Faith Meditations

REJOICING MOTHERS

2011-05-08T09:27:00.000-04:00

Pr 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Pr 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Pr 23:25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. Pr 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

I wish I could say that I always brought my mother joy and gladness, but I can not. There were so many times that I tried the patience and love of my mom. It was not easy raising my brother and me. We were wild at times and certainly disobedience. We did little in the way of honoring our mother, albeit our father tried his best to instill it within us. I would have been blessed to give mom the respect she was due, but I was dull to the importance of selflessness.

But what I could not give or would not give to mom, the Lord Jesus Christ supplied. She is rejoicing now in the presence of her Lord. And I would like to think that in a small way, while I am spending the rest of my life serving Christ, she is rejoicing over that. Thanks Mom, for being such an unselfish, understanding mother. And for all the prayers you prayed on behalf of your sons, especially this one, I can never repay you.

(In honor of Lola Fay Groves)

IFB UNDERFIRE NOTHING NEW

2011-04-30T12:44:00.000-04:00

Mt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

In recent days independent, fundamental, Baptist churches have come under great criticism. It is not surprisingly so because since the death, burial and resurrection of our Saviour, men and women who seek to justify there actions try to cast a dark shadow upon any thing or any one who would take a stand for righteousness. Sinners try to hide their sin, and when that does not work they try to redefine sin, and when that does not work they will try to castigate believers who endeavor to live for Christ and follow truth.

With the help of modern day devises it has become easier for Bible rejectors to propagate their deception. The use of the internet, liberal news media and modernistic religion, these deceivers will spread their venom, calling godly men everything from hypocrites to child molesters. Today’s society resides so much in the dark and is dulled by the flood of perverted truth that it has been poisoned to believe any thing it hears from the mouth of liars, requiring no honest proof to the outlandish claims they propose.

If the United States is ever to become strong morally and blessed spiritually once again, it will have to learn to close its ears to the false prophets and turn to the truth of the Word of God.

BTW, the King James Bible now is 400 years old as a translation and is still being used by God to win souls to Jesus Christ and disciple belivers. AMAZING! Think about it.

PRIVATE BLESSINGS

2011-01-04T11:25:00.000-05:00

Mt 9:18

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Mt 9:19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. Mt 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: Mt 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. Mt 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Have you noticed that many of the divine, supernatural acts of our Lord were done privately or off to the side rather than in a public way? Our text today is an example of one of those instances. You may find that this is evident in your life. The Lord may get you alone before He begins to work in your life rather than putting it all on display for the world to see.

There is a story about a pastor who was having lunch with several of his parishoners. A lady and her grandson came and sat at a table close to the church group. As the meal progressed the pastor noticed that the ten year old grandson was staring at him intensely. When it became more obvious that the boy was watching the pastor, the grandmother explained that the boy was not trying to be rude but was attracted by the eagle on the pastor’s tie. “My father really likes eagles,” the young man said. Everyone at the pastor’s table smiled.

When the meal was over and everyone from the church began to leave, the pastor lingered behind and walked over to the boy’s table. “So your father likes eagles?” asked the pastor. “Oh, yes,” replied the boy. “Does your father wear ties?” asked the man of God. The grandmother explained that the boy’s father wore ties quite often and admired eagles a great deal.

“What is your name, son?” asked the pastor. “Devin” he said. “Well, Devin, you give this tie to your father,” said the pastor as he slipped it from around his neck, “and promise me you will give him this card.”

The boy grinned from ear to ear as he accepted the gift and promised he would give his father the tie along the card which had printed upon it the plan of salvation.

Simple acts in private may come to mean more than those done before a throng.

STAYING FRESH IN THE YEAR TO COME

2011-01-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Three days already into the new year. Yesterday I preached on the immutability of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the many things I have found to be important in the ministry is to stay fresh. There is no secret formula, just make Jesus Christ your theme! I have seen preachers espouse causes and champion movements, and when the causes die out and the movements collapse, the preachers vanish too. But the man who glories in Jesus Christ never grows stale. Our Lord is perennial and he who makes his boast in Christ stays forever fresh. He shall bring forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper, so it says in Psalm 1.

How long it takes us to learn that the issue is simply Jesus! We read books and feel that the magic word is sure to appear on the next page, but it doesn’t. We read biography, but we cannot live on second-hand experience. We try to work up visions and ecstasies of our own, but even if we succeed the glory fades. At last we arrive where we should have started, to learn that once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord.

It is all Jesus. Why not start at center and work out instead of starting on the circumference and working in? Stand by the Hub and the spokes are yours.

AS I REACH MY JOURNEY'S END

2010-12-31T11:25:00.000-05:00

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul was granted his heart's desire. "I have finished my course," he wrote later, and it was with joy. Not with money or earthly possessions, because he wrote from a dungeon, needing his cloak and parchments. Not with a host of friends, for all men had forsook him. Not with fame, for he died a martyr. But he finished with joy, anticipating a crown.

Just as the last day of the year anticipates a new year, so journey's end for the Christian is but the end of a prelude. Phil 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: There are no turns for the worse. To die is gain, even death for the believer is a paying proposition.

It was for the joy that was set before Him that our Lord endured the cross despising the shame. And looking unto him we run with patience and finish with joy.

Some who have known starting grace and sustaining grace have grown careless about finishing grace. What fools we can be on the mile! Be sure to make your last testimony the joy of journey's end!

SUFFICIENT

2010-09-14T13:44:00.000-04:00

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In January of 2005, our church closed the deal of the sale of our old building on Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis. We moved into a warehouse in Lawrence, which was suppose to be for only a short period of one year. We did this thinking that we would be able to begin the building of our new church building by fall of 2006. We had our architectural plans made, secured the services of a builder, and purchased a steel building for the primary structure. All this not taking into account that the Lord was going to allow the “messenger of Satan” to bring us a thorn in the flesh. We spent five years and three months in that warehouse praying, pruning and preparing for the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We discovered that the harshest thorn can bring us to a greater knowledge and relationship in the grace of God. Therefore, I say, we owe that thorn a debt of gratitude.

Our Lord certainly knows how to prepare us for what we must face in the future. Whether it be illness, lack of finances, or emotional heartache, the grace of God is sufficient to turn our weaknesses into the strength of Almighty God. We owe a debt of gratitude to every adversity that comes our way for it allows us to see the hand of God in our lives. We can glory in our infirmities and when we do it brings us to the power of Christ resting upon us.

By the way, God has given us a wonderful church building to worship in and though the thorns keep coming the grace of God is still sufficient. Amen!

FAMILY CAMP 2010

2010-09-11T20:23:00.000-04:00

Jos 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Our family just returned from attending Family Camp at Camp Victory in Somerset, Kentucky. I have always enjoyed this particular three days there. Family Camp has been a great source of encouragement to me and other members of my family. This year was no exception, I was not disappointed in the least. If ever a group of people desired to lift up Jesus Christ and worship the Lord, I certainly was with them this year. And we had a great number from our church attend, as well.

The “old timers” really knew how to worship because they learned what worship really is! We need to learn a lesson from them about true worship. No fakery, no human glorification, nothing worked up, no distraction from the real purpose of worship. As they would say, “God got on it!” You just had to be there to know and experience it. Others, like myself, have gone in years past and it has always been Holy Spirit blessed, but there was just something filling and satisfying this year that only God could supply. As my friend, Pastor George Heitman, said “I’d rather sing than grieve.”

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.”

I DON'T NEED TO KNOW, I JUST WANT TO KNOW

2010-09-07T07:44:00.000-04:00

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Of late, as a devotional for my grandchildren (Kaycee, Laurisa and James) I have been reading from “Streams For Teens,” which is an adaptation of the devotional book by L. B. Cowman, “Streams In The Desert.” Each morning before they go off to school we have a moment of Bible reading and a selection from this book. I do not know if they are getting much from it, but my cup is over flowing.

Today’s offering was based upon our text and featured comments by F. B. Meyer, one of my favorite authors. Meyer said, “Abraham’s decision to leave was based not so much upon the promise, but rather the Promiser.” This really hit home with me and reminded me that the direction for our lives is not so much what we can see and understand or even desire. It is based totally upon the character and integrity of our Lord and Master. Many are saying “Lord, Lord” today, but never follow Him as their Captain. Modern Christians have a habit of mapping out their own plan and strategy then seeking God’s approval. The old timers would call this “putting the cart before the horse.”

As we walk and serve and worship our Lord, we must allow Him to “lead His dear children along.” The Holy Spirit’s phrase in Hebrews 11, “By faith” must have a deeper meaning than we put to it today. However, we would say “I need to know the promise before I move.” No, we don’t need to know, we just want to know.

As my friend says, “think about it.”

WAITING FOR GOD

2010-09-05T06:19:00.000-04:00

Isa 30:18

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

I found this poem in one of my devotional books. I do not know who the author is for it is listed in the book as “selected.” But the thoughts truly minister to my heart.

I longed to walk along an easy road,

And leave behind the dull routine of home,

Thinking in other fields to serve my God;

But Jesus said, “My time has not yet come.”

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,

To be unfettered in the work, and free,

To join with other laborers in their toil;

But Jesus said, “‘Tis not My choice for thee.”

I longed to leave the desert, and be led

To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,

That I might win them; but the Master said,

“I have not called thee, publish here My name.”

I longed to fight the battles of my King,

Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;

But my great Captain bade me wait and sing

Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere,

Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,

To feel I had some human helper near,

But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.

I longed to leave the round of daily toil,

Where no one seemed to understand or care;

But Jesus said, “I choose for thee this soil,

That thou might’st raise for Me some blossoms rare.”

And now I have no longing but to do

At home, or else afar, His blessed will,

To work amid the many or the few;

Thus, “choosing not to choose,” my heart is still.

John Bunyan wrote in Pilgrim’s Progress, “And Patience was willing to wait.” Patience is not easy to come by, for patience means our lives are about waiting for God not consumed with self. The Word says “tribulation worketh patience.” God can not be served any other way for to try to do a work in His name without His timing is only self-serving. I am two months away from age sixty-one at this writing...I believe I can say this much, patience displays our faith and trust in the One Who called us. I’ve learned that much in my lifetime.

SHAME! SHAME!

2010-07-13T12:47:00.000-04:00

Ps 35:26 “Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.”

The Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “shame” as: A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation; or by of that which nature nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. Shame is particularly excited by the disclosure of actions which, in the view of men, are mean and degrading. Hence it it is often or always manifested by a downcast look or by blushes, called confusion of face.

Our text, no doubt, is a reference to David being mistreated by Saul. Even Jonathan was ashamed of his father’s actions in doing so. For it says in 1Sa 20:34 “So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.”

There will be times when those of authority will act shamefully. Sometimes it will be a close friend or even a family member who seeks your hurt. As I have said many times, we all have to stand in front of the same Jesus. He is always the righteous Judge. It is then, if not before, that Christ will bring them to confusion and clothe them with shame and dishonour. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.

Recently, I learned of two “preachers” who have acted shamefully. Once I respected both these men, but because of their foolish and shameful speech and actions I have lost all respect for them. It is such a pity because both of them claim to represent our precious Lord. My fear is that one day they both will stand to give an account and be brought to shame before the Lord. That will neither be productive for the ministry nor for them as God’s men.

Let us be careful to do as the Scriptures command, Eph 5:15 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” this should always be our endeavor, this is always wise.

DANGERS OF A REFORMED HEART

2010-04-23T07:56:00.002-04:00

Lk 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

I believe that most would agree that Zacchaeus truly repented. Our Lord gives testimony in the text that salvation had come to the house of Zacchaeus. His actions not only changed, but his heart changed as well for earthly wealth, suddenly, became of little value to him. So it is with all who truly repent. Nothing matters more than pleasing God, keeping Christ’s commands, and sharing the truth with others. That is why Zacchaeus did not call Jesus “Rabbi” (teacher), but he recognized Him as “Lord” (adonai, sovereign master).

During my forty-three years in the ministry, I have seen many reformations, but not quite as many repentances. Reformation displays a change, a change of course, a “turning over of a new leaf.” But there is no heart change. “Making a decision for Christ” or “allowing Christ in your life” sounds good, but it is not the same as being born again. True salvation gives us a new heart, reformation takes the old heart and tries to do better. Many a teenager or young adult has made a profession of reformation only to find out later in life that they are still empty within. All their reformation has brought them is a false sense of security. Though they have changed in one area of life, the venom of sin has just found a new conduit to spew out from an un-regenerated heart.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines reprobate as “abandoned in error, lost in apostasy.” So it is with the reformed heart.

THE THREE FOLD CORD

2010-02-19T11:17:00.002-05:00

Ecc 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Recently I preached a message on the three fold cord of our text. The illustration I used was the braiding of a young girls hair. Before the congregation I had her mother come and demonstrate just how the hair is braided.

First, I asked her to separate her daughter's hair into two sections and then try to braid the hair. The best she could do is twist the sections together, but when she let go the hair fell to its nature state. The tinsel strength of a cord with only two sections was not very strong.

Then, I asked her to separate her daughter's hair into three sections. She began to layer one section over the other until she had the entire length of hair braided. It was much easier for the hair to stay together as a single braid and the tinsel strength of the braid was much stronger.

But upon close examination, something was noticed. Looking directly at the braid one could only see two sections. Where was the third? It was intertwined with the outer two. Not only did it make the braid work, fortify the braid with much greater strength, but made of itself no reputation.

Such is our Lord Jesus Christ. He makes life work. He fortifies us with inner-strength. But He choses to work through us. And that is a cord that is not quickly broken.

Consider it.

CONTENT

2009-11-23T06:43:00.003-05:00

1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

I have given so much attention to our podcast from Faith Baptist Church of Indianapolis that I have neglected my personal blog. I do enjoy writing and sharing my heart and thoughts with friends and fellow believers. I will try to be more faithful to do so.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is the least perverted of the Christian holidays, and embodies the total reason why we still observe holidays.

As we gather with family and friends, let us once again turn our hearts to Christ, exalting Him in gratitude and love, remembering the supreme and great sacrifice He made for our sins, redeeming us to Himself that we would not be condemned with the world.

An old chorus goes like this:
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul.
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me...
Thy great salvation, so rich and free.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU.

Mrs. Job

2009-10-01T11:39:00.000-04:00

Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Don’t be too critical or harsh on Mrs. Job. Remember she went through this trial as well as he. Her seven babies died when the wind of destruction came. The cattle and possessions she and her husband labored all their lives for, are gone. And now she watched her husband suffer as he scraped his sores with a potsherd. Those who were their friends came to offer critical advise. Her heart aches as she experienced all these events.

Job did not call her foolish, only that her spoken reaction was a foolish one. Other men’s wives would have been foolish in their reaction to such a trial. He reminds her that together they had receive good from God’s hand and it is only right that they receive what all men deserve. Mrs. Job submitted to her husband’s leadership and never spake in opposition from that moment on.

Pr 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

COVETOUSNESS: THE ADDICTION OF DESIRE

2009-08-28T09:04:00.001-04:00

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

It does not take very long for a child to show signs of covetousness. If a toddler has a toy, there will be a dozen that will want to take it from them. It is natural within all of us to desire what others have. Somehow we reason that to own what others possess will enhance our life and to have more than others makes it even better.

Teens get bitter toward their parents many times because the parent either is not able to supply the current faddish item or has determined that it would be counter-productive to the teen’s development and character. Therefore, the child feels they are being mistreated and misunderstood by mother and father. To make it plain, they become a brat.

There are spiritual brats as well. Christians who believe they somehow are entitled to what everyone else has and God is obligated to supply such. How arrogant! After miraculously redeeming us from sin and making us His child, we find no better way of expressing our gratitude and appreciation than to complain that our Heavenly Father has not answered our prayers to our liking. The response of the spiritual brat is to blame God, quit church, throw away the testimony for Christ he has spent years acquiring, all for the addiction of desire. No doubt the spiritual brat would quickly express their distain for one who would throw their life away for cocaine or heroin, only to turn around and do the very same thing for the addiction of desire.

The instruction of our above text teaches us to live without covetousness and be content with what our Lord places in our lives. God is sufficient for all His children.

Mary Rudell (Garoutte) Barnes

2009-08-09T08:15:00.001-04:00

Pr 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Today, August 9, is my mother-in-law’s birthday. She would not want me to tell but she is 84 years old. She is and has been the forty years I have know her, an extraordinary woman of Christian character and grace. Her testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ still shine in her faith and witness for Him.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Mary Rudell Garoutte married James Franklin Barnes during the WWII years. He served in the U.S.Navy during the war. After he was discharged from the service with honors he started a career with American Airlines. However, James soon received a call to preach and together they went to Bible school. They were blessed with a daughter, my wife, Sandra. Mary assisted James in starting the Capital City Baptist Church of Des Moines, Iowa, where he pastored for ten years. In 1963, God moved them to Indianapolis to start the Faith Missionary Baptist Church (now known as Faith Baptist Church), where he faithfully pastored for twenty-seven years. I have the privilege to pastor that congregation presently, completing my twentieth year this December.

Our church, of which she still is a vital member, knows her as “Mrs. Barnes.” Her daughter calls her “mother.” Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren call her “Nana.” I call her “Blessed.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NAN!

TOMORROW OVER YESTERDAY

2009-07-15T09:38:00.000-04:00

I am a lover of history. I have not always been. In elementary school I struggled so much with learning the dates and events which seemed meaningless to me. My youthful mind could not possibly see any value at all to memorizing the past. When I entered high school I had a wonderful history teacher by the name of Betty Ware. She was a devote Christian even though she taught in public school. God used her to bring purpose into my learning. Of course, like so many still today, I was not aware that history repeats itself and we must learn from the past so we can avoid tragedy in the future. In fact, a believer will never make full sense out of the New Testament until he has a serious study of the Old Testament. Truly they go hand in hand.

But we find our beloved apostle Paul writing, (Phil 3:13-14) “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This seems a contradiction to our premise that we should find value in the past. After all, we are admonished in the Old Testament to follow the “old paths.” Why does Paul appear to take a different stance? I believe that it is because Paul observed some who were living in the old life of failure, broken dreams, heartaches and sorrows. Such things inhibit spiritual growth and progress. Old failures are to be repented of, forgiven, the record set straight, so they will not impede us from the blessings of walking with Christ.

Each day as we have our personal time with the Lord in Bible devotions and prayer, we must allow the Word to wash us, live it fresh each moment. Every believer must make a decision to choose the past or the future as their vision for a new day. Take tomorrow over yesterday.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S GREATEST THRILLER

2009-06-26T10:56:00.001-04:00

Lk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

The news that has trumped even the U. S. President is the death of entertainer Michael Jackson. In my life time I have observed him beginning as a small boy with his brothers and becoming a “superstar” entertainer, composer, producer, singer, and dancer. I am not writing this to glorify a man or his career, but rather as a reminder of the certainty of death and judgment.

I suppose his greatest achievement, the work his is best known for and lauded for, is “Thriller,” which has sold more CD’s and music videos that than any other in the history of the business. I must confess I have not seen much of it, only what has been aired on TV news programs. But what I have seen appears to be a bad dream of a tortured soul. Music and dance are performed by those dressed and made up as zombies with Michael Jackson as the lead. And this is what American children and adults are “thrilled” by?

Well, Michael Jackson has gone out into eternity. His popularity, his financial prosperity, his prominence in the entertainment industry could not prevent the inevitable. Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Though he might have been able to buy his way out of situations he created in his life, he can not buy his way out of the wages of sin. No matter how much he was beloved by his fans, he now stands before a holy, righteous, just God....facing his own greatest THRILLER.

The Hidden Things of Dishonesty

2009-06-25T10:31:00.001-04:00

2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Those placed in political office are in a position of trust. Citizens of a city, county, state or country vote for the person they most trust, if they vote responsibly. When the citizens of South Carolina voted for their governor, they did not expect him to be unfaithful to his wife and children, disappear for five days, lie about where he was going and what he was doing, and use public monies to finance an affair. His confession is admirable and seems sincere (far from what we have observed among the those of the opposite party). One wonders, however, is the governor willing to make restitution to the state? Is this going to be another “my bad” situation or will he, indeed, reconcile with his wife and pay back the money he used to go to Argentina?

Pastors, evangelists, and missionaries must be diligent not to follow the pattern of the world. The pulpit must be a place of honesty and integrity. We are to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty.....but manifest the truth. Others are to have confidence in us as we minister the Word of God. It is a sacred trust to which God has called us. The pulpit is holy ground, not a platform for showmanship and deception. And while the admonition in 1 Timothy 5:18 reminds us that the laborer is worthy of his hire, it in no way suggests that the church is to finance immorality.

We live in an age when accusations are taken as proof with no regard for the truth. Anyone can level an accusation toward someone in position of authority and cause a “feeding frenzy” among the public. The same holds true toward churchmen and the local church. But God is the righteous Judge and He knows who is guilty and who is innocent. My suggestion to the governor is to resign and give attention to mending his family. And my admonition to preachers is to be honest or get out of the pulpit commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

The biggest liar is the man who has told the lie so many times he begins to believe it himself.

I HATE TIES

2009-04-19T07:10:00.000-04:00

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

I hate wearing ties. As I was dressing for church this morning I was reminded once again how much that decorative piece of clothe around my neck seems to be a noose to me. Every chance I get I slip out of it to find comfort, still knowing that the day and hour will come again when I must put it on.

So one might ask, “Pastor Groves, if you hate it that much, why do you continue to wear a tie? Many others have forsaken this fashion in favor of a more comfortable attire. What would be wrong in your doing the same?” The response to a question like that is found in our text today. I am to mortify the flesh (v5) and put off fleshly desires (v8) so that the new man in Christ Jesus may be put on (v10).

Now, I am not suggesting that the wearing of a tie makes one holy or righteous. I am quite aware that the business world and political world have a uniform they wear to present themselves in a repertorious fashion. They desire to build trust by outward means. This must never be our motive or means of representing Christ to the world. Others are to see Christ in us which produces a change upon us.

However, I refuse to give the flesh the advantage in any situation that would involve my respect and honor of my Saviour. If the new man is to mature and grow into what God desires it to be, then I must remind myself that Christ is my life. For the short time I remain on this earth, I will gladly suffer the discomfort of “the noose” to show my love and gratitude for my Saviour and the suffering He bore on the cross. The important thing is to mortify the flesh and put off the works of the flesh so that “old man” is brought under subjection and the “new man” is controlled by the Holy Spirit.

By the way, it is a manly color of blue, most of them are.

MANUFACTURING A FALSE ENEMY

2009-04-11T13:01:00.001-04:00

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Satan never accepts responsibility for his sin and he teaches man to do the same. It is always someone else who is at fault. The devil told Eve it was God’s fault their eyes were not opened, they were not gods, they did not know good and evil. Satan manufactured a non-existent enemy to get Adam and Eve to follow him instead of God. They forgot about where they were. They forgot about the sweet fellowship they had with their Creator. The Galatian church thought Paul, who had brought the truth to them and lead them into salvation through the blood of Christ, was now their enemy because he told them the truth. They believed they had an enemy, a problem and the solution was to turn away from Paul.

If we are not careful we will believe we have an enemy that does not truly exist, a problem that is not really a problem, and a solution which solves nothing. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but truly the principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, are enemies of all those who trust in Christ.

Beloved, your problem is not the preacher if he is telling you the truth, it is the father of lies who opposes you. Pastor, it is not the people in the pew that are your enemies. It is the principalities of darkness that oppose you.

Our enemy is real, but don’t let him lie to you and through the blame on God or those who serve God.

SPIRITUAL PARANOIA

2009-04-02T10:02:00.001-04:00

Gen 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Cain is our first example in scripture of one who exhibited spiritual paranoia. What is it? This is a condition of the heart which affects the conduct of one who has rebelled against or rejected instruction from God. Cain’s rebellion was to bring his own offering to God (which God would not receive) and harden his heart because he could not have his own way. After the Lord had given him space to repent, Cain still would not submit to God. This resulted in him murdering his brother Abel and becoming a fugitive/vagabond. For the rest of his life he was insecure, running from place to place always looking over his shoulder expecting someone to come after him and kill him.

When a Christian is paranoid, unable to rest in the security of God’s care, always expecting some tragedy to happen, there is certainly an underlying reason. When a child of God is disobedient, unrepentant and stiff-necked, he will be restless and paranoid, believing he is the subject of constant ridicule and criticism of others. This is exactly where Satan will subjugate him in spiritual paranoia.

Beloved, don’t waste your life in worry and turmoil. You are not fooling anyone, especially God. Cain, no doubt, tried to convince everyone that he was right, but nothing displays confidence in God better than submission and obedience to Him. When troubles come there is nothing like being right with God.

SHORTCUTS

2009-02-17T13:05:00.003-05:00

Ex 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: Ex 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

When I was in Bible school I had a roommate whose grandfather had a cabin on the Enangua River near Buffalo, Missouri. Many weekends we would leave school on Friday afternoon and spend the night fishing and studying at “grandpa’s cabin” and making it back for lights out on Saturday night.

As time went on other fellow classmates were invited to join us and we had a grand time enjoying the woods, working on the cabin, mowing the landscape and fixing up our little “hide-away.” Everyone was respectful and appreciative of the privilege and opportunity to go there. Grandpa was no longer able to physically take care of the property so it worked out well for all of us.

One weekend my roommate was not able to go because of work. We were so disappointed that the break in our week filled with monotony was not going to happen. But my roommate asked grandpa if it would alright for us to go without him. We were granted permission, so myself and two friends headed off for our weekend of relaxation. One of our friends offered to drive so we piled into his car with books and fishing gear and off we went. We had been on the road for a half hour when I noticed nothing seemed familiar. I said to the driver that we must be off route. He assured me that he had learned a “shortcut” to grandpa’s cabin. We traveled another half hour when it became obvious that we were lost. Another hour took us farther away from our appointed destination. Our weekend was ruined because someone decided to take a “shortcut.”

In our text we are told that God would not lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and directly into the land of promise because they were not ready for war. They would have fled back into the hands of bondage in Egypt. So through the wilderness they were lead so the LORD could “de-Egyptianize” them. When people have lived in bondage so long (in Israel’s case it was 430 years) they become dependent upon their taskmasters. Thus it is with the new believer in Christ Jesus. They must be given the “milk of the word” before they will be able to eat meat. They are not ready for war. They must be brought along and fortified. No shortcuts. New believers who try to take spiritual shortcuts will fail to grow as God intends and lose their way. Many blessings are lost because of shortcuts. A teenager who seeks to satisfy their lustful desires by pre-marital sex will rob himself of a great treasure and struggle to recover from it. A man or woman who leaves their family hoping for a shortcut to happiness will enslave himself or herself with a terrible burden. The only way to true peace, joy and happiness is to just follow the Lord through the wilderness. Grandpa’s cabin awaits at the end of the trail.

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW

2009-02-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

The old adage “what you don’t know won’t hurt you” is one of the most deceptive philosophies anyone can follow. It is rarely true in the secular world and never true concerning spiritual matters. We are not to be “children of darkness” stumbling around in the world without direction and unaware of the workings of God. Such a one would be susceptible to any lie Satan could throw at them.

A caution from God I read recently stated, “Heb 3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. Heb 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)” Certainly the children of Israel were affected by their ignorance of God’s ways. We are as well.

The Word of God is an inexhaustible resource of truth. Often I refer to it as the complete truth of the universe because its principles and precepts are universal. It is not difficult to discern if someone lives in darkness or light. We may measure this by observing how they apply the Word to living. Simply put, walking after the flesh is death and darkness, walking after the Spirit is life and light. If you, Beloved, need convincing, just observe the direction the world is going.

TESTAMENT

2009-01-25T08:53:00.001-05:00

Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

We have a testament given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Mt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Every time we observe the Lord’s table we give remembrance to that testament.

For any testament to be of worth, seven requisites must be satisfied:
There must be a testator (one who leaves a will, Jesus Christ).
There must be living heirs (those who inherit, sinners saved by grace).
There must be goods to be inherited (for us, eternal life).
There must be the death of the testator (crucifixion).
There must be a public confession of that death (the blood).
There must be witnesses (believers).
There must be a seal (the Holy Ghost).

Salvation is not under probate. Every requirement has been satisfied. It stands in God’s courtroom. Satan may argue against it, but he is no match for the blood of Jesus Christ. For three days and three nights this testament was presented to, approved and sealed by the heavenly Father. Christ arose to be the executor of this testament.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

BE CAREFUL! GOD MAY GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT!

2009-01-15T11:52:00.002-05:00

1Sa 8:1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 1Sa 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. 1Sa 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. 1Sa 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 1Sa 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 1Sa 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Samuel had two sons; Joel, which means Jehovah is God, and, Abiah, which means Jehovah is Father. They were placed in a position of trust, but their lack of character lead them to be greedy, receiving bribes and perverting judgment. Not all preacher’s kids go bad, but these two did. If satan can not get the preacher to bend many times he will go after the preacher’s family. So the elders of Israel demanded a king rule over them. This, of course, was not what God had in mind and the thing made Samuel angry. But God told him to harken to the request of the people because it was not a rejection of the prophet but of the LORD.

Now God warned them that when they got a king he would take from them their families, their work-force, and their farms. Consequently, Saul did just that. And the LORD told them when they cried out to complain in that day He would not hear them. Why? Because they got what they asked for.

Certainly, America has done the same.

THE EXCUSES OF MOSES

2009-01-13T11:58:00.001-05:00

Exodus 3 and 4 record the conversation between Moses and the God of his fathers. God desired to send Moses to Pharaoh and demand the children of Israel be let go to return to their God-given homeland. Moses, a fugitive of Egypt and now a shepherd of some forty years, is reluctant to respond and obey.

Moses’ first objection was “who am I?” God never said Moses was anyone special only that He would certainly be with him and he would return to Mount Horeb to serve the LORD.

The second of these objections was concerning the Israelites themselves. They had been so long in Egypt (the world) that they either had forgotten God or doubted that He truly was God. Moses knew they would ask of His name. “I AM hath sent me unto you” was to be the response. They were to be reminded that God is God...there is no other.

The third objection was Moses concern over his authority to bring such a message, even though the LORD had stated that they would hear Moses. God brought his attention upon what was in his hand. Moses said, “A rod.” God would take the contents of Moses hand to prove his authority from God.

The fourth objection Moses presented to God was the lack of his ability as a speaker. Again God responds by reminding Moses that He is the creator of men and the giver of abilities to men. Utterance would come to him as he needed it.

The fifth objection was that God should send someone besides Moses. I do not know if God’s patience wore thin with Moses or that He was offended by Moses casting doubt upon the wisdom of choosing a man such as Moses. But God had preserved his life from destruction, prepared him on the back side of the desert for forty years, and presented the plan to bring Israel out of bondage. If God had wanted someone else to go, He would have asked them.

Now, what’s your excuse?

THE FEAR OF GOD

2008-12-17T10:31:00.001-05:00

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Fearing God sounds so negative to most folks. But I have found it to be the most positive of attitudes one can have. An experience early in my life caused me to have an appreciation for fearing the authority God placed over my life. My father gave me strict instructions concerning a route I was to travel with a friend to a youth meeting. I was not to detour from the specified route my father laid out. Because I feared my dad, I obeyed his instructions even though tempted to do otherwise by my companion. The detour would have been faster, but the path that Dad had given was safer. Consequently, I avoided a riotous and dangerous situation that could have cost my life and the life of my friend. Fear of the authority God put over my life was a good thing.

The only alternative to not fearing God is to fear man and that is never good. The fear of man leads to sin, ungodly alliances, and eternal damnation. The fear of God leads to salvation and obedience that produces good fruit and blessings. The book of Proverbs teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Liberal Pharisee-ism has stolen the key to knowledge from many today. In the name of liberality they circumvent the fear of God. It perverts the Gospel message and turns it into a religious experience rather than a conversion to Christ. It perverts the worship of our Lord by its carnal speech and music. It perverts the redemption of a soul into a “feel good about yourself” experience which is hollow and meaningless. Why? Because man by nature “will not have this man (Christ) to rule over us.” No fear of God.

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a RAT.

2008-12-10T09:24:00.001-05:00

Pr 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

I think we give too much attention to what our enemies think than what the Lord thinks. I believe the Gospel has been watered down by pastors and evangelists because they are trying in there own power and way to reach the lost. While the endeavor of fulfilling the great commission is noble, modern preaching has compromised the message of salvation so much the lost end up in confusion and in more darkness after they have heard it.

I see a great need for pleasing God over making peace with our enemies. Our text promises that if we will be faithful to Him, He will take care of the rest. I believe we should enjoy our time in church, cherish our fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord and “have a good time” in God’s house, but when it turns into a fleshly party for the sake of entertaining the lost, COUNT ME OUT!

Until we get back to preaching the message of Christ with clarity and conviction, letting the “chips fall where they may,” we are not going to witness any “rats stirring.” Oh, the numbers may be down. We may not get to brag about the people who came to the altar. But when a soul gets under the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God, we will see our churches filled with men and women who truly love God.

“It easy to lead the church into apostasy, it’s not so easy to lead them out.”

I'm Just A Beggar

2008-11-25T11:09:00.000-05:00

Lk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Sometime I believe I should change my name to “Lazarus” because it seems I am always begging. Nearly everyday I beg the lost to come to Christ or the saints of God to obey the will of God. I beg the church member to honor God with his substance, that is to say, be honest with tithes and offerings. I beg the young people to remain pure and seek after their Creator in the days of their youth. I beg the wayward to repent and turn back to God. I beg the absentee to return to the house of God.

And I beg God to be merciful to me, to forgive my sins and restore unto me the joy of His salvation. I plead for strength to stand aright and not compromise. I ask for His grace to go on another day, to beg some more. And though I am “full of sores” I beg to see the completion of my redemption…the rapture. Or perhaps, some day it will be said of me, Lk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom…

I do not know which shall be my exit from this world, but I know the eternal fate of this old beggar. 1Sa 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.

Amen!

Foolish Words

2008-11-25T00:12:00.001-05:00

Pr 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

There is an old adage that states, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Even the best of us will struggle from time to time trying to control that little member known as the tongue. I remember my father telling me that some things are better left unsaid.

Words spoken, even in jest, can be damaging to others as well as to our own testimony for Christ. I was reminded of this just recently when words were exchanged by some folks during a volley of comments and were taken the wrong way. Once words are let loose they can never be recovered. It is difficult to guard our feelings when the spirit has been wounded so.

Pr 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

A Little Bird Told Me

2008-11-14T09:13:00.001-05:00

Ecc 10:20 “…for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.”

Every morning, before my four grandchildren which live with me go to school, I sit at the dining room table and read the Scriptures to them. Recently, we have been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes. This morning we read chapter ten. I explained to them that when I was a boy folks had an expression they used when someone would ask, “How do you know that?” or “How did you find that out?” The response would be with a smile, “A little bird told me.”

I wondered many times in my childhood how my mother knew exactly what I was doing. If I had been mischievous she knew it. If I had mistreated my younger brother she knew it. If I had gone somewhere without permission she knew it. How? A little bird had told her.

The principle is a Biblical one. “Be sure your sins will find you out.” No one escapes the watchful eye of God. He is ever present to witness our actions, thoughts and spirit. And He uses our very transgression to tell on us. For example, the liar must cover his lie with another, and then another, until the lie is so big it is unbelievable by even the most gullible person. The thief is never satisfied with what he steals, he must steal again. The hypocrite who cries, “Don’t judge me!” finally becomes judgmental himself.

If we would be reminded that our sins tattle on us, we may become more cautious in our character. Because…the little bird is always there to tell.

Likeable Liars

2008-11-06T13:28:00.001-05:00

1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

Recent events have once again affirmed that there are a lot of folks who believe what they want to believe regardless of how much truth you present to them. All the campaigning that was done, all the warning that was given, had little or no effect upon the presidential election. There is no convincing one who has misguided loyalties. He will reject the truth in favor of his false belief almost every time. Why? Because he is faithful to the flesh and does not walk after the spirit.

So it is many times in the ministry. Christians will accept one who is talented, charismatic, dynamic, and personable over that person’s walk with God and testimony or the lack thereof. Tragically, the pastor in a church may even have lived a life of holiness, faithful service and personal sacrifice for the cause of Christ only to be rejected by the very sheep over which he has been charged to shepherd, all because the eyes of the members were blinded by a likeable liar.

In our text above we are cautioned to be careful about approving and recommending anyone without first observing their life and learning of what type they are. Doctrine is too important to overlook and personal holiness will effect the eventual outcome of any ministry. “Suddenly” is the red flag here. The test of time proves many things. Concerning man, if it does not make sense, it is probably wrong. A likeable liar will eventually be revealed.

Our church conducts a Reformers Unanimous ministry. We have learned that there are people who have sincere desires to get better, be happy, do the right thing, but they lack the consistency to do so. It takes time working with people to instill the Word of God within them so that those things will happen in their life. Many of them need to begin with salvation to get started right. Others know Christ but have made very poor decisions in life. There is the occasional deceiver who just wants to fulfill their desires at the expense of others, in this case, God’s people.

We must be careful not to fall for the likeable liar.

NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER!

2008-11-05T11:32:00.002-05:00

It seems a long time since I sat down and wrote out an entry to this blog. I do apologize for my tardiness in doing so. Some of you have asked several times when there would be another addition. Not to make excuses, but I have started a second job to add to our family’s income, as have my wife and daughter-in-law. I am sure you are feeling the financial pinch as we are.

Now that the election is over I have a few suggestions for the believer in Christ to consider. First, this is not a time to "duck and cover." What I mean by that is, we are to continue on serving our Lord under the same mandate we have always been under – win the lost and train the saved. The labourers are still few and the harvest is still plenteous. So remain faithful.

Second, we have children that are still in our ward. God expects us to raise them in His nurture and admonition. They should be taught to love God, honor God and serve God. Their has never been a day when it is more needful for parents to give spiritual attention to their children.

Third, we are still in a race. Our heavenly Father has left us here to live for Him. Hebrews 12 reminds us that the world is never going to understand us or help us, but we are to remain in the race until Jesus comes. In this race what matters is not who finishes first but how each of us runs.

Let me conclude this offering with something I read from another periodical just this morning:

TOP TEN PREDICTIONS NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.  
2. Prayer will still work.  
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.  
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.  
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.  
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.  
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.  
8. There will still be room at the Cross.  
9. God will still love you.  
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

Upon these we can rely.

PLAGIARIZE

2008-10-03T13:03:00.001-04:00

Ecc 1:9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

I am told that one of the vice-presidential candidates has been accused of plagiarism. I do not know if this is correct or a fabrication of some political “spin doctor.” I do know that it is considered to be a serious accusation. To plagiarize something is to take what has been written or put forth by someone else and represent it as being original to oneself. In other words, not giving credit where credit is due.

This certainly was not the case with the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. The prophets put forth there message with a resounding “Thus saith the LORD!” The Apostle Paul said, 2Co 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

I have been a child of God for over forty-eight years now. I have been privileged to hear some of the greatest preachers of the twentieth and twenty-first century. Nearly every day it crosses my mind that I have heard the truth proclaimed from the most anointed and spirit-filled men of God born within the last hundred years. And I have heard them echo the old, old story thousands upon thousands of times. The best have been those who humbled themselves and admitted that what they were about to preach was original only from God.

Recently, I had the joy and honor of preaching during a campmeeting in the south. I love to go just to be blessed by the spirited singing and enthusiastic preaching of the Word. But on occasion I am asked to preach. After the morning meeting concluded and younger preacher approached me to ask if he could use the outline and thoughts of my message. Without hesitation I responded that he should take them and use them as the Lord leads for nothing is original with me, the message came from God.

We dare not rob God of His glory. It belongs to Him alone.

Peace Be To Thine Helpers

2008-09-23T10:54:00.002-04:00

1Chr 12:18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

A few years ago, my dear friend, Dr. John O’Malley, preached a message at our church entitled “Helpers of the War.” It was a reminder that even though David was a great and blessed man of God, he needed the help of others to accomplish victory over the enemy. God provided that help through his mighty men. I am sure in every ministry there must be helpers of the war for none of us are sufficient within ourselves. We need God’s help and we need the help of might men. These would be men who have the same heart and love for the Word of God and the work of God.

As we serve God we will encounter those who question the war we wage for the souls of men. There will be those who oppose the war. But praise God for the helpers of the war.

Principle #6 of the Reformer’s Unanimous program states, “Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord.” No one really expects the world to aid in the service of God. But how wonderful it would be if our churches were filled with believers who have given themselves to be “helpers of the war.”

The Hope of the Local Church...the hope of America

2008-08-29T10:12:00.001-04:00

1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Lawlessness and moral depravity are the contrary (or enemy) of sound doctrine (truth). Those who have chosen to be immoral or sympathize with others who have will always compromise the truth to attempt to justify the sin.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Those who choose to listen to the ear-tickling charlatans cannot endure truth and will constantly run to what pleases them and not what corrects them.

Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Truth is the only way to reach the spiritually dull-minded. A faithful witness who is relentless in standing for truth will be the only hope for those in darkness or without discernment. (An interesting observation is that this crowd believes because there are more of them than those who hold fast to the truth, they are right and sound doctrine is wrong, or uncompassionate, or legalistic).

Tit 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

The word “become” in the text here suggests a putting forth or complimenting of sound doctrine.

This is the hope of the local church. This is the hope of America.

Lunch With The Governor

2008-08-20T15:34:00.004-04:00

Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Yesterday afternoon, August 19, 2008, I along with my wife and daughter-in-law, had the privilege of sharing lunch with the governor of Indiana, the honorable Mitch Daniels. This was not my first encounter with our governor, but it certainly was one of a different kind. “Religious leaders” from all over our state were invited to attend the luncheon. I went mostly out of a desire to speak to someone about the awful way our church has been treated by local county officials concerning our building program. I did make contact with a man on the governor’s staff who expressed a great desire to get involved and at least give us a less one-sided hearing. However, I came away with much more.

I have often heard it said that religion and politics make strange bedfellows. And I agree. Politics makes no room for God for it seeks to rule for its own glory. God will not share His glory with anyone or any institution. Contrariwise, government must be tempered with a strong faith in God in order to function as it was designed and as it should. Truly our founding fathers realized this and had a great desire for God’s blessings upon America.

Yesterday I listened as Governor Daniels expressed his personal faith. He is Presbyterian by denomination and I cannot say if he is trusting in his works, his church, or in the Lord Jesus Christ. But he did make mention several times of being a fallen sinner (his words) in need of forgiveness. I saw his frustration as he explained that politics would not allow him to inject his personal faith into his job as a public servant. I understand that and appreciate it because I do not want to be told that I must be a Presbyterian. However, he did get something very right in his speech. He explained that while he could not run a Presbyterian administration it was his job to protect religious freedom in our state. I wish more of our elected officials held the same sense of responsibility.

I am a Baptist! I am a King James Bible believing Baptist. I believe that the Word of God is the pure, undefiled, preserved revelation of God for us to follow and practice in all matters of faith and living. I wish Governor Daniels held the same beliefs, but on those matters we differ. I am glad, however, that he is willing to stand for my rights as a citizen to practice my faith and it is his responsibility to see nothing hinders the citizens of this state from doing just that.

Thanks for lunch, Governor. And thanks for your stand on religious freedom.

FORTY-ONE

2008-08-11T08:48:00.000-04:00

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2Timothy 4:1-5 KJV)

In over forty years of ministry you can see a lot. On Sunday, August 10, I celebrated forty-one years of Gospel ministry. The kid preacher who started on the streets of Cincinnati, Ohio, playing guitar to gather a crowd and preaching to anyone who would stay long enough to listen, has gone through many valleys and across many mountain tops in his time. My endeavor over the last four decades has been to fulfill the last phrase of the above text, “make full proof of thy ministry.” What a joy it has been to see souls saved, young people surrender their lives to the Lord for ministry, help missionaries get to the field and help them on the field, and pastoring a people who love God.

The future presents new challenges as we go on to serve our God. How exciting it is to anticipate the Lord’s work reaching out to even more souls through new avenues of evangelism, but still by His chosen vehicle, the Local Church. Time to quit? We will have none of that! This is like our ministry is starting all over again. We didn’t quit when others turned away. We didn’t quit when Satan hindered. We didn’t quit when we stumbled along the way (just get up and go some more). We didn’t quit when family and friends forsook us. God has never left us and we have no reason to doubt Him now. Praise God, I think I’ll go a little further.

BLIND OR BLESSED?

2008-08-09T08:38:00.000-04:00

“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) …” (Revelation 2:9a) written to the church at Smyrna.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) written to the church of the Laodiceans.

The Smyrnian church was blessed through their works, tribulation and poverty, but they did not realize it. The Laodicean church had possessions aplenty, but without the blessings of God. It is just as blind to think oneself without the blessing of God as it is to believe that material things indicate the presence of God. Beautiful cathedrals do not a church make. Neither is one forsaken because he lacks physical substance.

The key indicator in the matter is “me.” “Woe is me” excludes God as much as “look at me.” For the child of God who is walking with Him, there is no time without blessing. In fact we are not qualified to determine what is a “bad day” and what is not. God never has a bad day. Likewise, we not are able to proclaim “God has blessed” because of finances or possessions to promotions. Our heart must always sing “to God be the glory.”

Faithful obedience to the Word of God and consistent service for our Lord will bring God’s blessing as long as “me” stays out of it.

SEVEN WONDERFUL FACTS ABOUT THE TRUTH

2008-08-03T07:01:00.001-04:00

“But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2Corinthians 1:18-22)

I have a dear preacher/pastor friend here in town who reminds me continually that the greatest challenge for men in the 21st century is to know and believe the truth. Each week on Sunday and Wednesday I stand behind the sacred desk of God and attempt to proclaim the truth to my people and those visiting our services. When I am called upon to preach in school chapels, youth camps, preacher fellowships, etc., I endeavor to bring forth the truth for the hearer’s consideration. Nothing substitutes for the truth. Lies must be perpetuated by lies. Truth stands when lies fail. Truth liberates and lies imprison.

Here are seven facts about the truth:

1. Truth and right are never affected by numbers. Remember it was the crowd that died in the flood. It was the majority that was destroyed in Sodom. It was the multitude that cried, “Crucify him, crucify him!”

2. Truth and right are never affected by unbelief. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Timothy 4:3-4) Just because one does not believe the truth does not change the truth. It just means they have chosen to believe fables.

3. Truth and right are never affected by neglect and neglect does not release one from the responsibility to the truth.

4. Truth and right are never affected by disobedience. Just because God’s people choose to disobey Him does not nullify the truth.

5. Truth and right are never affected by comfort or convenience. When in history did it ever become comfortable to do the right thing or stand by the truth when society rejected truth?

6. Truth and right are never affected by price. Man can be bought, but God cannot.

7. Truth and right are never affected by time. We do live in different times. But the truth never changes. If sin was sin one hundred years ago, it is still sin today.

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)

BURDENS

2008-07-20T08:32:00.000-04:00

Ps 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

As I was reminded this week by a silver-haired old preacher, Brother Locke who has been in the war for many years, we all have burdens in life. As a Christian, if you do not think you do now…you will. Life has a way of putting burdens upon us and our Heavenly Father will even place burdens on us to strengthen us, teach us, prepare us for the future.

There are several causes for burdens. The most obvious one is the burden of sin. It is this burden which the Holy Spirit uses to direct us to Jesus Christ. He\is job is to convict us of sin and show us the danger and destructiveness of sin. It is the burden of sin that gets upon a man’s heart that reveals his depravity and opens his eyes to the holiness of God. This burden humbles us so that we may repent and place our trust in Christ for redemption.

Then there is the burden of sorrows. Every person whether lost or saved will experience sorrow in life. There are those times of desertion by family and friends, times when we are disappointed by unfulfilled dreams, times when our strength and abilities fail us. But as our text reminds us, “…he shall sustain thee:…”

And also, there are burdens that come with service. Serving Christ means working with people. People have needs which must be attended. The servant of Christ is there to give attention to those needs. But it is possible to become weary in well doing when the burden becomes overwhelming.

So how does one deal with such burdens? We are told to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD.” We are never to defend our burden as some who revel in having hardships thinking they will acquire sympathy. Nor are we to despair in our burden for God has promised that the righteous shall not be moved. We need to learn to take our burdens to God in prayer and cast them upon Him. Claim His promise of help and celebrate the provision He will give.

The cure of sin is salvation. God will never release us from burdens of sorrow, but rather will us them to reinforce us in our service to Him.

Signs of a Growing Christian

2008-07-08T10:41:00.001-04:00

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 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. Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Jas 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: Jas 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. Jas 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Spiritual growth is rare among modern Christians. The hindrances abound toward those who would genuinely seek to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly, the world, flesh and devil have motive to impede a believer from maturing, but one would be surprised to find that even among the clergy there exists those who criticize anyone from getting “deep” with God. “You will become so heavenly minded that you will become no earthly good!” I have yet to see the reality of that statement. If one is truly heavenly minded, is that not the mind of God? Would not such a one possess the heart and longsuffering of God?

I have observed that the mature Christian is fearless and faithful through adversity. They consider trials to be fertilizer for their faith. As our text expresses in verses 2-4, they count it all joy…the trial of their faith worketh patience…wanting nothing. A growing Christian will pray to find answers and seek God’s wisdom. A Christian who is mature has a balanced view of earthly possessions and eternal reality. And no matter what happens in life, a “deep” believer will never blame God for struggles, but rather praise Him for the opportunity to bring glory to Him.

“Oh, that’s just your interpretation, Brother Groves. Just the way you see it!” No, my friend, it is what God is showing me.

THIRTY-EIGHT

2008-07-02T10:54:00.001-04:00

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our thirty-eighth wedding anniversary. I have always admired those couples who have gone faithfully through life to reach their fiftieth and even seventy-fifth anniversary. It has always been remarkable, but today it is also rare. Not necessarily because one of the partners has passed away, but rare because fidelity is rare among us today. I am grateful for the years our Lord has given us together.

Our church hosted a fellowship after the evening service the Sunday following our anniversary. One of the members asked me what I would do if Mrs. Groves were to pass away. I told him that I would probably have to go with her. He said jokingly, “Well, Preacher, the women would be lined up to get you.” To which I replied, “I have spent thirty-eight years training this one and I do not have the energy to train another.”

It would be more truthful that she has trained me. Partners look out for one another. She certainly has taken good care of me through the years. Humanly speaking, I could not have done what I have accomplished through more than four decades of ministry if she had not been by my side. Thirty-eight and a half years ago she accepted a challenge, “Marry me and see the world.” She did and we have. She has gone with me across America, ministering in twelve states; across the oceans in Tokyo, Japan; Taipai, Taiwan; Athens and Corinth, Greece; Ephesus in Turkey; and all through the Holy Land.

She has been lied to and lied about by church members; criticized for her stand; disappointed by those thought to be friends; and broken hearted over the actions of loved ones. Still she remains yielded, submissive, and faithful. Jesus Christ has always taken first place in her life and I would have it no other way.

I gave thought to the possibility of waiting until our fortieth anniversary to share my heart on this matter, but I believe our Lord’s return is so near I did not want to miss the opportunity. Sandra, I love you, I always have.

Pr 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Pr 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Pr 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Bearing the Father's Image

2008-06-21T10:43:00.000-04:00

1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Some forty-two years ago, my brother and I participated in a teen choir at our church which proved to be one of the most helpful and encouraging events of my teenage years. The previous summer I had just experienced a call to the ministry, and as any young person seeking God’s will for their life, I wanted some confirmation that the call was genuine. Those two years singing in the teen choir helped solidify that call in my life.

Recently, one of the men, now a pastor himself, contacted as many of the old members of the teen choir to see if any of them were interested in a reunion. The response he got was overwhelming. Plans were made, we met at a restaurant near our old church for a meal together, and then we gathered at the church for fellowship and singing. We had a wonderful time. I was good to see old friends, some of whom I had not seen for over thirty years.

After the meal, as we were walking up to the youth center of the church (our old haunt during our teen years), one of my brother’s friends remarked to me, “Boy, you sure look like your dad.” I responded that I was well aware of the physical resemblance, but wished I had more of my father’s character traits. “That must be intimidating,” he said, “does it bother you?” I told him that everyday I get up and look in the mirror to see my father’s face and stature. While not near as strong a man as he, I have the stocky-build through the chest and my wife says I walk just like him.

All this brought me to the thought that we are to bear the image of our Heavenly Father and we are to covet His divine character in our lives. Our text tells us that if we are of the heavenly we will bear the image of the heavenly. The old adage, “You are the only Jesus some folks will ever see” holds true. So I ask myself these two questions: 1) What do others think of my earthly father when they see me? and 2) What do people think of Almighty God when they look at my life?

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The Massachusetts Pregnancy Pact

2008-06-20T08:43:00.000-04:00

Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Modern American society has fallen light-years behind the Biblical admonition we find in our text. It saddens my heart to hear of such debauchery as teenage girls in the most blessed and privileged country in the world forming a pact to have themselves impregnated outside of marriage so they can “raise” their children together. But just this morning the news report came that such is the case in Glouchester, Massachusetts. Were their lives so empty that they felt compelled to do such perverse and senseless thing.

One may ask, “What were they thinking?” Well, as one who has been in the ministry now almost forty-one years, worked closely with children, teens, and young adults most of that time, and has pastored families who have gone through such nightmares, I can tell you what they were not thinking. They gave little or no thought to how this situation they have created is going to affect the child they are bringing into the world. It is a selfish, self-centered act that will complicate the life of the child and place them in disadvantage in the future as well as in the immediate.

At the risk of being labeled “uncaring, unforgiving, legalistic, narrow-minded, out-of-touch, and old fashioned” I will tell you this. God calls this wickedness “blaspheme” and condemns it in Scripture. This amoral society is headed for judgment!

To the teenage girls in that high school in Glouchester, Massachusetts, I want to say this: My heart is broke for you. Apparently, you made a choice to bring a life into the world for which you now are responsible. There may be those who will run to your aide and comfort you now, but will they be there when this child is thirteen, fourteen, fifteen years old? Will you expect the tax payers to pick up the tab when medical needs arise, housing is needed and food must be provided? Obviously, no one has taught you to be sober and think this matter through. No one impressed upon you that marriage is God’s plan for procreation and to do otherwise is animalistic. And as you cuddle the small infant in your arms, is it to bring you comfort or are you going to give your life to that child?

When my wife and I started a family, we prayed for our children. We begged God to give them to us and promised Him that we would be faithful to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. God was good to us and helped us, but even with divine help we had to pour our lives into them. Then later in life we were reminded of the great responsibility of child rearing when our grandchildren and their mother came to live with us. It takes more than money to raise a child. It takes time and patience and self-sacrifice.

My counsel to you of the “pregnancy pact” is this: There is a God Who is merciful and gracious, and He cares what happens to you and your child. He will forgive you of this folly and help you if you let Him. But you must repent and confess your sin to Him and trust Him to save you from your sin. His name is Jesus Christ and He loves you.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Bound Husbands and Fathers

2008-06-15T08:14:00.000-04:00

Mk 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Mk 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Mk 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mk 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. Mk 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Seems men (husbands and fathers) are being bound today by Satan and he is spoiling their homes. This appears to be done with little effort on the devil’s part because men have gotten weak and rendered helpless, bound by the three fold cord of the tempter.

Ecc 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Satan has two accomplices in this matter of binding the strong man: the flesh and the world. And I believe the threefold cord they use is S – I – N:

SELFISHNESS. A selfish man does not know the true meaning of love according to 1 Corinthians 13. He is bound with the cord of selfishness and blind to the needs of others including his wife and children. His selfishness is the very thing that will destroy his home. Girls, don’t marry a selfish man. He is always a taker and seldom a giver.

INFIDELITY. A man bound with the cord of infidelity will make promises he has no intention of keeping or does not have the ability to keep. This cord will cause the strong man to blame anyone or anything else for his own failures, but he will never take responsibility for himself. He will struggle to be faithful to his family because he is not faithful to God.

NEGLECT. A husband and/or father who neglects his spiritual relationship with God has allowed himself to be bound and is useless to help and lead his family. He cannot pray for them, he cannot stand against the wiles of the devil, he cannot lead them to do right because he is bound.

Abraham and Lot were both saved men I believe. The ways they conducted their lives, raised families and received results were in stark contrast. Abraham looked where God told him to look, he lived in the land God had promised him, and his legacy was a son who respected and loved his father and followed God. On the other hand, Lot looked to the well watered plains of Jordan, he lived in a city full of wickedness and his legacy was two nations through an incestuous act who opposed God and the people of God.

The threefold cord is not quickly broken, but it can be broken. Submission to God and obedience to the Word of God will supply the power and strength to overcome the bindings of the world, the flesh and the devil.

One last word of caution. It is easy to take your family into Sodom, but it is very hard to get them out, and even harder to get Sodom out of them.

Forty-Eight

2008-06-11T08:54:00.000-04:00

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Yesterday I celebrated forty-eight years as a child of God. In 1960 as a ten year old Sunday School boy I sat in the second row, left side, of the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Norwood, Ohio. I listened once again to my pastor, Herstle Mayfield, preach the Word of God. The wickedness of my sin and the fires of hell became a reality to me. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin and I thought my heart would burst inside of me. I remember taking the first step into the aisle, but I cannot remember any of the steps that got me to the altar that day. I fell into the altar bench and looked up to see my Sunday School teacher, Mr. Bill Pruit, come out of the choir loft and rush to my side. He opened his Bible and began to read from the book of Romans. My tears fell upon the pages of that Bible as I gave my heart and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I was gloriously saved by God’s grace that day. My father and mother stood by me as our pastor presented me to the church for baptism. The following Sunday evening I was immersed in water by the pastor in obedience to Christ’s command.

It has been quite a journey over the years and it is not over. I have been overwhelmed as the Word of God burned in my heart and I have had periods of dullness when my ears were deaf to it. I have had the privilege of giving the Gospel to others and see the same miracle work in their hearts. I have baptized some of those as they have followed their Saviour. God’s call upon my life has allowed me to travel this country, preaching and singing. I have preached the Word in Taiwan; on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece; on the isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea; at Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley; in the jungles of Thailand to lepers; to U.S. soldiers in Germany and a German church; in a train station in Hungary; and, a Bible Institute in Romania. And just about the time I would think the journey could bring no more, the Lord has opened another door of opportunity. How thrilling!

Forty-eight years may seem a long time to man, but it is not even a blink of God’s eye. There is no telling what is in store for the days ahead. To some, politics and war and economy bring a bleak picture. But (to borrow the words of a chorus) “Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.”

Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Jesus Saves the Best Until Last

2008-06-08T07:59:00.002-04:00

“And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:6-10)

As our Lord began His ministry on earth, His first recorded miracle is found during His attendance of a wedding in Cana of Galilee. During the wedding feast they had exhausted their supply of wine. When Jesus is called upon to help the servants are instructed to fill the stone waterpots used for cleansing. The governor of the feast did not know where the fresh wine came from, but the servants did.

And so it is with everything our Saviour does. He saves the best until last. Life is filled with disappointments, sorrows, pain and suffering, evil. But for the believer, none of that can be compared to the "best saved for last" which shall be for all of eternity.

As the old adage goes, "He that laughs last, laughs best." “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” (Psalms 2:4-6)

Ambiance

2008-05-17T14:57:00.000-04:00

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” (Acts 17:10-12 KJV)

My wife is always my best source for excellent illustrations from life. She observes things (mostly from purely a woman’s perspective) and interprets them for me. Case in point, recently we went out with some members of our church to celebrate our daughter-in-law’s birthday. Occasionally, we like to try a restaurant of which we have not previously visited. Someone suggested a particular Italian restaurant not too far away from our home so we chose it for the meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy the food they ordered and the service was good. However, the next morning my wife commented that if she were asked where she wanted to go on her birthday she would not choose the restaurant we had tried. I asked her why she felt that way and she said, “I enjoyed the food, but the atmosphere left something to be desired.”

So it is too many times with folks today who are looking to find a church. They seem more concerned about the “shell” than they are with the “Spirit.” Most people will want to go to a cathedral rather than a cave to worship, even if it means to forsake the truth. Yes, décor will win out over dedication almost every time.

It’s all about ambiance.

Give Me Thine Heart

2008-05-08T07:28:00.001-04:00

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” (Proverbs 23:26 KJV)

Raising children in a Christian home is a ministry all in itself. It is a task that is the work of a lifetime. Contrary to society’s philosophy of turning children out at age eighteen, there is no place found in Scripture which indicates or insinuates such a practice. Even though there is a point where an individual becomes accountable for their own decisions and actions, parents are still responsible for prayer and counsel.

Christian parents like to use Proverbs 22:6 as a “safety net” for raising children, but an important element seems to be overlooked in many cases and that is getting the heart of the child. If a child will not surrender their heart to the parent, there will be no training in the way they should go. One father said that if there was a single thing he could go back and do over in the raising of his son, it would be to teach his son to be a “giver” and not a “taker.” This man never got the heart of his son and therefore, the boy grew up never having his eyes directed to observe the ways of his father. As a result, he lives a life of self rather than productivity.

How does a parent get the heart of their child? Ask for it. This is what our text indicates. If our Lord asks for the heart of the sinner in order to redeem them, the parent must ask for the heart of the child to raise them. The heart must be surrendered from a free will. Start when they are young. Ask with love. Ask often. Pray the child will be trainable and yielded to instruction. Then you better teach them something or you will raise “Cain” rather than a Christian.

Jesus' Prayer Request

2008-04-24T20:22:00.001-04:00

“Please pray for my husband… children… neighbor.” “Please pray for my job.” What a privilege it is to pray for people and their needs. I can’t describe the blessing it is when I pray for someone’s request and they later come to thank me for praying because God answered that request! To think that I had a part in that answer to prayer!

Prayer requests are found throughout the Bible.

· The children of Israel to Samuel—“Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Sam. 7:8).

· King Jeroboam to the prophet of Judah—“Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again” (1 Kings 13:6).

· The Apostle Paul requested prayer— “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified” (2 Thess. 3:1).

What if Jesus gave you a prayer request? Well, He has. In fact, it is the ONLY prayer request He ever asked us. Although He taught us how to pray, He only made this one request. “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Pastor Clint Miller, pastor of North County Baptist Church in Escondido, CA. Several years ago he and his two sons Cheyenne and Cody were in the airport at Ontario, CA. His sons came up to him excited and said, “Dad, there is a movie star in this airport!” They saw Nedra Volz, who played the maid Adelaide on the TV show Different Strokes. Clint Miller asked the boys, “Did you give her a tract?” They said they had not. “Well, we’d better go give her one. Let’s go.” As he walked up to her, she said, “Do you want my autograph?” Clint said, “No ma’am, we wanted to give you something,” and he handed her a gospel tract. Nedra then asked, “Are these your sons?” He said, “Yes, ma’am.” She said, “They are fine looking boys.” He said, “Thank-you. May I ask you a question?” She agreed. “If you died today do you know for sure that you’d go to heaven?” When she said she didn’t, Clint Miller led her to Christ right there in the airport. When they were finished, she told him, “I want you to know this means a lot to me.”

Not long after that, Brother Miller received a picture in the mail of Nedra Volz with this inscription: “To my friend Pastor Miller. Thanks for what you did for me.” Two weeks later he received a phone call from her secretary, “I work for Miss Volz and she would like to know if it’s all right for her to visit your church this Sunday?” She came and Brother Miller asked her to give a testimony. She stood up in front of the crowd and said, “All my life I thought I had everything. However, now I have God. Your pastor led me to Christ!”

Everyone else saw a movie star—A chance for an autograph. Clint Miller saw a soul who needed Jesus. Incidentally, Nedra Volz went home to be with the Lord in 2003.

We need to pray for Jesus’ request.

Busy With Revival

2008-04-22T09:34:00.000-04:00

I have already received requests for blog updates and I am sorry for being delinquent with it. My only excuse is that we (our whole family) have been busy with the work of getting ready for our Spring Anniversary (45th) Revival. Our church just celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary as we have in the past dozen years with a revival meeting. Only this one turned out to be REVIVAL! I have never seen a meeting “break open” so early in the week and continue on through the week as this one has been for us. Praise God! Not since the days of our tent revival in the front yard of the old building have we been visited by God in such a way. It was such a joy to be in every service. God blessed the music in such a way that some folks did not even wait for the preaching to go to altar. We saw folks that had not been to church for months come. And the revival was still on last Sunday. God is to be glorified and praised for all He gave us last week and last Sunday.

I Am An Orphan

2008-04-06T09:17:00.001-04:00

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” (Psalms 27:10 KJV)

Yes, I am an orphan. Some are orphaned because their parents gave them up at their birth. Others are orphaned because they have been deserted by parents later in life. And there are those who orphan themselves by their rebellion, going out from the direction and fellowship of their parents. I am orphaned because my parents are both with the Lord now.

My father passed away one day shy of his sixty-sixth birthday having suffered for a half dozen years with several amputations from his right leg. He finally succumb to three heart attacks and three strokes. Dad was raise a farm boy in central Ohio and was a veteran of World War II, having served as a SeaBee in the South Pacific. He came to know Christ as his Saviour after the war, met and married my mother and together they had two living sons. There was another son who was miscarried. I look forward to seeing him someday in Glory.

Mother left us to be with Jesus just five weeks before her eightieth birthday. She was a Kentucky born and bred belle. She loved the Lord and did her best to instill that love in my brother and I as we were growing up.

They both have been gone for years now, but I still miss them. I wish I could hug their neck and kiss their face and tell them I love them. But I will have to wait until it is my time to see them again. Until then, the LORD will take me up.

There may be some orphan out there reading these words wondering whether there is anyone caring for them. Let me assure you that God wants to be your Father and He will take you up.

Who Do You Trust?

2008-03-30T08:01:00.000-04:00

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)

Years ago there used to be a game show on TV called “Who Do You Trust?” This seems to be the game folks are playing today. “Should we trust God and what He says in His Word, or should we trust our own heart and instincts?” From the tragedies that we see in society today, most folks would do better by the flip of a coin than to live by the decisions they have made for themselves.

The world is an uncertain place. We do not know what each day holds. As the song says: Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; But I know Who holds tomorrow, And I know He holds my hand.

A football coach wants the ball in the hands of the best ball carrier, the best receiver, the strongest and most capable hands. The NASCAR team wants to put a driver behind the wheel who believes he can win the race and knows how to do it. The best hands we can place our lives in are the hands of the One: Who flung the stars into space; Who hung the moon; Who breathed life into our being; Who triumphed over death, hell and the grave! Our Lord never fumbles the ball, He never kicks the ball short of the goal, He never goes out of bounds, He never loses a race.

Our Scripture for today reminds us that our relationship with God is dual-sided. Our side is to trust in the Lord, not ourselves, and acknowledge Him in all we do. His side is to direct our path. The problem lies with us trying to do His part. We do not seem content with the Lord directing our life. Remember, God’s will is not a road map – it is a relationship.

Eat Dirt!

2008-03-29T18:52:00.001-04:00

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2Timothy 2:3 KJV)

I get a bit discussed with 21st century Christians. Everything has to be so sterile we can not even be totally honest with one another for fear that we may offend each other. Now, I do not desire to be abusive to anyone, especially a brother in Christ, but we need to toughen up a bit when it comes to spiritual maturity, quit walking on egg shells around each other. Pampering and codling a brother when offenses come along will not produce a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

We need to eat dirt! When I was a kid we picked food up off the floor, blew on it and ate it. We played in the dirt with worms and bugs. We shared a coke out of a glass bottle, yep, passed it around and every kid took a sip. No one got sick, we were tough because we built up a resistance to the germs. No one had tubes in their ears or used inhalers. We got the mumps and got over it.

Bottom line…Christians need to endure hardness, without a bunch of crying and complaining. The few, the saved, the redeemed.

Ugly!

2008-03-20T10:58:00.002-04:00

“But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2Corinthians 11:12-15 KJV)

As believers, we want sin to be ugly. It is rarely so, at least not until its end. (“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15 KJV).

We desire to view the adulterers and whoremongers of Hollywood to be ugly. To us, the lying politicians and bureaucrats ought to be ugly. The false apostles and deceitful workers of today ought to be viewed with distain. But it is not so.

But then it goes a step farther. That which should be ugly is considered to be something of beauty to be admired. The Hollywood star is idolized, the athlete is copied, the self-serving politician is elected, and the false prophets are praised, angels of light, blessings!

The undiscerning spiritual eye is incapable of seeing the horror and deceit. It is frustrating from time to time, but always remember…we all will stand before the same Jesus. It is He Who is the righteous Judge.

My Daddy Told Me

2008-03-17T21:36:00.001-04:00

“The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink. Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites; And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door: And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever: Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem. Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD. The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me. I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me. Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” (Jeremiah 35:1-19 KJV)
Of the two kingdoms of Israel divided, the northern kingdom called “Israel” and the southern kingdom called “Judah,” the southern kingdom was the last to apostatize, but it did apostatize. And this is a good example of why. In the next chapter (Jeremiah 36) is an interesting story of not only ignoring the word of God but trying to destroy it.

What is going on in our text?
• God tells the prophet Jeremiah to give wine to the Rechabites. So he tries to do so, but when he offers it to them they refuse.

• The Rechabites were told by their father, Jonadab, that they were never to drink wine, build houses, have vineyards, or plant seed.

• This may seem odd but they were taught that if they would do this their days would be long in the land. Let me give you some history about this family:
o This Rechab went into Samaria with Jehu and destroyed the temple of Baal where Ahab and Jezebel worshipped.
o One of Rechab’s sons, Malchiah, repaired the dung gate in the restoration of Jerusalem under Nehemiah.
o Because they obeyed their Godly father’s words, when all others were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, this family remained in the land.

• God was upset with Judah because here was a family who obeyed their father’s words, but Judah would not obey the Almighty, but ignored and questioned Him.

• Knowing human nature, I am sure there were times when the children of Rechab must have questioned the reasoning behind their family restrictions. They may not have liked what they heard. But what saved them from captivity was that they said, “We may not understand why, we may not like what we hear, but Daddy told us not to do these things and we are not going to do them.”
o They may have been laughed at.
o They may have been ostracized.
o They may have been misunderstood.
But they were not going to disobey Daddy.

Parents, may I say to you that within the Old Testament law and reiterated in the New Testament is this principle: Honor and obey thy parents. Why? That thy days may be long in the land, or upon the earth. Listen! If children are not taught to obey their parents, they will have a mighty hard time learning to obey God.

There are things in this life we need to just take God at His word and obey. It doesn’t matter if we understand at the time, we should just do them. It doesn’t matter if anyone agrees with us, we should just do them. It doesn’t matter if the whole world is going the opposite direction, we should just do them.

Faith for the Family in the Final Days

2008-03-07T11:27:00.001-05:00

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:6-7 KJV)

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:37-39 KJV)

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26-27 KJV)

There is going to be a repeat of Noah’s day just preceding the return of Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus is saying that just before I come again, you are going to see the characteristics of that age repeated again.

When we think of Noah’s day and all that went on, we usually think of world-wide violence, youthful rebellion and sexual perversion. But very few folks think when Jesus says, “as it was in the days of Noe,” about a family that lived by faith; that is what I want to center our thoughts on today.

In the Word of God, it speaks of there being just a few who live by faith in the final days. For example, (Luke 18:8 “…nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Not very many really live by faith today. It is usually, “Oh, God, what are we going to do? How are we going to pay our bills? What will we do if Obama or Hillary gets elected (or for that matter, McCain)? What if the bottom falls out of the economy?” One has never seen such agonizing and insecurity among God’s people as we see today. It is no wonder why our kids are the way they are. Laodicean Christians live by job, instead of like Job…by checking account instead of by a settled account…by Social Security instead of eternal security. I am not against those things as long as we are willing to turn all matters over to God.

But here in Scripture is a family that God says they lived by faith. That includes Noah, his wife and sons and daughters-in-law. May I say, they are not going to get on that ark unless they have faith. I heard another preacher say once, “They sure were a mess of a family.” Well, they may have been a mess, but they had faith enough to get on that boat. I am just saying that according to the Scriptures, this is going to be repeated in the last days.

Therefore, there are going to be a few families on this earth before Jesus comes that will be families of faith like Noah’s family, who will condemn this rotten world and look to God for redemption and trust Him to get them through this life into the next.

Will yours be one of the few?

Preference of Conviction?

2008-02-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1John 2:1-6 KJV)

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” (1John 2:28-29 KJV)

Christians all over the world are faced today with a very frightening situation. More and more, the problem concerns the matter of their convictions. Often Christians explain what they do by simply claiming to be motivated by a conviction. “Convictions” have become a combination of Bible views and personal ideas. If we change our minds about a matter, we just change the conviction. Whether it is marriage, or tithing, or separation from the world, or soul winning, or entering the ministry, we need to determine if our stand is a conviction or a preference.

Preferences can be very strong beliefs. We can hold them with such intensity that we give our energy and wealth to it. It can cause us to be very vigorous about what we do. We can believe it to be so “right” that we promote it among others and teach it to our children. But it is a preference, a strong belief that you will change for some reason (looking like a fool, a fanatic, an odd ball).

I know as a pastor I am faced with certain moral battles dealing with people in the world and protecting God’s flock from false doctrine. Will I stop preaching against sodomy, same-sex marriages, pre-marital “shacking up?” Is it a preference or a conviction based upon the Word of God?

“Well, Pastor, what if no one agrees with you? What if you can not get anyone to follow you?” Convictions are never based upon popularity or success. Convictions are based upon what God says. Sometimes in life convictions fall out to a positive end. Joseph and Daniel are examples of men standing by conviction at the jeopardy of their life, yet God preserved them. But John the Baptist was beheaded for his conviction. Peter and Paul went to jail over convictions, as did John Bunyan.

A conviction will always show up in life. Our behavior will tell the story when we are faced with crisis. A young man may be overwhelmed with a young lady, believing she is God’s will for his life. He may marry her with only a preference and no conviction, but when he makes that vow it then must be a conviction because God will hold him to his promise. Homes are destroyed because they are founded upon preference rather than conviction. When beauty fades and health fails, preferences change quickly.

The two points of reference that must line-up are lip and life. And the areas where preferences falter the most and convictions stand the strongest are faith, family, finances and friends.

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

Bottle Suckers

2008-02-25T09:40:00.000-05:00

Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

As I mounted the pulpit yesterday I was reminded once again that we preach to a mixed multitude of hearers. Some have never heard what we proclaim from the Word. To them it is all fresh and new. They will either develop a hunger for the Gospel or turn a deaf ear to it. At the other end of the spiritual spectrum we have the saint who has received the Word of truth and yet desires to hear it again and again. Seems they never get enough of the “old, old story.” I understand and have respect for both these groups. Some men are just not interested in any way by spiritual matters. Some are desirous to know God but never thought they could. Still others, even though veteran saints, thrive on the soul nourishing strong meat of the Word.

What puzzles me are those who never grow, never increase in their spirit. To use a secular phrase, “they just don’t get it!” They are “bottle-sucking” spiritual babies. They come, they hear, it goes in one ear and out the other. They never apply the Word to their life. They struggle with the most simple of life’s matters. Instead of being prayer warriors, they are always on the prayer list. The flesh wins out in their daily existence. And when another brother in Christ tries to help them and bolster them up, they stand on wobbly legs for a short time then fall to the ground like a new born.

Please understand, dear reader, I am not dis-compassionate of these weak brethren. And I know they shall always be with us. Jesus called them weak in spirit. I believe we must love them, encourage them, help them in any way we possibly can. It is just a shame that they will never join the work force and help in the work of the ministry. O, that they would grow some teeth.

Let's Make A Deal

2008-02-24T09:27:00.001-05:00

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Genesis 4:6-7 KJV)

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:9-10 KJV)

Years ago, before there was “Deal or No Deal” there was a game show on television called “Let’s Make A Deal” with master of ceremony Monty Hall. He would present to the contestants chosen from the audience an opportunity to select a prize he would offer them (sometimes cash, sometimes items) or they could select a mystery prize hidden behind one of three doors. The temptation of the unknown was overwhelming. Sometimes the mystery prize would be far greater than the original offer, sometimes it would be a Mexican burro with a load of sticks. Regardless, the people would have fun playing the game.

We, as well, have two doors from which to choose. But this is no game show. There is a great deal to lose if we choose incorrectly and a great deal to gain if we are right. God makes no mystery of His divine offer of salvation, nor does he disguise the damnation of sin. God tells Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” Cain was given a second chance to make his heart right with God. He chose the sin at the door.

Christ offers Himself as a door to God that will bring about eternal life and life more abundant.

How about you, friend? Which door will you select?

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 KJV)

Science Falsely So Called

2008-02-22T22:01:00.000-05:00

1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 1Ti 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

In the time of the apostles they contended with false science (knowledge) and those that professed to have some kind of erroneous faith. I suppose today is no different. Presently, we have those who promote a faith that is relative to situations and circumstances. They can make “the faith once delivered to that saints” fit about any whim or justify any sin. Doctrine is “legalistic” and unity is the basis of Christian fellowship. I guess the up-side to it all is that this condition is a sign of the end time. 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

With all the degree mills available to the “wanna be” theologian it is not surprising that so many are preaching “profane and vain babblings” which we are commanded to avoid. I have more confidence in the sincere student of the Word of God who sits at his dining room table with an open King James Bible and listens to the Holy Spirit of God than I do in the modern babbler who promotes himself rather than the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything seems to be “septic” today. No one is brave enough to identify sin and call it by what it is for fear that they will be labeled “judgmental” by their peers. Matthew 7, “judge not lest ye be judged” is their cry and they can’t even get that right. The next time you hear that said, look and see if it is not coming from someone who is trying to justify their own sin.

The old faith, the old time religion, is still the right stand. Stay with the Book. Let it be your science, your song and your solace.

Victorious Believers

2008-02-19T06:26:00.000-05:00

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” (Isaiah 6:1-4 KJV)

In our time so few have a real and legitimate vision of the Lord. Some see Him as the Saviour but not the Sovereign. To borrow a carnal phrase, “What’s up with that?” Folks are willing to receive the mercy and grace of God, forgiveness of sin, and adoption of sons, but feel no obligation to place Jesus Christ as authority over their lives. I know believers can sin, but we should always have a distain for sin and be quick to repent. Anything that would disgrace or dishonor our Redeemer is never to be repeated or practiced in our lives.

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5 KJV)

Perhaps, it is because we have a distorted view of self. We have a tendency to think more of ourselves than we should. I recall several years ago there was a big trend to enhance the personal self image. Well, that did nothing but lead people to be self-centered and selfish, independent from God, and incredible ingrates.

However, not every Christian is like that. There are still many who lift up the Lord and place Him on the throne of their life. And when it comes to the call of God they have no hesitation to respond in the affirmative because they know Who God is and what they themselves are. These are the brothers and sisters I love being around. These are the ones who encourage me. These are those who live in victory and spend no time in chronic self pity.

“Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:6-8 KJV)

SPIRITUAL TERRORISTS

2008-02-12T23:52:00.001-05:00

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6 KJV)

“Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.” (Ezekiel 8:12-13 KJV)

It is inevitable that man will sin. He is born into sin by the fall, and lives by sin in his natural state. I have said many times that the only thing the flesh can do is sin. And because sin has no boundaries, it is inconceivable how far sin can go. Case in point: the Iraqi insurgents are now using Iraqi women with Down’s syndrome as human bombs. They dress them as pregnant women and send them among their designated targets.

Do not ask me how or why anyone could have so little regard for human life. I do not have the answer.

But it is no less depravity to have the heart of an ingrate. How can the people of God be so proud and self-centered in our lack of appreciation for the grace and mercy of God that has been afforded us. Such ones among the redeemed who attempt to justify their evil acts and wickedness while evidently believing that God does not see or hear the truth, are no better than the disguisers of the innocent, sending them to a slaughter. Deceiving liars, they are, destroying their own homes and crippling a generation to follow them. They have no regard for the truth they claim to believe, nor do they care about the effect their wickedness has upon others.

I grow weary of hearing, “No one understands my feelings,” “I should have a right to be happy,” “One little mistake (modern word for sin) should not make that much difference.” Waa, waa, waa! Boo, hoo, hoo! O, for pity’s sake, Christian, grow-up and open your eyes. Plug your ears to these “Dr. Feel Good” preachers and snap back into reality. While you are playing around with the snakes, your family is being destroyed, your loved ones are going to hell, your neighbors are lost. Get some appreciation in your heart for what Christ has done for you and show Him that you love Him by obeying Him. Stand up for what is right…with your life!

Until believers start believing that holiness counts for a lot with God, keeping your vows is something God holds us to, and servitude to Christ is true liberty, we are no better than spiritual terrorists.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21 KJV)

Don’t complain about the Quran being wrong when you won’t even follow the Bible you claim is the truth.

Feed My Sheep

2008-02-11T09:55:00.000-05:00

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17 KJV)

Even with my limited time as a child on the farm I learned that animals must be fed. We did not have a large flock of sheep but we did have enough that we had to care for them constantly. I was not very good as a shepherd, but I did it because I loved my Dad and my Uncle John. David was a great shepherd and that is what made him a great leader.

The soul must be fed as much (or even more) than the body. This is what ails us today. We are puny weaklings when it comes to spiritual matters. We cave in to lustful temptations and prideful desires. We struggle to stand strong on matters of conviction and doctrine. And this is primarily because we do not nourish ourselves with the spiritual food God provides. If we treated our bodies like we treat the soul we would most all be in hospitals with few to care for us.

Now Jesus instructed Peter to feed His sheep. Not because it was pleasurable (though it can be), not because they would love him for it (still many do), but because he loved Him. This is the one motivational reason that supercedes all others. Sheep can be unresponsive at times, but whether we love them or not we shepherd them because we love Him.

AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK

2008-02-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:12-15 KJV)

I do not believe there has been an earlier time of my forty-one years in the ministry that I have spent more time in prayer for the sick. It seems that they are like the poor, we will always have them with us. These physical bodies are constantly breaking down, becoming more prone to illness, and more so as the aging process continues. And I feel sure that I shall have need to pray for others and have personal need of pray in the days ahead.

I do not like to suffer nor do I enjoy seeing others suffer from injury or illness. It is our lot to do so because of sin, but it is by no means a pleasant experience. That is one reason why I have never understood hypochondria. Why anyone would desire to find sickness and pain to experience and seemingly enjoy it, is beyond my reasoning. I have observed too much of suffering in the lives of others to pursue it for myself.

We are reminded in Scripture that God is merciful. Even though we do deserve to agonize in pain, He is so gracious and compassionate to us. Jesus is our Great Physician. It is by His mercies that we are not consumed. I am so glad He hears and answers our prayers.

Perhaps, someday I shall be lying on a gurney in the hospital, not knowing if it is my time to leave this world and go on to be with the Lord. I believe it will be a great comfort to know that others are praying for me and that God is in control of it all. “...and the Lord shall raise him up...”

Confession of Sin

2008-02-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

Each Friday I receive the Friday Church News Notes from Way of Life Ministries. In this blog I am sharing one of the articles from that weekly email which deals with a subject that I believe is so needed for us to observe and practice in our lives today.

(Friday Church News Notes, February 1, 2008, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from How on Earth Can I Be Spiritual by C. Sumner Wemp: "The word confess in the Greek has at least two ideas inherent in it. One means 'to agree with' God that the deed is sin and wrong. Don't quibble with God. Call it what it is. ... Then there is also the idea of naming it. It is quite easy to try to tone down confession and gloss over confronting sin by praying the vague prayer of asking God to 'forgive us of all our sins'! This is a cop-out! He says confess them (1 John 1:9). ... There remains a barrier in many hearts because they have not named their sin to God. The freedom from guilt and the liberty of true fellowship with God is lacking because some have not been sincerely honest with God and called the sin by name. ... One other course of action often needs to be taken, and that is an apology. Private sin should be kept private. ... but if a Christian offends another person through losing his temper, or is unkind in word or deed, he should go to that one and apologize. This surely is what Matthew 5:22-24 is teaching. Many never will get a clear conscience until they have personally apologized. One step further: public sin needs to be confessed publicly. If a brother has hurt the testimony of Christ and the whole church so that the community and church knows about it, he should confess before the whole church his wrong and his sorrow and apologize for it. This open apology has started many a revival."

When Your Chickens Come Home To Roost

2008-01-30T23:03:00.000-05:00

When I was growing up in central Ohio, it was not uncommon for there to be chickens running around in the yard. We would collect their eggs and take one from time to time for fried chicken or chicken and dumplings. Now, during the day, those chickens would scratch around in the yard, the pasture or sometimes they would venture into the edge of the woods. But, sometime in the afternoon, those chickens would begin to head back to their roost. They might wander far and wide, but they always went to the roost when evening came.

There is a verse in the Old Testament that says, “…and be sure your sin will find you out,” Num. 32:23. That is not a threat. It is not even a promise. It is just a statement of the facts. Just like those chickens that could be depended on to head back to the roost at night, you can be sure of the fact that your sins will come home to you too.

Dr. Pierce Harris of Atlanta, Georgia, once spoke at a prison work camp. The prisoner introducing him recalled earlier days of association with the minister. "Several years ago," he said, "two boys lived in the same community in north Georgia and attended the same school, played with the same bunch of fellows, and went to the same Sunday School. One of them dropped out of Sunday School because he felt he had outgrown it, and that it was 'sissy stuff.' The other boy kept on going because he felt that it really meant something in his life. The boy who dropped out is the one who is making this introduction today. The boy who kept going to Sunday School is the famous preacher who will preach to us this morning. Chickens do come home to roost.

Have you thought about what could happen in your life? Have you thought what the fallout would be if you fell into sin? Have you considered what might happen and what lives might be ruined if you took that fatal step and went away from the Lord into sin? Are you willing to pay that high a price? You never know who might be destroyed because of an indiscretion in your life! Don’t think for a moment that your sins won’t affect the innocent people around you. Don’t think for a minute that you can do as you please an affect no one else. You are deceiving yourself when you believe that! May the Lord help us all to count the cost and stay close to Him!

Many people are paying a high price for their sins today! Parents who lived in sin during the formative years of their children’s lives, but who are now saved, watch their children continue to stay away from the Lord. Some man or woman who gave into a moment of temptation now bear in their body the horror of a venereal disease. Others have squandered their lives for a time of pleasure and lost their ability to minister. Sin has the power to cripple you and destroy you, if you allow it to get a foothold in your life. Whatever you have to do to be free of your sin is exactly what you need to do!

Evangelist Sam Jones used to tell the following story:
“While I was preaching in a certain town, there was a boy who would come into the back part of the church and lie down and go to sleep. He was drunk. His father, who was a good Christian man, would take him home.
One morning after one of these experiences, the boy came downstairs. The father met him and said, "Hold on, Son. I want you to go to church with me and be a Christian." The son said, "No, Father, I do not want to be a Christian. I am not going to church. Please get out of my way, for I am going to town."

The father pleaded tenderly and said, "Son, your mother has slept little for nights. She is almost dying. You are killing us all. Please go and become a Christian like your father has." But the son glared at him and said, "Do you know who the man is who gave me my first drink?" The father answered, "No." Then as he rushed past him and out of the door, he angrily said, "You are the man, sir." The father said that if the boy had shot him through the heart, it could not have hurt more. Yes, we reap what we sow.”

Saved! But Not From Sorrow

2008-01-26T19:08:00.000-05:00

Praise God! I am born again, but I am not saved from sorrow. Tears are the portion and lot of us all here upon this earth. For many years, I could say that I had never had a broken heart. I had never sorrowed. All in my family were well and strong. I had never lost a loved one by death. I had never trod the valley of sorrow. I had never shed bitter tears. However, never again can I say this. In December of 1969, one of the three men who most shaped and influenced my life went out into eternity. My Uncle John Wright passed away. Sandra and I were just engaged to be married and my wife’s first experience with my family was to attend his funeral. My heart was broken. Tears came freely then, and often since. I was saved then as much as ever, but I was not saved from sorrow.

My father passed away in September of 1980, just one day away from his sixty-sixth birthday. I wept again like a baby for the sorrow of my father’s death. Then twenty years later my father-in-law died from his injuries of a car accident. And later that same year my blessed mother died. My heart was emptied again.

Sometime in the lives of us all sorrow will come. This sorrow will make us long for the day when Jesus will wipe away all tears from our eyes. He has given to us this promise: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). The time will come when no saved person will ever weep, when our hearts will never bleed again.

Prayer Is So Important To Me

2008-01-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

"Well, all we can do now is pray." "We'll just pray about it." Sometimes when I hear such expressions they are almost put in a negative tone. Prayer is one of the most positive privileges of salvation. Prayer is a result of the deepest relationship a soul can have with the living God. When we hear the lost say, "Our prayers go out to them" they are dealing in truths of which they know not. Only the redeemed are bidden “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)

Today I am praying especially for a friend. His sister has past away and tomorrow he must stand before his family and preach the funeral. I remember when she called him one day and asked, "Danny, can you tell me how to be saved?" We all rejoiced over her repentance and trust in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. Now she is with her Lord, comforted and rejoicing. We prayed that she would be saved and now we pray for her family that they will do the same.

The hymnist writes:
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grieves to bare.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
O, what needs we often forfeit
O, what needless pain we bare.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

My wife's favorite verses are “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1John 5:14-15 KJV)

One of the great quotes I have written in the fly-leaf of my Bible is "God does nothing, but by prayer." I believe that.

Wherever I may be, whether at home in my own church, or on a plane flying to Germany, or on a train traveling from Hungary into Romania, I spend Thursdays in prayer for my children, their mates and my grandchildren. It is the only legacy I can leave them. Tonight our church will meet once again for an old-fashioned prayer meeting. No special programs for kids, no activities for teens, this is our time to pray as a church family. Prayer is so important to me.

A FOOL OUT OF HIS PLACE

2008-01-11T13:12:00.000-05:00

“And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither. For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.” (1Kings 2:36-37 KJV)

The mercy shown to Shimei, first by David who was spitefully cursed by Shimei, and then by Solomon whom David warned about Shimei, was ignored and forgotten by this man who seemingly escaped death twice. Rather than executing him as David suggested to Solomon, the king allows him to build a house and live in Jerusalem with only one stipulation, he is never to leave Jerusalem or cross the Kidron valley. Seems like a good deal to me. No prison sentence. No execution. You can live with your family. Just stay in your place and live in peace.

But the Bible tells us he thought more of the loss of two servants than he did his life and agreement with the king. He left his place, went to Gath, and returned with servants in hand only to find the displeasure and wrath of Solomon. Obviously, he should have stayed in his place and given up the loss of two servants, but too many times our pride does our thinking for us. It is shallow and selfish thinking.

Just like Shimei, we are shown mercy, start living "high on the hog," and either neglect or forget the mercies that are given to us. We start believing the substance we acquire to be the blessing of God and forget the obligation we have to His mercy.

Later, Solomon would write: “He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.” (Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 KJV)

Such is the way of a fool out of his place.

YE DID RUN WELL

2008-01-05T14:35:00.000-05:00

“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:7 KJV)

Some folks are so blessed as to begin life well. What I mean is, they have the advantages of growing up in a Christian home, attending a solid Bible believing church, and receiving an education void of humanism. They may not be "rich" with the things and privileges of this world, but they have been given a higher value. I certainly have benefitted from the afore mentioned privileges. My first visit to church was when I was one week old. Even though I missed out on going to Christian school, I had teachers who were truly Christian, read the Bible in class and prayed openly in public school.

The Apostle states "Ye did run well..." But then asks "...who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" In modern vernacular "What happened to you?" With such advantage and privilege from God, one would think that surely this individual would excel for God, stand firm on the old truths of the Bible and live holy lives to honor God. But we find that there has been an interruption in the holy progression. These spiritual "silver spoons" end up as social derelicts, crippled from serving Christ, and self-centered embittered rebels. I do not mean to imply that they all are so, but far too many meet the description.

What happened? Well, it didn't come from God. The leaven of the world got in someway and polluted the mind and heart. Rather than returning to the "King's highway" they seek the solace of the worldly shadows where they can hide from the truth they were once taught as a child and embellish themselves with the modern "feel good" religion. Misery loves company, so they influence others to follow in their ways which enhances their pride.

God has been too good to us for us to treat Him in such a manner. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:7 KJV)

What The New Year Holds

2008-01-02T10:50:00.000-05:00

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6 KJV)

Change is a part of man's character. We have a real hard time being consistent and steady about things in life. We can be sure that:
1. There will be changes in technology. The hot items in electronics today will be archaic and old fashioned in just a little while.
2. There will be medical changes. Things that were once impossible are now routine, and what used to take weeks or months to heal is now considered "outpatient."
3. There will be moral changes. Some in my congregation were shocked not long ago when I stated that if America was going to give legal status to sodomites and allow gay marriages, it would not be long until bestiality would follow. Sure enough, one of my men reported that a woman was seeking permission from a court to marry her dog (oh, yuk!).
4. Fashion always changes. What is popular today will be out of mode before the end of 2008.
5. Religion changes almost as much as fashion. False religion and perversion of truth surface all the time, mostly because preachers today are tossed about with every wind of doctrine that comes along and they are too double-minded.
6. And of course, there will be political changes. This year a new president will be elected in the U.S. Most all the candidates are calling for "change" within their respective parties.

Praise God! Jesus Christ never changes!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
(James 1:17 KJV)

We can always count on His dependability.

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

Happy New Year to all. May God prosper you well this new year because I may need to borrow some money. :-)

Spiritual DNA

2007-12-30T07:23:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-24T10:33:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-12-18T22:01:00.000-05:00

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.

2007-12-14T14:11:00.000-05:00

“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

2007-12-05T10:18:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-29T10:19:00.000-05:00

“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

2007-11-25T08:13:00.000-05:00

“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

2007-11-17T21:30:00.000-05:00

“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."

2007-11-10T23:07:00.000-05:00

“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

2007-11-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-31T12:53:00.000-04:00

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?

2007-10-27T00:31:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-18T12:16:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-16T13:19:00.000-04:00

(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

2007-10-11T10:18:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-09T12:50:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-06T20:08:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-03T21:27:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-30T21:58:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-26T10:53:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-25T01:39:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-23T07:49:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-29T11:38:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-29T07:56:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-22T22:07:00.000-04:00

"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.