Jesus was popular early in His ministry, especially after performing His most popular miracle to date: the feeding of the five thousand. Now we’re talking, a man who gives us a free lunch! This is awesome! “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’ (Hebrews 6:12) The crowds grew. Huge multitudes […]

Original Posting Corruption is very expensive. Not only does corruption raise the cost of justice by adding bribes to the mix but it also creates the need for security measures. Until recently (in America), most people left their houses and automobiles unlocked. Even today there are certain vegetable booths in the countryside where people can pick up watermelons and other […]

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 “Everybody’s doing it” seemed like a winning argument when I was young. But my parents never gave in to such pleas no matter how desperate I was to get permission to do something they […]

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8 My home sits along a creek in a canyon in the shadow of a large mountain. During the spring snowmelt and after heavy rains this stream swells and acts more like a river than a creek. People have drowned in it. One day I traced the origin of […]

By Bill Crowder Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:24 The clock tower at Westminster, which contains the bell known as Big Ben, is an iconic landmark in London, England. It is traditionally thought that the melody of the tower chimes was taken from the tune of “I Know […]

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16 Amid the pile of post-Christmas mail I discovered a treasure—a handmade Christmas card painted on repurposed cardstock. Simple watercolor strokes evoked a scene of wintry hills livened with evergreens. Centered at the bottom, framed by red-berried holly, was this hand-printed message: Peace be with you! […]

By Dr. Jim Denison Samuel Quarcoo is a waiter at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, where he has worked since 1975. He is also a part-time teacher in the area. A native of Ghana, where he walked barefoot to school, he immigrated to the US through the generosity of an aunt and earned a master’s degree in teaching. In 1999, after […]

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. – Psalm 100:2 As I waited in the breakfast buffet line at a Christian conference center, a group of women entered the dining hall. I smiled, saying hello to a woman who stepped into the line behind me. Returning my greeting, she said, “I know you.” We scooped scrambled […]

By Dave Branon  / Our Daily Bread My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 “Sometimes it feels as if God isn’t listening to me.” Those words, from a woman who tried to stay strong in her walk with God while coping with an alcoholic husband, echo the heartcry of many believers. For many years, she asked […]

Love is a skill. If we struggle to love, here is some good news: Love is learned! That means the more we practice, the better we will become at it. No matter how we’ve loved or been loved in the past, we can become exceptional at loving others. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain […]

by Jeffrey Moore  |  iPatriot A young woman died suddenly last week. 26 years old. I didn’t know her personally but I knew her work and I saw her videos. I’m certain she was born again. I’m even more certain God didn’t “take her.” Why? Because the Bible doesn’t say God does that. What does the Bible say about death? It’s […]

Written by David, Psalm 103 celebrates who God is and what He has done for us. He is our King (v. 10), our Father (v. 13), and our Creator (v. 14). Calling us to praise God for His goodness and greatness, David reminds us of the many blessings God in His grace has given to us: forgiveness and healing (v. […]

He will call on me, and I will answer him. Psalm 91:15 I was elated when I came upon the Twitter page of my favorite Korean movie star, so I decided to drop her a note. I crafted the best message I could and waited for a reply. I knew it was unlikely I would receive a response. A celebrity […]

EVERY year when we get ready to see the calendar roll over to a NEW YEAR, I, like most people I guess, always wonder what that coming year will bring. Now I am pretty ‘high tech’ on almost everything EXCEPT my calendar.  My ‘calendar’ hangs on my kitchen wall just to the right of my computer monitor. I want and […]

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2 The ball drops in New York’s Times Square. The crowd counts down to Big Ben chiming. Sydney Harbor erupts in fireworks. However your city marks it, there’s something exciting about welcoming in a new year and the fresh start it brings. On New Year’s Day we push out […]

We who are still alive and are left will . . . meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 My dad was a pastor, and on the first Sunday of each new year he preached about the return of Christ, often quoting from 1 Thessalonians 4. His point was always the […]

By Dr. Jim Denison Emily Harrington is an American free climber, using just her hands and feet to scale rock faces with a rope to catch her if she falls. Last year, she was trying to climb the famous 3,200-foot El Capitan peak in Yosemite National Park by using the difficult Golden Gate route. She fell but fortunately escaped with cuts and […]

He himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:14 On New Year’s Eve, when high-powered fireworks detonate across cities and towns worldwide, the noise is loud on purpose. By their nature, say manufacturers, flashy fireworks are meant to split the atmosphere, literally. “Repeater” blasts can sound the loudest, especially when exploded near the ground. Troubles, too, can boom through our hearts, minds, and […]

By David Fowler  /  Family Action Council of Tennessee As I thought about heading into the New Year and leaving the Christmas season behind, it struck me that it is, indeed, easy to “leave Christmas behind.” That thought brought to mind an old Larnelle Harris song that describes a son helping his father put away the Christmas stuff. The son […]

Reprinted from last year For too many it will also be the last day of their life on this earth.  Some who leave their earthly body today will go to the place they either the SMOKING ROOM (Hell) or SMOKING ROOM (Heaven). Some will have knowingly made that reservation based upon the CHOICE they made while the earthly body was […]