Does the existence of evil in a neighborhood prove that no law-abiding people live there? Have you ever seen something evil taking place but chose not to get involved? And did your refusal not to get involved prove that you don’t exist? We can be assured that God does see all the pain and trouble that takes place upon the earth (Proverbs 15:3). But God never said that He would take away the troubles of life. Instead He warned us about it (Job 14:1; Genesis 3:17-19; Gen. 6:5; Matthew 24:6-13; 2 Timothy 3:1-4). God will deliver men from evil on occasions, but He never said that He would save men from every evil or take pain and suffering completely away from the earth (Daniel 3:16-18; Dan. 6:19-22; Acts 7:59-60; Acts 9:1-2; Acts 12:1-11).
So, God has His reasons why He will not do certain things, just like we do, and we should not be judging God. For example someone will say, “How can a loving God let that happen?” Such a statement is judgment of the Almighty, and we the creation are telling the Creator that He needs to check Himself (Romans 9:20-21). We’d better watch out! (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Religious division is something most people don’t want to talk about, but it is a fact that people are divided on things concerning God. Now man isn’t divided because the Bible is the problem because the Bible is the word of Almighty God and nothing in this great book comes up short (Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 23:29; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12). Division exists because of the attitudes of men, and it will continue as long as men behave the way they do (1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; Mark 7:7). But all the differences in churches and religious practices can be made right if the proper procedure is put into action.
I’m not talking about so-called unity forums where everyone comes together and agrees on some point then leaves, still as members of different churches. I’m talking about men forsaking their creed books, their own thoughts, and what others have told them, never holding those views again and just letting only the Bible be their guide. Now if man will follow these suggestions , someone will have to admit he has been wrong. There is no way around that because there are too many churches and only one Bible, and the Bible didn’t create the religious confusion we have today (1 Cor. 14:33). Once that is done, men will have to conform to what the Bible teaches and refuse fellowship with those who don’t abide in the doctrine (Galatians 1:8-9; 2 John 8-11). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Race supremacist groups who claim to be religious are quick to condemn mixed-race marriages by saying the Bible prohibits them. These people quote such scriptures as Deuteronomy 7:1-3; Josh. 23:11-12; Ezekiel 9:1-2, 12). However, by studying the text, one can see that God wasn't prohibiting the intermarriages because of race. He prohibited them because the life styleof those nations would influence the Israelites to follow false gods. (1 Kings 11:1-10; Deut. 7:4. Josuha 23:5-8, 16; Exodus 23:32-33; Ex. 34:11-17). As for interracial marriages, God has not condemned them (Hebrews 13:4).
However, this is a evil world, and the couple needs to be sure that they can withstand all the nonsense that some people will direct toward them. They also should be prepared to comfort their children because of the pain that their children will have to endure being mixed race from other children. The different races are the good and beautiful work of Almighty God (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 104:24; Acts 17.26). For God to teach the Israelites to hate some of the work of His own hands simply because of race, is to dishonor His own creation (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 10:11-17; Acts 28:34-35; Galatians 3:27). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Far too many of our young men are wasting their lives away. They will get a girl pregnant and take no responsibility (of course the girl shares some of the blame as well). There are young men who have no interest in getting a job because they find it too convenient to stay home and live off the parents (and here is where parents share some of the blame). Some young men have no regard for the value of human life. They will grab a gun and have a battle over a few dollars or their so called interpretation of “respect.”
All day long they hang with their buddies in the streets adding nothing of value for the community, but they certainly are doing a great job making it look bad with their use of profanity, drinking, and loud music. Such conduct is a total waste of human life and embarrassment for the parents that raised them (Proverbs 10:1). Young man don't waste your life away! You also don't need low-life people as friends. What you need is God. With Him you can learn the correct way to live and avoid the pitfalls of life that have trapped so many (Ecclesiastes 12:1; Prov. 3:1-26; Prov. 4:20-27; Prov. 6:20-35; Prov. 7:1-27; Prov. 10:1). Young man, with the help of God, you can turn your back on wrong doing (Prov. 4:10-19; Titus 2:6-8; 2 Timothy 2:22; Prov. 1:10-19; Joshua 24:15; Prov. 13:1; Psalm 34:12-17.; Philippians 4:13). Feel free to make copies of this to pass on to some young man walking in darkness. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. A man of faith running for public office is often targeted with questions pertaining to his beliefs and how those beliefs will affect his job performance. First of all, anyone running for public office would be insane to refuse help from God (1 Kings 9:2-7). But understand this, God is only going to help those who are faithful to Him (Psalm 34:8-17). So, if a president desires help from God, he must be doing what is pleasing to God. There is no way, God will bless a President who is passing laws that are in conflict with His word (Proverbs 14:34; Prov. 11:11; Psa. 33:10-22; 1 Kings 15:25-26; 1 Kings 16:29-34).
If homosexuality, abortion, and state lotteries are contrary to the laws of God then no person of faith serving in public office can be in approval of such things. A man of faith is to live what he knows is right in the eyes of God (2 Chronicles 26:3-5). Also the President will have the best interest of the nation in mind if he vetoes bills that establish sinful practices (2 Kings 18:1-8). Our nation is supposed to be a Christian nation founded upon religious principles. So why do we get angry and suspicious of a person with morals? Could it be be that most of us have no morals, and we are threaten by those who do? We hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Singer, Sheryl Crow has a lyric in song which is, "If it makes you happy it can't be that bad." That is typical of the thinking of many people—they don't care what they do or who they do it to, as long as they have happiness. "I gotta be happy" they say.
Now man isn't put on this earth to obtain his own selfish happiness, but to do the will of God (Matthew 7.10; Acts 10.35; Philippians 2.21). But when one obeys the will of God, he will walk in the way that is righteous and that will automatically produce happiness in that person's life (1 Peter 3. 8-14; Psalm 1; Galatians 5.22-26; Phil. 4.4). In the Bible, we read of two kings who committed evil in order to make themselves happy. These sins cost one king his life, and the other king was driven from his empire by his own son (2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 21). But we can avoid the fate that these men suffered if we learn to please others as well as ourselves. We hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Some aren’t sure if God exists or who He is. I want to press their minds with some thoughts if I may. First, this world is just too well set in motion to be simply here by chance. For example, can a toothpick just come from nothing? Can a clock come from nothing? Can a jar of jelly just appear and have no creator? Now if you believe this world came from nothing, you must also believe theseinferior things also came from nothing. And if not, why not? Design is the strongest evidence of a creator; and when design is present and when things function or perform with accuracy, one can be sure of a creator. (Just think about the engine of a car.)
God is introduced to man through the Bible, as well as by simply considering the earth and heavens which are the works of His hands (Romans 1:19-20; Psalms 19:1-6; Psa. 97:1-12). There are many great works of art, buildings, sport teams, movies, etc. These all have one thing in common—a creator! If you are interested in learning more about God, feel free to contact us (John 6:45; Isaiah 54:13; Hebrews 8:11). We hope to hear from you or see you at the services. “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine the commands of men,” Mark 7:7.
There are churches that teach that you should eat certain meals for so-called Holy days, holidays, or other days of the week. In the Old Testament the people were commanded to eat certain foods (Leviticus 11). But we are not under the Old Testament any more; we are under the New Testament (Hebrews 8:6-13; 2 Corinthians 3:6). Under the New Testament any kind of food is good and can be eaten, providing we give thanks (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Another law made by men is “denying marriage to priests." In the New Testament all Christians are priests with Jesus being the High Priest (1 Peter 2:5, 11; Heb. 4:14-15). Since God did notauthorize the office of priests, as some teach today, the ‘no marriage’ rule goes out the window. However, notice who can marry according to the Bible.
Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Mark 7:7, “In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men”
The scripture spoke of those who follow the things created by men, and we should be aware of that. Many people aren’t aware that there are things created by men and passed on as the law of God. One such doctrine is the Pope making one a saint. The Bible teaches that saints are living persons who have obeyed the gospel and are living faithful lives on earth (Colossians 1:2; Acts 9:13; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Cor. 16:1:15; 1 Timothy 5:8; Jude 3; Romans 1:7; 2 Cor. 8:4; 1 Cor. 6:1). Saints aren’t made after death but are described as those who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13; Jude 14; 1 Thess. 4:13-14). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Don’t stay away from church because you are poor. There is no admission charge. Because you are rich. Money isn’t all. Because it is cold and rainy. You go other places in bad weather. Because it is hot. So is the beach and golf course. Because no one invited you. People go a lot of places uninvited. Because of hypocrites. We have them everywhere. Because you have relatives from out of town. Bring them along. Because you have children. We offer bible classes for them. Because you think your clothes don’t look good. God isn’t concerned about that. Because you don’t like the preacher. You shouldn’t dislike anyone. Because the church is always asking for money. We don’t do that here. Because you think that you have plenty of time. Life is short and uncertain (Psalm 144:4).
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before before the Lord.” Psalm 95:6. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. |