Yes, I know the Washington Parish Free Fair is happening just after this issue is published and we will be camping out there. This is our one annual time to take the week off and relax spending time with great grand-children. And yes, this month is also noted for Halloween (I know all you Christians shudder when that word is mentioned). We however celebrate our oldest great-granddaughter Isabella’s birthday on that day, who was born by being labor-induced October 31 five years ago. We couldn’t talk the doctor out of his (I guess) golf game the next day or she could have been born Nov. 1, All Saints Day.
In some other ways this has not been the greatest year for our family. My youngest sister Gayle passed away in April and wife Linda’s youngest sister Vicky passed away last month. It’s hard to lose anyone you know, but especially those relatives so close to your heart. In past years, I’ve lost both parents Charles and Mary and Linda has lost her father Nelson and a child, fifteen-year-old Khristy. Thankfully there is not a rule that says people should die in the order of their birth or we would know each time who was going next. “No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death . .” - Ecclesiastes 8:8-MESSAGE.
The Bible has many verses to consider when reaching our final days: Some good advice to us came from prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah who became deathly sick. He said: “. . . Put your affairs in order; you’re about to die–you haven’t long to live.” - 2 Kings 20:1-MESSAGE.
When talking about final days I always like to read Biblical Job and in these verses he is speaking out loud hoping God is listening: (5) “Mortals have a limited life span. You’ve already decided how long we’ll live–you set the boundary and no one can cross it. (6) So why not give us a break? Ease up! Even ditch-diggers get occasional days off. (7) For a tree there is always hope. Chop it down and it still has a chance– its roots can put out fresh sprouts. (8) Even if its roots are old and gnarled, its stump long dormant. (9) At the first whiff of water it comes to life, buds and grows like a sapling. (10) But men and women? They die and stay dead.” - Job 14:5-10-MESSAGE.
Both our sisters suffered long before passing. My sister Gayle was handicapped throughout her life on one side with a paralyzed arm and leg, but finally succumbed to cancer. Linda’s sister Vicky suffered with liver disease and being a long-time transplant patient was required to take anti-rejection drugs all her adult life until it finally failed. Neither ever complained about their situations. King David wrote these words: “For as long as I remember I’ve been hurting; I’ve taken the worst you can hand out, and I’ve had it.” - Psalms 88:15-MESSAGE. In my opinion this next verse applies to both: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” - Psalms 115:15-NIV.
Attending funerals make us face reality that death is inevitable: (1) “A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date. (2) You learn more at a funeral than at a feast– After all, that’s where we’ll end up. We might discover something from it.” - Ecclesiastes 7:1-2-MESSAGE.
When you live right and are right with God there is nothing to fear because there is peace in death: “The right-living people are out of their misery, they’re finally at rest. They lived well and with dignity and now they’re finally at peace.” - Isaiah 57:2-MESSAGE.
October 16, 2010
'It's Working For My Good' by Minister Frankie L. Crosby
Romans 8:28-31
To God be the glory and to my pastor, Dr. Mallery Callahan, Pastor, Sweet Rest MB Church, Franklinton,La; Pray for me as i hope this devotional touches someone, somewhere, no matter where you are in your walk w/Christ.
Here in these few passages of scripture, the Apostle Paul lets us know: 1. we have been called. 2.we have been justified. and 3. we have been glorified. we have been made right with God by faith (Roms.5:1) No matter what you are going thru today, you have and can have peace w/God! The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. The word "called" means: you are set apart, invited, summoned......you are called to be a child of God! Jer. 1:5 says: " before i formed you in your mother's womb, i knew you...." Jesus knew you and He knew me before we were even born......that's something to shout about!!!! He loves you and cares for you. Is. 54:17 says: " No weapon that is formed against us will prosper"!! No matter what the devil, life, or the enemy throws our way, God is there! God is on our side.....God will fight all your battles!!! "the battle is the Lord's"! You can rest assured that "it's working for my good". God will not leave you or forsake you(heb. 13.5,Gen. 28:15). When life throws u a curve ball, what do u do? Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind."If God be for you-who can be against you?! God tells Joshua in Jos. 1:5: " as i was with Moses, so shall i be with you".....Jesus will always be with us....."Greater is He that is in Him, than He that is in the world"....we are more than conquerors with Jesus on our side. God is working to make things work out for our "GOOD'....sickness, heartache, set-backs, disappointments.....they all work out for our '''''good""......It can only work out if you love God/are called by Him....Have you answered the "call"? Please take a few minutes and ask the Lord into your life and your heart.....He's a just God....He's a faithful God...and, He's waiting on you!!! won't you come-----COME TO JESUS TODAY, JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!!! God bless you and your family!!!!
MIN. FRANKIE L. CROSBY
ASSOC., Sweet Rest MB Church
Franklinton, LA
To God be the glory and to my pastor, Dr. Mallery Callahan, Pastor, Sweet Rest MB Church, Franklinton,La; Pray for me as i hope this devotional touches someone, somewhere, no matter where you are in your walk w/Christ.
Here in these few passages of scripture, the Apostle Paul lets us know: 1. we have been called. 2.we have been justified. and 3. we have been glorified. we have been made right with God by faith (Roms.5:1) No matter what you are going thru today, you have and can have peace w/God! The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. The word "called" means: you are set apart, invited, summoned......you are called to be a child of God! Jer. 1:5 says: " before i formed you in your mother's womb, i knew you...." Jesus knew you and He knew me before we were even born......that's something to shout about!!!! He loves you and cares for you. Is. 54:17 says: " No weapon that is formed against us will prosper"!! No matter what the devil, life, or the enemy throws our way, God is there! God is on our side.....God will fight all your battles!!! "the battle is the Lord's"! You can rest assured that "it's working for my good". God will not leave you or forsake you(heb. 13.5,Gen. 28:15). When life throws u a curve ball, what do u do? Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind."If God be for you-who can be against you?! God tells Joshua in Jos. 1:5: " as i was with Moses, so shall i be with you".....Jesus will always be with us....."Greater is He that is in Him, than He that is in the world"....we are more than conquerors with Jesus on our side. God is working to make things work out for our "GOOD'....sickness, heartache, set-backs, disappointments.....they all work out for our '''''good""......It can only work out if you love God/are called by Him....Have you answered the "call"? Please take a few minutes and ask the Lord into your life and your heart.....He's a just God....He's a faithful God...and, He's waiting on you!!! won't you come-----COME TO JESUS TODAY, JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!!! God bless you and your family!!!!
MIN. FRANKIE L. CROSBY
ASSOC., Sweet Rest MB Church
Franklinton, LA
The Year Of Miracles By Dr. Mallery Callahan
When we are faced with a great need, either for ourselves or for others, we should begin by humbly seeking to know God’s will in the matter. Praying for a miracle is welcoming a gift of the Holy Spirit to manifest. When His will is to work one, He will witness that to your heart. Then you can ask Him to perform the miracle that you know He wants to bring about. believe in your heart that it has already happened! With the anointing of faith that God gives you, speak it forth. But remember, miracles come by faith in God’s present power not human works or will power.
When we are worried, upset, or depressed, all we are really doing is delaying God in bring the victory. When you are going through a tough time in your life, even if you don’t feel like keeping a positive attitude. You don’t have to fight this battle. Stand still and you will see the deliverance of the Lord.
When negative thoughts come, reject them and replace them with God’s thoughts. When you’re in the attitude of faith, you are opening the door for God to work in your situation. You may not see anything happening with your natural eyes, but don’t let that discourage you. GOD IS AT WORK. God will bring you out with Victory.
DR. Mallery Callahan
Pastor, Sweet Rest M.B.C.
Franklinton, La.
When we are worried, upset, or depressed, all we are really doing is delaying God in bring the victory. When you are going through a tough time in your life, even if you don’t feel like keeping a positive attitude. You don’t have to fight this battle. Stand still and you will see the deliverance of the Lord.
When negative thoughts come, reject them and replace them with God’s thoughts. When you’re in the attitude of faith, you are opening the door for God to work in your situation. You may not see anything happening with your natural eyes, but don’t let that discourage you. GOD IS AT WORK. God will bring you out with Victory.
DR. Mallery Callahan
Pastor, Sweet Rest M.B.C.
Franklinton, La.
What God Wants From His People By Burdette Thomas
We are going to take this weeks study to help us see what God wants from his people. We like to live our lives the way we want too. As a child of God, we should want to please him. Besides after we are saved we are not of ourselves but we belong to him. The reason for this is because he paid a great price for us. He gave his only begotten Son to die on Calvary that we might have eternal life. We wonder in the day in which we live why we are not blessed no more than we are. Have you ever though that we might not be living the life that God wants us to live. Maybe we are not living a life that he can bless. You see for God to bless his people there are some things we must do. I would like for us to look at some scriptures in the Bible to help us see what God wants from us. First I would like for us to look at 2 Chron. 7:14, “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14 (KJV)
Here in this verse we find what it takes for us to get a prayer through to God. We find that first off all we need to realize that we are the people that are called by his name. God is talking to the saved. The people that have been born again washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. He is not talking to people that are not saved. He is not talking about those that are out here in the world. He is talking about his people. When you begin to look around us today we will find we as the people of God are not where our forefathers were. If you would take time to talk to some of the elderly Christians you find that they were closer to God back thirty, fifty years ago. So we wonder what happen. Could it be God has changed and we as his people don’t know what he wants? I believe it is that we as his people have changed and left God out of the picture. I know it is not God because he never changes. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:5-6 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8 (KJV)
So we are the people of God. We are the redeemed. The called out, the chosen ones of God. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV)
I have seen a lot of changes in my life time. Some have been for the better but some have been for the worst. So as the people of God the first thing he tells us that we need to do is humble ourselves. This is something most people find hard to do. Some think that to be humble means you are weak, but this is not true. I would rather be weak in body and be strong in the Lord. Let us look and see what some of the scriptures tell us. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov 16:18-19 (KJV)
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:14-15 (KJV)
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:5-6 (KJV)
These are just a few scriptures that we can look at and find that God wants us to be humble. The second thing we are to do is pray. There are so many people in the world that claim to be a child of God but never bow their heads in prayer. They never say grace before a meal. That lets me know that they are not thankful for what God has given them. So I ask us how is our prayer life. First of all a lot of times we don’t even know what to pray for. Jesus taught us in His word how we should pray. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:5-15 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:18 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)
Prayer is our only means of talking with God. We always pray in the name of Jesus. When we pray we must seek after the Lord. We must clear our hearts and minds of all the worldly things and pray earnest to him seek his face. Then we must turn away from our wicked ways. God will answer our prayer if try to hold on to the things of the world. We must turn lose of it all and seek him with our whole heart. After all of this is done then will God hear our prayer. God will hear and answer prayer like he did in days of old, with men like Abraham, Moses, David, the three Hebrew children, Daniel and a church that meet together and prayed with ceasing for one of their brothers who was in jail. When God hears our prayer and answers it, it makes us feel good. He said that when we did things his way he would hear and that he would heal. Look around us today and see if there is any healing that needs to be done. Then ask yourself am I doing all I can for the church I attend. Am I doing every thing for my family? Am I doing all I can for my country. People if there is anything to be done it have to be done Gods way.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Here in this verse we find what it takes for us to get a prayer through to God. We find that first off all we need to realize that we are the people that are called by his name. God is talking to the saved. The people that have been born again washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. He is not talking to people that are not saved. He is not talking about those that are out here in the world. He is talking about his people. When you begin to look around us today we will find we as the people of God are not where our forefathers were. If you would take time to talk to some of the elderly Christians you find that they were closer to God back thirty, fifty years ago. So we wonder what happen. Could it be God has changed and we as his people don’t know what he wants? I believe it is that we as his people have changed and left God out of the picture. I know it is not God because he never changes. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:5-6 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8 (KJV)
So we are the people of God. We are the redeemed. The called out, the chosen ones of God. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV)
I have seen a lot of changes in my life time. Some have been for the better but some have been for the worst. So as the people of God the first thing he tells us that we need to do is humble ourselves. This is something most people find hard to do. Some think that to be humble means you are weak, but this is not true. I would rather be weak in body and be strong in the Lord. Let us look and see what some of the scriptures tell us. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov 16:18-19 (KJV)
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:14-15 (KJV)
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:5-6 (KJV)
These are just a few scriptures that we can look at and find that God wants us to be humble. The second thing we are to do is pray. There are so many people in the world that claim to be a child of God but never bow their heads in prayer. They never say grace before a meal. That lets me know that they are not thankful for what God has given them. So I ask us how is our prayer life. First of all a lot of times we don’t even know what to pray for. Jesus taught us in His word how we should pray. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:5-15 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:18 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)
Prayer is our only means of talking with God. We always pray in the name of Jesus. When we pray we must seek after the Lord. We must clear our hearts and minds of all the worldly things and pray earnest to him seek his face. Then we must turn away from our wicked ways. God will answer our prayer if try to hold on to the things of the world. We must turn lose of it all and seek him with our whole heart. After all of this is done then will God hear our prayer. God will hear and answer prayer like he did in days of old, with men like Abraham, Moses, David, the three Hebrew children, Daniel and a church that meet together and prayed with ceasing for one of their brothers who was in jail. When God hears our prayer and answers it, it makes us feel good. He said that when we did things his way he would hear and that he would heal. Look around us today and see if there is any healing that needs to be done. Then ask yourself am I doing all I can for the church I attend. Am I doing every thing for my family? Am I doing all I can for my country. People if there is anything to be done it have to be done Gods way.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
JERUSALEM By Joyce Mizell
Years ago Ms. Anna Foster requested a song on my radio program. The name of the song was Jerusalem. I could feel in my spirit how important the song was to her, although I never met the lady. Most of the lyrics were in Hebrew. Today while putting this article together thoughts of Ms. Anna and the song are in my memory bank.
History reveals the fact that many mighty empires have fallen. Jerusalem has survived through the years. It’s a gallery of past history and a symbol of hope for the future. When King David made Jerusalem the capital it became world history. However, before it was the capital our Bible tells us plenty about Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love her. Psalm 122:6 The Lord will extend peace to her like a flowing stream he will give peace. Isa.66:12
When Christ fills the second temple the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former saith the Lord of host. Hag. 2:9
The book of Ezekiel tells us that Ezekiel witnessed the departure of the glory of the Lord departing from off the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubims. Ezek. 10:18 Abraham looked for the city whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:10
Rev. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down our of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my name. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. What a tranquil picture of the New Jerusalem!
The past Edemic curse spoken about in Gen. 3: 14 -19 will be gone forever. The Saints will serve God and reign with him forever. Daniel 7: 18, 27 The glory of God will make other sources of light unnecessary.
The return of Jesus Christ can happen at any moment! He will return for his bride, the Church. Lets give some thought to the New Jerusalem The blessings of God’s beautiful city is for those who obey his word. God has called us to holiness.
Our Lord is coming back to earth again to gather his own He will gather those who are alive but does not want us to be ignorant about those in the graves. The dead in Christ will rise to be with the Lord. Just think for a moment about Jesus descending from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then those alive will be caught up. Are we watching and waiting for the return of Christ?
History reveals the fact that many mighty empires have fallen. Jerusalem has survived through the years. It’s a gallery of past history and a symbol of hope for the future. When King David made Jerusalem the capital it became world history. However, before it was the capital our Bible tells us plenty about Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love her. Psalm 122:6 The Lord will extend peace to her like a flowing stream he will give peace. Isa.66:12
When Christ fills the second temple the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former saith the Lord of host. Hag. 2:9
The book of Ezekiel tells us that Ezekiel witnessed the departure of the glory of the Lord departing from off the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubims. Ezek. 10:18 Abraham looked for the city whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:10
Rev. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down our of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my name. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. What a tranquil picture of the New Jerusalem!
The past Edemic curse spoken about in Gen. 3: 14 -19 will be gone forever. The Saints will serve God and reign with him forever. Daniel 7: 18, 27 The glory of God will make other sources of light unnecessary.
The return of Jesus Christ can happen at any moment! He will return for his bride, the Church. Lets give some thought to the New Jerusalem The blessings of God’s beautiful city is for those who obey his word. God has called us to holiness.
Our Lord is coming back to earth again to gather his own He will gather those who are alive but does not want us to be ignorant about those in the graves. The dead in Christ will rise to be with the Lord. Just think for a moment about Jesus descending from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then those alive will be caught up. Are we watching and waiting for the return of Christ?
October 9, 2010
Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes - Oct. 1st Edition
Looking at our calendars, we have seven long months each with 31 days and five shorter ones with 30 days or less. This month of October is a long one and one of the better ones in my opinion. Weather now has a chance of getting cooler, while God’s handiwork and glory this month give our trees, flowers and roadside plants beautiful colors. The problem is that these colors are short-lived. They briefly beautify our forests, yards and roadways, and then ‘poof’, they are gone when cold air reaches them. Where we live, our seasonal weather change keeps us looking forward to what’s coming next, but grass or weed growth and leaves falling creates work and problems outside our homes. Even though temperatures sometimes hang on we are still thankful for short and defined seasons unlike some places having only one temperate zone like those living near the equator or closer to the polar caps.
Our Bible has many features and references about shortness, brevity, including abbreviated stories. Here are a few: This is a short six word obituary: “. . .There Miriam died and was buried.” - Numbers 20:1-NIV. I like to read about Biblical Job because he toughed it out, hung in there and came out better in the end. Here, he has momentary joy: “Are not my days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy.”- Job 10:20-NIV. Job also had great wisdom. He seemed to know comparatively that life on earth is like a fleeting shadow: (1) “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble (2) He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.” Job 14:1-2-NIV.
This is one of the shortest stories in the Bible: (14) “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: (15) Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. (16) Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”- Ecclesiastes 9:14-16-KJV. Also, there are several brief single-chapter Books in the Bible. These are: Obadiah 1-21; Philemon 1-21; 2 John 1-13; 3 John 1-14 and Jude 1:25. The shortest chapter in the Bible is Jeremiah 45:1-5.
Jesus, with authority, gave a short two-word command: “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”- Mark 2:14-KJV. At a very young age, when I first started learning and memorizing Bible verses I could always get by quoting the shortest verse in the Bible -- a two-word verse: “Jesus wept”-John 11:35-KJV.
Here is a profound truth for us Gentiles stated briefly: (1) “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles (2) Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, (3) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation . . . ”- Ephesians 3:1-3-NIV. There were ten kings with the shortest reign: (12) “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast (13) They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”- Revelation 17:12-13-NIV.
Finally, here is the most important short sentence and verse in the Bible “ . . . Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”- Ecclesiastes 12:12-13-KJV.
Our Bible has many features and references about shortness, brevity, including abbreviated stories. Here are a few: This is a short six word obituary: “. . .There Miriam died and was buried.” - Numbers 20:1-NIV. I like to read about Biblical Job because he toughed it out, hung in there and came out better in the end. Here, he has momentary joy: “Are not my days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy.”- Job 10:20-NIV. Job also had great wisdom. He seemed to know comparatively that life on earth is like a fleeting shadow: (1) “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble (2) He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.” Job 14:1-2-NIV.
This is one of the shortest stories in the Bible: (14) “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: (15) Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. (16) Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”- Ecclesiastes 9:14-16-KJV. Also, there are several brief single-chapter Books in the Bible. These are: Obadiah 1-21; Philemon 1-21; 2 John 1-13; 3 John 1-14 and Jude 1:25. The shortest chapter in the Bible is Jeremiah 45:1-5.
Jesus, with authority, gave a short two-word command: “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”- Mark 2:14-KJV. At a very young age, when I first started learning and memorizing Bible verses I could always get by quoting the shortest verse in the Bible -- a two-word verse: “Jesus wept”-John 11:35-KJV.
Here is a profound truth for us Gentiles stated briefly: (1) “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles (2) Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, (3) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation . . . ”- Ephesians 3:1-3-NIV. There were ten kings with the shortest reign: (12) “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast (13) They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”- Revelation 17:12-13-NIV.
Finally, here is the most important short sentence and verse in the Bible “ . . . Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”- Ecclesiastes 12:12-13-KJV.
God Changes Lives by Elder Burdette Thomas
This week we are going to look at a subject that will change a person’s life. When a person gets saved their lives change. They will be like the apostle Paul. He said after he got saved that the things he once loved he now hated and the things he once hated he now loved. So you see salvation will bring about a change in a persons life. We are not to judge a person but we can look for fruit in their lives. There are many people who claim to be a Christian but you see no fruit in their lives. There has not been a change. They still say and do the same things they have always done. So the Bible tells us to look for fruit. “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:15-20 (KJV)
Jesus is teaching us here that if you are saved things will be different in your life. He uses natural illustrations to get this lesson over to you and me. When one gets saved he is a new creature in Christ Jesus. “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)
SO after salvation Jesus makes all things new so we have a new beginning. Things change and we should be a different person. There are people in the Bible that bear this out. In John Chapter 4 it tells us of a woman that came to the well to draw water. She received more than just water that day but she received living water. She was saved. This woman had never thought about Jesus. Now she was face to face with the Master. He told her of her life which this astonished her. A stranger knew every thing about her. “16 Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly’”. John 4:16-18 (KJV)
After Jesus talked with this woman she asks him for that living water which he gave to her. This woman’s heart was changed. She went out to tell others about Jesus. 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29 (KJV)
Many believed in Jesus because of this woman’s testimony. You have to understand these people knew this woman and the kind of life she was living. Now when she came to them they saw a difference in her. They saw something in her that they had never seen before. In Luke Chapter 19 we find a man by the name of Zaccheus that had got saved and a change took place in his life. “1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.’ 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)
You see this man got a good doss of God’s salvation. I feel that there are a lot of people today that what they need is a good doss of salvation. This man was willing to give half of his goods to the poor and if he had taken anything from any man by false accusation he was willing to restore him fourfold. This mans life had changed. We live in a time when some people all they think about are themselves. Everything is about themselves. Maybe these people need what Zacchaeus got. A good doss of God’s salvation. I tell you it will make a change in your life. In Acts 9 we read about a Pharisee by the name of Saul. “1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” Acts 9:1 (KJV)
This man fought as hard as any body against God and His people. Saul was going to Damascus to punish the people of God there. But on the road to Damascus God saved this man named Saul. “4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’” Acts 9:4-6 (KJV)
God sent him to a man named Ananias there he was to learn what he was to do. This Saul who God changed his name to Paul was used of God to preach the gospel and write many books of the New Testament. This mans life was changed after he meet the Master. I am well aware that a person can lose the joy of their salvation. You cannot lose the salvation but you can the joy. The way we lose the joy is by turning away from God and everything that He is. When this happens I feel people are most miserable. There are a lot of people out there that looks like they have lost their joy. They have lost their song. You might even say their wood is so wet that you never could get a fire built. There is a man in the Bible by the name of David that lost his joy. “7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:7-13 (KJV)
There are people who say they have been saved but never tell anyone. People I am not ashamed of my salvation or my Jesus. If you are saved you should want to tell everyone we meet.
I trust that this has been a blessing to each one of you that reads it. If you are saved see if there has been a change in your life. Everyone one of us at one point and time in our lives has tried to change the way we were living. It might have lasted for a little while but things would soon return to the old ways. Believe me when God changes a life it is changed. May God bless you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Jesus is teaching us here that if you are saved things will be different in your life. He uses natural illustrations to get this lesson over to you and me. When one gets saved he is a new creature in Christ Jesus. “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)
SO after salvation Jesus makes all things new so we have a new beginning. Things change and we should be a different person. There are people in the Bible that bear this out. In John Chapter 4 it tells us of a woman that came to the well to draw water. She received more than just water that day but she received living water. She was saved. This woman had never thought about Jesus. Now she was face to face with the Master. He told her of her life which this astonished her. A stranger knew every thing about her. “16 Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly’”. John 4:16-18 (KJV)
After Jesus talked with this woman she asks him for that living water which he gave to her. This woman’s heart was changed. She went out to tell others about Jesus. 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29 (KJV)
Many believed in Jesus because of this woman’s testimony. You have to understand these people knew this woman and the kind of life she was living. Now when she came to them they saw a difference in her. They saw something in her that they had never seen before. In Luke Chapter 19 we find a man by the name of Zaccheus that had got saved and a change took place in his life. “1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.’ 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)
You see this man got a good doss of God’s salvation. I feel that there are a lot of people today that what they need is a good doss of salvation. This man was willing to give half of his goods to the poor and if he had taken anything from any man by false accusation he was willing to restore him fourfold. This mans life had changed. We live in a time when some people all they think about are themselves. Everything is about themselves. Maybe these people need what Zacchaeus got. A good doss of God’s salvation. I tell you it will make a change in your life. In Acts 9 we read about a Pharisee by the name of Saul. “1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” Acts 9:1 (KJV)
This man fought as hard as any body against God and His people. Saul was going to Damascus to punish the people of God there. But on the road to Damascus God saved this man named Saul. “4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’” Acts 9:4-6 (KJV)
God sent him to a man named Ananias there he was to learn what he was to do. This Saul who God changed his name to Paul was used of God to preach the gospel and write many books of the New Testament. This mans life was changed after he meet the Master. I am well aware that a person can lose the joy of their salvation. You cannot lose the salvation but you can the joy. The way we lose the joy is by turning away from God and everything that He is. When this happens I feel people are most miserable. There are a lot of people out there that looks like they have lost their joy. They have lost their song. You might even say their wood is so wet that you never could get a fire built. There is a man in the Bible by the name of David that lost his joy. “7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:7-13 (KJV)
There are people who say they have been saved but never tell anyone. People I am not ashamed of my salvation or my Jesus. If you are saved you should want to tell everyone we meet.
I trust that this has been a blessing to each one of you that reads it. If you are saved see if there has been a change in your life. Everyone one of us at one point and time in our lives has tried to change the way we were living. It might have lasted for a little while but things would soon return to the old ways. Believe me when God changes a life it is changed. May God bless you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Abusing Grace -Matthew 21:12-16 by Rev. Chad Jenkins
Are you a grace abuser? I look around today, and it seems more and more that folks are living for the moment. “If it feels good, do it!” is their battle cry. The trouble with that idea is that there is pleasure in sin for a season. Often times what feels right at the moment can have huge consequences down the road. So we compromise our solid footing in the Word and justify our sins, trying to convince ourselves that the Lord “understands.” We begin to develop a “flexible morality.” Sometimes we are faithful, and sometimes we are not.
Please understand, I am glad to live under the grace and mercy of Christ. I am humbled that he would accept me, stained as I am, and wash me clean in the blood of Calvary. Sometimes though, I think we neglect to see the balance of grace and justice in Christ. The Gospel of John says that Jesus grew up before men “full of grace and truth.” The grace we like, but the truth hurts. If we took a poll today, I think the vast majority of us would admit that we don’t consider the justice of the Lord nearly as much as His grace. We want the Lord to take as we are, and He does, but then we don’t want Him to change us. We still want it our way.
This is not a new thing. Paul warned the believers of his day not to use grace as a license to sin. He could see the writing on the wall. He understood human nature. We want to know just how close we can get to sin and still be saved from it. Jesus made it clear that we either stand with Him or against Him. He said that no man can serve two masters. In the world, and the church for that matter, we see the trappings of the world. “What’s in it for me?” “How do I benefit from denying myself!?!?”
We have a clear picture in the Bible of what Jesus thought of “flexible morality.” Read Matthew 21:12-16:
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13”It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.' " 14ÊThe blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise' ?"
Jesus had no room for idolatry in the temple. If we consider that the Bible says our bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” then it stands to reason we should not allow idolatry in our lives. His concern was that God’s people spend time in a relationship with their heavenly Father, not going through a bunch of religious motions. Certainly he didn’t care for an admission fee at the gates of the temple.
We don’t like to see this side of Jesus. We prefer to see Him in a Renaissance painting, with wispy hair and trickle of blood on His brow. We get uncomfortable at the idea of Jesus, a masculine and sweaty carpenter, coming into our house and turning over the tables of our unfaithfulness. We want to talk about Jesus when it’s comfortable, call on Him when we have a need, and keep Him out of our business the rest of the time. That is flexible morality.
I read a story several years ago, and have kept it and referred to it many times. It really helps me understand the arrogance of selective faith and weak morals. In 1992, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dennis Curtis was arrested for armed robbery. Though he had broken the law of the land, Dennis apparently had his code of ethics. The police found a folded piece of paper in his pocket with a list of “rules” he had for himself:
1) I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2) I will take cash and food stamps--no checks
3) I will rob only at night.
4) I will not wear a mask.
5) I will not rob mini-marts or 7-eleven stores.
6) If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7) I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8) I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
` This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by his standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state. Likewise, when we stand before the Lord we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God’s perfect law.
So, where do you stand? Are you letting the perfect law of the Lord guide you, or are you carrying around your own list of what is right and wrong?
Please understand, I am glad to live under the grace and mercy of Christ. I am humbled that he would accept me, stained as I am, and wash me clean in the blood of Calvary. Sometimes though, I think we neglect to see the balance of grace and justice in Christ. The Gospel of John says that Jesus grew up before men “full of grace and truth.” The grace we like, but the truth hurts. If we took a poll today, I think the vast majority of us would admit that we don’t consider the justice of the Lord nearly as much as His grace. We want the Lord to take as we are, and He does, but then we don’t want Him to change us. We still want it our way.
This is not a new thing. Paul warned the believers of his day not to use grace as a license to sin. He could see the writing on the wall. He understood human nature. We want to know just how close we can get to sin and still be saved from it. Jesus made it clear that we either stand with Him or against Him. He said that no man can serve two masters. In the world, and the church for that matter, we see the trappings of the world. “What’s in it for me?” “How do I benefit from denying myself!?!?”
We have a clear picture in the Bible of what Jesus thought of “flexible morality.” Read Matthew 21:12-16:
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13”It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.' " 14ÊThe blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise' ?"
Jesus had no room for idolatry in the temple. If we consider that the Bible says our bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” then it stands to reason we should not allow idolatry in our lives. His concern was that God’s people spend time in a relationship with their heavenly Father, not going through a bunch of religious motions. Certainly he didn’t care for an admission fee at the gates of the temple.
We don’t like to see this side of Jesus. We prefer to see Him in a Renaissance painting, with wispy hair and trickle of blood on His brow. We get uncomfortable at the idea of Jesus, a masculine and sweaty carpenter, coming into our house and turning over the tables of our unfaithfulness. We want to talk about Jesus when it’s comfortable, call on Him when we have a need, and keep Him out of our business the rest of the time. That is flexible morality.
I read a story several years ago, and have kept it and referred to it many times. It really helps me understand the arrogance of selective faith and weak morals. In 1992, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dennis Curtis was arrested for armed robbery. Though he had broken the law of the land, Dennis apparently had his code of ethics. The police found a folded piece of paper in his pocket with a list of “rules” he had for himself:
1) I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2) I will take cash and food stamps--no checks
3) I will rob only at night.
4) I will not wear a mask.
5) I will not rob mini-marts or 7-eleven stores.
6) If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7) I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8) I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
` This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by his standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state. Likewise, when we stand before the Lord we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God’s perfect law.
So, where do you stand? Are you letting the perfect law of the Lord guide you, or are you carrying around your own list of what is right and wrong?
Good Morning Denominational Christian by Richard Spurlock
Intro:
I felt great urgency to place this in the September 16th Edition, but for the lack of space it had to wait until now... A few days later another Devotional Seven Marks Of A Bible Christian By John Lavier crossed my path and I understood why it had to wait... Please read it with an open mind, search your Bible and dwell on the Word and not what others have told you...
Friday, August 27
Good Morning Everyone,
There is an uneasiness in my Spirit as I get ready to go after the papers in McComb and start delivering today... I headed out of Bogalusa on Thursday, Aug. 26 to get the papers, but a sudden headache in the back of my head helped me realize just how tired I was... A realization that I might make it there, but was not sure that I could make it home... As I turned and drove back to Bogalusa, the headache stopped and a calmness filled me...
Last night I slept for over six hours... I cannot remember the last time I did this without being sick... Even with the Shingles last month and a fatigued feeling I slept off and on but not for long at any one time... The redness in my right eye that had Shingles remains blood shot and aching... There are a few places in my scalp that are still sore... I pushed myself too much this week and probably got too stressed out at times... Praying the Shingles do not return... Chronic cough has returned in the last week... Over a month too soon for my yearly bout with Bronchitis...
Part of a verse comes to mind - Absent from the body - Present with the Lord... I wonder is this something I was taught as a child, but is not in the Bible... I look it up...
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 ( For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The thoughts of Friends of my past that have already faced the Angel of Death and made life's final journey comes to mind... My Dad, RonE, Catherine, Abraham, Donnie, Frank, there are more, but the names do not come to me right now... It is enough to know that these Christian friends are truly in a better place... So many face this each day, their family saying "they are in a better place", but without that person’s realization that JESUS is the Only Way to this better place they face the only alternative - The Lake of FIRE... So many people look at this and say, GOD is a good God and would not punish us that severely for not looking upon HIS Son as the Savior of the World... He/She was a good person... Good people don't go to Hell, or do they???
For those that read this and they have loved one, relative or friend that has faced death recently or perhaps just a breath away and prayers are being lifted to spare their life for a few moments longer, I give you this to think about...
Forget the Fire, forget the unbelievable pain, the stench, and focus if you will on a dark lonely place... Pitch dark, no light, you speak but do not hear, all you have is your thoughts of a life on earth... All the bad times, none of the good... Not so much as a glimmer of love left in your body... All the negative emotions we try to avoid on earth are magnified... To end this is your desire, but the end never comes... All your friends that looked upon Hell as the Eternal Party Place are no where to be found, they are in their own lonely dark place... Alone... The thoughts of your child, friend or spouse that accepted JESUS as their personal savior and are in Heaven with JESUS is blocked... THERE IS NO JOY in the fact that at least someone you knew made it to Heaven... Worst of All, the realization that your refusal to accept JESUS as your Savior and your desire to follow the ways of the World has been you downfall... The words of satan ring true in your ear as you think back to the many times the Holy Spirit tried to convict you of your sinful ways and satan kept telling you that you had time to be a goody two shoe Christian... Have fun now, because once you become a Christian the fun is over... Well you waited a breath too long... Your chance has passed... By not choosing, you made your decision... It's not what GOD will do, it is because of what you didn't do... You Did It... It was Your Decision and You Blew It...
Now you are alone for all eternity... No Light, No Love, No Joy, No Smiles, Not even a happy thought to dwell on, and worst of all - No JESUS...
JESUS said in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
There are a lot of people that call themselves "CHRISTIANS", but are Christian in name only... Good people, Generous People, People in Church on the front pew every time the door opens that will realize one breath too late that their path to Heaven has lead them to the Broad Gate of Destruction and the Lake of FIRE...
Not by what I say or by what man has said, but by what GOD has said... The Bible - Read, Study, Verify what you have been taught... Don't pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe... It's All or None... There are no contradictions...
Over 350,000 people will die today... Many will spend Eternity in the Lake of FIRE...
Matthew 7:13-15 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
I ask you One Question -
I felt great urgency to place this in the September 16th Edition, but for the lack of space it had to wait until now... A few days later another Devotional Seven Marks Of A Bible Christian By John Lavier crossed my path and I understood why it had to wait... Please read it with an open mind, search your Bible and dwell on the Word and not what others have told you...
Friday, August 27
Good Morning Everyone,
There is an uneasiness in my Spirit as I get ready to go after the papers in McComb and start delivering today... I headed out of Bogalusa on Thursday, Aug. 26 to get the papers, but a sudden headache in the back of my head helped me realize just how tired I was... A realization that I might make it there, but was not sure that I could make it home... As I turned and drove back to Bogalusa, the headache stopped and a calmness filled me...
Last night I slept for over six hours... I cannot remember the last time I did this without being sick... Even with the Shingles last month and a fatigued feeling I slept off and on but not for long at any one time... The redness in my right eye that had Shingles remains blood shot and aching... There are a few places in my scalp that are still sore... I pushed myself too much this week and probably got too stressed out at times... Praying the Shingles do not return... Chronic cough has returned in the last week... Over a month too soon for my yearly bout with Bronchitis...
Part of a verse comes to mind - Absent from the body - Present with the Lord... I wonder is this something I was taught as a child, but is not in the Bible... I look it up...
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 ( For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The thoughts of Friends of my past that have already faced the Angel of Death and made life's final journey comes to mind... My Dad, RonE, Catherine, Abraham, Donnie, Frank, there are more, but the names do not come to me right now... It is enough to know that these Christian friends are truly in a better place... So many face this each day, their family saying "they are in a better place", but without that person’s realization that JESUS is the Only Way to this better place they face the only alternative - The Lake of FIRE... So many people look at this and say, GOD is a good God and would not punish us that severely for not looking upon HIS Son as the Savior of the World... He/She was a good person... Good people don't go to Hell, or do they???
For those that read this and they have loved one, relative or friend that has faced death recently or perhaps just a breath away and prayers are being lifted to spare their life for a few moments longer, I give you this to think about...
Forget the Fire, forget the unbelievable pain, the stench, and focus if you will on a dark lonely place... Pitch dark, no light, you speak but do not hear, all you have is your thoughts of a life on earth... All the bad times, none of the good... Not so much as a glimmer of love left in your body... All the negative emotions we try to avoid on earth are magnified... To end this is your desire, but the end never comes... All your friends that looked upon Hell as the Eternal Party Place are no where to be found, they are in their own lonely dark place... Alone... The thoughts of your child, friend or spouse that accepted JESUS as their personal savior and are in Heaven with JESUS is blocked... THERE IS NO JOY in the fact that at least someone you knew made it to Heaven... Worst of All, the realization that your refusal to accept JESUS as your Savior and your desire to follow the ways of the World has been you downfall... The words of satan ring true in your ear as you think back to the many times the Holy Spirit tried to convict you of your sinful ways and satan kept telling you that you had time to be a goody two shoe Christian... Have fun now, because once you become a Christian the fun is over... Well you waited a breath too long... Your chance has passed... By not choosing, you made your decision... It's not what GOD will do, it is because of what you didn't do... You Did It... It was Your Decision and You Blew It...
Now you are alone for all eternity... No Light, No Love, No Joy, No Smiles, Not even a happy thought to dwell on, and worst of all - No JESUS...
JESUS said in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
There are a lot of people that call themselves "CHRISTIANS", but are Christian in name only... Good people, Generous People, People in Church on the front pew every time the door opens that will realize one breath too late that their path to Heaven has lead them to the Broad Gate of Destruction and the Lake of FIRE...
Not by what I say or by what man has said, but by what GOD has said... The Bible - Read, Study, Verify what you have been taught... Don't pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe... It's All or None... There are no contradictions...
Over 350,000 people will die today... Many will spend Eternity in the Lake of FIRE...
Matthew 7:13-15 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
I ask you One Question -
Do You Know My JESUS???
Seven Marks Of A Bible Christian By John Lavier
Editor Note: John Lavier is not a local writer; however I find that his Devotional was a great follow up for the previous Devotional by Richard Spurlock entitled "Good Morning Denominational Christian"
1. Gods people are a SAVED people.
Theirs is not a hope-so salvation, but a know-so salvation. They know on the authority of Gods own Holy Word. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Having believed, they are saved from sin. They are saved from the wages of sin, which is death. They are saved from the lake of fire, and the blackness of darkness forever. They are saved, not by their own works, but by God, Who hath SAVED us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 1:9).
2. Gods people are a SANCTIFIED people.
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thess. 2:13). Like the Corinthians, they were sinners of the deepest dye, yet now it may be said of them: But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11). Sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer, even before he is conscious of his justification, is set apart to God. It is based upon the redemptive work of Christ. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10). Christ Himself becomes the believers sanctification. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30).
3. Gods people are a SEPARATED people.
Just as God of old put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel (Exo. 11:7), so there is today a difference between the people of God and the people of the world. Jesus said, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:19). The separation is to be manifested by Gods people, for the Lords command is, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (2 Cor. 6:17). Though in the world, Gods people are not of the world, and they are to walk in separation from the evil that surrounds them.
4. Gods people are a SPIRITUAL people.
Paul wrote, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the SPIRIT, if so be that the SPIRIT of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT of Christ, he is none of his (Rom. 8:9). All of Gods people are indwelt by the Spirit, and their bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. They are taught by the Spirit (John 14:26), they are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14), and they are empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8). They should all be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).
5. Gods people are a SEALED people.
The believer is instructed, And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). Then in Ephesians 1:13, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of promise. The words after that ye believed are in the Greek only one word pisteusantes, which means believing. Simultaneously with their believing the gospel, Gods people are sealed. First, the seal signifies a finished transaction. The work of our redemption has been completed. Jesus cried, It is finished (John 19:30). The seal also signifies ownership. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods (1 Cor. 6:19-20). They belong to God. His seal is upon them. Finally, the seal signifies security. They are sealed unto the day of redemption. There will be a safe delivery of Gods purchased possession at the end of the line. They are safe and secure in Christ. Sealed in Him so that all the legions of hell cannot touch them.
6. Gods people are a SEATED people.
The Lord Jesus, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God (Heb. 10:12). Those who have trusted Him and are resting in His finished and all-perfect work, are also seated with Him. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us SIT together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6). The saved are, in very truth, a heavenly people. Their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Their citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Their home is in heaven (2 Cor. 5:1). Their blessings are in heaven (Eph. 1:3). Their inheritance is in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4). They are seated in heaven. As members of the Body, they are there with the Head, seated at the Fathers right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
7. Gods people are a SATISFIED people.
The prophet asked, Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? (Isa. 55:2) Many there are today who are giving all their time and attention to the things of earth; seeking satisfaction in that which satisfieth not. How happy are those who have found Him Who alone can satisfy. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he SATISFIETH the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness (Psa. 107:8-9). Lasting joy, and peace, and satisfaction is to be found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. He satisfies. Daily, hourly, moment by moment, He satisfies. All through lifes journey, He satisfies, and when Gods children close their eyes to this earthly scene, and open them in the realms of endless glory Ah! then, their satisfaction will be complete. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be SATISFIED, when I awake, with thy likeness (Psa. 17:15).
How Much Do You Trust Him? By Dr. Mallery Callahan
We trust tires on our cars not to blow out when we speed 70 miles per hour. We trust the cables on the elevator to hold when they take us to the 40th floor. We trust the chairs we sit in to hold us up, Do we trust God. as much as we do the things around us ?
Most of us don't trust God as much as we trust a ballpoint pen. But God is faithful with us. No matter how bad things look, we need to trust God that He is in control, carrying out His plan for us. We, like David, need to learn to trust God all the way. Believe on Jesus Christ with complete Confidence. Believe, knowing that He will honor His Word. We must be totally persuaded that Jesus is Lord of ALL.
Dr. Mallery Callahan
Pastor, Sweet Rest M.B.C.
Franklinton, La.
Most of us don't trust God as much as we trust a ballpoint pen. But God is faithful with us. No matter how bad things look, we need to trust God that He is in control, carrying out His plan for us. We, like David, need to learn to trust God all the way. Believe on Jesus Christ with complete Confidence. Believe, knowing that He will honor His Word. We must be totally persuaded that Jesus is Lord of ALL.
Dr. Mallery Callahan
Pastor, Sweet Rest M.B.C.
Franklinton, La.
Transfer By Association by Joyce Mizell
Shops are filled with designs to view and select to transfer on shirts and other items. The person picks out his or her favorite design and has it transferred to the selected item. Transfer by association is referred to in God’s Holy Written Word. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20
Who determines the wise and the foolish person? The Word of God is the final authority. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:10 If and when we associate with those having bad habits it’s possible we may be influenced to do wrong. We are all aware of the fact that a little leaven leaveth the whole lump. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 1 Corinthians 5:6
A small amount of sin can have giant size effect on a person. Let’s take different animals listed in the Bible and learn how God’s Word portrays them to people who are sinning. Sin has a corruption influence on a life.
1-SNAKE a person sinning is compared to a snake. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him. Job 20:16
2-The DONKEY is known for its stubbornness. For the vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt. Job 11:12
3-The BEAR is known for cruelty. The bear mentioned in Daniel 7:5 is a reference to the country of Medo-Persia
4-The DOG is known for uncleanness. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Proverbs 26:11
5-The LEOPARD is known for its fierceness. In Daniel 7:6 the leopard represents a country that gained dominion.
6-The FOX for its cunning ways. (Jesus Speaking) And he said unto them, God ye and tell that fox, behold I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Luke 13:32
7-MOTH has an appetite Job 27:18
8-Sheep for stupidity All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
9-A SPIDER’S WEB for flimsiness They hatch cockatrice eggs (vipers) and weave the spiders web: he that eateth their eggs dieth and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Isaiah 59:5
10-PIG is filthy - But it is happened according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2nd Peter 2:22
11-The WOLF is ferocious. (Jesus Speaking) But he that is a hireling the shepherd whose the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep. John 10:12
One of my favorite scriptures concerning our transfer by association of another person is found in Proverbs. Iron sharpeneth iron: so a man of understanding sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17.
We all know the proper tool will sharpen and shape iron for its special use. A person who believes in God and his Holy Word can sharpen his or her friend morally and intellectually by this personal friendship. We must remember the Fool has said in his heart there is NO GOD!
This article is titled Transfer By Association. “We’re known by the company we keep,” has been echoed over and over through the years. I’m sure you have heard it. Everything we will ever need to know about building ourselves spiritually and morally is written on the pages of God’s Holy Word. Let’s pick associates who love the Lord. Let’s one and all transfer the Word of God into our hearts and keep it as our daily lifetime guide. A born again believer in Jesus Christ should transfer fruits of the Holy Spirit of God each day of their life. Galatians 5:22, 23
Who determines the wise and the foolish person? The Word of God is the final authority. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:10 If and when we associate with those having bad habits it’s possible we may be influenced to do wrong. We are all aware of the fact that a little leaven leaveth the whole lump. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 1 Corinthians 5:6
A small amount of sin can have giant size effect on a person. Let’s take different animals listed in the Bible and learn how God’s Word portrays them to people who are sinning. Sin has a corruption influence on a life.
1-SNAKE a person sinning is compared to a snake. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him. Job 20:16
2-The DONKEY is known for its stubbornness. For the vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt. Job 11:12
3-The BEAR is known for cruelty. The bear mentioned in Daniel 7:5 is a reference to the country of Medo-Persia
4-The DOG is known for uncleanness. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Proverbs 26:11
5-The LEOPARD is known for its fierceness. In Daniel 7:6 the leopard represents a country that gained dominion.
6-The FOX for its cunning ways. (Jesus Speaking) And he said unto them, God ye and tell that fox, behold I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Luke 13:32
7-MOTH has an appetite Job 27:18
8-Sheep for stupidity All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
9-A SPIDER’S WEB for flimsiness They hatch cockatrice eggs (vipers) and weave the spiders web: he that eateth their eggs dieth and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Isaiah 59:5
10-PIG is filthy - But it is happened according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2nd Peter 2:22
11-The WOLF is ferocious. (Jesus Speaking) But he that is a hireling the shepherd whose the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep. John 10:12
One of my favorite scriptures concerning our transfer by association of another person is found in Proverbs. Iron sharpeneth iron: so a man of understanding sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17.
We all know the proper tool will sharpen and shape iron for its special use. A person who believes in God and his Holy Word can sharpen his or her friend morally and intellectually by this personal friendship. We must remember the Fool has said in his heart there is NO GOD!
This article is titled Transfer By Association. “We’re known by the company we keep,” has been echoed over and over through the years. I’m sure you have heard it. Everything we will ever need to know about building ourselves spiritually and morally is written on the pages of God’s Holy Word. Let’s pick associates who love the Lord. Let’s one and all transfer the Word of God into our hearts and keep it as our daily lifetime guide. A born again believer in Jesus Christ should transfer fruits of the Holy Spirit of God each day of their life. Galatians 5:22, 23
September 19, 2010
Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes
I used to hear relatives, especially male ones, exclaim “It’s hell to get old.” Every year when my birthday comes around I keep wondering if I will ever feel that way. So far I have been blessed and feel that “It’s great to be old.” I don’t consider reaching the age I am now was caused by always living right, but I’m thankful to God that He’s allowed me to last this long. I’m not sure that correct diets, good or bad habits, anything healthy or even detrimental to our bodies is a complete reason for longevity. I’ve known young people to succumb early by drinking or smoking and I ve read of those whose ages are a hundred or more and who still drink Jack Daniels and have smoked all their life. Only the Lord determines our death date.
Now we are in the middle of September 2010 and during these next two weeks Summer changes to Autumn. Throughout my memory there has always been a comparison of a person’s age to seasons. Newborns and youngsters were compared to Spring. Teens and younger adults are compared to Summer. Older adults are Autumn and those in the latter stages of life are Winter. You may have heard stories of marriages by comparing them to seasons. An example would be like someone in the Autumn years of their life marrying a Spring chicken. As we get older and are still able, our memory of times past sometimes becomes clearer than things that have happened recently.
The Bible has many things to say about being older and remembering back. Consider these verses: “I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.” - Psalms 77:5. Even cities had memories: “Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.” - Lamentations 1:7. Poor old Biblical Job, in times of his misery, had memories: (2) “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; (3) When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; (4) As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; (5) When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; (6) When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil”; - Job 29:2-6. Isaiah was prophesying to not remember: (18) “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. (19) Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:18-19. Also: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” - Isaiah 65:17. King David had memories: “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” - Psalms 143:5. The apostle Peter lied about his memory: (66) “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: (67) And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. (68) But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.” - Mark 14: 66-68. Paul couldn’t always remember: “And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” - 1 Corinthians 1:16.
And the most important thing to remember when you are saved is from our Lord: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 10:17.
Now we are in the middle of September 2010 and during these next two weeks Summer changes to Autumn. Throughout my memory there has always been a comparison of a person’s age to seasons. Newborns and youngsters were compared to Spring. Teens and younger adults are compared to Summer. Older adults are Autumn and those in the latter stages of life are Winter. You may have heard stories of marriages by comparing them to seasons. An example would be like someone in the Autumn years of their life marrying a Spring chicken. As we get older and are still able, our memory of times past sometimes becomes clearer than things that have happened recently.
The Bible has many things to say about being older and remembering back. Consider these verses: “I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.” - Psalms 77:5. Even cities had memories: “Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.” - Lamentations 1:7. Poor old Biblical Job, in times of his misery, had memories: (2) “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; (3) When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; (4) As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; (5) When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; (6) When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil”; - Job 29:2-6. Isaiah was prophesying to not remember: (18) “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. (19) Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:18-19. Also: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” - Isaiah 65:17. King David had memories: “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” - Psalms 143:5. The apostle Peter lied about his memory: (66) “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: (67) And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. (68) But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.” - Mark 14: 66-68. Paul couldn’t always remember: “And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” - 1 Corinthians 1:16.
And the most important thing to remember when you are saved is from our Lord: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 10:17.
Living a Life of Love by Rev. Chad Jenkins
The word (and maybe the concept of) “love” has been hijacked in our culture. One might say, “I love pizza,” or “I love the Saints.” You could claim love for your pet, a car, or even an idea. So what does it say to us when we read:
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 (NIV)
Do these words hit the same chord with us as that did with the Ephesian church? As you may know there were three words for love in the New Testament, and the word Paul writes here is the most intense of them. It is the same word used to describe God’s love for us. It is an abiding, all-powerful, unconditional love. It is the love that was exemplified by Jesus.
If we are to live in this love we should necessarily strive to see it at it’s finest, and that is in life of Jesus. The Bible says, “Greater love has no man than He would lay His life down for his friends.” Jesus painted with broad and bold strokes the picture that we are called to follow. I recently read of a mother trying to carefully explain to her young son about the love of God. He was inquisitive about the Lord and his work, and he asked his mother, “How can I know God if I can’t see Him?”
The mother asked her son, “You know your Daddy, don’t you?”
“Yes,” came his reply.
“And, if you were blind, would you still know him?”
“Sure.”
You’d know what Daddy is like by the things he says, wouldn’t you?" He nodded again.
“And we know what God is like, too, by the things He says in His Word. And you’d know that Daddy loves you, because he would tell you so & do everything he could for you. That’s how we know God loves us, too. He tells us so, & He has given us so much to help us have a wonderful life. But most of all, He gave us Jesus to take away our sins & to show us what God is really like. And even though you couldn’t see Daddy—if you were blind—you could hear his voice & feel when he is near. And in the same way, through Jesus we can hear God’s voice & feel Him near, too. That’s why, even though we can’t see God, we can be very certain what He is like."
Finally the little fellow exclaimed, "I know," he exclaimed, "We don’t see God outside. We see Him inside."
There is a lot of truth in that conversation. We need to know God’s love before we can truly love others.
Secondly, we need to express that love to others. This may take on many forms as it did with Jesus. He loved the “untouchables” of the culture. He welcomed the despised and the common and rich and the powerful all on equal footing. He prayed for those who walked with Him and for those that rejected Him. He spoke encouragement to the down trodden, and rebuked His closest friends when they stumbled into sin.
The Lord loves us at our weakest and our best, because he loves us unconditionally. One way the culture has hijacked love is summed up in the buzzword “tolerance.” We need to understand that the love of Jesus makes us accountable. One of the most dangerous teachings that Paul faced and that we still face today, is apathy toward sin.
Recently, a wanted criminal called his sister for help. He had been on the run for days, now the police had him in hiding and he needed help. The sister was torn, she loved her brother, she didn’t want him to be harmed, but she knew what he had done. Out of love for him, she called the police exactly where he was. Some might scoff at that and call it betrayal, but this woman knew that her brother was going to end up dead if she did not take action.
How many of us, if our children were drowning, would casually mention there need to swim, and hope that they found a life vest? Hopefully no one reading this could be so cold. Yet that is exactly what we do everyday and call it love. We tolerate the sin of those we love to avoid confrontation, to avoid conflict. Meanwhile, they are drowning in there sin.
Friends, if we are to “live a life of love,” we must jump in and share the love of Jesus with all those who need it.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 (NIV)
Do these words hit the same chord with us as that did with the Ephesian church? As you may know there were three words for love in the New Testament, and the word Paul writes here is the most intense of them. It is the same word used to describe God’s love for us. It is an abiding, all-powerful, unconditional love. It is the love that was exemplified by Jesus.
If we are to live in this love we should necessarily strive to see it at it’s finest, and that is in life of Jesus. The Bible says, “Greater love has no man than He would lay His life down for his friends.” Jesus painted with broad and bold strokes the picture that we are called to follow. I recently read of a mother trying to carefully explain to her young son about the love of God. He was inquisitive about the Lord and his work, and he asked his mother, “How can I know God if I can’t see Him?”
The mother asked her son, “You know your Daddy, don’t you?”
“Yes,” came his reply.
“And, if you were blind, would you still know him?”
“Sure.”
You’d know what Daddy is like by the things he says, wouldn’t you?" He nodded again.
“And we know what God is like, too, by the things He says in His Word. And you’d know that Daddy loves you, because he would tell you so & do everything he could for you. That’s how we know God loves us, too. He tells us so, & He has given us so much to help us have a wonderful life. But most of all, He gave us Jesus to take away our sins & to show us what God is really like. And even though you couldn’t see Daddy—if you were blind—you could hear his voice & feel when he is near. And in the same way, through Jesus we can hear God’s voice & feel Him near, too. That’s why, even though we can’t see God, we can be very certain what He is like."
Finally the little fellow exclaimed, "I know," he exclaimed, "We don’t see God outside. We see Him inside."
There is a lot of truth in that conversation. We need to know God’s love before we can truly love others.
Secondly, we need to express that love to others. This may take on many forms as it did with Jesus. He loved the “untouchables” of the culture. He welcomed the despised and the common and rich and the powerful all on equal footing. He prayed for those who walked with Him and for those that rejected Him. He spoke encouragement to the down trodden, and rebuked His closest friends when they stumbled into sin.
The Lord loves us at our weakest and our best, because he loves us unconditionally. One way the culture has hijacked love is summed up in the buzzword “tolerance.” We need to understand that the love of Jesus makes us accountable. One of the most dangerous teachings that Paul faced and that we still face today, is apathy toward sin.
Recently, a wanted criminal called his sister for help. He had been on the run for days, now the police had him in hiding and he needed help. The sister was torn, she loved her brother, she didn’t want him to be harmed, but she knew what he had done. Out of love for him, she called the police exactly where he was. Some might scoff at that and call it betrayal, but this woman knew that her brother was going to end up dead if she did not take action.
How many of us, if our children were drowning, would casually mention there need to swim, and hope that they found a life vest? Hopefully no one reading this could be so cold. Yet that is exactly what we do everyday and call it love. We tolerate the sin of those we love to avoid confrontation, to avoid conflict. Meanwhile, they are drowning in there sin.
Friends, if we are to “live a life of love,” we must jump in and share the love of Jesus with all those who need it.
LIFE’S DESTINATION By Joyce Mizell
The ship of life sails the moment that we first breathe
From beginning to end we may encounter rough seas
Clear vision is needed to bring our vessel safely home
In boisterous winds and angry water we’re not alone
If our vessel seems to be sinking and we have no hope
Anchor in Jesus Christ our Savior; let him hold the rope
Jesus will never leave or forsake us; his words are true
Sail to safe harbor and there he waits for me and you
Heaven is our final destination; our eternal home of rest
We must obey God’s Word repent our sin, do our best
What beauty when we have arrived on Heaven’s shore
Our Destination reached to live with Christ for ever more
Joyce Mizell
September 5, 2010
From beginning to end we may encounter rough seas
Clear vision is needed to bring our vessel safely home
In boisterous winds and angry water we’re not alone
If our vessel seems to be sinking and we have no hope
Anchor in Jesus Christ our Savior; let him hold the rope
Jesus will never leave or forsake us; his words are true
Sail to safe harbor and there he waits for me and you
Heaven is our final destination; our eternal home of rest
We must obey God’s Word repent our sin, do our best
What beauty when we have arrived on Heaven’s shore
Our Destination reached to live with Christ for ever more
Joyce Mizell
September 5, 2010
Gossiping And Backbiting By Brother Shelton
Today is a time when a lot of things are going on. From people being killed to banks being robbed to children being beaten up to couples just living together, if you look hard enough and know enough people I am sure that you will see something that you think that everyone should know about or you just want to tell a close friend so they will know. That is called gossiping and in some cases backbiting.
It has been said that, “We should say nothing of a person in his absence that we are not willing to say if he were present.” How few of us govern our conversation according to this rule. There is a very small poem that say’s, “Guard well thy tongue –It stretches far; For what you say, tells what you are.” You know that if you talk bad about someone then most likely you are judging them and you should not do that to anyone. In chapter 7 in the book of Matthew verses 1-6, it says, 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 6Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” You see you may tell your friend one thing, but when they tell someone else they will add something about you and the further the story goes, the bigger and worse it gets.
You see also in Matthew chapter 5 verse 13 it say’s, “Ye are the salt of the earth; But if the salt has lost it’s savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing , but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of man.” So you see you are considered important in this world to man and to God, so you should watch what you do and what you say. For someone may be counting on you to show them the right way to that go in life. Not only by doing but by words. You see we are in a spiritual war with a deadly foe tracking us ever hour of the day. We need to be in the best shape possible to cope with the darts and arrows he hurls our way. Flabby, overindulged, pampered, Christians just don’t have stamina to fight this battle. Thus the Lord puts us on a spiritual treadmill every now and then to keep us in good fighting condition and sometimes it is to try your faith. You see if you see someone doing or saying something wrong, you should not go to your closest friend and tell them, but take the person who said or did it off to the side alone and with a very friendly composure, tell them that what just happened or said was wrong and do not judge them or tell anyone. If you do, you sin as much as they do. In the book of Luke chapter 17 verse, 1—4, Jesus said to His disciples, “Things that causes people to sin are bound to come , but woe to that person through whom they come . It would be better for him to that be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves, If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you says, “I repent”, forgive him. You see he will have to answer for his sins just like you. That is why you must walk close with him every day and talk with him every day.
You see I thought you might like to think about this. “Across the fields of yesterday, He sometimes comes to me, A little lad just back from play. The boy I used to be. He smiles at me so wistfully, when once He’s crept within, it is as though he’d hoped to see, the man I might have been.” You see no one is perfect in life but we must not stop trying. I also found this poem that I thought you might like called “Divine Power”.
With his love,
Brother Shelton
It has been said that, “We should say nothing of a person in his absence that we are not willing to say if he were present.” How few of us govern our conversation according to this rule. There is a very small poem that say’s, “Guard well thy tongue –It stretches far; For what you say, tells what you are.” You know that if you talk bad about someone then most likely you are judging them and you should not do that to anyone. In chapter 7 in the book of Matthew verses 1-6, it says, 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 6Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” You see you may tell your friend one thing, but when they tell someone else they will add something about you and the further the story goes, the bigger and worse it gets.
You see also in Matthew chapter 5 verse 13 it say’s, “Ye are the salt of the earth; But if the salt has lost it’s savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing , but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of man.” So you see you are considered important in this world to man and to God, so you should watch what you do and what you say. For someone may be counting on you to show them the right way to that go in life. Not only by doing but by words. You see we are in a spiritual war with a deadly foe tracking us ever hour of the day. We need to be in the best shape possible to cope with the darts and arrows he hurls our way. Flabby, overindulged, pampered, Christians just don’t have stamina to fight this battle. Thus the Lord puts us on a spiritual treadmill every now and then to keep us in good fighting condition and sometimes it is to try your faith. You see if you see someone doing or saying something wrong, you should not go to your closest friend and tell them, but take the person who said or did it off to the side alone and with a very friendly composure, tell them that what just happened or said was wrong and do not judge them or tell anyone. If you do, you sin as much as they do. In the book of Luke chapter 17 verse, 1—4, Jesus said to His disciples, “Things that causes people to sin are bound to come , but woe to that person through whom they come . It would be better for him to that be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves, If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you says, “I repent”, forgive him. You see he will have to answer for his sins just like you. That is why you must walk close with him every day and talk with him every day.
You see I thought you might like to think about this. “Across the fields of yesterday, He sometimes comes to me, A little lad just back from play. The boy I used to be. He smiles at me so wistfully, when once He’s crept within, it is as though he’d hoped to see, the man I might have been.” You see no one is perfect in life but we must not stop trying. I also found this poem that I thought you might like called “Divine Power”.
With his love,
Brother Shelton
Confidence in God By Elder Burdette Thomas
We are going to do our lesson today on having confidence in the Lord. We have confidence in some people of today. We have confidence in preachers, mothers, fathers and many other people we have had an impact on our lives. What I would like to get us to realize is that we need confidence in the true and living God. By the help of our Lord I would like to take some men in the Bible and help us see the confidence they had in God. If you will read Genesis Chapter 22, you will find that a man by the name of Abraham had confidence in God. God had promised Abraham and Sarah a child. God full filled that promise and gave them a son and they named him Isaac. As the child grew there came a day when God spoke to Abraham.
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Gen 22:1-2 (KJV)
We find that Abraham did not hesitate. The next morning he and the lad rose up and began their journey. They would journey to place that God would show him. On the third day Abraham saw the mountain the place he was to offer his son as a sacrifice unto God. Abraham had enough confidence in God that he was willing to take his son up that mountain and offer him to the Lord. He might not have understood how God was going to do it but he was sure of one thing that he was going to bring Isaac back down that mountain alive.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. Gen 22:-5 (KJV)
After Abraham built the altar he laid the wood in order and bound Isaac and laid him on the altar.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Gen 22:10-12 (KJV)
God provided a ram for the sacrifice. So Abraham and Isaac returned down the mountain and then went home. He had great confidence in God. Why can’t we have this kind of confidence in God? He is still the same today as He was then. Now we will go to a young lad by the name of David. In 1 Samuel 17 we find a story that we were told as little children. A story that is so true about David and Goliath. David was just a lad when he came to the place where the Philistines were making war with Israel . When David heard Goliath defy the army of God he said is there not a cause. No one would go out and fight this giant. David said I will go fight this giant. You have to realize that Goliath was a man of war. He had fought many battles and never lost a one. But this time he was fighting a young lad that had confidence in God. David was sure that God was going to give him the victory.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 1 Sam 17:37 (KJV)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel , whom thou hast defied. 1 Sam 17:45 (KJV)
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 1 Sam 17:49-50 (KJV)
So you see David prevailed because he had the utmost confidence in the God he served. We are serving the greatest God that there has ever been. A God that moves mountains, dried up the Red Sea and makes the sun, moon and stars to shine. We have seen the great hand of God in our lives so there is no reason that we can’t have this confidence in God. In the Job Chapter 19 we read about another man who had confidence in God. Even after every thing he went through he still believed and trusted in God. 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19:25-27 (KJV)
You see Job realized that it did not matter what happen to him in this life that he would see God on this earth with his own eyes. That is confidence in God. In Daniel we read about three Hebrew children that would not bow to any other god. Their lives were threatened. The king told them that if they would not bow to his image they would be cast into a fiery furnace.
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Dan 3:16-18 (KJV)
These young men were not afraid to put there trust in their God. The reason is because they had confidence in him that he would take care of them. I could go on and on with this but time and pages would not permit. So ask us do we have this kind of confidence in God. You can put God to the test and he will prove to be true every time. He will bring you through things in your life that you never dreamed possible. Let me plead with us to put our confidence in God and not in man. Man will let you down when God never will. I trust that this lesson has been a blessing to each of you that would take the time to read.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Gen 22:1-2 (KJV)
We find that Abraham did not hesitate. The next morning he and the lad rose up and began their journey. They would journey to place that God would show him. On the third day Abraham saw the mountain the place he was to offer his son as a sacrifice unto God. Abraham had enough confidence in God that he was willing to take his son up that mountain and offer him to the Lord. He might not have understood how God was going to do it but he was sure of one thing that he was going to bring Isaac back down that mountain alive.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. Gen 22:-5 (KJV)
After Abraham built the altar he laid the wood in order and bound Isaac and laid him on the altar.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Gen 22:10-12 (KJV)
God provided a ram for the sacrifice. So Abraham and Isaac returned down the mountain and then went home. He had great confidence in God. Why can’t we have this kind of confidence in God? He is still the same today as He was then. Now we will go to a young lad by the name of David. In 1 Samuel 17 we find a story that we were told as little children. A story that is so true about David and Goliath. David was just a lad when he came to the place where the Philistines were making war with Israel . When David heard Goliath defy the army of God he said is there not a cause. No one would go out and fight this giant. David said I will go fight this giant. You have to realize that Goliath was a man of war. He had fought many battles and never lost a one. But this time he was fighting a young lad that had confidence in God. David was sure that God was going to give him the victory.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 1 Sam 17:37 (KJV)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel , whom thou hast defied. 1 Sam 17:45 (KJV)
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 1 Sam 17:49-50 (KJV)
So you see David prevailed because he had the utmost confidence in the God he served. We are serving the greatest God that there has ever been. A God that moves mountains, dried up the Red Sea and makes the sun, moon and stars to shine. We have seen the great hand of God in our lives so there is no reason that we can’t have this confidence in God. In the Job Chapter 19 we read about another man who had confidence in God. Even after every thing he went through he still believed and trusted in God. 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19:25-27 (KJV)
You see Job realized that it did not matter what happen to him in this life that he would see God on this earth with his own eyes. That is confidence in God. In Daniel we read about three Hebrew children that would not bow to any other god. Their lives were threatened. The king told them that if they would not bow to his image they would be cast into a fiery furnace.
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Dan 3:16-18 (KJV)
These young men were not afraid to put there trust in their God. The reason is because they had confidence in him that he would take care of them. I could go on and on with this but time and pages would not permit. So ask us do we have this kind of confidence in God. You can put God to the test and he will prove to be true every time. He will bring you through things in your life that you never dreamed possible. Let me plead with us to put our confidence in God and not in man. Man will let you down when God never will. I trust that this lesson has been a blessing to each of you that would take the time to read.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
One Face-Two Names By Joyce Mizell
Saul was the man raised in the Jews’ religion and later believed on Jesus Christ and became Paul. He saw the LIGHT and His life was changed.
On the day of Pentecost God inaugurated his gospel for the apostles and others to tell all over the world. After Saul saw the Light he became one of the chosen apostles. What a permanent change in this man. The Holy Spirit gave him a new way of life. The New Testament is filled with his writings. Paul, himself tells us he saw the Light of God. He became a God fearing believing Spirit filled Christian. What a drastic change for the old man Saul who thought Christians should be killed. Jesus and the Holy Spirit in his life made the difference. If we used street talk one may say, Paul had been there and done that!
Through the Word in the New Testament Paul confessed his sins. He thought he should do things contrary to the name of Jesus Christ before his conversion. Acts 26:9-I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10-Which things I also did in Jerusalem and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the CHIEF PRIESTS, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. Yes, One Face-Two Names. The writings of Paul are so important! We’re so blessed that he saw the Light!
In the History of time it’s easy to see and understand how Satan has tried to stop the Word of God. The name of Jesus has been abused, misused, re-named, defamed and more adjectives I haven’t written down. We can be certain that God’s Word will never be changed! It’s forever settled in heaven and man’s wicked ways will never stop it.
The old man Saul had done so much against Christians that he felt the least of the apostles after his conversion. 1 Corinthians15: 9-For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God . His belief in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit changed this One Face With Two Names to One face and one name PAUL
Paul (as Saul) had all the things by law performed on him by his parents but after he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ he counted it all loss for Christ. Phil. 3:6. We may ask the question, why did he do so much against Christians? The Word tells us he did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13 - Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but I found mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Betty Jean Robinson sings a song I love-Don’t Let The Door Of Mercy Close On You. What a testimony we have in Paul. He found mercy in believing in Jesus Christ. God made a place in his kingdom for one and all. Read all about it in John 3:16
On the day of Pentecost God inaugurated his gospel for the apostles and others to tell all over the world. After Saul saw the Light he became one of the chosen apostles. What a permanent change in this man. The Holy Spirit gave him a new way of life. The New Testament is filled with his writings. Paul, himself tells us he saw the Light of God. He became a God fearing believing Spirit filled Christian. What a drastic change for the old man Saul who thought Christians should be killed. Jesus and the Holy Spirit in his life made the difference. If we used street talk one may say, Paul had been there and done that!
Through the Word in the New Testament Paul confessed his sins. He thought he should do things contrary to the name of Jesus Christ before his conversion. Acts 26:9-I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10-Which things I also did in Jerusalem and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the CHIEF PRIESTS, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. Yes, One Face-Two Names. The writings of Paul are so important! We’re so blessed that he saw the Light!
In the History of time it’s easy to see and understand how Satan has tried to stop the Word of God. The name of Jesus has been abused, misused, re-named, defamed and more adjectives I haven’t written down. We can be certain that God’s Word will never be changed! It’s forever settled in heaven and man’s wicked ways will never stop it.
The old man Saul had done so much against Christians that he felt the least of the apostles after his conversion. 1 Corinthians15: 9-For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God . His belief in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit changed this One Face With Two Names to One face and one name PAUL
Paul (as Saul) had all the things by law performed on him by his parents but after he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ he counted it all loss for Christ. Phil. 3:6. We may ask the question, why did he do so much against Christians? The Word tells us he did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13 - Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but I found mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Betty Jean Robinson sings a song I love-Don’t Let The Door Of Mercy Close On You. What a testimony we have in Paul. He found mercy in believing in Jesus Christ. God made a place in his kingdom for one and all. Read all about it in John 3:16
September 1, 2010
SEPT. 1, ‘10 - Baptizing by Elder Burdette Thomas
I would like to do my study this week on baptism. People have so many different views on this subject. By God’s help I would like to take scriptures and let us know what the Bible says.
First of all we read in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” This is the great commission that Jesus gave to the church. He gave the church the authority to baptize. Ministers don’t even have the right to baptize; this comes from the church and only the church. Jesus is teaching us here the way to baptize, and that is in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Some people say that baptizing a person is not important. Some say you have to be baptize in order to be saved. Baptism is important and as a child of God we should want to follow Christ in baptism. As we know he set the example for us in Matthew 3:13-17, “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comst thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straight way out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
So if our Lord was willing to be baptized why should we put up a fuss about it. So it is important in its own way.
Now it is not a must for salvation. You can be saved and never be baptized. You see you are born in to the family of God and than you are baptized in to the church. The reason I can say that you can be saved and not be baptized is that in Luke 23:42-43, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comst into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
You see this thief turned to the Lord while hanging on the cross and asked for forgiveness in his own way. He ask the Lord to remember him and he did. He was never baptized but he was saved.
Baptism comes after salvation. We find many in the scriptures that follow the Lord and His example in baptism. Acts 8:26-40, teaches us of a man by the name of Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch had went to Jerusalem . While he was there he heard some teaching from Isaiah. When he was returning home, he was reading but could not understand what he was reading. God had all ready provided a man to go and help him. When Philip joined himself with the eunuch he begin preaching Jesus unto him. Before long the eunuch was saved and wanted to be baptized. Philip baptized him and then that went their separate ways. Paul himself was baptized after he was saved in Acts 9.
In Acts 16:25-40, we read where Paul and Silas were in the Philippian jail. They had been beaten and case in to prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then about midnight Paul and Silas began to sing and praise the Lord. The others in the prison heard them, but not only did they hear them God heard. He sent an earthquake that shook the very foundation of the prison. All the doors were opened and every mans bonds was loosed. The jail being asleep, awoke and seeing all these thing pulled his sword and was about to take his own life. Paul seeing this said, sir do thyself no harm for we are all here. The jailer call for a light and fell before Paul and Silas and said, sirs what must I do to be saved. They told him and after salvation he was baptized.
So you see baptism is important. It entiles us to be a part of the greatest work known to man. Part of the church which belongs to God. When you get right down to it baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. I trust I have been a blessing if you need to talk with me please call.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
First of all we read in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” This is the great commission that Jesus gave to the church. He gave the church the authority to baptize. Ministers don’t even have the right to baptize; this comes from the church and only the church. Jesus is teaching us here the way to baptize, and that is in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Some people say that baptizing a person is not important. Some say you have to be baptize in order to be saved. Baptism is important and as a child of God we should want to follow Christ in baptism. As we know he set the example for us in Matthew 3:13-17, “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comst thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straight way out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
So if our Lord was willing to be baptized why should we put up a fuss about it. So it is important in its own way.
Now it is not a must for salvation. You can be saved and never be baptized. You see you are born in to the family of God and than you are baptized in to the church. The reason I can say that you can be saved and not be baptized is that in Luke 23:42-43, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comst into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
You see this thief turned to the Lord while hanging on the cross and asked for forgiveness in his own way. He ask the Lord to remember him and he did. He was never baptized but he was saved.
Baptism comes after salvation. We find many in the scriptures that follow the Lord and His example in baptism. Acts 8:26-40, teaches us of a man by the name of Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch had went to Jerusalem . While he was there he heard some teaching from Isaiah. When he was returning home, he was reading but could not understand what he was reading. God had all ready provided a man to go and help him. When Philip joined himself with the eunuch he begin preaching Jesus unto him. Before long the eunuch was saved and wanted to be baptized. Philip baptized him and then that went their separate ways. Paul himself was baptized after he was saved in Acts 9.
In Acts 16:25-40, we read where Paul and Silas were in the Philippian jail. They had been beaten and case in to prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then about midnight Paul and Silas began to sing and praise the Lord. The others in the prison heard them, but not only did they hear them God heard. He sent an earthquake that shook the very foundation of the prison. All the doors were opened and every mans bonds was loosed. The jail being asleep, awoke and seeing all these thing pulled his sword and was about to take his own life. Paul seeing this said, sir do thyself no harm for we are all here. The jailer call for a light and fell before Paul and Silas and said, sirs what must I do to be saved. They told him and after salvation he was baptized.
So you see baptism is important. It entiles us to be a part of the greatest work known to man. Part of the church which belongs to God. When you get right down to it baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. I trust I have been a blessing if you need to talk with me please call.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
SEPT. 1, ‘10 - Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes
Now that summer officially ends this September it’s time to get that vacation wanderlust spirit out of our thinking and settle down in our homes for a while. Many of us feel secure staying in or coming back to our homes. However, if you take time to look, there are people around us, also those seen on TV, who have lost homes because of financial meltdowns, fires out of control, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes. These tragedies have taken a huge toll on home living across the globe.
Through the years I have lived in several different homes and I’m sure many of you have as well. I have also spent nights in tents, camps, motor and mobile homes, rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels and have slept outside under stars on several occasions. It’s always better though for a good nights sleep to be in a location and in a bed that you’re used to and where you feel safe.
The Bible talks often about homes, houses and locations where some have resided. Take these examples: Mobile living - “He (Abram) moved on from the Negev, camping along the way, to Bethel. . . .”-Gen 13:3-MESSAGE. A cave residence- “And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.”-Gen 19:30-KJV. An Ivory palace -“Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?”-1 Kings 22:39-KJV. Tomb residences -(10) “For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. (11) Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.”- Psalms 49:10-11-NIV. Some tents are better than houses -“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” Prov.14:11-NIV. A lazy man’s house - “If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.”-Ecclesiastes 10:18-NIV. A seaside residence - (5) “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: (6) He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.”-Acts 10:5-6-KJV. Winter and summer houses -“And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an en d, saith the Lord.”-Amos 3:15-KJV. Jesus had no residence -(19) “As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. ‘I’ll go with you, wherever,’ he said. (20) Jesus was curt: ‘Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.’-Matthew 8:19-20-MESSAGE. Rental house -“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him.”-Acts 28:30-KJV. Residence of demons -(29) “For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. 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. (30) And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.”- Luke 8:29-30-KJV. Our earthly bodies are like a tent -“For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven–God-made, not handmade and we’ll never have to relocate our ‘tents’ again.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-MESSAGE. Eager for heavenly home -“The Spirit of God . . .puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less”-2 Corinthians 5:5-MESSAGE.
Through the years I have lived in several different homes and I’m sure many of you have as well. I have also spent nights in tents, camps, motor and mobile homes, rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels and have slept outside under stars on several occasions. It’s always better though for a good nights sleep to be in a location and in a bed that you’re used to and where you feel safe.
The Bible talks often about homes, houses and locations where some have resided. Take these examples: Mobile living - “He (Abram) moved on from the Negev, camping along the way, to Bethel. . . .”-Gen 13:3-MESSAGE. A cave residence- “And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.”-Gen 19:30-KJV. An Ivory palace -“Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?”-1 Kings 22:39-KJV. Tomb residences -(10) “For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. (11) Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.”- Psalms 49:10-11-NIV. Some tents are better than houses -“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” Prov.14:11-NIV. A lazy man’s house - “If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.”-Ecclesiastes 10:18-NIV. A seaside residence - (5) “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: (6) He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.”-Acts 10:5-6-KJV. Winter and summer houses -“And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an en d, saith the Lord.”-Amos 3:15-KJV. Jesus had no residence -(19) “As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. ‘I’ll go with you, wherever,’ he said. (20) Jesus was curt: ‘Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.’-Matthew 8:19-20-MESSAGE. Rental house -“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him.”-Acts 28:30-KJV. Residence of demons -(29) “For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. 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. (30) And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.”- Luke 8:29-30-KJV. Our earthly bodies are like a tent -“For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven–God-made, not handmade and we’ll never have to relocate our ‘tents’ again.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-MESSAGE. Eager for heavenly home -“The Spirit of God . . .puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less”-2 Corinthians 5:5-MESSAGE.
SEPT. 1, ‘10 - A Life Worthy of the Lord - Colossians 1:9-14 by Rev. Chad Jenkins
In looking at our lives, we should ask, “How inviting is my faith?” Anyone who has ever worked door-to-door tell you that some places are inviting and some or not. You probably know what I mean. You can probably recall a house that you avoided; you made a point to walk on the opposite side of the street. On the other hand, you probably know of a home that always seems open and accommodating where you always feel welcome. Look at this passage again.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14
Paul and the other believers are praying for the recipients of this Word that they might “grow” and “be strengthened.” That can only happen in a “shared life.” A life worthy of the Lord is a shared life. We were built for relationships. We were wired to connect with others. So much of what Jesus taught involved relating to others in our faith. The Ten Commandments are all “relational” in nature. The first four deal with our relationship with God; the last six comprise our relationship with other people.
So it bears the question, “How do we grow?” First we grow through nourishment. We should be consuming the Word of God, “the bread of life,” consistently. It is not enough to whip out our Bible and find a power verse in a desperate time. This is the spiritual equivalent of starving for weeks and eating a cracker now and then to sustain ourselves. We need to FEAST on the Bible. We need to savor every morsel of the rich bounty that is Scripture.
Secondly, to grow we need to face resistance. Again. This comes with relationships. Many today have decided that isolation is the key to peace. They find it easier just to put up “No Trespassing” signs in their lives than to risk being hurt. Unfortunately they are wrong. Every person that I have seen make this choice not only misses the peace they hoped for, they become bitter and angry and sad having no one to share their lives with. Understand this the Scriptures speak of the “Trials that worketh patience.” (James 1:3) Just as an athlete builds strength through resistance, such as weight lifting, our spiritual lives grow through resistance.
Avoiding conflict, or even worse ignoring conflict, only leads to resentment and further isolation. We have to accept the fact that we are not going to always see eye-to-eye with everyone, but when we face our differences head-on God can help us to be strengthened.
In the late sixties there was a lot of social rebellion. One hub of that rebellion was in Ashbury district in San Francisco. There a young man, a seminary student named Kent Philpott, was drawn to start an outreach to this hippy generation. Kent developed a friendship with a David Hoyt, a practicing Hare Krishna. For all the “peace” and “love” that was volleyed about in the hippy culture, most (like David) were still desperate and searching. Over the course of many months Kent opened his home and his heart to his new friend. Patiently and persistently he shared the love and the truth of Christ with David. Ultimately, David came to Christ, and became a great teacher and leader in what has been called “the Jesus Movement.”
Unfortunately today, in the age of drive-thru wedding chapels and microwave pizza, we want everything to be quick and easy. We rarely exhaust the effort needed to truly share our lives with others, let alone patiently turn them toward Jesus. But isn’t that what we are called to? For Jesus did not say, “Go ye therefore and make converts.” said, “Go, and make DISCIPLES!”
Is your life a “shared life?” Or does this fit you better?
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played.
He never risked, he never tried
He never sang or prayed.
And when one day, he passed away
His insurance was denied
For since he never really lived
They claimed he never died.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14
Paul and the other believers are praying for the recipients of this Word that they might “grow” and “be strengthened.” That can only happen in a “shared life.” A life worthy of the Lord is a shared life. We were built for relationships. We were wired to connect with others. So much of what Jesus taught involved relating to others in our faith. The Ten Commandments are all “relational” in nature. The first four deal with our relationship with God; the last six comprise our relationship with other people.
So it bears the question, “How do we grow?” First we grow through nourishment. We should be consuming the Word of God, “the bread of life,” consistently. It is not enough to whip out our Bible and find a power verse in a desperate time. This is the spiritual equivalent of starving for weeks and eating a cracker now and then to sustain ourselves. We need to FEAST on the Bible. We need to savor every morsel of the rich bounty that is Scripture.
Secondly, to grow we need to face resistance. Again. This comes with relationships. Many today have decided that isolation is the key to peace. They find it easier just to put up “No Trespassing” signs in their lives than to risk being hurt. Unfortunately they are wrong. Every person that I have seen make this choice not only misses the peace they hoped for, they become bitter and angry and sad having no one to share their lives with. Understand this the Scriptures speak of the “Trials that worketh patience.” (James 1:3) Just as an athlete builds strength through resistance, such as weight lifting, our spiritual lives grow through resistance.
Avoiding conflict, or even worse ignoring conflict, only leads to resentment and further isolation. We have to accept the fact that we are not going to always see eye-to-eye with everyone, but when we face our differences head-on God can help us to be strengthened.
In the late sixties there was a lot of social rebellion. One hub of that rebellion was in Ashbury district in San Francisco. There a young man, a seminary student named Kent Philpott, was drawn to start an outreach to this hippy generation. Kent developed a friendship with a David Hoyt, a practicing Hare Krishna. For all the “peace” and “love” that was volleyed about in the hippy culture, most (like David) were still desperate and searching. Over the course of many months Kent opened his home and his heart to his new friend. Patiently and persistently he shared the love and the truth of Christ with David. Ultimately, David came to Christ, and became a great teacher and leader in what has been called “the Jesus Movement.”
Unfortunately today, in the age of drive-thru wedding chapels and microwave pizza, we want everything to be quick and easy. We rarely exhaust the effort needed to truly share our lives with others, let alone patiently turn them toward Jesus. But isn’t that what we are called to? For Jesus did not say, “Go ye therefore and make converts.” said, “Go, and make DISCIPLES!”
Is your life a “shared life?” Or does this fit you better?
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played.
He never risked, he never tried
He never sang or prayed.
And when one day, he passed away
His insurance was denied
For since he never really lived
They claimed he never died.
SEPT. 1, ‘10 - Our Heavenly Father by Joyce Mizell
God is all wise when dealing with grumbling people. It’s no wonder the parable Jesus gave of the Prodigal Son in Luke Chapter 15 is referred to as the gospel within the gospel and the crown and pearl of all the parables.
Jesus in response to the griping and grumbling of the scribes and Pharisees structured this parable around the Jewish custom. This parable covers all facets!
1-The younger son whom Jesus received (the prodigal’s sin, misery and repentance.)
2-The Father’s happiness at the return of the prodigal son (God’s welcome home to the repentant sinner.)
3-The bitterness of the older brother ((the spiritual poverty of the scribes and Pharisees.)
THIS IS A PERFECT REMINDER THAT GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART NOT OUTWARD PIETY
If we take the time to study this parable once again we learn so much! It seems both sons may have been prodigals in their own way.
I see Our Heavenly Father as the IMPORTANT ONE!
A sub-heading for my article would be WE HAVE HOPE. Regardless if we are a noticeable Prodigal Son or think we are a Goody two shoe, we have hope
Trusting our heavenly Father. Another reminder, Jesus was accused of sitting with sinners. Of course he did, he came to earth and gave his life for SINNERS.
WHAT A SAVIOR!
I’m sure most every one knows the parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son got his inheritance, left home and wasted all he had. He lived high until he had to slop hogs for a bite to eat. Be sure and pay attention to the scripture which states that both sons got their inheritance. Luke 15:12-And the younger of them said to his father, Father give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto THEM his living. This is a picture of our perfect Heavenly Father. The scripture in Deut 21:17 said the older son would receive a double portion. This makes me wonder why the older son was in such a tizzy when the Prodigal came home. No need to wonder the answer is in God’s Word. No matter how right we try to live I wonder how many times we “drop the ball” so to speak.
Oh yes, this parable is a daily lesson for each and everyone. We can be absolutely certain no matter if we slop the pigs and eat husk because of our own choices that God is waiting for us to repent and come home. We have hope trusting in Jesus Christ. The Prodigal received the Royal Robe from the Father and so can we.
Etch this parable in memory and remember to repent and come home to the Heavenly Father. Don’t let pride, bitterness or any thing else stand in the way of heaven. After reviewing this passage of the Bible I’m inclined to think the older son had some repenting of his own. He seemed to be self righteous.
Remember how he reminded the father what all he had done. Take my word for it; God doesn’t need any reminding about how wonderful we are. He keeps perfect, righteous records.
Luke 15:24 For this my Son was dead and is alive again, he was lost, and is found, and they began to make merry
WE HAVE HOPE IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. Make your way home to him he’s waiting to show mercy grace and repentance to everyone.
Jesus in response to the griping and grumbling of the scribes and Pharisees structured this parable around the Jewish custom. This parable covers all facets!
1-The younger son whom Jesus received (the prodigal’s sin, misery and repentance.)
2-The Father’s happiness at the return of the prodigal son (God’s welcome home to the repentant sinner.)
3-The bitterness of the older brother ((the spiritual poverty of the scribes and Pharisees.)
THIS IS A PERFECT REMINDER THAT GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART NOT OUTWARD PIETY
If we take the time to study this parable once again we learn so much! It seems both sons may have been prodigals in their own way.
I see Our Heavenly Father as the IMPORTANT ONE!
A sub-heading for my article would be WE HAVE HOPE. Regardless if we are a noticeable Prodigal Son or think we are a Goody two shoe, we have hope
Trusting our heavenly Father. Another reminder, Jesus was accused of sitting with sinners. Of course he did, he came to earth and gave his life for SINNERS.
WHAT A SAVIOR!
I’m sure most every one knows the parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son got his inheritance, left home and wasted all he had. He lived high until he had to slop hogs for a bite to eat. Be sure and pay attention to the scripture which states that both sons got their inheritance. Luke 15:12-And the younger of them said to his father, Father give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto THEM his living. This is a picture of our perfect Heavenly Father. The scripture in Deut 21:17 said the older son would receive a double portion. This makes me wonder why the older son was in such a tizzy when the Prodigal came home. No need to wonder the answer is in God’s Word. No matter how right we try to live I wonder how many times we “drop the ball” so to speak.
Oh yes, this parable is a daily lesson for each and everyone. We can be absolutely certain no matter if we slop the pigs and eat husk because of our own choices that God is waiting for us to repent and come home. We have hope trusting in Jesus Christ. The Prodigal received the Royal Robe from the Father and so can we.
Etch this parable in memory and remember to repent and come home to the Heavenly Father. Don’t let pride, bitterness or any thing else stand in the way of heaven. After reviewing this passage of the Bible I’m inclined to think the older son had some repenting of his own. He seemed to be self righteous.
Remember how he reminded the father what all he had done. Take my word for it; God doesn’t need any reminding about how wonderful we are. He keeps perfect, righteous records.
Luke 15:24 For this my Son was dead and is alive again, he was lost, and is found, and they began to make merry
WE HAVE HOPE IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. Make your way home to him he’s waiting to show mercy grace and repentance to everyone.
SEPT. 1, ‘10 - My Own Rose Garden by Joyce Mizell
My rose garden is special; I cherish it in my mind
All the roses in it are filled with roses and a unique kind
My life has been filled with roses since I was born
The lovely roses I have enjoyed didn’t have thorns
The roses filled my pathway from many years ago
My life has been better because of the roses I know
A rose could be over looked stumbling on our way
People touching my life have been roses of the day
A life touched by another is like the petal of a rose
Soft and gentle only a friend could feel and know
When the sun didn’t shine to brighten up my sky
A rose came from nowhere bringing joy for a while
My life has been touched by the roses of many kind
I’ve gathered roses for my bouquet time after time
I remember the family and friends who mean so much
Each one is a special rose: I’m glad our lives touched
All the roses in it are filled with roses and a unique kind
My life has been filled with roses since I was born
The lovely roses I have enjoyed didn’t have thorns
The roses filled my pathway from many years ago
My life has been better because of the roses I know
A rose could be over looked stumbling on our way
People touching my life have been roses of the day
A life touched by another is like the petal of a rose
Soft and gentle only a friend could feel and know
When the sun didn’t shine to brighten up my sky
A rose came from nowhere bringing joy for a while
My life has been touched by the roses of many kind
I’ve gathered roses for my bouquet time after time
I remember the family and friends who mean so much
Each one is a special rose: I’m glad our lives touched
August 21, 2010
Aug. 16 '10 - Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes
Sometimes I step off into a subject that may be somewhat over my head or rather over my feet. We know through personal visits or watching media of the oil catastrophe in Gulf of Mexico how it’s affecting coastlines. People being careful to walk there try not to step in oil sludge or on tar balls.
Walking down there, shoes or flip flops are worn but cleaning them or bare feet takes more than water or soap. It wasn’t that way during Jesus’ day. With most Biblical characters at that time wearing leather strap-on sandals and no socks, as we now have, dusty and muddy roads caused dirty feet.
The Bible has many passages on foot washing. When the Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees in Mamre three men appeared. Abraham rushed to meet them and said: “Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,” Genesis 18:4 KJV. When two angels appeared in Sodom, Lot said: “. . .Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.” - Gen. 19:2KJV. When Jacobs’, or Israels’, sons traveled to Egypt, their brother Joseph, unknown at the time to them, gave orders to his steward: “The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder to their donkeys.” - Gen. 43:24NIV.
The Bible says Jesus spoke to Simon the Pharisee in his home: “ . . Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. - Luke 7:44KJV.
At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus: “ . .got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said ‘Master, you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered. “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear to you later.’ Peter persisted, ‘You’re not going to wash my feet–ever! Jesus said, ‘If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.’ ‘Master!’ said Peter, ‘Not only my feet, then, Wash my hands! Wash my head!’ Jesus said, ‘If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.’” - John 13:4-10 MESSAGE. What did the Lord intend to teach in these verses when He washed the disciples feet? Did He institute a church religious worship ritual, or did He set an example of individual humble service? It’s not stated in the Bible that this should be a ritual of worship nor does any other Biblical passage state that Christians did this in church assemblies.
Jesus washed feet not a foot. For those churches who practice foot-washing some do it this way: "For people whose feet are being washed: Instruct them to come to the service with clean feet in clean footgear. Each person removes the footgear from one foot. It doesn't matter which foot. The foot-washer places the bowl under the person's bare foot, pours water on the foot, and dries it with the towel."
This has nothing to do with foot-washing, but we Massage Therapist use lotions, oils or gels to gently massage feet. The bottom of feet are a map of internal body parts and any soreness or hardness on them usually reflexes to indicate problems in that body part. When that body area is clear of problems, foot soreness is usually gone. I’m a believer of taking care of feet, because when they are pain-free the mind can concentrate on other things especially Biblical teachings and emulating Jesus.
Walking down there, shoes or flip flops are worn but cleaning them or bare feet takes more than water or soap. It wasn’t that way during Jesus’ day. With most Biblical characters at that time wearing leather strap-on sandals and no socks, as we now have, dusty and muddy roads caused dirty feet.
The Bible has many passages on foot washing. When the Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees in Mamre three men appeared. Abraham rushed to meet them and said: “Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,” Genesis 18:4 KJV. When two angels appeared in Sodom, Lot said: “. . .Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.” - Gen. 19:2KJV. When Jacobs’, or Israels’, sons traveled to Egypt, their brother Joseph, unknown at the time to them, gave orders to his steward: “The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder to their donkeys.” - Gen. 43:24NIV.
The Bible says Jesus spoke to Simon the Pharisee in his home: “ . . Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. - Luke 7:44KJV.
At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus: “ . .got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said ‘Master, you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered. “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear to you later.’ Peter persisted, ‘You’re not going to wash my feet–ever! Jesus said, ‘If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.’ ‘Master!’ said Peter, ‘Not only my feet, then, Wash my hands! Wash my head!’ Jesus said, ‘If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.’” - John 13:4-10 MESSAGE. What did the Lord intend to teach in these verses when He washed the disciples feet? Did He institute a church religious worship ritual, or did He set an example of individual humble service? It’s not stated in the Bible that this should be a ritual of worship nor does any other Biblical passage state that Christians did this in church assemblies.
Jesus washed feet not a foot. For those churches who practice foot-washing some do it this way: "For people whose feet are being washed: Instruct them to come to the service with clean feet in clean footgear. Each person removes the footgear from one foot. It doesn't matter which foot. The foot-washer places the bowl under the person's bare foot, pours water on the foot, and dries it with the towel."
This has nothing to do with foot-washing, but we Massage Therapist use lotions, oils or gels to gently massage feet. The bottom of feet are a map of internal body parts and any soreness or hardness on them usually reflexes to indicate problems in that body part. When that body area is clear of problems, foot soreness is usually gone. I’m a believer of taking care of feet, because when they are pain-free the mind can concentrate on other things especially Biblical teachings and emulating Jesus.
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