The story is told of an interesting method of catching monkeys reportedly used by some folks in North Africa that is not only very interesting, but has a spiritual application to Christians as well. A hunter hollows out a gourd and makes a hole in its side just large enough for a monkey to insert […]

A querist asks, “Is there really a Holy Spirit?” Yes, the Holy Spirit is a person with the ability to do things only a person can do. According to the holy Scriptures:

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., is known as the son of the famous President, but he had an impressive career in his own right. He graduated from Harvard and served in the military in WWI.

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 […]

For over 40 years, my late father, Bartow Riley, was owner/operator of a television repair business in Childress, Texas. Every year, he would go to the bank to request a loan in order for him to purchase televisions from a wholesale supply outlet in Amarillo, Texas to place on his showroom floor, so that his […]

Brother Jeff Randolph, a member of the Saline congregation in Saline, Michigan, has written an excellent article entitled “American Idols” in which he emphasizes the various idols that Americans worship today.

With our finite minds and many times, self-centered views, it’s sometimes difficult to understand why God does what He does. Yet some people look at tragedies that come their way in life and turn their backs on God — assuming that their finite knowledge about the situation is greater than His infinite wisdom.

The story is told that one day a man was walking down a long hot road. He came to a shade tree and decided to sit down and rest awhile. When he sat down, he saw a sign upon which was written, “Come inside the gate where there is a cool spring.” Once he went […]

In Hebrews 12:1, the besetting sin spoken of here according to the context of Hebrews is the sin of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12,19; Hebrews 4:6,11; Hebrews 10:35-39). It is the sin from which all other sins in a measure proceed, and by means of which they are ever more or less cherished and supported. In this […]

In the New Testament, the expressions, “great door,” “open door,” and “door of utterance,” convey the idea of opportunity and accessibility. Paul used these expressions, referring to the opportunities he had to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3).

The desire to enjoy the good things of life isn’t wrong in and of itself, for God “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). Other passages of Scripture welcome us to take pleasure in the eating of food (Ecclesiastes 2:24), having good friends (Mark 5:19; Acts 10:24), and enjoying healthy marriage relationships […]

This past season, my wife and I watched the American Idol show on television, which showcases potential musical artists. Ryan Seacrest is the host of the show. When Ryan introduces certain guest artists, he

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22 KJV).

With one out of every seven people in this country receiving food stamps as well as hundreds of food banks and churches who give away food for those who show up to take home a sack, this story seems to fit into life today. And yet nothing can compare with this “free food.”

In the lifetime of Jesus, it’s interesting to note that we do not hear Him ever speak of “my house,” “my land,” “my farm,” “my books,” “my business,” or “my “money.”

The process of absorbing words and ideas is not unique to just speakers and authors of books. We all take in vast amounts of information every day from various sources. What we “do” with all this input is vitally important. Living in a world-system of godless values, we are bound to encounter a lot of […]

A preacher was once heard to say, “If you can do anything besides preach then don’t preach.” James is stressing the same idea with regard to teachers in James 3:1. Unless you possess the unquenchable desire to teach, don’t teach. Until God’s Word is like a “burning fire shut up in your bones” (Jeremiah 20:9), […]

As Mary of Bethany gave the best she had to Jesus (Mark 14:1-9), so as Christians, each of us should give the best we have to the Lord as well. Our efforts may not seem significant, but God can use them for His glory.

Paul once reminded Titus that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11 – NKJV). Due to mankind’s deliberate act of transgression

Some time ago when discussing the importance of the church with a disinterested church member, he was encouraged to become more involved in the activities of the church and to attend church on a regular basis. He quickly replied that going to church occasionally was a good thing, but that going to church three times […]