[300 words] “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). Edification is not a word we use in everyday life. We don’t hear or read about it in the news. It’s not usually found on any TV drama or comedy....
[330 words] Saul, later known as Paul, and John Mark were well-known in the early church. But they might not have achieved their positions of leadership if it had not been for the unique ministry of a lesser known personality, Barnabas. Almost every time Barnabas is...
[296 words] Do you want good medicine during this time when we are hearing negative things – especially about the coronavirus and its spread throughout the U.S.? Right now, many people are having trouble – not with the disease – but with the effect it is having on our...
[217 words] “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20). Known as the Great Commission, this passage at the end of Matthew is often used, and rightly so, to speak about our core value of evangelism. We understand that the implication to...
[259 words] 2 CORINTHIANS 7:6 "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” God usually works through people. The encouragement and love you receive through others, actually has its source in God. So as we show love and offer...
[386 words] There is more than one way to defeat an army. Head-on clashes with the enemy work – if you’re stronger. A sneakier approach is to cut off the enemy’s supply lines. This tactic has been used for centuries. Soldiers need food, medical supplies, and...
[458 words] The story is told of an encounter between a high school principal and a young ninth grader. The principal noticed the young man in the hallway with a very defeated and frustrated look on his face. He asked the young man, "Is everything okay?" The boy...
[442 words] When we think of the great apostle Paul, we think of a rugged warrior for Christ – a courageous, daring, fearless man who laughed in the face of danger. After all, he was the man who got up and walked back into the town where folks had stoned him, drug him...
[269 words] A lady from the city was visiting members of her family who owned a farm. As she talked to the farmer, she noticed a pig in the backyard with a wooden leg. "What happened to that pig!" the woman asked. "Oh, that's Betsy," the farmer said. "She's a fine...
[451 words] Most every night, I sit down with my son and read him a bedtime story. He likes to hear some of the stories over and over, and I get so tired of some of them, to be honest. However, there is one that I don't mind reading over and over. It's the Dr. Seuss...
[354 words] Help my weakness of virtue. A primary weakness that we notice about ourselves is our moral weakness, our weakness in the face of temptation. Jesus noted that, like when we want to stay awake but drift into sleep anyway, we are susceptible to the weakness...
[379 words] Humans need it. We want others to give it freely, not grudgingly. We want it to come without prompting and we would love for it to happen on a regular basis. However, most of us are of such disposition we do not need it every day or, for that matter, every...
[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...
[357 words] Do you know what will kill the vibrancy of a local congregation quicker than anything else? It may not be what you think. Failing to have adequate church programs may be a contributor, but that's not the main thing. A lack of passion in the pulpit may be a...
[59 words] Barnabas - “he was glad and encouraged them all” (Acts 11:23) Silas - “encouraged and strengthened the brothers” (Acts 15:32) Paul - “encouraged them with many words” (Acts 20:2) Tychicus - “that he may encourage your hearts” (Col. 4:8) Timothy -...
[228 words] A woman was having difficulty getting her car started after it stalled in traffic. The gentleman(?) in the car behind her insisted on expressing his impatience by blowing his horn every few seconds. Finally, worn out by his thoughtlessness, she walked back...
[187 words] There are many wonderful things that happen to people when they become Christians. Unfortunately, there are also bad things that happen, like being persecuted for your faith. Later in his life, Paul would write: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly...
[361 words] Recently I was shopping at our local dollar store and there was a young woman and her two very young daughters in the store. They were traveling and their car had broken down in the parking lot. It was very cold and I went out to have a look. It seemed her...
[179 words] You know that feeling when you get something in the mail? It's so exciting! I can remember getting things in the mail when I was growing up and not even being able to wait until I got inside to open it because I was so excited! My mom is probably the best...
[62 words] The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, A loop called Confusion, Speed bumps called Friends, Red lights called Enemies. You will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called...
[183 words] The first sermon preached each Sunday is not by the minister, but by you. You preach a message about the importance of the Scriptures when you bring your Bible. You preach a message of good cheer when you say “Good morning!” to those you meet when...
[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,...
[151 words] One of my all-time favorite passages of scripture is found in Philemon 7. There, the apostle Paul commended Philemon “because the hearts of the Saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.” Wouldn't it be wonderful if that could honestly be...
[88 words] Years ago a little girl handed me a piece of paper with a brief note scribbled on it. I don’t remember the girl’s name, but I remember the message: “To you from _______. I love you.” It was simple. It was direct. And, it was appreciated. What does...
[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...
[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...
[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...
[135 words] We fall into sin because there is a void in our life. We look for anything to fill it, and since nothing ever fills that void for long, it doesn’t take long before we’re back at it again. What about a love from the One... ...who died for us (John 3:16)?...
[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...
[422 words] We are at a time in world history where we are more “connected” than ever before (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Due to the advances of technology, we are able to do things that previous generations could not even imagine. Ironically, our ability to...
[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...
Have you ever just sat around a fire? It is incredibly therapeutic. A fire seems to bring out wonderful moments of reflection and conversation. Fires are beneficial in many ways with the heat, light, and mood it produces. God’s word is compared to a fire in Jeremiah...
Despised and torn to pieces, By infidels decried, The thunderbolts of hatred, The haughty cynic's pride All these have railed against it, In this and other lands; Yet dynasties have fallen, And still the Bible stands! Author Unknown via Broadway church of Christ...
[455 words] History books are filled with biographies of failures who made good. From them we can learn the valuable lesson that failure need not be fatal. The first President of the United States—the father of our country—lost two-thirds of the battles he fought...
[163 words] • Monthly cell phone bill: $90 • Card and envelope: $4 • US postage stamp: .47¢ • A word of encouragement at the right time? Priceless! Jesus told His disciples, just before His death, when they were afraid, “In this world you will have tribulation...
[107 words] I think that I shall never see A church that's all it ought to be; A church whose members never stray Beyond the straight and narrow way. A church that has no empty pews; Whose preacher never has the blues; Where elders "eld" and deacons "deek." And none...
Most young boys admire and look up to their father as they are growing up. I was no different. I wanted to be just like my father. Grow up to be strong, smart, funny, kind, loving, honest, hard working, a farmer, and many other things just like my father as I got...
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and...