The Bible teaches us three different kinds of daily giving: Giving, Forgiving, and Thanksgiving! Since Thanksgiving is upon us, let’s think about how often we are thankful. Jesus cleansed 10 lepers but only ONE came back and offered thanksgiving! Jesus expressed thanks before thousands of people, (John 6:10-11, Luke 22:19). Paul gave thanks (Acts 27:35; […]
Author: bumchecks
‘End-Time’ Predictions
Remember Edgar Whisenant? Probably not, but he was the retired NASA engineer who became famous (or infamous) by making predictions about the second coming of Christ. His first guess was September 12, 1988. He became an instant celebrity when he wrote a book explaining his reasons why the event would absolutely, positively, no-doubt-about-it occur on […]
Perils to the Soul
Have you noticed the growing fascination that some have with other people’s perils? They pay good money to watch stunt drivers jump a string of cars, or a tightrope walker make his way across a tiny rope 200 feet above the pavement. We marvel when someone unnecessarily puts himself at risk. The greatest risk of […]
When Church (Worship) Is Boring
What do you do when you find that church is boring? It’s time for a change! Now the question is, change what? Many folks think the answer is to change the church. I just read an article about a new church created for men only, men who find church boring. Discarding more traditional environments, they […]
A Level Playing Field”
Bonnyrigg Rose is the name of a soccer club in Bonnyrigg, Scotland. Among its past members is someone you may have heard of: Sean Connery, one of the more famous actors to play the role of James Bond. Just that fact tells us that this club has a long and proud heritage. Bonnyrigg recently sent […]
Words of Advice for Teens: Watch your Language
I am not talking about vulgar words. But listen to the apostle Paul share wisdom from the Spirit of God: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” […]
Cultivating Joy
A farmer prepares a field for growing a crop by cultivating it. I think that it is our duty to cultivate the joy we have been looking at in the book of Philippians. With that, we must make an effort to do this. We must fight against any tendency that we might have to complain or murmur. […]
Learning How to Have Joy
Life has its ups and downs. Circumstances can cause us to be happy or sad. Ups and downs of life and even the circumstances around us may determine if we are happy or sad, but those events can never remove our joy. The word “happy” comes from the idea of “happenstance” which means that circumstances […]
The Scriptures and Gossip
The gossipers oft’ begin their tales of woe with well-worn phrases, such as, “They say.” or “Have you heard?” or apologetically, “I hate to tell you this, but…” And thus, the tale unfolds. One might think that the Bible is silent on this subject, as gossip is so widespread. Yet, the very opposite is true. […]
Proper and Improper Controversy
We should all recognize that a certain bit of controversy is inevitable if there is to be growth and if the church is to be kept pure. Faithful servants of the Lord are to go out into an unbelieving world and earnestly contend for the faith. Reproving and rebuking are in order when error in […]