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Faithfulness and Bible Study
“WE’RE ALWAYS HERE, UNLESS WE’RE GONE! W. Kent Graham A local business in Atoka, Oklahoma, has an advertising slogan which proclaims, “We’re always here, unless we’re gone!” Every time I see this commercial I cannot help but think of some of our beloved brethren. The story is told of a Christian who was compelled to extol his faithfulness in worshiping God. He rightly asserted that every faithful child of God is present and an eager participant at every designated Bible Study and Worship Assembly. He professed that those who were unnecessarily absent from any...Continue reading
The Cracked Pot
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on opposite ends of a pole he carried across his neck. One pot had a crack in it; the other was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. The cracked pot arrived only half full. For two years the bearer delivered one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house daily. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. The cracked pot was...Continue reading
What Can We Do?
This is an interesting question due to the political climate today. We think that we are just one citizen and what can we do to help. There is always a lot we can do. One thing for sure we do not need to do nothing! That is a sure way to lose ground and let the enemy do what they please. This is also an interesting question due to our religious climate today too. Yes, there are things you can do to help yourself and also help the church. What can you do? Here they...Continue reading
You’ve Got to be Kidding!
John had only been a Christian for a few years, but despite his newness in the faith, everyone at the business meeting that night was anxious to hear what he had to say. The subject of improving the quality of the worship services came up for discussion, and when it was his turn to speak, he addressed the men with such confidence and enthusiasm that none could help but give him careful attention. “I have a suggestion to present to the congregation which is guaranteed to dramatically improve our worship services,” he said, and then...Continue reading
Spiritual Flock
SPIRTUAL FLOCK, SHEPHERDS & SHEEP! Complied by Guy A Power, Elder Houston TX A qualified elder is no better in God’s judgment than should be every member of the church of the Lord. We list the following scriptures for your consideration. Qualifications of elders Qualifications of church member Rules well own house 1 Tim 3:4* 1. Husband head of the wife Eph 5:22* Children in subjection 1 Tim 3:4* 2. Rear in nurture of the Lord Eph 6:4* Faithful children Titus 1:6* 3. See Eph 6:4; Col 3:21* Husband of one wife Titus 1:6...
Must
This week I want us to consider the word “must.” Webster defines this word as “obligated, required, compelled.” Vine’s as “impersonal verb signifying it is necessary or one must.” Strong as “third person singular active present, it is necessary.” Then the finally dictionary Thayer defines this word as, “it is necessary, there is need of it, it behooves, is right and proper.” The word “must is used 132 times in the King James Version of the Bible. The word that is translated “must” is used 104 times in the New Testament. This word is translated...Continue reading
Children Qualification for an Elder
Another word that will/has to be dealt with is that of children and the eldership. Titus 1:6 says, “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” What does children mean? Is that just one or is it ten? If a man were better suited for the work of an elder because he has more than one child, wouldn’t ten make him even better suited? Where would one draw the line as to how many or how few? Let us notice more. Genesis 21:7 “And she...Continue reading
Faithful
While on vacation several people asked me about this word, what does it mean? I thought this would be something that we could do in the bulletin this year is to define words in our Bibles. There will be several helps, really dictionaries that will help us. One is Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Another is Thayer’s Greek – English Lexicon of the New Testament. Another is Strong’s Concordance, which has a dictionary in the back of it. Of course there will be the context of the word that will help us to...Continue reading
For All of Us in a Hurry
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone…. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. He let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than...
All This for a “Dollar an Hour”
The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn’t even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn’t so bad if you break it down. It translates into $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That’s a mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice says don’t have children if you want to be “rich.” It is just the opposite. What do you...