Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
From my current vantage point, my life is split into two major divisions: half before Christ, half with Christ. Most of what I learned the first half, I processed and responded to with my material mind. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” That’s why Jesus said in John 3, “You must be born again. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit, is spirit.”
This past half of my life, I process and respond to things with my spiritually-alive mind. How about you, my friend? Have you been born again?
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.
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.
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.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white – all are precious in his sight. Excitement, wonder, simple faith, forgiving, loving – these are words that come to mind when I think of children. You know, the word ‘children’ is found 1,822 times in 1,524 verses in the Bible. I guess children are rather important in God’s mind.
Listen to Psalm 127:3-4: “Look, children are an heritage from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” You may want to spend more time caring for children. They are our heritage, friends.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
I’m not sure why, but children and dogs seem to be attracted to me. Dogs are social creatures who love attention and affection. Children are similar. Me too! I like attention and affection. And children and dogs can sense it. Of course, my ultimate goal with children is to introduce them to Jesus, my best friend. When Jesus walked around Israel, crowds followed him. I bet many of those were children. The adults were a little upset about it, but Jesus said, “Let the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14. Childlike faith pleases God, my friend.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
As a young believer in Jesus Christ, one of the first scriptures that spoke to me was Proverbs 22:1. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; and loving favor, rather than silver and gold.” What does it mean to have a good name? Does it involve being wealthy and prosperous? Famous? Powerful? Actually, having a good name comes from being a person of integrity – one who upholds the truth and does good to others. All of these qualities are found in Jesus Christ. That’s why the writer of Psalm 45:17 said, “I will make your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore, shall the people praise you forever and ever.”