Satanic Victory

Good Morning,

2 Timothy 4:10  “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia."

Here we read of three co-workers of Paul who left. The detailed reasons are not mentioned, but they abandoned the greatest of New Testament preachers or missionaries. 

When a man or woman teaches a Sunday school class, they spend time every week studying the Scriptures to teach others the eternal truth.

Every week someone walks the church property during services to help bring a measure of security to the people of God as they gather to hear the preaching.

Every week, trained hands work on the bus that will bring many precious people to church to hear the Word of God.

What would Satan do? To what extreme would he go? What limits would Satanic forces cross in order to get those people to stop influencing souls for eternity?

The lady does not feel very special or extremely gifted, but she is she takes the opportunity to watch the babies at church on a Sunday or Wednesday night.  Her sacrifice makes it possible for others to teach the Bible or to sit in class and hear the Bible.

Workers take time off of work to go to camp to help provide hundreds of young people the opportunity of exclusive days to be influenced for eternity. In years past, the lives they touched have gone on to pastor churches, teach in Christian schools, travel to the mission field, and become faithful members of great churches. What an eternal influence these people, who took time off work or even took their annual vacation in order to be at this camp each year, will have on the young people.

One man was in his place as an usher, and he helped people find a seat, guided people to nursery or classes, and helped to make visitors feel comfortable.  He gathered the offerings from the people of God that sustain the work of God around the world.

What could possibly please Satan any more than pulling that usher, nursery worker, or youth worker out of their active service that touches eternity?  What a victory it would be for Satan to move them into the seat of a casual church attender in some non-descript church affecting nothing for the eternal glory of God.

Judas’ life was a tragic heartbreak for the disciples; how could it not have been? Did you notice that the days following the betrayal and the resurrection, the disciples were right back where they belonged – they turned the world upside down because they did not quit.

These are just a few of the most amazing Satanic victories. Satan's victory is not just the person who died in a drunk driving accident, or the child who became addicted to drugs or soiling their morals. That incident was only a skirmish in the spiritual warfare. The great victory is the soldier who retreats from battle, waves the white flag, or goes AWOL. These soldiers who surrender in the fight, left the field of battle and ceased to impact the eternal work of God – that is the great satanic victory.

Pastor

Choices

Good Morning,

I fear for people who choose their children or family over God. In the book of Matthew, Jesus said, the parents would be set against the children and the children against the parents. Be careful who directs your choices.

Matthew 10:35 ”For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

vs 36 "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."

You cannot expect to put God first and never cross those you love. There will be a relative, perhaps a close relative, who simply does not see life through your eyes. In the text, Jesus made it clear, that He came to put a variance between family members.  We do not desire that, but if pushed, we will choose that division rather than choose wrong.

Do not feel that you are a terrible failure when a family member, even a child or parent, differs dramatically from you on spiritual matters. Again, Christ came to put a man at variance against his family members.  I know some of the finest Christians who have relatives who tolerate one another at best, and, sometimes, they do not even tolerate them.  Peace and warmth at home are desirable, but not a mandate.

When we start placing a warm and fuzzy relationship with everyone around us above our relationship with Jesus Christ and our obedience to His Book, we are in big trouble. God did not call us to cuddle up to every single person and embrace every corrupt philosophy of life. He said, “Follow me!” Jesus said to deny yourself! He certainly did not want us to forsake the principles of the Scripture to pacify or support some friend or relative.

I have watched parents abandon the church they believed was right to be close to their children or grandchildren. Unbelievable! I see no Scripture that directs us to choose our church based on a relationship with our children or grandchildren.  I have heard parents say, “We have to support our kids.”  I disagree completely. I do not have to support my children unless my children are following the path of righteousness. I am not about to allow a child (especially one whom I taught to tie their shoes) to convince me to abandon what I believe to be right to follow that which he thinks is right.

I like how Joshua said, “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”(Joshua 24:15) He was not looking around at his children, wife, parents, or friends to determine his path. There is no doubt that Joshua was willing to have variance in relationships over the things of God.

Do you remember the story of Abraham? His herdsman, the herdsman of Lot, and his nephew all had conflicts among themselves. It must have been severe enough that it would not be fixed. Therefore, Abraham simply told Lot to go one way, and that he would go the other way; he refused to allow that strife in his household. Abraham had no problem with Lot leaving, even to the tragic world of Sodom and Gomorrah; but he was not going to have wrongdoing under his roof.

Right is not easy, and often uncomfortable, but nonetheless, it is right.

Pastor

The Secret to Avoiding Compromise

Good Morning, 

Today, I would like to share a short lesson I read from Bro. Allen Domelle, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Bethany, Oklahoma. I thought it would be a help to you.

Pastor 

The Secret to Avoiding Compromise

2 Corinthians 6:14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Being unequally yoked is still a sin in our day. Many have forsaken God’s command of separation only to compromise what they once were for the “better good.” One of the greatest achievements any believer will accomplish is not to change for the worse. Everyone changes; we either change for the good or the worse. Nobody is the same today as they were five years ago. The question is, what direction is our change taking us? God gives five areas we must watch to avoid the directional change for the worse.

First, we must guard our friendships. God asks, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? The word fellowship is talking about friendship. God uses righteousness and unrighteousness as an illustration because these cannot be friends and stay the same. The friends you choose will determine whether you head toward righteous living or unrighteous living. You cannot have the wrong friends and be what God commands you to be.

Second, we must guard our fellowship. God continues to ask, and what communion hath light with darkness? Light and darkness have no fellowship because when light appears, darkness flees. The believer must be careful about fellowshipping with people who do not believe like them. You cannot fellowship with those who do wrong without getting their stink on your life. Nobody is strong enough to handle the wrong fellowship. If you are willing to fellowship with a crowd, especially during a church service, you will be willing to change for that crowd. As my preacher taught me years ago, the wrong crowd is too nice for me not to like, so don't fellowship with them, and you won't become them.

Third, we must guard our relationships. God asks again, And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Christ and Belial have no personal relationship, and neither should the believer join in relationships with people who do not believe like them. Don't go into business with people who do not believe like you, and don't date or marry someone who does not believe like you. The weaker person always drags down the strong person in relationships; therefore, if you don't want to change, don't have a personal relationship with someone who does not believe right.

Fourth, we must guard on contributions to a cause. God continues to ask, what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Any part you give to the wrong crowd, even if it is good, always leads to compromise. The uncompromising believer has no similarities or goals of the world. They may seem the same, but what seems the same takes us the wrong way. Be careful about being in the same speaking conference with those who have compromised or don't believe like you. Your part in a conference says you are willing to turn a blind eye to their compromise or wrong doctrine.

Fifth, we must guard against laying aside doctrinal differences just to get along. God asks again, And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? The greater good is not a good reason to compromise what God commands us to do. If you are willing to compromise for the greater good, you will always have a reason to compromise. The change to compromise never stops once you start that movement toward the wrong positions.

Read

Good Morning,

Reading Psalm 19 allows us a chance to consider the things our Bible will do for us.

Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

vs. 8 "The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

vs. 7 - converting the soul; making wise the simple.

vs. 8 - rejoicing the heart; enlightening the eyes.

These four things are amazing promises, all are a result of reading and meditating upon the Bible.  Conversion, wisdom, rejoicing, and enlightening our eyes: it would seem that something with that result would attract the attention of everyone. If this were a new diet or something to cure arthritis, people would spend money to get the product, yet our Bibles sit unread and neglected.  

Perhaps, today would be a good time to set up a routine and start making the Bible a serious part of our day again.  Some people begin reading with the Proverb of the day (according to the date, 31 chapters are found in the book). Some people read the Psalm for the day then add 30, reading Psalms 1 on the first, then the same day reading 31, 61, 91, 121 etc.  On the second of the month reading 2, 32, 62, 92 etc.   Both methods get you though that book of the Bible in the month. 

Some folks read from Genesis to Revelation: a set number of chapters each day. Others read a chapter from the OT and a chapter from the NT each day.  The main goal is to have a plan and to stick with it.  

Again, consider the results that are gained from the Bible; it is well worth the investment.  In addition, reading the Bible makes God happy, and having God pleased with you is not a bad start to planning life.

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

Pastor

Smite The Scorner

Good Morning,

Zechariah “…they were troubled, because there was no shepherd…”

One great principle of victorious Christian living is unity under good leadership.  If Satan can divide the follower from the leader, he has won an incredible victory.  

Notice the phrase repeated: 

1 Kings 22:17  “And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.” 

Zechariah 13:7 “…smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered…”

Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” 

Satan will do all in his power to divide the leader from the follower: the military leader from the enlisted man, the parent from the child, the pastor from the people, and even the political leader from the citizen.  The wicked one gives us inept, corrupt leaders in Washington to divide us to fend for ourselves. I am not saying that we follow the godless, vile, political people in DC, but the principle stands; a house divided cannot stand (Mark 3:25).

When the French Revolution took place, the common folks were frustrated and weary, so they began killing all of the aristocracy – the result was not any better.  Satan sows discord; he does not provide a solution.  Young people run away from home to aimless, perverted living. The AWOL soldier becomes useless to the cause of his nation. 

In the church, Satan will try to divide the pastor (and church philosophy) from the members.  Now, he will not give the member anything better, Satan simply wants them on their own.  Sheep never do well on their own, that is why there are always shepherds and sheep dogs.  With no shepherd or productive spiritual life, sheep will flounder spiritually.  Satan strives to pull folks away from the shepherd, and without a shepherd, the sheep become scattered and vulnerable to every kind of foolish thinking and a useless, spiritual life. 

Mark 14:27 “…I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered…” 

Satan loves to “smite the shepherd,” and God will do the same when He brings judgment on a people. 

As long as the sheep are scattered, Satan is happy.  He does not care if people end up drifting from one church to another or completely stop attending church; as long as they are away from the shepherd, Satan is happy.  

I have been active in three good churches in the last five decades, and I cannot begin to count the number of productive church members who got out of church and then did nothing spiritually.  The reasons they stopped attending church may have been significant or not, or it may have simply been a misunderstanding, but once divided from the church, they retreated to a life of spiritual mediocrity.  At one time, they taught a Sunday school class, sang in the choir, or worked in the nursery, and went soul winning.  Today, their issue matters little or not at all, but their spiritual life is without fruit, and the glory of God suffers. Their financial donations are no longer going to support souls being saved.  Their love and encouragement no longer helps new Christians grow.  Their influence on grandchildren becomes completely secular, and the next generation suffers spiritually.  Sadly, in some cases, their grandchildren may spend eternity in hell for the lack of spiritual influence from their parents and grandparents. 

Satan does not move people from one solid, Bible-preaching church to another, he moves folks from a ministry in which the Christian made an eternal difference to a life of doing nothing!  

I will not allow anyone to separate me from my spiritual leaders, athough most of them are now in Heaven.  I will stay by the principles I was taught, and remain loyal to the men and women who helped my family become useful to God. 

To those who seek to divide remember these verses:

Proverbs 6:16”These six things doth the LORD hate…”

vs. 19” …he that soweth discord among brethren.”

My parents were human and frail, but I will continue loving them and honoring them.  My wife and I have weaknesses, but we will stay unified and, by His grace, useful to the work of God. Both of my pastors were imperfect and they pastored churches filled with people who were sinners, but their duty as “shepherds” has kept my family useful for the things that matter eternally. 

Do not try to smite my shepherds, for I will stand by their side: whether it be it George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or my parents or pastors. Sheep are always better off with a shepherd. 

Do not buy into this foolishness of smiting the shepherd and causing the sheep to scatter; it will render you useless in matters that are eternal, and this foolish philosophy is from Hell.  

Pastor

Nothing New

Good Morning,

Jude 3 “…that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Where are we to get “the faith” for which Jude urged us to contend?  Where are we to find the truths and principles of Christian living, preaching, and church etiquette?   From the text, it is obvious that this “faith” was in the hands of those who went before us. Jude writes of what was “once delivered unto the saints.”   It is nothing new, nothing innovative – but the old ways.  

2 Chronicles 15:12 “And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;” 

In times of revival, Israel got their renewed faith from looking back to the “God of their fathers.”  Not from the internet, but from looking back to the faith of their fathers and the renewal of a covenant to seek the God of their fathers.

Exodus 3:13 “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you…”

Trouble came in ancient Israel because they looked for something new; the old ways never caused them any trouble.

1 Chronicles 7:22 “And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers…"

When Israel got right, they did so by going to the God of their fathers.  When Israel indulged in “religion,” it was because they forsook the God of their fathers.

You can mark this down – safety and spiritual security is found in the God of our fathers.  In early America, we had some standards of morality and decency, not perfect, but far greater than we see today.  If we want to gain the renewed faith and successful nation we once enjoyed, it will be found in seeking the “Faith of our Fathers” as the song says.  

Youth tends to abandon traditional ideas and seek new things, but each year, they age and learn more about life; almost universally, those same young people turn a little more back to their conservative past.  If you wait a decade or so, the liberal youth will often become conservative.  

Spiritually, changing may not be as easy as politically; for our flesh is strong, and it takes courage to stand against the crowd. Most certainly, some old-fashioned grit is required to stick with the “faith of our fathers.”

If we wish to see the old-time blessing of God on our churches, families, and nation, it will be found by looking back to the godly examples of those who went before us and embraced the old-time Gospel.

Pastor

Courage

Good Morning,

Paul writes, “…be strong in the Lord…” (Ephesians 6:10) and “…quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Isaiah writes about renewing your strength, while David wrote of God being his strength and shield. Hebrews 12:3 says not to “…faint in your minds.”

Why all of this admonition about strength and courage? Because the devil wants to defeat us, often with mental fatigue. Some fall due to booze, morals, drugs or crime, but most Christians step down from service because they are weary. Paul writes to, “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

Mental pressure is nothing new, and it has been the tool of the wicked one forever.

Ezra 4:4 "Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,”

vs. 5 “And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.”

Ezra 4:6 “And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.”

Notice the things that occurred:

• Hands weakened

• Frustrated them

• Troubled them from building

• Hired counselors to frustrate them

• Kept pushing until the next king was crowned (this went on and on)

• They began writing letters of accusation

The outside pressure that weakens you could come from:

• your peers

• Or your parents or children

• Or your partner

Discouragement may come from enemies as well.

Satan does not need anything new, for the same methods discourage the believer today. Satan seeks to discourage and wear down the believer to stop them from doing the work of God. The job of Christians is to keep doing the work, discouraged or not. As David, when his own men talked of stoning him, “encouraged himself in the Lord.”

Courage, my Christian friend, is not needed in the amusement park but in the battle field. No crowns were ever won riding a merry-go-round. No one changes the world or saves a soul by staying safe and comfortable.

Pastor

Stand Gently

Good Morning, 

When we read the Bible, we should read much. When we make a decision based on the Bible, we should base it on more than one verse. God can communicate in a single passage or just a word, but it is wise to read much.  From comparing one verse to another, we also learn much. Likewise, we find much in the context or the verses around the verse. 

Notice how Paul wrote to his friends the Thessalonians. 

1 Thessalonians 2:2 “... shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

vs. 4 “... so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God…"

vs. 5 “For neither at any time used we flattering words…"

vs. 6 “...nor of men sought we glory …"

These verses might imply a strong, harsh stand, perhaps having to argue, debate, or deal with great conflict. These are good truths for the Christian to cling to, to urge us to stand firm in our conviction and not to bend. These verses could encourage us to be less than “nice," but then we read verse seven and realize there are both sides of a strong stand for your faith. 

1 Thessalonians 2:7 “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:"

The Christian should stand firm; he should stand deliberately. The Christians should stand without wavering from truth and right. A Christian should be willing to face conflict, as well as be in the midst of contention. These things are not easy, and they clash with our traditional philosophy of being "nice."  

In verse seven, we read that Paul said he was gentle as a nurse who cherishes children. The Christian life is not easy. The Christian life is not casually lived or recklessly practiced.  Knowing humanity, we usually gravitate to the right or the left. Like driving down the street, we rarely drive in the center of the lane; we constantly need to adjust our position.

Two quick thoughts regarding this subject:  First we should be patient with those around us, especially Christian leaders. We cannot afford to have those in positions of leadership bowing and bending to every push and shove that comes from the world, the flesh, or the devil. On occasion, we will be offensive and lack gentleness.

The very kind and warm Christian leader might also be the one who is too soft and compromises on right; standing in the dead center is difficult.

 Secondly, it is wise not to be too hard on yourself. Each one of us will drift to the right and left. We will be too nice one day, yet avoid the risk compromise and be too harsh another day; we may seem unkind and without feeling. 

We are sinful men seeking to live the Christlike life about which Paul wrote. He said a war was inside him. John also wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…” (1 John 1:8).

Referring back to the illustration of driving down the road, let us all decide that we must keep our hands on the wheel and constantly adjust to the right or left, while we seek to stand firmly in the center, while standing gently, knowing that those two positions are not easy to balance.

Pastor

Feeling vs The Bible

Good Morning,

Ephesians 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

Colossians 3:8 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

The basis of morality is the missing ingredient of today’s society. Society has always had people who were more violent than others, or people who are prone to steal rather than work and pay their own way. Some people may even claim that they are alcoholics or drug addicts because it is in their physiological make up.  No matter where the blame is placed, we all know it is destructive and wrong; and we also know it needs to be controlled.

While growing through the events of childhood, teen phases, and college years, my nature was never one to have a quick or violent temper. Other people had a more explosive temper and struggled with anger.

The fact that someone struggles with an explosive temper does not make it right. It means they have to work harder at not letting that ruin their life. We all know people who are prone to selfishness. However, they got that way is irrelevant. The fact is, we all know it is wrong; they are will need to fight that tendency to selfishness, or it will ruin their marriage, their career, and an endless number of other relationships.

Because someone feels a certain way does not justify them behaving that way. Covetousness is common, but to allow covetousness to move us to theft or bitterness toward others is wrong. Greed is another tragic flaw in the character of many people. If someone has a deep-seeded greediness in their heart, it does not justify their corrupt behavior.  Right is still right, and wrong needs to be put aside and resisted.

We all know that some of us who are more organized than others, while some are completely comfortable with everything in disarray and their possessions being in chaos. The fact that you have a natural tendency of being a slob does not make it right nor preferential. It does mean that some things are going to be harder for you as you resist the tendency to allow everything around you to be in chaos.

As the above Scripture states, we need to “put off” and fight against some characteristics in our natural make up.   

Who cares about what we feel if it is against the clear teaching of the Bible. As I said earlier, the Bible is the basis for morality that our society is lacking.  It seems that the world around us has no basis for right or wrong, therefore our flawed, foolish, and often corrupt desires end up ruling and often ruining our lives.  

From the Ten Commandments to the Golden Rule, God named right and wrong.  God said we ought to shun the wrong, put on what is right, and control our fleshly desires.  

2 Timothy 2:16 “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 

1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

When our feelings or our natural tendencies go against the Word of God, we need to control them – this concept is not difficult to understand!  Right is right and wrong is wrong – no matter how we feel. 

Pastor

Fit In

Good Morning,

Many years ago, a state superintendent of schools said to a Baptist church regarding their Christian school, “We are preparing our children for the next generation, where your Christian school kids will not fit in.”  The pastor replied, “We are preparing our children for the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ where your children will not fit in.”  You can guess how that conversation ended.

Believers do not fit in when they walk with God and honor His Word.  One illustration of this is in the book of Ezra. While the Jews began to rebuild Jerusalem, the critics wrote letters, hired counselors, and slandered them.  

Ezra 4:12 “… the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city…”

vs. 15 “…this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces…”

Daniel was seen refusing to eat the king’s food and when he prayed in spite of laws against prayer.  Again, we see a “misfit” group of people when Daniel’s friends would not bow and worship the image the king had built.  Do we think there were no other Jews around?  There were thousands of Jews, but only some determined to stand.  

Remember when Mordecai refused to bow to Haman?  For once, countless Jews around Haman became thoroughly angered because he wrote letters to kill all the Jews in the kingdom.  One Jew, Mordecai, would not bow to the vile leader. 

An endless number of Christians have not chosen to stand against the world – they made their choice to “fit in;”  but there have also been great heroes of the faith who said, “No!” to the world. 

Esther 3:8 “And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.” 

Notice the accusation of the evil Haman, “Their laws are diverse.” That is a true statement – the people of God have always been different.  The lie that the Jews did not keep the king’s laws was untrue; they were (as God’s people have always been) law-abiding until the laws of man cross the laws of God.  The faithful Christian will be the best of citizens, but the faithful Christian will also stand against the laws that violate the law of God.

Do not fret when you are different; Peter said we are “strangers and pilgrims.”  Throughout time, some believers have said, “I follow Christ and His Word, not this vile world.”  We do not need to try to fit in, neither did Jesus.  

Pasto

Fellows

Good Morning,

In the book of Philemon, one word that stands out in the Christian life is used four times – fellow. Used in a context of camaraderie, Paul tells of his faithful brethren.

vs. 1 …dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 

vs. 2 …Archippus our fellowsoldier, 

vs. 23 …my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus 

vs. 24 …Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers 

The word fellowlabourer in verse 1 and 24 describes the importance of hard work in the ministry.  These people Paul wrote about were not just Sunday-morning Christians, they worked in the ministry.  Men work long and hard for wealth and success in their career, so why not work hard for the eternal rewards and the glory of the Saviour? 

Verse 2 speaks of a fellow soldier, making it clear that the ministry is a war.  Ephesians speaks of the armor of the Lord. Paul writes to Timothy about waring a good warfare and fighting the good fight. The warfare Paul alluded to many times in his writings reminds us that we will be assaulted and beaten physically or emotionally.  When the attack of the wicked one comes, we should remind ourselves that Peter warned about the adversary who walks seeking whom he might devour.  When evil enters our world, we need to understand that we are not the first or the last person to face the angry barbs of words or laws.  

Verse 23 speaks of being a prisoner.  We may use that term in our culture in a figurative or emotional sense, but I doubt that is what Paul was referring to. Paul spent too much time in jail not to be speaking literally. There are times when the faithful Christian will suffer under the godless rulers.  Endless writings over the centuries have told the stories of millions of believers who suffered torture, prison, and horrible death for the faith.   One pastor from China said that to pastor in their country will gain each man an average of eleven years of prison throughout his ministry. 

These special associates of Paul were recorded in a letter to Philemon in admonition to all the ages; Christ is worthy of our labor and being disciplined and devoted to Him.  These men, found in one of the shortest books in the Word of God, tell us that prison life due to honorable living is well worth the cost. 

We follow a crucified Saviour, not yet a crowned and glorious King.  The throne and royal reign will come.  For today, we serve, labor, and suffer for He Who is more than worthy.

Pastor

Courage

Good Morning,

Paul writes, “be strong in the Lord” and “quit ye like men, be strong.”  Isaiah wrote about renewing your strength, while David wrote of God being his strength and shield.  Hebrews 12 says not to “faint in your minds.”

Why all of this about strength and courage?  Because the devil wants to defeat us, often with mental fatigue.  Some fall due to booze, morals, drugs or crime, but most Christians step down from service because they are weary.  Paul writes, “be not weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” 

The mental pressure is not new and has been the tool of the wicked one forever.   

Ezra 4:4 “Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,”

vs. 5 “And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.”

vs. 6 “And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.”

Notice the things that occurred: 

• Hands weakened 

• Frustrated them

• Troubled them from building

• Hired counselors to frustrate them

• Kept pushing until the next king was crowned (it went on and on)

• Began writing letters of accusation

Satan needs nothing new, for the same methods discourage the believer today.  Satan seeks to discourage and wear down the believer to stop them from doing the work of God.  The job of Christians is to keep doing the work, discouraged or not.  When David’s own men talked of stoning him, he “encouraged himself in the Lord.”

Courage, my Christian friend, is not needed in the amusement park but the battle field.  No crowns were ever won riding a merry-go-round.

Pastor

After This The Judgement

Good Morning,

We live in a godless, corrupt world because so few have any fear of God.  We have stopped teaching children that there is a God in Heaven before Whom they will stand.

Romans 2:15  “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”

vs. 16 “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

God will judge the “secrets” of men – the things that are done in the dark in places where lights are turned low – all of it will be judged! 

Luke 12:2 “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.”

vs. 3 “Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

I sure am glad that our sins are under the blood!  I am thankful our sins were all judged at Calvary!  But – there is still a judgment of believers; their works will be judged and revealed before all. 

Matthew 12:36 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” 

Every idle word?  That is what the Bible says!  

Psalms 139:2 “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

vs. 3 “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”

vs. 4 “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”

Where we sit and stand, and that which we think on are all known.  God knows all our ways and every word from our tongue.  God is perfect in holiness, and that thought ought to bring fear into our hearts.  

Ezekiel 11:5 “Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.”

(1Chronicles 28:9) 

These verses simply touch the surface of the volumes of Scripture that ought to make us fear the judgment.  We will face God!  We will stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat, and the lost will stand at the Great White Throne.  Every one of our children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors will stand in judgment! 

If there is no judgment, why not live for money, pleasure, and self?  If there is no judgment, who cares what anyone else thinks. Who cares about honesty, decency, or honorable living UNLESS THERE IS A JUDGMENT!  Only then there is a reason to be good.

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

May we live as if we believe that day is coming.  May we teach these truths so others will live with an air of concern and fear.

Pastor

Division In Society

Good Morning,

We all have our personal picture of the Lord, whether that picture be of a kind, loving God or one of wrath and judgment.  The very best thing to do is read enough Bible that our thoughts are His thoughts. 

Zechariah writes of the trouble Israel was having socially: there was division, fussing among the people, and employment trouble. One may wonder what caused the division.  

Zechariah 8:10 “For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.”

The trouble in their society came from the Lord. Counselors and politicians are always trying to find the root of problems, but they usually fail to go to the most logical source – God.  When we anger the Lord, He is likely to bring about judgment.  In verse ten, we see that there were no jobs and men were not safe.  Civil unrest and economic trouble was allowed by or caused by God!  

The Lord continues speaking of a better day when He will restore a civil society:

vs. 12 “For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.”

Any casual observer can see our national woes are many, from immigration to the economy, yet few are pointing out the root cause – God!  

The Lord uses trouble to rebuke us, as well as to humble us.  Trials of weather, economy, and strife are often referenced in the Scripture as tools in the hands of God.

God brings hardship. Psalm 39:3 

God sends evil. Micah 1:12; Habakkuk 1:6 

God deceives man. Ezekiel 14:9 

In my notes, I have written about thirty similar passages. The truth of God’s working in our society through trouble is indisputable.  

The important point is that we seek Him and His mercy.  It is imperative that we seek the Lord, and when trouble comes, we continue to draw near to Him.  Some might wonder if the trouble is from the devil, from God, or from natural causes.  I cannot say absolutely where the root lies, but I can say absolutely that our behavior ought to be the same – SEEK THE LORD.

I know some who would say that God cannot do evil or mean things (using our vernacular).  I will not argue the point whether God uses evil or causes evil, but there is no doubt God is intimately involved in our lives. 

Isaiah writes on the matter:

Isaiah 45:7 “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” 

We know that our national troubles are rooted in the godless living of society. The closer we walk to the Lord, the more divine blessings we will enjoy.  The solution is the same as always: we must get our families into church, Sunday school, and service of the Lord.  We need to consider where our tithes and time are going – to a soul-winning church or a social group?  

The hope of restoring peace and blessings on our nation comes from getting more people saved and loving God. 

Pastor

Be Careful Little Eyes (Part 2)

Good Morning,

(If you did not read Be Careful Little Eyes - Part. 1, you may want to read it to help set the stage for these thoughts.)

Most of humanity allows public opinion to set their morals.  Those who live in a primitive culture think nothing of going around the village topless, nursing a baby in public, or wearing a loin cloth. They have seen this all their lives and count it as acceptable.  (A good reason to avoid beaches in our nation.)

Why would cartoons have characters with exaggerated anatomy, short skirts, skin-tight pants, or low-cut tops?  Do we think little children care about these things?  No! Pre-meditated conditioning is being carried out.  Society is training our children to accept indiscretion as proper, sexually-explicit clothing as reasonable, and inappropriate behavior as logical.  

If you read these emails often, you know that I regularly address issues like this. I want people to think and to think and to think until they grasp the truth. Advertising matters.  Many people will need to read this kind of thing over and over before it begins to sink in.  Others may read it once and stop reading because they have no intention of allowing these ideas to sink in.  

Our world of entertainment trains us to live Godless lives.  We have parked Americans in front of televisions nightly for decades, and the producers have changed society.  When a nation of people who, for the most part, have attended church on Sundays, turns into a society of Sunday softball and soccer players, the mindset of the nation has been changed.  

When God directed fathers to talk about the Bible all of the time, He had a plan. The devil took that same plan and went to work on the opposite side of that plan to prevent fathers from reading the Bible daily with their families. 

Deuteronomy 6:6 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:”

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

When we raise a generation that has seen dad and mom read the Bible daily and talk about it all of the time, we will “train up a child in the way he should go.”  The changes that move a society to children never seeing dad with a Bible in his hands and never hearing their parents talk about the Word of God, are changes for the worse.  

Do our children see dad cheering more during preaching or cheering more at a basketball game? Do the children see dad writing out tithe checks, preparing a Sunday school lessons, and dressing up for church; or is dad working on off-road toys and watching ball games while drinking beer with the neighbors?  What our children see is what society becomes.  

Most of the world accepts corrupt political leaders; they have seen it all of their lives and expect nothing different.  In fact, some may even be happy to see their child excel in that field to glean a portion of the fame and wealth; but when a family prays for their nation, begs God for forgiveness and mercy, and seeks to live a holy life knowing that God might bring mercy and revival to their land, also moves society.  

Lamentations 3:51 “Mine eye affecteth mine heart …”

Think and pay attention to what are our children are seeing? When they are with relatives, at school, at home, or at church, consider what ideals are being pressed into the heart and soul of our next generation?  

Pastor

Be Careful Little Eyes (Part 1)

Good Morning,

I would like to point out two stories: one, David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3), and the other, Achan at Jericho (Joshua 7:21).  Both of these men saw something, and then took something.  I could also add Samson, who saw the gal and told his parents to get her for him (Judges 14:2-3); he also saw and took.

With those Bible stories in mind, I wonder why believers fuss about sermons on television or social media, or about taking phones and tablets out of the hands of their children. Our young people see so much, and without a doubt, that which we see affects our desires and actions.  Commercials and billboards also testify to this truth – that which we see moves us to action.

When folks see something, it affects them.  When Jesus spoke of a man looking with lust after a woman, He said the man has committed adultery WITH HER.  She was a party to the adulterous act. So yes, dress matters.  Yes, shutting off the television with football cheerleaders matters.  Yes, going to the beach and spending time with folks dressed in colored underwear matters – that which we see affects us! 

Let us take this one step further – that which we hear influences us.  

Matthew 4:24 “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

In hearing, it is a philosophy we take rather than gold or another man’s wife.  I took a few young people out of town to a preaching meeting at a good church, and there was nothing wrong with the preaching, except for what he DID NOT SAY.  He never called out one sin.  He smiled the entire time he spoke.  He never did what Paul commanded Timothy to do, “reprove, rebuke and exhort.”

We did not attend the next conference. I will not bring my young people to hear soft, easily digested, pablum that does not bring conviction, step on any toes, or lift us to a holy and separated life. That which we hear and see will move us to act, for good or for bad.

Regarding their behavior, the apostle said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) 

To allow our children to play video games with headphones, hear who knows what, and see uncensored pictures and actions is imprudent at best, destructive at worst. 

Remember the children’s song, “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…” – no truer words were ever written.

Pastor

What Do We Do With The Things

Good Morning,

Most of us are familiar with Romans 8:28 where we are told “all things work together for good (do not miss the caveat) to them that love God…”

God says that He will use all of those things you did not like, the things others did to you, the things that came due to ill health, or the things that frustrated you at work to make you better and to bring Him glory. 

Here is a similar statement we often miss:

Philippians 1:12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;”

Paul was talking about all that he had to face before entering prison: the injustice, the unkind acts, the lawless rulers, and the evil religious leaders. He said that those things were tools in the hand of God to help more people hear about how good He is.  The things that happened to Paul allowed him to tell others about Christ and salvation.  

In our society, the things that happen to us are used to gain pity and attention.  Situations that occur in our world today are used to get us notoriety.  The difficult or unjust obstacles we face are being used to blame God and God’s people and to throw accusations at the God Who sent His Son to die for our sins.

The obstacles that enter our lives are often used to take people away from the Gospel and the Saviour. Paul said that the things he faced brought opportunity to speak well of Jesus and the Gospel message.  

Paul believed that God is good when men are bad.  

Paul believed that the Gospel of salvation was infinitely more important than his personal comfort. 

Paul believed that he belonged to God, and that God could do with him as the Lord saw fit.

Paul believed the simple statement Esther made: “If I perish, I perish.”  

Paul stood on the deck of the ship about to sink and cried out, “Wherefore sirs, I believe God…”

The question is, do you believe in God? Do you believe He is good, faithful, trustworthy, and able to take wrong and use it for right?  

Paul continues:

Philippians 1:13 “So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;”

Paul had opportunities to witness and to tell of the wonderful Saviour he served; that opportunity never would have come if he had not been in prison.  The whole palace population heard the Gospel because Paul was unjustly incarcerated. 

Paul believed in a powerful, faithful, sovereign God.  Do we? 

Pastor

AFFECTION

Good morning,

During March, we always seek to raise money for special projects at church. Everybody basically has their “special projects.”  For some people it’s their motor home; for other people, their special project is their four-wheelers and off-road vehicles. I know one couple that loves to go on cruises. They will carefully plan their time and their finances so they can enjoy multiple cruises every year. Now, in and of themselves, none of these activities or hobbies are wrong, but we must understand that these are a reflection of what people consider special or important.

In retrospect, David told the people of Israel why he did what he did in regards to the temple and money.

1 Chronicles 29:3 “Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,"

vs. 4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:”

Notice David’s statement, “…because I have set my affection to the house of my God…” David did what he did because he was very affectionate toward the house of God. God’s house, God’s work, and God’s people were precious to David, and because these things were precious, he had a strong affection for these things; he managed to find a way to give financially.

vs. 2 “Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God.” 

The more we love something, the more time and energy we will put into that thing. It could be our spouse, our children, or the work of God. In verse two, David prepared “with all my might.” He worked at it! It was on his mind all of the time. Because of his love, he worked at finding ways to gather resources to provide for the work of God.

I know many people who spent their lives storing up for retirement, and then, after retirement, found themselves unable to do the things they had hoped to do because their health broke, or their spouse went to Heaven, or they both went to Heaven. I surely do not think it a bad idea to leave something to our “children’s children” as the Bible says (Proverbs 13:22). I know every bit of energy I put into God’s work is eternal, and it will make an impact on my family and other families forever.

One last thought: you will notice in verse three, that David “set” his affections. It was intentional. It was not an accidental fall-in-love-with-some-girl-he-met-in-school feeling. He set his affection! It was intentional. He determined that the house of God was worthy of his love, his affection, and his sacrificial giving.

This is what Paul referred to in the book of Colossians.

Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Everyone loves something enough to spend their time accumulating money for that investment. That precious investment could be beer and cigarettes, a trip to Las Vegas, horses or dogs, house and yard, or any number of other things. It seems prudent to set our affection on the things of God.

Pastor

Some Do Most

Good Morning,

We have all heard the statistic that 10% of the people do 90% of the work in a church, and often, the same is true in a community. I do not know if the numbers are correct, but the principle is true. Most people do not accomplish the majority of the work.

In a church, if we start to plan with the idea that "If everyone did this, then we could all accomplish that” it is hopeful, but vain thinking. Do not get your hopes up; nor should you be discouraged about the truth. The fact remains that life has injustices, hurt, and difficulties. Settle the thought into your mind to be one of those people who gets jobs done; let the rest stand idly by and achieve little or nothing. See that you succeed yourself or at least give it your all.

Remember the battle in which Sisera fought and died: a few comments were recorded to remind us of the simple lesson that "some do most."

Judges 5:17 “Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.”

These guys stayed at a safe distance and waited.

vs. 18 “Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.”

Zebulun and Naphtali gave their all —and God DID notice.

vs. 20 “They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.”

vs. 23 “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.”

God got involved in the fight by using the stars. God helped by commanding the stars in their courses to fight. God pronounced a curse on those who did not run to the fight. We understand that God could have won any battle on His own, but when God wants us to help, why do we have a problem? Remember the tribes about to enter Canaan and the desire some had to stay behind? The reply of Moses was clear:

Numbers 32:6 ”And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?”

After agreeing to go and fight, Moses responded:

vs. 23 “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”

The fact that most people will not give their all or risk a dangerous, self-sacrificing battle is obvious. Most people will not go soul winning. Most people will not run a bus route. Most people will not teach a Sunday school class. Most people will not go to the mission field to start churches. Most people will not start a church; they would rather have a paid position in a church that another pastor ran the risk to establish.

The fact that most people will not participate in the work does not give us reason not to try. We just need to keep our eyes on the Lord and keep from allowing ourselves to become discouraged if we have no help.

In the story mentioned earlier, God helped, and Jael helped with her tent spike. Although it was a hard battle, the victory was won, and God received the glory. That is a successful day!

If it happens to be you doing the work, do it for God and His honor. If you have some help, rejoice; but do not let your happiness or your service of others rest on the participation of those around you — that is a formula for defeat. Go serve God; walk with God; enjoy the life God has given you, and look forward to the Judgment Seat because God always pays well!

Pastor Goddard

Men Pleasers

Good Morning,

Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” 

We all know what peer pressure is, and we all would agree that we ought not allow the pressure of peers to control us.  Any parent worth their salt has told their children something similar to this,  “Do not do that just because your friends are doing it.” 

Yet look at Christian adults –the men cut their hair like the other guys do, and they adjust their dress according to their (adult) peers. Christian adults who tell their children, “Do not follow everyone else,” are focused upon what others are doing in their own social lives.  Preachers are doing their best to do what other churches are doing so they fit in with the religious climate of their day.  

Daniel is such a great example!  He went against the grain of everyone that touched his faith.  He would not eat what others ate.  Daniel would not stop praying when politicians told him to stop.  Daniel had no problem going against the socially-accepted norms in any area.  Daniel took his stand with God and let the chips fall wherever they would.  Daniel risked his career because he stood, as did his friends. 

American Christians are like the Pharisees who whitewashed the sepulchers of the prophets.

Matthew 23:29  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,”

vs. 30 “And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.”

vs. 31 “Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.”

Consider where your children attend school.  You will find that most people place their children in schools that their friends approve.  Ladies, check out your hemline; you will find that it matches your friends, and changes with the styles of the day (peer pressure).  When I was in college, everyone had junker cars – so it was not a problem.  But now, I spend time with people who almost exclusively drive nice cars. (There you go, guessing what I drive.) If the Bible said NOT to drive a nice car, I would walk, ride a bike, or drive a rattle trap car.  Someone has to ask God what He thinks. 

What makes churches like ours unpopular is that we make people unpopular.  The closer you get to the Lord, the less you will fit in with the world.  No one at work is likely to compliment your mid-calf length skirt or the fact that you do not go to casinos. 

I have noticed that most people attend a church that has good programs or good music, features that are socially acceptable and welcomed via peer pressure.  I cannot remember the last time I heard someone say they attended a church because of doctrine or preaching. LOOK IN THE MIRROR!  THINK!  Why are you doing what you are doing?  Are adults manipulated by peers? 

The entire reason for church is to get us close to God so that we might have a part in fulfilling the Great Commission.  “Go. Win. Baptize. Teach.”  You are not on earth to please your friends, co-workers, or family members. 

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

For THY pleasure we are created!  Who cares about peers? 

Pastor