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Walking in Wisdom
Wisdom is the power of right judgment, the ability to discern any situation and know what to do, or see how a particular course of action will turn out. Imagine the happiness and success you could have with a good dose of wisdom (Pro. 3:13). The book of Proverbs is insightful because it offers wisdom about all of the practical affairs of life. The wisdom literature of Proverbs 3:1-12 exhorts us to do six things, three of which we will…
I Need Thee Every Hour
The story says that as Annie S. Hawks was busying herself with her usual household chores, she began to think about the closeness that one ought to have with God. She then sat down to write the lines of the poem that would eventually evolve into the soul-stirring song we know today. After contemplating the lyrics of the song there are several lessons that come to mind. First, we must have a desire to have God in our lives. James…
Just Divorced!
There it was, impossible to miss. Parked on the side of Washington Street in Ardmore, Oklahoma sat a little white car with big pink streamers tied to the back of it, and white shoe polish writing on the windows. As I drove closer, I expected to read “Just Married!” or an announcement of some other happy occasion. I was shocked when I read the words “Just Divorced!” written in giant white letters on the back windshield. How tragic that society…
7 Things My Eyes Teach Me About God
The human eye is a marvel, to say the least! It is the second most complex organ after the brain. Each eye weighs about an ounce and spans an inch across and is composed of approximately 2 million working parts. A fingerprint has 40 unique characteristics but an iris has 256! The muscles that control our eyes are the strongest in our body. Our eyes require no rest, they heal quickly, and they play such an important role in our…
And When You Pray…
It must have been incredible to have heard Jesus pray. One can only imagine the passion and conviction that poured forth from Him as He approached the Father’s throne. Obviously, His prayers were moving and motivating to those who heard them because one of His disciples was prompted to request, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). Jesus responded to the request by issuing the model prayer (Luke 11:2-4). As we consider that prayer, and other passages on prayer throughout…
The Abuse of Technology
In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul said, “all things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” As we consider this verse, there are a few things we need to keep in mind. First, Paul is dealing with matters of expediency, in particular the eating of meats. Secondly, Paul is not saying that everything is lawful. In the same context, he mentions…
A Hearing the Voice of Satan
What we hear, affects us. Adam and Eve sinned after listening to Satan. He spoke to them about something desirable, being as gods, (Gen. 3:5) and in their weakness they fell. Satan still speaks to us today through the evil things of this world that tempt us. Like Adam and Eve, heeding his voice results in our spiritual demise. Satan’s voice is deceptive. Jesus said, “…He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there…
A God-Honoring Marriage
“Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Ps. 34:3). This passage well summarizes the goal of a God-honoring marriage. God created woman because it was not good for the man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). Adam needed a helper who was fitting, or appropriate (Gen. 2:18). Therefore, God brought Adam and Even together as husband and wife. The covenant relationship of marriage is God’s way of meting a number of man’s needs–companionship, love, and…
The Fields are White… Are You Ready to Harvest?
The latest estimates are that the world’s population is approximately 7 billion. That is 7 billion souls who face the ultimate reality of sin and its consequences (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). 7 billion souls who will one day face the Lord in judgment (Heb. 9:27); 7 billion souls who are precious in the sight of God (2 Pet. 3:9) and stand in need of the soulsaving message of the gospel. What are you doing to reach them? Romans chapter 10 teaches…
I Want to be More Like Jesus
In John 8:29 Jesus said of himself, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” Such a sentiment not only captures the perfection of our Savior but sets the standard for His followers. Jesus is our perfect example. Peter wrote, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (1 Pet.…
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Imitating the popular spirit of the day, many brethren have raised the “white flag” and refused to engage in any type of spiritual aggression at all. But, while Christianity is indeed a religion of peace and love, it is also one that includes warfare and combat—spiritually speaking. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to “fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), and “war a good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). The clarion call to join the battle rings clearly throughout…
Thank You for Your Service
Another year of Camp Hensel has come and gone, and it was a success! For more than 50 years the Southwest congregation has conducted the Hensel camp session with the help of our sister congregations from near and far. In that time we have seen hundreds of campers and staff members whose lives have been forever changed because of their time at camp. Every year friendships are born, problems are solved, and the bonds of fellowship are strengthened. It is…