Scripture: The path of the righteous is as the dawning light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18 ASV). The Amplified Bible adds this wonderful note on Ecclesiastes 4:13. “Christianity calls upon us to make our old age an aspect of youth. There is to be no old age in the […]
Read More →Scripture: “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing” (John 15:5 MSG).\ My mother could raise tomatoes by the acre. As a child, I helped plant, weed, pick, […]
Read More →Scripture: “Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) NIV. I always read this as meaning, “Love will always eventually produce results.” This week, however, I saw a different interpretation. Like the metal girders that make a bridge hold strong under many millions of automobiles traveling at varied speeds, in all kinds of weather, love must be […]
Read More →Philemon is a “postcard” sent by St. Paul to a wealthy Christian friend whose slave has run away. The letter indicates that Onesimus had probably stole money and supplies from his master, so he was both a thief and a runaway—crimes deserving of death. Sermons based on this short Bible book usually dwell on the […]
Read More →Scripture: And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3 NIV). Halloween isn’t a favorite holiday at my house, but I do enjoy handing out candy to the cute little kids dressed in their special costumes. Several years ago, […]
Read More →Before the discovery of penicillin, scarlet fever and its complications claimed many children’s lives. I was eighteen months old when my brother brought it home from school. He recovered, but the disease settled in my throat and ear. A surgeon removed one abscess, but my temperature continued to climb. I would almost certainly die. Mama […]
Read More →Scripture: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV). Of all the people He could have chosen, why me? From my earliest childhood, I was overly energetic and disobedient–the despair of my poor mother. We lived in a small, safe Kansas town where children were […]
Read More →My favorite memory of my mother is during a small family reunion, when she surprised us all by walking to the old upright piano. “I think I’ll play a song,” she announced. Dad had purchased it from a farmer for about $100, and Mama took in ironing to pay for my lessons. She found a […]
Read More →Scripture: Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” –John 20:27 NIV One of my heroes is the late Dr. Paul Brand, the surgeon who worked with lepers in Vellore, India, to restore use of their […]
Read More →Scripture: Hebrews 11:6—”But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” My Response: Father, I understand faith to be a fruit of Your Holy Spirit in […]
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