Seventeen Secrets to Success

• Keep your temper to yourself.
• Give your enthusiasm to everybody.
• Be yourself, forget yourself, become genuinely interested in the other guy.
• Be fair, honest, friendly—and you'll be admired and liked.
• Make other people feel important.
• Count your assets and stamp out self-pity.
• Meet the other person at his/her own level.
• Put your smile power to work.
• Keep moving.
• Keep trying.
• Give the gift of heart.
• Get off to a good start in anything you do.
• Forgive yourself if you fail.
• Be lavish with kindness.
• Overwhelm people with your charm, not your power.
• Keep your promises.
• Be an optimist.

Backsliding Christians. Why Do We Do It?

Why do Christians fail God and fall into sin?

• Some allow themselves to be hurt by others. Too often we get our eyes on others instead of Christ; and when they fail, we, in turn, follow them. Satan uses others as a stumbling block.

• Because they neglect the house of God. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, and ye see the day approaching.—Hebrews 10:24,25

• Some fail to discipline themselves against temptations. We ought to avoid, stay away from, and stay clar of areas where we are weak. Romans 14:13 says, "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

• Often our memory fails us. We need to remember our salvation experience, answered prayer, God's blessings and rewards. Remember the pit from which we are digged and the rock from which we are hewn (Isaiah 51:1).

• Some backslide because of coldness of heart. We grow cold, indifferent, apathetic, lukewarm, and lose our first love.

• Unconfessed sin causes backsliding. The psalmist cried, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18). As Christians, our responsibility is to follow Galatians 6:1-3; Matthew 18:15-19; and James 5;19 and 20 in helping to restore those who have backslidden.

Quotable Quotes

- The man who thinks he can know the Word of God by mere intellectual study is greatly deceived, because spiritual truth must be spiritually discerned.—Samuel Chadwick

- When you have found a promise which meets your need, do not ask God to keep His promise as though He were unwilling to do so and needed to be pressed and importuned. Present it humbly in the name of the Lord Jesus!—F.B. Meyer

- None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves.—Charles Spurgeon

- At the Last Great Day, there will be a big shake-up and a big shake-down. Princes who rode on horses and servants who walked will change places. True greatness in the sight of God will change our little picture of who's who.—Vance Havner

- Any nation which for an extended period puts pleasure before liberty is likely to lose the liberty it misused.—A.W. Tozer

Where is That Country We Used to Know?

In the America of yesterday -
- you paid your debts as quickly as possible
- you disciplined your children - but disciplined yourself first
- you spent less than you earned and demanded your government maintain the same standard
- you went to church and your children to Sunday school - and no court would have dared to interpose any law into your private religion
- you would have been horrified at (and quick to change) men in high places who made "deals"
- you expected to prosper only by doing a better and better job
- you not only obeyed the law, but took active part in government to see the laws were just
- you "walked softly but carried a big stick"
And that was the character which brought this great country victory in its wars in your lifetime, built it back from a shattering depression, and fed and saved the civilized world.
Are there enough of those righteous standards left to do it again?
—Carl Mundt, former Congressman and Senator from South Dakota

Jesus. The True Story of Christmas.

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
"To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
—Luke 2:4-11

The Remarkably High Cost of Christmas

While the time of year may be off, the reason of the season, Jesus, is very much true. 

He was born and laid in a manger. 

But what did it cost?

• It cost Mary and Joseph the comforts of home during a long period of exile in Egypt to protect Jesus.
• It cost the mothers, in and around Bethlehem, the massacre of their babies by the cruel order of Herod.
• It cost the wise men a long journey and expensive gifts and changed lives.
• It cost the early apostles and the early church persecution and sometimes death.
• It cost missionaries untold suffering and privation to spread the good news.
• It cost Christian martyrs–in all ages–their lives for Christ's sake.

More than all this, it cost God the Father His own Son–for He sent Him to the earth to save men.

• It cost Jesus a life of sacrifice and service, a death cruel and unmatched in history.

So let me ask, Is Christmas Too Costly? 

• It is, if all that it means is gift exchanges.
• It is if all it means is tinsel and millions spent in commercialization of Christmas.
• It is, if all that it means is a holiday.

It Isn't Too Costly

• If it means the hope of the world.
• If it means the forgiveness of sin.
• If it means peace among men.
• If it means joyous singing.

The King Who Gave Away Everything

Jesus Christ was born in the poorest of circumstances but the air above was filled with hallelujahs of the heavenly host. His lodging was a cattle pen, but a star drew distinguished visitors from afar to do Him homage and present Him with rich gifts.

His birth was contrary to the laws of life. His death was contrary to the laws of death. No miracle is so inexplicable as His life and teaching.

He had no cornfields or fisheries, but He could spread a table for five thousand and have bread and fish to spare. He walked on the waters, and they supported Him.

His crucifixion was the crime of crimes, but on God's side no lower price than His infinite agony could have made possible our redemption. When He died, only a few men mourned; but a black crepe was hung over the sun. Though men trembled not for their sins, the earth beneath shook under the load. All nature honored Him; sinners alone rejected Him.

He preached His Gospel for only three and one-half years. He wrote no book and had no money back of Him; yet after two thousand years He is the one central character of human history, the perpetual theme of all preaching, the pivot around which the events of the ages revolve, the only Regenerator of the sinful human race.

Was it merely the son of Joseph and Mary who crossed the world's horizon two thousand years ago? Was it merely human blood that was spilled on Calvary's hill for the redemption of sinners and which has worked such wonders in men and nations through the centuries?

What thinking man can keep from exclaiming "My Lord and my God!"
—Keith L. Brooks

Seven vs. Seven

There is a series of seven characters mentioned by name in the first two chapters of Luke and another series of seven in the first two verses of chapter 3. The first includes Zacharias, Elisabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, and John the Baptist; while those in the second are Tibrias Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas, Caiaphas.

The first seven are representative of the few, despised faithful among the people of God. Them the world did not know and did not care whether it knew them.

The other seven was the whole world in its might and glory—the Roman emperor and the empire over which he ruled, the Roman governor and all Judea, Herod and all his court, Annas and Caiaphas and with them the apostate nation that was ere long to crucify its Lord.

Of the first seven the world took no notice, but they were precious to God.

Of the other seven the world filled its books with their history, their exploits, their achievements. But God in His Word gives them just one and one-half verses while the other despised seven rate one hundred thirty-two verses.

The first seven are dear to God's heart because of their attitude to His beloved Son. The second seven are ignored because whosoever does not know and love Christ is of no account in God's sight.

-The angels praise God.
-The shepherds made known what was told them concerning the Child, and men wondered at the things told them by the shepherds.
-Mary pondered all these things in her heart.
-Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel
-Joseph marveled at the things spoken of the Babe
-Anna gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Those are the men and women God knows. Do you belong to them?
—August Van Ryn

Noteworthy News - Majority Believes Government and Press are Negative Influences on America

The “freedom of the press” has been used to do more damage than good, according to a majority of people polled recently.

Even though the government is viewed in a negative light, the press is seen as promoting a negative environment and slanted reporting. Washingtonexaminer.com (November 23, 2015) reports that “more than six in 10 Americans believe that the news media, followed closely by Hollywood, has a negative effect on the country, according to a new survey.

“An extensive new Pew Research Center survey finds that 65 percent believe that the news media ‘has a negative effect on the way things are going in the country.’ Some 56 percent said the entertainment industry has a negative effect.”…

“For comparison, 51 percent believe that the Obama administration has a negative effect, and 40 percent say labor unions do too.

“Sixty-seven percent said the federal government has a negative effect on the U.S. Seventy-five percent said Congress has a negative effect.”
—Dr. Ron Baity, RETURN AMERICA

More Enemies Than Friends

The Lord knew what He was doing when He gave us the
Word of God. Despised, rejected, abused misused burned, slaughtered, whittled to pieces—yet it still lives.
The divinity of the Book is seen in the fact that its
opposition and enemies have been unable to destroy it.
The Bible is the most despised book
in the world and has more enemies
than friends.
—Lester Roloff

A Day With Him

A DAY WITH HIM I heard the voice of Jesus say, "My son, it's time to kneel and pray." Down on my knees I quietly went And talked with Him 'til power was sent.
Alone with God, as Jacob of old, I discovered joy more precious than gold. The peace of God flowed into my heart, And I knew from Him I'd never part.
The things I learned that day from God Gave me wisdom the pathway to trod. "Trust me," He said, "with all your heart, And strength I'll give you the day to start."
Beginning with Him, I felt secure, Knowing His Word is true and pure. During the day, He stayed with me, Giving me light His way to see.
My burden of sin on Him I laid, Knowing His blood the price had paid. When evening came and the shadows fell, I knew that with my soul all was well.
The song He gave me during the night Consoled my heart 'til morning light. With the rising of the sun, I heard Him say, "Together we'll go through another day." —Raymond Barber used from Heaven's Hymnbook: An Overview of the Psalms Volume III ©

Who Cares, Anyway? Part Five

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."—Psalm 142:1-4

Do You Care Enough Not To Quit?

Thanks be unto God for the many through the ages that have cared enough for you and me. Our history tells us of those great men and women that have cared enough. In our present day and time there are those who still care. We need to care enough to go to the lost.

A young couple that had gotten saved brought their elderly grandmother to Christ. Afterward, the couple couldn't find her, so they looked through the village but couldn't find her anywhere. They went to village after village, but they couldn't find her. Days went by and they had not located her.

Finally, somebody in one of the villages was heard to cry, "There's Granny!"

The entire village went out to see her and asked where she had been. She said, "Well, you know after I found out that Jesus is alive and that He's coming back for all those who prayed to Him and is going to take them with Him, I thought about all of my old friends on the other side of the mountain. 

"I told them, 'He's alive. He's up there above the clouds, and one of these days He's going to come back for every one that prays to Him and take them up there with Him."

When Granny was asked if any of them prayed, she said, "I can't count, so I put down a straw for everyone that prayed. Here's my bundle." Tied together with a piece of lambskin were sixty-nine straws.

You have your opportunity to care enough right now. Do you care enough to go over to the other side of the mountain like Granny did?

I know you care, but do you care enough to help people get saved? Don't be indifferent. Do business with God and get it settled, because He wants to do business with you.

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Who Cares, Anyway? Part Four

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."—Psalm 142:1-4

Do You Care Enough to Allow the Holy Spirit to Move You?

Their sin and backsliding won't let some care like they ought to care. They've gotten away from the Lord and taken control at the helm of things in their lives. Their hearts have grown cold and hard, and they've become unfaithful to the point that they've become unmovable.

There was a time when messages from the Word of God could touch their hearts and even bring them to the altar. Their backsliding and sin have gotten them away from the Word of God and the influence of the church.

They've gotten away from a faithful walk with God, and no longer do they have personal time with God. Their hearts have gotten cold and complacent, and they're at the place where they're not moved.

The child of God needs an old-fashioned moving of the Holy Spirit of God until he takes down the fences. We ought to be emotionally stirred and care enough to reach those around the world who are trapped in darkness. Their lives are ebbing out, and they are going to die and go to Hell. If we could get emotional and stirred up enough to pray and give whatever is needed to reach the unsaved of this world, we would see more people saved and in Glory!

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Who Cares, Anyway? Part Three

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."—Psalm 142:1-4

Do You Care Enough Not To Be Indifferent?
Indifference won't let some Christians care like they ought to care. Some Christians are indifferent to the message on tithing, and they make up some excuse as to why tithing is not for the New Testament Age or whatever. They are indifferent to offerings, so they don't join in and give an offering even though the Bible talks about tithes and offerings.

Some are indifferent to world missions. They say, "Oh, we've done all we need to do, and we don't need to do all that."

A number of Christians are indifferent to the call to be a soul winner for the Lord Jesus Christ. Some are indifferent to the claim that Christ makes on us to be separate from the world. "Whererfore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing" (II Cor. 6:17).

Indifference keeps some Christians from caring like they ought to care. If the Bible says that we are to do something a certain way, we are to do it just because the Bible says to do it; and we are to do it the way the Bible says to do it!

Personal agendas should never get in the way of obedience to God's Word or being in line with morals. As a child of God, we need to be sure that any desire we have is guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, for that is the only way God will bless.

God loves the world, but our problem is that we love the world in the wrong way. We ought to love the world the way the Lord loves it and not for the things that are in this world!

The Bible says that everybody will someday stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so everybody ought to be doing something.
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Who Cares, Anyway? Part Two

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."—Psalm 142:1-4

Do You Care Enough About Lost Children?
Do you care about the children in your community and other areas?

Wouldn't it be good if in one of our missions conferences we had slides with all the missionary outreaches of the church and pictures that showed all of the run-down areas reached and little kids all around the church? Maybe then somebody would surrender to become a new bus captain.

God loves every one of those children in Africa and other areas that need clean water, but there are a lot of kids in our own communities that need clean water. There are many kids in our area that need to be saved.

We are saved because somebody cared enough about our soul. Maybe he knocked on our door and gave us a gospel tract or stopped us and talked to us about our salvation.

What is it that stands in the way that won't let you care enough?

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Who Cares, Anyway? Part One

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."—Psalm 142:1-4

We say that we care about many things, but it is not enough just to care. We must care enough!

If I asked church members, "Do you care about your church?" they would say, "That's a foolish question. Sure, I care about my church."

If I asked parents, "Do you care about your home and what happens to it?" they would answer, "Sure! That's a foolish and superfluous question to ask."

If I asked the man of the house, "Do you care about your wife? Your children and how they turn out?" he would answer, "Why ask that dumb question? Sure, I care about my wife and children."

If I asked a wife, "Do you care about your husband and your home?" she would say, "What a foolish question. Sure I care about my husband and my home."

If I asked children, "Do you care about your parents?" they would answer, "Sure I care about my parents."

If I asked the church, "Do you care about all the little children in your church?" the answer would be, "Sure we care about them."

We say we care about many, many things; but the question comes back to us: Do we care enough?"

Do You Care Enough About Your Family?
Husbands and wives, do you care enough about your spouse to be true to each other? To tell each other you care? To live right for each other? Do you care enough to tell each other every day, "I love you"?

I hear some husbands say, "She knows that. I told her that a long time ago!" Don't you think she'd like to hear it again? Don't you like to hear that God loves you?

Husband, do you care enough to take the leadership role, or do you leave that up to her or someone else?

You say you care about your spouse, but do you care enough to live a godly life before each other and do the things that you ought to be doing for each other?

You say that you care about children, but do you care enough to live the kind of life you should before them? Do you care enough to take them to church and to hold the church and preacher in high esteem?

It's not enough just to care; you have to care enough!

Sunshine for Seniors - Sweet Sleep

by Ted Camp, Silent Word Ministries © Sword of the Lord

Two words that could describe this generation are unrest and emptiness. You will find unrest and emptiness in sports as the season fades. you will find unrest and emptiness among politicians. You will find unrest and emptiness in fads or fashions. You will find unrest and emptiness in sin.

Like Solomon, you will learn that the best things in life are not things. Solomon said:

"And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour...Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity (empty) and vexation of spirit." —Ecc. :10-11

Like Solomon, you will find unrest and emptiness in things. Money will buy a bed but not rest, books but not brains, food but not an appetite, cosmetics but not beauty. You can buy a house but not a home, medicine but not health, luxuries but not culture. This rest is not found in prescriptions but comes only from the Great Physician. The Lord said,

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."—Mattt.11:28-30

This rest cannot be found in your labors but only from the Lord. Notice He said, "I will give you rest." The condition is that when you "come," He "gives." It is a gift that cannot be earned or bought. Also this promise is unlimited to "all" who will "come." "All" includes you.

God can do for you what you cannot do for yourself. "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:9).  Let the Lord fill your empty soul and give you rest. "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet" (Prov. 3:24).

There is no substitute for the peace and rest of God. He promises, "Come unto me...and I will give you rest."

99¢ eBook Sale - Jed Cartwright and the Dangerous Journey

Now through Christmas day, we will be offering one eBook at the special price of...

Today's Special eBook:

Jed Cartwright and the Dangerous Journey

About the Book:

Life in 1860 is not easy for Jed and his little sister, Mandy. Orphaned and homeless, the two children face numerous obstacles even before setting out on their own from Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri. Sustained only by sheer grit, determination and their love for one another, they set out to find their uncle whom they hope will give them a home. They travel mile after mile, meeting both kindly people and harmful ones, escaping peril and injury again and again.

Travel along with Jed and Mandy through heartbreak, danger and God's provision. Experience with them the fact that in spite of true hardship and genuine challenges, God forgives and welcomes into His Home anyone who will come.

Ed Dunlop is a children's evangelist whose numerous books are popular with young people and adults alike.

eBook Sales Now Through Christmas!

Lots of new stuff going on behind the scenes here at the Sword and we're excited to share some of it with our loyal readers. 

 What better way to show our gratitude than with a Christmas sale? 

But instead of just one sale, let's have 12, shall we? 

Now through Christmas day, we will be offering one eBook at the special price of...

Today's Special eBook:

Order in the Court

About the Book:

Throughout God's Creation, we see design, beauty and order. The psalmist tells us His Creation 'declares the glory of God.' 

Our God is a God of order. He is the ultimate example of orderliness, for He had a plan and purpose for all of His Creation. That plan includes the day-to-day life of every Christian. 

God's plan for Christians is to live lives of order. Here is a book filled with helpful hints on how to be better organized in almost every area of your life—starting with your spiritual life, because when your heart is right, it is likely the head will follow.

Beginning today, you can bring a biblical control to your life. Step by step, this book will show you how to glorify God and create order in the court.Sneak Preview of our

99¢ eBooks Coming Soon:

Heaven's Hymnbook: Volume 1 - 12/24/15

Mountain-Moving Faith - 12/25/15

Wonderful Jesus!

by Dr. Robert Billings 
adapted for The Sword of the Lord blog, ©

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."—Isaiah 9:6

Wonderful is a word that is greatly overused today. We talk about having a wonderful time, meeting a wonderful person, having a wonderful trip. That word gets almost threadbare.

But no place is it ever used more adequately and perhaps very inadequately as when it describes the Lord Jesus Christ: "His name shall be called Wonderful."

Wonderful in the Way He Fulfilled Prophecy
These words written about Jesus were spoken by Isaiah nearly eight hundred years before His birth; yet when Jesus was born, He literally fulfilled dozens and dozens of prophecies about His first coming.

Wonderful in His Birth
Jesus was the earthly Child of a Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Child of an earthly mother. If we could have arranged the birth of Jesus, I'm sure we would have done some things differently.

Jesus became what He was not: sin; that we might become what we are not or were not: saved, righteous people having o the righteousness of Christ. (II Cor. 5:21). The amazing thing to me is that He who was so rich became so poor, and yet we who are so poor often pretend to be so rich. As a Man, He was despised by men; as God, He was worshiped by angels.

Jesus Was Wonderful in His Life
He could talk to multitudes at a time, or He could talk to a man on a rooftop or a woman at the side of a well. He wrote no books, but the presses of this world continue to grind out libraries about Christ.

Jesus Was Wonderful in His Death
He was murdered by unjust men. Even nature revolted when Jesus died. The sun put sackcloth, as it were, across its face and refused to shine. The earth convulsed and belched up the dead that were in it.

Ignorance was there when Jesus died, for they knew not what they did. Insolence passed by and wagged its head. Irreverence was there as they taunted Jesus.

Though the crown that He wore and the cross that He bore were His own, they should have been mine.

Jesus Was Wonderful in His Resurrection
Pilate tried to make the grave sure and set the Roman seal upon the stone, yet up from the grave He arose.

Jesus is Wonderful in His Present Ministry
"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

Jesus is Wonderful in His Power to Save
When a man or woman finds Jesus Christ, he who has been blind can see. All of us can say, "Wonderful Wonderful!" because "his name shall be called Wonderful."

From the Editor:
If you have seen your need as a sinner, can you also see what a wonderful Saviour Jesus is? Please, take a moment and click this link to read more about how you can be sure you're going to Heaven.


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Read a Sample of The Christian Lady's Handbook

On Sale December 7th - December 11th The Christian Lady's Handbook Why a book on manners? What are manners? Why do we need to concern ourselves with proper etiquette? What priority do we need to place on all the above? "Manners" is defined as our way of acting, our social conduct. Etiquette is the use of good manners. Having good manners and observing the rules of etiquette need not be a burden. It is simply caring about one another's feelings and comfort. It stems from common sense and thoughtfulness. The reason for this book is that it might become a quick reference for those many occasions in which you might have a question as to the right thing to do or say or wear. May your motivation to do the right thing come from a desire to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col. 1:10).  SALE Price: $2.00 List Price: $7.95 PB8194  Order Here!

Inside the Book:

The Christian Lady - 

We live in an age where the term "lady" has lost its way. The American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster describes a lady as, "A woman of distinction...any woman of genteel education." The Concise American Heritage Dictionary  of 1980 describes a lady as, "A woman of refinement and good manners." A lady, then, is more than just a woman; she is a refined, genteel woman of distinction and good manners. Therefore, just any woman could not rightly be called a lady based solely on the fact that she is a female. In order for a woman to be properly called a lady she must meet the qualifications of the term as defined by the dictionary, an established authority of language definition.

No then, the same is true of the term "Christian lady." A religious person can no more deserve to be called a Christian without first meeting the qualifications established by the authority on spiritual matters, the Bible, than a woman can be called a lady without meeting the qualifications established by the authority of language definition, the dictionary. With this in mind, it behooves us to become familiar with what the Bible defines a Christian to be. you see, one may read The Christian Lady's Handbook of Etiquette and Manners and find helpful tips on how to be a lady without ever truly being a Christian lady. It is one thing to be a lady, another to be a Christian and still another to be a Christian lady.

...used by permission - copyright protected...

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Mall Marked Jesus Down

A few years back a nine-inch model of Jesus as a baby appeared in many stores. The doll was "packaged in a straw and satin crib with a picture of the Bethlehem manger and appropriate biblical texts."

But the doll was not a success—people probably felt that to merchandise such a thing was carrying the commercialism of Christmas to a new low—and at least one store, in an effort to unload its supply of the dolls, cut the price rather drastically.

One woman who was comparing prices in various stores excitedly reported to a neighbor, "The mall has marked Jesus Christ down fifty percent."

Strangely enough, this is quite similar to what is happening today. This sounds all too familiar: moral corruption in high places; legalized abortion; prayer taken out of schools and replaced with drugs and guns; displaying manger scenes in public places forbidden; the word blood taken from many hymnals—"too gory"; new Bible versions omitting "virgin" from the Old Testament and "begotten" and "Propitiation" from the New; worldly music in the pulpit on Sunday; preachers who have gone soft; churches catering to the culture—anything to play down Christ, the Bible and the old-time Faith.

Yes, Christ has been marked down drastically—even more than fifty-percent!

So it behooves us who believe in the old-time religion to proclaim it this Christmas with clarity and conviction!
- taken from December 4, 2015 issue of the Sword of the Lord Newspaper

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