Charity
Purim is one of the most unusual of the Jewish feast days. It was instituted to celebrate the death of Haman and the escape of the Jews. Today it is marked by reading the book of Esther (interrupted by raucous noisemakers whenever Haman's name is read) amid a party atmosphere.
Finding Gain In Loss
Evil men, not God, threw the apostle Paul into prison, hoping to put an end to his ministry. But their plan backfired, and the gospel spread (Phil. 1:12-13). Paul didn't know why God allowed his imprisonment, but he saw how God used it for good.
Thanks
A small boy visited his friend's home for dinner. When the youngster sat down at the table, he bowed his head and waited for someone to give thanks for the meal. The others at the table, however, began passing the food. The boy looked up and said, "You guys are just like my dog. You start right in!"
Pupil Or Teacher?
A college student was having difficulty with his studies, so he finally decided to talk to his professor. He complained, "I'm studying hard. I'm doing my best, but I just can't retain what I read or try to memorize. Do you think it would help if I hired a tutor?"
The Unseen Keel
The president of Gordon College, R. Judson Carlberg, was driving along the ocean near his home in Massachusetts when he saw two stately 17th-century sailing ships. They were replicas that were built for a movie being filmed nearby.
News Bulletin
The news bulletin commanded attention. Several inmates had escaped from a penitentiary. They were armed and considered extremely dangerous. A police spokesman stressed to the community the importance of caution. He said, "These men are desperate. They have nothing to lose. They have killed and could kill again."
Tuned In
God speaks to us primarily through His Word, the Bible. Sometimes, however, He directs in ways we do not expect.
Finding Forgiveness
Today's Bible reading is from Paul's second letter to the Christians in Corinth. He begins the chapter by calling them "beloved" and finishes by rejoicing over his confidence in them.
Glory In The Grind
The life of slaves in the Roman Empire was not easy. They were regarded as "things," and they had no rights. Some had good masters and challenging work, but most were given menial tasks to perform. They worked long hours with little rest.
