December 31, 2024
A Wheel of Emotions: Finding Balance for Lasting Growth
Emotions are a natural part of marriage for both spouses. True growth and stability in marriage come from recognizing that each emotion has its place.
Articles for tag: James 1:1
September 1, 2024
Rules of Engagement
Faced with the inevitability of conflict, how should Christians conduct themselves? What are our rules of engagement? With Scripture as our frame of reference, here are some, but certainly not all, of the rules.
January 1, 2023
Speaking the Truth in Love
By Ken Idleman The title of this article is one of the most difficult implicit commands in Scripture: “[S]peaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). It is difficult to obey because it links in a single imperative the three most difficult aspects of life for human beings to consistently control: speech, truth, and love. Our speech often betrays our secret thoughts and our untamable tongues. Jesus said, “The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them” (Matthew
January 1, 2023
Marriage Beings and Humans Being
By Osharye Hagood When it comes to marriage, the truth is we are humans being. (Yes, you read that correctly.) And when we get married, we become “marriage beings.” While our marriages are intended to be divine expressions of God’s perfect love, and while we may at times feel the goosebumps of love and the perfection of our loving commitment—please hear me—all marriages are unions between human beings, and all humans sin. So, our mistakes and missteps should be seen as, well, expected. Blunders are as natural as breathing, and errors are as common as ears. Why? Because we are
November 17, 2022
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Natural Thanksgiving’ (2007)
"Why is the American Thanksgiving celebration characterized more by indulgence than gratitude?" editor Mark A. Taylor asked in 2007.
December 27, 2021
Jan. 2 | Righteous Wrath
Romans has been responsible for more church revivals than any other New Testament book. This month, students will learn that God is righteous, and therefore judgment should be left in his hands.
September 6, 2021
Cleansing
We gather around the Lord’s Table today in a different time and under a new covenant, but in the presence of the same God who cleanses sin.
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Blessings and Curses
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin. This lesson treatment is published in the February 2021 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. ________ Lesson Aim: Be on guard against the damage an untamed tongue can do. ________ By Mark Scott Jesus takes what we say very seriously. He taught that what we say comes from our hearts, that we will give an account for every careless word we say, and
August 10, 2020
Halting the Downward Cycle (Aug. 16 Lesson Application)
By David Faust “Sin blinds you, then it binds you, then it grinds you.” I don’t know who first said those words, but they ring true. Disobedience to God leads to a downward cycle. “After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15)—and that’s true on both a personal level and a societal level. Someone observed, “First we overlook evil. Then we permit evil. Then we legalize evil. Then we promote evil. Then we celebrate evil. Then we persecute anyone who still calls it evil.” There are two
February 4, 2019
Lesson for February 10, 2019: God Is with You in Blessed Times (Jacob)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 2 (weeks 5–8; February 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Don’t forget that God is the source of your blessings. ______ By Mark Scott Long ago Jewish prayers often started, “Blessed be he . . .” Prayer began with blessing God. The irony is that God, who deserves all the blessing, has blessed us (Ephesians 1:3-14). Surely we experience difficult days on this
November 24, 2016
Not the Gift, but the Giver
By Mark A. Taylor As American Christians celebrate Thanksgiving Day, there’s a good chance we may miss the greatest value in saying thanks. Typically, our lists of “reasons I’m thankful” include relationships or opportunities or experiences or possessions. All these are appropriate, but listing what we have unfortunately often only prompts us to remember what we lack. “¢ We probably start our thanksgiving inventory with “family.” But quickly most of us also think of arguments, misunderstandings, or more serious breaches that are part of most family histories. “¢ We might be thankful for our ministries. But many church leaders privately
November 17, 2015
Why Weren”t They More Thankful? (Part 1)
By Mark A. Taylor I love the family times, the meal times, the kick-off-the-holiday-season times that usually surround Thanksgiving Day. But every year as the holiday approaches, I”m tempted to wonder if we should change its name. Considering how most Americans actually celebrate, maybe we should call it Have a Crowd for Dinner Day or Shop Early for Big Savings Day or Watch Some Football Day. Don”t misunderstand. I don”t mean to be a grump. As I said, I”m grateful to have the day off and to spend it with people close to me. But I am a bit chagrined
July 9, 2014
Mind My Speak
By Eddie Lowen (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) “Always speak your mind.” That”s the worst advice I”ve ever received. Buried beneath the rubble caused by this axiom, there is a bit of noble instruction: be honest and transparent. There are times when “a word aptly spoken” (Proverbs 25:11, NIV, 1984) is refreshing and important. A bold word of truth can turn a conversation or decision or life in the right direction. However, people who announce, “I”m an open book,” or, “You always know where I stand,” are often belligerent people in search of justification
August 26, 2013
Lesson for September 1, 2013: God Creates (Psalm 104)
By Sam E. Stone During the next two months we will study highlights from the book of Genesis. Today”s lesson provides a helpful introduction to the creation account (Genesis 1). It leads the reader to praise God for his unimaginable greatness and goodness, shown when he made the world. The psalm has been described as “a poetical commentary upon the first chapter of Genesis.” It ranks with Job 38, 39, Psalm 8, 19, 29, and Habakkuk 3. This beautiful hymn praises God for the wonders of creation. The content parallels the creation account in Genesis 1. Some Bible students see
September 3, 2011
Four Special Verses
By Sam E. Stone Out of a lifetime of Bible study, four verses have become especially significant to me over the years. Let me tell you why each is so special. James 4:15 About halfway through my freshman year at Ozark Bible College, I became very ill. My parents sent a telegram that they would come to Joplin to help, but the message was a puzzle. It concluded with an unusual abbreviation. “Will arrive tomorrow about 6:00 p.m., TLW.” Several student and faculty friends tried to figure it out. Could TLW be short for Trailways Bus? Could it mean
October 9, 2010
Shut Up
By Janet McMahon Have you ever watched one of those dating shows on TV where two people are on their very first date? Invariably, either the guy or girl goes on and on and on talking about himself or herself. It”s painful to watch. In fact, it”s so painful you either must look away, turn the channel, or yell at the TV screen, “Just shut up already!” There is no way the chronic talker is getting a second date. Even though we hate watching someone talk too much, it”s often exactly what many of us do in our relationships. We
November 23, 2008
The Power of Persistence
By Victor M. Parachin In the 11th century, Henry III, king of Germany, became dissatisfied with court life and the pressures of the monarchy. Unlike many rulers, Henry was a deeply spiritual individual whose faith guided his daily life and rule. Therefore he made a visit to Prior Richard, the leader of a local monastery, asking to be received as a contemplative. His wish, Henry explained, was to spend the rest of his life in the monastery. “Your Majesty,” responded Prior Richard, “do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have
November 21, 2007
Natural Thanksgiving
By Mark A. Taylor Even when economic times are tough, most readers of this column are surrounded by enough affluence that thanksgiving should come naturally. In a world where much of the population worries about having enough food, our overladen tables this past weekend are just one symbol of our bounteous blessings. So why is the American Thanksgiving celebration characterized more by indulgence than gratitude? Just as the blind-from-birth adult doesn”t miss what he”s never seen, the blessed-from-birth American may not appreciate what he”s always enjoyed. A full stomach? Enough clothes? A comfortable place to sleep? Most of us view
January 20, 2007
Seven Leadership “˜Secrets”
By Victor M. Parachin In 1964 as Winston Churchill”s health was rapidly declining, former President and World War II Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower visited his friend. Eisenhower sat by the former prime minister”s bed for a lengthy period of time. Neither man spoke. After a while, Churchill slowly raised his hand and painstakingly made the “V” for victory sign, which he was well known for, often flashing it to the British people during the darkest days of World War II. Eisenhower, fighting back tears, stood up, saluted Churchill, and left the room. Composing himself, Eisenhower spoke to his aide in
December 10, 2006
The ‘Easy’ Button
By Arron Chambers If I had an “easy” button, I would have pressed it and . . . “¢ Assembled my son”s bike on Christmas morning in just seconds””instead of spending all day on it in an episode that almost ended my marriage. “¢ I wouldn”t have dated that girl, because she would have worn a label that read, “Warning: High Maintenance!” “¢ My teeth would be straight. “¢ My wife would not have endured long months of pregnancy; instead, our four kids would have been delivered to the front door about an hour after breakfast on a Saturday morning.
