Not long after I was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1954, I moved to New Mexico to work in the oil fields. Although I wasn’t involved in the drilling process, I became acquainted with some of the terminology of that phase of the industry.     After every means available to them to ascertain if oil was present in a certain area, they would bring in the big rigs. For several weeks they would drill—4,000, 5,000, 8,000 feet down. Then they would discover that they had been “dry hole” drilling—no oil there.     Isn’t this much like men today who want to find satisfaction of the soul, satisfaction that comes only from being saved by the blood of Christ? They “drill” in the area of men’s writing, feelings, opinions and doctrines only to learn that they are “dry hole” drilling.     The Word of God still says that the Gospel, and one’s obedience to it, is the only way to salvation of the soul (Romans 1:16; Matthew 7:21). Is this where you are drilling?

Some folks don’t want to be identified as Christians so they call themselves after some man or some doctrine. These show an unholy disrespect for Christ and his title. Some, however, refer to themselves as Christians when they haven’t met the biblical criterion for the name. For instance: One may be religious and not be a Christian. There are many religious people. In fact, one seldom meets a person who is not religious in some way, even if that religion is atheism. One may be a good moral person and not be a Christian. Cornelius is a good example, as was the rich young ruler who inquired of Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. One may believe the Gospel and not be a Christian. Agrippa is a case in point. One may even be baptized, according to some religion’s definition of the word, and not be saved. If one is not baptized for the right reason, the one given in the Scriptures, he is still in a lost condition. One may offer worship to the Lord and not be a Christian. Jesus stated on this point: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9). Last of all, one may have his name on some church roll, but not have his name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. …

Certainly it can be hard living up to what others may expect. Expectations can be unrealistic, as they may be based on what a person wants, and not what the other may have the ability to accomplish. There can be unforeseen situations arise that can complicate or prevent one from doing what one wants. Promises can be made that one had no intention of fulfilling. These, along with other variables, can keep expectations from becoming reality.     Sometimes, however, the expectations are reasonable, possible and needed. The problem isn’t with the expectation as much as it is the one who should be fulfilling it. Such was the case with the church in Corinth, who had promised a gift for the needs of the poorer brethren in Jerusalem. While having the ability to fulfill it, and initially the desire to do it, a year had passed and nothing had been done by the Corinthian brethren to fulfill it. The expectation was realistic, but the completion was delayed. Paul exhorted them, “So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have” (2 Corinthians 8:11).     Human expectations are one thing, but God’s expectations are another. While we are human and beset with the frailties and problems that come with the flesh, it’s something else to substitute our expectations in place of God’s. God expects those who desire to receive his grace and mercy in Christ to obey in …

Many professions require proficiency in the art of talking. Beyond the obvious application to public speakers—such as preachers and teachers—are the lawyers who present cases to juries and the salesmen and women who make pitches to potential customers. A temptation in each of these professions is to allow a talent for manipulative language to override any concern for a matter’s truth. A preacher can twist the Word of God to the destruction of himself and those who hear him (cf. 2 Peter 3:16 and 1 Timothy 4:16). Lawyers are often blamed for the avoidance of truth through clever exploitation of the law’s loopholes. Salesmen are accused of exaggerating the benefits of their products. Anyone of any occupation can be guilty of saying too little or too much to mask the faults of some used item he may have for sale. When these things take place, the guilty have earned the label, “smooth talker.”     Whenever the aptitude for persuasive speech is used to deceive, the devil has won a victory. He has somehow convinced the talker to forfeit the good standing of his soul in trade for a sale, a verdict or a superficial conversion. But, the devil may win another victory if listeners are not vigilant. Yes, in spiritual things, those who hear the false ones will still be held accountable for being deceived, a fate quite reasonable when one considers all the biblical warnings against such self-motivated prophets.     “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…” reminds Peter (2 …

I went to an area Gospel Meeting last night and heard a lesson on the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). As I listened I could not help but think: Sometimes it Takes a Pigpen. You remember that this young Jewish man wound up feeding pigs, and even desiring their food. As the speaker said, I don’t think you could sink any lower as a Jewish man than to have to even be around pigs, much less take care of them. And on top of that, the pigs were being well fed while he starved.     The other day I was listening to the commentators on an Atlanta Braves broadcast. They were talking about interviewing Terry Pendleton, who is the Braves hitting coach. They asked him how he got the players to listen to him about their hitting. After all, most of these men have played baseball as long as they can remember. They have been successful in little league, Babe Ruth, High School and sometimes in college. They have been batting like they do and don’t relish the idea of being told how to bat. His response was, “They have to hit rock bottom before they will listen to me.” Yep, sometimes it takes a pigpen.     The young man had demanded that his father give him his inheritance, and he had gone off and spent it in wild living. We all know the story. It is hard, especially in youth, to look down through the days to come and realize …

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13-16)     Our Father has prepared a city for you and me, too. Through eyes of faith, we also can see it just ahead in the distance. We, too, acknowledge we are pilgrims here. This world is not our home, and this is something we want to be mindful of each day of our sojourn.     God has reserved heaven for those of us who have placed no one and nothing before him. Having God first-place in our lives is to put the things of God first in our lives. Jesus taught that his disciples would set themselves apart from those who are worldly minded. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).     God has reserved heaven for those who love him. We show God whether our love for him is truly genuine in the daily choices …

As we look around to the wonderful sights of autumn, we continually are reminded that nothing stays the same. It seems like just yesterday that it was warming and spring was quickly approaching. However, here we are at yet another stage in life, and another season is rapidly nearing. The evenings are cool and crisp and the nights remind one to give thanks to God for the warmth of a good heating source. As I reflect on the changes that so quickly come each season, I am reminded of the words of Solomon, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Life does not stand still for anyone; it rapidly marches on, and things change. Our physical bodies age and change; our minds loose their sharpness; our joints and muscles hurt like never before; and what used to be a thing of minimal effort soon becomes a task of great pain. There truly is for everything a season. When we are young, we feel as though we will never age, but soon that thought diminishes with the passing of time. Young and old alike must realize that change does occur, and for that reason we all must understand that the only lasting thing is our eternal soul. Many of the seasoned members in the church can think back to a time when they could run and work with little pain; they did not break as easily, and they healed much more quickly. …

How often do you contemplate and evaluate your spiritual path to eternity. Young mother, where will you be and what will you be doing in a million years from now? What about you, husband and father, where will you be and what will you be doing in a million years fro now? Teenager, what about you; have you paused to contemplate and evaluate your spiritual path to eternity? Where will our children be and what will they be doing one million years from now? This is neither an idle nor a silly question for those who realize that one’s physical life on earth is a mere pittance of a few years contrasted with an eternity thereafter. Surely, Bible believers acknowledge that what we do in the here and the now will determine where we will be and what we will be doing in a million years from now.     First, no matter how long one may live, life on earth is comparatively brief. The oldest person who ever lived as far as any record reveals was Methuselah he lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah still died! However, ordinarily in modern times, common lifespans range from 70 to 80-years-old (Psalm 90:10). Yet, we know that babies die, too. Some other people live longer than 80-years-old, maybe approaching or exceeding 100-years-old. Still, all die (Hebrews 9:27). There were two exceptions to dying as a prerequisite to leaving the land of the living; Enoch and Elijah avoided the pains of …

The apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, gave this young man some timely advice which is sorely needed in this 21st century. In 1 Timothy 5:22, we read, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” It is the last statement of that verse that I want to emphasize presently. Jesus taught, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Christians are exhorted in Hebrews 12:14 to “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” It must be inferred from these latter two passages that a pure heart and a pure life are essential in order for one to see God. A pure life is the outgrowth of a pure heart. Solomon declared, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). It is impossible to think evil continuously and live a good life; likewise, it is impossible to think pure continuously and live an impure life.     It is important that we all understand that our thought process controls our actions. That is why Paul instructed the Philippian brethren to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report and things that would be worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). To do such would prevent evil thoughts and evil deeds. Jesus taught, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come for the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed …

There is a motto that came out of the restoration movement that says, “In Matters of Faith Unity, In Matters of Opinion Liberty, In All Things Charity.” We are not sure who coined the motto or popularized it, but as time goes by we hear it less and less in our Bible classes and sermons. It has virtually disappeared from the minds of modern members of the church. This motto has been much on our mind lately, due to the fact that we came across it not long ago in some book on the restoration movement. The author made the point that down through the two hundred years or so that we have been attempting both to attain unity in the religious world and restore the ancient order of things we have been great at making mottos, but very remiss in applying them to our religious life. Perhaps he is right. For when one looks back on the history of churches of Christ and notices the things that have divided various congregations at various times, such as the number of communion containers, Sunday school classes, ladies wearing hats or head covering to worship, Bible class literature and probably a half-dozen other things that have nothing to do with the salvation of our souls, we will have to admit we have not applied the motto as carefully as we should have, or could have.     The first time we heard this motto was more than fifty years ago. It was long …