Most everyone who studies Old Testament history knows the account of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. It is a true account of a man whose wife likely had to cover for him repeatedly to keep someone from killing him. Even though we know that parents arranged the marriages, sometimes causing a good woman to marry a foolish man, we might wonder how such a one as Abigail could be faithful to her vows year after year in spite of her husband’s abuse. We often study how a man could marry several women or even commit treachery against his wife by putting her away for any reason (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:14-16), but there does not appear to be the same privilege for a woman under the Law of Moses. No matter what situation the Lord granted her, we know that she could not be pleasing under the Mosaic Law if she left her husband. Had this troubled couple been living today, we might apply Matthew 19:8-9 or 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 to their problems; however, even under New Testament law, she could not divorce him scripturally and marry another man unless he had committed fornication. Was Nabal abusive to Abigail like he was to the other people around him? Probably he was. Did Abigail still have an obligation to remain faithful to him? Absolutely! Let me remind you of some of the things the Holy Spirit records about the man Nabal. He was a wealthy businessman who lived in prosperity (1 Samuel …

Most have heard of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation awhile back. The magnitude 7 quake toppled buildings throughout the capital city, from shacks in shantytowns to damaging the President’s National Palace. It was feared that tens of thousands may be dead, and rescue workers were beginning the arduous process of going through the devastation looking for survivors. For the inhabitants left, many will likely face an increased risk of dengue fever, malaria and measles. There are shortages of clean water, and an estimated three million were expected to need some type of emergency aid. In the face of such destruction and need, it’s interesting that one televangelist charged this disaster as perhaps having to do with a pact Haiti made with the devil in the past. Supposedly, they promised to serve the devil if he would free them from French influence. According to the televangelist, “They have been cursed by one thing after another,” since then. I suppose it’s natural to question events such as this in light of the sovereignty of God. We know from Scripture that God has been involved in the course of nations in times past. To the people of Israel, He spoke through Amos and said, “‘But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘Furthermore, I withheld the rain from you while there were still three months …

All too often, we make the mistake of becoming intimidated right out of doing the Lord’s work. Why do we make such a mistake? What leads us to thinking we cannot do the Lord’s work? Firstly, many have fallen into the habit of thinking that ‘the Lord’s work’ is difficult and requires many talents (kind of like the one talent man). Then, we end up hiding our talent and not using it, so we lose the talent. Truth be known, a person with only one talent can do the Lord’s work. Secondly, we live in a culture that believes that only elders, deacons, preachers and Bible class teachers are the ones appointed to do the Lord’s work and the rest of us are to be spectators. God makes the point over and over again in Scripture that each one of us shall give an account of himself to God. Let’s realize that we are all God’s servants, and we each need to do our fair share or our part in the kingdom of God. That is why in 1 Corinthians 12, the church is likened to a body. That great chapter makes the point that the foot is no less a part of the body than the hand or the head. The seemingly less important body parts have purposes, and also the seemingly less important church members have their places in the church of God. Thirdly, there are those who believe that we cannot learn to do the Lord’s work, …

The only hope of a young man dying with cancer was to have his tongue removed. The surgeons knowing before they operated that he would never be able to speak again said, “Do you have anything you would like to say?” A look of sadness fell across his face and the young man who did not lie through the operation, lifted up his head and said, “There’s a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.” John in Revelation 1:5 said, “…unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins by his own blood…” Paul was told by Ananias, “and why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The blood of Jesus is what washes away sins. Baptism is when sins are washed away. My friends, it cost the priceless blood of Christ to enable us to get from earth to heaven. Peter declared in 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [manner of life] received by tradition [handed down] from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” After you have been redeemed by the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16), walk in the light that you might be ever cleansed of your daily sins (1 …

Do you own a cell phone? Do you think your monthly bill is high? The amount you pay is surely far less than the bill received by Bob and Mary St. Germain. This couple received a bill of nearly $18,000 from Verizon Wireless back in 2006, and it was not a mistake! The St. Germain’s son believed he had free data downloads and used at least 816,000 kilobytes, which led to the enormous bill. Although an $18,000 cell phone bill is hard to imagine, it is insignificant when compared to the debt of sin that each of us has incurred. You and I are represented by the servant who owed 10,000 talents (an astronomical amount of money in that time) and was called before the king to settle the account in Jesus’ “Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.” (Please read the parable in Matthew 18:23-35.) Unable to pay the tremendous debt, the servant pled for mercy. “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go” (Matthew 18:27). Due to our sin, each of us owes an enormous debt to God Who created us and has provided everything for us. We do not have enough resources to “pay” the debt for even one of our sins. We are completely dependent upon the mercy of God. Yet, God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16) to pay the debt for our sins. He paid the price for our redemption by dying on the cross …

I once knew someone who often made the statement, “Sometimes you just have to be selfish.” We live in a country that encourages and glorifies selfishness in every aspect of life. Often, people feel that they have an obligation to look out for themselves first and everyone else if they feel like it. However, God has a very different view of selfishness. If we desire to be acceptable to him, we must instead be selfless. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Paul admonished: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). We need to be those who love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). That does not mean that we never take a thought or care for ourselves, but that we care about others just as much as we do ourselves.

King Hezekiah had been sick, and an envoy from Babylon came under the pretense of checking on his health. In a moment of false pride, the king showed him all of his riches and treasures. Later, God’s prophet Isaiah came to him and asked this stirring question: “What have they seen in your house?” What a question, one that can aptly be applied today in a different sense. What can be found in our houses? Can those things, whether objects or attitudes that God calls an abomination be found there? Can beer, whisky, illegal drugs be found there? What about pornographic material? Are there things there that will harm the children’s minds and warp their attitudes towards things holy? On the other side of the coin, do you and your family have an abundance of reading and study material to help you learn more about proper moral and ethical living? If there is a Bible in your house, is it well-worn by constant use, or is it just a place to store baby pictures and mementos? One last question: If Jesus were coming in Person to your house today, are there some things that you would be ashamed for Him to see?

It’s so easy to feel good when things are calm and peaceful, when birds are singing, when the sun is rich and warm. But when things are not so calm and peaceful, when fear and doubt and loneliness fall like flames, it’s not so easy to feel good. One thing is for certain, however, even in the midst of a dark and stormy night, Christ died for us! That will never change. As long as we live and breathe that will never change. No matter what we are facing, no matter how difficult things become, Christ loved us so much He died for us. That great sacrifice makes us priceless in the eyes of a God so strong He created the universe with the sound of His voice, a God so intelligent He composed the greatest love story ever told, a God so limitless He knows the end from the beginning. We are indeed priceless, even when we may not feel like it, even when we believe all hope is lost. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8-9 NKJV).

I recently read a note from a fine young Christian lady. She talked about a difficult time in her life, as well as a difficult time she is now facing. In the context of all that, she told of speaking to a coworker who told her the following: “Friend, you keep that chin up. This too shall pass, and when it does, you’ll be on the other side of it, standing a stronger and wiser woman for it. The Lord hasn’t lost control of things, so don’t you lose faith in Him. Just keep that chin up.” I hung up the phone with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, thinking of how ashamed of myself I was. At what point had I lost my faith? The young woman went on to state that it still took her time to come around, and that eventually her problem was overcome. She also noted that she did not have trouble with her faith in the good times and when things went well, but let it slip when things were bad. She said: “I had forgotten that faith was a work, and that just saying ‘I have faith’ isn’t enough.” Another young Christian woman replied to her with these words: “It’s so easy to forget that! That’s why so many people do give up faith and turn to the world for answers, taking themselves further and further away from the peace they need.” These young ladies made me think of …

Marriages have problems. I know that sounds negative, but it is true. If you thought everything was going to be perfect when you married because you had found “Miss Right” or “Mr. Right,” think again! Even after many years of marriage, there will still be challenges. Marriage, after all, involves a man and a woman with human frailties. We all make mistakes. What causes problems in marriage? To start with, there is certainly a difference between men and women. I am not just talking about the obvious physical differences. For instance, women are usually more romantic. Men generally want to be recognized for accomplishments. They want the wife to admire them. Women want their husbands to listen and empathize. Men usually do not want to get into a deep discussion about feelings. Problems also come from how to handle finances, problems with in-laws, how to correct and/or punish children, etc. What do we do with challenges in marriage? The number one answer is: love one another, from the heart, fervently. Make sure you show and communicate to your spouse your utmost commitment to the marriage; understanding it is a lifetime commitment. Always make sure your spouse is emotionally secure in the relationship, even when there is conflict. Determine to let God’s Word be your guide in solving problems. Each spouse must be dedicated to the Lord and be living according to the will of God. These steps will take you a long way in handling problems in marriage. In addition, …

For almost fifty years, I have been trying to encourage personal evangelism and soul winning from the classroom and pulpit. I have conducted workshops on personal evangelism and teacher training. I have taught preacher-training classes. In all of these, I have tried to emphasize not only proper methods and actions, but especially proper attitudes. I have taught teachers how to use the blackboard, audio visual aids and study materials. I have taught personal evangelists how to sit around the table in an open Bible study, or show a filmstrip. I have taught preacher students how to walk to the pulpit and breathe properly. I have taught proper methods of study and exegesis. Not only have I dealt with homiletics, hermeneutics and apologetics, I have emphasized the need for understanding general semantics, enunciation, pronunciation, gesticulation and grammar. Especially have I stressed the importance of properly relating the doctrine we teach with the practice we perform. There is one aspect of the subject of sowing the seed that I have probably neglected as much or more than any other. That aspect is suggested in Psalm 126:5-6, which says, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” It is my judgment that much of our failure to produce the great harvest of souls that we should be producing is the failure to feel as deeply as we should the sorrow for and …

To be perfectly honest with you, the sign was so small that I did not even notice it at the corner of Madison Avenue and Maryland Street. That is, until a friend informed me that our church building was for sale. It was then that I made an effort to check and see if there was a sign at the location of the Capitol Heights church building, and there was. However, at the bottom of the small sign was an arrow pointing down Maryland Street to the area where a house had been placed on the market for sale. During this period of time I heard from various sources that the word had been spreading that, yes, our building was for sale. It is amazing how a rumor gets started; in so many cases the person who began it really never took the time to investigate as to the possibility that the fact of the matter had not really been proven, and that is the way that it goes sometimes. I even see a sense of humor in some rumors while other tales can be very damaging to someone’s reputation, and that is bad. I hope the home owner has success in selling the house and that the buyer will obtain it at a reasonable price. Buying and selling of a commodity/product really helps our economy, and we all know that we need some assistance in that area. In the spiritual realm of things, the church (not the building) should …

“Are you in the zone?” was a question frequently heard during the week of June while we were at Maywood Christian Camp outside Hamilton, Alabama. It was sort of a way of rallying the “troops” to make sure we were keeping our spirits up and our attitudes in check as the fatigue factor set in due to the heat and lack of rest. Amazingly, it’s not too hard to stay “in the zone” with all the wonderful things taking place and as we together sought to draw nearer to God away from all the everyday distractions we experience. Christians, however, do not need to be concerned about “being in the zone” one week of the year. We can, and must be “in the zone” 52 weeks of the year. Are you “In the Zone?” First of all, to be “in the zone” you must be “in the kingdom of heaven.” The kingdom of heaven is an expression that is used synonymously with “the church” that Jesus promised to build (Matthew 16:18) and which promise was kept as his church was established through the plan and power of God (Acts 2). So, Jesus is Lord and King in the lives of those who have “obeyed the gospel of the kingdom” and are daily surrendering their lives to the fulfilling of His will. Those who are yet held by “the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13) are not as yet “in the zone” of which we speak, but there is hope for you. …

The cry often goes up from Islam and other false religions that the Bible is unreliable because it has been translated so many times. It seems that unthinking persons accept that sort of propaganda, which is all it is, without ever doing any research, or even giving the Bible the benefit of the doubt. One would think that the fact that parts of the book have been here for the greater part of eight thousand years, and nothing, even in the oldest parts have proved to be untrue, would give people cause to pause and think about what they are hearing. Alas, it seems that it does not! What we need to do is investigate the accusations to see if they are true, and if they are, then we may give some of these people an ear, at least for a while. However, if after investigation we find their charges to be wholly false, then good judgment demands that we ignore both the accusations and those who make them. If the Bible, down through the centuries, had been translated from one language to another, which was then translated to another, and then to another, perhaps these people would have a point, albeit a weak one. For example, if our Old Testament, originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic had been translated into Arabian and that translation had been translated into Greek, and then that one into Egyptian, followed by one into Latin, and that one into English, one might grant the …

I just came from my local bank and drove to Kroger’s gas station to fill-up my car’s tank. It was a beautiful day, Tuesday, 2 December 2008. I like to take care of my chores early; it was 10:00 a.m. The gas station was not crowded. I opened my car door and heard a very angry, screaming voice near the gas pump next to me. A large middle-aged woman was outside her car on a cell phone. She was loudly blaring in rage to the one on the other end of the cell phone. I turned my back to her and started to process the gas pump. The outrageous screaming went on and on. I would not give any attention to such shameful behavior. I know how easy it is for such a person to turn anger onto innocent bystanders. In a flash, her car drove away. Possible trouble was avoided, and peace prevailed at the gas station. As a Christian gentleman I pondered this experience. I could not think of anyone of my friends, family or strangers that I would ever address in such an uncivilized manner. Such type of conduct as described above is too common. With that said, you don’t expect it in such a place as a public gas station, in a very nice part of town. You expect such behavior outside or inside a bar or around unruly, intoxicated individuals. The woman demonstrating this uncivilized, boisterous behavior could not be a Christian. Such violent types …

One of the interesting discussions presented in the religious world today is about the concept of “law.” On one hand, men claim there is no compelling, overriding law that pertains to our moral, ethical and religious activities. On the other hand, we find those who want to open the Bible and contend that every word from Genesis to Revelation is bound on us today. Scripture teaches that both positions are without merit. Let’s look at Paul’s teaching about the first principle above and see if there is compelling evidence about religious activities. Paul said, “Sin shall have no dominion over you for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). To understand the true meaning of this statement, one must determine which law Paul is talking about and how it applies to us today. At first review, it would seem that we are somehow “without law” – that is, that there are no laws that apply to us, and we can do whatever we want whenever we want. However, further study shows that position is not correct as we read 1 John 3:4: “Whoever commits sin commits lawlessness and sin is lawlessness.” Paul says we are not under the law and John tells us that sin is lawlessness. Lawlessness means there has to be a law to violate. How can these two verses be harmonized? The answer is easy if we do not confuse the issue. Paul tells the Roman Christians (and us) that the Law of Moses …

2 Peter 3:11-12 “There’s a great day coming” are the words of a familiar and favorite song. Christ’s return is a reality. It is neither some riddle to be solved nor a code to be broken, but a day to be anticipated. When that day will occur, however, remains a mystery to all except God (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, it should not be when that day will come that concerns us the most, but how we live until that day arrives. That was Peter’s concern. He said, “How should we live from here to eternity?” (2 Peter 3:11). Consider the following: Till Jesus comes, live like Christ.Christ is our example(1 Peter 2:21). We should consider His “steps” (1 Peter 2:21), mind (Philippians 2:5) and His deeds (Acts 10:38). Jesus’ life and teaching were in perfect harmony. He cared enough to die. He loved unconditionally. He did the Father’s will. We will walk in the “paths of righteousness” by living like Christ. Till Jesus comes, strive to save your family. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), and yet, he saved only his wife, three sons and three daughters-in-law (1 Peter 3:20). Joshua was a busy leader, but he said, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The world needs more fathers like Noah and Joshua (cf. Ephesians 6:4). Till Jesus comes, be supremely committed to the church of Christ. Brethren, never be ashamed of the “church of Christ!” It is the church of the New …

It is my considered opinion that it does not make any difference what a man wishes to accomplish in his lifetime, nor does it matter where he has been, nor where he wishes to go, there is nothing better for man to do than to understand and obey Almighty God. God’s Holy Word is the very best answer to any question man may pose, and no improvement upon the Holy Scriptures is possible! In a manner of speaking, the old adage, “Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die” fits the bill perfectly and completely! So! What is man to do? If a man wishes to do well in this life, and to inherit eternal life with God at the end of his earthly way, what should a man do? “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30). If a man wishes to establish a Christian home, what should he do? The first step in the full realization of this noble desire requires some things that must be done. (1) He must hear God’s Word (Romans 10:17), (2) He must believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6), (3) …

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, the word “evolution” derives from the Latin “evolution” and means “an unrolling or opening.” It is a term that is typically used in reference to something that experiences a progression of change, such as, a child growing into an adult. Most often, however, this term is used in reference to organic evolution which holes that man owes his origin to the gradual processes of life evolving from non-life. The overwhelming majority of the scientific community has ascribed to the theory of evolution and promotes it both widely and loudly. However, those who believe in God accept the Genesis account of creation, which asserts that man owes his existence to God who created him. Creationists examine the teachings of evolution and are bewildered at how anyone could ascribe to a theory that is propped up on falsehoods, fabrications, and fairy tales. Consider, if you will, the following insurmountable hurdles that the theory of evolution cannot overcome. Evolution is unprovable. Herein is the most egregious case of “getting the cart before the horse” in all of history. Evolutionists are feverishly trying to link together all the pieces that supposedly show the ameba to man process, when they have no explanation for the origin of life. They conjecture that man’s origin is the result of spontaneous combustion. That is, billions of years ago a random explosion produced living matter. The law of biogenesis states that life comes from life. That means that it is scientifically impossible for non-life to produce life. …

A struggle many of us might have is, “Who needs to be converted?” We find many people who seem more dedicated or of better character than those in some of the Lord’s churches. Do these good people need to be converted? When I lived in Lamar, Missouri, I made friends with the husband of a lady who began attending where I preached. He was one of the nicest, most modest and unassuming men I have been around, being both helpful and considerate. A person could not ask for a more polite companion. He had been a math instructor in a university and later became the highly respected brains for an engineering company. His only responsibility was to sit in the office and solve the problems that arose in the company’s operations. The few years I knew him, when we fished and hiked together, I never heard him say an unkind word or use profanity. He came to church to hear me preach. As a fellow human being, I have not been around a more enjoyable person. However, he was an atheist, an unbeliever, which I could not get to obey the Gospel of Christ. Did he need salvation that is in Christ? Worlds of Good People Outside and inside of religious and church circles are many respectable people that have excellent reputations and community standings. Christians have parents, children, relatives and friends who are some of the top crust of the world, and in many cases more upstanding in character than …