One of the key teachings of the Bible is that faith is essential to pleasing God. In Hebrews 11:6, we read: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” This verse shows us two important aspects of faith: belief and action.
Continue reading “The Necessity of Believing in Jesus.”The past few weeks have been hard on all of us, especially the families of Marcus Carrington and Adam Haygood. We’ve all struggled with feelings of loss and being overwhelmed with the hurt and pain of losing people we care about.
Continue reading “Servants of Jesus Christ.”Easter is one of the most important and celebrated events in the Christian calendar. This holiday is focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is considered the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus is a powerful symbol of hope, new beginnings, and victory over death. In this article, we will explore the significance of Easter and what it means for Christians around the world.
Continue reading “Easter Sunday.”I’ve heard this question asked and answered more times than I care to remember. What’s even more troubling to me is that it continues to be asked. The importance of worship cannot be overstated. It’s huge because it matters to the Lord, and it matters for us.
Continue reading “Does Worship Matter?”Psalm 34:18–19
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (ESV)
This verse is often interpreted as a message of hope and comfort for those who are going through difficult times. But just as important is the idea that the Lord is always near to those who believe in Him. God cares deeply for every one of us.
Continue reading “The Lord loves you and wants to be close to you.”The promise that Jesus will walk with us is found throughout the Bible. One of the most well-known passages is found in Matthew 28:20, where Jesus says to his disciples, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This promise comes at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus has been resurrected from the dead and has given his disciples the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations.
Continue reading “Jesus walks with us.”Bright and shiny light bulbs! What an invention the light bulb. Every time I need to see what is in the darkness I can flip that switch and that bulb shines brightly. Yet is that bulb actually shining? Nope, actually the bulb is just protecting the filament that has been carefully placed within the bulb that causes it to shine.
Continue reading “The Element Within!”Talk about an oxymoron. The epitome of isolation and loneliness connected with what should be the epitome of family, purpose, and belonging. You may disagree with my choice of titles, but chances are, you were taught to be a “lone wolf” just like me. From childhood most of us were taught that all we needed to succeed in life was hard work and determination. We were conditioned to believe that we don’t need anything or anyone to attain our goals in life. We were raised to be lone wolves in life, in work, and perhaps most importantly, in our faith.
Continue reading “Lone Wolf Christianity.”At just 219 words, 3 John is the shortest book in the entire Bible. The size and them of 3 John is like 2 John. Both letters were written by the apostle John who is called “the elder” (v. 3). The sense of appreciation for their “children walking in truth” (vv. 3-4) also resonates in both letters. And, of course, both letters include warnings against church leaders who would deceive and abuse the church members.
Continue reading “Introduction to 3 John.”Every year, on the fourth Thursday of November, families across our country gather to indulge in turkey, dressing, and all the fixings we have come to love. We gather with family near and far, enjoy time to talk, catchup, and let us be honest, eat too much, watch too much TV, and if we are lucky, take a wonderful nap.
Continue reading “Thanksgiving: a necessary part of life.”Five of the books of the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to the apostle John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James. The gospel of John; 1, 2, 3 John; and Revelation. Most of the early church fathers claimed these books as written by John and the earliest copies have John listed in the title.
Continue reading “Introduction to 1 John”All four gospels describe John as a fisherman from Galilee, son of Zebedee and brother of the apostle James. The book of Acts also tells us that he is a leader of the church in Jerusalem.
Continue reading “Introduction to 2 John.“Bruce Ligon
The Old Testament records a revealing statement in 2 Chronicles 17:16. It reads, “…Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the Lord…” (NKJV). The book of 2 Chronicles is one of the least studied books in the Bible. This biblical declaration is one that is easy to miss when reading through the chapter. Yet, it brings to mind some practical applications that will benefit us as we strive to give our best efforts in the Lord’s service.
Continue reading “Service That Makes a Difference“How many times have you heard that sentiment? I have often tried to follow those wise words but often I have caught myself saying those dreaded words. It never fails that eventually I will carelessly say it and it never fails, I almost immediately regret it. I have often wondered why we use such ideas and why we inevitably regret doing so. Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that “never” carries such huge implications.
Continue reading ““Never Say Never!”“Eph. 3:14-19.
I am certain that you, like myself, are praying for the growth of the Lord’s church here and throughout the world. Regularly, I am praying for growth especially in the ways that the Lord wants us to grow but what is that. True growth is so much more than simply metrics like attendance numbers or contribution amounts. Real growth is growing in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). It is growing in our understanding of and imitation of Jesus (Eph. 4:15-16) in our daily lives.
Continue reading “A prayer for growth.“
Central Haywood Church of Christ 