Surely one of the most effective, and most scriptural, arguments the saints have made down through the years is that of the authority of the SILENCE of the scriptures. In hundreds of debates with proponents of every kind of error, audiences were shown that when God legislates in a certain area, making clear his requirements, […]
A local newscaster, some time back, was lamenting the fact that many needs that people have are not being met. She pointed out that civil authorities are taxed to the limit, and that those agencies who operate to relieve those on the streets are also working to their limits. She was trying to express that […]
The day called “New Year’s Day” has no religious significance, being just another mark of time on the calendar. However, many in the world look at the day, and think of “beginnings,” and on that note plan some renewal, some change, some correction, which they hope they’ll be able to carry forth on throughout the […]
Some time back, we began the procedure that once was a “standard” thing in most congregations: counting the number of daily Bible readers. It is one of the matters fixed firmly in my mind from childhood, as then a good brother, after the classes, would give announcement regarding the attendance and the number of daily […]
One’s own personal and individual accountability before God is indeed a weighty matter to consider, and even if other men did not enter the picture, the subject would be serious enough. But, influence being what it is, our relationships with others, and our living before others, means that our responsibility is greater. We dare not […]
One of the wonderful things about such a fine lectureship as we’ve just concluded is the great benefit that extends beyond the week of lectures. We learned and we grew during the week as the lectures were presented, and we added to all of that in our examination of the lectureship book. Beyond that, there […]
It was Paul who declared that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). It was Paul who declared that the saints are engaged in a spiritual conflict – against spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). And it was Paul who describes the Christian’s armor and equipment, and pointed to the Christian’s weapon: “The […]
Someone once made an acrostic lesson, showing that this is the make-up of true JOY. the point was that it works in this way, and it works right, and that it can work in no other way. Many Christians can echo what an old song said, “I Have Found It So!” Surely the Perfect Man […]
We all have heard it said many times down through the years, and it is always a disappointing thing. It should never be said by a child of God! He/she was added to the church by the Lord himself (Acts 2:47) upon obedience to the gospel. Wherever that Christian goes, duty demands placing membership with […]
We’ve just had to say that concerning an activity planned for the Austin area, with at least some congregations in the area actively participating in the event. The spearheading is from a congregation to our south, and the topic area is indeed worthwhile. But, involved in the activity will be those known to be men […]
The charge was, “You can’t find where the congregation’s funds were to used except for the needy!” Well, the fellow was wrong. In I Corinthians 16:1, introducing the matter of giving, Paul laid down the foundational teaching: Each give, on the first day of the week. And, he laid it in the context of the […]
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). Among the several ways in the New Testament by which proper response to God, and […]
This is given early in the book of Isaiah (1:18), and is especially striking in that Jehovah here invites man to, as it were, sit down and think seriously with Him on matters of grave importance. The latter part of the verse focuses on the sinfulness of man, and the fact that man’s scarlet, red […]
In a study of 1 Corinthians 14, and Paul’s instructions on the use of spiritual gifts in the services, we are impressed that the intent all should have is that edification be done. To “edify” is, in its basic meaning, “to build or construct,” and then from that, to build or construct a case wherein […]
A study of 1 Kings will lead one to examine the wickedness of Ahab, and also to see the real power behind him, that wicked and idolatrous Jezebel. These two had a real, powerful and spiritual adversary in God’s servant, Elijah. There were other men of the prophets whom God used in bringing Ahab to […]
We do indeed see this, virtually daily, on the newscasts, and we have seen it most recently as anti-abortionists block entrances to clinics, take up parking spaces and walking space with their bodies, and otherwise interfering with public access to public facilities. Spokesmen for such tactics admit breaking a law, which is a lesser one, […]
Problems of a thousand kinds, in a thousand areas of life, have the researchers poring over plans, systems, procedures, behavior, etc. – all looking for the basic flaw causing the malfunction. Current space probes scheduled, and then repeatedly cancelled, show us that the search goes on for the “flaw.” Science was not my “big thing” […]
The Christian is to live a well-ordered life. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). As time goes on, we are all the more convinced that balance is the key to successful living for the Lord. Balance is the key for elders, as they take care that material and financial […]