Which Church Do I Choose?

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Have you noticed all the “church listings” in the newspaper? It’s pretty confusing, isn’t it? All these groups claim what they are doing is approved by God. Are all these churches right? Since these groups wear different names and teach conflicting doctrines, we know they cannot all be right. All of them cannot be right any more than 2 + 2 can equal anything but 4. If we took a poll and asked people their “feelings” about what 2 + 2 equals, it would not change the fact that 2 + 2 = 4! Therefore, which church is right? The answer is not determined by whether or not I like it, which church is the most “popular”, etc. The only way we can know which church is right is revealed in the Bible.

   The church approved of God is the one that adheres to Bible doctrine, not only in word, but in practice (I Pet. 4:11; I Thess. 1:3). It is the one that wears Christ’s name (Rom. 16:16) and worships God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42, 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2). It is the one that promotes Christ and His word above everything (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9; II Tim. 4:2; Col. 3:17). It preaches the Bible plan for salvation (Acts 2:36-38). With these things in mind, let me encourage all to put down the “church listings” and choose the church of God’s choice today (Acts 20:28; Matt. 16:18)!

The Bible

Jarrod Jacobs 

            When was the last time you read your Bible? The Bible continues to be a best-seller in this country, yet people are ignorant of what it says. What a tragedy!

            The Bible is a spiritual sword (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). It provides nourishment to the soul (I Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14). The Bible is also described as a fire, a hammer (Jer. 23:29), a mirror (Jas. 1:22-25), and a light (Ps. 119:105). The Bible provides us with “words whereby you and all your house will be saved” (Acts 11:14).

            Knowing the above is true, why is it that so many do not wish to read the Bible? Some may not wish to read it because the Bible demands we change our behavior through repentance (Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38). Some do not like the Bible because it demands that we make hard choices and stick with those decisions (Josh. 24:15; Col. 3:1-10). Some do not like the Bible because it shines the light on our deeds (Jn. 3:19).

            In contrast, what we need is to love God and keep His commandments (I Jn. 5:3). We need to show reverence for His word (Ecc. 12:13; Acts 10:35), and speak “as the utterances of God” (I Pet. 4:11). What is your attitude toward the Bible? Come visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. We are folks who respect and obey the Bible.

God Is …

Jarrod Jacobs

            The book of Psalms is a fascinating book for many reasons. It has beautiful hymns and always focuses the worshipper upon God and His majesty. From Psalms 50-62, we see great descriptions of who God is, and I would encourage you to read this section of Scripture. For our blog, let us take an overview of this section and learn that God is the God of …

• Salvation (Ps. 51:14, 55:16, 62:1-2, 7)
• Goodness (Ps. 52:1)
• Strength (Ps. 54:1, 59:17)
• Help (Ps. 54:4, 56:9, 63:7)
• Mercy (Ps. 57:1, 3, 9-10, 59:16-17)
• Defense (Ps. 59:1, 9, 16-17, 62:6)
• Shelter (Ps. 61:3)

            Knowing that God is the God of salvation, goodness, strength, help, mercy, defense, and shelter, then think of what it means to be without Him! Sadly, there are many today who think they can go through life without God. Look at what they are missing! Think also friends, that what is listed above is just a partial list when compared to the entire Bible!

            If you want to enjoy the blessings of God, and be able to enjoy salvation, goodness, strength, help, mercy, defense, shelter, and much more, then become a child of God today. Hear the truth of God’s word, believe on Christ, repent of your sins, confess your faith in Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Rom. 10:17; Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16; etc.). Becoming a Christian brings about abundant blessings in one’s life (Eph. 1:3). Don’t put off becoming a Christian any longer (Heb. 3:7-8; II Cor. 6:2)!

The Paralyzing Effects Of Sin

Jarrod Jacobs

            In spite of the fact that some treat sin as a “fairy-tale”, we need to understand that sin and its consequences are very real (Jas. 1:14-15). Sin has paralyzing effects on people. The longer we live in sin (Col. 3:5), the more paralyzed we become. How is this possible?

• Sin paralyzes the eye that it cannot see. “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (II Pet. 1:9).
• Sin paralyzes the mouth that it cannot speak. “He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness” (I Sam. 2:9, ASV).
• Sin paralyzes the hand that it cannot work. “I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD” (Ps. 101:8).
• Sin paralyzes the feet that they cannot go. “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come” (Jn. 8:21).
• Sin paralyzes the ear that it cannot hear. “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word” (Jn. 8:43).
• Sin paralyzes the heart that it cannot trust. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).

            Friends, determine today to get forgiveness of sin (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 3:21). The Lord is ready to forgive and bless (Eph. 1:3) if we will come to Him!

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This verse is set in the midst of a context where Paul reminds the Romans what is necessary to be saved (v. 13-17). He goes on to say that the Jews had heard the truth, and yet they continued to disobey (v. 18-21). Let us learn that true Bible faith comes when we hear and make applications to self. Faith does not come without God’s word, but through it! All the great faith heroes are such because they first listened to God’s word and then obeyed what they heard (Heb. 11). Are we listening? Do we have faith?

- Jarrod Jacobs