By: Mike Riley

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

Few people, it seems, realize that self-denial has anything to do with their religious doctrine. It does, nevertheless. One of man’s most stubborn inclinations is to exercise “his own will” in religion (Colossians 2:23), as in everything else. This must be denied when one is obedient to Christ (Matthew 16:24).

Christian worship must be according to truth (John 4:24). Since God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), God’s Word must determine the “means of expression” as we worship Him. God wants our devotions, but he delights in them only when they are in obedience to His Will (1 Samuel 15:22).

If any man will come to the Lord, let him “deny himself” (or his own will) and learn what the Bible teaches him to do to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 7:12,21,22,23; Matthew 16:24; Romans 12:1; Revelation 22:14).

By: Mike Riley 

(Source). —Wihla Hutson

Our attitude toward giving to others should be one of not expecting anything in return but giving just because we want to make the lives of people just a little bit brighter. Our giving should be free of pride and selflessness (1 John 3:16-18; cf. Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

 This principle of selfless giving is well reflected in the following poem entitled:

“A Kindly Little Deed“:

“I did a favour yesterday, A kindly little deed,

And then I called to all the world

To stop and look and heed.

They stopped and looked and flattered me

In words, I could not trust,

And when the world had gone away

My good deed turned to dust.

A very tiny courtesy I found to do today;

Twas quickly done with none to see,

And then I ran away. But someone must have witnessed it,

For — truly I declare — As I sped back the stony path,

Roses were blooming there!”

By Kevin Cauley

The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the same today as it was two thousand years ago. In the book of Hebrews we read, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). It is based upon this solid fact of scripture that the principles of restoration are preached. If the gospel message is the same today as it was two thousand years ago (and it is) and if mankind is the same as he was 2000 years ago (and he is), then the gospel is relevant to mankind today. When planted in the hearts and minds of man, it will produce the same thing that it produced 2000 years ago-Christians. This is due to the preservation of the gospel of Christ throughout the centuries. Jesus said that his word would not pass away (Luke 21:33). Jesus also said that his gospel was like a seed (Luke 8:11). Today, we know that a seed contains the genetic information of the plant from which it originated. And when the same seed is planted the seed will produce the same kind of plant from which the seed came. But what if a scientist got a hold of the seed and genetically modified it? Today we have scientists who are genetically modifying plants so that they will live longer, grow in dryer climates, produce larger fruits, and change the original characteristics of the seed. This can produce a better plant and increase the production of the species. It would be substandard because it would not contain the original qualities of the perfect seed. The resulting project would be abandoned and discarded because no improvements can be made to the original. But sometimes, scientists can act in such a way that they believe they are improving something when they are harming it. Such was the case with the tonsil. For years and years, doctors removed tonsils from young children thinking that they were improving their lives. However, recent medicine has shown that the tonsil is an important part of the body’s immune system. As a result, it is much rarer today to hear of a child’s tonsils being removed. This can be true genetically as well.

By Mike Riley

Years ago, a well-known comedian made the following statement in determining one’s financial position: “When you go to work, if your name is on the outside of the building, you are rich. If your name is on your desk, you are middle-class. If your name is on your shirt, you are poor.