Attendance – Jason's Bible Blog

Seven Keys to Happiness

Most people want to be happy. From ancient philosophers to modern man, many have spent their entire lives seeking happiness and contentment without ever finding it, because the formula is found only in God’s Word. Happiness comes from our Creator, who wants us to be happy both now and eternally. He wants us to realize that He is the ultimate source of joy and peace. With that in mind, here are seven critical keys to happiness:

Being right with God – Being happy both now and eternally requires a good relationship with the One who made us.

A Tremendous Lack of Love

If we know the Truth but refuse to live by it, this reveals a tremendous lack of love on many levels.

• A lack of love for God: If we truly loved Him with all our hearts, we would be doing His will to please Him and to be with Him forever (Mt. 22:36-38; 1 Jn. 2:3-4; 5:3).

• A lack of love for Christ: If we truly loved God’s Son, we would be obeying Him out of gratitude for His selfless sacrifice: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn.… Read more

What If Jesus Were Coming Back Next Week?

When asking the question, “What if Jesus were coming back next week?” understand that there is absolutely no way to know when Jesus will return. Jesus said we cannot know when He will return, and even Jesus Himself did not know when He would return: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). Paul wrote that there is no need to waste time speculating about “times” and “seasons” regarding Christ’s return: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.… Read more

God Comes First

Jesus left no doubt about the top priority in life: God must come first. No relationship, career, or personal interest should ever take priority over our loyalty to Him. In fact, placing anything above God is a form of idolatry (Col. 3:5).

1. God Comes Before Family – Jesus warned that following Him may cause division, even in our own households: “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.… Read more

Immigration into the Holy Nation

Countless millions have longed to enter the United States seeking freedom and opportunity. Still, as great as this nation may be, there is one far greater: the “holy nation” built by Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago (1 Pet. 2:9). The USA will not last forever, but Christ’s nation/kingdom/church will last forever and ultimately be “delivered up” to Heaven (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 16:18–19, 28; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 5:23). Regarding immigration into Christ’s holy nation:

We Must Go Through the Legal Process – Just as legal steps are required to become a U.S.… Read more

Consumer-Based Christianity

Too many people today are looking for a church that meets their personal preferences rather than meeting the Lord’s requirements. Instead of asking what Christ wants, people are asking:

• Do they have lots of activities for my children?
• Will I like this preacher better than others I’ve heard?
• Is the building big, beautiful, and modern?
• Is the worship entertaining and exciting?
• Will it make me feel good without requiring change?

Friends, these are the wrong questions.… Read more

The Truth May Seem Strange at First

Just because simple New Testament Christianity may seem “strange” to you, that does not mean you should reject it.

When Christ’s church first began, it was new and unfamiliar to everybody. It did not match the Jewish traditions or the pagan practices people had followed for centuries. However, when they realized the Truth, they did not let unfamiliarity stop them. They made the necessary changes and became part of it. That is what God expected then, and that is still what He expects today.… Read more

Must All Christians Travel the World?

Jesus said to His apostles, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15–16). This is often referred to as the Great Commission, but does this mean every Christian must personally travel the world to fulfill it? While Jesus’ command clearly emphasizes the need for the Gospel to reach the entire world, the idea that every Christian must personally travel to distant parts of the world, or constantly move from place to place, to fulfill this command is a misunderstanding of God’s plan.… Read more

Does It Matter Which Church I Attend?

Faithful attendance is a crucial part of Christianity (Hebrews 10:23-31), and many believe that as long as a person believes in Jesus, the church he attends does not matter; but the truth is that the church one attends matters greatly:

It matters because God said there is only one true plan of salvation, and churches teaching conflicting plans of salvation cannot all be correct. The Apostle Paul wrote, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8; cf.

Proof That People Who Were Once Saved Can Be Sent to Hell

Friends, do you understand how dangerous it is for people to believe that no matter what they do, they cannot lose their salvation and go to Hell, even though God says they can? Many churches teach a doctrine called “Perseverance of the Saints,” which is part of a false doctrine called Calvinism (named after John Calvin). They allege that a saved child of God may “fall” into sin, but somehow God will ultimately keep him from losing his salvation.… Read more

True Christians Don’t Reject Religion

Those who have had bad experiences with “religious people” or a certain church should not use such experiences as an excuse to totally reject religion in general. Some say they reject “organized religion” and do not “attend church” but still follow Christ. Is that possible? The word “religion” is not a bad word, as many people seem to think. James used the word in a positive way (Jam. 1:26, 27). Christ Himself was a religious person who had a “custom” of regularly assembling with others of like faith (Lk.… Read more

If I Refuse to Assemble

Faithfully assembling with other members of the Lord’s church in one’s area is commanded and demanded by God (Heb. 10:23-31; cf. Acts 2:42; 20:6, 7; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2, etc.). There are times when Christians are unable to attend, but if I could be there and choose not to attend, I am:

Denying God the kind of worship He desires and deserves (Psa. 18:3; John 4:23, 24; 1 Cor. 11:17-20, 33; 14:23; Rev. 4:11).

Disobeying God’s command to assemble, thereby disassembling the body of Christ (Heb.