Does God knit each one of us together?
Question: Good day, I have heard preachers say that God has knitted us together in our mothers’ wombs. Surely this is a general statement to mean God is the designer and sustainer of our lives, not that He has physically and individually put us together? I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Answer:…
Read MoreI stopped attending church because I committed sexual sins
Question: Please, I am a baptized Christian who is a member of a denomination. I am in need of your advice. I am 26 years of age. I have engaged in sinful sex with a cousin on several occasions, for which I felt ashamed after the acts. I stopped going for the Lord’s Supper and…
Read MoreWhatever Happened to Modesty?
by Denise Bowman Biblical Insights, July 2007 Modesty has been an issue for man since the beginning of time (Genesis 3:6-7). Isn’t it amazing that Adam and Eve, who were husband and wife and alone in the Garden, understood the need to cover their nakedness, and yet it is sometimes such a stumbling block for…
Read MoreHow does God forgive besetting sins?
Question: Hello, I have a question on how God forgives besetting sin. I have given my life to Christ about a year ago, and it has been the best thing I could have ever done with my life. However, I’m finding myself with a pattern of committing sin. I have gone through some periods of…
Read MoreMy four-year-old hates God
Question: Good morning. I have a few questions I am needing guidance on. My mother passed away a year ago. Then close to her one year, my grandmother passed away. I have a 4-year-old son who is struggling hard. We are a church family but now he does not want to go to church ever…
Read MoreDoes righteousness mean giving?
Question: Brother Jeffrey, I hope you have time to answer. I was speaking with a Pentecostal fellow who tried to redefine righteousness as sadaca (giving) from the Old Testament. I knew this was wrong but didn’t have a great answer. I thought about Romans 1:16-17, the passage he was trying to redefine. Is the passage…
Read MoreAbounding Through Many Thanksgivings to God
by R. J. Evans We are so fortunate to live in a country that realizes the need to set aside a special day of “Thanksgiving.” Our nation celebrates this holiday on the fourth Thursday in November — this coming Thursday. However, as Christians, every day should be a day of “thanksgiving” because we have innumerable…
Read MoreIs the Sabbath Day no longer sanctified?
Question: Hi, Thank you immensely for all of the hard work you put into this website. I am a faithful member of the Lord’s church and I am currently involved in personal evangelism with a student who is a Seventh-day Adventist. We have made great strides and she is a wonderful student. I know that…
Read MoreA Young Soul Winner
by Jefferson David Tant “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) Nancy Harber was only 14 (well, almost 15), and at this young age had already experienced one of the greatest joys of…
Read MoreI Will Bless the Lord at All Times
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/I-Will-Bless-the-Lord-at-All-Times.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 34 I. We usually think about the victories of David and see his life through that lens A. He defeated Goliath B. He won amazing battles over the Philistines C. He became king over all of Israel D. But we forget how difficult David’s life was reaching that point II. The situation A. King…
Read MoreCan I dance with my wife at home? Can I have naked pictures of my wife?
Question: Good day sir. May God continue to bless you for the good work you are doing. Please kindly help me out with these questions: As a Christian, is it wrong to ask my wife to send me naked photos of her when I am not nearby? I know that Christians do not use instruments…
Read MoreAre promises the same as marriage covenant?
Question: Dear minister, I have been feeling torn, confused, really unsure of what to do at times, I have prayed, trying to trust God to help. In the context of understanding marriage, I have searched about promises compared to covenants, including some answers on your site, and from other sources. Before I became a Christian…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Legacy?
by Jefferson David Tant An old saying says there are only two things that are certain — death and taxes. And there is much truth in that. 😊 Something in today’s paper got my mind thinking about one of those certainties —death. And what about death? The word “legacy” came to mind, so I looked…
Read MoreThe Changing Morals in America
by Sewell Hall There was a time when the leaders of our country unashamedly proclaimed their trust in God. George Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters.” Similar quotations…
Read MoreWhere do I start learning more about the Bible?
Question: Dear Sir, I am a young female trying to get my spiritual life right, but I don’t know where to start. I need information on commentaries that are easy to read and understand to help me out in the process. I am so lost. I pray daily for understanding, and I am trying to…
Read MoreThe Battlefield: Your Family
by Mark Broyles Biblical Insights, July 2007 “And there arose another generation after them, who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). How could that happen? How could Satan get such a position of strength among God’s people in such a short time? The nation…
Read MoreSpreading the Word: Is Noah Our Last Resort?
by Floyd Chappelear Stand, October 15, 1993 If one were to ask what the purpose of Jesus’ coming to the earth was, what might we answer? One might say it was to establish the church and that answer would be acceptable because Jesus did come in fulfillment of prophecy; which included the establishment of the…
Read MoreTV and Religion
by Floyd Chappelear Stand, October 1993 I would like to add some thoughts concerning the way television networks treat the subject of religion. Numerous surveys have shown that “at best” the media treats religion as if it were an unimportant, insignificant part of people’s lives in spite of the fact that when surveyed the majority…
Read MoreTV May Be Bad for Children!
by Floyd Chappelear Stand, October 1993 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he …” (Proverbs 23:7). Image by Vidmir Raic from Pixabay Learned thought patterns can lead to sociologically unacceptable behavior, liberals have finally learned. According to an article by Mike Woods (Scripps Hoard pl; j News Service), “some kids spend more time watching TV…
Read MoreDarwin — the Father of Evolution, Racism, and Abortion
by Jefferson David Tant The world has changed since Charles Darwin concocted the idea that we have all evolved from the slime in a primeval swamp. In many ways, the development of scientific achievements has been a great blessing to us in the way of the comfort of living and other advances. But there is…
Read MoreMy commendations to the congregation on the great work that they are doing
Question: Dear Brother, I am reading for the first time Who We Are on your home page even though I have visited this site for years. I have been preaching for over forty years. I have preached most of what is on that page and told congregations and individuals that things like what is on…
Read MoreDid the righteous before Jesus have to wait for Jesus’ death to receive the promise?
Question: Does Hebrews 9:15 teach that those that God chose as righteous under the old covenant also had to wait for the blood of Christ for the promise to come into effect? Answer: Salvation to mankind required the offering of a perfect sacrifice for mankind’s sins. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls…
Read MoreWho is supposed to guide local congregations?
Question: I am from a church of Christ that is normally referred to as one cup, no Sunday school, no divorce and remarriage, etc. My question is this: If there are no positions of pastors nowadays, who is supposed to guide the local congregation? Who can we go to in the time of struggle, problems,…
Read MoreJesus, the Light of the World
by Matthew W. Bassford In writing his gospel, the apostle John often likes to group Jesus’ “I am” statements with events that define that characteristic. “I am the bread of life,” follows the feeding of the 5000, “I am the resurrection and the life,” precedes the raising of Lazarus, and so on. This certainly is…
Read MoreDoes Psalms 118:22-24 refer to Jesus and his resurrection?
Question: Dear Sir, May the peace of God be with you all. I would be grateful if you could help me with the understanding of Psalms 118:22-24. Is the verse(s) referring to Jesus and his resurrection? Thank you, God bless you. Answer: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is…
Read MoreCan We Pray Ever to Jesus?
by Terry Wane Benton This question is asking us to discern whether there is a pattern in scripture so restrictive that it never allows us to say a word to our mediator (a strange restrictive pattern that allows everyone to usually talk to their mediator or advocate but not in this case) or say a…
Read MoreWhen was Jesus born?
Question: I have known Bible scholars to teach that Jesus was born in the Spring or maybe the month of April!? What say ye? Answer: The day of Jesus’ birth gives rise to endless speculations. Instead of picking a day based on some obscure philosophical argument, let’s list out the markers that we do know.…
Read MoreAre You Ready for What God May Be Sending?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Are-You-Ready-for-What-God-May-Be-Sending.mp3 by Raymond Warfel There was mention of the President possibly having received treatment that involved fetal cells. This was checked after the sermon was presented and found to be not true, for which we are thankful. See Update: Here’s what is known about Trump’s COVID-19 treatment.
Read MoreReasons to Glorify God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Reasons-to-Glorify-God.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow can I find peace when I have an appointment with death that I can’t avoid?
Question: I don’t even know what to teach my children. Do I tell them “no heaven isn’t for you … you’ll reign on earth after sleeping for a million years or so”? I’m starting to feel like Christianity is all about feelings. We have been taught what makes us feel good. Our minds can’t fully…
Read MoreIs participation in a fishing tournament gambling?
Question: Is participation in a fishing tournament gambling? Answer: Gambling is attempting to get something for nothing without rendering service or exchange of goods. Gambling is basically driven by covetousness, laziness, and recklessness. A gambler, desiring the possessions of another offers a risk that involves losing your possession on the chance of gaining what everyone…
Read MoreObedience to God
by Paul Southern via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 10, August 1952. The subject of obedience is an important theme that should engage the thought of every responsible person. Rebellion against constituted authority seems to be a trait inherent with mankind. On every hand, we witness infractions of constitutional, statutory, and social laws. Hence, it…
Read MoreCan 6-year-olds form a marriage covenant?
Question: If God takes every word I say into judgment … This is going to seem silly but when I was around 6 years old I got “married” to a boy on the playground. As a kid I took it as seriously as a 6-year-old could, I suppose. I know it shouldn’t make a marriage…
Read MoreWhat are we to be obedient to?
Question: What are we being obedient to? Is it the Old Law? Is it God’s commands? What commands does God have? The old testament commands? I know about the plan of salvation and the steps to become a Christian, but where do we find out how to know we are doing the work of God…
Read MorePride in Our Culture
by Garry Floyd “And the LORD said to me, ‘Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, “Hear the words of this covenant and do them. For I solemnly warned your fathers in the day that I brought them up from the land of Egypt, even to…
Read MoreWill things go my way for once?
Question: Good day, Sir. I am happy that you have always been there for me to encourage me whenever I need it, but I feel my problems do not want to let me be. I pray and I fast, but nothing tends to work the way I ever want them. I was working for a…
Read MoreWhat is the proper response to “Men Going Their Own Way?”
Question: Brother Jeff, Thank you for the way you have been helping me in the faith. It has been invaluable and I understand some things I previously didn’t. I don’t know if you’ve heard of MGTOW which is “Men Going Their Own Way.” It isn’t unexpected that such will arise in a time of modern…
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ Is Not of Christ
by Kent Heaton The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “But thou shall say unto them, This is a nation that obeys not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receives correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth” (Jeremiah 7:28). The news unfolds daily how a nation once built upon the fundamental teachings…
Read MoreWhy is the church both the body of Christ and the bride of Christ?
Question: Please, why is the church called the body of Christ and at the same time called the bride of Christ? Thanks. Answer: People are known by a variety of names and titles because one name doesn’t completely describe a person or his relationship with other people. I’m known as “Jeff” to friends, but in…
Read MoreWhat can be done about a family that constantly fights with each other?
Question: Hello, my brothers and sisters, How should family disputes or arguments be dealt with when the family members are Christians? A certain family at my congregation have arguments about how they talk to each other, not being patient with one another, hurting each other’s feelings, yelling, etc. I know this because one of the…
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