on a whim” and would end up losing $17 million. The novelist was bored, had been…

Hard Does Not Mean Impossible!

[195 words] I have often used the expression, “it is hard to rise above your raising.” Those who are raised in an abusive home often abuse others. Many who abuse drugs learned that way of living at home. Unfaithful parents raise unfaithful children. Such children grow up believing that immorality, hatefulness, and abuse is normal.…

Clearly In My Mind

[169 words] I have often wondered in my heart,As quiet moments of reflection take me,What in life is real and right and true?And what lies am I told by what I see? Things I touch seem so tangible,My fingers confirm it to be so,Yet, I know of a world I cannot touch,And there my thoughts…

Brotherly Love

[196 words] There once was a ladWho often got madAt his brother while they were at play.He would fuss and fightWith all of his mightAnd, oh, the ugly things he would say! You never could tellFrom the way he’d yellIf he had any love in his heart.He never gave thoughtNot even when caughtThat he and…

How to Love Someone You Can’t Stand

[178 words] Jesus called for His disciple to “Love one another as I have loved you.” This call is still in effect today. The question that immediately comes to mind is, “Does this apply to people who seem to be unlovable?” What about obnoxious, crude, blasphemous or cruel people we meet and interact with? How…

Never Lose the Wonder

[188 words] England’s premiere theologian, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, said, “Everything God does is wonderful until we get used to it.” I heard evangelist George W. Bailey, say, “If just once in a lifetime the clouds were rolled back and we could see the heavenly host, that would impress us. But we see that all the…

Selfishness

[113 words] Selfishness is the root sin for so many other wrongs. If our goal is to please self instead of blessing others, we will be miserable and we will make others miserable too. “He’s so full of himself,” or “He’s so self-righteous,” are descriptions people use for the selfish. God says, “Let nothing be…

I Have No Voice

[132 words] To live or die,some say is a choice.But as for me, I have no voice. In my mother’s womb,I slowly am formed.With arms and legs,I soon am adorned. All that I need,My mother supplies.Nourishment and oxygen,Even the color of my eyes. And, although on her,For life I depend.I am an individual,On this we…

Abortion in a ‘Christian’ Nation

[181 words] Nazi Germany killed over 6 million Jews, and millions more from other ethnic groups and those they deemed were not fit for society. We justly condemn the barbarism. The Soviet Union wiped out–by conservative estimates–12-15 million of its own citizens, in the gulag (though the total may be as many as 20-25 million).…

Great Chapters from the Greatest Book: Exodus 32

[186 words] Sin has severe consequences: Upon God’s threat to destroy the nation, Moses prayed and asked God to destroy him also (Exodus 32:32). God told Moses, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33). We will face severe consequences because of our sins, unless those sins are…

First Man in Space

[128 words] As a teenager, I remember a young Russian Cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man to enter space. This happened on April 12, 1961. I am sure he said many things while in space. But, the one thing I remember that he said on his fist trip around the earth is, “I can…

Sing And Be Happy

[103 words] A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring to him–too far behind the times, boring tunes, meaningless words. His father put an end to the discussion when he said, “If you think you can write better hymns, then why don’t you?” The boy went to his…

When You’re Having a Bad Day

[187 words] There are many wonderful things that happen to people when they become Christians. Unfortunately, there are also bad things that happen, like being persecuted for your faith. Later in his life, Paul would write: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted ” (2 Timothy…

Lorita’s Law

[119 words] I was once complaining in a class about the expensive cologne people gave me. I said I could smell the fragrance for a bit of time, but then it went away. One of our sweet ladies said no, it did not go away. I might not be smelling it, but those around me…

An ‘Ah Ha!’ Moment

[174 words] A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids; 2. Taj Mahal; 3. Grand Canyon; 4. Panama Canal; 5. Empire State Building; 6. St. Peter’s Basilica; and 7.…

What He Was Looking For

[193 words] John went to church one Sunday morning. He heard the song leader miss a note, and he winced. He saw a teenager talking when everybody was supposed to be bowed in prayer. He felt like the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate, and it made him mad.…

Do You Have Any Sense?

[131 words] “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11). According to this proverb, someone who has good sense takes a while to get angry, and is quick to overlook someone else’s failures. The question for us is simply this: “Do we have good sense?” …

Fresh Fish for Sale Today

[131 words] A man starting in the fish business hung out a sign that read, “Fresh Fish for Sale Today” and invited his friends to the opening. They all congratulated him on his enterprise, but one suggested that his sign might be improved. He said, “Why the word ‘Today?’ Of course it’s today, not yesterday…

Can You Find 16 Bible Books in the Following Paragraph?

[153 words] I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu. Kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers…

Reality Check

[184 words] “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). If we were to video tape ourselves for a day, would the viewing of that tape be consistent with how we perceived ourselves? Watching the tape…

Turn About

[134 words] A soldier who was a Christian made it his practice to conclude every day with Bible reading and prayer. As his fellow soldiers gathered in the barrack and retired for the night, he would kneel by his bunk and offer prayers to the Lord. The other soldiers saw this and began to mock…

Wake Up!

[161 words] Those unfortunate souls who meander through life caring about nothing are at least consistently predictable: they do nothing, accomplish nothing, receive nothing, and – saddest of all – amount to nothing. They are the dead weight dragging down any church, business, or society. And worse still, their complacency is contagious. Even the tiniest…

Just Make Yourself!

[192 words] Dr. Paul Faulkner once said, “Sometimes you have to grab your ‘wanter’ by your ‘willer’ and just get busy.” In other words you must simply get up and do what needs to be done. Everything in life isn’t fun, or easy, or pleasant. Who really likes to clean a commode? Confront a brother…

A Prayer for Our Elders

[181 words] Our Father, let me be a pillar of strength to them, not a thorn to sap their strength, nor a burden on their back to pull them down. Let me support them without striving to possess them; lift up their hands without placing shackles on them. Let me give them my help that…

Remind Them!

[175 words] Peter wrote, “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling to stir you up by way of reminder”…

Your Final Sermon?

[100 words] Sadly, some people will decline the precious invitation,To follow Jesus Christ and obtain the gift of salvation.Few chances may be left for the Gospel to be heard,Or opportunities to repent and to obey God’s Word.There may be some that will walk out the church door,That won’t get to hear the Gospel preached anymore.Your…

Encourage Someone Today!

[179 words] You know that feeling when you get something in the mail? It’s so exciting! I can remember getting things in the mail when I was growing up and not even being able to wait until I got inside to open it because I was so excited! My mom is probably the best mail…

Debtors

[129 words] Years ago, King Charles V was loaned a large sum of money by a merchant. The note came due, but the King was bankrupt and unable to pay. The merchant gave a great banquet for the King. When all the guests were seated and before the food was brought in, the merchant had…

Finding Something To Be Thankful For

[191 words] A minister was known for always thanking God in his public prayers. One Sunday morning was particularly terrible and gloomy. A church member thought to himself, “Certainly the preacher won’t thank God for such a terrible day.” When the preacher got up and began to pray, he said, “We thank Thee, O God,…

Why Do You Love the Bible?

[129 words] I was asked this question at one time. How would you answer it? Of course there are a variety of reasons to love the Word of God, but what would be on your list? Here are a few reasons that I love the Bible: 1. It teaches me how to be saved. 2.…

The Church of the Lord

[160 words] So many misunderstandings abound concerning the church Jesus built (Mat. 16:18). A few mistakes people make in thinking about the church are: The church is a building. It is not, it is a body of saved people (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23). The church is an after-thought, or second plan of Jesus, after He…

The Bible and the Television

[174 words] Oh, Lord, I like to read the Bible;Its teachings fill me with delight.But now I’m watching television;My favorite program’s on tonight! I read it for my own up-building;I need it to lead my steps aright.Tomorrow night I’ll read a chapter,But television’s good tonight! No other book is like the Bible,So free from sin’s…

A Half-Baked Pancake

[168 words] If you went out to eat and ordered pancakes, how would you react if they were done on one side, but were uncooked on the other side? Doesn’t sound too tasty, does it? This is how God described Israel in the days of Hosea the prophet. In Hosea 7:8, the prophet said, “Ephraim…

We Ought to Know How to Answer Every Man!

[148 words] Children of God should know what they believe and why they believe it. Further more, they should be able to relate their convictions to others. In Colossians 4:6 are these thought provoking words from Paul, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to…

Did The Water Earn It For Them?

[112 words] Read Exodus 14. Now, did the use of water earn the children of Israel their freedom from Egyptian slavery? Read Exodus 30:17-21. Now, did the use of water earn the priests the right to serve within the Tabernacle? Read 2 Kings 5:1-14. Now, did the use of water earn Naaman his cleansing from…

God Wants You to Have Joy!

[187 words] God wants you to have joy in your life. This truth is lost on some preachers and other church-goers. Oliver Wendell Holmes was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of “the greatest justice since John Marshall.” At one…

Omnipotent

[170 words] A college student asked his preacher, “Do you think there is life on other planets?” The preacher said, “No, I don’t think so.” The student replied, “You mean, all those billions and billions and billions of planets out there–and you don’t think there’s life out there?” He said, “No, I really don’t…

The Hardest Words to Say

[187 words] I must have been sick on the day they taught phonics in school. If I don’t recognize a word by sight, I can find some amazing ways to mispronounce it. I cringe when I have to use certain words because no matter how much I practice, I’m not sure how it will…

How to Live for Christ

[155 words] Do good to all people no matter what they do to you (Galatians 6:10). Christ is our example of doing good (Acts 10:38). We must follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). * Bless and love your enemies (Matthew 5:44). Christ was hated, mocked, spat upon, beaten…yet He prayed, “Father, forgive them”…

The Gospel in Five Seconds

[174 words] The gospel is the good news that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). It is the total message of God’s power to save all who will hear, believe, and obey it (Romans 1:16). The gospel is contained in the second law God gave. “If the first covenant had been faultless,…

The Indestructible Word

[197 words] Many have tried to destroy the Bible. In a.d. 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian issued an edict to destroy Christians and their Bibles. Over a burned Bible, he built a monument on which he wrote the words, “Extincto momene Christianorum” (the name Christian is extinguished). Twenty years later, Diocletian was dead and…

Ninja Warriors

[172 words] I’m enjoying watching Ninja Warriors on TV. Both men and women of all ages compete on a very difficult obstacle course that requires strength, agility and determination. The show gets you so involved that you begin to move and squirm in your chair trying to help the contestant succeed. And the TV…

Forever Means Forever

[164 words] “All flesh is as grass, and the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:24). God’s Word will endure forever. Many ignore God’s Word, but Peter quotes the prophet Isaiah who said His…

Potholes

[192 words] Do you ever get upset with potholes? You know, life is often referred to as a journey with potholes. We begin our journey at birth. But much of our early life is dictated by someone else. Babies do not have to worry about potholes, a wrong turn, or any bumps in the road.…

The Goal

[185 words] Often times, I find myself lost in thought as to how I can improve as a worker in the kingdom of God. My thoughts most recently have been focused around the idea of the goal we pursue. So many aspects of Christianity seem to exist and all seem worthy of pursuit, however,…

Mr. Knew-It-All

[140 words] Experience is a trait that is very valuable for any organization. A person with experience in an area can usually do a job faster, easier and better than those without. However the Preacher tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:13 of a time when experience is wasted. He says, “A poor yet wise lad…

I Will Not Be Enslaved

[176 words] “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). ESV and other translations put quotation marks around “All things are lawful for me,” signifying that the translators believe–and l agree–that Paul is quoting those to whom he is writing. When he does that, he responds…

The Country of Jesus of Nazareth

[138 words] Palestine in the first century was less prosperous than some other regions, but Josephus tries to present the country as quite prosperous. He accurately depicts the Jewish population there as primarily engaged in agriculture: “Ours is not a maritime country, neither commerce nor the intercourse with the outside world has any attraction…

You Preach First

[183 words] The first sermon preached each Sunday is not by the minister, but by you. You preach a message about the importance of the Scriptures when you bring your Bible. You preach a message of good cheer when you say “Good morning!” to those you meet when you park your car and when…

This is My Blood of the Covenant

[178 words] Israel was in a covenant relationship with God, but as prophesied by Jeremiah 31:31, it was to be replaced (Heb. 8:8). It was replaced by the covenant Jesus initiated at His death and resurrection. He shared the fruit of the vine with the apostles and said, “For this is My blood of…

God’s Beautiful World

[144 words] God made a beautiful, perfect world and made people to dwell in it. Everything was good and God was pleased with them. He would walk and talk with these people in the cool of the evening. Sin (the Devil) found his way into the people. God could no longer stand to walk…

What Can You Say About Matthias?

[152 words] Everything that can biblically be said about Matthias is basically found in Acts 1:20-26, that being: Matthias had a great interest in spiritual matters, since, although not mentioned by name, he was present all throughout the various situations we read about in the gospels, and if not anything else, that alone shows great…

Do It Well!

[104 words] Amateur, haphazard, slipshod, hit-and-miss, inattentive, incomplete, mediocre, shallow, skill-less, unskillful, wanting. All these adjectives are ones we use to describe things that are done but not done well. It’s an attitude that is far too common today. We settle for what is easy, normal, the status quo. But was this the example of…

Never Enough

[140 words] Someone asked John D. Rockefeller, the richest man of his time, how much money is enough? He replied, “Just a little bit more.” Lots of people have that problem. We think if could just make a little more, we would be set. But when we get that little more, it isn’t too…

Five Things No One Will Regret On Judgment Day

[157 words] As Christians, we all have regrets in our lives — things we should have done but didn’t do, and things we shouldn’t have done, but did them anyway. However, there are five things which no one will regret on the day of judgment. If we abide by these principles, we can have boldness…

More Beautiful Than We Imagined

[152 words] “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). A young man who had been blind since he was…

Faith Followed by Obedience

[117 words] If Noah had lived by today’s religious standard, he would have said, “Lord I believe you but you are asking too much, I don’t really need an ark.” Abraham would have said, “Lord, I have great faith in you, but I can do just as much good by staying here in Ur.” The…

You Do Good by Thinking of Others

[168 words] “…And so we went toward Rome. And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.” (Acts 28:14-15) When’s the last you “traveled” to “Appii Forum” and “The Three Inns”…

Some Bible Questions to Consider

[171 words] • Exodus 32:36 – “Who is on the LORD’S side?” • Psalm 113:5 – “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high…?” • Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” • Mark 8:37 – “…what shall a man give in exchange for…

Very Religious People

[154 words] When the apostle Paul was in Athens he made an interesting observation. He said “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.…

What is Your Life About?

[121 words] We have been studying the book of Philippians in our young adult class on Sunday mornings. We recently covered Philippians 1:21 where Paul makes the statement, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Avon Malone observed that we must ask ourselves the question, “What is my life?”…

A Shortage of Ninjas

[188 words] Apparently Japan is running out of ninjas. In the small city of Iga, the birthplace of the ancient ninja warriors, officials cannot find enough martial artists to perform for tourists, even though the job can pay up to $85,000 per year. Part of the problem is that the city’s young people are…

Still Can’t Beat God!

[153 words] Around 1970, a fellow named Gordon Moore originated a computer technology maxim which has been termed “Moore’s Law.” Simply stated, the law says that computer processing power will double every two years. Since that time, the rule has proven true. Personal computers are tremendously fast and powerful, and capable of amazing things,…

I Am the New Year

[116 words] I AM THE NEW YEAR. I am unused, unspotted, without blemish. I stretch before you three hundred and sixty-five days long. I will present each day in its turn, a new leaf in the book of life for you to place upon it your imprint. I AM THE NEW YEAR. Each hour…

Refreshing the Hearts of the Saints

[151 words] One of my all-time favorite passages of scripture is found in Philemon 7. There, the apostle Paul commended Philemon “because the hearts of the Saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that could honestly be said of every member of the church? Every Christian could be like…

Nothing or Everything?

[148 words] Her luggage was destroyed. Her purse disappeared. She had to exit the plane, not through an enclosed ramp, but directly into pouring rain. She would have been furious under normal conditions, but she had just survived the crash of Flight 1420 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Later, as this lady reflected, she said,…

Rare Bible Found in Trash

[184 words] In 2006, electrician Michael Hoskins discovered a rare, 188-year-old, King James Bible. He told his hometown newspaper, that he went to drop off his household trash, and there it was. He also related that “There were three or four boxes of books leaning up against the concrete wall behind the dump site. I…

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom

[107 words] Proverbs 9:1 states, “Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars.” What are these “seven pillars” of wisdom? Likely the reference is symbolical representing the fact that if we use godly wisdom properly, our lives will be complete. But it is interesting to note that James, in his epistle,…

Your Thanksgiving List

[118 words] The apostle Paul was a thankful man. He was thankful to Jesus for putting him into the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12), for the faith of his fellow Christians (Col. 1:3-4), for those who risked themselves for his ministry (Rom. 16:4), for salvation (1 Cor. 15:57), and indeed for all things (Eph. 5:20).…

Words

[134 words] Dr. Willard Funk, the well-known dictionary publisher, was asked to select the ten most expressive words in the English language. The following is his list: The bitterest word: alone The most tragic word: death The most revered word: mother The most beautiful word: love The cruelest word: revenge The most peaceful word:…

Are You Sick Enough to Be Saved?

[150 words] “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I come not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). Jesus did not mean there were people in the world so righteous they would not need Him. Rather, only those who realize how sick they are…

Changing The Past

[159 words] The past is the past for a reason. That is where it is supposed to stay, But some cannot let it go. In their heads it eats away Until all their focus becomes The person they used to be, The mistakes they made in their life. Oh, if only they could see…

On the Lighter Side (October 2018)

[143 words] Watch Your Step One fall day a young mother and her boys were walking in the garden so she could show them the autumn harvest. Making sure they looked where they were stepping, she said, “Watch out for the butternut squash.” The youngest child, a four-year-old, asked, “Better not squash what?” Oh,…

Same Fire, Different Result

[121 words] Take a piece of wax, a piece of meat, some sand, some clay, and some wood shavings, put them on the fire and see how they react. Each of them is being acted upon by the same agent, yet the wax melts, the meat fries, the sand dries up, the clay hardens,…

When Your Heart and Body Begin to Fail

[176 words] I and several members of our congregation have had heart issues or other serious physical problems in the last couple of years. Asaph the prophet noticed this about himself when he was inspired to write Psalm 73. In it he declares: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the…

Getting People to Listen

[168 words] “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psa. 66:16). If you think about it, there is good advice in that verse on telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ. To be honest, very few people we encounter respond…

Stand Out From the Crowd, Even at School

[191 words] Christian parents do their best to keep their children on the Lord’s path. It’s a fairly challenging task when the kids are at home, but even more so when they are away at school, subjected daily to the influence of the world. We live in a society that claims to inspire individuality,…

Ten Things You Should Never Do With Your Nose (Metaphorically Speaking)

[108 words] • Look down it at somebody (the sin of pride). • Stick it into someone else’s business (the sin of meddling). • Pick it (the sin of self-destructive behavior). • Get it out of joint (the sin of anger). • Cut it off to spite your face (the sin of bitterness). • …

Psalm 119:97-99

[141 words] “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.” When the law of God is loved, it will…

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