Our God is a Gardener
When one meditates upon who God is, there are many titles, adjectives, and descriptors that may come to mind. According to the pages of Scripture, our God is a God of War (Exodus 15:3), He is a Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), and He is a Refuge (Psalm 46:1). There are many characteristics that could be attributed to God, but did you know He is a gardener? In Genesis 2:8, the Bible says, “The LORD God planted a garden…” (NASB 95). In…
From the Director’s Desk (March 2025) – Steven Lloyd
The school is doing well. Our students, overall, are doing well. It is hard to believe we are at the close of our third quarter, entering the final quarter of the school year, and graduating students at the end of June. The incoming first year class is shaping up well with twelve students already approved and raising support. Three women will be among them, and a brother from Mexico is making every effort to be here as well. Most of…
“Religion” Isn’t a Bad Word (Jas. 1:27) – Jordan Moore
“Give me Jesus, but not religion.” This popular refrain is pervasive in the denominational world, and increasingly in churches of Christ. A Sister once rebuked me after a sermon for saying that Christianity is the one true religion (John 14:6). She alleged, “Christianity isn’t a religion, but a relationship.” Sadly, she 1) misunderstood the biblical term, “religion” and 2) overlooked or never read James 1:27. Let’s consider it… “Religion…” Some think it is, but “religion” isn’t a bad word. As…
Our Religion and Our Words (Jas. 1:26) – Adam Orr
Is it possible to have religion that is worthless in the eyes of God? Surely, He would be pleased with someone the world viewed as ‘good, moral, and religious,’ wouldn’t He? The answer plainly given in James 1:26 is that it is entirely possible to have a religion that displeases God. The Bible says in this verse, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” Here are…
Be a Doer of the Word (Jas. 1:22-25) – Kerry Clark
In James Chapter One, James gives us several imperatives – be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (v. 19); he also gives another imperative in verse twenty-two, “be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” In every English translation I considered, the word “doer” seemed to be the unanimous consensus of the translators. The word in the Greek is remarkably interesting, it is the word from which our English word “poet” comes from. In…
Hear The Word (Jas. 1:9-20) – Ronnie Scherffius
The book of James is one of the most practical books of the New Testament. Though he does treat such profound matters as the perfection of faith by works (2:14-26), James especially addresses practical matters of the faith. Topics such as enduring trials (1:1-6), living the Christian life without partiality (2:1-13), and controlling the tongue (3:1-10) are a few examples. The practical nature of James is also demonstrated in its similarities to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly…
Receiving God’s Word (Jas. 1:21)
When we hold a Bible in our hands, we hold the most potent force and most powerful weapon humanity will ever know. God’s Word has the ability to accomplish more good than anything or anyone on earth could ever imagine. The most hardened sinner, the most doubtful skeptic, or the most hate-filled heart can be transformed by the power of Scripture (2 Cor. 10:3-5). But in order for God’s Word to bring about change in our lives we must do…
What’s Your Ear Worm?
Are you familiar with ear worms? If you have ever found yourself singing or humming a song throughout the day-sometimes even unintentionallythen the answer is “yes.” “Ear worm” is the colloquial term for a catchy tune stuck on repeat in your head. The song you hear on the radio that sounds great and just sticks with you. Not all ear worms should be secular songs. The Psalmist wrote, “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage”…
The Effectual Doer
A failure to practice the Word of God causes us to forget who we are. While hearing and humbly receiving the Word of God are essential (James 1:19-21), we “delude” ourselves if we do not also believe it necessary to become a “doer of the Word” (James 1:22, NASB 95). If we fail to act upon the Scriptures, we will be like the forgetful man in James 1:23,24. As soon as he looked away from the mirror, he immediately forgot…
Arise with Confidence!
The Cambridge Dictionary defines “confidence” as “the quality of being certain of your abilities or of having trust in people, plans, or the future.” Spiritually speaking, confidence is one of the Christian’s greatest blessings. John said, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).…
From the Director’s Desk (February 2025) – Trent Kennedy
Music in the worship of the New Testament church is integral, beautiful, and unifying. When Christians join together as a congregation to sing words of praise and admonition with only our hearts and voices, God is glorified, and His people are greatly encouraged (cf. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). In order for our assemblies to unite in song, there should be a song leader (cf. 1 Cor. 14:26). Good song leaders make for great song services. When I was a student…
The Greatest Giver (Jas. 1:16-18) – Ross Haffner
I have been blessed to receive many wonderful gifts from friends and family members. But sometimes the gifts we receive are not useful, good for us, or right for us at the moment, though perhaps it once was. The Hebrews writer made an interesting connection between God and our human fathers when he wrote, “God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (Heb. 12:7). In Luke 11:11 Jesus asked, “If…