My first thought is "How long have you cared - when did you catch fire?" The newly enthused likely fall into three groups: (1) new converts (perhaps starry-eyed, but we need their freshness as much as they need our experience); (2) new preachers, elders, deacons, teachers, etc., where new responsibility has awakened eyes to see brethren in a different light; and, (3) brethren shaken out of complacency by the influence…

Invariably, at the end of every year, we pause to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, and maybe we remember that we will soon join them—which can be a disquieting thought, unless it's quieted by hope.

In George MacDonald's book, At the Back of the North Wind, Diamond is a poor, young boy who sleeps in a hayloft.…

The little story reminds us of a passage in 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" (NKJV). A person may feel like he can associate with wicked people and not be hurt. He…

In the days of King Nebuchadnezzar, "everyone else" was bowing down and worshiping his golden image (see Dan. 3:1-7). But what did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego do? They said "let it be known to you, O king, that…

George and Mary were a wonderful couple as they began their life together. Throughout their youth they had received strong teaching concerning worldliness, and their conduct showed the effects of that teaching.

They had been taught faithfulness in attendance, and they never missed a service for "anything." In character and conviction, they were blameless.

This young couple failed, however, to instill into the hearts of their…

Answer:
It might not be politically correct, but the answer is "No." In fact, the Bible specifically condemns the practice of women serving in this capacity.

In Paul's first letter to Timothy, we read, "Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting: in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold…

The factory worker is so "narrow" that he uses micrometers and measures to the thousandth of an inch the bores and pistons of engines, electronic components and balancing wheels in timepieces.

The surgeon is so "narrow" that he insists on ultra-technical laboratory analysis, meticulously sterilized instruments of special design. Why, he is so picky narrow…

If young people and new Christians do not have strong examples to follow as they test their wings, the chances of…

Everything from dancing to drinking, from abortion to mercy-killing, has gone from toleration to acceptance. In the home and in the church, everything from immodesty to immorality has been first allowed and then endorsed. Adulterous marriages, gambling, and other similar sins, have gone from being permitted to being sponsored. Remember when wearing shorts and attending dances were generally condemned as sinful? Now, in some places shorts are being worn to…

Peter's identity was confirmed by the way he spoke. Because of the way he pronounced his words — by…

            WARNING!  We see this label everywhere.  We find it on appliances to keep people from electrocuting themselves and on coffee cups to keep people from burning themselves with the hot liquid.  The apostle Peter gave us a warning at the end of his second book to not get carried away with error or to lose our stability (2 Pet. 3:17).  These warnings are meant to be life-saving: both physically and spiritually.  Thankfully, with this warning Peter gives the solution for what we need to do in order to not get carried…

            Few things in life last for 40 years.  Those that do don’t always function at the same level as they once did.  This June 17-20 will feature the 40^th edition of the Southside Lectures.  They are as vibrant and effective as they were when they began in 1980.

            The number 40 is frequently used throughout the Scriptures.  Forty days and nights of rain during the flood.  Forty years of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness.  Forty days that Jesus fasted before being tempted by the…