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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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?” […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]