Article (Page 14)
Getting the Picture
Although we may try to avoid them, some things in life simply are inevitable and irreversible. Things end. Things like one’s youth, one’s marriage and one’s life come to mind. And that’s exactly where Martha and Mary are with Lazarus. Their brother had been buried for four days (Jn. 11:17). His time on earth and his life were over – all hope was gone. Irreversible. The body of Lazarus likely would have begun to decompose (11:39). It’s not a picture…
My Greatest Command
The following words were pinned by a wonderful gospel preacher, Steve Higginbotham: “A little more than 150 years ago, General Robert E. Lee was camped approximately 10 miles from General Stonewall Jackson. Lee sent a message to Stonewall Jackson, informing him that he wanted to meet with him at his convenience. The very next morning, while Lee was eating his breakfast, Jackson appeared at his tent, prepared for their meeting. Lee asked Jackson, “What are you doing here? I didn’t…
A Strategy for Victory
A person who does not recognize the Devil, understand his schemes, and prepare for battle is already a casualty in the war going on for our souls (2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8-9). How do we rise above our doubt, our discouragement, our indifference, our sin to walk worthy of our heavenly calling? (Phil. 3:14). God’s word gives us a powerful strategy for victory over Satan and his forces. (1) Recognize Victory Is Possible. Certainly the Devil is a powerful…
What God’s People Really Need
Outside of the Lord Himself, it seems no one instructs us more about how to pray for the church than the apostle Paul. We pray about things that are important and meaningful to us. And so does Paul in praying for the church. Thoughtful consideration should be given concerning what and how he prayed for God’s people. Let’s focus on just one example. Paul closes 2 Thessalonians with the following wish and prayer: “Now may the Lord of peace himself…
It’s Just a Month Until PTP!
Last year over 5000 people attended. People came from 41 states in the U.S. and from 15 foreign countries. There was 1200 kids present between the ages of infant and 12. There were about 450 teens and 200 more college-age people who came. There were hundreds of elders, deacons, preachers and Bible Class teachers who attended. Thousands of Christians came together from all over the world for one purpose and goal: to glorify God and to focus on becoming more…
Settling the Score
Revenge, retaliation, to avenge, to get even – these are all synonyms for settling the score with someone who did us wrong. And pay-back can be sweet, can’t it? Often it’s not a matter of getting even when we’ve been hurt or mistreated, in our anger and pain we want to get ahead. One wonders how many marriages have been devastated, how many families have been divided and how many friendships have been broken because someone felt they had a…
The Nature of Marriage
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). God Himself instituted marriage – it should, therefore, be our desire to encourage a view of marriage that reflects His design and intent for it. After all, a high regard for marriage is an integral aspect of the pursuit of holiness among God’s people (cf. Hebrews 12:14; 1 Timothy 4:1-4). The Greek expression for “held in honor” means “to…
What Does It Really Mean to be Faithful?
Is a person “faithful” merely because they have been immersed, have a pulse and show up at services with some frequency? Or is “faithfulness” an expression that can only be used of those who seem so good that they must be practically sinless? The question certainly is an important one since Scripture says, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Yet way too much confusion seems to exist concerning this question. The…