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Periodically, one may find themselves immersed in a Bible Study where someone objects to the doctrine of Christ, stating, “Jesus came to set us free from all these rules and regulations that were given to Moses.” Which is essentially true (Colossians 2:14, NKJV). They often favor a life without interruption in the things preferred versus a “system of religion” governing their living. Additionally, someone might suggest, “Give me Jesus and not the church,” which also infers a “managed” lifestyle significantly…

Vertical Love You may have noticed an increase across this nation where people argue for “love without boundaries”. This mantra is often claimed when there are friends, neighbors, coworkers, and especially family who have crossed into an opposing doctrine, and we fear losing our horizontal relationship with them. This is amazingly interesting based on the evidence that Jesus clearly states that religious-minded people should love God above all other things (Matthew 22:37, NKJV). He goes on to state, “And the…

Champion Who doesn’t love a champion? It would be challenging to deny its impact, especially during this year’s Olympic competition. We often associate this winning sensation as we are uniquely drawn to the zenith of the Victory Stand! One’s National Anthem is played. Throngs of people cheering as the victory synchronizes in the background. The victor is typically moved by sovereign emotion, and tears often flood their cheeks, forming a mixture of pride and release that accompanies victory! As much…

Needed Edification Ever been criticized? Ever had to endure someone’s wrath but for all the wrong reasons? America holds a very impassionate ridicule in perceived judgment. Nobody wants to be wrong, but this has never reduced the amount of negative verbiage used against a person’s enemies. Isn’t that interesting? On the one hand, I can see this as a habitual regimen in the world. What is hard or even seemingly impossible to accept, is this tendency in the Church. We…

Right Kind of Friend Have you ever wondered if you are the right type of friend? A friend supports more thoroughly than a blood relative (Proverbs 17:17, NKJV). Godly friendship imbrues a heart suited for the will of God (James 2:23). People of like minds often find one another during times of duress and habitually find themselves forsaking what others would or could not (1 Samuel 18:1). We are commanded to love and be friends above reproach (Proverbs 18:24). Most…

Battle Fatigue Have you ever been weary? Have you ever been exhausted to the point where you had difficulty choosing to move forward, staying where you were, or just simply falling backward? Many people have answered the call of Christ, and I do believe many have chosen this purposeful path. I also believe struggles naturally occur in this decision. Thayer defines weary as “to reduce or exhaust the physical strength of the body; to tire; to fatigue; as, to weary…

Please Pray for Me Prayer has always been a tantamount facet in the lives of those who believe in and serve God. Scripture elucidates this avenue of communication of human beings with their Creator. For example, almost everyone identifies with the mournful utterances of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10, NKJV). Her womb was “shut up”. She endures the ridicule of her peers. Because of her misery, Hannah is described as one who “wept and did not eat” (1 Samuel 1:7b). Her…

There is often a rare question of curiosity that arises to “kill the cat”. One such query is, “Did the chicken come before the egg or vice versa?” To say the least this simplistic novelty makes for engaging coffee table talk, but no one has ever taken it too seriously to my knowledge. A more difficult question comes in the structure of “Why choose Barrabas over Jesus?” Now this issue demands more intellect and honesty. The Bible states Jesus would…

After Pentecost The Day of Pentecost must have been an amazing experience! God’s prophetic will to save mankind from himself had come full circle and fruition (Genesis 3:15, 28:14, 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Isaiah 2:2-4, Daniel 2:44-45, Zechariah 6:12-13, Matthew 16:16-19, Mark 9:1, Luke 1:32, John 20:29-31, Acts 2:14-39, NKJV). Those who believed and were obedient to this Gospel message were saved. God then added them to the Church (Acts 2:47). This was the culmination of his saving plan from the…

Our Brother James once stated, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell” (James 3:6, NKJV). This is profoundly true, especially considering today’s easily accessible “information highway”. On the one hand, one would be amazed by the countless measures in manners of information that can be distributed and…

A child’s learning should begin while young. At this juncture in life, our reception of new material is astounding. Additionally, what is learned first is often learned best. It is often referred to as the “law of primacy”. Assuming these things are correct, what should we strive to place in our children’s mental and spiritual repositories? A few things to consider. Firstly, it must be Biblical. Far too many Christians desire to follow the Far Eastern influence of mysticism and…

Bro N. B. Hardeman once quoted, “God located the life of a fish and put that location in water; and if a fish ever enjoys that kind of life, it must get into that realm where God saw fit to designate and locate it” (1921). His famous Tabernacle Sermons reference the divine plan of salvation that the Great God of Heaven oriented from the beginning of time (Ephesians 3:11, NKJV). Thus, he advances the idea that God holds all authority…