Posts Tagged ‘blessings’
Using Our God-Given Abilities
by Bret Miller Think on These Things, Vol 55, No. 1, January-March 2024 In Matthew 24, Jesus is asked about the signs of the end of the age. Jesus then spoke for a long time on many different subjects, answering what the kingdom of heaven would be like in the end. One of those descriptions…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “God will give you the desires of your heart”?
Question: Hello, I hope that you are blessed in every aspect of life. I am emailing you because I want to understand the meaning of the scripture in Psalm 37:4, which says that God will give you the desires of your heart. Now, I do not want to confuse the meaning where some of us…
Read MoreOn the Other Side of the Fence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/On-the-Other-Side-of-the-Fence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:4-9 I. It is so easy, so tempting to look at what someone else has accomplished and think “That could have been me.” A. When you are in school, have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I can’t wait until I have a job. None of this homework business for…
Read MoreThe Parable of the Unjust Steward
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Parable-of-the-Unjust-Steward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Luke 16:1-13 A. Many find this parable confusing because of the praise of the lord in verse 8. B. How is it that an unfaithful steward, about to be relieved of his position, gains praise from his employer when he ends his career stealing more from him? II. This parable follows three other…
Read MoreUse Your Blessings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Use-Your-Blessings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 12:16-21 I. Our lives are filled with blessings that we too often take for granted. A. We assume that they will always be there. We might even feel that we deserve them 1. Consider Jonah’s attitude – Jonah 4:5-9 a. Jonah received a blessing from God. b. But when the blessing ended…
Read MoreCount Your Many Blessings — But Use Them
by Kent Heaton As a nation, we are blessed in measures far exceeding the majority of people in the world. The material wealth possessed by Americans may seem rather routine but in most countries owning a pair of shoes is like owning a rare jewel. Stores often are filled to the brim with an abundance…
Read MoreThe Blessings of Following Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Blessings-of-Following-Christ.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
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 MoreWhen Hard Times Come
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/When-Hard-Times-Come.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:12-14 I. Life often goes in different in directions from what we expect. A. It had long been Paul’s desire to go to Rome to preach the Gospel – Acts 19:21 B. It seemed though that something always came up which kept him from reaching his goal – Romans 1:13…
Read MoreWhy don’t the wicked all suffer?
Question: Hi, Why does God bless some and not others if we are all sinners and deserve nothing at all? How does He pick them out? Why does He not make everyone suffer? Some of us have much more severe issues that last for years and then others get a little slap on the wrist…
Read MoreShould I ask God to give my daughter all my blessings?
Question: Good morning. I’m struggling with the thought of how to pray for a blessing. My daughter is in university, and she has for many years had a struggle with confidence. She is really smart but doesn’t believe in herself. In some of the classes, she is barely passing, though she has a B, which…
Read MoreIs it wrong to say “God bless you” to a group that includes non-Christians?
Question: Hi, Thanks very much for your insightful teachings and encouragement through this website. I attended a recent gospel meeting and the preacher ended it with ‘God bless you’ and ‘Godspeed’ to the audience. I remember one Bible class teacher mentioned that Christians must use the term ‘God bless you’ appropriately; ie. to Christians only,…
Read MoreDoes our fornication mean our marriage will never be blessed, even if we repent?
Question: Hello, Recently an event happened to me and I’ve been looking everywhere to find a solution, including browsing the Internet. Then I landed on your website, which is very useful. I had a girlfriend, and we were really close until recently. We meet each other last year, and I fell in love with her.…
Read MoreWere some blessings meant only for the Jews?
Question: Sir, Many say that some blessings in the Bible are meant only for Jews. If so what are those verses? Answer: They don’t exist, unless you are talking about specific promises to the nation of Israel given in its past, such as the promise to give them the land of Canaan. “”Indeed He says,…
Read MoreThanks for the resource in explaining the difference between birthrights and blessings
Question: Just wanted to say thanks for the resource in explaining the difference between birthrights and blessings. You have a very nice website. Answer: I’m glad you found the material useful.
Read MoreDo you need her parent’s blessing before marrying?
Question: Hi, I am 22, Christian, (raised and worshiping in a non-denominational church of Christ, actually), and have a bit of a conundrum. I apologize for the lengthy staging here. I met the girl I want to marry. She is a baptized Christian, also 22, but was raised in a stricter sect of the Mennonites.…
Read MoreThank you for the entry on birthrights and blessings
Question: Hello, I want to thank you for your website entry that answers the question, What is the difference between a birthright and a blessing as in the story of Esau and Jacob? Our BSF leader directed us to this to help us in our Genesis study, and I appreciate you and her. l browsed…
Read MoreShould only Christians be blessed?
Question: When you ask God to bless someone, do they have to be a Christian? I doubt it, but I still want to ask. When someone says may God bless you, does He actually do it? Also, what do you think of Mother Teresa since she was a Catholic? Do you agree with her mission?…
Read MoreWhy hasn’t God blessed me?
Question: I have nowhere else to turn at this point. I have prayed, but I guess I’m not doing it right. I have changed my ways, but I guess I haven’t changed them enough or the right ones. I have strived diligently to be obedient to the word of God as best I can, yet…
Read MoreAre All Peacemakers Blessed?
by Gary W. Summers All Bible students have the obligation to study the Scriptures to ascertain their true meaning. Many problems in the Lord’s church, not to mention the religious world in general, could have been avoided with more of an honest investigation into God’s Holy Word. Too often has a verse been lifted out…
Read MoreWhat are blessings and curses?
Question: A student of mine asked this question and I’m not sure how to answer. I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks. I want to know what are curses and what brings curses upon a person? And what is a blessing? How can a person be blessed? Answer: “But no man can tame…
Read MoreWhy do the wicked appear to succeed, but not always the righteous?
Question: With all the due respect, let me take this opportunity to thank you for all your efforts in teaching us, and the whole world at large, the word of God, and all the spiritual food that you feed us. May God bless you! As a believer of Christ, I have a question that is…
Read MoreAre God’s blessing physical or spiritual?
Question: I’ve heard so many times from my friends saying I’m so blessed that I have gotten good grades and a good job. What about those who believe in God but are not getting any jobs or are poor in studies. What is the actual meaning of blessings from God? Is it physical or spiritual?…
Read MoreWhy is the Hebrew word for “bless” in Job 1:5 translated as “curse?”
Question: My Bible has a footnote on Job 1:5 that says the word “curse” in this passage is actually the Hebrew word for “bless.” I don’t understand this. Answer: “So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the…
Read MoreWhy is America prosperous and the Philippines are not
Question: It seems that the recession has had little effect on the call centers here because a lot of companies are in need of manpower. A visiting preacher had announced the deferment of some of his benevolence because some of the brethren where he is from are getting laid off from their jobs. It is…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a birthright and a blessing as in the story of Esau and Jacob?
Question: What is the difference between a birth right and a blessing as in the story of Esau and Jacob? Answer: Birthright: A birthright referred to a person’s inheritance. For most of the world’s history, the firstborn child of a family would receive an extra inheritance from his father. What would happen is that when…
Read MoreFrom a Fortune Cookie
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I was at a Chinese restaurant the other day. It had been several years since I had been there, and the food quality had gone downhill in the meantime. But at the end of the meal came the traditional fortune cookie. As I munched on the treat I read the slip…
Read MoreNotes on Blessings
Genesis 1:18 Genesis 9:1 Genesis 12:2 Genesis 17:20 Genesis 21:9-21 Genesis 24:35 Genesis 26:12 Genesis 27:21-40 Genesis 28:1 Genesis 32:29 Genesis 39:5 Genesis 41:31 Genesis 48:15-16 Exodus 23:25 Exodus 34:10 Leviticus 26:4 Deuteronomy 23:5 Deuteronomy 28:2 Deuteronomy 29:5 Joshua 14:13 Joshua 22:6 I Samuel 2:20 II Samuel 6:11 II Samuel 7:29 II Samuel 13:25 I…
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