Monthly Archives: October 2017

Tuesday, October 31             Today is a day to remember.  Five centuries ago today Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg University Church.  We tend to think this as a … Continue reading →

Monday, October 30                 Halloween is upon us.  Centuries ago Nov. 1 was set aside to honor the saints of the past.  The night before became a holy evening—“hallowed eve” or “Halloween.”  All Saints Day was followed by All Souls Day, … Continue reading →

Sunday, October 29      Jesus is talking to his disciples just before his crucifixion.  He told them (John 14:16) that he would send the Holy Spirit to dwell in them “forever.”  Does this mean that the Holy Spirit will … Continue reading →

Saturday, October 28                       The Bible teaches us to esteem others higher than ourselves.  The reason that’s necessary is that we are just the opposite of that.  In whatever circumstance, … Continue reading →

Friday, October 27                        “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies.”  This thought by Robert Murray McCheyne intrigues … Continue reading →

Thursday, October 26                A common thing when we greet one another is to say “How are you doing?”  Much of the time the answer is a perfunctory “fine.”  Maybe because I’m now 89, … Continue reading →

Wednesday, October 25                        John 15:13.  “Greater  love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  This was Jesus encouraging his disciples just a … Continue reading →

Tuesday, October 24                     “Most of God’s people are contented to be saved from the hell that is without; they are not so anxious to be saved from the hell within.”—Robert Murray … Continue reading →

Monday, October 23                     We learn from one another.  Part of the reason God founded the Church was so that we would rub shoulders with one another.  Each one is given … Continue reading →

Sunday, October 22                     The sin nature has affected every part of man.  We are all plagued with the same defects.  One of them is procrastination.  Like other bad traits that … Continue reading →

Saturday, October 21                  Jesus made a startling statement in John 14:7.  Speaking to his disciples just hours before his crucifixion, he said “If you really knew me, you would know my Father … Continue reading →

Friday, October 20                      Unfortunately, the positive pattern described in yesterday’s blog doesn’t always happen.  Human beings with their remnants of the sin nature still hanging around, are susceptible to making … Continue reading →

Thursday, October 19                When a person comes face to face with God and understands his inability to qualify for heaven, he has to choose—between trusting God for his salvation or rejecting it.  To … Continue reading →

Wednesday, October 18                    Mark 14:61-62.  When Jesus stood before his accusers, the high priest asked him point blank if he was the Messiah.  Jesus’ answer could not have been more direct.  … Continue reading →

Tuesday, October 17                     Vehement Believing Robert Murray McCheyne makes a comment that goes along with yesterday’s blog.  “Prayer does not so much consist of vehement pleading, as in vehement believing.”  The word “vehement” is equivalent to “fervent” in James 5:16.  … Continue reading →

Monday, October 16               Tools need to be sharpened.  The other day Elizabeth commented that she had a hard time cutting a banana skin with one of our paring knives.  I had noticed that, … Continue reading →

Sunday, October 15                            Believing God is not limited to the salvation experience.  Belief (faith), is still necessary while we remain on this earth.  In a way, this … Continue reading →

Friday, October 13                  I guess we all remember bits and pieces of our early years.  Another old hymn stayed with me all these years—“At the Cross.”  Evidently I was too young to … Continue reading →

Thursday, October 12          Yesterday an old gospel hymn all of a sudden popped into my mind.  I hadn’t thought of that hymn for sixty or more years.  I don’t know how much I understood the message … Continue reading →

Wednesday, October 11              Present peace comes from knowing the future.  The Bible calls that hope.  Biblical use of this word “hope” is far different than how its used in our day.  We hope something … Continue reading →

Tuesday, October 10                     Art has been a part of human culture throughout history.  Some people seem to be gifted in that genre more than others.  Masterpieces sell for millions of … Continue reading →

Monday, October 9                            Robert Murray McCheyne was converted at the age of 14, mainly through the example of his older brother.  He eventually became a renowned preacher.  … Continue reading →

Sunday, October 8                            Maybe more than rejoicing that God loves us, we should rejoice that we love Him.  I mentioned back on September 9 that human marriage … Continue reading →

Saturday, October 7                           Recently, several hundred thousand people were hacked, their credit cards, bank accounts, social security numbers compromised.  The only thing that was unusual about that … Continue reading →

Thursday, October 5                      There’s a lot in the Bible about potters and pottery.  God sent Jeremiah to the potter’s house to give him a message for Israel (Jer. 18:1-11).  Jeremiah … Continue reading →

Wednesday, October 4            Paul pictures God as a potter in Romans 9.  “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’  Does not the potter have the … Continue reading →

Tuesday, October 3                              Eph. 2:6-10 is a beautiful and rich passage.  “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly … Continue reading →

Monday, October 2                        “The suffering Apostle preaches about the suffering Savior.”—Tom Thieme, in a recent sermon. He was speaking of Paul’s ministry.  Many people have suffered greatly for Christ, … Continue reading →

Sunday, October 1                John 15:8  “and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” Other versions say “born out of due season.”  Both of these have significant meanings.  … Continue reading →