100-199 words

The Offensiveness of the Gospel

[168 words] For millennia the gospel of a crucified savior has offended people, and it continues to do so to this very day. Some are offended at the suggestion that a crucified savior was the actual Messiah of the Jewish people. Some are offended at the suggestion that a crucified savior was the prophesied and…

Losing Our Senses

[179 words] When unusual behavior is observed in another, someone may say, “They have lost their senses.” It seems proper, based on certain observations, to say that many people today seem to have lost their senses! Some have lost their: Sense of God. More and more a practical atheism is getting around (Titus 1:16). People…

Fruitful Disciples: 2 Peter 1:5-9

[199 words] Because Christians have these resources (the power and the promises) Peter urges the importance (make every effort) of the goal (growth to be more like Jesus) and spells out the steps towards it: love, brotherly kindness, godliness, perseverance, self-control, knowledge, goodness and faith. Faith must express itself in action (goodness) and this experience…

Is Your Bible ‘Red’?

[172 words] A preacher once observed in a sermon that every Christian should own a “red” Bible. At least that was what people heard He actually said, “Every Christian should own a ‘read’ Bible.” Regardless of the color, it should be well-worn by the constant study of its owner. It is amazing how little people…

Caught Talking to God

[168 words] Two boys were put in I.S.S. (in school suspension). The one boy asked, “Whatcha in for?” “I got caught talking to Bill. You?” “I got caught talking to God.” Strange how talking to God can get one into trouble, especially when you consider all the benefits it affords. Martin Luther once said, “The…

What an Invention!

[188 words] I once heard of a mother who was very frustrated one day as she was hunting all over the house for her cordless phone. After several minutes of searching, her little ten-year-old son said, “You know Mom, I’ve got an idea. We should invent a phone that stays connected to its base so…

Help Wanted

[154 words] “I lift up my eyes to tne hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). If this week you are driving along and see some hills, or you find yourself longing for some help, then remember the words of Psalm 121.…

Jesus’ Deity

[163 words] Many books have been written by men concerning the deity of Jesus but there is no need to read any of them. Just read the Bible and you will be convinced that Jesus is God. Here is a simple verse that sets forth the deity of Jesus: “‘Behold! The virgin will conceive in…
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Clock Watchers

[189 words] Shortly after he opened his first plant, Thomas Edison noticed that his employees had gotten into the bad habit of watching the factory clock, which was the only clock in the plant. To the indefatigable inventor who never thought about the time a task took, this was incomprehensible. He did not express his…

Out of the Mouths of Babes

[108 words] A family is riding in the family car and an ad for a current movie comes on the radio. At the end of the advertisement comes the disclaimer, “Opens Friday in a theater near you! This film contains intense thematic material, graphic violence, nudity, strong sexual situations, drug content and coarse language. May…

Be Zealous for Good Works

[104 words] After bringing home their first baby from the hospital, a new mother thought her husband should try his hand at changing diapers. “I’m busy, I’ll do the next one,” he said, never looking up from the TV. The next time the baby was wet, the mother said, “Are you ready to change a…

What About the Unfit?

[114 words] The theory of evolution declares mankind is the result of the survival of the fittest. If this is so, then getting rid of the unfit is desirable. To conquer and exploit weaker people, businesses, or countries is simply the law of the jungle from which we evolved. Mercy killings, forced sterilization, and selective…

Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

[132 words] Read Matt. 27:11-26 Do we crucify the Son of God afresh today in our careless and indifferent attitude at His table? “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine…

Test Your Love

[198 words] The Savior taught us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Simply put, We are to love God completely and with an undivided heart. Test yourself and see how you measure up. We wish to be in the presence…

God Forgives Completely

[142 words] The East-West Promise (Psalm 103: 12) “As far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” The Stain Remover Promise (Isaiah 1: 18) ” … though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as while as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they…

The Seven S’s of the Savior

[164 words] Jesus came to the earth to… … Speak – “I have many things to say… He who sent Me is true ; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him” (John 8:26). … Seek – “for the Son ofMan has come to seek… that which was lost” (Luke…

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.”…
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