Dwight Fuqua

Righteous

[460 words] Are you righteous? The word “righteous” (dikaios) appears 79 times in the New Testament. I offer this composite from a study of the original word: (a) a righteous person is one who fulfills his duty toward God and men, (b) a righteous person is one who observes divine and human laws, (c) a…

The Good Word

[385 words] We are to hear and obey the word of God! The Master said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). We are often admonished from the pulpit and in Bible class to study and apply the Bible daily. This is good advice for the Bible is…

Contentment, Not Accomplishment

[51 words] “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). This has to do with our ability to be content in all things, regardless of circumstances, not about our ability to accomplish all the things we set out to do. The verse is about contentment, not about accomplishment. Dwight FuquaFindlay church…

Contemporary Worship

[441 words] “Unbelievable!” That is the only word to describe it! A brother expressed concern in one of our publications about the “have it your way” mentality of those advocating contemporary worship. He clearly articulated the inherent danger of putting the focus on us instead of upon God, thus seeking to please ourselves instead of…

The Bible Is Right!

[421 words] Willie Cato’s book, “His Hand and His Heart,” is about the wit and wisdom, dedication and sacrifice of the beloved Marshall Keeble. “Brother Keeble,” as he was affectionately known, was one of the greatest preachers of the 20th century. I highly recommend that you read about this great servant of God, listen to…

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

[398 words] Robert Lowry composed both the words and music of the beautiful hymn, “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.” In the hymn we are asked, “What can wash away my sins?” and “What can make me whole again?” Each time we respond, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” In Lowry’s hymn we sing of…

Worship God

[335 words] Fact One: We are worshiping God! Fact Two: God sees our worship! Fact Three: Being conscious of these facts should greatly impact our worship! Fact One: We are worshiping God! When we sing, we sing “to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). When the lesson is taught, we are studying to present ourselves “approved to…

Time Management

[289 words] Living the way God wants us to live requires the proper consciousness, commitment, and management of time. Paul exhorted, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is”…

The Mediation Of Christ

[519 words] The Master said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Mediator, our High Priest, and our Advocate. Jesus Christ is our SAVIOR. The angel directed Joseph to “call His name Jesus, for He will…

A Different Spirit

[403 words] At Kadesh Israel caught a terminal case of “the grasshopper complex” from the ten faithless spies. The reports of giants and walled cities blinded them to the greatness of God and deafened them to His promises. What a sad day in Israel’s history! Moses wrote, “we were like grasshoppers in our own sight,…

What Can I Do?

[504 words] “I do not feel as close to the Lord as I once did. I know that I do not study and pray as I once did. I want to be close to God again. What can I do?” We have all felt this way! We have awakened to find ourselves adrift from God.…

Tomorrow

[273 words] I have a riddle for you! What is it that a man does not have, but that he often uses to rob himself of happiness here and heaven hereafter? You looked at the title, didn’t you? The answer is, “Tomorrow.” “Tomorrow” is one of the most dangerous words in our language. It robs…

Museum Bibles

[170 words] The Bible is not a museum piece to be admired at a distance and dusted now and again. It is a treasure to be polished. It is a tool to be used. It is a light to be shined. It is a mirror to be viewed. It is a sword to be sharpened.…

Influence

[370 words] Influence is the force by which we have an effect upon the life of another person. We each have influence. The power of your influence is staggering. You want to be a good influence for Christ! Attempts are made to minimize the power of individual influence. We hear statements like, “I don’t have…

Peaceable

[377 words] Hamor and Shechem mistakenly said of Jacob’s sons, “These men are at peace with us” (Genesis 34:21). The wise woman of Abel told Joab, “I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel” (2 Samuel 20:19). Near Gebor the descendants of Simeon found a place to dwell that was “quiet and peaceful” (1…

What Comes First?

[190 words] Even before his outstanding years as Harding University’s quarterback, Tom Ed Gooden was noted by the Arkansas Gazette as being the best high school quarterback in his district. The newspaper, ran a picture of Tom Ed with the caption, “Not On Wednesday.” It seems that another school had tried to schedule a game…

Showing Everyday Faith

[188 words] • The respect you show God and His Word on Sundays says a lot about your faith in Him. • The attitude you show the world on Mondays says a lot about your faith in God. • How much time you send reading your Bible and in prayer on Tuesdays says a lot…

What Comes First?

[191 words] Even before his outstanding years as Harding University’s quarterback, Tom Ed Gooden was noted by the Arkansas Gazette as being the best high school quarterback in his district. The newspaper ran a picture of Tom Ed with the caption, “Not On Wednesday.” It seems that another school had tried to schedule a game…

Truth is Incontrovertible

[273 words] The Master said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said, “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” That first sentence, “The truth is…

Precious Wounds

[428 words] Paul exhorted, ‘Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV). We want to “encourage one another” as Christians, but what does that involve? Our minds immediately go to positive remarks and actions that impart courage, confidence and support. Consider another, less appreciated but…

Upside Down

[308 words] You are watching a movie on TV or DVD. You are really rooting for the hero to overcome the obstacles before him so that he can ride off into the sunset. Suddenly it dawns on you: “I should not be rooting for this guy!” He has been violating the law! He has conquered…

Watch!

[303 words] To “watch” is to be on the lookout, to be alert and vigilant. “Watch” is a constant admonition in Scripture. In addition to other words translated “watch,” the Greek word “gregoreo” appears 22 times in the New Testament. God wants us to watch, but for what? Many of the admonitions to “watch” have…

Are You Perfect In Every Way?

[533 words] Back in the 80’s Mac Davis sang, “Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” God deliver the family, the friends, the brethren and the congregation from those who think they are “perfect in every way.” Romans 12 is an awesome chapter. Paul challenges Christians (us) to be…

Receptivity

[386 words] Receptivity is the desire to hear and the willingness to accept God’s Word! The Master exhorted, “Therefore take heed how you hear” (Luke 8:18). This admonition concluded His teaching about the different soils (hearts) on which the seed (God’s Word) falls. Some hearts are hard. Some hearts are shallow. Some hearts are distracted.…

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…

Perfection

Christians struggle with the concept of perfection. We associate perfection with sinlessness. However, the New Testament word has reference to completeness. The word “teleios” is found 19 times in the New Testament and is translated “perfect” every time in the King James Version. While rendered “perfect” on several occasions in the New King James Version,…

How Valuable ls One Soul?

How valuable is one soul? The Master said, “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 16:26). One soul is worth more than “the whole world.” Every soul is valuable because it…

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…

The Reason for the Season?

  [317 words] It’s December! For many, especially children, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” It is also the time of the year when we hear the slogan, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” How do you feel about that slogan? I take issue! Jesus is not “the reason for the season.”…