Apr 15 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 20

Body of Christ

Romans 12:5

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Do you realize that if you are in Christ, you are a part of his body? You aren’t simply a member of some club, team, or corporation. You are actually a part of the body of Jesus Christ. Your life is all about what Jesus is about on this Earth living out his desires and accomplishing his purposes. It’s not about an organization; rather, it’s about an organism.

The Apostle Paul expressed it like this: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every one, members of one another.” (Romans 12:5). Even with all its’ frailties and failings, I hope you are enjoying the blessing of being a part of the body of Christ, my friend.


Apr 14 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 19

God’s Wonderful Works

Psalm 107

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

God is good – all the time. In fact, there is never a time when God’s not good. His goodness can be seen everyday in the benefits he provides for us. He woke me up this morning; put food on my table; gave me a place to live; and clothes to wear.

He’s given me family and friends to enjoy, fresh air to breathe, birds singing to delight me. He paints gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. The Psalmist who wrote Psalm 107 said four times: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:21).


Apr 13 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 18

Using The Word to Transform The World

Romans 12:2

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

“Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). It amazes me how the church wants to be like the world. Maybe it’s because we aren’t allowing the Word to transform our mind. It is imperative to spend time in God’s word personally, daily. That way, we will gain God’s perspective on life. Perhaps then, we can transform the world like the early disciples did. My friend – allow the Word of God to transform your mind as you spend time in it. And then, go and transform your part of the world.


Apr 12 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 17

Numbers

Psalm 90:12

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Have you ever tried to count the number of hairs on your head? The stars in the sky? The grains of sand on just one beach? I find this amazing: that God knows not only the number of hairs on your head, but on every head! Not only that, but he knows when you rise in the morning and when you lie down at night. He even knows not only the thoughts, but the intentions of your heart. God knows – he knows everything. He knows your future. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).


Apr 11 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 16

Marriage

Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

I was thinking about that beautiful song that Paul Stookey  from Peter, Paul, and Mary wrote for Peter Yarrow when he was married. Debbie and I had my brother Joe and the pastor’s wife play it at our wedding. It begins “He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.” So beautiful!

Four times in the Bible, we read that a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they too shall be one flesh. Apparently, in God’s eyes, he sees the two as one. This is an incredible picture of unity and harmony. With God in the mix, it has the ability to work well. That’s why Jesus, in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9 said “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”


Apr 8 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 15

Wherewithal

Psalm 119:9

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9). This old-English sounding phrase is actually easy to understand once you define the words. And as usual, I discovered a little treasure here.

The original word for wherewithal means “what, when, where, how,” but in common usage, according to the dictionary, it’s a financial term. It’s sort of like, how can a young man find the wherewithal to cleanse his own way? Well he can’t – he needs the instruction found in God’s word. Young man, turn to the Lord. Seek his wisdom, and he’ll make your path straight.


Apr 7 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 14

God’s Creation

Psalm 147:16-17

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Icy wind whistling through the trees… Old man winter proves once again he owns January and February in the north country. Take away our ability to build fire, or turn on the heat, and we would find it difficult, if not impossible, to survive the outdoors in sub-zero weather. This is another reminder of just how small we are compared to the immensity of God’s creation.

Psalm 147:16-17 says, “He gives snow like wool; he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”


Apr 6 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 13

1960’s Jesus Movement

John 6:35

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

My wife Debbie and I travel all over America, singing songs of family, faith, relationships, life experiences. It’s folk-style, sort of reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s. Do you know about the powerful moving of the holy spirit among the young folks, the hippies, the drug culture back in the 1960’s?

It seemed like there was a hunger for truth, and God met that hunger with his son, Jesus Christ. That time was known as “The Jesus Movement.” I believe there is a similar movement taking place today. Jesus said “I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Seek Jesus, the bread of life.


Apr 5 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 12

Praise the Lord

Psalm 19:1, 3-4

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Zanmei shen. Gloria dios. That was Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. How do you say ‘Praise the Lord’? Psalm 19, verses 1 and 3-4 say “The heavens declare the Glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handiwork… There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

The heavens are a steady testimony to the immensity of God, and every aspect of creation bears witness to his handiwork. When we praise God, we join with all nature in declaring his glory. So let’s praise the Lord, everyday.


Apr 4 2016

Wisdom and Truth Minute: Day 11

Childish Things

1 Corinthians 13:11

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Children are in the learning stage of life. They haven’t had a lot of life experience, don’t have a lot of knowledge, haven’t had to make the hard decisions as much. That’s why they often make poor choices, or at least, not the best ones, like grabbing a toy away from another child, or hitting, calling names, getting angry and lashing out. Paul says he grew up and put away childish things. We find him saying this in his famous chapter on love: greater than faith, greater than hope, is love, my friend.