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Solomon said, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Pro. 22:1). We all have a reputation of some kind and everyone has an opinion of us. It is true that we cannot control what people think, but we can control the impression we give them by the way we act. Scripture implores us to recognize the value of a good reputation. We should recognize that our reputation will not…

In the Old Testament, one of the more well-known accounts of history is the twelve spies of Israel (Num. 13-14). After spending 40 days spying out the land, it was only Joshua and Caleb that had confidence in the Lord (Num. 14:7-9). As a result, they were spared from God’s wrath (Num. 14:38), and the Scripture makes this statement concerning Caleb: “My servant Caleb… he has followed Me fully…” (Num. 14:24). This statement is made time and again about him…

Throughout the Old Testament, we learn that God’s people were continually departing from Him, and one of the major reasons were the false prophets. Therefore, God commanded them to preach His word because it is like fire (Jeremiah 23:29). Let us consider the ways in it is like fire, and what it can do in our lives. God’s word is like fire because it gives light. Just as light helps to see in the darkness and gives direction, God’s word…

“Comfort, yes comfort My people…’ (Isa. 40:1). In the latter years of his life, the future of Israel surely weighted heavily on Isaiah’s mind. Despite his inspired warnings, the prophet knew that Jerusalem would surely be destroyed and her people taken into Babylon. Yet, he could also see something far better on the horizon. Four Servant Songs are found in Isaiah 42-53 which were designed to give hope to Israel. Aspirations of the heathen notwithstanding, Jehovah would raise up His…

Even though we are no longer under the Old Testament system, it is filled with many lessons for us (Rom. 15:4). One lesson is found in the time of Jeremiah, which was a time of religious and social turmoil. The nation of Israel was being pulled in many directions, and the Lord wanted to offer them rest for their souls (Jer. 6:16). Using the picture of lost travelers, the Lord called them to “ask for the old paths” (Jer. 6:16).…

We live in a wicked world. Being surrounded by such wickedness is often exhausting and we struggle to know how to react (cf. 1 John 5:19). Sometimes we cry out like Habakkuk, asking God how long He will allow such sinfulness to go on (Hab. 1). Sometimes we search for answers like Asaph, trying to make sense of the battle between good and evil (Ps. 78). There are any number of understandable reactions to the wickedness of this world, but…

When God appeared to Moses, He called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Yet, Moses gave excuses, and God’s responded to them. In a similar way, we have received a special calling to go to the world to deliver those in the bondage of sin (Mk. 16:15; 1 Pet. 2:9). Yet, too often, we behave like Moses, making excuses for what we are called to do. Who am I? (Ex. 3:11-12). Whatever the reason that…

For more than 50 years the Southwest congregation has conducted a summer Bible camp session at Camp Hensel. This year must be one of the most memorable. In keeping with our congregational evangelism emphasis, our camp theme was “I want to be a soul winner!” We emphasized evangelism in our Bible classes, devotionals, and evening worship periods. The result was 25 baptisms during the week and more have followed since then. It was amazing to watch the power of the…

One of the greatest men in history has to be the Patriarch Abraham. In fact, there are three major religions that consider him to be the forefather: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, but as Christians, we view him as “the father of all who believe” (Rom. 4:11). What is most noteworthy about Abraham was his faith (Rom. 4:3; 4:9; 4:11; 4:16-22; Gal. 3:7-9), but what was it about Abraham’s faith that pleased God? (Gen. 15:6). First, Abraham’s faith was based on…

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.” Unquestionably, Nietzsche understood the power of the written word to influence minds and bring about change. He recognized that words written live on long after the death of the author and produce fruit for generations to come. The problem is that Nietzsche used his pen for evil, and along with so many like him, his…

The examples of men and women that are recorded in the Bible can provide valuable lessons for us today (Rom. 15:4). From Abraham, we can learn the value of faith in God. From Joseph, the workings of God’s providential care. From Job, the importance of patience and faith under trial. From Lot, we can learn valuable lesson in decision making (Gen. 13:10-12). In the book of Genesis, Lot is introduced to us as the nephew of Abraham who traveled with…

Bible study is a topic which cannot be overemphasized because the blessings found in a deeper knowledge of God’s Word are innumerable (cf. Col. 1:9-11; 2 Pet. 1:3; etc.). Yet the temptation may arise for a person to think he or she has reached a point in life in which no more study is needed. Is that true? Does a person ever reach the top of the “Biblical mountain?” Do I ever need to stop studying God’s Word? To ask…