The organization of the local church is clearly outlined in the New Testament.  There are only two offices in the local church mentioned in the New Testament. We read of the office of the elder and, by implication, the office of the deacon, both of which demand specific qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).  Thus, […]

We are living in an exercise-crazed society. Everybody wants to be in great shape and look good.  There is certainly nothing inherently wrong with this, though it seems that many people want to be in good shape for the wrong reasons.  They simply want to draw attention to themselves. Still, striving to keep the body […]

As Paul closed his epistle to the church at Corinth, he exhorted them to be strong in the face of opposition.  “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).  To follow the instructions of Paul, a certain amount of courage and conviction is necessary.  We need courageous […]

Are you a bold Christian?  Do you have the courage to stand up for Jesus in the midst of those who care little about spiritual matters?  Are you brave enough to tell the lost of their terrible condition, or to hold up the moral standard of our Lord when you are around the ungodly of […]

The Rosa Parks story is one with which most Americans are familiar. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the middle of the bus for one in the back. Her refusal was motivated, not by her physical fatigue, though she was tired after another long day at work, but […]

In Acts 13 David received a great compliment.  God says that David was a man after His own heart (Acts 13:21-22).  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to receive such a compliment?  The truth is,  it is within our power.  We can be the kind of Christians that are men and women after God’s own heart.  In […]

I once heard of a young man who had a lifelong dream to play for Iowa’s college football team.  He received a scholarship to the college, but he was then diagnosed with cancer and was told that it is highly unlikely that he would ever put on a uniform for the football team.  Being a […]

I once saw some graffiti on a bridge that said, “Trust in Jesus.”  The message was good.  The problem is the last time I checked graffiti was against the law.  Someone thought that the message was so good that a little thing like the law should not stand in the way of getting it out.  […]

There have always been those among us who have advocated the idea that Christians can be found in every denomination.   In times past it was popular among more liberal-minded brethren to declare that the pious un-immersed, particularly those in various denominations, were saved.  In some circles that error is making a comeback.  Is there any […]

I once heard a famous actor being asked the question, “What if there really is a heaven?”  The actor’s response was, “If there is a heaven, he (God) has a lot of explaining to do.” I am not sure what this actor had on his mind when he made that statement, but the thought is […]