What About Me?

[195 words] My sister is taking a meal to the sick My brother has gone a wayward one to see They both were busy, no “convenient” time to pick But what about me? They invite their neighbors to come to church Have over people with frequency and glee For good deeds they seem to constantly…

Are You Lying to God?

[132 words] Acts chapter five contains a familiar account. It tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They sold some land and gave a portion of that money to the church. Normally this would be a great deed. However, they claimed that they were giving everything to the church, most likely motivated by wanting all…

Being Faithful

[147 words] There can be nothing more important in any relationship than faithfulness. It is the test of true devotion and love. It is the virtue that authenticates the bond and communicates an invention to “stick with” one another to the end. We value faithful friends, family members, and especially spouses as the people in…
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If Today Was the Last Day

[162 words] Imagine that today was the last day of each person you see today. Everyone you associate with at work, school, where you attend worship, your family, your friends, your acquaintances. If you knew today was their last day in this life, what might you do/say differently? How would your conversation, your actions, your…

How To Identify a Lukewarm Christian

[171 words] • He has time to read the newspaper everyday but not the Bible. • He spends more time with the sports page than he does in prayer. • He spends as much for pleasure as he gives to the Lord. • For lack of study he is unqualified to teach others. • He…

The Greatest and Foremost

  [168 words] When a lawyer asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and foremost commandment.” The second is like it; “You shall love your…

Year ‘Round Gifts!

  [159 words] THE GIFT OF PRAISE — Appropriate mention right in front of the other fellow, of superior qualities or of jobs and deeds well done. THE GIFT OF CONSIDERATION — Putting yourself in the other’s shoes, providing genuine understanding of his side of the case. THE GIFT OF CONCESSION — Humbly saying at…

Resolutions for a New Year

  [195 words] I have heard people say that they do not like to call them “New Year Resolutions,” but a “To-Do List” for the new year. I am sure we can all agree that we are great at making resolutions, but we are horrible at following through with them. Decision-making is easy. It is…

Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost a Cent

  [181 words] The Gift of Listening. But you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. The Gift of Affection. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. The Gift of Laughter.…

Some Things to Think On

  [146 words] Never neglect daily prayer. When you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears you. Never neglect daily private Bible reading. When you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what He says.  If you are in doubt whether a…

A Prior Engagement

[181 words] James A. Garfield James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, took office on March 4, 1881. On his first Sunday in Washington following his inauguration, a member of the Cabinet insisted that a meeting must be called to discuss a matter that purportedly threatened a national crisis. The President refused,…

Using All Your Strength

[135 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 me…

Echoes of Love

[120 words] The other day a boy refused to obey his mother. Angrily he ran to a ravine and cried, “I hate you!” Suddenly the words came echoing back, “I hate you!” Frightened, the boy ran to his mother and said, “There’s a bad man in the woods. I heard him say, “I hate you.”…