Biblia

SUING FOR THE SABBATH

Topics: Career; Commitment; Convictions; Courage; Example; Freedom; Integrity; Overcoming; Persecution; Sabbath; Ten Commandments; Testing References: Genesis 2:1–2; Exodus 20:8–11; 23:12; Joshua 24:15; Hebrews 4:9–11 A public library in Savannah, Missouri, decided to open on Sunday. As a result, Connie Rehm, a librarian for twelve years, found herself squeezed between honoring the Sabbath and keeping a … Continue reading “SUING
FOR THE SABBATH”

DOING THE RIGHT THING

Topics: Advice; Conscience; Consequences; Courage; Decisions; Friendship; Guilt; Heroes; Integrity; Outreach; Responsibility; Truth; Violence; Witnessing References: Isaiah 59:1–4; Acts 24:16; James 4:17; 1 Peter 3:13–17 In September 2006, Matt Atkinson’s three friends told him they were plotting a Columbine-style attack on their school. They would ignite bombs near bathrooms, set fire to exits, then shoot … Continue reading “DOING
THE RIGHT THING”

RULING STRONG AND TENDER

Topics: Authority; Dependence on God; Discipline; Fear; Gentleness; Government; Grace; Help; Kingdom of God; Protection; Tenderness References: Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 11:28–30; Romans 13:1–7; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Titus 3:1; Hebrews 12:11 “People want to be lightly governed by strong governments.” I read that a long time ago in a Wall Street Journal editorial, but … Continue reading “RULING
STRONG AND TENDER”

A HANDFUL OF SUCKERS

Topics: Ambition; Dependence on God; Faith; Grace; Prayer; Self-centeredness; Striving; Trust; Waiting on God References: Genesis 13:9; Psalm 16:5–6; 34:8–10; 84:11; 100:5; Matthew 7:7–11; Ephesians 3:20 A young boy went to the store with his mother. The shop owner, a kind man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself … Continue reading “A
HANDFUL OF SUCKERS”

BOOT TRIAL

Topics: Attitudes; Children; Humility; Patience; Perseverance; Persistence; Self-control; Testing; Tolerance; Trials References: Psalm 27:14; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 3:13; James 1:2–8 A teacher was helping a kindergarten student put on his cowboy boots. Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots didn’t want to go on. By the time they got the … Continue reading “BOOT
TRIAL”

YOUR BIGGEST SIN

Topics: Gossip; Humor; Pastors; Secrets; Sin References: Proverbs 28:13; James 3:6; 5:16 Three preachers were on a fishing trip, They weren’t catching many fish, so one preacher said he thought it would be nice if they confessed their biggest sins to each other and then prayed for each other. They all agreed. The first preacher … Continue reading “YOUR
BIGGEST SIN”

TEARING DOWN THE WALLS

Topics: Biblical Literacy; Blame; Children; Communication; Confusion; Guilt; Sunday School Reference: Joshua 6:1–20 A new pastor decided to visit the children’s Sunday school. The teacher introduced him and said, “Pastor, this morning we’re studying Joshua.” “That’s wonderful,” said the new pastor. “Let’s see what you’re learning. Who tore down the walls of Jericho?” “I didn’t … Continue reading “TEARING
DOWN THE WALLS”

DYING IN THE SERVICE

Topics: Church; Joy; Worship References: Psalm 103:15–17; Ecclesiastes 7:2–3 One Sunday morning, little Alex stared at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so Pastor McGhee walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, “Good morning, Alex.” “Good morning,” … Continue reading “DYING
IN THE SERVICE”

INCREDIBLE METAPHORS

Topics: Communication; Creativity; Preaching; Teaching; Words Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:11 Some attention-grabbing metaphors (for better or for worse) found in high school papers: “He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole … Continue reading “INCREDIBLE
METAPHORS”