Treasure Chest

The Value of Humility

By John Woodward

As I waited for a friend in the bicycle repair shop, I noticed a couple of facetious signs. One said “Company Rules: #1. The president is always right. #2. If the president is ever wrong, refer to rule #1.” And another quipped, “Those of you who think you know it all are particularly annoying to…

Corporate Identity

By John Woodward

In this series we have been discussing the topic of the believer’s identity in Christ. Much of this theme focuses on the multifaceted wonder of the disciple’s individual identification with Christ. Here, let’s consider the implications of the believer’s corporate identity–the identification with the countless others who are united with Christ through saving faith. .…

The Basis of Your Identity

By John Woodward

You might be surprised to learn that for years a member of our household actually slept in a cage at night. He was very friendly, but never said a word. Before you report me to the authorities, I should clarify that this little fellow was our rabbit–Buggs Bunny. I remember taking Buggs to the vet…

New Imprinting

By John Woodward

In Wisconsin, the International Crane Foundation leads the world in saving Cranes from extinction. In addition to the zoo-like displays of the various species, there is a special compound called Crane City. Here the birds are protected from all contact from undisguised humans. Orphaned birds in this compound are fed by people in crane outfits!…

From Carnal to Spiritual: Well-Adjusted Flesh

By John Woodward

Not all believers who become convicted of their “self- life” are disillusioned from “maladjusted flesh”; some must deal with “well-adjusted flesh.” In other words, some disciples surrender to Christ as their Life (Gal. 2:20) following years of being “down and out”; others surrender after being “up and out.” But whether it is “negative” or “positive”…

From Carnal to Spiritual: Maladjusted Flesh

By John Woodward

“And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ…” But he who is spiritual examines all things,…” (1 Cor. 3:1; 2:15a LSB) When I stroll down memory lane I am very blessed by my heritage of loving and supportive parents,…

Bearing the Cross

By John Woodward

The story is told of a child in a church service who was intrigued by the hymn, “Gladly, the Cross I’d Bear”. Some time following church, the little one told his mother that he really liked the song they sang about the bear. “What song did we sing about a BEAR?” she asked. The child…

The Stinkin’ Visitor

By John Woodward

It was 5 AM on a Friday morning when, out of a sound sleep, I got punched in the nose—not from a fist, but from a powerful odor. It was the unmistakable smell of a skunk, and it was coming from inside the house! I got up to investigate and found our dog, Honey, sitting…

The Ministry of Intercession

By John Woodward

My wife and I have been challenged by the life story of Rees Howells. He was raised in a Welsh mining village a century ago and grew to be a man of great spiritual zeal and witness. This founder of the Bible College of Wales demonstrated the amazing potential of intercessory prayer. His biography recounts…

Faith and Faithfulness

By John Woodward

“And now abide faith, hope, love… ” (1 Cor. 13:13). “[The Lord’s mercies] are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23). One of the lessons we can learn from the life of Moses is the importance of faith and God’s faithfulness. As this man of God was sent back to Egypt to lead…