Have you ever been working outside and come inside to get a drink of cold water? Or maybe it was coming off the playing field completely spent and being refreshed by a gulp of cold water? Did you know that the Bible talks about what “cold water” is like “to a weary soul” (Prov. 25:25)? It’s had the same effect on humans since the beginning…

The word “bitter” is defined in English as “angry, hurt or resentful because of a bad experience or unjust treatment.” The Greek word also carries the idea of “animosity, anger, harshness.” This is an emotion that all have experienced and one that feels so natural and justified in the moment. But, it is an emotion that must be controlled (and can be controlled). Consider the…

In following the Lord’s explicit commands, which cannot be rightfully ignored (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6-15), the Lord’s church withdrew fellowship from LW on Sunday morning. Eight hours later, LW responded to the Lord’s invitation and was restored to the Lord and His church. A few thoughts come to mind. First, thank God for forgiveness (Jas. 5:19-20)! Second, thank God for His…

When someone invests wisely and reaches the time for their retirement, they “get the benefit out of it.” Someone else might just want a quiet dinner at their favorite restaurant after a long week, and they “get the benefit out of it.” But, Christians looks at things differently. Not long ago, there was a Christian who was lending a hand to a fellow Christian…

How interesting that within days of each other, two very different Bible story books for children were released! One book, written by two female “Reverends,” shares stories from the Bible, some of which they suggest (example: the story of Jonah) the Bible writers “imagined” or “made-up” and should not be taken as “literal.” WHAT?! The other book presents “guidance, instruction and wisdom” true to “the…

It’s always good to have a backup plan! If something happens and you don’t have time to make dinner, what’s your backup plan? If your printer breaks on the morning when you’re presenting an important research paper, what’s your backup plan? If you’re traveling to be a guest speaker but your car won’t start, what’s your backup plan? Having a backup plan is important! However, it…

Read First Peter 3:12. What is the verb tense regarding God and His righteous people? Is the verse using FUTURE tense: “The eyes of the Lord WILL BE on the righteous, and His ears WILL be open to their prayers”? Not exactly. Is it PAST tense: “The eyes of the Lord WERE on the righteous, and His ears WERE open to their prayers”? Not exactly. Well then, the…

When I make the choice to not assemble with the saints to worship our God together, I am choosing to disregard the commands of my Father in heaven to…“love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34-35)…to “esteem others better than” myself and to “look out…for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4)…to “give preference to one another” (Rom. 12:10)…to “greet one…