If one discusses Jesus with Jewish people, one may hear the comment that Jesus was a good man, just not the Messiah. Even atheists are willing to grant that Jesus was a good man. Have you ever heard anyone make this type of statement? Ironically, the primary source material for knowing the character of Jesus is the New Testament. One can prove His existence outside the New Testament, but Jesus’ character is another matter. If the New Testament is accurate, then it is not possible to believe He was just a good man. Jesus claimed to come from heaven. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven…” (John 6:51 NKJV). Jesus claimed to come from the Father: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). He claimed to be one with the Father: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30). It is estimated that Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of God” nearly 40 times (e.g., Matthew 16:16-17), a fact even proclaimed by demons: “And he cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?’” (Mark 5:7). Jesus claimed to be the Messiah: “The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He’” (John 4:25-26). …

God created all things for sure; however, thorns and the like are a curse that the first sin of Adam brought upon the earth. “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field” (Genesis 3:17-18). There is a natural enmity between man and the thorn bush. It is recorded in three of the four Gospel accounts that a crown of thorns was placed on the head of our Savior Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2). In a manner of speaking, we could say, Jesus traded a crown of thorns for a crown of life. James tells us that a crown of life is promised to those that love God (James 1:12). Jesus promises the crown of life to those who are faithful (Revelation 2:10). Paul reminded the Galatians that Christ bore the curse of the law when He was crucified. He referred to Deuteronomy 21:23, which reads, “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth …

For some, the obsession with certain forms of temptation occurs over and over again. Jesus taught us to “Watch and pray that we enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). It is so good to be a constant person of prayer. This is the very first thing to do when faced with temptations that persistently influence us. Remember the daily reminders of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 4:9). They were to be reminded by notes that were placed in strategic places so that as they awoke in the morning or as they walked in the path to work in the fields the reminders would be read. Having reminders will help us to overcome daily. This moves us to the third point. Let us overcome temptations one day at a time – even sometimes, one hour at a time. By pointing our lives to the more spiritual thoughts, entering into prayer times and having steady reminders of the Lord around us, we can limit the effect of temptation. [Editor’s Note: This short article is superb – biblical, practical, timely and brief. Brother Rawson has proven that teaching and preaching doesn’t have to be eternal in length to have eternal benefits. Thank you, brother. ~ Louis Rushmore]

Memory is such an interesting thing. I can recall events that happened 35 years ago or more, and cannot remember what I said five minutes ago. Don’t ask me what I was doing yesterday, but ask me what I was doing on particular days over the last 36 years, and there are some I can recall with extreme clarity. I walk from the bedroom to the kitchen, and in that 10 seconds will forget why I came. I will be in the shower and realize my hair is wet – and can’t remember if I have used shampoo yet. I know – it is old age creeping up on me! What we remember is significant. It can be significant if we forget things that are important to remember. It can also be significant if we remember things we should forget. Sometimes we forget what is really important. We get so caught up in the motions and actions of our lives that the truly important things slip our memories. On the other hand, sometimes we dwell on and remember things that need to be forgotten. One phrase used by Paul concerning the nature of love in 1 Corinthians 13:5 is well translated (believe it or not) in the NIV: “it keeps no record of wrongs.” Love does not keep a ledger book of transgressions against it by the one loved. Our memories are, indeed, very faulty. I think some looks at “remembering” from a biblical perspective might be fruitful. We Need …

What a challenge! There is no doubt that our Creator, Almighty God, has challenged us – poor, frail mortals – to consider, examine closely and observe well the evidence of His Being. Notice below an explanation of our English word “consider” as extracted from the Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: “Consider” is defined in part, to be aware, conscious, as the result of mental perception. Webster’s Dictionary carries the same thought, to look at carefully, regard attentively, examine. “Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). “What we hear is not likely to profit us unless we consider it, and we are not likely to consider things fully unless we stand still and compose ourselves to the consideration of them. The works of God, being wondrous, both deserve and need our consideration, and the due consideration of them will help to reconcile us to all his providences” (“Job 37:14,” Matthew Henry Complete Commentary of the Whole Bible). Many profound statements, arguments and evidences are brought forth in Job the 38th Chapter. We are forced to consider and examine the evidences contained in the Word of God. “…I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:3-4). “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein” (Psalm 111:2). The idea of sought out is that which is wanted, required. Thus, we seek the greatness of our …

Years ago, Gospel Preacher L.E. Wishum wrote an article entitled, “Shall We Be Circumcised, Build an Ark or Be Baptized?” In the article, brother Wishum presented the idea that we must learn to rightly divide the Bible, understanding that we do not live in the Patriarchal Age, and neither are we under the Jewish Law. The things God commanded during those two dispensations are not applicable to us today. So, where do we turn for authority for what we do in religion? It is not to the church itself. The church cannot determine doctrines and practices for the members. Neither are we guided by traditions, whether written or unwritten. Men or women who claim to have received a revelation cannot be the authority when what they have espoused is contrary to the Bible. Such additional “revelation” or “inspiration” would contradict the truth that the sacred writings are all we need, able to furnish us completely unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The Word of God does not leave us to wonder. We are subject to the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. The Christian Age began with the death of Christ and will continue until the end of time. The first four books of the New Testament record the preparation for the coming of the Christian dispensation. The Book of Acts tells of the beginning of this age, the Gospel being preached, the church being established and the saved being added to the church by the Lord, based on their …

An elder once shared with a prospective new minister matters pertaining to the makeup of the congregation for which he served as one of the overseers. He lamented the fact the congregation was not that well united. He went on to describe what he saw as the presence of a number of cliques within the church. During the interview process, the elder asked the preacher what he would do in his approach to create one united body and work toward the elimination of the cliques. The preacher began to share his thoughts with the group of elders that were gathered around the table. He began to suggest how he would take some time either teaching or preaching from the Scriptures the doctrine of unity. Remarkably, the preacher was quickly cut off by the elder, who then stated, “You’re too idealistic.” The preacher left the meeting wondering what the “right answer” might have otherwise been. Was the elder looking for some type of modern day gimmick or ideas that were the fruit of human philosophy? It is terribly sad that we live in a day when sometimes even the leaders of the Lord’s church no longer look to the Lord or no longer appeal to Bible solutions to life’s or the church’s complex problems. If members of the family of God no longer want to hear from Christ and what He has to say about the unity of believers, then to whom will they turn? How can there be a real …

Toward the end of 2008 what was billed as the world’s most expensive new book went on display at the New York Public Library. There are more expensive old books, but this is a new book produced by the Italian publisher Marilena Ferrari. It’s cost: over $100,000! The book depicts the life and work of Michelangelo, including photographs of his drawings and sculptures, creations from the Sistine Chapel and his personal poetry. It weighs 62 lbs., has a front cover of white marble, and is covered with red silk velvet. Its paper is from one of Italy’s oldest paper mills – the mill where Picasso bought his art paper. Each book takes six months to make and comes with a 500-year warranty! As of December 2008, more than 20 of the books had been sold to buyers around the world. These books are valuable because of the craft, quality of materials and time that goes into their production. After all, the books don’t contain Michelangelo’s actual art, just photos of it! Yet, there is another book that is much more valuable. The most important book ever printed – and the most valuable book – is the Bible, God’s Word. What makes the Bible so valuable is the content of its message – the very words of God. It is a priceless treasure! Christians at Thessalonica understood the value of this Book. Paul commended them, saying: “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from …

Americans live in a society that overwhelmingly believes in the existence of God (over 80% according to numerous polls); nevertheless, there is constant bemoaning of those who do not believe in God. Questions are asked wondering how someone can believe such a thing, why will they not view the facts and come to a logical conclusion, etcetera. However, there is another question that is just as important, but is rarely ever asked: “Which is worse, not believing in God, or believing in a mythical God?” The word “myth” is defined as an idealized conception, a false belief or something that is fictitious. In other words, a mythical God is one that does not exist. There may be some things about this God that are based in reality, but the central core of what is believed about him is simply a work of fiction. Friends, it is just as bad, wrong and dangerous to believe in a mythical God as it is to believe in no God at all; yet, much of the religious world does exactly that. Consider some of the things people believe about the mythical god. The mythical god will save everyone… well, almost everyone. Those who believe in such doctrines as “faith only,” “grace only” and “once saved, always saved” have a hard time reconciling many of their teachings with Scripture. Their God is all-inclusive, as long as you believe in him. Once you have believed in him and been saved, there is nothing you can do to …

“The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handy work” (Psalm 19:1). Nothing proves this affirmation more than the beauty of the fall that surrounds us. Alice and I had made two trips in search of fall color and were disappointed, seeing only slight color in a few places. Then, with the forecast of a possible frost Wednesday night that would surely cause many more leaves to fall, Tuesday we decided to take one more trip in quest of fall beauty. We were not disappointed. We went from Mountain View up to Harrison and on to Branson. We came back through part of the Mark Twin National Forrest in southern Missouri and on to Bakersfield (my stomping grounds of growing up years). In some places, looking far off across the mountains, the view was just almost breathtaking. If you are looking for a fall color treat and still have a desire to go searching for it, we can attest that Harrison was the prettiest town we went through and the mountains of southern Missouri provided the most color. As we made our drive and witnessed such beauty in nature, I wondered just how anyone can declare that an “explosion” created all of it. It’s beyond me for people not to see the orderliness and glory of nature and not accept that it took a Higher Being to organize and present it and to tend and keep it that way. From time to time, every one of …

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: Also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God made an incredible creature when he created the Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica). These predators (over 2 inches long) can decimate domesticated European honeybee hives, killing thousands of workers in order to obtain the bee larvae/pupae to feed to its own offspring. However, this is not the case with a native wild honey bee hive. Notice the following: When a hornet scout locates and approaches a Japanese honey bee hive it will emit specific pheromonal hunting signals. When the honey bees detect these pheromones, a hundred or so will gather near the entrance of the nest and set up a trap, keeping it open apparently to draw the hornet further into the hive or allow it to enter on its own. As the hornet enters the nest, a large mob of about five hundred honey bees surrounds it, completely covering it and preventing it from moving, and begin quickly vibrating their flight muscles. This has the effect of raising the temperature of the honey bee mass to 47 ˚C (117 ˚F). The honey bees can tolerate this temperature, but the hornet cannot survive more than 46 ˚C (115 ˚F), so it dies. Often several bees perish along with the intruder, but the death of the hornet scout prevents it from summoning reinforcements …

The title of this article is found in the words of a religious song that I have heard on the radio several times. It is a moving song – one that really makes you think. God made man in His image, and one likeness of the Creator is that man can make choices. Adam and Eve made the wrong choice and introduced sin to the human family (Genesis 2-3; Romans 5:12). The Israelites were required to choose to serve Baal or God (1 Kings 18:20-21). Jesus invites mankind to come to Him and He will give rest to all who decide to do so (Matthew 11:28-30). Our Lord also presents to us two gates to enter and two ways to travel in this life (Matthew 7:13-14). The decision an individual makes will determine the direction he will travel in this life and eventually where he will be in eternity. In this life we all make decisions small and great from day to day. Some of our decisions will bring joy to our hearts while others cause sadness and unpleasant consequences. The young couple that commits fornication often adversely affects the conscience of one and perhaps both parties. Sometimes a child is the result of such an immoral deed, and shame is felt among members of both families. Pity the person who becomes addicted to some form of drugs and destroys both body and mind. In a moment of anger a life is taken and the guilty party has to endure …

Paul wrote this to the Corinthians… “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols…” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). The terms, “bound together,” literally mean “unequally yoked” and have several applications for us. The basic message is that we should not be so associated with the world to the extent that the world dictates our behavior. The idea of being “yoked” together reminds us of how animals are yoked so as to help one another pull a load. We must not help in pulling sinful loads with the world, and we must not allow ourselves to be dominated by the world as to feel obligated to pull its load. From a personal standpoint, the apostle is saying that we should not listen to the world when it opposes God. This has implications for the way we talk, the way we dress and what we do with our time. Does our job take precedence over the Lord’s work and worship? Do our school activities come between us and what the Lord expects? If so, then perhaps we are bound more to the idols of the world than to the temple of God. It’s easy to get all tied up with the world and to loosen our attachment with our Creator, so let’s be …

In view of the fact that atheistic humanism, godless evolutionist and other forms of infidelity are having a field day, and the columns of nearly every periodical in the country are open to the false arguments of such infidels, it is important that all people, especially children, should be taught the truth about the existence of God. A recent issue of National Geographic magazine devoted a major part of that issue to declaring and depicting godless evolution as a fact. So it is with some cartoon books, and practically every biology book in every school in the land appeals to the minds of those from kindergarten up. Therefore, let parents be encouraged to study these simple lessons with their children, regardless of age, and have regular Bible study at home. By “cosmos” is meant the world and all the stars, planets and galaxies that appear in the heavens. “Cosmological” is an adjective that defines the type of science that deals with the universe. L.S. Keyser thus defines: “The Cosmological Argument is the argument that the cosmos is an effect produced by a Primal Cause, which, from the nature of the case, must be a Person. Sometimes it is called the argument for causality, or cause and effect” (A System of Natural Theism, 46). Further he says, “The principle is that every effect and event must have an adequate cause. The world is here; we cannot deny its existence… It is also an orderly world, a cosmos, not a chaos, therefore, it could …

“Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9). It’s the time of year when many people’s attire, both for men and women, is anything but modest. [These days, all year long, though more so in the warmer months, immodesty is prevalent. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor] Society today pushes the envelope with how little one can wear, and scantily clad individuals are everywhere. Shorts and hemlines are getting shorter and shorter, necklines are plunging further and further, and bare midriffs are growing wider and wider. Such clothing, or the lack of it, certainly gains the attention of the opposite sex, but usually not in ways that are desirable or wholesome. Such is the world in which we live. As Christians, however, we are not to be conformed to the world, but instead transformed by the will of God (Romans 12:2). The saying “everyone else is doing it” certainly should not be the motivation for choosing the clothing a Christian wears, or doesn’t wear. In the passage quoted above, Paul exhorted women from attracting undue attention to themselves by primarily overdressing, with “elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel.” The same principle applies to underdressing, and the undue attention that it attracts to one, just as much for men as women, especially when the message of wearing immodest clothing becomes sexually provocative. What messages does one send, whether intentional or otherwise, when too …

It is beyond question that Christ is the Savior of my life. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 1:3-4). Just as Christ is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8), so is this promise made to me and to all men who receive new life through Christ. This is an unshakable truth, spoken by the God of truth, the one and only true God that cannot lie. To every member of the New Testament church, Christ gives grace, mercy and peace. Why? He is our Savior! Why Is He My Savior? (1) He came to earth for that purpose (Luke 2:11; 19:10; John 3:17; Acts 5:31; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 4:14). (2) He became our substitution (Psalm 69:9; Isaiah 53:5; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 2:9). (3) He came to bear the sins of all men (Isaiah 53:12: Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:5). (4) He is our Mediator with the Father (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 12:24; 1 John 2:1). (5) He is absolutely indispensable as our Savior, for He is our only Intercessor (Isaiah 59:16). (6) He is the true bread of life (John …

Belshazzar was king (Daniel 5:1, 30; 7:1; 8:1; Jeremiah 27:7), but actually a coregent king with his father, Nabonidus, who had married a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. Thus, he was a son [grandson] of Nebuchadnezzar. However, as Cyrus’ army was stationed about the city walls, Belshazzar raised his goblet in defiance of Jehovah; little did he know how soon all his power and wealth would be gone. Boasting one day, gone the next! Consider Daniel Chapter 5. The Ball (5:1). The drunken feast revealed Belshazzar’s moral debauchery. Solomon was right: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). We are reminded of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:9-12) and Herod (Matthew 14:1-12). Thus, when the world throws a wild party, the child of God does not attend. We must remain pure (James 1:27). The Gall (5:2-4). Belshazzar openly mocked God by drinking from the sacred vessels and blasphemed God by using the vessels in idolatrous worship. He committed the sin of sacrilege, something with which few people are concerned today. Christians respect that which is sacred (e.g., worship, heaven, baptism, Lord’s Supper, Bible, God, Christ, Holy Spirit, etc.). The Wall (5:5-6). Suddenly a message appeared to Belshazzar, causing extreme fright. The feast of licentiousness became suddenly a feast of gloom and consternation. How quickly male bravado and boasting wilts in the presence of the Lord (cf. Felix, Acts 25:25; Jeremiah 38:19-24; Acts 5:1-11). The Call (5:7-16). Belshazzar calls for someone to interpret the message. Daniel was the …

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). The Hebrews writer paused in this the great faith chapter to provide the reader with critical commentary on the faithful principles common among the characters he thus far had cited. Among these, the Jewish patriarchs are especially fitting to illustrate the Christian pilgrimage. In the case of all those cited (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sarah), the pattern could be described as (1) a divine call or warning (2) belief in the divine message (3) obedience (4) divine acceptance and (5) expectation of divine blessings. Today’s reader is well advised to apply the “strangers and pilgrims” concept to himself. As time marches onward and the world changes, its vices inevitably change as well. Each generation of God’s people is faced with new challenges to their faithfulness. Whatever form that lure of assimilation takes, it is all of the same spirit—worldliness. Philippians 3:20 reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. Peter admonished his readers, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). True distinction (holiness) means that God’s people must be more than just different from the world; they are a foreign tribe. In what sense were these Bible characters strangers and pilgrims? Though all of them were spiritual pilgrims, Abraham …