Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Please be aware it is not my intent to be divisive, to exclude anyone or any church denomination. The Gospel itself will take care of that in due time. However, I don’t think I could pick a better chapter than Matthew Chapter 16 to jump flat-footed right in the middle of the fray regarding divisions within the Christian church over doctrinal differences.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It’s a new year! Go ahead and call me Captain Obvious, but sometimes stating what is obvious is simply necessary. While I try not to make flippant New Year’s resolutions, regarding spiritual matters I do like to take the occasion as another opportunity to reflect upon my relationship with God. When I see my shortcomings through reflecting upon God’s Word, it benefits me to sharpen my focus and reset my path in accordance with Biblical principles.

Hebrews 11 is the famous chapter affectionately known as the “Roll Call of Faith.”
Countless messages have been preached about the “Heroes of Faith.” Every believer has heard moving sermons detailing the blessings God poured out upon faithful Abraham and Sara. Moses has often been celebrated in inspirational messages as leader, deliverer and miracle worker.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

You cannot trust the man of God. Many people waver or lose faith in God, when a “man of God” fails. Men of God fail all the time. We have a recent example of an immoral failure of the leader of one of the largest Christian colleges and churches in America.

The Apostle James in his letter says, “faith without works is dead.”
The Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians that salvation is: “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Do we have a contradiction in the pages of the Bible? Is James disagreeing with Paul regarding salvation?
At first glance it seems Paul and James do disagree and we have a contradiction, which is often the problem with first glances without knowledge.

John 14:2 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (KJV)
Jesus spoke the words recorded in John 14:2 during the final week of His earthly ministry before His crucifixion! Jesus had been dropping hints to his Disciples about his true intentions as the Lamb of God from the moment he first called his Twelve Apostles, nearly three-and-a-half years earlier.

One of my favorite praise and worship songs is “Child of the King,” and no one leads it better then Mrs. Beeler and the worship team at my home church. I get fired up every time I hear the music and lyrics performed. While reading Paul the Apostle’s letter to the Colossians the other day I immediately thought of that song when I read the following verse:
Colossians 3:3
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

Revelation 13:16-18
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (KJV)

Have you ever encountered a so-called “Lone Wolf Christian?
Some people think they can worship God all by themselves without assembling together with other like-minded believers. The mere concept of worshiping God apart from communal worship is contrary to sound Biblical teaching.
While it is true that each of us must have a personal encounter via the Holy Spirit with Jesus, he never said after you are saved go into your house, hole up, and become an antisocial hermit.

By Archie Wilson
Almost one year ago to the day, I sat at my computer and typed an article entitled “The Spirit of Fear.” Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul sat in a Roman prison and penned the following words:
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
(7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Shot who?
Although most Christians may have never heard the term “Supersessionism,” it is a doctrine that has been hotly debated in theological circles for centuries.
Supersessionism, also called “Replacement Theology,” is a Christian doctrine which asserts that the New Testament or Covenant through Jesus Christ has replaced the Old Testament or Covenant, that was exclusively made with the Jewish people. As usual, I don’t have the print space to ferret out all the implications of this doctrine, but I am going to try my best to simplify it. Wish me luck!

Mark 13:8 - For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (KJV)
Earthquake. That word strikes fear at the hearts of mankind, especially in the heart of anyone who has ever been in and survived a major earthquake.

Acts 17:22 KJV: Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
I can’t believe that I have had the privilege to write for Historic Union County for over two years. Our first article was published on Dec. 12, 2017. I say “our” because were it not for the publishers of HUC, I would not have this platform to share what I have learned about life and the Bible. In truth, the publishers twisted my arm to get me to write for this paper. One of the principal publishers of this paper is the most doggedly determined person I have ever known. The co-publisher of this paper and former editor is one of the most supportive people I have ever met. To both of them, I say thank you!

As a child I loved Halloween.
What a fantastic fall celebration for a kid. Dress up like any kind of thing you want, real or imaginary.
Go around the neighborhood, knock on your neighbor’s door and get free candy.
Parents let kids eat all the candy they can hold, plus you get to trade candy with your siblings or friends for days on end.
Every kid is like a Willy Wonka on steroids!
Well, in a perfect world, that is the way it should be, that is the way it “almost” was when I was a kid.

People today are fascinated with the greatest at everything. Countless articles have been written about who is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) at football, basketball, business, etc. Pick your endeavor and you can probably find a GOAT list. On most GOAT lists I have read, the author always tells why the person they picked is the greatest, based on their choice’s accomplishments. The author usually lists other “greats” and then tells us why they are good but not the “greatest.” So, who is the greatest fisher of all time? Jesus Christ is greatest fisherman of all time.

So, what is preaching?

Well, the answer to that question sometimes depends upon who you ask!

In the general sense, preaching means to herald or proclaim openly something which has been done. Biblically defined preaching means an open public proclamation of the “gospel,” such as demonstrated in the New Testament by John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles of Jesus or other Christian followers. I could not do this article justice without pointing out that the word “gospel” means “good news” as it relates to Jesus’ redeeming work towards all mankind.

A long time ago when I was in high school, my friends and I used to play a game we called word for the day. We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were “Geeks”, with a capital G! I attended high school way before the term “geek” became popular. Some of you will recall that “geek” was first a derogatory term, until people like Bill Gates made geek a badge of honor word, like it is today. I don’t remember if it was one of the guys or gals in my circle of friends that started the word game, but I am forever thankful because the game significantly increased my vocabulary.

Christian, do you realize Jesus prayed for you? In John Chapter 17, as Jesus Himself was going through what arguably was the most turbulent time in His earthly life, Jesus prayed for you!
Here is the specific verse and following that verse is some of the context, but not all:
John 17:20
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”

Revelation 8:1
“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.”

I’ve had enough! I am about sick and tired of all of this politically correct nonsense going on in our country. At the writing of this article, I have just returned from a high school graduation ceremony. It is past midnight, and I can’t sleep until I write this article.