The story is told of a young mother who was trying to get her 2-year-old son to make a choice. “You can have fish or chicken,” she told him. She limited him to just two choices because he was too young to understand any further choices.

Despite our best efforts to write clearly, sometimes we’re misunderstood. For example, on the social network called Facebook, some readers take the words of an author’s posting out of context or read into them something that bears no resemblance to the intended meaning.

Once we resolve to obey God‘s salvation plan, it’s sometimes easy to assume that we‘ll have smooth sailing. When things go smooth, we think this proves that we’re in God’s will. However, if we run into trials (and we will – 1 Peter 1:6-7), we’re apt to conclude that both we and what we’re doing […]

During an interview, the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski (see videos) once stated, “It is not from choice that my life is music and nothing more, but when one is an artist what else can he be? When a whole lifetime is too short to attain the heights he wants to reach, how then can […]

Years ago, I had several pet goldfish in an aquarium that I fed three times a day. Each time I approached the aquarium with their food, the goldfish would race toward me, their little mouths frantically opening and closing in eager anticipation of their expected treat. Why did the fish so furiously flap their fins? […]

The following signs of success by poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson are very worthwhile signs of success, but I would like to include two more important signs from the wisdom of Solomon: Signs Of Spiritual Success From God’s Word: 1) “Fear God and 2) keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13; cf. Deuteronomy […]

The inspired writer Solomon gives us some sage advice when he states: “Do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you, For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others” (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22).

The story is told of an art enthusiast who displayed a collection of etchings on his office walls, including one of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Every morning he noticed the picture was crooked, so he straightened it. Finally one evening he asked the cleaning woman if she was responsible for moving the picture each […]

A wise friend once advised me, “Never be quick to judge whether something is a blessing or a curse.” The story of Naomi reminds me of this advice.

In the great parable of the compassionate Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), we see illustrated three basic rules of human conduct. The first two of these rules are based on “selfish” attitudes toward our fellow man. The remaining rule is based on a “selfless” attitude toward our fellow man. Let us illustrate the three rules:

The above article title was also the headline of an article from an online newspaper I recently read. A church in Houston is opening a full-service McDonald’s restaurant inside the building complete with a drive-through window. It’s expected to open in July along with the church’s NBA regulation-size basketball court, a volleyball court, full locker […]

In today’s fast-paced society, a lack of sleep is a major issue for many people. A lack of sleep upsets the body’s biological rhythms, causing mood disorders and depression. However, like every other problem we face in life, God’s word provides a solution for folks who can’t sleep.

An American tourist in Paris, who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop, was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This aroused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a powerful magnifying glass, the jeweler […]

If you were to go up to someone on the street and ask them what one needs to do to be saved, they would probably respond, “I believe…” You could probably ask that same question to someone in the Lord’s church and receive the same kind of answer, “I believe…” You might be wondering what […]

In Matthew 18:1-6, Jesus gives some very important qualifications for those who would enter the kingdom of heaven. Among those qualifications are the following: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little […]

Some members have a job in the church, other members involve themselves in a ministry. What’s the difference?

There is one little word in the English language that has the power to disannul every acknowledgement of truth and seemingly noble intention – that word is “but.” When someone says, “I know I ought to, but….”, you immediately know what’s about to follow. The use of the word “but” becomes a process of explaining […]

The apostle Paul warned Timothy about being entangled with  “the affairs of this life” (2 Timothy 2:4). He urged Timothy not to let anything slow him down or distract him from serving the cause of Christ.

The story is told of a treasurer of a congregation who resigned after many years of service. The elders asked another member to take his position. The man who they asked was the manager of the local grain elevator. He agreed to take the job on two conditions:

The story is told of a little girl who wore a white frock and was carrying a large bouquet of flowers. As she passed by a boy who was playing in the dusty street, he saw how she was dressed. Having a mischievous spirit, the boy threw a handful of dirt at the little girl, […]