The scene is the garden of Gethsemane the evening before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus prays alone, sweating great drops of blood. He returns to His disciples and finds them sleeping. He admonishes Peter, “What, could you not watch with me an hour? Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Matthew 26:40) What could you not watch with me one hour? What a piercing indictment! Weakness in Prayer Often I am like Peter. In my self-confidence, I’m not against praying, but I also don’t comprehend what is at stake nor the extent [...]

I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) Talent is a funny thing. There are people loaded with it who don’t succeed, and the opposite is also true. Thomas Edison once quipped, “ Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” That might be how it worked out for him, but what about all those who perspire and expire [...]

Personally, I have been in fellowship at the same assembly for 22 years and counting. I came there as a new believer at age 20 where I was greeted with firm handshakes and warm smiles. I didn’t know anything about church doctrine at the time. It was only love that kept me coming. Over the years, I have learned the doctrine, and over the years I have never found reasons to leave. In an attempt to simplify things, I will suggest there are really only three reasons to leave a church and join another. Doctrinal error The first and foremost [...]

At my home assembly, I serve as a high school youth group leader with several other young adults. As the other leaders and I build relationships with our kids, we’ve noticed the impact of being authentic while mentoring them. When sharing the lessons we’ve learned when we were younger, the youth respond by opening up about their own life challenges. The Lord has used this to create great relationships where we encourage the youth to follow Jesus Christ. Authenticity is a vital component for any healthy relationship. When we sense that someone is secretive or insincere, our trust and intimacy [...]

There is a great variety of prophetic views among God’s people. There are scholars, past and present who have held and do hold conflicting theologies. There are positions such as Amillennialism (we are now in the millennium), Post-Millennialism (we must see the world evangelized before Christ can return) and Pre-Millennialism (there will be a literal 1000-year reign of Christ on earth). There are those who hold a Preterist view. The word means “past” – a full-Preterist sees all prophecy about the Tribulation and return of Christ fulfilled in 70 A.D. A partial-Preterist sees some fulfillment in 70 A.D. and Revelation [...]

There is no doubt in my mind that believers are fighting a war. Lines have been drawn over traditionally held Judaeo-Christian beliefs. It is easy to forget that our fight isn’t against people who think, believe, practice or look differently than us. Our war is with the unseen-principalities, powers, spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places, the devil. Choosing our weapons It is easy to forget that the weapons and armor required in this battle are not arguments, but are truth and righteousness, the gospel of peace and faith, salvation. The Word of God and prayer. The Word of God, [...]

At this time of year many people make resolutions to change. People plan to start a new diet, read more books, exercise, visit family more often and a variety of other changes. For believers our lives are a journey as we are being sanctified by the Lord. We must do our part to commit our ways to him and surrender our lives so that he can mold us into his image. Here are 5 resolutions we can all strive for in 2017. 1. I will spend more time with the Lord Life in North America is busy. Distractions invade us [...]

By Eli Banta - With permission from Assembly Hub By now all your shopping is probably done and the stockings are hung.  All the presents are nicely wrapped under the tree and the star shines brightly on the highest branch…But did you remember to get something for the most important person this holiday? Our tradition of gift giving comes from many different sources.  When asking young children in North America who brings presents on Christmas many would answer “Santa”.  The myth of Santa is based on a real person, Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.  Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in [...]

Here are some illustrations I have collected over the years. I trust they will be a blessing to you.Luke 6:47-49 - "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a [...]

Am I a Soldier of the Cross? "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim 4:7) I fear the church is filled with Christians who have an overly romantic view of what it means to be a soldier of the cross. Our churches are filled with believers who want to be missionaries, preachers, workers and elders. While I applaud such aspirations, I wonder how many of us have counted the cost. It is easy to be a soldier of the cross when we are surrounded by our Christian friends, [...]