LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

KDON'T MARRY UNTIL YOU ARE PREPARED TO DIE. TEXT: Proverbs 20:18 KJV Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 1.  DIE TO PRIDE: Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. [24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 2.  DIE TO SELFISHNESS: Ephesians 5:25-29 KJV Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. [29] For no man ever yet hat...

I Want to Marry a Christian Girl. Scott Wiginton. "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord" (Prov. 18:22). We know from the Bible that marriage is a blessed union, established by God with the marriage of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). It is therefore scriptural, and natural, for a young man to seek out a woman who would become his wife. Aside from the decision to surrender one's life to Christ, choosing the person to be your mate for the rest of your earthly life is probably the most important decision a Christian can make. This is evident for two main reasons: it will deeply affect a man's life on earth, and it will most certainly affect a man's ability to have eternal life in heaven. A Worthy Woman. The ways that a wife can affect the everyday life of a man are extremely obvious. P...

The Sacredness of Marriage (1) Bobby Witherington Highland, California. Under the law of Moses, God spake unto Aaron saying, "Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statue for ever throughout your generations" (Lev. 10:9). In the following verse the reason is given as to why those who served as priests were to abstain from wine and strong drink, it being: "that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean." Being able to distinguish between things "holy and unholy," between the sacred and the profane, or between God's commands and the unrestrained impulses of the flesh, was vitally important while Moses' law was in effect. Careful preparation was necessary in order to worship and serve God acceptably. Those who functioned as priests needed a clear head. Consequently, wine and strong drink were forbidden. Nad...

SACRED TRUSTS. From time to time God has entrusted men with various responsibilities known as trusts. Most banks have a trust department which takes care of the property of others and is held responsible for the use of such. Let's take a look at some sacred trusts. The Gospel of Christ. God expects men to teach men. So Paul told the Thessalonians, "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts" (1 Thess. 2:4). No doubt this is the reason, soon after Paul was converted, that 49 straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God" (Acts 9:20). Often we sing, "Into our hands the gospel is given" and as we sing this song we need to be impressed with the responsibility of "adorning the doctrine of God" (Tit. 2: 10) in our own lives. We are "stewards of the mysteries of God" and we must remember that "it is required in st...

The Sacred Charge. Vestal Chaffin Charleston, West Virginia. The apostles had been cast into prison by the high priest and Sadducees, because they preached Jesus and the resurrection from the dead. The Lord sent his angel and delivered the apostles from the common prison, and gave unto them one of the most sacred and solemn charges that was ever given to man. He told them to, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life" (Acts 5:20). They were to teach all that the Lord had revealed to them. They were not to try to speak in such a way as not to offend the people, or to gain favor with the rulers, by good words and fair speeches; but they were boldly to proclaim the gospel. This charge carries with it one of the most weighty responsibilities ever given to a human being. This, in substance, is the same charge given by Christ when he gave them the great commission to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matt. 28:19); or "Pr...

10 Facts About Second Coming. Aaron Erhardt. 1. We currently live between the first and second comings of Christ (1) 2. The Lord will come from heaven (Acts 1:11) (2) 3. The Lord will appear in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17) (3) 4. The second coming will be a visible return (Rev. 1:7) (4) 5. The second coming will be a glorious return (Lk. 9:26). 6. The second coming will be without warning (Matt. 24:42-44) (5) 7. The second coming will end our opportunity to be saved (2 Thess. 1:7-9. 8. The second coming will end our observance of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:26). 9. The second coming will initiate resurrection of the dead (1 Thess. 4:16) (6) 10. The second coming will be followed by the final judgment (Matt. 25:31-32 Footnotes: 1. Hebrews 9:28 is the only passage that speaks of His return as a “second” coming. John 14:3 says He will come “again,” which implies a second coming. 2. Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56; Heb. 1:3; ...

An Open Letter to Christians Who Will One Day Meet My Children We are dreading it like the plague—and yet, we know there is nothing we can do about it. Our children will grow up, and one day leave home to build their own family. God blessed my wife and me with three precious children, who have brought a lifetime of joy and happiness. With bedraggled hair and lines on their faces, we have soaked up their morning smiles. And with comforting arms and a plethora of nightlights, we have conquered nighttime monsters. All the while, watching their beautiful handprints fill our house. But the time will come when they grow up and move away, no longer under our guidance and care. Thus, this open letter to you. I don’t know what day it will be, or in what town you will likely see them. But chances are, in this “small world,” your paths will cross one day. I hope on that day, you will remember this letter and help their mom and me out. Believe me when I tell you that we are praying for that day....

GOD WANTS HIS PREACHERS  TO REBUKE PEOPLE Roger D. Campbell Titus was a man in whom the apostle Paul had great confidence. Paul left him on the island of Crete to set in order things that were not yet finished there (Titus 1:4,5). Part of Titus’ work as a gospel preacher was to rebuke those who needed it. Two pointed instructions to Titus from the Holy Spirit made this plain. First, Titus was directly charged,  “Wherefore rebuke them sharply...”  (Titus 1:13). Second, Titus was commanded,  “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority”  (Titus 2:15). These verses make it clear that the Lord wanted Titus to rebuke people. Titus could not please Him unless he did so. The same is true for God’s preachers in our generation. The message of the first two chapters of the Book of Titus helps us understand a number of matters connected to rebuking others. Let us see them.  What It Means to Rebuke. Agai...

SEX by Celestina Kenny. A man can travel for eight hours 'just to have sex with a female friend and yet, not love her. Sex makes men act as if they are in love. The eight hours travel sacrifice, gifts bought, hotel paid for and other expenses may seem to be coming from true love but they were all in the sacrifice for sex and nothing more. The foolish thing is this, majority of women would jump up inside them and conclude that this is art of true love. Sex is not an art of commitment. Men still leave the women they sleep with on bed and start thinking of the next woman to sleep with. The satisfaction that comes from sex dies in minutes. It is in the nature of Lions to go miles to hunt. The same with men. A man who can afford the expenses of flying from America to Nigeria for sex would do it as if he would never turn to another woman for sex. Sex drives men to do what seems like the impossible and such turns women around and they start acting weird. Sex and love are not in t...

Four Spiritual Laws. presented by Stephen R. Bradd. Without laws, physical life would be utter chaos. The same is true spiritually. This lesson analyzes four very important spiritual laws from the book of Romans. Laws are everywhere. There are man-made laws such as the speed limit, and there are natural laws such as gravity. Laws can be counted on. Almost anywhere you drive, there will be a speed limit. And, anywhere you go (unless you're an astronaut), there will be gravity. Life is challenging and chaotic at times, but it would be even more so without laws. Some desire a world with no speed limits, but it would be too dangerous. It might work on certain roads, but it would never work everywhere. Can we even imagine life on Earth without the constant law of gravity? But, what about the spiritual realm? Are there laws there also? Absolutely. They too can be counted on and are necessary in so many ways. I want us to consider four spiritual laws today. These laws affect you. The...

21 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED by Kenneth E. Thomas 1.  Because God commands it.  Acts 10:48   2.  To fulfill all righteousness.  Matthew 3:15   3.  To be a friend of Christ. John 15:14   4.  Because you love God.  I John 5:3; John 14:15   5.  Lest you reject the council of God against yourself.  Luke 7:30   6.  To COMPLETE the “new birth.”  John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5   7.  To enter the kingdom. John 3:5   8.  For remission of sins. Acts 2:38   9.  To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:38   10.  In order to be saved. Mark 16:16   11.  To wash away your sins. Acts 22:16   12.  To get into the death of Jesus where blood was shed.  Romans 6:3   13.  To be buried with Christ. Romans 6:4   14.  To be raised with Christ. Romans 6:4; Colossians. 3:1; 2:12   15. ...

IS BAPTISM REALLY ESSENTIAL FOR ONE TO BE SAVED? Baptism is a topic that is widely disputed in the religious world but a topic that is given great emphasis in the New Testament, being mentioned more than 100 times.  Is baptism essential in order to be saved and to go to heaven?  Let us go back to the Bible and allow God to answer this question. Baptism is essential to salvation for it always precedes salvation when the two words are used together in the New Testament.   Jesus said,  “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).  Peter wrote,  “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Peter 3:21) .  Baptism comes before salvation and not salvation before baptism. Baptism is essential to salvation as it is a command from heaven.   Jesus commanded His disciples to teach all nations and baptize them  (Matthew 28:18-20) .  Jesus told Nicodemus,  “You must be born again” (John 3:7),...

DO DEMONS POSSESS PEOPLE TODAY? Rod Rutherford Many believe that evil spirits, called demons, can take over people’s bodies today. This was widely accepted in Europe hundreds of years ago. It is still believed by many in Africa in areas where the influence of Christianity is not strong. It is also a growing belief in America. A study revealed that about one third of all Americans believe that demons can take over the bodies of people. Is it true? Should we fear demon possession today? What does the Bible teach? The Bible clearly teaches that evil spirits exist ( James 2:19). They are called "devils" in the King James Version and "demons" in other translations of the Bible. These devils or demons must not be confused with the Devil, Satan, the Tempter (Matthew 4:1-3,10). There is only one Devil, but there are many demons. In the Bible, we learn that demons entered into people and controlled them (Matthew 8:28-34). They were under the power of Satan (Beelzebub), t...