Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 115
It was just at midnight when the Love of God came as an ordinary baby, placed in a manger filled with hay, in a cave, in the little town of Bethlehem, Judea. Mary and Joseph may not have heard the Heavenly Host of stars and angels announce Love's arrival to the shepherds who, then, went looking for the Sign, (Signature of God) but these new parents knew His Name. "Immanuel. God with us." Isaiah 9 proclaims: "Unto us a Child is born; a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders.... Full story
"Write the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he who reads it may run with it," Habakkuk 2:2. Christmas cards create a vision. Notice, the Babe is in a manger of hay, Mary and Joseph are reverent and attentive. The shepherds, lambs and cattle are quiet in the barn. The star shines. Three kings, who came from afar, present little boxes of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And, we assume, because of the vision we see, all this took place in the little town of Bethlehem. Not quite! Artists... Full story
Channukah is celebrated, this year, December 7-15. Christians know little about this event, as it is found only in the Apocrypha of the Bible. It took place at the time of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) and is considered a Christmas story only because it falls in our December. Channukah will overlap December 25 in 2024. The account is not unlike that of the war that broke out in current Israel, October 7, 2023. The Year was 148 BCE. The Persian empire has fallen and Irael is sandwiched between... Full story
"Moreover, Brethren, we make known to you the Grace of God in our Lord, Jesus (Messiah) Christ, though rich, became poor that you, through His poverty, might be made rich." 2 Corinthians 8: 1, 9 Apostle Paul goes on to relate the joy and comfort that comes with a certain grace: the grace of giving. Grace is a gift and giving is a grace. We often say that grace represents unmerited favor and that is true. However, God's grace is to treat us as if sin never existed in our lives, so He is free to s... Full story
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward. But, when you do a charitable deed, do not let the left (brain) know what the right (brain) is doing." Matthew 6:1-3 That is, make up your mind to do right. Reflect the just, right character of God placed in the creative side of your brain. The left brain is society based and self-seeking. The left brain is often referred to as 'soulish'. The Apostle Paul called it 'fleshly desire'.... Full story
"Beloved, I pray that you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 2 A soul filled with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is a prospering soul. No doubt about it. God wants us to prosper! Humanity is created with a spirit, a soul and a body. Spirit and soul are different. "For the Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the to the division of soul and spirit; of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the... Full story
"Mordecai answered Esther, 'Do not think that you will escape [death] in the king's palace any more than [your people], for if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for [your nation] from another place, but you and your house will perish. Yet, who knows whether you have come to [be queen] for such a time as this?'" Esther 4:13, 14 Look at these Scriptures in the light of the election season which has, already, begun. Who are you? Who are 'your people'?... Full story
Jesus called the Pharisees on their religious practices, "Woe to you, for you tithe [every tenth leaf] of mint, anise and cumin, but have neglected the weightier things of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. This you should have done without leaving the other (tithing) undone." Matthew 23:23 Sin misses a mark. Archers stand off several yards and aim at a 'bull's eye'. One who gathers arrows shouts to the archer where the arrow lands. If it did not hit the center of the target, he calls... Full story
"You shall remember the Lord your God for it is He Who gives your hands the power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)." Deuteronomy 8:18 Covenant is a compact between two people that has blessings – and curses, if the covenant is broken. You may notice a Certificate of Deposit blesses with interest until the CD matures. Cashing in early, has a charge. When we believe on Jesus that covenant gives us tither's rights in I... Full story
“When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion (judging justly and reasoning rightly with a touch of class) will preserve you. Understanding will keep you and deliver you [from evil] so you may walk in the way of goodness and righteousness.” Proverbs 2:10-20 Fear of torment is not something to manage. It must be refused! Such ‘spiritual warfare’ allows reverence of God to rule. One who imitates God as a dear child is dangerous to the wiles of the devil Ephesia... Full story
The Lord said, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and of good courage (very resolute)? Do not be afraid nor be dismayed, I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." And Joshua said, "OK!!" Joshua 1:3, 9 Can we just believe that the Lord is with us, wherever we happen to be? Psalm 118:25-27 is David's assessment of God as faithful: "With the merciful, You show mercy, with the blameless, You are blameless, with the pure,... Full story
“The feasts of the Lord which you (Moses) shall proclaim to be holy convocations are My Moeds (holy days).” Days of feasting and worship were put in place by God to mystify and confound the enemy so that their wranglings were ignored as the Hebrew people feasted, rejoiced and praised the Lord. Seven such feasts began with Passover and ended with Succoth, each year. The joy of the Lord is STRENGTH that the adversary cannot comprehend. Nehemiah 8:10; John 1:5 Succoth begins September 30th thi... Full story
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgiveorgive and cleanse (purify, beautify) us from all unrighteousness (whatever is not like Him)" I John 1:9 Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement. September 25, this year. The most well attended of any Jewish festival. Not the Jubilee year, just past, when all possessions were returned to their proper owner, all debts canceled and slaves freed, but Yom Kippur when sin is covered up for another year. Jesus came to die on the Cross in order to... Full story
"God gives wisdom, and knowledge, favor and joy to a man who is good in His sight." Ecclesiastes 2:26. Isaac had been promised to Abraham and Sarah for 25 years. Now, the time was right. This couple received strength to conceive their Promised son. Acting on God's word, God took care of the details. Year 5784 begins in Israel, Friday evening and Saturday of September 14, 15. Rosh Hashanah (head of the year). Jehovah's civil year of 360 days. God said in 2023 (5783), "Every man's issue will be... Full story
"One generation shall praise Your works to another, and declare Your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4 Ah, September! School, again. Football, again. New friends, again. We never outgrow it. Nostalgia takes us back to marching band and drills to do at half-time. It is noted in the newspaper's 'Old Time' events; scrapbooks are filled with pictures of people, in strange clothing, posing eyes squinting with forced smiles. But look! These are our parents and grandparents!! Every 80ish years society goes... Full story
"Come unto Me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. Rest is not laziness or quitting. It is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason with the right people. Jesus is speaking of a sin/inequity burden Adam created by giving his dominion over to Satan, the father of lies, deception, depression, greed and avarice. Evil calling evil good. Isaiah 5:20 Pilgrims and Puritans sought these shores because of severe persecution under British kings.... Full story
"While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest..." Genesis 8:22. God has a Plan. Sowing and reaping is constant, going on at all times. Even unbelievers will tap into this prosperity. God enhances vision, effort (measure of faith) and wisdom. Human Effort plus Resources plus Holy Spirit Anointing equals Miracles! Dough enhancer is added to bread dough, a certain measure for every measure of flour. Gluten is softened so bread rises higher and bakes up softer and lighter. Smart chefs use it....
"The earth yields crops by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. When grain is ripe, the farmer puts in his sickle. Harvest has come." Mark 4:28, 29. All seed is time sensitive. Harvest starts as seed comes out of the barn and is placed into good, fertile soil. "As a rancher/farmer, my most important crop is my children!" North Park (Walden) Colorado has 3 seasons: Before Hayin', Durin' Hayin' and After Hayin'. Surrounded by the Continental Divide on three sides,... Full story
Psalm 91 "Under His wings you shall take refuge. You shall not be afraid of the arrow that flies by day... for He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you ... in their hands they shall bear you up!" My uncle, Fred E. Brands, turned 17, October 31st, 1941. December 7th he enlisted in the United States Navy. World War II had begun at Pearl Harbor. Freddie took training as a navigator in the Naval Air Force. There were six men in his fighter: Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, Left, Right and Tai... Full story
Things were bad in Babylon. The king had been dreaming, but had no idea what he dreamt, except that it frightened him. The Chaldean soothsayers were no help. The king grew furious and ordered the death of all the 'wise' men. Daniel asked the King's Captain why this was so urgent. Daniel asked for a stay of execution, headed for home, conferred with his Hebrew companions and "the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision." Daniel 2 Perspective is a valuable game changer. Like louvered... Full story
"Happy are the people who are in such a state [of blessing] as this! Happy are the people whose God is the Lord." Psalm 144:15 is King David's joyous and thankful praise to God for bringing him through years of persecution and years of war into a time of kingdom peace. Throughout First and Second Samuel, we see the phrase "it happened that..." In the Hebrew, this phrase boils down to 'at the appointed time and appointed place' Father God had an event occur. Most often, these are times when, in... Full story
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” Proverbs 28:6, Matthew 13:11. 2 Peter 1:3 Men (and women) are divinely ‘wired’ to cry out for justice. God shows up and gives them an assignment to carry His Plan into practice. The Bible is full of such instances under the First Covenant. First Kings 18 tells of Elijah who took on Ahab’s wicked government singlehandedly. “These Are the Days of Elijah” by Robin Mark may be sung with gusto, but some may miss the... Full story
"Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing against the Lord and His Anointed One? He Who sits in the Heavens, the Lord, shall laugh and distress them in His deep displeasure." Psalm 2:1-5 On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on the British Crown. Britain was at war with France and felt U.S. commerce should not continue with France. They attacked U.S. ships, absconded with cargo and illegally 'impressed' soldiers and sailors to serve aboard British war ships - often, a... Full story
“You shall have a banner for those who honor You – a rallying point in the face of attack. Selah! Use Your strong arm to save us and secure Your beloved people”. Psalm 60:4, 5 NLT Red Skelton, one of America’s best-loved comedians, addressing elementary students, spoke the Pledge of Allegiance this way. Available on YouTube. I--meaning me, an individual, a committee of one. Pledge--dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance--my love and my devotion. (Founding Fathers... Full story
"Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing", music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. First sung in the movie Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1956. The late balladeer, Frank Sinatra, popularized these words in song: "Love is a many splendored thing. It's the April Rose that only grows in the early Spring. Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living, a golden crown that makes a man a king." This song is loaded with Hebrew... Full story
