Sword-fighting or fencing has always been a fascinating art to me. It is quite an impressive skill – anytime I see it performed, say on TV, I usually wish that was a skill I possessed. One of the most basic fundamentals (which probably goes without saying) is knowing which end of the sword is which!… Continue reading WIELDING THE SWORD
“I just assumed that…” That phrase has probably caused more problems in our lives than anything else. Husbands and wives have too often assumed things about each others’ actions or comments; so have employers and employees; so have parents and children; so have fellow Christians. Making assumptions has affected everyone at one time or another.… Continue reading ASSUME NOT
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The Hebrew writer expresses the best definition of faith we could ever find here in Hebrews 11:1. Paul tells us in II Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” I once heard it said that “Faith isn’t… Continue reading ALL YOU’RE HOLDING ONTO!
It has been said that “Christianity is one place where surrender bring victory.” Usually surrender is synonymous with defeat, and is associated with weakness. Though that may often be true, I believe this thought expresses an important Biblical message – one that everyone would do well to learn! All people, whether they acknowledge it or… Continue reading WHERE SURRENDER BRINGS VICTORY
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” This is the verse (Matthew 6:34) I thought about when I once saw a church-yard sign that read “Don’t worry about tomorrow – God’s already there!” Although this is not a quote out… Continue reading TOMORROW’S WORRIES
“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” This was Paul’s encouragement to the church at Thessalonica in II Thessalonians 3:13. He said virtually the same thing to the churches of Galatia in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary while doing good…” Why would Paul, who as all the… Continue reading PARADOXICAL GOODNESS
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” This is the first verse found in the book of Job. From this very first verse, we see what kind of man Job was. And from the… Continue reading JOB’S WIFE
I once heard someone say, “God has no grandchildren”. I think this statement was in reference to the concept of the “first generation” Christian, and how this particular group of Christians seems to have the mostenthusiasm. By the time second, third, fourth generations come along, some of the most basic principles and truths held dear… Continue reading God Has No Grandchildren
If you have ever read the book of Ezra, you may remember his confrontation with some of the Israelites who had intermarried with foreign nations. Even if we didn’t know about the laws God had given His people regarding taking foreign spouses, we could tell what a serious sin this was based on Ezra’s reaction:… Continue reading BILINGUAL
The sign in the church-yard read “Cheer up – the Lord may return today!” Initially that struck me as somewhat amusing, but it is really quite a sobering question! I wondered, “Is that a cheerful thought to me; what about to other people?” Unfortunately that is probably not a thought that brings cheer to the… Continue reading A CHEERFUL THOUGHT?
