Booze

Good Morning,

Please allow me to hit a "sacred cow" this morning.  We have a society that loves booze.  Period! No debate!  Have you ever noticed how much advertising there is against smoking compared to how much is against alcohol?  There are almost no anti-liquor advertisements.

Some pastors teach entire lessons on why liquor is okay.  Some will teach the benefits of liquor, or they go through the Bible finding verses to twist and teach to promote booze.  With all that in mind, let me make some of my own personal observations.

Never has anything good come from strong drink. I know our society tries to make it acceptable, but we all know better. No alcohol has any benefit (unless it is NyQuil)!   I have had Christians tell me their glass of wine at the end of the day is beneficial to them; I am not going to say they are wrong, but I will say that the one who said that has a spouse and kids who battle with addictions.  Who fights to justify the thing that is ruining their marriage, their spouse, and their children?  They are missing the idea that perhaps they are causing their own family to stumble. Look what Paul wrote about our “justified” actions hurting another:

Romans 14:21 “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

Paul referred to the idea earlier in verse 13: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”

If my actions cause another to stumble or to be weak, I am wrong!  Unless it is something God commands me to do, my life is supposed to be focused upon the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, NOT ON MY OWN COMFORT, DESIRES, AND PLEASURES!  

Liquor ruins our driving skills and corrupts our temper, and erodes our morals.  Liquor blurs the eyes, perverts the tongue, deadens the conscience, and fills the heart with folly.

Proverbs 23 deals extensively with liquor:

vs. 29 “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”

vs. 30 “They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”

vs. 31 “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”

vs. 32 “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”

vs. “Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.”

vs. 34 “Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.”

vs. 35 “They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”

I do not need to go through those verses; you may read them on your own and see the obvious instruction.  Booze makes you immoral, stupid, and causes you to suffer physically.  Booze will hurt your marriage, your children, and your testimony for Christ.  This is the point at which some carnal Christian says that this is why one should only drink in moderation.  For that person, I refer to what was written earlier in Romans 14:13 & 21 – read it again.  Those answers are not compatible with what the Bible says!  

Drinking liquor makes men daring (stupid) and leads them to moral depravity. We often talk about “First Mention” in Bible interpretation, and the first time wine is mentioned, it refers to Noah getting drunk; illicit, immoral behavior followed.  That is the defining moment in the Scripture regarding liquor.

Lot got drunk, and through incest, ruined countless lives.

Genesis 19:32 “Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.”

We know he did not end up in a mountain cave “discovering wine;” he had to have brought it with him.

1 Samuel 1:16 “Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.”

This passage in the book of Samuel tells how Hannah defended herself from being accused of being a daughter of Belial (the devil); for she had not been drunk.  

2 Samuel 11:13 “And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk…”

In this passage, we read how David thought he could lower the “resolve” of Uriah through drink. Everyone knows booze will lessen our ability to stand true to our ideals.  In this case, Uriah was more of a man than David thought (most men are not).  

The stories of broken homes, abuse, car accidents, and endless suffering can all be found rooted in liquor.  Yes, some seem to be able to drink and not hurt others.  Just as some are able to use drugs and not end up in the morgue or conversing with cracks in the sidewalk, but they are simply the false advertisment to draw the vulnerable into a life of ruin.

Someone said Charles Spurgeon smoked cigars until one day his picture was used to promote smoking.  He wanted, as the story goes, his life to promote nothing but Christ and he stopped smoking right then.

After a tragic story from a wife about her drunk husband, she continued to explain how she could go out with the family, drink booze, and not over drink; but her husband had this trouble. I was so shocked that she did not have enough hatred for the bottle to stop it herself.

Some years ago, there was a "nature lover" in northern California.  He was sure he could live at peace with dangerous things and began collecting rattlesnakes.  After not being seen for some days or weeks, someone called the authorities. They looked through he window of his house and found hundreds of rattlers all over; he lay dead in the middle.  

Proverbs 23:32 “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”

Not at first, but "at the last." 

I saw a poster that says it well, "Forecast for tonight: Alcohol, low standards, and poor decisions."  (That was on the wall of a secular store!)  They know, and they are not ashamed.  Another sign I saw in a drinking man's garage: "I don't have a drinking problem; I drink, I fall down, no problem." 

I hate liquor; and any decent, loving Christian (or non-Christian) feels the same way.  

Pastor

Church & Pastor

Good Morning,

Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

vs. 12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

The job of the pastor, teacher, or evangelist is to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry.  

Paul did not say that the work of the pastor was to give everyone Bibles and have them study on their own. To be properly equipped for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ, one needs an instructor.  It is unpopular to think that way, but it is biblical.

Revelation 1 pronounces a blessing on him that readeth and they that hear. Notice someone is reading and others are hearing and keeping.

Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

In the book of Hebrews chapter thirteen, in verses seven and seventeen, the Bible teaches the importance of considering the instruction that one receives from the pastor.

Paul told Timothy to take the things that he had been told by Paul and to pass them on to faithful men. The people learn the truths he had been told through him (or through the evangelist or elder) not through any written source; that truth was provided to pass along.

Paul made it clear that he was not a lord over God's heritage (1 Peter 5:3),  but he also talked about instructors. (1 Corinthians 4:15)

Every man who has a Bible is instructed to read and to study It.  Every saved person also has access to the Holy Spirit and to His instruction, but the Lord clearly provides men who are teachers, men with more time or spiritual anointing to teach the Bible and to "perfect" the saints. 

Notice the requirements for pastor: "apt to teach" (1 Timothy 3:2) and one who labors in the Word and doctrine. (1 Timothy 5:17)  The farmer does not have that kind of time any more than the pastor can grow the food he eats and fix the car he drives; God uses us to serve one another.  One time, the New Testament speaks of the believer’s need to study (study to show himself approved), but depending on how strict you want to be about that passage, that instruction was actually directed to a pastor, Timothy, so he might instruct his members, most of whom had no access to a Bible.

I was out soul winning and met the nicest family.  They were saved, a pleasure to talk to, and seemed to have a sincere love for the Lord.  When I asked them what church they attended, they said they had church in their home.  I am for family Bible and parents instructing their children, but a church is more than dad and mom teaching the Bible and praying with their children.  A Bible church has a pastor, preaching, supports missionaries, and does the work of evangelism and church planting.  A Bible church has a burden for the neighborhood, brings visitors to the church, baptizes converts and trains others in the Word of God.  To sit around enjoying the Bible, prayer, and a good family without going farther condemns the world to Hell.

In the book of Psalms, we are told to meditate on the Word and to delight in the Word; Deuteronomy tells us that we are to talk about the Word of God, especially to our children.

Those who could make the Word plain and clear were very important to the ministry.

Leviticus 10:11 “And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.” 

On the other hand, I am in favor of godly, proven Bible teachers and preachers; but I also say that even the pastor should be careful to whom he listens. Many heresies and church errors arise because pastors are listening to the wrong people. When we talk about having a pastor or teacher, we ought be very careful because they can surely cause us to stray – that pertains to pastors as much as any church member.

The book of Proverbs says with good advice make war; we certainly are at war with the wicked one, so we must secure GOOD ADVICE. Read much Bible, pray often, and listen to preaching; for (Romans 10:17) faith cometh by hearing… It does not say by reading but by hearing. May we be found sitting at the feet of wise and prudent Bible teachers, and be an active part of a New Testament church.

Pastor

Do Not Join The Wrong Side

Good Morning,

Absalom had some problems with his dad.  We are not about to say David was perfect, but he was not only the father, but the king.  David had led the nation to prosperity, peace, and stability spiritually, as well as socially.  

ONE BITTER PERSON, Absalom, plotted and labored until he created a split among the people. No one had any complaints; no one was suffering or doing without.  There was no reason for their unrest; they were simply listening to a critic and perhaps focusing on their own difficulties now and then. No one always agrees with leadership, but there had been no better life than they had enjoyed under David.

You can read the slow corrupt dealings of Absalom, but I will focus on the end.  

2 Samuel 18:7 “Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.”

Among the tragic loss of life was the leader himself, hanging in a tree (probably by his long hair), visited by Joab and his men.

2 Samuel 18:15 “And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him."

Twenty thousand men were killed in that battle all because they followed a bitter critic.  

I would not share the names and events of the past decades, but I certainly could.  One bitter, jealous, or envious person got an idea, and for whatever reason, folks joined in their cause.  I could take you to the drug-using children, the broken marriages, babies born out of wedlock,  the families out of church, and the unsaved grandchildren with no one teaching them the things of God.  Oh, the sorrow is great when one jumps on the train of bitter and envious people.  

"... and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men."

We speak often of the young people who need to be careful which friends they choose, but I can assure you that the choices of parents’ friends can be far more devastating.

The book of Hebrews says that bitterness defiles many. Bitterness is not simply a personal vice, it affects others also.

Many frustrated couples kept trying until a third person came along and a marriage died.   Many a church member would have continued serving in their church for years, but then a critic came along and their service ended.  

Absalom’s story is not dead, but has been multiplied over and over on job sites, in churches, and in homes.  Honestly, there is no way to eliminate these critics of the blessed. The decision of who you will follow and where you will end up must be made by each individual.


Pastor

Consider Jesus

Good Morning,

As we travel through life, we find that misunderstandings and wrongdoings are endless. The worst of which is probably when we have done nothing to provoke ill-treatment, and we do not know why the harm has been aimed at us.  The treatment may be compounded by the ugly behavior coming from a friend or even from one we love.  


I will not begin to try to explain this form of pressure, but I do know the best of people have faced this in one form or another.  As Christians, we have the opportunity to seek the Scriptures to find the manner in which to deal with such wrong.   We should consider Jesus, for no one was ever mistreated like He was.  Remember the prefix “mis” means unjustified or inappropriate; our Lord never deserved any of the shameful treatment that was poured out on Him.  


The prophet Isaiah described part of Jesus’ situation: 

Isaiah 53:3 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

vs. 4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”

Isaiah 50:6 “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting." 


We are urged to consider Jesus and to think on His life and suffering; He was terribly misused.  Remembering Jesus will help us not to quit when life becomes difficult.  We are wise to ponder and to think about those words and the situations in which Christ found Himself: despised, rejected, smitten of God.  As we consider Him, we will find strength. 


Hebrews 12:3 "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” 

Jesus was unjustly hurt, and people spoke evil of Him. He suffered; and in every case, the abuse was unjustified.  Jesus knows our suffering and so much more. When we look to Heaven with tear-filled eyes, He is already familiar with the feelings we have, and He knows the same hurt that we do.  


Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” 


The example refers to when Christ was misused; His reaction was always perfect, and He never responded wrongly.  


The book of Hebrews also brings us close to our Lord by explaining that Jesus not only died for our sins, but He also suffered so that He would be able to help us in our suffering.  

Hebrews 2:18 “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” 


Jesus could have died for our sins by a quick less-painful death, but He chose to be misused, unjustly tried, mocked, slandered, and abandoned by those who should have been His faithful friends.  He endured all of this so we would understand that Jesus KNOWS how we feel and that He can help.  Jesus is able to “succor” or help those who have been hurt. 


While Jesus was teaching, critical people “derided Him,”  “laughed Him to scorn,” and He was “set at nought,” or treated as if He knew nothing. 


If you want to frustrate your spouse or child, act as if their thoughts and ideas are meaningless to you.  This response happens all the time, often by accident, but other times seriously.  We cannot control the “ignorance of foolish men,” so we must focus upon our biblical reaction to their behavior.  I cannot keep people from being socially crippled to the point that they do not understand how important it is to look at someone and listen.  However, I can control my heart and my thoughts when it happens.  I can consider Jesus and how He dealt with trouble.  


Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

vs. 3 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Pastor 

Election Results

Good Morning,

Psalms 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…"

With elections over, I have noticed some finger pointing, blaming, and basically refusals to admit, "It is our fault."  

I am one who believes the counts have been tampered with, that dead people vote, unelected people get elected, and that we are fast-losing our honor as a nation – BUT THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM!  

1. Public Education. I think it is time to blame ourselves for five decades of placing our children in public schools that teach anything but patriotism and true American history.  Our government schools have failed greatly, but regarding our elections, the classes on government, history, civics, and morality are the primary issues to blame.  

2. We have done our best to place our children in secular colleges and universities that stand violently against the most basic principles our families and nation have traditionally stood for. We have paid people to deceive and pervert our children’s minds, and that is our own fault.  The non-college educated Americas hated to accept handouts and wanted to work for what they received.  The college-educated America of today wants handouts from parents, state, and federal government. The non-college-educated America wanted to make a good name for themselves.  College-educated Americans demand rights and privileges that they never did anything to gain. 

3.  I believe elections turned out less than conservative because we have failed to take a stand for righteousness in our homes, churches, and neighborhoods.  We have surrendered to perversion on television, allowed limitless access to media on tablets and phones, and accepted a "Me First" culture.  Conservatives have allowed their families to grow up thinking "feeling good" was more important that "doing good."  When you combine those qualities, it yields liberal voters.  American conservatives have created a generation of liberals!  It is not the fault of social media or the result of "Big Tech" influences.  

American Conservative Christian parents have allowed their children to be educated by liberals for decades, and now we have a serious philosophical problem in our nation. May we not blame others, but ourselves.  

One more thought many people will not care to hear.

As Christians, we should put God in the equation.  If we want God to bless America, we need to get back to Bible reading and prayer in our homes and church attendance on Sunday!   


Election results?  We have created this problem with decisions of compromise and godless living.  Yes, there is evil, corruption and injustice, but the blame is on the one we look at in the mirror.  

Pastor  

Serving Others

Good Morning,


When news came to Jesus that John the Baptist was beheaded, our Lord went away, we assume to grieve. 


Matthew 14:13  “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart...”


Jesus spoke wonderfully of John. Jesus gave John great compliments and said there was no greater man born to a woman than him.  A closeness also existed between them –  they were cousins, and they were very close.  John was the first one to recognize Jesus and respond to His presence (Luke 1:41).  The news of John’s unjust death touched our Saviour’s heart.  He went to grieve, and people followed Him.  What happened next?  Great sorrow had entered the world of our Saviour. What should the perfect Son of God do now?  Notice the rest of verse 13: 


“...and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.”

vs. 14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”


Jesus grieved, but His heart was touched with compassion for others who were also hurting; He turned from His own grief to care for the suffering of others.  


No doubt, sorrow is present in the lives of most people. A time will come when we sit back and absorb the shock and the hurt, and then ask the questions, “Why did this happen?” and “How did this happen?” (among other questions). What we do next is the big issue. How do we respond?  Jesus turned His eyes on the hurting of His world and started ministering to their hurt, leaving His own behind.  


The doctors who lose a patient to death must have some sorrow in their hearts, but those same doctors probably have another patient immediately needing their skills; the doctors must deal with the grief and go on to help someone else who needs them.  


The policemen who deal with tragic situations feel pain inside for the mess they deal with; yet, when another call comes requiring immediate action (regardless of where those policemen were hours or days before), they must focus their concern and attention on the new situation. 


Early in my ministry, I made a foolish statement while conversing with a widow: I said, “It takes a long time to get over losing your spouse doesn’t it?” She corrected me and said, “You don’t get over it!” Right then, I learned that we may not get over our grief, but we can get through it as that dear widow did.  After a time, we can gain strength and begin to serve others again.  


Jesus went aside for a time after hearing of the unjust demise of His cousin and friend, John, but the needs of the multitudes pressed on His heart, and He had to lay aside His grief to help people.  


May we also see the hurting world around us, and as God gives grace, serve them as our ability allows us to.


Pastor

Simple Things

Good Morning,

The famous Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, grew to amazing size and productivity with souls saved, and this ministry was probably was the most successful missionary-sending church in America.  Dr. Lee Roberson was the pastor there for approximately forty-five years and built his ministry on simple things.  His sermons were basic, and his ministry simple. 

“Never vary” was one of the key phrases of his ministry.  Do not change.

Another phrase heard often was “Three To Thrive.”  Get to church three times a week, and you will thrive.

“The Crucified Life” was often the subject of his preaching.  “Die To Self” was the key to getting along at home and in the community -- not spectacular acts, just simple Christian living.

His counseling was unique as well.  If you went to him for advice, he would almost always tell you the same thing:  Go to church three times a week, read your Bible every day, and when you have done that for thirty days straight, come see me again.  That took care of a lot of counseling.

As a pastor,  Bro. Roberson told me he built his ministry on twelve visits a day.  Whether it was a hospital call or knocking on a door, five days a week, making twelve visits a day was the way he built the church.

We love new things, bright unusual ideas, catchy styles, or miracle foods:  the “eat all you want and lose weight” diets.  In reality, greatness is found in doing the simple things over and over and doing them right. 

In hopes of finding a new, easy way to get things done, do not chase the spectacular; do not ignore the simple, accepted things that work.  Just do right; love God; live holy; serve others; read the Bible; go to church three times a week, and your Christian life will do just fine.

Simplicity, sincerity, consistency!

Pastor

Needy

Good Morning,

As our government leaders allow evil to radically dismember our nation, I find more and more poor people and more people struggling to find jobs, or jobs decent enough to care for the needs of their families.

God says much about the poor:

Deuteronomy 15:11 “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”

Matthew 26:11 “For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.”

Our Lord says that since there will ALWAYS be poor people, then we are to open our hands to them.  That is about as simple and clear as we can get.

We need to be reminded that the Lord directs circumstances, and at times, He has a plan and purpose for poverty as well as wealth.  Of course, we all want to be a part of the WORK of being wealthy, but most are not.  Many of the poor people are exactly where God wants them in His will.  Do not look down on them; do not scorn them as though by our own goodness and wisdom we are more successful.

1 Samuel 2:7 “The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.”

Job 30:25 “Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?”

According to God, Job was a man who was perfect and even wept over the poor.  How do we feel when we see poor people?

God then directs us to defend the poor, not malign them.

Psalm 82:3 “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.”

Proverbs 14:21 “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”

Notice the lessons God presents about the poor:

Proverbs 19:17 “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

Proverbs 28:27 “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.”

Considering these verses and the love God has for the poor, I am grateful for our bus ministry and for the big days when we can reach out to needy families.

As I see people on the street, I wonder if there is not a reason to pray for a rescue mission or a place to feed and preach to those in need.  I think of the mess in which we find our schools, morally and educationally, and I pray for God to provide a way for us to educate our young people who ride our buses.

Study the Bible verses on the poor and build your thinking around biblical principles regarding the needy.  Let us be sure that our church never loses its love for the needy of our community.  We cannot fix their problem, but we can love them, help them, and be sure to introduce them to a Saviour Who can fix their troubles for eternity.

Pastor

Holidays

Good Morning,

As we approach the holidays, I wanted to mention the unique theme of this year.

Exodus 23:14 “Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.”

vs. 15 “Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)"

vs. 16 “And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field."

vs. 17 “Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.”

Three times in the year, Jewish folks gathered in Jerusalem for something similar to our “Holidays.”  They were religious in nature, but all the accompanying events are similar:  lots of people, food, and some attention given to the Lord.  

Allow me to make a few observations:

Regular gatherings with our family and friends are healthy for a society.  They remind us that there is more to life than work, money, and troubles.  People and the Lord are the main object of our lives.  

“…for in it thou camest out from Egypt…” (vs. 15)  Gatherings are a good time to remind ourselves and our children where we came from, what God has done for us, and how much we owe the Lord.  Do not let this be a holiday from God, but rather a holiday with God. Consider a game or some planned situation that causes us to stop and remember how good God has been.

Notice it says, “all thy males” (vs. 17).  Men are a vital part of family, and godly men need to be visible, vocal, and influential on their family gatherings.   Do not just send the ladies and kids; men, accept the role of “godly man” and be a big part of family events.  

Not from the passage, but from my thoughts, do not allow the holidays to become a frustration, a necessity you wish to get through soon.  Do not allow the planning and production to be so frustrating that you do not enjoy eating, drinking, and playing with those who are dear to you.  

Holidays ought to be a spiritual, relaxing, enjoyable time of fellowship and memories.  Protect them and use them for good.

Pastor 

Keep Your Church Staff Encouraged

Good Morning,

This message is really for a future generation or churches other than our own.  I feel that our members do much of this, and for that reason, we probably have the church we enjoy today.  But for those who read these lessons around the country, and for those who will be future leaders in our church, I offer some quick thoughts.

2 Chronicles 31:4 “Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.”

vs. 5 “And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.”

This verse is about a revival headed up by King Hezekiah.  He did some serious realigning of the nation. He got people to start giving the offerings that were required by the law again, and then this passage was written:

vs. 4 “Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.”

Most of the livelihood of Old Testament priests was supported by the offerings of the people.  Hezekiah commanded the people to give enough that the priests and their families would love serving the Lord.

I have heard some inner city pastors criticized for their nice cars while their members lived in poverty. I can somewhat understand the criticism, but not many of those critics would wish to minister in ghettos.  I am sure abuse of the financial situation in many ministries is present, but probably more in the mega churches and television evangelists than the pastor in a poor inner-city church.

A good pastor and his family pours their heart and soul into the ministry, and there is no end of obstacles the devil will throws at them to discourage and defeat them.  The fiery darts are emotional, financial, and physical, but also includes a lack of cooperation from their people.  

I am very close to a pastor right now who is near to leaving his church because no one will help. The bills are paid, attendance is reasonable, and some folks get saved now and then (most often the pastor's visitors).  The membership will not help with Vacation Bible School, passing out fliers or soul winning, cleaning the buildings, or anything else.  The pastor and his family do it all.  Those church people have no idea of the quality of man they are about to lose.  

When members simply stay home, it discourages the pastor.  When finances are down, it is difficult for the pastor and his wife to stay on top. Thoughtful giving even in little things helps keep the pastor and his family fighting the battle.  "... that they might be encouraged…" (31:4)

Anyone knows that a note and a gift card to a coffee shop is uplifting. That kindness works for your spouse, your teenager, your child's teacher, or your employee.  Gifts make a difference.  Keeping the bills paid is even more encouraging.  Notice the word God chose to describe the generosity of the people:

vs. 5 "...the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly."

I know a pastor, an amazing pastor, who left a church simply because the people would not accept tithing.  The bills were paid, but the point was not bills but obedience.  After moving from that little church to another smaller church, the new church grew to several thousand in attendance.  The first group missed the incredible blessing because they did not want to join the pastor and obey God.  

I know another pastor who is open to moving any time; he is a man I would trust to fill my pulpit if I retired.  He is also discouraged because the people will not join him in seeking the lost.  Whether it be the bus ministry, soul winning, or anything that has to do with reaching out to the lost, it seems his members are uninterested.  

Many churches cannot keep a good pastor because they want church to be a "spectator sport" when it is a participant-based work.  We have had lean times financially, but our people have always seemed to be interested in the Lord's WORK. Likewise, they have been good to my wife and family.  

Now, let us look at verses that too many of us drift through without thought in the book of Numbers.  

Numbers 18:9 “...and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.”

vs. 12 “All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.”

This verse refers to personal gifts to the staff.

Then God explains that everyone in the priest’s house shall enjoy these good things.

vs. 13 “And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.”

vs. 14 “Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.”

If you want to keep your pastor, you need to encourage him and his family; money is part of the equation, but joining in service is another part.  You chose him as your leader.  Unless he is doing something against the Bible, join in his vision.  Spoil the pastor's wife, and be good to the church staff, from secretaries to school teachers and coaches.  Do little things for bus drivers, nursery workers, and musicians.  It is in our hands to keep our church leaders encouraged.   If we do not care, why should the Lord care?  There is a great shortage of pastors in America, perhaps it is our own fault.

If you want a solid, stable church, be on the team, be a part of the ministry, be good to the folks doing the hardest jobs, and keep one another encouraged.  

God said it, 2 Chronicles 31:4 “...give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.”

Pastor

Seven-Fold Sin of Worry

Good Morning,


1.  Worry accuses our Saviour of being unable to guide, protect, and deliver us.


2.  Worry slanders the love of God and treats it as if it were shallow and unworthy of our trust.

3.  Worry treats God as the Creator, but a Creator Who has walked away unconcerned and left us to our own means.


4.  Worry yells to the world that we do not think God is good.


5.  Worry sends a message to the world that Christ’s death and resurrection do not merit our resting and believing in Him.

Romans 8:32 “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”


6.  Worry, even in matters in which we have failed, mocks the mercy of God; mercy is new every morning.  The mercy that saved a sinner certainly merits our leaning on the everlasting arms.


7.  Worry tells God that we have better ideas about life than He does, and slanders the wisdom and foreknowledge of God.

We should pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

We should pour out our hearts before God.

Psalm 62:8 "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

We should cast our burdens on the Lord; then as the song says, “leave it there."

Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Pastor

Our Hearts & Words

Good Morning,

We all have had those moments when we spoke out of turn, or literally slandered, criticized, or maligned someone.  We all desire to guard our tongues (any decent person does not want to hurt another), yet it happens, through recklessness or evil intent.  The book of James tells us that “the tongue can no man tame.” The work of controlling the tongue in our mouths is divine.  We need the Lord to help us speak properly. To achieve control, we need to begin with the preparation of the heart.  

Proverbs 16:1 “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” 

When our hearts are prepared, God will provide the proper answer in each situation. That which we hear or read will affect us. (That is why millions of dollars are spent on advertising.)


Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer…"

When we study the right material, the correct answer will naturally follow, whether it be on a classroom test or a casual comment from our tongue.   

Matthew 12:33 “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.”

vs. 34 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

vs. 35 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

vs. 36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

Clearly, our words come from the heart. Dreadfully, we will meet up with those idle words one day when we face the Lord. (vs. 36)

We used to have a grapefruit tree that gave us the worst grapefruit. (Not that I am particularly fond of any grapefruit, but the tree was the issue.) Something in the genetics of this particular tree made it produce bitter fruit.  The best thing to do was to get another tree or find a way to change something inside the tree we had.  So it is with our words; we need a change of heart inside in order to change the fruit of our lips. 

The book of Luke also presents this truth: 

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” 


If we will work on what goes into our hearts, we will find sweeter fruit coming out of our lips. Be careful about the friends with whom you choose to spend time and the information you read or hear.  The greatest help is to meditate on much Scripture.  Read the Bible to your children; read it yourself, and find a good verse to memorize with the family each week.  If we work on our hearts, our words and actions will fall into place. 


Pastor 

Staying Right

Good Morning,


Most people either want nothing to do with religion, or they feel that they are fairly good Christians already.  Consider the Pharisees; they were content with their form of religion, and they felt no need to change anything.  As such, the preaching of Jesus caused them no end of anguish, and ultimately, they were angered enough to kill Him.  


The circumstance is no different today.  Often, I meet people from different churches or religious backgrounds, and they think I am fine and they are fine, even though we believe differently in a thousand ways.  As long as they do not have to hear me preach, they do not care.  When I am visiting people door-to-door, I meet people who are happy with their religion and do not want to hear any Bible that may mess up their belief system.  


Many people have visited a church, and within a short time quit attending because they were urged to commit to a higher level of service to others. When people are content with their Christian lives and have no intention of changing anything, a church with strong convictions may be a problem to them. 


When it came to following Him, Jesus thought differently.  Our Lord first mentioned that we should deny ourselves - that which I think, want, and desire all needs to become subject to what He wishes for me.


Mark 8:34 “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”


Honest people will admit that they drift constantly, that they need the Bible daily to stay right, and that hearing preaching regularly helps to remind themselves of right and wrong.  I listen to preaching often, and I often receive a nudge or a slap in the face to put me back in line in some area of Christian living.  The songwriter wrote, “…prone to wander, Lord I feel it…” – and so it is with all of us.


I want to be urged to improve my faith or my prayer life.  I want to be challenged to increase my financial giving or time witnessing throughout the week.  I need the Bible and preaching to remind me to forgive, to serve, and to love the unlovely.


I did not grow up in a Christian home, and though I feel it was a great home in many ways, attending church was not a part of our world.  Many a weekend, we spent time at the beach, and, as a child, I remember my mom nearby on the sand watching us in the water.  The movement of the waves and currents always pulled us one way or another.  Soon we would look up and mom would be way down the beach.  We had drifted, and either we noticed and returned to where she was, or she noticed and called us back. 


Being pulled by the water is a perfect example of my Christian life.  I look up and notice my unforgiveness and move myself back to forgiveness, or a sermon calls me back.  I may notice selfishness and move myself back to Christian living for others, or a message brings me to my knees and calls me to return to right.  We all drift and should not be so arrogant to act as though we need no call to repentance.  


For this reason, our Lord rebukes us for judging one another – we all need help! 

Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” 

Romans 2:1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” 

Romans 14:4 “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth…"


Though the world may think they are “good enough,” any honest child of God knows that we need all of the mercy and help we can get to stay right or get right.  Allowing ourselves to get out of church or to join a church in which no messages ever prick our hearts is a great danger – we need our toes stepped on regularly.  May we not become angry when we are urged to be better, but may we thank God for help to stay right.


We will either respond well and return with a broken heart, or we will eventually be crushed by the truth we resisted.  


Luke 20:18 “Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” 


Pastor

Restoring Joy

Good Morning,

We have all faced difficulties; some have faced more extreme difficulties than others, but all of us have our own share of heartache.  The question we face is what to do with the trials and the emotions those difficulties bring.  We ask ourselves, “Shall I walk through life depressed and gloomy forever?  Will I never find a reason to smile again?  Will I never have a night of peaceful sleep or wake with hope in my heart again?”  Those thoughts hardly fit with Christ and "life more abundantly,”  yet these feelings are real and need to be addressed.  

The world will offer drugs with undesirable side effects.  Some medications are being prescribed and used that rob a person of emotion, care, and concern for others.  These drugs take away one's tenderness, leaving him caring not for friend or family.  Each of us has to make our own decision on situations like this, but those medicines are not for me — that is for sure.  I want to care.  I want compassion, tenderness, excitement, and warmth.  Some people will say it is our lot to be victims and forever wallow in grief and sorrow, but no Bible reader can accept that. 

Motivation to regain joy:

1. Obedience to God is difficult but also real and honest.  The Bible tells us to rejoice.  

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…"

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Remember, these instructions are from God, but they were written by Paul while he sat in a jail cell.

2. Our children will be helped.

Zechariah 10:7 “And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.”

When our children see us defeated by our own battles, they lose hope when they face their own battles.  I feel I must slowly and most surely gain victory so my children will see that in their evil day, God is real and hope is available.  The process may be slow, but my response to trouble will determine much of what my children are able to do.  I cannot fail in this challenge; for my victory will bring hope to those I love most.  

3. My ability to help others is tied to my ability to gain help from God for my trials.

2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

vs. 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.”

When I find comfort for my suffering, I then possess that comfort; comfort is real and tangible like bananas from the store.  Only then, am I able to share comfort with others.  Once I gain comfort, God has equipped me with a tool to help others, and my suffering becomes a conduit of healing for others who hurt.  How wonderful to be able to help a hurting soul.  How fulfilling is life when we can pillow our head knowing someone found hope through our life and influence!   If Satan can keep us wallowing in defeat, we not only become ruined, but he also stops the flow of healing waters to others through our lives.  God uses people!  We are divine rivers which carry healing and refreshment to the thirsty and suffering, but we must begin by gaining the comfort of Heaven.

I cannot influence anyone for good through my gloom and depression.  

The method to regain joy:

1. Start with reading the book of Psalms daily.  Starting with the day of the month, I read a chapter, then add thirty and read another chapter.  This will equal to five or six chapters a day:  on the tenth of the month, I read chapter ten, forty, seventy, one hundred, and one hundred thirty.  The next day, I read chapter eleven, forty-one, seventy-one, and so on.  Of course, you can simply read the Psalms, but there seems to be a kind of continuity in the said divisions as you will see if you try it.  

The Bible is the source of joy and peace.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

2. Find a concordance and study the words joy, peace, rest, trust, hope and other words that the Lord shows you.  Read and reread them.  Write notes about what they say; develop principles from your reading and write them down.  

3. The next and harder step is to confess my unbelief, my worry, my lack of trust, my fears, and my lack of ability to thank God and rejoice in Him.   “When sorrow like sea billows” overwhelm us, this becomes more difficult to do, but none the less, right; for God commands us to trust, to rejoice, and to have faith.  We confess these anxieties just as we would confess drunkenness or hatred.  The sick feeling in our stomachs during battles tells the Lord that we do not believe He is good and faithful.  We know these feelings are wrong, so all must be confessed.  

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” and “Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you” are commands.  God also commands: “in everything give thanks,” and “giving thanks for all things…”  To say the least, these commands can be difficult, but when someone has a drug problem, we urge him to seek the Lord and His help and to fight to gain the victory.  Is the situation any different for those of us who have suffered and bear pain?  

4. Remember, we are in a spiritual battle.

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.”

We are at war with the spiritual forces of darkness, and we need spiritual power and help to gain victory every day.  An unsaved counselor will have a difficult time helping us with spiritual battles. We need the Bible and spiritual help.  You may be sure, victory will be a DAILY feat.  You will not wake up victorious and never have another difficult day, but you will gain strength for the hour, then strength for the day, and little by little, you will begin to find hope, rest, and strength.  

5. Search for others who have found victory.  In college, we were instructed to read biographies of famous men and ladies but not their doctrines.  We can learn much from many great men and ladies, even though they are not all doctrinally sound; their lives can be a blessing, but be careful that their doctrines do not confuse and hinder you.  With that being said, I mention Dave Roever.  His testimony is easily found online, and although his handicap has never left him, his story of victory has helped millions.  His story and presentation will hold you spellbound.  From early Baptist martyrs to people who are alive today, victory over trials brings hope to others; and when we need help, God will often use the suffering of others to help us.  

The Master helps us to regain joy.

We should acknowledge that we need God to help us regain joy.  David prayed, ”Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.”  We need the Lord to help us.  

The passage above tells us it is God Who comforts us.  

2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation…”

Seek God and ask Him to work in your life.  Ask God to help you and to restore your joy that you might be useful to help others.  

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

May our sorrow lead us to Divine comfort, and may the Heavenly Comforter use us to comfort others who hurt.  If you find victory, you just might be the one to begin a ministry to the hurting; but you must first find the answer in Christ and His Word. 

Pastor

Mercy

Good Morning,

Most of us are familiar with the life of Job: his sufferings, his difficulties, the death of his family, and his financial disaster — all of these things piled onto the life of one of the finest men that lived in the land.

Job's so-called friends came first to comfort him, but soon criticized and judged him. His so-called friends poured salt in the wound of Job’s soul by attacking his children, his morality, and his personal relationship to God. Much bantering back-and-forth between Job and his friends took place, but the following statements reveal a profound truth:

Job 19:2 “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?”

vs. 3 “These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.”

Job wondered why they were attacking him. What was the point of making him more miserable? Why would they invest their time and energy attempting to diagnose the wrong living of this man they had once called their friend? I believe this is a common occurrence in today’s society as well.

Job continues…

vs. 4 “And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.”

“It is my fault,” Job said, “it is my doing and none of your business.” Many times we criticize people, and meddle in their business of marriage, finance, child rearing… when their “error remaineth with” them. It is not our problem to fix or to criticize.

vs. 5 “If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:”

vs. 6 “Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.”

Were Job’s friends simply promoting themselves? Were they doing these things to magnify their own lives and freedom through the suffering Job faced? Job assures them, “It is God who overthrew me.”

Considering these verses I wonder…

1. Why do we pick on those who are facing their own trials?

2. Why do we point out that it was their own dumb fault?

3. Why magnify their poor decisions? The situation is not our own!

We are not to run the life of another, even if they are doing wrong.

vs. 4 “And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.”

The wrongdoing of another is their own error, and unless they are seeking our advice or help, let it remain their choice. As Paul wrote, “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)

There is no spiritual reason to add to the suffering of another, even if it was their own fault. When we criticize and accuse, we are simply being critics with pride, self-promotion, and vanity ruling our words — it is all wrong! I have no idea how hard another tried or is trying. I cannot imagine the suffering another faces along life’s path; it is vanity to act as if I have the answer they desire. 

God was not pleased with these men; in the closing of the story, Job prayed for his friends and God had mercy on them.

May we be careful not to verbally examine those who are hurting. May we love and care for those in need.

Pastor

The Lord Tries Our Faith

Good Morning,

Psalm 11:5  “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”

There are two positions we can see from this passage:  God tries or God hates.  Neither is very comfortable, but one is obviously preferred.  

When the child of God faces his darkest hour, he is near to the Father, held tightly in the Almighty hand.  When the wicked man prospers, he is foolishly, yet often ignorantly, dangling over the flames of Hell, hopelessly condemned for eternity.  The faithful person may feel the chastening of the dear Father, but the godless person will feel God’s wrath.  Trials will perfect the Christian:

James 1:4 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Rom. 5:3  “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

While trials help the believer,  even the prosperity of the fools shall destroy them (Proverbs 1:23).  Yes, our father tries His own, yet those trials are for blessing, improvement, and to glorify our Saviour.   The medical issue, auto accident, or unwarranted anger of others against you are all under the watchful eye of our Father.

Psalm11:4  “... his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.”

The Father may leave the godless to their own means, but His dear children are under the loving care of their Lord.  

Remember Lot:  his world of ease and apparent prosperity was temporary and was followed by great sorrow.  Referred to as "Righteous Lot,” we can consider him an Old Testament saint, yet great suffering accompanied his vain choices because he sought the things of this world rather than the things of God.  

Remember the plotting of Haman against Mordecai (in the book of Esther)?  How grand was Haman?  How powerful and threatening he seemed to be.  But at "such a time as this" the parts of the story fell into place, and Haman was hanged while Mordecai reigned.  

Being a child of God, we are safe; for no one can harm any of His dear ones.  Trials are filtered through His loving hands, and evil is held off by Omnipotent arms.   Yes, we read in Psalm 11:5  that "The LORD trieth the righteous..."  but we can be comforted in the fact that every trial is overseen by the Lord.  

Pastor Goddard

Reaching or Changing the Next Generation

Good Morning,

Colossians 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

I am not trying to reach this generation, I am trying to change this generation and future ones.

When churches speak of reaching their generation, they are simply trying to get them into church. My desire is to get them saved, teach them to be honest and hard-working, to stay married, and to learn how to train their children. My desire is to get this generation to teach the Bible to children, give to missions, read their Bibles, win souls to Christ, and be prepared to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ where they will face the reality of their useless or useful life.

One of our converts from long ago found himself having heart surgery. When I visited him after the surgery, he said, “Now I know why I am here;” I said, yes, because your heart was a mess. He replied, “No, the doctor and two nurses got saved.”

A lady from our church, who was over seventy years old, was in the hospital for a major surgery. She witnessed and won folks to Christ daily. She began to speak to one orderly when he said, “I prayed with you already…” She was embarrassed that she had forgotten to whom she had and had not witnessed. I assured her that was not a problem; it was the rest of us who should be embarrassed.

When I started our church, I came with the desire to change the generation in front of me, from heartless retirees to servants with gray heads. Honestly, it took a while. In fact, I had to wait until my forty to fifty-year-old members became 60-70 years old before I had real servants in my retired folks’ world; but my goal was the same:

Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

I could care less about reaching this generation, if my end result will be to find my members sitting around Starbucks while talking about Seinfeld, becoming workaholics who never come home to their families, and grieving over the sad state of affairs because they cannot find a good job to pay them to stay home and wear pajamas while playing video games and taking selfies. Reaching that generation is of no interest to me; I want to change that generation! I was not impressed with a church full of older people who could only talk about medicine and motor home trips. I wanted folks serving the King of Glory; we sure have that today.

Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

While others try to build a large youth group, I seek to change the teens within my reach, and then let parents and teens bring in others as God leads. My early youth activities started with picking up teens on Wednesday from public schools; we went to a park, threw a ball, sat on swings and talked, and ended up at Taco Bell or some fast-food restaurant. Before anyone could eat, they had to quote the memory verse for the week and pass out at least one tract. This was the beginning of our teen soul-winning program that grew to two busloads of teens on Wednesdays. From day one, our church has been focused on Bible memory, souls, serving God, and living a separated life.

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”


Jesus did not set out to reach everyone; yes, tell everyone; yes, preach to everyone, but He focused on changing those who had a heart for God. Our Lord sought to see a few lives surrendered and to change the next generation.

Pastor Joe Esposito and I were only a couple years apart in starting our churches. We kept standards, strong preaching, and separated living right out in front. From the beginning, what we were and what we were not was very clear! Today, I would guess there is no one who started a church who put more young people into the ministry than he has. From the beginning, he and I preached purity and holiness, and staying away from school dances and rock music. From our first camp, we had dress rules (not at activities or Sunday school but camp). Brother Esposito’s youth came to camp with us for many years; we preached surrender to full-time service. Within two years of Faith Baptist starting, we had young people headed off to Bible college training for the ministry. Two of those first three are still in the ministry today (thirty-three years later).

The goal? Changing the next generation, not reaching the next generation.

Pastor

Get What We Want

Good Morning,

My wife and I have been a part of the Christian life for many years.  Having been a pastor for four decades, I have observed a few proven facts over the years.  One such observation is this: In many cases, God will let you have what you want.    


In some situations, God will give us the things we desire, even though they may not be best; and as much as that sounds like an error, remember the story of God hardening the heart of Pharaoh.

Exodus 7:3 “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.”

vs. 4 “But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.”


Pharaoh did not want to honor God; therefore, God hardened the heart of Pharaoh so he would go on with his agenda of ignoring right and exalting self.


First, God will not force anyone to get saved; that is the personal choice of each individual.   If one chooses to ignore the grace of God, he will die and go to Hell of his own accord.


Second, God will not force anyone to love Him or to live for Him.  On occasion, God may push us into a place where He needs us to be, as He did with Jonah, but at the end of the story, God allowed Jonah to go his own way – bitter and far from home.  


Third, especially regarding young people, God will not force you to honor your parents, your church, or your God.  You are free to become fools or live any kind of lifestyle the vile world might encourage.


God will allow people to have the country that they desire.  If good people will not raise up and follow biblical methods for building a nation and are content to live like the world, fight like the world, follow the filth of the world, and seek the goods of the world, God will give them the nation like the nations of the world around them. 

Remember, Israel pleaded with God to give them a king like all the other nations?  Most of the time, God will give us what we truly want — whether or not it is best.  


What kind of church do we want?  God will give us what we want, not in word but in life and actions.  Do we want a church full of lazy people who do not serve at all?  God will let us have it.  Do we seek comfortable preaching that never provokes us to be more or do more?  God can accommodate us.  Do we want a church where little is expected of us?  God can provide that; and with little work on our part, our young people will then go to the world for entertainment, and we will never have to raise money for mission trips or support for our own who choose to serve God full-time. 

Let us refer our youth ministry for example.  Most people adore the youth of our church.  The sheer numbers, the spirit, the appearance and manners, their ability to deal with people and face situations with confidence, and so much more.  What is it that gave us this group of quality young people?  We should cherish whichever element is the key ingredient.  It is probably the bus ministry, the car wash, and the Christian school, but within the school, it might be the candy sale, science and history fair, and teen soul winning. 

If we do not care to be involved in the bus ministry, then it is very likely God will let it drop and give us our way.   In so doing, God will also drop the influence of buses on our youth.  If we, as adults, do not desire to help with the various ministries that develop young people, then God will give us what we desire -- a group of young people no different from any other group across our community.  Success is work.  Quality is achieved when we invest in it.  If we desire to work at nothing, then God will most likely give us a product that can be achieved without effort.


The book of 3 John documents the letter that John wrote to a church.  The church had been urged to receive missionaries and support them, but a man in the church wanted to be the big shot and wanted to decide who could or could not do things in the church — just one pushy, overbearing man.


3 John 9 “...I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”

vs. 10 “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

vs. 11 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”


The trouble was not with John; neither did the trouble lie simply in this man.  The trouble was with the church people who tolerated this guy in their church.  He stood against the spiritual leader and caused grief to the membership as a whole — yet, the members did nothing about it.  If the church people wanted to have that in their church, God would allow them to have it — it was their church.

If a church wants to listen to lies, God will let them.  If a church wants to follow feelings over truth, God will let them.  If a church wants a relaxed, no-pressure environment, that is the kind of church they will have.  John warned the people, but God allowed the church to have what they tolerated.  


When preaching, the disciples were urged to leave the very dust of their shoes behind and allow folks to have what they wanted.

Matthew 10:14 “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”


When Jesus sent his disciples to a Samaritan village to prepare for His coming, the people refused to entertain Christ.  The disciples wanted to destroy the village, but Jesus said they would just go to another one.  If that group of people did not want Jesus there, He would accommodate them.  


Luke 9:52 "And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.”

vs. 53 “And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.”

vs. 54 “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”

vs. 55 “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.”


We will have the kind of church or school we want.  We will raise our young people there.  If we want a relaxed and carnal church or school, we will have it.  If we want it full of criticism and slander, it will not be long before we will have it.  


God has offered America a decent chance to turn to right and blessing, but if we do not want it, He will allow us to follow the path of a controlling, socialist government.  God will allow us to turn to godless and corrupt schools to train our children.  The choice is up to us.  


Many a family has fussed over the stand for right and wrong our church takes.  They have wanted a more relaxed and free philosophy of church and family life.  In the years that followed, God gave them what they wanted.  They occasionally attended another church with Bible lessons but with nothing that applied to daily living.  These families found their children living just like the world around them, with little or no regard for God.  Their families faced all the troubles of this cursed world, and their children nurtured a poor relationship with their parents.  God allowed these families to have what they wanted; but in the end, it was not what they wanted. In just a moment, God can turn our church into something else if we do not seek to keep what we have.  


In the fifties and sixties, our government banned Bible reading and prayer in public schools; Christian parents did nothing.  They kept their children in those godless schools.  They complained some, but they really did not care about God’s involvement in the training of their young people; therefore, God gave them what they wanted — godless youth.  The end result was the hippy movement, LSD, the burning of draft cards, students taking over colleges, and the introduction of rock-and-roll.  The same rebels, who brought in the new era, have rewritten our public school textbooks and currently run our country.   Since we did not want God in our schools, God gave us our way.  


I suggest we seek passionately and work diligently to keep the good and right things we desire and seek the Lord with all our heart.


Pastor

Sacrifice

Good Morning,


America has the idea that our values are the best on earth, and that our priorities are superior to all others.  I will admit that to the extent that we follow the truths of the Bible and the founders who sought complete freedom, America is superior, but it is all a work of God, not of our own.  


Americans have many values that are far from Scriptural.   We value feeling more than right; we value temporal life more than eternal life – and those ideas are completely wrong.  We place family above all else — and God makes that idea clearly WRONG  when He says in Proverbs 27:10 

“... better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.”


Proverbs says a good friend close by is better than a brother far away. Jesus taught that forsaking family for Christ was a righteous act to be greatly rewarded.


Mark 10:29 “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,"

vs. 30 “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”


The Saviour made it clear that earthly possessions are a hindrance to the service of God, and that there ought to be a willingness to forsake all for the cause of Christ. 


Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”  


“…all that he hath…” is a big statement!  This is why it is reasonable for a young person to attend an unaccredited college seeking the Lord’s direction for the future and possible ministry rather than making the first priority financial and earthly security. 


When a missionary travels across the world for the furtherance of the Gospel, he leaves security, family, and social comforts; yet his purpose is eternal.  When a missionary leaves his home country, he leaves behind grandparents who will lose out on much of the family fun at holidays with grandchildren and other special occasions.  


Let us place this emotional situation into context: the Lord says our love for Him and the cause of Christ ought to so surpass our love for family that our love for family seems like hatred. That is surely the opposite of what we are taught in America today.

Luke 14:26 “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Eternity awaits us; and in that eternal land, dwelling with our Saviour, we will never regret placing the eternal above the temporal.  We will never regret seeking the Kingdom of Christ FIRST above all other things.  No bus worker will wish he had spent his Saturday and Sunday sleeping in or working around the house when he sees Heaven.  No one bringing church services to a jail or rest home will wish he had done LESS of that kind of work when he walks down golden streets. 

Most of us have heard the name, William Carey.  What few know is that when he chose to go to India as a missionary, his wife refused to go with him.  Carey took his son and left (and this was on a ship in the late 1700’s).  Some complications arose that forced the ship to return for a brief time, and Mrs. Carey changed her mind. She left with her family the second time — that decision was huge!  Mr. Carey buried two wives and two children before seeing the fruit of the ministry revealed.  

We understand that Jesus thought our lives were important enough to sacrifice His own body, reputation, and heavenly home for the will of God.  So, when it comes to “self and family first,” we are certainly missing the eternal perspective that God desires us to have.  

Romans 12:1-2 says that we ought to present our bodies a living sacrifice.  Add that to passages mentioned above, and we see that God would have us lay our all on the altar of sacrifice.  

The love of God and desire to do His perfect will should be vastly more important than jobs, comfort, security, and life itself.  

Pastor

One God

Good Morning,

Zephaniah 1:4 “I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;”

vs. 5 “And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;”

vs. 6 “And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him”

This passage refers to three different groups. The story takes place around the time of Josiah, the great king who brought revival to Judah. Yet, among the people, some had no love or devotion to God.

Zephaniah assured everyone that God was not sitting back ignoring the shameful way the people treated the God Who gave them their land. Ruin did follow the death of Josiah. Little by little, the great land was taken from them; their government was slowly pulled away from them, and the blessings of God were withdrawn until the nation fell.

Who were these three groups the preacher warned?

First, the group that worshiped false gods:

Zephaniah 1:4 “I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;”

The Chemarims were bad priests — rejected, defiled, or simply false prophets. God announced that He was planning to cut off false religion and the priests who sponsored it. In 2 Kings 23:5, Josiah cut off the Chemarims, but some of them escaped the purging and were now in big trouble with God. The term Chemarim is defined as "men in black." The fallen or idolatrous priests wore black, whereas the true priests wore white. If a priest was put out of the temple, he went out in black. (Hmmm, seems appropriate for Halloween.)

Second, Zephaniah refers to the double minded — those who worshiped the Lord and Malcham.

vs. 5 “And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;”

God has no intention of being one of the little deities in our life. He is Lord of Glory, King of kings, and the Sovereign of the universe. God will be preeminent, or He will be the One Who disciplines us. From the beginning (Exodus 20), God said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." The glory that belongs only to God will not be shared with another.

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”

Isaiah 48:11 “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.”

God does not want to be an afterthought; nor does He want to be our Sunday God but not our Monday God. God asks to be first place: (Matthew 6:33) “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…" In addition, He gave the great commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul..."

The third group that received the promise of judgment included those who either quit following God or who never cared about God.

vs. 6 “And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.”

There is no multiple choice as to which god we choose to worship. We are commanded to worship The God, to serve The God, to honor and obey The one and only God. It is not up to us to decide; He is not a choice or preference like chocolate or vanilla. There is only one God and He requires worship. We have the impression that it is up to each one of us to love God, to tolerate God, to choose which god, or to ignore God. In God's plan, He does allow for our free will. God does give us a choice to love Him or not, but do not think for a moment that we can ignore the Creator of the universe Who gave His only Son for our sins. Do not think God will simply let an arrogant decision such as that pass unchecked. Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels and for those who join him in rebellion against the only true God.

No doubt, there are demons, witches, devils, and evil powers. There are creatures in the darkness, chained under the earth who will be released in the Great Tribulation. One day, our culture's infatuation with zombies and death will become a reality to the lost as they face the Tribulation, and eventually a Lake of Fire. Make no mistake — God will be God, and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord! For the unbeliever, the only end will be the lake of fire for eternity.

God will judge those who treat Him as if He were not God.

Psalm 96:9 “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.”

PastorGoddard