Mike Riley Sermon Outlines, Articles, Lessons, etc.

The Priceless Woman – Virtues of a Godly Woman

The prophecy that King Lemuel’s mother taught him over twenty-seven hundred years ago concerning the virtues of a godly woman in Proverbs 31 is just as true today as it was then. Woman’s Role The subjective, submissive role of women in the home and church has never lent itself to public accolades or front-page recognition. […]

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An Expression Of Our Gratitude To God

The story is told of a father and mother who, in honoring the memory of their son killed in World War II, gave a sizable check to the church. When the presentation was made, the mother

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Barbs …. With A Point

The following barbs of wisdom come from The Sword and Staff Publication, 2008, Volume 46, Number 3; pg. 13 (appropriate Scriptures and related articles have been added):

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A Party Crasher

By definition, a party crasher is an uninvited guest. If you were asked to name a party crasher found in the New Testament, would you have an answer? (Hint: a woman found in Luke). A couple of years ago, party crashers made the news. Apparently, an uninvited couple crashed a banquet at the White House. […]

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The Simplicity Of The Gospel

When asked by their advertising executive to describe a name brand soap for an ad campaign, members of an advertising agency wrote:

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A Rose Among The Thorns

The following lyrics are from a beautiful old country hymn that I sung many years ago in a small congregation of the Lord’s people in a country church near Samnorwood, Texas where I spent my early years on my grandparent’s farm.

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On Losing A Spouse

No one know the anguish he suffers, Or the thousand deaths he dies each day. Mem’rys linger everywhere he looks, But his “other half” has passed away. Here squeaky lounge is not silent, Yet her old wall clock chimes ev’ry hour. She left life in their September years, Yet April’s love was still in flower.

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“Did You Read My Book?”

In working in our local school district libraries, all I mostly see is books, books, and more books! Our libraries have hardcover books, paperback books, reference books, joke books, novels and mysteries. They also have self-help books and religious books. Man just keeps on writing books, doesn’t he? No wonder Solomon said, “Of making many […]

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Let's Keep Out Of Those Ditches!

This writer grew up on a country farm near Samnorwood, Texas back in the 40’s. We didn’t have many paved roads in those days. When it rained, we had to be very careful to keep out of ditches on both sides of the road. Often in trying to keep out of one ditch, it would […]

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The 5 Marks Of Authentic Leadership

Authentic leadership is an integral part of a successful Christian life (Joshua 1:1-11; Joshua 24:14-31). Today, I’m posting a link to Michael Hyatt’s web site where he presents The 5 Marks of Authentic Leadership in podcast format. I’ve added appropriate Scriptures.

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To Know “A Man”

Isaiah 32:2 speaks of “A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”

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Is Our Preacher A “Friend” Or A “Foe?”

The following rhythmic verses by an unknown author are offered as an encouragement to faithful preachers worldwide:

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God's Grace Is Free But Not Cheap

In John 1:14-17, John records the following about our Lord: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, ‘He […]

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“It Won't Make Any Difference”

Several weeks ago, while visiting my wife in the nursing care facility where she resides, we got to talking about where our final resting place will be. Because I am a Vietnam era veteran, both of us can be buried at Fort Bliss cemetery here in El Paso with very little cost to us.

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Proverbially Speaking

In the 2011, volume 49, number 3 edition of The Sword and Staff publication, pg. 2, comes the following proverbs of wisdom (appropriate Scriptures and related articles have been added):

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The Benefits Of Talking To Yourself

While I’m not a psychologist, I have realized the benefits of talking to myself when I take long walks, or when I am just meditating on God’s word (Psalm 1:1-2). In fact, there are several Bible characters who talked to themselves (Psalm 77:6-7 NIV; Ecclesiastes 2:12,15 NIV; Ecclesiastes 4:8 NIV; 1 Samuel 13:12 NIV; Luke […]

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God's Saturation Point

In helping raise our only child, there were times when I would hold my hand up to my chin and say to him. “I have had it up to here, and the next time you do something wrong you’re going to have more trouble than you can handle.”

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Emphasizing The Church Of The New Testament

One of the most important topics found in Holy Writ is the prophecy and establishment of the Lord’s church (cf. Isaiah 2:1-3; Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2; Acts 8:1-6; Acts 10). Throughout the New Year of 2009,

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An Exercise Program With Eternal Value

Well, we’re up at the crack of dawn, doing our exercises. We’ve trimmed the fat from our diet and we’re exercising at least three to five days a week in order to keep our cardiovascular system in peak condition. But in the process, we’ve allowed our spiritual heart to become progressively weak. Preoccupied with the […]

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Does The Devil Make Us Do It?

When Eve succumbed to Satan’s ploy (Genesis 3:1-6), he played a role in her choices, but she had some faulty thinking about temptation and sin. The devil tempts us, but he doesn’t make us sin.

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