I recently read a story about a Christian who was visiting with a preacher from Ethiopia. He knew the preacher lived in horrible poverty. So, he made the mistake of showing what he thought was some sympathy for his situation.
“Brother, I want you to know we are praying for you in your poverty,” the man said.
Very humbly the preacher responded, “No. You don’t understand. We are praying for you in your prosperity.” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses, Spiritual
This past Sunday I spoke twice for the brethren at the Northeast Church of Christ in Clearwater, Florida. My topic for the Sunday Worship service was “Make the Most of Your Opportunities.”
The basis for the lesson is found in Ephesians 5:15-16. “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Here’s the “Cliffs Notes” version of that lesson. Continue reading
Filed under Opportunity
I can remember as a child my mother scolding me for something I did in public that was improper by saying “There is a time and a place for everything. And this isn’t the time or the place.”
When we became parents, we taught our children the same value. Now they are working to pass that on to their children. Of course, it’s a never-ending job when kids are small to help them understand what is proper in private is not necessarily proper in public.
Our word of the week, propriety, sounds old-fashioned and outdated, but it is a much-needed virtue today. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Good morning.
I wanted to take a moment as I began the day to wish each of our readers a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I am so thankful for each of you who follow this little blog on a regular basis. Thanks for your loyal readership. Thanks for sharing it with others And thanks to those who take the time to comment, ask questions or offer suggestions. I appreciate it.
We’re taking the rest of the week to enjoy the holiday with our children and grandchildren. But I wanted to share one of my favorite Thanksgiving poems by an unknown author entitled. “Thank You, God, for a Hundred Things.” Hope you enjoy it. Have a great day. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Joel Gregory tells the story of a family seated around their table one Thanksgiving Day looking at the annual holiday bird.
From the oldest to the youngest, they were to express their praise. When they came to the 5-year-old in the family, he began by looking at the turkey and expressing his thanks to the turkey, saying although he had not tasted it he knew it would be good.
After that rather novel expression of thanksgiving, he began with a more predictable line of credits, thanking his mother for cooking the turkey and his father for buying the turkey. But then he went beyond that. He joined together a whole hidden multitude of benefactors, linking them with cause and effect. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses, Thanksgiving
Yesterday on facebook my friend and preaching colleague, Wilson Adams, posted a prayer request for the Bulgarian brethren.
Demetra Dimitrova from Sofia, Bulgaria, sent Wilson “an urgent note asking prayers for her country.” Apparently “a controversial new law is before the Bulgarian Parliament that could keep minority faiths from freely worshiping, teaching, and evangelizing.” Continue reading
Filed under Prayer
There is a Chinese legend about a group of elderly, cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests.
One day when the most venerable and respected of the group entertained, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled epicures praised this exquisite tea. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
“Modern Day ‘Good Samaritans Make A Difference” was the title to a post last December on ThePreachersWord.
It was a heartwarming story about a homeless Marine veteran, Johnny Bobbitt who used his last $20 to help a stranded woman, Katelyn McClure, buy gas. As a result, McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, set up a GoFundMe page to help Bobbitt, which garnered over $400,000 in donations.
Sadly, we learned yesterday that the whole thing was a scam. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
This week I’ve been reading what is often called “the most famous trial in history.” The trial of Jesus.
I was reminded that the judge was a man unqualified for the job. His position was the result of the right connections. And a fortuitous marriage to Claudia Proclua, whose father was Tiberius, the Roman Emperor.
So in A.D. 26 Pontus Pilate was appointed governor of Judea. He was responsible for maintaining law and order in the raucous land filled with Jews that hated Rome. He handed out justice. And collected taxes. Continue reading
Filed under Jesus
What does the Bible teach about the Kingdom of God? Has it already been established? Or is it coming at some future time?
Through the ages, the Kingdom and Kingship of Christ have been misunderstood, misrepresented, and misapplied. The Jews in Jesus’ day rejected Him. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (Jn 1:12) So, it’s little wonder that Pontus Pilate, the Roman governor presiding over His trial, was confused regarding Jesus’ work and role. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
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