Posts Tagged ‘relationships’
Making It Legal
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Making-It-Legal.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreDrawing Near by the Blood of Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Drawing-Near-by-the-Blood-of-Christ.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreOur Fundamental Relationship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Our-Fundamental-Relationship.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreDeeper Relationship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Deeper-Relationship.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreCourtesy and Fellowship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Courtesy-and-Fellowship.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreCommunication
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Communication.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreDesire for Relationship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Desire-for-Relationship.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreMade for Relationship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Made-for-Relationship.mp3 Download Audio by Brent Paschall Draw Near to God
Read MoreI Know You
by Dennis Strickland We all know someone. It’s good to know someone, perhaps several folks with whom we interact as we traverse this life. In fact, some seek to know, or be known by, as many as possible, as if this makes them more popular. I’m not sure how it works, but some even make…
Read MoreDraw Near to God
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Join us for a series of lessons on April 8-12, 2026, presented by Brent Paschall of Roanoke, Virginia. Made for Relationship Desire for Relationship Communication Courtesy and Fellowship Deeper Relationship Our Fundamental Relationship Drawing Near by…
Read MoreThe Truth About Having a Personal Relationship with Jesus
by Andy Diestelkamp via InLight Media A personal relationship with Jesus can’t stay private. The truth is, the Bible talks about all kinds of ways a personal relationship with Jesus connects us to others and changes the way we interact with believers and non-believers alike.
Read MoreHow Do I Develop a Relationship with God?
During April 8-12, 2026, we are pleased to have Brent Paschall from Roanoke, Virginia, come. His planned lessons will be: Is it Possible? What does it mean? Necessary Things: Desire for Relationship Necessary Things: Communication Acquainted with God Related to God Our Deepest Personal Relationship Making it Legal
Read MoreGod Is Closer Than We May Realize
by Zeke Flores In Genesis 28:16-17, Jacob wakes up from his dream of the ladder and says, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it.” He wasn’t praying. He wasn’t worshiping. He wasn’t even in a good spiritual place. He was running from the consequences of his own deception. Yet God…
Read MorePropitiation
by Terry Wane Benton “Propitiation” is not a word used very often anymore, but it has to do with “appeasing” the righteous wrath of someone. In the case of humans who have sinned against the Holy Creator, justice needs to be satisfied, righteous anger appeased. Jesus is the propitiation needed. Notice that the “propitiation” was…
Read MoreAre Our Devices Keeping Us from Real Life?
by Scott Smelser Technology, social media, and AI have blurred the lines between what’s real and what’s fake. From fake friends to fake intimacy, today’s world is full of illusions that keep us from living the life God actually designed for us. Phones, games, and the internet aren’t evil—but they can easily become traps. Many…
Read MoreA Father Rejected, But Who Still Loves
by Steven Harper Consider the sad description of Israel’s unfaithfulness, as recorded by Hosea. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images” (Hosea 11:1-2). After hearing their…
Read MoreOnward and Upward
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Onward-and-Upward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Philippians 3:12-17 I. Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ – I Corinthians 11:1 A. Paul taught us in practical terms how to live as followers of Christ while he did so in his own life. B. Paul had numerous accomplishments in his past -…
Read MoreCommunication
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton A profound shift has occurred in the way we communicate. At one time, a speaker had something to say and would relay it to a listener. Basic communication, I know. “Teaching, in its simplest sense, is the communication of knowledge.”(1) There has to be a source (the speaker), a target (the…
Read MoreThe Blessing of Relationships
by Zeke Flores Paul’s words in I Thessalonians 2:8 remind us that some of the greatest blessings we receive from others are found not so much in the gifts they give but in the people they are. When lives become intertwined through fellowship in Christ, it fosters tighter relationships, deeper love, and more enthusiastic motivation.…
Read MoreA Long Way to Go
by Chadwick Brewer I have a long way to go. Often, I am tempted and lulled into thinking that I am doing well in my attempts to be like Jesus. I pat myself on the back and congratulate myself on how far I have come. Then someone comes along and highlights an aspect of Jesus’s…
Read MoreDo Unto Others
by Doy Moyer “As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:31). This does not mean: Do unto others as they have done to you. This is not revenge permission. It is acting contrary to revenge, as you would never wish for someone to take revenge on you. Do…
Read MoreThe Golden Rule
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus stated a rule that would solve many problems between people if we all were committed to living by it. It is commonly called the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). That would eliminate all criminal activity, as no one would…
Read MoreHow to Draw Near to God
by George Hutto via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8). James said, “Draw near to God and…
Read MorePropaganda Wars – When People Can’t or Won’t Hear Truth
by Terry Wane Benton We have the book of Jeremiah only because truth wins in the end. But think of the propaganda that seemed to prevail when Jeremiah was trying to preach to the corrupt establishment. God had an important mission for Jeremiah, “to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw…
Read MoreWhy don’t I hear from anyone?
Question: Good day, sir, I’m a bit frustrated. I don’t hear from the people of the church, even before I took a job that has me traveling for months at a time. All I ever have to keep me going in the faith is the Bible. I don’t want to give up on God just…
Read MoreSeven Times When You Ought to Keep Silent
by Becky Rene In the heat of anger (Proverbs 15:1) When you do not have all the facts (Proverbs 18:13) When you have not verified the story (Proverbs 14:15) If your words will offend a weaker brother (Romans 14:21) When you are tempted to make light of holy things (Matthew 12:36) When you are tempted…
Read MoreBelieving the Best About Other Christians
by Matthew W. Bassford I’ve stayed out of the online debate about how churches should respond to the coronavirus and whether churches that assemble are more righteous than churches that don’t (or vice versa). As far as I am concerned, this is a marvelous opportunity to honor the great Scriptural principle of congregational autonomy. If…
Read MoreWill there be hugging and kissing in heaven?
Question: Hi! I came across your website! I’m an autistic Christian. I’m aware that marriage in the new earth will be between Christ and His Church, and there likely won’t be human sex between a male and female. Whatever sex points to when all the pieces are put together will be shown somehow in the…
Read MoreGod’s Relationship with His People
by Zeke Flores Marriage and its accouterments are often used in Scripture to describe God’s relationship with His people. “I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks…
Read MoreMarital Needs
by Perry Hall In premarital counseling, I always ask what the number one need of a man fulfilled in marriage is, and what the number one need of a woman fulfilled in marriage is. Even when these couples are not religious, their own self-awareness teaches them the correct answer. When they say they don’t know,…
Read MoreKindness and Generosity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Kindness-and-Generosity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-12 I. I ran across an interesting article by Aemily Smith, originally published in The Atlantic, November 9, 2014. “Science Says Lasting Relationships Come Down to Two Basic Traits.” A. It was about what factors showed whether a relationship would survive or not. B. The basic factors were kindness and…
Read MoreThe Direction of Your Life
The Direction of Your Life – Part 1The Direction of Your Life by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 6:19-24 I. Whenever I taught someone to drive, I was reminded that people have a tendency to go in the direction they are looking. A. When a person first learns to drive, they tend to look at things…
Read MoreHow do I deal with friends wanting me to join various prayer groups?
Question: I sure can use your help. I have friends who keep wanting me to join this or that prayer group. They send attachments to many websites that call for prayer on various subjects. I tell them I pray for many of these subjects, but I do it on my own. Answer: “When you pray,…
Read MoreIdeal Versus the Real
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 1999 As Christians, we are instructed to add the Christian graces to our life (II Peter 1:5-8). We are also told that if we love Christ we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). James tells us that if we stumble at one point we have become guilty of all…
Read MoreI don’t feel connected to God or other people
Question: Hello, I apologise in advance for what may be a lengthy email, but I would love to hear your thoughts on my situation. I am concerned about whether I am loving God properly. I believe in God and the Bible, I am Christian and I try to obey the commandments, (no fornication, no alcohol…
Read MoreThe Tie that Binds
by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Earthly relationships often inspire and encourage us as we live our lives as Christians. While this is not another article about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I would fail in my effort to write concerning relationships if I did not first mention the most intimate association of mankind, and…
Read MoreI’m still having problems getting along with my stepmother
Question: I wrote to you a while ago when my dad and my stepmother had just married because I wasn’t sure what my new relationship with her should be. You gave me a kind and helpful response and I am sorry I never replied to say thank you for that. I would like to say…
Read MoreBefore We Post or Share
by Doy Moyer Before we post or share something, let us ask: Does it show that we are striving to build up the people of God? (Ephesians 4:28) Will it help promote unity or will it cause unnecessary division? (I Corinthians 12:25) Does it show love for one another, love for enemies, and mostly love…
Read MoreSerpents and Doves
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Serpents-and-Doves.mp3 by Austin Hausner
Read MoreI started out joking with a coworker, but it has gotten out of hand. How do I stop it?
Question: Hi again! You answered a question I had previously, but I was wondering if I could ask you for some more advice. I realize there are people in my life who are good Christians, I’m just not sure how to ask for advice when I’m the one usually giving it. I started working at…
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