Young People, Difficult Days are Coming

By Dan Jenkins

Solomon, the wisest man of the Old Testament, had so much to say to young people about their lives. A quick search of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes shows that he mentions child, children, son, sons, young and youth over 85 times in these books.

Evidently one of the purposes Solomon wrote these books was to give instruction to his children. He uses the expression “my son” 23 times. He wanted his son to live a life filled with wisdom. Take time to think about his closing words to young people found in Ecclesiastes chapter twelve.

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Why We Give

By David Phillips

Recently, a gospel preacher’s popular blog site featured an article under this title: WHY WE NEED TO STOP TELLING PEOPLE THEY’RE COMMANDED TO GIVE. That’s surely an attention-grabber. However, two separate members of our congregation have come to me, asking my thoughts on the article. After talking with them, it was apparent that they were left with an impression from the article that made them a little bit uncomfortable. After reading the article, I too was left with the impression that the writer wanted me to conclude that there is no New Testament command to give, and that if one doesn’t want to give, it’s okay. Let me quickly say that I believe that if the question were put to that writer in this very simple and direct way, he would likely say, “No, it’s not okay not to give.” At least I hope that would be his position, because I believe the New Testament makes it clear that generous and sacrificial giving is an essential part of the Christian life, without which we cannot go to heaven.

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Go the Extra Mile

By Dan Jenkins

Near the entrance of Gethsemane, He left eight of the apostles and then took Peter, James and John closer to the place where He was to pray. He left this “inner circle” and “…went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed” (Matt. 26:39, KJV). He went further than others— He always did—and told us to do the same.

In the Sermon on the Mount, He talked about going beyond where others would go. When compelled by a Roman soldier to carry supplies for a mile, Jesus said we should go a greater distance and carry it two (Matt. 5:41). If someone thinks he needs our tunic, Jesus said we should go the greater distance and give him our outer garment as well. He went further, and so should we.

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What’s Up, Doc?

By Donnie Bates via The Daily Bread

No, this week’s article is not about Bugs Bunny! As is the case with most preachers, I suppose, my ministry has been full of opportunities to sit with, cry with, encourage and minister to families suffering through the hospitalization of loved ones, frightening diagnoses and heartbreaking prognoses. And, like every other person on the planet, I’ve had to deal with the same things in my own family. Sickness and death are a part of life in this world and we have to deal with it, but sometimes it gets really, really hard to know how. Unfortunately, there is no magical incantation that I mutter that takes all the pain and anxiety away. I do, however, have some encouragement that will make the pain and anxiety somewhat easier to bear, I think.

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Behind the Scenes

By David Phillips (Adapted from Tyler King’s article in Daily Bread, October 17, 2019)

Very likely, many of us have never considered all the little parts and pieces that have to come together in order for one of our worship services to happen. But by the time you walk in the door and grab your bulletin from the table, shake a hand or two and find your favorite seat, many hours of effort, by several different people have already been in motion. They’ve been planning, preparing and providing for the efforts needed in order for the entire group of worshipers to be properly equipped and taught and led through what many of us consider to be the most important thing we do regularly. Worshipping God sets the tone for the week, and it shouldn’t be done haphazardly.

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What makes a Congregation the Church of Christ?

By Fenter Northern

What is a congregation of the Lord? That is a valid, challenging question that must be settled according to scripture. One of equal importance is: when is a congregation functioning as the body of Christ? What then, makes a congregation the church of Christ?

The answer is so biblically basic there should be no need to ask members of the church of Christ those questions, especially overseers in some congregations, but today there is. “For also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves.”

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Hezekiah and His Prayer not to Die

By Dan Jenkins

Many know of that time when the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah who was seriously ill. The message was simple. Isaiah told the king that he was to die. “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2 Kgs. 20:1). When the prophet departed, Hezekiah prayed so fervently to God that before Isaiah had left the palace God told the prophet to return to the king and deliver the message that his life would be lengthened fifteen years. There are some vital truths we must learn from the details of this wonderful story.

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1 John 2:18—Who Is the Antichrist?

by Wayne Jackson via The Christian Courier (www.christiancourier.com)

Dispensationalism, which is currently the most popular form of premillennialism, has much to say about “the Antichrist.” According to these theologians, the Antichrist is a man, now living, who will soon rise to the position of a world-wide dictator.

In his book, The Late Great Planet Earth, Hal Lindsey asserts that the Antichrist will come to power just prior to the return of Christ (1970, 140), which, he asserts, will occur during this generation (133).

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From Highland Gardens to Redland Road

By David Phillips

This congregation had its beginning in Montgomery in the early 1930’s as a result of mission efforts by the Highland Avenue church of Christ. The Highland Gardens community at that time consisted of about 120 homes, and as the church began meeting in various homes in the community, several gospel meetings were held in the neighborhood in tents. On January 1, 1932, construction began on a small, wood frame church building on the corner of Miller and Wilena Streets. By the end of that first day, the building was sufficiently complete to allow the congregation to meet in it. With walls and a roof in place, windows and doors were hung, and a coal heater kept the structure tolerably warm. With rough boards atop concrete blocks for pews, the church met for its first worship service in the “new” building that night. Within a few weeks, 120 chairs were purchased at a cost of one dollar each to replace the crude “benches”.

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Which Church? Does it really matter?

By David Phillips

There is a proliferation of religious bodies, churches, all around us today, and the conventional wisdom is that pretty much any of them would like to have you as a member. It is also a fact that many sincere religious people operate on the premise that it really doesn’t matter which church one belongs to, so long as it is under the general umbrella of “Christendom”.
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