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.
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.
Watching the wind rustle the leaves of the poplar trees early one morning caused me to ponder the sublime power of the wind. On a hot day, the wind provides a cool, refreshing breeze. That same wind can also become a fierce, damaging gale.
God is like that. To His friends, He is calm assurance of eternal life – and more abundant life now. To His enemies, He is a dangerous and powerful force no one can withstand. Be sure you are His friend, and enjoy His goodness in your life.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Did you cause the sun to rise this morning? To warm the earth and give you light? Did you awaken the birds, and cause them to sing joyfully in the trees? Did you cause the rain to fall, watering the earth, so that the plants would grow, bringing forth flowers and food?
No. God, our creator, the Lord of life, did that. Psalm 100:3 says, “Know that the Lord He is God. It is He that has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” I will praise him everyday, for He is good, and his mercy is everlasting.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
The mourning dove is named for the mournful sound it makes. Rather than a happy tweet or song, it seems to be mourning. The doves in the western part of the United States seem to have even more desperation in the intensity of their call.
Some people are like that. They seem to be constantly mournful in life. That sort of mourning comes from deep pain or sorrow. Psalm 38:6 says: “I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.” But the Psalmist knew where to turn when in verse 15 he says, “For in you, O Lord, do I hope; you will hear, O Lord my God!” When you find yourself mourning, turn to the Lord, who can turn mourning into dancing and rejoicing, my friend.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
While worshipping the Lord on the banks of the White River near Mount Rainier, Washington, I considered the direction of the flow. Always moving in one direction. God has designed time that way, too. Always, the rivers of time flow in one direction. Eventually, the bluish-white waters of the White River will find themselves in the Pacific Ocean.
When you arrive at the confluence of life and eternity, where will you find yourself?
Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto men once to die; but after this, the judgement.”
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Have you ever noticed, as the dark gives way to morning light, a symphony of sound? One or two birds begin to waken; then a multitude of birds, all rejoicing in the light. God must’ve made the songbirds to delight His heart, and ours.
Psalm 148 begins, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the Heavens; praise Him in the heights. Praise Him all his angels, praise Him, all His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light.” And in verse 10, others are called to praise Him: “Beasts and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl.” In other words, let all His works praise Him!
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
People spend a lot of time and resources investing in this world. We gather stuff, care for stuff, store and protect stuff. We invest in the cares of this world, gaining position, knowledge, prestige. Even the poor are heavily invested in this world, as if this world is all there is.
Well, my friend, there is a greater reality. Jesus said, “Again, 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). The presence of God is far more important than all this life has to offer.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Springtime is such a beautiful, vibrant season. After a long, cold, brown, seemingly-endless winter, greens and reds and yellows begin to appear! Then, the warmer breezes blow and the gentle, life-giving rain stimulates the thirsty ground.
I’m reminded of this encouraging word from Lamentations 3:22-23: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Yes, great is your faithfulness to me, Lord, and I praise you!