Suicide is a growing tragedy in America and across the globe. A few weeks ago, we posted an article from the Baptist Press on the increase of suicide, especially among seniors, Senior adults suffer greatest increase as U.S. suicides near 50,000 (by Diana Chandler).

Many in the church grew up singing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so” and “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.” BUT just because you can sing some songs and nod in agreement about the objective truthfulness of God’s Word doesn’t make it true any more than reading over and over again the declaration on our coins “in God we trust” means this is true of everyone in America.

Understanding and applying the original meaning of the Scriptures as the God-ordained writers intended is the goal of interpretation (referred to as the art and science of hermeneutics).

Membership identifies you as a genuine part of the "household of faith" (Ephesians 2:19, Romans 12:5). God notes that believers were "added to their number daily" for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42,47, 4:4, 5:15, 9:31, 11:21, 16:5).

Jesus said, "it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you…" (John 16:7). The ministry of the Holy Spirit is vitally and actively involved in every aspect of a believer’s life. There are 324 scriptural references about the Holy Spirit which help us understand His indispensable role and relationship in the world and in and through God’s people.

To be in conflict is to be in opposition to or to fight against another person. Disagreements are inevitable, but sinful conflicts can be avoided. As believers, we want to please the Lord when we disagree and avoid sinning against one another in our communication and actions. Our goal is to experience peace and unity in Christ.

It is an ordinance the Lord Jesus Christ commanded His church to practice by which He is remembered and celebrated with two symbolic elements: the bread and the cup.