A Fly for Oscar
Author: Jim Elliff

James, the youth: "There is no such thing as a trivial death."

The poet and sage, the older Mr. Brockton: "No, but there are trivial men who die. I will illustrate this, though you will not like my illustration.

Born OK the First Time?
Author: Jim Elliff

While walking through my neighborhood, I happened upon a car and a truck belonging to a family that lived a few blocks away. On one of the vehicles was a bumper sticker that boasted, "Born OK the first time."

Cease and Desist
Author: Jim Elliff

God does not receive you while you are cherishing your self-centered lifestyle. You cannot come rebelliously to God. There must be the surrender of your rights, your autonomy, your authority, your personal lordship.

Deathbed Conversion: Should You Risk It?
Author: Steve Burchett

Two men lost their lives on the same day that Jesus died on a cross. They spent their final hours next to the Savior of sinners (Luke 23:32-33). These men were criminals, and they hated Jesus (cf. Mt. 27:44). But just before dying, one of these robbers began to trust in Jesus to save him. Recognizing his guilt for the crimes he had committed, and the judgment he deserved, he cried out, "Jesus, remember me when You come in your kingdom!" (Luke 23:41-42).

Does Jesus Believe in You?
Author: Daryl Wingerd

Here’s the main lesson: Many who believe in Jesus will not be saved, because He does not believe in them.  

This is not a contradiction of passages like John 3:16 and Acts 16:31—passages where we are assured that everyone who believes will be saved.

For Whom Did Christ Die?
Author: Jim Elliff

Did Christ die for you? Was the act that was meant to pay the just penalty for man's sins specifically calculated with you in mind? Was Christ cognizant of you when He accomplished His sacrifice and subsequent resurrection?

Friendship in Hell
Author: Jim Elliff

John Bunyan, the writer of Pilgrim's Progress, said that is "better to be born a toad than to die unconverted." Why? Because toads don't go to hell and humans do.

How To Die Safely
Author: Daryl Wingerd

Seven men were working near a pipe carrying highly-pressurized water in a coal-burning power plant when, without warning, the pipe ruptured. The super-heated water inside the pipe turned instantly to scalding steam, killing one man instantly and burning several others severely. One of the burn victims died two days later.

Is Michael Vick a Christian?
Author: Steve Burchett

NFL quarterback Michael Vick served a twenty-one month prison term for heavy involvement in dog-fighting. Here’s what Vick said in his apology to the public: “I’m upset with myself and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. I think that’s the right thing to do as of right now.”

It Happened by the Water
Author: Jim Elliff

It took place by the stream just outside the gate of Philippi in Macedonia or today's northern Greece. The apostle Paul knew that there was no Jewish Synagogue in this Roman military colony, since that required ten Jewish men. But perhaps there was at least a "place of prayer" for the Jews. Since Jewish rituals require water, it was logical to look along the river on the Sabbath day. There, sure enough, he found some Jewish women assembled. Among them was Lydia, a business woman who sold purple fabrics.