200-299 words

True Eternal Value

[294 words] “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:8). When Kerry and I got married, I recognized an incredible responsibility of someone beside myself that I was now responsible to…
man thinking

Why Worship?

[226 words] Benjamin Franklin once said, ”If the world is so bad with religion, what would it be without it?” Abraham Lincoln said, “Take all the Bible you can on reason and the rest on faith and you will live and die a better man.” Theodore Roosevelt gives this testimony: “I need my church to…

Idolatrous Promises

[206 words] Bombadier Theodore Halleck was not a praying man, but when he got in a tight spot over the target he would whisper to himself, “God, ya gotta. Ya gotta get me back. God, listen, ya gotta.” Lots of men promised the Almighty that if they got through they’d swear off liquor and women.…

An Amazing God Made the Amazing Earth

[226 words] I went to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens recently and had a wonderful time. I probably saw several dozen species of animals and plants. I stood in amazement at the variety and the uniqueness of each. This got me to thinking, and so I did a quick Google search. According to Science.org…
Church wrapped in American flag with text Faith and Freedom, God Bless America

Church of Christ ‘Most American’ Religious Movements, Historian Says

[247 words] Speaking on a podcast called Christian History Almanac, historian Dr. Dan van Voorhis said he considers the churches of Christ to be “the most American of religious movements.” Dr. van Voorhis called the church of Christ “the group that most embodies the America spirit, more than any other…” He said the revolutionary…

Are You Ready for School?

[285 words] Being ready for school requires more than finding your backpack. It means preparing ahead, arriving on time, bringing materials, and entering the classroom ready to learn. Students who prepare are less distracted by forgotten assignments and better able to receive the instruction their teachers have planned. Scripture connects preparation with dependence on God:…

The Just Shall Live By Faith

[267 words] Remembering how God blessed you through former trials and troubles helps motivate you to remain faithful. Christians may have to suffer all kinds of afflictions, but heaven is worth it (Hebrews 10:32-34)! The Christian must never be like the cowardly soldiers, who, in the heat of the battle, throw down their shields and…

Infallibility

[250 words] The word “infallibility” means “the quality of being infallible; the inability to be wrong.” From that definition, and the teaching of the Bible, several things should be concluded. First, no man is infallible. The Bible teaches that all human beings sin, and therefore commit wrongs. “All have sinned,” the Bible declares (Rom. 3:23).…

My Way, or God’s Way

[293 words] We see many individuals who are leaving the truth and turning to man-made innovations and man-made religions.  We are told the the old needs to change. It is dull, dry, boring, uninspiring, and irrelevant. Those who depart tell us that the old, foundational teachings of the past no longer matter. The steps of…

One God

[225 words] Paul, upon entering Athens in Acts 17:16-34, found a deeply religious city. It was full of idols (v. 16). There was a Jewish synagogue (v. 17), and there were the religious philosophies of the Epicureans and Stoics (v. 18). There were so many different religious ideas that the Athenians even had an altar…

Trusting in God

[243 words] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way” (Proverbs 3:5-6, GNT). One of the hardest things to do is trust in someone else’s opinion when everything you know or think…

What is a Boy?

[234 words] He is the person who is going to carry on what you have started. He is going to sit right where you are sitting and attend to those things you think are so important when you are gone. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they will be carried on…

Lessons from a Wildfire

[250 words] In January 2005, wildfire swept through the nearby town of Cross Plains, Texas. A friend of mine from that town told me that Cross Plains looked like a war zone. Over half of the town burned to the ground. On that same day, wildfires swept throughout the state due to a combination of…

Kill the Messenger!

[299 words] A wise king seeks advisors who will tell the truth. whereas a foolish ruler wants yes men who will tell him what he wants to hear. Entirely too often the fools carry the day, as exemplified by King Jehoram of Israel. Because of Israel’s persistent idolatry under Jehoram and his predecessors, the Lord…

It Seems Right to Me

[225 words] “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). When meditating on the preceding passage one begins to realize that mankind’s wisdom apart from God’s wisdom can leave one spiritually destitute. Society and tradition can set one’s moral compass to believe…

Let It Be Seen

[271 words] Our world has almost drowned in rhetoric. Many are turned off by it. For too long, politicians have assaulted our good sense with promises no one could keep and no one expects to be carried to completion. Television commercials build up their products so much that we would be shocked if they delivered…

If the Living Knew

[224 words] Many years ago, I heard a preacher say something in a sermon that I have never forgotten. He said, “If the living knew what the dead know, they would be in a desperate search for truth.” What a profound statement! Those who have already died and passed into eternity know from experience the…

Will You Not Forgive?

[270 words] There once was a woman who hurt her friend. The friend gossiped widely about the hurt and repaid the hurt in a thousand slights and putdowns. Their relationship deteriorated, and they went to a wise woman in their village to get her help to restore their relationship. The wise woman sent the first…

Am I OK?

[274 words] In the 1970’s Denver running back Floyd Little was facing off against the big bad linebacker Dick Butkus. When describing a collision he said, “Dick Butkus hit me so hard my body almost liquified.” Not wanting to look weak, Little pulled himself up quickly as if nothing had happened. Butkus then said to…

Ashamed?

[292 words] There is a growing sense of embarrassment in our fellowship over what we believe and teach. Some folks, wanting to be accepted by the denominational world, cringe when preachers teach the truth on subjects like the role of women, the use of the instrument, and baptism. They no longer want their preachers to…

Our Dress Code

[292 words] It seems that dress codes have always been a source of controversy within societies and of course within the church. In most cases, popular culture drives the clothes that people wear, while dress codes attempt to monitor apparel by opinions of what is considered decent and moral. The following dress code was recently…
Clock

What Are the Worst Six Hours You’ve Ever Spent?

[211 words] I once heard a preacher ask the question: “What was the toughest six hours you have ever experienced?” He then proceeded to give examples of some tough times he suffered. He recalled how he went into the hospital for a short, routine procedure and ended up enduring a six-hours-long major heart surgery. Then…

Beautiful

[242 words] A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo. The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint,” a…

Knowing Is Not Doing

[249 words] I once read an article about how termites had eaten through a large stack of pamphlets entitled “Control of Termites” in the mailing room of the University of California at Berkeley. One would naturally expect that university buildings would be free of termites, because at such a center of higher education so much…

Medicine for the Deadly Disease

[251 words] In January 1925, a diphtheria epidemic emerged in Nome, Alaska. At that time, Nome was a remote town in the Alaskan interior. It was hard enough to get to Nome in the warmer months but during the dead of winter was considered impossible for many except the hardy men known as dog-mushers. Often…

Five Reasons to Attend Bible Class

[201 words] ONE: Because we love the Lord and His Word. We want to study the Bible and learn all we can about the One we love and serve. It is a great place to learn about God (1 John 2:3-6). The more we know the more we love Him (John 17:3). TWO: Because we…

Work Our Wings Off

[202 words] Beekeepers know that a bee’s age is determined by the condition of its wings. Because bees constantly work, their wings get a lot of wear and tear. Young bees have wide, well-formed wings, whereas older bees have narrow, torn, and tattered wings. The bee does not die of old age. It dies when…

He’s Coming

[272 words] In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, we have recorded the last words of our Lord to us. Here’s something He says to all mankind: “Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am…

Just a Nickel

[280 words] Candy manufacturer Clarence Crane wanted a “summer candy” that could withstand heat better than chocolate. So, he came up with what was called the  “Life Saver” due to its shape resembling that of a traditional ring-style life preserver. But he did not have much luck selling it. So he sold the rights to…

Learners or Disciples

[209 words] Those that become disciples of Jesus must learn His doctrine and followed Him as teacher. Jesus Christ must be viewed as the only begotten Son of God and Master Teacher. His followers must be learners or disciples. The disciples of Jesus come to Him for forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is in Jesus and…

How to Overcome Our Mistakes

[245 words] Men and women have long striven to be free from making mistakes. But the truth is, no one is exempt from slip-ups, errors and blunders. Not only are mistakes a fact of life, they are also good teachers. Plutarch once said: “To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but…

And God, Could You…

[274 words] Events unfolding this past week reminded me of something that happened when our children were very young. Our four-year old son was sitting down to eat his breakfast. As we bowed to pray to God, he asked God to help his cough get better and to help his sister get well and not…

How to Rear Angry Children

[228 words] It is a great point of prudence in a father not to provoke his children to wrath (Colossians 3:21). How may fathers provoke their children to wrath? 1. By using abusive terms. Saul called Jonathan a “son of the perverse, rebellious woman” (1 Samuel 20:30). Some parents use imprecations and curses to their…

Evidence of His Handiwork: Bees Outsmart Scientists

[210 words] Scientists have long recognized that bees are intelligent creatures. Many believe that this intelligence is the product of millions of years of natural selection. But the extremely fast learning ability of the bee puts in doubt the millions of years and instead shows the hand of the Creator. Researchers at Princeton University decided…

What Every Christian Needs

[243 words] “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). In our confused, broken, and chaotic world, there are some fundamental things every person needs! Yes, they need each of these things. These things are not to be taken lightly or dismissed as trivial. They…

Just the Bible?

[258 words] Have you ever thought, “Are there any churches that use just the Bible?” We are trying. When you visit us, you will not find a creed book. You will not find a set of written rules or traditions that must be obeyed. We have no earthly headquarters, no earthly president, and no board…

Why Your Family Needs to Be in Worship

[245 words] It is important for families to worship together. The God who created us and ordained marriage and the family knew the importance of families worshiping together. To a woman who had miserably failed in her family life, Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the…

Tact

[234 words] Tact is one of the lost arts of the twenty-first century. Someone has defined tact as the art of removing the stinger from the bee without getting stung. Harry Truman, put it this way, “Tact is the ability to step on a man’s toes without messing up the shine on his shoes.” At…

God is Always Concerned

[228 words] “Vain life under the sun” is the majority theme of the book of Ecclesiastes. As you read you see the emptiness of earthbound life as it flows from the ink on the printed page. The inspired writer was not the first to ask the soul searching questions found in this great book. People…

What Are You Worth?

[222 words] “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). The term “sparrow” is the name…

Watered-Down Preaching

[218 words] “We have watered the truth down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison, it would not kill you, and if it were medicine, it would not cure you.” — A. W. Tozer Five characteristics of watered-down preaching: 1. It has few, if any, Scripture in it (2 Tim. 4:2;…

Three Words That Change Everything

[257 words] There are three words, that if we really believe them, will change our perspective, our outlook, our attitude – our everything! What are they? Well, let’s let one of the great people of faith, Abraham, tell us. In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Now, consider the fact that…

An Old Piece of Furniture

[283 words] One popular hobby among crafters and do-it-yourselfers is that of furniture restoration and with current social media platforms, “furniture flipping” has drawn even more interest. There is something intriguing about taking an old, worn-out chair or table, which would be considered useless junk, and bringing it back to life, thus making it useful,…

Are We Practicing What We Think?

[247 words] When surveyed, 75 percent of Americans think the nation’s morality is heading downhill. Almost a third of respondents said that moral decline was a result of people not reading the Bible, 88 percent of them own a Bible, 80 percent think it is sacred, and 61 percent wished they read their Bible more.…

I’m Bored!

[243 words] “You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it” (Malachi 1:13a). So said the Lord to the priests of Israel concerning their worship. They didn’t specifically say they were bored, but it’s rather obvious! Boredom occurs when one is uninterested, and Israel’s priests had virtually no interest in faithful worship.…

Your Choice

[204 words] In the Canadian Rockies is a stream called Divide Creek. At a point in its course the creek divides around a large boulder. Waters which flow to the left of the boulder rush on into Kicking Horse River and finally into the Pacific Ocean. Waters which travel to the right flow into the…

Food for the Soul

[293 words] Many find the teachings of God’s word distasteful. Unwilling to bring their lives into conformity with the will of God, they reject His teaching and follow after their own desires. The apostle Paul warns of such in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 where he writes, “For the time will come when they will not endure…

Shake It Off and Step Up

[265 words] The parable is told of an old dog that fell into a farmer’s well. After assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the dog but decided that neither the dog nor the well were worth the trouble of saving. Instead he planned to bury the old dog in the well and put him…

To Soar As Eagles

[225 words] The eagle is the national emblem of the United States. It is a big bird with broad wings and the eagle flies very high. And even their nests are high off the ground in inaccessible places. Isaiah compared the righteous person to the flight of an eagle. “But they that wait upon the…

Have You Thought About Your Soul?

[201 words] Have you ever stopped to wonderWhat this life is all about?Why you’re here and where you’re goingWhen your lease on time runs out? Maybe you’ve been far too busyTrying hard to reach your goal;Would you let me ask you kindly,Have you thought about your soul? You may reach the highest portals,And your dreams…

Money Cannot Buy Happiness

[293 words] The title of this article has almost become trite. If you search for the phrase, “Money cannot buy happiness,” literally hundreds of articles appear with the same or similar title. So why is it that people still seek after money with such diligence? A second question is comparable. Why do people seek things…

Ruined Religion

[245 words] Consider a man that most would consider the epitome of a good man. He serves at his church, he gives of his means, he prays daily, never misses Bible class, and has no vices to be seen. He has the “pure and faultless” religion James tells us about, he helps widows and is…

Many Professors Are Not Possessors

[260 words] In Matthew 7:21 Jesus makes an important statement: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Just because you call Jesus as Lord doesn’t mean you are part of his kingdom. You…

The Unclaimed Gift

[289 words] About a year ago, Jerald received a birthday card from a dear friend. Inside the card was a gift card to a popular eating establishment. The restaurant wasn’t one that Jerald frequented often, and it was located on the other side of town. He took the gift card and placed it on the…

My Soul for a Potato

[265 words] There was a man named Naboth who had a vineyard that was located next to King Ahab’s palace. (1 Kings 21) The king decided it would make a good vegetable garden for himself and proceeded to make offers to Naboth for the property. Because the vineyard had been in his family for generations,…

The Empty Pew

[273 words] Preachers have a distinctive view of the congregation as he stands before them and delivers the message from God’s word. As he teaches the lesson, he subconsciously assesses the audience, and immediately knows if the attendance for that day is good or is lacking. As human nature would have it, members have the…

Who Is In Charge Now?

[234 words] It seems every election we go through is billed “as the most important ever” and “will change the future of the world as we know it.”  But if you look throughout history you will see leaders come and go powers rise and fall, and what we think of as important, stable, and unchangeable…

Send Us Some Men

[258 words] The first English settlement in America was at Jamestown. Barely a year old, the settlement found itself in serious trouble. A primary part of the problem was that the colony was made up of “gentleman adventurers.” Captain John Smith, the leader of the settlement, understood the problem and sent an urgent message back…

Forget Not All His Benefits

[213 words] David the prophet proclaimed: “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2). The Apostle Paul encourages us with these words: “Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to Him through God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).…

God’s Great Love

[210 words] One of the most vivid characteristics of our Lord is that he is “a God of love.” The Old Testament Prophet David stated that God was “full of faithful love.” David wrote: (Psalms 103:8), “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who…

What’s So Great about Following Jesus?

[236 words] The word Christian means “a follower of the Christ” (Acts 11:26). Some view the Christian life as one that is unduly restricted, without any real freedom, and with no joy or pleasure. Agrippa, for instance, admitted that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian but declined (Acts 26:28). Such a notion is…

Good Citizens

[277 words] Immigration and citizenship are a hot topic in our country today. Why do many people want to come here and become a citizen of the United States? Is it for freedom, political asylum, or the opportunity for a better life? Currently, Christians have a dual citizenship. We are citizens of the earth while…

A Nation Without God

[249 words] George Washington, just after he took office, wrote, “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favor…” Abraham Lincoln once said, “It is the duty of nations, as well as…

Choosing My Altar

[275 words] We usually get pretty indignant when we realize that someone has “used us,” don’t we? Read the following verse two or three times and spend some time thinking about what Paul is saying to the Christians at Philippi. “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice…

Our Team Name

[286 words] Well football season is in full swing! If you were granted a new team to join the National Football League, what team name would you choose? Have you ever noticed that when teams choose an animal for a team name it is usually a ferocious one? For example, in the NFL, we have…

I Need A Crutch

[276 words] “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mark 2:17). Karl Marx is credited with the statement that “Religion is the opiate of the masses.” Freud’s view of religion is well known:…

You Will Never Walk Alone

[236 words] The prophet Elijah is at the low point. His victory at Mount Carmel turned into his being on the run for his life. He is despondent, depressed, and ready to give up. When God asks him what he is doing, his response is telling. “I tried,” he exclaims, “but no one is listening,…

There’s Something Fishy About Jesus!

[208 words] No, I have not renounced my belief concerning Jesus. I believe He is what the Bible has revealed about Him. He is God (John 10:30) who came to the earth in the flesh (Rom. 8:23). As God He is eternal (Heb. 13:8) and yet, made Himself subject to temporal limitations and temptations, and…

His Glory Is Everywhere

[224 words] Those who followed God in the Old Testament often thought that God was contained within the walls of the Temple. However, the prophet Isaiah taught us otherwise. In chapter six of the book of Isaiah, the prophet tells us of a vision God gave him. In that vision, he saw God sitting on…

Trembling Before God

[266 words] The most profound reverence characterized the ancient copyists of the Scriptures. When they came to a name for deity, they put new pens in their writing instruments, took a bath, and changed raiment. It is amazing how frail humans today approach God and His Word with such contempt and barefaced irreverence. We chuckle…

It Was Right There All the Time

[216 words] An old Eastern parable titled “The Wealth Is Nearer to You Than You Think,” relates the story of a rich merchant who took a journey to a distant land. As the businessman traveled, he met a stranger who wanted to travel with him. Although the merchant was glad to have a companion, he…
Man yawning while driving car

Danger of Drowsiness

[280 words] Being sleepy at the wrong time and in the wrong place can be very dangerous. Drowsy driving can slow down thinking and reaction times—affecting our judgment and vision. Not to mention we could outright fall asleep and wreck, injuring ourselves and/or others. An estimated 1 in 25 drivers report having fallen asleep while…

Can We Really Be Like Jesus?

[274 words] When thinking about the earthy life of Jesus Christ, it is nothing short of extraordinary. From His humble birth in a manger, to His ministry to the multitudes, we are fascinated by His composure, compassion and character. He reached out to the rich and the poor, the popular and unpopular, without partiality. Having…
Black Bear

Surviving the Shock

[252 words] Last year, a Summersville, West Virginia, school principal got quite a surprise as he prepared to begin the new day. It was 7 a.m. and teachers and staff were getting ready for the students to arrive. The Zela Elementary School custodian had a problem. He couldn’t get the lid to unlock on the…

A Traveler’s Guide to Heaven

[228 words] ACCOMMODATIONS: Arrangements for accommodation must be made in advance (John 14:2). PASSPORTS: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority (Revelation 21:27). DEPARTURE TIME: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be…

First a String

[289 words] In November of 1847, a civil engineer named Charles Ellet Jr. was commissioned to build a bridge across the Niagara Gorge. As you can imagine the greatest challenge was the start. How could you get the first cable across an 825-foot chasm with 225-foot cliffs on either side?  The solution came from a…

A Second Chance

[227 words] In Luke 7:11-17, there is reported a very special interaction between Jesus and a widow who was now grieving the loss of her only son. Apparently the whole town of Nain felt sorry for her as they were mourning with her. Jesus had compassion on her—He raised her son from the dead and…

Spiritual Standards

[287 words] Several years ago, it was reported that the telephone operator in a town in Cape Cod received a call every morning asking for the correct time. Finally, overcome with curiosity, she asked the inquirer, “Would you mind telling me why you call about this time every day and ask for the correct time?”…

Why We Fail…Sometimes

[289 words] Let’s just face the facts: Sometimes we fail. However, Jesus never fails. Multiplying the loaves and the fishes is one of the most amazing of all Christ’s miracles. Jesus set aside laws of physics and science to multiply and magnify matter. At the same time He multiplied and magnified His name. When He…

Helping Them See

[257 words] A report by Dr. William Martin to the American Medical Association in 1913 didn’t pull any punches. In his assessment of public school children in New York, he found forty pupils he described “as the worst in the school” and eighteen of which being “so stupid they were in ungraded classes.” He also…

Guess Who’s Coming to Church Next Sunday!

[276 words] One of the most humbling passages in the whole Bible is this one: “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). Jesus told this to His disciples as He…

No Fool like an Old Fool

[242 words] I’ve heard this phrase all my life – There’s no fool like an old fool. This usually refers to an older man who starts behaving like a child with no sense. Sometimes such fellows had more sense as a teenager than they exhibited in the later life. In the Bible, Solomon began life…

Let’s Invest In People!

[236 words] After being warned by the prophet Daniel about his sinful pride (Proverbs 6:16-17; Psalm 101:5; cf. Proverbs 16:18), the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was struck with insanity. The Lord restored his mind, but only after he spent a long period of time in a field thinking he was a wild animal (Daniel 4:28-37). Nebuchadnezzar…

How We Honor Our Fathers

[201 words] My father passed away in 1996. My maternal grandfather left this earth in the 1960s. My dad’s dad died in the mid-1970s. Yet, I plan on honoring my “fathers” today in a special way. While we are worshipping and praising the Lord, I plan to thank the Lord for the influence my father…

Thanks Dad

[207 words] William woke up at his usual time on Sunday morning and headed for the kitchen. As he walked down the hall, he remembered that it was Father’s Day. But this would be a different Father’s Day than all the ones before because this would be the first one in which his 18-year-old son,…

Cross Cutting

[248 words] I once saw a cartoon reminiscent of the scene from Mark 8:34 in which the Lord Jesus challenged believers to “take up your cross.” Within the cartoon, numerous figures were dragging large crosses. Each moved slowly under the weight of the oversized burden. Suddenly, a character spoke out and asked, “Is there a…

Patience and Praise

[284 words] David wrote Psalm 59 while he was holed up in a house and Saul’s men were waiting outside to get the opportunity to kill him. We can only imagine the tense situation and what all David was going through. He begins the Psalm with a plea to God: “Deliver me from my enemies,…

Ten Commandments of Jesus

[260 words] FIRST and greatest commandment – “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). SECOND command is like It – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these”…

Honoring our Mothers

[218 words] This Sunday 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…

Do You Want to Prosper?

[246 words] There’s an interesting verse about Isaac and his success in life in Genesis 26. It is verse 13, and it says of him: “The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous” (NKJV). What was he doing at that particular time to be so very prosperous? It all begins…

A Hall of Fame for Mommas

[280 words] While preparing for this week’s traditional Mother’s Day message, I couldn’t help but to think of the old Glen Campbell song “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle.” Out of all the poems, odes, and lyrics you could present on this day, this song seems to capture the essence of a “good momma.” I…

New Testament Writers

[200 words] • The Gospel of Matthew was written by the Apostle Matthew about (circa) A.D. 55–62. • The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark c. A.D. 55–62. • The Gospel of Luke was written by the physician Luke c. A.D. 55–62. • The Gospel of John was written by the Apostle John…

Keep Moving Forward

[200 words] The nation of Israel had escaped slavery from Egypt. But now they found themselves being pursued by their former captors. At the shore of the Red Sea they felt that they were trapped. Many of them thought about going back to Egypt into slavery. Others were bemoaning their current dilemma. The LORD then…

Are We Like Christ?

[249 words] Some years ago, Brother G. F. Raines wrote about a young Buddhist who had made a very careful study of the life of our Lord said to a Christian: “Your Christ is wonderful, oh, so wonderful; but you Christians, you are not like him.” Could it be that the Christian was left speechless…

To Catch a Thief

[232 words] Marge Wilson had had enough! For the fourth morning in a row, she had gone to the chicken pen only to find feathers strewn about and one of her good laying hens gone. She knew one thing for sure, the chicken-stealing varmint was consistent and it would surely be back for more. But…

Five Wonderful Words

[210 words] The 23rd psalm has been a favorite of God’s people for thousands of years. It is steeped in the Israelite culture of husbandry. But all through the years it has appealed to people who realize that God is watching over them. Just the first five words alone in the English versions reveal so…

Greetings

[271 words] Some 21 times in Romans 16, Paul uses the word “greet” in sending kind regards to many brethren that he knows in Rome. Consider some of the people he greets: Those who risked their lives for Paul. Prisca & Aquila (Rom. 16:3).  Various workers in the Lord. Mary (Rom. 16:6), Urbanus (Rom. 16:9),…

The Time Jesus Got Sick?

[224 words] There is no record of Jesus getting sick on earth. Perhaps He had child- hood colds, the occasional stomach ache, or the flu. We don’t know; the Bible doesn’t say. The only time Scripture records Jesus being sick is after He returned to heaven. It is found in Revelation 3. Revelation 3:16 pictures…

Two and Only Two

[265 words] An elder in my home congregation once told me that back when he sold ice cream he would tell his customers, “We have two flavors: plain and vanilla.” Years ago when you went to have your teeth cleaned, there were no flavor options. Now the dental hygienist asks if I prefer mint, cinnamon,…

You Cannot Out-Give God

[222 words] Our attitude will improve toward giving when we realize you cannot out-give God (Mark 10:28-30). Here Christ is talking about an investment that yields a return of 10,000%. We give and God blesses (Prov. 11:25). We need to understand that God owns it all (Hag. 2:8; Deut. 8:18; Psa. 50:10; 1 Cor. 6:19-20;…
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