Posts Tagged ‘influence’
TV May Be Bad for Children!
by Floyd Chappelear Stand, October 1993 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he …” (Proverbs 23:7). Image by Vidmir Raic from Pixabay Learned thought patterns can lead to sociologically unacceptable behavior, liberals have finally learned. According to an article by Mike Woods (Scripps Hoard pl; j News Service), “some kids spend more time watching TV…
Read MorePride in Our Culture
by Garry Floyd “And the LORD said to me, ‘Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, “Hear the words of this covenant and do them. For I solemnly warned your fathers in the day that I brought them up from the land of Egypt, even to…
Read MoreWhat Will Your Children Remember?
by Lowell Blasingame The Psalmist said that a man’s children are “a heritage of the Lord,” (Psalms 127:4). Most admit that there is something badly wrong with parents who do not love and value their children as such. Parental love motivates us to be concerned about our children’s welfare and seek what is best for…
Read MoreI need advice about living with my girlfriend
Question: Good day sir, I read through the advice you gave a lady on your site and I was enlightened with your answers. Please sir, I also need your help in this area. I am a guy staying with my girlfriend. The problem is that we have set rules to guide us for the period…
Read MoreLet it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine . . .
by Edward O. Bragwell Our title is a line from a very familiar song to little folks who participate in Bible classes. Seeing them marching around, holding the imaginary light high with one hand, is a joy. The idea ultimately goes back to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Ye are the light of the world.…
Read MoreSeek the Welfare of the City
by Doy Moyer God’s people had been sent into exile because of their failure to keep the covenant. While in Babylonian exile, what should have been the attitude of the exiles generally? Jeremiah sent a letter to those in exile: “to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all…
Read MoreSpiritual Collateral Damage and Blessings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spiritual-Collateral-Damage-and-Blessings.mp3 by Wayne Fancher Spiritual Collateral Damage Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.” Collateral Damage – Is a general term for deaths, injuries, or other damage on an unintended target. I. Those Closest To You Get Hurt First By Spiritual Collateral Damage Exodus 20:5 you shall…
Read MoreA Godly Man in Wicked Surroundings
by Bill Hall Elijah fed by the ravens I Kings 17:6 Elijah was a man who reached true greatness in the Lord’s service. He was always ready to go where God would send him (I Kings 18:1; 19:15); to pray whenever prayer was needed (I Kings 17:20, 21; 18:36, 37), and to confront evil whenever…
Read MoreShould I attend a birthday party where people involved in sin will be?
Question: What would you do if going to a family birthday with people you love a lot meant you would be around a gay couple? Half of our family are not Christians and will say we are too judgmental. Answer: “Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold,…
Read MoreA Good Example
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SettingAGoodSample.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 35:1-19 I. People learn in a variety ways. Some ways make a bigger impression on a person than others. A. People don’t learn how to be a Christian just from reading or listening to the Bible, though that is a major method. B. Preachers must understand that people also learn…
Read MoreAre You Changing the World?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Are-You-Changing-the-World.mp3 by Brad Morgan
Read MoreGathering Together
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/06/GatheringTogether.mp3 I. When we talk of worshiping God, one aspect of that worship is our gathering together A. Psalm 122:1 1. Is this your attitude, or do you feel dragged here? 2. To worship God requires assembling with fellow Christians B. Hebrews 10:19-27 1. The writer of Hebrews discusses the conversion of a man 2. Jesus consecrated a new and living way…
Read MoreMen of Honor
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MenOfHonor.mp3 Text: Philippians 2:14-18 I. It was not long ago that people admired men of integrity. People whom you could count on to act honestly, even if it was to their disadvantage. A. In 1999, a prisoner escaped and the papers were tracking his movements through the state. He had robbed people, killed policemen, and still…
Read MoreShould I stop using social media that advertises abortions?
Question: I was on Instagram and saw an ad for Planned Parenthood. it made me so mad! I immediately reported it as offensive. But should I just stop using it altogether? Would it be wrong for me to make a post about why abortion is evil? I’m a woman and wouldn’t want to overstep my…
Read MoreIs it wrong to attend events where people might be drinking or smoking?
Question: I have had some best friends since my school days, years ago. I am the only person among them who is baptized. We all meet twice a year and during that meeting they all drink and smoke. I don’t drink or smoke since I was baptized. They are all good, sincere people and don’t…
Read MoreWould it be a sin to leave a congregation that accepts sin among its members?
Question: I worship at a congregation where there is no preacher, elder, or deacons. The brothers serving on the Lord’s table are living with girlfriends, playing the lottery, and drinking. I’m a sister in the congregation. I’m trying to go to heaven. I can’t worship properly with all this before me. Is it a sin…
Read MoreAbigail’s Example
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AbigailsExample.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There is much to learn from the pages of the Old Testament A. It is true that we no longer live under the Law of Moses. It passed out of existence when Jesus died upon the cross. However, it doesn’t mean than God meant for the Christian to discard its teachings.…
Read MoreIf God Gave Your Eulogy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IfGodGaveYourEulogy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat Have They Seen in Your House?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WhatHaveTheySeenInYourHouse.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDoes sin start in the heart or can we blame the influence of others?
Question: Based on Matthew 15:19 and James 1:13-15, does all sin begin in the hearts and minds of people? When thinking about a possible transgression, should we put our desires and motives under consideration? Should we blame any outside influence or are our sinful hearts the greater concern when it comes to sin? Answer: “For…
Read MoreShould someone who says he is gay lead singing in a congregation?
Question: Yesterday my husband was disheartened to hear that one of our song leaders at our church of Christ is a confessed gay man who came out on social media and declared he has tried all kinds of treatment but just can’t feel differently. We both wish the best for all people in seeking their…
Read MoreShould I move back in with my boyfriend if we don’t have sex?
Question: Hello, I recently went through a bad breakup with my boyfriend of several years. I moved in with him, and I sinned all the time by having sex and getting drunk. When we finally parted ways, I realized that I needed to change my ways and live for God. I have been on a…
Read MoreIs it wrong to have a picture of Buddha in our home?
Question: Hi, My wife and I are both Christians. My wife put a picture of Buddha in our home because it matches our furniture color and it is nicely painted. I almost fought with her to remove the picture because it contradicts our faith in Christ in my opinion. The questions are: First, is it…
Read MoreYour Influence on the World
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/YourInfluenceOnTheWorld.mp3 by Andrew Long
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Influence
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreHow do you live a proper life and stay connected with a diversity of people?
Question: Oh, Minister, I’ve read your answers to so many questions, and they have helped me greatly. I am a college student who has been going through problems of finding meaning in an increasingly secular society where it seems that drinking, doing drugs, and “getting laid” are what get people to like you. I know…
Read MoreAm I ashamed of Christ because it is hard for me to invite strangers to Bible study?
Question: I was hoping to get some clarification on “shame” as far as one’s faith in Jesus goes. I was baptized last year and have been trying to obey Jesus’ teachings, but have fallen short on pretty much everything! In the beginning, I dealt with a lot of worldly sorrow, self-condemnation, and distrust of the…
Read MoreIt’s Dark Out There
by David Diestelkamp via Think on These Things A candle burned anonymously across from where I sat. The unusually bright Chicago winter day flooded the room with light, overwhelming the glow of the candle. The candle was superfluous, unnecessary, and useless, at least as far as giving light was concerned. Had the room been dark with…
Read MoreHow can I truly seek God in a world full of evil and darkness?
Question: How can I truly seek God in a world full of evil and darkness? What will happen when I find Him? What will I feel? Answer: This world has always been full of evil. Today is no different than the past. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves…
Read MoreHow to Ruin Our Influence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HowToRuinOurInfluence.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIs it sinful to listen to music with bad language and references to sinful acts?
Question: Good afternoon, I was recently in the backseat of my friend’s car when she started playing illicit music on her phone. When I later confronted her about it, she told me that while she doesn’t believe it is recommended, it is not a sin. She said that God may have to reveal something to…
Read MoreI don’t know why I hide what I’m doing from my older brother
Question: Have you ever felt uncomfortable with someone who isn’t a devoted Christian or not a believer at all? This happens to me many times with my brother. Whenever someone tries to correct him, he immediately gets mad and defensive. He says he believes in God, but really he’s not convinced. He’s involved in fornication,…
Read MoreHow do I stop being so involved in my friend’s sinful life?
Question: Here’s the background story: A year ago my friend, whom I’m very close to, dated someone who wasn’t mature enough for a relationship, but she still went out with him. She gave her all to him (including sex), and three months later they broke up. Ever since then they have been messing around, and…
Read MoreShould I attend weddings of those who have been living together or had been divorced?
Question: Hello, My question is about weddings that take place after a couple has been living together for a year or two – sometimes longer. They have a child or maybe are expecting a child, then somewhere along the line decide to get married. They have a big wedding, white dress, bridesmaids all the trimmings…
Read MoreBad Company Corrupts Good Morals
by Doy Moyer Most are familiar with Paul’s argument in I Corinthians 15, that if Jesus was not raised, and there is no resurrection, then our faith is vain, preaching is vain, and we are to be pitied for believing it all. Another argument that we often make has to do with how pointless life…
Read MoreHow can we be lights of the world if we are closeted behind our doors?
Question: Dear Bro. Hamilton, I would like to thank the church there for its great website. I am a Bible school teacher and I think it will be a big help to me when my students have questions about biblical things. I have read the introduction to the La Vista church on your website. While…
Read MoreDo I let my daughter hang out with worldly people in hopes of leading them to God?
Question: I was addicted to alcohol and used drugs from the time I was 11 until about 25. I had a baby at 25 and began thinking strongly about how my parents’ choices and life of sin had shaped me into the person I had been. After feeling something in my life needed to change…
Read MoreIs Dominate Submissive role-playing bad?
Question: What I am doing does not involve sex. I just want to make that part of it clear This is something that brings in fast money, and I’ve been doing it for almost a year. I just don’t want people thinking I’m having sex for money. Everything done is consensual and agreed upon before…
Read MoreHow do I deal with immorality in media?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I am struggling with a lot right now, but I don’t want to leave you with a massive email. I realize this is still a lot, but, some help would begin to clear things up. I realize a lot of this may just be a matter of personal faith, but any…
Read MoreWe’re living together without sex, so why are brethren saying it is wrong?
Question: Hello, My fiancé and I are planning to marry in June 2014. Until that time, we have made the decision to share a home and other resources with each other. She recently moved from another country and, as young people, we do not make enough money individually to be in comfortable financial situations. Furthermore,…
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