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’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.”
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Traveling through the southwestern United States, I pulled off the side of the road for a breather. Across the road was a huge boulder, and in the middle of it, growing out of a crevice, was a lone pine tree. Incredulous, I had to go take a look. Where does that tenacious pine get enough water and nutrients to grow, I wonder? You know the phrase, “stuck between a rock and a hard place”? It was a perfect example of a tree growing, and even flourishing, in a really hard place. Having struggles, my friend? With the Holy Spirit to nurture you, and God’s word to nourish you, you too can flourish in that hard place. Be steadfast, friends – 1 Corinthians 15:58.
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.
Even in the best of circumstances, there is often some displeasure. Know what I mean? It’s like the old adage, “Into everyone’s life some rain must fall.” Sometimes, it’s a little sprinkle, but other times, it’s a downpour. Hold on friend: there is a silver lining in that dark rain cloud.
In Psalm 30, verses 4 and 5, we find this: “Sing unto the Lord, you saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endures but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
There are times in my life when everything seems to be going smoothly, but then there are other times when it seems all hell is breaking loose. Have you ever felt like that? You start to wonder, ‘when will it end? When will I get back to the still waters and clear sailing?’
Listen, brother and sister, to this word of encouragement from Isaiah 43:2-3: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel, your savior.”
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Did you know that Jesus has overcome the world? That’s right, he has already defeated the enemy of our souls, and overcome all the evils of the world. We’re simply waiting for him to play the final hand. So why all the trouble in life? Why all the sickness and disease, financial struggles, even persecution, torture, and death?
Jesus said to his disciples in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” Dear friends, the key to peace, even in the midst of suffering, is to be in Jesus.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
Personal tragedy strikes everyone at some time or another. It can take many forms. For some it may be financial, like bankruptcy, loss due to fire, or theft. For others, the loss of a loved one, severe illness, or long-term pain. Still others may be experiencing the ravages of war, starvation, disease, or homelessness.
No matter the tragedy, we may find ourselves unable to cope with it or even find a solution. Even help from others can evade us. So what to do? Here’s what I suggest. The Bible tells us “Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7. That’s all your cares, friend.
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
In 1970, country singer Lynn Anderson had a hit with “Rose Garden.” It starts “I beg your pardon; I never promised you a rose garden.” You may have heard the phrase “life is no bed of roses.” Troubles are a part of living in this world, for sure. But those of us who follow Jesus has someone who helps us through those troubles. Just being a Christian can bring about troubles in contemporary culture – not just in places hostile to Christianity, but often in America, a formerly Christian-influenced society. Jesus gave us hope when he said: “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.
At some time or another, we all do things we really don’t want to do. Why? Because we have to. It’s an endless list, like ‘get up early for work,’ ‘be kind to an enemy,’ ‘pay taxes,’ ‘eat something unpleasant.’
Jesus did that, too. The night before He died on the cross, He actually asked God to make another way to save mankind. But He went anyway. Why? In Hebrews 12:2, we find out why. It says: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”