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Abraham

October 22, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

Abraham stands as one of the most remarkable figures in all of Scripture, often called “the father of the faithful” (Romans 4:11). His life is not merely an ancient story but a powerful example and reminder of faith, obedience, and trust in God that continues to inspire believers today. When God called Abraham to leave his country, family, and father’s house, he obeyed “not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). That kind of faith, trusting God’s promises without seeing the outcome, is the same faith that God calls His people to live by in every generation. Abraham’s journey teaches us that faith is active; it moves us to obey even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Abraham’s example for today also lies in his relationship with God’s promises. Through him, God established a covenant that would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Paul wrote, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). This means that every Christian today shares in the blessings promised to Abraham, not a physical land or in earthly wealth, but spiritual blessings through faith in Christ. Abraham reminds us that God’s promises never fail and that our faith must rest in His eternal plan rather than in worldly security.

Moreover, Abraham’s life illustrates the importance of trust and surrender. When he was asked to offer Isaac, his beloved son, Abraham’s faith was tested to its deepest level. Yet he believed “that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19). In a world filled with doubt and compromise, Abraham’s unwavering trust in God challenges us to put our confidence not in human reasoning, but in divine assurance. His example encourages Christians today to remain steadfast in obedience even when faith is costly.

In every sense, Abraham’s story is a mirror for our own. Like him, we are called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). His life reminds us that true faith is not a one-time act but a lifelong journey of trusting, obeying, and depending on God. Abraham’s example of faith for us today is timeless; his faith still speaks, urging us to believe God’s promises, obey His commands, and live as people seeking the heavenly city, “whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). God doesn’t call us to be perfect, but He does expect us to be faithful like Abraham.

Gd Bless

Todd Parsley
Minister
Flatwoods church of Christ

Filed Under: Articles, Featured

Hope in the Resurrection

October 16, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

The resurrection of Jesus stands as the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the foundation of our hope. The apostle Paul declared, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Because He lives, we have the assurance that death is not the end. The empty tomb proclaims victory over sin and death, and it reminds every believer that we too will one day rise to live eternally with the Lord. This hope is not a wishful dream, but a confident expectation grounded in the power and promise of God (1 Peter 1:3). Through the resurrection, we have the assurance that life continues beyond the grave for all who are in Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, Paul comforted the early Christians by writing, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” The resurrection gives us reason to face death without fear and to endure the trials of life with faith. When loved ones in Christ pass away, we grieve, but not without hope. We know that there will be a great day of reunion and resurrection when the Lord returns. As Jesus Himself said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).

This hope should change the way we live each day. Knowing that our earthly bodies will one day be raised in glory (1 Corinthians 15:42–44) motivates us to live faithfully and righteously before God. The resurrection reminds us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our hope is not anchored in this temporary world but in the eternal life promised through Christ Jesus. Because He arose, we can look beyond the grave with confidence, knowing that we, too, will rise to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Truly, the resurrection gives meaning to our faith, strength to our trials, and joy to our hearts. In Christ, we have a living hope through His victory over death—a hope that will never fade away.

Because He lives, we too shall live, and that is the greatest hope of all.

Todd Parsley
Minister
Flatwoods church of Christ

Filed Under: Articles, Featured

A Cappella Singing in Our Worship

October 8, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

Music has always played a vital role in the worship of God’s people. From the songs of Moses (Exodus 15:1–2) to the psalms of David, God’s people have expressed their devotion, gratitude, and reverence through song. In the New Testament, the church continues this tradition of heartfelt worship through singing, not with mechanical instruments, but with the instrument God created: the human voice. The apostle Paul wrote, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Similarly, Colossians 3:16 instructs us to sing “with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” These verses show that our singing is both an offering of praise to God and a means of teaching and encouraging one another in the faith.

The church practices a cappella music, singing without the accompaniment of instruments because this is the only type of music authorized in the New Testament for Christian worship. The early church, for centuries after the apostles, sang without instruments. History shows that instrumental music was a later addition by men, not by divine command. We believe in following the simple pattern of the New Testament church (2 Timothy 1:13), striving to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). The emphasis of Scripture is always on the heart, the melody is made within us, not through external devices. When we sing with understanding and sincerity, our hearts are lifted toward God, and our voices unite in pure and spiritual harmony.

A cappella worship reminds us that God values obedience and sincerity above entertainment and show. Our focus is not on performance, but on praise. Every Christian becomes both participant and instrument in worship, joining together as one body to glorify the Lord. As Hebrews 13:15 says, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” This kind of worship keeps Christ at the center and allows His word to dwell richly within us.

In a world that often seeks to modernize or modify worship to appeal to human tastes, the church holds firmly to the biblical pattern, singing from the heart, with reverence and joy. A cappella music connects us to the simplicity and purity of first-century worship and allows us to express our faith together as God intended. When we lift our voices in unity, we honor God’s authority, strengthen one another, and offer a sacrifice of praise that is truly spiritual, heartfelt, and pleasing to our Creator. A cappella worship is not about what pleases us, it is about what pleases God. When we sing from the heart, we worship in spirit and in truth.

God Bless

Todd Parsley
Minister
Flatwoods church of Christ

Filed Under: Articles, Featured

When You Want to Quit

October 2, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

Every Christian, at some point, faces the temptation to quit. The burdens of life, the trials of faith, and the constant opposition of Satan can make us feel weary and discouraged. Even faithful servants of God in Scripture wrestled with these feelings. Elijah, after his victory over the prophets of Baal, sat under a broom tree and prayed, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life” (1 Kings 19:4). Jeremiah, weary of rejection, once said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name” (Jeremiah 20:9). Yet, in both cases, God reminded His servants of their purpose and gave them the strength to continue.

When we want to quit, we must remember the hope that sustains us. Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” The Christian life was never promised to be easy, but we are promised that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Christ Himself endured ridicule, rejection, and suffering, yet for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2–3). When we look to Jesus, we find the strength to press on.

Quitting may feel like an escape, but it leaves us empty and defeated. Continuing in faith, even when weary, allows God’s power to be perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Lord has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), and that assurance should encourage us to keep walking with Him. When you feel like giving up, remember that the crown of life awaits those who remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

So, when you want to quit, lift your eyes to Christ, lean on the strength of God’s word, and trust that He will carry you through. The Christian race is not about speed but about endurance (Hebrews 12:1). With God’s help, you can finish strong, and one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

God Bless

Todd Parsley
Minister
Flatwoods church of Christ

Filed Under: Articles, Featured

You Can’t Worship Wrong and Die Right

September 25, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

In every age of man, God has given direction concerning worship, and He has always expected His people to follow His instructions carefully. Worship is not about pleasing ourselves, nor is it about tradition for tradition’s sake. It is about offering praise, adoration, and obedience to the One who created us. Jesus declared, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). This means worship must come from a sincere heart, but it must also be according to the truth of God’s Word. One without the other will not do. Sincerity alone cannot make false worship acceptable, and simply going through the right motions without the heart is also done in vain.

From the very beginning, God showed that He distinguishes between worship that is acceptable and worship that is not. In Genesis 4:4–5 we read, “Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.” The Hebrew writer explains why: “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebrews 11:4). Abel’s worship was by faith, meaning it was based on what God had revealed. Cain chose his own way, and his worship was rejected. This shows us that we cannot simply decide how we want to worship God; He must be the One who sets the standard.

This truth is echoed throughout Scripture. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offered incense with fire that God had not commanded. The Bible records: “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1–2). Their example stands as a sobering warning: God does not accept worship that departs from His will, no matter how small or insignificant the change may seem to us.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself warns against worship rooted in human tradition. He quoted Isaiah when He said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8–9). Any worship not founded on God’s Word is vain—it is empty, useless, and unacceptable. Jesus also declared, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Saying the right words and calling on the name of the Lord is not enough; obedience to God’s will is required.

The New Testament outlines the worship of the early church. Christians were to sing with the heart and voice, not with mechanical instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). They were to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). They were to give as they had been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1–2). They were to pray (Acts 2:42), and they were to hear the Word of God preached (Acts 20:7). These are the five avenues of worship found in the Lord’s church. They were authorized by Christ through His apostles. To add to them or take away from them is to reject God’s authority. John warns us in Revelation 22:18–19 not to add to or take away from the words of God.

Some argue, “But we’re sincere in what we do. Doesn’t that count for something?” While sincerity is essential, it is not sufficient by itself. The apostle Paul once persecuted Christians with great zeal, thinking he was serving God. He later admitted, “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). His zeal without knowledge led him to fight against Christ rather than serve Him. Likewise, many today may sincerely believe they are worshiping God, yet if their worship is not according to His truth, it cannot be pleasing in His sight.

If our worship is not acceptable to God, then our souls are not prepared to meet Him in judgment. Jesus warns of many who will be surprised at the last day: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22–23). These were religious people, but their worship and service were not according to God’s will.

As Christians, our goal must always be to worship God faithfully, following His Word as our only guide. Worship is not about innovation, entertainment, or personal preference. It is about glorifying the Almighty exactly as He has commanded. If we are careless with our worship now, how can we expect to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21) when this life is over? Let us resolve to worship God in spirit and in truth, remembering always that we cannot worship wrong and die right.

God Bless

Todd Parsley
Minister
Flatwoods church of Christ

Filed Under: Articles, Featured

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Flatwoods Church of Christ
PO Box 871
2100 Argillite Rd.
Flatwoods, KY
41139

606.836.4207

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Abraham

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