FAMILY CAMP 2010

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!