Faith Inside & Out

Good Morning,

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

Acts 20:29 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

We usually read these passages assuming the sheep are the believers and the wolves are the evil, anti-God world around us, but as we read the Bible, we see that it was the religious crowd that delivered Jesus to be crucified.  A "familiar friend" betrayed our Lord.  The spiritual leaders of the Reformation assaulted countless Bible believers throughout the Dark Ages.   

Since the beginning of time, religion has been the tool of evil as much as the tool of God.  Just like politicians, some have good motives and decent plans while others have corrupt plans and destructive agendas.  

Most likely, the strongest preaching of our Lord and John the Baptist was directed toward the religious crowd of their day. 

Matthew 23:14 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”   

vs. 33 “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

One public statement that was printed and circulated told of the religious leaders’ desire to silence the simple preaching of the Baptist people by implementing fines.  

“… And if any one be found to allow his house or place to the Anabaptists, contrary to the church regulations of this city, for the purpose of preaching or holding meetings therein, he shall each time be fined ten dollars.

The preachers, as aforesaid, if found to be preaching, shall for each offense be fined ten dollars, or be imprisoned two weeks on water and bread; and when detected in thus preaching the third time, shall be expelled from the city or the jurisdiction of the same.

And all that shall be found attending such preachings or gatherings, shall each time be fined two dollars.

Whoever shall be found to have rebaptized any one, shall be fined twenty dollars; and when detected the second time, shall be imprisoned on water and bread, and expelled as aforesaid.

Again, unbaptized children shall not receive inheritance, according to the city statutes.”    

- Sept. 7, 1601   Martyrs Mirror, page 1103

Whatever good God does, Satan will seek to modify, slander, corrupt, and use it for evil.  This was true in the days of ancient Israel as well as today; religion can become a mockery.

Amos 5:21 “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."  God can get completely fed up with outward religious deeds, deeds in which no heart for God personally exists.   Other times, God sees total compromise in the lives of those who say their hearts are right with God – God wants one’s heart and life.  

1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

Vain religion, whether Bible-believing or Bible-denying, is not uncommon; our lives need to match our faith.  A heart of compassion and a life of devotion should both honor God.  The difficult moments will often reveal who we truly are.  For this reason, our Lord directed us to love our enemies, to be merciful, and not to revile when others revile us.  

1 Peter 2:23 "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not..."

May we seek to have a faith that is rooted in our hearts and exhibited in our lives.  

Pastor

Children & Tech

Good Morning,

During our Christian Education month, we spent much time teaching on the development of our young people.  For a moment, indulge me while I deal with a very unpopular issue – technology!  

I heard a news report about the tie between suicide and (of all things) "wi-fi and Bluetooth."  Those were the words the news report used!  Not a Christian station, a regular radio news team.  I went online to search for suicide and the internet, and the articles about the dangers associated with social media and the internet are endless.  YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE.  

Children are feeling defeated and in despair because of "cyberbullying."  Well, if the child had no social media presence and carried no cell phone, that would take care of much of that pressure.  I also found that the lack of social media "friends" or followers is also a source of depression; the feeling that others have a great life and the youth lives a boring life of home, school, and chores is depressing to him.  

When the infinite damage done via porn and 24/7 music is factored into the problem, children are vulnerable beyond words.  Most parents just keep paying the phone bill that slowly destroys their child.  

In most public schools, having the best phone is a pressure – this is a great reason to place our children in good private schools where phones are not allowed to be out or used.  When children get home, have them place their phones in a box; do not allow phones in the child's room.  We did this with our last child, right up to college.  No "screens" were allowed in his room: no phone, television, tablet, computer, or game system!

I have sent this out before, but Steve Jobs was interviewed and this is one response he gave about his children and tablets:  “They haven’t used it.  We limit how much technology our kids use at home.”

Interviewing other tech giants brought about this summary:  “They strictly limit their children’s screen time, often banning all gadgets on school nights, and allocating ascetic time limits on weekends."

Chris Anderson, the former editor of Wired and now chief executive of 3D Robotics, a drone maker, has instituted time limits and parental controls on every device in his home. “My kids accuse me and my wife of being fascists and overly concerned about tech, and they say that none of their friends have the same rules,” he said of his five children, ages 6 to 17.  “That’s because we have seen the dangers of technology firsthand.  I’ve seen it in myself, I don’t want to see that happen to my kids.”

These interviews are a few years old, but I assure you, their views have not changed; those who know the dangers, limit and control devices!

Alex Constantinople, the chief executive of the OutCast Agency, a tech-focused communications and marketing firm, said her youngest son, who is 5, is never allowed to use gadgets during the week, and her older children, ages 10 to 13, are allowed only 30 minutes a day on school nights.

 Evan Williams, a founder of Blogger, Twitter, and Medium, and his wife, Sara Williams, said that in lieu of iPads, their two young boys have hundreds of books (yes, physical ones) that they can pick up and read anytime.

Technology is a terrible babysitter for little ones, a deadly friend for children, and a threat and deceiver of teens.  Control technology or exile it to a parent-filled living room, and still control it every minute.

Pastor

Identifying Spiritual or Carnal

Good Morning,

David had been chased by Saul for a long time.  Hiding in caves, forests, and other countries, David sought to avoid a fight with the king.    When David finally heard that Saul had died, he was broken – not glad.  His reaction to the news was proof of his spiritual mindset.  


2 Samuel 1:11 “Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:” vs. 12 “And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword... (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)”

vs. 19 “The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!”


David memorialized Saul, wrote a song or poem to honor him, and taught the boys to use the bow in memory of Saul and Jonathan. Having had twice the chance to take Saul’s life, and avoiding it, his actions were clearly understood that David did not wish any ill upon his king.  


Spiritual men seek no harm to others, even those who hate them.  Rather than seek to take Saul’s life, David left Saul to the hand of God. This was not feigned remorse, but sincerity.  David truly grieved over Saul’s death, and he made Saul look good by talking about his good qualities.  


vs. 23 “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.”


David did not seek to ruin the reputation of Saul; he protected it. Why?  Because David was a man after God’s own heart, and his actions identified his true character.  


After gaining the throne, David heard of those who honored the fallen body of Saul:

2 Samuel 2:4 “And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.”

vs. 5 “And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.”


The admonitions are clear. Those who walk with God and love Him can be easily identified by their words and treatment of those who hate them.  Godly people care for others, even those who hate them.  Godly people can be identified by their concern for their enemies.


The sorry culture that seeks to destroy is far from godly.  Wise, spiritual people seek only good for others.  Carnal people will argue this point, but we need not read far in the Scriptures to see how these truths are taught.  Jesus said we are to love our enemies and pray for them that despitefully use us.  


Psalm 35:12 “They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.”

vs. 13 “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”

vs. 14 “I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.”


More than a few stories like this are written in the Scriptures; for godliness is revealed by the relationship to those who hate you.  On the cross, Christ pled, “Father forgive them.” Stephen prayed warmly for those who threw stones at him: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Joseph held no ill will toward those who sold him as a slave – think about that – they sold him into slavery!  Joseph said God sent me before you to save people. 


Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” 


As we live in a culture of character assassination and tactics designed for political and social destruction, let us remember that godly people are identified by their love for one another and their desire for the best reputation, even of their enemies.   

Pastor 

Grateful Spirit

Good Morning,

The spirit of the believer is to be filled with gratitude and praise.  

Ephesians  5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"

vs. 20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”


Giving thanks always for all things! The same Bible that says do not kill and do not get drunk, says we are to have a thankful spirit. Part of this gratitude comes from the sources we allow to influence us. Ephesians 5:19 talks about singing psalms and hymns. The right kind of music will certainly affect our spirit. This world will likewise affect our spirit. Critical or negative, co-workers, friends, or newscasters will affect our spirit. We understand that there are some people who are simply negative. Like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, this kind of people assume the worst in each situation. That outlook is hardly scriptural; God said, “Rejoice in the Lord alway…” 


Ephesians 5:4 “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” 

Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Isaiah 63:7 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us…"

Colossians 1:11 “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”

vs.12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”


These verses and dozens of other passages exhort us to praise, to give thanks, and to have a grateful heart. Our circumstances will be difficult at times, but our God is always good and always worthy of praise and thanksgiving.  


Some children naturally complain. Our duty as parents is to try to train them to praise, express gratitude, and overcome their natural tendency to have a negative outlook.

Perhaps you are married to someone who always looks on the downside; it would be wise not to try to change them. Remember, you chose to marry that person; it is best to love your spouse and trust that God will guide them to be what He wants them to be in spirit.   


For each of us individually, we should strive to be people of praise and thanksgiving.


Pastor 

Friends and Truth

Good Morning,

I believe the greatest influence in the life of young people is their friends.  Of course, there are many avenues for good or evil influences, but most come through the friends they have.  Many people can relate to a first cigarette or drink of booze that happened because of a friend.  In our culture, friends influence dress, social media, phones, and activities.

Forever, parents have warned their children against following friends into questionable activities, but not only young people need to be on guard against the improper leading of a friend.  All of us need to be careful to honor the Bible and truth, even if it comes between us and friends.

The book of Proverbs warns against co-signing for a friend.

Proverbs 6:1 “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,”

A friend can lead us into commitments that are not prudent.  Friend or no friend, there are some situations into which we should not follow.  

God warns that there are certain lines all Christians should draw, and in some cases, it means walking away from a relationship, no matter who it is.  

Proverbs 14:7 “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”

Notice what David says about relationships, even those within his own house:

Psalm 101:3 “...I hate the work of them that turn aside…"

vs. 4 “...A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.”

vs. 5 “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”

David makes it clear that in order to stay godly, sometimes believers need to separate from others, even those with whom they were once in a close relationship.  In Psalms 101, one of the items David warns against is a wrong attitude.  

No one likes separation from those they love, but it is necessary and very scriptural.   In the Gospels, we read twice where God records our Lord assuring us about divisions among those in our family.  

Matthew 10:35 “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.”

Luke 12:53 “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

The idea that I will not be a good friend if I do not break the law for my friend is unwise, although it happens often.  I have a dear friend who explained that he took the blame for something others did because he was a friend and would not turn them in.  He went to jail for several months.  That was his own decisions, but I do not believe a wise one. 

I do not care who the friend might be, I would not follow a friend to drugs or booze.  I am passionate about my family, but I would also refuse to approve of my children's choice (or support them) if they entered into a corrupt venture.  I may leave the choice to them and stay out of the matter.  I may say, "I do not agree, but you are an adult and have to face your own choices."  I told one of our girls that she had to choose who to marry, but I was not obligated to walk her down the aisle to give the bride away.  This idea of family loyalty over right and wrong is nonsense.  

The Bible urges us to love everyone, but we are not commanded to be friends with everyone.  In fact, the very opposite is true. We are commanded to avoid some people.  

Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”

2 Thessalonians 3:14 “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”

2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

My family and friends have my love and loyalty, but not at the expense of right.  Our Lord hung on the cross, and at one moment, Christ "became sin" for us.  At that moment, we read that the Father turned His back on the Son and Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me."  

Even God chose to turn His back on His Son as He became sin.  

Mark 15:34 “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  

As we love one another, may we never drift in our love for God and right.  If we are pressed to choose, may God always be our first choice.  

Pastor

His Aid

Good Morning,

While praying for our missionaries in Africa and the South Pacific, I was very conscious of the weaknesses of these dear friends and the fierceness of the enemy they face. Some of these missionaries I prayed for have been my friends since college or the early years in our ministry.  For over a third of a century, these faithful servants have served; and as I watch them age, I pray more for them and their families.  

Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Paul wrote of our spiritual wrestling — the battle against spiritual wickedness in high places.  These missionary friends face demonic activity, corrupt governments, and all the sinful powers of the flesh.  As I prayed for them, I was reminded that I am no more able to fight the spiritual enemy than they are; the outcome of the battle is all of the grace and the power of God.  

Some of these friends have serious physical ailments, some have broken hearts over loved ones living sinful lives, but all wrestle with the evil one. I am reminded that a sound body is no more able to fight spiritual darkness than a weak and sinful one.  In fact, in weakness, we often pray more and humble ourselves more easily.  

I need prayer just as my friends do. The Apostle Paul also requested prayer:

2 Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”

Were it not for the grace, mercy, and help of God, how easily we would stumble and fall or become discouraged and quit.  I must continue to remember that without Him, I can do nothing.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Even when I am overly busy, I am reminded that I need to stop and go aside to seek the presence and help of the Father if I hope to stand against the wiles of the devil.  

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Many a faithful child of God has walked away from his church or place of service simply due to despair, weakness, or frustration.  All of that could have been helped by spending time in prayer and by the prayer of others.  

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

vs. 19 “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,”

Missionary Mark Sigstad and I attended college together.  He has spent over three decades laboring in Nigeria. He wrestled through a bout with cancer and returned to West Africa.  The grace of God is the only element that has allowed him to successfully continue in the spiritual warfare as the years pass.  May we all be assured that being a mother or carrying the responsibility for the spiritual well-being of a family as a father does is impossible without the help of God.  

Let us often remind ourselves of the words in these songs:

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children; help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Pastor

Quitters or Heroes

Good Morning,

I closed my book, Surviving The Tsunami, with a poem and a verse well worth considering.  I send it today in my morning moments thinking it might be a help to someone.  

Pastor 

Dedication

Most books have a dedication at the beginning, but I chose to put the dedication at the end because it will make more sense to someone who read through these pages.  This book is dedicated to the God Who divinely allows trials that we might learn and become more like His Dear Son. Through troubled times, we grow stronger. Though broken-hearted and physically weary, and though Jacob limped the rest of his life, what a nation to which he gave birth! Job said it as well: 

Job 17:9 “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

vs. 10 “But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you."

The ultimate goal of satanic pressure is to get us to quit and to be of no value.  The goal of God in pressure is to make us more valuable, like gold.  The question is, "How will we respond?"  

In a time of trial, I penned these words to close the book. 


Quitters or Heroes  


I’ve seen some people quit on right.

I’ve seen them walk away.

I’ve seen them quit because of sin

Or because of troubled days.



I’ve seen some quit in weariness 

As they walked life’s narrow path,

And some in fear slipped off the way

Because of satanic wrath.



Old Demas left and Titus too,
All twelve, they walked away. 

And Paul, he stood alone in court;

But Christ was there that day. 



Daniel and his three good friends,
They’re famous in history,  

While many a Jewish boy gave in

And lived Babylonian ways. 



John Mark, he quit and ran for home

For Paul walked a troubled road. 

But John, he grew in grace and returned

So faithful to Paul and God.



’Twas no easy road this couple took

From Nazareth to Bethlehem

To Egypt and back to their home again

As God’s Son became a man. 


Jospeh could have quit on God

And lived in moral shame,
Or given up in the prison cell

Forgetting his good name.



King David as a ruddy lad

Stood when he could have run;

But quitters ne’er faced giant men

And brought them to their doom.



I’ve noticed something of heroes.
They cross the finish line.

They may limp or run alone in pain,

But are heroes in their time. 



I’ve never seen a quitter

Who won the final prize.

I’ve never seen the tear-filled eyes 

Thank quitters for their lives.



I’ve never seen a hero
Who took the easy way,

Who gave up when the trouble came;

They all showed up and stayed.



We remember Doss on Hacksaw Ridge,

The “Unbroken” prisoner too,

And Washington's bullet-ridden cloak

Just to name a few. 

A hero, he can limp along

Or use prosthetic limbs.

A hero, he can die afar 

On unknown foreign lands.



But no quitter ever drew applause

From those he helped in fear.

No accolades from lives he changed
Caress the quitter’s ear.



Abe Lincoln faced his slander
,
George Müller was falsely accused.

Roger Williams, he was banished 

Before freedom’s light was viewed.

Just what do quitters gain in flight?

What good has ever come

From fleeing in the face of threats
Or leaving the fight undone?



I may be weeping while I stand;

By His grace, standing I'll be found.

I may be wounded, slandered, or more;

But to finish my course I’m bound.



Benedict Arnold and Judas,

Some things they two share:

Both turned when things were threatening

The risk they would not bear.


"Don't go into this danger,”

Eyes beautiful and pleading said.

But those words were never hearkened to

By heroes alive or dead.



I’m sorry, my beautiful loved one,

From the fight I shall not run.

There's something different in my blood

For a cause I here have come.



Some may have fled to Canada, 

In cowardice left their call

But no Purple Heart or Medal of Honor 

Will ever grace their brow.



I'll live a common, regular life
Nothing special I feel I am.

But a quitter I'll ne’er be labeled,

And faithful I shall stand.

Truth & The Bible

Good Morning,

While out of town recently, I preached on Proverbs 23:23 "Buy the truth and sell it not…"  The next speaker read his opening text, Psalm 85:11 “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.”

God was certainly seeking to make an issue of truth by leading both of us to speak on the same subject one right after another.  The Bible mentions truth 237 times.  Truth is so important to God that our Lord defines Himself as "truth" in John 14:6.

We live around so much opinion; opinion is prevalent in the medical world and certainly in politics, economy, and social matters. Life is built upon realities and stable facts not on opinions and preferences.  Look at your car tire and see what air pressure it requires.  The tire does not say, "Inflate to whatever makes you feel good."  If you are off very much, you will quickly wear out your tires and potentially have more serious trouble.  Perhaps the worst place for truth to be missing is in religion; for most assume that religion is what gets one prepared for the "afterlife."  In reality, most religious people I have met have no idea about truth.  Even in eternal matters, religious people tend to lean on opinion and feelings rather than truth.

Opinion is fine when we talk about what car or ice cream one chooses, but when it comes to what happens to us after we die, we better have some truth.

If you are reading this and wonder about your eternal destiny, please contact our office, anyone there will be happy to talk to you about salvation and assurances that come from the Word of God.  

Allow me to make a few quick observations about truth and eternity:

1. The Bible says Jesus is the way to Heaven, not any other.

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

2. The Bible makes it very clear that being good or doing good works has nothing to do with getting us to Heaven after we die.

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

vs. 9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…"

3. It is faith that saves a sinner.

Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith…"

4. Your faith will save you. Tell the Lord you believe He died and rose to pay for your sins,  and that you are trusting Him alone to save you.  Your heart belief is the only issue with which to concern yourself. 

Our Bible holds much guidance on marriage, child rearing, government, and business. Every Bible instruction is TRUE.   When referring to salvation, the lines of truth and error are specific and clear.  Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father but by me” (Him).

Truth is the issue. Will we trust our feelings or opinions, or the opinions of our church, or will we look straight at the truth of the Bible and believe It?  

It should not surprise us that our society lifts opinions and feelings above the truth of God's Word. The One Who will judge mankind already wrote down what is right and wrong regarding gender, drugs and liquor, and every other subject.  

With all that said, is it any wonder the devil works so hard at keeping us from reading our Bibles?

I would like to urge you to read the Bible daily, talk about It with your family, and make the Word of God your source of truth.

Pastor

Overreaction Part 2

Good Morning,

If you have not read the first part of the lesson on overreacting, please do so, for it will set the stage for these thoughts better.  

2 Samuel 9:3 “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.”

David, in times of peace and victory, sought out any child left of Saul.  He found Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.  Bringing Mephibosheth back to Jerusalem, David treated him as a son and gave him all the lands of Saul.  

vs. 9 “Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.”

Later, after David's own son betrayed him, sought to take away the kingdom, and planned to kill David (his own father), David did not act so prudently.

2 Sam 15:14 “And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.”

Zeba had apparently left Mephibosheth at home, crippled and unable to travel.  While Zeba brought supplies to David (he was banished), he slandered Mephibosheth and said he desired to rule in his grandfather's stead. David gave Zeba all the wealth of Saul, and condemned Mephibosheth to poverty or even death.  

2 Samuel 16:3 “And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.”

vs. 4 “Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.”

Later it appeared that Mephibosheth had been in mourning and was elated at the return of David to the throne.

2 Samuel 19:24 “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.”

After hearing this news, David divided the wealth of Saul between Zeba and Mephibosheth.

vs. 29 “And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.”

vs. 30 “And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.”

One man slandered another, wealth was divided, the leader made choices... it was all too much and too soon.  The king nearly lost the kingdom and his life, and he did lose his son.  Broken-hearted people are not going to make the best decisions.  Be merciful!  

Allow me to refer to the prior lesson on 2 Samuel 10:3

• 40,000 people died due to wrong advice, after the new king lost his father to death.

Consider how many people have left a church and quit serving God because they listened to the wrong people.  Consider the number of people who walked out on a marriage because they listened to a co-worker or neighbor rather than getting godly advice from a spiritual leader. Wrong advice, gossip, slander, or the misrepresentation of true events have all caused countless spiritual fatalities.

Which decision was right in David's situation with Zeba and Mephibosheth may be in question, but here are a few thoughts.  

• Do not make serious decisions when you are hurting.

• Use understanding and be patient with those who do make decisions in troubled times.  

• A friend who makes a bad decision in a time of tragedy deserves to still be your friend.  

• A friend who had made countless wise and faithful decisions in the past, may in tragic moments make a bad choice – but that does not erase all the good they had done before.   Keep believing in them, keep loving them.

• If you are wounded by the hurting friend, do your best not to retaliate. In so doing, you would give the devil a double victory; one of you needs to stay sound in response.  

You can probably come up with more lessons and guidelines for response to trials and suffering, but most importantly, remember that the best of God's people are flesh, and when great sorrow takes place, none of us are exempt from irrational decisions.  

Pastor

Foolish Overreaction

Good Morning,

When driving, it is important that one act deliberately.  Often, overreaction does more damage to one than the obstruction in the road, or the losing of traction on loose gravel or even ice.  I grew up where there were many deer, and it was not unusual at all to have a deer run into the road right in front of your car.  Some drivers have gone over a cliff, some ran into a tree, others hit the deer, and in each case a split decision had to be made. One thing is sure – overreacting is bad. 

David heard of the death of a neighboring king.  In sincerity and compassion, he did what he felt was an act of kindness.  How do you comfort one in the loss of their father and king?  What David did is not clear in Scripture, but he did send a group of men with a gift or words of encouragement.  

2 Samuel 10:2 “Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.”

David acted sincerely and honorably, no matter what Hanun thought.  The trouble was the wrong counselors.  Do not doubt that Satan has many team members who sound good, and act good but are set to ruin good people with bad advice.  It is likely that Hanun would not have reacted the same had it been his own decision.  We are all influenced by those around us.  

2 Samuel 10:3 “And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”

vs. 4 “Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.”

A war followed, many people died, and international hurt and tension rose all because someone overreacted.  

Consider other Bible stories with overreaction.

Was David after the throne?  No, Saul overreacted. (1 Samuel 18:8)

Was the nation going to abandon Jeroboam and return to Rehoboam and Jerusalem?  No, Jeroboam overreacted.  (1 King 12:26-28)

In these and many other situations, we read of great hurt caused by an overreaction to situations yet to be understood and clearly defined.  

It would be good if this were only a biblical issue, but I heard of a husband who felt television was a problem in his home.  He came home and found the television on again and put his foot through it.  He found himself near divorce. Some people will overreact when wrong is found on a computer, or when a child appears to have done wrong.  I have seen pastors and staff resign, married people walk out on each other, fist fights begun, and many other sad situations occur that could have all turned out far better had people been slow to react.  

This situation can include moms and dads, kids and friends, or teachers and parents in a school; all have the potential of overreacting.  

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Do not act immediately. If dramatic action is needed, tomorrow will usually be soon enough.

2. Try to not think the worst.  If the situation is serious, you can be angry on purpose later.  In our courts a person is supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty; perhaps we could do that for each other.  

3. Give the benefit of the doubt.  At least try to consider that the action was intended to be right, even if it turned out to be wrong.

4. When you overreact, humble yourself and go back apologizing; try to make the situation right before irreparable damage is done.

James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

Pastor

Loyalty

Good Morning,

Romans 13:7 “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

Some people truly deserve to be treated with honor; it is DUE THEM.

Your family, your church, the college that trained you: these are people and institutions that have been important in our lives, and we owe them some honor and loyalty.  I strive to never come between anyone and their parents, their college, their own church, or their spouse (even if I have not always received the same treatment from other leaders).

A sickening smallness encompasses the man who is so insecure that he has to destroy others in hopes of finding his own loyal followers. One of the great things I noticed while attending Bible college was that Dr. Hyles had no problem with people talking about where they had attended school. Some teachers had attended Tennesee Temple, Bob Jones University, Princeton, or other places. They were also welcome to talk about great people from other churches and colleges that had influenced them.  

Another amazing characteristic about the ministry of Brother Hyles was his ability to knit hearts of college students with their home pastors.  After a few years under his ministry, I was far closer to my home pastor than I was when I began college.  

On the other hand, I have been around people in college ministries who asked their staff not to talk about where teachers attended college, and not to bring up people who influenced them. That insecurity is pitiful.

I have always been somewhat amazed by someone who was led to Christ in a church, was taught Sunday school throughout their life in that same church,  attended a Christian school at that church, surrendered to the ministry at a conferences at their church, and some even traveled to foreign countries at the expense of that churches members, only to have them step back and pretend their home church was not in existence.


Someone very small with big insecurity issues probably got a hold of this person and convinced them that their roots were not worth hanging onto. I can tell you that from the first pastor that influenced me, Al Porticalian, to the first place I attended Bible college with Pastor Blue , and then graduating some years later from Hyles-Anderson College, I am proud of my heritage! I am unashamed of those who loved me and helped me, and I am very happy to give honor to whom honor is due. I cannot forget the secular coaches and teachers who taught me, or even neighbors who helped develop me into the person I am today. 

In the Scripture, we are asked to honor many others. Peter mentions three of them: “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)

We are to treat all men honorably; they matter and are loved by God, and they are a part of the world and society in which we live.  Be honorable toward all.  Peter continues to say that we are to give special honor to our Christian brethren. Lastly, he urges us to honor the political leaders. 

Paul writes that we are to honor our parents:

Ephesians 6:2 “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)”

Moses wrote that we are to honor the elderly people in our world. 

Leviticus 19:32 “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” 

We are to honor the pastors who labor in the Word of God to help us stay right in our beliefs.  

1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” 

Loyalty is fast disappearing from our culture.  The lack of loyalty is certainly eroding the foundation of a good nation and decent humanity.   My natural father was not a Christian, but he was a good influence in many ways. I often use illustrations about him in writing or sermons because of the debt I owe him. Every American owes a debt of loyalty to those who founded our nation.  Our founders could have sat in luxury in a socialistic nation or lived comfortably under a monarch, but they spent their lives and fortunes to try to give the world a free land.  We owe them! I refuse to listen to losers who never built a hot dog stand criticize the great people who built our nation.  Our leaders today, from both parties, get rich, compromise, and sell out for their own good.   I will not sit idly by while self-sacrificing people died for us to have a chance at freedom. 

May we cut off the slanderous talk and embrace the good of those whom God has placed in our lives. “Give honor to whom honor is due.” This principle certainly applies to the military who offered their lives freely on the altar of American freedom. May we honor the living as well as the memory of the dead. 

Pastor

Doing Right Is A Defense

Good Morning,

God never intended us to face many of our most difficult circumstances.  Consider the trouble Israel faced in the wilderness.  

Numbers 14:4 “And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

The twelve spies had visited the land for forty days, returning with huge grapes, and stories of giants and walled cities.  Discouraged, the people were ready to be slaves rather than face the unknown.  

Here is where their troubles multiplied:  

Numbers14:43-45 – Amalekites drive Israel away because the people went to battle without the Lord. 

Numbers 16:1-8 – Korah and his rebel friends stood against Moses and Aaron, and 14,700 people died (vs. 49). 

Numbers 20:2 finds Israel without water and without Miriam; she had just died.  Moses was instructed by God to speak to the rock, but in anger, after the death of his sister and hearing the complaining, he strikes the rock twice.  His action sealed his fate, and he was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. 

vs.11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”

Numbers 21:1 “Some of Israel was taken prisoner by a Canaanite king.”

vs. 4 – They traveled a very difficult and discouraging road.

"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."

vs. 6 – Next, fiery serpents visited them.

vs. 22 – Israel is pursued by Balak, who hired an evil prophet, Balaam, to curse the entire nation. 

The story goes on and on,  but the point is this: They should have been in the land of Canaan securing their inheritance.  They should not have been in the wilderness.  They should have honored God, obeyed God, and been living in their new home.  

Being disobedient brings us in contact with people and situations God never intended us to face.  In those times, God is still with us and there are always victories to win (as you see in the book of Numbers). The hurt and difficulty the children of Israel faced was something they brought on themselves.  

A man in jail was saved – praise the Lord!  But the reason he was in jail was because he had been with guys late at night, and the friends committed a crime.  Being the driver made him a party to the wrong doing and his future instantly became grim (to say the least).  

A man called me to ask some questions.  He came to our church in his youth but had been gone and living across the country for many years. He had gotten himself into much trouble; he was in prison, and was released to find his wife involved in a job that was far from decent and broke this young man's heart.  Yes, she should have worked elsewhere, yes, she was doing wrong, but had he been home being dad and husband it all might have been avoided.  

A successful man in his business life found out that his wife was involved with another man.  She was wrong, of course, but her husband had been so busy fulfilling his dreams at work that he had failed to be a husband and friend to his wife.  The devil had someone else there to meet the need.  That story could be told many times by both husband and wife. I make no excuse for the wrong, but I do say the temptation should never have been faced.  

Doing what we know to be right keeps us from countless trials and temptations. 

Pastor

American Exceptionalism

Good Morning,

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”

I have heard people criticize the idea that we want and expect abundance. We have become very comfortable. We enjoy the nicest and most prosperous nation on the planet.

Yes, there are still sinners in our country. Yes, there is still evil in our country – you do not want the evil that is in other countries. We are so blessed!

The problem in America is that her people have forgotten why they are so blessed.

The liberals criticize the fact that we want and expect exceptional abundance. They think we should live like the rest of the world – but that is ridiculous.   Should Bill Gates have to eat at the soup kitchen simply because others do?  Should he not enjoy the abundance that his talent and business savvy bring?  

We are not like the rest of the world. Our foundation was different than every other country. America has been uniquely blessed because of God and the Bible. No nation on the planet was ever founded on the Bible and the God of the Bible (with the exception of Israel). Our early judicial laws were biblically-based.  Our first serious dictionary was filled with Bible definitions of words.  

What we should be focusing on is not getting used to the meager provisions of a godless nation (which will be our destiny if we forget God). Instead, we should focus on getting back to Sunday school, church, and Bible reading in our homes, that we might ensure the prosperity that God gives those who lift Him up.

We have more oil than any nation on the planet – that is a gift of God.

Our agriculture produces more of everything regarding food than any nation on the planet – that is also a gift of God.

These gifts are not ours because we are a superior type of people, in fact, we are a mixture of people from all over the world. Keeping God involved in our country can ensure those blessings for the future.  Our primary need is to keep the people of God following the God of the Bible.  

Our educational system was the greatest in the world until liberalism crept into our schools. That great educational system was a gift from God because we kept God involved in our education. Read the McGuffey readers and see how much God was a part of our schools early in our history.

Our medical care was the most superior on the planet until the last decade when we let liberalism, communism, and godless ideas creep into our medical philosophies. The blessings of God on our medical world were the gift of God.

Do not forget from Whom our blessing come.

Blessed is the nation… whose God is the Lord.

Pastor 

Placing Everything In God’s Hands

Good Morning,

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” 

Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." 

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled…”

Quotes like the above are nice but difficult to truly live when your spouse is in surgery or your child has been diagnosed with cancer.

When a child has a handicap, a job loss changes everything, or when the economy turns upside down and your equity is gone, the idea of placing everything In His hands is entirely different.  

A young couple goes to the mission field excited, but then loneliness eventually creeps into their lives.  Jolene Sloan writes about such circumstances in her story "Bloom Where You Are Planted."  When there are no jobs and bills lay unpaid, “rest in the Lord” takes on a whole new perspective.  

We need a close walk with God and a great deal of Bible in our hearts. When the valleys widen before us, we need to have spent much time alone with God in prayer. 

Here are a few thoughts that might help you in those hours:

• Do not do stupid things.

• Do not run away.

• Do not make plans without counsel.

• Do not get bitter at God or man. 

Joseph went through some long and difficult days, but when the story ended, he had nothing for which to be ashamed. On the other hand, Joseph’s brothers lived for thirteen years with guilt and fear.  The future was bright for Joseph yet awkward (at best) for his brothers.

Pastor

Betrayed

Good Morning,


One of the hardest aspects of a broken home is betrayal.  Rejection is hard, but to be betrayed by one you love is unbelievable.


Judas betrayed Jesus.  

Satan betrayed God.

Absalom betrayed David.

In each case, God was on the throne and very capable of stopping or rearranging circumstances – but He did not.  God has plans that are bigger than ours. God sees down the road where we cannot see. God is coordinating the circumstances to conform us to the image of Christ. If I am to learn to turn the other cheek, then I must have the first cheek slapped. If I am to forgive as Jesus did, it is necessary that I be wounded. If I am to forgive and love those who betrayed me, then betrayal will need to be a necessary part of my life – not a desirable or pleasant part but a necessary part.


In the book of Matthew, the word betrayed is mentioned; in every case, it refers to Judas.  


Luke 21:16 “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.”


During the tribulation, much betrayal will take place. 

Matthew 24:10 “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”


Mark 13:12 “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.”


Do not allow yourself to fall into a pity party when you are betrayed; it happened in Scripture, and it happened to the best of God's people.  


As in most situations, the key is not complaining or blaming, the key is planning how to respond to that trail.   Most Christians love to quote Romans 8:28 and the idea that all things work together for good, but we sure have a problem believing it. We have a problem believing that God is in a trial, or that God has a hand in the events we face.


I hate to say it, but that funny old saying, “misery loves company“ is really true. Somehow my burden seems lighter when you carry or have carried the same load. When I read about you or hear you tell of your trials and God‘s grace to sustain you, I gain spiritual strength. 


2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 


I have yet to see anybody strengthened by blaming, complaining, or hating.   In most cases, the trial you are facing is settled and you cannot undo it. You may wish you had not taken that turn or been with those people, but you were, and you did. As the old southern expression goes, “Don’t cry over spilt milk.”


The big issue is always how we respond.


Here are a few DO NOTS:

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” 

James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

vs. 20 “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Pastor

Making A Difference

Good Morning,

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…"

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Most certainly, we all desire to have our lives count for the glory of God. We strive to have a marriage, children, and personal life pleasing to God.

Life is not just about my happiness; my life should influence the lives of others.

I can witness as I have opportunity; I can pass out tracks; I can use my money to be a help to others, but each of these will be an individual instance and very temporary.

Some people attend a church for a while, then they go to another church. Other people frequently drift from one church to another. It is a blessing that they learn the Word of God, smile, shake hands, and enjoy the music and fellowship, but to make a real difference in someone’s life takes time; and to make a serious impression on a life takes commitment.

Another group of people sporadically attend church.  They like it, but not too much. To them, church is a part of life – something you add to life like salt to a meal; it is nice, good, and desirable, but not really a big part.  This group of people walk into church, love the spirit, smile as they see faithful brethren serving and making a difference, and perhaps feel that by being there, they too are making a difference.  In reality, they never get faithful enough to be trusted with any responsibility, and as such, never enjoy making a difference.

I am completely and 100% in favor of people being active in their church (one singular church) for the long-haul. When you have one church where you teach, serve as an usher, sing in the choir, or work in the church nursery you are making an impact deeper than the casual, temporary impact of someone who comes and goes.

Jesus did not say to only witness, He said to make disciples; He said to teach people to observe all things. The book of Ephesians says it is our job as church members to edify or build the body of Christ. If I am going to edify and build people, I need to spend time with them. I need to invest time teaching them and discipling them. I need to take people out soul winning, run youth activities, and invest my time winning the hearts of people that they might give their hearts to Jesus Christ.

The person who is undedicated, drifts from church to church, or is casual in their commitments to a local church rarely make the big difference they could make.  If someone does not attend faithfully and do not become a part of the ministry, their great talents will never be utilized or glorify God as they were intended to.

Are the church hoppers growing as Christians?  Possibly.  Are those who get their church online or from casual once-in-a-while church attendance spiritually developing a love for God?  Possibly, but they will not make the same impact as the one faithfully discipling and training people to live for God.  No one does that unless they give their heart and soul to a church and a group of people.

Each church has weaknesses, and could perhaps do something better in one way or another, but the fact is, you should find a church, a group of people, an opportunity to invest your life in others, and then sell yourself out to do something big for God.

In nearly fifty years of ministry, I have known some of the finest Christians with some of the most amazing gifts and abilities, yet I have seen them do so little with their lives. They will be in our church for a while then another church. Then they come back to our church for a while, but because of their unfaithfulness, they never can secure a position of ministry that would allow their gifts to be used to the fullest potential.

I have seen people with very minimal gifts be greatly used by God because of their simple willingness to be faithful. Give me a faithful, loyal, average person and I promise you I will see more accomplished in their life than the one with unusual gifts who can never settle down to faithfulness.

Pastor

THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH SATAN

Good Morning,

In the book of Mark, chapter five, we read about the man who lived in the cemetery. He was possessed by many devils, and the Savior crossed the sea of Galilee with his disciples when he met this poor man. 

The things I am about to mention are not necessarily doctrine but associations. Things that are seen and found together have significance. Please notice a few observations from the passage.

Mark 5:3 “Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”

He dwelt among the tombs. The devil is often associated with things of death. Whether it be the Filipino or Mexican “Day of the dead, the Mardi Gras, or fashionable use of skulls on clothing or pirate flags, it is an undeniable association. 

“…no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”

We find that he had very unusual strength and such out-of-control living that no man could help him.

vs. 5 “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”

Night and day, as with many drugs and demonisms, we find sleeplessness, tears, and self-destructive behavior associated with Satan.

vs. 11 “Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.” 

Jesus is Lord of lords, and whether it be the stormy waves on the sea of Galilee or devils possessing a man, Jesus is Lord of all.

vs. 13 "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea…”

When the devils moved into the swine, they ran down the steep hill into the Sea of Galilee and were drowned. Again, we see self-destructiveness, death, and ruined lives associated with Satan.

vs.15 “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” 

“Sitting, clothed, and in his right mind” was the description of the man after the devils were cast out. A spiritual assurance and presence of Christ, as well as an absence of Satan, is found in a calm, stable life. This man was sitting; he was no longer wandering or out of control. We see that the man is clothed properly. Make no mistake; nudity and near nudity goes along with the satanic influence of this world. Fashion or style has much less to do with it than demonic influence on culture and society.  You can be sure, the more of the body one uncovers, the more evil influence has been involved. 

You will also see that he was in his right mind. If you have talked to people on the street, you have noticed that the drugs they use are certainly producing the same kind of behavior that is found with people possessed by the devil. Drugs are a tool that Satan uses. When drugs and liquor gain control of a human being’s life, wreck and ruin are sure to follow.

Lastly, let me make this clear: Satan is real; devils are all around our world and in our communities. Only one who is naive denies this truth.  

We ought to guard our personal lives and the lives of our family members, and seek to yield all to the will of God.


Pastor

WHO CONTROLS YOUR HEART?

Good Morning,

I recently spent some "Morning Moment" time on trusting the Lord with our enemies, not lifting our hands against the Lord's anointed, and on similar thoughts.  Reading today, I find more Scripture on the same subject.  

Romans 12:14 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

vs. 17 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

vs. 18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

vs. 19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

vs. 20 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

vs. 21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The Romans 12 text is rich in instruction, take time to look through it as I do not have time here to do any justice at all to the passage.  

The text, "Be not overcome of evil" is our subject this morning.  We see here that God does not wish His children to be at war, to attempt to get even, or to retaliate.  Here is the reason; "Be not overcome of evil."  If the evil people around you can influence you to return their evil deeds, they then take control.  If someone hurts you, and you focus on repaying their wrong deed, that evil person is controlling your behavior.  

The Lord says that we should not allow evil to overcome us.  If your actions make me hate you, then you are controlling me.  If your actions cause my heart to be filled with bitterness or vengeance, then you are in control of my heart.  The Lord does not want us to have anyone but Him in control of our heart and mind.  

The Bible says more on the subject.  

Job spoke of his own spirit toward his enemies:

Job 31:29 “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:”

vs. 30 “Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.”

Much of our New Testament brings up the subject as well.  

Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

Peter writes of the Lord being our example.

1 Peter 2:23 “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”

1 Peter 3:9 “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

Having a Christlike spirit is no easy task; it requires a spirit that is stronger than our flesh.  That last verse (1 Peter 3:9) speaks of a blessing or reward we will receive when we are able to treat enemies as the Lord did.  We must understand that loving our enemies takes a crucified flesh and a spirit in submission to the Lord.  

Pastor

USEFULNESS

Good Morning,

The Bible says we ought to serve one another. Our Lord said that a servant is the greatest of all.

Matthew 23:11“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Paul continued the thought that serving others is the purpose for our lives.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Daily, we all see the UPS truck, the FedEx truck, and the semi trucks moving America up and down the highways; and in addition, millions of Americans travel daily on aircraft. My thought is: how important are the people that keep those planes and trucks running?

The idea that someone needs to have a four-year degree from a university and spend half of his university time sitting under the philosophical influence of God-hating, America-hating idiots is stupid! Why spend our money sending our children to get an "education" when we could send them somewhere to be trained vocationally to do something useful without all the philosophy, cultural enrichment, and moral corruption. I would much rather have someone teach me to build a computer, write a program, or service a city bus. I would rather my child be useful than to have a college degree.

Somebody is keeping those planes flying. Somebody is keeping our diesel trucks on the road. Someone knows how to work on the giant earth-moving vehicles, service hydraulics, and maintain the cars that flood the highways. Those people are important. Those people are useful. They do not need a college education to be useful. How many of us know of college-educated people who are useless? Millions of useless college graduates are scattered across the country. Useful is what college should make us. We should go to a vocational school or some other kind of school to learn to be useful. If you have spent much time with drug addicts or criminals, you have found that many of them are very educated, very good communicators, and many can converse intellectually and discuss a broad array of subjects — but they are useless to society.

We have allowed liberal God-haters to tell us that our kids all need a college degree. The reason college education is pushed so much is because when a young person is placed on a college campus for four years, his morals are constantly attacked, his values are constantly attacked, his patriotism is constantly attacked, and then the college may find him something "useful" to do to help him get a job. (The last one is only a possibility, not a guarantee - the first few are guaranteed.) Liberals would love to get every child into college; it would give them sixteen years to pervert the minds, morals, and values of that child — a dream come true for Satan. Private Christian schools, followed by quality vocational schools or Bible colleges will make our young people useful, employable, and patriotic, as well as do wonders for their marriages, families, and communities.

Psalms 1:1 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Blessings are promised to the person who does not sit, stand, or walk in the ways of the godless world around us, yet we toss our youth into cesspools of iniquity to be trained for life. It makes no sense.

Not long ago, there were vocational high schools and colleges. For a high school student to say he was attending a "tech" school was to say he was in a more academic high school, but vocational high schools taught students mechanics as well as the "three R’s." Fifty years ago, vocational training was common and admired. A youth was learning to do something USEFUL. Today, we pay $20-50,000 a year to have our children study sociology or the development of dance in ancient Africa. Environmental studies are common, as are courses in counseling, psychology, and political science. Who gets a job with a degree in economics, unless it is to teach Economics? Perhaps we should try to make our young people useful. We surely do not need many more politicians. Counselors are a dime a dozen and have done little to help American homes. Why get a counseling degree unless you want a government job working with drug-abuse situations that will rarely help any of them? A job with a paycheck is one thing, but what about being useful?

Galatians 5:13 "....by love serve one another."

Let us prayerfully seek a USEFUL path for our young people. Exalt careers that minister to others: builders of all kinds, medicine, anything to do with servicing society, law enforcement, or the ministry.

On a side note, medicine, military, and law enforcement are the hardest on our Christian service. These three are hard on marriages and make it difficult to teach the children well.

It is difficult to stay faithful to church in these careers, but they do help others and we sure need that emphasis.

We are losing far more missionaries than we are sending. The world is growing in population while the number of those preaching the Gospel shrinks; surely more of our youth should consider the work of God, but that has to be a call from God. Ironically, God calls many more workers from families and churches that lift up preaching and ministry as the highest calling. Seems as if God might call those who are thinking about it.

Pastor

DOERS ARE AWESOME!

We live in a culture that does not want to compare or act as if some things are better than others; they attempt to create equality in every situation. That is foolishness. Or, as the farmer would say, "HOG WASH" (which, as you might imagine, is worthless).

Look at what God records as greatness in the later days of David's life.

2 Samuel 23:8 “These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.”
vs. 9 “And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:”
vs. 10 “He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.”

One guy was amazing because he DID MORE than the others; he killed 800 enemies at one time by himself! That is one tough dude!! Another guy fought and fought and did not let up until the battle was won, and everyone followed after him just to pick up the "spoil" or good stuff the dead guys had.

Abishai also went above and beyond in killing 300 enemies with his spear; but, he was not good enough to be mentioned in the first three mighty men (verse 19).

vs. 18 “And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.”
vs. 19 “Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.”

In other words, God said, "This man is better; that soldier is great, but not as good as those men over there” and on and on. God places people in positions like ball players with their stats. God notices the DOER'S!!

God did not say some were great because they had such good motives; He noticed their deeds! God did not exalt men because of their intelligence but because of their production.

More men are listed in order of their greatness:

vs. 22 “These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.”
vs. 23 “He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.”
vs. 24 “Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,”

Understand that God notices what people do! A person who does more is honored!

God recognizes work!

Proverbs 24:12 “...shall not he render to every man according to his works?”

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Revelation 2:23 “...all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

While we await Christ's return, God uses rewards as motivation to keep us going.

2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
vs. 9 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”

I am a bit weary of our training cute little boys; I long to see us raise up some men who can work and produce. Who cares how orderly our lives are if we will not step out in the power of God and "DO SOMETHING."

Those "Mighty Men" David wrote about were rough. Those men were not warm and delicate guys whom you might be happy for your daughter to bring home; they were men who defended a nation and honored their king.

Notice what Jesus says about the churches as He sends them word through the Apostle John:

Revelation 2:2 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”
vs. 9 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
vs. 13 “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”
vs. 19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
Revelation 3:1 “...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
vs. 8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
vs. 15 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”

God honors those who labor in prayer; not a moment of silence but long hours in prayer.

Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

Let us hear it for the guy who works hard, who digs deeper, who labors longer, who fights through the times of despair, and who works on when others quit! In the ministry, we need no more cute lecturers; we need workers who get out in the trenches and spend long hours soul winning, studying, visiting, and working to build a church. Let us lift up our applause for the bus captain who visits longer, who sees more new prospects, and who comes up with more promotion to fill up his bus!

1 Thessalonians 2:9 “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.”

We are here to work!

Let us honor the guy or gal who hits harder, works longer, and produces more for the glory of God!

God is looking for preachers who labor!

2 Timothy 2:6 “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”

1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

God says those who "labour in the word and doctrine" are worth double pay — WOW! That is SO politically incorrect! Pay workers who work harder? Some might say… “Of all the nerve; there ought to be equal pay for all!” — surely one would say that if he is lazy or an idiot!

…lest we forget the admonition of James:
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

God has called us to DO — not know — to DO; He did not tell us to sit around sharing our thoughts. WORK!

Pastor Goddard