Paul taught “husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church…” (Ephesians 5:25 NKJV). The command for husbands to love their wives is a timeless command, extending from Adam and Eve to the end of time. A lot of husbands ignore the command. They have bought into the mentality that love is an emotion that cannot be controlled, but such is not the case. Just as we choose to love God, so also do we choose to love our wives. It can be done. It must be done. The husband in the Song of Solomon is a loving husband. His love is seen in both his words as well as in his deeds. Note the truths about loving husbands: First, a loving husband expresses his love and devotion for his wife (1:15; 2:7; 4:1-7). This kind of husband verbalizes his love. The old joke tells of a woman who says to her husband, “Why don’t you ever tell me you love me?” The husband replies, “I told you I love you when I married you. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.” This joke frequently reflects the lack of verbal expression of love in many marriages. Loving husbands express their love. In the Song, Solomon communicated clearly how he felt about her. He said often, “How beautiful you are, my darling” (1:15; 4:1; 6:4). Second, a loving husband demonstrates his love. It is one thing to express love but quite a different thing to show it. Words express it, but …

The number one reason people leave a job is because they feel underappreciated. Employees who continually feel like their good work goes unnoticed are not likely to stick around. With that being said, I want us to think about two things. First, be an encouraging presence wherever you are. It costs nothing and takes very little time to be kind and offer up encouraging words to people. Strive to be a Barnabas (Acts 4:36; 9:27). Secondly, how often do you show appreciation to God for all the blessings in your life? How often do you take time to acknowledge your blessings? Let us always consider that what we have are gifts from God, and let us always show appreciation for the blessings in our lives. [Editor’s Note: Don’t forget that the greatest blessings we enjoy as Christians are not tangible. We cannot embrace them with the five senses because they are spiritual, and hence, they are intangible. Thank God, first of all, often and heartily for our spiritual blessings – namely the forgiveness of sins and a relationship with Deity – via the sacrifice of the Son of God and known to us through the Gospel. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV). We are tools in the hands of the Master. Within us the Master has placed further tools for use in His kingdom. These tools in God’s toolbox are designed for great good, which is God’s reasonable expectation, though their specific and expedient use is left up to the person possessing them. Unfortunately, many of these tools either go unused or go unrecognized. Neglect or failure to use them will conceal the tools so that we forget we even have them. I was reminded of this just a few days ago while teaching at a local Christian school. The church that houses the school was cleaning some large closets and had systematically pulled all of the items out of each closet and arranged them on the floor of the hallway. Like items were grouped together. As I walked by and observed this, I was not only impressed by the organization but also by one pile within the mass of piles. Near the end of a hallway, just before a descending stairwell, on the cold hard tile, sat a large pile of hammers. I would estimate there were no less than 30 to 40 hammers of various shapes, sizes and purposes in the stack. As I descended the staircase, I met one of …

Second Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NKJV). Scripture could not any more plainly teach that the Word of God is inspired – literally “God-breathed.” I read the other day where someone said, “Well the Bible is inspired. It contains within it words from God.” The whole point of his article was that he did not believe in the inerrancy of the Scriptures and the significance of being the words from God. Notice again, 2 Peter 1:20-21, which says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” The NJKV footnotes “interpretation” as meaning “origin.” In other words, the Scriptures are not the result of the private musings of the human penmen. Instead, the Holy Spirit moved them. Some object that this says “prophecy” and therefore does not apply to all the Scriptures. The fact is that while prophets did foretell future events from time to time, their main purpose was to present the will of God. That could include foretelling the future, but that is not all it includes. Further, listen to what Paul said, specifically about his writing, but applicable to all inspired writers. “These things we also speak, not …

The holiday season is in full swing! This time of year brings some happy times, and it brings some sad times. The sadness comes from seeing how the season has been so commercialized and how businesses capitalize on ways to take your dollars away from you. During the season, there is also so much conflict between secularism and religious matters. This week, I saw a cartoon with Santa Claus with his sleigh, gifts and reindeer along with a new-born Jesus in a manger with the supposed scenery of his birthplace. The two just don’t seem to go together. Nowhere in the Bible is mention made of the exact date that Jesus was born, and history cannot confirm the precise time. Men have chosen the day to celebrate as our Saviour’s birth date. The Bible does give us the beautiful story of Jesus’ humble birth, and if the date had been important, it would have been provided. The Bible means what it says and says what it means, and we are told in 2 Peter 1:2-3, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (NKJV). All things that we need to know have been provided for our learning, and the birth date of Jesus was not one of those things. Don’t get me wrong! …

This morning, I held in my hand one boiled egg, and I asked my Beloved, “How many eggs do you see?” She replied, “One.” Then, I asked her what it was on the one egg that I was peeling from the egg, and she replied, “The shell.” I took a bite of the one egg, and I asked this time, “What do you see?” She answered, “The yellow.” I asked her one more time how many eggs she saw before I began to peel the egg, and she replied, “One.” Yet, she identified three parts of the one egg before and after I began to eat the one egg. This is so common to us that we simply accept the ingredients of an egg that God made it that way. One God The Bible clearly states there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6)! However, we read in Matthew 3:16 when Jesus was baptized that the “Spirit of God” descended like a dove. Then, the Father said from Heaven, “…This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (NKJV). Here you have God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. There is one God, but also you have “one Lord” and “one Spirit” (Ephesian 4:4-6). While the word “Trinity” is not mentioned in the Bible, it is evident there is one God but three distinct personalities, all having the same essence. Now I can see that an egg is one but has three parts. I …

“I don’t have any problem with instrumental music,” a brother or sister affirms. Such statements are heard more frequently from people with long standing connections to the church. Since I believe there are good biblical reasons for rejecting instrumental music, I am distressed at hearing such declarations. Often, I believe, they are symptoms of larger problems. The quest for a “new hermeneutic” that received so much attention a few years ago was, in my opinion, a search for a way of reading the Bible that would enable “us” to be accepted by Evangelicals, to be no longer considered outsiders. The “new hermeneutic” leads to acceptance of instruments in worship, allows for wider use of women in worship leadership and enables preachers to say baptism is essential for salvation while still accepting unimmersed people as Christians. Becoming an accepted denomination among denominations seems to be the reason for it, and complete loss of every distinctive element of the restoration plea is the fruit of it. [Editor’s Note: For the same reason as the foregoing, I started writing a book, the title and thesis of which is, “Converting the Church to Christ.” There is an apparent disconnect by many Christians and several congregations from biblical authority and the distinctive characteristics of the church for which Jesus Christ died and over which He is the Head, as well as the children of God for whom He will come back to retrieve. There is an obvious need for a brotherhood wide demonstration of conviction and …

When I was growing up on a little farm in Walling, Tennessee, I accidentally learned something from my father that has been of value to me ever since, and which I have tried to teach my children, grandchildren and students. Until I was about 6 years old, we were sharecroppers. We did not get much of the share, but we did a lot of “cropping.” When we would load a wagon load of corn to take to the owner’s barn, my father would always raise up the sideboard on the wagon bed by sticking an ear of corn under it so the landowner would always get what was due him and then some. When we would throw shocks of hay on the wagon to take to his barn, I would notice that we always threw an extra shock or two on the wagon that went to the barn of the landowner. I never asked my father why, but I knew he always gave the owner all that was due him and then some. When I was about 7 years old, I began to read the New Testament through and found that Jesus had said in Matthew 5:40-41, “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (NKJV). I do not know that my father was deliberately practicing that principle, but I began to deliberately practice it. When I finished the …

A penny for every time I said, “I can’t”A nickel for each time I said, “It won’t work”A dime for all the times I said, “It can’t be done”A quarter for each time I said, “That’s impossible”Over the 80+ years of my life, I would have amassed a fortune. However, since no one is going to make me rich that way,I would be miserable, penniless and frustrated because… “It won’t work” begs the question, “Did you try?”“It can’t be done” says, “How do you know?”“Impossible” says, “Is it?”Then, there is, “I can’t,”But of course, “I can’t” never did do anything anyway!

When we pray to God, sometimes asking for something very specific from Him, and He seems to say, “No, I won’t do that,” we can misinterpret His ultimate intention. Rather than accepting His answer in faith and realizing He knows what is best for us, we can have mixed feelings about God and miss the reason why God said “No” to our request. This reminds me about a little boy who was afraid during a thunderstorm. His mother came into his room, knowing that he was afraid, and tucked him into bed to calm his fears. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, “Mommy, will you stay with me all night?” The mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, “I can’t, dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.” After a brief pause, the boy replied, “The big sissy!” This is a humorous little story, but from the point it makes, it reminds us of what the apostle Paul faced as a servant in the kingdom of God. He went through many periods of persecution and hardship because of his faith in Jesus. When he asked the Lord to take away “a thorn in the flesh,” for which he pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from him, the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NKJV). The Lord’s ultimate intention was to …

As one reads about the life of Samuel in 1 Samuel, there are many life lessons one can apply to his or her own life. Here are four life lessons from Samuel that every Christian can use to help someone to be a better Christian. First, we can learn the power of prayer. In 1 Samuel 1, we see Hannah could not have children, and so, she prayed fervently for a son. God answered that prayer by providing Hannah with Samuel. Samuel continued the discipline of prayer. We read about Samuel praying for Israel in 1 Samuel 12:23, where Samuel stated, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you in the good and the right way” (NKJV). May we have the confidence and faith as Hannah and Samuel did when they talked to God in prayer. James 1:6 reminds us, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” May we pray with confidence and faith. Second, we can learn how to be faithful to the Lord. Samuel grew up knowing the Lord, and the Lord used Samuel to do His will (1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel never fell away from the Lord. Samuel remained steadfast in his faith and devotion. What an example for us, especially when we understand that people of faith in …

Thesis: Salvation; To point out the different persons or things that are of assistance in keeping one from eternal destruction. To encourage the hearer to recognize what has been done for him and encouraging him to respond in a favorable way. Introduction: 1. Read Matthew 7:13-14.2. Regarding the text: (1) There are either of two roads on which all are traveling. (2) One road leads to God, the other to torment. (3) It is the desire of God that all travel the road which leads to eternal life. 3. The road to hell is divided. (1) On one side are the malicious, murderers, rapists, liars, homosexuals and sodomites. (2) On the other side are those who are good, honest and morally pure, and yet, they never have done anything to be saved. 4. Because God wants all men to be saved, He has established detours to keep man out of hell. 5. In this lesson we shall identify some of those detours. Body: I. The Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:21. II. Christian Parents. A. The importance of godly parents is made plain in the Word of God (Isaac, Samuel, Timothy). B. How many of us are Christians because we had parents who taught us to be honest and accept truth? C. Parents, think of yourself as the only detour on the road to Hell your child may see. D. Children, are you following the example of godly parents?  III. Christian Friends. A. How many in this audience were brought to a knowledge …

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 NKJV). Doctrine and direction are two areas where men often seek to be in control. Throughout history, man has observed God’s instructions and found them insufficient, unsatisfactory and offensive. Out of a desire to have a better world in their worldview, they have changed and manipulated the revelation of God and turned it into nothing more than the revelation of men. When a person manipulates the Gospel message to declare another gospel, God declares them “accursed” (Galatians 1:9). The person who claims God’s message is His bondservant. So then, how do we determine what Gospel message, doctrine and direction we need to hold? A Revealed Message “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul demonstrated that if his message originated from men, it was not from God. Not only did it not come from men, but it came directly from the source of authority and standard of judgment, Jesus Christ. A Miraculous Message For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I …

There is an old saying, “Clothes make the man!” Uniforms carry an authority; national costumes proclaim an identity. Genesis 37:3-4 reads, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him” (NKJV). Joseph’s coat of many colors would have had long sleeves, a tunic reaching to the ends of his wrists and ankles. These coats were given to boys and girls of upper ranks in the land of Canaan. It declared that the wearer wasn’t expected to do any manual labor. As you can imagine, resentment would have set in very quickly. Jealousy is nothing new, and it can be the source of much misery. These garments are also represented on monuments in Egypt. At Benne-Hassan, for example, there is a magnificent excavation of the tomb of a military officer. It reveals how he took foreign captives (the Jebusites from Canaan). An inscription says the Egyptian captured the chief of the land of the Jebusites and all the captives were clad in multi-colored robes, just like Joseph’s! Genesis 39 relates that Joseph had been thrown into prison, betrayed by his own and framed by his master’s unfaithful wife. It must have seemed to him to be a hopeless situation. However, soon all that happened to him would lead …

Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:28-33 NKJV) The idea of no turning back has been around for a long time. It refers to the valid point that once determined to attain a goal, one should not stop until he or she gets it. Otherwise, a person will fail to obtain the goal. This is especially true in Christianity. The idea of half-measures or half-hearted obedience should be easily recognized by the believer as false discipleship (Luke 14:33). However, this also applies to the idea of the good old days mentality as we consider the days before our commitment to Christ when, according to a faithless memory, we think we were so much better off. Israel succumbed to this sort of unfaithfulness, and it cost them dearly (Acts 7:38-40; Exodus 32:27-28). On the other hand, God is no tyrant. Those who once committed …

Every day that God allows us to enjoy on earth should ignite gratitude in our hearts (Psalm 118:24). However, there are some days that are highlighted as more significant than others. Certain days contain events that set them apart as special and unique (Luke 5:26). Here are a few days in Scripture that are important. The Days of Creation (Genesis 1:1-31) The days of creation are special because they are the days that begin all days. Without the six days of creation, there would be no other days to acknowledge. As God created everything and declared it very good, we see God manifested His power (Nehemiah 9:6). God’s work during the days of the creation week differentiates Him from the false idols in the ancient near eastern world (1 Chronicles 16:26). The days of creation are extraordinary because, in six days, God created this beautiful world with precision and design that we have come to know and love (Psalm 33:6; 33:9). While some want to credit matter with the world’s existence, Scripture tells us that in the first six days, God spoke everything into existence (Exodus 20:11; John 1:1-3). The First Day of the Week(Matthew 28:1-8;Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) The Sabbath Day was a day of holiness and prominence in the Old Testament, but there is a decisive shift concerning the Sabbath in the New Testament (Deuteronomy 5:12). The first day of the week is the day Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-8). After Jesus’ resurrection, the first …

Paul’s defense before Festus and Herod Agrippa II was interrupted. Luke reports, “Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!’” (Acts 26:24 NKJV). The challenge was brought on by the message Paul preached. The apostle to the Gentiles was considered mad because of the hope of the promise. “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers” (Acts 26:6). The promise was repeated to Abraham when he submitted to God’s will, even preparing to sacrifice his only son. God declared, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:18). Paul told the churches of Galatia the promise was specifically regarding the Christ (Galatians 3:16). Paul was considered mad because he said the hope ultimately was in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 26:7-8). He reminded the saints at Corinth that resurrection took place in fields around the globe. He explained that each created thing had a body suited to its existence. The body inhabited by humans is natural and the resurrection body will be spiritual. Those living on earth have a body similar to Adam, while those in Heaven will have a body like Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, 48-49). Jesus assigned the preaching of hope to Paul, especially among the Gentiles. He began the work in Damascus immediately after his own conversion. …

“Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only” (Philippians 4:15 NKJV). The church in Philippi was praiseworthy for their participation in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Paul earlier commended them “for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (1:5). From the time when the church was established at Philippi to when Paul penned this letter, Philippian Christians labored on behalf of the Gospel. They knew the part they had to play if their part of the world was to hear the message of salvation. The Christians at Philippi actively participated in evangelism. Not only did they have a concern for souls in their region, but they also shared Paul’s concern for souls everywhere. Their contribution to the Gospel was not limited to Philippi, but through Paul, those Christians partnered with the apostle for wherever else the Gospel could go through him. In a very real sense, Paul’s labor in Christ was also their labor. By supporting him financially in his mission work, they were partners with Paul in the proclamation of the good news. While perhaps they were unable to go everywhere Paul went, they provided for his physical needs, allowing him to freely preach the Gospel. They shared with him in his work. We can and should be involved in the work of spreading the Gospel, in much the same way as the Philippian …

“…We do not look [“focus” HCSB] at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV). What is our focus in life? It may not be something we’ve written down, like a New Year’s resolution, or even a conscious thought we have as we go about our daily activities. Yet, we do have a reason for what it is we choose to do. Whether it’s something that gives us pleasure in thinking about or doing, provides for a need or comes from our fears, or whatever it is, we all have motives that guide our lives. Paul did as well, and he wrote that his focus was on the unseen, the spiritual, the eternal. It really is hard thinking about what Scripture reveals to us about Paul without viewing him as driven when it comes to eternity. This passage isn’t the only time Paul expressed that the spiritual, the unseen, the eternal, was his focus in life. In Ephesians 6:12, he spoke of how we face a spiritual battle against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. In Philippians 1:21 he said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your …

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (Philemon 1:10-11 NKJV). While Paul was under house arrest in Rome and awaiting trial, incredibly, he had opportunities to teach others the Gospel of Christ. To the church in Philippi, he spoke of the saints of Caesar’s household (4:22). The phrase could indicate the Imperial family, but it could also refer to some employed in the service of the emperor, such as staff and slaves. It very well might be used here of the praetorian or imperial guards who took shifts watching Paul. No doubt Paul took the opportunity to speak to them about the hope of salvation in Christ, and as each shift came to guard him, there would be another opportunity to preach the Truth to them. Luke concluded the Book of Acts by speaking of this time by saying, “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31). One of those who came to Paul was a runaway slave named Onesimus. He is mentioned as belonging to Philemon, a Christian who hosted a congregation of God’s people in his home (Philemon 1:1). For whatever reason, Onesimus ran away from Philemon and wound up …

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV). In all too many instances, kindness is something sorely missing from our world today. The word Paul chose to convey this Christian attitude in Ephesians 4:32 is chrestos, which means profitable, fit for any good use. It can be used of both things and people, but when used of us, it carries the idea of being useful toward others, good-natured, good, gentle and kind. By showing this trait, we reveal ourselves to be children of God, “For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Luke 6:35). Everyone who comes in obedience to the Gospel experiences the kindness of God. Our sins should condemn us, but God is rich in His love and mercy for us (Ephesians 2:4). He sent His Son to die so that our sins could be forgiven, and the Son freely and willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice so forgiveness could occur (Hebrews 9:26). We must never forget how we have experienced God’s kindness (1 Peter 2:3) and how we continue to enjoy it every day (Ephesians 2:7). An example of such caring and forgiveness was recently seen during the Amber Guyger trial, who was found guilty of murdering Botham Jean a year ago, in a case some have called the “wrong apartment” murder. The details of what happened have been much discussed since then, but what transpired after she received the verdict is newsworthy as well. …

Today’s message from Scripture comes from two passages. First, 1 Corinthians 16:14 reads, “Let all that you do be done with love” (NKJV). Second, Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” When we go about the activities of everyday living, these two passages should be the litmus test of how we as Christians respond to the Lord and to each other. The love of Christ dwelling in us is to be the prime motive of how we engage others, in what we say and do. Before we say or do anything, we should ask ourselves if it falls under the prime directive of the love of Christ. If this is true, then selfish ambitions and conceit will have no part in our living since we consider others as more important than ourselves and their interests important in our response to them. If we all responded this way to each other, then selfishness would evaporate, and everyone’s needs would be met. However, how often do we do this? Do we put our wants and desires first? Do we give little or no concern how our choices affect others? Do we want what we want to take priority over everyone and everything else? There is no question practicing what the foregoing passages teach can be inconvenient …

There is no doubt that culture has always had an influence on the body of Christ. An examination of our Lord’s letters to the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 2-3) speaks of the problems that happen when congregations reflect the world around them, rather than seeking to be lights to the world to make a difference in the world. For example, the church in Laodicea had the attitude they were “rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” (NKJV), like the city itself, which had found great wealth by its sale of eye salve and luxurious wool. Jesus, however, pointed out they were ignorant of the spiritual Truth they needed to understand, and were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). They needed a spiritual focus that would enable them to be more like their Lord and less like the sin-filled world in which they existed. The allure of the world around us has a very strong influence on the Lord’s church. Recently, a popular preacher apologized for saying in the past that certain sexual activities and gender identifications were sinful. Certainly, God loves everyone (John 3:16), and we are to preach the Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). That does not negate, however, the need to preach and teach truth (2 Corinthians 4:2). Our society equates feelings with truth; in other words, however you think or feel is your “truth.” Such a viewpoint has permeated the church to accommodate those in the world. It seems for many, the …