You do not know it’s coming until it already has you. Once it has you, it is hard to get away. It’s the spine tingling, nerve shaking, heart racing kind of fear. It’s the kind of fear that haunts you in the night and makes you feel like there is no light. Such fear rocks you to your core until you cannot take it anymore. This is your greatest fear. We all have things that we fear. Some fears are about our physical lives, and some fears concern our spiritual lives. Some fears are healthy and keep us safe, while other fears are harmful and lead to destruction. Healthy fears are in place to keep us from harm. They keep a child from playing in the street or from touching the stove. They teach a man to respect God and to know who is actually in control. Harmful fears immobilize and control. They may keep a person from ever leaving his house for fear of the outside world, or fears may keep a person from ever growing spiritually and from ever overcoming the fear of Judgment. While fear is something that affects everyone in some way, there is a way to overcome that fear and cast one’s fears away. In 1 John 4:7-19, we read about the love of God. The love of God is demonstrated in many ways. It is clearly seen in the creation of the world, and it was poured out on all of mankind in the …

All are sinners. Sin’s reward is eternal death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). God has provided for our salvation in His tender mercy. On the basis of that mercy, Paul begged his fellow Christians to give over every part of their being in service to God (Romans 12:1). The Christian’s body belongs to God, so it should be kept holy or pure, free from sin, for God’s work. Each should keep his or her body acceptable to God by doing His will (1 John 5:3). This is only reasonable since God purchased the body of the Christian with His Son’s blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Paul did not want the brethren at Rome to imitate or conform to the world and its practices. He instructed them to daily reshape their minds so that they might judge the worthiness of God’s way (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 4:16; 5:17; 1 Peter 1:14-15). Before they became Christians, they practiced the fulfilling of their passions and lusts. Now that they were members of Christ’s body, the apostle asked them to test the goodness of God’s high standards. Paul commanded the Roman Christians to not be proud, but to “think soberly” or develop a right-thinking estimate of themselves (Romans 12:3). The Lord said, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Any gifts and abilities we possess were not self-made but God-given. The Father measured out the portion each should have. None has the right to say he or she …

When we first got into my first class Wednesday morning, I had my students sign in on the sheet and mark whether they had their work or not. One of my young ladies, who is personality plus, wanted to use a pen. She looked at the boy who was walking away with a pen, and she said to him, “Let me have the pen; don’t make me use your full name!” I couldn’t help but chuckle. I commented on it, and she said, “That is what a middle name is for, so that you can know when you are in trouble.” She was so right. My children knew they were really in trouble when we used their full names in addressing them. It is funny how little events like this get you to thinking and what applications of a funny line can come to mind. Using one’s full name implies that you know the person well. Have you ever thought about the fact that we do not know most people’s full names? We know them, but not intimately enough to really know their full names. Maybe we need to take more time to get to know others so that, instead of being on a “first-name basis,” we can be on a “full-name basis.” When we come to know others, we can be a more positive influence on them, and we can offer rebuke when it is needed, but hopefully more often, we can offer words of genuine encouragement. There are times that …

How can I find the sure way to be pleasing to God? How can I discern between all the organizations that claim to be “the church”? These questions perplex many people, but others are oblivious to the dangers of never knowing the right way to God or to His son Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I will build my church.” He did not say that He would establish dozens of religions or 5,000 or more denominational groups from which we may choose. Those who may claim to preach the truth will take their followers up to the verge of baptism, and then, they tell them to go join the “church of your choice.” No one can just choose to “join” the church that Jesus built. The choice is that of obedience to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus, then, adds to the church all who desire to follow Him in His kingdom. When one completely yields to Christ and becomes His true disciple, the Lord Jesus adds that person to His church. Some may ask the question, “How can I find, know and understand who God is? How can I know the right way?” Those who ask these questions are usually directed to Matthew 7:7-8, which reads, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” It should further be pointed …

Hanukkah is a feast that was instituted by Judas Maccabaeus (not God) in the year 164 or 165 B.C., in commemoration of him purifying the Temple after it had been defiled by the Syrian, Antiochus Epiphanes. When Antiochus heard that the Jews had made great rejoicings because of a report of his death, he quickly left Egypt, returned to Jerusalem and took the city by storm. Of the inhabitants, in three days, he slew forty thousand Jews; forty thousand more, he sold for slaves to the neighboring nations. Not content with this, he sacrificed a great sow on the altar of burnt offerings, and broth being made by his command of some of the flesh, he sprinkled all over the Temple, including the Holy of Holies, intending to defile it completely. There are not just a few problems with the historical accuracy of the Maccabean record. There are at least two (some say three) contradictory accounts of the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, mentioned above. One narrative records that Antiochus and his company were “cut to pieces in the temple of Nanaea by the treachery of Nanaea’s priests” (2 Maccabees 1:13-16), while another version in the same book states that Antiochus was “taken with a noisome sickness” and so “ended his life among the mountains by a most piteous fate in a strange land” (9:19-29). We must remember that the apocryphal books are not inspired of God. Israel had become so wicked that God cut off His communication with the Israelites. …

Keep it simple! Why do we tend to make things complicated? As an example, our government regulations and laws, with their loopholes, are so complex that it takes a lawyer to interpret them. Why is this necessary? I do not know. You see, I am an uncomplicated guy. Notice two quotes concerning keeping it simple. “Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art” (Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect). “The business schools reward difficult complex behavior more than simple behavior, but simple behavior is more effective” (Warren Buffett). I have before me a three volume, sixth edition, set of books entitled, The Creeds of Christendom, edited by Philip Schaff and revised by David S. Schaff. The three volumes have a total of 2,547 pages, all dealing with men-produced creeds of Christendom. Further, I have an American Bible Society Edition, Kings James Version of The New Testament, before me. This New Testament has a total of 427 pages. Do we really believe that the works of men, which are additions to the New Testament of Jesus Christ, are, in truth, that helpful? I think not! Dr. Philip Schaff writes, “A Creed, or Rule of Faith, or Symbol, is a confession of faith for public use, or a form of words setting forth with authority certain articles of belief, which are regarded by the framers as necessary for salvation…They keep alive sectarian strifes and antagonisms…” (Volume 1, Page 4). I would strongly suggest that creeds always divide …

In Zechariah 5, the prophet saw a flying scroll. This is the type of book people had at that time. A scroll was material that had writing on one side and was blank on the other side. It was long and rolled up. The scroll Zechariah saw was twenty cubits by ten cubits in size. There must be some significance for God to have given those dimensions. The Holy Place in the Tabernacle was these exact dimensions. The Holy Place was a symbol of the church in worship. That is where the table of showbread was. The priests ate it every seven days. That is where the candlestick and the altar of incense were located. When we worship today, those spiritual counterparts are there. The scroll Zechariah saw had writing on both sides. This indicates that all that could be said or written had been done. Whatever could be said was settled. The scroll was flying over the whole earth. There are Christians all over the world. There are curses coming from the scroll. This is because those who do not accept and follow the commandments of God are condemned. These curses in Zechariah are said to be for those who steal and those who swear. It is possible that this is representative of adding to and taking away from God’s Word. Those two things basically cover all sins. Whatever one does in sinning is either taking away from God’s Word or adding to His Word. This is especially true …

This is a profound statement made by the inspired writer of Ecclesiastes 9:5. We know that death is inevitable. In Hebrews 9:27 we read, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” No doubt, millions viewed the funeral services of the late George H.W. Bush, our 41st President. Surely, many were moved emotionally, especially with the eulogy given by his son, George W. Bush, the former 43rd President. While the average lifespan of the Presidents of the United States has been approximately 71 years, President Bush lived to be 94-years-old. He lived a full life of service for his country, but he had one thing in common with all of mankind—he died. In this life, men are often separated from each other due to such factors as race, economics, social and educational status, but there is a common denominator which unites all men, and that is the grim reaper called death. Death is no respecter of persons. It matters not whether one is young or old, rich or poor, a king or a peasant, popular or unpopular; death eventually comes to every man and woman. Moses, in referring to the rebellious Israelites, stated, “If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all, then the Lord has not sent me.” In this verse Moses alluded to what is common to all men—death. Even men who lived in the infancy of the human race and …

John the Baptist is an extremely significant biblical character for a number of reasons. First of all, he represents the first message from God to His people in about 400 years, going back to the return from exile. A lot happened between Malachi and the time John came on the scene, especially the unfolding of the prophecies in Daniel, but God had no new messages for His people during that time. Secondly, this messenger from God was in fulfillment of prophecy in at least two ways. Isaiah said that one would come and be a voice in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3), and Malachi said that Elijah would return before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14). Finally, the content of John’s message revolved around two things: the kingdom of God was near (Matthew 3:2) and that Jerusalem’s judgment was fast approaching (Matthew 3:7-12). When Jesus began His ministry, He preached the same truths as John, building on the foundation that John laid, all of which was based in Scripture.

During this time of the year, people are frequently greeting each other with a “Happy New Year.” What do they mean? Most mean nothing; they just say those words traditionally, just as some say, “Praise the Lord” (Exodus 20:7). Christ, however, almost two thousand years ago, in His sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, taught how man can achieve the true happiness while living on this earth and in the world to come. The ingredient of genuine and true happiness that Christ revealed, though paradoxically, are so valuable, that if followed, they will bring happiness to any individual not only in this world but also in eternity. Christ taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The word “blessed” means “happy.” Being poor in spirit is that quality of recognizing one’s spiritual destitution in such a degree as to be enabled to approach God, not as the Pharisee, but as the publican, supplicating the Father for necessary and desirable blessings (Luke 18:9-14). One must have the genuine spirit of poverty and destitution to the extent that even if he possesses his wealth, he possesses it as if he possessed it not. It is to come off from all confidence in our own righteousness and strength that we may depend only upon the merit of God through Christ for our justification, to enable us to become worthy of the kingdom of Heaven (Romans 3:21-26). Secondly, Christ taught, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” …

Whenever we make up our minds to do the right thing, there will always be temptations to compromise and go in the wrong direction. It sometimes seems as if the moment someone decides to go on a diet, there will be advertisements for that person’s favorite, unhealthy meal displayed everywhere. When a young person chooses to walk in the light and remove bad influences from his or her life, those old friends will call and text with more fervor and frequency than ever before. The Book of James assures us that the temptation we face does not come from God (1:13). Furthermore, every person is tempted, and temptation occurs when our passions and lusts are not properly addressed (James 1:14). If our temptation is not properly addressed, it will lead to sin, and our sin will lead to spiritual death (James 1:15). Thankfully, we are not left to ourselves as to how we need to approach temptation. Jesus was tempted in every way we are, and He overcame temptation without committing a sin (Hebrews 4:15). The more we can study the way the devil approached Jesus and how He defeated those temptations, the better equipped we will be to overcome temptation in our own lives. Properly Managing Our Diet After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, the devil approached him, knowing that He was hungry (Matthew 4:1-2). He challenged Jesus’ identity by saying, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” …

Momentum is defined as “strength or force gained by…a series of events” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). A series of spiritual events, likewise, definitely can result in strength and force. Such motivates one to better service to God! Spiritual momentum can be broken in two ways. First, seemingly bad things can happen along the way and can potentially break momentum. When Jesus was crucified (a seemingly bad event), momentum was temporarily broken for some. Peter initially thought what they had been so intensely involved with was over. He, along with the other apostles, said, “I am going fishing” (John 21:3). The disciples on the road to Emmaus were also initially sad and forlorn that Jesus was crucified. They had an “all is lost” mentality (Luke 24:17-21). Their spiritual momentum was temporarily broken. Secondly, reaching tremendous goals can also contribute to breaking momentum. Sometimes, after a lofty goal is accomplished, we are left with a “now what?” attitude. We must not allow apathy to set in but begin working on other spiritual goals. This seems to be a lesson we can learn from the “unclean spirit” who returned to the house from which it was driven to find it swept clean. Then it brought “seven other spirits more wicked than himself” to take up residence (Luke 11:24-26). That house should not have been left clean, but it should have been inhabited to keep the undesirables out! Paul gave us good instruction on how to keep the momentum going. “Not that I have already attained, …

As another year has closed, we need to look back and evaluate the previous year. In addition, we also need to make the year ahead a better one to the glory of God. We certainly should not linger on things past but to concentrate on the future. A good example of looking back to one’s own detriment is Lot’s wife. God had commanded that Lot’s family not look back upon the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah “But Lot’s wife looked back from behind him and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26). When we disobey today, we will not become pillars of salt for looking back, but we will be punished for looking back to the enjoyment of past sins and continuing therein. Only repentance followed by righteous, faithful living can save us from punishment. Jesus dealt with looking back as He said, “No man having put his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Once you make the change to become a Christian, you and your life belong to the Lord. If not, your Christianity is a farce. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve God and mammon” (that is riches, wealth and evil). You or I will serve one or the other. We must always learn from our mistakes and change our ways where necessary to please God. We must look ahead because there is no future in looking back. Isaiah told the people of his time …

After reading the Bible for almost 65 years, I continue to be amazed and thrilled with the unsearchable riches one may find in one verse or even one word. In Jude 3, there are at least seven different words or expressions that deserve extended comments, although our limited ability and limited space prevent us from doing justice to them. Even the expression, “beloved” with all its implications needs emphasis. We may be so callused as to feel that it would seem effeminate or a mark of affectation to use it. Or, we may use it lightly, disregarding its real significance. I heard a clerk say to a foreign customer, “Y’all come back, honey.” He immediately drew back because he did not understand why she used what he understood as a term of endearment. There is little doubt that when Jude, Peter or Paul said, “beloved,” they were expressing a kind of loving concern that is sadly lacking in much of our communication to and about our brethren. Even when we feel the need to rebuke a brother, it should be done in the gentlest, kindest terms possible, and not in a sarcastic, bitter, harsh and unloving manner. One does not need to be soft and “mealy mouthed” or indifferent to false doctrine and ungodly living in order to write and speak in a kind manner. When Jude said, “it was needful for me to write” the ASV says, “I was constrained.” The words “diligence” and “constrained” in the same context …

The apostle Paul related to the past in a two-fold manner. He said, “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13b). He also said “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). With respect to his old Jewish prerogatives and attainments, he was constantly disregarding and discarding them, putting them out of his mind. With respect to his past sinful opposition to Christ, Christianity and faithful children of God, he was ever mindful of his grave though conscientious course of error. In one instance, he grew beyond the past while in the other instance the past was ever with him. The history of specific congregations of the Lord’s church and the history of individual members therein may be approached similarly. As we look to the past, either individually or congregationally, there are some things beyond which we must grow as we maintain a realistic hope of spiritual and practical growth in Christian endeavors. There are also some things of the past onto which we must maintain a firm hold and keep ever with us if we realistically hope to fulfill our golden cup of service in the vineyard of the Lord. This latter point is of special interest presently. Many congregations have been established with humble beginnings, including limited financial resources, facilities and personnel. In time, some congregations have truly grown so that a large …

The religious leaders had worked very hard to have Jesus executed by the Roman government. He was finally in the tomb, and they were determined to keep Him there. With the permission of the Roman governor Pilate, the enemies of Jesus sealed His tomb and placed soldiers there to guard it. However, early on the first day of the week, some of those soldiers came to the religious leaders and disturbed them with the “bad news” that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. The leaders quickly decided to try to cover up the truth by giving the soldiers a bribe. They “…gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, ‘Tell them, “His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.” And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.’ So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (Matthew 28:12-15). The religious leaders could not keep the tomb of Jesus sealed and occupied. So, they tried to seal the lips of the soldiers. Notice how ridiculous their “cover-up story” was. There was no dispute at all concerning the fact that Jesus of Nazareth actually lived, that He died on the cross and that His tomb became empty. Even the bitter enemies of Jesus did not deny these facts. Instead, those enemies tried to explain how His tomb became empty. Their ridiculous “cover-up story” …

In Greek society, learning to write the letters of the alphabet was very important, seeing as everything was done by hand. The writing master would draw the letters in soft wax, and underneath these the student would make a copy. The line the master wrote was the “pattern” that the student had to follow. Sometimes, the schoolmaster would take the student’s hand and guide it along the letters to help emphasize the pattern in both feel and mind. This would emphasize the pattern and help the student not to make as many mistakes. Eventually, with practice and fixing it in the mind of the student, one would be able to imitate the form for writing until it became second nature. Pupils would be able to write correctly without thinking about it. The same word used for the pattern used in the Greek schools is used in the New Testament of the pattern it gives us by which to live. God has always dealt with His people through a pattern. In the Old Testament, the Law was given as a pattern to be followed. Instructions for the construction of the tabernacle is an example of an Old Testament pattern (Hebrews 8:5). The New Testament gives us a pattern of how to worship (John 4:24). It gives us a pattern for how the church is to be organized and carry out its work (1 Timothy 3:15). The New Testament gives us a pattern of submission in our personal lives, conforming our wills …

Some people think the church of Christ is a sect. That does not surprise me. Paul was called “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). The chief of the Jews in Rome said to Paul, “as concerning this sect, we know that it is everywhere spoken against” (Acts 28:22). It was not a complimentary term. The word “sect” in the King James Version is translated “heresy” in other versions. Those who called the church a sect thought the Christians had come together on a falsehood, but to their credit, they recognized that the members of that body believed a distinctive doctrine and that their faith gave them a distinctive identity. Some today say the church is sectarian because of its distinctive plea, but saying that does not make it so. I have heard it said that the church is “undenominational.” I have said that myself, and I know what I meant. As a prefix, “un” can mean “not,” and that is what I was trying to say; the church is not denominational. Yet, “un” often has other meanings, like “reverse” or “opposite.” “Non-denominational” may be a better term. “Non” almost always means “not,” and the church of Christ is not denominational. Yea, verily, it is “anti-denominational”—against denominationalism. It is often hard for people to think of a “church” that is not denominational. For a long time, members of the Lord’s body were about the only ones ever saying that. Now, I am seeing many different kinds of churches that call themselves …