Loyalty is a valuable asset in a relationship, and the Scriptures speak positively about loyalty, especially to God. Loyalty is valuable for the short term and eternally. “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4 NKJV). The concept of truth used in this passage is that of faithfulness. The root word is defined as “a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain…” (Strong’s). As a child can rely on the steady strength and support of a parent as a foundation for life, so the son of the writer of Proverbs was exhorted to take mercy and truth and to bind them about himself every day, to add them to his heart, and they would deliver value now and forever. Love and loyalty are repaid by the Lord. “Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person” (Psalm 31:23). Some argue that God presents Himself as one Who shows favoritism, one who uses the carrot and stick approach to humanity to convince it to obey Him. This is simply false. God shows no arbitrary partiality. Indeed, He sends his rain and sunshine on the …

Located in the middle of a beautiful lake, in a valley deep in the Scottish highlands, is the Island of Understanding. The island is so named because local custom mandated that two parties in disagreement about a matter are to be taken to the island, given food and drink, and stranded until they can come to an understanding. The locals boast that, because of this custom, there has been only one murder in 1,500 years! What a great idea! How we sometimes need an “Island of Understanding”! Husbands and wives need an island of understanding. When the inevitable disagreements and arguments come, they must be worked out. Avoiding difficult discussions and hoping that the problem will simply go away is rarely healthy for the relationship. Husbands are told to live with their wives “according to knowledge” (KJV) or “with understanding” (NKJV) (1 Peter 3:7), but how can either spouse have knowledge or understanding without communication and trying to come to an accord? Husbands and wives should always remember the three C’s. Parents and children need an island of understanding. At its best, parenting is a difficult proposition. If we can recall with an accurate memory, all will agree that childhood and adolescence is no bed of roses either. Further, due to often tenuous relationships, many parents and children stop communicating (i.e., real communicating). Mom and Dad, if there is a problem, don’t let it fester. Instead, go to an island of understanding. Part of “bring them up in the… admonition of the …

When I think of a person who believes or says all one needs to do in order to go to Heaven is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, I imagine that his or her prayer might sound something like the following. My heavenly Father, I am so thankful that you sent your Son from Heaven. He came here and lived an obedient life as an example for me, suffered and died a horrible death, and shed His blood for me that I can have forgiveness of my sins. Father, I am so thankful for this and to show you just how thankful and appreciative I am, here is what I plan to do for the remainder of my physical life. I plan to do nothing. Father, I have read in your Word about the parables of the Talents and the Sower in Matthew 13 and 25, but my preacher told me I don’t need to do anything but to believe. So, that’s what I plan to do. I know I will hear you say at judgment, “Enter in my good, faithful, productive servant.” However, the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV). Taking a spiritual inventory of ourselves, we could ask, “Am I a productive worker in the kingdom, or am I like the one talent man, wicked and lazy?” Note …

Merriam-Webster.com defines “the truth” as “the real facts about something: the things that are true.” For many, when it comes to understanding the Bible, truth is subjective. In other words, the “truth” one holds is based on personal experience, feelings or opinions. Because of this approach to Scripture, many are frustrated in the search for truth to the point of giving up. Is there such a thing as absolute truth? Is there a way that is right and cannot be wrong? Can we know for sure what God expects His people to do and to believe? When addressing these questions, it is important to understand the following about truth. In the search for the Truth, one cannot depend on personal feelings, prevailing thought or human traditions. God’s inspired Word is the only source for absolute, objective truth. Jesus told the Jews who believed on Him, “…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32.) John 17:17 informs us that God’s Word is the Truth. Our loving God has provided us with a book that is without error, without contradiction and that gives us “…all things that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3). Truth does not change with time, just as much as 2 + 2 will always equal 4! Likewise, the Truth revealed in God’s Word will never change or become antiquated. Works Cited “The Truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. 16 May 2023. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20truth>.

On New Year’s Day, 20-year-old Nicholas Simmons went missing. His family did everything they could to find their son. They contacted the police and even started a Facebook page. Unfortunately, since Nick had left his wallet and cell phone at home, no one could find him. For days, they diligently searched for him, all to no avail. As the bitter cold swept through the country, a photographer took pictures of some weather-beaten homeless people on the New York streets. One photo depicted a young man huddling under a thick blanket with his face pressed against a steam grate. He was soaking in every bit of warmth coming from the grate as he battled the freezing cold. This person was Nicholas Simmons. This very picture showed up in USA Today. Nick’s mother was looking through the newspaper when she saw the picture and realized it was her son. After communicating with the photographer, the newspaper writer and the police, Nick’s family was able to find him. For some reason, Nick decided to leave home on New Year’s Day. Captain Patrick Phelan of the Greece Police Department said there was a discussion between Nick and his parents that may have led him to leave home. We don’t know why Nick went missing or what caused him to leave. No matter the reason, one thing is clear, though; Nick had a loving family who desperately wanted him to come back. It’s always heartbreaking when a person goes missing, especially when a person goes missing …

William Ross Wallace wrote the famous line, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” A mother’s words, when heeded, can change the world! May God send us more godly mothers! In Proverbs 31:1-9, we have “The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him” (Proverbs 31:1). We know nothing of Lemuel or his mother except what we have here. Lemuel means “unto God” or “belonging to God.” A queen mother was very influential in Bible times (1 Kings 1:11-13; 15:13; 2 Kings 9:22; 11:1). Although this is God-breathed Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), there is no explicit “Thus saith the Lord.” This obscurely known mother’s advice made it into the pages of inspiration for good reason! This mother’s son mattered to her! “What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?” (Proverbs 31:2). “What” has the force of “What shall I say?” The repetition of “son” in this introductory verse shows the seriousness of what follows. Emphasis is on the need for unbroken concentration, attentiveness and receptivity. Lemuel was a son whom she had pledged to God (1 Samuel 1:11, 27). This royal mother gave her son two warnings and some instruction from which all of us can learn. Warning against Women “Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings” (Proverbs 31:3). All women are not what is meant by this verse but only those who can destroy (ruin) …

Herod Agrippa decided to inflict pain on the church, particularly upon the apostles. He took James, the brother of John, captive and killed him with the sword. Herod saw this was well received by the Jews, so he immediately had Peter imprisoned, intending to put him to death as well. He held him in prison while the Passover feast was celebrated. Sixteen soldiers, divided into four groups of four, guarded the apostle. Peter’s public execution was to be held at the conclusion of the feast (Acts 12:1-4). The church waited in prayer while Peter was in prison. Christians asked God to be with Peter. The word Luke used suggests there was prayer being offered up around the clock. Peter lay chained to two soldiers with two more outside the door the night before Herod’s intended act. An angelic messenger awakened Peter and caused the chains to fall off his hands. He told him to dress and led him out of the prison. The apostle thought he was dreaming. He followed the angel past the first and second guard posts, through the gate, which seemed to open automatically, and out into the street. Peter realized he was free once he was in the street. The awestruck apostle realized the Lord had sent His messenger to deliver him out of the murderous hands of Herod. After thinking for a moment, Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, to tell the church of his miraculous release. A girl …

Studies found that we speak on average about 7,000 words each day. That is 49,000 words each week and 2,555,000 words each year. We need to use our speech to communicate, but with so many words coming out of our mouths, we should also be careful. The Bible has much to say about our tongues and how we use them. There are positive uses of the tongue in which the Bible encourages us to engage. There are negative uses of our tongues against which the Bible warns us. Here are a few warnings about our tongues from Scripture that we would be wise to heed. Our Words Will Be Judged On one occasion, Jesus’ opponents accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Matthew 12:24). Jesus showed them the inconsistency in their logic, and then, He issued one of His strongest warnings about the way we use our tongues (Matthew 12:25-35). Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV). Based on Jesus’ declaration that our words will play an important factor in the Judgment, we should be careful. We will appear before God and will be judged for everything we have done, whether it was good or bad – including our speech (2 Corinthians 5:10). We may not give much attention to the words we speak, …

For more than 40 years, I have been involved in correspondence Bible school work. Most of the work I have seen being done was by the elderly women of the church. The philosophy probably was something like this: Since the elderly women have been relegated to the background and have not been given much of anything to do in the church that is important, why not get them involved in this kind of secondary work, whether it be local, national or worldwide? If that is your philosophy, it is a tragic mistake and needs correction for three reasons. First, this work is not secondary. It is one of the ways of carrying out the primary task of the church. Second, elderly women can do many other kinds of things of value to the church. Third, this sort of work should receive the interest and participation of every segment of the church. Of course, retired men and women may be able to do more in this area than those who are working at two or three other jobs, but all should be encouraged to participate if possible. Can you imagine the fantastic results that would be achieved in carrying out the commission of our Lord if the young people of our congregations were challenged with the wonder, joy and value of getting involved in mission work through correspondence Bible school work in China, Africa, India, South America or anywhere in the world with the assistance and the encouragement of older ones? …

I once heard it said that one of the most important abilities needed in the Lord’s church is availability. Seeing that God has given all of us different talents, and those talents have a place to be used in the kingdom, the issue isn’t if we can serve but whether we’re willing to serve. That God has a place of service for all of us is seen in Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (NKJV). It’s part of God’s eternal plan for us to serve. Our place in the kingdom should be one of obedience and of using our talents to His glory. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). We remember those in Scripture who gladly wanted to be active in serving God. Understanding the glory of God, Isaiah eagerly accepted God’s invitation to serve (Isaiah 6:8). Matthew freely gave up being a tax collector to become a disciple of Jesus (Luke 5:27-28). John recorded that we will serve God in eternity (Revelation 7:15). Of course, even our Lord humbled Himself to serve God on our behalf for our salvation (Mark 10:45). One can’t …