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The Church and its Priorities

With so many unique challenges before us it is easy to lose sight of what is really important. The Bible has a great deal to say about priorities and it is important for us to ensure that our priorities are aligned correctly on an individual basis, but also on a congregational basis. First Timothy 6 lists some items that the church must prioritize. Sound Doctrine (1 Tim. 6:3-5) –Those who do not concern themselves with sound doctrine are guilty of…

Who is God? (Exodus 15)

Who is God? This is one of the most important questions mankind must ask. It is essential to life here on this earth and life after death. Praise God, for He has revealed part of Himself through His Word. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3, 20,21). However, with this great blessing comes responsibility. God has revealed WHO He is through His Word, but we must take the time to listen to Him through reading the Bible. With that being said,…

Keys to Impact (Matthew 5:13-16)

Christians should make an impact on this earth. Christians should be different, and the world should see it. Christians should act in such a way that people cannot help but notice that we are followers of Jesus Christ. In the words of Jesus, we are “The salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13), and “The light of the world” (Matt. 5:14, NASB 95). But, how…? How can you and I make such a positive impact on this world? Consider some keys…

Jesus Loves You, but Religion Doesn’t

It is a bit rare to see anyone holding a sign at an intersection in Kyle, Texas. So, naturally, when I saw him, he had my attention. He had bright red stripes with black outlines tattooed across his chest, arms, and back, and carried a sign which said, “Jesus loves you, but religion doesn’t.” The message was clear. While most wouldn’t tattoo themselves and walk around holding a sign for hours, there are a good number of people in the…

We Will Overcome (Numbers 13:30-14:9)

After an escape from Egypt and a trip through the wilderness, God’s people had made it to the borders of the promised land. Canaan was promised by God, and it was described as a land flowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:17) It truly was a paradise for the people of God, and it was ripe for the taking. This brings us to Numbers 13 and 14. In this text, Moses sends out 12 spies to scout out the land…

Three Things to Remember in Sorrow

Our hearts have been heavy for the last week as we have absorbed the devastation of the Guadalupe River flood. It can be difficult to know what do think or do during such difficult times. My mind went to the prophet Jeremiah, who watched a city burn while men, women, and children were killed or carried away captive. Here are three things he would have us remember in a time such as this. Remember the MERCY of God (Lam. 3:22-24).…

Singing with Understanding

“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” According to Ephesians 5:19, there are two major components to our spiritual singing. First, we are to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Secondly, we are to sing “with our hearts to the Lord.” To accomplish these, we must sing with an understanding of what we are singing. In this article, let’s consider a hymn we sing so that we might sing it with a better understanding. The hymn “I Have Decided to Follow…

No Picture of Him Exists

James Butler Bonham (1807–1836) was a 19thcentury American soldier. Born near Red Bank (now Saluda), South Carolina, Bonham moved to Montgomery, Alabama, in October 1834; the following year, he traveled to Mobile, where he helped to organize a company of militia cavalry called the Mobile Greys to serve in Texas. The company reached San Felipe, Texas, in November 1835, and Bonham was commissioned a lieutenant in the Texian Cavalry one month later. On December 1, 1835, Bonham wrote to Sam…

Memorizing God’s Word

Bible memorization is a sticky subject for some. “I’m too old!” “It’s too difficult!” “My memory isn’t good!” “Is it really necessary?” These are just a few of the sentiments sometimes expressed about the subject. It can, admittedly, be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be! Memorizing God’s Word will bless your life and greatly benefit your spiritual growth. And, it is something that everyone can do! Consider, briefly, some thoughts about the “why” and “how” of Bible…

A Scary Comfort (Jeremiah 6:15)

“Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush…” (Jer. 6:15) These words were used to describe the people of Judah, specifically in her capital, Jerusalem. Destruction was certain for this city, and this verse gives us a key indicator as to why. These people were comfortable with their sin. They were so comfortable with it that their sinful actions and the sinful actions…

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Every generation has its heroes – its giants. Those who pave the way for us through their hard work and dedication. Those who exemplify prized virtues like humility, integrity, devotion, and ingenuity. Our nation has been shaped by figures like these, their pictures hang in monuments throughout the country. The church has giants too. Preachers, elders, Bible class teachers, and servants of all kinds, who have set forth profound examples of what it means to be a New Testament Christian.…

The Three Crosses of Calvary (Luke 23:33-43)

On the day Jesus would die, three crosses were prepared. Three crosses were prepared because three men were going to be crucified. Three men would die the same humiliating death, but all three of them were extremely different. These differences serve as a lesson to all of us. As you read this article, I want you to think about one question… which cross represents you? The first cross is the cross of the Savior. This is a cross that only…