Denial - Bro. Robert Scott, North Industry....Denial is the “refusal to admit the truth of a statement or charge.” A few examples that I can think of could be saying to ourselves that the McDonald’s double cheeseburger we just ate is not going to affect our cholesterol count. The reality is that if our diet consists of too many of these it will in all probability, raise our cholesterol.....

God Loves Us - Bro. Dennis Adams...Every day is a gift from God to us his children.  Let me say that I feel that our Father in heaven truly loves us as his children. And as His children we have the desire to please our Father. Our desires are genuine, but our actions tell the real story. It seems that everyday is a challenge to find time to do the things we need to do. That’s also the reason that we have to meet that challenge. Lets look back on what we were doing yesterday and see if we can pick out something that helped us prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord........

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus - Bro. David Thomas Jr....My exhortation this morning is about one of the most difficult parables in the Bible. This is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Many religions use this parable to support their beliefs that we all will go to heaven and hell. They are, however, taking one of his parables literally. But none of Jesus’ parables can be taken literally. In this way they may be proving the fact that their own beliefs are not based on Bible truths.......

From Gross Darkness to the Glorious Light - Bro. Jack Vogelgesang, North Industry.....I see by the calendar that tomorrow will be the 230th anniversary of the birthday of our country.  I have asked that two of the readings for tomorrow be read here this morning since I see a relationship between 1 Sam 16, Isaiah 60 and the secular celebration of this July 4, 1776,  birth of one of the kingdoms of man.  I must emphasize that although we have much to be thankful for in the establishment of a nation that has allowed us to live in relative comfort and safety where we have been free to worship Yahweh according to the Truth as the Spirit has recorded for us in Scripture, this nation is still a part of the Kingdom of Man and offers us no true hope for the glory of Yahweh that will fill the earth in the Kingdom Age and beyond as the waters cover the sea. 

Build the House - Bro. Craig Craver, North Industry.......From Proverbs 14 verse 1 we read that “a wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.”If we apply this passage to ourselves, we can relate the house being built or torn down to the ecclesia. We can also relate ourselves individually to the wise or foolish women whose actions have either a positive or negative affect on the ecclesia. If there’s a way we can examine ourselves this morning as we reflect on the life of Christ that might be it: do our thoughts and actions, conversations and other communications build up or tear down the ecclesia?

Salvation belongs to Yahweh - Bro. Dave Nobel, North Industry..... David’s perspective and attitude grows out of his life experiences, born out of seeing God’s hand actively involved in his life. It equips him to be able to place confidence in what Yahweh will do in the future, because of His goodness in the past. In our youth, whether literally or spiritually speaking, it is harder for us to firmly embrace such a vision. However, it is an important lesson for us to learn … and to come to embrace…and then to cling to it!! ........

Serving The Lord - Bro. Dennis Adams......In our current readings we are watching the development of a Holy nation. And soon this nation will be mature enough and ready to claim the land promised to them by God. It is a time for change and a time for new leadership to go along with this new era of history. The last chapter of Deuteronomy concludes with the death and mourning of Moses. This first chapter in Joshua begins our story. The divine purpose was to bring the children of Israel onward into Canaan. Moses had just died and Joshua is called to succeed him. This juncture gives us interesting light on the plans of God and man’s relation to their fulfillment. God’s plans are not dependent on man. When Moses dies, Joshua is ready..........

 Reading Generates Power - Bro. Greg Misko Sr., North Industry ..... It is important to remember that we should not confine our thinking only to what has taken place in the past concerning Christ’s death. We must not only remember the fact, but also what the fact means, and what God has accomplished for us. Our focus should not be solely on his crucifixion, but we must keep in mind what had taken place long before. We must go back to the beginning, to the Garden of Eden, and take a careful look at the fact that “ by one man,  sin entered into the world, and  there forth death by sin;”  The first Adam transgressed God’s commandments and was sentenced to die.  It was the second Adam, who constantly is on our mind and in our heart,  the Lord Jesus Christ, that we will consider this morning......
 

Newness of Life - Bro Nick Kneffler.....Paul's epistle to the Romans 6: 3-4 offers us a blueprint for the beginning of our life after baptism. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in a newness of life." Each one of us, through baptism, has begun a newness of life. A new beginning. A new life in Christ. With this newness of life comes the responsibility to live our lives in a new way. The biggest change that takes place is no longer are we number one. God is number one......

Jeremiah "Exaltation of the Lord" - Bro. Dennis Adams...He was a priest and was raised in a Levitcal tribe and learned a high regard for the law of the Lord from an early age and knew the importance of the temple and the priesthood. Certainly he must had been a righteous man to be chosen for such a duty. Jeremiah was a deeply spiritual man at a time when even most of the priests were corrupt and taught this corruption to the people.....

For God is My High Tower - Bro. Dave Noble, North Industry .....We derive so much insight into David’s character when we reflect upon what he has written in the Psalms.  He faces circumstances here where a powerful king seeks his life.  He must flee for his life, and he turns to his God and seeks his assistance…he prays that God would “defend” him in verse 1.  It is a word that means to “set me on high”.  He asks God to set him on high…putting him out of reach.  In verse 9 it says, “God is my defence.”  In the margin, it has God is “my high place.”  The NIV has that God is “my fortress,” and in the closing two verses, we see David’s great love and dependence upon his God:.....

I'm Somebody -Bro. Robert Edwards ....As adults we like to think of ourselves as being independent people. Independence is something we strive for as young adults and something we dearly try to hold onto as we become more elderly or if our health should fade in some manner. We usually apply this term to our ability to support ourselves  without the assistance of other people. We also  use the word "independent" to describe our form of government. We do not live under the thumb of a monarch or a dictator, we live in a free country. Independence Day is celebrated every year in this country to remind us that we are free from any "Mother Country".....

• Help is from the Lord - Bro. Jack Vogelgesang, North Industry ....We have completed the readings in Ezra and will continue the story in Nehemiah, the story of the return of the children of Judah from their seventy years of captivity in Babylon. The story contains many exhortations for us in these last days of the Gentile times as we await the return of our Lord and Savior. We see in this story that Yahweh blessed those who arose and worked in His service and who were not discouraged by opposition. Today, we too are called upon to work in His service; and likewise, we are not to be discouraged by the opposition that we face......

• The Grace of God - Bro. David Thomas Jr...... The word "grace" is used many times in the Bible. However, there is no chapter that describes grace as Hebrews 11 describes faith. An example of a verse where grace is used is Luke 2:40 that describes Jesus. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Phrases like "grace of God" and "find grace in thy sight" are often used in salutations such as Romans 1:7, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ".........

• Hope is on the Way - Bro. Greg Misko Sr., North Industry .....Elijah was commissioned by the LORD to present to the men of his age as to who they would serve.  Yahweh or Baal, the choice would be theirs.  With the enthronement of Ahab and Jezebel, We find Israel in a very serious dilemma. The existence of two religions that could not co-exist together.  It was Jezebel’s desire to make the worship of Baal the  state-religion.  There were many attempts to exterminate  the prophets and followers of the LORD, the apostasy of Israel had reached its zenith. Indeed, the land was now ripe for God’s judgment. There is a similarity between the days of Noah and those of Ahab..........

• Planned for God's Pleasure  - The moment we were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive; your arrival gave him great pleasure. God did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment. WE exist for his benefit, his glory, his purpose, and his delight. Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life. When we fully understand this truth, we never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth. If you are that important to God, and he considers you valuable enough to keep with him for eternity, what greater significance could you have? You are a child of God, and bring pleasure to God like nothing else he has ever created..........

• Good Works - Bro. Dennis Adams ....When I was growing up as a young boy my father always told this saying. “Actions speak plainer than words.” We have seen it in our everyday life with other people. They say one thing but their actions tell you a totally different story. Lips service is an insult. We being brothers and sisters, our yeas are yeas and our nays are nays. When we say we are going to do something then we do it. Our actions should tell people that what we believe in is also our way of life.....

• BOOK OF ECCLESIASTE The words of the Preacher - Bro. Greg Misko Sr., North Industry ....Wherever Scripture uses the phrase “the words of “ the purpose is to speak words that express strong disapproval. The strong disapproval with “ Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Everything is vanity, and endless repetition can be seen in both nature and man. This is a strong contrast to many of the phrases we read , say in the Book of Psalms. For instance, “ The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want” and “ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”.......

• The Ten Commandments - Bro. David Thomas Jr. .....This means different things to different Christadelphians as you know.  Some think we should study the Word and work for the truth every waking moment with no televisions or other distractions.  Others feel that we can have other interests as long as they don't interfere with what is most important.  We have to decide for ourselves which is the correct route.  If we take the more liberal view we must remember the parable of the sower and how outside interests can choke our faith......

• God's Use Of Suffering - Bro. Jack Vogelgesang, North Industry .....The Bible teaches that an all-wise, almighty Creator formed this marvelous universe in which we live by His infinite skills of wisdom, foresight and care. Yet humanity experiences continual difficulties, stresses and troubles.  Families suffer through disease, disabilities and death.  Often through no fault of our own, we face times of trauma as we try to grapple with the question as to why we suffer.  We recognize there is a reason for the suffering that is an observable part of human existence.  It is a part of the present state of things.  It was not caused by the design or purpose of God, but rather by the foolishness of mankind.  This was present from the beginning and is perpetuated in many cases by the irresponsible actions of an ignorant and disobedient world.......

• One Like Unto the Son of Man - Bro. Dave Noble, North Industry ......We must not forget that each member of that composite body has labored to reveal those glorious attributes in their lives during the days of their probation.  Today we are members of Christ's body, and we need to be performing our individual tasks for the common good of the Ecclesia of God, so that we might be fitly joined together.  The perfection portrayed in the vision is to be striven for now.  We need to be clothed with Christ, developing a tried faith, seeking the spirit word to guide us, with arms and feet acting in conformity with the will of God, and finally, speaking forth the clear, wholesome words of life.  If these qualities be found in us, however limited, there is then a basis for their perfection when our Lord appears, and the image of the Son of Man is then formed to stand upon this earth.  If not, we stand no chance to be granted a part in that image.......

• Fear

- Bro. Wes Booker (south Austin, Texas) .....Just as with my students, quite often human nature raises its ugly head, and the respect and obedience is lacking, so also with us and our Heavenly Father. But also just as I as a teacher appreciate respect and obedience to me, and small rewards are given as a result, so with God-He appreciates it when we continue to show Him honor and obedience and His reward for a lifelong commitment to this; will be beyond anything we can think of or imagine. A good example in scripture of a man who throughout his life showed this reverence and respect for God and who desired above all to obey Him was Daniel. On many occasions and in many ways Daniel showed this; .......

• Imperishable Dreams - Bro. Phillip M. Phillips (March 18, 1928) .....No matter what our vocation in life may be or what course or special line of endeavor may follow we are all dreamers of one sort or another.
  There may be dull: poor and unilluminated lives but there are no dreamless lives, for all, both men and women old and young have what is termed the dreams of their lives.
  The dreams I refer to are not the dreams which float across our sensorium, while the conscious mind is lulled into unconsciousness in sleep, nor those dreams which play across the mind in sleep with such persistence, for these are called by Shakespeare " the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain phantasy"..........
   

• THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - Bro. Paul Inman ......JUST AS THE NATURAL FOOD WE EAT, IF WE EAT SPOILT FOOD THAT DOES NOT AGREE WITH US WE EXPERIENCE PAIN AND BECOME SICK. SO IF WE ADHERE TO THE WISDOM OF MAN, INSTEAD OF THE WISDOM WE RECEIVE FROM GOD'S WORD WE WILL BECOME WEAK AND SICK AND WE WILL SUFFER MUCH PAIN AND EVEN DEATH. A NEW BORNE BABE IN CHRIST HAS THE GERM OF THE TRUTH THAT NEEDS THE FOOD FROM THE WORD OF GOD TO GROW INTO THE FULLNESS OF THE STATURE OF CHRIST. THE NEED OF DEVELOPMENT IS PHYSICAL, MENTAL, MORAL AND SPIRITUAL, THAT WE MAY GROW INTO THE FULLNESS OF WHAT IS REQUIRED, THAT WE MIGHT HAVE CHRIST IN US.......

• Save Yourselves From This Untoward Generation - Bro. Jack Vogelgesang, North Industry ....As we separate ourselves from mainline churches, that is if we weren’t fortunate enough to grow up in a Christadelphian home, there is a question we will sometimes ponder as we make our way through this secular and evil world, our wilderness like unto that through which the Israelites were led by Moses.  That question is this: Are the Christadelphians the only ones who’ve got it right?  Are people in other churches really not in fellowship with Yahweh and without hope?  It smacks of arrogance to say that we’re the only ones who’ve got the Truth.  However, we do see a world that is rapidly breaking down barriers:  peace and unity at any cost, gay bishops, female clergy, a redefinition of marriage, and clergy abuse to name a few.  Millions have had their lives turned upside down by being forced to accept misguided ideals.  Many have come to the conclusion that you can’t be sure of anything; there are no absolutes; there is no truth; principles, after all,  are phony -- so let’s eat, drink and be merry!.....

• The Veil - Bro. David Thomas Jr. .......We are told what the veil symbolized in Matthew 27:50-51, "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom: and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;" Paul says the following in Hebrews 10:20, "By a new and living way, which he that consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"
  The veil then , stands for the flesh, which Christ possessed in his days before his death and resurrection. The veil had to be torn asunder as a symbol so it might be possible for man to obtain immortality. By removing the veil as a division between the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, which represents God's presence, was made accessible by man.....

 

• Give diligence to make your calling and election sure  - Bro. Jeff Foltz, North Industry ....So too, those false teachers thought they could reason out the best of all possible teachings. They did not renounce Christianity, but corrupted it and made it mere institutions of fig leaves. They set up “a form of godliness,” which had its God, its Jesus and its Holy Spirit; its gospel, its piety, and so forth; but when these were compared with the Truth as  taught by Jesus and the apostles, they are found to be completely destitute of the power . 2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

  This is the Christianity of all Christendom today, steeped in doctrines of demons and filled with all manner of abomination, which is as much possessed of the spirit of anti-Christ as were the anti-Christs of the first century.

  So why are we spending time to look at something that occurred over 1900 years ago? How does it affect us today? Because as part of our remembrance of our Lord, we ought to be diligent in our Faith and not allow the subtle serpent thinking of the flesh to beguile us and so deceive us from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus.

  If the world has so perverted the Truth that it calls evil good and good evil then we need to take heed to that warning and arm ourselves by the renewing of our minds and the strengthening of our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died that we might live.....

• We Make Our Answer Now - Bro. Dave Noble, North Industry .......The main point that Jesus sought to make here is, very simply, that the closer a man comes to Christ in the life he lives, the more secure he is in present trials and ultimately in the day of judgment. And the opposite is true; the less close he is to Christ, the greater his danger. To any superficial scrutiny, such an individual may appear to be well equipped and safe, but the trials of life will differentiate between the genuine and the sham. Such a person does not hear and do the sayings of the Lord because of either spiritual laziness and an unwillingness to labor to build upon rock, or because of a desire to put on a show of religion without the inner transformation and personal dedication to Christ that is required........

• Preaching the Truth - Bro. Dennis Adams ......We should be able to preach the word not only when it suits us, but even when it doesn't. It easy to have the opportunity to speak with someone, only to pass it by because maybe we were too tired or had some other excuse. Are we putting our priorities in order? Are we sharing this great opportunity that we have been given? We should be taking advantage of every chance we have whether we think the time is right or not or that person just won't listen to what we have to say.. Our duty is to get out and tell everyone and the decision is up to him or her, but they can't make a decision if they don't know about it.........

• The Word - Bro. Paul Inman .....This shows us the way in which God has, through His Dear Son made a way for mortal man to find eternal, immortal life. Through the knowledge of the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, then with full understanding of these things we repent, and obey the command of or Master to be Baptized.
  To be born of the water and the spirit, or knowledge of God's plan of redemption, then we can be born again. We are then no longer the sons and daughters of Adam. But we become the sons and daughters of God. We then must take up our cross and follow our Master every day, every minute. We dedicate our lives to our God and through his Dear Son we find mercy and Grace........

• The Lord Knoweth Those That Are His - Bro. Robert Edwards .......Today the responsibility of preserving the truth and carrying on the work, rest upon our shoulders. It is a blessing beyond measure, which we have received. But we must be careful not to take our duty lightly. "For the Lord knoweth those that are His."
  
  It is an absolute truth that we are known of God in all circumstances. Whether we openly serve God in the face of trial as did Shadrack, Meshech and Abednego. Or whether we try to hide, or even deny, that we are known of God as did Peter after they led Christ away to the crucifixion.
  We are very fortunate that we live in a country where we can worship in peace.
  But do we take full advantage of this opportunity?
  We need to remember the words written in the gospel of Luke. "For whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required."
  
  We are all aware of the signs pointing to the return of Christ to this earth. But are we ready to be offered as Paul was? If this country started a policy to arrest and persecutes all Christians, would we be arrested, or would we be released because of lack of evidence?.........

• Friendship - Bro. David Thomas Jr. .........We may not think of Jesus' disciples as being his friends. But they lived, ate, and preached with him. To them he was another human being like themselves. Jesus didn't look down on his disciples as being inferior. He says in John 15:15. "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
  
  A master keeps his distance from his servants. He doesn't get too close to his servants because he wants to keep that superiority. Jesus didn't feel that way with his disciples. He felt that they were equal. He shared everything he knew with them. In Luke 22:28 Jesus said to his disciples "ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations".
  
  However, Jesus said his followers were only his friends as long as they kept his Father's commandments. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." This reminds us of the test of like-mindedness. We may be friends with those who may not be Christadelphians but who respect our beliefs. But we do no seek friendships with those who openly disregard God's commandments. Jesus felt that those who disobey his and his Fathers commandments had no common ground with him...........

• Our Future Days in God's Kingdom - Bro. Paul Inman ......THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PREPARING FOR TODAY. OUR GOD HAS CALLED US OUT OF THIS WORLD FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE THAT WE MIGHT HONOR AND PRAISE HIM AND HIS SON BOTH TODAY AND IN THE KINGDOM AGE WHEN WE WILL REIGN WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
  
  A LIFE FORSAKEN, RIDICULED AND DESPISED BY THOSE THAT SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED AND PRAISED HIM, INSTEAD THEY PUT HIM TO DEATH ON THE CROSS.
  THOU HE DIED FOR YOU AND ME, HE HAS WON THE VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH, IN THAT HE DID NO SIN, AND THE FATHER RAISED HIM FROM DEATH AND HATH EXALTED HIM TO HIS RIGHT HAND, WHERE HE PLEADS FOR YOU AND FOR ME, THAT OUR SINS MIGHT BE FORGIVEN.
  
  THAT OUR NAMES MIGHT BE WRITTEN IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE.........

• Building A Godly Character- Bro. Ken Passwaters .......If we are truly brothers and sisters of Christ then this work of perfecting ourselves so that we will be acceptable in the day of christs return, is of paramount interest in our lives. It is a most responsible position to which we have been called. We have been chosen from among multitudes by the Almighty God to prepare for kinship and priesthood in a glorious age soon to come. It is not a trial that is without hardship and sorrows, but life even at it's best has little of offer to any man and we do have a hope for the future which can sustain us through all trials if we but listen to and heed to the word given for the purpose of instructing us unto righteousness..........

• Thoughts For the Coming Year - Bro. David Thomas Sr. ........We are approaching the greatest holiday season of the year for festivity and merrymaking. Many will stop to rejoice at the birth of Christ. We also rejoice that he was born into this world. With all the commercial activity and revelry of the season it is easy to overlook the true meaning of this great event in history.
  
  If we remember Christ only at holiday times such as at Christmas and Easter, it is easy to get a distorted picture of his life and mission, and not see the complete truth as it is in Jesus. For this cause we meet together every week to worship God, hear the necessary word of exhortation, and to remember Christ, to keep all these things in remembrance........
   

• The Linen Sash - Bro. Nick Kneffler .....There are many "common expressions" found in the Bible that are not so "common" in today's world. The "girding of one's loins" is one such example. Peter's listeners would have fully appreciated the metaphorical import of his words, but today's readers may lack the necessary colloquialness needed to do the same....

• Parables - Bro. David Thomas Jr. .........The term parable comes from the Greek word parabole which mean "a placing beside".  That means it is a comparison or an illustration.  There are many reasons why Jesus used parables as a teaching method.  Jesus clearly stated that he wanted to use parables to hide the truth from those who lacked the motivation to search for the meaning of his teachings or who were looking for something they could use to condemn Jesus.
       Jesus was asked, "Why speakest thou them in parables?"  In Matthew 13:11-12 we read, "He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance: But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."  Those who did not have that desire to find the meaning in Jesus' parables would not find it.  The understanding will be taken away from them.........
  

• The Beauty and Power of God's Word - Bro. Paul Inman ......... THE APOSTLE PAUL IN HIS LETTER TO THE ROMANS (1:16) SPEAKING OF THE POWER OF GOD SAID, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE TRUE ORACLES OF GOD, TO LIVE BY THEM, AND TO LOVE AND PUT YOUR TRUST IN THEM IS THE BEAUTY AND THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD UNTO SALVATION. WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO STUDY GOD'S WORD, IN 2nd TIMOTHY 2:15 WE READ, "STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH."............

• Fruit of the Spirit - Bro. David Thomas Jr. ........Some interpret fruit of the spirit to good qualities we receive if we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, but this is not true. Paul describes what the Holy Spirit gifts are such as speaking in tongues and prophesies in other chapters. Fruit of the spirit refers to the good things we get from the spirit whether it is the spirit inspired word or the teachings of the apostles who taught with the power of the Holy Spirit. These good qualities must be something we develope when we read or hear the truth from spirit inspired teachings.........

• The Commandments of Christ - Bro. David Thomas Jr. ........The commandments of Christ are the basic principles by which we should live each day.  Christ told us that we are only his friends if we follow his commandments.  John 15:14 reads, "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you."  Only those who obey his commandments will have a chance to be part of the kingdom.  Mathew 7:21 reads, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven."  We must do Christ's commandments as well as just know them.  1 John 2:4 reads, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.".....

• The Beatitudes - Bro. David Thomas Jr.  .....The book A life of Jesus says the following about the Sermon on the Mount, "The teaching and precepts of Jesus expressed in the clear symmetry of the Sermon on the Mount are not abstract ideals, as beautiful as mountain peaks and as remote, to be preserved and worshipped in devotional hours and ignored in the hurley-burly of daily living. They form a working philosophy of life which is the only road a disciple can tread." 

  The word blessed is used with all of the beatitudes. According the the book a Life of Jesus it refers to more than just the reward of the kingdom. It not only refers to the reward of the kingdom. It refers to an inner peace and feeling in this life. 

  If we follow Jesus' teachings and follow the beatitudes, then all of the difficulties and temptations of life will be met.......

   

• God Desires All Men To Be Saved ........... Most people who are somewhat familiar with the Bible, if asked, "What is the most significant thing about the book of Jonah?" would probably respond that a man was swallowed by a whale and miraculously survived in the whale's stomach for three days! But there is a lot more to the story. First of all, it may not have been a whale at all, since the Hebrew says it was a "dag gadol" - a big fish! However, there are more important lessons to be learned from this book than a man surviving for three days in the belly of a fish. Jonah was a prophet, someone who hears clearly and directly from the Creator of the universe. God is able to speak very clearly to human beings when He wants to. Most of the prophets of Israel, when they heard God speaking to them, obeyed God and did and said exactly what God wanted. But not the prophet Jonah! When Jonah learned that God was sending him on a mission to Nineveh, the wicked capital of the Assyrians, Israel’s bitter enemies, Jonah went in the other direction! Instead of heading east by land, Jonah went west by sea! But Jonah discovered a very important truth, a lesson that all of us should learn before it is too late: you can't run away from God! He is everywhere and ultimately He is unavoidable!..........