by Rod Kyle

Do you have an opinion on hell? It seems that everyone does. But the Bible says we must listen to Jesus on this subject (Mk. 9:7). So what does He say about this prepared place for the unprepared?

He teaches about it through His parables (Matt. 13:39-42), by way of illustration (Matt. 7:19), in His reference to authority (Matt. 7:21-23), in His condemnation of religious error and errorists (Mk. 12:38,39), and in His use of the Old Testament (Mk. 9:48). In fact, no other Bible character touches on it so much.

Jesus describes hell as a place of unspeakable horror (Matt. 8:12; Mk. 9:48). He also clearly teaches that it is a realm of eternal consciousness (Matt. 25:41,46). Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, taught that God made hell for the devil and his angels (Col. 1:16). But the vital message for humanity is this: Hell is a prepared place for the unprepared person (Matt. 24:45-51)! Or to put it another way — everyone in hell will have earned their place there (Rom. 6:23, Rev. 21:8).

Such is the love of the Creator for the created that He was willing to leave heaven to rescue mankind from its sin-induced destiny (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 3:16; Phil. 2:6,7). But the success of His mission depends upon your choice. Are you choosing to go with the majority to hell? Or are you searching for that narrow way home to heaven (Matt. 7:13,14)?

The Good News is this — a redemption price has been paid for your sins (Rom. 5:8; Heb. 5:8,9). But you must accept God’s offer of help through obedient faith (Jn. 3:36)? Hell is prepared only for those who are unprepared for heaven!

(Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 39.)

by Clarence DeLoach, Jr.

Moses was an old man: 120 years as a matter of fact. He had brought Israel to the border of the promised land. He had patiently endured while leading hundreds of thousands of people — a rebellious nation. He had seen one generation die and another rise.

One of God’s final orders to Moses is recorded in Numbers 27:12: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel."

Mountains play a prominent role in the Bible. Great things were done on mountains. Perhaps this has given rise to our expression "mountaintop experience." Look at three mountains in Moses’ life:

First: The Mountain of Calling. It all began with Moses on a mountain. It was from Mt. Sinai that God called to Moses out of the "burning bush." There he met God in a marvelous way. There his mission was set out! There he was commissioned and called to service. There he stood on holy ground. His was a mountaintop experience, but so was ours when we were called to be Christians.

Second: The Mountain of Service. Again the Lord called Moses to the mountain. Here God communicated His law to Moses with the command, "Go and tell the children of Israel" (Exo. 19:3). This was the mountain of service. God revealed the manner in which His people could serve and obey Him. These were the conditions of blessings in their lives.

There is no greater joy or blessing than serving God. It brings the greatest satisfaction and purpose to life. It is indeed a mountaintop experience to live and serve as Christians.

Third: The Mountain of Death. Moses is now an old man. He has served well. Again, he is called to the mountain. God wanted him to see the land and then he would be gathered to his people. Moses didn’t enter Canaan, but God had something better for him. How appropriate: Moses would appear on another mountain many centuries later to encourage Jesus (Matt. 17:1-5).

Death need not be in the valley. For the true servant, it is his finest hour. For the Christian, it is a "mountaintop experience." Paul said it was gain: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

(Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 24.)

by Bill Dillon

Men and women of God who would not think of gambling, drinking or committing an act of fleshly evil, may otherwise be guilty of a sour disposition with an envious, bitter or negative frame of mind. An individual may quote scripture, pray fervently and have an unblemished attendance record at worship services, yet, may possess such a critical and negative attitude about life that others actually wish to avoid them.

Are sins of the flesh less harmful than sins of the spirit? The sin of a bad attitude can cripple, if not kill, the progress of the Lord's church in any community.

Regardless of daily news, sorrowful circumstances or stormy weather, each of us has a duty to show ourselves true men and women of God and be of good cheer.

The Bible says: "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 Jn. 4:4). "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 Jn. 5:4,5).

Jesus also said; "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33).

May our faith in God cause us always to see all circumstances in as favorable a light as possible and let us have a happy readiness to go onward in life.

(Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 24.)

by Otavio A. N. Carvalho

Every Christian has the right to recognize those who work in behalf of the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to support those who work in behalf of the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to preach the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to act, in every worthy manner possible, in order to bring people to Christ by the gospel.

Evrey Christian has the right to cooperate for the furthering of the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to be disciplined in the gospel.

by Warren Baldwin

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them he went on from there.

Matthew 19:13-15

You have to wonder about religious leaders who don't have room or time for children. Who are they serving? What are they serving? What is their vision for the future?

God has long been concerned about the needs of children. From Old Testament times he made it clear that children were to be cared for. Parents were to train their children in the ways of God (Deut. 6). The larger society was to see that the fatherless were taken care of. They were not to be caught up in an economic or social system where "only the strong survived" (Deut. 24:17).

Years later the prophets reminded the people of their responsibility to children. Isaiah reminds his listeners to "defend the cause of the fatherless" (Isaiah 1:17). Micah delivers a scalding judgment against those who prevent the orphan from inheriting his father's land (Micah 2:9).

This theme of caring for children is picked up in the New Testament. James defines true spirituality in terms we may not be comfortable with: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress" (Jas. 1:17).

The disciples of Jesus would not have argued with these verses. They probably would have thought of them more in line with providing for their physical needs, and that would be true. But these verses go beyond that, especially a number of passages in Deuteronomy.

God was concerned with the physical needs of children. But he was also concerned with their spiritual needs. He wanted them to be reared thinking about God, about his blessing in their lives, about his provision. Being well-fed highlighted those lessons. But being trained in righteousness was the core of the curriculum.

Christian people have debated for years on the best way to care for children who are orphaned or abandoned. Adoption? A Christian children's home? Which? I think God would say, "Yes." However we do it, let's just do it.

Taking care of children in need lies at the heart of who and what we are as followers of God.

There are a lot of children in need in our world today. Children who need food, who need clothing, who need adults who will take an interest in their lives. Adults who will take them to ball games, coach their teams, take them out for an ice cream. Adults who will pick them up and take them to Sunday School and other spiritual functions.

God calls all of us to a ministry to children. Please hear his call.