by David Long
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mk. 16:17-18). There are those today who claim to have such powers as Jesus mentioned in these verses. They claim that they can heal people. Some of them will even have big healing services. Well, where are they now with this pandemic? Are they healing anyone with covid-19? Right now would be a good time to have a big healing service and heal people with the virus. But you know what? They are just as scared of getting the virus as everyone else is. No one today has such powers as mentioned in Mk. 16:17-18. They were for a limited time (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Heb. 2:3-4). They are not "faith healers." They are fake healers. They won't heal anyone now with covid-19 but when the virus is under control they will go back to claiming they can heal. And you know the really sad part? People will believe them.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
walk as wise
by David Long
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:15-17). If we are to walk as wise then we must understand what the will of the Lord is. That means we must consult God's word, the Bible. Can't treat the Bible like a doorstop and walk as wise. If we are to walk as wise we must make decisions based on sound reasoning and not emotions. If we are to walk as wise our choices must be based on what God's wants and not what I want.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:15-17). If we are to walk as wise then we must understand what the will of the Lord is. That means we must consult God's word, the Bible. Can't treat the Bible like a doorstop and walk as wise. If we are to walk as wise we must make decisions based on sound reasoning and not emotions. If we are to walk as wise our choices must be based on what God's wants and not what I want.
Monday, July 27, 2020
cancelling God's commandments
by David Long
Who can cancel God's commandments? The state of California has made a rule to cancel singing in churches. Is that a rule that the church of Christ should obey? No! God says to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). God says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb. 10:25). That is negative command from God telling us to not forsake the assemblies of the saints. Who can cancel that command?
Who can cancel God's commandments? The state of California has made a rule to cancel singing in churches. Is that a rule that the church of Christ should obey? No! God says to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). God says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb. 10:25). That is negative command from God telling us to not forsake the assemblies of the saints. Who can cancel that command?
Thursday, July 23, 2020
return to the dust
by David Long
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19). Those must have been some sobering words for Adam to hear from God. You know what? Those are still sobering words. Physically speaking we are dust. Our fleshly bodies came from the dust and they will return to the dust. That should cause any right thinking person to consider how they live in the flesh. "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God" (1 Pet. 4:2). Only those who do the will of God will make it to heaven (Matt. 7:21). We are going to return to the dust and our souls shall be required of us (Lk. 12:20). Are you ready?
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19). Those must have been some sobering words for Adam to hear from God. You know what? Those are still sobering words. Physically speaking we are dust. Our fleshly bodies came from the dust and they will return to the dust. That should cause any right thinking person to consider how they live in the flesh. "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God" (1 Pet. 4:2). Only those who do the will of God will make it to heaven (Matt. 7:21). We are going to return to the dust and our souls shall be required of us (Lk. 12:20). Are you ready?
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Hazarded their lives
by David Long
Christians should never be afraid of dying. Christians don't have a death wish but they are not afraid to hazard their lives for the name of Jesus Christ.
"It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:25-26).
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Rom. 16:3-4).
The apostle Paul faced death daily (1 Cor. 15:31).
Missionaries go to places where they risk their health and some have even died from diseases that they got at those places. Should covid-19 keep us locked up in our houses?
Christians should never be afraid of dying. Christians don't have a death wish but they are not afraid to hazard their lives for the name of Jesus Christ.
"It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:25-26).
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Rom. 16:3-4).
The apostle Paul faced death daily (1 Cor. 15:31).
Missionaries go to places where they risk their health and some have even died from diseases that they got at those places. Should covid-19 keep us locked up in our houses?
Monday, July 20, 2020
Things not cancelled
by David Long
The year of cancellations. Because of covid 19, events have been and are being cancelled. But here are a few things that will not be cancelled. Death and the Judgment Day (Heb. 9:27). The return of Christ and the end of the world (2 Pet. 3). The resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15). These events will happen no matter what. The question we need to be asking ourselves is: are we ready for these events? When will they happen? Don't know but they will happen!
The year of cancellations. Because of covid 19, events have been and are being cancelled. But here are a few things that will not be cancelled. Death and the Judgment Day (Heb. 9:27). The return of Christ and the end of the world (2 Pet. 3). The resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15). These events will happen no matter what. The question we need to be asking ourselves is: are we ready for these events? When will they happen? Don't know but they will happen!
Thursday, July 16, 2020
What does it mean to believe or not believe?
by David Long
"And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren" (Acts 14:1-2).
"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
"And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief" (Heb. 3:18-19).
Do you see what it means to believe or not believe? So when the jailor asked "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house" (Acts 16:30-31). Did it mean faith only? No. Read the following verses in Acts 16:32-34.
"And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren" (Acts 14:1-2).
"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
"And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief" (Heb. 3:18-19).
Do you see what it means to believe or not believe? So when the jailor asked "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house" (Acts 16:30-31). Did it mean faith only? No. Read the following verses in Acts 16:32-34.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)