Posts from 2024 (Page 3)

There is no scripture which authorizes a commemoration of the resurrection of Christ. Therefore, there is no “special day of the week” or “time of year” that it can be observed with a “thus saith the Lord.” In spite of this, most (if not all) denomina­tions celebrate the Lord’s resur­rec­tion in an annual observance called Easter. National news casts of both radio and television publicize this event as the most important day in the “Christian calendar.” If Easter is the…

It is quite interesting to listen to the feeble attempts of men to justify those things for which they have no authority. After more than 45 years of preaching I have learned that once a person has decided to embark upon a certain course of action that is so blatantly opposed to the word of God, reason is thrown out the proverbial window. Some years ago Johnnie Ann and I were making multiple trips to Ukraine to help establish and…

“Heaven holds all to me, brighter its glory will be; joy without measure will be my treasure, Heaven holds all to me.” The words of the soul-stirring hymn written by the late brother Tillit S. Teddlie have thrilled the hearts of God’s people for decades. We often sing “Heaven holds all to me” but does it really? And, why? Do we want to go to Heaven more than anything else? Do we ever contemplate what that place will be like…

The devil is trying to deceive you! And he is using the world—with its lusts, its pride, its alures, its lies, its shiny things, its “highly educated professionals,” its pressures, its “know better” celebrities, its “medical experts,” etc.—to convince you that right is wrong, that wrong is right, that up is down, that down is up, that feelings are safe, that absolute truth is non-existent, and that you are a fool to go against the tide of society. Just as…

[This was written in 2005, while Tom was engaged in missionary work in India] This past week has been a week of festivity in honor of the Hindu God. Worship services to that idol occur daily, extending into the late hours of the night during this week long festivity. It is sad to see such devotion to a false god. In contrast it is rewarding to see those who hear the truth and turn away from that false system of…

Accommodations: Arrangements for accommodations must be made in advance (John 14:2). Passports: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted entry without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling Authority (Revelation 21:27). Departure Time: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be prepared to leave on short notice (Acts 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15:52). Tickets: Your ticket was purchased by a Friend named Jesus. It should be claimed by learning the gospel,…

A Washington Post article from February 9, 2016 reads, “Assault with a deadly weapon: Florida man charged with throwing alligator into Wendy’s.” If you are not yet familiar, let me introduce you to Florida Man. No, I’m not talking about myself. I’m referring to the phrase that seems to continuously pop up in news articles every other week. Each time you hear the phrase, “Florida man,” you know you are in for a story that is crazier than the last.…

A weary man trudged through the snow and ice to ring a doorbell. The man answering it responded with, “Why in the world are you out in this terrible weather trying to sell brushes?” The salesman replied, “Sir, my family must eat!” A person will do almost anything if he is motivated. Whether it’s selling brushes in the snow; climbing a mountain; lifting a car off a loved one; or obeying the commands of God, motivation is a prime mover.…

To the apostles Christ said: “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (Matthew 10:40). Luke 10:16 puts it this way: “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you dispiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” God the Father sent Christ and, the Father and Christ sent the Holy Spirit, who gave the word to the apostles. Since the apostles were Christ’s personal representatives…

God has in the scriptures warned man about deception. The ultimate deceiver is Satan, (Rev. 12:9) but his ministers are going about sowing falsehoods daily. Consider the various forms of the term: Deceive – to make (a person) believe what is not true; mislead. Deceptive – deceiving or intended to deceive. Then is self-deception; Webster defines “self-deception” as “the act or an instance of deceiving oneself or the state of being deceived by oneself especially concerning one’s true nature, feelings,…

There are some people who are still interested in the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. We are trying to give you something each week that will provoke your most serious deliberation throughout the week. If it helps you through the week then my time is considered well spent. The world needs the gospel of Christ. The world has had too much philosophy and not enough gospel. The fundamental duty of the Church is to preach the truth of Christ. The…

Philippians 2:12-16 teaches us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling and allow God to work in us. We must do all things without murmuring and disputing, and be children of God without fault, by being blameless and harmless. Now, fundamental to our ability to do all these things is that we “hold fast the word of life” (Phil. 2:16). How can we accomplish this? Ezra 7:10 provides three ways. First, seek the law of the Lord…