HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

Perhaps the one thing that will be the root cause of more people spending eternity in the torment of Hell, and is inexcusable, is ignorance. A lack of knowledge of God's word! Try running through a red stop light some day and then try to tell the police officer that you did not know that it was wrong. You will not only get the ticket he intended to give you, he may even try to get your license suspended. Ignorance of the law is NO excuse.

Of all the people who profess to be Christians, how much time per week do you feel they average in study of the Bible or related information? 20 hours? 10? 4? Or perhaps just the 3-4 hours spent in church services. If faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), it seems to me that we could not accumulate a lot of faith simply by listening to a couple of sermons and a couple of Bible lessons per week. And without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11: 6) And what possible excuse will we give when we stand before God? Not too many people realize just how many admonitions for us to study are in the Bible. When asked for an example of such, most people will quickly give you 2 Timothy 2:15. This may be one of the most straight forward commands, but the Bible is filled with other such admonitions and pleadings.

Read Deuteronomy 6: 6-9. Acts 17:30 tells us that God winked at ignorance in times past but now commandeth all men, everywhere to repent. Matthew 11: 29 says: "Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN of me:...". 2 Peter 1: 5 tells us to add to our faith (which already requires some knowledge) virtue, and to virtue, KNOWLEDGE. And of course that will add to our faith. Every thing we do must be done in faith and that requires knowledge of God's word.

And brethren, we, especially here in America, are without excuse. We have access to Bibles, and if you are reading this, you must have a computer. Did you realize for instance, that our church website has well 0ver 1800 links to valuable biblical information, with 490 sermons, links to religious journals, articles, etc. And there are many more sites with almost unlimited information concerning God's word. I don't know where I first heard it, but my favorite saying is "You cannot obey God, if you don't know what He says!" Let us all work diligently while it is still day, for the night cometh when no man shall work.

Another excuse seems to be, "I just can't find time to read the Bible enough." Somehow, I just can't believe that such an excuse will cut it when we stand before God. Our priorities are just in the wrong place. How much time do we spend hunting, fishing, watching television, reading the newspaper, napping, plus perhaps a thousand other such items. Are all of those more important than studying God's word? The only way to assure oneself of adhering to a routine is to make one. Set aside an allotted time each day for study and for prayer. Then do it. If you are like me, I prefer to rise in the mornings to spend time in prayer and study before other activity sets in which can distract.

Read this article by David Padfield. It might help.

I Hope that you will go to this link and read this article. It emphasizes the facts that I have stated all along. Our leaders need to wake up before they are killed in their sleep. Click Here.

Usually when we talk about salvation, we often refer to the blood of Christ which made sal-vation possible. Peter reminds us that we should be "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19). When the Bible refers to the blood of Jesus, it is actually referring to His death on the cross for that was when His blood was shed (Romans 5:8-9; Colossians 1:20). The death of God's Son is a wonderful testimony of His love for us, but the story does not end at His death.

The resurrection of the crucified Christ is perhaps the greatest confirmation the Father gave the world as to the Sonship of Jesus. Paul proclaims that Jesus was "declared the Son of God with power by His resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). Paul later states that the resur-rection is a central truth in the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and we can read that the resurrection of Jesus was part of the gospel preached from that first Pentecost onward (Acts 2:22-36; 3:13-15; 10:39-40; 17:2-3). But this teaching was not started first with the disciples of Jesus for He repeatedly taught that, although He must die, He would rise again on the third day (John 2:18-21; Matthew 12:39-40; 16:21; 20:17-19; Mark 9:9). Taking no chances, His enemies did all they could to prevent any chance of that occurring, whether it be real or simulated (Matthew 27:62-66). Yet after all the preparation Jesus laid for His followers, they were crushed after His death and seemed not to remember that He taught them He would rise from the dead. During His arrest they were scattered and Peter followed the proceedings from a distance, even denying that he even knew Jesus, just as He predicted Peter would. After His execution they cowered for fear behind closed doors (John 20:19). Dreams were shattered, hope ebbed, and confidence lagged. Then everything changed. They saw the risen Christ! What effect did the fact of Christ's resurrection have on these men? In the book of Acts we see a distinctly different group of men. They spoke confidently about Jesus, proclaiming Him to be the Messiah. They spoke openly, freely about Him, knowing that they had nothing to gain & everything, including their lives, to lose. Former skeptics were suddenly converted to the cause. Saul, who persecuted the Christians, became one! James, Jesus' brother, went from being an unbeliever to a pillar in the early church and even wrote an inspired letter that we count as Scripture! Secular history provides how one by one, these men were persecuted and most of them were killed for preaching Christ. WHY? THEY HAD SEEN THE LIVING, RISEN JESUS!

What's all this mean for you and me? In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul lays out the simple truth that because of the fact of Jesus' resurrection, every believer has within him or her the certainty of resurrection from the dead as well. In fact, this awesome chapter has been called by some "the capstone on the arch of Christianity" and, without the core belief that Jesus is alive, Paul concludes that our faith is worthless and futile (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Further, the inspired apostle offers that "if we have hoped in Christ for this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." We experience a resurrection of sorts in this earthly life when we are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins and rise from the water to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 3:1). But this "resurrection" is but a glimpse and a shadow of the coming one that all Christians look for: a time when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth (John 5:25-29); a time when the dead in Christ will rise first to meet the Lord in the air, and thus will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). It is this hope which gives our lives meaning and purpose. This hope helps us to endure suffering (1 Peter 3:13-18) and gives us the courage and strength to press onward in the face of adversity (Philippians 3:8-15). The certainty of our resurrection from the dead should ease our fears of death, knowing that we will receive the final victory in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-57). Knowing the certainty of our hope, what affect should this have on us as we seek to live as disciples of Christ? Let the inspired apostle summarize it as he does at the conclusion of that great resurrection chapter, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Work harder; be more convinced in standing for right; be more zealous and more faithful, knowing that the reward is coming!

Reprinted from the Gilmer (TX) Area church of Christ bulletin "Salt & Light", Michael Hurst, minister.

Chula Vista Books is owned and operated by Mark and Teah McWhorter. We carry a wide selection of Bible related materials--ladies' books, childrens' materials, commentaries, apologetics, lectureship books, missions books, class books, debates, sermon books, church history, topical studies, Bible covers, Bibles, tracts, BCCs and more.

We also send out used book lists from time to time. Unfortunately we do not have a catalog at present but invite your inquiries. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send us your email address.

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Does your congregation have a web site? Can you add, update and delete information from your existing web site easily? If you answered no to either question visit The Lord's Way. This new service allows you to create a web site for your congregation and update it yourself whenever you want by simply completing online forms. The service is designed for any congregation that wants a web site that contains current, updated and fresh information but does not want to invest the time and money in learning about the inner-workings of the Internet. Your new site will be packed with information about your congregation. Visit us and take a tour!

Where has all the reason and logic gone? People came to this hemisphere with the dream of a free land where religion could be practised as one believed. The first amendment to our constitution was made to assure us of that fact. Read this amendment.

For those in the listening area of WDNG (1450) AM in Anniston, Alabama tune in for the Colvin Street church of Christ's radio program on Sunday mornings. The time slot is 9:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. CST

The regular speaker will be Elbert Lewis.

The future of the church rests on our ability to train effective leaders. There will always be a need for leaders to rise to the occasion as servants, Bible class teachers, ministers, deacons, and elders. Believing that such training should begin at an early age, Leadership Training for Christ provides an opportunity for youngsters, beginning in the third grade, to recognize and develop leadership skills.

Training is Biblical, practical, and in-depth. Leadership Training for Christ provides local congregations an opportunity to work with children and teens on a year-round basis. The second annual SELTC convention is being planned for March 29-31 in Mobile, AL. For more information please see our website Click Here or call 205-988-5808.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute, Scottsboro Extension (BVBISE) is half-way through it's second year of operation under the oversight of the elders of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro, Alabama. The school is an extension of the BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE of DENVER. 40 courses (and eight out-of-class mini-courses) completed over a four-year period lead to the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The Associates Degree may be earned in half that time.

One course is taught each month (except July and December) in two all-day Saturday sessions along with outside assignments. The school is TUITION FREE. The only costs to the student are for required texts & materials, and a $5 fee each Saturday to help cover the teacher's expenses. The teachers are academically well-qualified and experienced gospel preachers who know and love the Bible as the verbally inspired and authoritative word of God, and who volunteer their time and work as a labor of love.

BVBISE is committed to training sound and able Bible teachers (men and women), and faithful gospel preachers for service in the kingdom of Christ. The format is designed to make this training possible for men and women who must continue their jobs and other pursuits while they study. Credit is given for previous college or preacher-school study. A preacher-school graduate may be able to earn the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree in as little as four months of study. For more information please contact the Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. Phone: 256-574-2489. EMAIL

Bible answers from children:

"In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off"

"Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night"

"Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles"

May God bless His faithful children where ever they are.

The Lion and the Mouse

A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by st ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaimed

"You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; Now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to con benefits on a Lion."....Aesop