Topic(s): Mother

My son found a bird’s nest. It was empty. After just one season, the mother bird was finished with it. Next year she will build another. But I am glad human mothers are not like birds.

Did you know that if someone handles eggs in a wild bird’s nest the bird may stop sitting on them? And, that if a mother bird has a defective chick she will shove it out of the nest and not allow it to grow up? Thank God our mothers care for us, regardless of the many problems we have. They take care of us when we are hurt or sick. Like God, they love us even when we do wrong things.

A mother bird keeps busy feeding her young and protecting them. That is all she does, though. Think of how often our mothers have to be nurses, teachers, housekeepers, cooks, chauffeurs, counselors, and friends. With all we ask it is a wonder they don’t push us out of the nest.

Baby birds are out of the nest in one season. The mother becomes free from caring for them. Our mothers are forever. They continue to do things for us even when we get older. They never stop caring for us. They pray for us. They become grandmothers and care for our children.

“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old” —Proverbs 23:22

Just Think!

Topic(s): Bible Authority

I was on a University campus in Louisville, Kentucky today and I noticed some T-shirts that were being sold. The message on the T-shirt was “It doesn’t matter what you think, just think!” Well now, if that isn’t a reflection of a prevailing philosophy of the time in which we live. In the eyes of some, arriving at truth isn’t nearly as important as the pursuit of it. But friends, such a notion is misguided. While there is some virtue in hungering for knowledge, the greater virtue is in arriving at truth. Paul spoke disparagingly of some who were “ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). Friends, the message on the T-shirt was half right. Think! we all need to do this. But according to God’s Word, it certainly does matter what we think (John 8:24). —Steve Higginbotham

“What if you are just a spark? All fires are the same size at the start.”

If He is Wrong, What Does the Christian Miss?

Topic(s): Blessings, Christian Life

Doubt is a subtle demon. It creeps in at times of distress, pain, and fear. Doubting is not sinful; failing to act on doubts is. Honesty demands an examination and a resolution of doubts. As one examines doubts, his heart is comforted. Truth will silence doubts, or will show a different path that should be taken. But often the search for truth is a long one, and doubts must be endured until the answer is found. During that interim, how should one reason? Must he abandon his faith until study has removed the last question? Let me raise questions for consideration by those who may be wavering in their faith, plagued by doubts: As a Christian, even if the doubts are true, what have I missed through believing in God? Even if there is no God, no true Word, and no heaven, what does a Christian miss by living a righteous, faithful life?

A Christian is far better off physically than an unbeliever. Our bodies, says Paul, are the temple of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1). A temple must be treated with respect and care. Proper diet, exercise, and preventive medicine should be a part of a Christian’s life. He will not abuse his body with drugs and other harmful substances. He will avoid putting himself in situations that are evil and hurtful. Drunken driving, fights, and other law-breaking activities can not threaten him physically. Why? Because they are not a part of his life!

A Christian is better off materially because of his values. Basic honesty affects one’s business. He does not seek illegal or unethical advantage. He is careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody (Romans 12:17). People will want to do business with him because they know they will be treated fairly and truthfully. God’s child is doubly blessed. He has enough for himself and enough to share with those who are in need (Ephesians 4:28). He enjoys the pleasure of having all he requires and the greater blessing of giving to help others.

The Christian loses nothing socially by his commitment to Jesus Christ. Like Jesus, he should grow in favor with men (Luke 2:52). He may not be liked for his faith and practice, but he will be respected for his dedication to what he believes. A man once remarked that he intended to go and hear a certain preacher. Someone asked him why since he did not believe as that preacher did. His response was, “Because he believes what he preaches and I like to hear people like that.”

Christian relationships are not corrupted by many of the practices of the world. Because he will be true to his marriage vows, the Christian will not know the attendant heartbreak of adultery or sexual perversions and a broken home. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it . . . husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies . . . ” (Ephesians 5:25, 28). A stable marriage adds to life’s pleasures and meaning. A Christian is also a good neighbor since he loves his neighbor as himself (Matthew 22:37-38).

What about a Christian’s emotional life? Emotional turmoil may cause the Christian to seek counsel. There is no shame in this. Yet, Christian counsel will bring insights that will provide help and recovery faster and in a more meaningful, permanent way than the counsel of non-Christian advisors. With God at the center, the child of God is not disturbed and plagued by many of the world’s emotional ills.

What does one lose by being a Christian? Nothing but negatives and problems! Even if there is no God, no heaven or hell, no biblical authority for moral values, the Christian’s quality of life is still far better than that of the unbeliever. The really important question is not “What does the Christian lose if the unbeliever is right,” but “What does the unbeliever lose if the Christian is right?” Even if somehow the unbeliever managed to gain the world, he would lose his own soul, and that is the greatest loss of all. —Ancil Jenkins