Most of us are scared to death of snakes and especially, poisonous snakes. Well, the thought occurred to me that there is a snake that poisons everybody, it topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, damages reputations, causes heartaches, produces indigestion, spawns suspicion, generates grief and makes innocent people cry into their pillows.

Even its name hisses. It is called GOSSIP! Office gossip, shop gossip, family gossip, church gossip. It makes headlines and heartaches.

Before you repeat a story ask yourself?
1. Is it true?
2. Is it helpful?
3. Is it necessary?

And if not, please keep it to yourself!

The apostle Paul wrote, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,” and “let your speech always be seasoned.” James said, “Be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to hear.”

To help each day be a happy and tranquil day, let us strive for the following goals:

• A little more patience to bear with ones we may not like.
• A little more humility to fulfill our duty; even if it is difficult.
• A little more courage and strength to bear the trials that disturb our peace of mind.
• A little more charity so as not to manifest our hurts.
• And, above all, a little more prayer to draw the righteous Father into our hearts and keep Him there.

The Bible says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

This day, month and year will largely be what we determine to make it. Let us set our goals to daily be closer to the Father.

When David faced the giant Goliath he was only a teenager, but he had a maturity in his faith in God far beyond many who were older.

At a young age, David had learned the tried, tested and proven fact — there is nothing, absolutely nothing impossible for the Almighty Father.

Friends, we often face a mountain, a difficult struggle that seems impossible to overcome. God’s children must remember that there is no force, power, or obstacle too great for our heavenly Father!

Jesus said, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)

God has not promised ALL will go well with us ALL of our life. But to those who love and obey Him, He has promised to be with them, to give them support, strength, to walk with them. Give your life and your struggles over to God.

Some time ago, I passed by a house with a sign in the yard that read “Home for Sale.” I thought, “They’ve got it all wrong. It’s a house for sale.”

Later I discovered the couple was getting a divorce, dividing everything, so maybe it was a home for sale.

The first of three divinely ordained institutions that God established was the home — the family.

May we express appreciation and praise to the men and women who are committed to keeping their home as God desires, and also being good fathers and mothers, training their children in the way of righteousness?

Sell your house if you must, but please do not sell you “home.”

My family and I used to enjoy wonderful vacations in northern New Mexico. As we were passing one time through the small town of Clayton, New Mexico, I had been driving the speed limit all day. Just then a police officer pulled me over and quickly informed me I was “SPEEDING!” I knew there must be a mistake. The officer said, “This is a 35 mile an hour zone!” I was still driving 50. The speed on the sign I had previously seen. I missed the 35 mile an hour sign.

What “I thought” did not matter. I was speeding. I was guilty, even if I thought I was obeying the laws of the land. I received a ticket, and paid the fine.

What we “think” in religion does not make it right. It is possible to “think” we are doing God’s will, and be wrong. Let us “prove all things” (I Thess. 5:21) and “do the will of the Father” (Matt. 7:21).

On a tombstone in a cemetery the following words were found:

“Remember friend as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I;
As I am now, you soon will be
So prepare to die and follow me.”

Some one else had written with a black crayon under the above words:

“To follow you I am not content
Until I learn which way you went.”

Christ left us an example that we should follow His steps (I Peter 2:21). The apostle Paul said follow him, as he followed Christ (I Corinthians 11:1).

With the passing of each day, we are one day closer to death, judgment, and eternity. Are you ready to face our Lord in judgment?

There are over four million miles of roads in the United States. There are good roads and bad roads. There are horse trails that are now major highways. Trails once traveled by stagecoach are now traveled by eighteen-wheelers. Roads are more dangerous than ever because there are people on the road with more horsepower than horse sense!

Jesus talked about two roads that represent our lives. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14).

Because there are two roads, everyone has a decision to make. You can choose your road in life, but you can choose not to follow that road. Whatever decision you make will determine the direction you go. Do not expect to travel the broad way all your life and enter through the strait gate. Ultimately, the decision of direction will determine your destiny.

What road are you traveling on? Which direction are you going? When you get to where you are headed, where will you be?

Jesus once said, “If the Son therefore makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Living a pure life, means surrendering to Jesus Christ. But some people don’t want to surrender because they say they want to be free.
What if a train said, “I don’t want to run on these tracks? I want to be free.” Then off through the meadow it would go. What if the kite said, “I want to be free? I don’t want to be tied to a string.” The string breaks and down it goes. What if a tree said, “I don’t want to be planted in the earth? I want to be free.” And it is jerked up from the earth and dies.
Everything that is truly free functions best when it functions as God made it. God made you to know Him and to love Him.
James, the Lord’s brother wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Would you like to be eternally happy? Many seek happiness in all the wrong places. They search and search for “synthetic salvation” at the bottom of a liquor bottle or pill bottle.

In His most memorable sermon, Jesus tells us the key to true happiness. When the Bible uses the word “blessed,” it refers to a happiness that finds its source in God and God alone. Notice Jesus’ keys to happiness:

“Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless…
Blessed are those who mourn…”
Blessed are those who are gentle…”
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval…”
Blessed are those who show mercy…”
Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure…”
Blessed are those who make peace…”
Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of…”
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me.”

There was a preacher on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. The woman was complaining about everything...the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service. The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, "What does your wife do?" He said, "Oh, she's in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness."

There are a lot of people like that. They manufacture their misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within.

Jesus said that he came to give an abundant and joyous life (John 10:10). What a shame that so few realize it!

The verse of an old hymn gives us good advice. “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done.” Rather than being grumbly hateful, why not be humbly grateful