A bright, new, shiny auto; a brand new house; a particular picture; a sparkling diamond; a gold pair of earrings; even a specific moment in time may well be considered precious by many. If so regarded, precious can have a premium price. To be precious depends on the depth of desire in the heart. If no desire, what was once held as special becomes as nothing, fading in brilliance or common. All worldly goods can be counted as precious and may be desirable, but will also perish with time. Think how the word “precious” was used in the letters to the early church. Simon Peter, when writing, used the word to modify some phrases he penned. He said, “to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God” (2 Peter 1:1). Peter knew his faith was precious. It was a faith built on a lively hope. It was God-given. His faith came from hearing and believing the words of Christ. He knew Christ. The opening sentence of his second letter claims he was a faithful servant of his. Peter grew in faith, remembering no doubt the times he failed Jesus. The sinking in the Sea of Galilee and the bitter flow of tears at dawn are but two sharp reminders of his unfaithfulness. Peter hoped for better things and that hope sustained his faith. He stayed with it and came away with a faith purer than gold! Hope and faith demand obedience. Peter obeyed! Add

Individual Christians should forget mistakes and successes. Just say as Paul said: “this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Leave the past behind; expect to reach out for bigger and better deeds to achieve! However, never forget the prize. Christians are the light of the world and cannot hide under a bushel. We are the example Christ depends on. “Be ye a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). These are very beautiful words to the Christian. It discloses how much God loves us. He chose us out from the world to make of us a peculiar people. We are to praise and honor our Lord. Moses heard the Lord tell the Israelites, “If ye will obey my voice indeed . . . Ye shall be a peculiar treasure . . . a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The people were simply asked to obey the Lord. Out of Egypt, Moses watched over the peculiar treasure God placed under his care. Those people were direct ancestors of the Son of God. The Lord had appointed a time for Jesus to be born. The most important family ever to exist was the unique family of Joseph and Mary. Within it was the treasure of treasures, Jesus! He was the Light to the world,

Do you have a hard time remembering what you see or read from the printed pages of the Bible? Do you have just a vague recollection of words, truly never quite able to recall the exact thought presented, soon after the Good Book is closed? It does not have to be that way, but you must want to learn. Plan a time to read the Bible just as you plan to eat a well-prepared meal. The Word is spiritual food for the soul. Plan to spend the time to sit down to this feast as if you were dining out each evening. Prepare to feast from the manna of heaven as joyfully as you would for a many coursed, beautiful banquet served to you at the best restaurant you can imagine. Good food for thought, lasting friendships and hope for the future are some menu items — a plan hard to improve upon. Do have some study reference books at hand. Use them to build the whole picture remembering to keep the “Word” separate from the opinions of others. The Word is Truth; never forget that fact. Search it well for answers to daily troubles and joys of life. Answers are found if an effort is made. God works best if we bring ourselves daily to the feast wanting to know of his love and care. Do not starve. Come in complete sincerity, believing God. Obey his commands, have faith in him “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in

Joshua asked his people to choose whom they would serve. This meant putting priorities straight; it meant choosing right from wrong. It meant God before self! God had provided for his stiff-necked children. He was their sole source of protection. They answered, “God forbid, that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods” (Joshua 24:16). Joshua responds, “Ye cannot serve the Lord: he is holy . . . jealous . . . not forgive transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, he will turn and do hurt . . . consume you . . . And the people said . . . Nay, but we will serve the Lord.” Those people were witnesses against themselves. They said, “. . . The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey” (Joshua 24:16-24). Joshua wrote these words in the book of law and a stone was placed beside the sanctuary as a witness to their covenant. The next generation did evil in the sight of the Lord because they knew him not. These children had no reason to hold fast to the God that had saved Israel from bondage; they had no memories to prod their minds. Why fight and kill when mingling and mimicking the Canaanites furnished gods and maintained an easy life? The prophet Jeremiah asks them to “ask for the old ways . . . and walk therein.” Their answer, “we will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16). The

“Thou are weighed in the balance and are found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). God did not lack wisdom when he created the heavens and the earth. It pleased him to form man and breathe life into his nostrils; this man became a living soul! “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good” (Genesis 1:3). God was and is a very powerful and loving God! He is to be glorified! His people are not to be found wanting; they are to reflect his goodness. In Daniel, we read how God gave Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom. He, the king, refused to give God the glory. “When his heart was lifted up, they took his glory from him” (Daniel 5:18). How? The king became as the beasts of the field. He ate and slept with them until he knew that God ruled in the kingdom of man and, he, God would appoint over that kingdom anyone he would choose. Nebuchanezzar’s son became the next king. “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this: But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven” (Daniel 5:22-23). In other words, your father was your example; why didn’t you glorify God? Daniel gave King Belshazzar the answer to the handwritten message on the wall. “Thou art weighed in the balance and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). It so happens Belshazzar was slain that same night! The Old Testament teaches that God is a loving

Equipped: “To be supplied with the necessary materials for an undertaking” (American Heritage Dictionary). Those involved in the blowing to bits of the many lives in Oklahoma City were certainly supplied with the necessary materials to maim and kill. Those digressed individuals who devised the plan to dispense such havoc must have had anger, bitterness and a great measure of malice dancing in their evil heads. To have developed such a mode of diabolic destruction, knowing that death and harm would come, sprang only from fiendish and corrupt minds. To most of us, it shatters thoughts of safety in public work places. What was the basic environment in the home of these individuals? It is time for parents today to become seriously involved in the activities in the homes of this nation. We are “to train up a child in the way he should go . . .” (Proverbs 22:6). Sometimes I have to wonder, “Have children been taught correctly how to live?” The mind of a child grows, fortunately, learning either good or evil. A child can be trained to respect and to love others. There should be no room for hate in the mind of a child. To walk in love is better than to run in fear. Love will not cause a building to explode! A kindergarten child manages to sneak a loaded pistol into the classroom hidden in a book bag, only to have that weapon discharge endangering those present! Could this be the beginning of

God created the heaven and the earth. And darkness was. And the Spirit moved. “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). God’s presence became known as a Spirit. The elements were acceptable, tangible and real. Heaven, the sky above the earth, was visible. The earth itself was firm under the foot. Darkness and light were distinguishable. Water was wet! Known facts, undeniably true because of their positive presence. After the creation chapters of Genesis are digested, can any doubt be harbored as to the glorious works of the Creation? Then God created man in his own image! From Adam and Eve came the future population on earth. The power of God, his might, his love, wrath and his deep concern over the coming generations only serves to prove his goodness and wisdom. Noah walked with God, the only one knowing the Lord in that timeframe. He and his immediate family were the only ones who served God. The people became so wicked that God was sorry that he had even created man! “I will destroy man whom I have created from off the face of the earth, man, beast . . . creeping thing” (Genesis 6:7). Talk about wrath! “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Fortunate for the next generations, Noah knew the Lord God and obeyed him or the end would have been written immediately! God so loved the world, his creation and man that he made

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a helpmeet for him.” So he did. “Made he a woman . . . and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:18, 22, 24). When the Lord says something is not good, believe it is not good! If you have lived long enough to know, it is not good to live alone. God improved man’s state of being when he took from Adam and made Eve. Adam was searching among the animals he named for the Lord for a mate. “And Adam gave names to all the cattle and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found an helpmeet for him” (Genesis 2:20). It was planned for Adam to have a companion. God took a rib from Adam and made a woman! He brought her unto Adam to be named, a name first dignified by the Lord. This creation would be loved and appreciated enough for man to leave all behind and “cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh . . .” (Genesis 2:24-25). The pure beauty of it all was that they were not ashamed! God made Adam to care for the Garden of Eden and woman to care for man. Today when a man establishes his home, choosing a wife to cleave to, they shall be one flesh, living together as man and wife, not ashamed, just as in the beginning.

A baker knows the power of good yeast. Any well-saturated dough can rise properly if the correct amount of leavening is used in the mixture. To make it all happen of course the leaven must be placed into the dough first! One seed may become a huge tree, but it must first be planted within a good soil. First, it dies, then it returns to the surface of the earth to become once again alive. The words of Jesus Christ can and will change many lives. Some are ready to hear and obey. Others are not willing to listen to the message and become offended by the demands. Some receive the good news joyfully while other seeds do not grow. “But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, that understandeth, which also beareth fruit and bringeth forth . . .” (Matthew 13:23). Excuses are given for not being receptive to the truth of the Bible. Some are pressed for time, others seem unable to absorb the knowledge, still others feel little need for God in their lives. Excuses will be totally useless when the Judgment Day arrives! Truth! Peter, talking with Cornelius and many others gathered together in the Gentile city of Caesarea, said this, “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me I should not call any man common

“Lord, I will follow thee” (Luke 9:57).  Once as Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, three men voiced their feelings as to a wish to follow him.  Jesus did not decline their offer, but he stated facts which may have caused them to reflect on their statement.  Sadly enough today, these same simple facts exist as disguises behind which many hide from the true work of a disciple. To one certain man Jesus says, “Foxes have holes, birds . . . nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:58).  No excuse, just a plain fact: Jesus, after his mission on earth began, had no earthly home to call his own, yet truly the whole of earth was his!  He was here to teach and save the people, not to have a home to come to at the close of his day.  An earthly home cannot be the most important thing to one who will follow after Jesus.  His thoughts are to be centered on preaching the Word. To another who wanted to be his disciple, but needed time to first go and bury his father, Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:61).  Even family matters must be placed second after the choice is made to follow after God.  Jesus said go, preach the kingdom of God, don’t wait on a family member to die and be buried!  Personal affairs cannot be an excuse

“Make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise” (John 2:16).  Jesus drove the moneychangers from the temple.  “His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten you up” (John 2:17).  Is there shoddy merchandise eating away at the present day church with such zeal that Christians have become helplessly adrift in the sea of uncertainty?  Are we children “tossed to and fro, carried with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14)?  In some of our present day churches, poor standards and opinions are replacing the true knowledge of the Scriptures.  Christian values are always based on truth!  Seek that truth. What can Christian women do to turn the tides of truancy?  If the work Christ asked us to do is to be accomplished, there is no time for idleness!  Jesus would be swinging the whip made of cords and upsetting a few tables if he were seen to enter the church today.  We are to be about our Father’s business! The church of the 1950’s knew the Bible and taught what they knew!  What keeps us from doing the same today?  Have wolves entered in sheep’s clothing to teach false doctrine, and once inside received a nod of consent?  “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Some say, “Sincerity is what really counts, religion is only a matter of emotions and opinions.”  The use of instrumental music will only deny Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.  Music of the heart comes from the heart by way of

Compassion is defined as a sympathetic attitude, one of sadness; a real concern for someone’s misfortune; grief over another’s distress; pity. To have compassion then is to express a feeling of concern. To express is to do something about something! When acting upon that concern, love—agape love—will gallop forward at a breakneck speed to alleviate the problem or pain. Compassion is a concern for the welfare and comfort of others. It swiftly moves on that concern to bring about a change for the better. “And, behold, a woman . . . diseased . . . touched the hem of his garment . . . and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole” (Matthew 9:20-22). Yes, the faith of this woman brought her to the hem of Jesus’ garment, but Jesus, aware of her faith, had mercy and she was whole again! He gave her comfort! On that day he also gave life back to a maiden. He gave sight to the blind and he drove out demons from the bedeviled. All because he had a great compassion for those who needed and asked for his help. In turn, they confessed “according to their faith.” His sympathetic love touched them, making them whole. He noticed their misfortune, was concerned and healed them. He loved them! Today we do not possess the powers to cure illness as did Jesus, but we can learn to practice the compassion of agape love! Attending to

By: Judy Corns If the fundamental of the Christian position is true, and it is, that the man Jesus is the Son of God, then one can never, ever be the same after this discovery.  We just do not ignore Jesus after being introduced to him!  If the Bible is read and we are seeking and searching for the meaning it holds, then the Book cannot easily be closed and placed on a shelf with the remark of “How interesting!” Jesus is not just interesting!  However, he is compelling!  He can, through loving words, comfort the sorrowing or rebuke the sinner.  Sadness turns to joy as a repentant sinner begins righteous living.  Jesus can profoundly disturb and challenge anyone willing to read and study the Scriptures, having a faith to attempt an understanding.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  Morally and spiritually Jesus will stroke the heartstrings as he offers life eternal to any repentant and believing soul.  To those engulfed in hate, “God commendeth his love toward us . . .” (Romans 5:8).  For those lost in the dark, Jesus has this to say, “I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).  The hopeless find he gives a reason to live, “In lively hope through knowledge of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).  Turning from sin has an eternal reward. When

We are always teaching something.  We as parents are teachers wherever we are.  Bible class is not the only place a teacher is found.  Hired teachers perform in a formal classroom, daily in contact with the children.  Those teachers come prepared to teach.  The most important teaching takes place in a less formal setting—in our homes—in our presence. If we insist the child attend school but do not insist he be present in a Bible class, we are teaching him something.  Could he be learning that the knowledge gained in classes offered in the school is more important than a knowledge of God?  Or, you as a parent do not find it important enough to teach him about God! If you take him to a football practice instead of bringing him to Bible class on Wednesday evening, he just might get the idea that sports is more important than going to Bible study.  If you stay home on a Sunday morning, just to entertain or prepare a meal for company, are you not teaching the child in your home that friends and family and their happiness and comfort is more important than doing the will of God?  Why not invite the guests in your home to worship?  Perhaps everyone would enjoy the day more.  God would surely be pleased. When you and your family choose to go to the lake on Sunday or some other place of entertainment for the day, then come in quietly to take the back seats in church five or ten minutes late, what do you

According to principles in Proverbs 31, a Christian woman has many opportunities today to further God’s plan of salvation.  A vessel, chosen by God, she is precious.  A ‘lively stone’ acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5).  She is priceless, a member of her family who seeks to be of worth to others as she quietly reaches out to teach about Jesus.  He expects her best, for it is her reasonable service.  She knows her place.  Always a Christian, she is a glorious and gracious addition to the church.  A living temple, she serves with joy in her heart. Today’s Christian woman can always be attuned to the wishes of the Gentle Shepherd of the flock as she continually strives to please God.  She studies the Scripture to improve her knowledge and elevate the cause of Christ.  She is obedient to her husband and speaks well of him wherever she goes.  She is kind, using no unpleasant words or actions.  She shows how to love and be tenderhearted by being tender and loving.  She brings joy and laughter into her busy world, yet she is ready to weep with those who may be suffering and in deep sorrow.  She must keep her tongue under control.  She is trusted to keep her speech and actions pure concerning others.  Trustworthiness is a trait becoming a virtuous woman.  She will seek guidance and wisdom through daily prayer, often without ceasing!  Above all she has true modesty! Ephesians 5:19 plainly says “singing

“When Jesus heard [about the beheading of John the Baptist] he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart” (Matthew 14:13). Surely Jesus was saddened and needed a time to pray–John was his fore-runner and his relative! The foe was coming closer. ‘Herod had heard of the fame of Jesus.’ But just now ‘the people had heard him and they followed him on foot.’ “Even so, Jesus went out to meet the multitude, and was moved with passion” and went about healing the sick. They stayed until evening, longing to hear and see more of this Jesus. His disciples approached him saying, “This is a desert place (v. 13) . . . send them away . . . to buy themselves victuals” (Matthew 14:15). Now Jesus had been made sorrowful. Going to the Father to refresh himself, he moved on. May I quote him? “They need not depart, give ye them to eat” (Matthew 14:16). These people were now physically hungry! As for the soul, Jesus taught much in spiritual nourishment, yet he never neglected the physical needs of the crowd gathered around him. One sack of food, offered with a smile and a concern in the voice, does make a difference to the oft disappointed, abandoned and many times lonely human soul who timidly inquires for just one sack of food. Can we take time out of our day, our circumstances, perhaps even our sorrows and move into another mode, that of action? Placing our burdens at the feet

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings . . . Thy God reigneth” (Isaiah 2:7). Of all the lessons to be gleaned from the Bible, this one echoes over and over: “Go, carry the Gospel message, the truth, to all the others.” We, as Christian women, have the opportunity to use our teaching skills today. God in times past was rejected, departed from, and denied. Is it so strange then, in times like these, we should have a need of a refresher course in Christianity?In this time of God’s people, true, there are more than a few wolves among us. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: . . . and shall be turned unto fables” (1 Timothy 4:4). Can this be? There are many opinions and pleasant ideas being put into practice. This teases the lazy minds of those who fail to study the Bible. Fables are spread ever so carefully today. We read and hear “join hands with all who believe or are right with the Lord.” Please remember, “believers” do not always follow after the Lord. The devils believe–yet they have sense enough to tremble!We, as women in the Body must understand the truth in all of its power and beauty! We must live it, teach it and guard it against outside invasion. “That your hearts might be comforted being knit together in love . . . understand . . . the mystery of God”

Any hungry baby, fast growing child, or a hard working man knows how to, and will demand food that fills the emptiness which comes with hunger. If ignored, hunger causes an intense gnawing desire to be satisfied! If we eat food prepared to nourish and sustain our bodies, these bodies will lack nothing. So, eating wholesome food becomes a daily choice of subsistence. Indeed food, daily food, must be supplied and knowing this, the body demands to be filled religiously. Could shallowness of mind lead us to believe that only the body is to be fed until full? “Know ye not that yea are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16)? A mind is housed within this body and it seeks to be fed also. It should be. It needs food to sustain eternal life! Paul was given grace to preach “the unsearchable riches of God” (Ephesians 3:8). Our soul food. “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious,” why stop with taste? Desire more of the Word, seek and search after the “bread of life which came down from heaven” (John 6:51). Jesus said, “I am that bread of life” (John 6:48). How often are we to feed our souls, you ask? On a continual basis, never ceasing. The Bible says “Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure

The definition of the word temptation is: “to entice.”  Entice is defined: “to attract artfully or adroitly by arousing hope or desire.  To lure; an inducement to pleasure or gain.”  (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary) To lure, to arouse, or entice are all good definitions to describe accurately the wily ways of Satan.  Wiley or no, Satan had no measurable ill effect on Jesus Christ!  Jesus had a perfect knowledge of the Scriptures and through that knowledge He escaped the artful ploys of His opponent.  Comforted by the words: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” Jesus “then was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matthew 3:11; 4:1).  Jesus fasted for forty days. A period of forty days and nights of fasting is a long time! It amounts to exactly 960 hours!  Going without food for a day is often causes hunger; multiply that by forty.  “He was afterward an hungered” (Matt. 4:2).  Total starvation would seem the better term! Can one perceive being that hungry and resisting the tempter who would say, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4:3)?  Human that I am, my first reaction would be to have loaves of bread in all shapes, sizes and flavors of my choice!  I would have a picnic!  My spirit would be weak.  Not so, Jesus.  He was the Son of God in human form.  There is no doubt He could