Satan is a master of discouragement. It is one of his most often used tools in trying to undermine the faith of Christians, of creating the feeling of defeat, of separating one from a daily walk with God. One can be discouraged about situations at home, at work, in the world around us, in the church in general or the local congregation of which one is a part, and even discouraged about oneself. Many times the discouragement we feel in life comes from unrealistic and/or unfulfilled expectations. Why did Jezebel’s threat against Elijah discourage him so that he ran away, especially after the victory on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 19:1-18)? The victory gained didn’t result in a change of heart in her or Ahab; the reality didn’t meet his expectations. Why did Peter become so discouraged that Jesus exhorted him to serve Him again following His resurrection (John 21:15-19)? Peter had believed he would never deny Jesus, yet from fear did that very thing (John 18:15-18, 25-27). Likewise, it is for us as well. How we believe others will respond doesn’t turn out as we thought or desired. Situations we encounter in life aren’t always what we wish they would be. We discover we don’t respond ourselves as we should at critical times in our lives. What we anticipate turning out differently than what we want is a major factor in becoming discouraged. Perhaps what we need to consider at such times in our lives is what God expects of us. Unrealized expectations …

Before the foundation of the world was laid by the Lord, God formulated his plan for man’s salvation (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20). Although his foreknowledge enabled Him to know beforehand that sin would enter the world through man’s failure to obey His command and the terrible consequences ensuing, yet He wanted all of us to be recipients of his grace, mercy and forgiveness as indicated by Jesus’ teaching of the Father’s love in John 3:16. In short, He wanted you and me to have continual spiritual blessings, abundant life, joy of faith and close fellowship with Him. He wanted us to live unto Him, bring glory to His name in walking with Him in righteousness and live with Him throughout eternity in heaven. Since the days of Adam and Eve, Satan has worked super zealously to destroy God’s work. Satan is the author of every form of disobedience, rebellion and spiritual defection entered into by man. Further, he is the source of every disabling disease, affliction and death. Concerning Satan, also known as the devil, Jesus said, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). Just as he worked among ancient Israel to get them off course, and caused many of them to be destroyed due to unbelief and disobedience, he continues to work today to pervert …

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him” (Psalm 34:8). Numbers 22-24 records for us the story of the wicked prophet Balaam and his encounter with Balak, king of Moab. As the story goes, Balaam is called to come and “curse” Israel on behalf of Balak, so Moab would not be harmed by Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Balaam entreats the Lord, hoping for the message by which he could curse Israel. Instead, he ends up bringing a blessing from God. In chapter 23, there is a shocking statement that Balaam makes about Israel. In verses 13-24, he praises God for all He has done for Israel and concludes by this bold proclamation: “…It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Oh, what God has done’” (Numbers 23:23). The statement itself is not a shocking one, as it is clear from Scripture that God deserved the praise for all of His work. However, it is shocking because of the mouth from which it came. It didn’t come from the mouths of Israel who should have known best what God had done. Yet, it was wicked Balaam, who as an outsider, could not deny God’s presence with His people. It happened often in the nation’s history. Balak called for Balaam because he was “…sick with dread because of the children of Israel” (Numbers 22:3). He knew what their God could do. Before Israel conquered Jericho, Rahab the harlot spoke of all God had done (dried up the Red Sea, etc.), and said that when they heard of those things, …

Joe Neal Pinion was a retired friend who lives in White, Georgia. Our relationship began during my first pulpit work in Adairsville. He and his wife would often invite me into their home for a meal, or just a friendly afternoon’s conversation. Joe Neal and I shared common interests—Indian artifacts, fishing and gardening, which brings me to my story. Early one afternoon, Joe Neal decided to go out to his garden and cut some okra for supper. He had just harvested a few pods from a stalk, when suddenly a red wasp flew down the collar of his shirt and started stinging him on the back. His reaction was immediate—kill the insect before it could injure him any further. However, in his fervor to slap the wasp, Joe Neal forgot that he was holding a knife and inadvertently stabbed himself in the process! While he did eventually kill the offender, he also inflicted a rather considerable wound in the exchange. Ironically, Joe Neal did more harm to himself with the knife than the wasp could have ever perpetrated. (He required medical attention in order to mend the trauma from his self-induced stabbing.) I have often reflected on that little footnote in Joe Neal’s life. In my thinking, it serves as a sort of metaphor for what sometimes happens in congregations of the Lord’s people today. See if the following sounds familiar. False doctrine (2 Peter 2:1ff) is introduced to a local body of believers via the pulpit. The shepherds of said congregation …

Of all places, I heard the phrase that I am using as a title on a severe weather broadcast from our local NBC affiliate, WSFA 12. I think that the weatherman was talking about getting to a safe place during a potential tornado. It just struck me what a powerful saying that was. We all have heard of taking the “path of least resistance,” but the “path of least regret” is probably the exact opposite. Let me illustrate. The path of least regret: Sexual Purity: Isn’t it interesting that we so often become involved in treating the symptoms of a problem instead of treating the actual problem. In this realm, this is certainly the case. We hear laments over teenage pregnancies, and the answer that is offered is teaching “safe sex.” Basically, what we are saying is that particularly young people are going to take the path of least resistance, so we need to educate them in how to sin skillfully. What we need to be emphasizing, instead, is the path of least regret. No young lady has ever become pregnant (besides Mary) who has not had relations with a male. Young people, like older people, will sin and be overcome by desires. However, we are doing them no favors when we decide to teach them how to more effectively sin. We need to do everything in our power to teach them that the only true answer is to choose to stay pure until they marry. If they do that, they …

From 1987 until 1992, I was employed as a counselor for the State of Mississippi, Region Three Chemical Dependence Program. An interesting period of my life! Part of my duties was to conduct group-counseling sessions. I remember one such session very well. I was teaching/leading the group in the discussion of Step Four of the 12 Step Program, “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” Some of the clients did not understand what moral meant. After giving a definition of the word moral, the group started to ask questions concerning a principle that pertains to right and wrong. Pursuing this line of discussion, I made the point that there are fixed standards of right and wrong. A few of the men challenged me on this affirmation. With chalk and blackboard, I illustrated a 12” inch ruler. I stated, “Have we not been taught, and is it not true that one foot has twelve inches in it, according to Tables of Weights and Measures?” All answered, “Yes.” I continued, “What if you wanted to build a house. You selected a building contractor and a blueprint with all measurements and specifications on it. Both you and your contractor sign a contract to build per the specifications of the blueprint. You were scheduled to take a trip away from home for six months. Your contractor assured you that your house would be completed when you came home per your building contract.” Continuing with the illustration, I stated, “You come home and your house …

Satan cannot wish God out of existence. Satan cannot diminish the power of God’s love. Satan cannot relocate us to a position outside the reach of God and his love. Satan cannot confuse God so He is unable to know those who belong to him. Satan cannot tempt God to do evil. Satan cannot change God’s character. Satan cannot make God lie. Satan cannot overpower God. Satan cannot destroy the seed of the kingdom. Satan cannot make false what is true, nor can he make true what is false. Satan cannot defeat God’s revealed truth. Satan cannot force God to fellowship those who embrace doctrines of demons. Satan cannot steal God’s grace, mercy, love and forbearance. Satan cannot weaken the power of the Gospel of Christ. Satan cannot force me to sin against God. Satan cannot block the path God has prepared for my use when temptation comes. Satan cannot tempt me beyond what I am able to bear and resist. Satan cannot forcibly remove me from God’s watchful care and saving grace. Satan cannot cause the universal church of our Lord to cease to exist. Satan cannot prevent Jesus’ coming again. Satan cannot stop the dead being raised at Jesus’ command. Satan cannot change the standard of God’s Word by which all men will be judged. Satan cannot prevent God’s faithful children from going home to the heavenly city. Satan cannot shield his angels and followers from God’s wrath and punishment. Satan cannot change the destiny God has prepared …

Never has there been a time in the history of our society in which sexuality has been exploited and shamelessly flaunted as it is today. The constant exposure to immodesty and sexuality has desensitized our culture. No longer does one blush, feel embarrassed or ashamed by his or her clothing or lack thereof. Do you remember a time when you would have been embarrassed for your “underwear” to be seen? Who would have thought that underwear would become “outerwear” and deliberately displayed without blushing or embarrassment? Look at how “casual sex” has been mainstreamed in our society through television, movies, music, music videos, singers and actresses/actors. Many role models of today’s youth dress in a way that would have been associated with prostitutes a generation ago. Since they are role models, one need not look far to see little girls dressing in the same way, leading someone to coin the phrase, “prosti-tots.” So instead of accepting a “Girls Gone Wild” mentality, how do we bring about a “Girls Gone Mild” mentality? Here are a few suggestions. Moms and Dads, don’t watch or allow your children to watch TV programs, music videos, etc. that have scantily clad people in them. Turn the channel. Be consistent. Don’t allow your children to be desensitized by repeated exposure. Develop within them a sense of shame and modesty. Don’t feel shy to tell them why you changed the channel. Moms and Dads, don’t allow your hard-earned money to be used to purchase clothing that is …

Perhaps you’ve witnessed two toddlers going at each other, upset over which will get his way. It’s usually a short-lived event, but it can be pretty intense while it’s happening. Sometimes the relationship between a husband and wife can get pretty intense as well over who gets his or her way. Unfortunately, rather than being short-lived, it can continue until what was meant to last “until death do us part” ends prematurely in divorce. Certainly there are many issues that need to be addressed in the interpersonal relationships marriage brings, but we should begin with God, with how He wants a husband and wife to respond to each other. Paul emphasized the need for each of us to “submit to one another in the fear of the Lord” (Ephesians 5:21 NKJV), in reverence to God our Creator and His will for our lives. Rather than selfishly pursue each one’s personal agenda, we must give consideration to each one’s needs as well. Paul offered good advice when he reminded the members of the Lord’s church at Philippi, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). If that is true of relationships in general, how important it is when considering the needs of a relationship in the home! We need to be concerned about each other, helping each other, helping to complete each other. For this to happen, Paul said the role of the wife is to “submit to your …

In the Montgomery Advertiser, dated Friday, June 13, 2008, there was an article about a date palm that had been growing since the year 2005. While this alone would not have been noteworthy, the real story was to be found in the fact that it was growing from a seed that was estimated to be 2,000 years old! “The little tree was sprouted in 2005 from a seed recovered from Masada, where rebelling Jews committed suicide rather than surrender to Roman attackers. Radiocarbon dating of seed fragments clinging to its roots, as well as other seeds found with it that didn’t sprout, indicate they were about 2,000 years old—the oldest seed known to have been sprouted and grown.” Dr. Sarah Sallon said that “She hopes there’s a chance to use it to restore the extinct Judean date palm, once prized not only for its fruit but also for medicinal uses.” This is an amazing story worthy of our sincere consideration. Think about it. A seed preserved in that arid area of the world and planted 2,000 years later and the same results occur—a tree, a date palm began to grow. How can that be? Believers in the Genesis’ account of creation understand the natural law of propagation in the vegetative kingdom. Moses wrote in Genesis 1:11-12: “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind whose seed is in itself, on the earth,’ and it was so. …

We are in receipt of a very interesting question on the subject of baptism, which we will attempt to answer. “Dear Sir, Why does the Church of Christ place so much emphasis on baptism when other religious bodies do not?” Let us begin by saying that those of us who are members of churches of Christ really do not emphasize anything except that which is found in the Bible. Basing this answer on the assumption that the questioner refers to baptism in water for the remission of sins, we point out a couple of interesting points. (1) The word “baptize” and all its cognates are not English words, but anglicized Greek words. The translators of the many English Bibles, rather than translate the word with an English word, decided to remove the Greek ending and add an English ending. This caused the Greek word to be brought into our language without it ever being translated. (2) This word and its cognates, referring only to water baptism, are frequently found in our Bibles. The word “baptize” is found 9 times; “baptized” 61 times; “baptism” 22 times and “baptizing” is found 4 times. We can see from this that we are certainly dealing with a biblical subject. Since those of us in churches of Christ are very keen to teach that which is found in the Bible, it is only natural that a subject mentioned that frequently would be taught very thoroughly. A second reason that we teach what the Bible teaches on this subject is …

I recently read about a woman who left her baby in the shade of a tree for a few minutes while she was busy doing something else. When she returned a short while later, she found that the shade had moved. The hot sun shining in her baby’s eyes left it blind for life. She loved her baby, but both she and the baby will pay for that few minutes of neglect for the rest of their lives. When I read that I thought of a near tragedy in my life because of neglect. My brother and I had just bought a .22 rifle. Since rifle shells cost too much to waste them in useless shooting (15 cents a box), I enjoyed pointing it at knots on trees and pulling the trigger. My brother sat on a stump, and I aimed at his temple and started to pull the trigger, when I suddenly thought of advice I had read. “Do not point a gun at any living thing unless you want to kill it.” So I pointed at a knot and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit it dead center. I had forgotten that I had put a shell in the chamber after I thought I was through playing. I neglected to check. Fires, wrecks, death and all sorts of bad situations occur because of neglect. What does that have to do with sin? Is neglect a sin? It is not always a sin to neglect something, but it sometimes …