No Excuses
Do you hear or think statements like "I'm not perfect. I have all kinds of problems. I don't know the Bible well enough?.... Well, did you know that...Moses stuttered.David's armor didn't fit.John Mark deserted Paul.Timothy had ulcers.Hosea's wife was a...
Why did you do that?
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 2 Peter 4:10 Beth was sitting at an airport terminal waiting to board a plane. She was sitting there with several other people whom she did not know who were also...
Piano concert
Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands - all that you can hold. – Luke 6:38 Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski...
The Water Pot
Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'The potter has no hands'? Isaiah 56:9A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and...
Live like we are worth
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:40 A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in...
The King’s Highway
"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:13 Once upon a time, a king had a great highway built for the people who lived in his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the...
Love and Pancakes
. . reap the fruit of unfailing love . . . (Hosea 10:12, NIV)Six year old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister,...
Bamboo
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;" Ecc 3 Once...
A shoe salesman
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26Dwight L. Moody was a poorly educated, unordained, shoe salesman who felt God's call to preach the gospel. Early one morning he and some friends gathered...
Encouragement
"Encourage one another and build each other up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the...
Ears
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 5:8 "Can I see my baby?" the happy new mother asked. When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor...
Mr. Jenner
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7Several years ago in England, a well known pastor name Dr. Francis Dickson a...
I’m flying
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:2Once upon a time there was a little boy who was raised in an orphanage.The little boy had always wished that he could fly like a bird. It was very difficult for him to understand...
Lunch with God
'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matt 25:20 A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root...
Breakfast at McDonalds
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7 I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the...
Minor travelling unattended
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10 Right before the jetway door closed, I scrambled aboard the plane going from LA to Chicago, lugging my...
Love is…
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt 19:14 Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. What does Love mean? A group...
Explain God
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 This was written by an 8 year old, Danny Dutton of Chula Vista, CA, for his third grade homework assignment. The assignment...
When the Wind Blows
"A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion." Mark 4:37.38 Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people...
Eagles in a storm
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31 Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the...
Father Knows
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; Isaiah 42:3A gentleman was one day opening a box of goods. His little son was standing near, and as the father took the packages from the box,...
The Essence of Trust
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Prov 3:5A little girl and her father were crossing a flimsy bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter: Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall...
Looking Forward with Hope
"Hope in God, For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." -Psalm 43:5Are you really walking the walk of faith? Ask yourself these questions: Am I looking ahead with hope, or am I looking back with disappointment? Do I tend to count my...
Under His Wings
'He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge...' (Psalm 91:4) An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began...
The Sinking Ship
"He (Jesus) got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." Mark 4:39In the winter of 1995, a fishing boat began to sink in the rough, cold waters off Vancouver Island, west of British Columbia,...
The Buzzard, Bat and Bumblebee
I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from?My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1,2 If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly,...
Holding Pattern
"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit,...
The man who wanted to quit on God
"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6 (TRUE STORY--as told by Evangelist Robert Pilgrim, who in turn was told by his Grandmother when he was a little boy.) A certain man, who had been a Christian for...
The Father’s Grip
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry...
God’s Cake
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or...
The Alchemy of God
“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7 Have you ever had a rock and wished you could change...
You say…God says…
"In everything give thanks." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 For all the heartaches and the tears,For gloomy days and fruitless yearsI do give thanks, for now I knowThese were the things that helped me grow!-- Crandlemire The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a...
Three Trees
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9Once there were three trees on a hill in a wood. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with...
The Making of a Persian Rug
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Cor 15:58 When they are making a Persian rug, they put it up vertically on a frame, and little boys, sitting at...
God’s Embroidery
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;" Psalm 139:13 When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor...
The Perfect Mistake
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 My mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his...
The Tea Cup
“You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 There was a couple that used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their...