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Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease, because it robs a person of his memory. People have had mates or parents ask, “Who are you?” Such loss of memory robs one of his life.

Normal people forget, too. Sometimes forgetting is a coping mechanism. Victims of accidents and other trauma often cannot remember the moments surrounding the event.

Sometimes it’s just natural for facts, truths, and ideas to get crowded out. Sometimes it’s lack of attention. At other times, it’s deliberate, such as when false teachers “forgot” the flood as evidence of the non-continuity of creation, in 2 Pt 3.5. Continue reading →

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NOTE: This article uses simple English for the widest possible audience.

In ancient times, a powerful man named Naaman caught a horrible skin disease. The disease eats away the body’s limbs. It would eventually kill him.

Naaman was commander of the armies of Syria. He was a pagan. He did not worship the one true God.

Naaman heard that he could be cured of his disease in Israel. Israel was God’s people before Jesus arrived on the earth. The Syrian commander was directed to Elisha, a man of God. Continue reading →

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For children born in a world of hate, have hope —
They’ll learn to love in a godly home where hearts
Are tender, eyes aren’t haughty, ears are quick
To hear the word of God — Have highest hopes!

For churches holding forth the truth, have hope —
In spite of walls and damning doctrines, light
Can penetrate the darkness, the glory of God
Can bring a sinner to turn — Have highest hopes!

For saints who serve in hard travails, have hope —
To suffer with Christ is honor, his hand upon you,
His power within will reap a harvest of souls —
We see not how he works — Have highest hopes!

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Timidity is infectious. Many a church would be stronger if it were weeded out–just as Gideon’s army was. Its weakness lies in its great numbers, not because numbers necessarily weaken–but because there are so many half-hearted people on the church roll. They have lost their interest, if they ever had any, and are indifferent, without thorough consecration. They add no strength–but only hinder the other members and dampen their zeal. —J.R. Miller

It is true, to a great extent, that great numbers weakens the church, because weak people are in the numbers. More can and ought to be said about helping the timid and fearful in those numbers to come to faith, but when sought outside of the will of God, the desire to have greater numbers weakens the church and undermines its mission and health. Continue reading →

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“… he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth” Lk 1.15

No one is born into spiritual gianthood. Some are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, into wealth and privileged position in this world, but none come forth from the womb with spiritual stature and power.

John the Immerser was an exception, as the chosen one to go before the Messiah and announce his coming. He played a special role in the divine plan of redemption. An angelic visit and miraculous moment surrounded his conception and birth. He was filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth. Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas to you and yours, with peace
And joy and love — may all your borders increase —
Except for added inches around your waist —
Of all the pies and cakes may you get a taste.

May presents be just what you want and need,
The day be happy, and all your jokes succeed,
Consuming food without your gaining weight,
With only meat and carbs upon your plate.

May Christmas be the day of children’s laughter —
And adult naps, made necessary after
A full repast — And most of all, may you
Enjoy the gift of God — enjoy anew
The people he placed to celebrate at your side —
Together you’ll have the best yuletide.

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Sufficient for the day is evil’s work,
But more is gentle grace we must not shirk.
For every need, his mercies overflow
The humble heart — God is never slow
To answer prayer and act on our behalf.
Every morning brings us manna’s loaf.
Empty of fruit his word does not return,
His people work, and from his wisdom learn.
From heaven fire descends by justice’ hand,
The meek and lowly of heart inherit the land.

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Along the farthest coasts and islands of the sea,
As far as richest mind can reach to the world’s extremes,
The folly of man pursues, and from it none is free:
The wisest, best and purest — none is what he seems.

Of God’s good plan in Jesus Christ we all have need,
Incurable, sinful hearts in him can be made whole;
Divine redemption — rescue — starts with but a seed,
The powerful word of God can save a sinful soul.

A sinner like me! For me came God in human flesh,
The murky truth of Jesus’ birth is mystery
Revealed — in him we see the mercy of God afresh —
That love which hung upon, and not below, the tree.