When Shepherds Fail
by Bill Robinson The Tragedy of Weak Leadership in the Local Congregation Most congregations don’t die in a day. They don’t collapse because of a single scandal or a bad sermon. They weaken slowly, like a house that settles when no one checks the foundation. Attendance thins. Classes lose their energy. Members who once volunteered…
Read MoreI Know What I Feel
by David Gibson One day, while grading finals in a Bible course, I inadvertently placed the key on the right side of a student’s exam, instead of the left. Before I realized it, I graded the answer key by his paper and marked a red X beside six correct answers! That’s somewhat like judging God’s…
Read MoreBeing Prepared
by Zeke Flores “Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders among you'” (Joshua 3:5). Joshua 3 is about preparation. Israel is finally approaching the Jordan, and crossing it will mark the beginning of life in the land Yahweh promised. Before anything miraculous happens, Joshua tells the people to…
Read MoreFaith Only Heresy
by Terry Wane Benton Daily Points of Light from Heaven Probably one of the most deceptive and soul-damning doctrines to ever ruin souls and deceive the world is the doctrine of “faith-only” salvation. This doctrine has variations; some contend that a few seconds of believing in Jesus is enough to seal the deal from that…
Read MoreThe Defense Against Calvinism
by Samuel A. Matthews “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (I Peter 1:17 KJV). Loved ones, Calvinism is a system of belief attributed to John Calvin. Although it did not originate with him, he…
Read MoreWhat Rahab Knew
by Zeke Flores “And she said to the men, ‘I know that Yahweh has given you the land …” (Joshua 2:9). Rahab’s words in Joshua 2:9 are striking because they come from someone outside Israel. She isn’t quoting Scripture or repeating something she heard from a prophet; she’s interpreting the evidence. She’s watched the news…
Read MoreWhat is the unique day known only to the Lord?
Question: In Zechariah 14:7, what is this one day known to the LORD? That is: light at night time? Thank you. Answer: “In that day there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. For it will be a unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it will come…
Read MorePerfecting Holiness
by Hugh DeLong “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1). Holiness Absolute holiness is seen in the very character of God. He will not do wrong. He is not tempted by sin. Justice and Righteousness are…
Read MoreBehold Our King
by Clay Gentry “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand.…
Read MoreWeeping and Gnashing of Teeth
by Edwin Crozier Once again, Jesus brings up punishment in Luke 13:22-30. But notice first, in this parable, the anger is not that of temper-tantrum throwing tyrant who beats people for breaking his rules–its not that anywhere in the Bible, by the way. Rather, this is the King who held a door open and invited…
Read MoreSimilar Times
by Terry Wane Benton Hosea pointed out that the downfall of Israel was because Israel had lost their way. He said “there is no truth” (Hosea 4:1). When a nation does not recognize and teach “the truth” but perverts everything to each having their own “truth”, it becomes lies competing for dominance. Our country is…
Read MoreFalse Prophets versus True Prophets
by Tommy Peeler Jeremiah 23:9-40 warns against false prophets. Jeremiah 23:16-22 makes some interesting contrasts between true and false prophets. This brief post focuses on these verses. The false prophets are destructive to themselves and the land. Their message came from “their own imagination” and was “not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16).…
Read MoreChristian Victim Card
by Chadwick Brewer “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (I John 3:13). Christians are disdained and hated for their strong convictions of faith, radical morality, and different way of life. In a world of political correctness, it is still socially acceptable to mock and denigrate Christians. When Christians are maligned and…
Read MoreGod Will Do What is Right and Fair
by Edwin Crozier One of our least favorite topics is hell. Few people enjoy bringing hell into the conversation, even among the faithful. Those who do enjoy it surely have something wrong with them. Yet, Jesus warned of hell on multiple occasions–though I don’t think He enjoyed it. We see it right here in Luke…
Read MoreWhere Your Heart Is
by Hugh DeLong “You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections” (II Corinthians 6:12). This follows Paul’s long list of situations he had to deal with as a disciple of Jesus. Discipleship involves the setting of our hearts (our ‘inward parts’ – the visceral emotion or compassion – not…
Read MoreCourage
by Zeke Flores “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Joshua 1 opens with a major transition. Moses is gone, and Joshua now carries the weight of leading Israel into the land they’ve waited for…
Read MoreWho Is a Christian?
by Samuel A. Matthews “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (James 2:6-7 KJV). Loved ones, to answer our subject question completely, we will address three distinct aspects. First, we will consider whom denominations consider Christians.…
Read MoreOur Earthly Tent
by Hugh DeLong Paul faced many worldly problems because he endured persecution for preaching the gospel. He lists many of them in II Corinthians 11. These were so severe that he “despaired even of life” (II Corinthians 1:8). However, even in such a situation, he learned to trust not in himself, his existence, his ability,…
Read MoreEnd of an Era
by Zeke Flores “So Moses the servant of Yahweh died there in the land of Moab” (Deuteronomy 34:5). Moses’ death marks the end of an era. He didn’t enter the land, but he finished his assignment. The text emphasizes his identity: servant of Yahweh. That’s the defining description. Moses’ legacy wasn’t built on perfection; it…
Read MoreStability and Support
by Zeke Flores “The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). This blessing frames God as stability and support. Israel’s security wasn’t in geography or military strength; it was in God Himself. Moses wants Israel to understand that God is both refuge and foundation. He holds them up…
Read MoreThank you for the Memory Verse Cards
Question: Thank you for the memory card list 1-81 so far. I will share them online, with a photo of each card. I will get printouts and photos, and I may place them where they can be found, as God decides. I feel I have a fresh sense of purpose and usefulness again. Praise the…
Read MoreThe Poor Among Us
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-Poor-Among-Us.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 72 I. Poverty is an existing problem. It has always been this way and it will continue until the world ends. A. Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you.” – John 12:8 B. Poverty comes from a variety of sources: Circumstances, incapacity, and sometimes even by choice…
Read MoreCan a girl lead prayer in a Bible class?
Question: Good evening, sir, I was wondering whether you already have an article about women or girls leading prayer during Bible class or worship. I understand it all, but my wife, who was converted from a denomination, started teaching the preteen class with another member who is an elderly lady. At the end of class,…
Read MoreI commend you for your teachings
Question: Sincerely, I commend you and the church for your teachings. Answer: Thank you for your kind encouragement.
Read MoreThe Road to Ruin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-Road-to-Ruin.mp3 by Cesar Meza Download Audio
Read MoreIs starting a camping business wrong?
Question: I want to start a camping business near a lakeside view in a village area where people come for tourism and sightseeing. They stay to relax and enjoy nature, and we provide tents and food. We do not sell alcohol at our camping site. However, sometimes some customers come after drinking alcohol outside and…
Read MoreDo I need to be baptized again?
Question: Greetings! I have a question about baptism. I’m a baptized believer but have questioned my baptism after reading that some folks hold the position that baptism is invalid if the recipient didn’t understand that its purpose was to have our sins remitted. I turned to the Lord for the first time in my life…
Read MoreStages of Religious Fellowships
The stages of development often seen in religious fellowships, as described by historian David Edwin Harrell, Jr., are well worth considering today. From truth-oriented to group-oriented. From open controversy to closed controversy. From self-conscious rejection of society to self-conscious acceptance of society. From builders to preservers. Steve Wolfgang by Ed Harrell B. C. Goodpasture fits…
Read MoreThe Blessed Man of God
by Samuel A. Matthews Loved ones, the study of the Psalms has long yielded many Bible readers boundless profit and ever-increasing joy. The Psalms are so rich, so full of meaning. Perhaps no other book of the Bible has been read so fondly. The first Psalm may well be regarded as “The Preface Psalm,” because…
Read MoreOne Thing Is Necessary
by Edwin Crozier Imagine you woke up in the middle of the night, and your smoke detector is blaring. A fire is consuming your house. You realize you have time to grab just one thing and run out onto the street. What do you get? What would you think of a person with an infant…
Read MoreWorldly Christians? Leviticus Has the Answer
by Dr. Jeff Wilson via InLight Media Maybe you’ve noticed that some Christians seem to look like our culture more than they look like Jesus. Some believers have become so friendly with the world that their distinctiveness is fading altogether. It’s easy to see the problem … but what’s the antidote? Try Leviticus. Most people…
Read MoreIt Just Happened!
by Glen Young via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 4, December 1996 The elders met with the two couples to resolve the problem, if possible. One of the women sat and sobbed quietly. The other sat staring at a wall with red, swollen eyes. The first husband stood, shifting his weight from one foot to the…
Read MoreAw, He’s Probably a Nerd, but It’s for Sure He’s Ugly
by Gary Calton via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 4, December 1996 What happens when a friend gets a job advertised at twice your pay? How do you feel when one of the guys at work gets the promotion you hoped for? On the other hand, what happens when your best friend finally retires? Try as…
Read MoreGospel Guardian, February 1, 1978
by James W. Adams via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 4, December 1996 Almost two decades ago, the late B.C. Goodpasture, then the “Pastepot” but occasionally the rampaging and recalcitrant editor of “Old Reliable” The Gospel Advocate, characterized those opposing church support of human institutions and centralized control and oversight as “Johnny-come-lately Sommerites.” On this basis,…
Read MoreHe Who Is Least Is Great
by Edwin Crozier The disciples repeatedly struggled with the very problem I have. In Luke 9:46, “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest” (ESV). And that’s the problem. I want to be great. At least, I want you to think I’m great. Of course, you don’t have to think…
Read MoreConversion of the Philippian Jailer
by Samuel A. Matthews “Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And…
Read MoreJust Take Your Punishment
by Keith Sharp About forty years ago, I knew a young preacher with a cavalier attitude toward traffic laws. He was known to drive down the highway at breakneck speed, with a Twinkie and a Mountain Dew for breakfast, steering the car with his knees! Sandy and I would not let our children ride with…
Read MoreUnderstated Aspects of Grace
by Hugh DeLong In writing about the contributions that churches were making in a relief effort for the saints in Judea, Paul writes of grace (cp. II Corinthians 8:1-6). Here, Paul states that God’s grace gave the Macedonian brethren the opportunity to share worldly blessings with others. They responded by begging Paul to allow them…
Read MoreWhy God Allows Suffering
by Bill Robinson A Summary from Job 26:14 “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; and how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?” (Job 26:14 NASB). The book of Job is poetry, and this line closes Job’s hymn on God’s power over the heavens, the earth,…
Read MoreConfession, Contrition, and Repentance
by Chadwick Brewer Sometimes we conflate these three things as being the same thing. While it is true that ideally they would all happen together, they are in fact different and distinct. Let’s take a moment to define them and see what happens when they don’t happen concurrently. Confession The act of stating that what…
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