Archive for 2014
Why Do People Die?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/WhyDoPeopleDie.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. God warned Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of one particular tree – Genesis 2:15-17 A. Yet despite the warning, both Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. B. As a result, death then entered the world – Genesis 3:19 1. Because man had sinned, he was forbidden access…
Read MoreWhy is I Corinthians 7:27 translated differently?
Question: My question is, 23 different bibles all say the same thing. They specifically say “divorced from your wife” no problem there. Yet there are 7 different biles that also say the same thing. Instead of saying divorced from your wife they say ” if you are unmarried” here’s the problem with the word “unmarried”. Does it literally mean that…
Read MoreI find myself not caring like I used to
Question: Hello, I’m a 16-year-old girl. I received Christ as my personal Saviour for about 2 or 3 years now. But recently something has been bugging me. I feel as if my conscience has left or something. It sounds crazy or stupid, but I find that I have to force myself to feel guilty or…
Read MoreI have a good-paying secular job, but what I really want to do is preach
Question: Hello, I am a recent college graduate, and I currently have a secular job with a high salary. I don’t know, but I always feel sad whenever I’m going to work, thinking that this is not the world I wanted to be in, this is not the job I wanted to do. In short,…
Read MoreAbstinence Is Reasonable
by David Diestelkamp via Think on These Things “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (I Thessalonians 4:3). Society is totally confused. It wants people to be reasonable (thinking, logically) about sex. It wants them to think about civil law, time and place (decency), disease, pregnancy, “protection,”…
Read MoreKnow with Certainty
by Doy Moyer “For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience”…
Read MoreI need some advice on time management
Question: I’d like some advice, if you will, on time management. School has gotten be really stressful at times due to the high amounts of work I receive. I know that school is important and when I get on my computer for schoolwork, the majority of times I get side-tracked to your website probably for…
Read MoreI don’t know why I hide what I’m doing from my older brother
Question: Have you ever felt uncomfortable with someone who isn’t a devoted Christian or not a believer at all? This happens to me many times with my brother. Whenever someone tries to correct him, he immediately gets mad and defensive. He says he believes in God, but really he’s not convinced. He’s involved in fornication,…
Read MoreWhat do I do? The girl I got pregnant wants me to marry her
Question: I had a girl I loved so much. I visited her parents and relatives and visited mine too. We agreed to marry, but before the marriage, it was found out that I had impregnated her. I left her silently and married another girl. I did this because I am a church officer. I was…
Read MoreI am glad to find a church that is not into entertaining people to get them in the door!
Question: Just found your site. Well done. I am glad to find a church that is not into entertaining people to get them in the door! To bad you are not close enough to attend. How about some audio and video of your teachings and sermons? Answer: Look under Audio for audio lessons. We aren’t…
Read MoreYour website has been a tremendous help to my personal life and to the congregation here
Question: I wish to express my utmost gratitude to you. Your publication on your website has so far been of tremendous help to my personal life and the congregation. I had to take charge of lessons due to the ill health of the minister here for almost a year now. God bless as you continue…
Read MoreI’ve been involved in pornography and prostitution while attending church. Does that mean I need to be kicked out of the church?
Question: Hi, I’m writing because I don’t know what else to do. I grew up in a Christian household, always going to church. I would spend hours reading Bible and saying my prayers. I really felt God and all my skin on my face would grow tight. But when I reached my teens, I was…
Read MoreDid I cheat on my boyfriend when I had sex with two guys while drunk?
Question: I am currently engaged to the most wonderful man I have ever met. We do have a rough history, but I’m worried I may have ruined our future. We originally dated for a couple of months a few years ago but ended because I had confessed to him about seeing my ex whom I…
Read MoreI can’t settle on who I want to marry
Question: Thank you so much for creating this platform, God bless you. I graduated from college a few years ago. I have tried to work in some organizations, but yet to be fulfilled. Presently, I am still looking for a good job to sustain my living. I am the firstborn of my family. I have…
Read MoreI know I’m heading to hell, but maybe when I’m 21 I’ll pray to God
Question: To tell you the truth, I’m probably going to hell. Not that I follow Lucifer or any other entity, it is just that, well, I don’t know. I just read your article about sins and all. Some of the stuff you said I can relate to (and I’m not talking about the positive stuff…
Read MoreI keep repeating the same sexual sins. How do I stop?
Question: Dear minister, I just want to thank those involved in this work at the La Vista congregation. I am a new Christian and am relieved to be able to find many answers through your website. I do, however, come to you with a heavy heart right now. I have some sexual immorality in my…
Read MoreThe Work of an Evangelist
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I got to thinking about evangelists and evangelism in general. An evangelist (Gr. euaggelistes) is a preacher of good news (the gospel – Gr. euaggelion) and evangelism is what an evangelist does – preaches that good news. An evangelist preaches the gospel to the world to save it from sin. Philip was…
Read MoreHow can I care for my mother without involving my father?
Question: Hello, I am in my twenties. My mother and father are in their fifties. My mother has worked very hard all her life and deserves that I take care of her finances for retirement. She has never owned a home. Presently, my parents rent a townhome. I want to start my financial planning and…
Read MoreHow do I stop being so involved in my friend’s sinful life?
Question: Here’s the background story: A year ago my friend, whom I’m very close to, dated someone who wasn’t mature enough for a relationship, but she still went out with him. She gave her all to him (including sex), and three months later they broke up. Ever since then they have been messing around, and…
Read MoreWhat can I do for my daughter who fears she might have done something wrong?
Question: My daughter was recently baptized. Since then, she has been sad and crying every day, feeling so guilty and questioning her every decision or thought or word out of her mouth as to whether it is sin. She knows even just one small sin, even a little lie, can keep her from heaven if…
Read MoreShould I marry the girl I’ve been having sex with?
Question: God bless you, I am struggling with a decision. I have a girlfriend whom I have been with three years already. She is a very nice girl, her parents have raised her very well. She is respectful, not selfish, very polite, and not sloppy in terms of doing what a young 21 year old…
Read MoreIs salvation is a state or process?
Question: Is salvation is a state or process? Because I do struggle with sin pretty badly! Answer: Salvation is a state. “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). But it is…
Read MoreIs it wrong to quote the Bible in your prayer?
Question: Is it wrong to quote the Bible in your prayer? If yes, why, and if no, why? Thanks. Answer: Nowhere in the Bible does it forbid one to quote Bible passages in prayer. As long as your prayers are sincere, humble, with faithfulness, fervent, watchful, praising, and thankful, quoting Scripture is not inappropriate. As…
Read MoreShould we wait until after we finished school to get married?
Question: Hello, I am a 21-year-old college student, and currently about five months pregnant. I am not married to the father, but we are engaged and have been together a little under two years. My parents know (I still live with them) and although my mother is not a Christian, my father, my brothers and…
Read MoreI love my girlfriend, but she won’t stop talking to her prior boyfriend who is also her cousin
Question: My girlfriend and I are in a strong relationship for about an year or so. I love her so much and she loves me. But there is a little problem that’s growing bigger in my mind and occupies a large part of my mind. The problem is she has been with a couple of…
Read MoreCan God really forgive me?
Question: Please help me out. I committed immorality. Can God really forgive me? Can I ever enjoy His grace as a worker in church again? I really wish I had never committed this foolish act. Please talk to me because I feel so stupid about this. Please I am waiting to hear from you. Answer:…
Read MoreVacant Chairs
Vacant Chairs – Part 1Vacant Chairs – Part 2Vacant Chairs – Part 3Vacant Chairs – Part 4 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There is a office that is vacant; chairs that need filling A. Perhaps there are some here today that can fill the need 1. Not everyone can fill it. No everyone will want to. 2. I Corinthians…
Read MoreHow do I deal with my friends’ poor conversations?
Question: I have two friends who I talk to regularly. I associate with them on a weekly basis more or less. One of them believes in God though he is not “devoted” as one would say and the other is an atheist. Both of them know clearly that I am a Christian, and they don’t…
Read MoreHow can I get excited about being a Christian again?
Question: Hello, I have a question basically on how to desire God more and want to go on with the sanctification process, rather than being complacent and being that Sunday Christian. I’m hoping you can help me with some tips on how to want to desire to go on with my walk with The Lord.…
Read MoreWhy did God create such a vast universe?
Question: Before I discovered your site, one of the things I have been wondering is “Why did God create the Universe, besides Earth?” There are so many ideas that boggle me with this question that lead to confusion, and curiosity. Sometimes, I wonder “Why has God created the Universe that is full of both wonder…
Read MoreWhich is more important: secular studies or Bible class?
Question: When brethren choose to attend secular classes or because of their secular studies schedule are unable to attend Bible study on evenings, do you think it’s fair to them to say that secular studies are more important? Answer: The secular world is always less important than the spiritual world. “The world is passing away,…
Read MoreHow did Moses write about his death before his book was finished?
Question: So how did Moses write about his death before the first five books of the Old Testament ended? Answer: Joshua was the prophet who came after Moses “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded…
Read MoreMy mother thinks I’m too young to get married. Must I obey her?
Question: Good day, I am 21 years old, born again and spirit-filled. I’m currently in a relationship with a Christian sister, who is also born again and Spirit-filled. She is 18 years old. Though our relationship is based on the Word of God, we have the don’t and the do’s of our relationship. I love…
Read MoreI reconnected with a man I had sex with before I was married
Question: Hello, I’ve found myself drifting off in this direction and would appreciate your help. I’ve been married for 18 years to a lovely man of God and we have several children. My problem is that before we got married I met and fell in love with someone else, and he started having oral sex…
Read MoreWhat does “praying in the Spirit” mean?
Question: Can you please explain to me Jude 20 when it said “praying in the Spirit”? Answer: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also…
Read MoreIf I had an affair with another man while separated from my husband, could I marry the man I had the affair with?
Question: I separated from my husband because of his cheating and in the process met a man who was separated from his wife. I had an emotional and sexual relationship with him. I’m confused about if I’m committing adultery and if God will bless our union. He is divorcing his wife who was married previously.…
Read MoreI don’t know if I should sacrifice my happiness to stay with my wife
Question: Hello, I have a very painful situation to talk about. I have been married for less than ten years. Recently my wife left me and said she didn’t love me anymore. This was after a string of arguments, for which I take half the blame. I tried to reason with her but to no…
Read MoreIs restitution necessary for salvation?
Question: I am writing to you asking for your guidance. I am a believer of Christ, but am in a dark spiritual place. I do not understand the biblical concept or requirements of restitution fully. Clearly, Zacchaeus made restitution for the sins he committed and was saved. But is restitution required for salvation or repentance?…
Read MoreI cheated on my marriage. Can I be forgiven? Can I remarry?
Question: Blessings! I have three questions: Will God forgive me because I committed adultery twice in my marriage with the same man and I was already a Christian? Can I remarry the man with the one I cheated on my now ex-husband with? We still see each other and talk, but we don’t have sex…
Read MoreShould I stay in a game that involves betting on a fantasy football league?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, I have a question for you regarding a gambling situation I’m struggling to decide on. One of my friends has a fantasy basketball league with ESPN.com where people can have basketball teams with particular players from the NBA and they compete based on stats and points to win. His league requires everyone…
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