Get on the Scale!
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11 What a startling statement Hannah makes in verse 3: “For the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” You and I can weigh only material things, but God can weigh the spiritual. He sees whether our lives are made up of “gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
We Will Never Forget
In the spring of 1989, Chinese students at Beijing University led in an uprising for democratic freedom. Their protest was over hardship, corruption, and forty years of repression. The conflict became so intense that the Chinese government ordered over three hundred thousand troops to use tanks and semi-automatic weapons to crush the protest. By early
Three Tests
In this pilgrimage called life, we often face tests. Usually we think of tests as something we took in school. They were something we crammed for the night before and then prayed hard we would pass them. We take driver’s tests, blood tests before we get married, and the doctors often tell us they need
The Boldness of the Believer
Read Acts 4:13-37 How bold would you and I be if we were summoned before the council to defend our faith? How Christian men need boldness in this day when so many Christians cringe before the enemy and fail to stand up for Christ! Where did this boldness come from? It came from being with
Philippians 1:20
“According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 Paul’s statement is at one and the same time a declaration and a definition
Preaching
The following is an excerpt from Oswald Chambers about preaching from his book Disciples Indeed (1958, 2002; Marshall, Morgan & Scott). His words are penetrating and insightful. “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5) A personal testimony feeds you from
Taking Spiritual Inventory
Read Hosea 7 Every factory and store has to close down for a short time to take inventory, otherwise the management will not know the true condition of the firm. Christians need to take inventory too, and in this chapter Hosea asks his people to examine themselves. “A cake not turned” (v. 8). This raises
Preach the Word
When I was a young boy, I remember hearing the story about a farmer who had fallen on hard times. Times were so difficult that the farmer did not have enough money to buy oats for his mule. So, the farmer came up with a very creative idea and mingled a small amount of sawdust
I Don’t Like Labels (Part 2)
When there was conflict in the church at Jerusalem, the pastor of the church, James, stood up and spoke. It settled the issue and the church moved on. Today we are more likely to create a small group to discuss the shortcomings of the pastor and see if we can fire him. The main thing
Full or Empty?
Read Mark 8:1-13 Did you notice the contrast between the two events recorded in our Scripture passage for the day? The multitudes came to Christ hungry and empty, and they went away full; but the Pharisees came asking, and He sent them away empty! These events illustrate the principles stated in Luke 1:53: “He hath
Philippians 1:3-6
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect
I Don’t Like Labels (Part 1)
It seems everyone in our country wants to wear a label. Designer labels identify the shirt, slacks, or blouse. If you are what you wear, then I’m a polo player with a brother named Brooks, and an uncle named Orvis. Slogans on t-shirts indicate a school, philosophy, musician, or host of other things you want