Do Not Faint

Good Morning,

Psalm 27:13 “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

David wrote, “I had fainted,” when he was in a time of great distress,  yet he followed the statement with the reason he did not faint:

“… unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”


David believed that he would see the goodness of the Lord — not in Heaven, but in the land of the living.  Here, on earth, David believed that one day, he would see the goodness of God revealed.   Though at the time, he felt as if he would faint. David believed that he would see God in all His goodness.  

David was under such pressure;  so much weighed on him that he felt that he would faint, but not without hope for tomorrow.  David also wrote in the Psalms:

"... yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."  (Psalm 57:1)

There is comfort in the fact that God is good, that God is faithful, that God is near, and that God loves His Own.   


Some days (sometimes weeks or months), we need extra grace to rest in the Lord and His promises, but as we look into the perfect law of liberty, we can find assurance that we will see the “goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”  

God is good, and one day, we will see it; be patient.

Pastor 

On the Team

Good Morning,

Most of us have watched sporting events in which one person dominates the game. Superior athletes are real; it seems as if something different was placed inside them at birth. We have also seen the amazing running back helped by the unknown lineman; the great batter still needs a good team fielding the ball, otherwise they would lose every game; even the superior solo tennis player must have a coach.

We are not all equal, but we can all participate and help the team. There is no star who accomplishes much without a team beside him. The same philosophy is true in the ministry.

Matthew 10:40 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”

vs. 41 “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.”

I do not need to be the prophet, but I can be important in the life of the prophet; and in so doing, I gain blessings and rewards from Heaven. In a church, there is usually only one preacher; he does the majority of the preaching and teaching; but nursery workers are also vital if the pastor is to have peace and keep the attention of the congregation. Janitors, PA men, ushers who collect the offering, and musicians who sing and play all have important roles in making the church a great place!

Paul writes to the Ephesian church about their usefulness and the fact that every member is a vital part of the whole.

Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Paul taught many of the same lessons to the Corinthian church, likening the ministry to a farmer who plants the seed and another waters it, but ultimately it is God Who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

vs. 7 “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

vs. 8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”

vs. 9 “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”

The fact that we are laborers together with God is a great thought. We need each other; we all have different talents and duties

1 Corinthians 12:4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

vs. 5 “And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.”

vs. 6 “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

vs. 7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

vs. 8 “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;”

We are all given different gifts by the Holy Spirit and yet, in the end, God is the one Who makes the ministry work!

In a team, a church, or a family, no inferior parts will be found. God blesses us for doing well that which He designed us to do. Faithfulness is what God desires, faithfulness to do and be what He designed us to be. Obviously, if a part is missing, the team suffers. We all matter far more than we realize.

Pastor

Daniel

Good Morning,

Most of us are familiar with the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. The story is found in Daniel chapter 6. Many wonderful lessons are found in this chapter, but I would like to point out just a few. You may want to read through chapter 6 as you look at these points regarding Daniel and his circumstances:

1. Daniel did right without question, yet men still tried to destroy him. Just because you are doing right does not mean everyone will like it. The story does not say Daniel was a bad boss. There are no instances of Daniel’s injustice in dealing with these men. The simple fact was that they did not like Daniel being the one in charge.

Daniel 6:4 “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

vs. 5 “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

2. Daniel was in a position of authority. Others were placed under him, and as is human nature, people tend to want authority; and if need be, they will destroy their authorities to have the position themselves.

3. Leaders do not always make the right decisions. Leaders are sinful humans, and, at times, our leaders’ mistakes will hurt us. Remember, God is not dead. The flattering princes under the authority of Daniel came to the king and asked him to make a law that no one be able to pray to any God or man except to the king. Human arrogance and the love of attention brought the king to make a foolish choice. Daniel was going to be thrown into the lion’s den.

vs. 7 “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.”

4. Just because your leaders make a foolish decision does not mean they do not love you and that they do not regret the horrible choice they made. At times, the decision involves unwise spending, but at other times the situation may involve the use of liquor or drugs or a failure to care for some detail in life; but remember, we are all sinful. People who sincerely love can make decisions that say they do not love you. Keep believing in people.

vs. 18 “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”

The king spent the night in fasting with a broken heart for the wrong he had done and the harm he had caused Daniel because he cared for him. The king truly did care.

5. God was not absent. Those circumstances were dire, yet there was still a God in Heaven Who cared for Daniel. God knew Daniel’s situation was going to glorify His Name through the difficulties that Daniel was facing. God delivered Daniel from the lions.

6. The Bible says much about forgiveness and mercy, but it also says "vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.” Daniel did not need to get even with those with men; God moved on the heart of the king, and the king took care of Daniel's enemies.

vs. 24 “And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”

We, too, can trust God when evil men seek to hurt us and when foolish leaders fail to defend us.

Psalm 46:1 “...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…”

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

7. The sorrows and difficulties that the Old Testament saints dealt with are wonderful lessons and reminders to each one of us today. May we be reminded that our sorrows and difficulties are modern-day lessons from which others may watch and learn. We must trust in the Lord with all of our heart; may we continue to do right when situations go wrong, believing God will be glorified and other believers will be instructed.

Pastor

Repair The Breach

Repair the Breach

Good Morning,

We, as Americans, have had our heritage slowly and methodically taken away from us.  The great founders and framers have been maligned.  Our founding documents have been assaulted and ignored.  Our national sins have been magnified while our deeds of righteousness have been forgotten. This is a tragic and satanic process with cataclysmic effects.  It will be, to quote one vile President, the fundamental restructuring of our nation. 

Forgetting or failing to learn of who we are, where we came from, and why certain choices were made will cripple our abilities to plan and implement future decisions.

Isaiah 58:12 “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” 

In Isaiah’s day, he preached about a day to come when some would go back to the foundation of their nation, they would raise up the ideals of past generations and repair the breach or the broken place in the philosophical structure of their society.  

Preachers today, and I speak of Baptist men, have failed to learn their spiritual roots.  As they develop their ministry, they have failed to honor the old paths, the old men, and most have no idea why the word “fundamentalist” even came into being in the Christian world. (July 1, 1920, Curtis Lee Laws, Convention Side Lights Watchman-Examiner)

Young men, enamored by scholars and tempted by the casual church ambience, have drawn toward reformed theology, or worldly worship, knowing NOTHING of the roots of that philosophy or the reason Baptists were so harassed by reformers. Why was it that Baptists stood so firmly, countless times to their own death?  Without that knowledge, religion is adrift with no charts or destination.  

We need to know who we are, why we are what we are, why some things matter SO MUCH, and why there needs to be a gruff resistance to any other direction.  One simple young preacher said he wanted to redefine fundamentalism.  The poor guy was like a five-year-old trying to reinvent a car.  He knows there are tires and a motor, but he is tragically ignorant of countless elements that went into the development, safe production, and operation of the vehicle.  Yes, this self-appointed youth, set to redirect the course of Fundamentalism, knew about standards, soul winning, and a trust in the KJV (although his loyalty to any of these might be seriously questioned).  He failed to learn WHY, WHO, AND WHAT! 

Isaiah 58:12 “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

In order to properly build what God desires and restore the paths, one must begin with the foundation of many past generations and find the “old waste places” so that he may, with God’s help, rebuild exactly what was there before. 

Isaiah saw the trouble, saw the nation going into captivity, and was comforted in the fact that one day, the nation would be restored, the throne would enjoy the seed of David ruling, the Covenant would be made intact again for the Jew, and the paths would be restored.

For the Bride, the New Testament Christian, we too have a foundation laid by the Apostles.  We too, can see the preachers admiring the altar of the heathen (Ahaz; 2 Kings 16:10)  and sending the plans to our current-day worship leaders to model.  We can see the people drift from humble devotion and holiness to a worldly style of life and religious activity.  We are watching churches change from being God-fearing and striving for holiness to casual in their Christian beliefs and complacent; captivity is approaching. 

We need to reach back to the old ways (the foundations of many generations) and repair the breach.  If we do not, compromise will come along with the temptress, Delilah, and with our fundamental hair, will lose our power and spiritual eyesight.  The Philistines will laugh at the foundations and the ways of our roots, while we miserably grind at the worldly wheel of contemporary worship.

Pastor

Mental Pressures

Good Morning,

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.”

vs. 9 “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

I was talking with a very good pastor friend, and he mentioned the mental struggle he faced.  I feel like we all face that, some more than others, but all, at least, to some extent. This good man with a good family, good kids, and apparently, a good marriage wondered about success, being useful to God and other things.

I was slow to respond, but offered him a few thoughts that helped me, and I thought perhaps they would benefit some of you too.

We must understand that we are in a spiritual battle, and most of it is in our thoughts.  Purposely controlling what we think about is a huge step in gaining victory.

1.  Count your blessings.

Look up for a roof over your head, look in the cupboards for food, and then slowly take stock.  Is there a car out front? Are you saved? Do you have a good church? Do you have a Bible? Are you free?  Do you have your hands and feet.  Cultivate gratitude.

2. Focus your attention on "doing" the will of God more than the results of your work.  Some of the greatest inventors and missionaries found little success until many years of faithful work had passed.  Success is doing the will of God, not achieving an earthly goal or attaining financial or spiritual success.  It may be that God planned on a family having no children or no spouse.   It may be that enduring a lifetime of health issues is the will of God.  None of us want that plan for our lives, but we all understand that this could be the case.   As long as the "do" is right, the results can be left in the hands of God.  

3. Focus on influencing one person, whether it be a baby in the nursery, a child in Sunday school, or visiting a lonely neighbor.   Helping one person can change the world. It was one mechanic who invited a few teenagers to his home after church because there was nothing going on for the youth in their church. He taught them to witness. One of those teens led me to Christ in the city park.  

4. Work hard at knowing God;  study your Bible, develop a prayer life, get prayer lists, and read good biographies of godly men and women so you learn the secretes of their spiritual lives.  If you need names of people to read, here are a few:

• William Carey - went to India and translated the Bible into many languages.

• David Livingstone - explored Africa.

• Amy Carmichael - rescued children from temple prostitution in India.

• Jim Elliot and Nate Saint

• Mary Slessor - reached into the interior of Calabar.  

• Adoniram and Ann Judson

• Hudson Taylor - built the great China Inland Missions

• John and Betty Stam - missionaries to China

• Gladys Aylward - missionary to China

• Jonathan and Roslind Goforth - missionaries to China

These are all missionaries, but their lives will help us all understand faith, suffering, purpose, and godliness.  

Pastor

View of God

Good morning,

Most religious people have a warped view of God.  The common religious person pictures a god that matches their own views, not the God of the Bible.  Often, I have heard someone say that a God of love could not send someone to Hell, or that a loving God could not burn up Sodom.  The people who make Jesus out to be a passive, tender man forget that He threw over the money changers’ tables and called religious leaders “snakes.” 

Religious men have twisted the image of God in many ways, but for the moment, allow me to simply address the topic of hatred. Let us see what the Bible says about God and His feelings toward certain things.

Psalm 53:5 “...thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.”

Well, that is certainly not the same God the world talks about, David writes that there are some whom God despises.

Lamentations 2:5  “The Lord was as an enemy…"

vs. 6 .”.. and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.”

It is necessary for us to have a better grasp on the holiness of God if we hope to understand how much God hates wrong.  Over thirty times, the Bible speaks of God and man properly hating wrong.  God is so holy that He cannot tolerate sin; consider how He treated His own Son when He became sin.

Psalms 119 gives us several clear instructions

vs. 104 “... I hate every false way.”

vs. 113  “I hate vain thoughts…"

vs. 163  “I hate and abhor lying…"

There is a serious emphasis on feelings toward those who hate God.  Even to the point of defining his feelings as "perfect hatred."

Psalm 139:21 “Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?”

vs. 22 “I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.”

God holds religious hypocrisy in special contempt, as is shown in the book of Isaiah.  

Isaiah 1:14 “Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”

There are many areas in which we fail to have a biblical perspective of God.  Mankind is constantly trying to bring God down to man, trying to make Him more and more like man so that man will appear good.  In reality, when God became man, man hated Him and could not stand in His Divine presence.  

When God curses a nation, allows sinners to be forgiven, or mocks other religious ideas, may we not filter the Bible through human reason but rather use the Bible to create a filter on the foolish ideas of man.    

"Let God be true and every man a liar."

Pastor

It’s Not About Me

Good Morning,

When Paul wrote to the Philippian church, he made it clear that the things in his life were not all centered on his own personal pleasures.  Giving God glory was far more important to Paul than his feeling good or being treated well.

Philippians 1:14 “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

vs. 15 “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

vs. 16 “The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:”

Paul was in jail, a situation that might have caused some bitterness or anger, but instead, he was glad that people throughout the prison had heard the Gospel message as a result of his being there.  Some preachers preached in hopes of hurting Paul or causing him some kind of anxiety or other sufferings.   Other preachers were emboldened and loved Paul.   

vs. 17 “But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

vs. 19 “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

As long as Christ was preached, Paul did not care if people liked him or not. 

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

Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

vs. 23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

In the Garden of Gethsemane, even our Lord prayed that “this cup” might pass from Him; Jesus followed up that prayer with the surrender of his heart to do God’s will: “…not my will, but thine be done.”

Whatever glorifies God is best; whether what happens be comfortable or difficult, friendly or angry, God’s receiving the honor is our priority.  

If people tried to do Paul harm, but in the process, they preached Christ, Paul felt himself a tool of God used for good.  If people wished Paul evil, yet in some way ended up lifting up the name of Christ, Paul rejoiced.  Paul did not focus on being well-thought of, but rather on magnifying Jesus.

Paul concluded the thought a few verses later:

Philippians 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

Whether death or life, as long as Christ is magnified, Paul was pleased.  We would all be much happier if we would surrender our lives to injustice, suffering, and hardship, as long as God was glorified through our discomfort.  

Pastor 

Evil

Good Morning,

When we start reading the Scriptures in Genesis, in the second chapter, we already find the wicked one raising his head in a place of perfection.  

No matter how wonderful the environment, evil will seek to disrupt and to destroy. One of the mistakes often made is the attempt to analyze “why.” Why would someone do evil things? Why would someone act in an evil manner? There are courtroom psychologists who try to analyze the reasons why someone would act in a certain vile or corrupt way; we simply need to understand that from the very beginning, evil showed up because it is evil. We could research to the time before the Garden of Eden (Isaiah 14:12-14) and find Satan living in the presence of God.

Isaiah 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

vs. 13 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.”

vs. 14 “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”

Satan enjoyed a perfect environment and held a great position as the “anointed cherub that covereth.”

Ezekiel 28:14 “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”

Yet in that perfect place with a very incredible position, working for the perfect Creator of the universe, evil was still present.

Satan said, “I will be like the most high, I will exalt my throne…”

Sometimes, some Americans seem bothered when things are going well.  Liberal leaders of society still complain about storms and violence. Recently, we heard the President’s State of the Union Address. In his speech, he clearly explained that the unemployment rate of blacks and Latinos is the lowest in the history of recorded employment, and yet Latino and black leaders have no good thing to say. No matter how good the environment may be, evil will be present. No matter how good the people are, some evil will creep in.

Do not be surprised when evil influence makes its way into the lives of your children; it does not matter what school they attend, whether it be a public school, homeschool, or a Christian school.

Do not be surprised when evil shows up in your Christian home (the place where you live a very guarded life) through one of your family members or through an outsider who gains influence on your family. One family, who was extremely guarded about the media influences they allowed in their home (they did not even have a television), experienced the influence of evil when a new router was installed. The technician who came out to install the device arrived when no one was home except the younger teenager.  The parents gave the okay to install it.   Once the router was installed and working, the tech showed the teenager where the password was on the bottom of the device. Without any parental knowledge, a young person then had unfettered access to the trash on the internet.

We need to understand that we are in the presence of evil. We can put up all the boundaries we want (and we should); we can create fences and borders; we can create rules and policies, but we must understand and accept the reality that evil is among us.  Our Lord did everything right: His actions were perfect in every situation; He responded in a godly manner to every circumstance, yet Judas’ story took place.

John 6:70  “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

At your place of employment (whether it be in the area of finances, the bookkeeping, or the management), when some evil takes place do not be angry.  Do not be too hard on the church when some negative or evil act arises. The church is full of people, and certainly, the evil one will sow tares among the wheat.

Matthew 13:25 “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”

The most important recourse for the child of God is to walk with the King. When Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and unjustly imprisoned by Potiphar, he “lost”13 years of his life (17 to 20 years in a world of total injustice),  yet through it all, God was still in Heaven.  In the last chapter of Genesis, when Joseph’s brothers sought his help and mercy, Joseph made a simple statement: “Am I in the place of God?”

We should labor to do right.  We should plan and organize our lives to guard against evil. In the end, there is no way we are going to control all of the evil and wrong in this world, but we have a God Who can, and we can trust Him. Infidelity in marriage, thoughtless crime,  political shame, or violence in gangs — none can supersede the mighty hand of God. May our faith rest in His power. May our dreams and goals rest in His lovingkindness. When evil seems to rear its head and appears to be victorious, let us rest in the One Who knows the end of the story and “who doeth all things well."

Mark 7:37 “...He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

Pastor

It Is Okay to Be the Only One

Good Morning,

When Jesus left Heaven, He left a perfect place to go to an imperfect place.   Jesus walked through life as a perfect man, dwelling among imperfect men.  He dealt fairly and honestly with all, while their dealings were far from proper or just.

As I read this passage, I considered these thoughts:

Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

vs. 7 “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

vs. 8 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Although Christ deserved the very best, He made Himself of no reputation. He gained no earthly accolades; all the praise of men could not adequately glorify Him as He deserved.  


My line of thought this morning centers on this reasoning: He did right while others did not do right; he loved, while others did not love; he forgave while others did not forgive, and he was kind and thoughtful while others were the extreme opposite.  

I consider these thoughts and remind myself that it is okay to be the only one in a relationship doing right.

We often do right until someone fails to realize our sacrifice, and then we do wrong.  We will be clean and orderly until someone with whom we live ignores the cleanliness and allows their sloppy ways to be dominant, and then we become angry and yield to our own selfish ways.  We each tend to love our spouse, as long as love is shown in return; if love is not reciprocated, the relationship is strained. Perhaps we react differently, but we tend to retaliate easily with unloving action if we do not receive a little back of what we give.  

For the college student, it is okay to be the only one in the dorm reading his Bible daily, or keeping the rules faithfully, or honoring the spirit of the school appropriately.  

It is okay to be the one in marriage who cleans up while others do not.  If you have children, be sure to train them to do right in this matter; your spouse or other adult guests may not grasp the spirit of order, cleanliness, and usefulness.  It is okay to keep doing right while others have no clue, for that is the Christlike life.  

Philippians 2:8 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Christ humbled Himself; He tolerated the sinfulness of men and the shame of this godless world, and yet, He did right. Without a doubt, Jesus corrected the actions of those nearest Him: to Peter, one of his closest friends, He said, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Jesus also corrected the disciples when they feared the terrible storm:

Luke 8:25 “And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”

When people watched to see if He would heal on the sabbath, Jesus chose a few words of correction: “with anger…”

Mark 3:5 ”And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”


Many a missionary has given up because he felt there was no lasting fruit from his labors.  Many a pastor or parent has turned to a casual lifestyle and stopped fighting for right when they saw no real change in those they attempted to help.  

The most important thought is that we must not give up on doing right simply because we are alone in doing so.  Right is right, whether we are in a crowd or alone.  Godliness is the proper reaction even though we are alone in our behavior.  

Some of our biggest failures come when we begin to think we are the only one who cares or the only one who is standing for right.  If we entertain those thoughts, we must be reminded that God is in agreement with the right choice; we are not alone, and we are truly in the very best of company.  

Pastor

Forgiveness

Good morning,

It seems that one of the problems humanity struggles with is forgiveness.  Forgiveness is referenced in books, movies, and often in Scripture; the decision to forgive remains difficult, but it is of utmost importance.  We read about it on wall hangings; but honesty, we know what is right, yet it remains difficult.  

Colossians 3:13 “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Matthew 18:21 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”

vs. 22 “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

To fully grasp the importance of this doctrine you need to read the verses following verse 22.  It is imperative we forgive!

The example is right before us in the Bible, and forgiveness is an element of the most difficult circumstances.  Betrayed, falsely tried, unjustly punished, mocked and ridiculed, yet Jesus sought their forgiveness. 

Luke 23:43 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” 

There are many ideas about these passages and their warnings, but for the moment, let us agree that God clearly says, FORGIVE! Whatever wrong one has endured, it cannot be as severe as the cross and all that went along with it.  FORGIVNESS is as clear a part of Christian living as prayer and Bible reading. 

If you struggle with forgiveness, here are a few suggestions that might help:

• Memorize passages dealing with forgiveness.

• Read Bible stories, such as the story of Joseph or of Jesus and how they suffered and forgave.

• Read Bible lessons on forgiveness as these mentioned above.  

• Read missionary stories of those who suffered and continued to love and serve like Through the Gates of Splendor, about Jim Elliot;  How I Know God Hears and Answers Prayer, by Rosalind Goforth; To the Golden Shore, by Adoniram Judson.  

Stop reading or listening to those who help you justify your bitter heart.

These stories and their suffering dwarfs anything that we might have suffered, yet they forgave, served, and deeply loved those who hurt them. 

Do not settle for a second-rate relationship to the Lord because of a heart of unforgiveness; go on the offensive and beat that sinful thinking.  

There is more Bible on forgiveness than on liquor, yet many who would never take a drink of alcohol harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in their hearts.  Get it right!

Pastor

Entropy

Good morning,

Can you imagine anything more absurd than evolution? Look at your cars; the fact that your car is not as good as it once was proves entropy. Things wear down, break, rust, and fall apart.  These evolutionists act as though everything is getting better and better; but mankind is certainly not getting better, we just keep killing each other with more advanced techniques.

Look in the mirror. Have the years made you better and better? You ladies might put on some make up and you guys might go to the gym work out, but you are not going up and down stairs like you used to and you know it.   You and I are on our way to be worm food and there is no way around it.

Time makes nothing better. Chromosomes are no more advanced and genes are no better in a human being than those made by Levi Strauss – they all wear out.

The only reason anyone believes in evolution is because they hate the alternative. Humanity hates the idea that there is a God to Whom they are accountable. 

Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

Mankind, especially the real educated ones, love to act as if man is the center of all the universe, that man is the highest life form, and that we are accountable to no one.

Paul wrote about this:

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.”

The only way to make something better is work the outside energy source into the equation. You can replace parts on the car to make it faster or perhaps to give it a better stereo system. That car will not get any better unless someone puts something extra into it. With the human body or an animal body, you might put in extra vitamins and minerals, exercise, and put it in a better environment, but even all that effort, the body will end in death.

That is why there is a need for the new birth!

John 3:3 “…Ye must be born again…”

When God gives birth to a new creature, He makes something better, but even your new birth will degenerate if you do not add Bible, prayer, and Christian service. Those are the things that will help you grow as a Christian. If you do not work on developing your spiritual life, you will die spiritually, and then eventually die physically, and you will go to heaven flat busted. Yes, you are still saved, but your Christian life will not mature and develop, without growth in grace. 

You need to ADD:  

2 Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;”

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Consider American government; is it getting better? Consider the morals of the nation; are they getting better?  How about our education; check out the test scores and quality of what is being taught in our schools, and you will find that it is not getting better.  Everything gets worse with time.  

My grandmother was a simple, poor, farm girl from Central Iowa, but she was taught Latin in school, and she could write cursive beautifully. Try that in public schools today.  She could also work, keep her money in order, keep her morals, and love her husband. 

Entropy means things mankind does will grow worse and worse, but with the Lord, things will improve wonderfully – wow, what a difference!  Put your time and money on the Lord!  

Pastor

Time Conflicts

Good Morning,

One of the most common and well-understood concepts in life is that there is not enough time to do all that we believe needs to be done.


In college, I remember hearing from “‘Chapel Quotes’, by Bob Jones Sr.: ‘Duties never conflict.’” Yet, in life, I feel that the battle to decide which duty is a priority is constant. What I believe needs to be done is rarely NOT in conflict with something else I feel MUST be done.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

The word purpose means it is intentional and that God is happy with it. God has a purpose for everything that happens. When we feel we cannot get every job done, we must remember that a purpose exists for our not getting everything done. When there is not enough rain, animals die. When there are floods, everything gets messed up.

There is a time to die, but most of us do not think it is our or our parents’ TIME. There is a time to war, but again, many people would never feel there is a time to fight. Observe nature: suffering, death, loneliness, forest fires, drought, pestilence, earthquakes, and floods. No one plans these discomforts, yet these discomforts happen every day. Yes, human discomforts are a product of the flood, but God still has a purpose, and He is not dead!

Ecclesiastes 3:14 “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”

We should FEAR some things. We should fear God. We should tremble before Him, but to fall apart because everything is not ideal is foolish.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 “A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;”

We may not like the timing God has in His design, but we can trust the God Who controls the timing.

There is a time to lose:

Ecclesiastes 3:6 “A time to get, and a time to lose…”

A time will come when we will “seem” to fail, but failure is not always understood. When we get to Heaven, we will have a far better perspective on life. Did Paul understand being hungry? Probably not, but he did say, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12)

Paul made clear that the plans of God were not always “seen” or understood. We do not need to panic.

Romans 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”


We want to have a clear view of each step, a reason for each situation (of course the OCD folks want everything done on schedule and in an orderly manner, Ha! Ha!). Try being a parent, a pastor, a businessman, or even a missionary; you will see how little is in your control.

Dr. Wendell Evans, our Bible college president, posted the quote, “DO YOUR BEST AND HANG THE REST” on the wall during finals. His intent was to remind us that we are not going to get everything done, nor will we accomplish everything in a timely manner. We should try, and we should prayerfully plan and execute; but when we do not get everything accomplished, we must rest in the Lord. If you could get it all together, you would not need to rest in God; you would rest in YOU— a big difference.

The cross of Calvary is all about failed people in a failed world — and abounding love. Do not stray from that simple truth.

Pastor

Guilt

Good Morning,


Christians face a great deal of guilt.  Some guilt is from their own memory, regrets of the deeds they have done.  Some guilt comes from the devil’s accusing, slandering, and trying to create the illusion of defeat.  We must face guilt in a Scriptural manner, no matter what the cause.  

David acknowledged his wrong: 

Psalm 51:3 “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”


Guilt creates defeat and needs to be dealt with in order to find peace.  

Psalm 51:1 “...blot out my transgressions.”

vs. 2 “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

vs. 3 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”


Thus far, these verses have used the words and phrases: blot out, wash, cleanse, purge, clean, and whiter than snow. Collectively, these words define cleanse.  Read through the chapter and observe how many adjectives the Bible uses to describe cleansing and how many words are used to explain the state of the man who is now forgiven (such as joy, a right spirit, delivered, etc.). 


Somehow, David exchanged his days of fasting, guilt, grief, and sorrow after adultery and murder to being restored.   His transition was made just as all believers should do.  Regaining the joy of salvation is a path all sinners should travel.  Understand that each day, David woke up and saw Bathsheba, his wife: the lady with whom he had committed adultery, the lady whose husband he had killed, the lady who lost her baby because of his wrong.  Yet being reminded of his wrong, David still had peace, joy, and victory. How did he do it?


Sometimes the reminder of our wrong drives us back into guilt; David must have faced that potential daily, yet God restored his joy.  

vs. 12 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”


Rather than be driven into guilt, we should be driven into the wonder of God's mercy and forgiveness.  Rather than wallow in our shame, we should revel in the mercy and forgiveness of God.

Forgiveness and restoration is much like salvation and living by faith.  We have to be willing to accept the truths the Bible states and have faith enough to believe God.  


First, let us not side-step the process of forgiveness. David claimed the sin, he confessed it, and he did not try to make it appear better than it was. 

vs. 3 “For I acknowledge my transgressions:”


David confessed that he had wronged God, that his sin was against the commands of God, and that no matter what men thought or how the situation ended on earth, he had broken the commandments of a righteous God. 

vs. 4 “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight”


David took all the blame and admitted he had been a sinner from the beginning. This was not a slip up; he sinned and he had been doing it since childhood. 

vs. 5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me”


David did not just stop the sin and hope to be better, he called the sin wrong and asked God to forgive and to cleanse him.  The couple living in adultery who finally gets married does not usually confess their wrong; hence, they miss some of the joy and peace they could have had.  The couple who conceives a child out of wedlock often marries but fails to confess the wrong; and again, they miss some of the rest and restoration God could provide.

vs. 7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me,”


David was willing to take the punishment.  David accepted that God knew how to clean him up; he did not beg for life without repercussion, and he accepted that God might need to punish him.  For a week, David fasted and prayed for the life of the child.  Next, he simply said, “Do what you think best to clean me up.” 


David planned to live for God:

vs. 13 “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee”

vs. 14 “…and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.”

vs. 15 “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise”


David had a broken heart; tears had poured from his eyes, and he was truly sorry. The time had come for him to decide to go on and make the day count for God.


vs. 17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”


No victory exists in ruining tomorrow, as well as yesterday.  We can not fix yesterday. We can only confess and forsake the wrong of the past.  Tomorrow can be ruined by guilt, so why give Satan such a victory?  Live for God, and make tomorrow glorifying to God.  


The pattern of forgiveness presented here is simple (much like 1 John 1). By faith, we all must accept that God is not a liar and that He forgave us, cleansed us, and that our sins are no longer on His mind.  Only Satan wants to defeat us by reminding us of our shameful past.  


1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God said He would forgive and cleanse us, so the question is, “Are we doubting God?”  Are we saying God is not honest?  Or are we willing to get up today and consider ourselves cleansed?    Are we willing to claim God’s promise of forgiveness as we claimed His promise to save us? Are we willing to use today to please the One Who forgives and cleanses?   The question is one of faith.  

Pastor

Rebellion

Good Morning,

While trying to rebuild Israel, Nehemiah wrote reminders of what Israel had gone through and why those terrible things had happened.

Nehemiah 9:16 “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,”

vs. 17 “And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”

Look at the list of wrongdoing:

vs. 16 “…dealt proudly… hardened their necks…hearkened not to thy commandments…”

vs. 17 “And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders…hardened their necks… rebellion…”

(They desired) “…to return to their bondage:”

Mankind is so full of self and rebellion that it is difficult to understand the love of God for us.  Yet, He does not leave us without chastening.  God allows situations to enter our lives to draw us to Him and to motivate us to turn from our wrong.  Rebellion cannot be ignored; God does not ignore it, nor should we.  Although we hate to be caught, being caught is necessary.  Whether it be speeding or lying, we need to have boundaries set up, and violating those boundaries demands some form of punishment.  

Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

When there is no correction, we lean more heavily on our rebellion and get stronger in our determination to be rebellious.   As parents, every time rebellion arises, we must deal with it.


I love what Brother Jim Rushing told us about his children.  When they would not take correction, or when their actions were relatively right but their attitude was wrong, they were removed from all activities with friends.  They sat with their parents in church and went soul winning with Mom or Dad; they were not allowed to sing in the teen choir, attend teen activities, or be alone in their rooms.  Every waking hour, they were with Mom or Dad until there was a change in their spirit.  In our current culture, I would also remove all media and limit the child’s or teen’s listening privileges to only that to which Dad or Mom is listening.  (For more details, read or listen to “Critical Stages in Child Rearing” by Jim Rushing.)

Too many parents are afraid to be mean.  Our adversary is mean beyond words, and we are in a fight for the lives of our children.  

Proverbs 29:1 “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

We must correct rebellion, or it will soon be too late to correct. Notice what Solomon wrote: “while there is hope.”

Proverbs 19:18 “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”

Back to Nehemiah: if we expect to rebuild anything, correcting the spirit of those with whom we work is necessary, whether it be on the job or in our homes.   If you would like more information, we have albums of child-rearing messages in our church bookstore.  

Pastor 

Male & Female

Good Morning,

One way we can know where to apply our energy is by seeing the places the enemy attacks.  In battle, the military does not need to defend a place where there is no attack.  The place with much enemy activity and value is the place on which we ought to focus much of our attention.  

Since the late fifties, an assault on masculinity and femininity has taken place.  The homosexual movement is not an end in itself, but one part of a massive attack on something sacred to God: men and women. 

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Genesis 5:2 “Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.”

In case you wondered, God only let male and female animals on the ark, the others were left off.  

Genesis 6:19 “And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.”

Of course, there were no others, but God did specify that He wanted both males and females on the ark.  We must understand that just because God made us male and female does not mean that men and animals do not act against nature at times. Do not try to use stupid activity to create another gender or erase the ones God designed. 

From Genesis to Revelation, you see God dividing the genders, and yes, there are only two.  Long hair or cute feminine hairstyles on boys is one assault on manhood.  Another assault on masculinity is feminine attire working its way into the man’s closet.  Likewise, masculine attire and masculine hairstyles on women are gradual assaults on the woman God created.  Whether it be among movie stars or in the job market, the biblical role of men and women is facing a slow attack, and great work is being done to erase the lines of gender and gender roles.  If gender does not matter, why would Satan work so hard to make a change?  Why do we see so many cultural pressures on the girls to be masculine? Why would Satan do so much to make boys more feminine?  Important territory must be defended by the people of God, and we can be sure that it will be attacked by the enemies of right and decency.  You have to admit that the attack is obvious: gender lines are not just being attacked and becoming blurred, they are being reversed as often as possible.  

God draws lines in the style of hair that men and women should have.

1 Corinthians 11:15 “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

vs. 14 “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”

Revelation 9:8 “And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.”

Dress and hairstyles are not just matters of preference, but also matters of gender set up by the Lord.  The issue is not about modesty alone, but the very nature of mankind.  God made a man and a woman; from that moment, men and women were different in all areas: from the body to behavior, and from purpose on earth to place in society.  Men and women are not the same, and they are not to be the same. We are not talking about superiority, but purpose.  God created each man and woman for a reason.  Each gender has gifts that make him or her perfect for His work and for the glory of God.  Men and women are not here for the glory of men and women, but for the purpose the Lord created.  So when men and women pervert who they are, they limit their ability to do their divine job.  

If these things do not matter, why is there so much satanic work attacking these roles set up by God?  Italian fashion designer Miuccia Prada says, “Basically, I’m trying to make men more sensitive and women stronger” (brainyquote.com).  That quote was not from a Baptist, but from one explaining her purpose as a designer.  

God said that some clothing styles belong to a man and other styles belong to a woman — the two should not trade.  


Deuteronomy 22:5 “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

The why’s and what’s are not the issue: the issue is that God thought it was important to keep a distinction!  The obvious attack of Satan shows that Satan also thinks the distinction is important. 

I would like to step into the secular world for a moment:  Who is fighting for woman’s rights to be masculine?  Who is trying to eliminate feminine and masculine traits?  Who screamed obscenities and showed off lewd and vulgar things after the Trump election?  Was that the crowd we admire and respect?  No, evil, low-minded people tossed off the standards of decency and propriety — we do not want these people to be our role models. 

When we identify who is fighting for something, we can often determine on which side of the issue he stands.  If Hollywood and the music industry are fighting for something, often they fight for the side on which I do not want to be.   If the teacher’s union or democratic leaders fight for something, their view is not the same as mine.  Can we not see who is trying to erase gender lines and reverse family roles?  

I do not know all the reasons, but I know family and church mean a great deal to the Lord. As such, every family needs a mother and father, not two of the same. In the church, important positions were set by God, and we do not want to blur the lines.  

Yes, it matters who you are, and you should be happy being who God made you.  You matter; you do not need to fight to be like another gender.  When we see the devil trying to get our boys to be more feminine and our girls to be more masculine, we need to act!  The blurring of the line needs to be fought just as we would fight lying or cheating.  There is a reason God does what He does, and it does not matter if we agree or if we understand: He is God, and His will makes it right.  

The family, the church, and society, in general, will be happier and more honorable to God when we do things the way God wants them done.  Trust Him; He is God, and He knows best. 

Pastor 

Simplicity

Good Morning,

One of the troubles in life is the desire to impress others, a desire which manifests itself in our dress, our home, our car purchases, and countless other areas.  Many preachers have faced this desire when preparing their sermons, rather than preaching simple truths, they seek to WOW the congregation.   

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Paul said to give with simplicity,  not to make ourselves look better than we actually are.  As far as preachers and their sermons are concerned, how can a man think that he could improve on the Word of God? The most basic truth of the Scripture is Divine in origin, supernatural in effect, and beyond understanding in every way.  How often have we read a verse over and over, and then one day, we read it again or hear a sermon on the same passage and realize that we have never before seen that truth. Of course, we have not seen it before — the Bible is infinite and eternal; the truth of yesterday was great, but the same passage has so much more to offer to a humble, seeking heart.

What was the desired testimony of Paul?  Simplicity.

2 Corinthians 1:12 “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

Paul needed no fleshly wisdom, just to live the simple Christian life and to humbly obey the Word of God. Pastors get in trouble for failing to take heed to Paul’s warning. They become weary of their own simple messages and dull routine of soul winning, visiting, and study.  Routines cause us to seek some new truth.  This is the point at which heresy and foolishness are born into the pulpits of our churches.  This principle of simplicity applies not only to preachers, but also to many situations (for example: a young lady who tries to compete with the other girls for the attention of the guys, or a guy at work seeking to catch the eye of the boss).

2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”

Relax, be honest, real, obedient, and stay SIMPLE!   We need to stay focused on these principles, even in troubled times. The word liberality that is used to describe the spirit and manner of giving in times of trouble is the same word simplicity.

Because they could become hypocrites.  Paul greatly feared that the people would get caught up in trying to impress others, seeking to be someone special,  or striving to be someone they were not.

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Satan beguiles us to seek what we should not want and to desire things that make us “as gods, knowing good and evil.”  Wrong thinking will cause us to desire the knowledge that is not meant to be revealed to us.  We ought to be our best.  We ought to seek to achieve all God allows us to achieve, but by all means, we ought to be thankful for who we are, yielding ourselves to the loving Lord for His glory, no matter the cause for which He calls us.  

Simplicity is the root for self-esteem.  Faith in the work of God in and through us is the simplicity God requires; but simplicity is also the way to find contentment.   

Pastor

People Know

Good Morning,

Matthew 28:11 “Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.”

vs. 12 “And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,”

vs. 13 “Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.”

vs. 14 “And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.”

vs. 15 “So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”

The soldiers knew, and the chief priests knew; do not think that word did not circulate around to others who then also knew.  No one spoke up for the truth.  

Popularity, staying away from controversy, and fitting in will all move people to act against what they know to be right.  These soldiers  knew enough to send them to Heaven or Hell; the choice was theirs.  

Do not think that people will be honest, especially if it risks their position, popularity, or money.  If playing ignorant will get them cash, most folks will quickly forget what they know.  If saying what they know will get them in trouble, cost them friends, or risk economic repercussions, most people will avoid testifying to the truths they know.  Folks use the term “snitch;” that is simply someone who values a friend or cash more than their own honor and the truth. 

It would be good for us to do our best to lay aside expediency and to be honest, but do not expect it from everyone else.  

Pastor

Have Ye Not Read

Good Morning, 

Here are a few similar statements from our Lord. It seems He made it a practice to “get in the face of His critics.”

Matthew 12:3 “…Have ye not read…”      

19:4 “…Have ye not read…”    

21:42 “…Did ye never read in the scriptures…”

22:31 “…have ye not read that which was spoken unto you…”

Mark 2:25 “…Have ye never read…”

These religious leaders had read, studied, and even memorized much of the Bible, yet they missed it.  Jesus had to point out passages and truths accented with the question, “have ye not read?” 

To read is a beginning, to apply to our lives is entirely different.  To memorize a passage is great, but to allow it to change the way you live is the Christian life in its fullest.  To read and not implement the truth into our lives is, in fact, disobedience. 

The Bible is not just a book to be studied, but a Book to live! In each of the above passages, Jesus was correcting the behavior of the religious leaders with the Word of God.

To America’s casual Christians I would say, have ye never read “come out from among them and be ye separate;” have ye never read, “go unto all the world and preach;” have ye never read, “look not upon the wine,” have ye never read, “a woman shall not put on that which pertaineth to a man,” and on and on.  Our society wants a Christianity that does not bother them or make them misfits in society.   

By Peter, we are called “strangers and pilgrims.” 

With all that said, I would like to suggest that we read, “call unto me … and I will shew thee great and mighty things,” and then, “open thy mouth wide and I will fill it,” as well as, “ask and it shall be given.”  Believing in answered prayer,  I would like to challenge you to join me, and to seek to accomplish something great for God. Pray for souls to be saved and baptized, and for the Lord to call our young people to the ministry.  

In addition:

1. I would like to challenge you to keep doing what you have been doing, and to start doing anything God is nudging you to do.

2. I would like to challenge each of our members to be financially prudent on earth, and to invest in things eternal for the days to come.

Here are some projects for us to prayerfully consider:

• $120,000 for roofing the back half of our Sunday school building

• $60,000 for a beautiful patio/picnic area behind our Sunday school building

• $60,000 for continued remodeling of our auditorium bathrooms

• $1.3 million for a spacious auditorium

Have we not read, “…ye have not, because ye ask not?” 

Pastor 

A Confused World

Good Morning,

The world is more comfortable with demoniacs than the Saviour.  Jesus makes folks uncomfortable, while demon-possessed men are not far from their comfort zone.  

The man possessed with devils wandered around the cemetery naked, and people were okay with it.  When they saw him clothed and in his right mind, they asked Jesus to leave town.  The world is so confused that they do not know what to do or how to face life.  

Matthew 8:34 “And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.” 

Do you ever wonder why people are okay with staying up late, drinking themselves stupid, and mingling with ridiculous and rude folks?  When someone invites them to church, they act as though church people have the plague. Has it not occurred to most of us that the world accepts the reality of their child sleeping around or experimenting with drugs, yet they panic when a child starts being faithful to church and changing their life for God?  

The world would rather have devils hanging around than Jesus!  If a child brings a Hindu book to school they are cool (even though it still says the world rests upon the back of elephants who stand on a giant tortoise), but a child who brings a Bible to school (the only Book that has continually stayed a thousand years ahead of science) is suspended for hate literature. The world hates the Bible.

Do not allow yourself to think that third-world nations are primitive and participate in heathen rituals while first-world nations are modern and logical.  Not on your life!  Europe and America are as comfortable with heathen living and godless immorality as any half-dressed jungle resident (not that the dress at American pools and beaches does not surpass jungle attire for nudity). 

When Paul writes that all are sinners, he did not stretch the truth. 

Romans 3:13 “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:”

vs. 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”

vs. 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood:"

vs. 16 “Destruction and misery are in their ways:”

vs. 17 “And the way of peace have they not known:”

This godless world hates the Bible, hates truth, hates morality, and even hates logic and facts.  

We applaud those who have several months of sobriety under their belt, while we mock those who abstain from all booze from their youth.  

You cannot honestly tell me that this is an intelligent society.

We will never get this world to be logical or honorable, nor will we ever get them to base their decisions on truth – BUT we can do those things personally. May we have enough sense to do so!

Pastor

Death to Life

Good Morning

1 Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

Humanity, frail, sinful, selfish, corrupt, and much more are in the hands of God being transformed to "Christlikeness."  The process is in His hands, and changing the literal nature of someone is no small task – therefore, we have Romans 8:28-29.  

God: divine, perfect, holy, righteous, pure, and an infinite list of other adjectives could follow. As bad as we are, we are being transformed into the divine nature, and the processes no easy task.  

2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

vs. 4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

There are things we need – things we must be passionate about to begin the work of changing our very nature.  The carnal, casual, or unconcerned Christian will have little Christlikeness in this life. I am not sure of the path, but at the end, when we see Him, we will be like Him.  (1 John 3:2)  Cultivating a longing to walk in His presence and to be like Him will require the need for a daily filling of His Word and meditation on His truths, as well as surrender to the Divine hand that brings into our lives those things that will help to develop a life of glory and honor for His purposes.  

We read about denial (Mark 8:34) and death of our carnal desires (Romans 6:6) that we might be alive unto God (Romans 6:11).

Romans 8:36 “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  (Also see Romans 12:1-2)

We are to be available for sacrifice, death, and surrender of all our longings and desires.  This is not about God helping us fulfill our dreams, but about God using us to accomplish eternal and divine deeds. In His wonderful mercy, He allows us to be partakers in the magnificent work of the Almighty.

We mistakenly think that the Lord is here for our good, our needs, and our work. We almost treat God as though He is a trainer in the boxer’s corner; someone to be there, to make a few comments, to help out, and to cheer us on to carry out our plan, our purpose, and ultimately, our glory.  Not so!  The work is God’s, and the power is God’s, and the purposes are God's.  We are the tool (and not a very good tool yet).   More realistically, we are the raw iron, and He is the blacksmith who heats and pounds, and heats again to shape us until we become useful. Only then can He begin using us.  The best blades take the longest time to temper and shape.  

Paul says in the following verse that the life of Christ cannot be seen in us until we die:

2 Corinthians 4:10 “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

vs. 11 “For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”

Pain, suffering, forced conformation, and tearing away at our selfish arrogance is no easy path to travel to Christlikeness. Those who help us, likewise, suffer much in their work with us.

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

Trust Him with your days, no matter the journey.

Pastor