Topic(s): Christian Life, Nature of Man

The only way to get rid of a bad habit is to stop it at once. If you try tapering off, this is the result. You drop the “H” and you still have . . .

A bit

You think you’re getting over it by dropping a little bit of the evil thing, so you go on and drop the “A,” but you still are . . .

Bit

That is to say, you are not getting on at all. You are deceiving yourself. You are just where you were. You are still bitten by the evil thing. However, you think you are progressing and so you drop the “B.” But you still lack; you still have . . .

It

And “it” is the sting of habit. “It” has been the trouble all along. You are where you started. Even when you drop the “I” you still have . . .

T

Which stands for temptation. And temptation is a longer word to get rid of than habit. Better do the thing “wholesale” and drop all the letters at once.

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” —1 Peter 2:11

Why is it that opportunity always knocks, but temptation feels free to walk right in?

Kid Wisdom

Topic(s): Children, Humor

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, “Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.” “Yes,” the class said. “Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn’t run into my feet?” A little fellow shouted, “Cause your feet aren’t empty.”

“Rejoice with me . . . ” —Luke 15:6

What is God Telling Me?

Topic(s): Pain and Suffering, Patience

What is God telling me with the problems He permits in my life? The problems we face will either defeat us or develop us, depending on how we respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in our lives:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT us. Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change our ways (Proverbs 20:30).

2. God uses problems to INSPECT us. People are like tea bags. If you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

3. God uses problems to CORRECT us. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child our parents told us not to touch a hot stove, but we probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something like health, money, or a relationship by losing it. “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:71-72).

4. God uses problems to PROTECT us. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem—but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered. “. . . ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good . . .” (Genesis 50:20).

5. God uses problems to PERFECT us. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you’re going to take with you into eternity. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

Here’s the point: God is at work in our lives—even when you do not recognize it or understand it. However, it is much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

Internet Humor

Topic(s): Humor

My brother-in-law has a great e-mail address. It starts PS81_10b@, to represent the second half of the Bible verse Psalms 81:10, which states “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” By the way, he’s a dentist.

—submitted by Jeanne Warsing, February 2005 edition of Reader’s Digest