In the congregation that I was a part of growing up in the 60’s, we could often hear an “Amen” being audibly heard at the end of the preacher’s statements that gave emphasis to important declarations of

Date written: April 2nd, 2006
Scripture ref: Isaiah 53:1-12

SUBJECT: Jesus

TITLE: “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen”

PROPOSITION: Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my 1) pure life 2) pure speech 3) living sacrifice 4) charitable deeds.

Objectives: That each would resolve to be beautiful on the inside and not worry so much about external beauty.

Aim: To emphasize how beauty in God’s sight is radically different from man’s standard of beauty.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Isaiah 53:1-12

This writer wonders – “What would happen if we treated our Bibles like we treat our cell phones?” 1) What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets where it would be easily accessible? (Deuteronomy 6:8-9). 2) What if we searched for it if we lost it? (2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14-16). […]

Looking back upon the lives of God’s “heroes” in Hebrews 11 will make a person think of his own life. “Have I accomplished anything worthwhile?” That question has been reflected in the literature of man for centuries. That death is the appointment all must anticipate at some time is an obvious truth (Hebrews 9:27). We […]

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Are you as sick of hearing profanity being uttered as I am? We are exposed to it at the supermarket, over the back fence, and at ball games. It fills our novels, movies, and is profuse on television — in fact, it is a pervading evil influence in today’s society. We hear it — not […]

Take 20 minutes by yourself at the beginning of each day. Live above small troubles by losing yourself in big, worthwhile things. Grow every day: Life is a game — keep your eye on the ball rather than on the scoreboard.

When we look at the Old Testament, it’s interesting to note that David and the other writers, somehow managed to make God the center of their lives so that everything was related to God. To them, worship was the central activity in their life, not just something to “get through” until secular activities could be […]

Brother David Diestelkamp, one of the writers of the online Christian publication, “Think On These Things,” has asked a soul-penetrating question in his article entitled, “Is God’s Word Enough?” (scroll down page).

The following four beatitudes come from a plaque that hung upon the wall in our bedroom for many years. I thought I would post them for the benefit of my readers who are married or who are contemplating marriage to think about:

The following poem is a reminder that the words we speak, should be chosen and uttered carefully — not foolishly:

A few years ago, this writer was an employee of a major gas transmission company. Located in every department of that company were two large binders containing its

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A querist asks, “In reading about the collection taken for Judea in Acts 11:27, due to the prophets vision by the Holy Spirit regarding impending famine, I would like to receive feedback on whether ornot this was the same collection from Romans 15:26 and 1 Corinthians 16:3 (two which I believe to be the same). […]

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The following thoughts from Wilferd A. Peterson, a prolific American writer, contain practical principles regarding the raising of our children:

One of the greatest needs in our world today, is the idea of reconciliation. In order to establish and continue a healthy and proper relationship with others, we must be willing to admit our share of the responsibility of that relationship and be willing to unconditionally forgive when we have been wronged.

Paul promises that all who live godly in Christ will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), and it needs to be remembered that not all persecution is of a physical sort that touches our fleshly bodies. More, all will be tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13), and all will have those occasions when they sin (1 John 1:8, […]

In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, Paul asks two questions of the saints at Corinth, regarding saints judging the world (1 Corinthians 6:2) and angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). A question we might ask ourselves is, “In what manner are saints to judge the world and angels?” The context in the beginning verses of 1 Corinthians 6 is […]

We live in a world where people speak constantly with little regard for whether what they say is true. In fact, we become so inundated with insincerity in every facet of life, that when we see or hear plain, honest speech or behavior, it leaps out at us as something