Example

A Parent’s Example is Important

[445 words] When I was young, there was a cigarette commercial in which a father was sitting by a tree with his child. He lit a cigarette then set the cigarette package down on the ground. Immediately the small child picked up the package. The lesson was impressive. Little children are watching their parents. Not…

Be Like God!

[404 words] The self-help industry has grown by leaps and bounds. Books, videos, podcasts, life coaches all claiming to teach you how to live and make your life better. I know that if you are like me, you have heard people complain about their lives. I hear complaints about how complex life is and how…

Your Example Matters

[426 words] It’s not just the doctrine, it’s the examples! While in the midst of the study of Daniel, we have been deep into the prophecies of chapters 7-12 for the last several weeks. The whole book reminds us of the chief doctrine, “God rules in the kingdoms of men” (4:17), but Daniel’s life (and…

Bite the Wax Tadpole

[170 words] When Coca-Cola began marketing their product in China in 1928, they ran into a problem translating their name into Chinese. Mandarin Chinese is a language of symbols rather than sound. Retailers tried to translate the title of the new drink using symbols representing the sound rather than what the words the symbols meant.…

The Kid Who Changed The World

[286 words] The book The Kid Who Changed The World by Andy Andrews is based on the Butterfly Effect. The idea is that every time something happens, something else happens. When a butterfly flaps its wings, it moves tiny pieces of air, which then moves other tiny pieces of air. Essentially, every little thing you…

What We Can Learn from the Recent University Scandal

[238 words] On March 12, 2019, federal prosecutors disclosed a conspiracy to influence admissions decisions at several American research universities. A number of parents of college applicants are accused of paying large sums to misrepresent student test scores and bribe college officials to get their children into top tier universities. Accused of this crime are…

The Fish Net

[224 words] When Jesus began His ministry, He began with a fish story (of sorts). Not really a fish story, but an occasion where experienced fishermen worked all night and were preparing to return, having caught nothing. Jesus sees the men returning and they were somewhat downcast as a result of an empty night. The…

Leading Others Into Sin

[467 words] The Bible teaches that judgment day is coming. On this future and final day, we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of the things we have done in our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:10). The Scriptures reveal that we will be judged individually and personally: “So then every…

What Are We Leaving Behind?

[303 words] We are all familiar with news stories that highlight the “less than genius” decisions made by certain law breakers. Sometimes there are valuable lessons to be learned from these blunders. One particular criminal had been in jail for a short period of time when he was released. However, only a couple of hours…

Signals

[202 words] While driving to work while the traffic was really slow, I noticed a garden umbrella behind a fence that carried the name of a beer company. One could assume that the owner really liked that brand of beer; or maybe it was a free gift which he took advantage of. The point is,…

What Kind of Preacher Are You?

[393 words] The question proposed in the title of this article is not aimed primarily at the gospel preacher but at every member! Have you ever considered how many times you “preach” a message? Let me offer a few examples. You preach a message of good cheer every time you speak to a stranger who…

Your Example Still Matters

[458 words] In this wicked age we may be tempted to think that people no longer care or even notice immorality. Even in evil times, however, there is usually enough of a sense of decency in a community for people to recognize a shameful act. The period of the judges was a corrupt and dangerous…

The Missing Lamps

[210 words] In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church building. No one saw the complete plans for the church building until it was finished. When people gathered they marveled at its beauty…

Paul Was…Are You?

  [377 words] Paul was the man Jesus chose to go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel (Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:13). Once fully converted and committed, Paul accomplished the Lord’s will admirably (2 Tim. 4:7). In three successive verses in the first chapter of Romans, Paul records the formula for preparing ourselves to follow…

You Preach First

  [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 you park your car and when…

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…

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…

Live Right and People Will Listen

[394 words] In 2 Kings 5, a very familiar story of the Old Testament is recorded. Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria – an enemy nation of Israel. He was a mighty man of valor, but he also suffered from leprosy. After one of his raids, he brought back a young Israelite…

We Wish To See Jesus

In John 12:21, it is recorded that some Greeks came to Philip and said, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” If someone said that to you, what would you do? When my kids ask me a tough question I’m likely to pull out my phone and look it up right away. However, such would not…

The Salt Life

[283 words] Just a few years ago, I began seeing a new name brand spread like wild fire through society. The name brand was interesting, catchy, and embodied the “redneck beach bum” persona that so many were striving to carry. The brand was called “Salt Life” and it took the south by storm. In such…