Topic(s): Encouragement, Teaching

While browsing through old army pictures recently, I was reminded of an extremely embarrassing incident which happened to me as a young company commander in Germany as I conducted an inspection.

Everything was proceeding well until I approached a young E-2 (private) fresh from basic training. I stood face to face with this young man whose pulse you could see throbbing in his throat. The first thing that caught my eye was an unbuttoned pocket on his fatigues.

I barked out in my best command voice, “Button that pocket, soldier!” The young man turned three shades of red, looked left and right, and then sheepishly asked, “Right now, sir?” I answered, “Of course, right now. When did you think I meant for you to do it?”

The young man then did something that is virtually considered treason in the armed forces. He handed me his weapon, and with both trembling hands he reached out and buttoned the flap on my shirt pocket!

Why is it easier to observe the mote in thy brother's eye than it is to see our own? Incidentally, I now closely check my pockets each morning before I feel comfortable in advising others of theirs (Jones).

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” - Matthew 7:3

He Trusted in His God

Topic(s): Faith

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)

James A. Harding, famous Gospel preacher, spoke to a young student in the old Potter Bible School, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He said, “Frank, hitch up the carriage and drive me to the depot. I must leave for a meeting.” When the young man stopped in front of the Harding house a little later, Mrs. Harding was inquiring how her husband expected to buy a ticket without money. God’s servant was heard to reply, “I’ll go as far as I can and await further word of ticket money.

Soon after entering the little city, a man waved for the carriage to stop, explaining that for some time he had desired to have fellowship with Harding in spreading the Gospel of Christ, and handed him a twenty-dollar bill. At the depot, he purchased his ticket, turned to Frank, and placing every bit of the change in his hand, instructed that it be given to his wife. Harding then boarded the train and continued his journey to some favored place to tell of Him who said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Six Short Rules for Young Christians

Topic(s): Bible Study, Faith, Prayer, Wisdom

1. Never neglect daily prayer. When you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers (Hebrews 11:6)
2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading. When you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what He says. All backsliding begins with the neglect of these two rules (John 5:39).
3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus. Every night reflect on what Jesus had done for you, and then ask yourself: “What am I doing for Him?” (Matthew 5:12-16).
4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, it is better to wait and think about it than to do it without confidence (Romans 14:21-23). Go to your room and see if you can find anything in the Bible that relates to it (call someone if you need to). Then kneel down and ask God’s blessings upon it (Colossians 3:17). If you feel uncomfortable doing this, that is a good sign it is wrong.
5. Never take your Christianity from other Christians, or argue that “such and such” people do “so and so,” therefore you may (2 Corinthians 10:12). Ask yourself: “How would Christ act in my place?” Strive to follow Him (John 10:27).
6. Never believe what you feel if it contradicts God’s Word. Ask yourself: “Can what I feel be true, if God’s Word is true?” If both cannot be true, believe God, and change your feelings (Romans 3:4; 1 John 5:10-11).

Lawyer Jokes

Topic(s): Humor

• A minister and lawyer chatted at a party: “What do you do if you make a mistake on a case?” the minister asked. “Try to fix it if it’s big; ignore it if it’s insignificant,” replied the lawyer. “What do you do?” “Oh, more or less the same. For example, the other day I meant to say ‘the devil is the father of liars,’ but instead I said ‘the devil is the father of lawyers,’ so I let it go.”
• A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing ailments and asking the doctor for advice. After an hour, the exasperated doctor asked, “What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you're out of the office?” “I give it to them, and then send them a bill.” The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills. When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer.

“And they...were merry with him” - Genesis 43:34