Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Hello, my friend. How’s it going? Are you having a good day? I sure hope so. What’s that you say? You’ve got bills, you’ve got struggles, you’ve got turmoil in your life? You say it seems like the world is going crazy around you and it’s only getting worse? The apostle Paul lived at a time when it was extremely dangerous to be a Christ-follower. The people of Jesus were being hunted down and imprisoned, or killed. Paul had to be very concerned, but listen to what he wrote to the friends in Thesslonica, [chapter 5] verses 16 -18, “Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
It seems like I’ve always lived a long way from family. There have been times when they were close, but long periods of time go by when they are far away. Technology has virtually shortened the distance, but it’s not the same as being there. There’s just something about being face-to-face, feeling a warm embrace, experiencing a loved one up close and personal. Listen to Psalm 27:4: “One thing have I desired from the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Now that is up close and personal.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
“From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). The Lord is known by many names, based upon how he reveals himself. These various names have meanings related to his many-faceted character. ‘Jehovah Shalom’ means ’God who is our who peace.’ ‘Jehovah Tsidkenu,’ ‘the Lord our righteousness.’ My favorite is found in Psalm 24:9-10: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.” His name is Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of heaven’s armies.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
I have an idea for you today that could revolutionize the world. It’s actually been tried before, but, being human, it’s difficult. Often we forget, even though we may know about it. Listen to Psalm 34:14: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Seek peace. In the midst of a struggle, if we could actually seek peace instead of allowing ourselves the right to pursue revenge, or even to get our own way. Seeking peace takes determination, but if we seek peace, look for ways to make it happen, and even pursue it until we obtain it, man, what a different world this would be, yes?
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
How important is a name? We all have one. And even if a person was born without one, God would know what it was. Even God has a name. In fact, we know him by various names, all for a purpose. In the Bible, the phrase “The Lord” is used over 6,000 times. I haven’t looked at each one yet, but in almost every case that phrase covers over something extremely important. Why didn’t the Bible translators just use the name the Jewish writers put there for God? It would clear up confusion and make God all the more personal. “The Lord,” my friend, is actually Jehovah. Imagine that.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Today, I’m writing from a resting place. My father in heaven inspired some dear friends to offer Debbie and me a place to recuperate after the Freedom Jubilee tour. It’s much needed, and a great blessing! As I was praising God for this, a hymn came into my head. “There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God / a place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.” Jesus, our blessed redeemer, has given us rest, and that place of rest is the very presence of God himself. Think about it: Jesus has come to allow us into his rest. Therefore with Psalm 116:7 we can sing, “Return unto your rest, O my soul, for Jehovah has dealt bountifully with you.”
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
When I think of oil running down my beard, I think about washing my face, because obviously I’ve been a little sloppy at the dinner table. Olive oil is pretty slick stuff that doesn’t always behave. Did you know there are verses in the old testament that speak of oil running down the beard? And it’s a picture of God’s blessing, the unity of his people. Listen to Psalm 133, verses 1 and 2: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down the beard, even Aaron’s beard.” May God anoint you with the oil of joy today.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Some things in life you just can’t change. You may want to, but you don’t have that ability. No matter how many clouds, the sun still rises in the morning. You can’t change that. You can’t change the number of elements in water; it’s always two hydrogen to one oxygen. You can’t change your past, or your parents, or your birthdate. You can’t change who your siblings are, even though you may want to.
Imagine that: you can allow hatred and hard feelings to make you want to exclude from your life those who should be closest to you. Don’t do it, friend. In Romans 12:18, Paul writes, “If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.” That includes family, my friend.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
The weather report called for sun and clouds today with no rain in sight. Ha ha! I say that as the rain comes down out of a totally overcast sky. There’s an old saying that goes, “Don’t believe anything you hear, and only half of what you see.” Well, that’s extreme, but we do need to be cautious and check things out. The Bible tells us that regarding spiritual things. In 1 John 4:1, the apostle warns us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Check it out for yourself, my friend.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
It’s been extremely windy here lately. A friend of mine got home to find all the stuff in his shed there, but no shed! He looked around to discover it in pieces, two neighbors down! Wind is a powerful force. Some people live in areas where tornadoes and hurricanes are common occurrences. My cousin’s town in Oklahoma was devastated by a mile-wide tornado a while back.
What do you do when disaster strikes? Psalm 46:1-2 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the Earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”