The evil one uses some of his most cunning weapons against the faithful Christian, the dedicated Bible school teacher, the active deacon, the devoted elder, and the consecrated evangelist. Satan is wise; he selects temptations that may be successful. He does not waste ammunition.

The psalmist describes God's nature when he writes, Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. (Psalm 25:8 NKJV). 

To countless thousands, there is genuine hope of life beyond the grave. Hope which is based upon a confident faith in the power of Christ over death. Jesus claimed this power even before he was crucified; “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again . . .” (John 10:17-18).

Is it possible to drift away from God so as to be lost? It is according to the writer of Hebrews. Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will (Hebrews 2:1-4 NKJV)?

Is being a Christian worthwhile? Are there special and distinctive advantages in being a Christian? New Testament declarations and Christian experience answer in the affirmative. The possessions of Christians far transcend material value.

We are a people today who enthralled with being casual. You may have heard someone say, "I am just a casual observer." Or "I love casual Fridays." Or "I am only a casual sports fan." This term conveys the meaning that one is not as serious or concerned about a matter as others may be. There is nothing wrong with being casual in certain circumstances. However, I have to draw the line of wearing pajamas out in public. Do people really think that's okay? But I digress! The danger today is thinking that we can casually follow the Lord and that He is fine with it. 

When a person is baptized properly, it is approved of God and by all subjects of God. When a person prays appropriately, takes the Lord’s Supper or sings properly, the same thing is true. Should we applaud at any or all of those times?

When people see beyond "the passing pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11:25), and look upon the ruination it leaves in its wake, then they should have a holy hatred for it. May you cling to the words of Scripture that give the prescription on how to avoid ruining your life:  

“25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:” (Heb. 12:25.) (Romans 10:10).away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

How important is belief in Jesus being Son of God? It is so important that our eternal destiny depends upon it. Jesus once said, Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24 NKJV). To die in your sins means that you die in an unforgiven state, and thus you will land in hell and be punished forever and ever. On the other hand, belief in Jesus as deity and confession of that belief leads to salvation (Romans 10:10).away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

How important is belief in Jesus being Son of God? It is so important that our eternal destiny depends upon it. Jesus once said, Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24 NKJV). To die in your sins means that you die in an unforgiven state, and thus you will land in hell and be punished forever and ever. On the other hand, belief in Jesus as deity and confession of that belief leads to salvation (Romans 10:10).away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

“5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.   4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

 This week, you and I are blessed to feast upon the word of God, as we hold our annual gospel meeting. Our brother, Greg Dismuke, will be preaching the word, and I have every confidence that he will be prepared to do just that. Hopefully, you and I will be prepared and eager to receive the word preached, so that we might have the opportunity to grow, make corrections if necessary, and be encouraged.

 Put down the gavel! God did not intend for you to be a judge. We must discriminate between right and wrong . . . but it is not our business to sit in judgment or to presume to allocate to others their status before God. He alone can do that. Jesus forbids our assuming a role as a judge.

  In pondering the words, "gospel meeting," one can conclude this will be a meeting where the gospel is proclaimed, and that would be correct. What is meant by the term, "gospel?" The word appears 103 times in the New Testament. It is expressed as a message of good news: 

 The kingdom of heaven itself Jesus taught was like a merchantman seeking after goodly pearls, and gladly surrendering all for the “pearl of great price.” (Matthew 13:45-46). The origin of the pearl found within the shell of the pearl oyster or mollusk was, to the ancients, most mysterious.

 When Jesus walked this earth, He was a worker. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4). The word "night" in this verse refers to death. So, we must follow His example and work while we have the opportunity to do so. A good summary of Jesus' work is found in Matthew 9:35: Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. His example for us in this verse is threefold: He was teaching (imparting information); He was preaching (exhorting them on how to live in light of what they were taught), and healing (showing compassion).

 With our young people starting back to school, what can be said to provide some encouragement? The apostle Paul commanded a young Timothy, saying, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV). It is possible for some to look down upon others because of their youth.

For anything to be scriptural it must be sanctioned in the form of a divine command, by approved apostolic example or by necessary inference. Following these three, yet another method was introduced as that of an “expediency” to determine scriptural procedure.

As we travel the straight and narrow road toward heaven to find it strewn with stumbling blocks, and fraught with difficulty after difficulty. Jesus in his infinite wisdom knew the travel over the upward way was difficult and trying when he described the road to heaven in (Matthew 7:13-14).