I Do Not Want That Church

Good Morning, 

I do not want a ministry without blessings, without hard work, or without a heart broken for the lost. The church without a broken heart for the unsaved will soon not be at church at all. The church that will not work for the Master will find itself without the Master.

I cannot imagine a church without young people being trained to serve the Lord, or a baptistry that is not used regularly. How can we call ourselves a church if the very identifying character traits of the New Testament church are not present among us?

The New Testament church “preached everywhere, the Lord working with them.” (Mark 16:20)  The plans for our big day to bring church to the community is as normal an event as you could find in the New Testament. We are adding groceries as Thanksgiving gifts, but the membership going to the community and preaching the Gospel was a daily occurrence in the New Testament.

Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Acts 20:31 “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

Do not allow yourselves to be content with the church that sings conservative hymns, has a choir instead of a rock band, and carries a King James Bible. Those elements, without the work of the ministry become a façade behind which lazy, heartless, and disobedient Christians hide.

Pastor

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Better In Church

Good Morning

I was listening to Candice Owens recently. (I do so every six months or so, just to hear what she is saying.)  That gal is conservative and articulate and would agree with us on much; but here are the two main subjects she talked about. 

The reverse prejudice in NASCAR and Elon Musk blaming elite schools for turning his children into gender-confused commies.  Regarding NASCAR, she said that if they had offered an internship with the requirements being “white,” the world would have exploded, but to say it required a black, Spanish, etc. was, somehow, okay. That observation is clearly true, and I find it amazing that NASCAR did this (she was accurate in her comments on the situation).  As I recall, I was talking about the same subject thirty years ago when scholarships were only available in certain areas for minorities (certain universities even stopped offering scholarships to Asian students).  Candice Owens has thousands of followers, and I am glad for that (I only have a handful).  Listening to her provides a breath of fresh air.  Honestly, though, she says little that has not been in Bible-believing pulpits for decades. 

Regarding her comments on Elon Musk, the same can be said about Sean Hannity, who commented years ago that he sent his daughter to a big-name university, and she returned thinking he was an evil man ruining America (or something similar).  Decades ago, I said, “Of course, that happened!” He sent his child to a school filled with anti-American, socialist-communist, anti-God, teachers and programs. Candice’s listeners could have received that revelation decades ago in any number of Bible-believing churches. I am glad she said it; my observation is that she is decades behind any good church. 

I have been preaching against the corrupt colleges, universities, high schools, and elementary schools since I started our church in 1982, and I heard it from my pastor several years prior to entering the ministry.  

I am not criticizing Candice Owens; I like her, and am so glad she is getting truth to an audience I will probably never reach.  Had her audience been in old-fashioned Bible-believing churches, they would not be mourning their bad choices regarding life.  Had Elon Musk joined our church he would have known better, and we would have had our new building.

When I say, “the church” in the following comments I am strictly referring to Bible-believing, KJV preaching, separated churches; there is a reason for that caveat, but I will not explain it here. Be sure that when I say, “the church,” I am not meaning Catholic, contemporary, Mormon, or others like that.  

Now to the thoughts that were provoked by my observation:

• The church is the place that offers light in a dark world.

• The church is the place where Truth overshadows darkness.

• The church gives wisdom so parents can see what lies ahead.

• The church is the place where truth is clearly compared to the lies of the world.

• The church is the distributor of vision – the ability to walk into a situation and turn a few words into philosophical statements. (i.e. I had not heard President Obama speak five minutes before it was clear that he was Anti-American, anti-God, liberal, against the Constitution, and so much more – it took only minutes to notice.  Every moderate or conservative who voted for him could have been enlightened and forwarned had they been a member of an old-fashioned, Bible-believing, separated, Baptist church.)

The church offers protection from error and warns about forks on the road of truth or error.  The church trains the eye and ear to identify and classify foolishness and wisdom.

The church is the answer!  (Remember my comment on what kind of church.)  

Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” 

Psalm 19:11 “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” 

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” 

Titus 1:3 “But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching…”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

vs.19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Many such verses tell of the power of the Word of God and of the preaching of the Word.  It may not be “trendy,” and it may not be something spectacular and new, but “new truth” has been in our pulpits for generations, folks just want to discover truth without getting too religious or committed to the holiness of God. 

I heard a good young mother talk about a podcaster who made profound statements about training children, but the very subjects she commented on would have been common in a Fundamental Baptist pulpit anywhere from California to New York.  There is a difference though; you pick and choose your podcast, but the preacher is in your face three times a week.

I, for one, love it!  God bless the church! 

Pastor

Great Tragedy

Good Morning,

One of the greatest tragedies of this decade, and perhaps this century, is the loss of confidence.

Organizations like the FBI, DOJ, and the medical industry were organizations we held as noble people in groups we looked to with confidence and assurance.  To say we have lost confidence in them, well, that is an understatement.

Heroes, like the Untouchables, were people Americas youth looked to with admiration, respect, and even a supernatural awe. Today their credibility has been shattered; much of America holds little or no trust in these groups of people.  Sadly, those that we considered the backbone of “the land of the free, and the home of the brave,” are nothing more than agenda-driven, tools in the hands of evil rulers.

The cadaver of America is quickly decomposing before our eyes. The maggots are multiplying, the stench drifts everywhere, and the more close up the view, the more repulsive our response.  

We have seen statistics manipulated and factually twisted.  We have witnessed the protection of criminals and the attack of the honorable.  We have clearly seen vile officials use once trusted organizations as tools to control the people and trample the rights of citizens under the “jackbooted” thugs of government.  The government designed to protect freedom has worked its way into controlling countless areas of our lives with no more motive than corrupt dominance.  Public trust seems to be at an all-time low regarding those we once heralded as heroes. 

Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 

The tragedy occurs when this disease grows and produces a society of total selfishness and utter greed, with no respect for good or the lives of others. Why should I care about the good of others when my leaders trample upon all those under their power? The ripple of selfishness and evil dominos throughout society.  When this occurs, America as we know it will be gone.  

We were, for generations, raised with the “golden rule” of “Do unto others…” That philosophy has clearly changed to "Do to others whatever it takes to get what I want." 

The path of healing for this mortifying carcass lies is doing what we do because God tells us to, living selflessly because God asks us to, and working honestly with our own hands because God commands it. When people stop doing what is best for themselves and start doing what God asks, no matter the result, mercy and Divine help may return. 

John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

vs. 25 “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

We had better take this seriously, for the time will come when God takes away what we have and gives it to another nation.  I believe it happened to England, and most surely it happened to Israel.  We need to die to selfishness, to greed, to the entertainment industry, to the love of sports more than Sunday school and church, and then cultivate a love for God and others back into our hearts (the first and second great commandments).  Believers need to fall, broken before the Lord, repentant, and then, perhaps, God will have mercy.

Matthew 21:43 “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”

vs. 44 “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”

Pastor

More on Stewardship

Good Morning,

Stewardship is much more than money; it is how we live from day to day.

1. Money represents our time.

2. If you make $10 an hour and give $10 to the work of Christ, this means you gave an hour of your life to the cause of Christ.

3. If you make $10 an hour, and I make $20 an hour, and we both give $10 dollars, who gave the most? You gave an hour and I gave 30 min.

4. It is not for me to judge your stewardship, It is for me to judge my stewardship.  

5. What am I doing with the time, talents, and treasures that God has given me to use for His glory?  

Why should we teach about stewardship?

1. The New Testament talks more about money than it does Heaven or Hell. 

2. Almost all stories in the Bible deal in some way with our money, our time, or our possessions.

3. 11 of 39 parables talk about money.

4. 1 out of every 7 verses in the Gospel of Luke talks about money.

5. Some say there are more than 800 verses that deal with money.

Stewardship is using our time, our talents, and our treasures in a way that is pleasing to God.

Everything belongs to God.

Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

Everything belongs to God, and it is up to God to decide how it is suppose to be used.  

1. My hands, my eyes, my home, and my marriage should all be stewarded for God’s glory. 

2. It is not about me!

3. The big differences between humanism and Bible Christianity:

         a. Bible Christianity:  is all about the the Lord Jesus Christ

         b. Humanism teaches:  it is all about man

4. We are to put God first; everything should be about God!

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.”

Pastor 

Surrender

Good Morning,

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.”

A sacrifice is a costly willingness to present  something offered for any purpose, even death.  This verse speaks also of a living sacrifice, one that is available for whatever the Lord desires to do in our lives. Many times, a sudden death seems easier than a long-term sorrow. 

Surrender to the perfect will of God is rarely what we desire.  We understand that God is wiser, and He views life from an eternal perspective, but we still wrestle with many troubles God places in our lives. 

In the storms of life, in the sorrows we face, in disappointments and heartbreaks we endure, ultimately, we should lay down on the altar and say, “Thy will be done.”  Not that we enjoy or desire the situation, but because we love and trust the Almighty God, even in suffering.  

When you face a situation you did not desire nor, in human eyes, deserve, but find yourself facing trouble and often multiple troubles, you are also faced with the opportunity to present your sacrifice.

As Paul write to the people in Philippi, “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.”  

Surrender and trust is seen in 2 Corinthians as Paul talks about his outward man suffering; in the next verse, he speaks of “light affliction.” 

2 Corinthians 4:16 “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

vs. 17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

That is what makes heroes like Daniel, Joseph, and many others – they surrendered and committed their lives to Christ and to their God.

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

Surrender, yield, and trust are all vital to victorious Christian living. 

Pastor

More On Evil

Good Morning,

Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Genesis 8:21 “...for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth;”

I wrote on evil a few months ago, but in our current world, I thought a little more on the subject would not hurt. 

Evil is present in mankind –  Athaliah killed all her sons so she could rule the kingdom (2 Kings 11:1). Jehoram killed all of his brothers so he could become king (2 Chronicles 21:1-4). Adonibezek said, “Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table:” (Judges 1:7).  Really?  Simply cut off thumbs and big toes and left them like animals under his table?  Killing your enemy is obviously wrong, but torture and humiliation is truly evil.  Evil is not new, and that which we see in our world is quite tempered by the mercy of God, many Bibles, and churches internationally.  

Evil lives in this world – right now, a living, plotting entity, both spiritual and physical. You are not exempt. If you listen to the wrong people, you will find yourself committing evils that you will greatly regret.  Each of us is capable of evil deeds and of being the victim of evil deeds. 

I teach the students in our school to be alert while walking through their world.  I warn them about earbuds and looking at a phone while walking.  I warn them about keeping their eyes open and driving with an awareness at all times.  Most victims are those who are not paying attention, but sometimes difficulties are allowed by God to enter the lives of the best of us. 

Wrong friends or wrong counselors may cause one to do evil. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” (Exodus 23:2) Many people are told that taking from a large company and not hurting anyone personally is a justifiable evil.  Endless lines of people will lie and slander to get money, or will fight over estates and business deals to get money.  The Lord says the love of money is the root of all evil.  

Cheating or being deceitful at work for a desired position is not uncommon, and hurting another to gain something is evil, but both are present in our world. Trying to make another look bad so their own godless life does not seem so pitiful is another common evil. 

Jesus warned that jealousy, pride, envy, greed and things like these give birth to evil actions.  Guarding what we hear is a huge step toward protecting us from being personally involved in evil deeds.  

Another evil we may easily slip into is that of accusing God or slandering His faithfulness.  To accuse the promises of God as wrong is evil: “And they brought up an evil report of the land.” (Numbers 13:32)

To murmur and slander godly leaders is evil.

Numbers 14:27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me?”

When religious leaders try to turn you away from obeying the Bible is also evil.  

Deuteronomy 13:5 “And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.”

To slander a person and make their name bad is evil. (Deuteronomy 22:14)

Titus 3:2 warns that we not speak evil of others: “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

If we are not careful, as Christian’s, we can follow evil rather than good... 

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

Evil is not just the man who cuts off the thumbs and toes, it can be you or me.

Pastor

Differences

Good Morning,

The spiritual mess the world is in stems from our trying to think about life with no differences, such as “all religions are the same,” or “all personal choices are fine,” and other foolishness ideals.  Of course, there are differences!   Some people say an individual can identify as a dog or another gender – both assertions are simply stupid.  Children pretend.  Maturity faces facts.   We are being told there is no difference in genders, no difference between right and wrong, and no difference between sinfulness and holiness. Theologically we are being told that there is no difference between Old Testament and New Testament or between folks before the Mosaic Law and folks after the preaching of the Apostle Paul.

Of course, there are differences!

God made the difference clear between nations. 

Exodus 11:7 ‘But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.”

God chose Israel and did not choose the others. 

God said that the Old Testament-Jew was to consider some animals as unclean and that those animals should not be eaten. 

Leviticus 20:25 “Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean…” Of course, that changed with the ministry of the Lord and the beginning of the New Testament church.  Things changed after a certain point in time.  

Right and wrong both exist, and the preacher’s job is to point out the difference. 

Ezekiel 44:23 “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.”

I rebel against the idea that there is nothing really “wrong.” I am disgusted with pastors who will not take a stand against anything. Taking a stand is the pastor’s job!  As Paul told Timothy, “…reprove, rebuke, exhort…” (2 Timothy 4:2)

We live in a society that tries to make every religion the same, one in which we all end in the same place. What nonsense! Many religions of the world think Jesus is a blasphemous liar. Other religions, consider Jesus just another man. Jesus made it very clear that He was God in the flesh; that is what made the Jews so angry.  Jesus is either completely crazy, an absolute liar, or HE IS GOD in the flesh.  Muslims tell their people that blowing up others will get them to their “happily ever after,” while other religions say being good and saving lives will get them to Heaven – both cannot be correct.  

Differences are assumed and logical. Have we not been told that there are always changing and new variants of COVID, and that each needs to be treated differently? 

There are differences in social cultures around the world. Until the last hundred years, there were folks in Iowa that probably did not know what rice was, and some people in California who did not know what grits were.  What idiot is trying to tell us that everybody is the same. That philosophy is the most ridiculous statement on the planet.  There are such vast differences that we should be careful whom we choose to marry; for a divided home is a mess. 

Our political parties are not the same. Now, there are a group of liberal conservatives (like saying, clean dirt) who are trying to draw the conservatives to line up with liberalism. They are trying to merge conservative and liberal philosophies, but that is not possible. Conservatives believe in small government and in protecting the sanctity of life in the womb; liberals do not believe those things. They are not the same; they are not even close – they are diametrically opposed. 

Just because somebody is religious does not mean they are pleasing to God or that they will go to Heaven.  The various versions of the Bible are different, seriously different. Churches are different.  It is a regular occurrence for one of our members to knock on the door of a faithful member from another church and to find out that person has no idea if they are saved and going to Heaven.  Most of the time, our member is able to show them the Bible and to help them get saved.  There is a difference!  

Rock and roll is different from hymns like ragtime is different from jazz.  Wear your basketball uniform to an NFL tryout and see if there is not a difference in sports.

Men and women are different, and if a body is exhumed one hundred years after death, our scientists can tell from the remains if it was a man or woman – we are not the same.   

All that to say that some behavior is wrong; do not be embarrassed to say so.  Some behavior is bad enough for you to avoid spending time with them, even if they are Christians. 

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

I do not have to be unkind to the person who thinks differently, but I also do not have to pretend they are right in their ideas. The word “queer” has a simple dictionary definition, as does man, woman, dog, giraffe, and piano.  No matter what society says,  adultery, fornication, whoremonger, and drunkard are all Bible terms with Bible definitions.

Pastor

A Stewardship Story

Good Morning,       

A Stewardship Story: A man married the woman he loved more than life itself.  He was a very busy, hard-working man and she was a very beautiful but selfish and lazy woman.  He gave her a beautiful home and provided all her needs.  

As they were settling in she asked, "Who is going to clean this house?  I am not good at cleaning and I really don't like to do it."  He replied, “I will pay someone to clean for us."

When it came time for a meal, the husband came home and there was nothing in the house to eat. When asked about the dinner, the wife said, "Oh, I do not like to go to grocery stores; they make me nervous.  As for cooking, well, I am afraid of burning my hands so I cannot cook."  The husband decided that he would hire a cook.

After about a week, no clean clothes were to be found.  The husband started taking all their laundry out to be done.

Each night, when the husband came home from working all day to provide for his wife, he came home to an empty house.  The wife was out with her friends doing things that she enjoyed.

She came home, long after he had gone to bed, and she lay sound asleep when he left for work in the morning.

The only time she talked to him was when she need something. She would either leave a note or shoot a quick text to make her request known.

She would always say she loved her husband, especially on days he had given her exactly what she wanted.

How many of you think that her husband felt loved by his wife?

      a.    She took

b.    She gave back nothing.

            c.    She liked being married to someone who would give

her all she desired.

            d.    As long as she was not pressured to give back, she

was happy.

Moral of the Story:

a.    The man is Christ.

b.    The Bride is the believer.

c.    What am I giving to Christ that makes Him feel loved by me?

d.    Am I only wanting Him to be a part of my live for what I can get out of the relationship?

e.    Does my relationship with Jesus resemble the relationship with this husband and wife in any way?


What is Stewardship?

Biblical stewardship is living in such a way that everything we do, everything we buy, and everything we say brings honor and glory to God.

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

Colossians 3:23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

Pastor

Lawyers

Good Morning,

Luke 11:46 “…Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.”

The Lord exactly correct all the time!  When I was signing papers at the close of escrow for our house, we, like everyone else I assume, signed paper after paper we never read; the same is with car loans and much more. The escrow agent said, “You can read them if you want, but no one does.” Why all the paper work? The reason is because of lawyers and selfish, greedy people.

Why does the bag my product came in say, “Not a toy?”  Because “lawyers… lade men with burdens grievous to be borne,” and then collect a large salary and act as though they are the smartest people in the room. No, the lawyers have always been a headache and have always made life more frustrating, while hindering businesses and crippling economic progress.  

When COVID came upon us, the lawyers studied how to protect their business or to attack the business that did not protect themselves. They were not worried about folks being sick or not, they just created “burdens, grievous to be born.”

One solution for all of this would be for people to take personal responsibility for their own actions and then add a big dose of “God is sovereign” to the mix.  When I first went to college, I was in a car accident. The stop sign was covered by the branches of a tree ON CITY PROPERTY.  I ran the stop sign, hit someone, and damaged both of our cars.  Did I blame the tree or the city?  Did I blame the girl sitting in the front seat being a distraction to my driving?  Did I blame God because it was a church work day we were headed to attend?   Did I blame the One Who made the tree!  No!  I was not paying good enough attention, period!  (The lawyers would not like me saying that.) 

Worse yet, is when silly Americans put these folks in charge of our entire nation.  Remember Obama Care and its thousands of pages, and the brilliant lawyer who said something like, “We need to vote this into law so we can read it and see what it says.” Who thinks such stupid thoughts?  Who believes this is logical? Only a lawyer!  That is why President Trump is given so much grief; he is a working man, seeking logical solutions to life, and he is not a lawyer.  The lawyers hate that! Lawyers especially hated when the economy went up, unemployment went down, and there was no war of any kind while he was in office.  

If my child wished to be a lawyer, I would probably suggest that they just become a gangster and be honest about their occupation.  Now, there are some sincere lawyers who are trying to help normal people who are being harassed by the corrupt ones, but what a mess to spend life in that filth. Could my child stay honorable while working among such corruption every hour of the day?  Jesus described their work, “…for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne…” When you spend your time making life a grief and cause the common man to have a harder time, you are probably on the wrong side. 

Let us move off the subject a bit: All the religious deeds that are required for hope of forgiveness is what makes “religion” so bad! Jesus simply said to trust Him and He will save us!  No lawyer devised that plan! (It is far too easy.)

The point is this: never doubt the truth, power, and accuracy of the Word of God. Through every generation, no Book is like It!  Jesus knew I would someday sign hundreds of pages written by lawyers, only to be read by lawyers so they can, one day, say, “See, you signed it right there!”  I think I would rather face show downs in the street of the old west.

Thank God for His Word – always true, always reliable, and always accurate throughout time!

Pastor

Stewardship

Good Morning,

During stewardship month, we are considering what we can do to use our time, talents, and treasure to better glorify God.  While hearing the crazies on the news, I started thinking about being a good steward of the world in which we live and scribbled these thoughts: 

Do you remember the old jokes about the world coming to an end? The jokes started out to mock Bible preachers who warned people that the world will come to an end.  Soon the jeering statements were strategically being placed into comics and movies.  Those same people are now politicians, and they think they can fix the world if they are given complete control over everyone. 

I would like to reiterate a few Scriptural statements that Bible-believers have taught for centuries:

1. The world is coming to an end. 

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

That statement is simple enough.  God is going to burn up the world; it will not be caused by the car manufacturers or the dairy farms – God will do it!  

As such, we are to live holy, not kill our babies or refuse to have families.  We are to honor God, raise our children to glorify Him, and allow God to sort out the future. 

2 Peter 3:11 “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,”

In verse 12, God repeats the fact so there is no misunderstanding. 

vs. 12 “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”

2. Everything on earth will cease to exist; therefore, we ought to live for the eternal world, not the temporal one. 

vs. 13 “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

vs. 14 “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”  

Do not become too attached to this world or the things in it.  We are admonished to set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1)  Jesus told us to lay up treasure in Heaven, not on earth. 

The trouble mankind faces is because he lives in a world where everyone denies eternity; his only hope is placed in temporal, earthly circumstances and possessions.  He has no “land that is fairer than day...” and does not look for Christ… “Coming again... may be morning, may be noon…” This is why he clings to this sinful, soiled, ball of dirt floating in space; he is hopelessly buried in sin and shame.  God is not even going to try to save this sin-cursed world.  He is going to destroy it and start fresh. 

2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Isaiah 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

While I love the ocean, the mountains, and even the desert, my hope is not placed in a group of liberals who strive to control my life in order to control the climate.  Let us be honest; politicians cannot even control their own spending or set up a budget – they certainly cannot control winter and summer. 

Vegan diets, windmills, and vaccinations will do nothing to change the condemned state of this world.  From prostitution to lies about serving in the military or gender confusion, do we really think this group of crazies can save the planet?  They cannot even save their morals.  I will place my trust in the One Who set the stars in space and gave His Son to solve the sin problem.  God knows how to solve problems!  


Let me encourage you to love the Lord, cherish and live in His Book, love your neighbor, and help a pastor build a church somewhere; but, I would also like to add: enjoy ice cream (made with refined sugar), attend ball games where we yell at the crooked referee, and take time to work on a bus route or teach a Sunday school class. Live life to its fullest! Witness to those you meet; win someone to Christ; pass out tracts; and date your spouse weekly, take family vacations, and read the Bible to your children.  This lifestyle will lead to souls being saved and that is the only thing that can be saved. 

Let God sort out what to do with the planet and when He will do it. I plan to enjoy the life God has given me and hope to get some others to enjoy it as well (and I plan to do so while eating at McDonald’s, enjoying bacon, using chemical-filled deodorant, drinking soda, and attending church three times a week).

It is no joke, the world is coming to an end.  Enjoy it!  

Pastor

Prosperity Is Okay With God

Good Morning,

God says it is fine for one nation to be more prosperous, more powerful, and above other nations.  

Deuteronomy 26:19 “And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken."

Deuteronomy 28:1 “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:” 

Liberals of today are telling us that America has no right to be successful or prosperous.  Of course, the ones who make those statements usually have great jobs, good pensions, and live luxurious lives.   The fact is, God says, if a nation will honor Him and obey His precepts, He will lift up that nation above other nations.  

Some people say our prosperity is the result of countless evils in our founding, but could I point out our military success, our medical research and development, our unprecedented agricultural progress, as well as our spectacular success in the technology world. 

Apple did not become a successful company because someone owned a slave two hundred years ago?  Why do the people of Mexico and Cuba, with all of their natural resources, struggle to feed their people?  Is it because some of our founders were slave owners or because the wealthy mined for coal?  Were no other nation’s businessmen greedy?  Did no other nation take advantage of their poor?  Was there no other nation that ever had slaves?  (Check your history and you will see that every nation had slaves. We were the only ones who fought a civil war to grant freedom to all men.) Did not Cambodia and its regime hurt its citizens?  How many people were murdered in Red Square or by Hitler and countless other tyrants?  Our success is not because someone was a sinner; if it was, there would be prosperous nations everywhere.  America is not successful because of bad men, but because many men were God-fearing.  

Deuteronomy 15:6 “For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.”

Deuteronomy 28:10 “And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.”

vs. 11 “And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.”

vs. 12 “The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.”

vs. 13 “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:”

Americans need to understand that our prosperity is frail and can be lost at any time.  When believers understand that our humility, holiness, and prayer life will secure the favor of Heaven, it is only then that we will continue to have divine mercy on our land.  If America stops using fossil fuels, it will do nothing to secure peace and provision for anyone, but “Righteousness exalteth a nation.” 

God is okay with some nations prospering and with others struggling.  Do not ask me the questions of “Why? or How?” Leave those answers to God. The obvious truth of God’s hand working in both prosperity and struggle can be read in history.

May we seek the Lord, honor His Word, enjoy His blessings, and give Him constant thanks and praise for all of His mercy and goodness.  

Pastor 

It Is Not In Vain

Good Morning,

When we are learning to drive, we are given all kinds of instructions to do or not to do.  Although all those instructions are not necessary to drive safely, each one is probably good for us to do.  We know that during a driving test, we might not drive exactly as we would regularly drive while on our own.  We know that while teaching our children to drive, we do not allow them to do things we might do.  Experience, age, or arrogance might cause us to violate our own rules.

Familiarity and complacency create a risk that increases the chance of something going wrong. I will return to this illustration at the end.


Deuteronomy 32 tells us the last instructions of Moses to the people as he turned the leadership of the nation over to Joshua.  Interestingly, after forty years of instruction, the children of Israel were still bent on doing things their own way – mankind simply described.  The people clearly saw the wages of sin revealed before them with poisonous serpents and the opening of the ground to swallow rebels.  They saw God provide water from a rock and manna from Heaven.  God provided military victory over two kingdoms and directed them into the land of promise, yet they still had trouble accepting the instructions of Moses. 


Deuteronomy 32:46 “... Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.”

vs. 47 “For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”


A few years ago, I had a conversation with a young person who was approaching marriage and struggled with the simple principles I have taught for decades; not dramatic thoughts that would ruin a life if not followed, just old-fashioned ideas about propriety and discretion.  The young person wrestled with the questions of “Why?” and “What difference would it really make?” (I tried to be gracious.) For that young person’s entire life, we had been close and I know they would never want to hurt me or attack my teaching, but to them, the principles just did not really make that much sense.  At age twenty-something, viewing life was clear through their own eyes.  I made a few comments and gave assurance that I was honored by the friendship we shared, the opportunity to conduct the wedding, and the privilege of having their family in our church.  I left the subject at that.  


 Deuteronomy 32:46 “... Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.”

vs. 47 “For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”


This was my unspoken response to that young person's outlook: “The principles I had taught for nearly two decades prior to your birth, are what made your life what it is today.  Sure, we all violate a truth now and then, but the principle or idea of trusting what our parents or leaders have taught us is what keeps us from ruin.  We must accept the wisdom of older people.  The principle of restraining our own ideas until we travel down the road for a few decades is what keeps us alive in a world bent on ruining our families.”


Moses said, “…it is not a vain thing.” That statement was the answer to the thought process many people have. Many people ask, “What difference does it make?”  Moses answered, “…it is not a vain thing…” 


Following simple ideas or rules of right and wrong that could never hurt anything will ultimately “not hurt anything.”  

I hear people fuss over the idea of tithing.  Perhaps some could intellectually argue around it, perhaps.  But really, would it hurt anything? If by chance the teachers of tithing were correct, it would be good to have honored that idea.  If the critics of tithing happened to be right, would any harm have been done by giving the tithe to the Lord?  I mean, would we get to Heaven and be scolded for giving God ten percent of our income?  Would it really hurt anything to honor the old-fashioned idea of playing table games, talking with family, or reading books rather than watching television every night of the week? 

When we consider convictions about separation from the world, would it hurt to avoid casinos and movie theaters?  Would wearing a little more clothing rather than revealing every possible piece of flesh we have harm society or even individuals?  Of course not.  Is it possible the opposite could be true?  Absolutely!

Moses said, “… it is not a vain thing…” it is your life.  Not just each lesson he taught or each principle he tried to teach, but the idea of doing right and grasping the teaching of the prior generation and saying, “I’ll trust your call.”  That is not vain,  that is your life.  For one day, one of those old-fashioned ideas just may save your life or the life of your child.  

Moses said, these principles are not vain; they are the difference between life and death, good and evil, happiness and grief, gladness and remorse.

Deuteronomy 30:15 “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;”

vs. 16 “... and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

vs. 18 “I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land…"

vs. 19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”

The folks who question our little do’s and don’ts are often the ones who fuss about vaccinations and pesticides.  They think our ideas of right and wrong are extreme; yet they feel plastic may contain deadly chemicals -therefore, they only use vitamins in glass and will not use microwaves or plastic coffee makers.  I do not mind their ideas; going overboard will not hurt.  Avoiding plastics or GMO’s will not hurt.  Buying organic foods does not harm anyone.  They are free to go overboard some, but why do they not want anyone to be spiritually overboard. At the mention of holiness, they feel we are “overboard,” and suddenly, they view us to be like Stalin.  

Now, this line of thinking is not new to this generation.  Moses wrote this four thousand years ago - it was almost as though Moses was saying, “Hey!  Listen, this is your life!  Dummy!”  

As driving a vehicle, you might do some things that are not recommended, yet will not cause an accident.  You might get away with some manners of driving for years, but that very habit may cause your child’s death when they start driving. We may not understand some of the suggestions, but they just may save your life or the life of your child one day.   The principles you have heard for decades are not vain... they could be your life.

Pastor 

Who Influences Us?

Good Morning,

Proverbs 13:20 works for all people.

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” 

We all believe young people can be badly influenced by their crowd, but we forget that adults can also be moved by their associations.  Let us remember Adam and Eve; Adam made a terrible choice because of the influence of Eve.  She was not a bad lady, but she had been listening to the wrong “YouTube teacher.” Suddenly her thinking was off track, and this led to leading her husband to wrong thinking as well.  


In 1 Kings 11:1-3, we read about Solomon being influenced to stray from God by the women he loved. 

As Moses led Israel in the wilderness, Korah, Dathan, and others led the people astray. 


Numbers 16:2 “And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:”

vs. 3 “And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?”

Korah and others, who were men of “renown,” were misled, and as a result, they led 250 men to rebel against Moses.  Sometimes people of good reputation get off base, and if we do not pay attention, we will follow the wrong people.  

Here is the solution in that situation. 

Moses had a track record of having God’s blessing; from the ten plagues to the water from the rock, Moses had been established as a trustworthy man to follow.  (2 Timothy 3:14 gives similar instruction on who to listen to.) Korah and those men had nothing but complaints and slander toward Moses. They had “social media” and big mouths, but no track record worth believing.  Foolish people found themselves in trouble for listening to these “men of renown,” and resulted in their own ruin.


This same scenario plays out again at Kadish. The people of Israel waited for forty days as one chosen man from each tribe investigated the Promised Land.  

Numbers 13:2 “Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.”

vs. 3 “And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.”

Do you remember the children’s song, “Ten Were Bad and Two Were Good?” Although these men were men of esteem and respected among their peers, the majority of the men were not right. Moses, the time-tested leader, along with Joshua and Caleb, all agreed that the land was theirs as a gift from God.  Sadly, the poor choice of influence caused several million Israelites to turn back to the wilderness and stay there until all of the adults died.  God cared for them; God provided food, water, and clothing, but they never enjoyed the victory and blessings that were prepared for them. 


Listening to the wrong people is costly.  

Leaving Sinai, the mixed multitude complained.  This complaining group was made up of the Egyptian people who left with Israel believing that God was real.  

Numbers 11:4 “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?”

vs. 5 “We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:”

The mixed multitude began to complain, and the complaining led to the Israelites joining the conversation of returning to Egypt.   Wrong associations moved them to foolish talk which cost many lives.  

After the Lord rose from the dead, Peter went back to fishing, and others joined him in returning to their former lives.  The friends and associates we have do make a difference, and today this influence certainly includes media.  To whom do we listen?  Who do we watch ?  Whose twitter feed do we follow?  The truth remains firm; we must be guarded about who influences us.  

Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” 

Pastor

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Faith Baptist Church

Covetousness

Good Morning,

Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s."

Deuteronomy 5:21 “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s."

When we begin to consider covetousness, we need not go far before seeing the desire of the eyes causing great suffering.  In the Garden of Eden, we see Eve looking, desiring, and partaking of that which God forbade.

Genesis 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

What brought the world into condemnation?  A covetous eye.  When Abraham had a chance to gain great wealth for his victorious battle he refused to accept anything; wealth is not as important as righteousness.

Genesis 14:23 “That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.” 

In an earlier lesson, Achan was addressed, and his confession revealed the evils of covetousness:

Joshua 7:21 “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”

What a tragic end to the life he faced – all due to covetousness!  

In a similar story, King Saul had been given very clear instruction regarding the battle before him, but instead of obeying God, he allowed everyone to enjoy the spoils – which was against the will of God.  Again, a tragic end followed because a carnal desire for material possessions rather than righteousness existed.

1 Samuel 15:19 “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?”

God looks at covetousness as a competing deity.

Colossians 3:5 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

God says covetousness is idolatry.  Something precious that motivates our actions, gold or silver that causes us to rearrange our lives, or the prospect of earthly gain that moves our family, realigns our values, or modifies our choices is a competing god!  Many who would never bow to a statue of Mary or Buddha have made themselves prostrate before success, houses, or lands in subservient devotion.

The materialistic diversions of this world catch our eyes and draw us after their pleasures. Being led away from God’s plan is easy; so David prayed for help to avoid following covetousness.

Psalm 119:36  “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."

Many a choice that would have been easy to make becomes more difficult when money is involved.  Many a relationship that was dear has been forsaken because earthly possessions entered the discussion.

I know a gracious Christian couple who got married after having each lost a spouse.  With meager earthly provisions, they were happy. Sometime later, one became heir to a rather large estate and their sweet relationship crumbled.   The love of money is surely the root of all kinds of evil deeds.  Countless family members have been separated over a contested will, and fighting begins over money – covetousness is a terrible vice! 

When a desire for material possessions overrules a love for people, suddenly people become merely merchandise to be used and abused, traded for earthly gain, or tossed away when they no longer carry value.  

2 Peter 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…"

May we understand, through Calvary, that humanity is worth loving and even dying for.  It is this understanding that has driven missionaries to leave their homes and die in poverty in hopes that some lost soul might hear the story of Christ's love.  This love of mankind above earthly possession causes many businessmen to give away millions of dollars to the cause of Christ rather than to consume material possessions in their own lusts.  Covetousness sends souls to hell, breaks up homes, ruins churches, and defiles friendships.  

Allowing covetousness to dwell in one’s heart is to forfeit countless opportunities to honor God and will cause failure in fulfilling life's purpose.  

Pastor

God Is Not Man

Good Morning, 

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” 

1 Samuel 15:29 “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.”

Many people struggle with the evil in the world, as well as with the national conquests that have taken place.  People try to logic actions in the mind of man, forgetting that it is God Who makes the decisions.  

In our current political circumstances, we can be so terribly frustrated by endless wrongs and corrupt behavior, but we must ask ourselves, “Is there a God?”  Does God have to act like man in order to be trusted?  Do we desire a man to rule over us? Someone who is frail, sinful, selfish, limited in understanding, and corrupt in nature?  

It is only logical that sinful men do not understand a perfect God; how could they? When we do not know for sure the events of tomorrow, can we begin to grasp the decisions of the Heavenly Father that touch centuries and even eternity? 

When Israel conquered Canaan, it was the right thing to do because God said it!  When Sodom was burnt to the ground, it was right and good because God did it!  Man might not have done it, but God is not man. Today, the atomic bomb that was dropped on Japan might seem to be evil, but in the situation at hand, it was right; and most, who are honest, agree that fewer lives were lost in dropping the bombshell than if the war had continued.  Whatever men may think today, or at that time, God allowed it to happen, and God is good and right. 

I am not defending war, although it has gone on since Cain declared war on Abel, but I am saying that when God makes a decision, it is correct – no matter what men think. Do not try to evaluate the actions of God through the eyes of men. We are temporal, while He is eternal.  Our view is limited while God views all time and eternity. 

European immigrants came to America, pushed the Indians west, and eventually created the nation we have today. We should stop trying to act as though God had no hand in it, and that we need to give all of the land back to them. That is as foolish as the suggestion of sending black folks back to the nations they were taken from. They are Americans! This is their home! How they arrived is not as important as the fact that they are here, and we ought to place God back into the picture.  

Injustice is everywhere, and in the stories of God’s plans being accomplished, it is obvious that sinful men did evil things.  We all know that.  The big picture (the entire circumstance) needs to be surrendered to the hand of the Almighty. 

We can go as far as we desire in noticing injustice and unfair circumstances.  How about Naaman’s handmaid? She was taken from home; she lost all; she was enslaved by foreign people, and no one but God knows all of the difficulties she endured.  Yet, this little gal kept God and His eternal perspective in mind as she pointed Naaman to the “Man of God.” 

What about four hundred years of suffering by the Hebrews in Egypt? How many mothers lost their babies to the Nile river? What about the man born blind and the struggles of his parents – all to achieve the works of God. (John 9:3) 

Trust God!  Believe God! Do not seek to understand God.  Do not try to evaluate the actions of God by the morals and perspective of weak humanity. 

God is not a man, and we should be very grateful for that.

Pastor

Persecution

Good Morning,

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 

As a young Christian, I memorized this verse and wondered if I was, “godly;” I did not feel as though I was suffering in a great persecution. As the years passed in my life, and I began to make an impact, I realized there was definitely a restrained enemy and that I was shielded by the mercy of God; but nonetheless, it was obvious that someone was pursuing me.

You may not see persecution like some generations did, with Christians burned at the stake or buried alive, but it is very likely that you are under the watchful eye of Satan today.  He will persecute the child of God, and as much as God allows, he will abuse every believer who is making a difference for God and for good.

Peter says as much about our suffering as does Paul. Our suffering may simply be the confusion with medical records or trying to get doctor appointments, or the harassment you may feel on the job; things that do not seem to be related to God, the Bible, or church. Do not be surprised if there is a satanic force working behind the scenes.

We certainly need to remember that there is a satanic war in the political realm. There is no doubt that Satan works to use the government to hinder the work of God. The wicked one is not pleased with your marriage, your family, your church, or any influence you may have for common decency. Certainly, Satan has no use for a government of decency. Any political leader seeking to shift our nation to right will find himself under attack from more places than he can imagine. The devil’s resources are broad and deeply rooted in society.

If Satan cannot persuade the believer to do wrong, he will begin to work on his spouse or children. From there, the demonic attacks can take place at the school, at a place of business, or, of course, in the church. You will not read far into the New Testament before you find corruption among believers. This is no attack or slander to the church; it is simply a statement that Satan attacks anything that is good or will accomplish the will of God. In the New Testament church, there are attacks on doctrine, morals, money, and simple division. These tactics are not new; the wicked one has used them for centuries.    

If you find yourself feeling beat up by life (unless you are stupid enough to have slipped into the snares of drugs, liquor, bitterness, vengeance, greed, and similar acts of the flesh), you are probably doing right, pleasing to God, and under the attack and persecution that comes to all who will live godly in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 

Pastor

I Do Not Believe

Good Morning,

I do not believe the justice department is just.

I do not believe the weather reports truly report weather.

I do not believe the WHO (World Care Organization) cares about health.

I do not believe the Department of Education cares about educating our youth.

I do not believe places of higher education exist to educate.

I do not believe the president is the Commander and Chief.

I do not believe the department of defense cares much about defending Americans.

I do not believe the FBI cares about honest investigation.

I do not believe most religions know a thing about biblical religion.

I do not believe most counselors help people.

I do not believe our representative government represents citizens.

I do not believe the news reporters care about news.

I do not believe we ought to allow the news to tell us when to stay home.

I do not believe the weather reports, not even a little bit!  

I do not believe masks or vaccinations helped with Covid.

I simply do not believe much we hear these days.


But, I do believe the Bible is the Word of God!

I do believe God is faithful.

I do believe salvation is free.

I do believe Heaven is real.

I do believe Hell is real.

I do believe the Bible-preaching church has more truth in it than all the social media sites put together.

I do believe you ought to go to church when it is rainy or cold.

As Paul said while he was on the deck of the ship that was about to wreck, "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." (Acts 27:25)

That is nearly the extent one ought to go when it comes to believing. Believing God will bring "good cheer."  

Pastor

Finances

Good Morning,

One matter that affects all of us on almost a continual basis is finances. Maybe a young couple is trying to find a way to buy a house, put their children in a Christian school, and provide transportation to and from work. Money really does constantly affect us.  When medical bills are added to the load, a hole in our money bag seems to appear. In actuality, this is a biblical principle:

Haggai 1:6 “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.”

Some aspects that affect our finances are within our control. Too often, we look at circumstances that are out of our control and allow them to cause us to be discouraged or not to even try. We should focus on the situations that are within our control regarding finances.  If we do what we can do, then we can go to God for the areas that are out of our control.  

Perhaps the most important principle is found in Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:” 

We should do our best to honor God with all that we have. (Firstfruits will be mentioned again in a moment.)  

Much money is squandered on pleasures or material possessions that do not honor God, such as the glaring issues of gambling, drinking liquor, or subtly spending money on extravagant or worldly possessions.  What kind of things honor or dishonor God is between you and the Lord, but if we hope to have God’s blessing on our finances, we need to do our best to honor Him with the things that He gives us.

The book of Luke brings us two thoughts: firstly, we need to make money our friend; secondly, we should not allow money to rule us.  

Luke 16:9 “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”

vs. 13 “No servant 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.”

We are to honor God with whatever He gives us.  Tithing (or the phrase mentioned earlier, firstfruits) is first mentioned in the life of Abraham long before the Mosaic law existed. Do not allow someone to tell you that tithing is a matter of the Law. Others would say tithing is an Old Testament issue, but in the book of Matthew, Jesus spoke of tithing being important. He said, “… these ought ye to have done..."  (Matthew 23:23).

If someone truly wishes to model the giving of the New Testament Christians, he should know that they gave far beyond tithing. The New Testament speaks of sacrificial giving, of giving our all, and of presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. The casual, few-dollar offering in the offering plate is far from New-Testament Christianity.

Another principle we miss regarding finances is the second great commandment — living for others. Luke 6:38 says if we will give, it shall be given back to us.  This is a simple but clear principle that caring for the poor is vital when we consider what we are supposed to do with our time and our money.  When we care for the needy, God says He will show special attention toward us.  

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

The next matter that needs to be addressed if we hope to have God’s blessing on our finances is twofold: debt and unwise expenditures.

These two work hand-in-hand. We buy items we should not buy; consequently, our finances are limited. When important expenses arise, we find ourselves unable to afford necessities and are forced to finance these necessities, while throwing away countless dollars on interest.  It would do us all well to avoid debt except on the most important matters like a house or a car, and even then, we might think twice before tossing away thousands of dollars on interest.  

If we work on these little things, then we can turn to God seeking supernatural help with the situations beyond our control.

Pastor