Second Fiddle

[257 words] It’s been said that the hardest instrument to learn to play is second fiddle! It is a difficult role. John the baptizer seemed to play it well. He denied the references to him being the Christ by saying he was not worthy to even untie Christ’s sandals (John 1:27). Instead of claiming to…

Go Into All the World and Live a Good, Moral Life?

[293 words] Why is it that some Christians seem to believe that their only responsibility in reaching the lost is to live a pure lifestyle before them? Will alien sinners become Christians by simply observing that Christians refrain from things like profanity, fornication, and drugs? Will simply being kind to others convert the lost? Certainly,…

Let Me Tell You About My Friend

[341 words] I have a good friend. He doesn’t drink alcohol, thus has never been involved in any alcohol-related crimes or embarrassments. He doesn’t destroy his mind through the use of illicit drugs. I’ve never once heard my friend gossip or tell a single lie. He never wastes his time in night clubs, casinos, or…

Good Fruit

[261 words] “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). My brother has worked over 35 years in a produce department. He knows fresh fruit when he sees it and he easily recognizes fraudulent freshness, too. Daily, he’ll…

Is God Pleased With You?

[226 words] “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way…” (Colossians 1:10). We love because the Lord first loved us, though we were enemies to Him and separated from Him, and sent Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.…

It’s Hard to Give it to God

[364 words] Sometimes when we go through tough stretches (often made by our own hands!), we procrastinate about turning to God. We think that because we make dumb decisions that we must always figure out a way on our own. God would help us if we would tum to Him. At least if we turned…

Fight, Finish, Fulfill

[268 words] Second Timothy 4:7 has often been referred to as Paul’s valedictory: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” It has also been observed that this statement had something for every group of people in the first century. The idea of fighting the fight appealed…

Too Much Pressure?

[243 words] The USS Thresher was a nuclear submarine that was designed to go to great depths due to its great strength. The steel bulkheads were built to withstand great pressure from tons of sea water. But, on April 9, 1963, it went too deep during routine deep-diving tests,  and was subsequently crushed into little…
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Clock Watchers

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

Make Today Great!

[337 words] The second stanza of Charles Kingsley’s poem, “The Noble Life,” goes like this: “Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; Do noble things, not dream them all day long; As so make life, and death, and that For Ever One grand sweet song.” Such is a good reminder that today…

How You Live

[203 words] I grew up with ESPN’s Sportscenter as a part of my morning routine. I always wanted to see what Michael Jordan, Tom Glavine, Cal Ripken, the Tennessee Vol football team, etc. had accomplished the night before. Stuart Scott made ESPN fun for me. At the July 16, 2014 ESPY awards, Scott remarked on…

Take a Bullet for Jesus!

[247 words] Years ago when Warren Sapp was describing his love and devotion for his coach, Tony Dungy, he said, “I would take a bullet for him–if it wouldn’t kill me.” The Bible teaches us to be so devoted to Jesus and His cause that we’d be willing to die for Him. Perhaps you’re familiar…

Take Note

[132 words] Lying at your side, perhaps, Or living right next door, Or working at the desk across The company’s polished floor; Seated next to you and riding On the city bus, Or walking in the city park And making nary a fuss; Hidden from view, a smarting hurt Behind the checker’s smile, Or a…

Is There Enough Snow to Shovel?

[331 words] Several years ago I recall having awakened from my slumber to find that it had snowed a little while I had slept. It was just a ground dusting, but snow nonetheless. As I do every morning, I prepared myself for the day ahead, then I went in to get my children up and…

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?

[359 words] It was a fact that Jesus was innocent. The Roman governor in charge of Judea, Pontius Pilate, so stated himself after having examined Jesus personally (John 19:4). It is also a fact that Jesus never even committed a single sin (Heb. 4:15). And yet, they fashioned the crown of thorns and placed a…

Jesus Solves Problems

[376 words] As I watched my television recently and saw people making accusations of racism and injustice, setting fire to police cars, breaking windows, and stealing from unprotected stores, one thought kept coming to mind: this country needs Jesus. If you have followed the Ferguson case at all, you probably have an opinion about it.…

What About Me?

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

Remember Who You Are

[528 words] If you are familiar with the story The Lion King, you know the critical point of Simba’s life. He was a young lion cub destined to become the next King. But due to some tragic events, including the death of his father, and the evil influence of his wicked uncle he had left…
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If Today Was the Last Day

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

How to Respond

[525 words] How do we respond to others when they mistreat us? With love and understanding so that we can, hopefully, share the “Good News” with them? Or do we respond with whatever the law will allow? Of course if we choose the second one, we may never have the chance or opportunity to share…

How To Identify a Lukewarm Christian

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

Living Life

As we live life day in and day out, are we living in a way that shows Jesus to others? Allen Webster wrote, “The shortest verse of the Bible says a lot! It tells us that the Great Physician had good bedside manners. Jesus knew that people generally do not care how much you know…

The Three M’s

  [359 words] In 1 Peter 4:11 the apostle Peter wrote, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion…

‘For Christ’s Sake’

  [264 words] One of the basic attitudes of this generation seems to be “What’s in it for me?” The entire premise of the life of Christ, however, was living for the sake of others. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 8:9, reminds us that for our sakes Christ left the riches of Heaven for the poverty…

This is Just the Elevator

  [305 words] The story is told of a farmer who called into a radio station during a contest, and being the fifth caller, he was given an all expense trip paid to New York City.  The farmer was absolutely overwhelmed by his trip and the new experiences.  A stretch limo picked him up and…

Are You Living Up to Your Clothing?

It’s Friday evening a little after sundown when he walks through the front door after a long day at work and announces his arrival, “Hi honey, I’m home.” “What took you so long? Supper’s been ready for an hour,” his wife says rather loudly from the kitchen. He walks in the kitchen and explains, “Oh,…

Looking Back

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). I remember as a young boy learning the proper techniques in lawn care. The first few times on a lawn mower was with my father. He pointed out various…
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Wasting Time

I have heard others say, myself included, “This is a waste of time?” How do you define wasted time? By what standard or what measure do you utilize to determine if the use of your time has been worth it or wasted? For example, I have a friend who thinks he is funny. He always…

Lights In the Darkness

(from Ephesians 4-6) Lights in the darkness are Christians who: • Walk worthy of their calling (4:1) • Are humble (4:2) • Are gentle (4:2) • Are patient (4:2) • Bear with one another in love (4:2) • Are eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (4:3) • Are…

Looking Like A Christian

A little old Jewish lady is flying out of New York City on her way to Miami Beach. She looks at the businessman sitting next to her and asks him, “Excuse me sir, but are you Jewish?” The man responds politely, “No, ma’am, I’m not Jewish.” After a little while, she again asks him. “You’re…

Industrious

An industrious person is attentive and active. An industrious person is committed and conscientious. An industrious person is dedicated and diligent. An industrious person is focused and faithful. An industrious person is hardworking and helpful. An industrious person is studious and steady. A Christian is an industrious person. Paul exhorted, “not lagging in diligence, fervent…

Satan Met a Brick Wall

[402 words] “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Temptations to forsake good works have ever plagued mankind. Satan has always known that the quickest and surest way to bring a good work to a halt is simply by discouraging…

Christianity Vs. Patriotism

[421 words] Racism. Patriotism. Football. Protests. Christianity. Maybe by now, you’re all tired of the rhetoric. Some of it has been unkind, some unreasonable, and some just coarse (as heard from our President). But I hope that you will find the brief thoughts below to be none of those things, and actually helpful. Please consider:…

Walking the Walk

[252 words] Many give lip service to the Bible and claim to believe that it is the Word of God. When Jesus was walking the earth, the Jews thought they were worshiping God when in reality they were just following the traditions and commands of men. Jesus said this worship was vain or useless (Matthew…

What Can I Do?

[418 words] There is a disinterest in spiritual matters within our country. People do not attach an importance to morality like they did in the past. Our nation cannot be described as a “Christian” nation as people were in a habit of doing in days gone by. In view of these matters let me make…

A Real Benefit Package

  [276 words] People will often change jobs for better benefits. More paid health insurance coverage is a major benefit people seek. A liberal retirement plan with earlier investment is also a premium job seekers consider. For a moment, let’s consider a different source of benefits from someone who loves you very dearly. It is…