Value of Writing

The “Write” Direction

by Mike Vestal

Just getting through the day in this sinful world can sometimes be terribly difficult.  As Christians, we must see the importance of encouragement, of inspiring one another to greater hope, love, and service in the Lord (1 Th 5:11; Heb 10:24).  We should try to take advantage of encouraging others through every possible medium–our words, actions, and prayers.

After preaching a sermon on the value of written encouragement I received a note from a little girl named Micah, who is only eight or nine.  She had not just written me, but several others too!  I got another note from her just the other day, and it included this precious line: “You are doing better now than the first time I wrote you.”  I couldn’t help but laugh.  But you know she’s exactly right!  Written encouragement from Christians is like a spiritual blood transfusion–it lifts up and strengthens those who might be “running low” (Rom 14:19; 15:2).  Surely this is one of the reasons why Paul mentioned so many people by name in his epistles.  Why should we practice the art of written encouragement?

IT SHOWS PURPOSE.

Writing to someone shows the investment of time, doesn’t it?  (Ephesians 5:16).  Often the mere thought and the expense of effort mean more than the actual words written.  God Himself showed deliberate purpose in giving us His word, the greatest word of encouragement ever written (2 Tm 3:16-17; 2 Pt 1:19-21).

IT SHOWS PRACTICE.

How often have we had good intentions about writing others, but simply never got around to it?  God blesses the faith that works through love (Gal 5:6).  When written encouragement is done, it’s done.  There’s something concrete about it.

IT SHOWS PRECISION.

Most of us cannot say things we can write.  Written encouragement allows us carefully to choose our words and to say exactly what we desire to say.  Written encouragement is powerful encouragement in the right direction!  A postage stamp is still the bargain of the century for the encouragement it can give.

–From, The Friend of Truth, October 8, 2000

Unity of Isaiah

The ACU Commentary and the Unity of the Book of Isaiah

by Wayne Jackson

Abilene Christian University Press (Abilene, Texas) has just released its new commentary, The Transforming Word One Volume Bible Commentary. Among the many liberal positions advocated, this volume argues for the multiple authorship of the book of Isaiah. John Willis contends: “The authors of the book of Isaiah in its present form were addressing a small Jewish community in and near Jerusalem in the mid- to late-fifth century BCE….” In view of this theory, that contradicts the New Testament, we offer the following brief article on the “Unity of Isaiah.”

Read the article by clicking H-E-R-E.

Darwin Day Debate

A Personal Note about the

Darwin Day Debate

Kyle Butt

As most of our readers are aware, I participated in a debate February 12, 2009 in which I defended the existence of the God of the Bible. My opponent was Dan Barker, the co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the largest atheistic organization in North America. The debate took place on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. The venue for the debate held 550 people. It was filled to capacity, and several came that could not get in due to fire regulations. From what I can gather, there were probably about 650-700 who showed up. The entire debate lasted about two hours with alternating speeches from Dan and me and an audience question segment that lasted about 30 minutes.

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Facts

Facts You Must Face

Jim R. Lewis

Life Is Short: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1,2). “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).

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Noah

Noah, A Man of Action

by Kevin Williams

We can learn many lessons by studying the character of people mentioned in the Old Testament.  Abraham was a man of faith.  Joseph was morally pure.  David had a penitent heart.  Noah?  Noah was a man of action.  Note the action words used to describe him…

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ABCs

Christian ABCs

Act instead of Argue

Build instead of Brag

Climb instead of Criticize

Dig instead of Deprecate

Encourage instead of Envy

Fight instead of Faint

Give instead of Grumble

Help instead of Harm

Invite instead of Ignore

Join instead of Jeer

Kneel instead of Kick

Love instead of Lampoon

Move instead of Mould

Nurture instead of Neglect

Obey instead of Obstruct

Pray instead of Pout

Quicken instead of Quit

Rescue instead of Ridicule

Shout instead of Shrink

Try instead of Tremble

Undergird instead of Undermine

Vindicate instead of Vilify

Work instead of Wilt

Exterminate instead of Excuse

Yield instead of Yell

Zip instead of Zigzag

–Alvy E. Ford