Hezekiah’s Prayer

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hezekiahs-Prayer-2019.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 38:9-20   I.         Many people are familiar with Hezekiah’s prayer asking God for help against the Assyrian army, but I would like for us to take a few minutes to examine Hezekiah’s prayer of thanksgiving after he was healed of an illness II.        Bitterness             A.        Isaiah 38:9-10                         1.         Hezekiah was told he…

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I Have to Die to Get Better

by Doy Moyer Have you ever felt that way? You feel so sick that you about wish you’d go ahead and die so that you’d feel better? We even say that as a bit of a joke (or maybe not). Of course, at the time that we feel so bad, we do wish for pretty…

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Aren’t there animals in heaven?

Question: According to your previous answer to the question raised in regards to animals having souls: you said, they have souls but will go down to the earth when they die. Human spirits will ascend to Paradise. Here is my question: What about the animals found in heaven according to the book of Isaiah 11:6-9;…

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Is it wrong to pray to die?

Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church, and I would like to know if it is wrong to pray to die. I have had a couple of incurable health problems for years, and I just can’t take it anymore. It has robbed me of any chance at a good life here, and I’m…

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What is Hades?

Question: Do I understand correctly that there is one place called “Hell” and another place called “Hades”? And Hades is where the souls of the dead go until the final day of judgment? Answer: The term Hades is a general reference to “the realm of the dead”.  By itself, it means nothing about what happens…

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If God Gave Your Eulogy

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IfGodGaveYourEulogy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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The lesson “The Loss of a Loved One” really hit home with me

Question: I wanted to say how great the sermon was on The Loss of a Loved One by Christopher Scott Wyatt. It really hit home with me. I have recently lost my mother three months ago, and she was a strong Christian. We both are members of the church of Christ. Mr. Wyatt is an outstanding…

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Ultimate Deliverance

by Doy Moyer What if… we actually were put to death because we are Christians? What is our attitude about this? Consider Paul’s attitude: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that…

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Why did God kill the Egyptian babies?

Question: Can you please shed some light on the angel of death causing the firstborn of all the Egyptian babies to die? I understand to some degree that God in His sovereign will allow this to work out for the freeing of the Israelites from bondage. Knowing that no one can fully comprehend the infinite…

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What exactly is Judgment Day?

Question: I have several questions: What exactly is Judgment Day? If I die and go to heaven, can I somehow go to hell after Judgment Day if my sins outweigh the good that I had done? Can a person go to hell, then on Judgment Day go to heaven? What things do I have to…

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Do you think earthquakes are from God?

Question: Do you think earthquakes are from God? I’m so hurt to see so many lives lost due to this earthquake in Mexico, and I question whether this is the wrath of God. Answer: Without God telling us, it is impossible for mankind to determine if any natural disaster was triggered by God or naturally…

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How could Jesus die on the cross if he had no sin?

Question: Good day, Jesus did not have any sin, and it is sin that causes death — spiritually and physically. So how is it that Jesus died on the cross? Answer: It was Adam and Eve’s sin that brought death into the world (Genesis 3:19), but a person does not have to sin in order…

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What Happens When We Die?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017Fall4WhatHappensWhenWeDie.mp3 by Christopher Scott Wyatt Praise to Our God

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The Loss of a Loved One

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017Fall3TheLossOfALovedOne.mp3 by Christopher Scott Wyatt Praise to Our God

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Is it wrong to grieve silently? I don’t want anyone to see me cry

Question: I have a question about grieving. I got a text this morning that my newborn nephew died last night. I’m a person who typically grieves in silence and doesn’t tell anyone. I know at church tomorrow that I may look mopey thinking about this tragedy. My question is how do you feel about silent…

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False Ideas Regarding Death

by Wayne Jackson Each day of our existence we are reminded of the grim reality of death. It haunts us. We know so little about it. In fact, we know almost nothing regarding this ultimate physical experience, except for what is revealed in the Bible. But the biblical information is limited, and so false notions…

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Am I bad because I wasn’t with my mother when she died?

Question: I am a 22-year-old woman who is having a crisis. I have spoken and confessed to God my transgressions for my sins against Him and others; and yet, fear still takes hold of me. How can I cleanse both my mind, heart, and soul of this taint? I still feel guilt over what happened…

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How can God die?

Question: What if a Muslim asks you, can God die? Jesus died and was resurrected, just like the myths of the Greeks, India, Roman, and the dark ages. What will you say? Answer: The ancient myths took their inspiration from the seasons. They saw the cycles of winter and spring and created myths to explain…

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What do you say to a child when a loved one dies?

Question: What should a Christian say to a child when a loved one dies, who died without being a believer in Christ or just was not a good person? Is it best to give the child the idea that the person is in heaven anyway, or to just tell them we don’t know what God will decide for that…

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Did my mother die in sin?

Question: I want to make clear why this is so important for me. It would be either way when it comes to a mother, but given how much I owe her, it is especially concerning for me. I apologize if it’s a bit long. I was born in Texas (raised there too). My mom raised…

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My father just died! Can he be in heaven?

Question: I have sad news, my father just died of an overdose! Are there any verses that you can point out to me that say he can be in Heaven! I’m so scared he is in hell because he said he was mad at God and all. Answer: I am really sorry to hear about…

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Why Do People Die?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/WhyDoPeopleDie.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton   I.         God warned Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of one particular tree – Genesis 2:15-17             A.        Yet despite the warning, both Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit.             B.        As a result, death then entered the world – Genesis 3:19                         1.         Because man had sinned, he was forbidden access…

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Would it be wrong for me to skip my mother’s funeral?

Question: I am having difficulties getting along with my sister, especially regarding our mom and her care. We just recently lost our father. My sister has been difficult in the past and is more controlling now. I now realize that it is best for my sanity if I take breaks away from her. I don’t…

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My girlfriend died and I feel like I’m losing my faith

Question: Several months ago my beautiful girlfriend died from a heroin overdose. She and I were so in love and my life revolved around her. We missed each other the moment I would leave for work. We were together for two years and have been through a lot together.  I had so much more to…

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My friend is dying and I don’t know what to do

Question: I have a friend. We were neighbors once She has heart failure and nothing is helping. She’s been in the hospital for a while, then she got out and I went to see her. She looks dead to me: she’s grey and her lips are blue, she’s all swollen and she’s on oxygen. She…

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I’m afraid I will die too

Question: Life has been great. My anger has been getting to be less of a burden. But something’s been torturing me tonight, I even broke down and cried a few minutes ago. I was taken up with a fear that my life was almost over; that I didn’t have much time left. Then for a…

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What happens if I die before I am baptized?

Question: I recently turned my life to God. I’m on your website all the time learning what things to do and not do. I’m also reading the Bible. I don’t know everything in the Bible, so I’m currently educating myself. I’ve come to be a bit confused since I have a hard time understanding many…

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Can you be saved on your death bed?

Question: I have a question! Can you be saved on your death bed? I know you must be baptized, and I’m trying to teach my aunt. She said that you don’t have to be baptized and that her grandad was saved on his death bed but was not baptized! Is that OK? If you can’t…

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How do I deal with the sudden death of my grandmother?

Question: I was wondering how you deal with death. My grandma died last night and the wake is tomorrow and the funeral is the day after. I’ve never been to one before and I’m scared. I don’t even know what I’m feeling, I kind of feel numb. We were really close. She had cancer and…

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Is it wrong to bow to elders or at the graves of those who had died?

Question: Hello, I have a few questions, I hope you don’t mind. In East Asian countries, it is customary to bow to elders and those older than you. Is this not allowed? Also, it is customary to bow to ancestors who’ve passed away at their graves. Is this not allowed as well? Thanks! Answer: In…

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Does Ecclesiastes contain statements that don’t make sense to Christians?

Question: In your article, “Do people know what is happening on earth after their death?”, you plainly state the dead don’t know what happens on Earth. After looking at Coffman’s Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9 he points out interesting points in the chapter. If dead refers to “dead people” in verse 5, what is meant by…

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