There are plenty of other scriptures that emphasize obedience to God’s commandments such as Hebrews 5:8-9, 1 John 5:2-3, and John 14:15. Whether the text says to wash one's robes or do his commandments, both are things that Jesus desires.
This is a second blessing upon those who keep the words of the book of Revelation. The first was in Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.” This is a blessing upon those who are obedient to Christ and who live for Him every day. Jesus said “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus saves those who obey Him. “And having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Christians were spiritually circumcised when they were baptized. By identifying with Christ, they cut off all their fleshly sins and put them aside. When one is baptized, he identifies with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and just as God gave Jesus a new life, God gives the baptized new life also. He is forgiven of his sins. “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.” This is the first resurrection.
For those who respond to His call, they will participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is a metaphor for Christ's relationship to the church. “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). Another great discussion of this relationship is in Romans 7:1-4. Christians have become dead to the law so that they may be married to another, Christ Jesus. Their identity comes from Him.
This is a blessing upon the diligent. Jesus refers to the familiar image of the thief that comes in the night who comes suddenly and without notice. Paul uses the same image in First Thessalonians 5:2: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” The child of God will not be caught asleep. He will be prepared.
The victorious are blessed because they have a wonderful hope. In Revelation 14:13, John recorded, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” The Bible gives a lot of instruction on how to live, and this helps the faithful successfully navigate life. Equally important is how the Christian deals with death.
The victorious come together to read and study God's word, and they are blessed. Paul wrote of the blessedness of correctly handling the word, “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Christians want to give time to the word of God. The victorious are blessed because they read, listen, and obey God's word.
Proverbs 24:16 says, “A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.” The number seven signifies a complete amount of times that something happens. In other words, this verse is saying that while the righteous may stumble for one reason or another, they will always pick themselves up and keep going. They don’t let adversity keep them down for long.
Now is the time to get involved in the Lord’s work. Perhaps you would consider doing something that you haven’t been involved in until now. There are many things that may be done. Talk to one of our elders, deacons, or preachers to see what needs we have as a congregation. Let’s “rise again,” as the Proverbs say the righteous will do. God is counting on us.
Only the Creator gives us the ultimate answers to life’s most vexing questions. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). Here is the answer to all of life’s fundamental questions. It is mankind’s great purpose to love God and His neighbor. When we do these things as God has commanded in His holy word, the world is a much better place, and with God all things are truly possible.
The English word “church” derives from the Greek word kuriakon and means “the Lord’s house.” The Greek word for church is ekklesia and means “assembly” (Acts 19:32, 39, 41; Hebrews 12:23). The church is called by many names in the scriptures. It is called the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), the bride (Revelation 22:17), the temple (Ephesians 2:21), the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15), husbandry and building (1 Corinthians 3:9), the kingdom (Matthew 16:19), and much more.
God has given us everything we need to be updated. It’s called the Bible. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Whether we need correction, protection, or edification, the word of God gives us what we need.
Ananias said to Saul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The water is always ready at our building to baptize someone who so desires to call upon the name of the Lord! The Christian has his reservations made in heaven. Peter wrote that we have an “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
Both Christian men and women have an obligation to encourage their families to wear clothing that will give reverence to God, not their own bodies. The bedroom is the place where married men and women may practice godly personal relationships (Hebrews 13:4). Taking such practices out of the bedroom and putting them on display for the world is sinful. The Christian should have more shame than to take what God has given to share with only one and parade it in front of the world.
God made each person’s soul and placed it into a unique situation. No one else has had the experiences that you have. No one else knows the things that you know. No one else can do what you do. Why is this important to remember?
Not all of our work is going to be five-star quality. We make mistakes. We have bad days. Things don’t go right … a lot. Most of the time, people just ignore our failures and move on. Sometimes, we get negative feedback. How do we react? Do we take it constructively? Do we write it off? Do we plot to get them back? Think about Proverbs 13:18. “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.”
I’m glad to report, however, that January through April of 2021 has been significantly improved over last year. We broke 13,000 pageviews for April and the trend seems to be continuing upward. This bodes well for the future of our website.
Free food still requires filling out a survey. Salvation is a free gift, but we must meet God's conditions. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16).
Jesus was an evangelist. “Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus did an amazing job of evangelizing others, however, even Jesus had challenges when it came to evangelism.
Life is unpredictable, like a Texas snowstorm. We must put our faith in the God who knows the end from the beginning, who will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).