Faith In Men

Good Morning,

When the disciples sat with the Saviour at the last supper, Jesus made several indications of who would betray Him, yet the apostles caught none of them. The apostles believed and trusted one another.  If it were today, the apostles would have been slandered and ridiculed for not paying more attention and not seeing the “signs.” Judas betrayed Jesus, and the disciples spent no time reliving the circumstances, asking themselves how they could have missed it, wondering why Jesus allowed Judas to be among them, or anything else. They simply went on about their business serving God and preaching the Gospel. In Acts 1, you will notice that they had no problem appointing another apostle to take the place of Judas. Theologically, I think it was probably a bad decision. I think Paul was who God had in mind, but the point is, they did not lose faith in men or spiritual leaders, they picked another apostle and got busy with their work.

In Acts 5, two church members sold a piece of property. The husband and wife lied about the amount of money they received; the situation was serious enough to God that He killed both of them. I find it odd that no one seemed to lose faith in the folks at church; a couple messed up and were gone, yet the church went right on growing and reaching souls. The church did not start a new denomination or create a new religious movement. They did not even start a Facebook or Instagram program that pointed out the errors of the New Testament church.

When God called the apostles, he knew they would all forsake Him; it was foretold in the prophecies. Jesus named them one by one and carefully brought them into a unique relationship with Him, knowing one would betray him, and the others would abandon him. Notice, after His death and resurrection, He still met with those same disciples, had dinner with them on the sea of Galilee, sent them to preach the Gospel, gave them His power, and commissioned them to reach the world. Jesus did not lose faith in men; in fact, He continued to use men.

Paul had people abandon him, leave him alone in jail, and leave him alone in court, yet Paul’s prayer was, “I pray God that it not be laid to their charge…” Paul did not lose faith in men; he knew men were frail, and that, on occasion, they would turn back. This abandonment did not change Paul; he kept on preaching and bringing people with him, like Timothy, to go help with the great work of the Gospel.

The idea of someone losing faith in leaders, losing faith in husbands, losing faith in religion, or losing faith in Baptists is ridiculous; they need to get over it. Mankind is frail.  We live for truth; faith in frail humanity comes and goes. Many marriages fail, but God still said marriage is honorable.

Imagine a professional sports team. They hired an expensive coach, but that coach gave them a losing year, so they fired him.  What do they do next?  They get another coach. Of all the nerve! They should know better than to get coaches because coaches cause failure –– This scenario is a prime example of the foolish thinking of today!

My dad left our home when I was in elementary school. A few years later, my mom got remarried. My stepdad not only became my closest friend, but he also became a great example and wonderful part of our family and church. I am glad my mom did not give up on marriage and men.

We know the story of Joseph; he was sold by his brothers, and, as far as we understand, no one even looked for him. But Joseph did not lose faith in his family, he made sure to care for them for many years to come.

When someone fails, it is our fault when we are shocked or surprised. Just because one baseball player fails does not mean we all quit picking baseball players. We simply pick another one and hope for better results. I could easily say that attorneys are corrupt, and that I have found them unfaithful, deceitful, corrupt, and only motivated by winning. I could also say I have given up all faith in attorneys. But if I got in trouble, I would certainly call one because many good ones are out there.

Do not buy the idea of “I’ve lost faith in the church“ foolishness. Whatever someone has lost faith in was by choice because they wanted to. Considering all the people who have said, said and done unkind things in forty years of pastoring, I could easily give up the ministry – but I love the ministry! I love the people of God! I assume that some people regret the things they have said or done, and some simply did not clearly understand the situation. I am not going to lose faith in that precious group of people called the bride of Christ. They belong to Jesus, they are precious to Him, He is coming back to get them, and I will live forever walking golden streets with them! I think I will keep my faith.

Pastor

Little Things Matter

Good Morning,

While out of town recently, I preached on the theme of “Little things.”  I have thought more about the truth, and I am reminded over and over of how much the Lord speaks about the “little things.”  

A few examples of “little things” in well-known Bible stories:

1. There is a recipe for oil that was not to be duplicated or changed for fear of death.

2. There were two men driving the cart which carried the Ark of the Covenant. One of those men simply touched the Ark and was killed.

3. Certain meats could be eaten and others were forbidden, and it was a serious matter to the Lord. 

4. Peter simply tried to stop the Lord from going into Jerusalem and Jesus said, “Get thee behind me Satan.”  In our culture,that seems to be a bit harsh.

We like to live between the lines or close to both sides; we tend to accept all opinions to be more comfortable. The Lord said one simply cannot love money and God, he will cling to one and hate the other.  The church in the book of Revelation was told to be hot or cold but not in the middle, for such made the Lord sick. 

Moses smote the rock one time and water came out. The next time he was instructed to speak to the rock, he smote it again – this caused him to forfeit the right to enter the Promised Land.  In the book of Numbers, chapter 11, complainers were killed.  What a world we would have today if God killed all those who complained! Little things matter! 

When the Lord made a trade, the Levites for the first born, there was a slight shortage on one side. God was not going to be fine with the deficit; financial payment had to be made to even the trade.  

Little things matter! The crying child, a cleaning job done well, homework finished on time, paying bills before they are due, and so many other details are little things that matter.  The weight of oil that goes in your car, the amount of air pressure that is required to fill a tire, and the measurement of baking soda needed in a recipe are all examples to remind us that LITTLE THINGS MATTER.

Pastor

Our Hope

Good Morning,

Trials come into our lives that simply cannot be avoided; even the folks who are the most careful and guarded suffer.  Rather than striving to focus on how to never face trouble, we should focus on learning how to face it.

Psalms 119 is long, and at times, we may turn our brain on pause while our eyes cover the passage.  This is sad because the chapter is full of great wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 119:49 “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.”

vs. 50 “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”

vs. 51 “The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.” 

vs. 52 “I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.”

vs. 53 “Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.”

vs. 54 “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” 

vs. 55 “I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.”

vs. 56 “This I had, because I kept thy precepts.”

Consider David's relationship toward the Bible. Notice these words: not declined, remember, my song, and kept.

Then notice words used to describe David's trouble: affliction, derision, and horror.

In his trouble, David found the Bible to be the thing that sustained him. The Bible quickened David and gave him hope and comfort. 

When the inevitable comes in the form of suffering, may we run to the Bible not to the entertainment world, bitterness, complaining, or self pity.  The "Eternal God is thy refuge,” and His Word is the tool that the Holy Spirit uses to heal and comfort, strengthen, and guide.

Pastor

Dads

Good Morning,

Considering the importance of each one of our lives, I have been thinking of how vital men are to our society.  Teach your boys how important they are.   Train them to take responsibility for everything from the care of the dog to the future of our churches and nation.  

There are things a dad can do to help our nation and our church.

If dads were to read their Bibles faithfully, both alone and with their children, how influential that would be!  Moms, do not try to MAKE dad read to the kids. Fathers, how powerful would be the impression on your children if they heard your voice reading the precious Word of God daily?  What an impact it would make on the hearts of children to see their dad reading his Bible on his own and hearing him comment about something he read from his Bible that day! Wow!  Dads could change the course of society!

How influential it would be if our dads were to sing with their families in devotions or even as they drove down the freeway.  Music touches our society in movies, cartoons, commercials, and ball games.  Do not miss this incredible, yet simple way to change the course of your children’s lives!  Music is everywhere! How great it would be if dads would sing and play good music every time possible.  What an influence dad could be if he were to sing out in church, to sit with his children while singing the hymns of the faith, and say, “Amen!” during a song or the preaching.  Dads, we need you; your church needs you and your nation needs you.  

Our folks have heard me mention 1 Timothy 2 where Paul writes to the young preacher:

1 Timothy 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

The first thing Paul wanted Timothy to teach the new believers was that men needed to pray, and especially to pray for their leaders (the people who were killing Christians and feeding believers to lions). Yes, Paul said, “Pray for them.”  A praying dad would change his world. Men, has your wife heard her name called out in prayer from your lips?  When was the last time your children heard their names called out by dad before the Throne of Grace to find help for their day?  O, how prayer can change the world around us!  

I must also sadly mention how powerful an influence dad is when he neglects Bible reading, prayer, singing hymns, and training his family.  Recently, I read that the vast majority of the men in jail grew up without a dad.  Another statistic I have read but would not argue is that of mass shootings. One shooter was a Middle Eastern woman who walked into the YouTube headquarters and opened fire on the employees (she felt YouTube was not giving her vegan site enough attention). Many of the others, it appears, were men who had no good fatherly influence and were drugged by some behavioral medicine.   How powerful dads are!   You ladies should be passionate about keeping your family intact.  What is the greatest thing a lady can do?  Keep her husband!   Yes, I know drugs and depravity break up homes, but if there is any way to keep your marriage, do it.  Remember the last words of our Old Testament tell us that the hope of a nation is dads and children being close.  No wonder Satan works to break up homes and place rebellion in the hearts of children.  

Malachi 4:6 “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

Dads, you matter. Never forget it!  The same statement applies to grandfathers as well!

Pastor

Television

Good Morning,


Without taking too much time, allow me mention just a few reasons why we need to shut off our televisions.

The vast majority of the actors despise everything that we love, and they love everything that is wrong.  Hollywood is packed with people who live godless lives, shun morals at every chance, and intentionally launch an assault against decency every time they are in the spotlight — and our viewing is what makes them famous.  

Next, the morality portrayed in television shows is almost entirely immoral. The promotion of adultery, fornication, homosexuality, abortion, vulgarity, and rebellion are just a few agendas that are consistently laced through whatever storyline the television show might have.  

The disdain of masculinity is also common. The entertainment world constantly feminizes men while promoting dominant women. Marriage is viewed in mockery or treated as an archaic custom. Sexual activity is treated as recreation, and children are viewed as an inconvenience; the American family is mocked and shunned like a disease.

Yet, we set our families in front of this demonic box by the hour.  Let us see what God says about our thoughts:

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Rather than focus carefully on the influences we allow into our heads, we pay for countless hours of mind-warping injections from Hollywood.


On our televisions, liquor is promoted and treated as common. Liberal political views are always dominantly featured. Abortion is assumed to be normal, and teenagers being involved in drugs, liquor, and sex is not only acceptable but promoted.

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”


Just how acceptable to God is that which we call entertainment?

Political issues and earth worship have been common since the famous movie Born Free in the 60s. If the show focuses on a “love life” with nature, whether it feature saving the planet, driving small cars, or not killing animals, it is promoted. 

In the book of Romans, God warns us against godless thinking:

Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Spiritually, every kind of demonic and liberal religion is lifted up, yet any reference to Bible Christianity is shamed. The character in the movie who quotes the Bible is usually an idiot, a sadistic murderer, or a street person; yet, Muslims, Native American Indians, and those involved in the deeper life of meditation are all promoted as normal and acceptable.  


I understand that we are busy, and video games and entertainment can quickly become babysitters in our home. It would be better for us to remember that our job is to train our children “in the way they should go,” not to turn them over to the world and allow Hollywood to teach our children how to think.


Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”


Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;”


Pastor

Summer Reading

Good Morning,

With summer approaching, I would like to encourage everyone to read, especially to get our children reading.  



Look what Paul wrote about the Old Testament stories:

1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

These stories of great men and women were recorded, not just for history’s sake but for our admonition and to nudge us to live better and to trust God more in times of trouble.  Consider the great stories written in Hebrews 11:  


From the beginning of the chapter, we read of the man who "being dead, yet speaketh."

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

So is the story of all these men and women who, by faith, did wondrous things. 


Abraham obeyed without knowing what was going to happen next.

vs. 8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

We read of those who, in neither heart nor soul, returned to the life God called them to leave,

vs. 15 “And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.”

We read of Moses who chose to suffer rather than fit in with the godless people among whom he was raised:

vs. 24 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;”

vs. 25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”

If we would read about the great stories in our own nation’s history, we would be challenged and blessed. 

Choose stories of valor, courage, and moral integrity; the stories need not be long.  We have old books with dozens of short biographies in them (old books are much safer — prior to 1960).  Read of Molly Pitcher or missionary biographies of people like William Borden, C.T. Studd, John Patton, and other historical books written prior to 1960.  Children's versions of General Patton, Audie Murphy, Eddie Rickenbacker, and other military men are also great.

The Bookshelf and Stories for Boys and Girls are each several volumes long and have much good secular reading for children.

We would be wise to regulate video game time and television time; plan work and study time to create a schedule for the home.  A great deal of sanity may be gained through planning.  


Reading takes us around the world, into hearts and minds of the greatest people who ever lived, and allows us to see valiant living up close as we would never see it on our own.  Bible reading ought to be common, but great lives and noble feats in history can also do much to inspire us.

Pastor

Value of Men

Good Morning,

As I prayed over a world map, I was reminded of how needy our world is. Over seven billion people are in the world, and the fact that so few have heard the Gospel is a serious problem. I looked at the Middle East, dominated by Islam and the bondage of that deadly religion, then I looked down toward Australia and New Zealand and thought about the fact that those countries were just as hell-bound as the Muslims in Iran. Ruled by a socialist government, the “free" controlled and educated, brainwashed and condemned socialist is no less lost than the totem-worshipping, naked native in Vanuatu. In fact, those who are comfortable in the government’s care may be in a more serious situation. The government-dependent family member who has food and comfort may have less understanding of his need than a woman bound by Islam who has at least a small concept of her depraved state via the internet or media.

In fact, “… all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) No matter where we live, “… we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

It seems easier to give to the poor village people of Vietnam, yet the Irish and Welsh lie only a breath away from eternal damnation. Those who are bound by the demons of animism are no more lost than those who worship in gothic Catholic cathedrals. We live in a time in which over 90% of Europe does not attend church. I believe that number to be higher than the unchurched natives in the Philippines. When Mrs. Goddard and I visited Europe, we traveled for two weeks in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium and never once saw a Bible-preaching church. Try driving down the dirt roads of Africa or South America, or the South Pacific Islands and see what land is more “lost.” For as we drove around Fiji, we saw little country churches everywhere. Maybe all did not preach the Gospel, but the people had Bibles and walked the roads to a church with some message of Christ.

Our hearts are touched by the suffering children with bloated stomachs, but our minds should be touched by the lost in any nation. A nation without clean drinking water burdens our hearts, but a socialist society like Germany should bring about a “divine call.” In Germany, for instance, you cannot home school your children, even as a missionary from another country. So many of our missionaries have left Germany for the sake of their children. Missionaries in Cambodia are free to educate their children in their own methods. To my knowledge, we have many more missionaries in Cambodia than we do in Germany. Who is more lost? 


As I prayed for our missionary friend, Paul Sock, in Poland, I thought of the absolute absence of the Gospel there. He has no missionary friends. There is no Baptist pastor across town to whom he can go to fellowship or gain strength for the battle. By far, he is more alone than our missionaries in Ghana, Africa. He may be comfortable, safe, and able to drink the water, but the spiritual state of the people is perhaps more hopeless than those in Africa.

When God called Jonah to Nineveh, the people there were no more lost than the Jews Paul preached to in Jerusalem. Nineveh was a violent city, ruthless and wicked toward everyone, but hell was just as hot for them as it is for those who grow up sheltered in Kansas. People matter — all people everywhere.

May we pray for our missionaries. May we pray for our youth to hear the call of God in their lives. May we, as believers, dedicate more of our money to the ministry of the Gospel, to training young people in Christian schools, to colleges, and to the support of missionaries around the world.

Hebrew 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Pastor

What God

Good Morning,

Off to the motorcycle track on Sunday morning… the riders have been thinking about riding for days; they even dressed up for the day and spent quite a bit of money for their religion (and do so on a weekly basis).

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

There they are on Sunday morning… getting dressed up in some quite expensive, color-coordinated clothing to climb on a very expensive bicycle to spend their Sunday morning away from family to worship their god.

These people act as if they are not religious and that nice clothes offend them. They criticize the church goer for getting cleaned up and dressing their best for God. The leather jackets and chaps that Harley-riders wear are very expensive. They buy the most expensive sunglasses and helmets, and the motorcycles they ride, maintain, and keep sparkling clean are incredibly expensive. All of the details and possessions involved with this lifestyle are a part of their religion. They spend their Saturdays or Sundays riding around accomplishing little; it is their religion, it is what they do.

Deuteronomy 11:16 “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;”

1 Kings 9:6 “But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:”

The element that sets all of these religions apart is the fact that if one follows the gods of this world, he is expected to forsake the God of Heaven, His Book, His people, and His church. God tells us not to forsake these things in order to follow the gods of sports, motorcycles, or bicycles.

2 Chronicles 7:19 “But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;”

Those who follow the god of the world would rather put their children in beautiful, matching outfits and spend time teaching them about their god and their religion than placing them in a Sunday school class and church. Much of the family gathers together to be involved in this family religion. Dressed in their nice clothes, they pile into the car; sometimes they even bring some food, knowing they will spend much of their Sunday with their god in their religion. It could be softball or soccer, but athletics is their religion, and there is no doubt about it. Their money, time, and fancy clothing are all elements — it is their religion. Of course, they have no time for the hypocrites or dressy clothing of people at the church. They state, ”The weekend is the only time we have to play ball."

Do not talk to me with an insulting tone about my putting on a suit and tie and carrying a Bible. I will take my Saturday and Sunday and go off to meet with those who believe as I believe. Do not insult me by criticizing my spending money on clothes and the God Whom I serve. At least the God I serve is alive. The God I serve is eternal. The God I serve will take care of me when I am old, and He will give me an eternal home when I leave this world.

Did you ever see a fat man dressed up in bright colored spandex peddling his bicycle? (They say we are weird with our religious beliefs!)

Do not be found forsaking the Lord while serving the gods of this world. Most people have a religion, even if it simply involves sitting around all weekend drinking beer and watching television. A person’s god is revealed by where he puts his time and money, and often he forsakes his family to be 100% into his religion. Many a man has lost his family over the god of beer.

Where your treasure of time and money is, there is your God —my God is wonderful!

Pastor

Godly Men

Good Morning,

Psalm 12:1 “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”

(Before reading on, I suggest that you read the chapter, and then come back to read the outline below.  Reading the chapter uninterrupted will be more valuable than in pieces as it is here.)

David tells of the longing in his heart: "…for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men..."

"Help, Lord!” David cries, showing the desperate state of the nation when there are so few godly people.  The need is great!  How can a nation survive without godly and faithful citizens?  So, David cries out to God for help.

The absence of godly people in his kingdom bothered David and was a burden to his heart. David goes on to clarify his statements (in case someone missed the point). We often lift up people who have few true godly characteristics, so David elaborated on the subject.

Psalm 12:2  "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”

The words of a man are telltale signs of the condition of his heart.  Vanity and flattery will identify the unfaithful and godless.  If one’s words are vain, the vain heart from which the words proceed is revealed, whether or not he attends church.  How many carnal and even evil words and actions are found among the churchgoers of a nation? The need is for believers to cry out to God for help and to give us people who are godly and faithful. 

Psalms 12:3 “The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:”

What is it that the Lord will cut off?  The flattering lips and proud words. How does the Lord further describe these men who are ungodly and unfaithful?  

Psalm 12:4 “Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?"

These people use words to achieve their evil deeds; they spread partial truths and sow discord (Proverbs 6).  They say, “…With our tongue will we prevail…”  Their careful use of words will help them get their way, not their careful use of godliness or faithfulness.  

These people also have a unifying character trait - they do not like authority.  

Psalm 12:4  "...our lips are our own: who is lord over us?"

The shout from the heart of the ungodly is "Who shall reign over us?"  Or "Who is lord over us?”   It is seen in the book of Jude, verse 8, that these men "despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities."   This same scenario was displayed when Saul was crowned king:

1 Samuel 10:27 “But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.”

1 Samuel 11:12 “And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.”

The heart of David was often touched by evil men, both among friends and among family.  How sad that people cannot do their jobs and honor their God and country in a faithful and godly manner.  

We can see several traits in people whom we ought to avoid: ungodly, unfaithful, flattering, and the proud.  In most cases, the evil is revealed in words that are divisive, spiteful, and from lives that are unfaithful and ungodly.   

May we all cry out to God to send us faithful and godly men, both in our homes and in churches and government. 

Pastor

Steady

Good Morning,

Bonsai trees are miniature trees that look like life-size trees, only they are tiny.  I have even heard that some bear fruit — tiny, useless fruit.   I do not understand much science, but, as a child, I had a magnifying glass and burned paper as I saw the light of the sun focused in one small place.  It seems that drawing all the attention and light and squeezing it into a smaller than normal spot makes it powerful.  

Missionary John Hyde could not seem to break through to the people of India.  Years of labor brought about no interest or converts.  He determined to fast and pray until he saw God do something, and after thirty days of prayer and fasting, people began to get saved.  He spent most of those thirty days focused in prayer.

If you are training children, urge them not to bounce from one activity to another, but to get a job and stay until it is completed.  If they pick up an instrument, persuade them not to quit until they can play.  

If they start a sport, make them finish the season.  If they join one of our clubs at church, have them see it through.  Do not allow your teen to change bus routes without a very good reason.  Steadfastness and consistency are characteristics we used to learn from fables like the rabbit and the hare, or the ant and the grasshopper.  

Like dripping water wears away soap or even a stone, consistent living and working accomplish more than repeatedly changing focus.  Small deposits of savings into an investment for thirty years will yield more than constantly looking for that big deal that will make you rich.  As a rule, consistent living will yield a better product than change.  Stay in your house for thirty years and you will own your home.  If you are a pastor, stay at your church.  Stay on your bus route or Sunday school class and you will see the walls of demonic resistance slowly weaken.  

Making something good and successful is no overnight project.  Consider the building projects of Solomon.  Building the temple took seven years, and building his own house took thirteen years.  He woke up each day and kept going.

1 Kings 6:38 “And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.”

1 Kings 7:1 “But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.”

According to the people in Jesus’ day, Herod rebuilt the ruined temple — it took forty-six years!  (Any job takes much longer when it is being done by the government.)

John 2:20 “Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?”

Though Reuben was talented and gifted, he struggled because he was unstable.

Genesis 49:3 “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:”

vs. 4 “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel…"

You need not be brilliant, but if you read your Bible daily, you will learn much.  If you will develop a prayer life, even if only a short time, but a daily and consistent time, you will draw closer to God.  As a married couple, it is better to have weekly dates than to run crazy all the time and once in a while have a big trip or do something expensive.  Both would be fine, of course, but the point is to be steady!  

Consistent time with your children is important.  For me, I prepared the children’s breakfast each morning and read a chapter of the Bible.  Then at bedtime, it was my time to play, work on a memory verse, and put them to bed.   Each week, I took my pre-teen children out for an hour or more to go to a park or the store buying things that we needed.   I only took one child with me on a certain day at a certain time every week.  

Moving to chase the economy is usually more costly than helpful.  When I was in college, I remember people moving to Texas for the good jobs.  Soon, economic changes took place and the same families moved again.   In American vocabulary, being considered a drifter is never a compliment.  

James talks about being unstable:

James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Peter mentions the danger of instability:

2 Peter 2:14 “...beguiling unstable souls…"

2 Peter 3:16 “… they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

Get life-long friends; give your children leaders who are there throughout their lives.  Serve in a ministry so you have time to see the effects of your work decades later.  Form close relationships with people who will keep you accountable spiritually.  Be a steady soul winner; schedule your time week after week, year after year.  

One major reason to not change or quit is the effect of how we touch the heart of those around us.  The Israelites had traveled together for years, and then before entering the land of Canaan, several groups of people determined that they would stay on the east side of Jordan and not enter into the land.  Moses said,

Numbers 32:7 “And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?”

Moses said the ones who decided to stay would discourage their brethren.  We must understand that our lives are bigger than we realize and that our words and actions touch those around us.  A bus worker who leaves his route endangers the spirit of those who are still in the ministry.  A Sunday school teacher who gives up his class will hurt the spirit of the children and other teachers.  A person who acts while only considering himself is totally selfish and un-American.  America was built upon self-sacrifice and faith.  Living for others is the root of Christianity.  

One of the great joys of my life is that I am getting old with the same friends I have had for decades.  We are watching each others’ children and grandchildren start their own lives. We pray for one another and enjoy the stability of steadfast love.  This stability cannot be gained through changes in life that move us around like a ping-pong ball in a wind storm.

Pastor

Second Generation Choices

Good Morning,

We all understand that each successive generation has to make their own choices. Each new group of believers must choose whom they will follow; though, feeling that it is their own choice is not exactly correct.  The choice is theirs to make but not their choice to determine the end result.

1 Samuel 8:1 “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.”

vs. 2 “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.”

vs. 3 “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.”


Samuel had led Israel for decades, and his clear direction had brought them peace and blessings.  The sons, though, turned aside to follow bribes and to seek money.

The dangerous problem is not that these young men ruined their own lives,  but that they hurt the decision making of others.  There will always be others who are watching and following us.  When one generation is blessed, and the next generation does not follow their example, the third group does not jump back to the original generation to gain the blessing of yesteryear; instead, they go to the world for direction.  Notice the desires and motives of the men.

vs. 4 “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,”

vs. 5 “And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

The people said, “…make us a king” because they wanted to be like the nations around them.  They did not ask Samuel to find them someone like himself who would keep them in the ways of the Lord.  Instead, they told Samuel to give them a king.  They tired of the unusual and separated living; they tired of serving an unseen Deity Who ruled and blessed, but left them somewhat distant from the ways of their neighbors.    Make no mistake, serving the Lord is a constant battle; not that serving the world is a picnic, but we can be "weary in well doing.” (Galatians 6:9)

Samuel had given the example of righteous and separated living.  Samuel had shown them the way to walk, but when his children chose another path, the people ran to the world.  

The danger to themselves was only minimal, but they also brought about a change in society when they forsook the path their father had taught them.  

It seems that many young people want to feel innovative, yet it is clear beyond doubt that they never invent a new path; they simply turn to the world.  Their turn might be toward the world's music, or worldly dress and activities, or even a dramatic change to approve liquor and shameful entertainment – but one thing is sure – there was no innovation!    

All the foolish youth did was buy into the lie of Satan that he could turn to his own path and somehow think he could improve on age-old principles of life.    History teaches that in regards to religion and Bible belief, there is no improvement to be made upon the basic teachings — the basics were set in the time of Christ.  Now we could add a bus to the great commission, but we cannot reinvent the marching orders for the church.  A husband could add a cruise to ways he shows love to his wife while striving to love her as Christ loved the church, but there is nothing to improve when the love of Christ is our example.  To love not the world neither the things of the world cannot be improved upon; it can only be implemented according to our society.   

For generations, some young people have stayed true while others sought new manners and methods.  Always, the new ways failed: in turning to the world for new methods, many people (usually the next generation) are hurt or forgotten.  The faithful young and new converts whom God pulled out of the world always seek the pure religion of our Lord and keep the work going: always outside the mainstream of religion, always mocked by the world, and always despised for their literal acceptance of the Bible.  

Samuel's sons did much harm: a theocracy was abandoned for a monarchy; a sad trade to say the least, and a trade that would never be righted (until the King of kings comes to set up His own kingdom).  Listen to your fathers; their advice will not hurt, and it will probably save a follower of whom you are not even aware. 

Pastor

Whose Purpose

Good Morning,

We have all heard the statement, “God knows just what I need.” It is possible that most of us have used those words as well. If I could, I would like to put that statement into perspective. Life does not center around me, but around God. Here is how I would like to rearrange that statement: “God knows what He needs or what He needs to get accomplished, and He knows how He can use me to achieve His need and His glory.”

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

1 Corinthians 10:31”Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Whether it be helping the needy or being a good testimony in a time of tragedy, I am on earth for the glory of God. God’s glory may consist of walking away from the cemetery where I left my dearest in life, or walking through the church building destroyed by a hurricane, or sitting alone wondering about the loss of a child; but giving God glory is not about what I need – I am here to serve Him. My purpose is what He needs from me, whether it be a shipwreck with Paul or jail with Peter. The Philippian jailer would not have been saved were it not for Paul and Silas singing in jail at midnight. Giving God glory was not what Paul needed, it was what God knew the Philippian jailer needed.

Yes, Romans 8:28 talks about all things working together for good, but why not look at the passage in its entirety:

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Whose purpose? His purpose, not mine. Continue reading:

vs. 29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

According to these verses, our lives are being conformed to the image of His Son, not to our comfort or ease; Christ is being formed in us.

Galatians 4:19 “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

Romans 8:30 “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Great works are being done in my life through whichever circumstances might be necessary, but these are all spiritual things, "called, justified, glorified." These works which glorify God have nothing to do with the statement, “God knows what is best for me.” Yes, He does know. For time and eternity, God always has the very best things in mind: best for eternity, best for His glory, and best for me. When I get to Heaven and look back, I will be grateful for whatever circumstance was necessary in my life, whether good or bad.

Just like the passage, “all things work together for good,” another “all things” is considered:

Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

“That in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Whatever situations happen, we want Jesus to be glorified, God to be lifted up, and of course, when it is all said and done, we want to be more like Jesus.

As long as we are on the subject of thinking spiritually, go on and say, “God knows what is best for me,” but be careful not to act as though everything happening around us is FOR US. For just like those in the military, soldiers are there for the victory and the cause, not for their own personal good. When the first Gulf War broke out, one of our newer men came to me saying, “I'm a reservist, what if they activate me?” I said, “That is why you have been receiving that reserve paycheck every month, so they could activate you if needed.” He wanted everything to work out for HIS good; yet, he forgot the greater cause. He then said, “What if I die?” I said then it would be good if you knew you were saved.” He got saved and baptized and was not called back to active duty, but he was ready to live or die for the greater cause.

Our lives are for His glory; and yes, He does use us and pay very well, but payment is not always of comfort, prosperity, or ease. We want to be ready to live, suffer, or even die for the greater cause of Christ and His preeminence.

Pastor

Strength, Courage, and Resilience

Good Morning,

Acts 7:60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Stephen was falsely accused, lied about, and slandered beyond words. His response was simple: “Forgive them.” He did not whine, and he did not plead mercy. Stephen accepted the plan of God for his suffering and death in hope that through his death, some souls might come to know Christ.

God often writes about exhibiting strength and courage (not misery and sorrow) while facing struggles.

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

2 Timothy 2:1 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

In 1982, I started knocking on doors in our little town. For six weeks, I knocked on doors and prayed for help to begin Faith Baptist Church. Only a matter of weeks passed before someone criticized my values, my beliefs, and my message. I received more criticism from other Christians than I did from unsaved people. In the days that followed, I was accused of starting the church just to get people’s money. (I was making $100 a week.) I was not treated badly, but I had to face accusations, verbal judgments, and injustice from many different places.

Many Christians in missions work across the globe face great risk of their lives or the lives of their children. One of my missionary friends in Vietnam had someone break into his home, grab his little child, and run down the street. He chased the person down, engaged in a fistfight, and returned home with his child. This is a troubled world. Until we manage to get everyone acting like Christians, we are going to face verbal and physical trouble. When natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, and disease of all kinds are added to someone’s life, strength and courage are necessary in the heart and soul to endure physical and spiritual storms.

I heard the story of a conservative speaker on Berkeley's university campus. After the conservative spoke, the college offered counseling to help those who were emotionally distressed by the conservative values perpetrated on that campus. Professional counseling was offered because someone did not believe like they did — what a weak, sick culture! If someone cannot handle the emotional strain of another believing differently from himself, he has been properly called a “snowflake” — for he will melt if any heat of battle crosses his path.

Something is terribly wrong with the generation of people who cannot handle difficulty. War or bankruptcy, childbirth or a layoff, cancer or conflict with a spouse — one thing is sure: battles will come. We are raising a generation of drug-using, counseling-addicted weaklings who are incapable of handling the most simple of problems in life.

We are surrounded by ladies who cannot clean their homes, train their children, or face the pressures of marriage. Our young men cannot control their anger or simply put up with a difficult boss without quitting or giving up. Far too many people are sure they will need to live off the government and surrender to “victimhood.”

I have no desire that my children go through life without difficulty or hardship. The last thing I want my children to have is a perfectly well-mannered soft and fuzzy life. It is unrealistic to think my children will not face battles. Just as I want to train my young people for academic and social relationships, I want to train them for battles of life they will face. I desire to train my children to be able to walk victoriously through cancer treatment, religious persecution, multiple childbirths, or decades of employment.

The disciples rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight in the jail in spite of the injustice that placed them there. In their rejoicing, they were able to see souls saved.

Strength and courage are so vital in life. Jael was a great lady — certainly not a soft, crybaby of a woman:

Judges 4:21 “Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.”

Yes, he died because she drove a tent spike through his temple and fastened his head to the ground. Tough lady! She was probably able to mentally function when someone had a different opinion from hers. May we allow our children to face hardship. May we stand aside while our children face decisions, conflict, and pressure in order that they learn to be strong.

Strength of heart and soul is a great character trait. A strong body with a weak soul is without value. Strength to do right, to face hardship, and to continue to be true is a trait of greatness.

Pastor

Summer Training

Good Morning,

With summer almost here, let me urge parents to take at least one important action with your children, SHUT DOWN the MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT.

Many activities can be done with your children, but training them to be men and ladies is no accident. The mess we have in America today is a result of parents trusting public schools and parents allowing their children to do whatever they want.

Proverbs 22:15 “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child…”

Proverbs 29:15 “… a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”

Children do not know what to do. They will come up with all kinds of shame and sinfulness if left to themselves. If parents are missing, Satan will surely fill in the void.

Isaiah 34:16 “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read…”

Read the Bible — individually and as a family. If dad works too much and cannot, mom can do it when dad is gone from home.

Read books, fill your home with GOOD BOOKS. There is junk that some people call books. Fill your home with books that have morals, character, integrity, strength, and decency. Of course, this will require parents to do their homework. Talk to the school teachers at our church; ask, borrow brains, and then, of course, read the books yourself so you can talk to the children about the books they are reading.

It is commanded that we TRAIN our children — not allow them to run unchecked.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Outside activities are vital. Get bikes or a small above-ground pool, or go on walks at parks or in the mountains. It is important for a child to spend time alone outside, but be aware of where he is, and with whom and what he is playing. I rode bikes with my kids from the time they were in diapers to their teen years. We played outside. We played on the swings and slides, played with balls, and shot BB guns — all of these were just around for the children to play with at will. (Yes, my panic-stricken friend, BB guns, air soft guns, nerf guns, and knives too - both rubber and real - along with nunchucks, fighting sticks, and anything that had to do with manly activities.) My wife helped the children think of things to do outside, then she went back to her duties and left them to play.

Shut off or monitor video games. We limited our children to thirty minutes of play at a time, and then only occasionally. Shut off the television unless it is planned and very limited.

It was Abraham who commanded his household after God. He led them, taught them, trained them, and created a home honoring to God.

Genesis 18:19 “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Set a schedule: read during these times, do yard and household chores, go outside and play, or go to a park. Set up a schedule for your week and run it all summer.

Teaching children is not just an obligation you meet for an hour in the morning; teach them all day long.

Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

Be training your children all day long!

Work and skills:

in Luke 2:52, it was said of our Lord, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

There is more to life than just sitting home in front of a Bible. The word stature refers to the physical body: to be strong, to work, and to have skills. Many a boy has never dug a hole, used a hoe, mowed a lawn, or washed a car. Every child should be able to detail a car inside and out, but it takes a parent to sit by his side showing him how to do it.

If you have no lawn, find someone who does, and ask if you might care for their yard for no charge just to train your children to use edgers, blowers, rakes, and mowers. (By the way, you can buy all that equipment cheaper than video games and game systems.) Summer is a great time to do that which is time-consuming and could not be done during school. Load up the kids and go to museums, or go on hikes. Google hiking trails in your area and you will find many. Have the kids pack a lunch (teach them how), and leave for the day. (In our area, San Diego has many hiking trails along the cliffs above the ocean where it is cooler.) Children need to learn to cook. All our children were comfortable in the kitchen before junior high. Once a week, you could do a serious cleaning in one room. Make it a project for mom and the kids. Empty the room and scrub, touch up paint, reorganize, throw out, etc.

Change sprinklers, drip lines, timers, or take care of other details in the yard. Who cares if it is already working fine, use that yard to train the children.

We are to train the child for life, everything in life. Of course, do not miss anything your church has going on: VBS, camps, and conferences. It would not hurt to go to church and do serious room cleaning for God’s house. Why not go empty a room and make it sparkle? Teach children to wash windows; the church is a good place to do that as well. Then help them start doing it for neighbors and make money.


Animals are a great responsibility builder. Rabbits, dogs, and cats (in our area, a few chickens are great too). I grew up with goats and milked them; I also grew up with a cow, horse, pigs, and many other animals. We would have one animal for a while, then get rid of it and get something different, then another. Everything is teaching and training.

Camping is great for children. If dad cannot get away, mom can take them for an overnight stay first in the yard, then out in the woods. I have slept in our treehouse with children (and with ants etc.)

Where did John the Baptist grow up?

Luke 1:80 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.”

Read, watch informational shows, and find places to go in the desert; bring a telescope, and get out of the house and away from technology.

We have allowed a heathen government to train our children. This stupid world in which we live is the result of that mistake. Make summer a training time of fun, work, and learning skills — but all training.

And did I mention… SHUT DOWN MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT!

Pastor

Sanctified - part 2

Good Morning,

Yesterday, I wrote a few words about being sanctified. With the thought fresh in our minds, I will continue in that direction with a few verses on the same topic: 

1 Thessalonians 3:11 “Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.”

vs. 12 “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:”

God works in our lives in order that we might love one another; as we read on, we find there is more:  

vs. 13 “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” 

“To the end” (or for this reason), God is going to help us love one another for the express purpose of establishing our hearts in HOLINESS.  Yesterday, I mentioned that HOLY and SANCTIFY are similar words.  God instituted the matter of loving one another so that we might be holy or sanctified.  

Making the purpose of sanctification clear, He continues:

1 Thessalonians  4:1 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

The way in which we walk has an integral association with sanctification or holy living.  Paul wrote a list of things that matter concerning holy living:  

First- moral propriety!  

vs. 2 “For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”

vs. 3 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”

vs. 4 “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”

vs. 5 “Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”

vs. 6 “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.”

Why stay morally pure?  Because we are called to holiness!  

vs. 7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

Continuing on the subject of loving one another, Paul adds other facets to the matter of holy living:

vs. 9 “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”

vs. 10 “And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;”

vs. 11 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;”

vs. 12 “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

Here is the simple list of actions which God associates with holy living (in addition to moral purity):

1.  Be quiet.

2. Do your own business.

3. Work with your own hands (which He says defines honest living).  

     “That ye may walk honestly…” (verse 12)

This matter of sanctification or holiness is a daily duty. Each day, doing the thing in each situation that sets us apart to the Lord, whether it be our work ethic or our morals, is the definition of sanctification. God truly cares about our lifestyle and activities.  We are to sanctify ourselves unto God as Christ sanctified Himself unto His Heavenly Father; we belong to Him.  We simply cannot walk through this vile world as the unsaved and godless do.  

John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

Pastor

Sanctified

SANCTIFIED - Part 1

Good Morning,

In the Bible, sanctification is often mentioned.  To be sanctified means to be set apart, but the word sanctified is a two-fold word; it also means to be separated from one thing to another thing.  To sanctify means to set something apart for a purpose.  In our early years at Faith Baptist Church, we met in a rented hall.  The building served as a dance hall on Saturday, but it was set apart as a church on Sunday and Wednesday — it was SANCTIFIED on those days.  On Sundays and Wednesdays, no dancing took place and no booze was consumed — for it was SET APART from the worldly activity and SET APART unto God.  

The first mention of the word sanctify was in reference to Saturday or the Sabbath — a day set apart by the Lord (just as Sunday became the day set apart for the Lord and His people in the New Testament).  

Genesis 2:3 “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

At one point in history, God also sanctified the firstborn of each family:

Exodus 13:2 “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.”

When it comes to believers getting close to the Lord, God uses the Bible to set us apart.  Without Bible reading, we will end up worldly and become far from what we should be.  

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

As believers, we are to be set apart unto the Lord, to walk away from the garbage of this world.  Paul said there were many things that they had been sanctified FROM, things they left behind so they might be separated unto the Lord.  

1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

To be set apart or sanctified brings the question regarding modern churches.   What are they sanctified “FROM?”  People in modern churches casually drink liquor and frequent movie theaters and casinos.  Their television shows and entertainment are a little different from their unsaved neighbors, and Bible reading (if they were honest) rarely takes place.  Just what is the modern church set apart FROM, and what are they set apart TO?   Sanctification is two-fold, away from one thing and unto another.  From what does the modern church set itself apart?  What do they do differently from their good neighbors?  I know that many people attend church, but what is different in their daily lives that sets them apart?  

Have we set ourselves apart from the world in fashion?  In music?  In social activities?  Are we set apart in the kind of friends or education our children receive?  Have we set ourselves apart from gambling, booze, or any worldly pleasure in order that we might be wholly set apart UNTO Christ and His kingdom?    Have we set ourselves apart UNTO Bible reading, witnessing, family Bible time, and prayer?  Has our speech been sanctified?   Have we turned from our vulgar conversation and brought in talk about God and righteousness?  

The word sanctify is another form of the word HOLY.   We all know that believers are to be HOLY or set apart.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

When Paul writes that we are saved for the purpose of being HOLY, he means we are set apart unto God.

Ephesians 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

The modern form of religion is little more than a false front, a religious action performed once in a while on Sunday while living like the world during the remainder of the week — that is far from being SET APART.  

Jesus set Himself apart (or sanctified Himself) for the express purpose that we might follow His example and be sanctified as well.  

John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

A worldly life is not at all pleasing to the Saviour, for His desire is that we might follow in His steps.  

Pastor

The Love of Money (part 2)

Good Morning,

1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

The evil caused by a desire for money is endless and self-destructive.

Samson and Delilah are a good example of how greed hurts people.  (Judges 16:5)

Delilah was offered 1,100 pieces of silver by evil men and she caused Samson to fall.

The love of money caused Gehazi to be a leper.

2 Kings 5:20 “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.”

vs. 21 “So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?”

vs. 27  “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow."

We are all familiar with the story of Judas.

Matthew 26:14 “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,”

vs. 15 “And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.”

vs. 16 “And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.”

Matthew 27:3 “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,”

vs. 4 “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.”

vs. 5 “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”

Jesus foretold the fall of Judas, and it was a faithless, covetous man that took himself to Hell.

John 17:12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

Greed and a love for money have split homes and families after the death of a loved one.  Although an estate may be clearly outlined, family members have fought over the inheritance, while covetousness and evil attorneys seek legal ways to violate the wishes of the deceased.

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Let me make this clear:  “…they will pierce themselves through…” – they will hurt themselves.  The pain that results in their own lives will never be outweighed by the financial gain that was achieved.

Pastor

Love of Money

Good Morning,

Joshua 7 tells the story of Achan and Jericho.  The city was to be dedicated to the Lord, yet Achan coveted clothing, silver, and gold, and he took those items against the clear command of God.

Oh, what grief we cause through covetousness.  Achan did not only hurt himself, but he hurt his wife and children as well – they were all killed by his illicit love for money.  1 Timothy 6:10 tells the story clearly: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul speaks of Demas, who left Paul and the ministry for a love of the world. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world."

A Levite, one of the chosen of God, sold himself to be nothing more than a rented reverend just to gain economic security and stability:

Judges 17:10 "I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals."

Endless stories are told of the hurt caused by people who sought money.  Whether it be gambling or crime (in hopes of easy wealth), or countless other violations of God's Word – all are acted upon through covetousness.  The love of money will move us to shame and wrong, and our children will pay a severe price.  

We all know of Naomi and her husband who left Israel and the will of God for better economic circumstances; what did they gain?  Naomi returned ten years later, bitter and broken.  Her children and husband were dead; what did she gain? 

Ruth 1:20  "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me."

Proverbs 23:4 warns against the passion for money: "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."  

Solomon advised that those who seek wealth will end up allowing money to set their moral compasses: "...but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent."  (Proverbs 28:20)  

I have watched countless people violate clear Bible principles when their only reason was the possible gain of money.   I have seen loved ones die, and family members, who were close, become bitter enemies over estates, even small ones.  

Leaving children a heritage of diligence, Bible obedience, character, and a willingness to work hard and accept the pay they earn is far greater than any pile of cash we might provide for our children at our death.  

Achan regretted his choices far more than he ever could communicate.  Can you imagine his own horror as the people began to stone him and his family?  His dear wife and children were pummeled with stones one after another all because of his love of money.  Make it your passionate goal to never violate Scripture in hopes of financial gain.  Plan your financial future around righteousness rather than covetousness.  

I could go on and on telling stories and listing Scripture, but let me close with these warnings from the Lord:

Deuteronomy 23:6 “Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.”

Ezra 9:12 “... nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.”

Ezra said that the way to leave an inheritance to your children was NOT to seek the wealth of the world.

We should not seek the prosperity or wealth of the world; it will hurt our children more than we can ever know.  To make decisions based upon money is declaring money to be our “god."   Allowing money to be the one to whom we bow and the one who determines where we live and what values we place on life and children is a terrible god to follow.

Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Pastor

Education

Good Morning,


Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”


This month is Christian education month at Faith Baptist Church.  We all have different dreams and goals for our children, but I think if we were to crystallize all of those goals, we would want God glorified and our children happy.


1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Consider Finance

Some parents of Christian young people are fearful that their children will end up choosing a bad career (or even the ministry) and struggle financially throughout their lives.  I assure you, after four decades in the ministry, I have seen many businessmen struggle financially.  Most of the real estate agents I have known live on an economic roller coaster.  I have seen military personnel, as well as those who own their own businesses, face economic pressures, and, on occasion, even face bankruptcy.  I have known a few medical doctors who lived a life devoted to others, and yet, this also gives no guarantee of economic stability or marital bliss.  


Soul: the internal you, both on earth and in eternity – Jesus warned that gaining the whole world to lose one’s soul is tragic.  


Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”


It may not be the eternal soul as much as the soul that faces a life of desperation and suffering.  Gaining the whole world means absolutely nothing as far as happiness is concerned. 


Everyone is visited by good and bad situations.

I have known many people in the construction industry, and when times are prosperous they work night and day and are hardly able to spend time with their families.  When the economy is bad, they cannot find work or they have to travel long distances to find a few hours of pay.  I have known union employees whose lives were based on government contracts.  These workers also faced “feast or famine” types of careers.  When the contracts come through, they work night and day with no rest for family, home, or God.  When contracts do not come through, they are fearful for their very existence.  Between those times, they also face union strikes which add to the confusion of their financial stability.  Never fear that serving God will cause difficulty; in general, life causes difficulty.

Accredited Schools and Colleges

As Christians, I believe we have great liberty to trust that God is involved in every aspect of our lives, but if we are honest, we know a college degree does not guarantee success in marriage, children, or church.  If success is glorifying God, having a happy marriage, being involved in a church, or loving people, a college degree will not even slightly increase the success of a young person‘s life.  None of these areas are improved one iota by a college degree or a higher annual income.


For four decades, we have seen young people graduate from unaccredited high schools who usually attend unaccredited colleges.  Guess what I have found?  Couples who marry those who think like they do have happy homes, buy houses, have babies, and serve the Lord with their few free hours.  


I have watched those who sought secular jobs but desired to stay in church faithfully battle to do so.  Likewise, I have seen those in the ministry fight to keep their home and ministry balanced.  Work, home, ministry, and walk with God are difficult to keep balanced, but college or high school had far less to do with their success than marrying right and maintaining a personal walk with God.  


Choose spiritual priorities; that is Matthew 6:33 lived out through your daily life. Read through these verses slowly and ask God to help you keep spiritual priorities.  Doing that will bring us much closer to pleasing God and giving our children a happy future.  


Matthew 6:31 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”

vs. 32 “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

vs. 33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

vs. 34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Pastor

Purpose for Life

Good Morning,


Many times, God busily works while men have no idea what is happening.  Consider the situations surrounding one's salvation or the great success of a business.  So often the success seems random, but we understand that God works where and when He sees fit to invest His influence.


Such was the case while the children of Israel were in captivity, and Satan had set out to destroy the people of God.  Haaman, as satanic men throughout history have done, sought to kill the Jews.  Providentially, Esther had found herself in the palace of the king, although the fact that she was a Jewess had not yet been known.  Mordecai asked Esther to approach the king on behalf of the Jews, but that could only be done at great risk to her life.  Mordecai said the choice was hers to make, but that God would do it one way or another.  Esther had an opportunity to take part in something God was going to do; the choice to be a part of His plan was hers.

Esther 4:14 "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Notice several truths from this passage:

First, the choice to speak up or not is ours to make. "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time..."  This may pertain to winning a soul, to giving a word of praise and encouragement, or perhaps to teaching a class at church.  Specific times will arise when the opportunity to be involved in the work of God will be made available to us. 


Second, God will get His work done one way or another: "...then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place..." 

God has plans to accomplish, and He will find a way to make it happen.  God will accomplish His plans – with or without us.  I am not saying everything will turn out great if we fail to do our duty.  The children God gave to us will not turn out the same if we do not do our scriptural duty.  A married couple who does not follow God’s plan will not have the same marriage as a couple who treats each other in a biblical manner.  Missionaries will not have the same provision they might have had if we do not give financially.  In all of these situations, God will help folks survive, and somehow, they will get along, but the outcome will not be as it could have been.  Life will be more difficult.  Struggles will be greater and trials will be more fierce.  God will find a "Plan B," and folks will continue to go on through life; the solution will just have to come from somewhere else.

Third, if we do not jump in and do what God has led us to do, we will lose.  "...but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed..." We do not know all that would have happened if Esther had not pleaded for her people, but it appears that her family would have suffered for her failure.  

One night, as I walked into a hotel, I noticed the worker at the desk. No one else was in the lobby, and the hour was late so the work was slow.  I said, "Hi," and walked toward my room.  The Lord nudged me to give him a tract, yet I continued to walk – then I stopped myself.  The choice was mine.  God will save folks who are seeking, but I could miss the opportunity to be a part of the wonderful works of God.  Missing this opportunity would not only have been important to the man but to me as well.  I turned around, pulled out a tract, and went through the Gospel with him.  As it turned out, he was a faithful member of a church and had already trusted Christ.  He thanked me, and I went toward my room, very much at ease; I had a far different peace than I would have had if I had ignored the Spirit's leading.  The choice was mine, and God would have accomplished His plans without me – but I would have lost out on a blessing, not the man at the counter.  

Lastly, there was a reason I was there and that someone else was not in the room at that time; God had placed me in a position to influence this young man.  Just because he was already saved does not mean our conversation was not significant; and by those words, I was a part of the most wonderful work on earth, the Gospel ministry.  


Esther 4:14 “...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"


Mother, those children will grow up with or without a Bible-reading mom, but life will be easier and more honoring to God if you walk with God.  Fewer sorrows will occur and God will receive much more glory from the situation that is lived properly.  The choice is yours; you will miss out on being a grateful participant in the eternal work of God in the hearts of eternal souls. Dad, you can be the father who sits in church with his family and who teaches them the importance of loving God, the Bible, and the house of God; or you can be a half-hearted participant in the Christian life.  If those children care, God will find a way to get His work done – you will just miss your opportunity to be a part of something spectacular and eternal.  In the long run, you will suffer loss for your failure to perform the duties God outlined in the Scriptures.   Whether it be a Sunday school class or a voice in the choir, God has you on this earth for a specific purpose that He designed specifically for you to perform, and no one can fill the need like you can.  


Giving to your church will help you more than it will help the church.  Supporting missionaries financially will help the giver more than the recipient.  We have the opportunity to be a part of the work of God; we have been invited to partake in heavenly plans, and we will be eternally rewarded for serving the Master and His ministry.  I am on earth for a reason.  I have my background, my physical and emotional makeup, and my education for a reason – for "Such a time as this."  


If we quit church and go back to the old life, God will find a way to continue His ministry, but we will "suffer loss." (1 Corinthians 3:15) We may sit in church doing nothing, knowing we can participate in bus work or rest homes or Sunday school classes – the choice is ours.  God will get His work done one way or another, but we will suffer the loss.  No one is more perfectly fitted for the job God designed for us than we are.  Each one of us is exactly what God needed for a specific situation.  For a time, I was directing our choir, and I loved it.  Although I was probably not the one God had specifically trained for the job, I think I was a willing substitute.


Those who fail to accomplish the specific duty God designed for them, of necessity, are doing something other than what God had planned.  Perhaps they or their families will suffer for their activity in that which was out of the eternal plan of God.  If I am not where I am supposed to be, I am obviously where I should not be.  

Some people may feel a certain path wrong because it is difficult, but how difficult was the path Esther traveled?  Loss of a family, loss of a nation, and married to a heathen king – but, she was there "for such a time as this."  Now, she is recorded in the eternal Bible to encourage all of us to perform our duties to God and men.  

How much better might my life or yours have been had choices been made for God and eternity rather than convenience and money?  John warns about some who will be ashamed at the appearing of Christ:

1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." 

May we be prayerful, careful, diligent, and spiritual in all the things we do and do not do.  "That no man take thy crown." (Revelation 3:11)


Pastor