While thinking about what I should write for the July Praise News I came across this in my files. I don’t know who the author is but felt this was very appropriate for this month. – Mary Carothers Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Remember that they were British subjects …
God never gives advice! Advice is something we can accept or reject. God tells us what to do. All too frequently we treat God’s Word as advice – something to be accepted or rejected according to how we happen to feel. A clear-cut command such as, “Do not steal,” is easier to receive as a permanent, all-inclusive order for everyone …
By Mary Carothers Jesus taught us with parables. He must have known that this was the best way to teach the principles that God wants us to understand. In Matthew 25, Jesus told the parable of the talents. In this story, the talents represented money. However, the principle that Jesus was teaching is not limited to money. The principle He …
“Merlin, if I don’t learn to praise the Lord as you teach, will I not be able to go heaven?” What an incredible question for anyone to ask, but I hear it often. It’s sad to me that people are being taught such false ideas about God that they live in doubt and fear. Some people feel that God is …
By Mary Carothers Did you know that every New Testament letter begins by bestowing God’s peace on the readers? Remember when the angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds? Their message was peace from God to all mankind. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples when they were hiding in fear (definitely not at peace!) His first words? Peace …
I read a book that was an exquisite piece of art. The author delved into physics, chemistry, philosophy, history, painting, mathematics, and poetry in a masterful and delicate way. His vocabulary, sentence structure, composition, and elegance of style were all marks of a master. Throughout the book, I repeatedly thought to myself, I wish I could write like that! Eventually, …
By Mary Carothers Forgiveness is one of the most important precepts of Christianity. Our very salvation is purchased for us by the forgiveness of God – through the precious blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22). If Jesus had not been the sinless sacrifice for our sins, if He had not shed His blood on Calvary, then how could God have forgiven …
Our minds may tell us that, for us to be happy, we must have a certain food or drink, watch our favorite television shows, be with a certain person or travel to distant places. But when we are controlled by our physical desires, we often lose the joy of living as a spiritual being. God has given us the capacity …
By Mary Carothers “I just got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” “I’m just in a bad mood.” Have you ever heard either of these expressions? Or perhaps said them yourself? We like to excuse ourselves, don’t we? (My bad attitude or bad mood is never my fault!) Oh, no. Of course not! But did you …
Jesus’ disciples were called ignorant and unlearned. Jesus taught them for three years and at their graduation ceremony they all fled when He was arrested. Yet before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave them their assignment. Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15 NIV). Jesus also told His disciples that they would …
