One of the qualifications for a deacon is that he must not be “double-tongued” (1 Tim. 3:8). The expression describes a man who says one thing to one person and then something different to another person. A deacon must be honest and straightforward in his dealings with all people. So, is that just a qualification for deacons, or is that a responsibility…

Some disciples in Corinth were claiming, “I am of Paul” (1 Cor. 1:12). One essential condition of making such a claim was that such persons must have been “baptized in the name of Paul” (1:13). Since they were not “baptized in the name of Paul,” they could not be “of Paul”! Some today are claiming, “I am of Christ” (i.e., I am…

Dear friends, the Bible teaches us that we are to “work.” Regardless of how your parents raised you, regardless of how our society has conditioned you, regardless of how you personally feel about the matter, God commands us to “work.” A Christian is to “labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have…” (Eph. 4:28). “Labor” is a present…

Being a parent is not easy, and it is hard to see the ramifications that some decisions will have, especially “at the moment.” But, to parents who  still have children living at home, would you please consider the message that your children are receiving from you about the church? Young children do not understand the nature of the church as explained in…

Christmas seems to come faster every year! And, as kids (especially girls) get older, the challenge of what to buy seems to increase! I have a humble, fatherly, brotherly, heart-felt request to make of every parent who has a daughter. Instead of buying her toys this year (whatever those “toys” are now), please buy her shirts that cover her cleavage. We expect…

How much do you respect God’s Word? How much are you willing to submit, subject and surrender yourself to whatever God says in His Word? Too often, when presented with a Biblical truth, a person might respond, “Yeah, but…,” and follow that up with some reason as to how that particular truth does not apply to him. But, if God’s Word is…

Some plumbing tasks require the use of a really big pipe wrench. Others need a smaller, specialty wrench. But, some plumbing jobs call for hand-tightening only–no wrenches. The size of the job determines the proper tool to be used (or not used). It’s the same when working with people. Some situations require a strong approach with a firm grip. Other situations require…

The closing verses of the book of Revelation teach us much about heaven–both what is going to be there and what is not going to be there. These things should not necessarily be looked at  independently of each other, but viewed for how many of them relate to each other. Twice it is stated that, in heaven, “there shall be no night…