Articles by Dayton Keesee

An astronomer was observing the setting sun. His telescope suddenly brought into view a hill seven miles away where two boys could be clearly seen stealing apples. It was obvious by their actions that one boy was stealing the fruit, while the other boy was “keeping watch.” The humor or the tragedy of the entire event was that they assumed they were successful stealers, when to Professo...

E.B. Janes makes a sobering and significant observation in an article entitled, “Winning Souls.”1  Janes noted Christ’s words in Matthew 16:26: ―For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?: After giving emphasis on the salvation of our soul being so precious and important, Janes ...

Decisions determine destiny. Every person reading this article is headed for heaven or hell. Neutral you cannot be! Sorrowful or sublime tomorrows by God’s grace and Christ’s Covenant are the forecast potential of every person. John, by inspiration, succinctly stated these sobering sentiments, entwined with a personal plea: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the ...

Maura Kelly and Rebecca Webber give us some sobering statements about speech. They were seeking to determine if cursing and slanderous speech are to be recognized as a crime or condoned as a proper privilege under the label of free speech, which is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.¹ It is obvious there is no clear or settled conclusion in our nation. They reported that som...

In an old book (1) I came across a most interesting comment by “Charles Spurgeon (Baptist)”, in an article he wrote entitled, “Prayer Meeting Address to the Newly Converted.” Spurgeon was, in general, emphasizing as to conversion, “Do begin so that you may not have to begin over again.” (p. 242). Later, Spurgeon added this most clearly stated comment about conve...

  In an age when some affirm there are no absolutes, seeking to justify loose moral and spiritual practices under the umbrella of toleration, it seems wise to note some biblical facts about people who miserably faltered and failed because they were almost obedient! After King Agrippa heard Paul’s testimony about Christ, he responded, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian&r...

       Paul gave the title to this article in Ephesians 6:10. With so many God-given principles and Divine precepts under attack in our liberated, tolerate-anything culture, Christians need to equip themselves with Paul’s prescribed spiritual armor, developing the right disposition to deal with “the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of ...

There is a time when we must firmly choose the course we will follow, or the deceptive drift of events will make the decision for us. A delayed decision before God is dangerous, and it may launch us into eternal disaster! I recently read of Archias, the magistrate of Thebes, who was sitting with many mighty men, drinking wine. “A messenger came in bringing him a letter, informing him of a co...

How are you handling the financial fears, the declarations of pending depression, or the worry about work? Christ’s attitude, as given in Hebrews 12:3, is astounding and so heartening: “Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross.” What a paradox! The greatest love entwined with joy at the same moment of the greatest loss amidst agonizing affliction! “Greater...

In Carl Menninger’s book, Whatever became of Sin? (chapter 3 entitled, “The Disappearance of Sin: An Eyewitness Account”), are some sobering comments about the trend to eliminate from our vocabulary those deeds which the Holy Spirit stated all people do, and whose wages are death (Romans 3:23;6:23)! Paul further specified some such deeds, affirming that one who practiced such &ld...

Numerous biblical references relate to good deeds done by varied individuals in Christ’ s covenant. Think of how many good deeds Jesus did that have been noted and re-noted for the past 2000 years (Mark 2:1-10; John 2:1-11; 6:1-14 etc.). Think of the giving by brethren at Antioch for the needy souls in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). Paul noted how that brethren at Philippi had sent support to him fr...

We have just concluded the most advertised and publicized political process in our nation’s history. All who read these words were surely affected in some way at the local and/or national level. What can be beneficially gleaned from it? One lesson to be learned from the advertising must not be ignored. It was amazing how many candidates used their paid TV time, not to discuss themselves or t...

Recently Cal Thomas had a thought provoking article entitled, “Pulpit Rebellion Misses Mark” (The Oklahoman, September 30, 2008, 10A). This related to a reaction by some to the “government’s restriction on political pronouncements from the pulpit.” Alan E. Sears, President of the Alliance Defense Fund, had promoted a plan for September 28th as Pulpit Freedom Sunday, u...

Through the prophet Malachi, God reminded Israel that He knew what they had been saying! How sobering it must have been as God reminded them that they said to Him: “How have we despised Thy name?” (1:6); also, “You say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised...My, how tiresome it is!’” (1:12f). When God promised judgm...

What does it mean to a lost world, bewildered, bothered, and bickering brethren, sick and struggling souls, dedicated disciples-to You personally-that Jesus Christ is “Head over all things to the church, which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22f)? First, it means that whoever you are, and wherever you are, Jesus, Who is Savior and sufficient for all (I Pet.2:24; Acts 4:12; Heb. 5:8f) is near...

The Oklahoman (Saturday, June 28, 2008,2E) gave the following findings from “The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey of the beliefs and practices of U.S. adults”: “*92 percent believe in God” (See Matt. 15:7-9) “*79 percent believe in miracles” (See Matt. 24:23-26) “*68 percent believe in angels and demons” “*58 percent pray daily (outside of relig...

There is a Dutch Proverb which states: “Never was hood so holy but the Devil could get his head in it.”* As a church member, has the Devil ever gotten in you (John 8:43f)? When one fails to assemble for worship services and Bible classes (see Hebrews 10:25-31), does the absentee need to ask, “Has the Devil got-a-hold of me? Even church going is no guarantee for pure living (see T...

Under the title, “Bible 101,” The Oklahoman (May 7, 2008, 6E) gave some facts concerning a survey related to the U.S. and eight European countries. Portions of the data gleaned from the survey were encouraging. “More than 90 percent of American households have at least read one copy of the Bible.” Also, three out of four Americans had read at least one Scripture over the pr...

Paul concluded his great chapter on the Resurrection with the climactic charge: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58-emphasis mine-dk). If every member of the church, because he or she believes in the ultimate victory of the resurrection, would heed Pau...

It surely seems hard for some to get to the Promised Land! At least 603,550 Israelites died in the wilderness (Ex. 38:26; Numb. 1:46; Deut. 1:29-38). However, more of us might relate to the ones who had just conquered Jericho and headed out for Ai! When God gave Israel mighty Jericho, without the loss of a man, they quite confidently laid out plans to take the small city of Ai (Joshua 7:1-3). They...