200-299 words Archives - Page 6 of 7

The Truth

[281 words] When I was a young boy in school the teachers often gave us a “True/False” quiz. I loved that kind of test. I could rip right through them marking “T” or “F” with abandon and very little thought. I was usually disappointed in my grade because a good teacher knows how to…

Spiritual Superpowers

[223 words] “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21. My teens have posed the question: if you were a superhero, what superpower would you want to have? Answers range from extreme speed to flight, from x-ray vision to great strength. Everyone wants to be in control and not…

The Irony of Sin

[202 words] King Ahab called Elijah the prophet the “troubler of Israel” (1 Kings 18:17). Of course, the prophet wasted no time in pointing out that it was Ahab, not Elijah, who was the real trouble in Israel because he had abandoned the commandments of the LORD (1 Kings 18:18). A few years later,…

Yellow Jackets in the Church

[282 words] I hate yellow jackets. Over the years, I’ve had many encounters with them. They are aggressive, mean and they hurt everyone they touch. Have you ever been around someone who is a “fault-finder?” All they can do is point out flaws and faults in folks. They, like yellow jackets, hurt whoever they…

House to House

[268 words] Someone once said that “every man needs to hear the call of the Gospel message before he hears the trumpet call to Judgment!” I couldn’t agree more! God has entrusted within us, His earthen vessels, the Gospel treasure (2 Cor. 4:7), and He commands that we share it with those living in…

National Pride

[258 words] Have you ever wondered why strong nations fall? Think about it: strong nations always have the best armies, most up-to-date weapons, strongest economies, and the best citizens. So why do they fall? And we must admit that they do fall! The British Empire fell. Rome fell. Alexander’s Greek kingdom fell. Babylon, Assyria,…

Don’t Follow the Crowd

[289 words] God had heard the prayers of His people in Egypt. Though the Israelites murmured and complained most of the way, He had brought them from Egypt to the promised land. As they journeyed God protected them, fed them, clothed them, and had given them everything they needed. But the people still were…

The Scope of Our Influence

[270 words] “Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (2 Thess. 3:9). As I look back to when I was growing up in the Church, the things that stand out to me are not what I would expect them to be. Some…

What is a Miracle?

[243 words] On August 28, 2007, just before 11 a.m., surfer Todd Endris’ worst nightmare came true: he was attacked by a great white shark, not once, but three times! Just as all hope seemed lost, Endris was saved by a pod of bottlenose dolphins that formed a protective ring around the surfer, kept…

Truths That Ground, Blessings That Lift

[237 words] Occasionally, I have to sit down and take stock, remembering truths that ground me and blessings that lift me. 1. God is in control and guides all things toward the end that he desires. No one can block his will. 2. In Christ are all spiritual blessings, and I’m in Christ. I can…

Old, But Great

[213 words] Most of the hymns that we sing in worship service today are old. There are many greatest hymns. The hymn considered by many as the best in the English language is “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” written by Isaac Watts in 1707. This hymn was taken from Paul’s words, “Far be it…

What’s Your Preference?

[219 words] A popular Brazilian saying is that one does not dispute preferences. That’s mostly true, I guess, except when it comes to the will of God. The prophets prophesy lies. The priests exercise power by their own authority. And my people love to have it this way. But they will not be able to…

Earth’s Cousin?

[238 words] Have you heard about Kepler-452b? Maybe you’ve seen the headlines recently that read something like this: NASA discovers Earth-like planet orbiting “cousin” of Sun. The idea is to emphasize just how un-special we really are. If we exist by complete accident…if we Owe our existence to time and chance…it would not be outside…

Well-organized, but Useless!

[203 words] “…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). A German soldier was wounded. He was ordered to go to the military hospital for treatment. When he arrived at the large and imposing building, he saw two doors, one marked, “For the slightly…

Lieutenant David Steeves

[257 words] In 1957, Lieutenant David Steeves walked out of the California Sierra Mountains 54 days after his Air Force trainer jet had disappeared. He related an unbelievable take of survival after parachuting from his disabled plane. For almost three months he said he had eaten berries and dug snow tunnels to sleep in, had…

I Drive a Donkey

[224 words] There is an obscure Bible character that holds a great deal of fascination for me. His name is Harbona(h) and his name only appears twice, both in connection with the account of Esther. He is introduced in Esther 1:10 and plays a key role in this divine story of providence in Esther 7:9.…

Painting Possums

[288 words] Several years ago we knew a man with the unusual hobby of trapping possums. No, he didn’t eat them. He painted them! That’s right – he would catch these critters in a box trap, and then he painted them with fluorescent paint and released them. Sounds weird, doesn’t it? But this fella had…

Christian Example

[247 words] My Lord said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). The best I can tell, there’s no limitation to this. In other words, shining forth a good example is not restricted to the church building, or…

A Living Martyr

[211 words] “Stephen wasn’t a martyr because he died; he died because he was a martyr.” After reading that sentence, you may be saying, “Steve, I don’t get it. What do you mean?” Well let me see if I can explain. Did you know that the Greek word translated as “martyr” (Gr. martureo) is the…

God’s Word Has Not Changed in Regards to Marriage

[289 words] The Supreme Court of the United States, by a narrow 5-4 margin, legalized same-sex marriages recently after years of debate and deliberation. Gays and lesbians, as well as progressive politicians, took to the streets to celebrate this monumental decision. Our own commander-and-chief ordered that the White House be lit up in the rainbow…

Clear-minded and Self-controlled

[241 words] “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” 1 Peter 4:7. This chapter is pivotal for living a life in Christ! When we become a Christian, we admit that when we lived for “evil human desires,” we made a mess of our lives. …

Love

[258 words] It was said about Jesus, “having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them until the end” (John 13:1). People talk about falling in love and falling out of love. Children tell each other, “you are not my best friend any more.” But when you think about Jesus loving…

Deserving Salvation?

[220 words] Some seem to act as though they deserve salvation on the grounds that they argue so strongly against earning salvation. Some seem to think they are right because they argue so strongly against those who think they are right. Some seem to talk as though grace is reserved only for those who…

What is God to You?

[227 words] “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods” Psalm 95:1-3. We are to gather to…

One Thing

[208 words] There are many voices competing for our attention. There are many destinations pleading for our arrival. There are many products and companies begging for our money. Yet only one voice matters. Only one destination is of any consequence. Only one being can inform us as to what to do with and how…

Why in the World Do We Have VBS Anyway?

[274 words] I know that VBS is a challenge. I mean if you have been around children for any length of time you know if you get 70 (or more) children together – you have your hands full. But it is important! This week, I fired up my computer’s Bible search engine and began…

Are You Helping this Church to Grow?

[210 words] It Is Easy For The Church To Grow When We… Have a deep concern for the lost. Enter the worship with preparation and enthusiasm. Are interested in intense Bible study. Work together on church projects. Encourage those who are serving the Lord. Dedicate ourselves to keeping our lives pure. Express brotherly love…

The Right Words at the Right Time

[277 words] I recently read about an interesting series of questions to ask yourself before saying anything to another person. The idea is to make sure that you speak properly at the proper time. The three questions to ask are: Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me?…

Happy New Year

[279 words] “Happy New Year” is an expression that we throw about. But do we really mean it? As you enter the new year, is your life filled with Joy? As a Christian, you have many reasons to be joyful. May I mention a few? All your sins have been forgiven. When you came…

What Are You Making?

[241 words] While on a trip to Switzerland, an American businessman was watching a Swiss clockmaker carving the case of an ornate cuckoo clock. As the businessman watched the clockmaker carve out the case, he was astounded at his slow rate of progress. The businessman finally said, ”My good man, you’ll never make much…

Six Sources of Joy

[299 words] First, it was taught by Jesus. “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their…

No Other Way

[251 words] The words are unbending. Most people would even call them dogmatic. But they are truth and come from the very lips of the Lord Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus allows for no possibility of misunderstanding.…

Characteristics of Jesus’ Ministry

[299 words] There has never been a greater example on this earth of what we ought to strive for than Jesus the Christ. He has done all things well (Mark 7:37), and Christians desire to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). So as we seek to minister to the world around us, what…

Church Shutdown

[261 words] If you follow national news, you know that from time to time our leaders and representatives in Washington cannot come to terms on how to fund federal operations. This can sometimes lead to a “government shutdown,” which means many federal agencies stop performing their functions and services. Why does this happen? Usually…

On the Lighter Side (January 2019)

[ 216 words] Valentine’s Humor Q: How did the telephone propose to his girlfriend? A: He gave her a ring. Q: What did the octopus say to his girlfriend when he proposed? A: Can I have your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand in marriage? What Every Girl Wants for Valentine’s Day…

When Giving is Wrong

[265 words] Ribbons and wrapping paper, shimmering Christmas trees, and children with sparkling eyes are the hallmarks of the “season of giving.” So many of us enjoy the holiday as a time of expressing love through the imparting of gifts. But did you ever consider when giving may be wrong? Our heavenly Father is certainly…

Please Do Not Be Discouraged

[250 words] Many times our “downs” outweigh our “ups.” We may feel we are going uphill all the while being pulled back. We may be hurting because our loved ones are hurting due to health challenges, financial setbacks, or spiritual deprivation. We may spend our mornings, days, or late nights in tears because of the…

Fooling Ourselves

[285 words] Three times in the first chapter of James we are warned about being deceived. Specifically we are cautioned against deceiving ourselves. While the Lord does not desire for us to live in fear (cf. 1 John 5:13; 2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 10:22-23; et. al.), it is dangerous and foolish to act as if…

Falling Through the Cracks

[265 words] Sometimes things unintentionally fall through the cracks. We can have lots of events well-organized, well-oiled, and well-planned, and yet have a key event or responsibility go unnoticed or undone. Thus, it appears as if that part of it was unimportant in the first place. Sad to say, sometimes we can let people fall…

The Two Greatest Problems in the Church

[206 words] A dedicated Christian once asked a delinquent brother this same question of interest. His friend replied, “I don’t know…and I don’t care!” “You’re absolutely right,” said the faithful Christian, “I don’t know (Ignorance) and I don’t care (Indifference) are the two greatest.” Ignorance? But, wait! If you and I truly love Jesus, we…

What You Take With You

[294 words] When Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed in Ford’s Theater April 14th, 1865, he had no idea that night would be his last. Lincoln loved the theater and it was his common diversion for his stressful job. So he probably didn’t think much about what he carried in his pocket that night, but…

The Christian (As Seen in Philemon)

[277 words] The letter to Philemon is much more than a personal letter from Paul to his friend about the runaway named Onesimus. It is a message from God to each one of us. It is a message about what God expects to see in the lives of those who claim to be followers…

I’m So Depressed!

[215 words] “Depression” is a word often used and misused by modern Americans. True clinical depression (also known as “Major Depressive Disorder” or MDD) comes from biological root causes such as brain chemistry or hormone imbalance, bipolarism, etc. This type of depression needs treatment by a medical practitioner. Often, what is called “depression” by…

What’s Really Scary

[299 words] As the cool autumn breezes bring in a new season, many people will kick off fall by scaring themselves silly. Zombies, vampires, and horror movies will be the focal point for October, saturating American culture from the local discount store to satellite television, and all points in between. Why some people enjoy…

Who is to Judge?

[245 words] Who gets to decide what is right and what is wrong? Why are some actions considered right while other actions are considered wrong? Who or what is the standard of judgment? I am not the standard of judgment. My clear conscience does not mean that I am innocent. Paul said, “I am…

How Can I Be Poured Out for Christ?

[297 words] Philippians 2:12-18 teaches us we how we can be light bearers for Christ while giving our all for Him. I would encourage you to read this passage along side this article. What is required of me? Paul writes that those who read his words demonstrate personal responsibility when it comes to the…

Someone Get Your Goat?

[240 words] Hoover Rupert used to say, “The measure of someone is the size of the thing it takes to get his or her goat.” The old phrase “get your goat” refers to the sensitivity of racehorses. According to Dr. Rupert, racehorses are infamously high-strung. Horse trainers learned many years ago that highly sensitive…

It Is Not Going To Work In Your Favor

[283 words] It really is a true story. It happened in Florida back in 1986. Jurors were being transported by elevator to hear a case when it got stuck between floors. For twenty minutes they hung there until the elevator was finally fixed. On their l arrival, the judge was concerned that the event…

The Lord is My Portion

[272 words] Jeremiah is called “the weeping prophet.” He did indeed share the words of God in a very sad and overwhelming time. We can learn from the words of Jeremiah, in Lamentations, about our God and our hope in Him, so that we can have the faith and courage to live faithfully through…

Little, But Powerful

[284 words] The news seems to be filled with people whose tongues are out of control. Bad language and hurtful words are the rule of the day. God’s people must refrain from joining in, because he tells us about the power of that little member of the body. A rider is able to control…

Is Our Attitude Worth Catching?

[279 words] During my first public job as a teenager, I demonstrated more immaturity than I care to talk about. I was trying to be funny in front of a customer. I wanted to be an “attention getter” with my comments, she stopped writing her check looked at me and said, “Allen, you can…

What Arnold Palmer Learned the Hard Way

[229 words] It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters Tournament, and golf legend Arnold Palmer had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. He felt he was in pretty good shape. As he approached his ball, he saw an old friend standing at the edge of the…

Take Charge

[249 words] When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to commemorate the great exodus by observing the Passover, He found that the temple complex more resembled a marketplace and banking center than it did a place to offer worship to His Father (John 2:13-22). The place was filled with corrals full of livestock and kiosks for…

If the Lord Wills

[242 words] The greater host of humanity lives solely for the present. Perhaps half as many give occasional, fleeting thought to what may come tomorrow. Each generation rears its thinkers, its planners, who think in terms of a lifetime, and at times may even look philosophically at the hem of history’s garment. But few…

On the Lighter Side (September 2018)

[266 words] Over the Counter “I would like vitamins for my son,” a mother said. “Vitamin A, B or C?” the pharmacist asked. “It doesn’t matter,” the mother replied. “He can’t read yet.” Not on the Same Page A little girl had just started kindergarten. After a few days, she came home and said,…

The Loneliest Man in the World

[292 words] He’s the last known survivor. It is believed that the rest of his Amazonian tribe was murdered two decades ago by land-hungry ranchers, and ever since, he has been living a solitary life in the remote state of Rondonia, Brazil. Authorities say he spends his days hunting pigs, monkeys, and birds with…

I Wish the Church…

[273 words] I wish the church… • Was more evangelistic • Had dynamic worship • Ministered to every age group • Encouraged people to become leaders • Was more visible in the community • Invested in the home • Provided more fellowship opportunities • Had a thriving education program • Had a passion for…

I AM the Answer

[201 words] Who is going to stand with me when my life falls apart? I AM. Who is going to make sure that one day good will prevail over evil? I AM. Who is going to help me when I need it? I AM. Who is smart enough to figure everything out in my…

Hear Him!

[222 words] If the Lord Jesus is the only Savior and Judge of all mankind, we should listen to Him. I am amazed at how people claim to love Him but are unwilling to hear what He says about the most basic things of life. When the Lord Jesus, who bore the cross, speaks…

The Answer is Blowing In The Wind

[263 words] Any runner, cyclist, or truck driver will have experienced this phenomenon. When you are going into a headwind, you notice it. The wind buffets your efforts, you feel every moment of discomfort and pushback. However, when you go back in the other direction when the wind is at your back, you don’t…

Joy in Salvation

[204 words] Christians should be known as people of joy—filled with the type of joy that is derived from a certain eternal destiny, not from temporary circumstances (Phil. 4:4). The Ethiopian eunuch helps us to understand how and why this can be the case (Acts 8:39). As a eunuch, he knew what it was…

Meeting God on the Battleﬁeld

[247 words] In 2 Chronicles 20 we are given an interesting story about three nations on their way to destroy Israel and drive them out of the land. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was scared for his people when he caught wind of this massive army coming after them. The way it reads, they were…

Cleansing Through Blood

[231 words] And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Rev. 1:5, NKJV). Blood is typically something we wash off, not something we wash with. As an…

Draw Near

[210 words] “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). This verse from James is very closely related to what he said in 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation.” Temptations come against us fast and hard. And the devil has an army of assistants who pressure us…

‘Hot Wheels’ and a Burning Conscience

[237 words] Just down the street from where I grew up was a drug store that sold “Hot Wheels” cars. That was great news to a little boy who loved to play with and collect “Hot Wheels.” One day I saw a car that I just had to have. It was on a shelf…

Spiritual Sight

[257 words] The hymn writer Fanny Crosby gave us more than 6,000 gospel songs. Although blinded by an illness at the age of six weeks, she never became bitter. One time a preacher sympathetically remarked, “I think it is great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many…

An Act of Real Faith

[278 words] After reading about Jeremiah, I have no right to complain about my lot in life as a preacher. The fact is, I never had the right to complain (Philippians 2:14). God did not give Jeremiah a choice to be a prophet, and times were very bad for good people (Jer. 1:1-10). His…

What Could I Preach?

[296 words] “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5: 23). Suppose I should want to preach on some subject pertaining to Christ but not talk about the church, what could I preach? If…

The Greatest Gift of All

[245 words] A long time ago in Persia, a benevolent ruler named Shah Abbis reigned. To get to know his people better, he wore disguises to mingle among them. One day, he went as a poor man to the public baths, and sat by the fireman tending the furnace. At mealtime, he shared his…

Important Facts About the Bible

[258 words] Following are four important facts about the Bible that we should all know. The Bible is the ONLY Book that came to us from the mind of God. All other books were produced merely by human beings. The Bible comes from God’s mind and was revealed through human agents (apostles and prophets)…

Praising God for Humbling Opportunities

[251 words] “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”’ (James 4:6) Life is filled with humbling circumstances. Some of these are instances that we bring upon ourselves, while others are out of our control. They are moments when the right thing to do…

Just a Number?

[231 words] There is an old story of a census taker who was making his rounds in the lower East side of New York, who interviewed an Irish woman bending over her washtub. “Lady, I am taking the census. What’s your name? How many children do you have?” She replied, “Well, let me see.…

Lessons from the Ant

[229 words] The Book of Proverbs has so many wonderful lessons for us today. One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 6:6-11 wherein King Solomon said: “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her…

What God Has Done for You

[233 words] “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” (Psalm 66:5). We’ve just been talking about the righteousness that Jesus gained for us while we were enemies of God and dead in our sins. Because He loved us so much, He sent His only and beloved Son…

My Rules for Life

[278 words] (1) I try never to say anything behind a man’s back that would give me the least embarrassment to say to his face. (2) I try never to speak back to personal critics. Friends do not need to hear the defense and enemies would not believe it. (3) Every day I greet…

Who’s in Charge?

[217 words] A certain sea captain and his chief engineer argued as to which of them was more important to the ship. Failing to agree, they resorted to a unique plan of swapping places. The chief engineer ascended to the bridge and the captain went to the engine room. After a couple of hours…

The Question of Why?

[228 words] The question of “why” is noble when we truly desire to understand the reasoning behind some statement, imperative, or suggestion. However, the question of “why” is often asked simply because we want to avoid something and is an indicator of a bad attitude and contentious spirit. Nothing may be more crucial to…

Suffering? It Could Be Good!

[240 words] Most people do everything they can to get out of suffering. Untold amounts of money is spent to make us feel more comfortable and rid ourselves of pain and anguish. We have been indoctrinated that life should always be fun, easy, and pleasant. We are told that all suffering is bad and…

Peace of Mind

[205 words] “How much are you willing to pay for peace of mind?” This is the question posed by a company that makes what they are calling a “Smart Water Bottle.” It will test and then purify your water if such is deemed necessary. Sounds amazing, right? They are charging more then $200 for…

How Much Are You Eating?

[268 words] The Lord’s disciples had walked into the city of Samaria to find something to eat while Jesus conversed with a woman about eternal things (John 4:7-10). When they returned with lunch and encouraged Jesus to eat, he replied, “I have food to eat that you do not know about…My food is to…

Good Reasons for Being a Christian

[215 words] Human beings are naturally curious, but sometimes our curiosity progresses to stubbornness. For instance, curiosity causes toddlers to always have the question “why?” on their lips, but it’s stubbornness that drives the teenager to ask the same question when they are receiving orders from their parents. Whether it’s curiosity or stubbornness that…

Breaking the Fall

[294 words] He had decided to attempt suicide by jumping from a bridge onto a busy Michigan freeway. The Michigan State Police weren’t going to let that happen if they could help it. In an effort to break the man’s fall, were he to go ahead and jump, troopers directed 13 semis to park close…

Worthless No More

[258 words] I read a story recently about an amazing dog. He’s been trained to sniff out the unique chemical compounds found in electronic items like memory cards, flash drives, and other storage media that might have criminal evidence on them. He’s only 18 months old, but this was the second time he’d been adopted…

In the World, But Not of It!

[278 words] John 17 records one of the prayers of Jesus. In John 17:15, Jesus says, “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world but to keep them from the evil one.” He goes on to say in John 17:16, “They are not of the world, even as l am not…

Daily Plodding

[288 words] William James, psychologist and author, believed in “moral muscles.” He encouraged his patients to do at least one good deed every day, just to stay “morally ﬁt.” He believed that a person becomes strong psychologically by resisting life’s small temptations and by doing deeds that an average person might otherwise find tedious, inconsequential,…

Fulfilling the Law

[259 words] “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ”You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet, ” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love…

Come and See

[278 words] “Look!” I can remember hearing that so many times when our kids were small. Sometimes they had discovered something new. Sometimes they had done something they thought was amazing. Sometimes they just needed to know I was interested and paying attention. They might have been diving into the pool for the first time…

Abandoned Children

[279 words] They’re called “baby hatches.” They were designed as a way for parents to anonymously drop off unwanted babies which might otherwise have been abandoned in the street. An infant is placed in a box that is built into a wall of a safe haven. When the box is closed, an alarm goes off,…

Why Do You Talk So Much About Jesus?

[216 words] An old Indian chief constantly spoke of the Lord Jesus and what He meant to him. “Why do you talk so much about Jesus?” asked a friend. The chief did not reply, but slowly, gathered some sticks and bits of grass. He made a circle of them and in the circle he placed…

Mother’s Day

[219 words] Where did Mother’s Day come from? While naysayers have tried to identify this holiday with past pagan rituals, the truth is Mother’s Day began as a day to honor good Christian moms. Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) is credited with bringing in the celebration of Mother’s day with the first observance at a church…

Learning from a Mother’s Love

[291 words] The Bible gives many comparisons of God’s constant care for His children. In the 103rd Psalm and in Proverbs 3, God is depicted as a concerned and disciplining father. Isaiah 27 mentions God as a gardener tending His garden. And in the 23rd Psalm, we read of God as a shepherd. But when…

Satan’s Lie

[276 words] Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but…

Let’s Do It!

[200 words] One of the great things about the Lord’s church is that it is made up of such a diverse group of individuals. Each member brings unique personalities, gifts, and talents into the fold. Some have abilities to do one thing well, and others have different abilities to do other things well. Now, each…

Guiding the Blind

[298 words] He hasn’t done it all, but he’s done a lot. Erik Weihenmayer has summited Mount Everest as well as becoming one of the 150 climbers in the world who had, at the time, climbed the other 6 highest peaks in the world. He has kayaked the 277 miles through the treacherous white waters…

A Winning Church

[210 words] If you ask the average person why Jesus came to this earth you will get a variety of answers. “He came to do good.” “He came to tell people about God’s love.” “He came to heal people.” These are some of the many responses you will hear. Interestingly, Jesus, himself, told us why…

What I Owe My Home Congregation

[245 words] My Loyalty: As long as the program is scriptural, I must help carry it on. My home congregation is depending on me and if I am not loyal, they will not be able to carry out their proposed programs. My Dependability: I am depending on my home congregation for spiritual food and fellowship…

The Church of Me

[278 words] Sometimes people will ask me about my church. They assume since I am a minister that somehow I have some ownership or say over it. We do that too. We remark ‘at my church’ or ‘come to my church.’ It might just be a slip of the tongue but we need to work…

Dead and Alive

[287 words] Romanian Constantin Reliu strongly disputes the fact that he’s officially dead. In 1982, Reliu left Romania for Turkey in search of work, and after many years of hearing no news from her husband, his wife got an official death certificate for him. Earlier this year, Turkish authorities found Constantin and deported him. After…

A Lesson on Morals from a Corn Field

[293 words] An ambitious farmer, unhappy about the yield of his crops, heard of a highly recommended new seed corn. He bought some and produced a crop that was so abundant his astonished neighbors asked him to sell them a portion of the new seed. But the farmer, afraid that he would lose a profitable…

Did You Know?

[227 words] He was quite famous, a celebrity in Israel. The people flocked to see him, and because of him, many people believed. But the chief priests wanted him dead. Surely you know who we’re talking about, right? Well, let me give you one last clue: a week before the cross, even Jesus came to…

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