By Charles Box

Those who became disciples of Jesus learned His doctrine and followed Him as teacher. Christ must be viewed as Master and His followers must be "learners" or "disciples." "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20) On what possible basis do we have any right to tell anybody they should change their whole way of thinking and acting and become a disciple of Jesus Christ? We teach based on the authority of Jesus Christ. Disciples are to be made for Jesus all over the world. By the authority of Jesus Christ we can preach His message to person in every place. True discipleship is expressed in Luke 14:27. Jesus said, “"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be ...

By Charles Box

The Devil is not eternal like God, but he is just as real. The Bible says that Satan is the deceiver of the entire world. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:9) The Devil is busy seeking man's spiritual destruction. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:6-9) The Devil caused sin to be in the world. (Genesis 3) Sickness, death, disappointment and discouragement are all the working of Satan. Man is tempted ...

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 2:20). Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the sower.
How many souls have walked the path of those words? Hearts praise God every time a sinner comes to Him and humbly calls upon ...

I never cease to be amazed at the overwhelming evidence of design that so engulfs our world. Only the fool would say there is no God. I recently came across this little tid-bit of information regarding water. It serves as a constant reminder that "God hath not left Himself without witness."

"Water is one of the most plentiful and, at the same time, most necessary substances on earth. Obviously, we know that it is necessary to drink six to eight glasses of water per day to have good health. We need water for cooking, for cleansing and many other essential daily functions. However, water has many more essential properties and necessary functions beyond what we normally think. Water has the property of absorbing vast quantities of oxygen at low temperatures. This makes life possible for the creatures of the seas and the lakes. Water has the unusual property that its maximum density is at four degrees centigrade, ...

By Charles Box

Good water to drink and use is a great blessing from God. Many in our world still depend on a well dug in the ground, near their house for water. “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25:25) The only cold of cool water that some will ever have is that water right from the well. Some of you grew up with a well in the yard and a dipper there at the well where people could draw and drink fresh, cool water directly from the well. In the Bible we read such great expressions as “the fountain of living waters.” O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17:13) The Bible even has the expression, “the wells of salvation.” “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3) Underground water is often found by Dowsing. ...

1. Baptism stands between the sinner and rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)
2. Baptism stands between the sinner and calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)
3. Baptism stands between the sinner and the death of Christ. (Romans 6:3)
4. Baptism stands between the sinner and the blood of Christ. (Romans 6:3)
5. Baptism stands between the sinner and getting into Christ. (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)
6. Baptism stands between the sinner and the resurrection. (Colossians 2:12; Rom. 6:5)
7. Baptism stands between the sinner and the new life. (Romans 6:4)
8. Baptism stands between the sinner and putting on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
9. Baptism stands between the sinner and cleansing. (Ephesians 5:26; Rev. 1:5)
10. Baptism stands between the sinner and sanctification. (Ephesians 5:26)
11. Baptism stands between the sinner and justification. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
12. Baptism stands between the sinner and becoming a new creature. ...

Life sure can be funny. You have ups, you have downs, and you have to be certain not to get hung up anywhere along the way. I have been blessed over the years to teach, preach, and write for a variety of venues. Whether it has been large or small congregations; classrooms with little kids, teens, or adults; a prison facility; outdoors in a park; VBS gatherings; camps; senior centers; online forums and websites, or in someone’s home, the gospel has been spread in earnest. Sometimes folks grab on to the gospel with complete gusto! Most times they can sadly be indifferent. Occasionally, outright rejection or rather vicious words can be shared. However, these reactions typically roll off my back rather simply. Still, I want to share a recent rejection that has given me pause and the desire to write about the matter.

A little over a month ago, a unique opportunity to teach the scriptures arose. It was approximately 20 minutes every Wednesday around the lunch ...

Jesus speaking to the Pharisees in John 10:17-18 stated: “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” The conversation surrounded the fact that Jesus came into the world as a shepherd and savior. As such, He would lay His life down for His sheep, those faithful to God (John 10:4). Unlike a normal Shepherd, Jesus stands out because of his authority over death. He could give up his life and yet, take it again.

The faithful of God do not have the power to take up their lives after death as Jesus did, however, they do have the power to lay down their lives so their Shepherd can lift them up. Jesus established man must lose his life to gain it in Matthew 16:24-25, “… If any one wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, ...

There are a great number of religious bodies today which advertise themselves as loving bodies of believers. This is fantastic and the way Christ’s Church should be identified. In fact, Jesus told his disciples the following in John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”. The Bible has much to say about love. A scan of I Corinthians 13 lists a great number of attributes of love including patience, kindness, a lack of arrogance, proper behavior, and a desire for others betterment. God is love (I John 4:8). Jesus is the image of his father (John 14:7). Jesus Body is the Church (Colossians 1:24). Consequently, to know the Church is to know true love.

When is love not really love? Consider the mother who loves her son so much she cannot discipline him. A lot of these children seem to be found at the grocery store. Little Johnnie wants this, wants that, wants the other. “Yes, Yes, Yes”, mother gives in ...

Have you ever been to a place, maybe a “buffet-style” restaurant or a potluck supper, where they had so many good, tasty things to eat that it was truly difficult to decide what to put on your plate? The fried chicken looks good but then you spy across the table some yummy looking meatloaf and, oh, there is a bowl of mashed potatoes next to a casserole dish filled with your favorite macaroni and cheese. You ask yourself: Will there be enough room on my plate? (Or we ask: Will there be enough room in my stomach for dessert? They have pecan pie!) Decisions, decisions! I distinctly remember as a child being lost in thought trying to choose between all the different flavors of ice cream at the local ice cream parlor.

Of course, these aren’t the most important decisions we face in our lives. As we grow up and mature, we must decide such things as: how much or how little education we wish to pursue, what our occupation (job) will be, and ...

Why Become a Christian? Audio


Why did we all get up today and come to worship? What is it about Christianity that compels us to take time out of our busy lives and come together on each Lord's Day, and to offer our worship to God? What is it about Christianity that compels us to live our life in adherence to a higher purpose? What is it about Christianity that compels us to seek to mold our lives around that which is good and right and just and to shun behavior which is opposed to all that is right? In short, why did we choose to be Christians and why should those who are not Christians choose to become one?



There are a lot of reasons why I became a Christian but the main one which drove me above all the rest is that I recognize that we are living in a material world that could only have gotten here as a result of the will, actions and purpose of a creator. In short, I recognize and acknowledge ...

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) One of the most quoted verses in the Bible.

Do we truly understand what "believeth in him" means? We must believe in the Son, "in Christ", who is the Son. Believing is not simply a mental assent, as in "I believe that Christ is Jesus and He is the Son of God" or "I believe that Christ died for my sins". Believing "in Christ" is not only believing that He is indeed the Son of God... it is also believing in what He did for us... it is believing in ALL of what He said... it is believing in ALL of His words... it is believing (trusting) in Him for the way of salvation.

Jesus clearly said, "And if any man hear my words, and believe not... the same shall judge him in the last day." (see John 12:47-48) Obviously Jesus wants us to hear His words and believe ...