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Tithing Is Not For the Christian
Did you know that Christians are not commanded to tithe? Yet, there are a numerous religious groups that teach, even demand, that their members are to tithe. The word “tithe” means “a tenth,” so, they are teaching that Christians are to give 10% of their earnings, or whatever money they receive, to the church. Where do those groups get that idea? And, is it Biblical? Let’s turn to the Bible and see what we can learn. The concept and teachings…
Dear Christian, Be Careful With Social Media
[Editor’s Note]: Social media has been ablaze the past couple of weeks. I had considered writing something about how Christians should or should not use social media, until I saw a Facebook post by Andrew Crowe, preacher at our sister congregation in Century, Florida. He brings out a few more points that I had not considered. His words are wise and valuable. He simply begins with, “We need to be cautious about what we say when using social media.” Some…
What Your Attendance Says About Your Faith
Worship is a beautiful, sacred, spiritual discipline that God expects all of His people to exercise and fulfill. It is God’s will that we worship Him (Matt 4:10; John 4:23-24; Rev 22:9). Worship, in reality, is a precious privilege that is given to Christians (Heb 4:14-16). It is an opportunity to come before the Creator of the universe, Yahweh Almighty, and render adoration and praise to Him for what He has done for us (Ps 45:11, 138:2). It is what…
The “Rapture”
Maybe you have seen bumper stickers, or T-shirts saying something like: “In case of the Rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned” or “The Rapture: the only way to fly.” Even on Facebook and Twitter posts are frequently circulated by people who believe in the so-called rapture theory. What do they mean by that? What is the “rapture”? Does the Bible speak about a “rapture”? The “rapture” is part of a false doctrine called dispensationalism. It teaches that “soon” (it’s always…
Can You Be Taught Wrong and Baptized Right?
I have had the blessed privilege of studying the Bible with many precious souls over the years. I can tell you that it is nothing short of amazing to see the Word of God working in someone’s life (it’s one of the things I love most about ministry)! Whenever a seeker begins to make the connections and realize the status of their soul, it puts them on the precipice of the most important decision of their life – to obey…
How Can I Fortify the Faith of My Children?
My heart hurts deeply for Christian parents whose children have left the church. Many have shared their heartaches with me and I can’t even begin to imagine how much that truly pains them. I’ve also had the privilege to help many parents concerned about the faith of their children. Thanks be to God, most of them have gone on to be strong disciples of the Lord. It is, indeed, a difficult challenge to raise godly children in a social environment…
Open Homes, Open Hearts
One of the most powerful places on earth is the home. Most homes are a place of love, warmth, rest, security, and privacy. It is a place of nourishment and growth. It is where family bonds are developed. In addition, godly homes provide a solid foundation for a strong church. That is why our homes are also an effective tool for securing a Bible study with our neighbors. The home is the perfect place to cultivate relationships and guide a…
The Power of God to Salvation
In the beginning of his letter to the church at Rome, Paul stated, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed … ” (Romans 1:16-17) That’s a great passage that we often quote to emphasize boldness in evangelizing. But, what does Paul mean by the “power of…
The Purpose of the Church
In the years I have been in ministry, I have learned that people have a vast number of ideas about what the purpose of the church is. Some of our religious friends have a concept in mind that is more akin to a country club or a social organization. They go to church primarily to mingle and fraternize. To others, the church is a family identity. Phrases like, “Our family has always been, and will always be (fill in the…
Congregational Evangelism
Belgian Draft Horses are very large animals, with an average height of 16-17 hands (5.3 – 5.5 feet at the withers – the ridge between the horse’s shoulder blades), and typically weigh between 2,100 and 2,300 lbs. Given their size, we would expect them to be very strong, and indeed they are. Once fully grown, they are capable of pulling 8,000 pounds. An interesting fact is that when two horses pull a load together, they don’t just pull 16,000 pounds,…
God is a God of Patterns
I will be the first to admit that I am a creature of habit. I typically do the same things, eat the same kinds of foods, and wear the same kinds of clothes on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. One could easily identify a consistent pattern in my lifestyle. Although I have made a few adjustments over the years depending on certain factors, like getting married, job changes, moving, or health reasons, I continue to have a distinguishable routine…
Where Two or Three Are Gathered
There are many verses in the Bible that people like to quote that are actually a misuse of the verse, completely misunderstood, or simply do not exist. One such verse is Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” This verse is frequently cited to validate small gatherings of disciples, suggesting that even if only a few people are present, the Lord is still among them and it is therefore a…
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