Spiritual DNA

My wife usually limits her TV viewing to home decorating shows and travel shows. But there is one "mystery" program she enjoys and that is CSI (Crime Scene Investigators). If you have ever watched the program you know that one of the most incriminating pieces of evidence the characters use against the perpetrators is DNA (de-ox-y-ri-bo-nucle-ic acid). All living things are dependent upon it. DNA is the fundamental building block of all living things. It passes genetic information from one generation to the next by replicating itself exactly every time a cell divides.

The reason it is so incriminating and almost universally accepted in courts of law as evidence is the DNA molecule is among the most conservative structures on earth in resisting any form of change in the replication of itself. DNA code controls every cell of every living organism and thus controls the nature of all living things on earth. DNA exercises its control in two ways:
1. It controls genetics, ensuring all living things reproduce after their kind.
2. It determines the kinds of proteins produced by each cell, thus determining the form and function of every cell of every organism on earth.

In 2 Peter 1:4 we read, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (The emphasis is mine).

As believers we become partakers of the divine nature or the spiritual DNA. Through regeneration God has imparted to us His own nature which identifies us with Him. Jesus made this possible via His virgin birth, sinless life and vicarious atonement on the cross. When we are united with Christ, we carry with us the literal nature of God. Our lives are hid in Christ and we are complete in Him.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7)

Spiritual DNA is proof solid that we belong to Christ and are heirs with Him.

Beloved, are you saved? Have you received Christ as your Redeemer and made God your heavenly Father?

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

JOY TO THE WORLD

We have laughed for years over the bus kid who came to our church one Sunday during the Christmas season and sang "Jeremiah was a bull frog...Joy to the World!" He was so sincere, but he had no clue as to what he was singing.

Sir Isaac Watts wrote the beloved hymn that we sing at Christmas time, "Joy to the World." It is one of the most revered and used carols of Christmas even though it was never intended to be such. In fact, the lyrics speak of the Second Coming of Christ not the first advent. We still love it and include it into our Christmas celebration.



From our family to yours, we wish you love, joy and peace. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

On December 15, 2007, Elisabeth Katherina Smith went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.


(Psa 23) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. {2} He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {3} He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. {5} Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. {6} Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Elisabeth Smith was a believer:
* She believed the Bible is the Word of God
* She believed that she was a sinner in need of a Saviour.
* She believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins, was buried and on the third day rose again, victorious of death, hell and the grave.
* She believed that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven, and at a specific moment in time, she put her trust in Christ to save her.

How do I know this?
* She never kept it a secret what she believed.
* She did more than talk about it, she lived it.
> She was disgusted by the wickedness of the world.
> She didn’t just go to church, she enjoyed church
> There was never a time she did not say to me, “Good Preachin’”

It was my privilege to be her pastor. It was a joy to know her as a sister in Christ.

“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
(Acts 17:26-31 KJV)

I have returned from Germany, Hungary and Romania. What an experience! We were so privileged to preach four times on the trip and see one couple surrender to go as missionaries to Turkey from the Biserica Baptista Independenta Church in Satu Mare, Romania (Pastor Stephan Berci), a couple added to the Freie Baptisten Gemeinde in Oberpfraundorf, German (Pastor Keith Klaus), and a man entertaining the military troups in Regensburg, Germany, Mark Acasio (who is the official mascot for the Oakland Raiders "Gorilla Rilla") come to Jesus Christ. God is so wonderful. We are so blessed to be able to service a God like Him.

But with all the blessings and excitement of travel and ministering in foreign lands, I am so glad to be back home with both my family and my church. There is no place like home.


Preaching at the Freie Baptisten Gemeinde


"Gorilla Rilla" Mark Acasio
Mascot for the Oakland Raiders

MISSIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE

Today I am writing from Regensburg, Germany. Brother John O'Malley and I are staying with the Klaus family, missionaries both to the U.S. service men and the national German people. God has given them a tremendous work here. I am so impressed with the workings of the Lord amoung these people.

Tomorrow we leave early to fly to Hungary and then take a train ride (six hours) into Romania. We will be interviewing missionary candidates among the students in the missions school there. One candidate in particular is Ramona. She is planning to go to Lebannon and work with Moslem women. I am excite to speak to the students in the school and preach in their chapel service.

We serve a BIG God Who can reach across oceans and cultures to redeem souls. Praise God.

GETTING READY FOR THE TRIP

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
(Titus 2:12-14 KJV)

Well, we are finishing up another week. As some of you are aware, I have had to take a temporary job to help with the added expenses of keeping my grandkids in Christian school and preparing for Christmas. The job will end this weekend until the next need arrives, but God is good to allow me the opportunity to work and add to the salary He provides through the church. We are very grateful for His wonderful provision. I am getting older and "tired-er" but still able.

Now I will spend the next few days preparing for the Romanian missions trip. It is my privilege to go along with World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions vice president, John O'Malley, to interview a Romanian national missions candidate. I will have opportunity to teach in the missions school and speak in their chapel. On the way home we will stop off in Germany where I will be preaching to the German nationals in their church service and the U.S. military men and women in their service. As you might imagine, I am quite excited about it.

All of this got me thinking as I was reading the Scriptures this morning about how excited we should be every day that the Lord could appear and we would be transported to Him and transformed in His likeness. As I prepare for this earthly ministry trip, I should prepare each moment for the heavenly voyage. I am excited about it!

ONE TO ANOTHER

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”
(Ephesians 5:21-28 KJV)

It seems most difficult to get folks to see the relationship between husband and wife is a picture or reflection of the relationship of Christ and His Bride. One lady even told me, "He (her husband) is not Jesus and when he becomes Jesus I will submit to him." I am afraid she missed the whole meaning of the Scripture. We are commanded to submit ourselves "one to another" and this is not an option or contingent upon the actions or responses of other. Husbands are to love their wives whether they submit to them or not. Wives are to submit to the authority of the husband whether the husband loves them as he should or not.

Some few years ago, I had been preaching on the subjects of stewardship, tithing and support of missions. During the series of messages one of our ladies approached me with a burden she had to give to missions each week. She and her husband had separate jobs and incomes. I told her that before she made a pledge to give to faith promise missions she should discuss it with her husband and get his permission. She was married to a lost man who had at that time and still today has no interest in spiritual things or the salvation of others. Her response to my statement was, "Oh, he won't care." I told her, regardless of his lack of concern, she should still get his approval. She was then concerned that he would disapprove. "Well," I said, "if he does not care as you say, and this is a true burden from God, then he will approve and you will have obeyed the Scripture." So she took the matter to him and he told her it would be fine. Now she can say with a completely clear conscience she has obeyed God in those matters.

I know a preacher, of all people, who took his wife and children on the road of evangelism. He allowed a pastor friend to speak critically about his wife to him. The evangelist's reaction was to scold his wife for not being submissive. It was not long until the devil was able to put a pry-bar between them and tear up a home and destroy a ministry. What should he have done? Stand up for his wife. But he was more concerned about being embarrassed in front of his friend, or losing a meeting in a church than showing true love to the wife of his youth and the mother of his children. By the way, last I heard, that pastor is no longer pastoring.

There is a Christian lady who takes a lot of pride in her house. She has put a lot of work into getting just the right decor and furniture to make the house a show place as far as is within their means. But she has made her house just for her. The husband has obviously been excluded from the house. There is hardly any trace of his presence. So, he has made his home in the garage or yard or barn. She has forgotten that he is suppose to live in the house with her and he has forgotten that he needs to spend time with her.

No man is Christ, but we are to endeavor to be like Him. No woman is the church, but she is to submit with the attitude of the church submitted to Christ. God's word really works and when it is applied to our lives we find a joy that comes no other way.

ANOTHER

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9 KJV)

I would like to share a story with you. It is not so funny, but it does have a point. There was a gentleman, we shall call him Thomas, who attended a wedding reception. At the affair another gentleman, we shall call him Cedric, started a conversation with him. As the two men chatted Cedric picked up his glass of punch and threw it into Thomas' face.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" said Cedric. "This is so embarrassing. I have certain urges that I just can not resist. It is very embarrassing."

"Well, maybe you could use some counseling," said Thomas. "I understand that the new pastor down at the New Gospel Family Life Center, you know, where the Old Time Bible Baptist Church used to be, he counsels people about their problems."

"You may be right," replied Cedric. "Thanks, I will give it a try."

A month passed and then the two men saw each other at a mutual friends house.

"Hey," asked Thomas. "Did you ever go get counseling for your embarrassing urges?"

"I sure did," answered Cedric. "And I want to thank you for the recommendation." Then suddenly Cedric pitched another glass of punch into Thomas' face.

"Well," said Thomas annoyed. "I guess the counseling did not help"

"Oh, yes it did," responded Cedric. "I still have the same urges, but I am no longer embarrassed by them."

Now the moral to this story is that changing the message, or hyping the emotion in order to get people to feel differently about their sin does not really help them. They just feel better about themselves. Guilt and embarrassment about sin is given to us to bring us back into proper relationship with God. The Holy Spirit of God is not only our Comforter, but also our convictor. ALL SIN KILLS. Changing its name, or using others to excuse our sin, does not make it any less deadly.

"...then vanisheth away."

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14 KJV)

The young seem to always wish to grow old and the old seem to wish for youth. Why? Because man begins knowing very little about the value of life and learns very little until life is almost gone. If he lives long enough he will mourn unrealized dreams, unattained goals and unfulfilled purpose. That is, unless he has given his soul to Christ and walked with the Lord.

The believer who submits to the will of God, especially in his youth, can not remorse over lost days or wasted years. Every moment with the Ancient of Days is fulfilling and fruitful. And though none of us can return to the past to make up for lost time spent in selfish endeavor, all of us can use what time remains to honor Christ and be spent for the most worthwhile of living.

Ingrates

2Tim. 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Tim. 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Tim. 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Tim. 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


The Apostle gives young Timothy this caution. At the beginning of our text we are warned "perilous times shall come." At the end of the passage, again a warning, "from such turn away." The first characteristic of last day men is that they are "lovers of their own selves." The last in the list of characteristics is "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:" And we find in the very middle of it all the word "unthankful."

I believe this is the very heart of the matter today. The ingratitude of society in general is indicative of all the mis-qualities listed concerning the last days. Recently, an acquaintance had gone to one of the local department stores and noticed that the decor had overnight been changed from halloween to Christmas. He said to one of the clerks, "Do you not know that there is a holiday between halloween and Christmas?" He was informed that the store was not interested in promoting Thanksgiving, just not enough profit in it.

Well, they are totally wrong. The real profit would come from exalting God and showing our gratitude for His blessings and mercy. Let me assure you, dear reader, that the antichrist will be proud and a blasphermer and disobedient to parents and unholy and without natural affection along with all the rest. But most of all he will be unthankful. Hide and watch, then let me know...I won't be here.:-)

The Christian and the Spirit World

Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The spirit world is real, just as real as the physical world. If it were not our Lord would have not warned us about it and equipped us to deal with it through the Armour of God. There are usually two extremes to any matter and this one is no different. Some folks will either totally ignore the reality of the spiritual, or they will make more of it than is there.

False religion, folk lore, superstition, and Hollywood seem to amplify the spirit world to the point that it is out of God's control and beyond man's scope to be victorious through spiritual attack. Monsters, demons, ghosts, witchcraft all are magnified, sometimes to the point of being omnipotent and immortal...Jason and Freddie never die in the movies. What nonsense! In Scripture we find that our God is in control of everything, Satan loses, believers are victorious, heaven is eternal, and so is hell. The Bible admonishes us to not be afraid of sudden fear. The "boogie-man" is not going to get us.

However, we must respect the fact that the devil is real, he does have an influence on our life, and what we allow the world to place in our minds can have spiritual outcome that is anti-Christ. The spirit world is working 24/7 to defeat souls being saved, Christians living for God, Christ being honored and the Kingdom of our God increasing. Darkness can never have fellowship with light and there is no middle ground.

While we earnestly contend for the faith, let us be reminded that our true enemy is not flesh and blood, but the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places against which we stand having our loins gird about with truth.

What Are You For?

Rom. 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

The Bible makes it plain that God loves souls and He is for us. Not one single soul will go to hell because they were un-loved. The love of God should never be questioned. Some folks equate His love with His blessings. God can not bless one who rejects Jesus Christ, and God will not bless a disobedient child of God. But He still loves them. It would be very foolish for someone to say, “God, if you loved me you would do what I want, or give me what I want, or let me have my way.”

God has already proven His love by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God is for you, that is not in question...but what are we for?

There is an old adage that says, “If you will not stand for something, you will fall for anything.” That is what is wrong with the “can’t we just get along” crowd today. They do not believe anything...they say they do, but they don’t practice it. And the reason a vast majority of Christendom is not "for" anything is because they would have to be "against" something.

We ought to be for the Bible, but against man's philosophies. As the book of Isaiah reminds us, God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are higher than ours. At times human thinking may coincide with the divine, but it is never to be totally trusted. Truth must always be chosen over error.

Years ago, I heard a popular and well known preacher say, "Every Christian ought to stand for something...even if it is Hershey bars."

If This Were My Last Day On Earth

It could be, you know. None of us knows exactly when our last moments shall be on this planet. It could be the grave, but I am hoping for the Rapture. I really would like to live long enough to see my grandson, James, graduate from high school. But God has a purpose in our lives and I am very content to follow His plan.

The Apostle Paul's last words in a letter to Timothy says, (2 Tim 4) 6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I ask myself "What would be my last words to my wife? - my children and grandchildren? - my neighbors and friends?

The overwhelming fact about all this is that as far as I know now, this is my last day on earth!

The words in the book of James are words we all need to pay close attention to: (James 4) 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

My life is certainly a vapor. Today will be what I make of it. The best I can do it the right thing.

What I Do When I don't Understand God's Ways

(Job 3:11-13) Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? {12} Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? {13} For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

Sometimes I ask silly questions. Why did God deal with me this way? Why did God let this happen? Why is it necessary that I go through this? OK, so maybe they are not so silly, but the answer lies in the fact that God has a purpose when He works in our lives.

One thing that has always impressed me was the quick response Abraham had when God asked him to take Isaac to Mount Moriah. I am not so sure I would have responded so speedily. But I do try to be that way. Here are four things that I try to employ personally when I do not understand God's ways.

1. KNOW GOD. His ways are not ours, that is for sure. (Isa 55:8-9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. {9} For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God sees and knows what we do not. He has a goal for our lives and a plan to reach that goal. And His divine motives are always good.

2. TRUST GOD. (Isa 41:10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. I can always trust that what He says is true whether I understand it or not. And I can trust that He is able to carry out His desire for me by His mighty power.

3. OBEY GOD. (Isa 48:18) O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: I should always obey God, regardless of the occasion or circumstance. Every adversity that I face is God's opportunity to show His gracious, mighty hand. From every great trial can come a great testimony if I am faithful to obey Him.

4. ASK GOD. (Isa 58:9) Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; If wisdom and understanding is to be found, it will come from God. (Jer 33:3) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God never puts more on me than I can bear (1 Cor 10:13), and nothing can separate me from His love (Rom 8:35-37). He's a wonderful Saviour to me.

FACING THE FUTURE WITH CERTAINTY

We live in uncertain and terrible days. 2 Tim. 3:1, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." But many have faced uncertainty in the past: Abraham, who went to war against kings and armies to save his nephew Lot; Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his own brothers; Esther, who put her life on the line to save her people from extinction; the three Hebrew young men, who refused to compromise their faith in Babylon; are all examples of believers living through uncertain times.

Let me suggest four factors which will strengthen our resolve to live faithfully through uncertainty:

1. ACCOUNT THAT GOD IS ABLE. Heb. 11:19, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which also he received him in a figure." Is God really God? Is His Word really His Word? Will He keep it? If our answer is a resounding "Yes" to these questions, then we must remember that God has promised to provide, protect, and prosper His people if they will follow Him.

2. SEEK THE COUNSEL OF GOD. James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." God counsel on any matter is always right, available and immutable.

3. PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART. Prov. 23:6-7, "Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats; For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."  Daniel 1:8, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." A purpose set heart with do two things: a) it will sacrifice anything for the blessing of God, and b) it will set a high Godly standard for life and not settle for less.

4. REMAIN STEDFAST.  1 Cor. 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Psa. 78:6-8, "That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."  Remember, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

During days of uncertainty, the best action is to stay with God and trust Him to bring you through.

The Curse of Getting What You Want

Psa. 106:15, "And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul."

I like to brag on God. He is a God Who hears and answers our prayers. He always knows what is best for us. He will say "No" when we are wrong and "Wait" when it is not time for the answer. The Lord likes to hear His children pray and will wait for the importunity of our asking.

However, there is an element of our prayer relationship which is little spoken of, and it is this. We can become so bull-headed about what we think we want, what we think we need, where we think we need to go, what we think we need to be doing, that God will say, "Well, that's just fine, you go on, Son and get what you think best, go where you will, do what you desire. You will not listen to Me, so now you must learn the hard way."

God dealt this way with the children of Israel in the wilderness, as per our text, and then later on when they desired a king, he let them have Saul.  They murmured so much in the wilderness that they would not listen to God and their carcasses fell there. Saul took their sons and daughters from them and made them his servants.

The desires of our heart must always be tempered by the delight we have in the Lord. God can send leanness into the soul.

BREAD

I like bread. I don't need the carbs or calories, but I like it. My mother's cornbread was always my favorite. I wish she were still with us today and she could take that old cast iron skillet out and cook some cornbread on top of the stove. O, my!

In John 6:35 Jesus told us that He is the bread of life. He had come down from heaven to be the provision of God. Just like physical bread, our spiritual bread must be bruised, crushed in the millstone. Isa. 28:28-29 Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Then it must be baked in an oven.  Lev 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.

Finally, before we eat it, it is broken.  1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

This is the miracle of the Bread of life which we have the privilege to enjoying, but at great sacrifice of the Saviour.

I like bread.

Struggling to Get to the Field

I was saddened today to learn that one of our missionary families (we have supported them for more than seven years) will not be on their field of service when I am scheduled to visit that country. I was so looking forward to visiting them and assisting them there, but because some churches have either lost or waned in their fervor for missions, the missionary must extend their time in the United States to raise additional support.

God has blessed our church over the years for the faithfulness of His people to give, pray for and support our missionaries. Personally, Mrs. Groves and I have been blessed through giving by the faith promise plan to missions. In fact, she is so convinced of it, she trusts God to supply an additional amount beyond our family promise so she might have something to give herself.

If your church supports missionaries, be sure to get involved financially, and prayerfully.

Lost Voice But Not The Song

One of the inevitables of growing old is that one's voice changes. Personally, my voice used to be much higher than it is today. But after preaching for forty years and racing toward the "sixty" mark, the voice I once had is now turned to gravel. Oh, I still have the volume and I believe, much of the stamina I had as a younger preacher. But the quality of the voice is gone.

Praise God, the song is still there! I find myself perusing through old song books and hymnals, remembering the worship and praise that came from joining my voice with others as we sang together in the congregation. One of my favorites says:

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word.

Just to rest upon His promise.

Just to know "thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him.

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er.

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,

O, for grace to trust Him more.

I find myself vocalizing those old refrains more and more these days. And it is sweet to know that the heart of the song writer still rings true today - even if it comes for a gravelly voice.

Sing it true!

We would see Jesus

John 12:20-21 "And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus."

I had not worked with my father-in-law very long until he called me into his office and said, There are two scriptures that should be mounted on the pulpit of every preacher - on the preacher's side, John 12:21 and on the people's side, Galatians 4:16. These two passages work in tandem with one another to set a proper atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to work.

Today we want to consider just what these Greek Jews came to see. It was not the resurrected Lazarus who many had come to see. It was not the woman healed of her issue of blood, or the lame man who now walked, or the blind man who was made to see, or even the demoniac who was given his right mind. It was Jesus Who they had come to see.

When we get a correct view of Jesus our soul is satisfied. See Him as the Saviour of the sinner, the Sovereign of the saint, and the Solace of the soul.

The lost world does not need to see the persuasive personality of the slick talking, compromising charlatan. The unsaved are not benefitted by the church which offers nothing more than a "feel good about yourself" gospel. And it is not enough to talk about Jesus - they need to see Jesus.

Seeing Jesus is a soul saving, life changing experience.

The Lord's Perfect Instructions

Matthew 21:1-4, "And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples. Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them."

There are three things that we can always say about the Lord's instructions to us:  1) His directions are always specific; 2) His directions are always scriptural; and, 3) His directions are always sure. It was the Lord's mother who gave some great advice, "Whatsoever he saith unto thee, do it." One could never go wrong with such advice.

False signs are dangerous. I like the story of the highway patrol officer who was waiting along a busy road to catch a speeder when along came a car just puttering down the road. The officer thought, "This is just as dangerous as a speeder." So he pulled the car over and found five little old ladies inside. The driver said, "What is wrong, Officer? I was not speeding." "No, Maam, but you were going slower than the speed limit and that is just as dangerous." "Oh, no, Sir. I was doing the speed limit exactly...22 mph." The patrolman explained that they were on highway 22 and that was not the speed limit sign. Then the officer asked, "Are these other ladies OK? They look a little pale."  "Oh," said the driver, "they are alright. We just turned off of Highway 135."

Beloved, make sure you are following the Lord's instructions and not false signs.

Words Plainly Spoken

There are words, concepts, statements in the Word of God that are hard to understand. I will admit that several of them escape me. I suppose it will be that way until we reach Glory. I am not suggesting that the Lord muddles words or hides truth in obscurity. We must study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen un-ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

However, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is not obscure in any way. 1 Cor.15 defines it as the death and burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures. And along with that statement comes a list of truths:

1.  Salvation is by grace alone.

2. All men are sinners and fall short of the righteousness of God.

3. There is a literal and eternal hell for the penalty of sin.

4. God is merciful toward the sinner and is willing to save him.

5. The grace and mercy of God are accessed by faith in Christ and through calling upon His name.

The Gospel rings so loud and clear that its distinctness is undeniable.

When it comes to the salvation of a precious soul, God's trumpet does not sound an uncertain sound. It is so plain that even a small Sunday School boy could understand it and believe. Praise God!

If you are reading this and wonder how you could come to know the Lord in such a way, having all your sins forgiven and become a child of God, please contact me. I would appreciate the opportunity to should you in the Bible what God says about being saved.  pastor@fbc-indy.org

Soul Winning

This is a word which is not used much these days. Seems the heart and soul of a few decades ago has been lost to this generation. Too much TV religion I am afraid. Modern emphasis appears to be on discipleship, but how can we teach a Christian discipline to a lost man who has not the Spirit of God in him, nor truly knows Who Jesus is?

Some claim to be winning the lost to Christ, but adherence to a creed, church attendance, and empty profession does not a born again child of God make. A real believer is not born by corruptible things, but by the Word of God.

This preacher is old enough to remember the powerful witnessing from the pew that accompanied the Spirit-filled preaching from the pulpit. Men and women were convicted of sin and turned to Jesus Christ for salvation and redemption. Not enough of that happening today.

I am resolved to have a personal revival of soul winning and witnessing despite the distractions of the world, the deception of satan and the deterioration of the flesh.

The Blessing of Missions

Our Lord commanded that all the world be given the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And before He ascended up into heaven He gave the promise power by the Holy Ghost to do just what He had commanded.

The believer today has that same command and that same promise which was given 2000 years ago. And along with our obedience comes a blessing.

Recently our family took a vacation to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. We stopped into an IHOP restaurant after attending services at the Freedom Baptist Church (Pastor Ed Parton). Our waitress was a young lady in her early twenties from Russia named Anastasia. She took very good care of us and we left a fair tip for her inside a Gospel tract written in Russian.

We got up from the table and went to the cash register to pay the bill. We lingered a bit so my wife could look at the "stuff" for sale in their gift area. I looked up a to see Anastasia coming toward me with the tract in her hand.

"You have these in Russian?" she asked.

"Yes," I responded. "You do speak Russian."

"Oh, yes. I have been given many in English, but this is the first one in Russian. Thank you. Thank you very much."

"You read that," I told her, "it will help you understand God's love for your soul and how Christ died for your sins. God wants to save you."

"Yes, I will read every word," she promised.

I wanted to shout and cry at the same time. God had broken a language barrier, a young lady had traveled to America to work for the summer season. She got more than money. She got a message of hope.

I pray I will see Anastasia in heaven someday. But for now I am blessed with the memory of the glow on her face and the joy in her voice. God is so good.

SHORTCUTS

My wife and I have some long time friends who have two grown daughters. Each of the girls has request of their mother that they have the tableware which they grew up using at each meal. It is a sentimental thing, nothing fancy or of great monetary value, just both just want to remember their childhood.

So our friend, Sandy by name, has been scanning the internet to find pieces of the same pattern to provide a full set of tableware for each girl. This particular pattern has wooden handles for the knives, forks and spoons. In her search she has been successful in finding matching pieces, but some of them are in very poor condition, mainly in that the wooden handles are split. Sandy asked her mother why were was her set still in fairly good shape while so many others she had found were in such poor condition. Sandy's mother replied, "Think about it, dear. For the thirty five years you have had your set, how did you wash it?" Of course, Sandy had washed her tableware by hand. The split pieces she had found on the internet were washed in a dish washer, causing the wooden handles to break down.

When my wife told me this story, my first thought was that shortcuts are not always the best way to go. I would say, especially in spiritual matters. The very thing that we seek to obtain or achieve in our spiritual lives and our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, may be damaged or lost due to a shortcut. In short, you just can't shortcut God.

Jesus didn't shortcut the woman at the well in John 4. She wanted the water that would satisfy her thirst forever, but Jesus made sure that she saw her most important need. "Go call thy husband, and come hither." There are no shortcuts when dealing with people about salvation.

Our Children Are Not Safe

"Is the young man Absalom safe?" The prodical returned home "safe and sound," but not so with David's son or Adam's son Cain. Our children are not prone to be prodicals. They seem far more stubborn in their rebellion today. And there are too many outside resources to run to away from God, parents and other authorities. In short, they are in harm's way because they think they do not need anyone else.
Sorry, we can not blame this on society or government. We have fallen short of our God given responsibility of raising and training these children. We need to invade their space and violate their privacy enough to find out what they are mixed up in and take charge before it is too late. Perhaps we can keep them from swinging from a limb by their hair until they die.

The Prayers of the Saints

Today we had our annual 4th of July picnic for our church. Since it fell upon Wednesday, which is our mid-week service night, we combined the two and had our service at the park. Now Baptist people will assemble for just about anything if it involves food and we had plenty of it as usual. But I was so please to see a very good crowd there for the prayer service. Currently we are in one of the greatest battles our church has ever fought. The saints came not just to fellowship, but to pray.

Jeremiah 33:3 is one of my favorite passages that commands us to pray. "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and might things, thou knowest not." We need to see great and might things.

Declaration of Dependence

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

We are never to be dependent upon governments or churches or parents or friends to sustain us. But there is One to Whom we owe everything, all praise and glory, for upon Him we are most dependent. As we approach another celebration of our nation's birth, let us remember that we need Jesus Christ. I love America, but if America forsakes God, I'm going with Him.

The Advantage

Psalm 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

It is always good to go into battle with an advantage. Students of military tactics learn quickly that one of the greatest advantages is the element of surprise. Simply put, that is when the enemy never sees "it" coming. David went to face Goliath with an advantage. It didn't show on the surface, but it was there. Gideon had an advantage even though he fought thousands with only three hundred. Regardless of whether others saw it coming, the advantage was there.

As believers we, too, have an advantage. He is Jesus Christ. No matter how vehement the storms of life may become, we have One in the ship that gives us the security of advantage.

He Owns It All

Colossians 1
16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

When human government forgets their place and purpose, it begins to think that it has ownership of this planet. We do not own a thing. If we get to the place we start believing we do then we falsely believe we are in control. The truth is that man can neither supercede God nor match Him.
Beloved, if God wants to dissolve His creation, He has ever right to do so...and He will.

The Missing Ingredient

Modern fundamental believers are missing a key component to their faith. For the most part we are replacing worship with religious acts and service. NOTHING replaces the adoration and worship of God. The Almighty will accept nothing in the place of our being overwhelmed with the person of our Saviour.
I know the Lord Jesus taught the people. He sat them down in fifties and hundreds, taught them and fed them, both spiritually and physically. But the most profound portions of Scripture in the Gospel books to me are those that tell of the worship people had for Jesus. Mary the sister of Lazarus, the many others Jesus helped, healed and restored are certain examples of individuals overwhelmed to a state of outpouring.
We are not as demonstrative about our worship as we used to be. If there is actual worship going on, we do not seem to be as vocal about it. Tomorrow I will stand in the pulpit God has placed me in, and once again try to preach a message from God's Word to exalt and glorify Jesus Christ amidst the distractions of unruly children and complacent adults.