How big is your God? Good question. I’ve heard preachers say it before. The first time caught me off-guard. I hadn’t really thought about it. Up until that time God had occupied a little cubicle of my life and I called on Him when I was in really desperate straits.…
Genealogy is an interesting subject. There are accounts of it in the Bible. For instance, after Abel was slain, Seth was born to Adam and Eve. Seth’s son’s name was Enos. It’s plain from reading the passages that there were many other offspring. Enos is mentioned because this is when…
Don’t miss heaven! This modern age is full of time-savers–computers, microwaves, ipads, cell phones, and so on and so on. So why is everyone so busy? Why is it that there’s always more and more to do? What has happened? Old folks can remember not having any of the new…
For women, the operative word is ‘sale’, ‘discount’, or ‘clearance’; for men, it’s ‘auction’, ‘tool sale’, or ‘liquidation’. Those very words and off they go to buy more stuff. Bring it home to an already full closet, garage, shop or wherever. The overflow just grows like it has a life…
Ever been to the doctor and got a diagnosis that was just too much to handle all at once? All of a sudden everything in the room just doesn’t seem real and time seems to be at a standstill. Or, a loved one dies and it just can’t be so. …
Ever been to the doctor and got a diagnosis that was just too much to handle all at once? All of a sudden everything in the room just doesn’t seem real and time seems to be at a standstill. Or, a loved one dies and it just can’t be so. …
HAPPY JULY 4TH! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Independence Day? Could be that SCOTUS had a little slip and forgot that independence from government control was what this country was founded on. So much for that. God had it right when he told Samuel that they weren’t rejecting him but it was…
It’s common knowledge that there are more Bibles in the world than any other book. It’s also safe to say that there are more books written about the Bible than any other book. Now, just stop and think for a minute. There are probably more Bibles and books written about…
Abel was the first recorded keeper of sheep (Genesis 4:2). Down through the centuries there have been many others who have kept sheep. And, this is where the shepherd comes into play. Shepherds are still in existence today but their role, in some parts of the world, has changed due…
This modern world must think that God just sits back in His rocking chair and watches events as they unfold. If He’s taken seriously at all, He’s already done it all and the Bible is just another history book. It’s a history book, all right, one that is still in…
It says in John 12:42 that many of the chief rulers believed Jesus; but, being put out of the synagogue by the Pharisees was more than these rulers were willing to risk. So, instead of speaking up they chose to be silent. It was more important to ‘go along to…
The SWEDEN CHURCH revival begins June 4th (Monday) at 7 p.m. Revivals have been going on for a long time. Although the word itself isn’t mentioned in the Bible, there are verses that can be found that speak of an awakening or of a visitation. Luke 19:44 and Acts 2:4…
There are people who just will not give God the credit for anything. For instance, a friend will credit ‘good karma’ for a good turn of events. But, let her be in a real jam, and she’s on the phone requesting prayers. God didn’t tell Noah that there might be…
Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to blindness. If it goes untreated, the pressure in the eye rises and the eyeball itself starts to harden. It’s interesting that once it begins hardening, the vision begins to go. It’s like so many other things that harden. Once they do…
“But their minds were blinded…” (II Corinthians 3:14). It reminds me of some teenagers. All the talk in the world won’t deter a youth from doing what he/she has his/her mind set on. Sometimes the only thing that works is to put a foot on their head (figuratively speaking, of…
Starting at Romans 1:18 to the end of that chapter is a pretty good account of just how ugly sin can be. There’s a bit of a hint that Paul may be targeting the Jewish people. But, in verse 18, he makes it plain that he is talking about the…
FOOD!!! The 5th Sunday Feed at Sweden Church is this coming Sunday, April 29th, immediately following the morning church service. It’s not necessary to bring a covered dish. There will be plenty of food to go around. It would be a good time to come and check out the progress…
Acts 1:4-5 was the text of the sermon. In it the resurrected Jesus is telling the apostles to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the promise of the Father which is the Holy Spirit. It was shortly after this that Jesus ascended to heaven. The apostles went to Jerusalem (they…
Only Noah and his family survived the flood. (Genesis 6) The prince of this world (John 12:31) had reeked enough havoc since Adam that God was fed up. About 800 years later, Job comes along. He is an upright man who revered God and abstained from evil (Job 1:1). Satan…
Easter is this Sunday, April 8th. Sweden Church has a sunrise service at 7 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. After breakfast, some stay for Sunday school and church and others must leave. In any event, everyone is welcome to come and thank the good Lord that He has seen…
Easter is April 8th. Sweden Church has a sunrise service at 7 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. After breakfast, some stay for Sunday school and church and others must leave. In any event, everyone is welcome to come and thank the good Lord that He has seen fit to…
Everyone has a dream. The dream is usually about getting married, having kids, a nice house, two cars, a good job, and so on. Whatever the dream is, most people usually get some or most of what they dream about. This is usually true, too. No matter how much of…
Once upon a time there was a tightrope walker. He was so good that he could walk across the tightrope blindfolded pushing a wheelbarrow. Pretty amazing stuff. After he accomplished this feat, on one particular performance, he asked the audience if they believed he could do it going back. “Yes!”…
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It’s in Romans 3:23. There’s likely no one who compares themselves to God or His glory. The undeniable truth is that He’s been around forever—us?—in this present state, this body is going to die. Now, back in Genesis 1:27,…
DaySpring has a card that starts out “There’s only one reason I’d ever send anyone a card like this…” The remainder of the card is an impassioned plea to the reader to accept Jesus Christ and live in God’s will. It’s a wonderful card that can move anyone. Of course…
The thought of being blind makes most people shudder in fear. I remember when I was a teen, the thought occurred to me. What would I do if I couldn’t see? I couldn’t possibly imagine it. It just seemed like it was more than I could bear. In college, I…
Ever heard of the eternal optimist? It’s the person who sees better times ahead. The one who sees something good in all that happens. Or, how about the person who waits around for a relative to leave their inheritance to them. This one does little that is productive—just waits around…
“We live on the other side of Easter.” Pastors often sprinkle their sermons with little sayings like this one. But, it’s also a truth—the church age did not take place until after the resurrection. It’s also interesting; too, that Jesus spoke of the church while still on this earth. It’s…
Reminder: Our Fifth Sunday Feast is January 29, this coming Sunday. There is always room at the table for one more. Come and bring guests. New faces are welcome. “When God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head.” (page 6 of God’s Little…
The chosen scripture for today was II Corinthians 5:17-19. It’s a tall order to cover all that is contained in these three verses. Even taller, yet, is to be able to cover them and leave behind some kind of clarity. Our pastor did just that by sprinkling his sermon with…
There is a book called Who’s Who in The Bible. It contains thumbnail sketches of persons of interest from both the Old and New Testaments. Some of the sketches are very brief (only a paragraph) and others longer (4 pages or more). Whatever the length, the book attempts to preserve…
Teachers have a golden opportunity to meet all kinds of students especially those that are in high school. These are the beginnings of young adults that will face tomorrow’s challenges and, for better or worse, will make decisions in the future that affect society. In the classroom students’ behaviors are…
As everyone knows, Christmas is on Sunday this year. Sweden Church will have singing and a service at 11 a.m. only, no Sunday school and no evening service. Come and spend an hour with us. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. John the Baptist was one of…
The first few sentences help the reader decide if he/she wants to read further. This sentence and the next two have to do with food—both spiritual and physical. This Sunday, December 18 our church offers food for the spirit with Sunday school at 10 a.m. and Morning Worship at 11…
Our pastor recently said that if we could see heaven and hell, we would choose heaven. There’s a fellow who claims to have spent 23 minutes in hell. In fact, that’s the title of his book. Whether or not he experienced what he said, what he does describe is not…
God spoke to Abraham. It’s in Genesis 12:1-2. He told him to move. Now, Abraham must have heard him because that is exactly what he did. Our sermon was taken from Hebrews 1:1-2. It starts off telling the reader that God has spoken in many different ways. He has spoken…
Glory, a word that holds meaning for most everyone. For the most part, it’s a kind of being, or feeling, exalted. The quarterback is recognized as being the best when he makes passes that score touchdowns. He basks in his glory. The Wall Street investment advisor is touted as being…
“When I was a child…, I thought as a child…” (I Corinthians 13:11). Then, it’s time to go to school to learn. “But go ye and learn…” (Matthew 9:13). The Bible is our textbook and the world is our school. “Study to show thyself approved…” (II Timothy 2:15). Our teacher…
Glory, a word that holds meaning for most everyone. For the most part, it’s a kind of being, or feeling, exalted. The quarterback is recognized as being the best when he makes passes that score touchdowns. He basks in his glory. The Wall Street investment advisor is touted as being…
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11) Jesus was indeed human on this earth. If he weren’t, this verse would not be in the Gospels. He gave his life to the service of love. That is why he comforted John the Baptist in prison. …
Even the most cynical mind will concede that ‘intelligent design’ probably was behind creation. The correct word is God but some are still tinkering with the idea that some terrestrial being zapped creation here. (It was probably from watching too many science-fiction movies in the 60s.) Mankind has been really…
Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. Nineveh was a wicked city. It’s spelled out in the book of Nahum. Some of the sins included plotting evil against the Lord, cruelty in war, prostitution, witchcraft, and exploitation. Jonah, however, was convinced to go to Nineveh and preach against their…
Our preacher related a story about someone who referred to themselves as a ‘closet Christian.’ Not being familiar with such a term, I set about trying to conclude what was being meant by such a statement. A closet is a place that one keeps things. The word closet is only…
Everyone knows that a day is coming that will be their last. And, presumably, most people worry about it. The worry is usually whether everything one wants to accomplish in life will be finished when the drum-roll begins. There is a passage in the Bible that speaks to this subject. …
Last Weeks News – “…whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25) This is the story of the blind man from birth that Jesus healed. Remember? He was hauled in front of the Pharisees and questioned. This is an example of physical blindness. In the previous verse the Pharisees…
Until the time of Samuel, Israel was ruled by divine leadership. God had established a covenant with Moses and it was acknowledged in Exodus 24:7. God’s people had agreed to “all the LORD had said, to be obedient.” My! how times changed. In less than 400 years, the people of…
I wonder what it would be like to follow God around for a day? I wonder if it would be like standing in front of a class of 21 unruly eighth graders? All boys except for one; bless her heart, she has to be brave to last through this semester. …
Exactly what is grace? To begin with, it is favor, God’s favor (Genesis 18:3). Growing in grace means that the favor of God is already there (II Timothy 1:9). It had to be there in order to grow in it. Now, how does one grow in grace? For openers, one…
The word stranger is used many times throughout the Bible. God speaks of Israel being strangers in Egypt (Exodus 23:9). Angels have appeared as strangers (Hebrews 13:2). In I Peter 2:11 Peter himself speaks of the servants of God as being strangers. Flip to Psalm 119:19 and it says “I…
A man was robbed and beaten and left for dead. This actually happened to a friend of my father’s. Who knows how long he laid there. It was a well-known road and had a history of dangerous spots where, who knows, anything could and did happen. It was kind of…
It was going to be a long day at the temple. Jesus had just arrived and was met by the priests, teachers and elders. They challenged his authority and he gave them a question they dodged with a ‘We don’t know’. He then told them the parable of the man…
“Take care of what God gives you the power to take care of.” A simple sentence uttered by our preacher during the sermon. Sometimes simple little sentences like that can just hit like a target right between the eyes. It got me to thinking. How many times have I passed…
John 17 is a wonderful prayer that Jesus prays for his disciples. Beginning in verse 20 he also prays for believers. Not just the ones at that present time but for those in the future. His prayer is that those who believe might also, by their unity, show the world…
Jesus chose twelve disciples. One of them was Judas Iscariot. Iscariot is Greek for ‘a man of Kerioth’. Kerioth is no longer in existence but it was a city in Judah south of Jerusalem. The rest of the disciples were from Galilee, which lay north of Jerusalem. He must have…
Sin: David had too much time on his hands. He had given leadership of his army to Joab and was relaxing at his palace. That’s when he saw Bathsheba. It’s a well-known story found in II Samuel 11. The outcome was that David took up with Bathsheba and had Uriah,…
What if there were no more preachers to preach? No more churches to attend? No more Sunday services offered? Would it be missed? Would it even be noticed? The modern fast-paced world offers many reasons for pushing people of faith to the back of the bus—too busy, too much to…
Picture someone standing at a cemetery. In front of him is the hole that has been readied to hold a coffin. It’s a dark hole and once filled, that’s it. Whose turn will it be? In Luke 16:19-31 it’s the rich man’s turn. It’s pretty sad, the rich man is…
At last year’s revival the pastor made the statement that a mule can be led to water but can’t be forced to drink. However, put salt in his food and he’ll get thirsty enough to drink. The same can be said about studying the Bible. There are times the pastor…
This isn’t the time for the church to be cast down and sad. This isn’t the time for the church to be silent. The church ought to be happy. The church ought to be excited. The church ought to be filled with the spirit of God. Because it is on…
Churches can be considered kingdoms. Really small kingdoms; but, when they’re all lumped together in the end; wouldn’t this be Christ’s church? The one He speaks about calling to himself. Thinking along this line Romans 14:17 makes sense. This section talks about what the kingdom of God is and is…
There’s a lot of disagreement in biblical circles about the word perfect. Yet, it says in Matthew 5:48 ‘be ye perfect’. Of course, on the heels of that is ‘as your Father in heaven’. Even looking at it from the broadest of possibilities, one has to admit that earthlings start…
Elijah was from the highlands of Gilead. It was far removed from the big city centers of Israel and was one of the few places that Yahweh (God) was still worshipped and the old traditions were followed. These Israelites scorned the introduction of the fertility gods, which King Ahab had…
In Luke 10:1 Jesus has appointed seventy to go by pairs into every city and place. He has given them a set of instructions for when they are gone and has also told them to heal the sick. When they return in verse 17, they are feeling really good. They…
There’s an old song called You Never Mentioned Him To Me. It talks about standing before the throne of judgment and hearing lost souls make that statement. Sounds like a wake-up call. Imagine hearing someone on the south-bound train to nowhere cry out these very words when they see their…
Teenagers, especially young teens, will go to great lengths to be liked. Popularity is a must. It is important to be noticed and thought well of in whatever group teens move in. Adults carry some of this same need for approval with them, too. For instance, a neighbor some years…
What? That’s how it starts. I Corinthians 6:19 begins with that single word. One can almost imagine how incredulous Paul is when he writes that in a letter he is sending to the church at Corinth. Don’t tell me, you’ve had a little brain lapse and forgot that your body…
“Let there be light.” It’s right there in Genesis 1:3. It’s the first mention of light. Light and the desire for it has held center stage on this earth for centuries. Man’s quest to obtain it and have it is just as meaningful today as it was in the early…
Anyone called to preach has a special burden and a special responsibility. Paul was set on such a path. Jesus, the caller, filled this man’s heart with the desire to bring the gospel to everyone who would hear him. That’s the responsibility part. The burden part is knowing that there…
Peter was to become the leader of the first century Christian church. At the beginning, though, he started life as a fisherman. When Jesus met him, he changed his name to Cephas (John 1:42), which means ‘rock’. Cephas is Aramaic. The Greek word for rock is Peter, hence the name…
God is love. It says so in I John 4:8. It doesn’t say ‘God loves’ as though it was a potion that He handed out. It’s a much stronger statement than that. It says God IS love. Is is an interesting word. Only two letters but it implies all kinds…
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. Fate awaited Him there and He knew what He was going to. Yet, on his way there between Samaria and Galilee he stopped off long enough to heal ten lepers. The story is in Luke 17:11-19. Leprosy, which is called Hansen’s disease today,…
For over four thousand years, Jewish and then Christian scribes have gone to great lengths to accurately copy the manuscripts that have become the Scriptures contained in the Bible. They have been so precise that when the Jews were separated and spread throughout the Middle East and Europe over a…
Why do bad things happen to good people? A question many have tried to answer. In fact, a book was published with that title some years back. ‘Why?’ ‘Why me?’, ‘How could this happen?’; searching for answers to life’s difficulties usually begins with a why or a how. The end…
It’s important to make a living. Anyone trying to carve a place first concentrates on food and clothing. The challenge to have both is attacked with sincerity. But, it says in Matthew 6:25-32 not to worry about food or clothing. God takes care of those things. After all, isn’t He…
It’s simple. Motivation is everything. It says in Luke 6:45 that a good man has a good heart and a bad (evil) man has a bad heart. Good people do good things and bad people do bad things. Let’s refine it a little more. In Colossians 3: 24-25 there will…
New Year’s Eve is this Friday. Consider this your invitation to join us for our New Year’s Watch, which starts at 10 p.m. Friday and will go until…until it’s over. Some of the ‘oldies but goodies’ don’t think they can stay awake that long. So, napping is okay. There are…
I wonder how many people have a welcome mat that says “Merry Christmas!” I know I don’t. I think my New Year’s Resolution will be to get a “Merry Christmas” mat. I found it as a suggestion in a little book called, “101 Ways to Have a Christian Christmas”. Sometimes…
Erna Marie was her name. She was a playmate from childhood. Somewhere in the early years, she began to get sick. A lot of times she could only sit. There was no energy in her for anything else. But, she was always pleasant, and it was just nice to sit…
John and Peter were fishermen. It says in Acts 4:13 they were unlearned and ignorant. Because of this, the Sanhedrin were mystified about how they could perform a miracle. A man, born crippled, was now able to walk. This miracle was no easy task. It was well known that the…
John and Peter were fishermen. It says in Acts 4:13 they were unlearned and ignorant. Because of this, the Sanhedrin were mystified about how they could perform a miracle. A man, born crippled, was now able to walk. This miracle was no easy task. It was well known that the…
There is a story about a new pastor. He had accepted a pastorate in Houston, Texas. After being there for a while, he had an occasion to ride the bus downtown. Getting on the bus, he paid the fare and got his change. When he got back to his seat,…
The Midianites were dessert warriors who raided the Israelites at harvest time. Riding camels they would swoop into the northern farm country and take whatever they could. It says in Judges that their numbers were like the locusts. The farmers had little protection and the sight of the raiders on…
In II Chronicles 20:7 Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, refers to Abraham in a prayer as a friend of God. Now this is worth noticing. Even Josephus, the famed historian, had great reverence for Jehoshaphat and said that he ‘imitated’ David. Here, in this prayer, he is calling on God and…
Nebuchadnezzar was an empire builder. He was really, really good at it, too. At one time, his vast empire covered most of the Middle East. Not bad for one who was little more than a teenager when he began his reign in 605 B.C. References show that he was a…
Many of you may remember the old cartoon where the little boy is playing and all of a sudden the little devil with the pitchfork appears on the little boy’s shoulder. The little devil whispers in his ear and tells the kid to do something mean. Then all of a…
God’s Little Instruction Book contains a saying, which goes like this: The heart of a man cannot be determined by the size of his pocketbook. Take, for example, the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life. From reading the passage in Mark 10:17-22…
Just do it. The famous Nike slogan is over 20 years old. Advertisers have long said that ‘it pays to advertise.’ A main premise is that a slogan must be short, easy to remember and tied to a strong product or benefit. That makes sense. Coke has ‘it’s the real…
‘For every action there is a reaction.’ Most everyone has heard the quote or something like it. It’s not exactly quoted here but the meaning remains the same. Isaac Newton, who believed that God was the master creator, coined the quote. He is thought to be the greatest genius of…
Why did the rich man go to hell? Or, better yet, is the story in Luke 16:19-31 a parable or a true event? Still again, is there really a hell? Let’s begin with hell. Hell is mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:22, II Samuel 22:6, Job 11:8 and 26:6, Psalm 9:17, and…
Doubt hinders. If Thomas Edison had doubted, kerosene and candles might have become our only sources of illumination. If Abraham Lincoln had doubted, America might have split and become two countries. If the engineer Henry Ford had doubted, automobiles would not have been mass produced and buggies might still be…
“How many of us could use more of the love of God in our hearts?” What a question! Well, of course we could always use more love. Watch out! It’s a trick question. Our dear preacher was speaking to the selfish side of man’s character. And, just naturally enough, the…
