In Your Brokenness                                     July 19, 2026

There are times in life when you may be fearful, overwhelmed, or broken, and don’t really know what to do or if you can even keep on going.  It may be because of sin you have committed or a situation you find yourself in that is causing great uncertainty or anguish.  In these times, you can turn to the One who knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) – the One who lovingly handcrafted you (Psalms 139:13).  God KNOWS you and the heaviness of your heart.  Psalms 34:18 tells is that God “is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Oftentimes, it may not be you, but someone you know who is going through something very difficult, and empathy causes your heart to cry out for them.

Not only does He know you intimately, but He sent His Spirit to intercede for you when the words and thoughts of your prayers are not able to articulate your sorrow, your suffering, or even what you need.  Romans 8:26 assures you that “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.”  You have a helper in the Spirit who can translate your heartache to God.

In these difficult times, consider the example of Jehoshaphat and his prayer in II Chronicles 20:1-12.  In that passage, Judah is facing an invading army, and they are very afraid.  The part of the prayer that I want to highlight is the latter part of verse 12, which reads, “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”  Even though their distress and fear were paralyzing, Judah turned to and trusted in the Lord.

Throughout Scripture, you can clearly see that God has a protective love for you and no detail escapes His notice.  Trust Him.  Trust Him in times of distress.  Trust Him even if the outcome is not what you want.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)                                                      

By John Seibel

Intentional Living                                                          July 12, 2026

We are all familiar with Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  But how about verse 24, which says, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires?”

This is a very powerful verse.  It tells me as a Christian that I have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires.  The image of crucifixion is very public and final.  It is not talking about the physical body but all the sinful natures of man.

Paul is telling us that sinful natures and desires should not have control over us any longer and that if we belong to Christ Jesus, we should be producing the fruits of the Spirit in our daily walk with Christ.

Romans 6:6-7 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing (be done away with – New American Standard), so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died (to self as Christ died to Himself) has been set free from sin.”

Sometimes Christians feel trapped in their sins.  We can feel like there is no hope or no escape.  These verses in Galatians and Romans tell us that sin’s power has already been broken; it can only have dominion over us if we allow it.  James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  We have the strength through Christ to resist Satan and the many traps he will put before us.  We will never be perfect (sinless – I John 1:8) in our walk with Christ, but we can be faithful.

Matthew 16:24 tells us to deny ourselves and our selfish desires and follow Him.  This is a daily task for us.  Every day, let us be intentional in our walk with the Savior.  Let us draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us (James 4:8)!

By David Baldwin (Adapted)

God Supplies Strength                                                                July 5, 2026

Do you ever feel like a shell of your former self?  This is not a question only for the older generation.  For anyone, life can be tiring.  It can wear on us.  At times we feel like David, who said, “For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope” (I Chronicles 29:15).  This was an expression of David’s humility before God as he was preparing materials to build the Temple, and he recognized that there was nothing man could do that would compare with the permanence and power of God.

Some days we may feel this more strongly than other.  Job said man is, “Like a flower he comes forth and withers.  He also flees like a shadow and does not remain” (Job 14:2).  The Psalms are particularly fond of this shadow analogy (102:11; 109:23; 144:4).  The Bible does not ignore this feeling that is common to all people.  It acknowledges these emotions and then teaches us how to deal with feelings of futility.  Laments in the Psalms are an important part of this teaching.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul?”  Psalms 42 and 43 show the pain of despair, but then points to hope in God.  No matter how weak we are, God is strong.  No matter how inadequate we see ourselves, God has the answer and He supplies the sustenance to keep us alive and active.  As Jesus said to the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life”(John 4:13-14).  Water brings life and sustains us.  The water that the Lord provides is living water, springing up to the eternal life (John 7:37-38).  This is connected to the Holy Spirit (Vs 39).  The greater meaning of this passage seems to be the same as what God was trying to tell Ezekiel in chapter 47.

God showed Ezekiel a vision of water coming from the Temple (Ezekiel 47:1-2).  When the water was measured, it was found to go deeper and wider the farther it traveled from its source.  God provides for us all we need to live well in this life, and to be ready for the one to come.  The fountain of God’s love began as more than sufficient for our needs and only continues to deepen and sustain us as we continue in Him.  The life of a Christian is not the path of least resistance in this world.  It often involves hardships, but we have more than enough to sustain and guide us in God’s Word.  If we listen to His word, the sword of the Spirit, He will be a source of living water that will keep us refreshed to the end.

Occasionally, we loosen our grip on what truly sustains us.  We may even feel like a bag of dry lifeless bones.  We “feel our age” or we see the futility of hanging on to the world that surrounds us.  This does not mean the only answer is to dry up and blow away.  We can be revived.  Ezekiel 37 shows this to the nation of Israel, which was dead and lifeless, and yet they were not beyond hope.  They were not past saving.  All it took was the breadth of God, and just like the first breath of life, that animated Adam’s dust, God can bring us to life again.

We sing about revival.  We ask God to “revive us, again,” and to “let the revival begin in me.”  Let’s hold on to those thoughts when we feel stretched thin.  “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).  What a shame it would be if we gave up in the final stretch, especially since we have those urging us on (Hebrews 12:1).  We may not know when our race is almost over.  The end is always around some corner and may come upon us suddenly.  We are called upon to stay prepared, ready to the end.

Can we make it around one more corner?  Not alone, but by God’s grace, strength, and sustenance we can.  We can’t make it on our own, but if we will let God fill us with His word we can be renewed, refreshed, and ready to continue serving.  God supplies us “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (II Peter 1:3).  “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:31).                          By Doy Moyer

Spiritual Success for One Another                                June 28, 2026

In the benediction of the letter to the Hebrew Christians, the Writer concluded, saying…

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and forever.  Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Within this final passage of the letter, we see an example of a prayer for the spiritual success of others.  We all know that we should pray for each other, it’s a Christian privilege and duty.  “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.  A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much” (James 5:16).  Yes, we are quick to pray for each other when we are sick or facing a serious health crisis.  We pray for the brother or sister who has fallen on hard times and needs employment.  We pray for the church in general and the success of the congregation.  But do we ask the Lord to build up those individuals who struggle with their spirituality?

When the Hebrew writer prayed that these Christians be “made complete,” he is asking the Lord to help them mature spiritually.  As we pray, we must not forget the Christian who struggles in their relationships.  Perhaps it’s an individual who has difficulty with self-control and a sharp tongue.  We should pray for the Christian who chooses pleasure over service and neglects weekly worship.  It is God’s truth that we help the spiritually weak (Romans 15:1).  So as you pray today, please include a request for the spiritual success of one another.

By Jay Launius

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete (mature), without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24)                             

Some Thoughts About Dad’s Day                                  June 21, 2026

A man’s first priority should be to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).  The meaning of that text is to let God reign in your life.  Set Him as king in your heart.  Seek His plan for making you the righteous person He wants you to be.

While material things have their place in life, Jesus points to our true priority.  A man may accrue many things in life – houses, cars, money, and collections of various sorts.  While there may be nothing wrong with those things in themselves, such material things cannot be – and must not be – our priority.

King Solomon was a man who accrued all manner of material things.  But hear his words in Ecclesiastes 5:11, “So what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes.”  Sometimes, the things we own have very little value except to look at.  That can be said of pieces of art or of various collections (coins, watches, automobiles, sports memorabilia, etc.).  It can even be said of a bank account where money is accrued but never used – and there is no plan to use it.  There may days when these things are only good to look at!

Men, do not let any of those things have the first priority in your life!  Seek God as your first priority!  If you put any of these things first, they will become the god that you worship.  If you put material things first, you may wind up neglecting your role as a husband and father.  God expects you to put your family in a special place!

That brings me to today’s primary thought:  Be a good dad.  Be a good husband and father.  Few roles in life are more important or more rewarding.  What a blessing it is to bring children into this world.  Solomon said, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalms 127:3).

A wise man said, “The best gift you can give your children is to love their mother.”  What did he mean by that?  First, you set an example before the kids that they can follow later in life.  Second, your kids can grow up in a loving home, which promotes their well-being.  Third, it is God’s plan for you – as the head of your family – to love your wife (the mother of your children).  See Ephesians 5:25-29, “Husbands, love your wives …”

I suspect you can think of more reasons why men need to have their priorities straight regarding these things.  But let me just close with this exhortation:  “Men, be real men!  Be all that God intended.  Love your wife.  Be faithful to her.  Love your children.  Be a real father and bring them up in God’s way.”  God will bless you for that.

Happy Father’s Day!

Seven Wonders of the World                                    June 14, 2026

A class of kids was to make a list of the “Seven Wonders of the World.”  Once everyone had finished their lists, the teacher counted which wonders were the most popular.  Not everyone agreed, but the final list was:

• The Grand Canyon
• The Great Wall of China
• The Panama Canal
• The Taj Mahal
• The Empire State Building
• The Great Pyramids in Egypt
• And St. Peter’s Basilica

It was only after the teacher had read through the lists that she realized she had missed one.  Sitting in the corner on her own, one student was still writing.  The teacher approached her and asked, “Do you need help with your list?”  The little girl blushed and nodded, explaining, “There are so many wonders, I can’t narrow them down.”  “That’s okay,” the teacher said.  “read out what you’ve written so far and maybe we can help.”

The girl was shy but began to read, “I think the seven wonders of the world are:

• To feel
• To touch
• To see
• To hear
• To taste
• To laugh
• And to love

The entire class was silent.  The teacher was completely speechless.

The real wonders are the ones we take for granted every day.  So appreciate the incredible gifts you have been given. (from Real English R Video)

What a lesson from a little, innocent girl on the things we should be most grateful for in life.  Everything God has blessed us with is truly a wonder but no greater is the wonder that Jesus loves us; that He gave His life for us and is wanting us to be with Him in heaven for eternity.                                         

Brian Thompson

Is God One or Three?                                         June 7, 2026

          James 2:19 tells us, “You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe, and shutter (tremble).”  We know the Father is God, but is the Son not also God?  In Matthew 26:63-64 we read, “But Jesus kept silent.  And the high priest said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power (God), and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”  And is the Holy Spirit not called God as well?  In Acts 5:3-4 we read, “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?  And after it was sold, was it not under your control?  Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart?  You have not lied to men, but to God?”  The answer is most certainly yes, they are all referred to as God.  But there is one God.  The question is “how” are they One?  While there may be several ways to answer this question, I believe Jesus answers it by His words to the Father in John 17:21 which reads, “That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”

          In this text Jesus is speaking to His Father about His followers, or as known today, “Christians.”  He prayed to His Father that we “Christians” be “one” in the way that He is with His Father.  We know that we cannot become one being for that would be impossible.  So how are They “one” in a way that we can become “one?”  I believe Jesus showed us the answer in John 14:8-9 which reads, “Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip?  Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’”  How are they one?  They are one in unity.  What Jesus teaches is perfectly unified in the same mind and the same judgment.  Paul writes, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  We cannot be one if we teach different doctrines.  We can only be one when we teach the same doctrine as Christ and His apostles taught.  Then we will be one as God is one.                                                          By Bob Oliver

(Many years ago my father explained the Godhead to me this way.  He brought out an egg and asked me what it was.  Obviously, I told him it was an egg.  He asked me if I was sure it was an egg.  Absolutely, it was an egg.  Then he told me it was an egg shell, an egg yolk and an egg sac.  Three distinct parts of the egg yet together, they are always  referred to as an egg.  The Godhead is like that.  There’s God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Three distinct parts of the Godhead yet together, they are always referred to as God.  Thought this might help you some in your understanding of God – Brian Thompson)

Is God In Control?                                                        May 31, 2026

We often hear that “God is in control” when things in this world aren’t going well.  With all the violence and evil, we wonder, how can God be in control?  Are we saying that God that God makes bad people do bad things?  Are we saying that God creates the violence and evil?  It may seem counterproductive to say that God is in control while, at the same time, seeing the world fall apart around us.  How can God be in control?

By the dictionary, control means to “exercise restraint or direction,” to “hold in check” or have power over.  I believe God is in control, in charge, even with all the evil in the world.  He is sovereign and has all authority in heaven and earth (cf. Matthew 28:18).  What I don’t believe is that God is micromanaging and coercing every decision, negating free will, pulling everyone’s strings like a puppet master and making all the bad things happen.  That is not what is meant by affirming that God is in control.  He doesn’t force everything, nor is He to be blames for the evil.

What is the alternative?  If God is not in control, then what is?  Are we to accept that chaos or even the devil reigns and that God is taking a “hands off” approach (i.e., a form of deism)?  Are we to think that our exercise of free will has more power to control outcomes than God?  We need to think about what we are accepting if we deny God’s control.

We are affirming that God sits on His throne with all authority and maintains boundaries even while allowing free will to operate and bear consequences.  We are saying that God “does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, What have You done?’” (Daniel 4:35).  “our God is in the heavens’ He does all that He pleases” (Psalms 115:3).  When statements like these were made, people were evil then, too.  Being in control is not forced coercion.  Indeed, the fact that God allows people to make such choices and do bad things shows self-controlled patience and longsuffering on His part as He desires that none perish, but all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).  God is in control when He gives people up to the consequences of their sinful choices (Romans 1:24-32).  Sometimes He does give people what they are asking for (negatively).  Do not, for a moment, think that God is not in control just because we see terrible consequences from terrible behavior.

Consider the book of Job.  Was God in control?  The first two chapters show that He maintained control throughout, though He allowed bad things to happen to Job.  It may be difficult to understand why, but our lack of understanding is not a case for God not being in control.  He set the limits of what Satan could do.  The line was drawn by God, Satan acted freely within those boundaries, and the resolution at the end was of God’s making (a marked proof that Satan was wrong in his charges and pursuits).

When Daniel interpreted the “writing on the wall,” he referenced what happened to Nebuchadnezzar, stating that “the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom He will” (Daniel 5:21).  When Jehoshaphat sought help from God, his prayer began, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven?  You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.  In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand You” (II Chronicles 20:6).  This is what we mean when we say that God is in control.

During all these times, evil and sin were in the world.  Yet God maintained control and brought about resolutions according to His will.  He allows free will.  He allows evil to bear its consequences.  He also brings an end to these things, sets limits, and uses such events to serve greater purposes (e.g., using Babylon to bring judgment upon Judah; see Habakkuk).

God can corral events to bring about good as well.  This is one reason to pray, for what can prayer do if God is not in control?  We think of God’s providence and His use of what appears to be coincidences to cross paths and create positive outcomes (e.g., Esther, Joseph).  The truth is that we just don’t know or understand what all is going on behind the scenes.  This is why it is upon us to trust Him.  We don’t know what He knows, understand what He understands, or have the wisdom that He has.

God also controls the timing of the Day of Judgment, a day in which “He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given us assurance to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).  We can’t afford to think God isn’t in control.  We just need to see that His control is also what allows us the freedom to make choices and provides for us the solution to sin by His grace through Jesus Christ      By Doy Moyer

Two Men Know They Are Saved May 24, 2026

Two men “know” they are saved. The first man bases his assurance of salvation on his experience. He had been assured that when he completely turned his life over to Jesus Christ, accepted Him as their personal Savior, and received Him into his heart, that an inner peace and feeling of well being would sweep his soul; that he would be able to recognize that feeling when it came; and that this peace and feeling of well being would be unmistakeable evidence of his salvation. In keeping with that teaching he did “receive Jesus into His heart.” He did feel this wonderful peace sweep his soul. And he “knows” that he is saved.

The second man’s assurance is based on the promise of God. He had read in God’s word, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). From other passages he had learned the necessity of repentance and confession of faith (Acts 2:38; 7:37; Romans 10:10). Trusting God’s promise of salvation, he obeyed from the heart those commands (Romans 6:17), and has never doubted since that God forgave him of all his past sins, according to His promise.

The first man’s assurance of salvation is based upon an unsure foundation. The Bible teaches neither the action he has taken nor the criterion he has accepted. We do not question his feelings; but we do question that such feelings are proof of salvation, for they are the product of his teaching. The cultist who has been taught certain gross practices in religion and has become the victim of his perverted leader will experience similar feelings. If the feelings of the latter are not sufficient proof of salvation, neither are the feelings of the former.

“But an angel appeared and spoke to me,” someone may be thinking; or “I spoke in tongues.” The Bible teaches, however, that even unusual, inexplicable occurrences in one’s life cannot set aside the teaching of God’s revealed word. Many who will be in hell will have said, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils (demons)? And in Thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22). But all their experiences, even “miracles,” will not substitute for their doing the Father’s will as it is recorded in the scriptures (Matthew 7:21; see also Galatians 1:8; II Thessalonians 2:9-12; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Colossians 2:18-19).

The second man had based his assurance on a solid foundation. God’s promises are sure. He cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). What He has promised He is able to perform (Romans 4:21). The person who obeys His commandments through truth in His promises can know, because God is faithful. “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (I John 2:3).

We ask our readers, “Who really demonstrates strong faith in God: the one who simply trusts God’s promises and finds assurance in His word or the one who must experience some overwhelming feeling that sweeps his soul?” God’s judgment will be based, not on what we “know,” but on His word. Be not deceived!

By Bill Hall

Petting a Porcupine                                          May 17, 2026

            Far too many people, and not a few brethren, feel rejected and lonely simply because they have spent a lifetime building walls instead of bridges.  And is it any wonder why they find themselves so disconnected from everyone surrounding them?

            When was the last time you tried petting a porcupine?

            Any healthy relationship will thrive in an atmosphere of understanding and mutual forbearance, but continual carping criticism does nothing but destroy.  Pettiness and selfishness too often drive deadly spikes into the very heart of what would otherwise be a healthy and thriving union.

            The Bible instructs, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

            And again Scripture admonishes, “Finally, all of you be of the same mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you might inherit a blessing” (I Peter 3:8-9).

            And still again, “With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).

            In short, we are expected to get along with one another; to be kind and forgiving toward one another; to have genuine compassion for one another; to forbear with one another “in love.”

            We get along best when we’re less selfish and more selfless; less critical and more understanding; less like the world and more like Christ.

            And what is this but the “golden rule” in practice?  (Matthew 7:12).  We would have others show kindness to us.  We would have others minimize our weaknesses and instead emphasize and encourage our strengths.  Should we not then treat others as we would have them treat us?

            It is always the right time to be kind!                       Dalton Key (Tulsa, OK) via Old Paths