Introduction Last time we asked the question, Are you hungry? We sited Matthew 5:6, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.   In this article, I want to look at the response that Jesus gives to those who are hungry for righteousness. Several years ago, I invited a co-worker to come to worship with me as I was preaching a lesson at the time. She had to think it over and would get back with me. The next day her reply was that she didn’t want to come as she was already full of “Spiritual Goodness”. These weren’t her exact words, but it was that sentiment. Confused but her statement that she was full, I asked our local preacher about her comment. And he replied that I should have asked her what it was like to be full; seeing that she was “further along” than the rest of us.   Definitions (from Webster’s Dictionary) Filled—2. a. Feed, Satiate, b. Satisfy, fulfill Full—6. a. satisfied especially with food o...

  Introduction In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. This is part of the beatitudes which is the beginning of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). A statement like “those who hunger and thirst are blessed” seems odd. But, looking at the verse, it states that they hungered and thirst for righteousness. It’s definitely different from a physical hunger or thirst. In this article, we’ll look at some spiritually hungry people.   Our Gospel Meeting    Last week we held a gospel meeting with Tom Thornhill, a visiting preacher from Bellflower, California. This was our first meeting since February  2020; right before the pandemic struck. Although our congregation continued to meet weekly throughout the next two years you could sense that something was missing. It's not that we weren’t doing what is commanded of us, worshipping God and seeing to the needs of the breth...

Bound for Eternity, Part 6   Introduction To view the title of this article, you might assume that I’m asking a rather pointless question. To others, though, you might conclude that there is a genuine reason for the question and an interesting answer to go with it. Simply put, there are some out there in the religious world who firmly believe that eternity is NOT forever; as far as Hell goes. They do not believe that there is an eternal punishment just as there is an eternal reward. Jesus said in Matthew 25:46, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” There are some that disagree with the clear statement siting that it’s only Satan and his angels that will suffer. The rest, will burn for a short time then cease to exist; also known as annihilation.   Dictionary Definition Annihilation —1. The act of reducing to nothing or non-existence; or the act of destroying the form or combination of parts under which a thi...

    Introduction Years ago, a comedian once made the statement: “Beauty is only skin deep; but ugly goes clean to the bone.” Oftentimes, we allow certain people to make the decision as to what is beautiful and what is considered ugly. The problem though is that these people see only beauty in 10% of life. They say, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that, I believe, is very true. Everyone has their own opinion as to what is considered beautiful. In this article we’ll look at what truly considered ugly.   Unapproved Picture The other day I posted a picture of a friend on social media. It was a candid shot of her eating something and I put a humorous comment to go with it. Well, when she saw the photo, she freaked out and asked me to take it down as it made her look ugly. I took it down, as requested, and told her that I thought it made it look adorable. I also said that people are only ugly when they want to be. Being one who struggles with self-esteem ...

  See You Tomorrow A Poem by Christopher Mentzer   Yesterday is gone forever, Today is coming to an end. So, I’ll see you tomorrow, There’s no time to borrow; Eternity is next; we’ll ascend.   Let go of your past; it’s just weighing you down, Today is everything that’s important. But it’s a matter of fact, To those who look back, Their lives become nothing but redundant.   Don’t go it alone, don’t be a hero; By yourself you will stumble and fall. With care and concentration, You’ll avoid great frustration, The “Buddy system”; it’s what’s needed by all.   The end has come; there’s no time left, The Lord, Himself, will inquire. So, I’ll see you tomorrow, Bring joy and not sorrow. For Heaven is the place we desire.

  Bound for Eternity, Pt. 5   Introduction The phrase, “See you tomorrow” is commonly used daily. When you leave work or school for the day, when you leave a friend’s house, and so on. However, tomorrow never gets here. For example, today is Monday. That means that Sunday was yesterday, and Tuesday is tomorrow. When Tuesday arrives, it is then called, “Today” and Wednesday becomes tomorrow. Essentially, tomorrow never arrives as it always becomes today. In this article, we will look at when tomorrow does arrive.   Work while it is Day In John 9:4, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” This is not to say that no one can work the overnight shift. It’s simply a matter of consistent daylight for us to work. Jesus is saying that there comes a time when no one will work at all; death or the Second Coming. It is during that day that we should accomplish everything we possibly can because we will n...

  Bound for Eternity, pt. 4   Introduction Contrary to popular belief, when people die, and leave this mortal realm, they do not immediately go to Heaven (or Hell). The saying, “She’s looking down on us right now” has no merit whatsoever. Instead, there is a place that is more of a “waiting room” of those who left mortality and are waiting for Judgment Day. Jesus speaks of this place, called Hades, in Luke 16:19-21. There are two sides to Hades; Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise in Lk. 23:43) and Tartarus (Torment in Lk. 16:23). Between the two locations is an impassable gulf. In this article, we will study this passage of scripture.   Not a Parable Many religious people want to ignore this passage as simply a parable used by Jesus to tell a story. However, in the parables, all of Jesus’ examples are simple scenarios which could actually be a real thing. No names are given; just references to an occupation or social status. In Luke 16, although the rich man isn’t ...