Ecclesiastes 12:10

    The Pharisees were out to get Jesus. They figure if they could get him to say something against the Romans, they would have a lever in which to remove Jesus. So they go to him and ask him a question involving the payment of taxes to Caesar. If he said no, well the Romans might be after him.    But notice how they speak to Jesus before they ask that question. In Matthew 22:16 they say, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any ”. You can see what they are doing. They are trying to rile him up with compliments. Imply he is the type of guy who won’t cave to pressure and then ask him a question to prove just that. Challenge him to show that he is a truthful teacher not afraid of giving the “right” answer.  Jesus didn’t take the bait.  His answer was brilliant. It took the issue out of the trap and back into the real world. He never violates who he is but doesn’t all...

  You might already know that all numbers in television shows start with the same prefix, 555. The reason; this prefix doesn’t go anywhere. There isn’t anybody with a number that is a 555 number. If they used real numbers poor folks would be inundated with calls (like those poor folks at 867-5309 who keep getting calls for Jenny). Even the fake numbers get used again and again. For example, 555-2368 will get you the Ghostbusters, the hotel room from Memento, Jim Rockford of The Rockford Files, and Jaime Sommers from The Bionic Woman, among others.   You might not have a famous number but still get way too many calls. So, we screen calls and block numbers and put ourselves on no-call lists. But You know who doesn’t do that? God   No, God isn’t listed in the yellow pages but he does provide us with means to contact him twenty-four seven. His ear is ever ready to listen, his heart open to our words, his thoughts attune to our needs Be anxious for nothing, but in everything...

    I guess “what to wear” has always been an issue in the church.    As our world goes thru a casual dress phase, we see that reflected in church services as well. I oftentimes now see groups advertise their informal attire as an attribute. In times past, include the era of the New Testament, folks would ‘dress to impress as a way to flaunt their wealth or status. Others might forgo modesty and wear inappropriate attire. Yet in this article I’m not talking about what you wear to a church service but what you must wear to be part of the church.   In Galatians 3:27 we read, “ For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ” The garment we put on to be part of the church in Jesus himself. Putting on Christ means taking off old sins (Romans 13:14) and robing ourselves in a new self (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). The way we dress in Him is through baptism. Baptism is the act that makes us part of his saved, the church (Ac...

   I don’t know what Samson saw in Delilah, but whatever it was it was enough to destroy him. I don’t think we can hold women like this as a positive example expect maybe in on aspect, persistence.   This woman was able to do what no man ever could, she brought down Samson.  She did it by never stopping, Time after time Samson refuses her she just keeps on prodding until finally against all good sense he tells her how he can be subdued. It came about when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was annoyed to death. Judges 16:16   Persistence can conquer the unconquerable. That's why it is a trait Jesus encourages us to have (Luke 11:5-10, 18:1). Those that give up quickly are always disappointed. Those that persist despite disappointment will eventually get what they want.  Let’s be persistent in what is good rather than evil.