“Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.”
have them do unto you.”
My father was a semi-illiterate farmer. His father was a circuit-riding preacher in Arkansas. He pulled his sons out of school whenever they reached the third grade so that they could tend his farm while he rode horseback all over southern Arkansas dispensing hellfire and brimstone. I never knew my father to enter a church until borne there by six of his acquaintances. But, he nonetheless taught my brother and me the best of the bible’s lessons: The Golden Rule.
He worked hard for his money, but encouraged my mother to tithe as she went to church each Sunday. As we worked the field together, he would remind us that , “Man must earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.” We should never expect to get something for nothing.
He didn’t have q lot of free time. But was willing to give aid to any deserving friend, neighbor or family member. He was the only one of seven sons-in-law that broke the ground for my grandmother’s garden, then kept it plowed and planted for her. This is addition to tending his own crops. I’m a better person for having known my father. And I made sure that I passed along the Golden Rule to each one of my children.
- Jack Douglas
He worked hard for his money, but encouraged my mother to tithe as she went to church each Sunday. As we worked the field together, he would remind us that , “Man must earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.” We should never expect to get something for nothing.
He didn’t have q lot of free time. But was willing to give aid to any deserving friend, neighbor or family member. He was the only one of seven sons-
-
John 3:16
Go so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
This Bible passage will always have special meaning for me because it was given to me as my confirmation verse. I felt so special to receive THIS verse from my pastor and wondered why I was chosen to receive the BEST verse of anyone in my class. ( I later learned that each verse that was given to the other confirmands was just as special to them as this one was to me.)
I believed that I needed to live up to my pastor’s expectations of me to be a good Christian, since, after all, he gave me the best verse. I really think this occurrence made a difference in the many decisions I made thereafter in my life – especially the moral and right-thing-to-do decisions during adolescence.
I believe this verse is special to everyone because it shows a kind of love – unconditional, unselfish, devoted – that we all try to emulate. Love is defined as 1) an assurance of love, 2) affection based on admiration or benevolence, 3) warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion, and 4) unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good.
How much did God love us? Enough to send part of himself (His Son) to earth and let him die a human death. How unselfish is that! It’s hard for me to comprehend that much love! To let your own son die to save others? But God also did this to show us that it is oh]kay to die a human death – because if we have faith in God, out life will continue in an even better place – with Him in heaven!
Dear Gracious God,
I believe this verse is special to everyone because it shows a kind of love – unconditional, unselfish, devoted – that we all try to emulate. Love is defined as 1) an assurance of love, 2) affection based on admiration or benevolence, 3) warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion, and 4) unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good.
How much did God love us? Enough to send part of himself (His Son) to earth and let him die a human death. How unselfish is that! It’s hard for me to comprehend that much love! To let your own son die to save others? But God also did this to show us that it is oh]kay to die a human death – because if we have faith in God, out life will continue in an even better place – with Him in heaven!
Dear Gracious God,
How great is Your love! Thank you for giving us your Son to die so that, by believing in You, we will have eternal life. Help us to love others as much as You love us. Thank you also for giving me the opportunity to show love to others each day by expressing a kind word, giving a smile, or lending a helping hand. In Your name we pray. Amen.
- Sue Gates
Matthew 6:33
Seek first of all His kingdom and His righteousness and then all of these things taken together will be given you besides.
Seek first of all His kingdom and His righteousness and then all of these things taken together will be given you besides.
This chapter of Matthew is full of many key concepts for a Christian. We all want everything! Jesus promises we will achieve this. We will never lack anything.There will be days of goodness on earth and heaven after death. Jesus was the embodiment of love for all men. In the story of the Good Samaritan He showed that the needs of every man should be met in a loving way. All of Jesus’ teachings and ministry show this. Jesus did what people asked of Him. He loved all people. The gospel of John is a good place to read of God’s love for all people.
This Bible verse shows the Christian where our priorities should be…giving praise and thanks to God in all circumstances. We should show God’s love to other people. We should read and study the Bible. It is there that we find the answers to questions about our lives. What the Bible says is the guideline for our lives. Throughout the Bible we are told that God expects the first 10% of the harvest. We are not farmers who actually harvest, so we must make offerings of our incomes. God provides so much for us; we must show our obedience to Him.
Dear God,
In Psalm 34:15-17, we learn “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” Help us to be, “The righteous who cry for help, who the Lord hears, and delivers out of their distress and troubles.”
- Judy Bergman
Members Sharing Their Faith
Mine….Ours
Proverbs 23:5
Money is here today and gone tomorrow.
Only God is permanent and unchanging.
Only God is permanent and unchanging.
Growing up we had 250’ of beach on Lake Michigan. We always thought that this place would always be our family’s special place and it was until 1970 when the government decided to make it part of a national park. There was much resentment at the time. We were upset that we had to give up our special place. Later I realized that all can enjoy God’s gift, not only our family.
