300-399 words Archives - Bulletin Digest

It Is Always ‘Us’

[328 words] It is said that the former Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, used to walk from the palace every morning to the shops to buy flowers and vegetables. A visitor once asked a Danish citizen, “Who guards the Queen when she walks to the shops?” The citizen replied, “We all do.” The same is…

The Power and Importance of God’s Word

[348 words] Do not let the ending of the story in Luke 16:19-31 escape you. The rich man is in agony. He has begged for relief (none is forthcoming). Now, he is begging for a miracle for his family that he has left behind. He was certain that if a messenger from the dead showed…

A Second Hiroshima

[310 words] It happened about 80 years ago on August 6, 1945. The United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The devastation was unlike anything the world had ever seen. Three days later, a second bomb annihilated the city of Nagasaki. Soon after World War II came to a close.…

Heaven is Real

[368 words] Heaven is an important topic and, I must confess, I love speaking and writing about the Spiritual House. Because, like you, I’ve lost loved ones … and I look forward to being with my Christian family members and friends in that glorious home. I think that it’s sad that many do not have…

Can I Really be Wise?

[344 words] The book of Proverbs describes wisdom as a hidden treasure, more valuable than gold, silver, or precious rubies. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). Not only does Solomon’s collection of wisdom teach us about its value, but the…

The Old Way to Get Saved Didn’t Work

[361 words] It was getting late one night in a revival at Millersburg, Kentucky in 1821. Several people responded to the preaching and came down front to the mourner’s bench. But after the preachers talked with them and prayed with them, they still didn’t feel saved. The popular belief at the time was that the…

The Thing About Judas

[373 words] There is an interesting text in the book of Matthew that reveals a subtle insight into the mindset of Judas Iscariot, which may also be found in many professing disciples of Jesus today. Let’s take a closer look at a familiar passage. In Matthew 26:17-25, Jesus was celebrating the Passover with his disciples…

Old Greek Americans

[335 words] “Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:22). But the wisdom they sought after in Paul’s day was human wisdom, not the wisdom of God. That caused all kinds of problems in the church at Corinth. Sadly, we are seeing the same philosophy in our land, even in the church. Here are some features…

Can You Say, ‘Jesus Christ, My Lord’?

[395 words] In Rom. 5:21, Paul states that eternal life is through “Jesus Christ our Lord.” That threefold name of our Savior is an interesting progression that we must go through to truly have salvation in Him. Jesus. Jesus was His given name. Although it means “Savior,” we have to remember that it was a…

The Daylily

[323 words] In the many flower beds in our yard, one flower stands out as prominent and most prolific: the daylily. They vary in color, from yellow, orange, or multi-colored. Some are a foot tall while the old-fashioned ones stand nearly four feet tall. They are a hardy perennial, withstanding the cold of winter in…

Things to Keep in Mind When Studying Your Bible

[393 words] Bible study is vital to the life of a faithful Christian. The Bible is food.The Bible is water.The Bible is counsel.The Bible is guidance.The Bible is comfort.The Bible is protection.The Bible is authority. Every Christian needs to devote as much time to Bible study as possible. This might mean that the child of…

A Minute Too Short?

[337 words] Joe Munch is believed to be sentenced to the shortest prison sentence in history, one whole minute. In 1906 while serving in the army he was out on leave and drank too much passing out on the street. A policeman found him in this condition and he was arrested. The court sentenced him…

Do Trials Make Us Patient?

[383 words] “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally…

Actions Without Authorization

[381 words] All through the Bible, we see an important principle revealed: we are not to change what God has authorized. In Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu, priests of God, offered a kind of fire for the burning of incense that God had not authorized (v.1). As a result, God struck them dead (v.2-3). In…

Hidden Evolution

[337 words] While growing up in the 1970’s, I enjoyed watching the numerous nature programs that were offered on television. Even though we only had access to four channels, there always seemed to be the opportunity to see such programs a few times every week. There were the National Geographic Specials, The Undersea World of…

Looking Like Someone Else

[351 words] We are all familiar with the phrase, “We all have a twin in the world somewhere.” My friend and brother in Christ, Mason, has the record for “look a likes” I think. He will occasionally post a picture of someone he has met that looks like him. It is amazing to see how…

A Test for Spiritual Maturity

[325 words] The church of Corinth faced a problem: they were divided around personalities and preferences for different preachers and teachers, aligning themselves with Apollos, Paul, or others. Despite their affinity for spiritual gifts, Paul was deeply concerned with the unity and maturity of the congregation. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “For…

More Foolish Than I

[365 words] There was a king who had all his world could afford. The thing he loved most, however, was laughing. Once, while being entertained, a jester came along wishing to join the festival of activities and perform for him. His opportunity came, and he put together the best amusing show he had ever done.…

Christ is the Center, Focus, and Key

[310 words] Christ is the center, focus, and key to the inspiration and interpretation of the Bible. This is why the books of the Old and New Testaments fit together so well into one cohesive and comprehensive whole. Taken together, they present the progressive unfolding, revelation, and communication of Christ. 1. The Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy) prepares…

The Beggar’s Plea

[305 words] In our country, there are varied views when it comes to beggars. Some people are sympathetic, desiring to help the beggar in some way and would like to attempt to alleviate their suffering. Others view the beggar with contempt and cynicism, believing that they are lazy scam artists. It is now commonplace to…

When the Bill Collector Calls

[398 words] We live in a society of indebtedness. In 2024, the average household debt was well over $100k. Our nation’s debt has climbed into the trillions of dollars. Being in debt seems to be an inescapable part of life for most of us. If not for getting a loan, most of us would have…

What Makes a Successful Church?

[324 words] The answer to that question depends on whom you ask. Most people think a successful church is measured in large numbers, big budgets, programs that meet their needs, and state-of-the-art facilities. However, none of those “standards” are proof of success. In fact, each one of those standards could just as well be present…

Jonah and the Love of God

[303 words] Before you criticize Jonah too severely, put yourself in his place. God commanded him to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. Assyria was a fierce and dreaded enemy of Israel. I could make you nauseous with details of the Assyrians’ cruelty to their enemies. The worse the pain they could…

What a Difference a Day Makes

[350 words] I just had a birthday. It was a birthday that ends in zero. This is the seventh one I’ve had. It was a birthday that caused me to reflect on my life. The reflections cause me to look backward and forward. When I was growing up, old folks used to say: “time flies.”…

Dress With Respect

[382 words] When I saw the President of Ukraine sitting in the Oval Office with the whole world watching, I couldn’t help but notice how out of place he appeared in the clothes he wore. He looked like someone going for a jog. He knew how important this meeting was. He knew how the President…

Auditing Our Time

[340 words] There has been a great amount of press lately on the effort being made to identify wasteful and corrupt spending of taxpayer dollars. Billions and trillions of dollars will be identified as having been unwisely or corruptly used. When our government continually operates with trillions of dollars of debt, I am hopeful that…

Free Church Pews

[318 words] I recently saw an ad in the classifieds for free church pews. A local church was giving away 20 perfectly good traditional wooden pews with padded backs and seats. Now I’m assuming that they are replacing the wooden pews with nice padded folding chairs, as is the practice of many churches today. I…

Great!

[352 words] The word “great” has been used a great deal. Many times it is used to refer to a singer or actor. During this time of year, a football team may be called “great” after winning the Super Bowl. The word itself means that something is superior to something else. The word “great,” however,…

A Worship Experience

[304 words] When it comes to corporate worship of the church, should Christians seek a worship experience or seek to offer worship? Should followers of Christ choose a worship style that suits them, or worship by divine biblical design? How much of our worship style is left to liberty and tradition? When considering the state…

The Road to a Serpent’s Bite

[397 words] The wise man Solomon gave specific warnings that most people ignore. He said that a loose tongue will get you into trouble (Prov. 18:7). He warned that pride will bring a man low (Prov. 16:18). He said that toying with lust is like playing with fire (Prov. 6:25-29). Millions pay a heavy price…

Let God Make You Over

[320 words] In the book of Jeremiah, we get a very visual picture of us and God working in our lives. In the opening verses of chapter 18 are these words: “The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: ‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you…

Reasons to Read the Bible Each Day

[322 words] There is no way to know all the challenges, trials, triumphs, and sorrows the year will bring. However, one thing is certain: you will have a better year if you read the Bible each day. The following are reasons to read the Bible each day: Read the Bible to increase your faith. “So…

Christianity in Common

[361 words] The beautiful thing about the gospel is that it brings people together. People from every race, nationality, gender, and social class have united under the banner of Christ. People with every background imaginable have dropped off their baggage at the foot of the cross. One could travel the world and find the New…

Stepping Toward the Future

[369 words] The new year will soon be upon us and I’m sure we are all individually making plans for our future. As we make steps toward completing our desires and expectations, there are some things to remember. The great apostle Paul can help us through his example in Philippians 3:12-14. As we step toward…

You Could Have Done That

[393 words] Carol Bartz was the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Yahoo. In an interview while at a forum at Georgia State University she was asked what the best advice was she had been given. She said it came from her grandmother, who raised her, on a farm in Minnesota. “I was in the machine…

I Will Sing With Understanding

[302 words] Some of the songs we sing may be difficult for us to understand if we are unfamiliar with the “poetic license” employed by the authors. The Friendly Visitor bulletin from a church of Christ in Oklahoma City gives the following information about songs which might help you better understand some difficult wording. EBON…

How One Person Made a Difference at Thanksgiving

[357 words] With Thanksgiving getting closer, I am reminded about the amazing story of how God used a Native American (Indian) named Squanto to bless the Pilgrims who settled in America. Historical accounts of Squanto’s life vary, but around 1608 a group of European traders sailed to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting…

We Must Be Ready

[331 words] Recently I read an article with this title: “10 of the Fanciest Entries from the World Beard and Mustache Championships.” As I continued to read I found that about three hundred men, from nine different countries, spent the entire year trying to win the title: World’s Greatest Beard. This made me think about…

The Ripple Effect

[370 words] A relay was tripped at the Sir Adam Beck Power Station on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. The stage had been set when the relay was inadvertently set too low a few days before; it tripped at 5:16 p.m. on November 9, 1965. It was this incident that inspired the 1968 film,…

Freedom is Not Free

[320 words] Inscribed on the Korean War Memorial are the words, “Freedom Is Not Free.” Every time I think of these words I think of two aspects of my freedom. First, I think of my rights as an American citizen. It is a great blessing to live in a country where I have so many…

Are You Living Up to Your Name?

[313 words] Nestled in the little New Testament book of Philemon is a wonderful jewel of example and instruction. First, let’s look at a little background. A Christian in Colossae by the name of Philemon owned a slave that had run away from him. Ending up in Rome, the slave, Onesimus, had become converted to…

Are You Afraid

[304 words] Are you afraid of anything? As a child, I was scared of a monster under my bed. One afternoon my family was working outside, it was cold and I was wearing a winter coat and boots. As it was getting dark outside my parents told me to go inside and get ready for…

Gaslighting by Satan

[354 words] We often hear the term “gaslight” referring to someone’s political speech, moral matters, theological ideas, or point of view. To gaslight is means to induce someone to question their sanity and grasp of reality by manipulating his or her perceptions. Those who “gaslight” use propaganda, logical fallacies, and half truths to convince those…

The Autumn Years

[303 words] Time passes so quickly. This afternoon, I stood and looked out the back door, watching the yellow leaves from the elm tree float to the ground. The persimmon tree is full of its orange fruit and the possums will begin their nightly feast of the bitter plums. It is Fall once again. There…

I Know It’s Not Dead

[350 words] One of the marks of New Testament Christianity is that on the first day of the week, we give of our means, (our money) to help with the work of the church. Several passages of scripture teach us this (Acts 2:45, 1 Cor. 16:2). We are also taught the attitude in which we are…

The Real Influencers

[320 words] You know what people who are really popular on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok are called? Influencers. I guess because so many people follow them and are influenced by them. Well, let me tell you who the real influencers are supposed to be: Christians – you and me – and we don’t need to…

Don’t Blow It

[351 words] In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul reminded Timothy (and through inference, us) that he was a worker for the Lord. But also in that verse are great bits of advice of how we are to perform our work. If you’ll forgive my cheesy rhyming to help with remembering the points, allow me to make…

I Think You Can

[338 words] Robert Rosenthal came to teachers with a new test called the Harvard Test of Inflected Acquisition. This test, he informed the instructors, could accurately predict kids that would excel in the coming year. The test was administered and the teachers were given the names of potentially high-achieving students. Rosenthal expressed to them that…

Gracious Faithfulness

[377 words] “Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given…

Does Secular Education Benefit Christianity?

[304 words] It has always been God’s will that His people teach their children about Him. Speaking of His commands He said, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise…

What Motivates You?

[370 words] We all could use some motivation from time to time to stay on the “strait and narrow.” And it’s always good to get advice from a seasoned Christian concerning matters like this. So let’s do so. Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 5:9, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to…

‘Are You the Church That __?’

[357 words] I used to get phone calls frequently asking if we were the church that gave away furniture. There was another group in town that did. I do not ever get a call asking if we are the church mentioned in the Bible. People may not ask that question. Doctrine alone may not attract…

The City of Can’t

[399 words] You may have never heard of the city of Can’t. It was founded by settlers who didn’t want to go any further, since it was too much work to keep going, so they sat down and said, “We Can’t!” Can’t became a place simply because folks had it in their heads that this…

Real Zeal

[315 words] What do you call an aquamarine aquatic mammal that expresses genuine enthusiasm for gelatinous foods? A teal seal that feels real zeal for congealed meals! (Go ahead and groan, if you must.) No, I didn’t write that joke, though those who know my sense of humor could easily see me coming up with…

A Hero

[372 words] The events that took place Saturday, July 13, at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania have the entire world talking. Some of the discussion centers around the apparent lack of security and ease with which the shooter got into position to attempt his evil deed. Nevertheless, one thing that jumped out to me (and…

The Local Church that God Desires

[358 words] As I study about the church in the pages of the New Testament, three important concepts concerning the local congregation keep coming to mind. It is very obvious that each congregation, as God desires it, must be… Scriptural. The church was founded by the Lord Himself (Matt. 16:18), and it is His desire…

He Who Has An Ear

[376 words] “I think a Christian can go anywhere,” said a young woman who was defending her attendance at some very doubtful places. “Certainly she can, why not?” said her friend. An older man spoke up and said, “There is nothing keeping her from going but many things will come back with her.” He went…

Bird Fight in the Church Parking Lot at Dawn!

[395 words] Wednesday morning, as I drove in, I noticed dark feathers flopping around on the parking lot. It looked like a bird had a broken wing and was trying to right himself. The wings kept fluttering, but the bird silhouette that is normal for a bird never emerged. I immediately wondered what happened. Was…

No One Came to Our Party

[306 words] After a few days of hard work, all the preparations had been made and it was time for the party. The tables were ready, filled with stacks of paper plates, plastic flatware, and cups. Cold drinks were iced and ready while the grill belched out smoke with the smell of cooking steaks. There…

The Unimportant Church Member

[335 words] Have you ever met a member of the church who was unimportant? You know the type—the one who says, “My presence in worship services is really not important. After all, I’m not a preacher, Bible class teacher, or a song leader.” Or someone might say, “I’m just a one-talent man. The service I…

Then Who, What, When, Where, Why?

[381 words] We are all familiar with the Five W’s of writing/reporting/journalism: Who? What? When? Where? and Why? Answering these helps people to understand all the details about certain situations. I have seen some of these used in the form of a personal question to help motivate people to action. Let’s use all of them…

Something Spiritual

[306 words] The Lord’s Supper is not just another “act” it is not something we just do. It is not just a tradition. It is not mystical. It is Scriptural. It is spiritual. Because the crucifixion of Jesus was spiritual and Scriptural. Jesus states, He could have called twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). He…

Planting Seeds

[358 words] The springtime is seed time. Some seeds have already been planted for this year. Throughout the year those seeds will need to be watered for the plants to develop. Further nurturing will need to be done before harvest in the Fall. In the Bible the seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).…

Competing with Culture

[370 words] King Solomon knew he was in for a fight. He knew it would be a challenge to keep his children from giving in to the pagan culture that surrounded them. He would plead with his son to listen (knowing it was a very real possibility he wouldn’t): “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,…

Bearing Fruit

[319 words] In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Fig Tree.” A certain man had a fig tree in his vineyard and one day went to get some of the sweet fruit but found none. He then told the gardener to cut down the tree because it had been barren for three years…

The Three Bears

[396 words] Once upon a time, there were three bears… No, no, no—that’s the wrong three bears. Far from a fairy tale, the three “bears” listed in Galatians 6 are vital to living a fulfilling Christian life. Of course, you may have already figured out that these are not the furry animals, but the concept…

Stephen and Cancel Culture

[381 words] Stephen was a man of tremendous courage who preached God’s Word with great boldness. On the occasion of Acts chapter 7, Stephen preached that he saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). In the audience that day were unbelieving Jews who rejected Christ. When they…

Sin Destroys the Heart

[395 words] Sin begins in the heart and works out through our lives. It comes out in our thoughts, actions, words, and character. David wrote: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit…

Sharing Our Faith

[381 words] Why are we afraid to share our faith? Why do we not share with others what God is doing in our lives, and about what Jesus means to us? Rejection is probably the number one reason we hold back. When we invite someone into conversation about Jesus Christ and they resist, it isn’t…

The Weight of Water

[338 words] A lecturer stood before an audience holding a glass of water in in his hand. “How heavy is this glass of water?” the lecturer asked. Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I…

Resolve to Involve Everything

[385 words] With the new year comes resolutions. We like a fresh start, and we generally feel that the start of a brand new year is best time to implement changes. I guess it’s because we look back on the previous year and analyze successes and failures and make decisions on what we need to…

The Nature of God

[339 words] The Bible is a rich document that provides us details and ideas into who God is. Three New Testament descriptions say that He is something: Spirit (John 4:24), Light (1 John 1:5), and Love (1 John 4:8). Yet, the Bible from cover to cover shows us much more about who God is. We…

The King and His Bible

[332 words] As God anticipated, the people of Israel would one day ask for a king. God spoke this prophecy by Moses in Deuteronomy 17:18-20. One of the most notable commands, and the one that Moses centers on in this passage, was the responsibility of each king of God’s people to make his own copy…

Stay Bold and Stay ‘Old’

[312 words] There is a saying among those who fly planes, “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots—but there are no old, bold pilots.” While humorous, it makes a good point. Those who choose to fly by the seat of their pants run the risk of being prematurely laid to rest. My prayer…

Greed: What Are You Drawn To?

[375 words] I would be the last person chosen to counsel anyone when it comes to “money!” Additionally, I would never be elected to lecture on personal finance or budget development for an organization or business. But, after fifty years of living, I’ve learned money/possessions should be used as tools and not as something to…

What If Jesus Had Never Come?

[393 words] I cannot imagine trying to make it through life without having “the good shepherd” (John 10:11), who is the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5) and the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16) in my corner. But what if Jesus had never come into this world “to…

God’s Holy Word

[330 words] In many nations, Bibles are still hard to obtain. Yet, many foreign governments are friendly enough to the study of the Bible that it is allowed into the public schools. Ironically, in our nation—the land of the free—this is not a liberty we are allowed to enjoy. The Word of God should be…

You Are Hereby Invited

[351 words] Scott Stallings, a three-time PGA winner, was hoping for an invite to the Masters after a good performance the previous year. The Masters golf tournament held each year at the Augusta National Golf course is one of the most exclusive golf events in the world. So Stallings had, as he said in a…

The Living Word for Dying Men

[379 words] No thought is more significant than that men are dying creatures. David said in 1 Chronicles 29:15, “our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Job said that man “cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not”…

The Joy of Baptism

[310 words] “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41 NKJV). Did you catch that? Those who heard Peter’s message gladly received his word and were baptized! No arguing. No doubting. No denying. And no stalling. They were glad to hear…

Did Alexander Campbell Start the Church of Christ?

[347 words] It is not uncommon for someone to affirm that Alexander Campbell started the church of Christ. Recently, a preacher on television taught this and, as a member of the church of Christ, I feel obligated to address this matter. Alexander Campbell was a prominent man who lived and worked during the days of…

23,000 Breaths

[363 words] “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6). One of the good things about the Thanksgiving holiday is that we are “forced” to stop our busy, self-centered lives and count our blessings. It is so easy to take our blessings for granted! I was recently reminded of how…

Where is God?

[394 words] Once upon a time there was a young fish that heard other fishes taking about the sea. One day he thought, “I will go and find the sea.” So he set forth to find the sea. He searched for a long time but could not find it. Then he met another fish, and…

Down to Only One Fear

[349 words] WE NEED NOT FEAR: Economic Collapse. Whether the breaking of Social Security, a major stock market crash, the mounting U.S. debt, recession, the real estate bubble bursting, bankruptcy, out of control inflation, or job losses. “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his…

What Does the World Need?

[349 words] As time moves on, I am thankful for Jesus and the church. While having an attitude of gratitude, I also have a feeling of concern. I am concerned about the world really not knowing Jesus or having an understanding of the church. I know this is not a new concept, but our concern…

Ask What You Can Do for Your Congregation

[343 words] President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country!” This challenge is a principle that should be the guide for all the citizens of the United States of America. We should desire to be citizens that want better for the…

Peter’s Final Words

[334 words] The great apostle and evangelist, Peter did some amazing things in his preaching career. In Acts 2, he delivered the first gospel sermon after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Acts 2:41 records that an astounding number responded to this and were baptized into Christ—almost 3,000! Peter continued preaching even though arrested several times, beaten,…

Living in a Right-Hand World

[388 words] I’m left-handed and throughout my life it has been a source of both inconvenience and at times downright difficult. For instance, when I started school as a kid the desk we sat at were right-handed, totally opened on the left side. When I tried to write or draw my left arm was up…

Writing Down the Reasons

[301 words] I heard of a man who said he was going to decide the question of becoming a Christian in a reasonable way. He was going to write down on one piece of paper all the reasons why he should become a Christian. On another piece of paper he would write down all the…

Victory Depends on the Vision

[337 words] I was born with extremely poor eyesight. My poor vision began to manifest itself in elementary school. At one point in the sixth grade my grades were horrible because of my vision. My mother was called in for a conference about my grades. I was terrified! I mean, the meeting wasn’t about some…

Jesus Never Went to Hell

[346 words] Though some translations erroneously use the English word “hell” and much tradition suggests Jesus went to hell, they are mistaken. Matthew 16:18 (NASB95) says, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” One enters…

A First Century Perspective

[330 words] The religious world looks at religion through 21st century glasses. Seldom does it really reach back to the first century. Yet, a first century perspective is exactly what is needed. If not, it is easy to make the Bible say things it never intended to say. Too, it causes individuals to use the…

When Jesus Doesn’t Come

[350 words] At separate times, both Martha and Mary said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (cf. John 11:21,32). There are a few ways to understand these grief-stricken words. First, it is likely these were often repeated words around the home: “If only Jesus was here.” It…

God is the God of Peace

[382 words] God told Moses to tell the priests how to bless God’s people in Numbers 6:23-27. The blessing we know, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” The Jewish…

Recommending the Great Physician

[304 words] A critical Pharisee once asked why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. The Bible says, “When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick’” (Matthew 9:12).When we are sick, it is to our great benefit to see a…

Understanding with the Heart

[385 words] He had been to a funeral during which he began thinking about the condition of his soul. He knew that he was lost and wanted to be saved. Now, sitting on the shoulder of the highway in his truck, sin-burdened and guilt-ridden, he looked up into the sky and began pouring out his…

The Value of Worship

[338 words] Have you ever asked the question, “Is worship valuable?” If you have not, ask yourself, “Is worship valuable to me?” Regarding worship, Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God…

Giving Back to Jesus

[373 words] The little book of Jude begins with some big reminders for Christians of all ages (both in time periods and in years). Let’s examine three from the first three verses. Always put Jesus first (v.1).The author of the epistle, Jude, was the half brother of Jesus Christ. And yet, rather than boasting about…

Bring Christ Your Broken Life

[395 words] When I visited Ukraine several years ago, I was impressed how beautiful everyone looked on the street and in the community. Men were wearing their finest suits and polished shoes, and women were wearing their most beautiful dresses, designer heels, and name-brand accessories. When I asked one of my Ukrainian companions about their…

Considering the Shepherd

[321 words] Considering men who may serve as elders in the church is a critical time within the life of a congregation. They will be entrusted with leadership which will affect the health and future of the congregation. The process is never to be taken lightly, and biblical guidance must be the criteria upon which…

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