(Matthew 7:21-27) Things in Common Both men in the context of Matthew 7:21-27 came and heard Jesus. That was commendable of them both. What did they hear? They both heard Christ’s words. There is a necessity of hearing (Romans 10:17; John 6:44-45). Yet, hearing alone is insufficient (James 1:27) Both men were disciples, learners or followers. Both were builders. Their intentions were honorable. They saw the necessity of building a house or a place of refuge. Many now see the necessity of religion of some kind. Some now have different reasons for religion. Work was involved in the building. Some resolve to build but abandon or procrastinate. Some start but cease their work. Both of these builders, though, continued throughout their lives, and both erected a house or completed the building on which he was working The outward appearance of the two buildings was similar. Today, many religious people profess similar religious beliefs. Often, persons don’t see the differences in religion now. All people see, for instance, is that they worship, etc. In Matthew 7, both men had a sense of security, satisfaction, security and peace of mind. However, one had a false, deceitful hope (peace with self only). Likewise, many today are satisfied to wait until judgment to test self (2 Corinthians 13:5). Both houses in Matthew 7 looked equally safe in fair weather. However, then, both had a common experience or trial. Both structures were tested by same measurement; there was one standard (John 12:48). The same is …

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). This verse teaches the impossibility of serving two masters! Complete loyalty to one, rules out complete loyalty to another. In ancient days, a slave was meant to belong wholly to one master. It must be pointed out that slavery is not the same as employment, although some principles may overlap. We may simultaneously serve two employers, but not two “masters” (which is from the same Greek word usually translated “Lord”). Failure inevitably results when we attempt to give ourselves wholly to two masters. There can be no “middle ground.” In each case, one attitude toward one master rules out that same attitude toward the other master. If there is “love” for one master, there can only be “hate” for the other. If we are “loyal” to one master, we will only “despise” the other. God and “mammon” are polar opposites. The word “mammon” is used as a personification of wealth or material prosperity (Luke 16:9, 11, 13). The Scriptures document well the spiritually fatal problems that materialism causes (1 Timothy 6:6-10; 2 Timothy 4:10). Even if wealth is gained legitimately, it is evil when it rivals our loyalty to God. It has been said, “Money is a good servant, but a ruthless master.” Worldliness is totally incompatible with God (1 …

Today, on what are you focusing? Some big project on which you’ve been working? Marital problems with which you’ve been dealing? Parenting struggles? What’s your focus? Will it be problems, or will you focus on God’s blessings and on what He wants for your life? Every moment is a chance to think of and celebrate God’s blessings in life, but we often turn our moments into time spent dwelling on the negatives of life. Instead of dwelling on the bad times, why not take a moment (right now) to thank God for what you’ve been given? Why not focus on the joys with which God has blessed you? Have you thanked Him for the blessing of being His child? For your spouse? For your children? For your grandchildren? “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV).

As I read my copy of the Retirement Services Newsletter, Fall 2010, published by Fort Rucker, Alabama, I noted a great quotation as follows. “The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it” (Norman Schwarzkopf). General Schwarzkopf was the commander of the Coalition Forces during the Gulf War of 1991. The liberation of Kuwait and Iraq occurred during this time. General Schwarzkopf became an instant hero and was recognized as a straight, no nonsense commander. From the quotation, we can ascertain that the general understood and affirmed that we can know the difference between right and wrong. Why would the general recognize the right thing to do? I suggest that “Stormin’ Norman” had a traditional, God-fearing upbringing that adhered to a code of right thinking and acting. Further, with this code there must be a fixed standard of knowing the right thing to do. He understood right from wrong. Our nation was founded on Judaic-Christian principles; therefore, we as people try to comply with these precepts. Doing the right thing takes fortitude. Too often wrong is the easy route and the path of weakness. Do you still wrestle with doing the right thing? The conscience is clear when we do right. As to the definition of the conscience, someone made the following concise statement. “Conscience is a good feeling that results from doing that which you have been taught is right, and a bad feeling that results from doing …

It is amazing to me how we as people act sometimes. Even when the evidence is looking us right in the face and every bit of knowledge and reason points us in the right direction, we still choose to go the wrong way. This problem is not something new to this generation, but it is something with which we must deal here in the present. In Jonah 1, Jonah was given the task by Almighty God to go to Nineveh and to speak out against the wickedness of that great people. Upon receiving this command, Jonah attempted to flee from the presence of the Lord and go by boat to the city of Tarshish. A storm came upon the water and ultimately Jonah was cast overboard and swallowed by the great fish. Jonah spent three days in the belly of this fish before being spat out on dry ground. Now, if you were to continue the story of Jonah, you would see how after being spat out that he went to Nineveh, preached to the people, the people of Nineveh repented and God spared them. Yet, here is the odd thing that I want to point out. In Jonah 4, we read how Jonah recognized the graciousness of God and had not wanted to come to Nineveh because he knew that God would forgive the people if they repented. This same man that could clearly see some of the characteristics of God forgot something truly important. He overlooked that he …

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 ESV). Today, I have been blessed with another day. I know that Psalm 118 is talking specifically about Jesus’ day, but I still believe it not to be a misuse to apply it to every day with which God blesses us, for indeed, every day is a day the Lord has made! Today, I cannot relive yesterday, and tomorrow is yet to come. However, I can give my new day back to God by serving Him, praying to Him, loving Him and never forgetting that I am His throughout this precious gift of a day. Today, I am going to put aside all anger, malice, hatred and discontent. I purpose to use every moment of this God-given day the best way that it is humanly possible to use. Today, I am going to be the example of what love is. I am going to love my family in deed and action, not just in words. I am going to love those who do not love me, just for today, because today is all that I can control. I am going to show the world, today, that I know what the love of Jesus is, and it is in my life. Today, I am going to live my life and use my tongue as a light reflecting Jesus. I will stand for His truth, without compromise, in sincere love and concern for …

Isaiah prophesied, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace“ (9:6). The Bible informs us that Jesus, the “Prince of Peace,” was born in Bethlehem of Judea (Matthew 2:1). When He was born, an angel and a multitude of the heavenly host praised God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased” (Luke 2:14 ASV). However, we know that practically all the news we are receiving from that part of the world where the Lord was born is wholly negative because it centers on the carnal warfare being waged between the Israelis and the Palestinians. On one occasion, some of the Palestinians were holed up in the Church of the Nativity, a site where it is claimed that Jesus was born. How is it that God sent forth His Son, Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace” and such discord and killings are taking place right in the area where He was born of the virgin Mary? Did not the heavenly host praise God and speak of peace among men? I believe that the key regarding peace is found in the expression as translated in the American Standard Version when it reads, “in whom he is well pleased.” In other words, true peace is only to be experienced and enjoyed by …

Someone has said, “The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have and being able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach.” Benjamin Franklin said, “Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment rich men poor.” Inspiration urges, “…Be content with such things as ye have…” These statements are easy to read, but how do we translate this advice into action? Try these suggestions. First, do not overestimate material possessions! Things of this world are very deceptive and uncertain (1 Timothy 6:17). Many conclude that material abundance is the abundant life. That is a false conclusion. Jesus said, “…A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). Our affluent age is prime proof of this truth. Perhaps no similar amount of space in the world can claim more combined wealth than Beverly Hills, California. Has prosperity provided contentment for its residents? It has been said that Beverly Hills claims 193 psychiatrists. That is one for every 200 citizens! Remember, do not get “carried away” with material possessions. Second, do not fret over what you do not have! In 1 Kings 21, Ahab pouted and threw himself across his bed, turned his face to the wall and acted like a spoiled child! What was wrong? He wanted a certain vineyard belonging to Naboth. He wanted something he did not have. Many are content with their property until they focus envious eyes on a choice possession of another. A teenager is happy …

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12) Did you know that the tax code for our country, put into book form, is about seven times larger than the average printed version of the Bible? It was an odd little factoid that was pointed out to me by a radio news show host as I made my way in the predawn hours of morning toward a local hospital to have prayer with a dear friend before surgery. The host went on to say, “You would think that such an abundance of material would make for greater clarity. I guess God knew what he was doing, far better than our legislators.” I certainly concur, but do wonder if that news host understands that the Bible has much to say about money management and taxes. Let’s note just a few. The love of money leads to all sorts of evil (1 Timothy 6:9-11). How often do we see this? To simply have money is not a sin, but to sacrifice ourselves on the altar of money is certainly wrong. It can lead to anger, malice, wrath, wars, murder and a …

Speaking from a spiritual perspective, all accountable women and men (mankind) are in one of two conditions. They are either lost or saved. If one is lost spiritually and dies in this condition, the Scriptures teach that eternal torment is her or his destination. On the other hand, if one has followed (obeyed from his heart) the teaching of these same Scriptures, Heaven is promised as his or her eternal dwelling place. In the remainder of this article I will list six (6) different statements that convey the beliefs of a large segment of our society who claim that they are saved. First, “I am saved because I feel like I am.” Many sincere people subscribe to this philosophy. However, does their feeling that they are saved square with what the Scriptures teach? As an example of the falsity of this belief, let us take a look at our society outside of the religious realm. There are those in our society who “feel” that they are of a different sex than they actually are. A man may dress up in expensive clothes of a woman, put on makeup as does a woman, spray on a good smelling perfume that is manufactured for women and may even demand that he be allowed to use the public restrooms set aside for females. However, none of these, not even the government, makes this man a woman. So it is with salvation and the sinner. Feeling that one is saved does not make it …

In Daniel 2:1, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled his spirit, but none of his men could recall and interpret his dream (2:2-12). However, with the help of God, Daniel was able. The dream consisted of a “great image” made of various materials (2:28, 31-45). According to the dream, the Babylonian Empire, represented by the head of gold, would be destroyed by the Medo-Persian Empire, represented by the breast and arms of silver. In Daniel 5:30-31, the dream came to fruition when Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Median took the kingdom. In most instances, a ruler of a conquered kingdom would not be preserved to serve in any capacity in the occupying kingdom. Yet, Daniel, now second ruler of Babylon (5:29), was made one of three presidents who reported directly to Darius to ensure that the kingdom was operating efficiently (6:1-2). Daniel’s reputation must have preceded him. From his youth he was dedicated to God first, and he allowed his dedication to lead him in every aspect of his life (1:8-9). He challenged the king when necessary (1:8-9), told the truth even when it hurt (4:19; Proverbs 27:6) and maintained a reputation of dependability (5:10-11). Unfortunately, many people soil their reputations and have difficulty influencing others for good thereafter (Ecclesiastes 12:1; 10:1; 1 Corinthians 9:27). Apparently, after a period of time, Darius noticed that Daniel’s reputation was warranted. His true character was consistent with his reputation, and the king promoted Daniel to “chief” president (6:3). Have you ever revered …

Several years ago, I read an article that focused attention on practical steps that we may take to better ensure a happier family life. Among the suggestions penned were the following: Keep the marriage relationship first. This is not only scriptural, but it is also wise, knowing that a child’s security is best served by the love existing between father and mother. Learn to show affection in both word and deed, developing a like for family members with a willingness to communicate it. Keep a check on materialism while learning how to provide what is needed for healthy development. Our greater interest should be in people rather than items. Build memories by using family time as an opportunity to build a “Museum of Memories.” Strive to answer ego needs as we enjoy being around people who do us good and as we lose self in the service of others. Build honor and expectation as we instill in our family a balanced sense of pride so that one will expect more of self. These six suggestions, though age-old, may be of great value as we pass through this year and look to the arrival of many more, all with the hope and promise of better things for self and those we love so dearly.

Faith is the eye through which I can see,The wonderful home, now waiting for me.Faith is the substance of things not yet shown,Things of the future, which God shall make known. Hope is a lifeline which anchors the soul,The calming assurance that God will control.Hope is the rock which we must build upon,Eternally lasting when this world is gone. Love is a gift, given by God the Father,Which he told us to share with each other.Love is a blessing, the greatest by far,Outshining the light of the brightest star. “Faith, Hope, and Love” said the apostle Paul,But of these, love, is the greatest of all.

Most grew up with the story of Jonah and the big fish. In summary, Jonah was a man of God who did not listen when sent to preach destruction to the great city of Nineveh. He was on a ship running from God’s command when a storm threatened the lives of those on board. Jonah was cast overboard, swallowed by a great fish and spat out three days and nights later. After his release, he went to Nineveh with God’s message that worked and wrought repentance. After picking out the best spot to view the destruction, Jonah was comforted by a plant that soon died. The loss of the shade made Jonah angry, and God asked him how he could be upset about the death of a plant and look forward with anticipation to the death of 120,000 people. Jonah is a story about a man who lived in the early centuries B.C. that speaks to life today. It demonstrates disobedience, denouncement of sin, displeasure of people and God, and delivery given by God to those who repent. Peering into the story of Jonah helps us understand how God works even today. Disobedience is the reason for the story’s existence. The Ninevites disobeyed God’s will and caused the Lord to take action. “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me’” (Jonah 1:1-2). Nineveh acted against God’s …

In Exodus 34:6-7, there are six terms that describe our God and that can be classified under the English word “love.” 1. Merciful. This word depicts a mother’s compassion for her child that she has carried in her womb. Her love is manifested in action. 2. Gracious. God’s love is not only like a mother’s acts of love toward her children, but it is also a close relationship. She has a unique bond with her children like no other. She longs for closeness, like God longs for us to be in fellowship with Him. 3. Slow to anger. God’s anger is slow in coming. He is longsuffering toward us. He wants us to repent, grow in spiritual knowledge and be saved. One day, His longsuffering will end, and these precious opportunities will be no more. Therefore, we must seek Him today! 4. Steadfast love. God’s love for His people is inexhaustible. He is the God that loves forever. 5. Faithfulness. Change is all around us, but God never changes. Constant change often causes instability and doubt. However, God is faithful and true. 6. Forgiving. One area of God’s faithfulness on which we can always count is His forgiveness. To those that come to Him in total, faithful and dedicated obedience, He lifts up and pushes aside their sins. He forgives. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, said, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness”(Lamentations 3:22-23).

A member of a certain church, who had previously been attending services regularly and being really faithful with the work, stopped. No one knew why he gave up on God, but it was sure that he did. After a couple of weeks, an elderly Christian gentleman who knew this man went for a visit. It was quite a chilly evening, and the gentleman found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the gentleman’s reason for the visit, the man welcomed him in and led him to a comfortable seat next to the fire so the man could warm himself after being in the cold. The man then took his seat and waited for the elderly gentleman to say something, but not a word was uttered. The gentleman made himself at home and comfortable beside the fire, but he said nothing for what seemed like a very long time to the man. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs and the beauty of the fire. After several moments more, the elderly gentleman took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a white hot burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, and then, he sat back in his chair, silent. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, but then the ember which burned with fire was now nothing but a cold, dead and black coal. Not a word …

The Book of Ephesians is a fascinating discourse on the exclusive nature of the church established by Jesus Christ and bought with His blood. The first three chapters are an exposition on what God has done for us; the last three chapters are an explanation of what we must do because of what God has done for us. God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). At the top of the list of these blessings is that “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). The idea of being chosen has been coopted, unfortunately, by false teachers. The concept, along with the predestination taught in Ephesians 1:5 and 11, has been misconstrued to mean that God pre-selected certain individuals to salvation and pre-condemned others to damnation. This falsehood fails to account for the knowledge that God is no respecter of persons; He is not partial (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34-35). It fails to account for all the “whoever” passages (Mark 16:16), and it purposely negates the freewill of man, taught since the beginning of time (Genesis 2:16-17). Rather than such a paralyzing doctrine of helplessness, the doctrine of being chosen and predestined is actually a call of the Christian to worth, value and hope! Gentiles who were receiving this letter had often felt like second-class citizens in the Lord’s church. The Jews had the Gospel preached …

“The day of one’s death is better then the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). I suppose that most of us would prize birth and abhor death. With a birth there is optimism and anticipation. Death is bleak, depressing and mysterious. So, why did Solomon say that death is better than birth? First, death brings an end to a life well lived. Solomon noted in Ecclesiastes 7:8 that the “end of a matter is better than its beginning.” In the Parable of the Talents, when the master returned, he noted with two of his slaves that they had done well (Matthew 25:21, 23). Paul looked over his life with satisfaction, knowing he had lived well (2 Timothy 4:8). Obviously, death is not “better” if the life was lived for self, but if it was lived for God, death is a “victory” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Second, death brings rest and the end of suffering. Solomon frequently bemoaned widespread oppression and injustice (Ecclesiastes 3:16; 4:1; 5:8; 7:7). It is a sad state of affairs that men continue to mistreat others. With death, one no longer has to deal with mistreatment. Solomon said, “better… is the one… who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 4:3). However, if one is evil, death will be no escape whatsoever (Matthew 10:28), but for the righteous, death brings rest (Hebrews 4:1; Revelation 21:4). Frequently at funerals there are many tears and much sorrow. Yet, considering Solomon’s words, death can be …

In Genesis 43:11, there is a statement that made a special appeal to me. Jacob was giving his sons some instructions about what to take back to Joseph. He said, “Carry a little honey.” I remember brother Marshall Keeble saying to me about 40 years ago, “You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” I replied, “When I am preaching, I am not particularly interested in catching flies.” So, I continued my usual caustic way of preaching. I have little doubt that I have turned persons away from the truth, not because they hated the truth, but because of the harsh way I have presented it. I hope I never live long enough to learn how to preach the soft, “mealy-mouthed,” watered down doctrineless speeches that are called sermons in many places today. I also hope I do live long enough to learn what brother Fred Barton tried to impress on me when James Walter Nichols and I were debating against another team in his class. I had rather sarcastically attacked the logic of our opponents, implying that a person with enough brains to fill a peanut could present a more logical argument than they. Brother Barton said in his slow Alabama drawl, “Pierce, a person can be a Christian and a gentleman at the same time.” Sarcasm and ridicule was never practiced by great debaters like Alexander Campbell and need not be practiced by any Christian. Knowing his sons as Jacob did, he could well …

Today is a special day as we honor our fathers for all that they have done for us. Fathers have so many roles to play. In most families, the father is the primary “breadwinner” in the family. Because he is masculine, he does things that most youngsters want to copy; he is strong, so he excels in sports and athletics, and what young offspring doesn’t like to play ball, go fishing, etc.? A father normally knows about mechanical, electrical and electronic things, so by his expertise, he impresses his children. Being a father is a wonderful experience. Being a good father is an even greater joy. However, being a Christian father who honors God by the way he lives and cares for his family is the greatest joy of all. In order to be the best father possible, a man only has to look to God’s Word for the guidance he needs. After all, in that Word, we read of the most wonderful Father ever, and that is God, the Father. We have a Father who “knows what things you need, even before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). In this same chapter, we go on to read, “Don’t be anxious, saying, what shall we eat or drink or with what will we be clothed… Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.” God knows our every need, and all He asks is that we “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these …

There is no question that we as Christians are to be identified by prayer. James reminds us, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (5:16). We should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). In prayer, we offer praise to God as our Creator, Sustainer and Father. We can pour the needs of our hearts before Him, knowing He cares for us and will do what is right for us. Not only should we be concerned about our individual needs, but also as part of the body, we ought to have concern for the church. With each of us joining in prayer for one’s congregation, what can God accomplish through us? As you offer your personal prayers on behalf of the church, here are some things that would be appropriate to include in your petitions. Pray for our elders, deacons, preachers and their families, as well as for the work they perform on behalf of this flock. Pray for our various church programs of work, such as Leadership Training for Christ, World Bible School, the Prison Ministry, the Visitation Program, our Bible Classes, our Building Program, etc., as well as those involved in these various good works. Pray the Lord will provide us more opportunities for service and growth. Pray you will seek, according to your talents and abilities, …

Samuel’s two sons took bribes and perverted justice. The elders of Israel went to Samuel at Ramah, seizing on these sad circumstances, to ask for a king like the nations around them (1 Samuel 8:1-5). They could have asked for others to assume the role of judging them, or for God to work things in accordance with His will, but they did not. Anytime God’s people lust for something other than what God provides, sin is crouching at the door (James 1:13-14; Genesis 4:6-7). God knew Israel would desire a king. Moses wrote that a king had to be chosen by God from among the Israelites, no Gentile being allowed to sit on the throne. He could not accumulate horses, a harem or hoard up wealth because that would lead him astray. God’s law was to be central in his thinking so the king and his family could be blessed (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Samuel did not find the people’s request agreeable, but he took it to God in prayer (1 Samuel 8:6). Any other act would have placed him in the same category as the children of Israel. Good leaders of God’s people recognize they serve under God. Their job is to watch for the wellbeing of the souls under their care (1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17). Psalm 69:5-9 serves as an example of the prayer God’s leaders should pray. O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait …