Witchcraft and Miracles Contrasted

Some brethren here in Africa are very superstitious if you deny supernatuaral stories you they will say you dont believe in withcraft, so how does the bible difine witchcraft did they perform miracles? Joshua Mukusha     From time to time historically up to about the end of the first century A.D., supernatural or miraculous events sometimes occurred. There were two possible, general origins of various supernatural or miraculous incidents—divine origin (i.e., God or his angels) or satanic origin (i.e., Satan or his angels). Miracles involving revelation from God, healing, raising the dead and punishments or judgments by God were divine in origin. Witchcraft, sorcery, demon possession, etc. were satanic in origin.     Creation was the result of the miraculous determination of God to bring the universe and mankind into existence (Genesis 1). The transmittal of revelation from God to mankind through prophets and preachers was miraculous (2 Peter 1:21) and accompanied by additional miracles to validate the new revelation and distinguish it from manmade, counterfeit revelation (Mark 16:17-20). Jesus Christ healed all manner of sickness and cast out demons during his earthly ministry (Matthew 4:24) to prove that he was who he said that he was—the Messiah or the Son of God. Our Lord as well as the apostle Peter raised people from the dead (John 11:43-44; Acts 9:36-42). God and his servants miraculously executed divine judgment or punishment upon wicked persons (Genesis 19:24-25; Acts 13:8-11).     Through his prophets, God severely condemned witchcraft and sorcery (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8), whether faked (Acts 8:9-11) or …

Jewish Boy and the Temple

can you tell me what the legal age requirement for a jewish boy to be permitted into the temple in biblical times thanks peter angel     First, the “Temple” in first century Jerusalem must be properly defined. Herod’s Temple, to distinguish it from two earlier Jewish temples at the same location, sat upon Mt. Moriah. Herod the Great expanded the surface area of the hill with substantial retaining walls, which either were backfilled or overlaid with massive rock slabs and covered with earth. The result was a somewhat irregular approximate 1,000 foot per side pedestal or Temple Mount. A covered porch ringed the circumference of the Temple Mount, through which rooms one passed into a large courtyard, the Court of the Gentiles. As the name suggests, anyone, even Gentiles could enter this part of the Temple compound. An inner wall separated between the Court of the Gentiles and the Court of the (Jewish) Women; no Gentiles were permitted beyond this inner wall, but any Jew was permitted into the Court of the Women. The Court of the Women contained at least four rooms, including where religious teachers often assembled to give instruction to fellow Jews and where Jesus as a 12-year-old Jewish boy conversed with such persons (Luke 2:46).      Still another division beyond the Court of the Women led to the Court of the (Jewish) Men; any Jewish male was permitted into this area of the Temple compound. Beyond the Court of the Men was the Court of the Priests into which only Jewish priests could go, and where they performed sacrifices. …

Keeping the Heart

In biblical terminology the heart and the mind or intellect are closely connected. If the heart is pure, the words, deeds and entire life will be pure. If we think on pure, honorable and lovely things, our life will become pure, honorable and lovely. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Each of us should emphasize the cleanliness of the inner life. This can be done as we meditate upon God’s Word.     The coarse, vulgar and profane life does not make one “cool,” “manly” or whatever the other descriptions that the media gives to such speech and actions. It simply makes one coarse, vulgar, profane and stupid. One who cannot express himself without using such speech and actions needs to go back to school to learn the basics.

A Time When God Will Not Hear

In Proverbs 28:9 there is an interesting statement about God and man’s prayer: “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.” Does this mean there actually can come a time when God refuses to hear the prayer of man? He, himself, tells us that this is true. When, though, will he refuse to hear a prayer? When one turns away from hearing God’s law? “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded…Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me” (Proverbs 1:24-28).     Today, we hear men urge others to “call upon the name of the Lord” by saying something they call “the sinners prayer.” Those who make those exhortations, and those who follow such pleas, have turned away from hearing God’s Word. Such a prayer will not be answered; it is an abomination to God. Listen to God through his Word; obey it from the heart. Then, he will hear your prayer.

I Hope That God Isn’t Too Picky

While driving recently, I saw the above phrase on a car that pulled in front of me. The sentiment being expressed by the owner of the vehicle probably comes from all the other bumper stickers he had to go with this one, most of which were fairly vulgar. If their sentiments were a reflection of his attitude and lifestyle, then asking God not to be picky is a wish that God will overlook most of the choices he’s made in life and, as the saying goes, “just take me like I am.” It’s a view that most people are basing their lives on, that in the final analysis God will exercise his love, mercy and grace, and accept them into heaven, even though he or his Word may not have been a factor in their lives.     The view that God’s grace will cover all sins no matter what, and so one is free to live however one wants, may be prevalent and popular, but that doesn’t make it correct. Make no mistake about it, without God’s grace no one would be saved. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). There are not enough good deeds we could perform on our own that would deserve or earn God’s salvation. Only by the blood of Christ can we be forgiven (1 Peter 1:18-19). However, we also understand there is a response God desires from us to …

Obedience of Faith

“…through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith…” (Romans 1:5). There is no doubt God wants us to be involved in his will and in his kingdom. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). The goal of faith is to obey the Gospel, to live in faithful obedience for eternity’s sake.     The issue, then, is not whether you should be involved, but whether you are involved. Certainly, Scripture offers positive motivation for us to be active in serving God. God’s love should motivate us to serve, as should our love for him (John 15:10; 1 John 5:3). God’s blessings are found in those who commit themselves to him (Matthew 6:33). God is honored when others see us living for him (Matthew 5:16). We will be judged by how we have lived (2 Corinthians 5:10). These, and many more reasons, provide impetus for being involved in serving God.     There are various avenues available for service in every congregation. There are other opportunities that wait to be opened. Where do you fit in? How are you involved? Do you need to find some area of involvement to begin? …

When Jesus Went to a Party

Non-canonical myth would have us believe that Jesus as a boy performed various miraculous feats. The inspired John tells us otherwise. This was his very first “sign” (John 2:11).     We don’t know the identity of the bride and groom. It is likely that they were friends of the family. Jesus, his mother and the twelve disciples were among the invited guests (v. 2).     Something potentially embarrassing happened during this important occasion.1 The drink ran out. Mary told her son, “They have no wine” (v. 3). First century wedding feasts often lasted for as long as a week. This situation was wrought with problems. Imagine hosting a modern reception and running out of wedding cake and punch. Then imagine being taken to court for such a blunder!2     Jesus told the servants to fill the six stone water pots with water to the brim (v. 7). (Each container held between twenty and thirty gallons a piece (v. 6). He then instructed them to dip some of the “liquid” out and offer it to the “head waiter.” The man, not aware of the miracle that had occurred, assumed that the best wine had been saved for the latter part of the feast (v. 10).     Virtually every time this passage is considered, folks want to know what kind of wine Jesus made. That question ought to be addressed, but other important points also need to be considered. Note:     I. Jesus went to a party. Some people are of the opinion …

It’s All About Me!

The problem is that if I am not careful, I forget what is all about me. I think that the world ought to be entertaining me. I think that everything ought to focus on me. When I am driving down the road and someone cuts me off, I get angry. As a matter of fact I often wonder why there is so much traffic on the road, when they are just in my way getting where I want or need to go. I don’t want someone to eat the last biscuit, because I want the last biscuit. I want the remote control so I can watch what I want to watch, and so I am in control. Surely, when I state my opinion, that ought to be the final word on the matter. After all, it is me!     However, watch the change in terminology that sometimes occurs. “Look what my son did” means that he has done something outstanding and good. In that case we might concede a little with, “Look what our son did.” “Look at what your son did” means that he has really blown it, and of course he got that from your part of raising him, not from me! When there is something to complain about the famous “you” and “they” come into play. You know, the words that leave “me” out of the equation. “You folks are always leaving a mess.” “They just aren’t doing anything for the young people.” You know, all the …

Teens & Dating: True Love Waits

The hedonistic sirens’ song plays beautifully in the ears of America’s youth, and the lure of the appeal is so attractive to the eyes of the majority. As with the Greek mythology of Homer’s Adventures of Odysseus, the sirens tempt our young men to fall prey to the fleshly trap: “Come, come, drink of the fountain of sweet pleasures and know what it is to be a man. You don’t know the thrills you’re missing so come now, hurry and drink of the fountain…” (of death).     Satan has done his work so well of polluting the subject of human sexuality that many of us find it hard to even bring up the topic to discuss it with our children at home or our young people when we meet together as a body of believers. Someone has rightly observed this is a subject that needs to be reclaimed by God’s people. God is the giver of human sexuality. Rather than allowing our children to learn from their eager friends or humanistic teachers at school, we need to teach them what God says, along with the boundaries he has given us.     God commands his children to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and “youthful lusts” (1 Timothy 2:22) and “fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). The living God says that those who commit fornication are going so far as to even sin against their own body [thus distinguishing itself from other forms of sin as this one brings greater …

Peace That Passes All Understanding

The apostle Paul referred to a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). What kind of peace can you and I have that will pass all understanding? We live in a world that does not know real peace. Our world is in constant turmoil and dismay. This attitude often “rubs” off on the child of God. Peace does not come by mere accident or mistake. In order to have real peace, we must work diligently in trying to obtain inward tranquility. Peace is not the absence of problems, but rather having the proper mindset in the face of problems. It is no secret that we all face problems! Some more severe than others, but nonetheless we still all face them. How can Christians find peace in the face of problems? How can you and I learn to have the peace that passes all understanding in a world that is in complete mayhem?     I believe that in order to enjoy real peace, you must, in the first place, trust less in yourself and trust more in God. Many times, we try to handle daily struggles on our own, and it is soon apparent that we fall short. The prophet Jeremiah said, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). You and I are inadequate when it comes to trying to solve all of our problems alone. We need God’s help each day to direct our steps …

Hannah: A Prayerful Woman

Character Study 1 Samuel 1:1-28     Elkanah had two wives. Since 1 Samuel 1:5 states that Elkanah loved Hannah, we can assume that she was his first wife. Children were extremely important to Jews since Christ would come through the linage of the Jewish race. Moses instructed the children of Israel that upon the death of a married man who does not have children, the man’s brother would take the wife, marry her and fulfill the duties of a husband. The firstborn child would carry the brother’s name (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). Since Hannah was barren, Elkanah probably took a second wife, Peninnah, so that he could have children to carry on his name. Although many worthy and honorable men of the Bible are recorded as having more than one wife, we must remember that while God once over looked multiple wives, he never intended for man to practice polygamy (Matthew 19:3-9). As with the many instances of polygamy outlined in the Bible, Elkanah’s two wives did not live in harmony.     Each year Elkanah traveled about 25 miles from his home in Ramah to Shiloh to worship God. This was one of the three feasts all male Jews were required to attend (Deuteronomy 16:16). Since only the male Jews were required to attend this feast, Elkanah could have taken his older sons and left the women and children behind. He chose to include all his family members in this period of worship.     A part of this feast was to offer a thank offering to the Lord. In Leviticus 7:11-15, …

Justification by Faith in the Book of Acts

During the years that I worked with one congregation of the Lord, there was a group of brothers and sisters that sang for a local nursing home once a month. The residents enjoyed singing with us some of the old favorites songs found in the book we used that was published by our brethren. One of the most requested hymns was Amazing Grace. One of the stanzas of this song is as follows: “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.” However the publishers of this particular song book we were using took the liberty to change the last phrase of that stanza to “The hour I first obeyed.” Now I understand perfectly the reason for this change and I do not doubt the motive of these brethren. We have heard so much from our denominational friends that we are saved by “faith only”; however, we must not avoid scriptural terms simply because of the misunderstandings regarding the biblical theme of justification by faith. There is a vast difference between the doctrine of “faith only” and the Bible based doctrine of salvation by faith. In fact, the expression that these brethren wanted to avoid is actually found in Romans 13:11: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Emphasis added). The apostle Paul asked the disciples of …

Billy Goat Religion

Have you ever heard of billy goat religion? Well, maybe not. After all, goats are not a part of the assignment of our Lord to his apostles to take the Gospel to “every creature” (Mark 16:15). Goats are not among those charged in both testaments to “prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12; Jam. 4:8) because of an impending appearance before the Judgment Bar of God to give an account of one’s life (Ecc. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:10). However, the Bible does refer to animals, including sheep (lambs) and goats, figuratively through types, metaphors and similes to teach spiritual truths. “Types” use one thing to represent a fuller and superior thing or person (e.g., the sacrificial lamb of the Old Testament versus the Lamb of  God—Jesus Christ—who died for us). “Metaphors” call something that it is not for the purpose of comparison and emphasis (e.g., Jesus compared Herod to a fox, Luke 13:31-32). “Similes” use the word “as” or “like” to compare two different things for the purpose of comparison or emphasis (e.g., the Holy Spirit is compared to a dove, Matt. 3:16). Jesus used his famous illustration of goats and sheep respecting Final Judgment in Matthew 25:32-33. So, using similar figures, just what is billy goat religion?     Billy goats resemble sheep to a degree. Both goats and sheep are near the same size, have four legs, are grazing animals and have a similar voice. Likewise, non-Christians and unfaithful Christians may resemble Christians to a degree. Anyone with clear eyesight can distinguish …

The Blame Game

Personal responsibility has often been and ever is a casualty of the human unwillingness to acknowledge accountability. Not willing to be saddled with the liability for our mistakes, from child through adult, we characteristically blame others for our shortcomings. While we eagerly accept accolades and praise, we adamantly refuse culpability for our actions (or inaction). Yet, often because we cannot or may not be able to convince peers and superiors that some failure was “no one’s fault,” we play the blame game. Siblings blame each other; spouses blame each other; employees and employers blame each other; litigants blame each other; etc.     The blame game began in the Garden of Eden and was introduced by the first man. When God confronted Adam about his sin, the father of the human race blamed God (and Eve)! “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). Eve being blamed by Adam for sin blamed another as well. “And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:13). Adam and Eve played the blame game, but it did not really work out in their favor. As a result of their sins, despite the complicity of Satan, Adam and Eve (1) died spiritually, (2) were exiled from the Garden of Eden, (3) began to die physically, (4) had to …

That I Might Not Sin Against Thee

A computer is nothing more than a big doorstop or a boat anchor, unless it is programmed with an OS (i.e. operating system). Productive work or an error-ridden mess, computers are reliable to produce according to the input, beginning with the operating system. If the operating system is error-ridden, the output will be faulty. If the operating system and data input is reliable, the resulting computer work will be reliable, too.     Frankly, humans are not much different from computers respecting input and output. One’s words and conduct will be praiseworthy if God’s Word is thoroughly instilled in him. Contrariwise, if God’s Word is not instilled in a person, one can expect his words and conduct to be faulty.     Just what have we instilled in our hearts, the hearts of our children and others around us? I remember a three-year-old niece of my wife who could cuss on par with the proverbial sailor, indicating the wrong sort of input as well as the absence of instilling the Word of God in that young mind. Maybe not so obvious, what have we instilled in our hearts, the hearts of our children and those over whom we have some influence? What we have in our hearts and minds will determine where we spend eternity!     The first step in refraining from sin, which will keep us out of heaven, is to instill the Word of God in our hearts. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in …

Talked Out of Your Faith and Purpose

We, who have been called out of darkness by obedience to the Gospel into the light, have been created for the glory of God. Speaking of God, Isaiah 43:6-7 says, “Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”     The apostle Paul tells us, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We are told by the writer of the Book of Hebrews, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).     Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of someone trying to talk you out of your faith and purpose? This can be so discouraging and exasperating! Our Lord knew all about it because it happened to him constantly during his earthly ministry; it began with Peter.     Jesus had asked his disciples who the people were saying he was. Peter makes that most noble confession that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”     Matthew 16:22 says, “Then Peter took Him aside and began to …

That Dirty 10-Letter Word!

A dictionary definition for “dirty word” is “a word, expression, or idea that is disagreeable or unpopular in a particular frame of reference” (Merriam-Webster). Usually, dirty words are vulgar, profane or swear words (cussing). So-called dirty words are not appropriate for polite company, or really under any circumstances, anywhere. Apparently, many dirty words share the characteristic also of being four-letter words. We decline to illustrate because some things ought not to be verbalized, audibly or in writing (Ephesians 4:29; 1 Timothy 5:13); it is a “shame” even to speak some things (Ephesians 5:12).     However, do you know about the dirty 10-letter word? That dirty 10-letter word is “conviction.” The word “conviction” is “disagreeable or unpopular in a particular frame of reference”—contemporary society that stands for nothing, except that no one is allowed to stand for anything. Essentially, beyond running amok of the social norm of today, attempts to make laws to outlaw conviction seriously threaten personal liberties and religious expression.     Consider this case in point. Federal law prohibits “discrimination” in housing rentals or purchases based on race, color, sex, family status (having minor children), disability, national origin or religion. Several states (California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin) as well as several cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Seattle) amend Federal law to include restrictions from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (whether one is homosexual or heterosexual) (“Renter’s Rights”). Landlords are legally …

With Joy, Draw Water

Isaiah 12:3 reads, “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” This chapter in Isaiah discusses the coming of the New Testament kingdom through Jesus Christ. Christ is the Holy One of verse six. He is in the midst of the spiritual nation of Israel.     Jesus taught that people should drink of his waters. We are in a spiritual desert before we become Christians. We drink of the waters from his fountain and become a Christian. Then we must continue to drink of those waters if we intend to continue to live the lives he desires for us. Only by drinking of his spiritual waters can we live right. And only by drinking of those waters can we teach others what they need to do.     There are still some places in the world where people can only get water from wells. They may have to let buckets down into the well and then pull the full bucket back up. They may have to turn a crank that brings water up. Whatever they need to do to get the water, they joyfully do. Without that water they will die of thirst.     If we truly want to live right, we need to study from God’s Word, the Bible. This is where we obtain the information about those waters. Sometimes it is not easy to study. But we should be happy to draw that water out. Without that spiritual water, we will die of spiritual thirst. That …

Be Warned, Warn Others

God expects all people to follow him. He expects all people to repent of their sins and obey him. God loves all people. He does not want anyone to go to hell.     God uses men and women to warn other men and women. It is our duty to warn others about where their sins are sending them. It is our duty to preach righteousness.     In Ezekiel 3:18-21, God tells Ezekiel that it is his duty to preach and teach the wicked and the past righteous. He is to bring the wicked to God. And he is to bring the ex-righteous back to God. God says that if Ezekiel will preach to them, it does not matter what they do, Ezekiel has saved his own soul by his obedience to God. God also warns Ezekiel that if he does not teach and preach these people, that he will lose his own soul. Ezekiel does not have a choice. To save his soul, he must teach others.     So, not only did God use Ezekiel to warn others, but God warned Ezekiel. We are also to warn others of their sins. We are told to warn the ex-righteous (James 5:19-20). We are also told to warn the wicked (Matthew 28:19-20). Take your warning seriously. Study your Bible. Learn all of it, and then obey it. Then, warn others. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Truth and Freedom

Most of my life I have quoted and heard John 8:32 as if it stands alone. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The statement can stand alone in the sense that it is a general truth, universal in its application. That is, medical truth can make us free from certain diseases. Financial truth can make us free from certain financial problems. Scientific truth can even make us free from the law of gravity for a time as we operate under another law in outer space.     Here, Jesus is talking about a different kind of truth, and a different kind or dimension of freedom. Richard Lovelace was right when he said, “Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.” John the Immerser, in prison with his head about to be removed, was free in a far more significant sense than Herod on his throne, for Herod was a slave to pride, passion, lust, licentiousness, greed and gluttony.     So, although the statement can stand alone and be true in all sorts of situations, it is in a connected thought when Jesus said it. It is connected with an “if” in verse 31, as Jesus said, “If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples.” Then he says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Since the statement in its original context is contingent on abiding in his Word and being truly a disciple, …

Prophecies and Speculation

We have noticed over the past 70 years that those who are most active in speculating about what the prophets of the Old Testament meant and trying to give all the inside information about the Battle of Armageddon are the least concerned about what God said for us to do to be saved from our past sins and live the Christian life in a pleasing and effective way. We have little doubt that the Devil is gleefully promoting all such activity, for if he can get Christian people involved in endless speculation about prophecies that the Bible does not clearly show have been fulfilled, he will be able to undo much of the good that has been done in turning them away from sin in the first place.     This does not mean that we should be unconcerned about prophecies. It does mean that we should pay particular attention to the many statements in the New Testament that show the fulfillment of prophecy. When the inspired writer says, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet,” any person who has the kind of faith that pleases God will let that be the final word on the matter.     One should especially note such passages as Acts 3:24 that says, “Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” The prophets told of things that were to happen to Israel before the time of Christ, and during the time of …

Does Evil Exist in Our World?

Some months ago, a lady jogger was captured by a group of rampaging youth in New York’s Central Park, and she was without mercy beaten, repeatedly raped and finally murdered. Her body was hidden in the bushes where it was later found by a passerby who was walking his dog. The nation was shocked. When we hear discussion of such horrendous crimes on the TV talk shows, we are given proof positive that many in our postmodern society have taken leave of their senses when they dress up such evil actions in all their psychobabble and language of victimology. These sophisticated relativists blame such horrific behavior on poverty, stress, boredom, rage, etc. When we ask them about evil in our world, they reply that the concept of evil is too simplistic, and that it is altogether outmoded. We are told that evil, especially as it is set forth in the Scriptures, does not exist and never really has! Friends, if such behavior is not evil, what is it? We simply do not buy the psychobabble about stress, poverty, boredom and all the rest of this senseless claptrap. As a boy in rural West Virginia, during squirrel season, we used to take out twenty gauge shot guns and hunt on the way to school. As we approached the school, we unloaded the single shot and put the shells in a box. At the old one room school, we “stacked arms” in the corner, put the shells on a shelf and spent the day studying. …

My Eyes, My Eyes, Oh, My Eyes!

Christians cannot train their eyes (and minds) on sinful pleasures of this world and be all that God wants them to be (Hebrews 11:25). Though, like Moses, aware of the ungodly world in which we live, we must determine that despite living in the world we will not be of the world, as Jesus taught and the apostle John recorded (John 15:19; 17:14-17). By “train” we mean the dictionary definition for the verb “train,” which can mean “5: to aim at an object or objective: direct (trained his camera on the deer) (Merriam Webster’s). Christians cannot train their eyes (and minds) on the sinful pleasures of this world in addition to pursing godliness and be all that God wants them to be; for instance, Jesus Christ his fellow Jews, the children of God under Judaism, that they could not be faithful while harboring lust within themselves (Matthew 5:28).     There are simply too many evil things in this world that especially with which the children of God must have nothing to do. The apostle Paul firmly warned Christians at Ephesus that we can have absolutely no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (sin) (Ephesians 5:11). When we happen to see some of the wickedness in this world, our souls ought to cry out, “My eyes! My eyes! Oh my eyes!” The Psalmist wrote, “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way” (Psalm 119:37 NKJV). In a sense, Christians need to resemble the proverbial three monkeys: “Hear no evil! See no …

Progress Report (World Evangelism)

Having accepted the invitation of J.C. & Betty Choate to team up with them in their longstanding efforts of world evangelism, Bonnie & Louis Rushmore are presently raising monthly support & moving expenses (to Winona, MS). 60% raised so far of the estimated $5,000 required to move the Rushmore household to the base of operations in Winona, Mississippi. 27% raised so far of the estimated $4,000 monthly support (including nearly $1,000 monthly for hospitalization that the Rushmores do not have now, as well as $423 monthly for printing equipment & hundreds of dollars more for ministry expenses such as GospelGazette Online). Please help the Rushmores get to the work of saving souls through the extensive ministry of foreign radio, TV, massive literature distribution, schools of Preaching, campaigns, Voice of Truth International, Global Harvest, etc. The Choates began this far-reaching evangelistic thrust 45 years ago and have asked the Rushmores to help perpetuate it. Won’t you help today by supporting the Rushmores with special and monthly support. Contact Louis Rushmore immediately at 888.725.7883 or rushmore@gospelgazette.com.

New Associate Editor

 “For we are laborers together with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:9a). This short statement from the inspired pen of the apostle Paul essentially sums up my sentiment. I am truly thankful and blessed for the opportunity to assist the current staff of GGO in taking the Gospel to the world (cf. Matthew 28:18-20), as the new Associate Editor. It is our continued prayer that GGO will remain a channel of blessing to those seeking spiritual help. As we labor together with our heavenly Father, may we continue to teach only the truth in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15), and continue to shine as bright lights in this dark world (cf. Philippians 2:15). We pray you, the readers, will be eternally blessed as you read this month’s Gazette.