I had a relapse of my schizoaffective disorder and I fear I did something wrong
Question: Hello, I have schizoaffective disorder. I have had a recent relapse. I encountered many disturbing occurrences of racing thoughts and hallucinations from the enemy, and I did not do well. I rebuked and prayed, but I feel broken and lost like I did something wrong. I have been a Christian for many years, but…
Read MoreHow do I tell someone that having a child outside of marriage is not good?
Question: Hi! I just started hanging out with this girl from work lately, and she recently told me she had a miscarriage a month or so ago. She’s also had a few before that I already knew about. She’s not married, and she has only been dating this guy since she had the miscarriage. She…
Read MoreWhat do I do? A friend propositioned me
Question: One of my friends, who is also a male, has sexual desires for me. He says that he loves me a lot and this is something that will complete the cycle of love for him. He also says that he is not gay. He has never had sex with any other male, but he…
Read MoreI’m Not a Scholar, But …
by Doy Moyer It’s interesting to me how we sometimes couch our arguments with disclaimers that may end up casting doubt upon the very arguments we are trying to make. I tend to get a little suspicious of the argument when someone starts that way (including my own). Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that the…
Read MoreToo Late
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/TooLate.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreA Jew on the Day of Pentecost
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/JewOnTheDayOfPentecost.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat does it mean to give your problems to the Lord?
Question: What does it mean to give your problems to the Lord? Does it come down to the fact that things on earth are temporary and we should be looking at the bigger picture? Answer: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your…
Read MoreI struggle to fit in
Question: Hi, I am struggling a lot with fitting in. I was not raised in the church. I found the truth over 30 years ago. I have moved to different states for various reasons. I have had an ongoing struggle trying to find my place in each congregation. I feel sometimes it is a hard…
Read MoreHow do you know you’ve understood the Bible correctly?
Question: Hi there, I have a question about the different ways people read the Word of God. Overall each one has something right, but I would mainly like to know of a way of reading the Bible and taking it to heart. How is this specific method obtained through the Scripture? A fellow worker and…
Read MoreQualifications for Deacons
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/QualificationsForDeacons.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreWhat Are Elders Responsible For?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/WhatAreEldersResponsibleFor.mp3 Text: Ezekiel 34:1-10 I. Oversee the Church – I Peter 5:2 A. Shepherding the flock – This is where the term “pastor” comes from 1. They see to it that the church is taught, so all can grow – Ephesians 4:11-16 2. But sheep have a tendency to stray – I Peter 2:25 a. Because people forget to…
Read MorePitch-Pipes and PowerPoint
by Bryan Hodge Members of the church of Christ have historically emphasized that the Bible teaches that we should have Biblical authority for what we do. God has required such. He did under the Old Covenant (e.g. Leviticus 10:1-2; I Samuel 13:9-14; II Chronicles 26:16-21). He does under the New Covenant (e.g. Acts 15:22-24; Colossians 3:17…
Read MoreShould the Lord’s Supper only be offered after the invitation?
Question: I have been a member of the Church for many decades and have never felt the Lord’s Supper should be served before the invitational hymn. We want to wait for those who care to join our work, so we should serve it after the hymn. Do you agree? Answer: The assumption is that most…
Read MoreI keep having sex because I’m looking for love and acceptance
Question: I am a mother of a teenage boy. I was traditionally married to his late father who died over a decade ago. I always find myself falling into the same sin: I cannot resist sex. I am HIV positive, and I always tell that to my partner. I am a Christian and have tried…
Read MoreYour site helps me answer questions quickly
Question: I would love to thank you for maintaining and publishing your website online at lavistachurchofchrist.org. It has helped me answer questions for friends quickly when I didn’t have my Bible with me at work. I am not always good at putting things into words well so that it comes across in a manner that…
Read MoreIs circumcision necessary?
Question: Do you consider male circumcision a necessary intervention in life – young or old? I only ask because some Christian denominations believe so. I was circumcised as an adult. I only ask for your guidance. I accept that Jesus was circumcised. It was my Sunday School teacher who broached the subject. She told us…
Read MoreWe just can’t get enough money for lobola in order to get married
Question: Good day, I have a very loving relationship with the father of my toddler. We love one another dearly, but unfortunately, we have no money. He has no money, and I cannot go on living day-to-day worried about the next meal. Our child lives at my home, where my parents cater to the child’s…
Read MoreMy nephew spends everything he makes and is always begging for money to pay bills. What do I do?
Question: I read your article on giving. Someone asked and you gave a lot of discussion around widows and orphans and want versus need. I have family members who look for ways not to work but continually seek help from us. My nephew and his wife do not go to church. My nephew was raised in…
Read MoreIs entertainment the devil’s substitute for joy?
Question: I recently listened to a sermon where the preacher said, if I remember correctly, “Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord the less entertainment you need.” Is that so? Before becoming a Christian, I had these habits of reading and consuming culture for selfish reasons, now…
Read MoreWill God punish me through my child because I sinned?
Question: Hi, I’m 20 years old and currently pregnant with my first child. Before I found out the gender, I would watch porn, even though I do have my boyfriend and he doesn’t know about that. When I found out that I’m having a boy, they also told me he has an abnormality that can…
Read MoreGrowth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Growth.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreQuoting Scripture as Evangelism
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/QuotingScriptureAsEvangelism.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:3-11 I. It is difficult to read the New Testament and not notice the number of times Jesus and the apostles make their points by directing the person to the Old Testament by means of a quote. A. Regarding eating grain plucked on the Sabbath – Matthew 12:3-5…
Read MoreHow can I get closer to God and be filled with the Spirit?
Question: Hi, I was looking for a particular topic online when I came across your page where you gave advice about fornication and other matters. I’m 21 years old. I was baptized when I was 11 years old. Since then, I changed churches, and I’ve been at my present church for over five years. I’ve…
Read MoreI recently learned I have ALS
Question: I have recently been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gerig Disease, I think it’s called in the US). I am a strong, committed, and faithful believer in God; however, I am not immune to fear of the unknown. I know I only have a very short time left on earth, and will soon be joining…
Read MoreCan I Trust the Bible?
by Ethan Longhenry via de Verbo vitae By far, the most popular book in our culture is still the Bible, and for the Christian, the New Testament in particular. It is a text that is about 1,900 years old, and for some reason, we see many misconceptions about its textual validity. Common misconceptions, which I hope…
Read MoreI almost went back home until someone saw me and smiled
Question: Dear Brother Hamilton, I have more of a story to tell you than a question to ask. First, I want to thank you for the work you’ve done on this site. It was an instrumental force in restoring me to the Lord’s church after 20 years of being fallen away. I still use it…
Read MoreIf you’re shy, do you have to lead prayer in church?
Question: If you’re shy, do you have to lead prayer in church? Answer: That is a great question! Let us be honest, you don’t have to do anything if you do not want to! For example: When I was a child, I would try to keep a beat to the music, but to no avail.…
Read MoreWhat Difference Do Elders Make?
by Matthew Bassford via His Excellent Word Yesterday, a friend of mine Facebook-messaged me, asking precisely the question in the title. Apparently, they’d been having a conversation with a friend, and the subject arose. It has the sound of a rhetorical question, which says something interesting about the experiences of members of churches of Christ in…
Read MoreWhat should be done about a woman who repeatedly has children by different men?
Question: Here is the situation: 4 years ago a member of our church got pregnant by her boyfriend and had a baby. She came forward and repented of her sins. 3 years ago the same member got pregnant by a different boyfriend and had a baby. She again came forward and repented of her sins.…
Read MoreHow do I get a hold of hymns written by members of the churches of Christ?
Question: Do you know of any way to get a hold of a collection of hymns written by members of the churches of Christ? I very recently joined the church and have been wondering why we sing songs that were written by unsaved people? I actually love these old hymns like “Sweet Hour of Prayer”…
Read MoreShould someone who says he is gay lead singing in a congregation?
Question: Yesterday my husband was disheartened to hear that one of our song leaders at our church of Christ is a confessed gay man who came out on social media and declared he has tried all kinds of treatment but just can’t feel differently. We both wish the best for all people in seeking their…
Read MoreAbijah’s Brief Reign
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/AbijahsBriefReign.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Chronicles 13 I. Abijah succeed Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, as king of Judah – II Chronicles 13:1-2 A. This same king is call Abijam in I Kings 15:1-8. 1. Not much is mentioned of him I Kings other than there was constant war between Abijah and Jeroboam, the king…
Read MoreI feel hopeless because I had sex with more than one guy
Question: Good Morning, I’ve been having a really hard time dealing with my past and my relationship. My ex-boyfriend of several years and I broke up. I lost sight of the Lord and I sinned. I had sex with other people, and I am full of so much guilt and shame. My ex and I…
Read MoreShould I move back in with my boyfriend if we don’t have sex?
Question: Hello, I recently went through a bad breakup with my boyfriend of several years. I moved in with him, and I sinned all the time by having sex and getting drunk. When we finally parted ways, I realized that I needed to change my ways and live for God. I have been on a…
Read MoreIs it wrong to have a picture of Buddha in our home?
Question: Hi, My wife and I are both Christians. My wife put a picture of Buddha in our home because it matches our furniture color and it is nicely painted. I almost fought with her to remove the picture because it contradicts our faith in Christ in my opinion. The questions are: First, is it…
Read MoreIs it acceptable to use songs that have humming for one or more of the parts in worship?
Question: Good evening brother Jeffrey, I pray this email finds you in good health. May God favor you for blessing us and teaching us. You and many have given me so much knowledge in God’s word and increased my faith. I am a member of the Church of Christ. I wanted clarification about how some…
Read MoreNot the Plan But the Man
by Larry Ray Hafley Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 24, p. 16-18 December 21, 1995 Forrest L. Keener is a well-known Baptist preacher and author. In his paper, The Baptist Watchman, he wrote an article entitled, “God’s Man Of Salvation” [March 1995, p. 1-3]. While this is not intended to be a review of that article,…
Read MoreWhat If?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WhatIf.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreWas Jesus a pacifist?
Question: First of all, I love your website because it provides me with a tremendous amount of godly information. I have a two-part question that I was unable to find on your website: Should Christians always be pacifists. There are several who claim that we should be claiming that Jesus was a pacifist. Answer: A…
Read MoreI ruined my reputation as a Christian. Do I have to marry the woman I had sex with?
Question: Hello sir, I have read some of your answers related to sexual sins, and I thought I would seek Godly help from you. I was a very strict Christian in my early life. However, after completing my education, I desired worldly things instead of growing in God. I am staying in a non-Christian country, and…
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