On this page are links to my plainspoken words of encouragement intended to help others in the Christian walk. This collection of original articles offers ideas and guidance for the journey to spiritual maturity. Articles are organized alphabetically by keyword to aid the user in locating needed information.
Feel free to use and share these plainspoken words of encouragement as you like.
A
Ambassador
One description of our role as believers is that we serve as ambassadors of Christ in this world. What is required of servants in that role?
Advice
Paul’s Counsel to Timothy Part 1
Paul’s Counsel to Timothy Part 2
All
Aroma
Asleep
B
Backsliding
Quick and Easy Guide to Backsliding
Bible and Bible Study
Blessed
Consider Matthew 5:3-11. Does the word blessed mean happy?
Blind Spots
C
Christmas
The Lesson of the Christmas Lights
The Perfect Gift for Almighty God
Christmas Carol Quizzes
These letter substitution quizzes are sure to keep you busy for a while. Send me a message via the contact page if you need the answer keys.
Christmas – God’s Three Trees
One of my favorite Christmas stories.
Church Attendance
What happens in our lives in the hours before arriving at church?Are we preparing for the maximum return on the time investment or simply attending and hoping for the best? Here’s some food for thought along with 12 working suggestions for making Sundays function smoothly.
Community
Snapshots of some “one another” passages in the New Testament.
Contentment
Contentment is an elusive goal. We are bombarded with advertisements designed to create dissatisfaction with our living conditions. Comparisons between our possessions, achievements, and status with those of our neighbors trigger urgent desires for upgrades and replacements. Our pile of possessions expands as though we will never have enough.
D
Darkness
How is the term darkness used in Scripture?
Dessert
Disciples
Did all the disciples forsake Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Discouragement
Escaping the Cave of Discouragement
Drifting
The Insidious Nature of Spiritual Drifting
E
Edification
Erosion
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F
Fathers
We understand God’s expectation that men take point and set the course for our families, but the role is tough as we determine the next ten steps and the overall direction. A typical week forces a man to be a plumber, carpenter, mechanic, tech support wizard, coach, counselor, and gardener, all while holding down a full-time job, communicating effectively, and transparently sharing feelings. We don’t get timeouts, and shunning our responsibility exposes those we cherish to the devouring attack of evil.
Fleeces
Should believers use fleeces when searching for God’s will?
What about fleeces?
G
Giving
What does loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength look like?
God’s Will
Get your free copy of this book from John W Nichols. Please, share the link with others, also.
Great Commission
Group Life
Group leaders enjoy the privilege of interceding in prayer for our members. We uncover needs through conversation, emails, or prayer lists, but often those requests are physical—sick relatives, job issues, or family troubles. How do we pray for the spiritual lives of those attending our groups?
H
Heart
Hospitality
The dictionary defines hospitality as “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers.” Hospitality happens when I welcome another person into my world and make him feel at home there.
I
Independence Day
Independence Day is our opportunity to reflect on our freedom, nationally and spiritually. How are we doing in our stewardship of God’s provisions? What about our service to a nation sorely in need of His love? Believers must be the channels through which that love flows. Do we view life’s moments as opportunities to serve others?
J
K
L
Leaders with a Clue
The men of Issachar proved themselves to be accomplished counselors for a young king establishing his administration. What leadership secrets did they possess?
Listening
Life Stress
Does God give us more than we can handle? Some say no, but what does scripture teach?
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M
Mandate
Marriage
Men, we can fix most anything but what happens when the sizzle fizzles in our marriages? Can we fix it? Check this idea for a DIY marriage repair kit. Use your imagination and create a date your wife will treasure. Invest in your marriage.
The quest for the perfect wife must begin with the husband’s mindset and practices. Join Onnah Quest as he discusses marriage do’s and dont’s in this book by John W Nichols.
Meekness
Do the words meekness and gentleness mean the same in Matthew 5:5 and Galatians 5:23?
Memorizing Scripture
Is memorization of scripture included in our list of Christian disciplines? Are we hiding God’s Word in our hearts? Without this practice we are missing out on one the greatest faith-builders available to us.
Scripture Memorization for Busy People
N
O
P
Parenting
We hurt when our adult children discount the faith in which they were raised. Where do we turn for help?
Finding Hope When Adult Children Abandon the Faith
A baby shower that includes the dad-to-be? Yes, indeed, and this kit should get you started on the activities.
Take some advice from this Dad who moved two daughters back and forth to college multiple times over an eight-year span.
Pottery
Prayer
Jesus adhered to a personal code of conduct that included finding a time and a place where he could pray. And this intentional practice intrigued his closest companions.
Do corporate (group) prayers have more power than individual prayers?
Q
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R
Roots
The disciples listened intently as Jesus spoke to a fig tree that gave every appearance of producing a crop. The tree, born with an innate purpose of sating hunger, produced only leaves. Jesus used the tree as an object lesson to teach the seriousness of pretending to be a God-follower without yielding fruit.
S
Serving
Sermon, Listening to
What Can I Expect from My Pew Time Investment
Speech
The words a man uses and the topics he favors in conversation yield a wealth of information about his interests and goals. Speech reveals character. Through his words a person displays to others what he’s like inside.
Our Speech reveals Our Character
Spiritual Gifts
What are spiritual gifts? How do we get them? How do I discover my spiritual gifts? How should they be used in the church? Begin your study with this concise guide.
Discovering My Spiritual Gifts
Sporks
Stress
Ten Practical Tips for Handling Stress
T
Troubles (Adversity, Trials)
Where do we turn when trouble overwhelms us? This Old Testament character discovered that God had everything under control.
Gideon’s Woes
U
Upward Focus
I am now a citizen of heaven. The overall direction of my life expressed as thoughts, words and actions should identify me as one has been raised up with Christ. My focus should shift to things above, not just the things of earth.
V
Valentine’s Day
Value
Do you ever feel like that unwanted plant? Unknown? Discounted in price? In the way? Facing a future in a compost pile? I am here to let you know that the Master Gardener, the One who designed and established the first garden in a place called Eden, loves underdogs, too. You and I matter to Him.
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W
Waiting
Does God deliberately lead His people into unpleasant circumstances, circumstances where the situation seems impossible? What does He teach through these opportunities?
Women
Does God devalue women? Some interpret the Bible, especially the writings of Paul, to support this idea. but does the view square with the record? Take a look at the evidence.
Worry
The effects of worry spread far beyond the mental realm to impact health and daily life. Faith in God offers hope to combat the debilitating practice of worry.
X
Y
Z
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