character – La Vista Church of Christ

Boundary or Character

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:27:16 +0000

by Ray Warfel, Jr.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Have you seen the warning labels on some products and thought, "Who needs to be told that?" I don’t have any, so I can’t check, but I would guess that after the Tide Pod situations a few years ago, there is a warning label clearly saying, “Do not eat.” You know they put those on their products; every warning label is there because somebody did what it warns against. Why do we have so many laws and rules? Because people are out here doing wild things, but you know nobody needs a law saying love, joy, peace, and so on are good things.

In this letter, Paul shows that Christians are not justified or made holy by perfect adherence to the law. He even says Jesus set us free so we can enjoy freedom. Now, that does not exactly mean that you are at liberty to do whatever you want. I often use a bird or fish as an illustration. A caged bird is set free, and it is most free when flying overhead. Free as a bird, right? Or a fish swimming freely in the ponds, or lakes, or even the wide ocean. But a fish who flops up on land wouldn’t be free even if that was right where he wanted to go. Or a bird deciding to leave its flock and join a school of fish.

Sometimes within church groups we focus careful attention on the line between right and wrong. Drunkenness is condemned in Scripture, so we spend time discussing how many drinks constitute drunkenness; some think it is just one. The Bible encourages modesty, so we discuss where the line is—how high on the bottom end, how low on the top end. Do you think this fixation on the line- how close to the line can we get- betrays a law-and-works-based mindset?

The Bible absolutely does give us moral boundaries. Drunkenness is wrong; sexual immorality is wrong; modesty matters; self-control matters. So, asking where Scripture draws a boundary isn't inherently legalistic. But when the boundary becomes the goal, something has gone wrong. A person asking: “How much can I drink without technically being drunk?” is asking a different question from: “What kind of life produces sobriety, self-control, and love for other people?” Likewise, “How short can my clothes be?” is different from: “How can I carry myself in a way that reflects Christ and honors other people?” The first questions are boundary questions. The second questions are character questions.

The question isn't always, “Is this allowed?” Maybe a better question is, “Is this helping me become the person God is making me?”

Credit

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:39:34 +0000

by Zeke Flores

When I was a much younger man, I wrecked my credit. I made foolish decisions, borrowed more than I should have, and made late payments. Soon, the only ones who would lend me money were the high-rate lenders, and even they were wary. It took years to restore my financial good name, and I’m glad to say that today I have a very good credit rating.

The word “credit” is derived from a Latin word meaning “belief in, faith in, a thing entrusted to another.” Since it involves trust, we say that one who is trustworthy has “credibility.” It’s a positive thing, and when someone exhibits high integrity in a thing, we say they’re a credit to what they represent.

I believe Christians should have good credit, both financially and character-wise. I realize that sometimes money troubles are unavoidable, but they shouldn’t wreck our character along with our credit rating. We ought to be people of high integrity, even when, especially when, life around us crumbles. When people see my trust in God during tough circumstances, I hope they’ll see the genuineness of my faith and maybe even cultivate one of their own as a result.

See, I want to be a credit to Christ. I represent His cause, and people ought to know they can trust my testimony and my character. This is because everything I do and say is an extension of my trust, or lack of trust, in Him. And because I trust Him, He’s extended to me a trust, a stewardship, that I must maintain with absolute integrity. I’m a custodian of my relationship with Him, so my moral soundness must be pure, and that means I won’t make promises I can’t keep, financially or personally. Then, maybe people will say, “He’s a credit to his Lord.”

"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy" (I Corinthians 4:1-2).

You Are Not Your Temptations

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 18:46:32 +0000

by Chadwick Brewer

Many people believe that what they feel drawn to (tempted) is their true, authentic self. They believe that giving in to all their temptations is just being who they really are. There are several things wrong with that.

Desires are never that straightforward and are often opposed. We want to be in shape and healthy while also eating whatever we want. We want those around us to feel loved and cared for by us, but we also want to express our anger and get revenge. Obviously, desires cannot be our guiding light.

Desires are constantly shifting and changing. They change with our blood sugar, the time of day, our mood, and a hundred other small things happening internally. They also change with our environment. People who are drawn into gangs are not just being their true selves; they are hugely influenced by their environment. Clearly, something so mutable cannot be our true selves.

Giving into our base desires makes us and the world a very dark place. It has always been noted that when people give themselves to all their desires, they make their corner of the world worse. Why would we believe that that is our authentic self?

You are not your temptations. You are not someone who is supposed to be a rage monster. You are not made for sexual temptation. Who you really are is not your greed or selfishness.

You were made in the image of God and called to conform to the likeness of His Son.
No temptation has overcome you that is not common to mankind (I Corinthians 10:13). God has provided a way of escape because He is faithful and long-suffering, not wishing you to perish (II Peter 3:9).

A Spiritual Beauty Contest

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:15:36 +0000

by Orlando Gonzalez

I have a question: Which is more beautiful, a 2015 Aston Martin DB10 or a Madonna Lily?

I know, I know. You might be asking yourself, “Orlando, what kind of question is that? You can’t compare a luxury car to a mere flower. What’s wrong with you?”

Yes, I understand what you mean, for these two inanimate objects are so fundamentally different that you can’t logically conceive any good reason for making such a comparison. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. One is crunchy and sweet (or tart, depending on the breed), while the other has thick, peelable skin with a soft “flesh” that is incredibly juicy and aromatic. There’s just nothing there… Or is there?

I bring this question up because it brings forth this interesting conundrum: Can you truly compare a car to a flower in some way, shape, or form and determine which one is better in that specific area? Because, believe it or not, I truly believe you can. It’s the same with comparing apples and oranges; you can compare them because they are both fruits. You can base the comparison on flavor, texture, ease of consumption, and presentation if they are both fruits. Thus, comparing an apple to an orange is possible and even reasonable. Since that is the case, we will make this comparison based on visual and spiritual characteristics to analyze and conclude which is actually more beautiful. After all, one is a man-made object, and the other is a god-made object. Both objects were brainstormed, engineered, and crafted by creators, after all.

“Wait,” you might say, “but beauty is subjective, though, and did you just say 'spiritual'? What do you mean by that? And how can you determine a fact from a measure that virtually everyone has different tastes on?”

First, yes, I did say “spiritual”, and what I mean is that we’re going to look at the inner essence (or dominating personality traits) of the two, similar to how we would describe people by the state of their “hearts”. Secondly, I can find the answer and determine it as fact by looking at God’s Word. During the sermon on the mountain, Jesus Christ stated in Matthew 6:28-29,

“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” (LSB)

I want you to notice that not only did Jesus make an unusual comparison between the wisest and wealthiest man who had ever lived to a seemingly insignificant flower to make a point to help with anxiety, but he also made a definitive conclusion that one was much more glorious than the other. Jesus, God in the flesh, determined that the lily was more beautiful than Solomon at the height of his reign. It’s quite marvelous to think about. Since whatever God says is true (Romans 3:4, Hebrews 6:18), it must be a fact that a flower is much more beautiful than a king like Solomon, but how can that be, and why is that the case? To determine this, we must first look at what beauty is.

According to Merriam-Webster, beauty is “the quality or group of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or the mind: loveliness.” Granted, you can rightfully argue that beauty can’t be restricted to just a dictionary definition, and I agree, as there is much more to beauty than words are capable of properly capturing and conveying what it is (I recommend seeing Doy Moyer’s article to learn more about this matter). Still, I want to bring this definition up to establish some foundation.

This definition reminds me to look at the hearts of the people I come in contact with to determine whether they are truly beautiful. The age-old saying is, “Do not judge a book by its cover.” There are some exceptions to this rule, of course. Still, the point of this saying is that the innermost qualities of someone (personality, skills, knowledge, etiquette, etc.) or something (behavior, function, representation) are much more important than the outward visual qualities. There’s also the other saying: “Appearances can be deceitful”. It’s funny, yet at the same time, disappointing, how we as human beings constantly give in to our senses when we lay our eyes upon a shiny, fancy, clean, and expensive product that will help bolster our appearances to satisfy our egos and to get everyone to pay attention and praise us for what we own, even at the risk of damaging our spiritual integrity (I John 2:16).

To use a couple of examples to illustrate this, you may know a woman who is incredibly physically attractive and healthy, but if she has a heart of stone and a mind full of wickedness, then it is better to live alone for the rest of your life than to marry her (Proverbs 21:19). There may also be a seemingly nice house that you saw online that is up for sale, with the ad stating that it was recently renovated and is selling at an outstandingly low price compared to what’s out there on the market. You ask for a tour, you take a look around while the seller tells you what they did, you believe what he says, you decide to take it, fill out the paperwork, buy the house, move in, and… You find out that the basement is flooded after one bad rainstorm due to the foundation being compromised and covered up by the seller.

While God wants us to appreciate beauty (after all, he made us with minds that have the natural ability to recognize beautiful things), we ought to be extremely careful and be on guard when we set our eyes on people or things that will tempt us to turn away from God. This is one of the many methods Satan takes advantage of our senses to trap us in a snare.

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24 LSB).

In the context of vehicles, the wealthy and elite tend to desire more than just what they need when they’re out car shopping; they want a vehicle that matches their personality, is made out of the highest quality materials you could find on the market, is made by a highly-reputable brand, and, most importantly, carries such excellent craftsmanship that you could say that four-wheeled tool is a rolling work of art. There is a large market for these people, so luxury car brands like Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, Bentley, and Aston Martin are commonly associated with financially rich and influential members of society. Their main demographic is people with deep pockets who want something that shows off their wealth, so they will ensure that they develop the most beautifully designed cars the world has ever seen. This applies to any other product made by human hands to achieve breathtaking visual magnificence: purses, clothing, jewelry, furniture, electronic appliances, you name it. Many of us are just so self-conscious about how others perceive us that we feel the need to put in ludicrous amounts of money to either show off to others how much we have achieved in our lives or feel accepted and “normal,” like some who decide to get plastic surgery even though they didn’t need it.

Sadly, this is how beauty is often abused; the pursuit of visual perfection causes us to lose sight of what matters in life. We end up turning beauty into an idol (Exodus 20:3) and forget our goal of working towards spiritual perfection (Matthew 5:48, James 1:4, Ephesians 4:13). What many don’t know and may never realize until their deaths is that physical beauty is both temporary and surface level. Mega-mansions do look impressive, but they will one day deteriorate and collapse. Sprawling cities with massive skylines will turn to ruins one day. Clothes will unravel and tear apart after so many uses and washes, and cars will succumb to the elements, no matter how much you try to preserve and maintain them. I guarantee you that any car enthusiast would love for vehicles like the Aston Martin DB10 to be indestructible and exist forever. Still, the reality is that they are just like any other tool. It will serve its purpose until it cannot anymore; hence, there is no point in stressing out in keeping it as close to how it rolled off from the factory floor as possible (ref. Matthew 6:19-24).

Cars only exist to satisfy the desires and needs of mankind, and this is another thing that people often miss: Car lovers will put so much time, money, thought, and passion into these machines that they will center their lives around them and will even romanticize them, carrying such a deep emotional attachment to them that they will see them as “living entities” (Jeremy Clarkson, Love the Beast, 2009). Can you imagine how much you must worry about getting a scratch or a dent on your luxury SUV? To the material man, it would be an eyesore!

But what about the Madonna lily? What about this “small” workmanship of God? When you first glance at it, it is a lovely-looking flower, but you might say there isn’t much “substance to it” and move on. However, our Lord stated that this was much more glorious than King Solomon, so there has to be something truly remarkable about this small plant. Fortunately, Jesus strongly hinted at what it was. He stated, “They do not toil nor do they spin,” implying that the beauty of the lily isn’t so much its looks but rather its behavior. Its existence displays simplicity, modesty, gentleness, humility, tranquility, and purity. It does not stress what might happen in the future or what it needs to handle, nor is it cautious about the dangers around it. It is simply there, seemingly enjoying the fact that it exists, thanks to the mind of God in calm reflection.

Would anyone out there love to always be in a state like this? I know I would! And yet, we still have many people who strive after king, presidential, and governor roles to obtain power, money, and status without seemingly considering the amount of stress these jobs would come from the sheer work and responsibility you have to take care of.

And before you say, “Oh, Orlando, you’re looking too deep into it,” may I remind you that humans constantly do this with art every day and do so in unnecessarily far-reaching ways? If we are willing to place four hideous pillars of ship parts over I-80 and I-29 in Council Bluffs, Iowa and accept the artist’s explanation of the meaning behind the work as “an act of passage, of creating a sense of place and an identity” [Albert Paley, Sculptsite.com, 2010], then I think it’s more than reasonable to look deep into a product made by the greatest artist who lived, and who will live for the rest of time and beyond.

Colossians 1:16 demonstrates that every piece of creation in this universe has a purpose, even the Madonna lily.

“For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (LSB).

Notice how it mentioned that all things were created for Him. Why? God isn’t a being that needs anything to continue existing and get by in his life (Acts 17:24-25), so what could the physical world do for Him, especially the beauty of it? David and the Apostle Paul tell us that all of creation, from the grand vastness of the cosmos to the small existence of madonna lilies, is meant to give us a better understanding of who God really is.

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and the expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalms 19:1 LSB).

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 LSB).

With all this being said, it is clear that the Madonna lily reigns supreme over not just a DB10 but any work mankind has ever created. This flower was made to reflect on who the Master is, a being who looks at things from a much different and much better point of view (Isaiah 55:8-9). We should all heed Elihu's words when he rebuked Job: “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14 LSB). Deeply contemplating and reminiscing on nature makes us better understand and appreciate God. He is a God of solid order, needed purpose, great imagination, and majestic spiritual beauty. His sense of beauty, in particular, lies in simplicity and elegance, perfectly balancing His work to make every piece of His creation uncluttered and highlight what's essential, allowing us to focus on what truly matters and find joy in life's uncomplicated and anxiety-free periods.

I do wish I had found out about this sooner. When I was younger, I had an unhealthy obsession with cars, foolishly thinking that they were so awesome that God would be impressed by them. Fortunately, I came into contact and formed deep bonds with members at the La Vista Church of Christ, who deeply appreciated flowers and plants of various kinds. After becoming an official member there, I wondered why their interests were in things that did nothing but act pretty. Still, my mentor, Jeffrey W. Hamilton, an avid photographer who commonly takes photos of flowers, and Garry Floyd, a hardcore plant fanatic, showed me that there is something truly special about having a finely designed work of God live in your home, under your care. This revelation, while simple and easy to understand, has helped me to grow into a much more mature man than I was a few years ago. I hope that more people will go outside more often, look up at the stars, or observe the wildlife around them and realize that there are many more important things to think about than what you want to look like or what someone else might think of you.

Defining Ourselves

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 02:37:12 +0000

by David Gibson

"If we are left to define ourselves, it is impossible to know who we are" (author unknown).

How some define themselves

Many believe they are the product of a long evolutionary development from lower life forms. But soon after creating lower forms of life, God said, “Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness” (Genesis 1:26 NASB), and He gave humans rulership over all other living creatures (Genesis 1:20-28).
Some have chosen to identify as the opposite of their birth gender—or as “non-binary.” But as Jesus said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female . . . ?” (Matthew 19:4).
Jesus addressed those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt” (Luke 18:9-14). The parable that follows sets the record straight.
Jesus challenged those who rejected Him while taking pride in being Abraham’s children. “You are of your father, the devil,” He told them, “and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44).
The Laodicean Christians were quite satisfied with themselves, but Jesus showed them how they really were (Revelation 3:14-22).
New Age thinking is one of numerous current influences promoting the idea that we humans can actually become divine beings. What a self-definition that is! Those who believe this need to take a good hard look at how God humbled those who claimed such prerogatives, such as the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4-20) and the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:1-19).

The One who defines us

Shouldn’t it be obvious that only the One who made us can tell us who we are? He tells us in His word that by studying the Scriptures, we can understand our true identity and what we can become in Christ through His grace and help. Knowing this is both humbling and encouraging. Humbling, in that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), and encouraging as we learn how His grace can transform us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

What a God we serve!

Joseph, The Other Father of Jesus

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:41:04 +0000

by Perry Hall
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2015

God thinks fathers are so important; He gave Jesus one. Now, let me bore you with a few statistics: Young men growing up in homes without fathers are twice as likely to end up in jail as those from two-parent families. 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. 85% of children who exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes. 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes. Boys who grow up in father-absent homes are more likely to have trouble establishing appropriate sex roles and gender identity (National Fatherhood Initiative, 2001). Old figures and they are getting worse as the gospel is needed in all homes and hearts. No wonder the Holy Spirit prophesied Elijah's spiritual descendant would “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children” (Luke 1:17). Fathers have always been important.

Too much of America doesn’t think fathers are important. The nation's moral values are digressing so much that the language has adapted. Unmarried men getting women pregnant but not in a future relationship are “baby-daddies.” These women are “baby-mommas.” How is the absentee father crisis solved? For those without fathers, adoption, fostering, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and such are all life-changing and pure religion (James 1:27). For those who are fathers, it takes a godly character within, based upon a relationship with God. Being a father is more than physically being there at conception or later on. God thinks fathers so important; He gave Jesus, Joseph, the other father of Jesus.

Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, is very much the son of Joseph even if he did not biologically father Him (Matthew 1:15-16). While the term adoption is not used, the Bible does use the term “father” to describe Joseph, coming from Mary’s mouth (Luke 2:48). Many people have been named in wills to receive children upon the death of the parents; such is a great honor. The Heavenly Father chose Joseph to be His Son’s earthly father. What an honor! Could we have been chosen?

The Situation

Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant. Matthew 1:18 presents more questions than answers, which is probably how Joseph initially felt. How does Joseph discover this, this, this “complication?” Matthew says, “It was discovered” (HCSB), “She was found” (NASB; ESV; NET). Luke says after Mary becomes pregnant, she visits her relative, Elizabeth. How long does she stay? She goes when Elizabeth is six months pregnant; if she stays until the birth, that is three months - long enough for Mary to start showing. Does Joseph hear rumors about the “unfaithful” Mary who got “sent away” to relatives? Does Mary herself tell Joseph? If so, naturally, he does not and cannot believe her spectacular story. Would you?

A Man Who Lives the Gospel

By law, Joseph has the righteous right to put Mary to death even though they are only betrothed (Deuteronomy 22:22-27). Being righteous or just does not mean only applying the letter of the law (Zechariah 7:9). It also means preferring mercy over personal rights. As people who want to follow God’s laws, it can be counterintuitive to apply mercy and grace. Think about that statement before casually dismissing it. Easily and faithfully, we can think we are breaking the law by not applying consequence instead of mercy. But is the New Covenant the only law?

“Joseph could not have known it, but in his actions he became a foregleam of the gospel itself. According to his understanding Mary was guilty under the Law, and thereby was condemned to death. But in an act of grace he showed mercy. Thus his very gracious attitude was an acted parable of the grace of God extended to all men who are condemned under the Law but who may receive grace, mercy, and peace through Him whom God entrusted to the care of one who himself showed mercy” [Hobbs].

Living the gospel, Joseph does not want to do to Mary what Jesus will do to Satan and his minions (Colossians 2:15). Jesus triumphs over Satan, but Joseph is not interested in triumphing over Mary. Being a parent and spouse is not about winning or losing. It is about sacrifice.

A Man Who Chooses Love over Hurt

Although the word “love” (agape) is not used in this pericope of Joseph, I hope the point is seen as legitimate. Not putting Mary to death or divorcing her, but instead marrying her, is an act of seeking the best on the part of Joseph for Mary. Now, from his perspective, this is love over hurt. True agape love seeks the best for the other, even when hurting. Not wanting to disgrace is an act of grace.

A Man Who Considers His Actions

Even before the angel appears to Joseph to explain the things of God more accurately, he considers the evidence as he knows it (Mt. 1:20). Every action Joseph takes could have been a natural emotional reaction instead of a mental and spiritual consideration. Considered enthumeomai means “to reflect on, to ponder.” How many bad decisions are made without thinking and without considering all the ramifications for all involved? How many decisions are only about “me?”

A Man Who Is Willing to Change His Mind

After the dream, after the angel appears, and after receiving more evidence, Joseph changes his mind. If you are a fan of the movie “Oh Brother Where Art Thou,” you are familiar with the lead character’s wife, Penny McGill, who could out-stubborn a mule. One of her lines is, “Eve spoken my piece and counted to three.” Such should never be said of parents. All should be approachable, even after making a decision. Such should never be said of those belonging to God. Whether it is our opinion of someone, an action being considered, or our understanding of God’s revelation, new evidence should always be welcomed and acted upon. Recently, in class, the teacher asked, “Raise your hand if you consider yourself open-minded.” Would you raise yours? Who wouldn’t!? But are we being close-minded about our being open-minded?

A Man Who Knows the Scriptures

Matthew includes Isaiah 7:14 in his commentary on Joseph and Mary. The angel does not say this messianic quotation to Joseph, but all indications are that he knew the scriptures. Would God have chosen Joseph to be His Son’s father if he hadn’t? This is a good question for us if we consider our children gifts from God. It is even more important if we want to raise our children to be children of God.

A Man Who Obeys God to His Own Hurt

I may be doing a little speculation here, but stay with me. If Joseph knew Mary was pregnant, and if he was willing to divorce her, then is it likely others knew? And if others knew, and Joseph married her, could he not have endured the same shame? Could that be the reason the angel says, “Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife” (Matthew 1:20). We do know that later others referred to Joseph as Jesus’ father, so either time passed so that no one knew, or else people refer to Joseph as Jesus’ father because that is the role he assumed (Luke 4:22). In the second century, Celsus, an anti-Christian Greek philosopher, mounted an attack on Christianity. Celsus wrote that Jesus’ father was a Roman soldier named Panthera.

A Man Who Sacrifices All for the Safety of Family

Fast forward to after the birth, but before the Massacre of the Innocents. An angel again comes to Joseph, this time warning him and instructing him to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14). Even when the news from God is good news, it is hard news. Being a parent is difficult, whether a mother
or father. That is one reason too many are “deadbeat dads.” Being a dad is more than being a DNA donor. Any mature male can father a child, but it takes a mature man to be a father. When sacrifices are made, especially those that take the father away for great periods of time, it is imperative that communication takes place. Sometimes, dads can make unnecessary sacrifices, thinking the family would rather have things than him. If that is the case, then again, communication is needed to correct the wrong thinking, whether in the children, wife, or father.

A Man Who Was There When God Needed Him

After Matthew 2, Joseph is never seen again in Matthew. In Luke's story, Joseph is only seen in the first two chapters, the final scene being when Jesus is twelve. Then he disappears. He is not seen at the cross, like Mary. He is not mentioned at the beginning of Acts, like Mary. Speculation is that he died by the time Jesus began His ministry around the age of thirty. Whatever happened, one thing is true and undeniable. When God needed him, Joseph was there.

Jesus imitates both His fathers because His earthly father imitated His heavenly Father. That is the goal for all parents and their children.

Jesus Lived the Gospel;
Jesus Chose Love Over Hurt;
Jesus Considered His Actions;
Jesus Was Willing to Change His Mind;
Jesus Obeyed God to His Own Hurt;
Jesus Sacrificed All for the Salvation of Family;
Jesus Was There When God Needed Him.

God thinks fathers are so important; be like Joseph, the other father of Jesus.

Looking for a Man

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 01:18:50 +0000

by Dene Ward
via FlightPaths.org

Sometimes, I wish we had taught classes in our churches specifically about what to look for in a mate. I have seen too many young people looking at only the outer man to decide whether he is suitable to marry. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to imagine your boyfriend as the father of your children. Do you want them to grow up like him? Sometimes I think young ladies get a little more desperate than young men and are willing to settle for just about anyone, as long as he has been “dunked” and sits on a church pew. Big mistake, girls. I am not sure I did a better job of looking for the right things, but I sure wound up with better than most, so let me tell you what makes a real man, having been married to one for 50 years now.

A real man is not too embarrassed to worship God with all his heart and let everyone see it. So what if he cannot sing like one of the “Three Tenors” or even the latest teen idol? If it is obvious that his heart is in it when he sings, let him bellow all he wants! David, a warrior-king, surely a man’s man in every sense of that phrase, wrote unabashedly emotional songs to God, prayed to him night and day, and worshipped so fervently he embarrassed his wife (II Samuel 6:16ff). Don’t let yourself get caught in her trap and ultimate curse. If your present boyfriend cannot even make himself mutter loud enough for you to hear right next to him and makes it obvious that the assembly of the Lord’s people bores him to death, particularly if he claims to be a Christian, do you really need another reason to question staying in that relationship? Training your children to love God is hard enough without fighting the other parent's example.

A real man takes care of his family, no matter what that involves. What is your fellow’s record at home? Does he willingly do the chores his parents have given him, or do they have to nag? Does he balk at particularly dirty jobs and even refuse to do them? I do not mean complain once in awhile—that should be allowed. But there may come times when your husband has to get out there and do things for the family, which are pretty disgusting. I can remember a time when all of the plumbing in the house was totally plugged up, and my man had to go outside at ten o’clock at night, dig up the top to the septic tank, and then lean down into that nasty, smelly hole with a long stick and manually unplug the drainpipes. He never balked at changing diapers or cleaning up after a sick child. He has even held my head while I was sick. If your guy is too finicky for such things, he is a weakling! Real men are strong enough to do what has to be done. Mine has dug ditches in a driving rainstorm to keep our house from washing away and dug a well in a cold January rain despite a 102-degree fever because we had had no running water in the house for a month and could not afford a professional.

Third, real men are not selfish. Does your boyfriend ever do what you want, or are you always stuck with his choices in entertainment and activities? (Conversely, do the two of you only do what you want? A real man has his own opinions and is not run by his woman.) Does he go out of his way for you? Does he act like a gentleman, dropping you off under the covered entry and then running through the rain himself? …offering you his coat when you are cold? …carrying heavy things for you? Or does he just treat you like one of the boys and let you fend for yourself? And most important, has he ever hit you? Does he constantly criticize and ridicule you, even in front of others? Does he order you around and act jealous whenever another man even looks at you? Does he get angry and yell, then blame his explosion on you? Drop everything right now and leave as fast as you can. A husband is supposed to nourish and cherish his wife and treat her as well as he treats himself (Ephesians 5:25ff). He is kind and considerate and looks out for his wife’s best interests, whether they are in his best interests or not. That is God’s description of a real man.

Every marriage will have its ups and downs, dealing with hardships and sorrows along the way: financial problems, health problems, and family problems. Look at him now. How does he deal with mishaps? With upsetting circumstances? With aggravating people? Does he whine? Does he crack under stress? Is he volatile, even frightening? Can you tolerate even being around him when he is not happy, or does he make everyone miserable? Whom does he rely on? Whom does he go to for advice and comfort? Is it even possible to comfort him, or is he inconsolable? It’s one thing to comfort the man you love in a crisis. It’s another to put up with an immature, irresponsible man with no self-control, and even need protection from him because he has hit a rough spot in the road and cannot deal with it like an adult.

A real man keeps his word. If your boyfriend has gone back on any promises to you or anyone else, what makes you think he will honor the vow, “For better or for worse, till death do us part?”
Last but certainly not least, is he romantic? If he is already your fiancé and you are not hearing, “I love you,” even once a week, you will find yourself starved for it in ten years and even wondering if it is true any longer. Every relationship needs the grease of affection to handle the natural friction of living together. I hear those three magic words no less than half a dozen times a day, sometimes limited only by the number of times he can call and still give his employer a full day’s work. Along with love notes and wildflowers, hand-picked on the way home from work, and more hand-holding than a couple of teenagers, I do not doubt that this man would give his life for me without a moment’s thought, “as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for it” (Ephesians 5:25). Will you have that kind of assurance?

So don’t go out there looking for a cute one, a popular one, or a rich one. When it comes down to real life — not some fairy tale fantasy — none of that makes a difference. In fact, if that is all you go by, you probably won’t live happily ever after. I lucked out and got a guy who gets better looking as the years go by, but even if you don’t, you can still be like me and be happier as the days go by instead of more and more miserable because you made a rotten choice based on shallow, fleeting values. Be careful. This is one of the most important decisions of your life. Whom you marry will affect you as a Christian and your ultimate destiny more than any other decision you will make.

"So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:21-24).

Character Matters

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 23:38:52 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CharacterMatters.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Romans 5:1-5

I. Suppose you needed to hire someone for a job. What would you look for?

A. You probably need someone with the skills to do the job, but what other things would you look for? Given several candidates with equivalent skills, what would set one person out above another?

B. Would character make a difference? Would you hire a compulsive liar, a drunk, a drug user, a thief, or someone who is lazy?

C. Suppose you were looking for a job. Would you consider the character of the company and the character of the employees of that company when you consider working for that company?

D. What about picking a doctor, or a mechanic, or someone we are voting for an office in government?

II. The concept of character is found in several biblical words

A. Virtue - Greek: arete - Moral excellence

1. Praise, glory - Hebrew: salsillah

2. It refers to things worthy to be praised

3. God calls us by His glory and virtue - II Peter 1:3

4. Which leads us to imitate Him - II Peter 1:4-5

B. Integrity - Greek: adiaphthoria - Unable to be corrupted

1. Hebrew: tom - Moral completeness, uprightness, innocence

2. Hebrew: tummah - Innocence

3. Psalm 26:1 - David walked in his integrity and therefore would not slip.

4. Job’s wife wanted her husband to give up his integrity - Job 2:9

C. Proven character - Greek: dokime - Tested trustworthiness

1. Romans 5:1-5

D. Your reputation is what people think you are; your character is what God knows you are

1. “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” [Karl Bismark]

2. “Character, then, is what we are when no one sees but God” [Os Guiness]

III. Our core values

A. It starts from within.

1. “Sow a thought, and you reap an act;/ Sow an act, and you reap a habit;/ Sow a habit, and you reap a character;/ Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” [Charles Reader]

2. This is Jesus’ point, who you are starts with what you think - Mark 7:14-23

B. Philippians 4:8 - Think on these things

C. How we think influences our behavior - Proverbs 4:23-27

1. Sadly Satan understands this all too well

2. It is not accidental that movies have “chance” cursing or the “obligatory” sex scene

3. Why is it that music videos feature scantily clad singers?

4. On the other side, why do so many intellectuals become upset about prayers and the mention of God in schools?

5. People understand that to mold the behavior of individuals, you first influence the way they think.

D. That is why it is important to think on proper things - Philippians 2:5

E. Set your affections on things above - Colossians 3:1-4

IV. Consistency in application

A. A person who lies sometimes, doesn’t have an honest character, even if he believes lying is wrong.

B. Character results from the habits of the heart. After speaking of the things we should meditate upon, Paul tells us to put them into practice - Philippians 4:9

C. It is not just knowing what is the right thing to do, it is doing it. It is doing it continually - James 1:25

D. For example, I have a habit of going to church. It is more that just a habit, but it is still something I habitually do.

1. Habits are things you do without giving it much thought.

2. I don’t decide each Sunday whether I’m going to church. That decision was made long ago. I go.

a. I arrange my travels around being somewhere to attend services – not just on Sundays but midweek services as well.

3. Some, unfortunately, have a habit of missing - Hebrews 10:24-25

E. It is our habits which form our character

V. Sacrificing for our convictions

A. Paul speaks of what he endured - II Corinthians 11:23-30

B. Why? Why didn’t he give up? - II Corinthians 4:16-18

C. Paul saw that there was value in his beliefs. Such a value that suffering to hang on to those values didn’t mean much.

D. Paul gave up a lot to be a Christian - Philippians 3:7-14

VI. “You can’t buy courage and decency, you can’t rent a strong moral sense.” [Peggy Noonan]

A. Young people, who are you looking to marry?

1. Would you want someone rich, popular, beautiful or handsome?

2. But what about his or her character?

3. Beauty fades, fame is fickle, and wealth has wings, but character endures.

4. Perhaps you will learn a lesson from Solomon - Proverbs 11:22

5. Or consider - Proverbs 31:10, 30

B. Are you a person of character?

1. Wishy-washy people are a dime a dozen.

2. What we need are people of conviction.

What Made Hezekiah Great?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 18:05:47 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WhatMadeHezekiahGreat.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: II Kings 18:1-6

I. Our reading tells us that Hezekiah was a great king of Israel.

A. There was no king like him before in Judah.

II. The question, though, is what made Hezekiah great?

A. It wasn’t his father, Ahaz

1. Ahaz was a wicked man - II Kings 16:2-4

2. Later we read how he took money from the temple in order to make tribute payments to king of Assyria.

3. While there he became enraptured with the design of an altar he saw in Damascus and he had one built when he returned and ordered the priests to use the new altar instead of the old one.

4. As money became short, he “borrowed” portions of the temple to make payments to Assyria.

5. Despite such a wicked father, Hezekiah was not like him.

6. Sins of the father are not passed on to the children - Ezekiel 18:4, 14-17

B. It wasn’t his son, Manasseh

1. II Kings 21:1-9 - Manasseh undid all the reforms of his father and encouraged Israel to more onto even greater sins.

2. Hezekiah was a great man, but perhaps because Manasseh was so young when Hezekiah died, he did not learn to follow God.

3. Just as children are not responsible for their parents’ sins, parents are not responsible for their children’s sins - Ezekiel 18:20

4. Parents are required to raise their children properly, but in the end, each bears the burden of his own choice - Ephesians 6:4; Galatians 6:4-5

C. It wasn’t his age

1. He was 25 at the start of his reign and he reigned 29 years. In other words, he was only 54 when he died.

a. When God first told him to get ready to die, he was only 39! Perhaps now you see why Hezekiah was upset.

2. Many here would think that 54 was quite young, but think of all that he had accomplished in his short life.

a. Most of his great deeds were done before his illness at 39.

III. Hezekiah was great because

A. He did right in the sight of God

1. He aimed to please God and not man

a. Galatians 1:10 - Not men pleasers

b. Acts 5:29 - We must obey God

2. He was a man of action. He actually did something.

a. In the very first month of his reign - II Chronicles 29:3

b. Far too many say they know what they ought to do, but they never move! - James 4:17

c. Be doers of the word - James 1:22-25

B. He trusted God

1. You can see the strength of his trust - II Chronicles 32:7-8

2. Such trust brings stability, not just to him, but also to his nation - Jeremiah 17:7-8

3. Trust is just another word for faith. He believed God, as should we all - Hebrews 11:6

4. Without trust in God, a person rebels - Hebrews 3:7-19

C. He was loyal and uncompromising

1. Deuteronomy 10:20 - Our respect for God makes us rely on him

2. It is what all Christians are encouraged to do - Acts 11:23

3. It doesn’t happen accidently, there is a resolution in the heart, a purpose and goal to one’s life - II Timothy 3:10-15

a. It is knowing where he wanted to go and why that gave Paul the drive to overcome hardships

b. You don’t coast into heaven anymore than a runner can meander to the finish line - I Corinthians 9:24-27

c. I fear more Christians will miss their chance for heaven because it was not the purpose to their lives - Hebrews 6:11-12

D. He kept God’s commandments

1. So many talk about loving Jesus, but they willingly disobey - John 14:15

2. They think that God’s love will overcome their shortfalls, even the ones they purposely do - John 15:10

3. The evidence of God’s love for us is the commandments He requires of us to kept - I John 5:2-3

4. It is the danger of the lie that a child of God cannot lose his salvation - I John 2:3-6

IV. You know, what made Hezekiah great is something that is within the reach of everyone here.

A. God doesn’t require you to climb Mt. Everest or swim the English Channel.

B. He requires faith, He requires loyalty, He requires obedience

C. Will you obey God this day?

A Tender Heart

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:12:57 +0000

A Tender Heart (Part 1) A Tender Heart (Part 2)

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: II Kings 22:14-20

I. The heart of Josiah

A. Those were dark days in the kingdom. For 55 years his grandfather had harshly ruled over Judah – a reign of evil and terror - II Kings 21:1-2, 6

1. So terrible were his murderous ways that it was said that the streets of the capital were awash with blood from one end to the other – II Kings 21:16

2. It took being conquered by an enemy nation to shake Manasseh and he returned to God at a late age - II Chronicles 33:10-13

3. When his grandfather died and his father rose to rule at the age of 22, the evil returned in even greater proportions - II Chronicles 33:21-23

4. In just two short years Amon was so hated and despised that his own servants plotted to murder him in the palace - II Chronicles 33:24

5. After over 50 years of wickedness conducted by cruel and evil kings, Josiah was crowned king at the age of 8 – II Chronicles 34:1

B. After so many years of darkness and bloodshed, what kind of leader would Josiah turn out to be?

1. II Kings 22:2

2. A major event in Josiah’s life occurred when he was 26.

a. Josiah had ordered the temple to be cleaned out and repaired

b. During the work, the priests found the book of Law in the temple. It was brought to Josiah and read to the king – II Kings 22:10-11

c. Josiah tore his clothes in grief on hearing the sins of his people and he wept before God.

3. God’s answer was thus - II Kings 22:18-20

4. Josiah was a man with a tender heart.

C. In the Bible, the heart does not refer to the organ in your chest that pumps blood.

1. The heart refers to the very core or center of a person’s being.

2. “The heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person. It is the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It has been described as the place of conscious and decisive spiritual activity.” (J. Stowell, Fan the Flame, Moody 1986, p. 13)

D. I know people like Josiah. People with tender hearts. Hearts that are touched by the aches and sorrows of others; hearts that share and feel the pain of others and reach out to help.

1. Tender hearts are not just soft, they are strong enough to bear the burdens of others.

2. Tenders hearts are not just gentle, but they are mighty in handling the tasks before them.

3. Tender hearts are not just caring, but courageous in doing what needs to be done.

4. I want a heart like Josiah; a heart pleasing to God and helpful to men.

II. A heart that listens

A. A hard heart will not listen - Exodus 8:19

1. God pleads for the stubborn of heart to listen - Isaiah 46:12

B. A tender heart trembles and listens to God - Isaiah 66:1-2

1. It is a cultivated ground, ready to receive the seed.

2. It respects God’s Word - Psalm 119:161

3. It listens - Isaiah 66:5a

C. A tender heart listens to others

1. Teenagers in trouble were asked “Is there anything you needed most and couldn’t get?” The invariable answer was “What I needed most was someone to listen to me. Someone who cared enough to listen to me.” (Jim Reapsome, Homemade)

2. Our God listens to us

a. He hearkens unto the voice of my cry - Psalm 5:2

b. He hears the voice of my weeping - Psalm 6:8

c. He considers and hears me - Psalm 13:3

d. He inclines His ear unto me, and hears my speech - Psalm 17:6

e. The Lord will hear thee in the day of trouble - Psalm 20:1

f. He will hear me speedily - Psalm 69:17

g. He hears my voice according to His loving kindness - Psalm 119:149

h. In my distress I cried unto the Lord and he heard me - Psalm 120:1

3. We should imitate our God - Ephesians 5:1

4. Be swift to hear - James 1:19

a. “I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day, . . . Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It had become unbearable. I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, ‘Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin’ and I’ll tell you really fast.’ Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, ‘Honey you can tell me – and you don’t have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly.’ I’ll never forget her answer: ‘Then listen slowly.’” (Charles Swindol, Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993, Page 13-14)

D. Let us have a tender heart that listens to God and man

III. A heart that is humble

A. A proud heart cannot be tender

1. Pride causes us to forget God - Deuteronomy 8:14

2. Pride hardens the heart - Daniel 5:20

3. A hard heart follows trouble - Proverbs 28:14

4. A hard heart follows sin - Psalm 95:8-11

B. A tender heart is humble toward God

1. Remember what God said of Josiah? - II Chronicles 34:27

2. God dwells with the contrite and humble - Isaiah 57:15

3. God does not despise the contrite - Psalm 51:17

C. A tender heart is humble

1. If you ever have been chilled by the icy blast of a hard heart; stung by the sting of harsh words from the arrogant; hurt by the steely eyes of the proud, then you know the pain caused by a proud heart. You also know the value and comfort a tender, humble heart radiates.

2. “Many years ago, professor Stuart Blackie of the University of Edinburgh was listening to his students as they presented oral readings. When one young man rose to begin his recitation, he held his book in the wrong hand. The professor thundered, ‘Take your book in your right hand, and be seated!’ At this harsh rebuke, the student held up his right arm. He didn’t have a right hand! The other students shifted uneasily in their chairs. For a moment the professor hesitated. Then he made his way to the student, put his arm around him, and with tears streaming from his eyes, said ‘I never knew about it. Please, will you forgive me?’ His humble apology made a lasting impact on that young man. This story was told some time later in a large gathering of believers. At the close of the meeting a man came forward, turned to the crowd and raised his right arm. It ended at the wrist. He said, ‘I was that student. Professor Blackie led me to Christ. But he never could have done it if he had not made the wrong right.’” (Source unknown)

3. I Peter 5:5-6

IV. A heart that weeps

A. A tender heart weeps for the sins committed against God

1. Josiah wept because of the sins of his people - II Kings 22:19

2. Tender hearts morn over their sins and turn from them

a. They will see and feel the ugliness of sin. The burden of the guilt of sin will grieve their souls.

b. Joel 2:12-13

c. James 4:8-9

B. It is not just weeping over their own sins. We need tender hearted people who feel and share the tears of those around them

1. Jeremiah’s tears for his people - Jeremiah 9:1

2. Jesus’ tears for his friends - John 11:33-36

3. Our hearts should be touched by the troubles of others - Romans 12:15

4. There was a contest once to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next door neighbor had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.” (Jack Canfield, A Third serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul)

V. A heart that helps

A. The hard-hearted withholds help from those who need it.

1. God’s people were told not to withhold help - Deuteronomy 15:7

2. God wants more than just compassion toward others. He wants us to act with compassion toward those who are less fortunate.

B. Replace the selfish, hard heart with tender, helping hearts

1. I John 3:16-18

2. In Oceanside, California, Mr. Alter’s fifth-grade class made headlines when the boys in the class decided by themselves to shave their heads. They did so without embarrassment because one of their own, Ian O’Gorman, developed cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. His hair began to fall out, so to make their friend feel at home and one of the crowd, all his classmates agreed to shave their heads (with their parent’s permission), so that upon his return, Ian would not stand out in the class.

VI. A heart that forgives

A. In order to forgive as we ought, Christians must be tenderhearted

1. Ephesians 4:31-32

2. Colossians 3:12-13

B. Our tender hearts are to extend even to our enemies

1. Luke 6:35-36

2. Listen to this letter found in the clothing of a dead child at the Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany: “O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us. Instead, remember the fruits we have borne because of this suffering: our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.”

VII. A heart that repents

A. The hard of heart refuses to repent

1. Romans 2:3-6

2. They mock and despise God’s goodness

3. They will not repent, nor turn away from sin and unto God.

B. Yet the tender hearted will repent of sin

1. They weep, but they also change - Joel 2:12-13

2. Simon learned this lesson - Acts 8:22-23

VIII. A heart that obeys

A. God has always wanted His people to follow Him

1. Deuteronomy 30:2

2. David’s prayer for his son, Solomon - I Chronicles 29:19

3. A request to follow - Psalms 119:34

B. It is God who gives us tender hearts

1. But to do so, we must give our heart to God - Jeremiah 24:7

2. Ezekiel 36:26-28 (also Ezekiel 11:19-20)

C. We cannot be saved without a tender heart

1. Belief must come from the heart - Romans 10:9-10

2. Obedience must come from the heart - Luke 8:15

a. Romans 6:17 - obedient from the heart

b. Ephesians 6:5-7 - in sincerity of heart

D. Imagine that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and other trusted employees, “Look, I’m going to leave. And while I’m gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. Manage things while I’m away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip.” Everyone agrees. He leaves and stays gone for a few years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess – weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the gal at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices. Instead of making a profit, the business suffered a great loss. Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, “What happened? Didn’t you get my letters?” You say, “Oh yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We’ve bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have a letter study every week. You know those were really great letters.” I think the president would then ask, “But what did you do about my instructions?” And no doubt the employees would respond, “Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!” (Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 242)

E. Those who obey the Gospel must have tender hearts - Acts 2:37-38

IX. Do you have a tender heart?

A. The proof is in your response to the word of God.

B. Will you learn of your sins, weep over your mistakes, repent of your ways, and obey the Lord in baptism?

C. Or as a child of God, cultivate that seed which was planted in you. Be kind hearted, pleasing God and winning souls to His service.