Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Man, there sure is a lot of unrest and tension in our world. At the same time, it seems like folks are all about feeding their desires with all the goodies in life, including, well, you know. James’ letter speaks to this. Chapter 4 begins: “Where do wars, and fightings come from among you? From your lusts, that war in your members.”
The original Greek word for ‘lust’ is where the word ‘hedonism’ comes from. It speaks of personal pleasure being the goal in life. That describes our society well, doesn’t it? The disciple’s life is one of disciplining ourselves, rather than gorging on stuff. Let’s be disciples of Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
My grandfather had a farm in upstate New York. I remember him burning the field, like the Native Americans did, to increase the crop yield the following year. So I tried that once. Before I knew it, the fire was out of control. I took a broom and hit a spot, and it immediately started five more fires! I had to call for help to put it out.
In James 3, he talks about the tongue. In verse 5 through 6, we read: “Even so, the tongue is a little member and boasts great things, behold how great a matter a little fire kindles. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, and defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” Friend, we need to bridle our tongues to speak good things.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
I’m not going to tell you something you don’t already know, and it’s this: we live in a fallen world. True. As a result, bad things happen. In fact, bad things happen to good people. The cat gets hit by a car; you slip on the ice and sprain your ankle; your favorite relative dies unexpectedly; and so on it goes.
Well, God never promises us a rose garden. In 1 Peter 5:7, the apostle tells us to “cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” Got trouble? Turn it all over to God, and let Him help you with it. You have problems; Jesus has answers.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
I love to look up into the heavens at night. When the moon is full, the stars are very faint. But when the moon is not visible, the stars are bright. In fact, the darker the night, the brighter the stars. This is what it’s like when we live for Jesus in a fallen world. The darker society gets, the brighter God’s people shine. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Father, turn up your light in us, please.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
In the 1960’s, the Beach Boys had a song that goes: “There’s a place, where I can go, and tell my secrets to, in my room, in my room.” It expresses the need we all have for a quiet place, and someone to tell our deepest troubles to.
For me, that place of quiet and refuge is the Lord himself. Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 6:6, said “When you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father, which is in secret.” The closet is a secret chamber – a quiet, set-apart place. It’s good to get alone with our heavenly father.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
I had the opportunity recently to travel to a very special place. It was a wonderfully creative place. While there, I wrote three songs, two of them were about Hawaii, but the very first song I wrote for the Lord. Pondering the trip and the creativity, I realized always and in everything, I like to put God first.
In Colossians 1:18, Paul writes, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Dear friend, put God first in all you do and see what happens. In all things, let Jesus be first and your life will be amazing.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
One day, while teaching about Heaven, Jesus told this parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchantman seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).
When you understand what Jesus is all about, and what awaits us in the future he is preparing, you may want to release everything this world has to offer to obtain that amazing price. A pearl; a treasure of great worth.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God” (Psalm 90:1-2).
Often, we get so caught up in our day-to-day existence in this life, we forget that there is so much more. God inhabits eternity, and that is our destiny. Our whole lives are wrapped up in him, and when this life is over, we will be with Him forever. Now that is encouraging.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
At certain times of the year, in the early morning, there is a dew that appears on the grass. Then the sun arises and the dew evaporates very quickly. James says, “Our life is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).
Against the backdrop of eternity, our lives are really very short. We needto make them count for more than just this life. In Psalm 90:12, we find this encouraging prayer, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Make today count, my friend, as though eternity depended on it. May you havebeautiful day, too.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
So how was your breakfast this morning? Maybe you don’t eat breakfast – how about lunch, or dinner? Fact is, you eat everyday. We wouldn’t think about not eating, especially since our body craves food. If we didn’t eat, we would become weak and sickly, and even die. You wouldn’t think of not eating.
Did you know you have a spirit that needs feeding, too? The very best spiritual food is the word of God. I eat scripture every day. When I miss a day, something doesn’t seem right. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that precedes out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). I encourage you to eat God’s word daily, my friend.