The Bible as Decoration

When the Church of England broke away from the Catholic church in the 1500s, churches saw a major change in décor. Instead of stained glass and statues of saints, churches began to paint or engrave Bible verses on church walls.

After centuries of not being allowed to read the Bible in English, people were thrilled to see the sacred words on their church walls.

The Ten Commandments were a favorite Bible passage. When Queen Mary, a Catholic, began to rule in 1553, she made this illegal.

After her death, it became legal again, and even today many Church of England churches (which include colonial Episcopal churches in the U.S.) have the Ten Commandments on the walls.

When you visit someone’s home and see a Bible verse on a plaque or poster or stitched in needlepoint, take note: Four hundred years ago such things were amazing novelties—the Word of God in the people’s own language.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Pure and Powerful

Zig Ziglar

Too often, we value all received messages equally. God’s Word, though, is more precious and valuable than any other message sent to us. The psalmist describes God’s message as “pure words” that are like silver processed “seven times” in the furnace.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Secret of Contentment

Zig Ziglar

Somewhere along the way, Paul learned the secret of contentment. He realized that possessions, fame, beauty, and other earthly things can be pleasant for a while, but they can never produce genuine contentment. That comes from the inside.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Jesus is the Lord of Life

Jack Graham

Jesus is the Lord of Life, and that's the topic, that's the theme of the Gospel of John, and certainly John chapter 10 which is one of the well-known passages in all of the Bible. Jesus had enemies. You know that, right? While He was loved and beloved by multitudes, many rejected Him.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Blessing which the Cross Affords

Jimmy Swaggart

This is the first mention of the Cross, although in shadow, after the Fall. The Lord told Satan through the serpent that victory would come by the Seed of the woman. Ironically, woman has no seed, with the exception of One, Who was the Lord Jesus Christ.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Light which Redeems the Soul

Jimmy Swaggart

The darkness that was here prevalent was taken away only by the Spirit of God, as He moved upon the face of the waters. As someone has well said, The Moving of the Holy Spirit is the first sign of life.