Important Members

Good Morning.

The idea of joining a church brings with it the responsibility of contributing. God has equipped us to DO something, not ENJOY something. Each of us has been especially gifted to do something effective and unique that is essential to the body of believers. 

Notice the words in the book of Titus about why we were saved:

Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

vs. 14 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”


Why were we saved? We were saved to be peculiar and to zealously serve; we are not to sit idly and just enjoy the blessing of Heaven, but to be misfits in this world and work for God.


In the book of Ephesians, we read more of the same:

Ephesians 4:4 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;”

There is one body or church, and each of us was given gifts by measure to minister with those gifts IN THE BODY!

vs. 7 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”

vs. 16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Those gifts, if properly used, will supply effectually to the needs of the body or church. There is a “measure” (or set amount), and that measure is effective in edifying the body.

We see more about the body in 1 Corinthians 12:18-20:

vs. 18 “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

vs. 19 “And if they were all one member, where were the body?”

vs. 20 “But now are they many members, yet but one body.”


There are many of us, but we all are to be a part of that one body, a local church.

We are not all made for the same purpose. Each of us has unique gifts and measures, but all of us are here for a reason. As we age, we all start feeling useless, but God feels differently:

vs. 22 “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:”

For a third time, we are reading about the body, about gifts, and about God having a special place and plan for each of us.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

vs. 4 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:”

vs. 5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

vs. 6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;”

Here are the facts:

1. We were not saved to live like the world, but to be peculiar.

2. We were saved to make a difference IN THE BODY.

3. That means we need to attend church. We cannot be a church-jumper and have all our gifts and talents be used to benefit the body of believers.

The church matters! Membership in our chosen church matters. The church needs each one of us, and God placed us in our specific churches to effectually work and help that group of people. It is not about my feeling good in my church, but about the contribution of my gifts to the ministry of that church. 

Sure, you may sit home and read your Bible, but the tasks God has planned for you to do in the church will be left wanting.

May we lift up the need to attend church, to be members of that church, and to serve in that church.


Pastor

Hurry Life

Good Morning,

It is not uncommon for us to fight to accomplish our goals and dreams and to do so RIGHT NOW. It seems that everything we want, we want NOW!!

For example, we want to marry before we are “TOO OLD” (whenever that is). In short, each of us needs to seek the Lord about his own life and development. Moses stayed in Pharaoh’s court until he was forty years of age before he got married. Forty years later, God called him into the ministry. Most of the Apostles were single when they were called to follow the Lord. At the time when Paul was ordained and sent out by the Holy Spirit to do the first work of foreign missions, he was not married. This pattern seems to go against our modern "rules."

Luke 3:23 “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,”

This verse is the only biblical reference as to our Lord’s age or the length of His ministry. Most people count three Passovers in the Gospels, thus considering His ministry to be about three years. With those ideas being speculation, let us consider one biblical fact — Jesus lived on this earth for about thirty years before beginning His ministry. He did not hurry into the ministry!

Too many people hurry. Too many people rush into life long before they are ready. Somehow we have allowed educators to tell us that children should enter school at five years of age and learn to read the next year. Each person is an individual, and certainly, none of us are ready at the same age to do anything, from walking to talking.

We rush our children off to school according to a random rule, and then we push them off to college at age eighteen according to the same ambiguous “rule.” We simply push everyone into molds that are not fit to each person’s mind, body, or social and spiritual development.

Dwight Moody was quoted as saying that if he had three years to live, he would spend two of them in college training and the third serving more effectively than he could have without the proper training.

Old Testament kings took the throne anywhere from age seven years of age and up. The transition time was a matter of circumstances, not an age mandate. George Washington was forty-three when he was commander and chief of the Continental army. Galusha Pennypacker was a Union general during the American Civil War at the age of twenty. To this day, he is the youngest person to hold the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army. Many a military man was commissioned according to skills, not age, while others gained rank due to the death of those above them. One does not start professional sports because of age, but because of skills and accomplishments. Little in our lives is tied to the calendar; why determine life plans on such a silly issue as age?

Why do we hurry life? If our Lord could wait until He was thirty years old to begin His earthly ministry, could we not allow circumstances to direct life, not age and timing? Every young person is not ready for the college dorms at age seventeen. Everyone is not ready for marriage at twenty-two or any other certain age. Let the youth marry when he is ready to be what he needs to be for his spouse and the glory of God.

Galatians 4:4 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”


Jesus came when it was time, not when someone had the right number of birthdays. There was a time called the “fulness of the Gentiles.”

Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

The idea of being hasty and pushing into decisions or stages of life is a dangerous one.

Proverbs 19:2 “…and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.”

Proverbs 28:22 “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”

We hurry into the college, marriage, and the work force; then we hurry to retire and wander around wondering what to do with ourselves. Just why do we need to retire? Why quit working? Because we have had a certain number of birthdays? Now if there is a reason regarding health, company policy, or family, sure; but to just stop working? What a loss! Once we stop working, we cease to contribute to the good of our world. Retire so you can go to the mission field? Absolutely! Retire so you can serve full-time in your church as the janitor, building maintenance, or soul winner? WOW! What a good idea! To wander around America in a million-dollar motor home for the remainder of your life while doing nothing for God would be a terrible waste of time.

Let us see what would glorify God in the lives of our children. May we search out the will of God and do that which honors God in our own future plans.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Pastor

Hope In Men

Good Morning,

We are often puffed up or, at other times, deflated by the words and actions of those around us. Young people especially need to be taught to trust in their own lives being pleasing to the Lord and not to men. We all want to be liked, and we all want to fit in and belong; but, at some point, we need to realize that the fickle humanity around us is too unstable to trust.

Notice the praise Paul and Barnabas received:

Acts 14:11 “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”

vs. 12 “And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.”

vs. 13 “Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.”

At this point, we could really feel that God was working and doing great things through our lives and testimonies. It could be this way as parents, as a boss, in your Sunday school class, or on a bus route. Do not live for these moments; for they are but “moments.” Notice the events that take place a few verses later (after some critics arrive on the scene).

vs. 19 “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

A god or a villain? A few minutes and an article in the morning newspaper can change everything.

This same instability was displayed by those who cried, “Hosanna.”

John 12:13 “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

In the moments following this story, Jesus taught about the weakness of men and the frail hopes found in this world.

John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

vs. 25 “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

vs. 26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

vs. 27 “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”

Jesus came to honor God and to give His life as a ransom for all. He did not come to be crowned or to be glorified as He deserved; those days would come, but not yet.

Not long after, they cried out, “Crucify Him!”

John 19:6 “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.”

John 12:13 “…Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

OR

John 19:6 …Crucify him, crucify him.

We are the sheep of His pasture, not the academic scholars of His classroom. We are frail, ever changing, unpredictable humans who love God, yet ignore Him; we believe Him, yet doubt Him. If God’s Son was so treated, we might be wise not to place our faith in men or hope in man’s kind words and accepting ways. We can quickly move from honored to shamed in this world of double-minded men.

We are safest to do what we can do to please God and accept the fact that we are not going to meet each situation wisely or properly — we will fail. We will disappoint someone today; we may even please and displease the same person in the same hour! We simply need to go into each day seeking to please God; everyone else will have to get whatever is left.

Do not hope in men. Are they gods, or do they deserve to be killed? It is determined by what moment in time you ask them.

Pastor

Leadership & Ladies

Good Morning,

The first two times the word hearkened is used in the Bible are also the two most deadly moments in human history.  

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;”

Genesis 16:2 “And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.”

My wife is my best friend; she is the one I wish to please and greatly long for her approval.  She is not the guide for our spiritual life, though.  Twice, men HEARKENED to their wives on major issues, and twice, the result was terrible.  The first time was when Adam HEARKENED to his wife, ate the forbidden fruit and plunged the world into sin and death.  The second time was when Abram HEARKENED to his wife, went in unto Hagar and gave birth to the Islamic culture.  

Our church would crumble without the help and blessing of countless godly ladies on our staff, in teaching positions, and out soul winning.  The danger occurs when ladies begin charting the path for the future and start making the spiritual choices without the leadership God has ordained.  When ladies come out from under the leadership of God-ordained authorities, trouble ensues.  

Isaiah 3:12 “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”

In both stories, women took on spiritual leadership and destroyed the path God directed them to travel because the men failed to take spiritual leadership.

God directed Paul to warn the church about ladies taking leadership:

1 Timothy 2:11 “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.”

vs. 12 “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

I am so thankful for the godly ladies in our church who faithfully accomplish their duties but always do so under the leadership of their pastor or ministry leader.   These ladies are wise, godly women on whom we depend.  

I am addressing two issues:  one, the lady staying under the authority of the man; the other is the lady not being in authority over the man.  WOW!  That is politically incorrect; but, honestly, I think everything in our Bible is probably politically incorrect.   We do not really care about building our church upon what men think but upon God’s commands.  

My wife teaches a ladies’ adult Sunday school class, under my leadership and with my blessing.  Our secretaries basically run our office, under my leadership and with my blessing and gratitude.  Our nursery superintendent oversees our nursery and almost one hundred workers, under my leadership, and with my blessing.   

In this matter, a few good things that can turn bad are homeschooling and home Bible studies.  Most often, these are done without any input from the father or the pastor.  No ill motives are involved, yet often, the problem of a lack of leadership occurs.  The dad or the pastor simply resign from the responsibility, and the lady (as anyone with a good sense would do) simply steps up to try to fill the gap and take care of the need as best as she can.  Nonetheless, much division in the church comes when people become more loyal to their home Bible study or to their home school than they are to their church or to their pastor as the spiritual leader.

Many ills in our religious world exist due to ladies assuming leadership over their God-appointed spiritual leaders.  These are just a few examples:

1.  The Foursquare church was founded by Aimee Semple McPherson.

2.  Christian Science was founded by Mary Baker Eddy.

3.  Unity Christ Church was founded by Ethel Higgins.

4.  Seventh Day Adventist church was founded by Ellen G. White.

Many others could be cited.   Keeping Divine authority is no guarantee that we will not get messed up, but failure is guaranteed when we begin by removing ourselves from under Divine authority.

Pastor

Processors

Good Morning,

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.”

Most of us understand that there is a difference between a Mac and a PC. Each computer processes information differently. Both get the job done (I guess — I have only owned Macs), but the process is different.

When a person who is raised in the inner city hears something or faces something, they respond differently than I would because I was raised in the mountains of northern California. Those who are raised in the city might fear to be alone in the woods; I would fear to walk down an inner-city street alone. We respond differently and process information differently.

When children or animals have been hit often enough, they will flinch when they notice a raised hand. On the other hand, I was raised in a good home, and it would never cross my mind that someone might strike me. Those in our military who have seen terrible combat will respond differently than I would, having been a civilian.

We had a man saved in our church who had been involved in breaking into enemy prison camps and rescuing certain American prisoners. His world was one of killing and sudden violence. The most violence I ever faced was on the basketball court; therefore, that man and I will respond differently.

Follow my thinking: The way we process information and situations varies according to our training. Schools train us how to think and how to process given information. The Bible teaches us to process information from a godly perspective. Secular schools train a student to process information from a secular, godless viewpoint.

Jeremiah 10:2 “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”

If someone spends four years in a government-run high school and then four more years in a secular college, his processor will be influenced greatly. If that same student goes on to a Bible college, everything he hears will be processed via the “secular processor.” On the other hand, if a student spends four years in a Christian high school and a few years in a Christian college, his processor will be very different. If that same student then attends a secular college (no matter what classes he takes or what degrees he earns), his processor is godly and his reaction to given information will be totally different. We respond to each piece of information that we see, hear, and read; but our view, interpretation, and perception of that information will differ according to our training.

Dr. Hyles, our pastor for many years, told us that he had never drunk liquor or smoked; but after WWII and being in the paratroopers, he had a much softer view toward drinking and smoking. He said that which he once hated, he now thought was not so bad. He had friends who drank and smoked, and they were good guys, so he was more tolerant towards those things. The same scenario has taken place today regarding sodomy, adultery, abortion, the environment, pollution, and, of course, church. That which was once very important is not so important anymore. The wrong has not changed; only our perception has changed.

We are influenced and trained how to view life primarily in our youth. The views of an adult with a godly background will be vastly different from those of an untrained young person regarding that same information.

The constant input from media is shaping our processing ability. From social media to entertainment, from “fake news” to classrooms, our young people are not being trained for a job, they are being trained how to think toward life, people, situations, and even information. It is amazing today how many people have accepted same sex-marriages and man-made climate change and are ready to completely change our Constitution (probably the greatest man-made document in the history of the world). Freedom of thought, freedom of religion, and almost all political freedom in the world is rooted in the early American thinking (founded by many Baptists) and ultimately our Constitution.

Anglicans, Lutherans, and other Protestants wanted no freedom of thought or freedom of religion. Try not having your baby baptized in the mid-1600s, and see how free America was. Baptists and other true, Bible-believers had to reprogram the thinking of Americans and change the process of thinking among religious and political leaders.

I care not what career our young people pursue, but I do care deeply how they are trained to think. I do not care if our young people have very lucrative careers or work as simple laborers (our church is built on people, not money), but I do care who trains the minds of our young people to process information.

There is a “path” and a “way.” Not the specific act, but the direction or way things are seen, done and perceived.

Proverbs 4:14 “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.”

Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”

When you are dating, you should watch to see the WAY your friend thinks and processes information.

When you consider a job, you better figure out how that employer thinks. If you are going to work for someone or with someone in partnership, be sure you know his thought process.

What can we do? Start with faithfulness to church three times a week, and add daily Bible reading along with a substantial amount of preaching during the week, right friends, and a ministry in which you can invest in others.

God will guide our thoughts if we will commit our works to Him.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”

Pastor

Order

Good Morning,

A little recklessness can be found in each of us. Well, perhaps there are a few who have OCD issues, but most of us understand the relaxed world of “letting it happen” and “don’t worry about it.” In spite of the natural desire to be a slob or to have no real schedule, God is the God of order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Colossians 2:5 “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.”

Titus 1:5 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:”

Order (and schedule which is nothing but order in our time and activities) brings about unity; that way we all know what is going to happen next, where we are to go, and what we are to do. Order brings about unity, and unity brings peaceful living and blessing from God.

Matthew 12:26 “Every house divided against itself it brought to desolation”

Before bed, plan clothes for the morning. It will bring peace and blessing on your day. Plan a day to clean, to shop, or to date your spouse; plans bring order, security, and unity. The fact that you intend to do the laundry means nothing; it needs to be done and should be done before it is needed.

Plan and have order in your menu at home. You cannot wait until 7:00 PM to start thinking about dinner; it just does not work that way. You will spend a fortune on eating out, or you will fail to have healthy food for your family, and confusion will reign. That is certainly displeasing to God.

Knowing that on a certain day at a certain time you will take your wife out for a walk or to eat dinner helps her with the busy days when she wonders if she matters. I always dated our pre-teen children. There was a specific day and time we went out for a while. I wanted to be very much in touch with my children. I was not going to be the absent father. With all the hours we work, time with family will not happen if there is no order or schedule. The same is true of Bible reading, prayer, and soul winning. Without a plan, you will become terribly backslidden. The famous Susanna Wesley raised and educated more than a dozen children. She trained them in English, Latin, and Greek, but at a set time, daily, she sat in a chair in the kitchen, buried her face in her apron and spent a lengthy time in prayer. Her children were taught to sit quietly until she was done talking to God. There was a plan; without it, there would be no time with God.

When we cannot find the shoes, there is no coffee, when the car is out of gas, or the child’s homework is not done: these things bring struggle and dissension to the home, and ultimately disunity and anger. All of that separates us from the blessing of God. Order really does matter.

Jesus was born on schedule. Galatians 4:4 “…when the fullness of time was come…” Clear back in Daniel 9, the prophecy was written to date the coming of the Messiah. His birth was on schedule and was planned hundreds of years earlier.

For some, this life of order and planning is very difficult, but it can be learned. Do not make schedule a god, but a guide; make it a tool to better serve your family and society, not a club to beat those who have had less grooming than you received.

We know when the sun will come up tomorrow and next year. We know how long it will take to mature corn crops. I know that in June, I will have plums ripe and July will bring an abundance of peaches. We know the movements of Halley's Comet and countless other things in creation. The world teaches us about order and the importance of planning. May we strive to achieve it in our lives as well.

Pastor

Our Purpose

Good Morning, 

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

God created the heavens and the earth for His glory. A powerful storm brings honor and glory to God. Beautiful lakes and snow-covered mountains also bring praise and glory to God. All things were created uniquely to bring glory to God. There is no way any one thing can be all that God needs. God is infinite. To praise and honor God as He deserves requires so many different things. 

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

All things were created for God's pleasure, including man. God creates men and women of every personality and every physical type because each one uniquely honors and glorifies God.

Let me offer a few thoughts on that subject: 

1. You need never fret over being different. You were made for His glory.

2. You need not worry that you are single or do not have children; nor do you need to worry if you are not as smart or outgoing as another, or whether you have a handicap. None of these things limits you from pleasing God. God made you unique for His glory; just as unique as the differences between a giraffe or a rhinoceros and the stars and moon. 

3. As we see so often in creation, God is in no hurry. Take your time in training and seeking the Lord's direction. He has a plan, and He will reveal it in His own time. 

4. You need not know your lifetime plans at 18 or even 20 years of age. The most basic life goal should be found in Micah 6:8:  do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.  

5. Perhaps college or career training should include being more honoring to God rather than doing what "we want to do." 

That simple life goal will please God, and that is why we were created. 

Pastor 

Right & Wrong

Good Morning,

The devil is always trying to make sin culturally acceptable; but we must base our beliefs and our moral values on the Bible, not on culture.

Let us be clear:

Adultery is not “an affair;” it is SIN.

Homosexuality is not “an alternate lifestyle;” it is SIN.

Drug addition is not “over medicating” yourself; it is SIN, and you are an addict.

A worldly church service is not a “contemporary church;” it is friendly with the world and a SIN.

Well now…. I am sure I just went over the line of warm and fuzzy thinking already so allow me to continue. We watch television and follow entertainment so closely that we corrupt our hearts.

Lamentations 3:51 “Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.”

Our long hours of television and our brief hours of preaching and Bible reading have wrongly affected our hearts. When we do what we think is right, we make wrong decisions and cause disaster and ruin.

We have softened our value system to match our heart, but Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” This is why so many churches will never mention adultery, drinking, or many other things that were commonly preached against in days gone by. We are off track in our values and our morals.

In Proverbs 28:26, Solomon wrote, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”

We may not understand certain biblical values, but God asks us to trust Him and not ourselves:

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

When a news commentator tells us we are offending one percent of the population (an immoral, godless one percent). While believing what the Bible says (not to mention agreeing with ninety-nine percent of the population), we simply should not care what others think. What God calls right and wrong is right and wrong — no matter what NBC, CBS, or any Supreme Court Justice writes. I can be good to people, but I do not have to act as if sin is right. I can love my neighbor without pretending his booze and drugs are acceptable. I can care for those in my city who are hurting without treating adultery as if it is logical and reasonable.

Deuteronomy 5:29 “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”

Ecclesiastes 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.”

Some things are worthy of our concern. We should care about our hearts keeping us from obeying God and not understanding our DUTIES. We ought to be concerned about offending the Creator of the universe by the shameful actions we could accept or approve. We should stand with those who love God, the Bible, and right (as God defines right).

I mentioned a good man named Micaiah in an evening sermon a few years ago. He was very unpopular and certainly offensive in his words.

1 Kings 22:8 “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”

Unpopular, jailed, hated, but right — may we stand faithful!

Pastor

Associations

Good Morning,

Over the years, I have heard, as most have, that liberals love the environment, they love nature, hate cutting down trees, and are against the pollution that hurts birds or fish. I am not going to say I know what is in their hearts, but I can notice their associations.

The trouble I have believing these folks is that I have never met a “love nature” person that cared one bit for God, the One Who created nature.  I have never met a “love life and animals” person who was not pro-abortion.  Their associations reveal their heart.  These people do not love life; they want something to replace God in the lives of humanity. Basically, they are satanic, for it is he who desires that we love anything BUT God. 

Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Leaving environmentalism and going to the churches of America, allow me to point out similar issues. There is an entire movement in American churches that embraces the “praise and worship” kind of church service.  I do not care for the music they love, it is hardly different from the music I left when I got saved.  If those churches had bus ministries, soul winning, and preached on living a holy life, I might be more tolerant of their views.  (But as yet, I have not heard of any who do so.)  Typically, these churches are worldly, financially motivated, or over-spiritually motivated.  Generally, they seek to fit into the world’s mold in personal appearance, activities, and even the atmosphere of the church.  

I have noticed that instead of striving to live holy, I see worldly lifestyles, a lack of concern for the lost or the poor, and I never see a bus ministry.  

The problem is not simply the “warm and fuzzy” so-called worship, but that which it is associated is that kind of worship.  

I am as far from Calvinism as I could be, and as such, when I notice that the Calvary Chapel movement is heavily Calvinistic (with some Pentecostal “add works to salvation” teachings), then I can have nothing to do with their style of church ministry.  They are not bad people and I rejoice anytime Christ is preached, but I want nothing to do with their form of worship.  That “style of worship” is associated with theological heresy.  

Democrats are typically pro-choice, pro-queer, and anti-Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Democrats will almost always choose big government and seek control of the daily lives and decisions of citizens.  When a Christian, politician, or news station associates strongly with Democrats, I keep my distance.  I had to distance myself from the crowd of religious people who sided with Democrats in forcing citizens to wear masks and get vaccinated.  I had no problem with voluntary masks or vaccinations, for American values are based upon freedom – I had a problem when it became compulsory.

Our associations do reveal much of our heart and true values.  When a Christian teen seeks the world’s dances, dress, and activities, I cannot help but believe there is something else occupying their heart besides Christ.  

Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” 

Consider these passages and notice how much God urges His children to guard their “associations.” 

1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 

Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” 

2 John 10 "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:” 

Psalm 101:4 “A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person."

vs. 5 “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”

vs. 6 “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”

More can be found in these verses: Proverbs 9:6; 12:11; 13:20; 22:24.

It does matter with whom folks associate; it is a help for all of us to see more clearly what is true. 

Pastor

Useful In Tribulation

Good Morning,

The sorrows of life are many. I do not mean to be morbid or create a hopeless air, I am simply making honest statements. Life can be difficult; in fact, life will be difficult.

Job said it this way:

Job 5:7 “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”

Jesus also spoke of the trials of life.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

When life is going well, rejoice.  When situations are more difficult, draw near to God and go on doing right.  The question is, "How do I behave when trouble comes?"

I may not be able to fix my trouble, but I can help another.  My sorrow may be permanent, but I can still help another with their load.  

When you visit the rest home and bring church to those who are stuck in that difficult world, it is unlikely that they care about your financial trouble or the health of your child.  No matter what personal trials you face, you can be a help.


When you bring the Gospel to the people in jail, answer Bible questions, and sing some hymns, they will not ask how your marriage is doing or if your parents are slipping mentally.  They are simply grateful for a break to their routine and for some spiritual influence in a carnal world.

My difficulty may weigh down my heart, but it also may make me more tender to help me be a blessing to others.  If I fail to serve those around me, my trials may be found useless, for they were designed to help me help others.

2 Corinthians 1:3 “....the God of all comfort;”

vs. 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.”

No child that rides a bus cares if my roof leaks, but they do readily accept the love and security provided by the church and the Lord. I will choose to help those within my reach and to fix that which is within my abilities.

It would be sad to face a trial in order to make us more helpful, then not be helpful.  Sadly, that is how most people live their lives; they wonder why they hurt and never help anyone.  May we accept the trials in our world and realize the Lord is allowing them. While we weep inside, may we go find someone to help.

Pastor

It Is A Fight

Good Morning,


The Christian life is a battlefield.  We are attacked by our own flesh, by the godlessness around us, and by the world in general.   To stay right will always be a fight.

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

Passages urging us to fight, to wrestle, and to stand firm are common in Scripture.  To coast, relax, and “go with the flow” is far from the road to a successful Christian life.  

This world is not Christian, and it is quickly becoming more contrary to the things of God.  For a man to stand strong for his faith, to stay clean in his thinking, and to focus on family, God, job, and children will be a battle. If ministry is added to the list, you will find someone who goes to war every day just to maintain his Christian life.

Ephesians 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.”


When a lady desires to be a good wife and mother and to stay near to the Lord, she will have to fight every day.  For a lady to make a decision to live in a modest, feminine way is going to entail a great deal of work.  Styles of dress are masculine or immodest and attitudes on the job or in media are constantly suppressing anything feminine.  To maintain a Christ-honoring lifestyle is a constant battle.


The world will push our children every direction but right.  Neighbors, friends, and media are against any child gaining character, discipline, godliness, or a good education.  A parent’s job is non-stop; prayer and planning are necessary, and this is a job without a break. The blessed life is a fight!

For the pastor to keep his church separate, pure, and useful is a never-ending battle. Satan will constantly bring in one form of goofball idea after another.  Pastors will always have to work to keep soul winning alive, standards right, holiness uplifted, marriages growing, and young people learning.  Paul told Timothy that the pulpit would need to be filled with instruction and correction.

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”


Paul shares his brief testimony by saying that he has fought all the way to the end:

vs. 7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”


I have found that people want to get good results from little effort. If that were possible, everyone would be enjoying a great life; the fact remains that the labor to achieve good results is constant.  Everyone wants a diet which allows you to eat all you want and not exercise to lose weight; that simply will not work. To desire a life without struggle is vain.  Searching out the way to gain peace and strength for the battle is best — these are only available from the Lord. 


John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”


Peace comes from time with the Lord.  


Peace comes from the Word of God; He will SPEAK peace to His people.

Psalm 85:8 “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”


We need to spend time in our Bibles and time with the Lord. The formula for gaining peace is found in Philippians 4:

Philippians 4:5 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

First, be moderate in life.  Be careful about extremes in anything.  Always think about the Lord’s coming again.  Where would I want to be when He comes?  What would I want to be doing at His return?  


The formula continues:

vs. 6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”


The word careful indicates fearfulness, over-concern, and worry — similar to walking barefooted in the dark.  That is no way to go through life; we need to go confidently.  Be careful for nothing; do not worry all the time.  Relax and go do that which you know is right.  Next, he says, pray about everything.  So rather than being worried all the time, pray all the time. 


We are instructed to make our requests to God; stop worrying, and go get things done.  We should spend time in our Bible, be moderate, always consider the Lord’s coming, pray about each decision, and then run into life believing that God will guide and bless.  At that point, the next verse promises peace.


vs. 7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”


The fight is on! The battle rages! Do not fret over pressure and conflict; read your Bible, live moderately, keep your mind on the Lord, pray over each decision and do not fret.  Although the battle rages, God will bring peace into your heart. 


We have much to do; may we run into the battle prepared to fight with the peace of God.  

Pastor 

Think

Good Morning,

Today, it matters little in which industry you are involved; industry has one primary goal — self preservation. Go to a car lot and ask the salesman what you need. He will direct you to a high end car and advise the addition of all the upgrades; but you alone know what you really need. THINK!! The salesman is there for money and business, and as long as he does not hurt you, he is fine with selling you a Cadillac when an Impala would have been just fine. The average real estate agent will sell to you any property for which you qualify; and he honestly does not care about your needs — he wants a commission. Of course there are exceptions; Christians in many industries will care for the well-being of individuals, but that is not the rule out in the world.

We hear jokes about a surgery the doctor thinks one needs, only to end up with a punch line about his wife needing a new car. Sadly, more often this has proven to be true.

Today, when you go to the doctor or dentist, you cannot go in trusting him as we did in the past. The medical world, along with the pharmaceutical industry, has become a business in which they want to make money, and profit is the main goal. If you would not let the car salesman tell you what to buy, I suggest you not let the dentist tell you what to buy either — they all sell a product. When I decided to put our daughter in braces, I found it interesting that the orthodontist said nothing about life-long needs for retainers and other extras; he simply told us of the six months or a year of braces and the straight teeth. I was the ignorant parent; six months was not bad, and straight teeth would be good. Had the orthodontist told me about life-long needs I might have chosen differently.

If you let the dentist control your family choices, he will have all your children in braces (and you as well). The dental staff will schedule deep cleaning, plaque removal, and countless other expensive things they have planned for your mouth — and, of course, your wallet.

I am not saying any of these things are wrong; but there is nothing wrong with a Ferrari either, it just may not be best for me. That which is best for me is my decision to make, not the salesman’s decision, whether it be a dental salesman or a medical salesman.

If you allow the carpet salesman to pick out what you need, he will never offer you the cheapest brand, but rather the one with the most profit for himself. If you do not think that doctors and dentists will sell you more than you need, you are not a very good student of human nature. Go ahead and ask one of them; ask if they think dentists or doctors ever prescribe treatment that exceeds the necessary demands of the body. I believe there are enough honest men and women in medicine that they will admit that, within their industry, excess can be found "at times."

My cardiologist prescribed some pills for me. After reading the side effects, I determined not to take the pills. At my next visit, the doctor asked if I was taking the pills. I said, “No,” and he asked why. I explained and he assured me that I should take the pills no matter what the warnings said. I refused and he softened his voice and said, "I would never take them either! I won’t take any of that medicine." At that point, I did not know if I should punch him or thank him for finally coming clean.

Suffice it to say, men are sinners, and the nobility of position is as far gone in medicine as it is in the ministry or politics. Men are sinners, and unless restrained by the Bible and a well-trained inner conscience, they will not choose your best interest over their own.

Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Psalm 58:3 “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”

Job 15:14 “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?”

vs. 15 “Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.”

vs. 16 “How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?”

God puts no trust in us, and we should be very careful about who we trust as well.

Job 15:15 “Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints…”

Men are sinners, and the farther we get from the Bible and a religiously-centered society, the more selfishness and greed will motivate the people in leadership.

Pray, study, ask direction from others, but do not blindly let a mechanic tell you what repairs your car needs. We have all seen the reports of surveys done on auto repair shops. Do you think the medical world is exempt from the flesh and carnal nature? Think and seek God's help in discerning right and wrong, but do not let the landscape architect determine your needs around the house. (Your yard will look like Disneyland and you will be broke!) The fact that I need a car is easy to determine, but a used one for sale at $3,000 is a lot different from a new Lincoln at $40,000. I will not trust the suggestion of the car salesman. Just because I qualify for the loan, does not mean it is the best choice for my family. A cancer doctor will often admit to you that he may not cure your cancer, but he will learn much in trying and that knowledge will help others. Ask yourself if you are into trial medicine and helping others before making the decision; this is called being a guinea pig. It is okay to be a guinea pig if you want to be, but at least find out this information before it all begins. How much difficulty will you face? How many trips to the doctor? How many times will the elderly lady have to get her failing husband into the car to go for weekly tests, and how much suffering will he go through? Ask and think!

That dentist will try to give you perfect teeth, and cost is of no consequence to him. You may have perfect teeth, but you will not be able to smile because you will be crying about being broke. One of my older teenage children had an abscessed tooth. The out-of-town dentist (we were on vacation) suggested a root canal, then a crown. The cost was serious. I asked about pulling it and getting an implant. After pressing him for facts, he said a root canal and crown would need to be replaced in 7-10 years, and an implant would last over twenty years and end up costing much less. I then asked his advice and he said he suggested the root canal and crown...ready... "if cost was not a consideration." I said, I am not a dentist and cost is always a consideration! I, of course, opted to have the tooth pulled. Now, if you disagree with my choice, it does not matter; but understand that there just happens to be a more profitable path to travel in life, and most men are selfish and will send you down the path most profitable for themselves or they have different priorities than I do. I will not go to ball games on Sunday when I should be in church — that is a priority! The dentist wants a perfect smile: I want godly children; I want to tithe, support missions, and help others. Perhaps that is a reason why I did not own a house for twenty years after entering the ministry. Many of my staff members were buying homes long before me. I had priorities; right or wrong, they were mine. THINK!!

How often do you need your car waxed to protect the paint? Ask the guy you hire to wax it and you will get a more expensive answer than if you ask a paint and body shop owner who repaints cars with oxidized paint.

Men are sinners!

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Labor to be honorable in your work. If you are in a position that brings people to you for counsel, seek God. Do not trust the flesh of the average lost man, whether in the medical world or sales of exercise equipment.

A family moved to our church from a distant city, and after some months, came to me with a question. His house in the other city had finally sold. He made a good profit on it and he wondered where the tithe should go, his old church or his new one (ours)? Do you not see how quickly profit can move into our decision-making? I suggested he send it to his old church. Right or wrong, I felt I would err on the side of safety, but that is not what the average lost man in the world thinks; THINK for yourself.

Pastor

Spirit-Controlled Emotions

Good Morning,

Feelings are of God; He created emotions.  God provided emotions of love and compassion, as well as anger, but these feelings are to be guarded throughout life.

Paul said these emotions and desires of the flesh are to be kept in check at all times.

1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

We may have a high standard of ethics in our own lives, and someone without those same strong morals can make us angry.  I have seen adults frustrated and ugly toward teens who had absolutely no training — and it is not right.  We ought to desire to help the untrained teen; ugly treatment will not help.  We may be frustrated, but those feelings need to be guarded and controlled.  

Proverbs 14:17 “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.”

Proverbs 21:19 “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”

Proverbs 22:24 “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:”

When Obama was elected, I was very unhappy.  I was also angry when Clinton won, especially for the second time.  It was not a race issue, it was a liberal issue.  I hate the fact that babies may be legally killed.  I hate that some idiot in government is trying to make it wrong for a business or church to have religious convictions.  (Like those who feel strongly against abortion or homosexual marriage.)  I am angry about the lack of respect we see toward morality, decency, patriotism, and respect for our military and law enforcement; but my anger or frustration is not exhibited by burning down my neighbor’s home!  On my little street, there are three black families, three Latin families, and a single white lady (and, of course, our family).  I did not direct hate toward my neighbor when a liberal won an election.  My home was not burned down by my neighbors when Trump won.  We are civilized.  We are friendly because we respect humanity and the freedom of others.  That is an American value!  

I can say that I have some serious passion against Islam (before and after 9/11).   Islamic followers’ hate for freedom, hate for America, and violence towards those who differ from them shows their religion is wrong and their actions are satanic.  I do not like the religion of Islam at all, but I have never hurt Islamic followers or attacked them.  They, on the other hand, are willing to kill Americans in a heartbeat and cheer for the death of Israeli children.  Satan hates Israel.  Satan does not allow freedom, and as such, encourages violence and hatred.  God allows people to differ.  God encourages freedom, as is seen in the garden of Eden where He placed the forbidden fruit.  It could have been removed, but God wanted mankind to choose to obey.  Their actions were not compulsory; they were free.  

God urges us to control our passions.

There is a time for our anger if it is controlled, patient, and appropriately exhibited.   

Proverbs 25:23 “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”

Titus 1:7 “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry…”

Notice, the words NOT SOON ANGRY; anger can be appropriate.


Uncontrolled anger brings about much hurt:  

Proverbs 29:22 “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”

This behavior may be a reaction to such occurrences as a child crying, and argument about politics, or a disagreement about how to handle various household matters.  A wrong reaction is a work of Satan and evil men.   One of the evils of liquor and drugs is the breaking down of inhibitions and restraint, and causing the person to feel free to act out of control — these actions are godless.  

When we raise children, we need to constantly train them to control their feelings and to act on purpose, not out of an emotional response.   Proverbs 29:15 tells us that “…a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”   We are not to allow our children to explode in anger or respond to passion without control.  Whether in response to injustice on the playground or in the classroom, a selfish friend or unfair law, we are to train our children to control themselves and to rely on the Holy Spirit to help them be in control.

Paul explained that the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives was focused much on controlling emotions and feelings.  Closeness to God is evidenced by control of the spirit of man by the Spirit of God.

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”

vs. 23 “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

vs. 24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

vs. 25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

vs. 26 “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

The maniac in the tombs was angry, violent, and lived with unrestrained and satanic passion.  He was out of control!  That is evidence of satanic power; whether it be it in the church or the White House.

Luke 8:27 “And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.”

vs. 29 “…For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.”

One of the characteristics of men before the flood was their violence.

Genesis 6:11 “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”

vs. 13 “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

While watching sports, I find it funny that coaches say, “Put your heart into it!” or “Get excited!” about the game.  Coaches will try many different methods to get players to become passionate about the game, but then the poor guys get penalized for taunting or being excessively rough — it is hard to exhibit both of these extremes at the same time.  

Men want a passionate wife, but only in a romantic manner.  Passion about the car out of gas, bills unpaid, or the garbage running over is not on the man’s wish list.  A man may say that these emotional situations are not the same, but it is the same woman’s heart out of which they flow. If she is passionate, she will be passionate about many things!

To control our response to our emotions is right; to be in control of our anger and not let our anger cause us to sin is also right.

Ephesians 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

Doing RIGHT is not always easy.  We need much Bible, much prayer, and much good training in our homes to keep the Lord in control of our emotions and actions.  

Pastor

Television

Good Morning,

One evening, a few years ago, we sat and did something that we do not often do; we watched some television. We muted commercials, but I made some observations.

If you watch much television, you are going to end up an idiot. If you let your children watch television shows night after night, your children are going to become idiots regarding politics. If you set your family before the television night after night, you will end up with idiotic family values. As a young man, I remember hearing people call the television “the idiot box.” After an hour or so of watching Fox News, I was convinced that it is an idiot box on steroids!

When we allow millions of dollars to be spent to make stupid look good, we are going to end up fashion idiots. Allowing our boys to see feminine guys and masculine gals star in sitcoms, movies, and commercials will create gender idiots. If we give our ears to comments that are sensuous, talk or joke about private body parts, and treat vulgar, suggestive, and lewd comments as if they were appropriate, we will become moral idiots.

In addition to the moral depravity portrayed, the display of violence is appalling. I know this is a sacred cow of the conservatives because we love our shooting, fighting, and killing, but what does the Bible say about violence?

Why was the earth flooded in the days of Noah?

Genesis 6:11 “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”

vs. 13 “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Psalm 11:5 “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”

You may say what you want about this verse, but it seems God has a problem with those who love violence.

Psalm 73:6 “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.”

Pride and violence — two traits that are common in television shows.

Proverbs 4:17 “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.”

Violence has become the "wine" of the television viewer; drinking it in like a drunk with his alcohol.

Is it any wonder we have so much violence in our society when we raise our children on television and video games? Is it surprising that men hit their wives when they have seen it countless times on the television?

Idiots about morals, idiots about America, idiots about the home, idiots about their own gender, idiots about religion, and to top it all off, the frosting of violence — the end result of idiotic, violent people. (If you ask me, it sounds like a popular political party.)

That box would not be so attractive if it were not powerful and useful to evil. Guard your family by turning it off, regulating it, and limiting how much of it is seen. I am so thankful my children grew up television-ignorant (meaning, they knew nothing about it).

Pastor

Surrender

Good Morning,

Thinking of our daily lives, I am reminded of how rarely we think of the word surrender. I want to do God’s will, of course, but to sacrifice my body is not really included when I pray, “Lead me, Lord.”

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

vs. 2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We know this verse and often use it, preach it, and memorize it, but who really means it? Our Lord certainly did.

Hebrews 10:5 “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:”

Jesus knew He was coming into the world to suffer great humiliation and to die; as the song goes, “Born to die on mount Calvary.”

As we continue to read in Romans 12, we find the qualifications God has in mind when He refers to surrendering our bodies as a living sacrifice:

vs. 3 “…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…”

We can think that we deserve better, we are good, and we deserve some high honor and blessing, yet we are sinners who deserve Hell. We may think it unfair that we are hurting while another is well or that our children struggle while others have an easier life. Paul continues on the subject of sacrifice...

vs. 4 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:”

vs. 5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

We are all a part of the work of God, yet we are not the same; and as such, we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice for the cause God has uniquely designed us to fulfill. Too often, we want what another has; we want to do what another does, whether it be singing, playing, performing, etc. We all have different gifts, and we are to surrender to that gift and use it as God desires. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TO SURRENDER TO DO.

Continuing in Romans 12, God points out various gifts:

Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;”

vs. 7 “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;”

vs. 8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Some people are gifted with the ability to “show mercy.” Mercy does not seem like a glorious gift unless you are the one hurting and needing encouragement —then that gift becomes very important. Some people are gifted to minister to others, and that is also a gift from God. We are not all good at everything. Relax, we are good at what God designed us to be and do. 


Many young men would like to have a job in which they are in the limelight, but such is not the will of God. We are to surrender to whatever the will of God is and to use whatever gifts God has endowed to us. This is the surrender God speaks of in verses 1-2.

In the verses that follow, other instructions that probably go along with being surrendered to the will of God are listed:

vs. 9 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

vs. 10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

vs. 11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”

vs. 12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

vs. 13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

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

vs. 15 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

vs. 16 “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

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.”

When we say to God, “Thy will be done,” we will often need to simply do little things correctly, with a good spirit, and perhaps work hard and do so without the accolades of men.

Pleasing God and living sacrificially may simply mean being kind to someone in need and doing so “under the radar.” In verse 18, we see that a sacrificial life may be simply striving to live peaceably with one who does not make the task easy.

To present our bodies a living sacrifice could mean to die on a foreign field as a martyr, but it could also mean to go to the rest home weekly and care for those in need.

It all pleases the Lord.


Pastor

Patience

Good Morning,

If we were to get our joy from the morning news, we would be the most miserable of people. God is our refuge, our hope, our trust; we can rest in Him. Understand that the events happening at this moment are not the end result, and what we see right now is not what will be in the future. We may see evil people getting away with shame; we may see the vilest of men escaping the most logical judgment and punishment, but there is an end!!

Psalm 52:7 “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”

In this passage, we read of a man who has no use for God, but instead, trusts in himself for money and earthly wisdom.

Here on earth, some people may be caught committing a crime and remain unpunished, but not eternally. Some people will boast that they are free to run roughshod over our laws and Constitution, but there is a law of God yet to be faced and a Divine Judge to Whom they will yet answer.

In that day, God will judge the wicked:

Psalm 52:5 “God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living.”

The righteous will fear God and laugh at the wicked for not trusting in the wonderful love of God.

Psalm 52:6 “The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:”

vs. 7 “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”

What brings us peace and rest? What allows frail men to prosper in this life? Not our own righteousness, but trust in the mercy of God.

vs. 8 “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”

Psalm 73 reveals the frustration of good people seeing evil men prosper and getting away with their shameful deeds.

Psalm 73:12 “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.”

vs. 13 “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.”

vs. 14 “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

David saw evil rewarded; he watched as good people struggled and bad people seemed to have no problems; but then in church, he found the answer.

vs. 17 “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”

vs. 18 “Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.”

vs. 19 “How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.”

Make God your trust — in good days and bad.

Psalm 52:7 “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength;”

vs. 8 “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”

Trust in the Lord; it is always our best and safest course to travel. Do not worry about the wicked. God is the judge.

Pastor

God’s Plan

Good Morning,

Jeremiah 43:1”And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,”

vs. 2 “Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:”

Judah had been devastated by Babylon. Most of the people were dead or taken into captivity. In the prior chapter, the few remaining people had gone to Jeremiah seeking direction with the promise of obedience, no matter what the Lord told him.

Jeremiah 42:5 “Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.”

vs. 6 “Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”

The people said they would do anything to find peace and to have the Lord's presence. But as the passage reveals, when people do not like the Lord's answers, they tend to do follow their own ideas.

For a long time, these people had witnessed the word of this preacher come true. Over and over, they saw that the Lord was with him and that his counsel was accurate in every situation. Now, with their hearts set on going to Egypt, they went to the preacher hoping to find God's blessing on their plans. They did not want new directions, they wanted God to bless their own ideas. Of course, that did not go well.

May we not be people with a plan, trying to get God involved, but rather a surrendered people with no plan, seeking direction from God in every area.

Pastor

Freedom & Others

Good Morning,

One of the amazing attributes of God is that He offers us a free will. The fact that Adam and Eve had the choice to obey or not to obey is amazing. Throughout life, we see the same choice from God over and over. Evil men may follow their corrupt ideas; and, although there are earthly results for wicked actions, God does not force people to follow Him.

On Mount Carmel, the choice was offered:

1 Kings 18:21 “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

Joshua made the same statement as he neared the end of his life:

Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Jesus watched as many disciples walked away, but He simply asked his closest twelve what they would do — He did not forcefully compel them to stay.

John 6:67 “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”

vs. 68 “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

Barnabas, speaking to young believers, urged the people to make a wise choice and to cleave to the Lord; but the choice was theirs.

Acts 11:23 “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”

Because God offers great liberty to us in marriage, in child-rearing, in church, and in government, we may follow His direction or foolishly choose our own path.

Might I offer some thoughts here regarding choice?

We know Islam is wrong because it offers no freedom, no free will, and no willing worship; it is mandated. Although, remember that their lack of free will is no different than the Reformation churches of the Middle Ages that demanded everyone to submit to the church or to suffer banishment, death, or imprisonment. God never ordained mandatory worship. God desires the heart of willing love and submission.

In government, we may allow civil rulers to demand submission to their whims. Over the centuries, the number of men like Hitler or Saddam Hussein is infinite. Watch any city council, (our own included) and see how quickly they force citizens to follow their agenda. Again, these organizations are far from Divine in their roots, but that is not the point; freedom is the point this morning.

For instance, a church may choose which kind of service to run. The church has the freedom to develop its own programs of soul winning, teaching, and ministering to the community.

In the late 1800s, Dwight Moody saw the churches of his day ministering to families and adults but completely ignoring the countless thousands of children in the community. Like George Mueller, Moody was bothered by the forgotten children and determined to do something about it. He started bringing the rougher children of the town to church who not only would come with uncouth appearances but also would disrupt the service. Moody was told to stop bringing the children. Moody, feeling compelled to do something, rented a room and started a Sunday school for street children.

In our culture, a Sunday school class can be designed in such a way as to minister to children of all walks of life. Because of the benefits of Sunday school, let me say (as God gives us the freedom to have differing opinions) that a church without Sunday school is a selfish church; one that is focused upon itself only and allows the world to go to Hell without regard for the needs of people. Most of the adults in our churches trusted Christ as children. If we remove ministries to children, countless souls will go to Hell. If we remove the buses and Sunday school classes for rougher children, the borders of Hell will need to be enlarged.


Dr. Jack Hyles sat on the lap of his teacher on his first day in a children’s Sunday school. He asked the teacher, “Does God love me as much as He loves the children with shoes?” Yes, Sunday school was the place where the heart and soul of Dr. Jack Hyles were won. Similarly, a Sunday school teacher visited Dwight Moody and led him to Christ.

The insecure pastor who is afraid that his members will learn to teach the Bible to children and adults is doing great harm to all. The pastor who insists on everyone being in HIS services will never reach the souls he could have reached, for many will not sit in church with fussing children all around.

God gives us the freedom to choose.

The church without a bus ministry is not sinful; every church has a choice, but the church is commanded to reach the world. The duty of the church is to find some way to reach that world, but the church also has the freedom to disobey as well.

A revival church is one that has occasional revivals when a good preacher comes and preaches the Gospel and sees many people get saved.

An evangelistic church has folks invite their friends, and the pastor or teachers preach the Gospel to get them saved.


A soul-winning church goes into all the world and preaches the Gospel. It gets people saved and brings them to church.

To me, the third church sounds more like one that fulfills the Great Commissions. How a church’s members get the Gospel to the world is a free choice though.

Sunday school (and bus ministry) also allows members to teach, preach, and visit in the homes of students. Now the teacher is personally involved in the ministry and is reaching many more people for Christ. Our members need a place to serve; for they will “all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”

Here, at Faith Baptist Church, we have a serving church; our motto is “A Church of Active Faith.” We all have a place to serve if we want one. Service to others is not compulsory, but freely available.

Let me make an observation. (By the way, this is only the view of one pastor in one city for thirty-five years.) I have never seen a couple, who kept their children out of Sunday school and ministry, turn out children for God — NEVER! Those families rarely even stayed in church; but if they did, they were nominal Christians, complacent at best. I CAN show you countless servants of God in all walks of life who, as children, joined in the ministry of Sunday school, bus routes, Vacation Bible School, camps, and other outreach ministries who, today, continue to serve and glorify God through their lives. The ministry does as much for the worker as it does for the student. A selfish ministry to children will develop selfish adults. If we make the church about entertainment, people will expect it forever. Teach children to serve, then mature them into serving teens, then serving adults; this formula will yield a church that serves.

As a family, we can sit around in our comfortable, safe-space lives, or we can pour our lives out on the altar of others. We can offer our children for the service of the Lord as Hannah did. Some people object to anyone outside the family teaching their children, but notice the family from whom the great man, Samuel, came. He had a prayerful mother who freely offered her son to the service of the Lord. Although, from preschool age, Samuel had a teacher, Eli, who was far from a successful father, yet the child was incredibly blessed. (1 Samuel 1-4)

We have a choice, a free choice, like Adam and Eve. We are free to live for others or to be selfish. We are free to offer our bodies on the altar of sacrifice as Romans 12 urges. We are free to bring up our children while sacrificing their own comfort to minister to others, or we can bring up children thinking that the world revolves around them. We, as parents, can offer our families to God; and it may be, as with the great missionary Hudson Taylor, that we will bury our children prematurely. Eternity will be the rewarding time; life on earth is the serving time. 

As a church, we can have our cute little group and glory in our amazing knowledge while we do little for eternity or others, or we can reach out to the world with all our heart.

We have freedom as a family, as a church, and as a government. God allows us to choose our path, but He does not allow us to chose the outcome. The road we travel is our choice; the destination will be set.

John 12:25 “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

Pastor

Equity

Good Morning,

The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. James speaks of an honest and equitable love for all men, regardless of circumstances. I am so thankful for our church! I watch the homeless treated well, the rougher folks welcomed with open arms, and the educable slow adult treated with dignity and patience — that is a church pleasing to the Lord.

James 2:4 “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”

vs. 9 “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”

Not to treat all men with dignity and love is such a sin, an exaltation of self, and a manifestation of pride. How lovingly God has treated us despite our perverseness! We ought to respect and regard all men.

Other passages echo the same truth:

Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”

When God spoke to ISRAEL about their treatment of others, He mentioned their partiality. Men were treating one group well but treating another group unkindly. God judged the people for this and held them in contempt.

Malachi 2:9 “Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.”

Arguing with the prophet, the children of Israel claimed innocence:

vs. 10 “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?”

But the issue was their treatment of one another...

Verse 10 continues, “…why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?”

To God, dealing treacherously against one another is a major issue.

This mistreatment of one another brought about a disregard in the heart of God. God simply did not notice their tears or their offerings.

vs. 13 “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.”

God wants us to be good to each other. God wants the poor treated properly. God wants the widow and the fatherless to be cared for and loved. God promises judgment on those who oppress the widow and the fatherless or those who do not pay the worker his wages.

Malachi 3:5 “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.”

James 2:9 “...But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin…"

We need to be careful to love the brethren — all of them, with equity. Loving all men is right, but "... especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

When we walk into the door of the church, all men ought to matter, to be honored, and to be respected.

Pastor

Effeminate Men

Good morning,

Men in America have not suddenly become feminine and been drawn sexually to their own gender. The feminization of men is a Satanic work from the early days of humanity, certainly as far back as Sodom. Paul writes in the books of 1 Corinthians and Romans about being effeminate and acting against nature.

1 Corinthians 6:9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”

vs. 10 “…shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Romans 1:26 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”

vs. 27 “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

Just as the misuse of drugs and alcohol, murder, and other various forms of shameful violence are present today, effeminate men will always be in society. Mankind is sinful. Why it seems to have increased in recent decades, I cannot tell you for sure; but I have observed trends which are probably a part of the cause.

Here are a few of my observations:

• Dominant women in the home

• Men absent from their family responsibilities, forcing mom to be in charge

• Divorce and children being raised without a dad

Ready for a rough one?

Women superheroes — I will not watch a show in which the woman is the superhero. I am so narrow-minded, that someone gave me a Dr. Pepper with wonder woman on it and I almost threw it out. (I decided to drink the Dr. Pepper first, then throw out the can.)

We are erasing gender lines in life! Women are coaching boys rather than caring for the softer and more feminine needs of the home (leaving these needs unmet in the home). Women have moved into the military and police force.

1 Timothy 2:12 “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

Ready for another sacred cow? Women in politics. There is no question that women standing up to campaign, criticize other political leaders, argue, and fight the political battles of a nation puts them in a position of dynamic leadership — which places men in a position of submission. The verse above forbids that! It may not be sinful, but it is hurtful.

The problem consists of much more than, “A woman can do the job just as well as a man.” The issue consists of what it is doing to society and the home. Who is rearing the children when mom is being a soldier? Who is training the children when mom is the CEO of a business? Of course women are smart; of course, women can run a bulldozer, organize, or plan and implement, but can a man be to the home and little children what a woman can be? That is one of the issues. Can a babysitter exude the love and security that the mother can? I say, “Absolutely not!” That babysitter does the job for the money; mom does the job in love. No, dad would not be able to be all that a little child needed — Moms are unique. While mom is out “playing the man” she is failing at rearing up her boys and girls; here is where the weakening of the gender begins.

Isaiah 3:12 “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”

To be what God designed a man to be, boys need some qualities that can only be learned from male leadership and from viewing female submission. Whether it be on the job or in the home, when the man leads and the woman follows, boys learn to be men; girls also learn to be the unique creation of God that only they can be.

When these roles are wrong, a submissive, soft, feminine spirit is bred into a young man, and a forward, masculine dominance is developed in a young lady. Manliness and an independent, self-sufficient, dare-to-try type manhood is under assault and is actually being dissolved right before our eyes. The idea of a young man stepping up to another person eyeball to eyeball and daring him to start something was common in my youth — that kind of action is nearly obsolete today.

With the loss of dare and risk, we have also lost the willingness to start churches or businesses, to overhaul an engine, or go out hunting in the woods. Those things that require a calm self-confidence and self-reliance are not only slipping away, but they are also completely under assault in our country.

Carefully pick out books that boldly exemplify manliness. Find books for your children to read that glorify women and men in their biblical roles. About junior high age, I started letting my boys read Louis L’ Amour books. I blacked out bad words and let them read. These books exalt manliness, honesty, treating women right, paying debts, love for freedom and country, and many more characteristics I wanted my boys to learn. I wanted my boys to hear good preaching, not teaching, but preaching by men who fearlessly said what was right and wrong.

My wife and I were very careful about which cartoons and movies our children saw. Hollywood will ruin your children if you give it a chance. No shows with unmanly men or women in leadership ought to be allowed in front of your children's eyes. Shows in which sexual innuendos are thrown around and women are viewed as sex objects ought to be trashed. Shows with women who save the day and men are being rescued ought to be tossed as well. Cartoons in which guys wiggle around like sissies or with female dancers ought to be banished from earth!

Summer activities that breed manliness ought to be encouraged: bows and arrows, BB guns, hikes, long bike rides, swimming, climbing, jumping, fun fighting, and an occasional bloody nose ought to be accepted and encouraged. Moms do not need to huddle over their children as they grow up, especially boys; let them be free and run risks now and then.

We do humanity no favor in training women to act like men and men to act like women. To attempt to erase gender differences is not only stupid, but it is dangerous for society. Our bookstore has lessons on child rearing that deal at length with developing men and women.

If you are homeschooling your children, you simply must get those boys away from mom and under male leadership. Time to face injustice, to deal with stupid people, and to allow manly character to rub off on them from good men is a necessity.


Be certain of this one thing: the devil is out to ruin anything God does. He wants men to be like women and women to be like men. He wants the home to be a shambles and politics to create lords over slaves. Use the summer to intentionally train your boys — especially in manly characteristics.

Pastor