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Peter Reminds Us of Our Relations Gary Smalley In 1 Peter 2:17, Peter wrote what may be considered a concise, four-point summary of the Christian’s relations to others. Please consider the Christian’s duty to live by these imperatives: “Honor all people” – Though we live in an unkind world where most people have no interest […]
Navigating Disagreements Dylan Stewart When we find ourselves in the middle of a disagreement with someone, it is important that we possess the correct attitude during these difficult situations. If we are not careful, we can escalate what started out as a minor problem and turn a disagreement into something far more destructive. Whenever we […]
Lessons in Times of Disaster Marc W. Gibson What lessons should the faithful Christian learn from times of disaster? Disaster can strike at any time or place and can start in the smallest ways (the proverbial “finger in the dike”). We must remain alert and watchful at all times, physically and spiritually (Eph. 5:15-17). The […]
The Gospel Frank Himmel The word “gospel” means good news. Mark called his book “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). It is the good news that Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth and gave himself as a sacrifice on our behalf. Through His blood, we can have forgiveness […]
It’s What We Make Of It Bill Hall An old man was sitting on the porch of the community store when some settlers came by in their horse-drawn wagon. “What kind of people will we find in this area if we choose to make our home here?” asked the settlers. “What kind of people did […]
Going to a Funeral? Mark White “IT IS BETTER TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF MOURNING THAN TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF FEASTING: for this is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad. […]
Don’t Be a Thief! (Eph. 4:28) Mike Johnson Ephesians 4:17-32 is one of many passages in the New Testament that speaks of a change that is supposed to occur when a person becomes a Christian. The Bible tells Christians to put off the old man, i.e., our former sinful conduct, and put on the […]
A Lesson from Luther Mike Johnson Luther was quite slow from a mental standpoint. He was well-liked in the community, and it was easy to get along with him. However, some of the young men in the neighborhood could not resist having some fun with him from time to time. At the little store where […]
A Servant’s Heart Greg Gwin Our Lord taught that if we would be truly great in His kingdom, we MUST develop a servant’s heart. “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Mt. 23:11). If we understand this truth, then we will be working more and more to acquire the attitudes and […]
It’s Always Needed Shane Williams I heard a story of a man in the mid 1950’s entering school to study engineering. A professor told the entering freshmen class to buy the best slide rule they could afford. The reason: “You will be dependent on it all your ‘professional life.’” Well, of course, it wasn’t too […]
Unread Letters Matt Hennecke A childhood accident resulted in the poet Elizabeth Barrett becoming an invalid and recluse. Despite her isolation her early poetry drew the attention of Robert Browning who began courting her. He eventually asked for her hand in marriage in 1846. But there’s more to the story. In her youth, Elizabeth had […]
TOO LATE Author Unknown An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer‑contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to […]
TRYING TO ADAPT THE CHURCH TO EVERYBODY Sewell Hall I was never an avid baseball fan and living in Atlanta has done little to convert me. One 4th of July, however, I did agree to go with a group of Christian friends to a Braves game. From the time we arrived at the field, I […]
Going to A Funeral? Mark White “IT IS BETTER TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF MOURNING THAN TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF FEASTING: for this is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad. […]
That’s Not A Problem Here Heath Rogers A number of years ago I was reprimanded for preaching a rather straightforward sermon on the sin of homosexuality. The language of the sermon had upset a couple in the church, as they did not want their young children exposed to this subject. When I discussed this matter […]
What Does Preaching Accomplish? Bob Waldron The Old Testament prophet was the preacher of his day. He was inspired, but other than that, he served in the same role as preachers must serve today. There were all kinds: blunt Amos, noble Isaiah, austere Elijah. There were also different purposes served by the various prophets. Some […]
Sermon From an Old Couple Throughout the years, I have heard many wonderful sermons that I have forgotten, but one sermon I have seen, and it has remained in my heart unto this day. It happened on a Sunday morning while on my way to services at a small congregation in Munich, Germany. It was […]
The Purpose of Baptism David A. Cox “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” –– (Acts 2:38). There are two common perspectives regarding the purpose of Baptism. The first view holds that […]
Things Saul Saw When Blind John Isaac Edwards While Saul of Tarsus was on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by a light from heaven (Acts 9:1-9). During the time that Saul was blind, he saw a number of things that most people today don’t see. Let’s notice three things that Saul saw while […]
It is Easier . . . David Harkrider It is easier to compromise the truth than to stand for it. It is easier to ignore sin than to expose it. It is easier to justify the sinner than to demand his repentance. It is easier to criticize the preaching of truth than to endorse it. […]
Careful with the Word “Miracle” Gardner Hall I see increasing numbers of references among disciples of Christ referring to events in their lives as miraculous, or even asking for a miracle. Perhaps it’s time for a reminder that we don’t live in the miraculous age. That fact almost used to be taken for granted in […]
The Work God Gave the Local Church Steve Klein God is the Master designer. We need only look at the physical universe to realize this. Psalm 19:1 tells us that, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.” The intricate and marvelous design of the creation shows the wisdom […]
Why “Liberal” and “Conservative” Churches of Christ Robert Harkrider During the past two decades, many have asked this question. Some sincere brethren who have been caught up in one stream or the other never fully understood, and many who were too young before have now grown to adulthood wondering why. It is, therefore, a good […]
Is the New Testament a Law? Jonathan Perz The Bible is undeniably divided into two key sections—the Old Testament and the New Testament. This division is described in the Bible in various ways, some literally and some figuratively. One such contrast is seen when the Bible refers to the Old Testament as the “Law of Moses” […]
The Vick‘s Salve Syndrome Paul Stringer I believe that the person who first said, “The customer is always right,” never worked in a retail sales position. A few years back, a lady who I had never seen before stormed into the pharmacy we owned at the time, made a bee-line to the cough and cold […]
How Men Act When They Repent Steve Klein In Matthew 12:41, Jesus said, “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.” According to Jesus, the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of […]
Fear of the Lord Defined (Psalm 34:11-14) Dylan Stewart If you study the Bible, there is no mistaking the repeated commands to “fear” God. For example, the wise man famously stated, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b). Similarly, Peter commanded, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. […]
Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged Blessed are they who understand My faltering step and shaking hand. Blessed who know my ears today Must strain to hear the things they say. Blessed are those who seem to know My eyes are dim and my mind is slow. Blessed are those who look away When I […]
Better than Confession David Maxson “Yet even now, “declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13) If we’ve heard very many sermons at all, we’ve doubtless made one of the following statements after a good lesson: “Preacher, […]
Can Those That Are Sincere Be Wrong? Donnie V. Rader Honesty and sincerity do not guarantee that our positions and actions are right. We recognize that principle in other areas of life. Why not grabble with it in religion? We all know that it is possible for one to take the wrong medication, while believing […]
Legalism … Again … and Again … and Again … Jonathan Perz Ugh. (Yes, I just started a post off with the word “ugh.”) I realize that many of my brethren have grave concerns about the idea of “legalism.” It has become quite paramount in the thinking of some. The way some speak, there is […]
You Legalist! Dave Hart “You…you… legalist!!” I remember the first time I was called a legalist. It was not a compliment. The response was given after I had shown what the Bible commands on a particular subject. The exact words were, “I think it’s sad that you’re such a legalist.” Since then, there have been many […]
Legalism: The Un-Sin Steve Klein Since the church began, the devil has concocted any number of diabolical schemes to ensnare God’s people. One of his most successful gambits has been the invention of the pseudo-sin commonly called legalism. More people consider legalism to be a sin than consider 7-UP to be a cola, but they […]
Forgiveness Without Repentance? Mike Johnson The Bible emphasizes the importance of forgiving those who sin against us. In fact, failing to do so is very frightening because, in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus taught, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, […]
Attitude Mark White If you would like to kill the work of your local congregation, then I have the perfect plan: 1. Skip services often and encourage others to skip, too. 2. When you do attend, come in late and cause a little disturbance. While there, take a good nap. 3. Always be critical and […]
Act as Though You’re Deaf Leon Mauldin We trust that our readers are familiar with Israel’s request to Samuel that he make them a king, so “that we also may be like all the nations” (I Samuel 8:20). Having prayed to God, and having warned the Act people of how the reality of their having […]
Why I Go to Every Service of the Church I Go To Every Service of The Church Because I Am Made Stronger. Power is given in worship to live a nobler, holy life (Acts 20:32). There is the sweetest fellowship on earth. Why should I want to miss ANY service? I Go To Every Service of […]
What Makes a Pharisee? Scott Beyer The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” (Mark 7:5) One of the most common arguments leveled against Jesus was that He ignored the traditions and customs of previous generations. […]
Is He Really a Pharisee? John R. Gibson I frequently hear and read of religious people today being referred to as Pharisees, but I don’t believe the word means what many of those who use it think it means. Before you ever refer to or think of someone as a Pharisee, it would be wise […]
Nadab, Abihu, and the “Strange Fire” Tom Edwards The Old Testament abounds with numerous examples that illustrate New Testament principles, such as in Leviticus 10:1-2, in which the lesson is taught that God will not accept just any kind of worship. It reads, “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and […]
If He Repents, Forgive Him Pat Donahue Jesus said in Luke 17:3, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Many, even some Christians, evidently are more “charitable” than God himself, and more “charitable” than God instructs us to be in this verse. They say […]
Soft soap in the pulpit will never cleanse people of their sins. It is a good idea to take an interest in the future — that’s where you will spend the rest of your life. Hell is for two classes of people: those who will do anything and those who won’t do anything. People who […]
The Eternal Word (John 1:1-3) Mike Johnson John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” This article will examine four significant […]
The Truth Sometimes Hurts Jonathan Perz How much do you appreciate the truth? The truth is easy to hear when it is flattering, encouraging, and uplifting. However, the truth can sometimes hurt. Do you always desire the truth from those around you, regardless of whether it is favorable or not? Do you always demand the […]
A Cow Fell From Heaven Glen Young The dazed crew members of a Japanese trawler were plucked out of the Sea of Japan clinging to the wreckage of their sunken ship. Their rescue, however, was followed by immediate imprisonment once authorities questioned the sailors on their ship’s loss. Every single one of them claimed that […]
A Cow Fell From Heaven Glen Young The dazed crew members of a Japanese trawler were plucked out of the Sea of Japan clinging to the wreckage of their sunken ship. Their rescue, however, was followed by immediate imprisonment once authorities questioned the sailors on their ship’s loss. Every single one of them claimed that […]
An Open Letter from Nadab and Abihu Brethren, it is with the utmost humility that we inform you of a change of worship practices in your normal sacrificing. Be assured that we are bringing about this change only after much prayer and study. We have recently concluded an in-depth re-study of the Law as delivered […]
Rejected by His Own (John 1:11) Mike Johnson John 1:1-18 is considered the prologue of the book of John. A prologue introduces a literary work, providing background information about the characters, setting, or events. The rest of the book then explains and backs up what is in the prologue. Unlike the other gospel accounts, John […]
To You Who Bring Small Children to Church There you are, sitting in worship or Bible study. Your child, or toddler, is restless. Perhaps they’re even a little boisterous. You try to silence them, and nothing. You try to pacify them with food or toys, and nothing. Eventually, you resort to the last thing you […]
Do Miracles Occur Every Day? Leon Mauldin What does the Bible teach regarding miracles? Is it true, as some claim, that miracles are happening every day? In reality, even during Bible times, miracles did not occur “every day.” Miraculous activities for the most part were confined to certain periods of Biblical history. These included the […]
Mules, Grudges, and Bitterness Glen Young A farmer leaned on the fence, which separated his farm from his neighbor’s adjoining field. He watched while his neighbor plowed his old mule with sullen difficulty. The farmer stood there watching his neighbor’s misery until he could take it no longer. “I don’t like to tell a fella […]
The Benefits of Being in Prison (Philippians 1:12-14) Mike Johnson (12) But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, (13) so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains […]
Keep It Simple Jarrod Jacobs The above statement is the “mantra” of a friend of mine. When it comes to the preaching and teaching of God’s word, he has told me often, “Keep it simple.” This sentiment was impressed upon my mind even further when a sister in Christ told me, “The main problem that […]
Fellowship Bob Waldron I receive a number of church bulletins each week from several sections of the country. I appreciate them being sent to me: for the most part I have profited from reading them. One of the things I have particularly noticed has been the frequent use of the word “fellowship.” Not only have […]
The Butterfly One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon. A man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could […]
A Child’s Words A little girl with shining eyes, Her little face aglow, Said, “Daddy, it is almost time For Bible Class. Let’s go! They teach us there of Jesus’ love Of how He died for all, Upon the cruel cross to save Those who on Him will call.” “Oh, no.” said Daddy, “not today, […]
What David Didn’t Say Greg Gwin One of the most famous episodes in the Bible is that of David’s sin with Bathsheba and Nathan’s subsequent confrontation with the king. It has often been pointed out that David’s confession stands as a model of what confession ought to be. We are awed by his simple, humble […]
Teaching the Old Lessons Mark White Every once in a while, some well-meaning but misguided brother will chide us for teaching the old lessons. He will say, “You are answering questions which no one is asking any longer.” By this, he means to squelch our teaching on the first principles of Gospel obedience and salvation […]
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Growing Old in the Lord (Psalm 71) Mike Johnson Young people may consider an aged person’s life free from problems. For example, they see an older person as one who does not have to face the difficulties of employment, child rearing, and sometimes even house payments. They may note that a person who has advanced […]
Drawing Strength from the Courage of Others Bill Hall How thankful we should be for wonderful examples of courage that spur us on to greater strength in the Lord’s service. Paul was just such an example: “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the […]
You Are My Rock and Fortress (Ps. 71:3) Mike Johnson After expressing to God that he trusted Him, the psalmist continues in verse 3: “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.” He wants God to be […]
Trusting God (Psalm 71:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 71:1 says, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.” This psalm was written by an aged man who had trusted God, not an idol or false deity, throughout his life. However, even in his old age, he faced enemies waiting […]
“O God, Who Is Like You?” (Ps. 71:19) Mike Johnson Psalm 71:19 says, “Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?” Earlier in Psalm 71, the writer has extensively praised God. He has spoken of God’s mercy, power, strength, might, and love. In […]
Bearing Fruit in Old Age (Psalm 71:17-18) Mike Johnson Psalm 71:17-18 says, “O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to […]
Five Requests of God (Ps. 71:1-4) Mike Johnson (1) In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. (2) Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. (3) Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You […]
Praying in Times of Trouble (Psalm 86) Mike Johnson Psalm 86:7 says, “In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.” This verse is an excellent summation of this Psalm. The writer is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature. However, verse 14 points […]
Growing Old in the Lord (Psalm 71) Mike Johnson Young people may consider an aged person’s life free from problems. For example, they see an older person as one who does not have to face the difficulties of employment, child rearing, and sometimes even house payments. They may note that a person who has advanced […]
Three Responses to Paul’s Sermon David Cox “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with […]
The Benefits of Being in Prison (Philippians 1:12-14) Mike Johnson (12) But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, (13) so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains […]
Rejected by His Own (John 1:11) Mike Johnson John 1:1-18 is considered the prologue of the book of John. A prologue introduces a literary work, providing background information about the characters, setting, or events. The rest of the book then explains and backs up what is in the prologue. Unlike the other gospel accounts, […]
Teaching the Old Lessons Mark White Every once in a while, some well-meaning but misguided brother will chide us for teaching the old lessons. He will say, “You are answering questions which no one is asking any longer.” By this, he means to squelch our teaching on the first principles of Gospel obedience and salvation […]
The Pulpit Roger Shouse “Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hikiah, and Masseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishel, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.” (Nehemiah 8:4) Ezra stood at a wooden podium. […]
The Eternal Word (John 1:1-3) Mike Johnson John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” This article will examine four significant […]
Forgiveness Without Repentance? Mike Johnson The Bible emphasizes the importance of forgiving those who sin against us. In fact, failing to do so is very frightening because, in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus taught, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, […]
Fear of the Lord Defined (Psalm 34:11-14) Dylan Stewart If you study the Bible, there is no mistaking the repeated commands to “fear” God. For example, the wise man famously stated, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b). Similarly, Peter commanded, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. […]
Can We All See the Bible Alike? Hiram Hutto If a statement is made often enough, people will come to believe it even though it is not true. A good example is that which you hear so often in religion, “We can’t all see the Bible alike.” The Apostle Paul disagrees with this idea in […]
Ten Lessons to Instill in Children If you’re thankful, show it (Luke 17:11-18). If you love someone, tell them (John 15:12). If you’re wrong, fess up (James 5:16). If you’re confused, ask questions (James 1:5). If you learn something, teach others (Colossians 3:16). If you’re stuck, ask for help (Matthew 7:7). If you make a […]
HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mike Johnson How well do you listen? We would not remember some of the most famous statements ever made if someone had not listened carefully to what was said. Listening correctly is very important to learning. One person put it like this: “Talk, and you say what you already know, […]
The Work God Gave the Local Church Steve Klein God is the Master designer. We need only look at the physical universe to realize this. Psalm 19:1 tells us that, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.” The intricate and marvelous design of the creation shows the wisdom of […]
A Badge of Discipleship (Jn. 13:34-35) Mike Johnson In John 13:34-35, Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” […]
That’s Not a Problem Here Heath Rogers A number of years ago I was reprimanded for preaching a rather straightforward sermon on the sin of homosexuality. The language of the sermon had upset a couple in the church, as they did not want their young children exposed to this subject. When I discussed this […]
Did My Generation Neglect the Grace of God? Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I cannot understand how so many of the younger generation of preachers (sometimes encouraged by a few older ones) can talk about how woefully the generation before them neglected to tell people about the grace of God. They boldly speak about it as […]
Giving Thanks for All Things A thief broke into a modest dwelling of Matthew Henry, the celebrated Bible scholar, and stole his purse, but the busy, cheerful old gentleman, far from being downcast, turned to his diary and entered this cheerful observation; “Let me be thankful first, because he never robbed me before; second, because […]
The Walls of Jericho R.J. Evans In Joshua 6:1-6, the Israelites were instructed by the Lord to march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days. The priests were told to bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark, and on the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven […]
A LIVING GOD Alan Smith A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense’s closing statement, the lawyer knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you […]
What Does the Empty Tomb Mean to Us? Jarrod Jacobs Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus was crucified between two thieves. When He died, His body was laid in a new tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea (Mk. 15:43-47), there to await His resurrection on the third day. The account of the women and the apostles […]
Reasons We Shouldn’t Neglect Study of the New Testament Pat Donahue I’ve heard many sermons on how we ought to study the Old Testament (in particular), but I have never heard one (not a single sermon) do the same for the New Testament. Doesn’t that seem strange to you, especially considering the fact the New Testament is […]
Narrow Mindedness Cecil F. Cox Do you like narrow-minded people? I believe the majority of the people, if they answered that question honestly, would say “NO!” Such an attitude reflects the desire to prejudice or belittle those who sincerely seek to go by the rules and laws in life. But I believe many of us […]
Are You A Pilgrim? Terry W. Benton Peter writes with the authority of an “apostle” of Jesus Christ and he writes to the Christians who were scattered. In 1 Peter 1:1, Peter speaks of “pilgrims of the dispersion.” He was likely speaking of the Christians who had been scattered since the days when persecution had […]
ACT AS THOUGH YOU’RE DEAF Leon Mauldin We trust that our readers are familiar with Israel’s request to Samuel that he make them a king, so “that we also may be like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:20). Having prayed to God, and having warned the people of how the reality of their having a […]
Some Facts About Christmas Tom Moody The word “Christmas” is formed by the combining of the words “Christ” and “mass,” thus, “the Mass of Christ.” The holiday as we know it originated with Roman Catholic ritual, although the ultimate origin of many of the customs of the season is not Catholicism, but paganism. No one […]
Understanding the Message Greg Gwin Did you hear about the fella who was discussing his recent visit to a church service? Someone asked him, “What did the preacher preach about?” To which he replied, “I don’t know. He didn’t say!” There could be at least a couple of reasons why a person could attend a […]
What Would You Do? For many years, a merchant conscientiously used a measure that did not meet the government standard. He was honest and had no intention of defrauding those who purchased from him. He took the word of the man who sold him the measure and never thought of having it tested. When the […]
Brief Exhortations “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Gal. 6:7-8) A farmer posted a “No Trespassing” […]
This May Shock You Donnie V. Rader This may shock you, but there are a number of things that the Bible does not teach that a multitude of people are not aware of. 1. The Bible does not teach that one church is as good as another. Rather, the Bible says, “There is one body” […]
What Might Have Been Barney L. Keith How painful is the thought expressed by one of the great poets, John Greenleaf Whittier: “For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘It might have been!”’ Many a person has thrown away his life in drug addiction (including alcohol). Numerous are those […]
Was the Death of Stephen Unnecessary? Windell Wiser The title that heads this article may sound strange, but the actions and philosophies of some merit our consideration of such a question. It is true that we live in a country where we enjoy religious freedom. It is not against the law to preach Christ in […]
Is It Right to Criticize Another Person’s Religion? Kevin Kay It’s not only right to criticize false religion, no matter whose religion it is; it’s the faithful Christian’s responsibility. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:7-9). Paul criticized those who tried to bind the shadows of the Mosaic […]
Unknown Voices from the Past: A man was walking down a little hill in the woods when he stepped on a little twig. The twig rolled, and he fell down. As he got up and went on his way, he thought to himself, “If that had been a big log, I would have seen it […]
There’s Nothing Wrong with Emphasizing Fear of Eternal Punishment Dylan Stewart For some reason, many believers take issue with Bible teachers emphasizing fear of eternal punishment as motivation for serving God. However, teaching others to obey God due to fear of punishment is the exact reason listed in 2 Corinthians 5:10-11a as to why […]
The Conversion of Cornelius Derek Long In the book of Acts chapter 10, we read of the conversion of Cornelius and his household. Many important truths can be learned by examining the account of his conversion. Let’s examine some of these lessons: 1. Being a good man is not enough to save someone. As we […]
Pilate, the Roman Governor Clarence R. Johnson As Jesus stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, He clearly acknowledged that He was born to be King of the Jews, Matt. 27:11; John 18:36-37. While in the context of Matt. 27:11, we might take note of the insight this passage gives us into the character of Pontus […]
A Recreational Church? Carey Scott Many different denominations seeking to attract numbers and new converts offer recreation as a benefit of joining their church. Entertainment and recreation seem to be a drawing card that is hard to beat. It certainly appeals to the lust of the flesh and mind. And what some of them wear […]
What’s Wrong With ‘Situation Ethics’? Greg Gwin Joseph Fletcher (1905-1991), an Episcopal priest, was the most famous proponent of “situation ethics.” In a book entitled “Situation Ethics: The New Morality,” he formalized a view that is commonly accepted by many individuals. Here are some quotes from Fletcher’s book: “For the situationist there are no rules […]
PDF Understanding Angels Mike Johnson When you hear the word angel, what image comes to mind? Various visualizations may occur, but there is a good chance that paintings, drawings, modern-day television programs, and movies have influenced what we see. Some may think of a beautiful woman with long hair wearing a white robe who moves […]
It Is Hard to Start Back Dennis Tucker For three years I was a member of the Kiwanis Club. It is a good organization devoted to community projects. Once a week, we would meet and have lunch. At this time, a guest would speak to us on a particular topic. We had policemen come and […]
Some Benefits of Suffering Bob Waldron There is no problem in life more universal, more common, and more unique than that of suffering. It is the common malady of mankind; if we live long enough, we will experience some type or degree of suffering. It is not my purpose in this article to discuss the […]
What’s Wrong With Today’s Youth? Bill Hall All along we hear questions raised as to what has gone wrong with today’s youth. Recently, a brother expressed his concern along this line and then asked, “What advice would you give young parents to help them avoid mistakes that we have made in our generation?” The first […]
A Pioneer Preacher Proves a Point About Infant Baptism Greg Gwin Many stories are told about pioneer preacher “Raccoon” John Smith. He was a man of strong conviction and clever wit. One of the better known incidents in his preaching work is related in this excerpt from a biographical sketch … Noticing, one day, that […]
What One Tolerates, the Next Accepts Mark White John Wesley once wrote, “What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” Both sacred and secular history have proven the truth of this assessment time and time again. Everything from dancing to drinking, from abortion to mercy-killing, has gone from toleration to acceptance. In the home […]
God’s View of the Death of the Righteous Mike Johnson Dealing with the death of a loved one can be one of the greatest agonies that a person has to face. We think of the death of a loved one in terms of heartache, tears, sorrow, and pain. Yet, Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of […]
How the Church May Use Its Money Andy Sochor “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when […]
Can We Just Be Christians Craig Thomas In a world filled with religious traditions and denominational churches, the concept of being simply Just a Christian is difficult to communicate. Yet a careful reader of the New Testament will realize Jesus did not die so His followers could be divided into sects and parties (John 17:20-23). Jesus died […]
Why Churches Grow J. F.Dancer 1. Brethren are friendly and are deeply concerned about saving souls. 2. Elders plan ways in which the membership is informed, kept busy and knowledgeable of one another (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). 3. Members worship in a well planned, Scripturally and orderly service. 4. Classes are […]
Do You Feel Saved? Wayne Greeson Are you saved? How do you know you are saved? “I know I am saved because I feel it in my heart,” many often say. But are the feelings of your heart the proper standard to determine your salvation? We do not use this standard in other matters. No […]
Analyzing Arguments in Favor of Instrumental Music Mark Mayberry Christianity is a religion of faith. To walk by faith means that we live in harmony with God’s Word. This has special application to our expression of worship: It must be according to God’s will! Our faith, practice and worship must be grounded in the […]
Gratitude In the depth of winter they were nearly frozen, and the mother took the door of a cellar off the hinges, and set it up before the corner where they were crouched down to sleep that some of the draft and cold might be kept from them. One of the children whispered to her, […]
How the Church May Use Its Money Andy Sochor “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when […]
Do You Feel Saved? Wayne Greeson Are you saved? How do you know you are saved? “I know I am saved because I feel it in my heart,” many often say. But are the feelings of your heart the proper standard to determine your salvation? We do not use this standard in other matters. No […]
Work Out Your Own Salvation (Philippians 2:12) Mike Johnson Philippians 2:12 says, “ . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” What is this passage saying? Is it saying there are many ways to be saved, and people can be saved by whatever method they choose? This is not the meaning […]
Some Benefits of Suffering Bob Waldron There is no problem in life more universal, more common, and more unique than that of suffering. It is the common malady of mankind; if we live long enough, we will experience some type or degree of suffering. It is not my purpose in this article to discuss the […]
Five Steps to Peace Mike Johnson “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb (Ps. 37:1-2).” When we think of the word “fret,” we may think of someone excessively worrying or frequently […]
Understanding Angels Mike Johnson When you hear the word angel, what image comes to mind? Various visualizations may occur, but there is a good chance that paintings, drawings, modern-day television programs, and movies have influenced what we see. Some may think of a beautiful woman with long hair wearing a white robe who moves about […]
Following Elders into Error Mike Johnson Elders have a vital function in the Lord’s church. They are to oversee the flock— they are to feed, or shepherd, the local congregation of which they are a part (Acts 20:17, 28; I Pet. 5:1-2). Elders are to watch for grievous wolves (or false teachers) who threaten the […]
Reaping What We Sow (Gal. 6:7-8) Mike Johnson Near the end of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, in a section of practical applications, Paul warned, “(7) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of […]
Act as Though You’re Deaf Leon Mauldin We trust that our readers are familiar with Israel’s request to Samuel that he make them a king, so “that we also may be like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:20). Having prayed to God, and having warned the people of how the reality of their having a […]
The Purpose of Baptism Mike Johnson Baptism has been a controversial subject in the religious world and also a neglected topic by many preachers and teachers. Baptism is not an obscure subject, as the word “baptism” (or some form of it) occurs more than one hundred times in the New Testament. As with any question, […]
The Silent Killer Mike Johnson Doctors sometimes refer to high blood pressure as “the silent killer” because people often do not know they have it until the damage happens. This article is not about our physical health but rather about another silent killer condemned in the Scriptures, “bitterness.” Like high blood pressure, it often goes […]
Did My Generation Neglect the Grace of God? Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I cannot understand how so many of the younger generation of preachers (sometimes encouraged by a few older ones) can talk about how woefully the generation before them neglected to tell people about the grace of God. They boldly speak about it as […]
A Hairy Problem Roger Shouse A person between the ages of 20—30 has about 615 hair follicles per square centimeter. A person 50 years of age has around 485 hair follicles per square centimeter. Typically, most people have somewhere between 100,000 —150,000 hairs on their head. By the way, the average hair loss for an […]
Can We Just Be Christians? Craig Thomas In a world filled with religious traditions and denominational churches, the concept of being simply Just a Christian is difficult to communicate. Yet a careful reader of the New Testament will realize Jesus did not die so His followers could be divided into sects and parties (John 17:20-23). Jesus died […]
Preacher’s Point I would rather have thousands to say to me at the judgment, “We heard you preach and You hurt our feelings,” than to have just one lost soul to say, “I heard you preach, but you did not tell me the truth.” John T. Lewis Related Article
Which Is Most Important? David Sain The condition and appearance of your house, or what goes on inside your house? The time you spend on the condition and appearance of your body or the time you spend on the inner man? Reading about life according to magazines and newspapers, or about “life” according to God’s […]
DON’T BE LIKE THE FLEA ‘Tis said that a flea rode across a bridge one day in the ear of an elephant. After they were on the other side, the flea said to the elephant, “Boy, we sure shook that bridge.” Too many church members ride on the efforts of others but are ready to […]
The Black Type in the Red-Letter Edition of the New Testament Gary Smalley Of course it is extremely disturbing to read or hear destructive criticisms toward the Holy Bible as unbelievers state disparaging comments regarding the reliability of the Godbreathed writings (2 Timothy 3:16; cf. 2 Peter 1:16-21; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13). But even among Christians […]
Why No Instruments of Music? Bobby Graham This question often comes from honest people, wondering why some of us do not use such mechanical instruments in the worship of the Lord. It is a fair question that demands a fair answer. All worship of God is limited by whatever divine instructions have been given for […]
The Salvation Army David Weaks I wonder how many people know that the Salvation Army is a church. The only time you see them is at Christmas time when the red kettles and bell ringers show up at entrances to shopping malls. How many times have people tossed money into the kettle, accepted the cheery […]
The Importance of Doctrine Steve Klein This past week, I noticed that the sign in front of the Presbyterian Church in Rogersville said, “Love God. Love others. The rest is doctrine.” The message was plain. Loving God and loving others are essential things, but doctrine is not essential. In other words, it doesn’t matter what […]
The Doctrine Police Dylan Stewart Name calling is often a go-to response for people who are unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints when discussing the Bible. How long has it been since someone has called you a “legalist” for recognizing the strictness of the New Testament Law (Matthew 5:19; James 2:10)? When is the last […]
You Can’t Please Everybody I am reminded of an old Spanish parable about a man, a boy, and a donkey. They were all three walking down a dusty road on a hot summer day. Someone passed, and they overheard him say, “Look at those foolish people walking when they could be riding the donkey.” Not […]
“A Wise Man’s Heart Discerneth . . . Time & Judgment” Alan Smith A preacher, a politician and an engineer were led to the guillotine. The preacher was asked if he wanted to be face up or face down when he met his fate. The preacher said that he would like to lie face up […]
“Come Before Winter” Joshua Welch The first day of winter, for the northern hemisphere, occurs on the “winter solstice.” This year, winter solstice occurs on December 21st. Winter is a slower, more restful time for some households. There are no flowers to plant, grass to cut, and leaves to rake. Outdoor sports slow down in […]
So, What’s a Good Sermon? Jefferson David Tant Out of all the thousands of sermons preachers have delivered and to which people have listened, how would we determine which sermons are good, which are bad, or which are so-so? I would suppose that even preachers evaluate themselves from time to time, and on occasion might […]
God’s Revelations Mike Johnson Some people do not believe that God has revealed Himself to mankind. In fact, they do not even believe that God exists. These people are called atheists. Another group, the deists, believe in the existence of a deity, but they think He has not given us a specific revelation; they believe […]
What Is Happiness? R.J. Evans How many times have you reasoned, “I’d be happy, if only…”? And then the dream usually continues with “if only I had more money,” or “if only I had married someone else,” or “if only I had more friends, a better education, a better job, a bigger house, better health,” […]
I Will Praise You With All My Heart (Psalm 86:12) Mike Johnson In Psalm 86:11, David asked God to teach him His way; he asserted that he would walk in His truth and then asked God to unite his heart to fear His name. He follows by saying he will praise and glorify God. Verse […]
Unite My Heart, O Lord (Psalm 86:11) Mike Johnson Psalm 86 is a prayer by David while he was facing perilous times. Despite his circumstances, in the first part of verse 11, he prayed for God to teach him His way, and then, upon learning the Lord’s way, he would walk in His truth. Then […]
The Greatness of God (Psalm 86:8-10) Mike Johnson Psalm 86 is a prayer by David, who is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature. However, verse 14 points out that a group of proud and violent people, who had no regard for God, were seeking his life. Yet, amid his trouble, […]
Help Me God, for I Am Holy (Psalm 86:2) Mike Johnson Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, written during a time when he was facing troubling times. We learn from verses 14 and 17 that his enemies are trying to kill him. In verses 1-7, he makes several requests asking God to save him, […]
Bring Joy to My Soul (Psalm 86:4-5) Mike Johnson Psalm 86 consists entirely of a prayer by David during a time when he was greatly distressed. The details of his difficulties are not revealed, but verse 14 points out that a group of proud and violent people, who had no regard for God, were seeking […]
Be Merciful to Me, O Lord (Psalm 86:3) Mike Johnson Psalm 86 is a prayer by the author, David. He is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature. However, verse 14 points out that a group of proud and violent people, who had no regard for God, sought his life. Yet, […]
Teach Me Your Way (Psalm 86:11) Mike Johnson Psalm 86 is a psalm of David, and verse 11 is a part of a prayer he prayed during a time of extreme distress. People are trying to kill him (14), and he turns to God for help. He implored, “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I […]
Praying in Times of Trouble (Psalm 86) Mike Johnson Psalm 86:7 says, “In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.” This verse is an excellent summation of this Psalm. The writer is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature. However, verse 14 points […]
“That Many Pastors Can’t Be Wrong” Jeff Smelser So asserted an advertisement for a direct mail service used by more than 1,000 churches. One would think that even with a passing familiarity with the Bible, people would be reluctant to determine the validity of something based on the number of people who believe in it. […]
Infant Baptism Refused for Incorrect Reasons Dylan Stewart Yesterday morning I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed and noticed a headline written by a local news station that caught my attention. The headline read, Reverend Refuses to Baptize Baby, Says Unwed Parents Are ‘Living in Sin’. To summarize the article, a Methodist preacher in […]
THE VALUE OF GOD’S WORD Richie Thetford Have you ever had something you valued very highly and were afraid that you might lose it? Most of us take great care in protecting what we highly treasure, and try to learn the best way to protect it. Sometimes our efforts to preserve and keep our treasures […]
“I Don’t Care What It Says” Steven F. Deaton In the course of a discussion the other day, I asked a man to read a certain chapter from the Bible and get back to me about our topic. He said he would read it, but it would not matter what it says, because he would […]
I Once Shot a Woodpecker I was looking through the hometown newspaper the other day and I came across this: A speaker was lecturing on Forest Reserve. Speaker: I don’t suppose that there is a person in the house who has done a single thing to conserve our timber resources. Silence ruler for several seconds, […]
Reaping What We Sow (Galatians 6:7-8) Mike Johnson Near the end of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, in a section of practical applications, Paul warned, “(7) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the […]
Troubled Over Growing Old Connie W. Adams The Bible addresses the needs of people in every stage of life. In Titus 2:1-6, Paul gave instruction for “aged men,” “aged women,” “young women,” and “young men. “Each age has its own special challenges and growing older has its share. One wag said, “It is not so […]
TURNING FORGIVENESS AROUND Greg Gwin We hear it frequently in the news these days. It has been a common defense in some high-profile criminal cases. The basic argument is that people can be excused for committing even hideous crimes if they can demonstrate that something awful happened in their past. Unfortunately, this approach has proven […]
Restoring the Erring (Galatians 6:1) Mike Johnson The book of Galatians can be divided into three sections. Chapters 1-2 are autobiographical as Paul defends his apostleship, which is a foundation for what follows. Chapters 3-4 are doctrinal. Here, Paul defends his message about salvation through Christ without the works of the old law. Finally, chapters […]
God’s Barriers 0n the Road to Hell Jarrod Jacobs Picture a bridge that has just been washed away. When those working on this problem come to the scene, they put up barriers, or barricades to keep people from endangering their lives and the lives of others. Yes, accidents can occur, and yes, people can […]
T.N.T. A preacher once sent a number of books from his personal library (among them a copy of the New Testament) to be rebound. On the return of his books, he was startled to discover on the spine of the New Testament–in gold embossed letters–the initials “T.N.T.” You see, there was no room to spell […]
Where Was God? Frank Richey The news is filled with tragedy and devastation, both natural and man-made. When someone’s life is lost in an accident or illness, often a loving family member will ask, where was God? The implication of this question is that a loving God would not allow this to happen. The question […]
“. . . Except You Repent” Bobby Graham “. . . but unless you repent you will all like-wise perish” (Luke 13:3). The same requirement here stated regarding certain ones is elsewhere applied to all people, for “God commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Because it requires a change of mind and subsequent […]
Do We Honor Our Rulers? Dylan Stewart Social media is rampant with people – even Christians – making daily, sometimes hourly posts criticizing our governmental leaders. It does not matter what side of the political spectrum you may fall on, it is so easy to constantly dwell on the negative that the rulers of our […]
What Then? David Sain On graduation night, a father asked, “Son, what are your plans?” The boy answered, “Dad, you know that I’m going to college.” The dad said, “That’s right, but what then?” The boy replied, “Well, I’ll want to get a good job and hopefully get married.” The dad said, “That’s also fine, […]
What If It Became a Crime to Assemble? Terry W. Benton In China, it is reported that if you do not renounce your faith in Jesus you will be tortured till you do. If that is so, I wonder how many of us would renounce Christ? In parts of Nigeria, you will be killed for […]
We Are Simply Christians Without Being Members of Any Denomination. You Can Be Too! Dale Smelser We read with interest the reports on every hand of the growing disenchantment with present religious forms, which originated in the middle ages and have become meaningless. We hear of displeasure with denominational structures and their pronouncements which reflect […]
A Troubled Heart Remembers (Psalm 77) Mike Johnson It is common for Christians today to become discouraged when facing hardships and wonder why God has not helped them. In Psalm 77, the writer seems to be facing this situation in dealing with some very distressing circumstances. It is uncertain what the troubling problem is, but […]
How Do We Conduct Our Worship? Dylan Stewart Congregations often sound and look different one from another. However, one thing that should not vary between congregations is worship. Now, this is not to say that congregations cannot construct, or order, their worship services differently than another group. As long as our actions are approved by […]
==================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume III Number 1 April 2022 ==================================== Needed, Hearers Who Will Listen Glen Young Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young […]
Sister Peter Sewell Hall Fifty years ago, it was easier to remember the names of Christians than it is now. Every man’s first name was “Brother” and every woman’s name was “Sister.” Now, most people are known by their given names almost exclusively. We must return, however, to the old custom in designating the wife […]
A Woman’s Contribution to the Local Congregation Carey Scott More often than not, women are the lifeblood of the congregation. Attention is often given to the limitations placed on women in the assemblies of the church because of what is written in I Corinthians 14:34-37 and because of what is written in I Timothy 2:11-12. Such limitations notwithstanding, […]
The Scriptures Are Understandable Mike Johnson Have you heard someone say, “I just can’t understand the Bible?” Unfortunately, many people look at the Scriptures in this way. They think it is a deep, dark, mysterious book that few can understand. However, people should not look at God’s Word in this way. Ephesians 3:3-4 tells us […]
The Same Standard Mike Johnson Suppose a person goes into a hardware store and asks for one yard of rope. Imagine the confusion if the salesman felt that a yard is 20 inches instead of 36. Much turmoil is avoided in our society because we have a set standard of measurements — we all go […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (1) (Introduction) Mike Johnson Consider this question. Can one who has been born again, i.e., one who has entered into a proper relationship with God, conduct himself in such a way to be eternally lost? Many say one cannot. They hold a doctrine known by such names as “Once Saved, Always […]
========================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume 3 Number 2 May 2022 ========================== Sister Peter Sewell Hall Fifty years ago, it was easier to remember the names of Christians than it is […]
Do Not Get Discouraged (Galatians 6:9) Mike Johnson Galatians 6:1-10 encourages us in Christian living. It points out that in a spirit of humility and gentleness, those who are spiritual are to try to restore those involved in sin. It also teaches that we are to bear the burdens of others and assist financially those […]
How Excellent Is Your Name (Psalm 8:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 8:1 says, “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!” Christians often incorporate this beautiful verse as an introduction to their prayers. In the Psalm, David speaks of the greatness of God […]
Needed, Hearers Who Listen Glen Young Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with […]
SURE SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING Author Unknown 1. When the way to the meeting house seems too far. 2. When the sermon seems too long. 3. When the singing comes hard and seems dreary. 4. When you see so much to dislike in your brethren. 5. When the preacher makes you mad. 6. When the members […]
Dorcas, a Fond Remembrance by Friends Bill Feist She was married to a non-Christian. I met her years after the “battles” were fought over the importance and role of the Lord in her life. She sketched for me one time what some of those battles were, only because she had come to volunteer to talk […]
A Troubled Heart Remembers (Psalm 77) Mike Johnson It is common for Christians today to become discouraged when facing hardships and wonder why God has not helped them. In Psalm 77, the writer seems to be facing this situation in dealing with some very distressing circumstances. It is uncertain what the troubling problem is, but […]
Do We Honor Our Rulers? Dylan Stewart Social media is rampant with people – even Christians – making daily, sometimes hourly posts criticizing our governmental leaders. It does not matter what side of the political spectrum you may fall on, it is so easy to constantly dwell on the negative that the rulers of […]
Where Was God? Frank Richey The news is filled with tragedy and devastation, both natural and man-made. When someone’s life is lost in an accident or illness, often a loving family member will ask, where was God? The implication of this question is that a loving God would not allow this to happen. The question […]
Restoring the Erring Mike Johnson The book of Galatians can be divided into three sections. Chapters 1-2 are autobiographical as Paul defends his apostleship, which is a foundation for what follows. Chapters 3-4 are doctrinal. Here, Paul defends his message about salvation through Christ without the works of the old law. Finally, chapters 5-6 are […]
Wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14) Mike Johnson Many think that David is the author of Psalm 27 and that he wrote it when he was fleeing from Saul. It has been called “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” It starts with David expressing great confidence in God (1-3). God is his light, salvation, and strength. […]
Infant Baptism Refused for Incorrect Reasons Dylan Stewart Yesterday morning I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed and noticed a headline written by a local news station that caught my attention. The headline read, Reverend Refuses to Baptize Baby, Says Unwed Parents Are ‘Living in Sin’. To summarize the article, a Methodist preacher in Mississippi, […]
Seeking the Face of God (Psalm 27:8-9) Mike Johnson Many think David wrote Psalm 27 when fleeing from Saul, which is likely the case. Earlier in the Psalm, he expresses strong faith and confidence in God, but verses 8-9 reflect him apparently facing difficulties. In these verses, he addresses God saying, “When You said, ‘Seek […]
God’s Revelations Mike Johnson Some people do not believe that God has revealed Himself to mankind. In fact, they do not even believe that God exists. These people are called atheists. Another group, the deists, believe in the existence of a deity, but they think He has not given us a specific revelation; they believe […]
The Doctrine Police Dylan Stewart Name calling is often a go-to response for people who are unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints when discussing the Bible. How long has it been since someone has called you a “legalist” for recognizing the strictness of the New Testament Law (Matthew 5:19; James 2:10)? When is the […]
My Sin Is Always Before Me (Psalm 51:3) Mike Johnson The writer of Psalm 51 expresses great sorrow for his sins. Most agree that David is the author, and he wrote it after his sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 11-12, we learn that David committed adultery, and then he committed murder trying to conceal […]
Self Control Bill Hall What is the value of self-control? Self-control is that which enables us to hold our tongues when we are tempted to viciously put someone in his place once and for all; or when we know a juicy bit of gossip that would be entertaining to the group and would turn us […]
Filthy Language Mike Johnson Profanity is pervasive today, perhaps at an all-time high. It is common in schools, homes, and workplaces (blue-collar and white-collar jobs). In the past, it seemed to be used more as an exclamation if somebody was upset. Today, people use profanity as a standard part of a sentence, frequently to emphasize […]
Don’t Be a Thief! (Ephesians 4:28) Mike Johnson Ephesians 4:17-32 is one of many passages in the New Testament that speaks of a change that is supposed to occur when a person becomes a Christian. The Bible tells Christians to put off the old man, i.e., our former sinful conduct, and put on the new […]
Putting off the Old Man (Ephesians 4:25-32) Mike Johnson Change can be very difficult, even painful. We typically are very comfortable with our old habits. It is said, “Most people won’t change until the pain of not changing is worse than the pain of changing.” The Bible stresses in many places that when we become […]
Evacuation Order Jared Hagan Do you ever wonder about the people who won’t leave? It always seems to happen. A natural disaster is occurring and mandatory evacuations are sent out, but some people just won’t leave. They hold out hope that the hurricane won’t be as bad as the experts warn. They think that maybe […]
Covering Sin (James 5:19-20) Mike Johnson James 5:19-20 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” He is speaking of Christians […]
That’s Just Your Interpretation Mark Larson That’s just your interpretation! How many times has someone said that to you when you attempted to teach him the truth from the Scriptures? Rather than take the message of truth to heart, it is quickly dismissed as merely your opinion and not taken seriously at all. If you […]
How Long Is This Line? Bobby Graham _______________ Would you care to guess or speculate how long this line is? The answers would likely vary. Some would underestimate its length, while others would overestimate it. It is possible that a few might guess its exact length, but their answer would still be a guess in […]
“I Just Wear the Clothes” Mike Johnson Many years ago, I was in a part of Tennessee with a rather sizable Amish population, which had resulted in a lot of tourism in the area. While there, I went into a store and noticed all the workers were wearing traditional Amish clothing. At some point, I […]
Wait on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14) Mike Johnson Many think that David is the author of Psalm 27 and that he wrote it when he was fleeing from Saul. It has been called “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” It starts with David expressing great confidence in God (1-3). God is his light, salvation, and strength. […]
Seeking the Face of God (Psalm 27:8-9) Mike Johnson Many think David wrote Psalm 27 when fleeing from Saul, which is likely the case. Earlier in the Psalm, he expresses strong faith and confidence in God, but verses 8-9 reflect him apparently facing difficulties. In these verses, he addresses God saying, “When You said, ‘Seek […]
The Land of the Living (Psalm 27:13) Mike Johnson In Psalm 27:13, the Psalmist (thought to be David) said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” What is meant by the land of the living? Today, if someone […]
Did David’s Parents Forsake Him? (Psalm 27:10) Mike Johnson Many think Psalm 27 was written by David when he was fleeing from Saul. In verses 1-3, he expresses his complete confidence in God. In verses 4-6, he speaks of his love and communion with God, and then in verses 7-12, we see where David turns […]
Discouragement Fred A. Shewmaker This is written for those who are truly concerned about the growth of the church. Your interest in the welfare of the body of Christ makes it unthinkable that you intentionally would discourage any other member of the church. Possibly every one of you would deny ever having done anything to […]
Practice What You Preach Jerral Kay A fountain pen salesman persuaded a merchant to order 500 dozen pens. He was writing the order in his notebook when suddenly the merchant exclaimed, “Hold on! I’m canceling that order!” Then he turned to wait on a customer. The salesman left the store perplexed and angry. Later, the […]
Just Like My Dog! A little lad of six was invited out to lunch in a neighbor’s home. As soon as all were seated at the table, the food was served. The little boy was puzzled, and with a child’s frankness, asked, “Don’t you say a prayer before you eat?” The host was uncomfortable and […]
Choose Your Words Wisely Greg Kiel “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 Are you aware that there are over 100 such proverbs in this inspired book just related to the need for wisdom in our speech? Why is there such an emphasis? The general consensus is […]
Put Away Anger (Ephesians 4:26-27) Mike Johnson In Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul speaks of the need for Christians to put off the “old man” (one’s former conduct) and put on the new man in Christ. Listed among the various sins that followers of God are to put away is anger. Verses 26-27 says, “Be angry, and […]
What Kind of Worshipper Are YOU? Don McClain There are several different kinds of worshippers within the body of Christ, or maybe better stated – among those who claim to be members of the church of Christ. – Please seriously consider some of the following examples – The Spasmodic Worshipper – attends worship services whenever […]
A Round Tuit This is a round tuit. Guard it with your life! Tuits are hard to come by, especially the round ones. It will help you become a much more efficient worker. For years you’ve heard people say, “I’ll do that when I get a round tuit.” So now that you have one, you […]
Which Is Better? (Ecclesiastes 7:1) Mike Johnson “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Eccl. 7:1). The first part of this verse is what one would expect to find in the Scriptures (also note Pb. 22:1). However, the second part might cause people […]
What Will Be Said About You? Mike Johnson Epitaphs (defined as “a commemorative inscription on a tomb or mortuary monument) have always been of interest to me. They often depict people’s attitudes about life after death. They may say something kind about a person who has died, perhaps pointing out how sorely all will miss […]
The Benefits of Hell Mike Cornwell Have you ever thought of the benefits of going to Hell? Some people have said, “If you look close enough, you will find good in everything.” Will Rogers said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” If there is some good in everything, then there must be some […]
What Will Your Children Remember? Lowell Blasingame Parental love motivates us to be concerned about our children’s welfare and seek what is best for them. We try to train them to eat properly so they will develop strong healthy bodies. We warn and advise against dangers of which they are not aware of. We make […]
=========================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 1 April 2021 =========================================== Silence of the Preachers Joe R. Price Jeremiah was set in place by God to be His prophet to Jerusalem, […]
Dangerous Preaching Sewell Hall A man who accepts the task of preaching the gospel accepts a dreadful responsibility. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Application of these words may not be limited to what we commonly term local preachers, but they apply […]
“This Is My Body” John Hendrix “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26) What of the body of Jesus? What do we think as we take the bread? There is no monument […]
================================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 2 May 2021 ================================================= Dangerous Preaching Sewell Hall A man who accepts the task of preaching the gospel accepts a dreadful responsibility. “My brethren, […]
=============================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 3 June 2021 =============================================== What Will Your Children Remember? Lowell Blasingame Parental love motivates us to be concerned about our children’s welfare and seek […]
============================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 4 July 2021 ============================================= How Jesus Faced Temptation Mike Johnson Christians often face temptations, and new Christians are especially vulnerable to the “schemes” of […]
================================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 5 August 2021 ================================================== The Thief on the Cross Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), […]
============================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 6 September 2021 ============================================= The Land of the Living (Psalm 27:13) Mike Johnson In Psalm 27:13, the Psalmist (thought to be David) said, “I […]
============================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 7 October 2021 ============================================= I Just Wear the Clothes Mike Johnson Many years ago, I was in a part of Tennessee with a rather […]
============================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 8 November 2021 ============================================= Priorities Mike Johnson “We need to put first things first.” “You need to get your priorities straightened out.” These are […]
============================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 9 December 2021 ============================================= That’s Just Your Interpretation Mark Larson That’s just your interpretation! How many times has someone said that to you when […]
Love the Brethren Carl Witty “Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” (I Pet. 1:22) One of the early Pagan writers observed of Christians: “how these Christians love one another!” The apostle John wrote of […]
The Cold Within James Patrick Kinney Six humans trapped by happenstance in black and bitter cold Each possessed a stick of wood, Or so the story’s told. Their dying fire in need of logs, the first woman held hers back For on the faces around the fire She noticed one was black. The next man […]
Silence of the Preachers Joe R. Price Jeremiah was set in place by God to be His prophet to Jerusalem, Judah, and the nations. With God’s word, Jeremiah was set “to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jer. 1:4-5, 9-10). When he was severely […]
==================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 10 January 2022 ==================================== Putting off the Old Man (Ephesians 4:25-32) Mike Johnson Change can be very difficult, even painful. We typically are very […]
The Great Flood Mike Johnson Genesis 6-9 accounts for the great flood in ancient times. Chapters 4 and 5 tell about the descendants of Cain and Seth, the sons of Adam and Eve. From the text, we can conclude that Cain’s descendants were generally wicked, and Seth’s were generally righteous. It appears from chapter 6 […]
================================ SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 11 February 2022 ================================ Which Is Better? (Ecclesiastes 7:1) Mike Johnson “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death […]
In Defense of Kindness Greg Chandler It is hard to believe how dirty a presidential campaign can become. One opponent states that the other has “a hideous hermaphroditic character with neither the force and fitness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.” n In response, the contender replies that the other […]
What Happens When We Are Canceled? Greg Chandler If you do not stay up to date on pop-culture slang, you may be unfamiliar with the terms woke and cancel culture. Though definitions vary, the primary meaning of woke involves maintaining social awareness and the primary idea behind cancel culture is to silence anyone whose opinions are not considered woke; thus, they are deemed […]
Thanksgiving & Worship (Ps. 100:4) Mike Johnson Psalm 100 is thought to have been written by David and is about worship. Speculation is that the Jews used it as a call to worship and as a hymn in their public praise. Verse 4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with […]
Joyful Worship (Psalm 100:1-2) Mike Johnson Psalm 100 is thought to have been written by David and is about worship. Speculation is that the Jews used it as a call to worship and as a hymn in their public praise. From verses 1-2, we learn that joy should be associated with our worship. It admonishes, […]
What Is More Important? (Ps. 37:6) Mike Johnson David probably wrote Psalm 37 in the latter stages of his life. This psalm’s intent seems to be to encourage God’s people who are facing difficulties in life. Verse 16, which is more like a proverb, says, “A little that a righteous man has is better than […]
A Badge of Discipleship (John 13:34-35) Mike Johnson In John 13:34-35, Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” […]
Buy the Truth and Sell It Not Bob Waldron One of the most important attitudes one can have in striving to go to heaven is that of intense zeal for the truth of God. Too often, people settle on something far less than the truth. Remember, a counterfeit, though it may look relatively genuine, is […]
A Good Name (Ecclesiastes. 7:1) Mike Johnson Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, “A good name is better than precious ointment . . . .” Parents may choose what they consider a good name for their newborn baby. In this text, he is not speaking of a good name in that sense but a good reputation, which the […]
“Thanks, I Needed That” (Ecclesiastes 7:5-6) Mike Johnson “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.” In this verse, the writer contrasts the […]
Precious Is the Death of a Saint (Psalm 116:15) Mike Johnson Psalm 116:15 informs us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.” What does this mean? People think of death in many different ways. A loved one’s death is one of the greatest agonies people typically face in their […]
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice (1 Samuel 15) Mike Johnson After Saul became Israel’s king, Samuel, a prophet, was told by God to inform him that he must “utterly destroy” the Amalekites due to them having mistreated Israel while in the wilderness. The command was very specific, making it clear that it included every […]
The Pulpit Roger Shouse “Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hikiah, and Masseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishel, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.” (Nehemiah 8:4) Ezra stood at a wooden podium. […]
LYING ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS If someone’s lying on the railroad tracks And a train’s about to come, Would you just leave him lying there? What would you have done? If someone’s away from worship, You know that they need help. Are you going to keep quiet? And keep The Word to yourself? […]
The Lord Is Near (Psalm 34:18-19) Mike Johnson According to its title, David wrote Psalm 34 when he was experiencing much affliction. He was fleeing from King Saul and went to Gath where, to protect his life, he faked insanity. Leaving there, he fled to the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1). While experiencing such […]
Boasting in the Lord Mike Johnson (Psalm 34:2) David probably wrote Psalm 34 during the time he was fleeing from King Saul. During this time, he was facing great adversity. Yet, despite this, he declares in verse 2, “My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it […]
That Preacher Offended Me! Harry Osborne What would you think of a preacher whose sermons offended people and were taken as insulting by the hearers? What if a preacher caused the audience to be filled with anger because of the hard things he said? What if he went so far as to mock false beliefs? […]
WHY I PRAY Warren Berkley I pray because I believe God listens. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). I pray because God has told me that He cares and is able to help. “Casting all your care upon Him, […]
Gather Around Me Children (Psalm 34:11-14) Mike Johnson According to its title, David wrote Psalm 34 during the time he was fleeing from Saul. He sought refuge in Gath and, to protect himself, faked insanity. Eventually, he left there and went to the cave of Adullam, where his family and 400 loyalists joined him (1 […]
The Sinner’s Prayer Mike Johnson Many say the only thing needed to obtain salvation is to pray a simple prayer known as a sinner’s prayer. There are variations, but typically, this is a short prayer where people express their need for salvation, asking Jesus to come into their hearts. They confirm their belief that Jesus […]
Magnify & Exalt God (Psalm 34) Mike Johnson Our study is from Psalm 34. The title comes from verse 3, which says, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” We are to magnify and exalt the name of God, and this psalm tells us how and why we should […]
The Thief on the Cross Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), washes away sins (Acts 22:16), saves (1 Pet. 3:21, Mk. 16:16), and puts people into Christ (Rom. 6:3, Gal. 3:27). After listening to this teaching, some may ask, “What about the thief on the cross?” […]
How Jesus Faced Temptation Mike Johnson Christians often face temptations, and new Christians are especially vulnerable to the “schemes” of the devil (Eph. 6:17). The Bible describes Satan in John 8:44, saying, “. . . He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in […]
Jesus: Intolerant, Confrontational, and Exclusionary Dan Gatlin The typical denominational view of both Father and Son is that “God is love,” and only love. What is so easily forgotten is His severity (Romans 11:22) and wrath (II Thessalonians 1:3-10). Jesus is depicted as quiet, soft-spoken, harmless, almost a wimp (nothing could be further from the […]
ARE YOU RICH? They huddled inside the storm door . . . two children in ragged, outgrown coats. “Any old papers, lady?” I was busy, I wanted to say no . . . until I looked down at their feet . . . their little sandals sopped with sleet. “Come in, and I’ll make you […]
HOW JOSEPH RESISTED TEMPTATION Dan Richardson Temptation is something we all have in common. Scripture admonishes young people to “flee youthful lusts…” (2 Timothy 2:22), but young and old alike need to consider the temptations they face. How we respond to it is extremely important to our welfare and happiness in life, but also eternally […]
Beware of Satan’s Counterfeits! E.R. Hall, Jr. The Devil uses every means available to bewitch and deceive people. He has imitated everything pertaining to God and has been quite effective at passing around the counterfeit as being the real thing. The degree of his effectiveness can be seen in that there are many people who […]
Friendship Carl Witty Jesus was a master at friendship. He did not condescend to His disciples; He called them friends. In John 15:11-15 Jesus spoke to His friends, the twelve disciples, and revealed the basis of their (and our) friendship with Him: “… Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life […]
How the Holy Spirit Converts Mark White Conversion to Christ involves the work of the Holy Spirit. Of this we have much scriptural testimony. In fact, the Holy Spirit is essential to conversion. Hardly anyone would deny this. However, there is much dispute over the way in which the Holy Spirit assists in the conversion […]
Was Jesus a Vegetarian? Did Jesus Eat Meat? Jeffrey W. Hamilton On March 17, 1999, the Omaha World Herald reprinted a hilarious article by Bill Broadway of the Washington Post. It seems the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have launched a campaign to claim that Jesus was a vegetarian. Billboards stating “Jesus […]
You May be Surprised to Learn . . . Doy Moyer Have you ever taken for granted certain things and believed them, just because that is what you have been told? Perhaps you find yourself in that situation now, believing and doing things because that is what you were told. Religious people sometimes believe and […]
The Lamb’s Book of Life Bobby L. Graham This register or list of the saved, thus designated because of the sacrifice of the Lamb making it possible and the life secured thereby (2 Timothy 1:10; John 14:6; 2 Peter 1:19), comprehends all redeemed from all covenants, because the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was designed to effect […]
Distinctive Preaching W. Curtis Porter I cannot conceive of their having ever been a time in all of the history of the church that distinctive preaching was not needed. Perhaps there have been periods of that history in which such preaching was more sorely needed than at other times; but if so, the failure of […]
The Need for Distinctive Preaching Jim Deason The role of the teacher is to hold back nothing profitable, but to teach the whole purpose of God (Acts 20:20, 27). That is the key to faithfully fulfilling the work of an elder or evangelist, i.e., that we hold back nothing that is profitable to the people. Preaching on the love of […]
God’s Everlasting Mercy (Psalm 118) Mike Johnson “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” This verse is from Psalm 118:1. It also appears at the end and serves as part of a “bookend” for the Psalm. Between these two verses, we find illustrated the everlasting mercy (love […]
Simon the Sorcerer W. Curtis Porter A number of “Simons” are mentioned in the New Testament. There was Simon, whose surname was Peter, also called Cephas, who was one of the twelve apostles of the Lord. In the list of apostles, there is also Simon the Canaanite, or Simon the Zealot, as he is also […]
Differences in Bible Miracles & Modern Miracles Hiram Hutto While Jesus was on earth he made some very startling claims. He claimed to be divine, and the Jews so understood him (Jn. 5:18; 10:33). He claimed to be the Son of God (Jn. 10:35-37). He claimed to be the Messiah (Jn. 4:25-26) and the […]
Waiting For the Lord (Psalm 27) Mike Johnson “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Ps. 27:14) This verse tells us about the focus of Psalm 27, which is a psalm that describes the author’s undaunting faith. The heading in my Bible […]
TRUSTING GOD (Psalm 31) Mike Johnson Psalm 31 is different from most psalms in that it consists of multiple peaks and valleys. The psalm changes in mood as it goes from assurance (1-8) to anguish (9-18), and then back to assurance (19-24). It has in verse 5, the last words Christ uttered on the cross, […]
Seek and Ye Shall Find Barney L. Keith “Many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1, 2). One should not be blinded to the existence of error but should seek TRUTH. Jesus promised, “The truth will make you free” (Jn. 8:32). Truth is the only antidote for error. This truth is […]
The Burial of Jesus Walton Weaver The Hebrew custom of providing a burial place for the dead is first introduced in Scripture with Abraham’s purchase of a cave in the land of Canaan for the burial of Sarah (Gen. 23:1ff.). Although Joseph was first embalmed and put in a “coffin” in Egypt (Gen. 50:26), because […]
“What If” You Were the Last Remaining Christian? Greg Gwin A tired and discouraged Elijah proclaimed to God, “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10). He was wrong, of course. The Lord explained that He had 7,000 who remained faithful (vs. 18). But, what […]
Respecting Our Elders Joe R. Price The Bible says, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers…” (1 Tim. 5:1-2). How we treat our elders says something about our values. And, it says something about our regard for God. Our nation is obsessed […]
“Dear Lord, I Am Growing Older“ (Selected and Adapted) Dear Lord, The years have sped by so rapidly, and I find I am no longer young. As I grow older, Lord, I truly need Thy help to keep me close to Thy house of prayer. Satan would have me think about my aching bones and […]
The Glory of Old Age Lord, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity […]
Calling All “Aged” Christians Greg Gwin Paul indicated to Titus that certain duties are to be enjoined upon those who older. They are to teach the younger people by word and deed. Notice: {1}But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: {2} That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in […]
Will You Still Love Me? Will you still love me if I don’t know your name, When my eyes have failed and nothing’s the same? When I don’t know the date or even my age, Or what is this book and where is the page? Will you take time to remember and cherish our past […]
ASHES AND FLAMES Oftentimes we look with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints of old age it is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner’s cheek as he nears the shore of immortality; fewer waves ruffle his sea, […]
Barzillai David Smitherman The name “Barzillai” is not familiar to most Bible students; it never comes up in “Bible Drill” classes. And what a shame. In an era when many worship at the shrine of youth, those who are aged and those who will become such someday unless death gets us first (i.e., everyone), need […]
THE LOST BOY Once a little boy was lost in the woods. The alarm was sounded, a church meeting was broken up, the whole neighborhood aroused. Fishermen abandoned their nets, and merchants closed their shops. Plows were left in the fields and washings in the tubs. Everyone turned out to look for the little fellow. […]
What Is Our Standard of Authority? Carrol R. Sutton In every phase of human activity, we constantly see the need for recognizing a standard of authority. In time, weights, and measures, we accept certain standards. Otherwise, there would be confusion. Our honesty and sincerity is not sufficient when it comes to determining the time of […]
What a Privilege to Pray Donnie V. Rader When we realize what a privilege prayer is, we like the disciples of old will plead, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). I am afraid that many of us take prayer for granted. We are not as prayerful as we ought to be simply because we […]
Your Own Version You are writing a Gospel, A chapter each day, By deeds that you do, By words that you say, Men read what you write, Whether faithless or true; Say, what is the Gospel According to YOU?
The Word of God For feelings come and feelings go, And feelings are deceiving; My warrant is the Word of God Nought else is worth believing. I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word Till soul and body sever: For, though all things shall pass away, His Word shall stand forever.
Gifts To your enemy, FORGIVENESS, To an opponent, TOLERANCE, To a friend, YOUR HEART, To a customer, SERVICE, To all men, CHARITY, To every child, A GOOD EXAMPLE, To yourself, RESPECT.
If you wouldn’t write it and sign it, don’t say it. It is better to remain silent and appear dumb than to speak and remove all doubt. When people speak ill of you, so live that no one will believe them. If the Lord intended for us to live in a permissive society, wouldn’t the […]
“Bless the Lord, O My Soul” (Psalm 103) Mike Johnson There are 150 psalms in the Bible. David wrote most of them, but there are other writers, such as Asaph, Korah, Moses, and Solomon. There are many psalms classified as psalms of praise. A well-known psalm of praise is Psalm 103. Highly extolled, it is […]
Teach Us to Number Our Days (Psalm 90) Mike Johnson Moses is thought to be the writer of Psalm 90. The basis for this conclusion is due to his name being in the superscription (title) of the psalm. The title is not part of the inspired text, so there is no certainty that he is […]
Some Day… Netagene Kirkpatrick I’ve studied God’s Word. I guess that it’s true. Depending on self – usually will do. I live fairly well. What more can I say? I’ll follow this Jesus – Some day. There’s all kinds of sins, some big and some small, like little white lies – that don’t matter at […]
Mental Attitudes Author Unknown Tom Jones and Sam Brown went to a church service on Sunday morning. They entered side by side. They sat in the same pew. After the last song and benediction, they arose and departed as they had come. Said Tom Jones to Sam Brown, “The service was a soul-feast. The songs […]
Cleaning Out the Barn Mark McCrary Growing up, this was the job I hated the most (and, hated is not too strong a word). Three times a week I had to clean out the feed room in the barn. That includes everything you think would be included. It was a stinky, unpleasant job. I did […]
SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 1 April 2020 ================================================== Table of Contents A Hymn of Faith (Habakkuk’s Prayer) —– Habakkuk Surviving the Financial Crisis ————- Kent Heaton Lift Up Your […]
THE LAND OF PRETTY SOON Selected “I know a land where the streets are paved With things we meant to achieve; Walled with money we meant to have saved And the pleasures for which we grieve, Kind words unspoken, promises broken, And many a coveted boon Are gathered there in that land somewhere, The Land […]
========================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume II Number 12 March 2022 ========================================= Dorcas, a Fond Remembrance by Friends Bill Feist She was married to a non-Christian. I met her years after […]
COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD (Psalm 37:5) Mike Johnson Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37 is an admonition to followers of God to retain their confidence in Him and not be discouraged when facing the hardships in life. […]
PRAISING GOD’S WORKS (Psalm 111) Mike Johnson Psalm 111 starts with the exclamation, “Praise the Lord!” This psalm fits into a category of psalms known as “Hallelujah Psalms.” These psalms start and end, or start or end, with “hallelujah” or “praise the Lord.” Psalm 111 is the first in a trilogy of Hallelujah Psalms. This Psalm fits into another […]
It Just Slipped Out … Of What? Bryan Matthew Dockens When excusing themselves for uttering profanities or curses, the kind of words which should never escape our mouths (Ephesians 4:29), many will say, “I’m sorry; it just slipped out”. But what did those corrupt words slip out of, exactly? Jesus explained, “For out of the […]
The Drive Through Sheldon Smith This morning on the way to work, I decided to stop by McDonald’s. It was one of those newly designed restaurants with the double drive-through. There were several cars in each line. The normal process is for cars to form a single line after putting in their order. It’s kind […]
Acceptance by Our Rock and Redeemer (Psalm 19:14) Mike Johnson Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” This verse is at the end of a magnificent Psalm. In verses 1-6, the writer spoke about the […]
More Valuable Than Gold (Psalm 19:10) Mike Johnson Psalm 19:10 (thought to be written by David) says the Word of God is “… more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” (NASB) Wealth, whether in the form of gold or some other type of […]
“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” (Psalm 19) Mike Johnson Psalm 19 is beautifully written and has been revered by many people over the years. From it, many conclude that there is a God who created the universe, and He has revealed Himself to mankind through the Scriptures. From verses 12-14, the awesomeness of […]
Shady Lane, the Preacher & the Boy Ken McDaniel During a recent gospel meeting that I preached, the local evangelist and I went calling on a few individuals in hopes of motivating some to faithfulness and setting up Bible studies with others who have not yet been saved. As is often the case, we struck […]
Introduction to the Parables Mike Johnson “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them.” (Mt. 13:34) This passage speaks of the beginning of Christ’s teaching by parables. It also indicates that one of the primary methods employed by Him in his instruction was […]
The Parable of the Best Seats Mike Johnson “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then […]
The Parable of the Dragnet Mike Johnson In Matthew 13, there are several parables recorded. One is the “Parable of the Net,” recorded in verses 47-50. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to […]
The Parable of the Fig Tree Mike Johnson The Bible mentions fig trees several times. For example, Matthew 21:19 speaks of a withered fig tree; John 1:48 tells about a person under a fig tree, while James 3:12 asks a question about a fig tree. There is an interesting parable about a fig tree recorded in […]
The Parable of the Good Samaritan Mike Johnson In Luke 10:25, we read about a lawyer who tested Jesus with a question. The question was, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responded by asking the lawyer to tell Him the teaching of the law. This question should have been easy to answer […]
The Parable of the Great Supper Mike Johnson The “Parable of the Great Supper” is in Luke 14:16-24. Jesus taught this parable in the house of one of the chief Pharisees. Verse 1 indicates that Jesus had gone there on the Sabbath day to eat bread. While there, Jesus healed a man and taught about […]
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure Mike Johnson Matthew 13:44 records the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. It says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” This […]
The Parable of the Lost Sheep Mike Johnson In Luke 15, three parables teach the same general lesson. They are the parables of the “Lost Sheep,” the “Lost Coin,” and the “Prodigal Son.” In this article, we will discuss the “Parable of the Lost Sheep” is in verses 4-7. What man of you, having a […]
The Parable of the Lost Son Mike Johnson There are three very well know parables recorded in Luke 15. They are the parables of the “Lost Sheep,” the “Lost Coin,” and the “Lost Son.” The setting in which Jesus presented these parables is in verses 1-2. The publicans and sinners had drawn near Christ, prompting the Pharisees and scribes […]
The Parable of the Marriage Feast Mike Johnson In Matthew 21, Jesus presented the “Parable of the Two Sons” and the “Parable of the Wicked Husbandman” after certain chief priests and elders questioned His authority (21:23). After hearing these parables, they perceived that Jesus was talking about them (21:45) and wanted to arrest Him, but […]
The Parable of the Mustard Seed Mike Johnson Matthew 13:31-32 is one of the accounts where “The Parable of the Mustard Seed” is found, and it tells us about the growth of the kingdom. The passage says: Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which […]
The Parable of the Rich Fool Mike Johnson The Parable of the Rich Fool is in Luke 12:16-21. Here, Jesus said: Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store […]
The Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector Mike Johnson The “Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector” is only found in Luke 18:9-14. Jesus pointed out that a Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray. He then contrasted their prayers and attitudes. He addresses the parable “to some who […]
The Parable of the Unworthy Servant Mike Johnson The Parable of the Unworthy Servant is found in Luke 17:7-10. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather […]
The Parable of the Sower Mike Johnson One of the most familiar parables taught by Christ is the “Parable of the Sower.” We know that a teacher has an important responsibility. This parable, however, makes the essential point that hearers have a critical obligation also. The Parable of the Sower is in three of the […]
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Mike Johnson The “Parable of the Ten Virgins” is recorded in Matthew 25:1-13. The passage says that ten virgins were waiting for the return of a bridegroom who did not arrive on time. Consequently, five of the virgins (referred to as foolish) ran out of oil for their lamps and […]
THE PARABLE OF THE TOWER Mike Johnson The “Parable of the Tower” is in Luke 14:28-30. A similar parable, The “Parable of the King,” is recorded in verses 31-32. Both of these parables show the importance of “counting the cost.” The focus of this article will be the first parable. It reads: “For which of […]
The Parable of the Two Builders (Mt. 7:24-27, Lk. 6:47-49) Mike Johnson From time to time, a great deal of damage occurs throughout our country and the world due to extensive rainfall. Floodwaters, as well as mudslides, can cause death and destruction. Likewise, a house can topple down a hillside. Such events, although tragic, brings to […]
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS Mike Johnson This intriguing parable is recorded in Matthew 21:28-32. At this point, Jesus’ enemies were intensely trying to discredit Him. After their attempt, He presented “The Parable of the Two Sons.” Verses 23-27 reveal the circumstances surrounding this parable. The chief priests and elders had asked Jesus, “By […]
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) Mike Johnson On one occasion, during the ministry of Jesus, Peter asked Him this question, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Peter probably felt the number which he mentioned was very generous. Seven times would have […]
The Wicked Vine-dressers Mike Johnson The Bible indicates that Jesus taught a great deal by parables. He would take something the people were familiar with and compare it to a spiritual truth to educate them. In His parables, Jesus discussed such things as planting seeds, baking bread, finding a hidden treasure, going fishing, and losing sheep. […]
SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 2 May 2020 ================================================== Table of Contents Failure to Get Back to Basics ————— Connie W. Adams Now Is the Time to Obey God—————- Author […]
EXAGGERATION Shane Williams I heard a story recently of a woman who was talking to her preacher. She said, “I have a habit that I know is hurting my example — the habit of exaggeration. I start to tell something and I go on and on enlarging the story. People suspect that it’s not true. […]
THINGS WE’VE LEARNED Bob Craig First anniversary! We’ve learned what marriage is all about, We’re ready to testify, It’s huggin’ and kissin’ and makin’ out, That’s what marriage is all about. Tenth anniversary! We’ve learned more than we knew before, We’re experts in our line, It’s kids and bills and maybe a doubt, That […]
Trust in God & Do Good (Psalm 37:3) Mike Johnson Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” Psalm 37 encourages God’s people to avoid being upset about the prosperity and, seemingly, good life of evildoers. Instead, the Psalmist encourages various positive endeavors. Among […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY Mike Johnson “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thess. […]
Church Growth (1) Introduction to Church Growth Mike Johnson What can we do to make our congregation grow? Church members often ask this question. It is essential for a church to grow. First, to even continue to exist, it must grow. A church that is not increasing over a period of time is dying. Second, […]
CHURCH GROWTH (02) Concepts of Growth Mike Johnson There are two ways a church can grow. Generally, when people speak of the growth of a church, they are talking about numerical growth. The reason for this is that we can easily observe the numerical increase, and we tend to look at this type of growth […]
CHURCH GROWTH (3) Improper Methods of Growth Mike Johnson For some congregations, numerical growth is the most crucial issue. They will do almost anything to obtain new members or retain those they already have. They take great pride in the size of their congregation, showing little concern about whether their growth methods are pleasing to […]
CHURCH GROWTH (4) Factors in Church Growth (1) Location of the Building Mike Johnson When a church does not grow, or even declines in membership, people may ask why this occurs. Why do some churches grow while others drop in numbers? Several factors can come into play. One factor can be the location of the building. […]
CHURCH GROWTH 05 Factors in Church Growth (2) “The Times We Are Living In” Mike Johnson There are many factors, which can affect church growth. Sometimes, we explain the lack of growth in a congregation by the “times we are living in.” The moral and religious climate of today can have a negative bearing on […]
CHURCH GROWTH (6) Factors in Church Growth (3) Christians Who Move into the Area Mike Johnson A church may grow for various reasons. Some churches grow because they are located in a city or in an area where many people are moving. Some of these people may be members of the Lord’s church, so the […]
CHURCH GROWTH (7) Factors in Church Growth (4) Young People Mike Johnson There are many congregations today, which have very few young people. When a group starts to dwindle, it is often left with very few children. Some young people grow up, get married, and move to another area. Others remain in the area but […]
CHURCH GROWTH (8) Why Churches Die (1) Lack of Proper Teaching Mike Johnson There are many external factors, which can contribute to a congregation’s demise. Such factors as the location of a building, the “wicked times in which we are living,” an inability to attract Christians who move into the area, and a lack of […]
CHURCH GROWTH (9) Why Churches Die (2) Not Having Needed Leadership Mike Johnson There are many external factors, which can contribute to a congregation’s demise. Such factors as the location of the building, the wicked times in which we are living, an inability to attract Christians who move into the area, and a lack of […]
CHURCH GROWTH (10) Why Churches Die (3) A Failure to Evangelize Mike Johnson There are many external factors, which can contribute to a congregation’s demise. Such factors as the location of the building, wicked times in which we are living, an inability to attract Christians who move into the area, and a lack of young […]
CHURCH GROWTH (11) Why Churches Die (4) Lukewarmness/Unfaithfulness Mike Johnson There are many negative factors, which may exist in a congregation, which pertain to the spirituality of its members. Over time, these factors will cause the congregation to die. For example, a group may die because it does not receive sound preaching and teaching. It […]
SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 3 June 2020 ============================================== Table of Contents “Bless the Lord, O My Soul!” (Ps. 19) ————— Mike Johnson “Lord, I’m Just too Busy” (Audio) —————– […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (1) The Need for Divine Authority (Introduction) Mike Johnson “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” These questions were asked of Jesus in the Jerusalem temple by certain Jewish chief priests and elders (Mt. 21:23). Although not sincerely motivated, these questions bring out two vital principles. […]
A Study of Bible Authority (2) THE AUTHORITY OF GOD Mike Johnson Everyone is subject to authority today. Employees, for example, are subject to the rule of their employers. We are all under the laws of our government, whether we want to be or not. There is authority we put ourselves under by choice, and […]
Biblical Authority (3) The Authority of Christ Mike Johnson Many people today do not understand the importance of having Bible authority. In previous articles, we have noted that we must follow divine authority instead of trying to direct our own steps. Next, we discussed the authority of God and noted that God certainly has the […]
Biblical Authority (4) The Authority of the Apostles Mike Johnson Many acknowledge the authority of God and Christ but do not accept or understand the Apostles’ authority. Some people today say we only need the words of Jesus to guide us. Some who take this position place a great deal of emphasis on the red-letter edition of the […]
A Study of Bible AUTHORITY (5) Obedience and the Old Testament Mike Johnson One of the most vital questions in studying Christianity is the question of authority. As was noted earlier, during the life of Christ, the chief priests and elders raised this question when they asked Jesus (Mt. 21:23), “By what authority are You doing […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (6) Authority and the New Testament Mike Johnson The Scriptures teach the authority of God, Christ, and the apostles (Ps. 50:10-12; Heb. 1:1-2; Mt. 16:19, 17:5, 18:18; 2 Cor. 5:20; Phil. 4:9). Also, the Holy Spirit played a role as He guided the apostles “unto all truth.” Consider now the authority of the […]
Biblical Authority (7) Adhering to the Gospel Message Mike Johnson From the Old Testament, it is clear that God intends for the Scriptures to be followed and not deviated from in any way (Deut 4:1-4, 5:32-33; Josh. 1:7; Num. 22:18, 24:13; Pb. 4:26-27, 30:5-6; Lev. 18:4-5). Consider now the same concept from the New Testament. Jude (v. […]
Biblical Authority (8) Direct Command Mike Johnson How do we establish Bible authority? It seems clear from the Scriptures that God intends for us to determine biblical authority in four ways. These are direct command, direct statement, approved apostolic example, and necessary inference. (Sometimes, direct command and direct statement are combined.) A broader classification of […]
Biblical Authority (9) Direct Statement Mike Johnson The Bible teaches direct command is one form of Bible authority. (Others are approved example and necessary inference). However, other kinds of statements do not occur in the command form but still serve as our guide. They have the same force of authority as a direct command. Consider the […]
Biblical Authority (10) Approved Example Mike Johnson What should be our attitude toward the concept of “example” as an acceptable form of Bible authority? There are three possible attitudes one might have. First, a person might say that all examples are binding. However, this attitude is unlikely, and, as we will see later, this would be a […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (11) Necessary Inference Mike Johnson Three forms of Bible authority govern us today. These are direct commands or statements, approved examples, and necessary inferences or conclusions. Most are willing to accept direct commands or statements as Bible authority. However, some may question the concept of approved examples, and a growing number challenge the […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (12) Generic & Specific Authority Mike Johnson Many have failed to understand the concept of generic and specific authority. These people may realize the need for a direct command or statement, approved example, and necessary inference for Bible authority. However, confusion can undoubtedly result if they do not understand the concept of generic […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (13) The Silence of the Scriptures Mike Johnson What should be our attitude regarding the silence of the Scriptures? What should we do regarding situations in which the Lord says nothing? These questions are critical. Disagreement on how to regard the silence of the Scriptures has caused much division over the years. If […]
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (14) FALSE STANDARDS Mike Johnson Why is there so much division and confusion today in the religious world? Why are there so many different doctrines and so many religious groups? One reason is that many have never learned the importance of Bible authority. Some may acknowledge the need for guidance from the Bible, […]
============================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 4 July 2020 ============================================== Table of Contents What a Privilege to Pray ——————— Donnie V. Rader What Is Truth —————————————– Mike Johnson What Is […]
Benefits from God (Psalm 103:3-7) Mike Johnson Speaking about God, Psalm 103:3-7 says, “Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord […]
Five Steps to Peace (Psalm 37:3-8) Mike Johnson “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb (Ps. 37:1-2).” When we think of the word “fret,” we may think of someone continuously or excessively […]
MAKE A JOYFUL SHOUT! (Psalm 100) Mike Johnson A very well known and oft-quoted poem, Psalm 100 centers on worshiping and knowing God. Although it contains only five verses, the psalm has essential and relevant information. Some think David is the author, although there is uncertainty. The speculation is that the Jews used this psalm […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (2) (Galatians 5:4) Mike Johnson Can a child of God fall from grace? Galatians 5:4 plainly says to those who are Christians that they can fall from grace. It seems some were teaching it was necessary to obey certain aspects of the old law to be saved, such as circumcision. Paul […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (3) (II Peter 2:20-22) Mike Johnson 2 Peter 2 describes particular false teachers. Not only did they teach false doctrine (v. 1), but they were very immoral. Please read the entire chapter for a full description of these ungodly people. Undoubtedly, they were in a lost state at the time of […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (4) (2 Peter 1:5-11) Mike Johnson Many passages in the Scriptures teach that a child of God can fall from grace. Advocates of the doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy often approach these passages in one of two ways. First, they say that a particular passage speaks about Christians, but it […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (5) (John 15:1-6) Mike Johnson John 15:1-6 records the Parable of the Vine and the Branches. It says: I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (6) (Acts 8:5-25) Mike Johnson Many passages teach that a child of God can fall from grace. Among them is Acts 8:5-25, which describes the conversion of the people of Samaria and a sorcerer named Simon. Many responded to Philip’s preaching and became Christians. Verse 12 says they believed, and Philip […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (7) (I Corinthians 10:12) Mike Johnson Many teach that once people become Christians, they cannot possibly be lost. This doctrine is known as “Once Saved, Always Saved,” “The Impossibility of Apostasy,” and “The Perseverance of the Saints.” However, this teaching is contrary to many passages in God’s Word; among these is […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (8) (I Corinthians 9:27) Mike Johnson In this series, we have been looking at passages that show the possibility of apostasy. Many passages teach that a child of God can fall from grace. Among them is 1 Corinthians 9:27, which says, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (9) (1 & 2 Timothy) Mike Johnson In 1 and 2 Timothy, Paul calls Timothy’s attention to many things that can happen to a person’s faith. Those who teach “once saved, always saved” usually teach that people are saved by “faith only.” It should be no trouble to see if people […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (10) (Hebrews 3:4-13) Mike Johnson The inspired writer wrote the book of Hebrews to the Hebrews (or Jews). Many of them had become Christians, and there was a tendency to return to the religion they formally practiced. They wanted to return to the Law of Moses and observe the various ceremonies […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (11) (Hebrews 6:4-6) Mike Johnson Many passages teach that a child of God can fall from grace. One such passage is in Hebrews 6:1-3. Here, the writer urges certain ones (who he had characterized earlier as “babes” in Christ- v. 13) to “go on unto perfection.” He wanted them to become mature; […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (12) (Hebrews 10:26-31) Mike Johnson We are continuing to examine passages that show the possibility of apostasy. Consider a very familiar context in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:26 says, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (13) (James 5:19-20) Mike Johnson James 5:19-20 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” He is […]
Bless the Lord at All Times (Psalm 34:1) Mike Johnson According to its title, David wrote Psalm 34 during the time he was fleeing from Saul. Seeking refuge, he fled to Gath. When discovered there, David faked insanity to avoid harm. He then escaped to the cave of Adullam. Although his family and 400 loyalists […]
DELIGHT IN THE LORD (Psalm 37:4) Mike Johnson Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Do you delight in the Lord? The Psalmist (thought to be David) said this is what we are to do. The word found in the original (anag) carries […]
Having Strong Confidence (Pb. 14:26) Mike Johnson Christians are to fear (have reverence and respect for) God. Those who genuinely fear God see the importance of obeying His commandments. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us we are to “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” Also, if we fear God, we will hate […]
Changing the Labels Makes Sin More Dangerous One of America’s great needs is to recognize sin for what it is. We are too prone to explain it away or to soften its horrors. Wilbur Chapman tells of a distinguished minister who preached on sin, and one of the leading members came to talk to him […]
Living on Borrowed Time Doy Moyer Be generous. Assume the best first. Don’t assign evil motives to other parties. They may have intended something else. Let the principles of love guide our discussions (I Cor 13:4-8). Be respectful. Don’t begin a response by insulting and insinuating that the other parties are intellectually deficient. Just address […]
Remember the Duck Author Unknown There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back inside for lunch. As he was walking back, he saw his […]
ASLEEP A preacher once said to a group: One day, I came upon a drunken man asleep on the railway tracks, and the express was due. What would you have done? Each answered quickly, “I would have dragged him off of the track in a hurry!” “Well,” said the preacher, “that is the state of […]
NO MORE, NO LESS (Revelations 22:18-19) Mike Johnson “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this […]
“I DO NOT PERMIT A WOMAN TO TEACH…” Mike Johnson The above statement is in I Timothy 2:11-12. The verses say, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” Many may be surprised to learn that […]
ADHERENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT Mike Johnson From the Old Testament, it is clear that God’s Word was intended to be followed and not deviated from in any way (Deut 4:1-4, 5:32-33; Josh. 1:7; Num. 22:18, 24:13; Pb. 4:26-27, 30:5-6; Lev. 18:4-5). Consider now the same concept from the New Testament. Jude (v. 3) told the early […]
God’s Minorities During the time that Noah was building the ark, he was very much in the minority – but he won! When Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers he was a decided minority – but he won! When Gideon and his three hundred followers with their broken pitchers and lamps put the […]
What Is Sin? Kyle Campbell John wrote, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” By inspiration, we know the definition of sin. The word “sin” was used to describe transgression of the law, the breaking of God’s commandments. “Transgression” defined sin as rebellion against God and was […]
Getting Help to Misunderstand the Scriptures Doy Moyer Yes, there are those who would help you to misunderstand what the Bible says. The Bible speaks of them in 2 Peter 3:16-17: “speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, […]
Spiritual Growth Mike Johnson Although numerical growth is significant, spiritual growth is also essential for churches today. Someone once asked a fellow Christian if the congregation where he attended had grown any. He responded by saying, “yes.” However, he then added, “We have not grown numerically, but we have grown spiritually.” He was saying they […]
God Is Just & Impartial Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that God is impartial. Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” In Acts 10:34, Peter told Cornelius, “…In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.” Those who make decisions today may not […]
GOD IS LOVE Mike Johnson 1 John 4:8 says, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” This verse shows the importance of love. As the passage points out, a person who does not love others does not even “know God” since “God is love.” It is interesting to note […]
AN “UNFORGIVABLE” SIN? Mike Johnson 1 John 5:16 says, “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about […]
DO YOU REALLY LOVE GOD? Mike Johnson Do you genuinely love God? If asked this question, many people would say, “Yes.” However, how many do truly love God? I John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Thus, a test of our […]
THEY WERE SIMPLY CHRISTIANS Mike Johnson If someone asked me what I am religiously, I would say, “I am a Christian.” The person might look at me in a puzzled way and ask, “But what kind of Christian are you?” Many religious groups today wear names to refer to themselves other than a name, which […]
Be Very Careful Mike Johnson Ephesians 5:8-14 emphasizes the importance of walking in the light, as opposed to darkness (9), which manifests itself in goodness, righteousness, and truth. Paul tells them they were to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (11). Verses 15-16 then admonishes, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not […]
WHAT IS TRUTH? Mike Johnson What is truth? This question is critical. Pilate asked it at Jesus’ trial in connection with the accusation made that Jesus was a king in a civil sense and thus a rival. It seems he asked it with scorn rather than with a quest for knowledge. Regardless, this question is […]
THE CONSISTENCY OF TRUTH Mike Johnson Truth is always consistent; it does not contradict itself. Thus, if the Bible is truth, there will be no contradictions in it. Sometimes people say, “You can prove anything by the Bible.” This statement is degrading to the Bible, and it reflects on the integrity of God. If it […]
ARE ALL RELIGIOUS PEOPLE CHRISTIANS? Mike Johnson Many people today are religious. They may belong to a particular denomination and attend services regularly. Others, while not belonging to any specific religious group, may believe in God, read their Bibles, and pray from time to time. These are all “religious,” but does the fact that they […]
Precious in the Sight of the Lord Mike Johnson Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” We think of death in many different ways. The death of a loved one is one of the greatest agonies a person can face in his/her life. Typically, we think of […]
The Authority of the Apostles Mike Johnson Many acknowledge the authority of God and Christ, but do not accept or understand the authority of the Apostles. Some people today say we only need the words of Jesus to guide us. Christ certainly has authority (Mt. 28:18, 17:1-8), but we must understand the authority, which also […]
The Authority of the Bible Mike Johnson The Bible teaches about the authority of God, Christ, and the apostles (Ps. 50:10-12; Heb. 1:1-2; Mt. 16:19, 17:5, 18:18; II Cor. 5:20; Phil. 4:9). Also, the Holy Spirit played a role as he guided the apostles “unto all truth.” Consider now the authority of God’s Word, the […]
Abide in Christ’s Doctrine (II John 9-11) Consider a warning found in II John 9-11. These verses say, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not […]
DIVINE AUTHORITY Mike Johnson “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” These questions were asked of Jesus in the Jerusalem temple by certain chief priests and elders of the Jews (Mt. 21:23). Although not sincerely motivated, these questions bring out two principles. First, there is a need for authority in religion; second, authority must come from one who has the right to grant it. […]
Contend Earnestly for the Faith (Jude 3) Mike Johnson It is clear from the Old Testament that God intended for us to adhere to His Word, and the Scriptures should not be violated (Deut. 4:1-4, 5:32-33; Josh 1:7; Num. 22:18, 24:13; Pb. 4:26-27, 30:5-6; Lev. 18:4-5). Consider now the same concept from the standpoint of […]
The Authority of Christ Mike Johnson Many people today do not understand the importance of having Bible authority. In previous articles, we have noted that we must follow divine authority instead of trying to direct our steps. We discussed the authority of God and noted that God certainly has the right to reign over humanity. […]
Adding to or Taking Away From God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19) Mike Johnson Revelation 22:18-19 says, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, […]
The Authority of God Mike Johnson Everyone is subject to authority today. Many are employees and are subject to the rule of their employers. We are all under the authority of our government, whether we want to be or not. There is authority we put ourselves under by choice, and there is authority we find […]
Do Not Preach Any Other Gospel! (Galatians 1:6-9) Mike Johnson In Galatians 1, Paul said he marveled because the Galatians were “turning away so soon” to “a different gospel.” He also pointed out there were some who had troubled them and wanted to pervert the gospel of Christ. Then (v. 8) he warned, “But even […]
The Importance of Biblical Teaching Mike Johnson The Bible emphasizes that it is essential for our teaching to be in a very bold and straightforward manner, and preaching must be in strict compliance with the Bible. The early church received a great deal of teaching, and the Bible describes the instruction done then and that […]
“O Lord, Our Lord…” (Psalm 8:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 8:1 says, “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!” Christians often incorporate this beautiful verse as an introduction to their prayers. In the Psalm, David speaks of the greatness of God compared […]
HOW EXCELLENT IS YOUR NAME (Psalm 8) Mike Johnson Some consider Psalm 8, “the most well-known psalm people have never read.” Understandably, the tendency today is to focus more on the New Testament, which results in people having less familiarity with the Old Testament. Yet, quotations of Psalm 8 occur so much in the New […]
LET US THEREFORE FEAR (Hebrews 4:1) Mike Johnson Hebrews 4:1 says, “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.” The verse starts with the word “therefore,” which connects it to what has previously been said. In chapter 3, the writer […]
How to Not Have God (II John 9-11) Mike Johnson 2 John 9-11 says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, […]
“Do Not Judge Me” Mike Johnson Matthew 7:1 says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Many people know this passage but often misunderstand it. They have the mistaken idea that if we do not agree with them on specific Bible questions or their manner of life, we should not say anything about it. According […]
WHERE SHOULD WE PRAY? Mike Johnson Is it necessary for people to pray in a particular location for their prayer to be acceptable or effective? Many think they must be in a specific place, such as a church building, for God to hear their prayers. Is the location of prayer significant? What does the Bible […]
If You Should Be Baptized Author Unknown DON’T WAIT until some tragedy in life reminds you of how close death is. And remember the second coming of our Lord is just as close as death itself — as far as opportunity is concerned. DON’T WAIT until “everything is just right” for you are the only […]
What Is Most Important to You? David Sain 1. The condition and appearance of your house, or what goes on inside your house? 2. The time you spend on the condition and appearance of your body, or the time you spend on the inner man? 3. Reading about life according to magazines […]
It Is Better to Trust in the Lord (Ps. 118:8-9) Mike Johnson Psalm 118: 8-9 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” These verses are a conclusion from verses 5-7, where the […]
BRIDLE THAT TONGUE! Mike Johnson Many are familiar with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 15:8-9, where He says we can make our religion vain by “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. However, there is another way we can make our religion vain, which people may not be as familiar. James 1:26 says, “If anyone among […]
A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure. The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist see the opportunity in every difficulty.” (Winston Churchill) Gossip and anger are like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. A lot of us would like to move mountains, but few of us […]
God’s Great Works! (Psalm 111:2) Mike Johnson Psalm 111, known as a Hallelujah Psalm, begins by saying, “Praise the Lord” and ends with, “His praise endures forever.” In between, the Psalmists praises God in various ways. After expressing his desire to praise God in the assembly, in verse 2, the Psalmist exclaims, “The works of […]
THE FORM OF BAPTISM Mike Johnson What is the form of baptism taught in the Bible? There is division in the religious world regarding this question. One creed says dipping someone in water is not necessary, but, instead, sprinkling or pouring water on an individual is acceptable. Some say immersion is a choice, while others […]
GOD IS OMNIPRESENT Mike Johnson Is God omnipresent? The Bible does indeed teach this idea. Being omnipresent means He is all or ever-present. It is possible today to flee or hide from other people. A fugitive, for example, may remain at large for many years or perhaps even for a lifetime. No one, however, can […]
GOD IS OMNISCIENT Mike Johnson God is omniscient, which means He has infinite knowledge, i.e., He knows all. I John 3:20 points out that God “knows all things,” and Psalm 147:5 says, “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” One way God reveals His knowledge is through the prophecies of […]
THE SINS OF YOUTH (Psalm 25:7) Mike Johnson Sometimes, people try to minimize the sins of youth. A person may say, for example, “After all, young people must sow their wild oats.” However, David took the sins of his youth very seriously. In Psalm 25:7, he pleads with God, “Do not remember the sins of […]
SHOW ME, TEACH ME, LEAD ME (Psalm 25:4-5) Mike Johnson Palm 25 is a Psalm of repentance. The psalmist humbly expresses a desire for God’s forgiveness and wants direction from Him. In verses 4-5, he appeals to God by saying, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth […]
REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING (Psalm 25:6-7) Mike Johnson Psalm 25:6-7 says, “Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.” In these verses, David is asking God […]
LIFT UP YOUR SOUL TO GOD (Psalm 25:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 25:1 says, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” The author of this Psalm, regarded as David, starts his prayer respectfully, humbly appealing to God’s mercy and desiring His pardon. This verse teaches a lot about the nature of prayer. First, we […]
HUMILITY IS ESSENTIAL! (Psalm 25:8-9) Mike Johnson Psalm 25:8-9 says, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” This passage shows the importance of having humility in receiving God’s Word. Humbly listening to instruction is essential even […]
BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO FEAR GOD (Psalm 25:12-15) Mike Johnson Psalm 25:12-15 says the following: (12) who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. (13) He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. (14) The secret of the Lord is with […]
A PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS Mike Johnson Consider the following quote regarding Psalm 25. The sob of a great sorrow sounds throughout this psalm. The circumstances of its writing were those of desolation, affliction, distress, travail, as the latter part especially shows. Yet the main content is one full of help to all who are in […]
Remembering God’s Wonderful Works (Ps. 111:4) Mike Johnson Psalm 111:4 says, “He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” We are to remember God’s wonderful works, which are great (Ps. 111:2a) These works of God include creation (Gen. 1, Ps. 19:1, Rom. 1:20, Jer. 10:12); God […]
============================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 5 August 2020 ============================================== Table of Contents The Burial of Jesus ——————— Walton Weaver Waiting Too Long —————————— Unknown Seek and You Will Find […]
Translating the Bible into Life Dennis Abernathy I read a story about four preachers who were discussing their favorite translations of the Bible. One preacher preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful language. The second preacher liked the American Standard Version best because it translates more literally the original Hebrew and Greek. The […]
The Secret Jere. E. Frost Why did Samuel say to Saul, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams?” (1 Sam. 15:22). Because God would rather have us obey than to accomplish the most astounding feats or offer the most lavish praise. There is no substitute for obedience. […]
Some Facts about the Church Author Unknown It is not a human denomination, but the spiritual body of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18; I Pet. 2:5-6). It was built by Christ and he is its foundation (Mt. 16:18; I Cor. 3:11). Christ is its only head (Eph. 1:22-23). It was purchased with […]
Immortality Mike Johnson “Death is not a period but a comma in the story of life.” In a sentence, a comma indicates a pause. A period is end punctuation and is used to show the end of a sentence. With this idea in mind, the above quotation says a great deal. It speaks of the […]
To Whom Were They Speaking Carrol R. Sutton In Acts 16:31 when Paul and Silas said: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house, they were speaking to an unbeliever, the jailor at Philippi. (Acts 16:12). In Acts 2:38 when Peter said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of […]
Jumping to Conclusions Guthrie Dean An elderly lady, the self-appointed supervisor of a little rural village’s morals, accused a workman of having turned to drink because “with her own eyes” she had seen his wheelbarrow standing outside a tavern. The accused made no defense, but that evening he parked his wheelbarrow outside her house and […]
Correction Is Grievous James W. Adams “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way…. “ (Proverbs 15: 10). Few people are able to accept correction graciously. Our first inclination is always to justify self. This, no doubt, accounts for the bad spirit which is so manifest in brethren who have “forsaken the way” of […]
What Are You Making Phil Sanders While on a trip to Switzerland, an American businessman was watching a Swiss clock maker carving the case of an ornate cuckoo clock. As the businessman watched the clock maker carve out the case, he was astounded at his slow rate of progress. The businessman finally said, “My good […]
Send the Fire Truck! Dudley Ross Spears In a small eastern Kentucky town, the local police chief also served as part of the Volunteer Fire Department. His job was to answer the phone and in the event of a fire was to ring the fire bell to summons all the volunteer firemen in the county. […]
What Needs Changing? When you look into the mirror and your face appears dirty, it is your face, not the mirror that needs attention. The Bible is the mirror of the soul. It reveals our imperfections and shows us how to make corrections. However, some try to rework the Bible instead of reshaping their lives.
Which Bone Are You? Someone has divided church the church members into three general classes; the wishbones, the jawbones, and the backbones. The wishbones languidly hope that the church will prosper without them. The jawbones do the criticizing. The backbones get under the load and carry it along. Analyze yourself. Which are you? From “The […]
The Bible: The Only Inspired Creed Richie Thetford In the denominational world you can find creed books that are used in addition to the Bible. Yet the apostle Paul tells us that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that […]
I’d Rather See a Sermon Edgar A Guest I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear; And the best of all […]
Attitude “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It’s more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It’s more important than appearance, giftedness, or […]
God’s Mercy and Grace (Psalm 103:8) Mike Johnson David most likely wrote Psalm 103, which is a well-known psalm of praise. It is a psalm of celebration, as the first two verses and the final verse indicates. Verse 8 points out, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” This […]
================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 6 September 2020 =================================== The Need for Divine Authority (Introduction) Mike Johnson “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You […]
GET SOME GOOD ADVICE! (Psalm 1:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” In this passage, we see what we cannot do if we want to be blessed by […]
Do Not Be like the Chaff (Psalm 1:4) Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1-3 describes a godly person. This passage tells us that righteous people do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly; they do not stand in the path of sinners; they do not sit in the seat of the scornful. Instead, they delight in […]
How to Prosper Psalm 1:3 Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1-2 points out how that the person who will be blessed by God does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly; he does not stand in the path of sinners, and he does not sit in the seat of the scornful. Instead, he delights in the […]
Do Not Stand in the Path of Sinners (Psalm 1:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Here we see a person must not walk in the counsel of […]
Delighting in God’s Law (Psalm 1:2) Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1 tells us that the person whom God will bless must not walk in the counsel of the ungodly; he must not stand in the path of sinners, and he must not sit in the seat of the scornful. Then, verse 2 positively describes a righteous […]
HOW TO LIVE A HAPPY LIFE (Psalm 1) Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law […]
Heed the Warnings (Psalm 19:11) Mike Johnson In speaking about God’s commandments, Psalm 19:11 says, “Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” It is clear, God’s Word warns us. A warning is usually associated with danger. Parents, for example, remind their children when there is danger. Similarly, […]
How to Praise God (Ps. 103:1-2) Mike Johnson Psalm 103:1-2 exclaims, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” David most likely wrote Psalm 103, a well-known psalm of praise. It is a psalm of […]
======================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 7 October 2020 ======================================== BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (2) THE AUTHORITY OF GOD Mike Johnson Everyone is subject to authority today. Employees, for example, are […]
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE The best and sweetest things in life are things you cannot buy: The music of the birds at dawn, the rainbow in the sky. The dazzling magic of the stars, the miracle of light. The precious gift of health […]
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN Carrol R. Sutton 1. LEARN GOD’S WILL FOR MAN. “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6:45). 2. BELIEVE. Have conviction based on what you have learned. […]
Is There A Difference! If you are seeking a wife – is one as good as another? If you are sick – is one doctor as good as another? If you are catching a train – is one as good as another? If you are buying a house – is one as good as another? […]
IF YOU ARE BIG ENOUGH To stand a compliment, you need not fear the critic, To face defeat bravely, you can be trusted with victory, To see a rival succeed without jealousy, you have achieved real greatness, To keep your head when you are being attacked, you are on the highway to success, To admit […]
SOMEONE HAS SAID: I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey….. I asked for health, that I might do greater things: I was given infirmity, that I might do better things …. I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was […]
Seek God When He May Be Found (Psalm 32:6) Mike Johnson In Psalm 32, David describes what might be called the “blessedness of forgiveness.” In this Psalm, David speaks of the agony of sin and of the joy of receiving forgiveness from God. In the course of doing this (V. 6), he speaks of the […]
The Blessedness of Forgiveness (Psalm 32) Mike Johnson Psalm 32 describes the blessedness of forgiveness differently than in any other psalm. It describes the psychological, and perhaps physical, effects of unconfessed sins, and it speaks of the remedy for obtaining the forgiveness of sins and the happiness that follows. We often have to speculate regarding […]
“IF IT BE POSSIBLE…” “If it be possible, as much as is in you lieth, be at peace with all men”. (Rom. 12:8). This passage teaches that it is not always possible to be at peace with all men. “Peace at any price” is a dangerous principle and should not be practiced by Christians. It […]
HONESTY & SINCERITY Lowell Blasingame Honesty and sincerity do not galvanize error into truth nor does unbelief subvert truth to the ranks of error. Some seem to think this. They assume that if error is honestly and sincerely believed in religion that it becomes truth and produces the same blessings and benefits. On the other […]
COULD THIS BE YOU? Sometimes when you’re feeling important, Sometimes when your ego’s in bloom, Sometimes when you take it for granted, You’re the best qualified in the room; Sometimes when you feel that your going, Would leave an unfillable hole; Just follow this simple instruction, And see how it humbles your soul. Take a […]
WHAT IS SIN? Carrol R. Sutton There are four passages in the New Testament that state specifically what sin is. Let us Consider them. 1. ROMANS 14:23 says: “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” 2. JAMES 4:17says: “Therefore […]
Subjective Interpretations of Feelings and Experiences Dennis Abernathy Did you hear the story of a farmer who decided to quit farming and become a preacher? When asked why he made such a decision, the farmer said: “God called me to preach.” When asked how God called him to preach, he said he saw clouds in […]
Things People Wouldn’t Give Up in Exchange for Their Soul Richard C. Gordon Possessions (Mark 10:17-22). Pride (Luke 18:9-14). Past (Acts 7:51-53) Prejudices (Romans 10:1-4). Power (John 11:47-48). Popularity(John 12:42-43).
Food, Gimmicks, and Recreation Jeff May Problems arise as we strive to serve God faithfully, but God has given us a tree — the tree of Calvary, to be used in such situations, just as Moses cast in the tree at Mariah to resolve the problem of the bad water (Exodus 5), and Elisha cast […]
You Must Do Your Part No man can save himself from his sins, but everyone must turn to the Lord, in His appointed way, and look to Him alone for salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ and He alone, has authority to forgive sin and save souls. In the conversion of man, there must be cooperation […]
God Is Unchangeable Carrol R. Sutton Daily we witness changes around us in both the plant and animal kingdoms. We also witness weather changes, which in turn produce changes in temperatures, As these changes take place, it becomes necessary for us to make changes in our eating, sleeping, working and playing habits as well as […]
Things to Remember The value of time The success of perseverance The pleasure of working The dignity of simplicity The worth of character The influence of example The obligation of duty The wisdom of economy The improvement of talent The joy of originating The power of kindness. – Pulpit Helps
Where Are Your Priorities Jim Mickells It was a 99° September day in San Antonio, when a 10-month-old baby girl was accidentally locked inside a parked car by her aunt. Frantically, the mother and the aunt ran around the auto in near hysteria, while a neighbor attempted to unlock the car with a clothes hanger. […]
Make Time Make time to think – it is the source of power. Make time to play – it is the key to freedom and relaxation. Make time to read – it is the gateway to knowledge. Make time to worship – it washes the dust of earth from your eyes. Make time to help […]
You Preached Right at Me Author Unknown Frequently after a preacher of the gospel declares the pure and plain Word of God in a scriptural and forceful manner, someone in the audience will complain to him, “You preached right at me!” Actually it is a good thing for the complainer to apply the lesson in […]
Correction is Grievous James W. Adams “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way …” (Proverbs 15: 10). Few people are able to accept correction graciously. Our first inclination is always to justify self. This, no doubt, accounts for the bad spirit which is so manifest in brethren who have “forsaken the way” of […]
What Were They Told? Author Unknown In the first century when sinners were convicted of their sins and obviously believed that “that same Jesus whom” they had “crucified” had been made “both Lord and Christ”, they said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?” They were […]
True Riches Author Unknown One day a father and his rich family took his son to a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip […]
Truth’s Narrow Door Earl Kimbrough Jesus said, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door.” (Luke 13:24, RV). Truth is always narrow. This is true of all truth. Two plus two equals four. Of all the answers that might be given as the sum of two plus two, only one is right. A person who […]
The Tongue Author Unknown “I’ve gossiped about my neighbor,” said the woman to her minister. “One day I saw her stagger across the yard, so I told a few friends that she had been drunk. Now I find that her staggering was caused by a leg injury. How can I undo this gossip I started?” […]
What’s in Your Bucket? Author Unknown If you were walking from the well carrying a bucket of water and someone jostled you, there could be spilled from the bucket only what it contained. As you walk along the way of life people are constantly bumping into you. If your life is full of ill […]
Poison Author Unknown A worldly-wise lady said, “Oh! Oh! All the religions have so much good in them! We shouldn’t criticize or condemn any of them.” To this, a wise man replied, “So has rat poison a lot of good in it; it is 98% cornmeal, yet the 2% poison in it is enough to […]
The Perfect Church I think that I shall never see A Church that’s all it ought to be: A Church whose members never stray Beyond the Strait and Narrow Way: A Church that has no empty pews, Whose preacher never has the blues, A Church whose Deacons always peak, And none are proud, and all […]
I Wanted to Change the World When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town […]
Preacher’s Point “I would rather have thousands to say to me at the judgment, ‘We heard you preach, and you hurt our feelings,’ than to have just one lost soul to say, ‘[ heard you preach, but you did not tell me the truth.’” (John T. Lewis)
Bible Submission James A. Allen “To actually and truly stand upon the Bible then is to believe and do the things that the Bible teaches, and to leave undone everything that it does not teach. No man can allow his preference or his opinion to prevent him from doing anything that the Scriptures require; nor […]
A True Friend “Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are – chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them – keep what is worth keeping, and […]
It’s Not in the Mirror When you see a dirty face in the mirror you wash the face, not the glass. Don’t try to make God’s Word read differently but rather bring your spiritual activities into alignment with the Word of God. Remember friend, it isn’t the mirror it is you! James said: “For if […]
ALONE It was alone the Savior prayed In dark Gethsemane; Alone He drained the bitter cup And suffered there for me. Refrain: Alone, alone, He bore it all alone; He gave Himself to save His own, He suffered, bled and died alone, alone. It was alone the Savior stood In Pilate’s judgment hall; Alone the […]
The Echo “I spoke a word in anger To one who was my friend, Like a knife it cut him deeply, A wound that was hard to mend. That word, so thoughtlessly uttered, I would we could both forget, But its echo lives and memory gives The recollection yet. How many hearts are broken, How […]
THE DEVIL AND SCRIPTURE John Iverson In his “immortal” work, “The Merchant of Venice”, William Shakespeare had one of his characters say, “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” In this Shakespeare was eminently correct, for immediately following his baptism at the hands of John, Jesus was led into the wilderness, and tempted of […]
ASSUMPTIONS A traveler, between flights at an airport, went to a lounge and bought a small package of cookies. Then she sat down and began reading a newspaper. Gradually, she became aware of a rustling noise. From behind her paper, she was flabbergasted to see a neatly dressed man helping himself to her cookies. […]
NEVER FOLLOW CUSTOM BLINDLY Author Unknown The new husband watched his wife prepare her first ham for the oven and noticed that she cut off a few inches from one end. Asked why she did that, she replied that her mother always did it the same way. They called Mother, and while she […]
He’s Helping Me Now He’s helping me now–this moment, Though I may not see it or hear, Perhaps by a friend far distant, Perhaps by a stranger near, Perhaps by a spoken message Perhaps by the printed word; In ways that I know and know not I have the help of the Lord. He’s keeping […]
It Doesn’t Take Much to Feed a Corpse Dalton Key Those of us living in the Texas Panhandle have been enjoying a strange and remarkable Spring. Due to several weeks of above-average rainfall, the usually parched, arid earth has become a virtual paradise, exuding life with luscious blades of green. A good friend fussed that […]
THERE WAS A DAY There was a day when I was young I could run and jump and fall. Then get right up and do it again Without any trouble at all. There was a day when time moved by With the pace of the lowly snail. The hours and days drug slowly on And […]
Would I Be Called a Christian? Would I be called a Christian, If everybody knew My secret thoughts and feelings, and everything I do? Oh, could they see the likeness of Christ in me each day? Oh, could they hear Him speaking, in every word I say? Would I be called a Christian, if anyone […]
A Time for Growing Men The nation was in the midst of the Great Depression and drought in 1930. I was fifteen. My mother and I lived alone on a small West Tennessee farm. We were attempting to scratch out a bare living from a worn-out farm with whatever abilities an ignorant boy, a widowed […]
It’s Not Easy To Apologize. To Begin over. To Be Unselfish. To Admit Error. To Face A Sneer. To Be Charitable. To Keep Trying. To Be Considerate. To Avoid Mistakes. To Endure Success. To Profit By Mistakes. To Forgive And Forget. To Think and Then Act. To Keep Out of A Rut. To Make the […]
PREACH TO ME! Bill Crews Up and down in the land, day in and day out, by young and by old the banal little protest, “Don’t preach to me!” is heard. I cannot use it. My understanding, my conscience, and the needs of my soul won’t allow me. The Son of God came preaching. He […]
THE BIBLE SAYS… Whit Sasser “…And these will go a way into everlasting punishment…” (Matthew 25:46) Those who do not know God or do not obey the good news of Jesus Christ shall be punished in a lake of fire (ll Thessalonians 1:8 9 and Revelation 21:8). It is commonly referred to as hell. Many […]
THE NARROWNESS OF THE BIBLE Jarrod Jacobs Have we ever heard someone outside the body of Christ criticize a Christian by saying, “Boy, is he narrow-minded!”? I am sure we have heard this before. We may have said similar things as well. Has it ever occurred to us that the truth of God’s word is […]
You Tell On Yourself You tell what you are by the friends you seek, By the very manner in which you speak. By the way you employ your leisure time, By the use you make of dollar and dime. You tell what you are by the things you wear, By the spirit in which your […]
A PAYING PRINCIPLE God honors men who take His Word seriously. Stephen Girard, Philadelphia millionaire, one Saturday ordered his clerks to come to work the next day and unload a large shipment which had just arrived. One young man stepped up to the desk and said, as he turned pale, “Mr. Girard, I cannot work […]
THE DEVIL’S YARD SALE There’s an old fable that says the Devil once held a sale and offered all the tools of his trade to anyone who would pay their price. They were spread out on the table and each one labeled. They were hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness, sensuality — all the weapons that […]
FACING THE “SPIN CYCLES” OF LIFE (Psalm 37) Mike Johnson Consider the following story about a boy who wanted to wash his cat. The little boy went to the store and bought some Tide detergent. The cashier said to the boy, “It’s nice of you to run errands for your parents. Do you do the […]
SHRINKING THE INCOME Years ago a young man knelt with his preacher and prayed as he committed himself to give a tenth of what he made to the Lord. His first week’s pay was $10.00 and the tenth was $1.00. As he grew older, he became more prosperous and his tenth became $5.00, then $7.50, […]
SIN “ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art- a chair affixed to a shot gun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undermined moment within the next hundred […]
THE BURNING HUT The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements […]
TWO FROGS IN CREAM T.C. Hamlet Two frogs fell into a can of cream, Or so I’ve heard it told; The sides of the can were shiny & steep, The cream was deep & cold. “O, what’s the use?” croaked Number One, “’Tis fate; no help’s around. Goodbye, my friends! Goodbye, sad world!” And weeping […]
Going Fishing Without Bait A fisherman had planned a special fishing trip for several months. He made out a list of essentials and scratched each item off as he packed. He had his car checked and serviced. All of his appointments were under control. Everything was ready. He even made sure to leave his wife […]
DON’T PLAY WITH SIN Sin is nothing to play with. It has the strength to defeat you if you get too close to it with excessive confidence in your own strength. A well-to-do man advertised for a chauffeur. Three applicants came. His first question was, “How close to the edge of a cliff can you […]
DROP A PEBBLE IN THE WATER James W. Foley Drop a pebble in the water; just a splash, and it is gone But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea And there is no way of telling where the end is going […]
WE ARE SEARCHING We are searching for people who have good and honest hearts open and receptive to the truth. (Lk. 8:15) We are searching for those who not only want to be religious, but who want to be right religiously. (Jer. 10:23) We are searching for those who believe the Bible to be the […]
TOTAL COMMITMENT A little church was having a homecoming service to which ex-members, who had moved away, were invited to attend. One of the former members had become a millionaire. When asked to speak, the wealthy man recounted his childhood experience. He had earned his first silver dollar which he had decided to keep forever. […]
BE WILLING TO CHANGE Paul Southern “God grant that I may always be right,” said a Scottish theologian, “For I never change.” One of his Calvinistic brethren declared, “I am always open for conviction, but I’d like to see the color of a man’s eyes who could convict me.” Each used different words, but both […]
The Marriage Promise TAKING VOWS SERIOUSLY Author and business leader Fred Smith writes: One of my treasured memories comes from a doughnut shop in Grand Saline, Texas. There was a young farm couple sitting at the table next to mine. He was wearing overalls and she a gingham dress. After finishing their doughnuts, he got […]
“NEVER LOST A CASE” I once lived in a community where a certain Methodist preacher preached more funerals than one could possibly believe. Methodists as well as others. One day I heard a local citizen say that he wanted him to preach his funeral. When asked why, he replied, “Well, I have never heard him […]
IT’S A TRUTH If students went to school like some people go to church (when they feel like it), they would fail. If an employee went to work like some people go about teaching others (indifferently), they would be fired. If a person ate meals like some partake of the Lord’s Supper (irregularly), they would […]
GIVING OF PRECIOUS GIFTS Author Unknown We need to remind ourselves of gifts that can be given or exchanged throughout the year that will always he appreciated. Consider: THE GIFT OF PRAISE: Appropriate mention, right in front of the other person, of appreciation for a job or of deeds well done. THE GIFT OF CONSIDERATION: […]
Some Parents Say. . . “We will not influence our children in making choices and decisions in matters of religion.” Why not? The advertisements will. The press will. Their business will. The radio will. Television will. Their neighbors will. Their politicians will. We use our influence over flowers, vegetables, cattle—do you think we should avoid […]
ARE YOU READY TO DIE? An eager‑to‑win‑souls barber had a rather curious way of beginning evangelistic conversations with his clients. As he laid his customer back in the chair and soaped his face, he would then strop his razor and place its honed edge to the man’s neck as he asked, “Are you ready to […]
WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THIS ACCIDENT? Two young people were involved in an automobile accident. The young girl, a high school student, was badly injured and her companion was killed. Their parents found out from hospital attendants that the young couple had been drinking at the time of the accident. The girl’s father flew […]
Question Author Unknown During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had […]
SATAN “GOES TO CHURCH” An old legend relates that a pious man met Satan one day coming into the church building. “What are you doing here?” asked the man. “I thought you never set foot inside the church building.” “Oh yes,” answered Satan. “Where there is praying and preaching against me, I must see to […]
DO YOU BELIEVE IN HELL? Gilbert Alexander Do you really believe in heaven and hell? Do you really accept the possibility of your going to either place for eternity? Read Romans 2:2-16. If one is convinced of heaven, surely he is moved by its beauty and blessedness to desire to go there. But one cannot […]
“MORBUS SABBATICUS” “Morbus Sabbaticus,” better known as “Sunday sickness,” is a disease peculiar to some church members. The symptoms vary, but these are generally observed: 1. It never lasts more than twenty-four hours. 2. It never interferes with the appetite. 3. It never affects the eyes. The Sunday newspapers can be read with no pain. […]
Is the Bible the Word of God? Quite simply, the answer to the above question is Yes! Without even looking about what the Bible says about its inspiration, there is plenty of evidence that it is a unique book. The books of the Bible were written by 44 men over a period of about 1500 […]
SOME THINK… “Some think they are at liberty to introduce anything into God’s worship providing God has not, in so many words, prohibited it. This is evidently a mistake. Such a plan of procedure would open the flood gates for innumerable innovations. On this principle every kind of food and drink might be brought into […]
TEN MISTAKES TO AVOID Remorse over yesterday’s failure. Anxiety over today’s problems. Worry over tomorrow’s uncertainty. Waste of the moment’s opportunity. Procrastination with one’s present duty. Resentment of another’s success. Criticism of a neighbor’s imperfections. Impatience with youth’s immaturity. Skepticism of our nation’s future Unbelief in God’s providence.
THE PREACHER AND THE BARBER A preacher and an atheistic barber were once walking through the city slums. Said the barber to the preacher; “This is why I cannot believe in a God of love. If God was as kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would […]
SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL DECLINE 1. When you are averse to religious conversation or the company of heavenly minded Christians. 2. When from preference, and without necessity, you absent yourself from religious services. 3. When you are more concerned about pacifying conscience than honoring Christ in the performance of your duty. 4. […]
COMPLACENCY Complacency is a blight that saps, energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with the things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. “Good enough” becomes today’s watchword and tomorrow’s standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, […]
ARE YOU JUST RELIGIOUS OR A CHRISTIAN? Leo B. Plyer There are many who would contend that those who are religious are Christians. This would, no doubt, be the contention of the denominational world. Even Webster’s Dictionary (which gives the meaning to words as they are commonly used), give as, one meaning, “one who believes […]
THE KIND OF PREACHING WE NEED Greg Gwin People may have various views about preachers and their work, but the Bible plainly states the kind of preaching that is needed in the world today. We need preaching that is: 1. Bible-based: The Lord told Jonah to “preach the preaching I bid thee” (Jonah 3:2). Some […]
HOW CAN I BE JUST A CHRISTIAN? You can be just a Christian, nothing more or less, by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ through faith (Rom. 6:3-5,17,18; 10:13-17; Heb. 5:9; Gal. 3:26,27, etc.). By doing exactly what the people in the first century did to become Christians, you will become exactly what they were: […]
FORGET & REMEMBER Author Unknown Forget each kindness that you do as soon as you have done it. Forget the praise that falls to you the moment you have won it. Forget the slander that you hear before you can repeat it. Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, whenever you may meet it. Remember […]
DON’T PUNCH THE PARROT! Joe R. Price Charlie was a good friend, but the man just couldn’t take it any more. Charlie’s unending shrieking and constant screeching were driving him crazy. The man, frustrated that his girlfriend had left him, now took matters into his own hands. He punched Charlie. But the problem was not […]
BUILD WISELY An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his […]
PERILS OF COMMUNICATION This story is told: There was a woman whose husband was a sailor, and he had gone to sea. After the preacher was already up in the pulpit, the wife sent a note up to him which read, “William Smith having gone to sea, his wife requests the prayers of the congregation […]
DAILY SURVIVAL KIT Items Needed: 1. Toothpick 2. Rubber Band 3. Band Aid 4. Pencil 5. Eraser 6. Chewing Gum 7. Mint 8. Candy Kiss 9. Tea Bag Why??? 1) TOOTHPICK – to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. (Matt. 7:1-2) 2) RUBBER BAND – to remind you […]
THE BEST DAY Today, when I woke up, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I’m going to celebrate! Today, I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I […]
THE UNBELIEVER’S PSALM “I have no Shepherd, I constantly want. Discontentedly I graze in parched fields; I can find no water in the paths of sinfulness, seeking pleasure. When I walk in the darkness of danger and death, I am afraid; I am all alone. No power or principle gives me comfort. There is no […]
FOR THE CHILD’S SAKE- WAKE UP! A.C. Moore I recently read a story of a father who took his little child out into the woods one Sunday afternoon for a stroll. It being a very hot day he lay down under a beautiful shade tree. The little child ran here and there gathering flowers and […]
THE UNKNOWN GOD Mike Johnson At the Areopagus, in the very well know city of Athens, Paul preached a sermon to a group of philosophers and well-educated men. He started his lesson by saying, “for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: […]
SO YOU THINK YOU HAVE PROBLEMS? Mike Johnson Christians have hardships from time to time. Some face social ostracism. Some have difficulties with their families because of their religious beliefs. Other Christians may have to suffer economically because of their stands for righteousness. There are times when a person might suffer physical abuse or even […]
JOB SINNED NOT! Mike Johnson Job 1 tells us of Satan’s quest to get Job, who was a righteous, to sin against God. Satan had told God that the only reason Job was upright was that God had, as Satan put it, “made a hedge about him.” Satan agreed with God that Job was righteous […]
GOD IS OUR REFUGE (Psalm 46) Mike Johnson In the 1500s, Martin Luther wrote a hymn called, “A Mighty Fortress.” The opening lines are: “A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, Amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” It is said Luther based this song on Psalm 46. This […]
“Blot Out My Transgressions” Mike Johnson In II Samuel 11 and 12, we can read the story where David committed adultery with Bathsheba. To cover up his sin, he had her husband, Uriah, murdered. Nathan, a prophet of God, eventually confronted him. At this point, David admitted he had sinned against the Lord. Most agree […]
“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” (Ps. 46:10) Mike Johnson In Psalm 46:10 God said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” This passage was probably written during the time frame when Hezekiah was the king of Judah. […]
DO YOU POSSESS GOOD PEOPLE SKILLS? 1. Look Out For Others Interests As Well As Your Own: — “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil 2:4). 2. Treat Others Better Than The Way You Want To Be Treated: — “Let nothing be […]
“THERE’S A VAST DIFFERENCE” Selected Between being sorry for sin, And being sorry you were caught. Between confessing your sins, And confessing some other fellow’s. Between seeing your own faults, And seeing those of others. Between conversion of the head, And conversion of the heart. Between being led by the Holy Spirit, And being led […]
THE BIBLE IS ALL WE HAVE David D. Bonner Sometimes people ask what are we doing for our young people. We are teaching them the Bible. What are we doing for the old folks, faithful saints, unfaithful people, people who are not even Christians? Since the Bible is all we have, we are trying to […]
“WHAT SAVES US?” Selected There are several different views on this subject and they all can not be right. Honesty demands that we look to the Holy Bible and accept all that it says about it. The scriptures teach that there are many things that save us. Some of them are as follows: God’s […]
HONESTY, ERROR, AND TRUTH Eugene Britnell There are many good people in the world who are honestly mistaken, but when a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, one of two things must happen: He will cease to be mistaken or, he will cease to be honest. If he does not obey it, he […]
GIVE ME THE TRUTH Bill Crews If you are my friend, if you are concerned about my soul, give me the truth. Do not flatter me. Do not praise my virtues while remaining silent about my vices. Do not fear the truth will offend me. Do not treasure our friendship, our friendly relations, above my […]
THE WOODEN BOWL A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto […]
PREACH A SERMON PREACHER Hugh Davis Preach a sermon preacher but make it short and sweet; Our stomachs strike at twelve o’clock a hungering for to eat. Preach a sermon preacher with words so smooth and fair; For philosophy and theory we are thirsting; for scripture we don’t care. Preach a sermon preacher, punctuate it […]
Be Careful Where You Sit (Psalm 1:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” The person who God blesses is one who will not walk in the counsel of […]
The Grumble Family There is a family nobody likes to meet, They live, it is said, on Complaining street In the city of Never-Are-Satisfied The River of Discontent beside. The growl at that, and they growl at this; Whatever comes, there is something amiss; And whether their station be high or humble They are […]
“Come on, Don’t Growl & Grumble” Siz I to myself, as I grumbled and growled, I’m sick of the church, and then how I scowled. The members aren’t friendly—the sermons too long; In fact, I think the preacher’s all wrong. I don’t like the singing; it’s all a disgrace And signs of neglect are all […]
YOU TELL ON YOURSELF You tell what you are by the friends you seek, By the very manner in which you speak. By the way you employ your leisure time, By the use you make of dollar and dime. You tell what you are by the things you wear, By the spirit in which your […]
The Story of Two Bears In a village there lived an old couple who often had sharp quarrels. Suddenly they quit quarreling, and they were never heard to dispute after that. The town folk wondered what made the change. Finally one brave woman asked. “Two bears did it,” said the wife. “Two bears?” “Yes, two […]
Bring Them Up W.R. Jones “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) How do we bring our children up? We bring them up in television, movies and funny books. We bring them up in basketball, baseball, football and track. […]
DOESN’T IT SEEM STRANGE? Does it seem strange that the more active you are in the church the more you see the need to be at every service? The stronger your faith becomes, the more active your service is. If you feel nothing or think nothing about forsaking the various assemblies of the Lord’s church, […]
ONLY THE WORD OF GOD Author Unknown What determines right? What is the standard of truth? The answer is; the Word of God only. Why? “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for […]
A DYING CHURCH 1. A church that does nothing is on the way to the cemetery! 2. All who are so busy with their own affairs who don’t have time to devote to the work, donate a wreath. 3. The brother who says nothing at all is driving the hearse. 4. The ones who are […]
======================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 8 November 2020 ======================================= BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (3) The Authority of Christ Mike Johnson Many people today do not understand the importance of having Bible […]
============================================================================= SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 9 December 2020 ============================================================================== BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (4) The Authority of the Apostles Mike Johnson Many acknowledge the authority of God and Christ but do […]
================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 10 January 2021 ================================== BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (5) Obedience and the Old Testament Mike Johnson One of the most vital questions involved in the study […]
God is Always There We often feel as though God is far away And we often feel that He Is distant when we pray So often we feel lonely, Not knowing where to turn Just a touch from God above, Our longing spirits yearn So many times in our lives, God seems slow to act […]
HE IS HELPING ME NOW He’s helping me now–this moment, Though I may not see it or hear, Perhaps by a friend far distant, Perhaps by a stranger near, Perhaps by a spoken message Perhaps by the printed word; In ways that I know and know not I have the help of the Lord. He’s […]
============================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 11 February 2021 ============================== BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (6) The New Testament: God’s Message Mike Johnson The Scriptures teach the authority of God, Christ, and the […]
==================================== SEEKING THINGS ABOVE “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1) Volume I Number 12 March 2021 ===================================== What Happens When We Are Canceled? Greg Chandler If you do not stay up to date on pop-culture slang, you […]
MISSING SERVICES Joel Raulerson I remember my grandfather telling me a number of years ago, about an elderly gentleman who had an accident while farming. His tractor had tipped over, pinning the man for two days underneath the tractor. The way in which the man was discovered was something that was reported by a […]
CLOSE TO, ROUND ABOUT, OR NEARBY (Author Unknown) One Sunday, a minister was illustrating his belief that baptism should take place by sprinkling, not by immersion. As examples, he said that when John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, and when Philip baptized the eunuch in some water, it didn’t mean, “in” – it meant, […]
“Where Is This Coming He Promised?” (2 Peter 3) Mike Johnson The Bible frequently speaks of the second coming of Christ. In one of the historical accounts (Acts 1:8-11), the Apostles were told by two angels, after Jesus had ascended to Heaven, “…Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same […]
“FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE” Kyle Campbell These familiar words form a part of just about every wedding ceremony I have ever attended. Living with someone all of your life takes true devotion and commitment. In 1816, the president of Yale was complaining because the divorce rate was 1% in the state of Connecticut. How […]
I THINK THEE Jane Crewdson (1860) O Thou whose bounty fills my cup, With every blessing meet! I give Thee thanks for every drop— The bitter and the sweet. I praise Thee for the desert road, And for the riverside; For all Thy goodness hath bestowed, And all Thy grace denied. I thank Thee for […]
THE CHURCH BELONGS TO CHRIST BECA– USE: He built it. (Matt. 16:18) He is its foundation. (I Cor. 3:11) He is its chief corner stone. (Eph. 2:19-22) He purchased it with His blood. (Acts 20:28) He is its head. (Eph. 5:23) He governs its worship. (Jn. 4:24) He assigned its work. (Eph. 4:11-16) He is its […]
A FATHER’S GREATEST SERMON The farmer and his family, after a hard year of typical farm work, were rewarded with an unusually fine crop of grain. There were happy days ahead. Just a few days before harvest came a terrible wind and hail storm. The entire crop was destroyed! After the storm was over, the […]
TRUTH’S NARROW DOOR Earl Kimbrough Jesus said, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door.” (Lk. 13:24, RSV) Truth is always narrow. This is true of all truth. Two plus two equals four. Of all the answers that might be given as the sum of two plus two, only one is right. A person who […]
WHICH ARE YOU? A lot of Christians are comparable to a lot of things we could think of: Some are like wheelbarrows—not good unless pushed. Some are like kites—if you don’t keep a string on them, they fly away. Some are like footballs—you can’t tell which way they will bounce next. Some are like trailers—they […]
Wednesday Night Services Whitt Sasser At Wednesday night services, the Bible is taught, the word of God Almighty. Wednesday night services increase our faith as we better understand and appreciate the unsearchable riches of God. Wednesday night services are a midweek respite from life in a sinful world, a recharge of our spiritual batteries. Wednesday […]
WHICH ARE YOU? A lot of Christians are comparable to a lot of things we could think of: Some are like wheelbarrows—not good unless pushed. Some are like kites—if you don’t keep a string on them, they fly away. Some are like footballs—you can’t tell which way they will bounce next. Some are like trailers—they […]
Marriage: The marriage relationship is the closest relationship on earth. Closer than that between parents and children, between brothers and sisters, between the closest of friends. Young people should realize this and should go into the marriage with a full realization that they are to put their marriage companion ahead of their own parents and […]
Gifts You Can Give the Year Long The Gift of Praise — Appropriate mention — right in front of the fellow — of superior qualities or of jobs or deeds well done. The Gift of Consideration — Putting yourself in the other fellow’s shoes, and thus providing your genuine understanding of his side of the […]
Putting Our Trust in the Lord (Psalm 31:1) Mike Johnson In Psalm 31:1, David states, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust.” We see that the Psalmist put his trust in the Lord, not an idol or some other type of deity. The word in the Hebrew translated “trust” means refuge, and many commonly […]
God’s Great Mercy, Forgiveness, & Love (Psalm 103:11-14) Mike Johnson Verses 11-14 tell us about the greatness of God’s compassion. They say, “ (11) For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; (12) As far as the east is from the west, So far […]
A Day the Lord Has Made (Ps. 118:24) Mike Johnson Psalm 118:24 states, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Many quote this verse to encourage a positive attitude, i.e., we are to appreciate each day, as it is a gift from God. In a general […]
Are We Looking for the Right Packaging? A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited […]
If We Tell Our Children If we tell them that the Bible is the only source of spiritual food, but they never see us feasting on the precious promises, what are we teaching them? If we tell them that the Christian must pray without ceasing, but they never see us on our knees, what are […]
The Silent Slur Speech may sometimes do harm; but so may silence and a worse harm at that. No insult ever caused so deep a wound as a tenderness expected and withheld; and no spoken indiscretion was ever so bitterly regretted as the word that one did not speak. […]
Practice Brotherly Love Practicing brotherly kindness or brotherly love is: 1. The fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:8-10). 2 The mark of a true disciple (Jn. 13:35). 3. A command of Jesus (Jn. 15:12; 13:34; I Jn. 4:21). 4. An essential characteristic of “walking in the light” (I Jn. 2:9,11). 5. […]
Where Is God? One Sunday morning a prominent instructor was sharing his seat with a small boy on a shuttle train in one of the large cities. The boy was holding a Sunday School quarterly. “Do you go to Sunday School, my boy?” asked the man. “Yes Sir,” he promptly replied. “Tell me, my boy” […]
Tombstones Delton Porter Perhaps you have heard of Dooley the Moonshiner about whom a song has been written. According to the song, when Dooley died “they laid a jug beside him and a barrel for a stone.” It seems they put with his body what was associated with him in life, to show how he […]
Isn’t It Strange? When one wants to know what the work of preachers, elders, and teachers is, one can easily cite numerous passages which give the answer. (II Timothy 4:1-6, I Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:1-8, etc.) When one wants to know the function of youth directors, recreation directors, chairmen, superintendents, coordinators, arch-bishops, popes, […]
THREE PEOPLE NOT TO EMULATE Church-wise, the following three people in our community may prove threatening for their not-too-common ways. The first person is Brother Usta. Usta is the person who “usta” attend Bible Class and church regularly. He “usta” teach a class and be a deacon, an elder, or hold a position of leadership […]
Can You Count the Stars? Johann Hey Can You count the stars of evening That are shining in the sky? Can you count the clouds that daily Over all the world go by? God the Lord, who doth not slumber Keepeth all the bondless number: But He careth more for thee. Can you count […]
Beatitudes for Married Couples Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate, considerate, and loving through all the days of their life together. Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends. Blessed are the husband and wife […]
A Prevalent Concept of Preaching James P. Needham Preachers sometimes think of themselves as the official interpreters of the Holy Scriptures; they are the “answer men.” Everyone should put on his blindfold, open up the top of his head and let him fill his mind with “right ideas.” Some brethren get terribly upset when anyone […]
This Could Never Happen Frank Dunn A customer shopping in a store came to an item that was marked 98 cents. Thinking the price too high, he wrote 49 cents. The customer did this to several articles. At last he came down before the checker with the cart filled with marked down items. The checker […]
The Farmer A minister once visited a farmer to talk with him about Christ and invite him to Church. “Why, I would not come to church up there,” the farmer said, “I know old (bland) and (blank) and they don’t live any better than me. I’m as good as they are.” Everywhere the farmer went […]
The Backslider’s Hit Parade “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” if it doesn’t last too long. “Take My Life and Let It Be,” yes, please let it be, dear Lord. “Sweet Hour of Prayer” is indeed wonderful, but I’m too busy for prayer today. “Have thine Own Way Lord, with Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Gray. […]
Feelings A Dutchman lost his boy in Cincinnati. He tells his story in the following language: “I hunted all day for my boy, and about night I found him sitting in the mud by the canal. He was muddy all over. When I found my boy, he cried and I cried. I hugged my boy […]
The Individual “I am only one, but I am one, I cannot do everything, But I can do something; What I can do I ought to do, And what I ought to do By the grace of God I will do.” -Selected
A Thought… Some folks grow older with birthdays, it’s true, But others grow nicer as years widen their view, And a heart that is young lends an aura of grace, That rivals in beauty a young, pretty face.
Your Worst Enemy Who is your greatest enemy? It is said that Alcibiades, the gifted but unscrupulous Greek, was noted as an unhappy man. Someone asked Socrates why it was that Alcibiades, who had traveled so much and had seen so much of the world, was still an unhappy man. The sage answered, “Because wherever […]
Amen David J. Riggs It appears to me that we are living in an age where preachers are trying to be sensational instead of spiritual, shocking instead of scriptural, cute rather than correct, clever instead of clear, different rather than doctrinal, and unusual in the place of unerring. What we need today is more fearless […]
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, Two day in which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is Yesterday with its mistakes and cares, Its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. […]
“Let Us Negotiate” Don C. Bentley A hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. When about to pull the trigger, the bear spoke in a soft soothing voice, “Isn’t it better to talk than to shoot? What do you want? Let us negotiate the matter. Lowering the rifle, the hunter […]
LEARNING FROM OTHERS Watch your thoughts For they become words. Watch your words For they become habits. Watch your habits For they come character For it becomes your destiny! (2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 12:37; Heb. 5:9)
WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. God hath not promised we shall not know Toil and temptation, trouble and woe; He hath not told us we shall not bear many a […]
Are You a Christian Then hear this………. Let your light shine before men. Mt. 5:16 Let your “salt” contact others. Mt. 5:13 Show you are God’s representative. Mt. 28:18-20 Keep thyself pure. I Tim. 5:22 Do not forsake the assembly. Heb. 10:25
Are You a Sinner? Then hear this……… God is not willing for your to be lost. 2 Pet. 3:9 He is able to save you. Heb. 7:25 Christ loved you enough to die for you. Jno. 3:16 If you love the Lord, obey Him. Jno. 14:15 Your friends want you saved. Lk. 16:19 Your relatives […]
WATCH Watch your thoughts today, And your every action, too; Be sure you watch what you say, For someone’s watching you. Watch that way you go, And make the journey right, So your fellow man will know They, too, can win the fight.
What Determines Right? Bill Crews NOT REASON: “For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of preaching (message preached) to save them that believe.” (1 Cor. 1:21). “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my […]
Painting Possums Greg Gwin Several years ago we knew a man with the unusual hobby of trapping possums. No, he didn’t eat them. He painted them! That’s right – he would catch these critters in a box trap, and then he painted them with fluorescent paint and released them. Sounds weird, doesn’t it? But this […]
Excuses: Perhaps too many of us are like the two men who went quail hunting on Sunday morning. One said, “We are liable to go to the devil for going hunting when we ought to be at Church.” The other replied, “Well, I couldn’t have gone anyway, because I have a sick child at home.”
A SWARM OF B’S Be regular at church. Be punctual on all occasions. Be worshipful and reverent. Be generous and charitable of other’s mistakes. Be sociable. Be optimistic in all undertakings. Be doers of the Word and not hearers only. From The Sentinel (11-21-48)
DOES IT SEEM STRANGE that the more active you are in the church the more you see the need to be at every service? The stronger your faith becomes, the more active your service is. If you feel nothing or think nothing about forsaking the various assemblies of the Lord’s church, rest assured you have […]
Do You Find the Services Dull? Some members find the services of the church dull and uninteresting. They attend only from a sense of duty, hoping to escape the eternal fires of hell. But they derive no joy from the services. Having come, they interest themselves in their neighbor’s clothes or children or other distractions, […]
Has This Ever Happened to You? You went through an entire song service without even thinking about what you were singing? You bowed your head and closed your eyes during the prayer, but you really didn’t become involved in the prayer? You were more interested in when the preacher would finish the sermon than in […]
The Devil’s Beatitudes If the devil were to write his beatitudes they might go something like this: Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and […]
The Note on the Door Charlie T. Garner (This is a true story. I know personally the parties involved.) Love dwindled, unhappiness and dissatisfaction grew, daily fussing and fighting characterized the relationship of the husband and wife, and ultimately, a divorce wrecked the home, leaving two bewildered, emotionally scarred children in its wake. The father […]
We Are Fooling Ourselves If We Believe: Lalo Enriquez God can be mocked. The scripture says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked…” (Gal 6:7) To think that we can “turn up our nose to a loving God, sneer at or treat Him with contempt” without final retribution, is to fool ourselves. He may […]
THE DEVIL LAUGHS To hear a man say he has no way to attend the services when he can attend all the sporting events held within miles. To hear a woman say she can’t attend the services because she has nothing to wear, when she can parade herself before hundreds in any uptown bargain basement […]
“He Made One Mistake” He brushed his teeth twice a day – with nationally advertised toothpaste! The doctor examined him twice each year! He slept with a window open each night! He stuck to a daily diet of fresh vegetables! He walked three miles everyday checking his heart rate along the way with his $100.00 […]
Some Rules for a Happy Marriage 1. Never both be angry at once. 2. Never talk at one another, either alone or in company. 3. Never speak loudly to one another unless the house is on fire! 4. Let each other strive to yield more often to do the […]
Patience Mike Johnson The term “patience” frequently occurs in the Bible. Patience is a painful lesson to learn in the age in which we live, but Christians must have this trait. Christ praised the church at Ephesus for their patience (Rev. 2:2-3). Hebrews 12:1 says that Christians are to “run with patience” the race that set before […]
How Is Your Vision? Frank Himmel Jesus observed that . . . Some have envious eyes, longing for the material advantages they see others have (Matthew 20:15). Some have sensual eyes, looking to lust, thereby committing adultery in their hearts (Matthew 5:28-29). Some have critical eyes, looking for specks in others while ignoring obvious problems […]
ADMONITIONS TO PARENTS OF TEENS David Pratt Always Be Consistent with Teens. Don’t compromise your standards just because they wear you down with asking. Live What You Expect of Your Teens. Don’t expect something of them you are not willing to do yourself. Don’t Throw Up Your Hands When You Fail. Like adults, teens can […]
I Don’t See Anything Wrong With That How many times have we heard this reply when we question some belief or practice which may be without Bible authority? The saddest thing about the statement is that many times it is really true. So many individuals have so little knowledge and understanding of the Bible when […]
You Won’t Want to Miss These UPCOMING SERMONS A preacher in Arkansas really caused a disturbance when he made a public announcement of his upcoming sermons. He mentioned that the theme would be “The Worthlessness of Our Christianity” and that some of the lesson titles would be: More Important Things To Do Than Study The […]
True Life The goal of the gospel is to prepare people for heaven. Its emphasis centers upon happiness in a life to come rather than upon this life. “For what profit is it to be a man,” Jesus once asked, “if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” The Lord would teach […]
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 111:1) Mike Johnson Psalm 111:1 says, “Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” This verse starts by exclaiming, “Praise the Lord!” This expression is, by some, regarded as the title of this Psalm. With certainty, it […]
Things to Keep in Mind The value of a clock is its reputation for accuracy. The value of a wrench is its ability to adjust a problem. The value of a car is its ability to perform well upgrade. The value of a stamp is its ability to stick to the end. The value […]
Little Things Teach Lessons Three things have taught me courage- Three things I’ve seen today; A spider weaving her web Which thrice had been swept away; A child refusing to weep In spite of a cruel pain; And a robin signing a cheery song In the midst of a chilling rain Selected
How You Can Know When You Are Slipping When you dislike religious conversation or the company of Christians. When you stay away from church by your own willful choice. When you worry more about a clean conscience than a clean heart. When you trifle with temptation or think lightly of sin. When you condemn in […]
Answer Your Prayers A man prayed fervently every morning at family worship for the poor in the community, but he was never known to give anything to the poor. One morning at the conclusion of the family worship, after the usual prayer had been offered for the needy, his little son said: “Daddy, I wish […]
SONG TITLES ARRANGED IN VERSE Come all ye faithful, For a closer walk, Oh, God with thee. Shall WE meet beyond the river? What shall our answer be? To the work, to the work, Oh, the things that we may do, you and I, Sowing the seed of the kingdom, Bringing in the sheaves, By […]
GOD KNOWS BEST God knows best what is best for me, Why should I worry – or anxious be, Trying to fathom the course I take, Grasping a bubbles that fade and break? One step is all I need to see, God knows best what is for me. Selected
WHAT I NEED I need a strength to keep me true And straight in everything I do; I need a power to keep me strong When I am tempted to do wrong; I need a grace to keep me pure When passion tries it deadly lure; I need to live to keep me sweet When […]
Bring Me the Bible The man of the house said to his little son: “Son bring me the Bible- you know, the big book we read so much.” So little Bobby came in carrying the mail order catalog. […]
BYSTANDERS OR STAND-BYERS? A family once said: “Yes, we think the church is necessary, and we attend some of its services.” They were BY-STANDERS. Another family said: “Yes we believe in the church, we never miss a service, except in case of sickness.” They were STAND-BYERS. Which are you? From Visitor (Thayer Street ) 5-27-45
How True Sometimes when a congregation is seeking a preacher they want: The strength of an eagle, The grace of a swan, The gentleness of a dove, The friendliness of a sparrow, The night hours of an owl, The dress of a peacock. And when they find such a bird they expect him to live […]
I’d Rather Have a Little Rose I would rather have a little rose From the garden of a friend- Then to have the choicest flowers- When my stay on earth shall end. I would rather have the kindest words- And a smile that I can see, Than flattery when my heart is still- And this […]
Courage You can’t fell trees without some chips, You can’t achieve without some slips, Unless you try you’ll wonder why Good fortune seems to pass you by. Success is not for those who quail, She gives her most to those who fail And then with courage twice as great Take issue once again with fate. […]
He Knew His Bible The minister was asking some preliminary questions to his class. “Johnny,” he asked, “can you tell me a few things that may be found in the Bible?” “Yes sir,” enthusiastically replied Johnny, “a lock of my hair when I was a baby, the ticket for pa’s watch, ma’s recipe for vanishing […]
To Be a Christian ‘Tis noble to be a Christian ‘Tis honor to bear the name; To know we are honored in heaven Is better than earthly fame. The name implies one is noble, It means he is honest and true; It means his life is Christ-like– Does it mean all this to you? […]
Worst or Best? David McPherson In Ephesians the second chapter, Paul in just a few verses shows the worst and best condition in which one can find himself. Consider the following: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in […]
IS IT NARROW MINDED? Jere Frost I don’t know about you, but I get a little weary of hearing the word “narrow” used as a slur against preachers who adhere to the Bible in their preaching. Sure they are “narrow,” but so are factory workers, surgeons, druggists, and teachers. The factory worker is so “narrow” […]
God’s Perfect Law of Liberty Mike Johnson James 1:25 says, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” This verse reveals some important points about God’s perfect law […]
How Do You View Sin? Mike Johnson In our society today, there is often acceptance of sin. In the past, however, shame was often associated with sin. Today, it is common for people to openly engage in sinful practices, not even attempting to hide them. For example, although now prevalent, a couple living together was […]
Looking Into God’s Mirror (James 1:22-25) Mike Johnson Mirrors are everywhere. Most bathrooms have a mirror. They also may be strategically placed in various places in a house. We see them in stores, they are in our automobiles, and a woman will often carry a mirror in her purse. It is not usually difficult to […]
A Smile A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good […]
Could It Be True? We heard of a man in Texas who would not consent to having his name placed before the congregation to serve as an elder. This was his reason. “I drink quite a bit and love to dance. I am also inclined to gamble, and my attendance is not what it should […]
A Work With Purpose A man who ran a lumber yard was in the process of hiring a foreman. Three men applied for the job. They each were assigned the task of moving a pile of brick from one side of the lumberyard to the other. Upon completion of this task, they were told to […]
The Person Down the Road In thirty, forty, or fifty years you’ll meet a person down the road. Whether that someone is kind and gentle or selfish and demanding depends on what you do today. If you live only in terms of what you can get out of life, this person will be crabby, self-centered, […]
Trust Said the robin to the sparrow, I would really like to know Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so. Said the sparrow to the robin, Friend, I think that it must be That they have no heavenly Father Such as cares for you and me. […]
An Alarming Death Notice! We are sorry to announce the passing of Mr. Midweek Service. He died recently at the Neglected Church on Ho Hum Avenue. Born many years ago, he was once strong and healthy. He grew as he was fed on zeal and sincere Bible study. His influence was felt worldwide, and he […]
Money Will Buy A bed, but not sleep. Books but not brains. Food but not appetite. Finery but not beauty. A house but not a home. Medicine but not health. Luxuries but not culture. Amusements but not happiness. Religion but not salvation.
What Is Personal Work? It is discussing the cause of Christ with a friend. It is handing out a tract on a particular subject. It is inviting an acquaintance to attend worship with you. It is telling and showing your neighbor the happiness of being a Christian. It is ringing doorbells on Sunday afternoon in […]
Sometimes “If times are hard, and you feel blue, Think of the others, worrying too: Just because your trials are many, Don’t think the rest of us don’t have any. Life is made up of smiles and tears, Joys and sorrows, mixed with fears; And though to us it seems one-sided, Trouble is pretty well […]
How to Make a Failure out of Life Follow the line of least resistance. Be neutral on moral and spiritual issues. Straddle the fence. Alienate yourself from the church membership. Go to church when you “feel” like it and when it is most convenient. Indulge you carnal appetites. Take it easy on Sunday and never […]
How to Make Your Bible Study More Interesting and Helpful It is hard to find time to study the Bible–or even want to– when we don’t find it interesting or helpful to us. Let me make some suggestions that may help. A Plan – Set aside some time (each day, if possible) to study the […]
“Green Side Up” Horticulture is an “in” thing around our house. As most are aware, our eldest son is fully involved in that field. Although we have never had this experience with James, it is a story that has been around for a considerable time. Let me share it with you and then make some […]
Dangers of the Time The eventual subtle infiltration of error through centralized organization has always been a threat to the church–more so than a frontal attack of false doctrine and persecution from without. One of the perils confronting the church of New Testament times was that of doubt and error arising from the false teachings […]
Not Growing Old This frail old shell in which I dwell Is growing old, I know full well– But I am not the shell. What if my hair is turning grey? Grey hairs are honorable, they say. What if my eyesight’s growing dim? I still can see to follow Him Who sacrificed His life for […]
An Antidote There grows in the West Indies a tree of surpassing beauty. It’s fruit which resembles a golden apple, emits the most delicious fragrance. Strangers, ignorant of it’s appearance, sometimes pluck and eat this fruit whose juice is deadly poisonous. This tree, however, called the “manchineel,” is always found beside a white wood or […]
A Lie Is Forever A little girl came very early one morning to her mother, saying, “Which is worse, Mama, to tell a lie or to steal?” The mother replied that both were so sinful she could not tell which was worse. “Well, Mama,” replied the little one, “I’ve been thinking a good deal about […]
Do It Anyway People are illogical, unreasonable and self centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfishness and ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty […]
Don’t Worry So Much! Steven Goad We are living in an age of apprehension. Society has anxieties that would have dumbfounded the ancients. Nevertheless, we somehow manage to live beyond three score and ten. Has medical technology merely lengthen the days in which we may worry? Jesus long ago said, “Take therefore no thought (be […]
Not For Sale “I was traveling in rural Oklahoma when I ran out of gas. I went to a nearby farmhouse to call a service station, but the farmer insisted on taking me to town, bringing me back, and even staying with me until the car was running again. I offered him $10.00, but he […]
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN IN WORSHIP Remember the purpose of worship is not to entertain or amuse one another, but it is to pay homage, love and honor to God. Remember the people in worship; they are not perfect, neither are you. Those with imperfections are worshiping Him who is perfect. He who realizes his […]
Steamed Up Over A Sermon? John Clark Did you ever get really “steamed up” over a sermon? If you have not you have missed a fascinating human experience. I have some “what to do in case of” thoughts on the matter. Next time you get upset at a lesson, you try these things. First, you […]
The Cornbread Habit A. G. Hobbs, Jr. “There is a man who has the ‘cornbread habit! He just had to have a piece of cornbread every twenty or thirty minutes. Every morning as soon as he awakens, the first thing he thinks about is his cornbread. He eats a piece before he dresses, and […]
JUST PUSH! A man was sleeping. and he dreamed…Suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his […]
THE TROUBLE LIES DEEPER A good story is told of old Thomas K. Beecher, who could not bear deceit in any form. Finding that a clock in his church building was habitually too fast or too slow, he hung a placard on the wall above it which read: “Don’t blame the hands— the trouble lies […]
“We Just Don’t Go to Church” Bill Crews A young couple who had not been to church services for a number of years asked, “What have we done wrong besides not going to church?” They had robbed God of thousands of dollars (1 Cor. 16:1,2); they had forsaken the Lord’s own memorial supper (1 Cor. […]
“A Paying Principle” God honors men who take His Word seriously. Stephen Girard, Philadelphia millionaire, one Saturday ordered his clerks to come to work the next day and unload a large shipment which had just arrived. One young man stepped up to the desk and said, as he turned pale, “Mr. Girard, I cannot work […]
The Lonely Frog John Gaines A lonely frog telephoned the Psychic Hotline and asked what his future holds. His Personal Psychic Advisor tells him, “You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you.” The frog is thrilled, “This is great!” ‘Will I meet her at a party?’” […]
We Are Fooling Ourselves If We Believe: Lalo Enriquez 1. God can be mocked. The scripture says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked…” (Gal 6:7) To think that we can “turn up our nose to a loving God, sneer at or treat Him with contempt” without final retribution, is to fool ourselves. He […]
“It’s Hard to Be a Christian” “It’s hard to be a Christian” is an often heard statement, and often expressed conviction, an often repeated excuse and an often implied fact. It is quite true, it is hard to be a Christian, but an average sinner has all the temptations, trials, anxieties, worries, torments, and fears […]
COULD IT BE . . . …that people reject the Bible – not because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them? …that some brethren do not attend various worship periods and Bible study classes because Christ is not really their “first love?” …that Satan has lulled us into thinking that we are really standing, […]
Could I Be Wrong? There was a man who had a picture of the leaning tower of Pisa on the wall. Every morning, it was hanging crooked. He found out that the maid was twisting the picture to make the tower straight. Lots of people look into God’s Word and find out that it does […]
They’ll Do It Every Time The Preacher had just concluded a hot and scathing sermon on the sin of swearing. He had stated several times that he knew one of his hearers was guilty. When the sermon was over, the people filed out the door. First was a lady who was never suspected of using […]
A HABIT CAN BE LIKE A GROWING SERPENT! There is a true story of a man who took a young boa constrictor and began to train it to climb around the different limbs of his body. As the snake grew to be of immense size, the man made his living by giving public appearances […]
JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS Some time ago there was a faithful dog who was a constant companion of a small child. One day both the dog and child disappeared. A diligent search by parents, friends, and neighbors proved to be fruitless. The child could not be found. After several hours the dog returned home, but was […]
Don’t Wait For The Parrot To Die! By Glen Young The pet store owner convinced the old woman that a parrot would keep her company because it would talk to her. When she returned it the next day, she told the owner, “This bird doesn’t talk.” “Does he have a mirror in his cage?” […]
Actions Generate Reactions By Glen Young I heard a story recently about a student named Donald MacDonald from the Isle of Skye (in Scotland). He was admitted into the prestigious Oxford University and given living accommodations in the hall of residence for his first year. His clan was very excited that one of their own […]
Facing the Facts of the Bible Adam and Eve, for one bite of fruit when they were not even hungry, brought sin, suffering, shame and death upon themselves and the human race (Gen. 3). Lot’s wife revealing her longing for the things that pertain to earth, took one look back and became a pillar of […]
The Young People Greg Gwin More and more we hear folks deciding to attend a certain ‘church’ because “there are lots of good activities for the young people”. Often it is the sole basis for making this important determination. ‘Programs’, ‘activities’, and ‘groups’ for the young people – that’s the drawing card. And, what activities […]
Speaking As The Oracles Of God Irvin Lee “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 forever and ever. […]
The Use of the Bible The Bible: is not a “grocery shelf” to pick from as you like. (Many use it that way.) The Bible is from the all-wise God and is exactly what we need and must have to follow in order to be saved (see Acts 20:32, James 1:21, II Timothy 2:15-17). is […]
Automated Religion A man walked up to a vending machine, put in a coin, pressed a button labeled “Coffee – Double Cream – Sugar.” No cup appeared but the nozzles went into action, sending forth coffee, cream and sugar. After the proper amounts had gone down the drain, the machine turned off. “Now, that is […]
Rules for Bible Study We should study to know what the purpose of the writer is, and to whom each book of the Bible is addressed. We should believe all of the Bible, not merely the portions that seem reasonable and that we fully understand. We gain an understanding of some difficult passages by repeatedly […]
FAITHFULNESS A preacher was asked to define “faithful attendance at worship.” He replied that the best way to understand it was to apply the same standards of faithfulness that we do in other areas of our life. Consider the examples he gave: If your car started one out of three times, would you consider it […]
LIES ABOUT SIN Becoming like Christ is a never ending process. A Christian will not come to a point when he can say there are no struggles with sin in his life. Only in heaven will we be without sin. I believe that ‘s why John warned us to look out for three lies about […]
Wrong is Always Wrong WRONG IS WRONG — Even if you don’t get caught. The eyes of the Lord are in every place. WRONG IS WRONG — Even if you do it for a good cause. The end never justifies the means. The honorable purpose does not justify a dishonorable deed or action. WRONG IS […]
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE EGGS William M. Fletcher Someone once said that people are a lot like eggs, “They may look tough on the outside, but they’re pretty easily cracked.” God is fully aware of our humanness. He knows how weak we truly are. That’s why He’s concerned about our every need. He stoops with […]
— USE OF THE BIBLE Mike Johnson People use the Bible in many different ways. Sadly, some only use the Bible as a place to record marriages, births, deaths, etc. Some people use it to swear on, sometimes calling for an entire stack. Others use it just as an ornament for a living room table, […]
Kill the Spider One of the deacons was frequently called upon to pray at the mid-week service, and he always concluded his prayer the same way: “….and now Lord, clean out all the cobwebs in our lives.” I think you know what he was talking about – those little unsightly words, deeds and thoughts that […]
Modern Preachers “The modern preacher takes a few tablets of the doctrine of Christ, dissolves them in a gallon or two of sentimental rose water, puts a little of the solution in an atomizer and sprays the congregation to the tune of “sweet spirited” Christianity and the fragrance of a gentle life. If, by evaporation, […]
“Break It To Me Gently” There were two brothers, John and Richard, who lived in the same town. John lived with his twelve-year-old cat. Richard lived with their eighty-eight year old mother. John’s whole life was his cat. He never went anywhere without her. One day he was faced with a terrible decision. He had […]
WHAT IS A SERMON FOR? People often say after a service, “How did you like the sermon?” This is not the most important question to ask. The crucial question is not “Did you like it?” but “Did it HELP you?” Sermons are not preached TO BE LIKED but TO BE LIVED! Did the sermon bring […]
The Gospel- The Power of God Eugene Crawley There has been, I am convinced, too much emphasis put upon building up the church in numbers, to the oversight and exclusion of making sure people know, understand, and obey from the heart the truth as revealed by Divine inspiration. This has not been true everywhere nor […]
Kissing The Bathroom Mirror! By Glen Young The story is told of a principal of a small middle school who had a problem with a few of the older girls starting to use lipstick. When applying it in the bathroom, they would then press their lips to the mirror and leave lip prints. Before it […]
Teach Children True Values Lynn Headrick Children do not know true values. A very small child will prefer a shiny copper coin to a crumpled ten dollar bill. Older children would eat all desert and no meat if parents allowed it. Children will not look beyond this life unless they are taught about heaven and […]
Don’t Be Defeated by Criticism Constructive criticism should never be resented; it is to be our best friend. But there is another kind of criticism to which every truly successful person on earth is subjected. This kind is unjust and often springs from a heart of envy, and only the strong and steadfast can endure […]
One “Round Tuit” for Everyone At long last we have a sufficient supply so that we can include one tuit in each copy of the bulletin. Please cut out and save. Guard it! Don’t lose it! Don’t lend it! These tuits have been hard to come by, especially the round ones. But now, by special […]
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING? Jesus gave His head for a crown of thorns. He gave His back to the cruel lash. He gave Hid face to rude human spittle. He gave His shoulders to carry the cross. He gave His hands for you and me. He gave His blood for the remission of sins. His […]
Positively No Visiting! Recently, while visiting patients in a hospital, we observed several signs saying, “No Visiting.” Then we came to a sign that said, “Positively No Visiting.” I suppose some day we will find one that will read, “Absolutely Positively No Visiting.” If only we could learn to respect authority so that “No Visiting” […]
Five Tragedies of Life A man struck a match to see if the gasoline take on his car was empty. It wasn’t! A man patted a strange bulldog on the head to see if the critter was friendly. It wasn’t! A man speeded up to see if he could beat the train to the crossing. […]
Can We Have Too Much Positive Preaching? Greg Gwin We readily acknowledge the importance of positive preaching. Brethren need the “comfort of the Scriptures” (Romans15:4). Paul sent Tychicus to the Ephesians so that he could “comfort your hearts.” Timothy was dispatched to Philippi (Philippians 2:9) and Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2) in order to comfort the […]
Snap Judgments While on a walk one day, I was surprised to see a man hoeing the garden while sitting in a chair. “What laziness,” I thought, but suddenly I saw leaning against his chair a pair of crutches. The man was at work despite his handicap. The lesson I learned about snap judgments has […]
It Cannot Be Denied IT CANNOT BE DENIED that those who attend Bible Study regularly have a greater knowledge of the Bible than those who do not attend. IT CANNOT BE DENIED that most of those who do not attend Bible study do not attend the other services of the church regularly either. IT CANNOT […]
Who, or What is Right? Very few preachers I have known or heard have mounted a rostrum to declare to an audience, “I am right in all that I believe, teach and practice and anyone who will not accept this cannot be right with God.” What I have heard, and through the years tried to […]
Someone Else We are all saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our congregation’s most valuable members, Someone Else. Someone’s passing created a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years, and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a […]
THE GARDEN OF LIFE: Plant three rows of peas: Peace of mind Peace of heart Peace of soul. Plant four rows of squash: Squash gossip Squash indifference Squash grumbling Squash selfishness. Plant four rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful Lettuce be kind Lettuce be obedient […]
WHAT WILL HE SEE? When Jesus looks upon my life, what picture does He see? Does He see His own reflection, or does He just see me? Does He see His likeness, the product of His hand, Or just another Christian, who never took a stand? Does He see a child of God, a child […]
THE ONLY BIBLE Ellen Kyle If your life was the only Bible others were able to read, How would you tell God’s story to a world in desperate need? Could those who never opened God’s book still learn of God’s love and care? Would they see a Christ-like example, the one God tells us to […]
EXC– USES! Excuses, excuses… you hear them everyday. Now, the devil, he’ll supply them if, from church, you’ll stay away. When people come to worship God, the devil always loses; So, to keep those folks away from church, he offers them excuses: In the summer, it’s too hot. In the winter, it’s too cold. […]
YOU ARE PREACHING There isn’t a word that a preacher can say, No matter how lovely or true, Nor is there a prayer that his eager lips pray, That can preach such a sermon as you. You vowed to serve Christ and men know that you did, They’re watching the things that you do; There […]
Tips to Get Rid of Gossip: the Three Filter Test In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?” “Hold on a minute,” Socrates replied. “Before telling me anything I’d like you to […]
Sometime We’ll Understand Not now, but in the coming years, It may be in the Better Land, We’ll read the meaning of our tears, And there, sometime, we’ll understand. We’ll catch the broken threads again, And finish what we here began; Heav’n will the mysteries explain, And then, ah then, we’ll understand. We’ll know why […]
The Horrors of Hell Hell! The prison house of despair; Here are some of the things that won’t be there: No flowers will bloom on the banks of hell, No beauties of nature we love so well, No comforts of home, music, and song, No friendship or joy will be found in that throng, No […]
If Jesus Came to Your House If Jesus came to your house To spend some time with you, If He came unexpected, I wonder what you’d do. Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room To such an honored guest And all the food you’d give to Him Would be the very best. And you […]
Sunday Night I love the church that Jesus built, and I know that it is right, I go there on Sunday morning, but not on Sunday night. I love to sing the songs to God, such worship must be right, This I do on Sunday morning, but not on Sunday night. God bless our […]
“THE EMPTY PEW” Ellen Kyle If I run out of water I can refill my glass, If the tank is on empty I can fill it with gas. I can fill my plate and other things too, But the thing I can’t fill is your empty pew. If your place is empty because you are […]
An Atheist’s View On Life I will live my life according to these beliefs God does not exist. It is just foolish to think That there is a God with a cosmic plan That an all-powerful God brings redemption and healing to the pain and suffering in the world Is a comforting thought, however Is […]
AS THE TWIG IS BENT A little girl with shining eyes, Her little face aglow: Said, “Daddy, it is almost time For Bible school, let’s go; They teach us there of Jesus’ love, Of how He died for all Upon the cruel cross to save Those who on Him call.” “Oh, no,” said Daddy, “Not […]
Think About This As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit […]
The Tragedy of Gossip Author Unknown The story is told of the woman who became conscious stricken because of her gossiping ways. She went to the preacher, confessed her sin of spreading malicious rumors about her neighbors; and after the preacher prayed with her for God’s forgiveness, she asked what could she do to repair […]
“Daddy, Who Left The Lights On?” Passing the church building one Sunday evening where they attended morning worship, two “Christian” parents’ little girl exclaims, “daddy, somebody left the lights on. We should stop and turn them off.” The parents drove on in silence. Later at home, they decided they had better start attending evening worship. […]
Waiting Too Long Once a man standing by Niagara saw an eagle sitting on a lamb frozen in a piece of ice. The eagle was feasting upon the carcass as it drifted towards the rapids. Now and then the eagle proudly lifted his head to look around, as if to say, “I’m drifting toward danger, […]
Impatience A young man visited an aged saint and asked him to pray that he might become more patient. The older man agreed to pray The two knelt together and the man of God began to pray: “Lord, send this young man tribulation in the morning, and send him tribulation in the afternoon….” The young […]
Daddy, What Is A Christian? A little boy once asked his father, “Daddy, what is a Christian?” The father thought for a minute, then replied, “Son, a Christian believes in God and in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He has heard the gospel of Christ and in faith obeyed it. This means that he […]
Strong and Weak Tea; Strong and Weak Christians (From Biblical Preaching) Consider the difference between a strong and weak cup of tea. The same ingredients, water and tea, are used for both. The difference? The strong tea results from the tea-leaf’s immersion in the water longer, allowing the water to get into the tea-leaves and […]
Let Your Light Shine I read the following story a few years ago and copied it. I hope you will give it some very thoughtful consideration A traveler came to a small village. Night was coming and people were hurrying through the streets carrying bronze lamps. When he asked about this, the reply was that […]
Spiritually Blind Many years ago a preacher who faithfully proclaimed the gospel was challenged by an unbeliever who stepped from the crowd and said “I don’t believe in heaven or hell. I don’t believe in God or Christ. I haven’t seen them.” Then a man wearing dark glasses came forward and said, “You say there […]
DON’T BE LIKE THE FLEA ‘Tis said that a flea rode across a bridge one day in the ear of an elephant. After they were on the other side, the flea said to the elephant, “Boy, we sure shook that bridge.” Too many church members ride on the efforts of others but are ready to […]
ROBBING GOD A Chinese preacher, speaking of robbing God, used this illustration: “It came to pass that a man went to market with a string of seven coins, and after seeing a beggar in great need who asked for alms, gave him six of the seven, keeping only one for himself. Instead of being grateful, […]
DIARY OF THE BIBLE January: A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for the first two weeks. I’m now forgotten. February: My owner used me for a few minutes last week. He had an argument and was checking references. March: Grandpa visited […]
Put My Memory in Your Pocket All the warm and tender feelings That were born the day we met Still live on, and grow within me, Much too precious to forget. # Chorus Put my memory in your pocket! Take it with you through the day! Tuck it underneath your pillow, When the sun has gone […]
Don’t Grieve For Me When I’ve been to my last service, And fades softly on the air, The notes of the last song for me, And then the final prayer; When Friends arise and slowly walk Down the long church aisle, For that last look at my cold corpse, As they pass by single file. […]
A NOTE FOR THE PREACHER Bob Pulliam I found your note on the door the other day. I just imagine that you came by to see why we were not at the services last Sunday. Well, I feel that I should explain so there will be no misunderstanding. You know that one thing we will […]
THE BIBLE Richie Thetford A mother once gave her son a Bible and wrote these words inside the flyleaf: “This Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Bible.” How true those words are. When we take the time to study our Bible then we become more focused on […]
Why Some Are Not Asked R.L. Whiteside Happy is the person whose conduct does not raise a question in the minds of others as to where he stands. Some people never have to answer the question, “Will you have a drink with me?” There is a reason. Some young people are never subjected to certain […]
How Is Baptism Administered? WATER: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,…” (Acts 10:47) MUCH WATER: “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there:…” (John 3:23) GOING INTO WATER: “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into […]
How Are You Using Your Time? Greg Gwin Have you wondered why there never seems to be enough time to get everything done? Well, we may now have the answer. According to an article in U.S.News, an average American, in his lifetime, will spend: – 6 months at stoplights – 8 months opening junk mail […]
Some Thoughts About Public Prayer Greg Gwin We commend our men who are willing to help during the assemblies by leading the congregation in prayer. You are doing a good work! Please allow us to make a few suggestions that can improve our efforts in public prayers: 1) Speak UP! If you cannot be heard, […]
“Are You A Rusty Nail?” A strong magnet may be held over an old rust-eaten shapeless nail without meeting any response. A bright, shining nail will leap to the magnet, attract another and through it draw yet another until several are attached. That is how Christians are. A really genuine, active, shining Christian has a […]
EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY & NOBODY Submitted by Somebody There was an important job to be done and everybody was asked to see if they could do it. Everybody was sure somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but nobody did. Somebody got real angry about that because it was everybody’s job. Everybody thought anybody […]
A Mother’s Beatitudes Blessed is the mother who understands her child, for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories. Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort, for she shall possess a child of devotion. Blessed is the mother who is never shocked, for she shall receive confidences. Blessed is the mother who teaches […]
Finger On A Verse The story is told of a lady who had an unusual mode of Bible study which she later had to abandon. She in early mornings after quickly flipping through pages of the Bible, with her eyes closed, would bring her finger down on a verse. She would then open her eyes, […]
NOW IS THE TIME TO OBEY THE GOSPEL “Not yet,” said the youth. “I don’t want anything to interfere with my pleasure. When I grow older I’ll think about my soul.” “Not yet,” said the young married man. “I am just beginning to do well in life. When I see my business prospering, then I […]
HOW DO I DO THAT? Wendell Ward Once upon a time there was a centipede with a serious problem. He had arthritis! A centipede couldn’t have anything much worse than arthritis. He decided to go to the wise old owl for a solution. The wise old owl listened to his plight and advised him to […]
ON GOD’S SIDE In life, it is rather normal for people to be on a side. When people go to a tournament, even though the teams playing are not related to some of the spectators, the spectators cannot long remain neutral — they begin pulling for one side or the other. People who do not […]
DADDY HAD A LITTLE BOY Daddy had a little boy- His soul was white as snow; He never went to Bible class Cause Daddy wouldn’t go. He never heard the Word of God That thrills the childish mind- While other children went to class, This child was left behind. As he grew from babe to […]
FORGET IT! If you’ve not been treated right, Just forget it; Don’t make ready for a fight But forget it. ‘Twill your happiness besmudge, Anyway you’re not the judge Just forget it. If you’ve been misunderstood, Just forget it; Say, “I’ve done the best I could” And forget it. If you can’t have things your […]
A FATHER’S PRAYER Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; ONE WHO WILL BE PROUD AND UNBENDING IN honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his […]
THE CARPENTER! Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew […]
A Love Story There was once a little boy whose sister who needed a blood transfusion. The doctor explained that she had the same disease her brother had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. Since the two children shared the same rare […]
“A Familiar Face Is Missing” Brian V. Sullivan We grow accustomed to familiar ways, As we each journey through life’s uncertain days. A friendly smile, perhaps a kind greeting. Make it worth our while to come to meeting. There are some folks you know will always be there With a warm smile and a genuine […]
Reason For Our Hope Pearl Pierson Those loving eyes are closed in sleep; Yet we have hope and do not weep For him (her) who goes to dwell above Where all is joy and peace and love. That tongue, whose gentle kindly word The eager little children heard, Is quiet now, yet we rejoice In […]
A Preacher’s Wildest Dream Realized! We love to hear you extrapolate About the meaning of Christ’s word; We simply cannot get enough; Expounding on things of the Lord! We hate to see you close the book When “now in conclusion” you say We wish your sermon would continue on Such short sermons are our dismay! […]
BETRAYED Friend, I stand in judgment now And feel that you’re to blame somehow, On earth, I walked with you day by day, And never did you point the way. You knew the Lord in truth and glory But never did you tell His story, My knowledge then was very dim, You could have led […]
Unless You Let It In All the water in the world However hard it tried, Could never, never sink a ship Unless it got inside. All the evil in the world, the wickedness and sin, can never sink your soul’s fair craft unless you let it in. All the hardships of this world, Might wear […]
A Forgiving Heart Greg Gwin Can you forgive your brother one time? Maybe twice? Three strikes and you’re out! NO! “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day […]
You, Me, and The Bible You may understand the Bible and I may misunderstand it. I may understand it and you may misunderstand it. We may both misunderstand it – but differently. We may misunderstand it alike. However, we cannot both understand it – but differently. What kind of book would the Bible be if […]
Gopher Wood or Gopher Forest? In seeking to impress upon the minds of individuals the importance of respecting the authority of God’s word we use the example of God commanding Noah to build the ark of gopher wood. When God commanded Noah to build the ark of gopher wood we note (and correctly so) that […]
You’re Satisfied? Jere E. Frost So what? The rich man was satisfied, but God called him a fool and took his life and condemned his soul. (Luke 12:20) The whole church at Laodicea was satisfied, but Jesus said they did not know that they were actually wretched, and miserable and poor and blind and naked […]
PRETEND Did we worship God this morning when we gathered with our friends? Did we really worship God? Or did we just PRETEND? Did we worship as we should? Did we worship as a trend? Did we do the best we could? Or did we just PRETEND? Did we “come to church” this morning that […]
It seems to be a poor joke . . . When some woman blushes with embarrassment . . . When some heart carries away an ache . . . When something sacred is made to appear common . . . When a man’s weakness provides the cause of laughter . . . When a little […]
No Problem! When a person is eager to learn the way of salvation and is willing to accept the word of God as the final authority, there is no problem in teaching him what to do to be saved. When differences arise among brethren and all have a humble attitude, and there is a sincere […]
They Were All Wrong A good many years ago, a preacher went into a town where there was no New Testament church. He preached in a house of worship and then in the market place of the city. Soon the religious leaders of the city heard him and invited him to address them. They thought […]
Counting God’s Promises Two little girls were counting their pennies. One said, “I have ten pennies.” “No,” said the first little girl, “You have just five pennies, the same as I. “But,” the second child quickly responded, “My father said that when he got home tonight he would give me five pennies; so I have […]
The Longer I Live … The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It’s more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It’s more important […]
Willing to Die Alan Smith How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn’t it? Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die […]
Churches & Recreation Larry Hafley By teaching the word of God and caring for its needy, each church of Christ fulfills its divinely appointed duties of evangelism, edification, and benevolence. All who would engage the church in other activities have no authority for their practices. Money is obtained by the church to meet its […]
The Strength of a Church It is well to look at the strength of a congregation and then learn how to increase it. A Church’s strength does not necessarily depend on the number of its members. Many times we misjudge strength because we estimate strength by the number of members. We “count noses” rather than […]
If All Were Like You! If all the others CAME like you, Would there seldom be a vacant pew? Or would the opposite be true, If all the others came like you? If all the others GAVE like you, Then how much giving would the church do? Would all bills be paid as they fell […]
A Preacher Who Wouldn’t Do A church was in need of a preacher. One of the elders was interested in finding out just what kind of a preacher the church wanted. In order to do this he composed a letter as though it had been received from a preacher and read it to the […]
HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH The man who says he is kept from church by the hypocrites is not influenced by them anywhere else. Business if full of them, but if he by chance sees where he can make money, he does not hesitate because there are hypocrites making money. Society is crowded with them, and […]
Some Sad Situations People that worry more about the economy than the morality of our nation. Full jails and empty Bible school rooms. A society that is more concerned with material accumulation than spiritual growth. THINGS are more important that SOULS. People with fine clothes and filthy minds. So called Christians that must be invited […]
Do You Love the Truth? Jere Frost The lost are those who have been deceived by unrighteousness, and the reason they are deceived is because they do not have a love for the truth (2 Thess. 2:10). Love of the truth is therefore critical. There is a significant and discernible difference in claiming to love […]
Teach Children Values Lynn Headrick Children do not know true values. A very small child will prefer a shiny copper coin to a crumpled ten dollar bill. Older Children would eat all desert and no meat if parents allowed it. Children will not look beyond this life unless they are taught about heaven and hell. […]
Flying Off the Handle “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Prov. 16:32) The expression, “Fly off the handle,” is used when one quickly loses his temper. The original expression comes to us from the use of tools. After tools […]
LIFE WITHOUT LUMPS A carpet-layer had worked an hour past the time he was supposed to be home. As he was picking up his tools, he noticed a lump underneath the carpet. He felt his shirt pocket for his cigarettes (which he shouldn’t have had anyway), and sure enough, they were gone. Unwilling to spend […]
“LORD, HIT HIM AGAIN” L.L. Brigance once told his class about a congregation trying to finance a new roof for a meeting house. The men were meeting to see if the amount could be raised. One man said, “I’ll give two dollars.” Another, “I’ll give three.” Then all eyes turned to Brother T. Wad, who […]
Saved by Saving A man was walking over the mountains through a terrible snowstorm. He gradually grew colder and colder until at last, he stumbled and fell. He said to himself, “I shall never be found. This is the end.” He thought he was too weak to rise, but as he fell, his hand fell […]
THE INTOXICATED CAT John Clark A letter in the newspaper was written by an unhappy woman who complained that her husband thought it funny to make her pet cat drunk by pouring gin in its milk. The distressed woman complained that the cat would dance like mad, stagger around in circles, and finally fall in […]
WE DON’T HAVE THE SAME BAPTISM Bryan Matthew Dockens Because there is only “one baptism” that God approves (Ephesians 4:4-6), any baptism that does not fit the description provided in Scripture must be rejected. I believe my sins were remitted when I was baptized (Acts 2:38). If you believe the Lord took away your […]
“Christian Football” Quarterback Sneak – Church members quietly leaving during the invitation. Draw Play – What many children do with the bulletin during worship. Halftime – The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave. Bench-warmer – Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit. Backfield-in-Motion – […]
The Tender Years H. Porter How wonderful it is today to see a young person obey the Lord and give his life to God. Yet, oft times those older in Christ forget that he will need encouragement and teaching. The young person faces temptations that are hard for him to resist. His schoolmates may be […]
PROPER DRESS FOR THE BATTLE David Sandlin Few men would dare go bear hunting with a buggy whip. You would not try to handle a burglar or robber with kid gloves. If a man is entering a ring for a 15 round fight, he would not appear in a swallowtail coat. So in going to […]
BIBLE PREACHING John the Baptist’s message from the wilderness was not “Smile—God loves you.” It was “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.” Jeremiah was not put into a miry pit for preaching, “I’m OK; you’re OK.” It was for crying against adultery, idolatry and other wickedness […]
HOW DO YOU GO? There are three types of Christians who respond to the call to service. Rowboat Christians—have to be pushed. Sailboat Christians—always go with the wind. Steamboat Christians—make up their minds where they ought to go and go there regardless of wind and weather.
ATTENDANCE The reasons why I’m giving up sports; football in the fall, baseball in the summer, basketball in the winter. I’ve had it all. I quit attending sports once and for all, and here are my 11 excuses. Every time I went, they asked for money. The people I sat next to didn’t […]
THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL Eugene Crawley There has been, I am convinced, too much emphasis put upon building up the church in numbers, to the oversight and exclusion of making sure people know, understand and obey from the heart the truth as revealed by Divine inspiration. This has not been true everywhere nor with […]
“I Feel I Am Saved” A gospel preacher was talking to a woman who said she knew she was saved. The preacher said, “How do you know you are saved?” She made the following reply, “I was attending a religious service one time and all of a sudden I felt light as a feather—I […]
ISN’T IT STRANGE James P. Needham When one wants to know what the work of preachers, elders and teachers is, one can easily cite numerous passages which give the answer. (II Timothy 4:1-6, I Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:1-8, etc.) When one wants to know the function of youth directors, recreation directors, chairmen, superintendents, […]
Signs That You Are Slipping WHEN the way to the meeting house SEEMS TOO FAR, WHEN it seems TOO MUCH TROUBLE to get ready or to get out in the weather to go to the service, WHEN the singing comes HARD and SEEMS DREARY, WHEN the sermon seems much TOO LONG, WHEN you see much you […]
You Finish the Story There was once a congregation in which every member was just like you. Each one cooperated and supported every phase of the work just like you. Everyone worked as hard and attended the same services and gospel meetings that you did. The elders, deacons and preacher were all as interested in […]
Opinion or Faith John L. Clark Too many people have reduced religion to merely a matter of opinion. The true religion of Christ is a matter of revelation — the revelation of God’s Will in the Bible. We are to walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7), and faith comes from the Word of God (Rom. […]
A Voice from the Past “To actually and truly stand upon the Bible, then, is to believe and do the things that the Bible teaches and to leave undone everything that it does not teach. No man can allow his preference or his opinion to prevent him from doing anything that the Scriptures require nor […]
“Ain’t It Funny” * How we set our clocks to arise at 5:00 A.M. to be at the job by 7:30; yet, when Sunday comes, we can’t get to the church building for the 9:00 A.M. Bible study to learn more about the one who gave us our jobs. * How we call God our […]
When you are not here at services. . …there is a hole in the wall. A hole where the devil can enter in and do harm. A hole that mars the rest of the wall. ..there is a missing link in the chain. A weak point where a break can take place. A weak point […]
“Did You Know?” Selected That many people who plan to be saved from their sins the eleventh hour die at 10:30! The apostle Paul wrote: “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard […]
You Can … But You Can’t You can ignore God’s warnings: you can refuse His blessing; you can reject all his wondrous love; but you can’t go to heaven doing so. You can believe any doctrine you choose; you can belong to the church of your choice; you can worship God as you please; but […]
“Almost” is Not Enough Barney L. Keith It is sometimes said of an individual who has not yet obeyed the gospel, “I believe he is almost ready to be baptized,” or that “she is close to becoming a Christian!” Friend, are you one of those people? Can we not somehow impress upon you: That “almost” […]
Seven Things That Will Help You Grow Spiritually Grover Stevens 1. LIVE and WORK to reach others each day as if you knew the world was going to come to an end next Sunday night. Think of that feeling of urgency and priority! (Read 2 Peter 3:1-12) 2. BE AS ENTHUSIASTIC about the church and its […]
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “One day when I was about eight, I was playing beside an open window while Mrs. Brown confided to my mother a serious problem concerning her son. When Mrs. Brown had gone, my mother realizing I had heard everything, said, ‘If Mrs. Brown had left her purse here today, would we […]
“What Kind of Drugstore Is This?” Edward O. Bragwell, Jr. I saw a cartoon posted in a brother’s drug store with the caption saying in effect: “What do you mean you don’t have nuts and bolts? What kind of drug store is this?” Our society expects more from a drug store than just drugs. The […]
YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY Jimmy Tuten I am reminded of an old Spanish parable about a man, a boy, and a donkey. They were all three walking down a dusty road on a hot summer day. Someone passed and they overheard him say, “Look at those foolish people walking when they could be riding the […]
WISDOM FROM A YOUNG HEART One day a small boy was seated around the dinner table and heard a larger boy complaining about having to eat cauliflower. The big boy raved on and on about how awful it smelled and how it tasted. Finally the little boy, not quite eight years old, looked at the […]
TEACHER READ THIS A little boy sat in the Bible School one Lord’s day morning. He listened as the teacher talked of the importance of the kingdom of God. “It must come first,” the teacher said. The lad was greatly impressed because the teacher seemed so sincere. That night the little boy came back to […]
A Tree or a Post Frank Jamerson “A tree and a post stood side by side. At first, the tree was small and slender, and could have been easily broken off. The post was large and solid and supported a fence. The forces of nature began their work and the post rotted and fell to the […]
“AND I THOUGHT I WAS A LIAR” “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” (Eph. 4:25) A little boy visited his aunt, who reprimanded him for telling a lie. “Do you know,” she warned, “what happens to little boys who tell […]
Newton’s Model The story is told that he had an atheistic friend who did not believe in God. Sir Isaac devised a plan to try to convince his friend that God did exist and had created the Universe. One day, he went to a carpentry shop and asked the owner to make a model of […]
A Bad Example Did you ever see a river that was as straight as an arrow? Most likely not. Streams generally wind back and forth from the time they gush out of a lake until they find repose in the bosom of the deep. And why is it the river is never straight? Let a […]
Gossip Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church’s morals, kept sticking her nose into other people’s business. Several members did not approve of her extracurricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused George a new member, of being an alcoholic after she […]
The Duck Church One fine Sunday morning, the ducks gathered for duck church. They waddled into their duck pews, sang from their duck song books, and listened to their duck preacher. The duck preacher said, “Ducks, you don’t have to waddle. You have wings like eagles. You can fly! Fly, ducks, fly! The ducks all […]
True Riches author unknown One day a father and his rich family took his son to a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip […]
“Death Notice” Bill Crews I can’t died last week. He had long been a member of the church, but was never faithful. Brother Compromise was the only one available to direct the service. Services were held in the parlor of Maybe Tomorrow Funeral Home. Attending as pallbearers were Neglect, Indifference, Never Try, and Get Somebody Else, all close relatives of the deceased. The body was buried in […]
“Get the Man Together For A Better World” Clarence DeLoach A small boy anxiously waited all day for his dad to get home. Finally his father arrived dragging his body into the house from an especially hard day’s work. The little boy had all kinds of playful ideas he wanted to share with his father. Over […]
It Must Be Applied A gospel preacher met an acquaintance, a soap manufacturer, on the street. All about the two men were evidences of worldliness and sin, in the flashing signs advertising liquor, in the shadowy stairways leading to questionable places of amusement, and even in the language tossed into the air by a careless […]
SHOULD YOU GO FIRST Should you go first, and I remain To walk the road alone, I’ll live in memory’s garden, dear, With happy days we’ve known. In spring, I’ll wait for the roses red, In summer, lilacs blue; In autumn, when the brown leaves fall, I’ll catch a breath of you. Should you go […]
Two Wolves: An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching her grandchildren about life. She said to them, “A fight is going on inside me…it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The […]
Today… I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy, or I can be thankful […]
HYMNS — THE WAY WE’D SING THEM IF WE WERE HONEST I Surrender, Some There Shall Be Sprinkles of Blessings Fill My Spoon, Lord Oh, How I Like Jesus He’s Quite a Bit to Me I Love to Talk About Telling the Story Take My Life and Let Me Be It Is My Secret What […]
Just For You Author Unknown A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten […]
Daddy’s Bible Daddy has left us, his life’s work is done. Only one thing leaving, to me, his son. It is his old Bible, all tattered and torn. Each page is wrinkled, soiled or worn. Its condition, atrocious, but not from abuse. It happened through time, with frequent use. From cover to cover, each page […]
Sentence Sermons Jesus is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul. Spoiled children are given what they want; wise parents give them what they need. God is never inconvenienced by our prayers. No one ever grows fat on excuses, but everybody gets fed up with them. If a sermon pricks the conscience, it […]
Two Frogs Two frogs were playing on the rafters of a dairy barn one night and fell into adjoining pails of cream. Both frogs scrambled for survival, but one fought longer and harder, and stayed the course. When the farmer came in the next morning, he found one frog floating on the top of the cream, dead; and the […]
OUR PRECIOUS BIBLE “Our precious Bible, book divine” It tells of God and the beginning of time It’s a “light to our pathway, a lamp to our feet” May we always realize its taste so sweet It tells where we came from and why we’re here The possibility of life in that heavenly sphere […]
The Parable of the Lifesaving Station There was once a crude little life-saving station on a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, they went out […]
WORMS FOR SALE It is an old story, but is still worth telling. A lark, singing in the high branches of a tree, saw a traveler walking through the forest carrying a mysterious little black box. The lark flew down and perched on the traveler’s shoulder. “What do you have in the little black box?’ […]
The Church Died! Joe Fitch Impressive churches dot the pages of Bible history – Antioch, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Philippi, Rome. From more recent restoration history, a host of names are recalled. But what finally happened to those churches? A few remain; most are gone. They died! Is this destined to be the final chapter of […]
When The Wind Blows Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the […]
The Anvil Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; When looking in, I saw upon the floor, Old hammers worn with beating years of time. “How may anvils have you had,” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” said he; then […]
HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH? I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning…to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said […]
How Far Can You See? Sam, an old man, was a witness in a burglary case. The defense lawyer asked Sam, “Did you see my client commit this burglary?” “Yes,” said Sam , “I saw him plainly take the goods.” The lawyer asks Sam again, “Sam, this happened at night. Are you sure you saw […]
THE CLOCK OF LIFE The Clock of Life is wound but once and no man has the power; To say, just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed, To lose one’s health is more; To lose one’s soul is such a loss That no man […]
The House of Mourning Mike Johnson Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart.“ Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house […]
A Blessed Rest Mike Johnson Revelation 14:13 says, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” The word “blessed” means “happy.” There is an […]
The Possibility of Apostasy (14) Who Really Has Security? Mike Johnson People who believe in the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” usually take great comfort in their view, looking upon it as one of their most essential beliefs. They also tend to see any group that does not accept this position as inferior. They […]
Applying God’s Word Mike Johnson People often hear the Word of God but are not willing to obey it. Some may intend to obey, but they never seem to get around to it. It is not enough to be a hearer only or to know God’s Word: we must be willing to obey it. Notice […]
“They Are Without Excuse” (Romans 1:19-20) Mike Johnson In Romans 1 and 2, there is a discussion about both the Jews and the Gentiles’ spiritual conditions. The conclusion in Romans 3:23 points out all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Although the Jews were God’s chosen people, the Gentiles throughout their […]
Design Demands a Designer (Psalm 19) Mike Johnson Psalm 19:1-4 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the […]
The Importance of Words and Thoughts Mike Johnson (Psalm 19:14) Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” This verse is at the end of a magnificent Psalm. In verses 1-6, the writer spoke about the […]
Presumptuous Sins Mike Johnson Psalm 19:13 says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.” What is a presumptuous sin? A presumptuous sin is a sin that is committed with arrogance and grows out of […]
My Rock & My Redeemer (Psalm 19:14) Mike Johnson Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Consider the last part of the verse where the Psalmist refers to God as his strength and Redeemer. Vine’s […]
Leaving Something for Your Children Mike Johnson It is common for parents to leave an estate for their children, and it is helpful for children to be able to receive it. From an inheritance, perhaps a child can pay off a car, a house, or maybe pay for college tuition for someone in the family. […]
GOD’S WORD IS ENDURING Mike Johnson 1 Peter 1:22-25 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and […]
My Rock & My Fortress (Psalm 31:2-3) Mike Johnson In Psalm 31:2-3, David appeals to God, saying, “. . . Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” The word “rock” is used […]
“Have Mercy Upon Me, O God!” (Psalm 51) Mike Johnson In the Old Testament, there is a psalm in which the author expresses the depths of his heart by asking God for forgiveness. He seems to have a childlike faith in God’s mercy and shows profoundness and tenderness. Psalm 51 is often called a psalm […]
God Is From Everlasting to Everlasting Mike Johnson (Psalm 90:2) It is thought Psalm 90 was written by Moses during the time the children of Israel were in the wilderness. Based on the tenor of the Psalm, it was possibly written during a time when Moses was very discouraged. In this Psalm, the greatness of […]
God Is Our Dwelling Place Mike Johnson According to the beginning note, Moses wrote Psalm 90. A standard view is that Moses wrote the Psalm during the later part of the time the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. In this Psalm, Moses concluded by appealing to God for compassion and mercy, asking very […]
Are You Frozen? Mike Johnson Consider a story that I have had for many years in my files. I do not know the author’s name, but the message is evident. The story is called “Waiting Too Long.” Once, a man standing by Niagara saw an eagle sitting on a lamb frozen in a piece of […]
A Broken & Contrite Heart (Psalm 51:16-17) Mike Johnson In Psalm 51, the writer expresses great sorrow for the sins he had committed. According to the notes at the beginning of this Psalm, David wrote it after his sin with Bathsheba. He repeatedly asked God for mercy and forgiveness. Consider verses 16-17, which say, “For You […]
My Sin Is Always Before Me (Psalm 51:3) Mike Johnson The writer of Psalm 51 expresses great sorrow for his sins. Most agree that David is the author, and he wrote it after his sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 11-12, we learn that David committed adultery, and then he committed murder trying to conceal […]
Restore Unto Me the Joy of Your Salvation (Psalm 51:12) Mike Johnson According to the beginning notes of Psalm 51, David is its author, and he wrote the Psalm after his sin with Bathsheba. Engulfed with emotion, he is asking God to have mercy on him and extend His forgiveness. In the first part of […]
Why Is Sin So Bad? (Psalm 51:4) Mike Johnson Psalm 51 is thought to have been written by David in connection with his sin with Bathsheba. You might recall that he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and he had her husband (Uriah) killed to cover up his deed. In Psalm 51, David was expressing his […]
Asking for God’s Mercy (Psalm 51:1-2) Mike Johnson Psalm 51:1-2 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” David wrote this Psalm, it is thought, after his sin […]
“Everything I Have Is for Sale . . .” Mike Johnson Many years ago, a friend of mine had a classic automobile. He took care of that car. Every so often, he would have it painted and would keep it polished to a showroom shine. He took good care of it mechanically; any work needed, […]
Pray Without Ceasing Mike Johnson I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” This verse is in the midst of a series of short admonitions given by Paul near the close of the book of I Thessalonians. He had just said Christians should “rejoice always.” These two admonitions can be connected, as prayer often removes obstacles that […]
Uphold the Weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Mike Johnson Paul closes the book of 1 Thessalonians with some very important and practical exhortations. In chapter 5:14, he “exhorts” (NASB — “urge”) the brethren to, among other things, “uphold the weak.” Christians have a responsibility to “uphold the weak.” The weak are those who are spiritually weak. Most […]
THE CHRISTIAN AND TITHING Mike Johnson Should Christians tithe today? This question is important. Many people today speak about tithing, which involves giving one-tenth to God. But, is this practice applicable for Christians today? Tithing was a part of the Law of Moses, and there are stringent regulations concerning it found in such passages as […]
THESE NAMES Mike Johnson A few years ago, while traveling, I took particular note of signs in front of church buildings. After a period of time, I started making a list of the various names which groups called themselves. At the end of the trip, my list was quite long and also interesting. […]
THE KINGDOM AND COLOSSIANS 1:13 Mike Johnson “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love….” (Col. 1:13) The above passage reveals what God did for the Colossian Christians and those who are Christians today and contains some essential information about God’s people. […]
Priorities Mike Johnson “We need to put first things first.” “You need to get your priorities straightened out.” These are common expressions in our society. We should keep priorities in mind as some matters are more important than others. The Bible has a lot to say concerning priorities. God does expect people to put “first things first.” […]
DOES MORAL GOODNESS MAKE ONE A CHRISTIAN? Mike Johnson Many honest and sincere souls mistakenly believe that if a person is morally good, then he is a Christian. No one can be a faithful follower of Christ without being on a high moral plane. However, Christianity is more than merely being moral. Acts 10 tells about […]
Did Angels Marry Women? (Genesis 6:1-2) Mike Johnson “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” […]
CAN WE TRUST OUR FEELINGS ABOUT SALVATION? Mike Johnson Some people claim to rely solely on their feelings for assurance of personal salvation. They may say, “I know I am saved because I feel I am.” They will often ignore very plain passages in the Bible about salvation because of a “feeling” they have. Some […]
The Book of Philippians Mike Johnson Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the church at Philippi. This book has been called the most personal and spontaneous of all of Paul’s letters. The word “joy” or “rejoice” occurs at least 17 times in the book. The church at Philippi was the first church started by […]
Does Every Person Have a Right to His Own Beliefs? Mike Johnson The answer to the above question is, in one sense, YES, but in another sense is NO. To begin with, consider the question from a “constitutional” or “legal” standpoint. People do have a right to their own beliefs in matters of religion according to […]
FOLLOWING ELDERS INTO ERROR Mike Johnson Elders have a vital function in the Lord’s church. They are to oversee the flock— they are to feed, or shepherd, the local congregation of which they are a part (Acts 20:17, 28; I Pet. 5:1-2). Elders are to watch for grievous wolves (or false teachers) who threaten the […]
Where is the Gym? Mike Johnson Many people would be surprised if they visited a large church and found out it did not have a gymnasium or something called a “fellowship hall.” Many churches today have become more like social clubs than churches. They provide events as meals, dances, bingo parties, basketball games, and other […]
The Office of an Elder Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that a local congregation is to have certain men overseeing them called “elders.” Acts 14:23 speaks of the appointment of elders in every church. It says, “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to […]
WHERE DID CAIN GET HIS WIFE? Mike Johnson The above question is a very old question. Other questions are perhaps more important, but this question is frequently asked (sometimes by scoffers) and should be discussed. Genesis 4:16,17 points out that Cain went to the land of Nod after he killed his brother. Verse 27 says, “And […]
ARE WE TO KEEP THE SABBATH TODAY? Mike Johnson Should Christians observe the Sabbath today? Many people feel that those who worship on Sunday instead of the Sabbath violate God’s Word. To them, assembling on the first day of the week instead of the seventh is a man-made practice. There are more than 150 Biblical […]
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH Mike Johnson The role of women in society has changed greatly in recent years. It seems that many are even pushing for an almost “gender neutral” society. Some changes that have taken place have been good but many have not been. The changes in society tend to eventually […]
“I’m All Shook Up…” Mike Johnson These words perhaps echoed from the facilities of a local congregation in Huntsville, Alabama, as they presented “A Tribute to the King of Rock & Roll.” A newspaper ad for the event pictures an Elvis impersonator. I don’t know if “Elvis” sang this song, “I’m All Shook Up,” but […]
IS CONSCIENCE A SAFE GUIDE? Mike Johnson “Always let your conscience be your guide.” “Just do what your conscience says.” The statement expresses many people’s attitudes when determining what is right or wrong religiously. Many think they are correct as long as they follow their conscience, on some doctrinal matter or even on a moral […]
CONFUSION ABOUNDS! Mike Johnson FROM HUNTSVILLE: I agree with “West Coast.” Protestant worship services are mostly selling tickets to ball games, pictures, records, and signing petitions on political issues. There is very little spirituality. And the music is a disgrace. No hymns anymore, just modern junk. –Disgusted GREENWICH, CONN: That Protestant person is not alone with the […]
THE CHURCH & THE INDIVIDUAL Mike Johnson Sadly, there has been much division in the Lord’s church throughout the years. One area of division involves the church-sponsored recreation and church support of human institutions (orphan homes, colleges, rest homes, homes for unwed mothers, etc.). One argument used to justify church support and involvement in such […]
PROFANE AND VULGAR SPEECH Mike Johnson The use of vulgar and profane language is at an all-time high in our society today. Profanity is everywhere, and it is difficult to escape from it. Without a doubt, the media (specifically television and the movies) has significantly impacted the way people talk. “Hollywood” has become the teacher […]
Religious Titles Mike Johnson Most preachers use a religious title. Some call themselves “Reverend.” In Catholicism, they refer to their priests as “Father.” One religious organization (the Masons) refers to certain ones in their organization by such titles as “Worshipful Master” or “Most Worshipful Grand Master.” What does the Bible say about the use of […]
Who Are These People? Mike Johnson Perhaps you are a member of the church of Christ, and you look at yourself as “mainstream” as it is said. You know that there are also people meeting in town who are supposed to be members of the Lord’s church, but you do not know much about them. […]
A LESSON FROM A SQUIRREL Mike Johnson A few years ago, while walking, I saw a squirrel fall from a tree, which is something I never expected to see. I have often watched squirrels perform all kinds of incredible acrobatic feats. I have seen them walk across a telephone wire; I have seen them jump […]
The Enslaving Power of Sin Mike Johnson People today often picture sin as a pleasant delight. Sin, according to many, is not something to be “avoided” but is something to be “pursued.” People view the moral teaching of God’s Word as “old-fashioned,” and those who try to adhere to the high standard of the Bible and […]
ARE WE COMPLACENT ABOUT SIN? Mike Johnson Many years ago, my wife and I moved into a house close to a well-traveled train track, which trains traveled on throughout the night. At first, the whistles from the trains woke us up. Before long, however, the passing trains rarely disturbed our sleep as we grew accustomed […]
The Conversion of Saul Mike Johnson The Bible records the conversion of Saul in three places. It is recorded in Acts 9:1-18, 22:1-16, and 26:12-18. We will focus on the accounts in Acts 9 and Acts 22, as we examine this conversion case. Background Information Saul was born in Tarsus (Acts 21:39). He was most […]
SAINTS Mike Johnson There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the term “saint.” Some think of the word in connection with receiving a second blessing from God, which makes a person “sanctified” and incapable of sinning. To be qualified as saints, still others say that people must meet specific qualifications (such as performing […]
DON’T TREAT PRAYER LIKE A SPARE TIRE Mike Johnson Do you spend a lot of time thinking about the spare tire in your automobile? Many people do not. In fact, many do not even check to see if they have a spare tire in their trunk. However, there is a time when all attention is focused […]
WAS PETER THE FIRST POPE? Mike Johnson The above question is undoubtedly a good question and needs examination. Many think Peter was the first pope. However, the Bible does not even teach that there should be a position of a pope, much less Peter being the first one. Consider just some reasons why Peter could […]
PEER PRESSURE Mike Johnson A woman who had reached the age of 102 was discussing her longevity. She said, “Well, at least I don’t have to worry about peer pressure.” Someone 102 probably does not have any peers left. However, peer pressure influences most people, to one degree or another, and it is a powerful […]
Patience Mike Johnson The term “patience” frequently occurs in the Bible. Patience is a painful lesson to learn in the age in which we live, but Christians must have this trait. Christ praised the church at Ephesus for their patience (Rev. 2:2-3). Hebrews 12:1 says that Christians are to “run with patience” the race that set before […]
OUR REGARD FOR OTHERS Philippians 2:3 Mike Johnson The book of Philippians emphasizes the importance of unity. Paul, in Philippians 1:27, encouraged the Christians at Philippi to “. . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel . . . .” In Philippians 2:2, he said […]
Going After the Noble Prize Mike Johnson Are you going for “The Noble Prize”? You might think, “How can I go after that prize? I don’t know anything about physics, chemistry, or physiology. I am not involved in the field of literature. I am not a well-known person who has done a lot for world […]
Missing Out on A Valuable Treasure Mike Johnson “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.” I am confident that almost everyone has heard this expression. We know that another may view something, which may seem worthless to one person, as valuable. The popularity of garage/yard sales in our country attests to this. An Associated Press Story […]
The Book of Matthew Mike Johnson The book of Matthew is probably the best known of all of the gospel accounts. When people want to find the teaching of Jesus on any Bible subject, they will often start by turning to this book. This popularity may be due to it being the first book of […]
Put Away Lying (Ephesians 4:25) Mike Johnson Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” This verse tells us Christians are to put away lying. The context shows the need to put off the “old man” and to put […]
Lying Mike Johnson The Bible has a lot to say on the subject of lying. God disapproves of lying, and Christians should avoid it. The Old Testament frequently speaks of lying. Proverbs 16:17 makes it clear that a “lying tongue” is one of the things that the Lord hates. Further, Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination […]
The Book of Luke Mike Johnson Luke wrote the book of Luke as well as the book of Acts. These two books are very similar in style, and many call them companion books as Acts is a continuation of Luke. It seems Luke’s goal was to tell the whole story of Christianity. He also addressed […]
LOYALTY Mike Johnson Several years ago, I saw a bumper sticker on an automobile, which said: “110% Bama— I’ll Never Change.” The sticker expressed the extreme loyalty the owner of the car had for his favorite football team, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. I take it that his resolve would not be affected by […]
LIE NOT TO ONE ANOTHER Mike Johnson The sin of lying is prevalent. However, this does not make it right. A famous preacher, while preaching to a large audience, used as his text the story of Ananias and Sapphira and told how they lied, which resulted in God striking them dead. The old preacher proclaimed, […]
Lasciviousness Mike Johnson The sin of lasciviousness is mentioned several times in God’s Word. It is essential to discuss this sin, especially in the times we live. It seems various definitions exist for lasciviousness. The Greek word in the original is a fairly broad word that can include many things. Thayer defines the word (766 […]
The Book of Job Mike Johnson The book of Job is genuinely significant and useful. It is a part of a category of Old Testament books known as “Poetry.” It deals with the problem of pain and suffering. The book of Job shows us some essential facts about God, Satan, and the problem of pain. […]
JESTING Mike Johnson Ephesians 5:3-5 has a list of sins that Christians are to avoid. Such sins as fornication and covetousness are listed. Verse four mentions the sin of jesting (KJV). It says, “neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” The NASB translates the expression “not […]
Hate Father and Mother Mike Johnson Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Why does Christ say that we must hate our fathers and mothers and other family members? […]
The Book of James Mike Johnson The book of James is a very practical and helpful book of the Bible. The purpose of this article will be to give a brief overview of this essential New Testament letter. Let us start by asking, “Who wrote the book of James?” The author is apparent— James wrote it. James 1:1 says, […]
Infant Baptism Mike Johnson There is a lot of disagreement on the subject of baptism. People disagree on the purpose of baptism as well as how to baptize someone. There is also controversy regarding whom to baptize. Some say infants are proper candidates for baptism, while others say a person must be a penitent believer before baptism. Is there authority for […]
Ignorance Mike Johnson The moon was a thin crescent in the Canadian skies on the night the astronauts neared it for the first landing on the surface. A farmer in Nova Scotia could not get over the unnecessary risks that the astronauts were running and said, “You’d think they’d at least wait until it was […]
The Health Inspector and Authority Mike Johnson Many years ago, I worked in a meatpacking plant. One responsibility I had was to roll a vat containing tubular molds of lunch-meat to an ice bin and then fill the container with ice. The instructions were to use a stainless steel shovel, used exclusively for this task. […]
THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH Mike Johnson The Bible clearly teaches that Christ came and built His church. In Matthew 16:16-18 he said that he would build His church, and in Acts 2 we can read of its establishment. Does the church have a particular purpose for being in existence? If no purpose for the […]
HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mike Johnson How well do you listen? We would not remember some of the most famous statements ever made if someone had not listened carefully to what was said. Listening correctly is very important to learning. One person put it like this: “Talk, and you say what you already know, […]
The Book of Mark Mike Johnson The writer of the book of Mark is probably “John Mark,” who is mentioned several times in God’s Word. He was a cousin of Barnabas, and his mother was named Mary. Mary was a faithful Christian in Jerusalem who owned the house where the Christians met for prayer while […]
A Lesson from Luther Mike Johnson Luther was quite slow from a mental standpoint. He was well-liked in the community, and it was easy to get along with him. However, some of the young men in the neighborhood could not resist having some fun with him from time to time. At the little store where […]
THREE GREAT QUESTIONS Mike Johnson Where do we come from? What are we doing here? Where are we going? These are three great questions that always have concerned humanity. Philosophers have tried to answer these questions but have been unsuccessful. However, since God has chosen to speak to us through the Bible, we can […]
Love For God Mike Johnson The Bible teaches we are to love God. Matthew 22 reveals a case where some Pharisees were questioning Jesus. A Scribe asked Him what the greatest commandment was. In verse 37, Jesus replied, “. . . You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and […]
IGNORING SIN Mike Johnson An often made statement made by people today is, “I just don’t let it bother me.” In many areas, we would all be better off taking this approach. With sin, however, this is very dangerous. Many people are very complacent regarding their sin, and instead of seeking a remedy, they ignore […]
Hate Sin! Mike Johnson The Bible has a great deal to say about the subject of hate. People typically think that Christians are not supposed to hate, and generally, this is true. However, the Bible teaches that Christians are to hate sin! Many passages speak about hating evil or sin. Romans 12:9 says that we are to […]
GO AWAY FOR NOW Mike Johnson Luke tells us in Acts 24 of a time when Paul, who had earlier been seized by the Jews, was brought before the governor of the area—a man named Felix. Charges were brought against Paul, and he presented his defense. Felix, hoping to receive a bribe, refused to let […]
FLATTERY Mike Johnson At a reception in Washington, a widow asked a young man to guess her age. “You must have some idea,” she said, as he hesitated. “I have several ideas,” he admitted with a smile. “The trouble is that I hesitate whether to make it ten years younger on account of your looks […]
Evil Surmising Mike Johnson I Timothy 6:4 speaks of the sin of “evil surmising.” The passage says, (KJV) “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.” What is evil surmising? We need to know what it is to see if we are guilty […]
THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM & ACTS 9:17 Mike Johnson If baptism is for the remission of sins, why did Ananias call Saul “brother” previous to his baptism? This objection is sometimes raised regarding Saul’s conversion. Acts 22:16 does point out that Saul was baptized to wash away his sins. However, the response of the objector […]
The IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH Mike Johnson What is truth? This is a very good question. Pilate asked it in John 18:38. He may, however, have asked the question with scorn rather than with a thirst for knowledge. Nevertheless, it is still a significant question. Jesus said in John 17:17 in his prayer to God, “ […]
TRUTH IS NARROW Mike Johnson Truth is narrow. This concept is easy to see, and most people understand it. Consider an illustration from science. We know under ordinary conditions, water freezes at 32 degrees at sea level. Suppose a scientist says, “I am very broad in my scientific beliefs. I am not one of you […]
The Book of John Mike Johnson The book of John adds much to our understanding of the mission and life of Christ. There is much evidence, both internal and external, to show that John was the author of the fourth Gospel. John was an apostle and was a son of Zebedee, and James, another of […]
Jonah & the Great Fish Mike Johnson Most are familiar with the story of Jonah, which is in the book of the Bible called Jonah. Jonah was fleeing from God in a ship and was eventually cast into a stormy sea. There he was swallowed by a great fish, and he lived in the belly […]
LESSONS FROM NAAMAN Mike Johnson 2 Kings 5:1-14 tells us about one of the more well-known cases of healing in the Old Testament. This story tells of Naaman, who was healed of leprosy by God. In this article, we will discuss the story of Naaman and then draw some valuable lessons. The Story Naaman was […]
BUY THE TRUTH & SELL IT NOT Mike Johnson Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and sell it not . . .” This passage shows the extreme value of truth. We are to spare no pains or costs to obtain it; once we have it, we are to keep it safe. We should not be reasoned […]
AN IMPORTANT CHOICE Mike Johnson Life is full of choices, and we must make decisions every day. Some decisions we must make are not as important as others are. However, the most important choice we face is in the spiritual realm. Jesus spoke of options that every person faces in Matthew 7:13, 14. Here he said, […]
CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE? Mike Johnson If we can understand the Bible at all, we can understand the Bible alike. The Bible is truth, and truth does not contradict itself. If two people disagree on a Bible passage, both cannot be correct, as the Bible does not teach two different and conflicting concepts. We may misunderstand the […]
Two Mandatory Appointments Mike Johnson There are very few things in life that we absolutely must do. A person does not even absolutely have to eat. A person, of course, must eat if he wants to live, but he can stop eating and die if he wanted to. However, we cannot avoid two future […]
WARN THE UNRULY Mike Johnson In I Thessalonians 5:14, Paul gave some critical teaching for all Christians. He stated that Christians are to “be patient toward all men,” they are to “uphold the weak,” and they are to “comfort the fainthearted.” However, the first responsibility he urges is to “warn those who are unruly.” This responsibility, in addition […]
Wise Men & Fruit Mike Johnson Here are two questions I would like for you to answer. 1. How many wise men came to visit Jesus when he was born in Bethlehem? 2. What kind of fruit did Adam and Eve eat when they sinned in the garden? Most would probably say three wise men […]
GOOD FROM BAD (Philippians 1:12-14) Mike Johnson Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. His trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for the verdict. It appears he expected to be released but was uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, did not enjoy being imprisoned. Nevertheless, it is […]
A FAITHFUL MAN WHO FEARED GOD ABOVE MANY Mike Johnson The book of Nehemiah tells about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. This work was done by the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity. After completing the walls, Nehemiah appointed Hanani, his brother, and Hananiah as rulers of Jerusalem. It is interesting to note the […]
How Do We Acquire Faith? Mike Johnson There are many views concerning how people acquire faith. Some people say the alien sinner is to pray for faith. Others may say that God miraculously strikes a person with faith, and they may cite how they received “theirs” one day in a cornfield. We need to consider what the Bible has to say […]
ARE ALL GOOD, MORAL PEOPLE CHRISTIANS? Mike Johnson George is a good, moral man. He is faithful to his wife and an excellent father to his children. Geoge does not use profanity or drink alcohol. He coaches youth baseball and is a pillar in the community. George, however, is not religious; he has never even become […]
Watch Out for That Lion! Mike Johnson Proverbs 22:13 says, “The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” If a lion were outside of a person’s house, he would be wise to stay inside. However, in that it is a slothful (or lazy) man speaking, it is clear that […]
WORDS OF THE APOSTLES AND JESUS Mike Johnson Are the words of the Apostles of equal authority with the words of Jesus? Some people view the words of Jesus as being that which a person must accept while viewing the words of the Apostles, and other writers of the New Testament, as less important. Some […]
INSTABILITY Mike Johnson “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away.” (Hosea 6:4) Hosea uses two figures in this verse to describe the spiritual condition of Ephraim (Israel) and Judah. Their […]
BY WHAT AUTHORITY? Mike Johnson “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority“? These two questions, asked in Matthew 21:23, were asked of Jesus by certain chief priests and elders of his day who were trying to trap him. Their motives were not good, but their questions showed they […]
Some Facts About the Judgment Mike Johnson What does the Bible teach about the Judgment Day? It is frequently mentioned in God’s Word and was often preached (Acts 24:25; 10:42). Consider some facts found in the Scriptures about the judgment, which everyone should know. It Is Certain Few things in life are absolute. The judgment, […]
“I WOULD BE WET ALL THE TIME” Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and, thus, is essential for salvation. Sometimes people object to what this passage says about baptism by saying, “If baptism is for the remission of sins, then it would be necessary to […]
The Spirits in Prison Mike Johnson I Peter 3:18-20 is a passage, which has prompted many questions. It speaks of Jesus having gone to preach to the spirits in prison. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the […]
Respect for God’s Word Mike Johnson Revelation 22:18-19, a passage found near the end of the Bible, is a very significant passage. It says: “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written […]
IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS (I Thessalonians 5:18) Mike Johnson I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks. . . .” This teaching occurs during a series of short admonitions near the end of the book of I Thessalonians. Earlier, Paul told them they needed to “rejoice always,” and they were to “pray without ceasing.” We might […]
IS IGNORANCE AN EXCUSE? Mike Johnson Some people seem to think that God will not punish those ignorant about what the Bible teaches. However, many passages teach that ignorance is not an excuse (Hos. 4:6, Rom. 10:1-2). The Bible even commands us to add “knowledge” (II Pet. 1:5), and it commands “growth” (II Pet. 3:18). […]
“I’M NOT AS BAD AS HE IS” Mike Johnson Consider a case where an officer pulls someone over for speeding. He then approaches the stopped car, and the driver responds by saying, “I know that I was going over the speed limit, but I have probably been passed by three hundred cars in just the […]
The Inspiration of the Bible Mike Johnson Many people do not believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and this number seems to be growing. There are even some religious people who deny “inspiration” in the sense that the Scriptures teach it. They define inspiration to mean only that the Bible bears the marks of literary […]
God’s Promises Mike Johnson Promises are prevalent in our society. Some try to keep their commitments, and others do not. The promises made by many people are often not very dependable. We see this with politicians, salespeople, employers, and in some cases, even with friends. It is also true that the passing of time makes […]
GOD IS OMNIPOTENT Mike Johnson Do you know that God is omnipotent? Well, He is, which means He has ALL POWER. Jeremiah 32:27 says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (NASB) One way we see God’s power is due to the forces of nature being […]
God and Temptation Mike Johnson A view held by some is that God tempts us to sin. Others feel that if God does not tempt us, He is at least to some degree responsible. Does God tempt people to sin? Is He responsible for our sins? A critical passage to examine is James 1:13. This passage […]
THE POSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY Mike Johnson Consider this question. Can one who has been born again, i.e., one who has entered into a proper relationship with God, conduct himself in such a way to be eternally lost? Many say a person cannot. They hold a doctrine known by such names as “Once Saved, Always Saved,” […]
YOU CAN ONLY LIVE SO LONG Mike Johnson “You can only live so long.” According to an AP article, these were the last words of a tenor as he performed at the Metropolitan Opera House during a production in New York City. The man was standing at the top of a ten-foot ladder when he […]
The Book of I Peter Mike Johnson The book of I Peter, as the title implies, was written by Peter. Peter, along with his brother Andrew, was one of the 12 apostles. Peter and Andrew were fishermen, as were James and John. Peter, James, and John seem to have made up an inner circle around […]
The Conversion of the Ethiopian Mike Johnson The conversion case of the eunuch from Ethiopia is one of the more well-known conversion cases in the Bible. We know the facts are accurate because they come from the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17). Acts 8 records this conversion. The account takes a natural division. […]
The “Come as You Are” Method of Church Growth Mike Johnson Churches want to grow in number, but, sadly, many improper methods are used by churches today to increase their membership. One of these is the “Come as You Are” method. This method of growth is prevalent today in denominationalism. Slogans such as “God […]
SLOW PACED FAVORS Mike Johnson Proverbs 3:27-28 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” The verses make […]
THE “HAVE FUN” METHOD OF CHURCH GROWTH Mike Johnson Churches want to grow numerically, and there are many ways they try to accomplish this. Any method chosen must not conflict with the Scriptures. One approach, which is contrary to God’s Word, is the “Have Fun Method.” The concept of the […]
Setting Sail on the Seas of Eternity (“My Departure Is at Hand”) Mike Johnson While in a Roman prison near the end of his life, Paul wrote, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6). The Greek word (analusis), translated as “departure,” occurs […]
CONVICTION Mike Johnson Are you a person who has strong conviction? Once you learn what the Bible teaches, are you willing to believe and practice it no matter what? In the Bible, we can read of many people who were like this. At all costs, they were determined to follow God. For example, Paul, Stephen, […]
Lessons from the Tempting of Jesus Mike Johnson There are three accounts in the Bible of the temptation of Jesus. These are in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13. Matthew and Luke give a more detailed account. The accounts tell us that Satan tempted Jesus three times after he had fasted in the wilderness for […]
The Wrath of God Mike Johnson God loves everyone! This fact should cause us to be encouraged. Many people understand that God loves them, but they have misconceptions about His love. Some say, “God is a God of love; He will not punish me for my sins.” As a result of this attitude, many continue […]
WHAT IS REPENTANCE? Mike Johnson What is Repentance?This is a crucial question. It is essential to understand the meaning of repentance because repentance is necessary for salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter told the people they needed to repent (in addition to being baptized) for the remission of sins. Thus, repentance is undoubtedly essential. There are […]
TO LIVE IS CHRIST/TO DIE IS GAIN Mike Johnson Paul wrote the book of Philippians, as well as some other books, while in a Roman prison. He was in prison awaiting a decision about his fate. He might be released and would then be able to continue preaching. However, the decision could go against him, […]
BLAMING OTHERS FOR OUR SINS Mike Johnson It is widespread for people to blame their mistakes on others; we tend to want to shift responsibility. People also blame SIN on other people. Many did this in biblical times; regrettably, the blaming of sin on others also often takes place today. Commonly blamed for people’s sins today […]
Cheetahs and Christians Mike Johnson The fastest land animal is a large cat called a cheetah. It can run like a car driving down the interstate—almost 70 miles per hour. The cheetah is built for running. It has long legs, a strong, flexible spine that works as a spring, bending up and down, allowing it […]
The “Believe as You Please” Method Of Church Growth Mike Johnson Most congregations want to grow, but often churches today use methods to do so, which are contrary to Biblical principles. One approach is the “Believe as You Please Method.” This method of growth does not require any […]
Rejoice Always Mike Johnson I Thessalonians 5:16 says we are to “Rejoice always.” In the Greek, this passage is the shortest verse in the Bible. In contrast, the shortest verse in the English deals with the opposite emotion, which is sorrow. This verse is John 11:35, which says, “Jesus wept.” It is incredible how many times the concept […]
Thinking About the Hereafter Mike Johnson A man once asked, “Do you ever think about the hereafter?” He thought for a few seconds and said, “I go into a room to get something, but once I get there, I can’t remember what I went to get. So I think, ‘What am I here after?’” The […]
A USELESS RELIGION Mike Johnson James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Do you know that our religion can become vain? First, Jesus pointed out that our worship is futile if we teach the doctrine and […]
STRIKE THE TENT Mike Johnson The last words said by people before they die occur under a variety of circumstances. Sometimes people speak their last words without realizing that death is near. For example, a person’s final utterances may be a comment about what a beautiful day it is. Sometimes a person’s last words may […]
The Brevity of Life Mike Johnson The Bible uses many different terms to express the brevity of life. It describes life as a wind, a cloud, grass, a flower, and also as a vapor. (Job 7:6-10, 14:1-2; James 4:14; I Pet. 1:24). The Christian and the alien sinner constantly need to have the concept of […]
CONCERN FOR OTHERS Philippians 2:4 Mike Johnson An often overlooked yet significant passage, Philippians 2:4, says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” The NASB says, “your own personal interests.” This concept is contrary to the popular notion espoused by humanists and others […]
Are All Believers Christians? Mike Johnson What is necessary for people to be acceptable in the eyes of God? Many feel that to obtain salvation, all that is needed is the belief that Christ is the son of God. Does the Bible teach this? John 12:42-43 speaks of unsaved believers. It says, “Nevertheless even among […]
SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH Mike Johnson In James 1:19, James addresses his “beloved brethren” and gives a vital warning. The verse says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.“ Contextually, this appeal seems to refer mainly to our disposition […]
The Purpose of Baptism Mike Johnson Baptism has been a controversial subject in the religious world and also a neglected subject by many preachers and teachers. Baptism is not at all an obscure subject as the word “baptism,” or some form of it, occurs more than one hundred times in the New Testament. This subject […]
HE THAT IS BAPTIZED NOT? Mike Johnson Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” This verse plainly shows the purpose of “belief” and “baptism.” However, some point out that since the last part of verse 16 says, “…but he who does not believe will be condemned,” and does not say, […]
BAPTISM AND THE CONVERSION OF SAUL Mike Johnson In Acts 9, we read of the conversion of Saul. Here we learn that Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when the Lord appeared to him. At this point, he realized that Christ was God’s son (v. 6). Christ then told Saul to go […]
BELIEF AND BAPTISM Mike Johnson Mark 16:16 says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Jesus spoke these words just prior to his ascension. Here, salvation is promised but it is conditional. Actually, there are two conditions stated as being necessary for salvation. They are […]
The Silent Killer Mike Johnson Doctors sometimes refer to high blood pressure as “the silent killer” because people often do not know they have it until the damage happens. This article is not about our physical health but rather about another silent killer condemned in the Scriptures, “bitterness.” Like high blood pressure, it often goes […]
GOD’S INSPIRED MESSAGE Mike Johnson In I Thessalonians 2:13, Paul wrote, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively […]
Carried by Angels Mike Johnson An interesting line occurs near the end of Hamlet, as Shakespeare has Horatio saying these words as Hamlet dies: “…Good night, sweet prince, / And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” (5.2.361-2). Shakespeare’s idea of angels being near when an individual dies does not conflict with what we […]
Bad Language Mike Johnson Once a farmer drove his team of mules into town. He was very late in returning, so his wife asked him what had taken so long. The farmer replied, “Well, on the way back, I had to pick up the preacher, and from then on, these mules didn’t understand one word […]
Bad Company Mike Johnson There is a story about two parrots who lived near each other. One often sang hymns while the other was addicted to swearing. The owner of the latter obtained permission for it to associate with the former in the hope that its bad habit would be corrected. Instead, the opposite happened […]
USE OF THE BIBLE Mike Johnson People use the Bible in many different ways. Sadly, some only use the Bible to record marriages, births, deaths, etc. Some people use it to swear on, sometimes calling for an entire stack. Others use it as an ornament for a living room table, thinking others will be impressed. […]