faithful – La Vista Church of Christ

Peter Was Led Astray

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:20:05 +0000

by Hugh DeLong

Error can affect any of us. Peter was used to convert Cornelius and his household. Then he defended that action: "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" (Acts 11:17). Here, Peter stands up against those perverting the gospel message and demanding that Gentiles had to not only believe in Jesus and be baptized but also be circumcised and keep the demands of the law of Moses. (Read Peter’s defense in Acts 15:7-11 again.)

Yet, at some point, even he was influenced by these false teachers: “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (Galatians 2:11-13).

Knowing the truth is the beginning, but then we must have stick-to-it-ness! Peter was said to have ‘feared the party of the circumcision’. He was an apostle! He had been told not to call unclean that which God has called clean (i.e., the Gentiles were to be accepted!). If he could be led astray, if he could be pressured into acting contrary to what he had known to be true, then we can be misled!

Later, Paul would exhort Timothy: "You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:14-17). Are you still continuing in the things you have learned?

How can someone like me make it to Heaven?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 03 May 2026 00:44:30 +0000

Question:

I wonder how someone like me could make it to heaven.

I see real Christians, and I'm not really anything like them. I always fall. I repeat the same sins over and over and over. My thoughts are not pure; I'm easily enticed. My faith is knowing that every word of God is true, then I reduce God to "how could He possibly do something like transport people to heaven or hell as soon as they die." Just as an example, being completely firm and leaving the fact that the Word is factual. My fear of God is more of a fear of punishment, not reverence or an appreciation, because I have almost forgotten the truth of Him. I do not know him the way you do. I am afraid to let go of all of my will. I know it requires suffering, and I feel too critical of other people's mistakes when I am trying not to make any.

I hope this makes sense. I don't know what kind of response I'm looking for. Maybe something encouraging, because I'm having incredible anxiety because I do not feel that I have entered through any narrow gate at this point.

Answer:

Going back to the facts often helps combat anxiety. "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (I John 1:3-6). God isn't expecting you or me to be perfect because that is out of reach for every man (Romans 3:23). However, God does want His people to strive toward His teachings and not to be content to stay in sin.

This means you cannot compromise with the world and its ways. When you know you are doing something wrong, then you make an effort to change for the better. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:6-7). It isn't always easy, but we must try.

Another thing you need to avoid is comparing yourself to others. You don't know other people's thoughts or their past. You don't know the things they are struggling with. However, I can guarantee that everyone is struggling with something. So instead of asking if you are as good as another brother, ask if you are better than you were a few years ago; if so, you are making some progress.

Solomon said, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). That was a major problem with the Samaritans; they didn't believe God enough to be afraid of Him. "At the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the LORD" (II Kings 17:25). That you have fear of the consequences of what you are doing is a good sign, so long as that fear actually motivates you to make improvements.

There is a lesson that I think will help you: "Bless the Lord, O My Soul."

I Did Not Marry a Christian

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 03:14:04 +0000

Author Unknown

Several months ago, an article appeared entitled "I Married A Christian." I read the article with great interest, and it drove home some very sobering thoughts. As I read the article, I could not help but think of what a contrast my own life was, for you see, I didn't marry a Christian.

No one told me of the unhappiness I was due in marrying a non-Christian. At the time I married, my parents were not faithful, and consequently neither was I. I can't put the responsibility for my actions on them. I was eighteen years old and knew what the Bible taught on marriage.

Now, after having lived with a non-Christian for almost ten years, I have been made aware of how important it is for our young people to marry Christians. These ten years have not made me an expert on the subject, but they have made me realize that I should try to teach and/or discourage others from making the same mistake.

When I fell in love with my husband, I could not think about those things that could lie ahead. The only thing I knew was that I loved him with all my heart, and no one knew or had experienced this kind of love. Ours was different, as I felt there was nothing that could ever come between us that we could not overcome.

After we were married, I soon realized how our attitudes and thinking varied. We rented a small apartment and were soon entertaining other non-Christians in our home. The drinking and dancing were all part of the things I had been taught to abhor. And yet right here in my own home, I was consenting to, and becoming a part of, things that a Christian has no business doing. I was getting further and further away from the church. I knew what I should be doing as a Christian, and yet I was doing nothing to change. We were happy by most people's standards, but I was miserable. I knew my husband did not share my love for the truth, and he was not serious-minded about it. I love him so much, and I was learning a hard, cold fact that love was not enough. I wanted to return to my "first love." We talked about my return to the church, and I realized another fact: he had no intention of going with me despite his promises (before marriage) that he would.

I decided to wait about returning and try to work things out as best I could. In the meantime, we found out we were expecting our first child. I was elated! I was also made aware of the creation of God within me. I was soon to become a mother and have a life truly influenced by me. I was going to get my heart right with God again.

I repented of my sins and started trying to live the life I so wanted to live. It was hard. First, because I had no encouragement from my husband. Secondly, we still had all our non-Christian friends in and out. My Christian friends from church came by, but not too often because my husband openly did not like them. I love them and wanted them in my home. I needed them. Somewhere around this time, the hostility began. I was seeing and hearing a different guy from the wonderful guy I married. There was a wall building between us. Out of love for my husband, I stopped attending church again. I did not attend for months. I was miserable inside again. After our daughter's birth, I wanted to get back to church. My husband's answer was "No." He wanted me to start going to church with him, where he went as a child -- a denominational church that did not follow God's Word. We really had problems there. I knew the error they taught, and I could not worship there. He insisted; I resisted.

Three and a half years ago, I repented again and started to live the Christian life. I thank God that He spared my life and let me live long enough to get back. There is no turning back for me now. We have three children now, and I want more than anything to have a Christian home for them. This presents another problem. My husband and I disagree on how to bring up the children. We are both pulling in different directions. I believe in teaching them to put God first in their life and to be faithful. He still can see no reason to attend every service and openly overrides me when I insist the children go.

Our marriage has significantly deteriorated over the last few years. The "church problem," as my husband put it, has moved into every aspect of our marriage. We both keep things bottled up inside and find that we can't talk things out anymore. I am ill with the children much too often. I know it's because things are not right between my husband and me.

My marriage has reached a disastrous point. My husband has given an ultimatum-I have to make a choice-him or the church. Those of you who are Christians know what a rough decision I had. I, of course, have chosen the Lord. I still love my husband with all my heart and have prayed that God would open his heart to understand the truth. I know I have to remain faithful and do what God has commanded me to do. It looks so dark sometimes, and yet I have "to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:4). I'm so weary from being torn between my husband and the Lord.

To our young people. I want to say that God frowns on mixed marriages. In II Corinthians 6:14-15, we are taught not to become unequally yoked together. The damage done is not just to yourself, but to your husband or wife, and then to your children.

My prayer is that this article may in some way make our young people, or anyone planning to marry, marry a Christian. I can't do mine over again, but I can teach my children and others how important it is to marry a Christian and to make that home the kind the Lord intended for it to be

Real Christianity

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:32:10 +0000

Real Christianity Real Christianity - Part 2

by Raymond Warfel

Growing Tired of the Congregation Where You Worship?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:35:50 +0000

by Steve Waller

Be careful before you answer the above question! Occasionally, one may be heard saying something like, "I'm so tired of the congregation where I worship. I want to find someplace else to go!" It's not that there is anything wrong with the local church from a doctrinal standpoint, or that there is any great disunity; one just becomes bored or weary. Why? How can we resolve this situation?

First, remember that life is usually as good or as bad, as happy or as unhappy, as we make it. The same holds true with one's marriage. One says, "I'm tired of this life," or, "I'm tired of my husband or wife; I want out of my marriage!" Such expressions may indicate that we fail to understand that life, our job, and our marriage require a lot of work and maintenance. Some think you get a job and just go to work and one day own the company; or that you get married and the marriage just grows and takes care of itself on its own. Of course, that's why people often feel bored in life, at work, and at home. Anything worth doing or having is worth maintaining with all diligence. This is no less true in the local congregation.

A person or family joins a local church as a member. At first, everyone and everything is new, exciting, and challenging. The various programs of work are different than they have experienced before, they get to meet new people and start developing new friendships, the preacher and his preaching style is different from what we have had in the past. Then, reality sets in over time. One begins to learn that people in the congregation are not perfect, and we may not get along with one or two, or some problem may arise in the church. The programs begin to look outdated, and we grow tired of listening to the same preacher every Sunday. In other words, the honeymoon is over. What do we do?

Some start looking for another congregation to attend. Some just quit. If that happens in one's marriage and one simply decides to seek another marriage partner or quit the marriage, as some do, what a tragic thing that would be! Others recognize the need for loyalty and steadfastness where they are. They roll up their sleeves and work more diligently. They begin working harder to apply the sermons and Bible class lessons to their lives. They become more actively involved in the church's work. They start spending more time learning about the Bible and developing their talents to be used in the programs of the congregation they now attend. They "stretch" themselves and grow spiritually.

Brethren, we owe the local church our loyalty, our faithful attendance at all services (Sunday and Wednesday), our active involvement and participation in the various works of the congregation, and our full expression of love in our giving. We owe it our gratitude, our words of encouragement, and our efforts to strengthen and "talk up" the church everywhere we may go, a positive attitude toward evangelism, and our wholehearted worship in spirit and in truth. We owe the local church our cooperation, participation, enthusiasm, and support in every way that is Scriptural! And, if we aren't giving it our full and first priority (Matthew 6:24, 33), then we have little right to complain or start looking for "greener pastures."

The answer does not lie in some unscriptural "gimmick" to keep us happy, contented, and attending! It lies within ourselves! It's a matter of aligning our thinking and priorities with what God requires of us.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:58).

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10).

Faithfulness in Prayer

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:39:05 +0000

by Heath Rogers

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus told a parable to His disciples about a woman pleading with an unjust judge. This parable was spoken for a specific purpose: “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).

Prayer is an exercise of faith. When we pray, we speak to a God we can’t see. We don’t see Him acknowledge, hear, and respond to our prayers. Our faith can be tested when the need is urgent and the answer is slow in coming. This parable is helpful for us as we continue to walk by faith as children of God.

The woman in this parable was in a desperate situation. She needed justice but had the misfortune of being under the jurisdiction of an unjust judge.

“Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this wid-ow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me’” (Luke 18:3-5).

The unjust judge granted her request, not because he cared about her, God, or doing what was right, but because he wanted her to stop pestering him.

God is nothing like this judge. He will avenge His people who cry out to Him. He bears long with us, but are we willing to bear long with Him? When the Lord returns, will He find people who are still believing in and relying patiently on God (Luke 18:8)? We must remember that we are on the Lord’s timetable; He is not on ours. We must pray in faith, but we must continue to pray and believe as we patiently wait for His response.

“As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Psalms 55:16-17).

When the Bible Makes Us Squirm

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 03:14:58 +0000

by Zeke Flores

Sometimes, the Bible makes us squirm. It can make us uncomfortable when God uses such highly sexualized language to describe His people’s unfaithfulness as He does in Ezekiel 23. I assume that’s because it’s supposed to make us uncomfortable.

When God’s people, whether His Old Covenant tribes or His New Covenant saints, turn away from serving Him loyally and wholeheartedly, it’s just like a woman who turns away from her husband to pursue illicit lovers. And, like most who are caught up in immoral affairs, that activity can turn around and bite them.

Though we often think we “can handle it,” there is nothing good about flirting with sin. It may be satisfying for a while, but what do you really have in the end? Emptiness, sorrow, and condemnation, that’s what.

For those who walk away from God to dally with the pleasures of this world, your “love” will be short-lived. In the end, your pleasures will carry you into a terrible eternity, and they won’t be able to comfort you then.

So turn, turn and live.

"Look! I am stirring up your lovers against you concerning whom you turned away, and I will bring them against you from all around ... and they will repay your obscene conduct upon you, and the guilt of your idols you will bear, and you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh" (Ezekiel 23:22,49 LEB).

The Purpose of the Local Church – Encouraging Faithfulness

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:50:45 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Purpose-of-the-Local-Church-Encouraging-Faithfulness.mp3

Download Audio

by David Bunting

Understanding Christ's Church

Trustworthy Sayings

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:49:03 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Trustworthy-Sayings.mp3

by Raymond Warfel

Hebrews: Encouragement to Remain Faithful

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 19:41:29 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hebrews-Encouragement-to-Remain-Faithful.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Hebrews 10:19-25

I. The book of Hebrews interleaves evidence of the superiority of Christ, His covenant, and His church with encouragement to the brethren to remain faithful.

A. After giving evidence that Jesus is God’s son, the writer said - Hebrews 2:1-4

B. Jesus was a faithful son and so must we be faithful - Hebrews 3:5-4:11

C. Because Jesus shared our humanity, we can have confidence - Hebrews 4:15-16

D. Being a Christian requires continued growth - Hebrews 5:12-6:6

E. Being a Christian requires diligence - Hebrews 6:9-12

F. After extensive proof that Christ’s law was a superior covenant that replaced the Mosaical law, the writer said - Hebrews 10:19-39

II. Chapter 11 is called the hero’s of faith, but it fits in with the writer’s theme of encouragement to remain faithful

A. By using examples from the Old Testament, the writer addresses the excuses so many of us give as to why we fall short.

B. Abel - Hebrews 11:4

1. Abel remained faithful despite the fact that his own brother did not like his righteous behavior

2. Some give up because of family pressure.

a. They don’t like how bad you make them look, so they demand that you change

3. Abel remained faithful even though it cost him his life

C. Enoch - Hebrews 11:5

1. Here is response to the argument “Well, I’m only human.”

2. We convince ourselves that we must fall short because everyone sins, so why fight it.

3. I’m not saying that Enoch was sinless, but here is a man who managed to please God sufficiently enough to avoid death.

a. A rarity, true

b. But still Enoch shows it was possible

D. Noah - Hebrews 11:7

1. Far too many cave to peer-pressure.

2. In a world completely given over to sin, Noah remained faithful and saved his own family

E. Abraham - Hebrews 11:8

1. Like Noah, Abraham was asked to trust God concerning things he could not see.

2. Have you met people that say, “if you can prove it to my satisfaction, then I’ll change.” The problem is that you never manage to gather enough evidence.

F. Sarah - Hebrews 11:11-12

1. Even when it looked impossible, Sarah, trusted God because He promised.

G. Pilgrims - Hebrews 11:13-16

1. I have known several who gave up because they didn’t receive benefits.

2. The changes didn’t happen soon enough for them or they didn’t occur

3. “If I don’t get something out of it now, why bother?”

H. Abraham - Hebrews 11:17-19

1. Here is the answer to “God asks too much” or “Its too hard”

2. Isaac was the one God promised to Abraham. He was the one the future hung upon. Yet, God asked Abraham to kill him.

I. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph - Hebrews 11:20-22

1. “I just don’t see any future in it.”

2. Far too many of us live in the “now.” We don’t see what can be and will be if we just remain faithful.

J. Moses - Hebrews 11:23-26

1. So many return to the world because of its immediate gratification.

2. Moses chose hardship over pleasure and riches.

K. Moses - Hebrews 11:27

1. “Its illegal”

2. While Christianity is allowed for the most part, people cave when the government opposes the truth

L. Moses - Hebrews 11:28

1. “God is too harsh”

2. How many compromise the faith because they cannot believe that God would really send people to hell?

M. The Israelites - Hebrews 11:29-30

1. Many people act as if God demands too much of them.

2. They want the benefits, they want the results, but they think it is unreasonable for God to ask them to play a part in gaining of it.

N. Rahab - Hebrews 11:31

1. “I have had too sinful of a past.”

2. We excuse our future bad behavior because we were bad in the past or because bad things happened to us in the past.

3. They think that it isn’t worth trying to change, so they never do.

III. Now, tell me again why you can’t remain faithful - Hebrews 11:39-12:3

A. The hardships we might face are for our benefit - Hebrews 12:4-13

B. Don’t become bitter and sink into immorality - Hebrews 12:14-17

C. Don’t refuse God - Hebrews 12:25-29

IV. Sometimes encouragement can chafe - Hebrews 13:20-22

A. But it is what we need to hear.

B. We need to keep pushing on to the goal