Topic(s): Blessings

It’s not the great things in this world
that make our lives worthwhile,
It’s the little things like a tiny flower,
or perhaps a baby’s smile.

A little word, sincerely spoken,
can lift our spirits high;
Like a tiny bird perched on a limb
sends his message to the sky.

A little dewdrop on a rose
and tiny blades of grass,
All sparkle in the sunlight,
to cheer us as we pass.

The lovely johnny jumpups,
the smallest flower that grows,
Delight the heart of youngsters,
peeping up around their toes.

A friendly gesture or a smile
mean more to me than gold.
They help us feel that someone cares
when we are growing old.

Money cannot buy the things
that mean so much to me.
They are part of God’s creation,
and all of them are free. —Laina Owen

“For who hath despised the day of small things?” —Zechariah 4:10

A New Song

Topic(s): Humor

An older lady was complaining about a new contemporary song used in the worship service at her church. A fellow worshipper responded, “Why, that is not a new song it is a very old song! David sang that song to Saul.”

The older lady replied, “Well now, for the first time, I understand why Saul threw the javelin at him when he sang.”

“And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience . . .” —2 Peter 1:6

Judging: Part 2

Topic(s): Sin

Links to this entire series:

• Judging: Part 1
• Judging: Part 2

What will judging do? It puts us in God’s place as a judge. God’s law is to train us for better judges. We need more judgment and fewer judges. A man’s judgment is no better than his information. We usually lack the necessary facts for adequate judgment.

Judging also sets us up as examples and creates within us a “holier-than-thou” feeling. You cannot go on judging others without elevating yourself above them. As an example of this, study the Pharisee in Luke 18:9–14.

Through judging we are forced into the pool of hypocrisy. We begin to judge in others the things that are our own greatest weaknesses. “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). “For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Romans 2:1). “He that walks barefoot must never plant thorns.” The Indians would say: “Never criticize another’s walk until you have walked in his moccasins for three days.” Before condemning another for his faults, sit down and count ten of your own. In looking for someone to criticize, don’t turn your head when passing the mirror.

What is the cure for judging?

It might be compared to the balance type scales. On one side is the standard weight; on the other side, the product to be weighed. The scales will speak for themselves in the weighing of the matter. The only cure for judging is true love. —George Bailey

Following the Leaders

Topic(s): Christian Life, Church

“The Bible definitely teaches that each Christian should wholeheartedly support the elders in the work of the church program. These men spend exhaustive hours in planning efforts for our benefit, as well as for growth of the church. They are willing to lead us along the pathway that we should follow in our work for the Lord.

Common sense dictates that our elders cannot lead unless we will be led; there is no strength of leadership, regardless of its qualifications, unless people are willing to follow. Each member has his own work obligations, measured according to his personal ability, and if he doesn’t work, a gapping hole is left in the church program.

Our elders fulfill their sacred trust by planning and leading the various aspects of our work. We must fulfill our duty to God by our willing and cheerful support of their program plans. Elders are not infallible, and there are some instances when the best intended plans are not successfully attained, but each member’s liability is whether or not this failure was dependent upon his support.” —Cleon Lyles, Bigger Men for Better Churches

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.”—Hebrews 13:17

Promises

Topic(s): Love

In the latter days of the Vietnam War, an American Colonel named Earl Woods made a promise. Woods believed that his friend, a South Vietnamese colonel named Vuong Phon, saved his life. In gratitude for the act, Woods promised to name his son after his friend, who was known as “Tiger.” Sports fans will immediately understand that the promise was kept. That son has immortalized his father’s friend, for most everyone has heard of Tiger Woods. (Read Matthew 5:33.)