(Disclaimer: Some articles and links to articles published in this ezine may contain false doctrine. They are included due to some valuable content. The fact that they are printed here does not mean that we accept or endorse their doctrine. All writings of men, including ours, should be carefully compared to the New Testament writings.)

To hear a biblical word or name correctly pronounced, choose the first letter of the word from the alphabetical list below, then select the word.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof."

Some scholars question whether or not David wrote this particular Psalm. I believe he did but it really doesn't matter who is correct here. It is a psalm of emphatic praise to our Heavenly Father and cracks open the door to His greatness. Not only do I find these thoughts mind boggling but they help me to really become humble when hit by the realization of how very much superior this being is than man. Here are a few blurbs from some scholars pertaining to these verses.

"Literally, The heavens number out the glory of the strong God. A first view of the starry heavens strikes every beholder with astonishment at the power by which they were made, and by which they are supported. To find out the wisdom and skill displayed in their contrivance requires a measure of science: but when the vast magnitude of the celestial bodies is considered, we feel increasing astonishment at these works of the strong God."

The firmament
"The whole visible expanse; not only containing the celestial bodies above referred to, but also the air, light, rains, dews, is examined, and their great utility to the earth and its inhabitants properly understood, they afford matter of astonishment to the wisest mind, and of adoration and gratitude even to the most unfeeling heart." (Adam Clarke)

"Day unto day uttereth speech
Each day is represented as teaching another relative to some new excellence discovered in these manifold works of God. The nights also, by the same figure, are represented as giving information to each other of the increase of knowledge already gained. "The labours of these our instructers know no intermission; but they continue incessantly to lecture us in the science of Divine wisdom. There is one glory of the sun, which shines forth by day; and there are other glories of the moon and of the stars, which become visible by night. And because day and night interchangeably divide the world between them, they are therefore represented as transmitting, in succession, each to other, the task enjoined them, like the two parts of a choir, chanting forth alternately the praises of God." (Bishop Horne).

When I consider that an almighty and all wise spiritual being can speak and cause all of this universe to be created, everything from a mighty fiery sphere that lightens our portion of this galaxy and the enormous magnitude of the rest of the universe, very likely not nearly recognized as yet, I feel very, very insignificant. Just to think that this one mind is so highly intelligent as to know everything there is to be known!!! Yet man will curse Him, ignore him, usurp authority over Him and boldly choose to worship Him as they please. I've tried never to do those things but I still dread facing Him with the meager returns on the talents He has entrusted to me. I am most thankful that He is Omniscient and knows everything that is in our hearts.

Since I became a Christian and started teaching "all the counsel of God" (Act 20:27), I have been meeting many different questions, interestingly enough the one on top of this article has occurred many a times. This question has been answered in many different ways in the denominational world. It is true that if a person wants to be a Christian and ask a Roman Catholic church member of which Church to join, obviously the answer will be the Roman Catholic church, the same answer will follow that trend from one denomination to another.

Those who are giving such answers do not consider "For what saith the scripture?" (Rom.4:3) about the church and its membership. It is true that today’s world people are confused so that many will continue asking. The Bible teaches, none has the right to choose the Church of his own choice and even the right to join a Church, but God adds the saved to the one true Church (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:18). We don’t join a Church, why? Because on the face of the earth there is ONLY ONE CHURCH (Eph. 4:4; 1:22-23; Col. 1:18) and this Church is the only place where the saved are being found (Eph. 5:23; Acts 2:47).

The Lord is the husband and the Church is the wife (Eph.5:23-32) and Christians are the children being born (John 3:3,5) through the words of Christ preached (1 Pet.1:23; 2 Thess. 2:14). Children are being born in the house without their choice; this is the same to the Church. The Bible says that God’s household is the Church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15), and we have no right to decide which household to be born in. So because there is only one household there is no choice. If the Bible says there is one, then it means one. One can not be more than one or less than one but one is always one. So those one’s to be joined are not true God’s households [Church] and being in them is like being in a boat being bowed by only one side, leaving the one true boat which is being bowed from both sides, the moving boat, the saved Church.

It is very funny to hear some social gospel preachers "feel good" men, telling people that salvation is everywhere so long as you are good before God. To say that, is like saying that even in the world there is salvation and if so then why to be called from the world? (2 Thess. 2:14; Col. 1:18) and "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him" (1 John 2:15; Rom.12:1-2). Why not to love the world? Because there is no salvation in it. Salvation is only in the Kingdom [Church] (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:13). No man can advice God on His own plans, and to affirm this idea is to put new words on Christ and Paul’s mouth. So to say that salvation is everywhere is just like saying that fish can live in the atmosphere or bird can live in water. God can not place a living thing in unsuitable environment to their lives, so as Christians, He placed in the Church (1 Cor. 12:18; Acts 2:47) so not even a single Christian is outside the one true Church "The Church[es] of Christ" (Rom.16:16)

The Bible teaches that salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10) and Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13). Again to be in Christ is to be in His Church (Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 12:13). We are sure there are many today who pray ignorantly that God is great and has given them many churches so they may join the one of their choice, that is best suited to their personality and needs. But know for sure that Christ is coming for His sole Kingdom [Church] (1 Cor. 15:24) not kingdoms [denominational churches]. So our great need should be to "preach the preaching that bide thee" "preach the word" (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2:2; 1 Cor.9:16; Gal.1:6-9). If this kind of preaching occurs, then, people will not join the Church but the Lord will add them to the Church daily. (Acts 2:47; 1Cor. 12:18).

Mark Twain on the Afterlife:

"I am silent on the subject because of necessity. I have friends in both places."

"When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to a better world, I am moved to lead a different life."

Why do some Christians try to be at services "every time the doors are opened," yet, there are others who seem to be satisfied with just showing up once in a while? Then there are some who seem to be able to meet about one time per week with the saints, usually Sunday morning, but other times of meeting are ignored. What is the difference between these people? And which is pleasing to the Lord?

Obviously there are some genuine "shut-ins", members who are not physically or mentally able to get around to go shopping, visiting, or to worship services. But there are some who can get around to most anything they want to but not Bible study and the public worship of God. The Lord knows this and sees this. I wonder how he feels about it? I sure don't want to wait until Judgment Day to find out.

We all have the same amount of time - the same amount that the disciples in the first century had - 168 hours each week. We can use that time for self or for God. If we use most of it to be "clothed in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day," then we won't have any time, nor energy, left to serve God. If we think that "providing for our own" is to give our teenagers a new car and a paid up college education, then we won't have the time nor money to do what God wants.

God is seeking people who, from their hearts, want to worship him.

People need to learn that worship is for our good, not the Lord's. It springs from hearts that are overflowing with love and thanksgiving. We are told to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together." The disciples set the right example for us, even daily worship. People who truly love God will worship him "in spirit and in truth," freely and eagerly.

(Reprinted from the Orange Street church of Christ bulletin archives.

God knew early on that David was a "man after mine own heart." (Acts 13:22) And he was probably one of, if not the most honored and beloved by God of any bible character, excluding God's own son. That seems a mite strange after the really bad things that he did. But God knows the heart of man. Hallelujah! Only a few men ever received the praise and/or recognition from God as did David, Abraham, Daniel, Enoch, Noah, Moses and Elijah (Elias in N.T.). More than one walked with God. Enoch (Genesis 5:24), Noah (Genesis 6:9), David (1 Kings 8:25).

David evokes the comment mentioned above "a man after mine own heart". Abraham was known as a "friend" of God (2 Chronicles 20:7)(James 2:23), Daniel was called "greatly beloved" (Daniel 10;11). Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:22, 5:24). "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8), "...and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9) God said Moses "...is faithful in all mine house" (Genesis 12:7).

One of the subtleties of the bible is in the account of the transfiguration of Jesus. Why were Moses and Elijah chosen to appear there on this occasion? Why not David? Why not Noah? The occasion was primarily for the purpose of showing the three apostles there present, that Jesus was to have the preeminence over the Old Testament lawgivers and prophets. Moses and Elijah (Elias) were the two most revered by the Jews and would be the most difficult to convince those Jews to forsake their teachings and accept those of Jesus. God made this plain when he spoke and said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:4-5)(Mark 9:5-6)(Luke 9:33-35)

Notice that in the accounts by Mark and Luke, that the scripture includes a phrase stating that Peter made his remark, not knowing what he was saying! God had Peter to make this suggestion so He could clear up the fact that, from here on out, Jesus was to be heard.

Experience is something you get just after you needed it.

On any important truth the devil tries to get you to stop too short, or go too far.

Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield.

A Hart, hard pressed in the chase, hid himself beneath the large leaves of a Vine. The huntsmen, in their haste, overshot the place of his concealment. Supposing all danger to have passed, the Hart began to nibble the tendrils of the Vine. One of the huntsmen, attracted by the rustling of the leaves, looked back, and seeing the Hart, shot an arrow from his bow and struck it. The Hart, at the point of death, groaned: "I am rightly served, for I should not have maltreated the Vine that saved me." ...Aesop