…you are the light on the hill!

Bible and Quote - September 29 - October 3
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

The Lord is God, and He has given us light. Psalm 118:27 We carry about with us a light which had come from God; in His light we see light, and in this light we discern everything which the light manifests. J. C. Philpot, 1802-1869, English pastor, Huguenot descendant Blessed are those whose way is upright, Who walk in the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1 When we truly walk with God throughout our day, life slowly falls into place. Bill Hybels, b1951, pastor Willow Creek Community Church, Illinois How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek…

God Gives us PIctures
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

God gives images to help us through times of trial, or doubt. The following verses are some of my favorites because of the metal image I receive when I remember them. “Give and it will be given to you,. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (NIV) Whenever I read this passage, I think of brown sugar. When we use brown sugar in a recipe, we are told to pack it tightly into the measuring cup. When…

Take Your Cake to Work
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Last night my wife and I spent zero time together once we got back from eating supper out. My wife had a couple of cakes to bake and she had to watch them closely. Was she baking for family members or close friends of the family? No. She was baking for a guy at work. My wife is employed by Jack Burford Chevrolet in Richmond, Kentucky. She is in her sixth year with them. A few years back she baked a cake for a fellow employee as just a special thing for what was, I believe, an important birthday. It caught on. Now she has a list of the birthdays of all the employees with…

A Biblical Strategy for Christians in Today's World
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

There is no doubt that our world is becoming more hostile to Christians. Oh, sure, I wouldn't classify it as "persecution". I mean, we're being told we can't practice our faith in some instances, but it's not like other places in the world where they're being tortured and killed for it. I don't even know if it would ever come to that here. But we are long past the days when people thought America was "a Christian nation" and Christian morality was good for everyone. And there are more and louder voices out there calling for our suppression, repression, and oppression.…

A Satisfied Princess
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9 There once was a princess who married a very wealthy commoner. He loved his wife and wanted to please her. So he bought her a huge mansion filled with the most expensive furniture money could buy. He purchased an exquisite wardrobe with each dress having been hand-made by the most famous designers. There were servants for every imaginable need. However, while she smiled when he presented her with yet another gift, she never…

Justification VI (2-14-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

God's way is a way of clarity and not confusion. Although there is no biblical passage which directly states this fact, the principles that it embraces are repeated throughout the Bible. Any way which is a way of obscurity and confusion is not God's way. Some of the brightest and best minds I have ever known are part of a spiritual way that has produced and continues to produce confusion; my conclusion is simply that their way is not God's way. After all, a tree is known by the fruit that it produces. I am not bitter nor do I hold any disdain for those who still walk this way; I simply…

The Significance of the Birth of Jesus Christ
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Many will be considering preaching on, and teaching and speaking about, the birth of Jesus Christ over these next few days. We turn from Thessalonians to Luke Chapter 2. There is so much nonsense spoken at this December time of the year - that it is good and right to recall the biblical scriptural……

Thy Word
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

I'm cheating a bit here today. I've lifted the ending of this column from my blog from last month. However, in studying this week's Sunday school lesson (we are studying Ezekiel), I noticed something spectacular. I hate flashbacks, but I must back up two weeks to give you the whole picture. I am expounding my study on the Crowns of the Believers to put it in book form. In my study I ran across an online discussion of Bible archeology where the Believers were in stark contrast to the Human Reasonist camp. The general consensus of that camp is that we should not necessarily believe…

Why Did Jesus Not Marry?
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

He could have…He was a human in every sense of the word, even is we are. If He had married, He would become an adulterer. Why? Man and woman in the flesh are given the blessing of marriage for several reasons. The primary one being the population of the earth, which includes all the blessings and lessons to be learned by a man and a woman duly and properly joint to each other. By marriage the man and the woman become in a sense “one flesh”, but two spirits. The differences between the two definitions are the primary method God chose for each to grow up spiritually.…

Psalms 91:10
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. ' Psalm 91:10 KJV A key factor in the ability to believe this verse true is to have a deep and personal understanding of God’s love for you. God’s love and our fear are polar opposites of each other. The level of fear you experience in life tells the level of your belief in God’s love…

Driving Toward Success
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Most have imagined lives of incredible richness and success, wanting to claim their stake on earth as part of their individual plans. How we visualize, and drive toward attaining these desires ultimately determines how quickly they become reality. Those of us who make strides in the world of creativity are obviously dreamers. We make something from nothing, hoping it will produce a lasting impact on those we share our efforts with. The artist paints his canvas, the actor rehearses his lines, the musician plays his songs over and over, and the writer, well, the writer writes…