Recently I underwent abdominal surgery, and the prep work included two CA Scans, which a dear brother in Christ hearing about, asked, with a broad grin, to be sure and ask my doctor to check to see “if I had a heart?” Well, after my surgery, I thought about his question, and felt obliged to reply. First off, we all know my friend was NOT implying that I did not have a major organ called the heart. He was Not implying that I was careless as to the conditions of others’ pain, hardships, or sorrows, for which the expression “have a heart” is often used. He, of course, was joking, and at that time for me, a good laugh was helpful! But let’s consider this “heart” usage in our Father’s Book. Figures of speech, like body parts, celestial bodies, fish and animals, etc., are widely used in both the Old and New Testaments – Solomon’s heart was not “perfect like his father, David’s”- I Kin. 11:4; and “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”- Mt. 6:21. These are good illustrations of this “heart” word. It is the “seat of our understanding,” our minds, where are located our storage of devotions, belief system, general knowledge, and from which we draw our energies in all sources of our human capacity.

One beautiful example of “heart” comes from an African language translation for our word in English, The Holy Spirit. In English the literal translation is, “one who falls down on the trail beside you.” Now in America for many years, trails have not been the usual
way of travel. In other nations however, “trails” are not just common; they are still the only way to the next village and used for harvesting animals and plants for food and clothing. Hunting for such necessities usually lies with the men of the tribe. They go out in groups for safety, because large animals also hunt for food on those same trails, and those men are on their “Food list!” So, if a man should stumble, or become ill, staying behind alone on the trail would usually mark the end of his life. However, sometimes a fellow tribesman who especially cares for the one that cannot continue, will “fall down on the trail beside him” to give comfort, aid, and as best he can, protection. And there, beloved, is “the heart” of God, The Holy Spirit. He, through our faithful obedience to Their Precious Life Saving Word becomes for us, “The One Who falls down on our trail of life, beside us!” So for today, the real question is not, do we have one; but is our Lord pleased with my “heart,” and yours? And that, beloved, is no joke!
Harland R. Huntoon

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has many lessons for us, and surely among them is that God finds people of faith in places where we wouldn’t look. We see an instance of this in Hebrews 11:23. Here, the writer refers to a familiar story, the story of the birth of Moses. Typically, our children learn that Moses’ parents hid him and eventually put him in the basket in the bulrushes before they turn five.

However, the Hebrews writer adds a spiritual dimension to this account. He notes that the parents of Moses acted as they did out of faith. They spared their son because they saw that he was beautiful and they did not fear the king’s edict.

This is an awfully bold stance for a couple of slaves to take! Typically, slaves fear the edicts of kings greatly, especially when they already know that the king has no love for them or for their people. It doesn’t seem like the beauty of a baby should weigh heavily in the balance against royal wrath.

To understand this, we must start with Genesis 9:5-7. This snippet contains a pair of theological opposites. On the one hand, people were not to shed the blood of other people, and God would require their blood if they did. Instead, they were supposed to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. God wants humans to seek life, not death.

The parents of Moses can’t have known very much about God, but this is one of the few things that they could have known, and it offers the best explanation for their conduct. Their child was beautiful to them, and in part he was beautiful as an expression of the divine will for humankind. They did right in having children, regardless of what the law said.

Similarly, they did not fear the king’s edict because the king was not the highest authority in their lives. His tyranny could and would be checked by God, and ultimately, God’s will would stand, not his. Even slaves don’t have to fear the king if they have God on their side!

In the moment, this is only obvious to the eyes of faith, but it becomes clearer in history. Throughout the Bible and throughout the millennia that have passed since its writing, powerful forces often have arrayed themselves against the righteous. In the end, though, earthly powers are cast down, and the word of God continues along with those who follow it.

Today, parents and prospective parents have many reasons to fear. The days seem to be growing more evil, Opponents of Christianity are getting more vocal and more influential all the time, and overt persecution may be on the horizon. It’s easy to despair of raising godly children or even having children at all.

Nonetheless, we must be fearless. We must do what is necessary to train our children in the ways of the Lord, regardless of what opposition we face. The parents of Moses had no idea that one day their son would bring Pharaoh to his knees, and we have no idea what the future holds either. However, this much is certain: When the people of God trust Him, no power in heaven, on earth, or in hell can overcome them.

M. W. Bassford

In verse three a question is raised before the Lord that has been asked by the righteous for countless ages, “How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult?” It is obvious that, in this world, wickedness does frequently triumph. There are times when the Lard’s work, the Lord’s people seem to be overwhelmed by the power of people who oppose the work of the Lord. There are also times when people who are guilty of wrong escape their punishment and flourish again. Those who love the Lord look at what is, and visualize what could have been and cry out, “How long, O Lord?”

People who are completely filled with worldly ways discount the power and ability of God to deal with sin. Such attitudes are to be expected for two reasons. First, if a wicked person accepts the power and authority of God, then that person also knows that God will judge those actions. Acknowledgement of sin is the first important step to salvation. The person who is wicked, and intends to stay that way, will not accept that God exists or is able to do anything about individual actions. This is why Christianity is so often attacked over “other” world religious writings. In just about every other religious system, the believer has some control over what happens. He, or she, can “improve” themselves, can “grow” to new religious levels, can “achieve” the ultimate destination pretty much on their own. Yet, the Bible teaches that, apart from Jesus Christ, there can be no forgiveness for sins. Sin must be resolved. The worldly person will not accept that fact.

The second reason for rejection is the prince of this world, the Devil, blinds those who do not want to see the truth. The Devil is described as the “Prince of this world”. The sad fact about any person caught up in sin or evil is that person is a slave, a mere tool to further Satan’s ends. One who consciously, or unconsciously, serves Satan faces a bleak future in this life and the life to come. There is no sense of loyalty or reward for “faithful” service for the Satan. He will eventually betray, ruin, and destroy all those who serve him. To reject or ignore God will not change that fact nor the fearful destination which awaits those who will not follow the will of the Living God.
Beginning in verse 8, the Psalmist tries to show the power and ability of God to those who to mock Him. “Pay heed, you senseless among the people; and when will you understand, stupid ones?” For the faithful, it is inconceivable that people cannot understand what is happening in their lives. Criminals often operate at night to “hide” their crimes and “escape” punishment. But there IS no hiding from God. The Psalmist wrote, “He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see? He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke, even He who teaches man knowledge? The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are a mere breath.” Certainly, the God who gives knowledge to mankind has the knowledge to know who has and has not submitted to Him. To the Living God, the mockery and justification for sinning means nothing, because all power and authority still rests with Him.

In contrast, those who have turned and followed the Lord are assured of refuge, help, peace and strength to face and overcome the enemies of this world. One of the greatest points of reassurance is that nothing can effect the inheritance which is held in Heaven for every Christian. Wealth, power and strength in this world will eventually fail or fade away. But through Jesus Christ, the PROMISE of eternal life is never shaken.

In verses 13-15 the Psalmist wrote, “Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord, and whom You teach out of Your law; that You may grant him relief from the days of adversity, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance. For judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”

Christians do face problems and trials, and Christians do experience anxiety; but the outcome is far different because there IS the power and help of the Lord. Clearly, the Psalmist had shared in such things, because he wrote of his danger in verse 17, and of his deep anxiety in verse 19. Yet in all cases, he overcame through the power of God, and felt great joy.

So, the choice is clear. A person can submit to God, follow the path of righteousness in Jesus Christ and find protection, hope and a home whose beauty surpasses all description. Or, a person can reject the offer of the Lord, be judged in his, or her, sins and be destroyed with Satan.

Let all Christians pray with thankful hearts for the gift freely offered through the sacrifice and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All hope, love and peace rests with Him. Thank you Lord. (Jim Shelburn)

I recently received an E-mail in response to an article on homosexuality which is on our website. The note sent to me was titled, “The Gay Response.” Even though it seems like boiler-plate, I’ll reprint it here and make a few comments about it.

The Gay Response “For telling us there was something wrong with us, For misreading the living word of God as words of prejudice and fear, For treating
us like sinners, like victims, and like second-class citizens, For placing a burden of guilt where there should be only God’s love and joy, For telling
us we were not allowed to be happy, For all of these mistakes: We forgive you.”

The author of this “response” is seriously wrong in most of his assumptions. The word of God does not contain “words of prejudice and fear.” It does contain solemn warnings for those who violate it’s Sacred precepts—warnings to gays and straights alike.

I do not consider homosexuals to be “victims”—I believe they simply choose to lead a deviant life style. On the other hand, they are sinners—just like some homosexuals and sodomites in Corinth before Paul preached to them. Paul said, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). We are grateful to report that these sinners turned from their sins, for Paul said, “such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11).

God’s love can remove the guilt of sin—but only when we repent of our sin. His joy comes to those who have their sins forgiven (Psa. 51:1-12).

I have never tried to deny anyone their happiness. However, true happiness comes from a knowledge that your life is in harmony with the will of God. “Blessed (or happy) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psa. 1:1-2).

I do not desire the “forgiveness” of this man, for I do not seek to be “forgiven” for telling the truth. Forgiveness of sins can only come from God, based upon genuine repentance and obedience to His will. The man who wrote has no desire do cease the practice of sin.
by David Padfield

Irresponsible, short-sighted, rash and selfish conduct is often
proof of immaturity. But we do not refer to years. People sixty
and above may be immature — acting like little children when
they do not get their way, or are forced to face the realities of
this life. They are incapable of objectivity, their pride is easily hurt, and they throw a tantrum. That is bad enough in secular life, but it can be tragic in the church.

Bible knowledge maturity is found in those who dwell on
something more than first principles (Heb. 5:12-f). They have
learned that justice, mercy, and faith are the grounds upon
which their concern for tithes of mint, anice and cummin can
have validity. Ignore the first, and one becomes a hypocritical
nit-picker with all else (Matt. 23:23-24). He may strain at a
gnat, and swallow a camel.

People-dealing maturity comes only after we learn that we are
all sinners, and are completely humbled before God. The
“babe” seeks an “issue” so he can “give ’em Hell” and perhaps
make a “name” for himself. But maturity seeks for souls,
hoping to “give ’em Heaven,” and save them from Hell. The
babe sees himself as a General in the Lord’s army; the mature
saint is an expendable servant of the Lord.

Doctrinal maturity is not compromise with error. It is simply
wisdom enough to know we do not know it all. The babe
paddles wildly about on the surface of the water, loudly
proclaiming his domination of the seas; but maturity is aware
of the unexplored depths below. The fool has an answer, the
wise, a reason.

Paul told Timothy to “flee youthful lusts” and “foolish and
unlearned questions avoid” (2 Tim. 2:22-f). There is no
“instant maturity” for any of us. We must start with
instructions to youth, and “by reason of use” we may “grow
up” in Christ. All of us are in the process in many facets of
the Christian life, not having attained (Phil. 3:12-f). We can
be patient and tolerant of blustering spiritual babes without
appointing them as elders, preachers, and editors. In time,
with enough milk and nurture, we may all learn to act like
men. Robert F. Turner

The question is not really about location, but foundation. So many today are fresh out of hope. They wonder about this earth confused, unsure, and unstable. The world around them is crushing them. The major issues are catastrophic—the minor ones are debilitating: the news is traumatic and even the weather sends them comatose. When everything hinges upon this world and the consistency thereof, you are tethered to a ship in stormy waters. They have hope in tomorrow because they had today. They have hope in their job and retirement because they worked yesterday. But when that future is in question because of the turbulence of our time, what then? 

As the people of God our hope is built on so much more! It is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. Sound familiar? That’s because we sing it! My hope is built, or firmly rooted on a solid foundation. It is our hope in Christ that gives us an anchor for the soul, that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll (see Heb. 6:19).

Our hope can be built up or it can be laid waste. The wise man who built his house upon the rock endured the harshness of life and his house stayed sure. The fool who built his house upon the sand lost it all. What’s the difference? The rock is a solid foundation upon which a life can truly be built. The only reliable foundation is the identity of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Our hope should be built on nothing less!

Last year we turned on the news and witnessed some of the devastation happening in Ukraine. I couldn’t tell you what brought it all about since I don’t keep up with the news or current affairs. Regardless of the reason, it was (and I guess still is!) an incredibly sad turn of events. There has always been turmoil on the world stage and as long as the world continues, there will be. We have brethren in that country, living through an unimaginable nightmare. They are not the only ones. Try being a Christian in Moscow, or China… Try meeting with other Christians in the dark of night, closed off from the world, meeting in hushed voices and having to sing songs quietly. Imagine living in an area of the world where you are threatened day in and day out. Where is their hope? Exactly where it should be: the Kingship of Jesus Christ. If our hope is in this life only, we are woefully ill-equipped to handle the hardships that come. 

Where is your hope? 

By W. R. Jones

We are all acquainted with an old adage which says, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” It is possible for one to misuse his mind and it is possible for one to allow his mind to become disused. God condemns both. We frown exceedingly upon the person who misuses his mind by allowing it to be filled with lust, avarice, and hate, but we have failed to understand that disuse or idleness of the mind concerning the things of the Lord will bring “spiritual decay.” I am told the following story which very graphically shows “disuse will result in decay.”

Victorious Roman Legions, left behind to rule a defeated Spain, built an aqueduct in Segovia in AD 109. And for 1800 years—sixty generations—that aqueduct carried sparkling water to hot and dusty Segovians. About the turn of the twentieth century, thoughtful Spaniards decided the aqueduct should be preserved for posterity, and so should be relieved of its age-old labor. They laid modern pipelines and stopped the flow that for years had gushed and gurgled in the aqueduct. Shortly after, the aqueduct began to fall apart. The blazing sun dried the mortar and made it crumble. Its stones sagged and fell and soon it lay in ruins. What ages of service could not destroy, idleness rapidly disintegrated.

There are many people today who use their minds to dwell upon the very “rot” of the earth. Concerning such people, God expressed the following attitude in the long ago. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart,” Gen 6:5,6. It grieves God to see His creation engaged in the distortion of their minds.

I believe it can be said with equal force that God is also grieved to see our minds lying idle in spiritual disuse. For this very reason Paul admonished. “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all,” 1 Tim 4:15. And again, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things,” Phil 4:8.

May God help us all to study and meditate upon his Holy Word. And by all means remember: “disuse will result in decay.”

If worship service attendance be a fair indicator, there are many who feel that nothing needs preaching. Some who do attend lament about nothing being preached — and preached, and preached. Others seem to like it like that. But regardless of personal preferences, public preaching has an important and God-given place deserving of our respect. The content of such preaching is equally important. For Paul that meant preaching the whole counsel of God and not shunning to declare anything that was profitable (Acts 2O:2O–27). Not all medicine that does good tastes good and not all preaching that profits is pleasant. Reproof and rebuke are essential in preaching the word (2 Tim. 4:2), but that which is aimed at other people in other places is not likely to have much effect locally. As a preacher friend says, put the salve where the sore is!. To put it another way, pertinent preaching must include dealing with prevailing problems among~. And that is not always an easy task — as most preachers will amen.

No preacher would have found it easy or pleasant to preach what Stephen preached in his last sermon — but it was needful. When Paul saw that Peter and others walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, he dealt with them promptly and to the face (Gal. 2:11ff). Whether the problem was false teaching or immorality, Paul told brethren what they needed to hear and when they needed to hear it, even when it made them sorry (2 Cor. 7:8). Were Paul and Stephen wrong? If not, then why would similar efforts by faithful evangelists be less appreciated now? Regrettably, however, it seems that a few preachers are reluctant to speak out on what they think might be volatile issues among their brethren. Worse, some of the brethren love to have it so (as Jer. 5:30). Such, like those in Stephens audience, have uncircumcised hearts and ears especially with reference to certain subjects. We read of Paul facing such a group in Acts 22. They were willing to listen — until he mentioned a subject they didn’t like. Most among us have long lamented the refusals of others to hear the whole counsel of God on such subjects as baptism. Yet, some claiming to be Christians manifest a similar disposition, only toward other divine counsel. Until we are prepared to receive it (all of it), we are not really prepared to recommend it. Bad enough that some would time-out certain preaching or that some would go elsewhere to avoid hearing it, but what have we come to when gospel preachers are discouraged or outright forbidden to speak about the sins in their midst? Can this be far from what Paul wrote about those who would not endure the sound doctrine? (2 Tim. 4:3) Brethren, when the time comes that we would try to muzzle the faithful gospel preacher in order to appease the sinner, were in trouble.

What needs preaching? For starters tell me what men don’t want to hear. That’s the second thing they need to hear. The first thing they need to hear and learn is what it means to love the Truth and its Author. Suppressing truth is like pulling the plug on our spiritual-life support system — we just can’t live without it! (Dan S. Shipley)

Today many sincere religious people talk about “witnessing for The Lord.” You might hear this expressed in different ways. “I was won to Jesus by witnessing.” Or “I must take the time to witness to others.” Or “I’m the only witness at my job.” Though the motives of such people are often pure, they misunderstand how the Bible uses the terms “witness or testify.” This might seem harmless. Yet, there are serious spiritual consequences when we misuse the idea of witnessing for Christ.

The Bible uses “witnessing” in a special way. Jesus once met a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He asked her for some water and a conversation ensued. During their discussion, our Lord revealed to her secret things about her life. He convicted her of sin but she could tell he genuinely cared for her. She became thrilled with Jesus’ words, ran into the city, and persuaded many to hear Him. “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’”  (Jn.4:39)  On another occasion those who watched Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead “bore witness” to it.  (Jn.12:17-18) Witnessing was not describing how they felt but what they had seen and heard. John testified that he and the other apostles had seen, heard, and handled The Lord.  (1 Jn.1:1-2)

God empowered certain people to witness by their words or through miracles they performed. John the Baptist was filled with The Spirit from birth.  (Lk.1:13-17) After our Lord’s baptism, John saw The Spirit descending as a dove upon Him. This act identified Jesus as divine. “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”  
(Jn.1:32-34)  God, The Father, proclaimed Jesus’ deity through “miracles, wonders, and signs.”  (Acts 2:22) Jesus even cast out demons by the Holy Spirit.  (Matt.12:28)  Special revelation can make one a witness of Jesus Christ.

What are the dangers of misusing “witnessing?” First, it can convince people that they can be saved in ways other than God’s way. Many today teach we must simply ask Jesus to “come into our hearts and make us Christians.” They then want to “witness” to others about their salvation “experience.” Peter preached that repentance and baptism will take away sins.  (Acts 2:38) Salvation is not primarily about “feeling” but obedience. Next, it makes God look like the author of confusion. He is not!  (I Cor.14:33) Many religious people testify to false ideas. Faith only and present day possession of spiritual gifts are not supported by God’s Word. God isn’t the one confused; we are. Finally, the “witnessing” concept diverts us from the message to the experience. It is true that the Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing but that was after he had been taught and had obeyed the gospel.  (Acts 8:30-39) Remember, only witnesses can witness. (Gary Henry)

We know that the Lord’s church was crafted in the mind of God before the world began (Eph. 3:10-11). We know that it was built by the Son of God Himself through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). We know that the Lord equipped the church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to bring it to the “unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). We know that the New Testament is a perfect pattern, allowing the church to be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). With everything the Bible teaches about the church, we ought to expect to find perfect churches in the world today, but we do not. Why not?

Before we get too discouraged with the lack of perfection we find in local churches today, I remind you that perfect churches were not easy to find in the First Century. The closest thing to a perfect church that can be found in the Bible is the church in Jerusalem in the early part of the book of Acts. They “were of one heart and one soul” (4:32), and “continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (2:42). However, that perfection was soon shattered with the apostasy of Ananias and Sapphira recorded in chapter five. Things get worse as one progresses through the remainder of the New Testament. The Epistles showcase local churches that were beset with problems. The church at Corinth was a case study in church problems (division, lack of discipline, perverted worship, error concerning the resurrection, etc.). The churches of Galatia were foolishly abandoning the pure gospel of Christ. The Thessalonians were held up as examples to all believers of their day (1 Thess. 1:7), yet they had a problem with members who would not work (2 Thess. 3:10-12). Timothy had to guard against those who taught another doctrine in the church at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), while Titus had to set the church in Crete in order (1:5). Five of the seven churches addressed in Revelation 2-3 had sins of which they needed to repent. One would be hard pressed to find a perfect local church in the New Testament. What makes us think we can find one today?

Does a perfect church exist today? I have not found one. I have found that some churches are stronger than others, but every church has problems. The fault for this does not lie with Christ or the pattern set forth in the New Testament. Local churches are made up of people: people who come from different backgrounds, with different attitudes, experiences, values, reactions, habits, levels of understanding, etc. Given this fact, personality conflicts, peculiarities, protests, pouting, pity-parties and the party-spirit will always persist to one degree or another in every local church. Such is unavoidable. The church is made up of people. I have yet to find a perfect church because I have yet to find a group of perfect Christians (to say nothing of a single perfect Christian).

What should we do if we discover we are members of an imperfect church? Should we leave? That all depends upon what imperfections we have found and the efforts we have put forth to correct them. Yes, there may very well come a time when one must leave an unfaithful church. Interestingly, we do not find this action taking place in the New Testament. We do find Christians moving from one church to another, but not in a search for perfection. Aquila and Priscilla are found in different churches throughout the New Testament, but this was because they were actually moving to different places, sometimes against their will. Men like Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Timothy moved around, but they were not church-hoppers. They were traveling to different cities, doing the Lord’s work. If anyone would have been justified in leaving a church, it would have been the faithful brethren in troubled churches like Thyatira and Sardis. Yet, surprisingly, they were not told to leave. They were told to “hold fast” and to “overcome” (Rev. 2:24-25, 3:4-5). Their faithfulness was a much needed positive influence at those churches.

What should we do about the imperfections in the local church? We should never become tolerant of them. Jesus gave Himself to sanctify and cleanse His church, that she should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:25-27). It is our duty to keep her that way. Perfection is our goal, and we must constantly be striving toward it. What should we do? We can start by being the best member that we can be. Imperfections are brought into the church by the members. We need to make sure that we are not a part of the problem. Next, be an example for good. Imperfections on the part of other members do not keep us from being the best Christians that we can be. Allow your life (including your good attitude) to be a good influence upon the church. Next, there may be times when you need to personally address a problem. Perhaps you need to talk to a member about the sin in their life (Gal. 6:1; Jude 22-23). Perhaps you need to make the elders aware of a situation that needs their attention. They may be the shepherds of the flock, but that does not mean they know everything that is going on. Get involved. Finally, be patient. Old habits die hard. Few lasting changes occur over night. God gives Christians time to grow, and we need to do the same.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14).

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thess. 3:13).