Articles
Life's Little Lessons
Life’s Little Lessons
Reading the Bible
Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bible. His Grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way He could. One day the Grandson asked, “Grandpa, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget almost as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You'll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his Grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The Old Man Said, “I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his Grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Grandpa, it is useless!” “So you think it is useless?” the old man said, “Look at the basket.” “The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean inside and out. “Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible .You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out.”
Put the Glass Down
The Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students “How much do you think this glass weighs?”
“50gms!’….. ’100gms!’ …..’125gms,” the students shouted out.
“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the professor, “But, my question is:
What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”
“Nothing,” the students said.
“Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?” the professor asked.
“Your arm would begin to ache,” said one of the students.
“You’re right. Now, what would happen if I held it for a day?”
“Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and may need to go to hospital!” Ventured another student, and all the students laughed
“Very good, but during this time, did the weight of the glass change?” asked the professor.
“No,” was their answer.
“Then what caused the arm ache and muscle stress?”
The students were puzzled.
“What should I do now to come out of pain?” asked professor again.
“Put the glass down!” said one of the students
“Exactly!” said the professor.
Life’s problems are similar. Hold them for a few minutes in your head and they seem bearable. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold onto them every day all day, and they begin to paralyze you. You will be unable to think or do anything else. It’s important to think about the challenges and problems in your life; but it is equally important to put them down at the end of the day before you go to sleep.
You wake up each day fresh, strong, and prepared can handle any challenge that comes your way. So at the close of the day, put the glass down.
Too Important not to Share
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Because of the intense competition in the automobile industry, car makers try to keep their design breakthroughs secret. A company that can offer a new and desirable feature on its cars gains a coveted selling edge in a tough market. That's why it was surprising when a Mercedes-Benz ad showed one of their cars being crashed into a brick wall during a safety test. The way it withstood the impact revealed that its energy-absorbing construction could save lives. Even though Mercedes-Benz holds the patent on the safety design, competitors were free to use it because the company does not enforce its claim. When asked why, the automaker's spokesman replied, "Because some things in life are too important not to share." Likewise, the good news of forgiveness through Christ is too important not to share.
The Water in the Ship
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1John 2:15-17).
It is not the ship in the water, but the water in the ship that sinks it. Likewise, it is not the Christian in the world, but the world in the Christian that destroys him. A Christian is one who is in the world, but not of the world. Paul said, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14). Let us not be conformed to this world, but keep ourselves unspotted from it.
A Moments Wisdom
--The reason why some find it hard to think is that they haven’t much experience with it.
--To err is human; to admit it is not.
--We are all brothers under the skin, but some brothers get under your skin more than others.
--When you stop thinking about yourself all of the time, a certain sense of repose overtakes you.
--The only fool bigger than the one who thinks he knows it all is the one who tries to argue with him.
--Smoking kills live men and cures dead hogs.
--No one expresses an opinion with more zeal than an ignorant person.
--You can avoid the truth, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding the truth.
--Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
--It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
--When I hear some people boast, I am reminded of what the flea said to the elephant: “Didn’t we really shake that bridge when we crossed it!”
--Happiness is the result of being too busy to be miserable.
--The problem with doing nothing is that you don’t know when quitting time is.
--Too many people are digging up their roots when they should be cultivating their sprouts.
--Backbone beats wishbone every time.
Upcoming Sermons
3/26/23 AM & PM - Four Biblical Obligations to Others (Part One & Two)
4/2/23 AM - The Song of the Kingdom; PM - Themed Singing Service: “Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep”
4/9/23 AM - “Speak Where the Bible Speaks, and Be Silent Where the Bible Is Silent” (Parts One & Two)
4/16/23 AM - Judah’s Scepter; PM - The Great Falling Away
4/23/23 AM - “Open My Eyes that I May See”; PM - “While I was Busy Here and There”
4/30/23 AM - Telling the Truth to Myself; PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders - On This Rock
