By Mike Riley

 The story is told of a Christian high school senior who was honored as one of the best and brightest in his community because he provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word “auditorium” in a regional spelling bee, he glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the judges’ attention who responded with a more difficult word.

The young man did what he knew was right whether others noticed. We don’t know when our actions may become an example to others — we’re always on display. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteous life (Gal. 2:20; 1 John 2:5-6), no matter who is watching.

Uprightness and honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told Timothy: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV). As Christians, one of our goals in life should be to change the world around us for good while never compromising ourselves — one person at a time (Acts 10:38 NKJV; cf. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV; 1 Timothy 4:16 NKJV).

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer,

this is my constant longing and prayer.

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art.

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness.

Stamp Thine’s own image deep on my heart.

 —W.J. Kirkpatric

By: Mike Riley

“From all over the world, long lines of visitors patiently wait day after day to visit Lenin’s Tomb and view his embalmed body. Although he died in 1924, the corpse of this Communist leader has relatively suffered no decomposition. It looks deceptively lifelike. And its appearance is indeed deceptive. Skillful artists monitor the preserved corpse, artificially coloring its face and using wax to fill in any lines or the smallest spot of decay.

Many people regularly visit Jerusalem to see the place where Jesus died and was supposedly buried. But there’s a striking contrast — there’s no body of the crucified Christ anywhere to be found! (cf. Matthew 28:6). According to tradition, we can find a rock-hewn tomb where the nail-scarred, spear-driven, thorn-crowned corpse of Christ was supposedly laid. From the Scriptures, however, we know that our Savior was resurrected by the power of God (Acts 4:10; Acts 13:30-34; Romans 6:4 Romans 8:11; Romans 10:9; Gal. 1: Ephesians 1:17-20; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:21), leaving His grave clothes behind when He emerged from the tomb (John 20:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 Peter 1:3). Jesus is now alive and is at God’s right hand (Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22).

We can know Him as our loving and merciful Savior (Titus 3:4-6). Because of His atoning death and the empty tomb, we can have eternal life (Romans 5:6-11; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 1 John 2:24-25). We need only to respond to the conditions of salvation our loving Savior has outlined in His New Testament (Hebrews 7:21-22; Hebrews 9:13-15).

If we’ll willingly respond, He’ll not only give us abundant life now (John 10:10), but one day, we’ll literally see Him and live with Him forever (Matthew 5:8; John 12:26; John 14:1-3; John 17:24; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

 By: Mike Riley

During a terrible storm on the ocean, a small passenger ship rolled precariously in the roaring tempest. The furniture and anything else that could move was tied down, and the passengers were confined to their bunks for their safety.

Many on board thought the vessel was doomed. Finally, a passenger who was determined to find out if there was any hope for survival, set out to see the one who was in command. Clinging to the walls and handrails, he made his way to the wave-lashed deck, up a ladder, and into the wheelhouse. He noticed that the ship was nearing land and was between some jagged rocks.

It became apparent that the captain was trying to reach the safety of a calm bay up ahead. Knowing he could not make himself heard above the roar of the wind and waves, the captain just turned wordlessly to the worried passenger and smiled. Reassured, the man returned to the others and said, “Don’t be afraid. All is well. I’ve seen the captain’s face, and he smiled!

” When we are battered by the storms of life, we may be tempted to give in to feelings of hopelessness. But if we look to our sovereign Captain (Hebrews 2:10 KJV) and commit our way to Him (Psalm 37:5), we will find peace even in great turmoil. We can trust Him to bring us through the storm (Mark 4:36-41).

Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today; The depths of my sad heart are troubled; O waken and save, I pray! Torrents of sin and anguish Sweep o’er my sinking soul! And I perish! I perish, dear Master; O hasten, and take control! The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace be still! Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, no water can swallow the ship where lies, The Master of ocean and earth and skies; They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, Peace be still! Peace be still! —Palmer

 By: Mike Riley

Today, sending children away to college is as frightful for parents, as it is for wondering “how” they will pay for their college education. In today’s world of evolutionary thought and the various “isms” being proclaimed, parents are also concerned about “what” their children will learn at these so-called institutions of “higher“ learning. In the 6th century B.C., Babylon was considered the most powerful nation in the world.

One of the reasons is that it was considered the educational and cultural center of the Middle Eastern world. While reading the narrative in Daniel 1, it’s interesting to note that while Daniel and his three friends were being educated in the Babylonian language and literature (Daniel 1:3-4) — even given Babylonian names (Daniel 1:7), they did not acquire the ungodly Babylonian mindset, for they knew “Who” they belonged to (Daniel 1:8-9,17).

Brethren, when we send our children out into an ungodly world, let us remind them of “Who” they belong to (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; cf. Acts 20:28; Gal. 3:13; Hebrews 9:12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9). They may be “in” the world, but they don’t have to partake “of” the world’s ungodly allurements (John 17:8-19; 1 John 4:4-6; cf. Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17)