Honesty must be woven into the fabric of our character if we are to have an effective influence for Christ. Even the secular world recognizes the importance of integrity (1 Peter 2:12).

Most people have heard of the Roman Emperor Nero (54-68 A.D.) throwing Christians to the lions, but Nero isn’t the only emperor who was involved in persecuting early Christians.

Adoption into God’s Family God has adopted man to be His children (Romans 8:14-15; Galatians 4:5-6). To be adopted by God, i.e., to become His children, we must be receptive to Him (John 1:12). Having become His children by adoption, we then become heirs of His inheritance (Romans 8:17). Romans 8:14-15: “For as many as […]

Holding up the hands of others is a principle that is found in both the Old and New Testaments (Exodus 17:8-13; Hebrews 12:12-13; cf. Job 4:3-4; Isaiah 35:3). It not only provides encouragement for those who need it, but great reward for the ones who offer their assistance as

We are often frustrated because we desire two mutually exclusive things: (1) evil pleasures and (2) a pure conscience; (1) idleness and (2) success; (1) a selfish life and (2) a reputation for generosity.

Have we ever thought about the fact that we breathe approximately 12 to 18 times per minute (see #44), and those breaths are automatically executed without us even having to think about them? Just think, if we have reached the plateau of 60 years of age (using the 18 times per minute figure), we have […]

Yesterday’s Nudge in The Fellowship Room was, “Share a recent question you have asked God.”

A woman driver was having difficulties getting her automobile started after it had stalled in traffic. The gentleman (?) in the car behind her insisted on expressing his impatience with her by blowing his horn every few seconds. Finally, the lady worn out by his thoughtlessness, stepped out of her automobile, walked back to the […]

From time to time, I receive email from Christian friends that contain poignant stories and biblical applications. The following is such a story:

Our Lord considers every one of us as being extremely important to Him, for in Matthew 10:30, He states, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” In other words, not only does the Lord know the total of “how many” hairs we have, but he knows them to the extent that He […]

If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you’d like to win, but think you can’t It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

When Jesus spoke, He not only did so in positive terms but also conveyed truth using negative expressions: “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33). And similarly He said: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself….” (Matthew 16:24). Self-denial is […]

There are occasions when politicians appeal to Christianity as a reason for why they have voted for a particular bill. They might say that it is the “Christian” thing to do. I have a problem with politicians appealing to Christianity, whether Republican or Democrat, to justify some governmental action because they often fail to demonstrate […]

While rummaging around in our garage, I found all the awards that our son had achieved during his years as a boy scout, including his Eagle Scout badge. There they were in a box — about to be thrown out. I immediately thought of the blood, sweat, and tears that had gone into gaining those […]

The Bible lists several kinds of fools. Hopefully, none of us fit into any category of the fools listed in a negative sense. However, as Christians, have we ever thought of ourselves as being a “fool“? Paul and the rest of the apostles thought of themselves as being “fools

In a study of the Bible, it would be well for the student to clearly identify the different kinds of figures of speech. These are used in ordinary literature, and God has employed

The religious experts in Jeremiah’s day were misrepresenting God by prophesying “the delusions of their own minds” (Jeremiah 23:26 NIV) and leading people astray with their lies (Jeremiah 23:32). Due to their dishonesty, the people did not know the true nature of God.

The story is told of a mother, who at the outbreak of a thunderstorm, rushed upstairs to check on her son who had just been put to bed. She was certain that he had to be panic-stricken because of the severity of the lightning and the thunder. However, when she got to his room, she […]

Preachers in New Testament times did not wear the title “Reverend” nor does any man have the right to do so. Some folks have never grasped this point. One woman insists on addressing her mail to the preacher as “Reverend” so-and-so, although several individuals have explained to her

For one reason or another, we’ve all experienced members of the Lord’s church not being in their usual auditorium seats before the service begins. Their empty seat or pew teaches us the following lessons: