Ox Pusher or Ditch Filler?
Whoever said, “a stitch in time saves nine,” was a pretty good observer of life. Prevention is often better than redemption. Redemption would not be necessary if sin could be prevented. Each of us would live much better if we avoided what causes us misery. Take the person who drinks a little wine or beer […]
Overcoming Discouragement
Nehemiah trying to build the wall of Jerusalem was no easy task! Sometimes when you have lost, you have a deep feeling that it is just not worth it. How can we handle discouragement? Nehemiah employed five techniques. First, unify your efforts toward a goal (vs. 13). Nehemiah turned their attention from themselves to the […]
Our Conscience and Convictions
Our conscience is only as good as our convictions. In other words, our conscience may tell us we are doing right, when, in fact, we are doing wrong. Our convictions may be in error. For example, Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christ and His disciples with a clean conscience (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 26:9-11). He thought […]
Love Lifted Me
In my teens I was sinking deep in sin, entangling in sin with darkness in my soul. I was far from the peaceful shore of the refuge I could have in Christ. I was stained within blind conformity to my worldly peers. I was involved with the wrong friends who were also “futile” in their […]
Shame on Herodias’ Daughter
Matthew 14:6-7 says, “But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.” John the Baptist was killed due in great part to Herod’s lust. And Herod’s lust was enflamed in great part by the dancing […]
Shopping for a Church
Not too far from our house is a denominational church building which we frequently pass. The church has recently installed an electronic sign. Lately it has been flashing the message, “Church shopping? We’re open on Sundays.” Since the concept of “church shopping” isn’t found in the Bible, it might be helpful to see what the […]
O to Be Like Thee!
The Bible teaches that God’s goal for His people is that they “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). We are to daily “put on Christ” — His love and character — even as we put on our clothes (Romans 13:14). Being Christ-like is more than a religious […]
Only 10% of Americans Are Optimistic
I heard a survey on the radio once which stated that only 10% of Americans are optimistic about the future. This survey contained familiar concerns: slipping morality, economic and financial pressures, and political problems. No matter how you get your news, there is enough bad news to send us all into a spiraling depression. If […]
Only One
What if you could only choose one car to drive the rest of your life? What about only one job or one house? How would you go about making your decision? Would it be rash or well thought out? Would you seek the advice of others or ignore the wisdom and experience they possess? Our […]
One of These Days It’s Gonna Melt
I have always had an attitude problem with shoveling snow. I realize that I need to shovel it before the temperature turns colder and it will be frozen too hard to shovel, and I realize the safety hazards it creates in trying to walk through it to the car or sidewalk. But somehow, in the […]