• Christian Living

    Published on 05-12-2012 09:00 AM  Number of Views: 15 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Sin

    by Tom Wacaster

    "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal" (Matt. 6:19). Last night (Sunday May 6th) I learned first hand the sobering reality that there are thieves out there, and that they do indeed break through (or into) and steal. For six years I have been the proud owner of a low mileage 1986 Chevrolet Suburban. While I slept someone broke into ...
    Published on 04-06-2012 10:32 AM  Number of Views: 123 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Liberalism,
    4. Sin

    By Tom Wacaster

    Occasionally I watch "Wheel of Fortune," perhaps one of the longest, if not THE longest running game show in television history. If you happen to watch the program you know that each round features a puzzle that focuses upon some theme that is designed to give a clue as to the answer. The theme may feature names of famous people, places, or things. One theme is "before and after." Just to give you ...
    Published on 03-30-2012 11:07 AM  Number of Views: 155 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Liberalism,
    4. Sin,
    5. Homosexuality,
    6. Immorality

    By Tom Wacaster

    Political correctness remains the engine that drives the effort of liberals to reshape society. "Change" is the buzzword that may presently get politicians elected, but it is not the kind of change that most sensible and morally conscience people desire. In the 1960's the "hippie" generation (which is simply another way of saying the "baby boomers" grown up into young adults) exploited the affluent status of the post World ...
    Published on 03-16-2012 11:32 AM  Number of Views: 245 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Liberalism,
    4. Persecution,
    5. Christianity,
    6. Sin,
    7. Homosexuality,
    8. Immorality

    by Tom Wacaster

    For slightly more than one year the Handley church of Christ has placed an article in the Meadowbrook News advertizing our services, location, and focusing on a wide variety of subject matter. Attempting to develop a lengthy discussion on any particular subject is futile in what limited space we were allotted. So, I would occasionally write two or more articles on one particular topic and run these in a series. The Meadowbrook News is not the only paper in which ...
    Published on 03-09-2012 02:34 PM  Number of Views: 223 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Faithfulness,
    4. Christianity

    By David Sain

    To help you set and keep your priorities straight, take the following personal inventory.

    1. Which is more important to you? Making sure your dog (or cat) gets fed every day or making sure that your child gets daily spiritual nourishment?
    2. Which is more important to you? Watching television or taking time for prayer and Bible study every day?
    3. Which is more important to you? Speaking out on current political issues or speaking out to help someone ...
    by Published on 03-09-2012 09:44 AM  Number of Views: 217 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Love,
    5. Faithfulness,
    6. Obedience,
    7. Christianity

    A great number of women wonder if the perfect man exists. They have scanned the horizon and often come back thinking they must train a man to make him perfect. That leads them to the question, “Can a man learn to be perfect?” Certainly, a great number of women attempt to find out! In the long run, the realization of perfection depends upon the standard used and whether or not a man adheres to it. Many women believe their man reaches near perfection when they can get him to stop leaving ...
    by Published on 03-07-2012 09:59 AM  Number of Views: 177 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. What Must I Do To Be Saved?,
    4. Baptism,
    5. Once Saved Always Saved,
    6. Faithfulness,
    7. Obedience,
    8. Christianity,
    9. Sin

    Jesus, the messiah of mankind, lived a life in the flesh like no other man. His words and his actions perfectly fit the pattern prescribed by God the Father (John 5:30, John 12:49-50). That all men save Jesus fall short of the Glory of God is factual (Romans 3:23). Yet, many who declare themselves prepared for faithful commitment to God soon find themselves transgressing against their vows to serve him. Their declaration of service comes before considering the cost – their life (Galatians ...
    Published on 02-19-2012 12:48 PM  Number of Views: 280 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Faithfulness,
    4. Sharing the Gospel

    by Tom Wacaster

    There are certain words in the Bible that astound the mind and thrill the heart. Words like "redemption," "forgiveness," "grace," and "salvation" are among those words. The worldly minded can never appreciate the magnitude nor the depth of those words as they relate to matters eternal. But those who have been rescued from the bondage of sin have an appreciation that cannot be expressed in words. The word "reconciliation" ...
    Published on 02-16-2012 11:00 AM  Number of Views: 356 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Sin

    by Tom Wacaster


    Slowly but surely the coffin is being nailed closed for the Western world in general, and the United States more specifically. The front page of the December 7th issue of the Fort Worth Star Telegram provided the following item: "Foreign aid to promote gay rights." Reading further, "The United States will being using U.S. foreign aid to promote gay rights abroad, Obama administration officials said Tuesday. President Barack Obama issued ...
    by Published on 02-15-2012 09:40 AM  Number of Views: 228 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Church of Christ,
    4. New Testament,
    5. Old Testament,
    6. Obedience,
    7. Christianity

    Early in our life, my wife and I lived in Springfield, Oregon. When my wife and I lived there, we lived in an undesirable location. We were young, in college, and couldn’t afford any better. The apartments we lived in certainly did not house the upper echelon of society. Drugs, foul language, fights, crime, and yes, even shootings were characteristic of the area. Despite the chaos surrounding us, we created two little 5x8 strips of lawn next to our back patio. We tried to make lemonade out ...
    Published on 02-14-2012 03:41 PM  Number of Views: 316 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Sharing the Gospel

    1. Unless God was mistaken in His concern, we must reach out to people.
    2. Unless God’s revelation of Himself in Christ was a meaningless gesture, we must reach out to people.
    3. Unless Jesus was mistaken when He created the church, we must reach out to people.
    4. Unless the disciples misunderstood what Jesus told them to do, we must reach out to people.
    5. Unless no one is presently in bondage to sin, we must reach out to people.
    6. Unless the penalty for
    ...
    Published on 02-14-2012 03:06 PM  Number of Views: 279 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Church of Christ,
    4. Christianity

    by Tom Wacaster
    "Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord" (Acts 9:10). Luke records the beginning of a sequence of events that would eventually lead to the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Many sermons have been preached on Paul the apostle; perhaps more than any other single New Testament character. And while we readily admit the almost super human accomplishments of this ...
    Published on 02-13-2012 11:44 AM  Number of Views: 266 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. New Testament,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Christianity,
    6. Authority of the Scriptures

    By Charles Box

    Those who become Christians must believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) Christians must also understand the Two Covenants. The Bible is divided into two parts: (1) the Old ...
    by Published on 02-08-2012 09:35 AM  Number of Views: 158 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Christianity

    To say that I like cowboy boots would not be the revelation of some long kept secret. The look and feel of boots is great! The sound of them on a wooden floor brings comfort to my heart. The cowboy boot stands as a staple of western wear. They all have a unique design and function. Some boots get duded up pretty nice and only see special nights on the town. Other cowboy boots are designed to get worn throughout a day’s work. Like the boots, Christians also have a special design and function. ...
    by Published on 02-01-2012 12:11 PM  Number of Views: 148 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Faithfulness,
    5. Obedience,
    6. Christianity

    Watching the election year primaries unfold, it is clear disgust surrounds the individual in the White House and the top two challengers for the office of President of the United States. The man in the White House characterized his last three years with deception, poor stewardship, and immoral decision making. One of his challengers has a past characterized by philandering and broken trust while the other has demonstrated immoral choices involving support of homosexuality, abortion, and stem cell ...
    by Published on 01-24-2012 11:30 AM  Number of Views: 232 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Christianity,
    5. Sharing the Gospel,
    6. Authority of the Scriptures

    Prayer stands as a key component of a Christian’s life. When a Christian prays they share their gratefulness, reverence, thoughts, concerns, and needs with the Eternal Father. Even non-Christians talk to God at times in their lives. However, prayer represents only one side of communication with God. Men need to let God talk. Unfortunately, the wide majority of the world refuses to give God the opportunity. If they would let Him talk, they would be much better equipped for the lives that they ...
    by Published on 01-11-2012 09:07 AM  Number of Views: 272 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Christianity

    Matthew 13:44“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

    Gold! Treasure! History records a great number of “gold rushes” throughout the world. Americans experienced gold rushes in no less than Nevada, Alaska, Colorado, Washington, South Dakota, Wyoming, North Carolina, Georgia, Idaho, and California. A number of people consider ...
    by Published on 01-03-2012 04:41 PM  Number of Views: 288 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Obedience,
    6. Christianity,
    7. Sharing the Gospel,
    8. Sin

    Plead for the widow”! Isaiah directs the people of Judah to vigorously defend these women. As with the orphan or fatherless, the leader of their family no longer exists. However, their defense differs. Unlike the fatherless, the widow typically does not need to be trained and guided to know how to follow the laws of God. Without dismissing the need for the spiritual, the more immediate concern for widows centers on provision of their material needs and protection from ...
    Published on 12-29-2011 08:09 AM  Number of Views: 362 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Denominationalism,
    4. False Doctrines,
    5. Obedience

    by Tom Wacaster

    A prospective customer walks into the automobile showroom and inquires about an automobile. After obtaining the details he “test drives” the car to see if it is to his liking. Another might walk into the local Best Buy and inquire as to the details of a computer, or an HDTV. He may “beat out some keys,” or “flip through the channels” before purchase. Then there are those who take a walk up and down the isle of the local Sam’s Club, sampling the “snacks” available ...
    by Published on 12-26-2011 12:54 PM  Number of Views: 275 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Faithfulness,
    6. Obedience,
    7. Christianity,
    8. Sin

    Defend! When this word is yelled out, the defense mechanism of every male should flash to consciousness. What female does not feel their emotions rise when they feel their child must be defended? Defense is needed because there is or will be an attack. Without a proper defense, the resulting effect is destruction, ruin, and devastation. The word “defend” should create a tremor within the soul that creates action directing self and others toward deliverance from the foe. Defense at its ...
    by Published on 12-20-2011 04:54 PM  Number of Views: 246 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Preaching the Word,
    6. Obedience,
    7. Christianity,
    8. Sharing the Gospel,
    9. Sin,
    10. Authority of the Scriptures,
    11. Evangelism

    Why “reprove the ruthless”? God’s inspired words to Isaiah in Isaiah 1:16-17 are words that are part of patterns of direction to correct the behavior of wicked Judah. There are many scriptural examples devoted to enabling the ruthless to repent. The patterns and examples of God’s Word are needed to strengthen the community of men in a walk of godliness. Jesus is queried by a Pharisee lawyer in Matthew 22:34-39:

    Teacher which is the great commandment in the law.” Jesus replies: “Thou
    ...
    Published on 12-19-2011 11:02 AM  Number of Views: 459 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living

    by Tom Wacaster

    Time is a precious commodity that each of us has in equal proportion. We are all given 24 hours in the day, and 365 days in a year. We are admonished in Scripture to redeem the time wisely. This simply means I am to buy up the opportunities that come my way, and select with great wisdom and prudence how, and upon what, I will spend those precious hours in each day. There is an accumulative effect of the use of time. For example, in an average 70 year life span, ...
    by Published on 12-17-2011 05:38 PM  Number of Views: 280 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Love,
    6. Obedience,
    7. Christianity,
    8. Sin

    Matt was eleven years old when his family took him to Disneyland for a summer vacation. He could hardly contain himself as the time for the vacation had drawn near. This was what he had hoped and dreamed for every moment since he learned of the trip. When they loaded into the car and headed to the airport it seemed like Dad drove 2 mph the entire way. Time couldn’t go fast enough until they were surrounded by the wonders of the Magic Kingdom.

    This last year had seen quite ...
    by Published on 12-14-2011 01:43 PM  Number of Views: 445 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Obedience,
    6. Christianity,
    7. Sharing the Gospel,
    8. Sin,
    9. Authority of the Scriptures

    During the time of Isaiah, the people of Judah thought about God. They offered sacrifices of bulls, lambs, and goats. They recognized the sabbaths and celebrated their feasts. Yes, they even lifted up their hands to God in prayer. Yet, God did not recognize them (Isaiah 1:11-15). But weren’t these good things they were engaged in? How could God not acknowledge the good?

    The first article in this series (Wash Yourselves: Cease to Do Evil) examined how the people needed to ...
    by Published on 12-13-2011 03:58 PM  Number of Views: 272 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. Old Testament,
    5. Preaching the Word,
    6. Faithfulness,
    7. Christianity,
    8. Sin

    The prophet Isaiah shared the Word of God during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Over approximately 50 years, he instructed and reproved Judah. Though three of the four kings of Judah were considered good, the people and its capitol city, Jerusalem, were characterized by sin. Their deeds and hearts were sorely lacking in meeting the path laid out by God. By the promise of God and detailed prophecy, Jesus the Christ would be born the seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, ...
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