Songs in the Night

by Judy Chappelear Sentry Magazine, June 2002 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken … ” That scripture was taken from Acts 16:25-26. We recall that Paul…

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In the Hour of Trial

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/In-the-Hour-of-Trial.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 22:54-62   I.         Without a doubt, Peter loved Jesus             A.        When others sat in the boat in fear, it was Peter who wanted to go out to meet Jesus – Matthew 14:28-31             B.        When Jesus spoke of his abandonment on the Mount of Olives – Matthew 26:31-32                         1.         Specifically Jesus told Peter…

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The Difference Between a Man and a Dog

by Jeffery Kingry Sentry Magazine, June 2000 Mark Twain once quipped, “If you find a shivering, starving dog, take him home to your hearth and make him prosperous, he will not bite you if you attempt to pick him up. This is the main difference between a man and a dog. ” Photo by Jordan Koons…

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How can trials be counted as joy?

Question: I struggle with the idea of being joyful during trials. I know James said, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4),…

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Mabel’s Story

by Tom Schmidt (abridged) The state-run convalescent home is not a pleasant place. It is large, understaffed, and overfilled with senile, helpless, and lonely people who are waiting to die. On the brightest days, it seems dark inside and smells of sickness and stale urine. I went there once or twice a week for four…

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Lessons from Illness

by Jefferson David Tant Some years ago, while recuperating from two emergency room admissions and two subsequent surgeries, there was been plenty of time to think and reflect on some lessons that such experiences can teach us. Lesson #1 – Life Is Uncertain We all have plans for great things we are going to do…

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Christians Regardless

by Doy Moyer Christians ought to see themselves as living out the story of Jesus. Since He suffered, we should be willing to suffer. As He gave Himself for others, we ought to be willing to give ourselves for others. As He submitted, so ought we to submit. As He loved, so should we love.…

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Understanding Your Purpose

by Doy Moyer “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21). We have been called to a purpose, but unless we understand Christ’s purpose, we will not understand our purpose. When Jesus asked the disciples…

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I Will Give Thanks to You Forever

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/I-Will-Give-Thanks-to-You-Forever.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 30   I.         When nice things happen, we know we ought to be thankful             A.        Yet, in our happiness we too often forget – Luke 17:12-19             B.        However, in one of David’s Psalms, David contemplates other times we might not think of being thankful to God II.        In the depths of despair…

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Lord, Do You Not Care?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lord-Do-You-Not-Care.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear

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Your God Can’t Be the Only Real One

Question: No offense dude. But given that there are over 1000 religions from all over the world. The idea that your particular God of choice is the only real one. Is just plain ludicrous. And not one thing of what you have to say about the bible matters. It can all be disproved in seconds…

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Rolling with the Punches

by Doy Moyer One thing about Christians in Scripture (ideally speaking) — they learned to roll with the punches no matter what was going on. If the government opposed them, they went with it and continued to glorify God. If things were going smoothly, they enjoyed the peace and they kept glorifying God. If they…

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When Hard Times Come

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/When-Hard-Times-Come.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:12-14   I.         Life often goes in different in directions from what we expect.             A.        It had long been Paul’s desire to go to Rome to preach the Gospel – Acts 19:21             B.        It seemed though that something always came up which kept him from reaching his goal – Romans 1:13…

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Fighting Sinking when We Are Hit by Sorrow upon Sorrow

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Fighting-Sinking-when-We-Are-Hit-by-Sorrow-upon-Sorrow.mp3 by Wayne Fancher Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Being Hit By Sorrow Matthew 14:10-12 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head…

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Survival

March 15-20, 2020 presented by Wayne Fancher of Searcy, Arkansas Click on the lesson titles to listen to each message. Little by Little Lessons from the Prodigal Son God Who Makes the Broken Beautiful Spiritual Collateral Damage and Blessings Soldiers of Christ Arise and Put Your Armor On How to Grow as a Local Congregation…

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From Bad to Good

by Mike Johnson Text: Philippians 1:12-14 Paul Arrives in Rome in Chains Acts 28:15-16 Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. His trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for the verdict. It appears he expected to be released but was uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, did…

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God of the Weak

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/God-of-the-Weak.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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David, Peter, and Me

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019Fall4David-Peter-and-Me.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past

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Where Is God When Mass Murder Strikes?

by David Dann The psalmist poses the following question: “Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (Psalms 10:1). As he describes the wicked man in the same passage, the inspired writer goes on to say, “He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the…

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Why Do Bad Things Happen?

by T. Sean Sullivan How often is your life visited with a bad day or bad news? How often do we suffer in this world? One specific area that I know visits every family at one time or another is sickness. Yes, ailments come and sometimes they bring an end to a loved one’s life.…

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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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The Problem with Happy-Face Christianity

by Matthew Bassford “Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, is he who sings songs to a troubled heart” (Proverbs 25:20). The other day, a friend of mine unburdened himself on Facebook about his struggles with depression. He talked about his confusion and fear and self-hatred.…

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How do I help my son, whose wife is dying of MND?

Question: Dear Sir, I am a member of the church of Christ.  My son’s wife is dying of a motor neuron disease (MND). They still do their Bible studies and go to church as often as possible. What can I say or do to help him through all this? He says he just hopes that…

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Psalms 22

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Psalms22.mp3 Text: Psalms 22   I.         Life can get very difficult at times and we can easily get overwhelmed by the struggle. What do we do? II.        Why doesn’t God do something? – Psalms 22:1-5             A.        We not only want a solution, we also have a time in mind that we want it solved by.             B.        It might appear…

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The Importance of Sorrow

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ImportanceOfSorrow.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8   I.         Life doesn’t remain the same – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8             A.        There are different seasons, which brings different needs             B.        No one likes to cry, but life isn’t always going to be rosy. Sorrow has a place in our lives.             C.        The wise know that we need to think about sorrow…

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Take Up Your Cross

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TakeUpYourCross.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:25-32   I.         Many people see religion as something done out of convenience.             A.        They attend when there isn’t something important going on             B.        They select a church to attend because it is close, or because of the events going on, or if there are kids for my kid to play…

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Why didn’t God heal my wife?

Question: Hi, I read some sermons from your website about the person who accepted Jesus, believe in him, and went to church, but he turned back to his old way and sinned again. It’s like me now. I went to Bible college with my wife about ten years ago. We came back and helped lead…

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Should I just give up asking God for things?

Question: Hi. I hope things are well with you. I was thinking about something. I have been suffering from a chronic stomach illness since I was 16. I prayed endlessly for healing but never received any. Now I am 20, and in addition to my disease, I now have chronic back pain. Of course, I…

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James on Trials

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JamesOnTrials.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:1-27   I.         The book of James is written to Jewish Christians who were scattered by persecution – Acts 8:1-4             A.        This is one indication that James is one of the first books written             B.        It is that persecution that sets up the theme for the first part of the book…

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Why did Elihu tell Job that his suffering was a chastisement from God?

Question: In Job 33:19 Elihu tells Job that his pain and suffering are a chastisement from God. What did Job do to cause God to put this sickness upon him to start with? Thank you. Answer: Elihu scolds Job for complaining that God has caused him to suffer without explaining why. “Why do you complain…

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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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I’ve been going through a lot and I’ve just had it with life

Question: I need help. I’ve been going through a lot right now. But here is what is going on: We couldn’t afford to stay at my original house, so we had to move into a smaller house. Money is really tight right now. We’re poor. I don’t know if God is doing it to us.…

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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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The Suffering Savior

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017Fall2TheSufferingSavior.mp3 by Christopher Scott Wyatt Praise to Our God

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Would God give us more than we can handle?

Question: Hello, I have heard the saying, “God does not give us more than we can handle” being used quite a lot. Is this biblically correct? I am a Christian and I feel like I am being crushed. I am a teenager, but I cannot enjoy my youth. I have stomach issues, so there are…

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