Doing Right Is A Defense

Good Morning,

God never intended us to face many of our most difficult circumstances.  Consider the trouble Israel faced in the wilderness.  

Numbers 14:4 “And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

The twelve spies had visited the land for forty days, returning with huge grapes, and stories of giants and walled cities.  Discouraged, the people were ready to be slaves rather than face the unknown.  

Here is where their troubles multiplied:  

Numbers14:43-45 – Amalekites drive Israel away because the people went to battle without the Lord. 

Numbers 16:1-8 – Korah and his rebel friends stood against Moses and Aaron, and 14,700 people died (vs. 49). 

Numbers 20:2 finds Israel without water and without Miriam; she had just died.  Moses was instructed by God to speak to the rock, but in anger, after the death of his sister and hearing the complaining, he strikes the rock twice.  His action sealed his fate, and he was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. 

vs.11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”

Numbers 21:1 “Some of Israel was taken prisoner by a Canaanite king.”

vs. 4 – They traveled a very difficult and discouraging road.

"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."

vs. 6 – Next, fiery serpents visited them.

vs. 22 – Israel is pursued by Balak, who hired an evil prophet, Balaam, to curse the entire nation. 

The story goes on and on,  but the point is this: They should have been in the land of Canaan securing their inheritance.  They should not have been in the wilderness.  They should have honored God, obeyed God, and been living in their new home.  

Being disobedient brings us in contact with people and situations God never intended us to face.  In those times, God is still with us and there are always victories to win (as you see in the book of Numbers). The hurt and difficulty the children of Israel faced was something they brought on themselves.  

A man in jail was saved – praise the Lord!  But the reason he was in jail was because he had been with guys late at night, and the friends committed a crime.  Being the driver made him a party to the wrong doing and his future instantly became grim (to say the least).  

A man called me to ask some questions.  He came to our church in his youth but had been gone and living across the country for many years. He had gotten himself into much trouble; he was in prison, and was released to find his wife involved in a job that was far from decent and broke this young man's heart.  Yes, she should have worked elsewhere, yes, she was doing wrong, but had he been home being dad and husband it all might have been avoided.  

A successful man in his business life found out that his wife was involved with another man.  She was wrong, of course, but her husband had been so busy fulfilling his dreams at work that he had failed to be a husband and friend to his wife.  The devil had someone else there to meet the need.  That story could be told many times by both husband and wife. I make no excuse for the wrong, but I do say the temptation should never have been faced.  

Doing what we know to be right keeps us from countless trials and temptations. 

Pastor

American Exceptionalism

Good Morning,

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”

I have heard people criticize the idea that we want and expect abundance. We have become very comfortable. We enjoy the nicest and most prosperous nation on the planet.

Yes, there are still sinners in our country. Yes, there is still evil in our country – you do not want the evil that is in other countries. We are so blessed!

The problem in America is that her people have forgotten why they are so blessed.

The liberals criticize the fact that we want and expect exceptional abundance. They think we should live like the rest of the world – but that is ridiculous.   Should Bill Gates have to eat at the soup kitchen simply because others do?  Should he not enjoy the abundance that his talent and business savvy bring?  

We are not like the rest of the world. Our foundation was different than every other country. America has been uniquely blessed because of God and the Bible. No nation on the planet was ever founded on the Bible and the God of the Bible (with the exception of Israel). Our early judicial laws were biblically-based.  Our first serious dictionary was filled with Bible definitions of words.  

What we should be focusing on is not getting used to the meager provisions of a godless nation (which will be our destiny if we forget God). Instead, we should focus on getting back to Sunday school, church, and Bible reading in our homes, that we might ensure the prosperity that God gives those who lift Him up.

We have more oil than any nation on the planet – that is a gift of God.

Our agriculture produces more of everything regarding food than any nation on the planet – that is also a gift of God.

These gifts are not ours because we are a superior type of people, in fact, we are a mixture of people from all over the world. Keeping God involved in our country can ensure those blessings for the future.  Our primary need is to keep the people of God following the God of the Bible.  

Our educational system was the greatest in the world until liberalism crept into our schools. That great educational system was a gift from God because we kept God involved in our education. Read the McGuffey readers and see how much God was a part of our schools early in our history.

Our medical care was the most superior on the planet until the last decade when we let liberalism, communism, and godless ideas creep into our medical philosophies. The blessings of God on our medical world were the gift of God.

Do not forget from Whom our blessing come.

Blessed is the nation… whose God is the Lord.

Pastor 

Placing Everything In God’s Hands

Good Morning,

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” 

Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." 

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled…”

Quotes like the above are nice but difficult to truly live when your spouse is in surgery or your child has been diagnosed with cancer.

When a child has a handicap, a job loss changes everything, or when the economy turns upside down and your equity is gone, the idea of placing everything In His hands is entirely different.  

A young couple goes to the mission field excited, but then loneliness eventually creeps into their lives.  Jolene Sloan writes about such circumstances in her story "Bloom Where You Are Planted."  When there are no jobs and bills lay unpaid, “rest in the Lord” takes on a whole new perspective.  

We need a close walk with God and a great deal of Bible in our hearts. When the valleys widen before us, we need to have spent much time alone with God in prayer. 

Here are a few thoughts that might help you in those hours:

• Do not do stupid things.

• Do not run away.

• Do not make plans without counsel.

• Do not get bitter at God or man. 

Joseph went through some long and difficult days, but when the story ended, he had nothing for which to be ashamed. On the other hand, Joseph’s brothers lived for thirteen years with guilt and fear.  The future was bright for Joseph yet awkward (at best) for his brothers.

Pastor

Betrayed

Good Morning,


One of the hardest aspects of a broken home is betrayal.  Rejection is hard, but to be betrayed by one you love is unbelievable.


Judas betrayed Jesus.  

Satan betrayed God.

Absalom betrayed David.

In each case, God was on the throne and very capable of stopping or rearranging circumstances – but He did not.  God has plans that are bigger than ours. God sees down the road where we cannot see. God is coordinating the circumstances to conform us to the image of Christ. If I am to learn to turn the other cheek, then I must have the first cheek slapped. If I am to forgive as Jesus did, it is necessary that I be wounded. If I am to forgive and love those who betrayed me, then betrayal will need to be a necessary part of my life – not a desirable or pleasant part but a necessary part.


In the book of Matthew, the word betrayed is mentioned; in every case, it refers to Judas.  


Luke 21:16 “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.”


During the tribulation, much betrayal will take place. 

Matthew 24:10 “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”


Mark 13:12 “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.”


Do not allow yourself to fall into a pity party when you are betrayed; it happened in Scripture, and it happened to the best of God's people.  


As in most situations, the key is not complaining or blaming, the key is planning how to respond to that trail.   Most Christians love to quote Romans 8:28 and the idea that all things work together for good, but we sure have a problem believing it. We have a problem believing that God is in a trial, or that God has a hand in the events we face.


I hate to say it, but that funny old saying, “misery loves company“ is really true. Somehow my burden seems lighter when you carry or have carried the same load. When I read about you or hear you tell of your trials and God‘s grace to sustain you, I gain spiritual strength. 


2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 


I have yet to see anybody strengthened by blaming, complaining, or hating.   In most cases, the trial you are facing is settled and you cannot undo it. You may wish you had not taken that turn or been with those people, but you were, and you did. As the old southern expression goes, “Don’t cry over spilt milk.”


The big issue is always how we respond.


Here are a few DO NOTS:

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” 

James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

vs. 20 “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Pastor

Making A Difference

Good Morning,

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…"

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Most certainly, we all desire to have our lives count for the glory of God. We strive to have a marriage, children, and personal life pleasing to God.

Life is not just about my happiness; my life should influence the lives of others.

I can witness as I have opportunity; I can pass out tracks; I can use my money to be a help to others, but each of these will be an individual instance and very temporary.

Some people attend a church for a while, then they go to another church. Other people frequently drift from one church to another. It is a blessing that they learn the Word of God, smile, shake hands, and enjoy the music and fellowship, but to make a real difference in someone’s life takes time; and to make a serious impression on a life takes commitment.

Another group of people sporadically attend church.  They like it, but not too much. To them, church is a part of life – something you add to life like salt to a meal; it is nice, good, and desirable, but not really a big part.  This group of people walk into church, love the spirit, smile as they see faithful brethren serving and making a difference, and perhaps feel that by being there, they too are making a difference.  In reality, they never get faithful enough to be trusted with any responsibility, and as such, never enjoy making a difference.

I am completely and 100% in favor of people being active in their church (one singular church) for the long-haul. When you have one church where you teach, serve as an usher, sing in the choir, or work in the church nursery you are making an impact deeper than the casual, temporary impact of someone who comes and goes.

Jesus did not say to only witness, He said to make disciples; He said to teach people to observe all things. The book of Ephesians says it is our job as church members to edify or build the body of Christ. If I am going to edify and build people, I need to spend time with them. I need to invest time teaching them and discipling them. I need to take people out soul winning, run youth activities, and invest my time winning the hearts of people that they might give their hearts to Jesus Christ.

The person who is undedicated, drifts from church to church, or is casual in their commitments to a local church rarely make the big difference they could make.  If someone does not attend faithfully and do not become a part of the ministry, their great talents will never be utilized or glorify God as they were intended to.

Are the church hoppers growing as Christians?  Possibly.  Are those who get their church online or from casual once-in-a-while church attendance spiritually developing a love for God?  Possibly, but they will not make the same impact as the one faithfully discipling and training people to live for God.  No one does that unless they give their heart and soul to a church and a group of people.

Each church has weaknesses, and could perhaps do something better in one way or another, but the fact is, you should find a church, a group of people, an opportunity to invest your life in others, and then sell yourself out to do something big for God.

In nearly fifty years of ministry, I have known some of the finest Christians with some of the most amazing gifts and abilities, yet I have seen them do so little with their lives. They will be in our church for a while then another church. Then they come back to our church for a while, but because of their unfaithfulness, they never can secure a position of ministry that would allow their gifts to be used to the fullest potential.

I have seen people with very minimal gifts be greatly used by God because of their simple willingness to be faithful. Give me a faithful, loyal, average person and I promise you I will see more accomplished in their life than the one with unusual gifts who can never settle down to faithfulness.

Pastor

THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH SATAN

Good Morning,

In the book of Mark, chapter five, we read about the man who lived in the cemetery. He was possessed by many devils, and the Savior crossed the sea of Galilee with his disciples when he met this poor man. 

The things I am about to mention are not necessarily doctrine but associations. Things that are seen and found together have significance. Please notice a few observations from the passage.

Mark 5:3 “Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”

He dwelt among the tombs. The devil is often associated with things of death. Whether it be the Filipino or Mexican “Day of the dead, the Mardi Gras, or fashionable use of skulls on clothing or pirate flags, it is an undeniable association. 

“…no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”

We find that he had very unusual strength and such out-of-control living that no man could help him.

vs. 5 “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”

Night and day, as with many drugs and demonisms, we find sleeplessness, tears, and self-destructive behavior associated with Satan.

vs. 11 “Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.” 

Jesus is Lord of lords, and whether it be the stormy waves on the sea of Galilee or devils possessing a man, Jesus is Lord of all.

vs. 13 "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea…”

When the devils moved into the swine, they ran down the steep hill into the Sea of Galilee and were drowned. Again, we see self-destructiveness, death, and ruined lives associated with Satan.

vs.15 “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” 

“Sitting, clothed, and in his right mind” was the description of the man after the devils were cast out. A spiritual assurance and presence of Christ, as well as an absence of Satan, is found in a calm, stable life. This man was sitting; he was no longer wandering or out of control. We see that the man is clothed properly. Make no mistake; nudity and near nudity goes along with the satanic influence of this world. Fashion or style has much less to do with it than demonic influence on culture and society.  You can be sure, the more of the body one uncovers, the more evil influence has been involved. 

You will also see that he was in his right mind. If you have talked to people on the street, you have noticed that the drugs they use are certainly producing the same kind of behavior that is found with people possessed by the devil. Drugs are a tool that Satan uses. When drugs and liquor gain control of a human being’s life, wreck and ruin are sure to follow.

Lastly, let me make this clear: Satan is real; devils are all around our world and in our communities. Only one who is naive denies this truth.  

We ought to guard our personal lives and the lives of our family members, and seek to yield all to the will of God.


Pastor

WHO CONTROLS YOUR HEART?

Good Morning,

I recently spent some "Morning Moment" time on trusting the Lord with our enemies, not lifting our hands against the Lord's anointed, and on similar thoughts.  Reading today, I find more Scripture on the same subject.  

Romans 12:14 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

vs. 17 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

vs. 18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

vs. 19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

vs. 20 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

vs. 21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The Romans 12 text is rich in instruction, take time to look through it as I do not have time here to do any justice at all to the passage.  

The text, "Be not overcome of evil" is our subject this morning.  We see here that God does not wish His children to be at war, to attempt to get even, or to retaliate.  Here is the reason; "Be not overcome of evil."  If the evil people around you can influence you to return their evil deeds, they then take control.  If someone hurts you, and you focus on repaying their wrong deed, that evil person is controlling your behavior.  

The Lord says that we should not allow evil to overcome us.  If your actions make me hate you, then you are controlling me.  If your actions cause my heart to be filled with bitterness or vengeance, then you are in control of my heart.  The Lord does not want us to have anyone but Him in control of our heart and mind.  

The Bible says more on the subject.  

Job spoke of his own spirit toward his enemies:

Job 31:29 “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:”

vs. 30 “Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.”

Much of our New Testament brings up the subject as well.  

Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

Peter writes of the Lord being our example.

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

1 Peter 3:9 “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

Having a Christlike spirit is no easy task; it requires a spirit that is stronger than our flesh.  That last verse (1 Peter 3:9) speaks of a blessing or reward we will receive when we are able to treat enemies as the Lord did.  We must understand that loving our enemies takes a crucified flesh and a spirit in submission to the Lord.  

Pastor

USEFULNESS

Good Morning,

The Bible says we ought to serve one another. Our Lord said that a servant is the greatest of all.

Matthew 23:11“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Paul continued the thought that serving others is the purpose for our lives.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Daily, we all see the UPS truck, the FedEx truck, and the semi trucks moving America up and down the highways; and in addition, millions of Americans travel daily on aircraft. My thought is: how important are the people that keep those planes and trucks running?

The idea that someone needs to have a four-year degree from a university and spend half of his university time sitting under the philosophical influence of God-hating, America-hating idiots is stupid! Why spend our money sending our children to get an "education" when we could send them somewhere to be trained vocationally to do something useful without all the philosophy, cultural enrichment, and moral corruption. I would much rather have someone teach me to build a computer, write a program, or service a city bus. I would rather my child be useful than to have a college degree.

Somebody is keeping those planes flying. Somebody is keeping our diesel trucks on the road. Someone knows how to work on the giant earth-moving vehicles, service hydraulics, and maintain the cars that flood the highways. Those people are important. Those people are useful. They do not need a college education to be useful. How many of us know of college-educated people who are useless? Millions of useless college graduates are scattered across the country. Useful is what college should make us. We should go to a vocational school or some other kind of school to learn to be useful. If you have spent much time with drug addicts or criminals, you have found that many of them are very educated, very good communicators, and many can converse intellectually and discuss a broad array of subjects — but they are useless to society.

We have allowed liberal God-haters to tell us that our kids all need a college degree. The reason college education is pushed so much is because when a young person is placed on a college campus for four years, his morals are constantly attacked, his values are constantly attacked, his patriotism is constantly attacked, and then the college may find him something "useful" to do to help him get a job. (The last one is only a possibility, not a guarantee - the first few are guaranteed.) Liberals would love to get every child into college; it would give them sixteen years to pervert the minds, morals, and values of that child — a dream come true for Satan. Private Christian schools, followed by quality vocational schools or Bible colleges will make our young people useful, employable, and patriotic, as well as do wonders for their marriages, families, and communities.

Psalms 1:1 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Blessings are promised to the person who does not sit, stand, or walk in the ways of the godless world around us, yet we toss our youth into cesspools of iniquity to be trained for life. It makes no sense.

Not long ago, there were vocational high schools and colleges. For a high school student to say he was attending a "tech" school was to say he was in a more academic high school, but vocational high schools taught students mechanics as well as the "three R’s." Fifty years ago, vocational training was common and admired. A youth was learning to do something USEFUL. Today, we pay $20-50,000 a year to have our children study sociology or the development of dance in ancient Africa. Environmental studies are common, as are courses in counseling, psychology, and political science. Who gets a job with a degree in economics, unless it is to teach Economics? Perhaps we should try to make our young people useful. We surely do not need many more politicians. Counselors are a dime a dozen and have done little to help American homes. Why get a counseling degree unless you want a government job working with drug-abuse situations that will rarely help any of them? A job with a paycheck is one thing, but what about being useful?

Galatians 5:13 "....by love serve one another."

Let us prayerfully seek a USEFUL path for our young people. Exalt careers that minister to others: builders of all kinds, medicine, anything to do with servicing society, law enforcement, or the ministry.

On a side note, medicine, military, and law enforcement are the hardest on our Christian service. These three are hard on marriages and make it difficult to teach the children well.

It is difficult to stay faithful to church in these careers, but they do help others and we sure need that emphasis.

We are losing far more missionaries than we are sending. The world is growing in population while the number of those preaching the Gospel shrinks; surely more of our youth should consider the work of God, but that has to be a call from God. Ironically, God calls many more workers from families and churches that lift up preaching and ministry as the highest calling. Seems as if God might call those who are thinking about it.

Pastor

DOERS ARE AWESOME!

We live in a culture that does not want to compare or act as if some things are better than others; they attempt to create equality in every situation. That is foolishness. Or, as the farmer would say, "HOG WASH" (which, as you might imagine, is worthless).

Look at what God records as greatness in the later days of David's life.

2 Samuel 23:8 “These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.”
vs. 9 “And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:”
vs. 10 “He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.”

One guy was amazing because he DID MORE than the others; he killed 800 enemies at one time by himself! That is one tough dude!! Another guy fought and fought and did not let up until the battle was won, and everyone followed after him just to pick up the "spoil" or good stuff the dead guys had.

Abishai also went above and beyond in killing 300 enemies with his spear; but, he was not good enough to be mentioned in the first three mighty men (verse 19).

vs. 18 “And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.”
vs. 19 “Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.”

In other words, God said, "This man is better; that soldier is great, but not as good as those men over there” and on and on. God places people in positions like ball players with their stats. God notices the DOER'S!!

God did not say some were great because they had such good motives; He noticed their deeds! God did not exalt men because of their intelligence but because of their production.

More men are listed in order of their greatness:

vs. 22 “These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.”
vs. 23 “He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.”
vs. 24 “Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,”

Understand that God notices what people do! A person who does more is honored!

God recognizes work!

Proverbs 24:12 “...shall not he render to every man according to his works?”

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Revelation 2:23 “...all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

While we await Christ's return, God uses rewards as motivation to keep us going.

2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
vs. 9 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”

I am a bit weary of our training cute little boys; I long to see us raise up some men who can work and produce. Who cares how orderly our lives are if we will not step out in the power of God and "DO SOMETHING."

Those "Mighty Men" David wrote about were rough. Those men were not warm and delicate guys whom you might be happy for your daughter to bring home; they were men who defended a nation and honored their king.

Notice what Jesus says about the churches as He sends them word through the Apostle John:

Revelation 2:2 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”
vs. 9 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
vs. 13 “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”
vs. 19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
Revelation 3:1 “...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
vs. 8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
vs. 15 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”

God honors those who labor in prayer; not a moment of silence but long hours in prayer.

Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

Let us hear it for the guy who works hard, who digs deeper, who labors longer, who fights through the times of despair, and who works on when others quit! In the ministry, we need no more cute lecturers; we need workers who get out in the trenches and spend long hours soul winning, studying, visiting, and working to build a church. Let us lift up our applause for the bus captain who visits longer, who sees more new prospects, and who comes up with more promotion to fill up his bus!

1 Thessalonians 2:9 “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.”

We are here to work!

Let us honor the guy or gal who hits harder, works longer, and produces more for the glory of God!

God is looking for preachers who labor!

2 Timothy 2:6 “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”

1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

God says those who "labour in the word and doctrine" are worth double pay — WOW! That is SO politically incorrect! Pay workers who work harder? Some might say… “Of all the nerve; there ought to be equal pay for all!” — surely one would say that if he is lazy or an idiot!

…lest we forget the admonition of James:
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

God has called us to DO — not know — to DO; He did not tell us to sit around sharing our thoughts. WORK!

Pastor Goddard

BEAUTY

Proverbs 31:30 tells us, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain…”  Of the godless, vile deeds accomplished by beautiful women, there is no end in fiction or reality, literature or movie making.

The Bible says much about the woman with beauty and no virtue:

Proverbs 6:25 “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.”
Proverbs 11:22 “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”

One sad result in the life of a girl with unusual beauty (yet no training and depth inside her) is that she comes to trust in her outward appearance for all of life, and in fact, except for shameful areas, not much of life depends on the outward appearance.  As a matter of fact, very little depends on outward appearance, beside shameful deeds.

Ezekiel 16:15 “But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.”

The girl without inner development is forced to lean more heavily on appearance and flesh and less on the true beauty inside her.  The inward spirit of a child of God should be beautiful.

Psalm 45:13 “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.”

Our inner character becomes weak as we lean more upon the flesh for strength:
Ezekiel 16:30 “How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;”

Now to the point:  our culture leans far too much on the appearance of the flesh.  No one would question the beauty of Barbara Bush or Nancy Reagan, but they were women of depth.  Neither lady over emphasized her body, fired the White House cooks for using processed sugar, meddled in the school lunch system (which should be under state control, not federal), or pushed their way into the private lives of American homes (as recent First Lady did).

A foolish and shallow nation elects beauty, without considering the character and depth of belief inside the person.  Of course, we all notice the outside, but it should not be long before we seek to discover something rich, beautiful, and honorable inside the men and women we elect to office.  

Virtue and the fear of God, honor, and majesty are traits that carry a woman and her husband into the world of trust and responsibility.  For what we are inside will shape what we do outside — that kind of ideology will affect legislation, policy, and the destiny of nations.    

Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." 

Pastor

ENTERTAINMENT

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Several years ago, I became curious about modern television shows and searched Google for the top, most-watched television shows. I checked on a few of the favorites, being curious about the influence of those shows on marriage. I am not an avid watcher of television; the following is a list of “favorites” and includes my observations about the characters.

Signed Sealed Delivered: no one is married, except the couple who split up; dysfunctional members make up the successful team; no one has children.

NCIS: no one is married; several characters sleep around often; one guy becomes the brunt of constant jokes about multiple wives; no children are in the story.

NCIS LA: one guy married, but is never seen with her; other characters are living together; no home life is mentioned.

Blacklist: no one is married; no children are in the story.

Elementary: no one is married; no children are in the story.

Walking Dead: No need to go farther!

Shield: no one is married; some characters sleep around; no children are in the story.

Avengers: a rich pervert is portrayed; Captain America is unmarried.

The relationships that are found, mainly center on sex, not love, and certainly do not center around a home, on being loving, committed, or loyal; neither do those relationships involve the training of children for the next generation.

If we were to follow the big-name sports stars, we might find the same scenario.

The idea being portrayed is that life does not center around the home, marriage, or a committed relationship, but rather, real life involves a career, party life, and sex; and life does not include marriage or having a family. Where do we find a storyline with a dad and mom training a child? One might say that no one is interested in such a story line, but check out the shows of the 60s and you will find many of the television shows had family-based story lines: Father Knows Best, Leave It To Beaver, The Waltons; or stories about the struggle of single parenting like The Rifleman or My Three Sons.

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”

That which we think about changes our views and our actions. I do not know much about television shows, but these are examples of what our society is growing up with — no wonder our nation is a mess.

May we guard our “entertainment,” for it is actually brainwashing.

Pastor

SOME DO MOST

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

In a church, if we start to plan with the idea that "If everyone did this, then we could all accomplish that” it is hopeful but vain thinking.  Do not get your hopes up or be discouraged about the truth.  The fact remains that life has injustices, hurt, and difficulties.  Settle the thought into your mind to be one of those people who gets jobs done; let the rest stand idly by and achieve little or nothing.  See that you succeed yourself or at least give it your all.

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

Judges 5:17 “Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.”
These guys stayed at a safe distance and waited.

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

Zebulun and Naphtali gave their all —and God DID notice.
vs. 20 “They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.”
vs. 23 “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.”

God got involved in the fight by using the stars.  God helped by commanding the stars in their courses to fight.  God pronounced a curse on those who did not run to the fight.  We understand that God could have won any battle on His own, but when God wants us to help, why do we have a problem?  Remember the tribes about to enter Canaan and the desire some had to stay behind?  The reply of Moses was clear:
Numbers 32:6 ”And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?”

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor

KEEP DOING RIGHT

The doing of right will lead you to the right destination.

The wilderness was no easy journey for the children of Israel, but it worked; their journey brought them to the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 8:15 “Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;”

Do not turn back when the road of life starts to look rough. Kadesh looked that way when twelve men went to see the land, and ten allowed their fear to discourage the people. The way was not too hard, they just did not try. Two men agreed that the Israelites should take the land.

Numbers 13:31”But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”
vs. 32 “And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.”
vs. 33 “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

Numbers 14:9 “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.”

Does your situation involve babies, diapers, waking up several times a night, and mixing formula? Do not give up! Keep doing right and life will settle. When we had our little ones, it was necessary to switch over to formula earlier than we would have preferred. In addition to that new obstacle, no microwave or dishwasher was available, and sterilizing bottles was simply a pain. When Josh was small, he needed to eat every two hours. Thankfully, that did not last long, but those were not easy days. We must understand that hard times do not last forever. Just keep doing right, stay in church, and walk with God; the storm of life will soon calm. New trials will come and new challenges to your faith will arise, but keep doing right and you will arrive at the place of blessing and joy as God has promised. We now have three married children; all are happy and doing great. I would be remiss if I doubted, feared, and panicked after having seen God provide for our family over and over. All the college bills were paid and all diplomas were received, and no, at the time, we did not see HOW it would happen.

When you wonder how you will ever afford another child, a house, or Christian school tuition, rest in the Lord, do right today, and believe that He is able to lead and provide. Keep doing right, and you will find a way to arrive at your desired destination.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Prices for buying a house may look scary. Folks may tell you to buy now because the prices will only get higher. Let me assure you, prices go up and down. One of our staff members was urged to buy a home when prices were high because the prices seemed to only be getting higher. They bought the home and within two years owed $100,000 more than their home was worth. Do not hurry; do what you can; do not go over your budget; wait on God to provide a way to purchase a home, and the situation will work out. One of our church families bought a home; a few years later the house market crashed. They then owed $150,000 more than their home was worth. I asked them to wait, keep paying their mortgage as they had promised to do, and trust God. Years later, they sold their home and found they had acquired an enormous amount of equity, and they were very glad for having stayed on track.

Young couples, most of us started in apartments, rented homes, or lived in a junker. Over the years, living situations really do get better. There are times when God sees His glory more clearly through our grief and we do get hurt; but even then, mercy comes, and life will fall into place.

The rule? Keep doing right and wait on God to get you where you need to be.

Pastor

VICTORY

Too many believers get up each day defeated – that is certainly not what God had in mind. We are to get up each day needing the Lord. We are to get up each day seeking divine guidance.
We are to get up each day knowing our flesh will let us down, but as the following Scriptures and many other passages tell us, the Christian life is one of victory.

1 Corinthians 15:54 "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Even the grave has no victory when it involves a Believer.

1 Corinthians 15:55 "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
vs. 57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Through Christ, we are more than conquerors!
1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Some might ask, "What about all the evil in the world?" To them, I would respond, "I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father... “ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:13, 17) In the Scriptures, we are called OVERCOMERS not defeated losers.

The child of God is promised victory in this life and in the life to come.
Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"
vs. 36 “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
vs. 37” Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

“…in all these things we are more than conquerors…” The defeated, hopeless mentality of mankind that glorifies the loser and elevates those who cannot go on is crazy. The world has no hope, but Christ is all about hope, promise, and blessings. Of course the world is hopeless, they have no resurrected Christ – but we do!

Wars are won by believing that a way is possible. Athletic victories in which someone came from behind and won the game are countless. The victorious men and woman who had unbelievable disadvantages are located across the globe. When Jesus is added to the victory, it takes on an entirely new perspective!

I listened to a Christian man speaking to a crowded auditorium. He stood there, well, almost stood, as he had no legs and no hands or arms, yet he spoke of the victory that is in Christ. He spoke with power and joy!

I watched a godly man in our church, roll his wheelchair to our church flower beds. He slid off his wheelchair into the dirt and spent hours pulling weeds and dragging a garbage can behind him as he served his church. Yes, trouble comes into our lives, but Jesus is alive and well, no matter what life has thrown our way.

I heard the preaching of a Marine who had his legs blown off by a land mine. In his dress uniform, he told of how the mariners were afraid in the storm with Jonah. (He assured us that those men were not Marines, but Navy; for Marines were not afraid of anything.) Laughter was everywhere. He preached victory all across America; he did not preach a defeated, woe-is-me kind of faith. Do not let this world sell you their hopelessness and pitiful life. We are assured that we “…can do all things through Christ."

Just what is it that Christ cannot carry us through? What trial is too big for God to help? Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

I am pretty sure the Bible is true when it records, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

He does give victory; He does bring peace and strength. God is good!

Pastor

DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO MOVE IN

Sorrow and mourning are a part of this world.  From the first sin, God said that in “pain” Eve would bring forth children; to Adam God said,

Genesis 3:17 “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;”
vs. 18 “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;”
vs. 19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

A curse, sorrow, sweat, thistles, and death are the promise of God.  It would be wise to assume that each of us will have the visitor of sorrow throughout life. In the verses following this passage, God drove Adam and Eve from the garden.

Sorrow is not to encompass our lives.  Adam and Eve brought sorrow on the human race through their sin, but God immediately began to build a wonderful life for these two.

At the end of the book of Genesis, we read about the death of Jacob. Genesis 50:10 tells of seven days of mourning, and then they went back to their homes and jobs and to the good life the Lord had given them. 

If you remember the death of Moses, you will notice that the people sorrowed at the loss of their great leader. God allowed that sorrow to endure for a short time, but then God said go on with life and take the land of Canaan. They were not to dwell in the world of sorrow (it was only a place they needed to visit).

Deuteronomy 34:8 “And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.” 
Joshua 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”
vs. 3 “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.”

To visit grief and mourning is normal and assumed, but to remain there is against the plan of God.  The more we love, the more deeply will be our hurt; and as such, grief will be a more dominant guest, but God does not want sorrow to take up residency.  He Who is love wants to be the dominant resident in our hearts. 

Saul was the first king of Israel, a very precious and loved man by the old prophet and priest who anointed him, Samuel.  Saul became sidetracked and grieved God in such a way that God “repented” for placing Saul in the office as King.  Samuel sorrowed deeply at the tragic situation.  

1 Samuel 15:11 “It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.” 
vs. 35 “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”
1 Samuel 16:1 “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

One of the great tragedies of our society is the intentional cultivation of grief, sorrow, guilt, and blame.  We serve a God of forgiveness, mercy, love, and hope, but we can assume that everything Satan does is going to be the opposite of God.  Whether through counselors or social media, hurting folks are encouraged to keep their grief alive and even to nurture it.

Countless Bible passages teach us that anyone can find grace to build a great and useful life through the power of the Lord 

Christ brought life. 
Christ brought forgiveness.
Christ brought mercy.
Christ brought hope.
Christ brought courage.  
Christ brought comfort.

To wallow in guilt, to nurture pain and suffering, and to live in the sorrow of yesterday are surely destructive.  

Paul and Moses were murderers; the woman at the well was morally fallen; Peter exhibited cowardice and denied the Lord; Christ’s siblings said He was crazy; Joseph was sold as a slave, yet in each case, victory was given by God and the promise of a great new life was found.  

It is okay to grieve and to allow the visitor of sorrow to sit at your table for a short time, but there is too much good in the life we have with the Saviour to allow grief to be your roommate.  

Our culture says to “let it go” or “move on.”  The Bible states it more eloquently:
Philippians 3:13 “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,”
vs. 14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Even after years of captivity and punishment, God made it clear that Israel would find great joy.

Isaiah 51:11 “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”
vs. 12 “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;”

Bring joy back into your world; welcome mercy, forgiveness, and the countless promises of God.  We are human, and love will have the unpleasant guest of hurt, but do not allow sorrow to stay long.  

Pastor

SIMPLE THINGS

Years ago, the famous Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, grew to have amazing size and productivity: souls were saved and this ministry was probably was the most successful missionary-sending church in America. Dr. Lee Roberson was the pastor there for approximately forty-five years and built his ministry on simple things. His sermons were basic, and his ministry was simple.

“Never vary” was one of the key phrases of his ministry. Do not change.

Another phrase that was heard often was “Three To Thrive.” Get yourself to church three times a week, and you will thrive.

“The Crucified Life” was often the subject of his preaching. “Die To Self” was the key to getting along at home and in the community – not spectacular acts, just simple Christian living.

His counseling was unique as well. If you went to him for advice, he would almost always tell you the same instruction: go to church three times a week, read your Bible every day, and when you have done that for 30 days straight, come see me again. That took care of a lot of counseling.

As a pastor, Bro. Roberson told me he built his ministry on twelve visits a day. Whether the visit was a hospital call or a new visit door-to-door, five days a week making twelve visits a day was the way he built the church.

We love new recipes for success: bright unusual ideas, catchy styles, or miracle foods such as the eat-all-you-want-and-lose-weight diets. In reality, greatness is found in doing the simple things over and over, and doing them right.

In hopes of finding some new, easy way to do something, do not chase the spectacular new idea, and do not ignore the simple, pre-tested, successful recipe. Just do right -- love God, live holy, serve others, read the Bible, and go to church three times a week -- and your Christian life will be just fine.

Simplicity, sincerity, and consistency are three keys to building a successful Christian life!

NOT YOUR DECISION

When Eve faced the serpent, Eve made it clear that she knew God said not to eat it! After some discussion, she made the decision that another course was better. She trusted her own heart. She had an opinion, and felt her idea was just as important as the ideas of God; and once all suggestions were out in front, she could make the decision as to what was best. WRONG!

Proverbs 28:26 “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool…"

When Saul was told to kill all the Amalekites, the instruction was not vague, and the interpretation was not necessary.

1 Samuel 15:2 “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.”
vs. 3 “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”

Saul looked at the options and made the decision as to what was best – but that call was not his to make. The fact that God allows us to obey or disobey does not mean that all choices are acceptable or appropriate.

1 Samuel 15:13 “And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.”
vs. 14 “And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”

Examples are frequent: consider David and the Ark of the Covenant being returned to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 6:3 “And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.”
vs. 7 “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.”

It seemed too simple to place the Ark on a cart. That is how they moved everything; it was the accepted method! God would not usually suggest we follow the normal, accepted path; not when He has clearly explained His will. A good man died; David grew angry toward God, and the Ark did not get back to Jerusalem for months.

Do not get angry at God if circumstances go wrong, especially when we have clearly chosen our own way over His obvious direction. When God tells us what to do, the direction is usually not multiple choice. When we go to a wise counselor, we have options: we can simply listen to the wisdom of older wiser folks, or we can get a variety of opinions and pick what sounds best to us.

If someone comes to me and asks a question, most of the time, I give options and tell them they will need to make the decision. On occasion, I will state the wiser or more biblical path; the choice is still theirs. Now it is their opinion against mine. Usually, I am big enough not to be bothered if they ignore my counsel. Consider though, having the clear direction of God right in front of us, and trying to make a decision based on God's opinion or my own – that is unwise.

Many of life’s decisions are clearly determined by principles, yet the care we take in applying those principles is our decision. Some instructions from God are absolutely clear, such as these examples:
1 Corinthians 11:14 “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

The Bible is full of instructions from God, and He is always right. May we be wise enough to trust the Lord and to obey Him.

Pastor

PRAYER

As we move quickly through the year, I hope we are all staying with some spiritual “resolutions” — to resolve to read our Bibles, pray, be faithful to church, to break the ties of certain besetting sins — all of which are good to improve upon.

Though I would like to suggest something upon which to focus — prayer.

Even though we reach the point at which we read our Bibles daily, we still tend to miss the quiet moments of talking with God. There is more power with God in prayer than any of us understand.

Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Here is a simple order from our Saviour: ALWAYS PRAY! Prayer ought to be a part of our lives all day long. We ought to seek God’s insight at every turn, learning to “walk in the Spirit.”

Prayer helps us avoid trouble.
Luke 21:36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Prayer helps us avoid temptation.
Mark 14:38 “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 22:46 “And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”

In those verses, God gives us two incredible reasons to pray: to avoid temptation and trouble. PRAY!
Read the parable in Luke 18, and you will see the entire story. We are to consider prayer as our bothering God. Persistent, non-stop prayer is the way to get things we desire -- for others.
Luke 11:8 “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.”

Prayer ought to go on often throughout the day.
Psalm 55:16 “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.”
Psalm 55:17 “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

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

The “Peace of God” — what a precious possession to have in this world of sin and hurt -- that passes all understanding. It comes to us partly through committing everything to God in prayer.

Prayer — let us keep it as a part of our lives this year.

Pastor

SACRIFICES

During stewardship month, we are talking about taking care of the things God has given us. Stewardship does not mean just protecting, it means using our time, talents, and treasure in a way that is pleasing to the One Who gave them to us. The book of James tells us that every good gift comes from the Father, and His stewards should use what they have in a way that will please God.

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

To be a good steward means to be faithful to use the things that we have received from God in a way that will please him, not please ourselves.

Psalms 4:5 “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness…”

In this verse, David explains that the simple act of living righteously is a sacrifice pleasing to God. We could certainly live selfishly, carnally, or criminally. When we choose to say, “No” to sin and “Yes” to righteousness, we bring that righteous life to God as a sacrifice to Him from our hearts of love and gratitude.

The sacrifice in the Old Testament might have been an animal or money, and it was brought to God as a gift of gratitude and worship. The sacrifice was given by denying oneself in order to give something to God and His house. Righteous living is something you bring to God, something you have denied yourself in order to please your Heavenly Father.

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

First, we observe that righteous living is a sacrifice pleasing to God. In this verse, we see that a broken spirit and a contrite heart are also a sacrifice pleasing to God. The first sacrifice is the choice to live righteously. The next sacrifice is to come to God with a broken heart when we fail to live in a manner pleasing to Him; these are pleasing to God. God does not focus on your sin of yesterday, He focuses on the sorrow in your heart for having violated God’s righteous laws.

A broken spirit and contrite heart are very pleasing to the Lord. I do not expect people to be pleased or satisfied with that. Whether church attenders or people in the employment industry, people are not real good at forgiving and forgetting, but God is. When we come to God with a broken heart, it is very pleasing to Him.

Psalm 107:22 “… Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of Thanksgiving…”

God is very pleased when we are thankful. Gratitude for our health, our marriage, our children, our country, or any of the good things God has given us are worthy of praise and thanksgiving –that is well pleasing to God. God calls these things a sacrifice. An express thanks does not seem very sacrificial, except in the case of looking across America and seeing how few people say, “Thank you” to God for all of the blessings; only then you might realize how very precious your words of gratitude are to Him.

Thus far, we see that God accepts righteousness and a broken and contrite heart as acceptable sacrifices. Then we read that thanksgiving is a sacrifice that pleases God.

Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
vs. 16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Here again, we see a sacrifice that brings us to thanksgiving and praise. Verse 15 makes it clear that it is not just a grateful heart, but words of praise and thanks on our lips. Public thanksgiving and praise to God are very honoring to Him. What husband or wife does not enjoy their spouse bragging on them in public. You have a God Who deserves so much praise and worship, and it is very pleasing to Him when He hears that gratitude.

Verse 16 adds two more sacrifices: to do good and to communicate. We have seen a spirit of thanksgiving arise twice and, we see righteous living coming up again. When you turn from shame and sin, and choose right, God looks down from Heaven and it pleases him.

Just as a rich person brings great amounts of money into an offering or as the old-testament believers brought their precious sheep to be sacrificed, God is pleased when you shut off the television when it spews smut into your living room or when you refuse to allow corrupt friends to be a part of your child’s life. These are the kind of sacrifices that are so pleasing to God. To do good makes God happy.

Next, we notice the word communicate. This is a financial word. To communicate usually indicates something that the learner is bringing to the teacher. It could be a church member and the pastor, or it could be a student and a teacher in the classroom. It could be a church to the leadership of their church. The word communicate pertains to financial remuneration. Again, we see that God is well pleased.

Parents will pay great amounts of money into their children’s schools, but sometimes we forget to invest our resources in the most precious influence on our family, those who are spiritually influencing us.

Hebrews 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Yes, we believe in sacrificial living, sacrifices that bring great pleasure to God.

Pastor

COURAGE

The book of Joshua mentions the word courage several times. Courage is a rare, but wonderful trait.

Joshua 1:7 “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law,”
Joshua 23:6 “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;”

Courage was needed to obey God. The initial obedience was in the hands of men.

In the early days of the Christian church, the lines were quickly drawn between those who were going to embrace the doctrines of Rome and those who would embrace the Word of God. In their writings, some sounded much like the early Anabaptists. When the time came to be courageous enough to stand and risk their ministry, their reputation, or their friends, they sadly failed to have enough faith to stand. For instance, early in their ministries, Zwingli and Calvin both wrote against infant baptism and were in favor of baptism by immersion. Immersion being an unpopular doctrine, they both succumbed to sprinkling infants rather than to face exile.

Today, we find much of the same courage or lack thereof among preachers whom, I believe, truly accept the fundamental beliefs; yet popularity and the esteem of the brethren draw them away from their willingness to stand. Courage is not so easy when you realize it may cost you the loss of your friends. In the case of Erasmus (1469), although he wrote against many Catholic beliefs, he certainly was not going to lose his future pension from the Catholic church for taking a stand with the vagabond Baptists.

Likewise today, some young preachers love the companionship of other young preacher friends. Realizing that you are NOT in the crowd of the socially elite is difficult. Having the courage to say, “I’ll lose my golf partner,” or “I’ll be the subject of Facebook ridicule for simply and honestly saying, ‘Here is what I believe,’” is also very difficult. When Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the wall where the Diet of Worms was to take place, he was courageous enough to risk all because of his ninety-five problems with the Catholic church. Sadly, Luther also joined the world of compromise when he chose church tradition over the Bible.

Throughout history, countless Christians have stepped up and risked their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor, much as our founding fathers did when writing the Constitution. All our Bible heroes are such characters: Daniel, Joseph, Gideon, David, and many others. Many Christians today have a sincere heart of belief, but they just are not willing to lose anything by making their faith public. Courage is a rare, but noble character trait. Courageous people are often found standing alone. Courageous people have chosen the moral path or the separated path and have chosen to walk within the rules regardless of what others might say or think. Courageous people tend to be mentioned alone, and history shows that they were often separated from those with whom they had once associated. Courage is certainly a rare gift — one that every hero possesses.

1 Chronicles 22:13 “Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.”

Pastor