Standing Knee-Deep in a River (Dying of Thirst) is a classic Kathy Mattea song, first made popular in 1992 and still often replayed on YouTube. It is a moving song of a person thinking back over all the friends with whom she had lost touch, the sweethearts who went separate ways, and other lonely people she passed each day, who could be friends…
Sometimes a parent will say, “I don’t want to make my children go to Bible class or church services.” Why not? “Because I am afraid if I do, when they grow up they may rebel against it, and won’t go to church or read the Bible anymore.” It’s funny how we get ideas about religious…
Lawyers in court frequently deny allegations brought against their clients. If they admit the charge, then they try to justify it. They plea ignorance, accident, or self-defense. Christ does not enter a plea of innocence for sinners. He does not appeal to justice. He never reflects negatively on the law or the Lawgiver. He offers…
As Christians, we may live beneath God’s blessings, so it never hurts to be reminded of our gifts. What have we received in Christ? GOD SAVED US—WE ARE NOT LOST. Jesus promised, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Peter affirms that baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). Are you a baptized…
When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning chasing votes (and no lunch), he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late afternoon and Herter was famished. As Herter moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to…
A child’s eyes see his mom and dad differently as they age: Age 4: “My parents can do anything.” Age 8: “There might be a few things they don’t know.” Age 12: “Naturally, they don’t get it.” Age 14: “I never realized how hopelessly old-fashioned they are!” Age 21: “You would expect them to feel…
Jesus never said grace. Believe it or not, the Bible does not record where Jesus ever used that word. It was used of Him (Luke 2:40; John 1:14, 16, 17) but never by Him. But do not misunderstand, He taught it; He lived it; He just never said it. Then again, He said a lot…
Two friends were walking through the desert and got into an argument. One friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: Today my best friend slapped me in the face. They kept on walking until they found an oasis. Thirsty,…
A reminds us of His arrest like a common criminal and the legions of angels who could have been summoned by Jesus. B is for the betrayal by a ‘friend,’ the murderer Barabbas, the blood that Jesus shed, or the beating that He endured. C makes us think of the cross on Calvary, the Jewish…
One said, “If I were Satan, I would put as many barriers around the Bible as I could. I would plant thorns and hedges to frighten people off.” The devil has been busy planting thorns (cf. Matthew 13:18–22). A Gallup poll showed that only twenty-four percent of Americans believe the Bible is the literal word…