…free from your burdens!

Bible and Quote - August 30 - September 3
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

My heart is glad and my soul rejoices. Psalm 16:9a He who has found his soul's life in God has a secret joy which is beyond the reach of temptation, unrest, and sorrow; a quiet confidence and steadfastness which abide even while the waves and storms of life sweep over him. Jean N. Grou (The Lord is with me) Therefore my flesh (body) shall also rest in hope. Psalm 16:9b God is our strength for any circumstance. Lifeway, Explore the Bible, Summer 2007 Thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol, neither wilt thou allow thy Holy One to see corruption. Psalm 16:10 Christ's resurrection…

Called to Be Free
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 Paul, in writing to the Galatian believers, cautioned them to use their freedom to serve one another in love. In today’s world,……

“Be Fruitful and multiply…”
     'Point of Reference' from Fred Price

One of the expectations God had of his newly-formed overseers of creation was for them to be fruitful and multiply like the rest of the inhabitants of earth (Gen. 1:22 & 28), in part a natural consequence of their coming together in thought, word and deed; and in so doing provide order and stability as they subdued……

God's Aged
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

This past weekend my wife and I had the opportunity to visit with the good folks of the Bainbridge (OH) Church of Christ, a former ministry of mine. Bainbridge provides some bittersweet memories for me. It was my first legitimate full-time ministry. The reason I say legitimate is because the White Oak Christian Church in Bath County, Kentucky, was supposed to be a full-time ministry but it was based on the men of the church hiring me out during the week to make up what was a definite short fall in pay. But back to Bainbridge. As a minister I am supposed to be friendly, understanding,…

Divine Commentary
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

We are used to instant news and commentary. An event occurs and we get the basic facts likely followed by talking heads with deep insights who tell us what it all means. There is an interesting thing going on in some of the passages of the New Testament where the authors are telling the events of the day. We are getting a commentary along with the basic facts. This commentary, however, is not from some mere talking heads. This commentary is by divine inspiration, quite a bit better than some opinion. Consider some examples: Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord…

Christians and Samurais
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

That’s right – if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer, searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; and you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.” – Proverbs 2:1-4 As you read the book of Proverbs, you find that Wisdom is calling out in the Market Square, in the city gates, outside the town, on the hilltop – everywhere. Sometimes, men listen to part of what she’s saying. I may hear…

Will a Man Rob God? (Malachi 3.8)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Robbery is a severe charge. In our legal system, there are two basic types of robbery, armed and unarmed. In either case, it involves the taking of something from another by force or the threat of force. In the Law of Moses, it was simply, “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20.15). There, it simply meant taking something that belongs to another, whether force was involved or not. The last book of the Old Testament speaks to the commission of this crime and the reaction of one of its victims. Consider this case. The book of Malachi is different in that it is structured…

Their Mind Went Blank – Their Heart Went Dark
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

We are reading these difficult, challenging and demanding verses in Romans Chapter 1 verses 18 to 32. A modern translation helps us to hear afresh what God is saying and enables us to see how relevant it is. Remember this is the truth of God - the Word of God - where we have read that the wrath……

Rûach
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

A dried up brain. That's what I have. Someone asked in my group on LinkedIn, what do you do when writer's block hits? I blithly wrote that you pray and then sit down and write whatever enters your head. Soon the block melts and things like creativity start flowing again and you're off again. I was too hasty. It isn't that you pray, and it isn't that you just start writing whatever enters your brain. The awful thing is that when you want to write inspiring things you've got to have the breath of God. That is what Spirit-- or rûach רוּח. (roo'…

How Does Christ Relate To You
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

There are many ways we relate to Him, and also many ways He relates to us. We relate to Him within these ways. Jesus wears many "titles" as He relates in multiple ways to each of us. He has many crowns and diadems of rulership and service. On our behalf He is: Savior - King - Employer - Brother - Friend - Counselor - Judge - Confidant - Leader - Director - Manager - Provider - Intercessor - Defender, and Comforter through the Holy Spirit. It is no wonder that He has been given authority over all things - in heaven and in the earth! (Matthew 28:18) Don't miss out on many…

Respecting Others is Glorifying God
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Do you show respect to others in your life? Do they show the same to you? What do you regard as respectful behavior? Is it merely doing as one says when they say they'll do it, or does it dive much deeper than that, demonstrating by not only backing up what one says, as much as one does? According to Wikipedia, the definition of respect is: "Respect gives a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling…