The need for godly mothers and grandmothers is evident when one observes that the faith of many youth and those forming new homes is not what God wants it to be. An examination of the Scriptures makes clear that the roles of godly mothers and grandmothers play an important part in molding the life and faith of youth. Motherhood is Influential God’s last act on creation was the making of woman (Genesis 2:20-25). She was created as her husband’s “help-meet” (Genesis 2:18), to resolve man’s loneliness (Genesis 2:22) and with her husband to have oneness and purpose in their marriage and home (Genesis 2:24). Though she is to be subject to her husband (Ephesians 5:24), she was created to be the glory of man (1 Corinthians 11:7). Mothers have an influence on their children by their lives. Sometimes the influence of mothers is good on their children. Hannah could not but have influenced Samuel for good in service to the Lord. Samuel, though given to the Lord as Hannah had promised (1 Samuel 1:11), certainly would had to have been influenced by his mother, who was devout and a praying woman, in his service and godliness in the temple at Shiloh. Hannah, troubled because she had borne no children, knew where to take her troubles (1 Samuel 1:9-18). She was certain that God was able to help her with her petition. She came to God in prayer, with sincerity, reverence and faith (1 Samuel 1:10) and left as “her countenance …

In Psalm 73, which is called a Psalm of Asaph, the Psalmist says, “My feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped.” The reason was, “I was envious of the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” He thought (v. 5), “They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.” Since this attitude is not an unusual one today, it is worth our attention. It is true that in many cases the wicked prosper and do not seem to be in trouble as other men. Then it is easy to think, “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency” (v. 13). The problem of the sufferings of the righteous and the prosperity of the wicked is not a new one. Similar questions about the existence of evil and bad circumstances have been raised by good men whose faith was weak, or whose knowledge of God’s Word was limited, as well as by atheists who deny the existence of God. Asaph’s problem was at least two-fold. First, he was envious when he saw the wicked prosper. He needed to know what we can know. First, “But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). We need to know James 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are …

Many symbols will represent a movement that crystallizes the guiding principle of such a sacrifice under consideration. The Statue of Liberty represents the freedom that our ancestors and immigrants sought so desperately as they passed through Staten Island in New York. The Lincoln and Washington monuments serve to represent two great presidents, which illustrate the freedom and independence we presently enjoy. We can see God’s love for humanity epitomized through the cross of Christ. Sin, hate and humiliation were symbolic of the cross during biblical times. It was never looked upon in a positive way as so frequently practiced today. We often see crosses atop places of worship and even worn around one’s neck, thus placing it in a hopeful or favorable way. Paul, the apostle chose not to boast in the cross, but to exalt it, which was a symbol of suffering and shame during the Roman Empire. Paul writes, “But far be it for me to glory (boast), save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 6:14). What does the cross mean to us today? It played a great role during the New Testament age and equally so today. 1. The cross reminds us of the horror of sin. The letter “I” in the word sin is the real problem. The Bible states, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Paul further writes, “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3: 10). Sin is the only thing that can separate …

Dale Carnegie observed, “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” In a sense, the Psalmist said the same thing. He wrote: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24, KJV). Someone else has written: “Today is the day I have been looking for. All my life has been spent in preparation for it. Yesterday and tomorrow are faraway nothings — the one a faint memory, the other a vague promise. But this is my day. It offers all that God has to give, and I’m a laggard or a coward if I fail to make the most of it.” We cannot afford to spend all of our time regretting the past or daydreaming about the future. If we do, we will miss out on the present. Nor can we afford to live today in fear. Life is too brief and time too precious for us to do that. Yet, there is a sense in which all of us must be vitally concerned about both the past and the future. A relationship with Christ will take care of both and enable us to live today. Through obedience to the demands of Jesus Christ, we can have all our past sins washed away …

The apostle Paul wrote to two young preachers. Both were encouraged to set good examples. Timothy was admonished: “Let no man despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Titus was challenged: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say to you” (Titus 2:7-8). The challenge of the Gospel is to live life imitating the example of Jesus Christ. He left us an example that we should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). We are to walk as he walked (1 John 2:6). A mature disciple is one who can say with Paul: “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:19-20). The effects of a good sermon are destroyed by bad living. The best parental advice is overruled by a bad example. Children imitate what they see and hear. Imagine the frustration of a child who is punished for smoking the cigarette butt his father threw away, or has …

Within our society today there is a determined effort to eliminate personal responsibility. The criminal is therefore not morally corrupt, according to this philosophy, but simply a product of his or her environment. For this reason, they surely must marvel that God said, “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death” (Exodus 21:12). After all, they maintain that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment, defining their morality in terms outside the absolute truth of God’s Word (Romans 13:1-4). Similarly, many of these same people have no problem with women aborting their babies by the millions. In the same paragraph Moses recorded the Lord’s words, “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life…” (Exodus 21:22-23). By God’s own record, an unborn baby’s life is treated as any other human life, and an action that caused the death of that unborn child was to be treated the same as an action that caused the death of any other person. Sadly, in our country today, we sanction the murder of innocent children and have great protests that make the news each time some guilty criminal is executed. Sadder yet is the untold number of Christians who sit …

A few years ago, an article was published in some newspapers under the title, “Where will we go from here?” It told about the conclusion that some scientists had reached with respect to their concept of human evolution. It appears that they were concerned because they have not seen any evolutionary changes for about 35,000 years, according to their own reckoning. Many of the evolutionary scientists indicate that the process of natural selection has been slowing down. Dr. Steve Jones, a geneticist at University College, London stated that, in the case of humans, natural selection has, to some extent, been repealed. They indicate that this has been the case for about 35,000 years when the human species began to “liberate itself from the harshest forces of natural selection.” “Natural selection” is the “survival of the fittest.” According to these evolutionists, since most humans now survive to reproductive age, “natural selection is being robbed of its important raw material.” The point being that if most everyone survives and reproduces, no selection takes; everyone is “fit” (even couch potatoes!). Dr. Stephen Jay Gould from Harvard University, the “High Priest” of evolutionists, stated, “We are not likely to speciate (that is form new species K.J.C.) unless we send up some space colonies.” What a far cry this is from what the Bible says about man. The Bible teaches that God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27) and “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, breathed into his …

On the cross, as they both were dying, Jesus told the penitent thief, “Indeed, I assure you, you will be with me in Paradise today” (Luke 23:43). I believe similar words Jesus spoke to Lois on July 13, 2000, saying, “Indeed, I assure you, you will be in Paradise today, awaiting the time I meet you ‘in the air’ on our way into the ‘heavens of heavens’” (Psalm 115:16; 148:4). On evangelistic trips twice around this world, Lois helped me in the Gospel work, 67 years of her 89. She would have been 90 her next birthday, December 19. Before Lois’ passing, she had received a beautiful card entitled “God Has a Plan for Every Life.” Indeed so, and it begins with knowing that every human being is a son or a daughter of God (Luke 3:23, 38). As a father is tender toward his children, so Yahweh (God’s Hebrew name, Exodus 3:15) is tender toward those who reverence him. He, even he, knows how we are made, and he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:13-14). However, human beings are more than “dust.” God has formed a spirit in every person (Zechariah 12:1). When the “dust,” making up our physical bodies, “returns to the earth as it was,” then “the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7), and lives on! “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32). Man’s immortal spirit is also called his soul (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 6:9-11). Since …

That is how he lived his life. He spent his time chasing the things the world said would make him happy. He said he was a Christian. He did those things that Christians do, but God would have to settle for what this busy man would spare of his time, talent and energy. The Big Lie of the world beckoned, and he sold out to buy in. It began innocently enough. All he wanted was some land of his own, financial freedom and enough so that his children would not have to go without. In the deepest recesses of his heart, he knew that what he really wanted was approval. Just for once, he wanted to be the center of attention and to hear the praise that always seemed to go to someone else. There wasn’t a second to waste. He worked away the numbness, and, with a bottle of bourbon, washed away the loneliness. At the end, he felt as empty as the bottle in front of him. His wife and children never knew exactly where he was. His friends and brethren finally stopped coming to see him. For years, he was captive of the clock. But now, finally, all that had changed. Despite the well-meaning warnings and the dire predictions, even his critics had to admit that his sacrifices had brought him everything he thought he had ever wanted — some land, release from financial worry, provision for his family, even the attention he secretly craved. But … as the crowd …

Introduction Things used to be so simple. Fifty years ago, grandmothers asserted that girls were made of “sugar and spice, and everything nice” while little boys were made of “snips and snails and puppy dog tails.” But what happens when a child is born with a mixture of sugar and spice as well as snails and puppy dog’s tails? A recent media explosion (such as a feature on “60 Minutes”) has shined the light on what is commonly being referred to as “intersexed” people — a term used to describe a set of medical conditions that features congenital anomaly of the reproductive and sexual system. That is, intersexed people are born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia or an internal reproductive system that are not considered “standard” for either a male or female. Sadly this condition is real, and unfortunately the victims find themselves in both a physiological and a political battle. Besides any visible abnormalities, these individuals often are sterile, lacking either a complete male or female reproductive system. Additionally, many individuals in the gay and lesbian community are holding up the hands of intersexed people in an effort to say: “Look, we are like them. We were born this way.” However, scientific evidence is becoming available that demonstrates intersexed people are vastly different from homosexuals.   While the term intersexed is not yet found in most current medical dictionaries (e.g., the second edition of the acclaimed Stedman’s Concise Medical Dictionary), hermaphroditism is. This term — used prior to the politically correct era …

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 there is found one of the most comforting promises that can be found anywhere in all of the Word of God. The passage reads as follows from the NKJV: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” As we look upon this passage and see the assurance that we receive from being the children of God that temptation, trial or testing will not overcome and destroy our relationship with God, we take note of the fact that the reason this is true is because “God is faithful.” It is a truly wonderful thing to live for a God who is faithful to his commitments to his children. The word that is translated “faithful” in this passage of Scripture comes from pistos, and when used with reference to the God of our universe, it means “faithful, truthful, trustworthy.” God is the One Being in all the universe upon whom we can utterly depend. (When we speak of God, we are speaking of Deity which includes the Son and the Spirit.) Men may make promises, and they may keep those promises, or they may not, depending upon how they feel or what they are thinking at the time. But God is not that way because he is faithful. He is utterly and …

[Gospel Gleaner, vol. 16, No. 3, pages 6-7, 22] Cyaxares was the founder of the kingdom of the Medes (625-585 B.C.). He captured Ahur (614) and destroyed Nineveh (612), subdued the countries of northern Mesopotamia and spread Median boundaries westward to the Halys in Asia Minor. His son Astyages, who was the last king of Media, succeeded him to the throne (reigned 584-550 B.C.). According to Herodotus, Astyages’ daughter Mandane married Cambyses. Cyrus the Great was her son. Cyrus, a Persian king under Median domination, revolted against Astyages. Astyages’ troops mutinied and surrendered their king to Cyrus. Media became part of the Persian Empire (550 B.C.). Cyrus wisely ordered an administration that shared power with the Medes, thus the Medo-Persian Empire. Persia became a vast collection of states and kingdoms reaching the shores of Asia Minor in the west to the Indus River valley in the east. It extended northward to southern Russia, and in the south included Egypt and the regions bordering the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Our chief interest in the Persian Empire, third of the great kingdoms of the ancient east, lies in its relation to Bible history and the people of God. The rise of the Medes and Persians found Israel in a state of division and rebellion against their God. Because of idolatrous rebellion against God, Assyria had overrun Israel, the ten northern tribes, and scattered its people among the nations (721 B.C.). Isaiah and others of God’s prophets exhorted Israel to …

In part one of this two-part article (the September 2002 issue), we explored the question, “Who Is Jesus Christ” with particular attention to his being the Son of God. Please review that article. Now, in part two, we wish to explore the questions: “Who or what were Demons” and “What was the relationship of Christ to Demons?” Who or What Were Demons? It will not be the purpose of this study to decide the origin of demons. There are at least six current theories concerning their origin. These are: Demons were the offspring of angels and antediluvian women (Cf., Genesis 6:1-6). Demons were the spirits of a pre-Adamic order of men on earth in the days of the alleged “gap period” between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. Demons were the evil spirits of those who died in the flood. The rationale for this theory is based on Matthew 12:42-45 and Luke 11:14-26. This is supposed to account for the demons’ affinity for waterless places. Demons were spirits who followed Satan and so became demons. Demons were the spirits of wicked men whom God permitted to exit the Hadean realm in order to possess some people on earth. Demons were fallen angels allowed to escape confinement for the same purpose as mentioned above. There are legitimate questions and objections which can be raised against each of these theories. They should be studied and carefully considered. The existence of demons is taken for granted in the Gospel accounts and nothing is said concerning …

Mother and father are sitting down to a steak dinner. They cut, chew and swallow with ease. Between these young parents sits a baby in a high chair. That baby cannot walk, talk or care for himself. He relies on others for protection, shelter, clothing, warmth and FOOD. Because he must digest for himself, this baby is not expected nor allowed to eat a slab of beef. Everyone knows infants are fed with the lightest food. So, that tiny child will settle for milk or another food easily digested. As he grows, the diet will solidify. New Testament writers describe the spiritual diet of “babes in Christ” as milk. When this word is used in the metaphor, we should recognize the point being made. New converts stand in need of understanding the simple and elementary doctrines of Christianity. The goal of all new creatures is to “go on unto perfection,” and there is not a shortcut to spiritual maturity. The Bible relays three thoughts concerning spiritual milk and the recipients of such. “MILK AND FEEDING.” Paul, to the Corinthian church drowning in the sea of worldly influence, writes, “I have fed you with milk and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able for ye are yet carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:2-3a). Recall the background of the Corinthians: persons with a history of fornication (1 Corinthians 6), incest (5:1-8), idolatry (6:9) and all manner of unrighteous behavior (6:9-10). These sins were washed …

Mark 3:28-30, “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.“ This last verse makes plain what Jesus calls blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. In verse 22, we read that the scribes were trying to convince the people “by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.” Attributing the power of the Holy Spirit and the miracles Jesus performed to the devil was a sin most reprehensible and would not be forgiven. Consider that God, the Almighty Creator of the universe, was displaying just a small fraction of his power in the presence of man, the lowly creature, and man in all of his arrogance had concluded that this was not a manifestation of God’s power but that of the devil. Parallel passages occur in Matthew 12:31ff and in Luke 12:10ff. Luke’s account seems to have occurred at a different point in time, but as Robertson points out in his Word Pictures in the New Testament: There is no sound reason for saying that Jesus only spoke his memorable sayings once. Luke apparently finds a different environment here. The question of import for modern Christians is of course, “Can I commit this same sin today, whereby I would never be forgiven?” In the strict sense of our text, it is the opinion …