Topic(s): Priorities

Abraham knew he would find no permanent city in this world, so he never called a real estate agent, never built a home—he simply pitched a tent.

He refused to become attached to the things of this world. Abraham’s focus was on God’s will for his life. He wanted his children and grandchildren to know that the things of God that are permanent—not the things of the world. That’s why, wherever he went, Abraham did not merely pitch his tent, but he also built his altar.

The problem is, far too many of us do the exact opposite of Abraham—we build our tents and pitch our altars. We attach permanence to our homes, our lands, our possessions, and our culture while treating the things of God as ethereal and unreal. We spend our time building, improving, and adding to our tents, and, at best, we “pitch our altars” if we do anything with them at all. Too many of us tend to follow the example of Lot more than Abraham. —Ed Young (from KneEmail, Mike Benson, ed.)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. " —1 John 2:15

Things You will Never See at a Pentecostal “Healing” Service

Topic(s): Denominationalism, Miracles

• One raised from the dead, like Jesus did (John 11:38–44).
• The blind made to see, like Jesus did (John 9:1–12).
• The deaf made to hear, like Jesus did (Mark 7:31–37).
• An ear restored, like Jesus did (Luke 22:49–51).
• A leper cleansed, like Jesus did (Matthew 8:1–4).
• Restoration of a withered hand, like Jesus did (Matthew 12:9–13).
• False teachers struck blind, like Paul did (Acts 13:8–12).
• Order maintained, like Paul commanded (1 Corinthians 14:26–40).

—Author Unknown, via Beacon Bulletin, a Publication of the Belleview Church of Christ, June 18, 2007 No. 25

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." —1 John 4:1

What Helps Your Prayer Life?

Topic(s): Christian Life, Prayer

Recently I asked one of my Bible classes this question: What helps your prayer life? Let me share some of their answers:

• “Finding a special place to pray.”
• “Praying at a set time every day.”
• “It helps me to pray when I know someone else is praying for me.”
• “Struggles help me talk to God.”
• “I have learned that praying while on my knees not only makes me feel closer to God, but it keeps me focused on my prayers.”
• “A prayer group of women I met with once a week to pray for my sons when they were younger.”
• “Daily devotionals.”
• “Wife and children.”
• “Knowing that God is always there and listens, no matter how small the request.”
• “Seeing my prayers answered.”

These are great suggestions, aren’t they? And you know something—they are all biblical. Take a look:

• One day Jesus was praying in a certain place (Luke 11:1).
• Three times a day Daniel got down on his knees and prayed (Daniel 6:10).
• “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
• “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray” (James 5:13).
• “He kneeled down, and prayed with them all” (Acts 20:36).
• Paul found women who gathered for prayer by a river (Acts 16:13).
• “I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee” (Psalm 88:9).
• “They all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed” (Acts 21:5).
• “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).
• “Call unto me, and I will answer” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Need help with your prayer life? Try the above suggestions. —Keith Parker,The Lincoln Light Bulletin July 1, 2007

Youthful Innocence

Topic(s): Humor

A little boy got lost at the gym, and found himself in the women’s locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, “What’s the matter haven’t you ever seen a little boy before?”

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 18:3