Topic(s): Jesus, Love

Sally related an experience she had in a Bible class taught by Professor Smith. He was known for elaborate object lessons. One day, Sally walked into the classroom and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target; on a table were many darts,

Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry in the past. Sally’s friend drew a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a former friend, with a great deal of detail, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the effect she achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some threw with such force that the target ripped apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, but was disappointed when the teacher said they were out of time.

As she sat down, thinking about how angry she was because she did not have a chance to throw at her target, the professor began removing the target from the wall. Underneath was a picture of Jesus.

A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus. Holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes. Smith said only these words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

No other words were necessary—the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.
—from Mikey’s Funnies

Cancer Is So Limited

Topic(s): Encouragement, Pain & Suffering

When Dan Richardson lost his battle with cancer, the following piece was distributed at his memorial service.

Cancer is limited
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot eat away peace,
It cannot destroy confidence,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot shut out memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot reduce eternal life,
It cannot quench the Spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

You cannot deny that you have the disease, but you can deny despair from taking control. Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, call for God’s daily delivery of wisdom, strength, and grace.

Each morning, slam the door on despair. If you don’t, it will slip in and rob you. And you’ll soon find a peace missing.

“Peace I leave with you,my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14:27

Look What Has Come to the World!

Topic(s): Evangelism, Gospel

An English writer has said, “The early Christians did not go around saying, ‘Look what the world has come to.’ Rather they went out with great joy and said to all men, ‘Look what has come to the world!’”

There is a great difference between these two attitudes. Yes, the world is in bad shape—but read the second chapter of Romans and you will find that the world was in an awful condition in Paul’s time. The unique Gospel of Jesus Christ offers the solution to man’s problems. Look! See what has come into the world—God’s revelation of Himself in all His power, wisdom, and love through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. This is indeed glorious news! This is a message which we cannot keep to ourselves, but we must tell everybody about it. No wonder Christians are radiant with joy. They have found the treasure all are seeking. They have seen what has come into the world in the advent of Jesus Christ, and they are working for the advancement of His kingdom until He comes again.

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” —1 John 4:9

Understanding the Christian Viewpoint

Topic(s): Christian Life

A Christian feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he mourns. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, and knows that which passeth knowledge. —adapted from A.W. Tozer

“God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”—1 Corinthians 1:27