The Martyrdom of The Baptist...

Description of Illustration: beheaded, the forerunner, the evil of Herod Antipas, daughter of Herodias depicted "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.'' Matthew 14:8

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Even the archangel, exercises caution...

Description of Illustration: Michael fighting with the devil, sword drawn, wings, Good versus Evil, columns, ''But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:9

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A Soft Answer

        A drunken carter came into a Greenock (Scotland) train and sat opposite a clergyman, who was reading his paper. Recognizing the profession of his vis-a-vis, the carter leaned forward and in a maudlin way remarked, "I don't believe there's any heaven." The clergyman paid no heed. "Do you hear me?" persisted the carter. "I don't believe there's any heaven." Still the clergyman remained behind his newspaper. The carter, shouting his confession loudly, said, "I tell ye to your face, and you're a minister, that I don't believe there's any heaven." "Very well," said the clergyman; "if you do not believe there is any heaven, go elsewhere, but please go quietly." 

"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.'' Proverbs 15:1-2

Affliction Producing Virtue

 The editor of The United Presbyterian writes thus:

       On a recent evening during a severe hail-storm we opened our door to observe the progress of the storm, and were surprised to find the air laden with the odor of nasturtiums. There were porch-boxes containing nasturtiums, geraniums and other flowering and foliage plants. Beds of nasturtiums were by the street's side and at the side of the lawn, and into these the hail had fallen, beating down and breaking the vines until the porch floor and the ground beneath the boxes and the vines were covered with ends of broken sprays, leaves and bright bits of yellow and gold, scarlet and maroon of the mangled flowers. But the air was full of the sweetness of the crusht and wounded vines. They were returning good for evil in the misfortune that had come upon them. For every wound that the hail had made they were giving out the fragrance of a beautiful spirit. Tho bruised and broken, they were filling the whole atmosphere with an aroma which was in beautiful contrast to the adverse rain of hail that still rattled on the roofs and walks and fell among the prostrate vines. Blest is that life which can yield its sweetest fragrance when the storms are at their highest. We have all known men and women who, when lacerated with pain, prostrate under the hand of God, have made the very atmosphere of the sick-room redolent with the incense of Christian hope and trust.

Attributes of The Evil One... just a few among many.

Just in case some of you are no longer aware of what evil looks like. Here are just a few of the Devil's attributes from scripture:

• He is a liar. ''You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.'' John 8:44.
• He is an interloper. "So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disquise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." 2 Corinthians 11:15.
• He is condescending, he mocks the frailties of others. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.'' 1 Peter 5:8
• He is self-righteous only, he never depends upon the righteousness of God. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which decieveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelations 12:9 
• He never asks for pardon or forgiveness of past sins. He is proud of evil. "A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.'' Poverbs 6:12-19
• Both Satan and his followers and those whom he is able to deceive will always trade the life of the church or Christ himself for money. "Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.'' Luke 22:3-6
• He makes human brothers fight one another. He seeks to divide God's house in particular. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and waiting there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6: 10 - 20