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The word purpose is a very simple word.  It means “To intend or resolve; determination; aim; what one strives for.”  From this word we can have a good Bible study. Solomon said in I Kings 5:5, “I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God.”  In the New Testament the house of God is His church (I Timothy 3:14, 15).  Can we all say that our purpose is to build the Lord’s church? David said…

The preacher and the father of the bride were standing together talking shortly before the father was to give his daughter away to be married.  It was a very serious moment for the father, and he wasn’t paying much attention to what the preacher was saying.  Suddenly, he said out loud, “I wonder when the last time was that I held her.  If I had known, it was going to be the last time I would have held her longer.”…

A city man spent his vacation on a cattle ranch and learned some interesting lessons. He rode with the cowboys on a roundup. There was one wild steer that didn’t want to be driven to the corral. He wouldn’t drive. Neither would he be pulled. When roped, he would lie down and twist and roll. He was the wildest, meanest thing that ever walked on four hoofs. He charged everyone who came near. This steer meant he was not going…

A few days ago, I passed an old farm that had suffered the ravages of neglect. The pastures were covered with weeds and briers as tall as my head. The tin on the old barn was missing and the wood was rotten. The old house was falling apart with weeds and bushes growing up around it. This farm once housed a happy family and was productive with crops and livestock. This scene reminded me how it is with so many…

In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer.  Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries.  Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth.  Thus, their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the…

There is one baptism commanded of all accountable people (Ephesians 4:5).  That is the correct, true baptism of the New Testament to last until the end of time (Matthew 28:18-20).  Peter wrote of making one’s calling and election sure, and we certainly want to make baptism sure.  The matter is too important to be otherwise.  One cannot afford to be wrong about it.  This baptism puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27), puts one in contact with the blood of Christ…

The treasurer of a local congregation was disgusted and resigned. The church asked another person to take the position. He managed a local grain elevator. He agreed to take the position on two conditions. One, that no report from the treasurer be given for a whole year, and two, that no one ask him any questions concerning the finances of the church during that time. The church members gulped, but finally agreed, since he was a very trustworthy man in…

During the war between the states, a young woman learned the truth and obeyed the gospel.  Her sweetheart, J. H. Halbrook, was a confederate soldier.  He was captured by the union army and kept a prisoner in Michigan until the war was over.  He was given a ticket to Nashville, Tennessee and $2.50.  From there, he returned to Centerville and found what was left of his home and family.  He found his girlfriend and they were married.  His wife studied…

A praying church is a growing church. That’s just the way it works. Jesus prayed (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12); Paul prayed (Philippians 1:3, 4; I Thessalonians 1:2); Cornelius prayed (Acts 10:2). Great people and great congregations pray. This is the reason Prayer is the Practice of a Great Congregation. I. We must believe in prayer. A. Jesus taught we should believe in prayer (Matthew 21:22). B. James emphasized that we are to pray in faith (James 1:5-7; 5:15). C. John…

It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of my wealth,” was his reply. “And if I release your children?” “Everything I possess.” “And if I release your wife?” “Your Majesty, I will give myself.” Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they…

All of us should be concerned about being faithful to God. It is easy to get sidetracked. Here are a few identifying marks of a backslider: A backslider forgets to read his Bible. Previously, it had a vital place in his life. Now he cuts himself off from his spiritual nourishment. He says he is too busy. A backslider ceases to pray. No longer does he ask God for wisdom and guidance-or to bless others and to forgive his sins.…

Introduction: In a busy world it is easy to lose our focus. For example, most parents are running their children to one sport’s activity after another. There seems to be little time for anything else. It takes special effort to maintain and improve our spirituality. I want to give five simple ways to help you improve the spirituality of your family. I. It begins with desire (II Chronicles 15:15; I Peter 2:2). A. You must want to improve the spirituality…