Put on the new man which was created according to God. – Ephesians 4:24  When we moved into our home 5 years ago, we discovered that the former owner had left us six dining room chairs. They were covered with fabric of beautiful African art—tasteful zebra stripes. We appreciated the unexpected gifts and used them frequently when entertaining guests. When […]

  Reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. – 1 Timothy 4:7  Bible scholar William Barclay tells of his walks through the meadow with his bull terrier Rusty. Whenever his dog came to a shallow creek, he jumped in and started removing stones, one by one, dropping them haphazardly on the shore. This pointless activity would […]

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. —1 Corinthians 13:12  Read: Revelation 22:1-5  As I approached my 90th birthday, two emotions surged through my heart. One was certainty, the positive assurance of life to come. And why not? Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). That assurance, however, is often accompanied […]

I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. – 2 Peter 1:12  How can people who experienced the same event have radically different recollections of what happened? An Associated Press article summarized the results of dozens of studies on human memory: “Far from being an indelible […]

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. – Psalm 119:71  I was in my early thirties, a dedicated wife and mother, a Christian worker at my husband’s side. Yet inwardly I found myself on a trip nobody wants to take—the trip downward. I was heading for that certain sort of breakdown […]

[Jesus said], “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” – John 15:18 If there is one thing believers in Jesus should be known for, it is love. The word love appears in Scripture more than 500 times. The essence of the gospel is love, as we see in John 3:16. “For God […]

Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. – Psalm 27:3  During the US Civil War, fierce fighting was taking place near Moorefield, West Virginia. Because the town was close to enemy lines, it would be controlled one day by Union troops, and the next by Confederates. In the heart of the town lived an old […]

He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, . . . for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. – Ephesians 4:11-12 My father-in-law Pete is a genius. No, he didn’t develop any scientific theories like Einstein did. His genius is that of a handyman. Just ask him about an ailing furnace or a […]

Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.” —Mark 14:6 After being away on business, Terry wanted to pick up some small gifts for his children. The clerk at the airport gift shop recommended a number of costly items. “I don’t have that much money with me,” he said. “I […]

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. —1 Corinthians 13:4 Read: Matthew 20:1-16 A mentally impaired man always shook hands with his pastor after each service. But he often made critical comments like these: “You preach too long.” “Your sermons are boring.” “You talk about yourself too much.” […]

Let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens. –  Genesis 1:20  When my dog Whitaker and I take our morning walk through the woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the air is filled with sound. Birds of many species break the early morning silence with their songs. Sometimes it’s a steady chirp-chirp-chirp—probably a sparrow. […]

The Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. —Matthew 16:27 Read:1 Peter 4:12-19 A little girl who needed surgery was terrified. As an encouragement, her parents promised to give her something she had wanted for a long time—a kitten. The operation went well, […]

“The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.” (Genesis 18:22) An interesting way to start an opinion article on the way we should live our life don’t you think? Do you remember this story? It is the account of Abraham entertaining three angels — one of whom turns out to be God himself — of course this is […]

I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. —Ecclesiastes 2:20  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, a 15-year-old girl yawned continually for 5 weeks in 1888. No details were given as to the reason for the girl’s plight. It made me wonder why we yawn. Why does a […]

Originally Published August 11, 2015 At the movie theaters we are inundated before the show we came to see with PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS. What that should say is PREVIEW OF COMING AFFLICTIONS. When you really look at the content of the majority of *movies* today – they are filled with filth – immorality – murders – everything we should […]

My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. —Exodus 33:14  After winning a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, wrestler Rulon Gardner took off his shoes, placed them in the center of the mat, and walked away in tears. Through that symbolic act, Gardner announced his retirement from the sport which had defined his […]

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life. – James 1:12  A pastor placed this sign on his door: “If you have problems, come in and tell me all about them. If you don’t have any problems, come in and tell me how you avoid them.” What do […]

Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. —Isaiah 46:4 Read: Psalm 92:12-15  Years ago I heard about an elderly gentleman who was suffering from the first stages of dementia. He lamented the fact that he […]

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1   All around us, life is changing at a dizzying pace. Even in the church, change is happening so fast that it can be tough to keep up. For example, to communicate more effectively with people, Christians have changed the way “church” is […]

Do not worry about your life. —Matthew 6:25  Read: Philippians 4:1-9 I heard about a woman who kept a box in her kitchen that she called her “Worry Box.” Every time something troubled her, she would write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the box. She resolved not to think about her problems as long […]