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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 […]