Many years ago I was invited to conduct a weekly "spiritual hour" at one of the drug/alcohol rehab facilities in our town. Realizing that the term "spiritual hour" could take on many different definitions and be very ambiguous, I wanted to clarify with the director of the facility what he could expect from me. We both agreed that "spiritual hour" at his facility would simply be "Jesus Christ and the Bible." It would not include a specific church, denomination or religion. I can thank the inmates in the Big Spring Federal Prison who attended my Bible class for making me aware of...
Blogs by Leland Maples
By Leland Maples
March 15th, 2015
This decade has witnessed an increased hatred in our world toward Jesus Christ. During most of our lifetime, opposition and animosity toward Jesus Christ has been low-key and among the minority. Today, more and more are becoming openly vocal toward the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus told His disciples, when questioned about the end time, that they would be hated by all men for His name's sake (Matthew 24:9.)
This is a paradox; why would men hate the One Who healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, made the lame to walk and restored life to the dead...
By Leland Maples
February 15th, 2015
The gospel given to Paul by Jesus Christ was of the utmost importance to Paul. He took it very seriously; he did not allow it to be changed or, as he said, be "perverted."
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you that that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any...
By Leland Maples
January 15th, 2015
The Barna Research Company just released the results of an ongoing study regarding American attendance to the Christian church. Please remember that their definition of the "Christian church" includes many non Christians by Bible standards. Barna's Christian church includes Catholics, Protestants and other religions.
Barna's research revealed that 156 million U.S. residents are not engaged with a Christian church. To put that number into context, that is roughly one half of the U.S. population. In the last decade the number of adults who are unchurched has increased by more...
By Leland Maples
December 15th, 2014
Christmas is here again.! I love this time of year and…yes…I am familiar with all of the problems, both real and imagined. There is the commercialism, the falsehoods presented for facts and the multitudes who pay no attention to Christ's birth.
No, I do not believe that the tree in Jeremiah 10:1-5 is the Christmas tree. I have never seen a tree with real "silver and gold," only silver and gold tinsel, and if you think they are the same, I would like to trade some silver and gold tinsel for your gold and silver.
No, I do not believe that S-a-n-t-a is an acronym for Satan...
By Leland Maples
October 15th, 2014
We are often asked our opinion regarding "contemporary worship services." I pray that I will answer this according to God's word and will. I want to be careful because I feel there are many "babes" (1 Corinthians 3:1) that are sincere, but deceived about this matter. One can be a "babe in Christ" without being a new Christian. I spent many years with little or no growth in my Christianity, so the length of time one has been saved has nothing to do with their maturity in Christ. I want to be kind, but more so, I want to honest and scriptural. Love is never Godly love if it is...
By Leland Maples
September 15th, 2014
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:17
Separation from the world and worldly people has always been the sign of a saint of God. In the Old Testament, God required His people, Israel, to be set apart from the other people on earth. Some of His harshest penalties happened because His people comingled with the nations of the world. Paul, author of over half the New Testament, was very emphatic about Christians being separate in all of his writings. Paul said we are to...
By Leland Maples
August 15th, 2014
Why do Christians fail? Why is it there are no perfect Christians? Why did some of God's most dedicated men falter, and sometimes horribly? After the flood experience, Noah got drunk; after being the friend of God, Abraham lied more than once; David committed adultery and murder after close communion with His Lord; Peter, after great experiences with Christ, denied Him, not once or twice, but three times! Paul was drawn back into the shackles of Judaism after rebuking Peter for the same offense.
We are all fully aware that many who claim to be God's children are not (Matthew 7...
By Leland Maples
June 15th, 2014
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves..." 2 Timothy 3:1-2
The prevailing sign of the "last days" will be a misplacement of love. The love of man will far exceed the love of God and His Son. The love of man will far exceed one's love for integrity truth, righteousness and holiness. In fact, statements in favor of the truth are now proclaimed as "hate speech" in many quarters.
We have often commented in this column about the problem of putting the second commandment (Mark 12:28-31) before the first...
By Leland Maples
May 15th, 2014
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Colossians 2:16-17
We have just finished the Book of Colossians in our weekly Bible study. The book was written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome after he announced to the chief of the Jews:
"Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." Acts 28:28
Just as the resurrection of Christ brought...