DISCIPLE

from -- http://www.bibleandlife.org/Newsletters.htm  by Lehman Strauss (1911-1997)       "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts [pleasures]" - (James 4:3)      We are all naturally and basically selfish. We must honestly admit that even our prayers are selfish. It is possible that some of the good things we do are motivated by a selfish spirit. We will do well to examine our motives periodically and especially in regard to praying. James tells us that one reason for our spiritual poverty and powerlessness in prayer is a wrong motive. It is not necessarily the thing for which we are asking that is wrong, but rather the reason we ask for it. Praying with Selfish Motives      A member in a church where I was pastor expressed a concern for the salvation of her husband. She had gone to several members of t...

Statistic published in March 2016

     Should a Christian become engaged in politics?     Those who say yes invariably quote the familiar aphorism, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If that does not clinch the case, they cite Joseph, Moses, and Daniel as examples of believers who were involved in the political system.      Although the aphorism sounds convincing, we should remember that it is a statement of human wisdom, not divine revelation. We should not give it the authority of Scripture. As for Joseph and Daniel, they never ran for office but served as government employees. Moses was more of a gadfly to the government than a part of it. The Biblical Answer        If we go to the Word for an answer, what do we find?      The Lord Jesus did not engage in politics. If anything, He found Himself in an adverse relationship to the system. The disciples did not engage in poli...

When people asked William MacDonald that, his reply was always: "No one, my candidate is not running."  The following is an excellent article by David McKinley of Canada on the subject of Christians and voting. This and other excellent articles may be found at www.assemblytestimony.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  The Christian And The Polling Booth by David McKinley (Canada) Paper 1 Truly separated Christians ought to have no part nor lot in the politics of this world. If we wish to please the Lord and be a clear testimony to Him in a perishing world, we steer clear of voting in the election of people to political office. Some Scriptural reasons for these statements are given below, that the godly may be fortified in their stand and that the less instructed or those recently saved may be given clear guidance as to why assemblies of Christians gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, have consistently abstained from political...

DISCIPLESHIP IN THE HOME CHAPTER ONE   If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,  and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.   Luke 14:26 He exclaimed, “A typical politician!  His stand on the issues depends upon where he is and who he is with. It’s like his lips are sewn together in the middle so that he can talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time!” This expresses the frustration felt by many people over what is called “double-talk”. What a contrast, and what a blessing to be a Christian and belong to a God who never changes and never says anything insincerely. If we can only learn the mind of God on a subject, then we have a basis for behavior in that area for all time. Don’t worry, God will not change His mind! But upon reading the following portions of Scripture concerning the family, one could be excused for doubting!   (1) "So God cr...

by Brownlow North 1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers.  Heb. 11:6 2. Never neglect daily private Bible-reading; and when you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what He says. I believe backsliding begins with the neglect of these two rules. Jn. 5:39 3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for the Lord Jesus. Every night reflect on what He has done for you., and then ask yourself, "What am I doing for Him?"  Matt. 5:13-16 4. If ever you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room, and kneel down and ask God's blessing upon it. Col. 3:17  If you cannot do this, it is wrong. 5. Never take your Christianity from Christians, or argue that because such and such people do so and so, that therefore you may. 2 Cor. 10:12. You are to ask yourself, "How would Christ act in my place?" a...

by C. H. Spurgeon      An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years, it has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.      From speaking out as the Puritans did, the church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.      My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it ? "Go ye into all the ...